Análise da percepção do consumo de frutas em adolescentes participantes de um ensaio comunitário randomizado em Duque de Caxias - RJ.

Abstract

The effect of a nutritional intervention in the perception of fruit consumption among adolescents from Duque de Caxias - RJ was evaluated. This is a secondary analysis of a community-based randomized controlled trial conducted during the 2016 school year students in fifth and sixth grades from 18 public schools in Duque de Caxias, RJ. The intervention consisted in integrated actions of primary prevention (at school) and secondary prevention (at the family level, in partnership with the Family Health Strategy). Activities were developed that provided the general basis for a healthy lifestyle. The perception of fruit intake was obtained by asking the question "In your opinion, is the quantify of fruits do you eat excellent, very good, good, bad or very bad?". A binary variable was constructed in both groups to evaluate misperception about fruit intake. Information on sociodemographic, individual, behavioral and food intake characteristics were obtained through a questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were collected by trained researchers. The results showed that there was no effect of the intervention in the change of perception regarding fruit intake. It was also observed male influence (p=0.026), considering the quality of the food as excellent/very good (p=0.000), less frequent intake of soft drinks (p=0.000) and biscuits (p=0.000) and a less frequent or null participation of the parents/responsibles during breakfast (p=0.000) and dinner/snack (p=0.000), in the misperception about the intake of fruits. This study demonstrated that a significant part of adolescents did not recognize that their fruit intake was far below expected. The lack of change in perception may represent an obstacle to the success of food and nutrition education programs, since these individuals, because they did not recognize the need to change their eating habits may be more resistant to changing intake in the short term. In addition, misperception may be associated with sex, perceived quality of food as a whole and family context of intake and eating behaviors such as the frequency of intake of soft drinks and cookies and the participation of parents/guardians during meals.