Adolescent Dietary Habits in Five Colombian Cities: Global Health Survey Results

Objective: To provide information on the key issues of adolescent students' dietary and nutritional habits with the aim of possibly altering their school-day calorie intake. Methods: The Global School-Based Health Survey was carried out in public and private schools in five Colombian cities: Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cali, Manizales and Valledupar. Students were selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The survey was anonymous, voluntary and self-processed by students. Statistical analysis was performed at the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. Results are representative for adolescent students, ages 13-15, in each city. Results: In the five cities, only 15.1% of students reported recommended consumption of five or more daily portions of fruit; 62.5% reported snacking between meals, three or more times during the previous week; and, 30.1% reported soft drink consumption, twice a day or more, during the previous thirty days. Conclusions: Results indicate worrisome dietary habits among adolescents in five Colombian cities and should be used to foster speciic school-based interventions.