Abstract

ZART, Vera Beatriz et al. Concerns about eating habits and associated factors in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2010, vol.19, n.2, pp.143-154. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742010000200007.

A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted with 1,951 individuals aged>14 years old to investigate the association between concerns about eating habits and eating habits and demographic, socio-economic, and other health-related habits in residents of Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul. Individuals reported unrestricted consumption of fats (45%), meat (64%), sweets (61%), and flours/pastas (81%). The variables associated with unrestricted consumption of meat were: male sex; five to eight years of schooling; people with unrestricted consumption of fats andflours/pastas; and no homeopathic treatment. The variables associated with unrestricted consumption of fats were: male sex; indi­viduals with 8years of schooling or less; self-perception of their unhealthy lifestyle; smoking; alcohol consumption, no tea drinking and nonuse of medication; unrestricted consumption of meats, sweets and flours/pastas, and absence of preventive exams. The factors associated with unrestricted consumption of sweets were self-perception of their unhealthy lifestyle; and unrestricted consumption of fats andflours/pastas. The variables associated with unrestricted consumption of flours/pastas were: male sex; and unrestricted intake of fats, meats and sweets. Regarding the age group, unrestricted consumption for all variables was associated mainly with people aged less than 59 years old. The associations between eating habits and other risk factors for chronic diseases, like those related to alcohol and tobacco, point out the need for the implementation of health promotion inter-organizational policies.

Keywords : eating habits; lifestyle; health promotion; epidemiological factors.

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