Healthy eating in adolescence

reflections on the behavior of students at a public school in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

Based on the assumption that eating habits are built in adolescence, this article aims to conduct a survey on the concepts of healthy eating of high school students from a public school in a city of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Aiming to know the adolescents' habits and conceptions related to the subject, a qualitative and descriptive exploratory research was carried out by submitting a form containing open questions directed to students about their individual eating habits, keeping their identify anonymous. We sought to understand how adolescents understand the theme “healthy eating” and to confront the reality found in existing studies on the subject. It was concluded that this study offers clues to the need for better information for adolescents on healthy and nutritious food. The study is limited, as the information provided about the eating habits of adolescents reveal the complexity of the subject, which covers cultural, social and economic aspects. According to what can be perceived and considering the factors that influence the eating habits of adolescents, it is understood that the school can play a fundamental role in the formation of critical students about their own food.