Nutritional status and its relationship with food intake of students at a school unit in Paraíba

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status and food intake of schoolchildren in a municipal educational institution in the interior of Paraíba. Methods: A descriptive field study was conducted with a quantitative approach in the area of ​​public health, covering elementary school students in the interior of Paraíba. The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and an anthropometric assessment were used to collect data. The sample consisted of 131 students of both sexes. The data obtained were tabulated using the SPSS for Windows 22 software and subsequently analyzed. Results: The results indicated that, although most students had a eutrophic nutritional status, the observed eating habits were predominantly inadequate. A low consumption of foods considered healthy, such as fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products, was observed, in contrast to a high consumption of processed foods rich in sugars, sodium and saturated fats. Conclusion: Thus, it is evident that a dietary lifestyle may be insufficient to promote long-term health, and that other factors must be taken into consideration, associating them with the promotion of a healthy diet.