OBJECTIVE: The objective was to describe the anthropometric profile and food intake in adolescents from public schools in a municipality of Bahia, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional experimental design was employed with a random conglomerate sample of 354 adolescents, 17 to 19 years old, from a total of 1.678 students enrolled in 23 eligible schools of the municipality. Qualitative data on the frequency of food consumption and anthropometric indicators were collected. Body weight/ height index, triceps skeletal muscle and sub-scapular skinfold measurements, were carried out according to World Health Organization. Bivariate and stratified analyses were then carried out, and statistical significance at the 5% level verified using chi-square (chi2) and the exact Fischer test. RESULTS: An analysis of the anthropometric indicators showed prevalence for overweight and obesity in 5.1% of the females and prevalence for underweight in 6.4% of the males. Growth deficiency was noted in 25.0% of the adolescents; the deficiency being classified as moderate in 15.0% and severe in 10.0% of the adolescents. The usual food intake consisted of cooked rice, beans, manioc flour, wheat bread, butter, coffee and sugar. A low consumption of dairy products, fruits, vegetables and greens was observed. 96.6% of the adolescents had three meals per day, which were consumed at home by 80.0% of those interviewed. CONCLUSION: The results point to a need to implement preventive strategies for nutritional problems, recommending appropriate food intake and healthier life styles. Furthermore, possible factors inhibiting growth in the adolescents should be studied.
adolescent; food intake; anthropometric
