Comportamento alimentar dos adolescentes

Abstract

The aim of this work is to learn skills and psychological, cognitive and behavioral strategies that will help teenagers to develop sound mind and body through their eating habits and physical activities. Our aim, therefore, is to promote a life style that will increase the quality of life among teenagers. Another aim of this work is to map the eating habits of teenagers, measuring the frequency they eat, what they eat and in which places. The data is correlated to behavioral and socioeconomic variables and time spent watching television, playing videogame and using computer. The 28 teenagers here studied are all from the Escola Estadual Maria Magdalena de Oliveira D. Cota, in Tarumã, São Paulo. After having their BMI (body mass index) measured, the teenagers answered questions regarding their eating habits, which allows us to identify possible factors that contribute to poor diet and, consequently, obesity and other health problems. After that, the teenagers and their parents or guardians received separately guidelines and suggestions on how to improve their eating habits, combining it with sports and physical activities. A better diet combined with more physical activities will improve the corporal and mental health of those teenagers, which in turn will influence future generations, creating a positive cycle. Finally, all this research allows the formulation of a basic plan of action, which can also be applied to other groups, obviously respecting regional, social, cultural, physical and others differences.