Conductas alimentarias de riesgo y su relación con el índice de masa corporal de los adolecentes.

Abstract

Objective. Analyze risky eating behaviors in adolescents from 14 to 19 years of age from the Santa Maria del Toachi parish.

Materials and Methods. It was developed from a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design of correlational type. In addition, from a non-probabilistic convenience sampling with a sample of 394 male and female adolescents. For the collection of information, the survey was used with its own instrument, which was the questionnaire.

Results. It was possible to observe that of the 394 adolescents (total sample) 53,3% correspond to the female sex and 36,1% have changes in weight. The highest risk index for eating disorders that usually occur in adolescents with normal weight and weight changes is skipping meals with 1.140 and dieting to lose weight with 0.791.

Conclusions. Adolescents opt for risky eating behaviors such as concern about gaining weight, the need to eat excessive food, limiting themselves to eating at some time (breakfast, lunch and snack), dieting to lose weight and also activities that require physical effort.