Food pyramid intake and nutrient profiles of Brazilian girls

Purpose - This paper aims to evaluate the impact of the groups from the Brazilian Food Pyramid on macro and micronutrient content of food consumed by adolescent girls from a school-based study. Design/methodology/approach - Baseline data from Healthy Habits, Healthy Girls school-based randomized control trial was used for this study. A sample of the girls aged 14 to 18 years old (n = 253) from ten schools in Brazil was evaluated. Participants completed validated food frequency questionnaire, from which, the total kilocalories and/or grams from each food groups were calculated. Descriptive statistics, t-student test and linear regression were used for the analysis with a significant level of p < 0.05. Findings - Mean daily intake of the girls was 2,887.09 (standard error 91.50) kcal/day. There was a positive significant association between relative intake of the Oil and Fats group and protein (ranged from 24.95 to 96.12 kcal/d), fats (48.36 to 192.62 kcal/d), iron (56.93 to 162.85 kcal/d) and sodium (208.08 to 699.69 kcal/d) contents. In regards to the intake of Sugars and Sweets group, there was a positive significant association for carbohydrates (97.53 to 491.70 kcal/day), total fiber (0.56 to 2.64 kcal/d), iron (0.85 to 4.40 kcal/d) and sodium (175.59 to 838.48 kcal/d) content. Originality/value - Findings demonstrate that girls over consumed the Oils and Fats and Sugars and Sweets groups reflecting on increased of important macro and micronutrients of their diet. Therefore, consuming up to 1 serving size of these groups is a good way to promote healthy eating among this population.