Características alimentarias de riesgo nutricional en la adolescencia media en la Unidad Educativa Particular Pasos, Cuenca-2022

Abstract

Background: Middle adolescence is characterized as a stage full of psychological changes. Social pressure can have a negative influence creating unhealthy eating habits which can affect the nutritional status of teenagers. The diet at this age is characterized by a high consumption of ultra-processed foods, high in sugars, fats and an insufficient supply of vitamins and minerals. The omission of mealtimes is often used as a strategy to maintain body weight and improve their physical appearance. Objectives: To evaluate the dietary characteristics of nutritional risk in middle adolescence of students of the Pasos Private Educational Unit, Cuenca 2022-2023. Methods: Study with cross-sectional design, descriptive type, non-probabilistic by convenience. The sample is composed of 148 students in total, of which 66 are male and 82 are female. This research was conducted in the Pasos Private Educational Unit, in the urban area of the city of Cuenca, in the province of Azuay. The defined population, was composed of a group of adolescents from 14 to 16 years old from the city of Cuenca, belonging to the Pasos Educational Unit, Cuenca 2022. Results: This research allowed us to know the nutritional characteristics of risk in adolescents from 14 to 16 years old that belong to the Pasos Private Educational Unit.