Abstract
Objective: To characterize, as regards biopsychosocial aspects, the population of children and adolescents in institutional care in a municipality in the Midwest region of Minas Gerais. Methods: Descriptive exploratory study. The participants were 11 children and 12 adolescents institutionalized in shelters in a municipality of Minas Gerais. Data collection took place from October to December 2018, through a semi-structured script inspired by the questionnaire of the National School Health Survey - PeNse. Results: As for food consumption on five days or more a week, all participants, both sexes, consume beans and fruits daily; 81% males eat goodies and 50% females drink soda; 53% of participants practice physical activity and 10% watch television more than two hours a day. Regarding tobacco and drugs, 53% said they had tried some alcohol and 15% used illicit drugs once in their lifetime. Conclusion: The family context composed of risk and vulnerability situations allows children and adolescents to have their life histories permeated by precarious socioeconomic conditions, as well as direct and indirect approaches with licit and illicit drug use.