Consumo de alimentos e sua relação com indicadores do metabolismo glicídico em adolescentes com excesso de peso em escolas públicas de Campina Grande - PB

Abstract

Inadequate food consumption is associated with the development of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs), such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, conditions that have been ncreasing in prevalence, including among adolescents. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the frequency of consumption of healthy and unhealthy dietary markers and the presence of alterations in glycemic metabolism indicators in overweight/obese adolescents attending public schools. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study using data from two previous studies conducted in municipal and state public middle and high schools in Campina Grande, Paraíba, in 2013 and 2016, with adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years. Data related to sociodemographic variables (age, sex), nutritional status, glycemic metabolism indicators, and frequency of food consumption were selected from both studies and compiled into a single database for statistical analysis. For the assessment of food consumption frequency, healthy eating was defined as consuming beans, vegetables, and fresh fruits five or more times per week and/or consuming sweets and soft drinks less than five times per week. Results: Among the adolescents evaluated, 61.7% were female, 37.2% had obesity, and 89.1% had central obesity. Alterations in glycemic metabolism were observed, with elevated glycated hemoglobin being the most prevalent (9.8%). Fasting blood glucose was elevated in only 0.5% of cases. Among the healthy eating markers, beans were the most consumed, with 72.1% of adolescents reporting intake five or more times per week. Among the unhealthy food indicators, soft drinks were the most consumed (73.5%), followed by sweets (53.1%). When evaluating predictive factors for the presence of alterations in glycemic metabolism, obesity was shown to be an independent risk factor, with a threefold higher likelihood compared to overweight adolescents. Conclusion: The prevalence of alterations in glycemic metabolism among overweight/obese adolescents was significant. Although no association was found between the frequency of consumption of healthy and unhealthy dietary markers and changes in glycemic metabolism, a higher frequency of sweet consumption was observed among those with this condition. Further studies are needed o assess the relationship between the consumption of healthy and unhealthy dietary markers and alterations in glycemic metabolism in overweight adolescents. It is important to highlight that adolescents with obesity were three times more likely to present alterations in glycemic metabolism, reinforcing the importance of implementing school-based strategies to promote and maintain a healthy nutritional status.