Abstract
Objective: Our study aim to evaluate the characteristics of nutrition behavior at teenagers from Moldova’s rural area schools in order to make a profile of risk behavior related to diet and to implement efficient community intervention programs.
Methods: We studied in 2014 the daily frequency consumption of the main food groups, in a sample of 1236 students of 7th-12th class, from rural localities of the Republic of Moldova, using the questionnaire method.
Results: The teenagers had consumed on the day preceding the interview, cereals and bakery products – 99.2%, fruits – 86.7%, cooked vegetables – 72.6%, meat dishes – 72.1%, potatoes – 50.3%, dairy products – 46.9%, raw vegetables – 44.7%, eggs – 25.3%, fish – 19.4%, raw fruits juice – 14.8%, legumes – 12.5% of students. From those investigated 52.6% have consumed food with high fat content higher than recommended levels. Regarding the food groups present in the menu we registered a satisfactory level of consumption by the students for cereals and bakery products, fruits, cooked vegetables and meat dishes; relatively satisfactory - the consumption of dairy products, raw vegetables and potatoes; unsatisfactory level for the consumption of eggs, fish and legumes.
Conclusions: We sustain the idea that it is important to constantly evaluate the risk factors related to the inadequate diet at teenagers and to implement efficient community intervention in order to prevent nutrition related diseases that can occur.