| dc.description.abstract | This longitudinal study aims to verify the association between consumption of
ultra-processed foods and the presence of characteristics of hyperactivity in
adolescents. The study consists of an analysis of secondary data from a larger study,
which has a randomized field trial design with children recruited at birth. At birth, the
mother-child pairs were randomized into an intervention and control group, and the
intervention group was submitted to a program of dietary guidelines, related to the
guidelines developed by the General Coordination of Food and Nutrition Policy of the
Ministry of Health called: “Ten Steps to Healthy Eating for Children Under Two Years”.
The study comprised four phases of data collection, through home visits through
interviews with mothers. The analyzes of the present study considered the data
collected at 3-4, 7-8 and 12-13 years and did not take into account the initial group that
the child was part of. Two 24-hour recall surveys were conducted with each child, and
from them the consumption of ultra-processed grams, kcal and percentage of energy
in relation to the total energy value of the diet was calculated. The SDQ skills and
difficulties questionnaire version for adolescents was applied, an instrument that tracks
mental health problems and was answered by the participants themselves (version
intended for 11-16-year old). As for the results with statistical significance, it was
observed that the consumption of kcal from ultra-processed foods at 4 years of age
and being overweight at 12 years of age are associated with the presence of
characteristics of hyperactivity in adolescence (p = 0.002 and p = 0.034). This study
shows that the consumption of an unhealthy diet in childhood can impact behavioral
aspects in adolescence, which reinforces the importance of early action aimed at the
development of healthy eating habits. | en |
