[Unhealthy food choices of adolescent schoolchildren in the Campania region (Italy)]. / Scelte alimentari errate tra scolari adolescenti della regione Campania.

A questionnaire study to evaluate the eating habits of a sample of adolescents was conducted in 2009-2010 in Campania (Italy). The study involved 1,066 secondary school students aged 15 to 16 years. Fifty-two percent of participants were male and 96% lived in an urban area. Questionnaires were self-administered and anonymous. Results show an association between the consumption of different types of alcoholic beverages. Adolescents who drink carbonated beverages as a mid-morning snack tend to do the same during the mid-afternoon snack. Moreover, drinking carbonated beverages during morning and afternoon snacks was associated with the use of vending machines. Twenty-nine percent of participating students reported eating red meat more than four times per week.