Food consumption in Mexican adolescents Consumo de alimentos en adolescentes mexicanos
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between demographic and socioeconomic factors and food consumption in Mexican adolescents. METHODS: A representative sample (n = 7 218) of Mexican adolescents (12-19 years old) was analyzed. Independent variables included age, gender, and main activity of the a...
Main Authors: | , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Pan American Health Organization
2008-08-01
|
Series: | Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://www.scielosp.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1020-49892008000800007 |
Summary: | OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between demographic and socioeconomic factors and food consumption in Mexican adolescents. METHODS: A representative sample (n = 7 218) of Mexican adolescents (12-19 years old) was analyzed. Independent variables included age, gender, and main activity of the adolescents; gender and age of the head of household; socioeconomic position; size of town (rural, semiurban, or urban); and area of residence. The consumption frequency of 13 food groups was assessed. Through multivariate logistic regression models, the effect of independent variables over consumption frequency was evaluated. RESULTS: Among Mexican adolescents only one-third consumed fruits and vegetables daily, a little less than one-half consumed dairy products daily, one-third drank soft drinks daily, and one-fifth consumed sweets and salty snacks. Males reported higher consumption of legumes. Age increase was associated with higher frequency of milk consumption. Adolescents who worked and those who neither studied nor worked consumed fruits, sweets, and salty snacks less frequently. Eating fruits, vegetables, cereals, dairy products, bread, starchy vegetables, red meat, white meat, and fast food decreased with regard to socioeconomic position; on the other hand, the lower socioeconomic strata had more frequent consumption of legumes and soft drinks. CONCLUSIONS: There are groups of adolescents who are less likely to consume healthy foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products). Socioeconomic and cultural processes that can explain the differences observed are discussed.<br>OBJETIVO: Examinar la relación entre algunos factores demográficos y socioeconómicos y el consumo de alimentos en adolescentes mexicanos. MÉTODOS: Se analizó una muestra representativa (n = 7 218) de adolescentes mexicanos (de 12-19 años). Como variables independientes se emplearon la edad, el sexo y la actividad principal de los adolescentes; el sexo y la edad del jefe del hogar; la posición socioeconómica; el tamaño de la población de residencia (rural, semiurbana o urbana) y la zona del país. Se determinó la frecuencia del consumo de 13 grupos de alimentos y se evaluó el efecto de las variables independientes sobre la frecuencia de consumo mediante modelos de regresión logística multifactorial. RESULTADOS: Solo una tercera parte de los adolescentes mexicanos consumía frutas y vegetales diariamente, poco menos de la mitad consumía diariamente productos lácteos, un tercio bebía refrescos todos los días y una quinta parte consumía dulces y golosinas saladas. Los varones presentaron un mayor consumo de legumbres. Una mayor edad se asoció con una mayor frecuencia de consumo de leche. Los adolescentes que trabajaban y los que no trabajaban ni estudiaban consumían frutas, dulces y golosinas saladas con menor frecuencia. El consumo de frutas, vegetales, cereales, productos lácteos, pan, vegetales ricos en almidón, carne roja, carne blanca y comidas instantáneas disminuyó según la posición socioeconómica; además, los grupos de más baja posición socioeconómica consumían legumbres y refrescos con mayor frecuencia. CONCLUSIONES: Hay grupos de adolescentes menos propensos a consumir alimentos saludables (como frutas, vegetales y productos lácteos). Se discuten las condiciones socioeconómicas y culturales que pueden explicar las diferencias observadas. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 1020-4989 1680-5348 |