Objective:
The aim of this study is to investigate whether the consumption of regional food among Brazilian adolescents is associated with household food security status.
Methods:
This is a cross-sectional study that includes a sample of 15,084 adolescents, ninth-grade students in 26 Brazilian large cities in 2011/2012. The consumption of regional foods was evaluated using various food images; the adolescents were asked to identify the food and indicate whether they consumed that food. Household food security status was evaluated using a Short Form of the Food Insecurity Scale, adapted from the American Scale and validated for Brazilian adolescents.
Results:
Data of 14,690 adolescents with a mean of the age was 14.4 years were analyzed. The majority of the adolescents were female (55.7%) and public school students (78.2%). Only 3.1% of mothers were illiterate. Food insecurity was more prevalent among households with male students who were enrolled in public schools and whose mothers with were illiterate and lived in the Northern region of the country. The consumption of fruits and vegetables was higher among adolescents living in households with moderate and severe food insecurity than among those living in households that are food secure in all regions investigated. Home prepared regional foods are more commonly consumed by adolescents who live in households that are food secure.
Conclusion:
It was found that food insecurity is associated with greater consumption of foods that are part of a healthy diet, such as regional fruits and vegetables. The production and consumption of regional foods should be encouraged as a way to instill healthy eating habits and ensure food security.
Adolescent; Food consumption; Food security and nutrition
