Abstract:

Introduction: adolescence is characterized by a period of intense development linked to manifestations of sexuality, physical, emotional changes, and increased nutritional demands. Teenagers are more vulnerable to develop inappropriate eating habits, contributing to excessive weight gain, increasing the risk factors associated with diseases. The school is a privileged space, has the mission to educate and develop human values, at the same time must act as mediator of knowledge and educate their students to opt for the practice of healthy lifestyle. Objective: to evaluate the profile and food consumption among teenagers through the choices of snacks during the school break. Materials and methods: the analysis was performed in descriptive form of quantitative character with cross-sectional delineation. Held with students of a private educational institution in the city of Montes Claros-MG. The sample consisted of 52 students of both genders, aged 13 to 16 years of basic education. Result: through the responses obtained from food frequency questionnaire (QFA), educational activities as guidance and assistance about proper nutrition can be developed within the school space. Discussion: the research revealed disturbing data about adolescents' food profile. The nutritional quality, given the choices of students, can result in serious health problems in later life, such as the chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDS´s). Conclusion: there is an urgent need to develop strategies that promote changes in eating habits of adolescents towards health maintenance and prevention of future diseases.

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