Qualitative analysis of the diet of a probabilistic sample of schoolchildren from Florianopolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, using the Previous Day Food Questionnaire / Analise qualitativa da dieta de amostra probabilistica de escolares de Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil, com o uso do Questionario Alimentar do Dia Anterior

ABSTRACT

A qualitative evaluation of the diet of a probabilistic sample of 7-10 year old schoolchildren (n = 1,232) from Florianopolis (southern Brazil) was carried out by analyzing compliance with recommendations from the Brazilian Food Guidelines. The strengths and limitations of the Previous Day Food Questionnaire (PDFQ) are also presented. Frequencies of intake were defined as how many times per day the food group was reported on the PDFQ. The percentages of schoolchildren who met the minimum recommendations and who ate foods that were not recommended in the guidelines were compared for boys versus girls, private versus public school and by family income level. Although most of the children complied with the guidelines regarding consumption of meat/fish, dry beans, sweets, and eating three meals and two snacks, only 6.5 percent of the children met the recommendations for cereals, and 15 percent for fruit and vegetables. The PDFQ was confirmed as a practical and cost-effective method for the evaluation of compliance with health promotion targets.

RESUMO

Avaliacao qualitativa da dieta de uma amostra probabilistica de escolares de 7-10 anos (n = 1.232) de Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil, e apresentada por meio de uma analise da concordancia com as recomendacoes do guia alimentar para a populacao brasileira. Os aspectos positivos e as limitacoes do Questionario Alimentar do Dia Anterior (QUADA) sao tambem discutidos. As frequencias de consumo foram definidas em vezes por dia que os grupos de alimentos foram relatados no QUADA. As porcentagens de escolares que atingiram as recomendacoes minimas do guia e que consumiram alimentos nao recomendados foram comparadas entre os sexos, tipo de escola (publica versus privada) e nivel de salario familiar. A maioria das criancas apresentou concordancia com o guia para o consumo de carnes/peixes, feijao, doces e realizacao de tres refeicoes e dois lanches; somente 6,5 por cento atingiram as recomendacoes dos cereais e 15 por cento das frutas e hortalicas. O QUADA confirmou-se como um metodo pratico e de custo-efetividade para a avaliacao da concordancia com metas de promocao de saude.