Comparison between the nutritional status of eutrophic and overweight adolescents living in Brazil

The present study aimed to compare the nutritional status of normal and overweight adolescents. Sixty-four girls (36 normal-weight and 28 overweight) aged between 12 and 18 years were evaluated. Weight, height, body mass index and abdominal circumference were determined. Values of glucose, red blood cells, cholesterol and cholesterol fractions were analyzed. The diet history method and a food frequency questionnaire were used in order to obtain the quantitative and qualitative profiles of each participant's diet. The amount of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose were increased in the group of overweight adolescents as compared with the normal group, although no statistically significant differences could be found. The diet history showed that there was no difference between the groups regarding ingestion of energy and nutrients. Both groups presented high protein diets and calcium and folic acid ingestion below recommended values. The food frequency questionnaire showed an increased ingestion of fatty foods by the overweight adolescents when compared with the normal group. Thus there is a need for nutritional intervention in these adolescents in order to prevent chronic diseases. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.