Food intake in overweight and normal-weight adolescents in the city of Rio de Janeiro

This article compares the food intake of overweight and normal-weight adolescents from 12 to 17.9 years of age (71.8% of the original sample). Data were obtained in a survey performed in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1995-1996. Food intake was assessed by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (BMI = weight/stature ). Adolescents classified as overweight reached the 90th percentile of the 1989 Brazilian BMI distribution. Food intake of overweight and non-overweight subjects was similar. Both groups showed below-minimum-recommended food-group intakes and higher intake of high-density food items. These nutritional habits are risk factors for obesity and chronic diseases later in life.