Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the influence of the media on the food habits of adolescents from 13 to 14 years of age in private school. Methods: 94 adolescents of both genders, 13 to 14 years old from a private institution in Montes Claros - MG, participated in the study. The data were collected by means of a questionnaire on the frequency of food consumption associated with the hours spent in front of the electronic media (television, videogames and computers). The weight and height were measured to calculate and classify the Body Mass Index. Results: McDonalds (42.6% / n=40) is the one that is propagated for the foods that adolescents watch the most. The La Casa de Papel series was the most watched at mealtime (22.3% / n=21) by adolescents. It was found that 52.1% (n=49) of the students were overweight. The computer is the most used electronic medium, followed by television. Overweight adolescents use more computers, watch television and play video games more frequently than adolescents with normal weight. Conclusion: nutritional education should be continued for all age groups, aiming to improve the autonomy of adolescents in the choice of foods and in critical and reflective consciousness.