Development and application of the Meal and Snack Assessment (MESA) quality scale for children and adolescents using item response theory.

BACKGROUND: Meals differ in terms of food items and nutritional quality. The aim of the present study was to propose a scale to measure the meals quality of schoolchildren according to food processing degree, perform a preliminary evaluation of the scale's validity and reliability and apply the scale to a representative sample of schoolchildren in a city in southern Brazil. METHODS: A methodological study based on the generalized graded unfolding model (GGUM) of item response theory (IRT) with analysis of secondary data was carried out in 6,399 schoolchildren of 6-15y-old attending 2nd to 5th grades of public elementary schools in Florianópolis, Brazil, in 2013-2015 who answered the validated Food Intake and Physical Activities of Schoolchildren (WebCAAFE) questionnaire. Meal quality was the latent trait. The steps for the development of the scale included: latent trait definition; item generation; dimensionality analysis; estimation of item parameters; scale levels definition; assessment of validity and reliability; and assessment of the meal quality of a subsample of schoolchildren aged 7 to 12 years (n = 6,372). RESULTS: Eleven out of eighteen items had adequate parameters, without differential item functioning for sex or age. Meal quality was categorized into three levels: healthy, mixed, and unhealthy. Higher scores indicate a greater prevalence of ultra-processed foods in daily meals. Most schoolchildren had mixed (40.6%) and unhealthy (41%) meal patterns. CONCLUSIONS: IRT analysis allowed the development of the scale, which measures the quality of meals and snacks based on the degree of food processing. At all snack times, there was a higher frequency of ultra-processed foods consumption, therefore foods consumed as snacks are a potential focus for nutritional interventions.

Most meal and snack patterns are stable over a 3-year period in schoolchildren in southern Brazil.

This study aimed to identify meal and snack patterns in Brazilian schoolchildren and assess their stability over 3 years. This is a repeated cross-sectional study carried out in 2013, 2014 and 2015 with 6353 schoolchildren aged 7-12 years from public schools in Florianópolis, Brazil. Previous-day food consumption data for six pre-defined meals (breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, dinner and evening snack) were collected using the validated Web-CAAFE (Food Consumption and Physical Activity of Schoolchildren) questionnaire. Latent class analysis was performed to derive meal and snack patterns. The stability of patterns was analysed using multinomial logistic regression, and the probability of belonging to a meal pattern was calculated for each year. Three patterns were identified for breakfast and four patterns for a mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, dinner and evening snack. Most meal and snack patterns were stable over the 3-year evaluation period. In the total sample, for a mid-afternoon snack, there was an increase in the probability of the children belonging to the 'Fruits and porridge' pattern (14.5%, 95% CI 12%-17% in 2015 vs. 9.2%, 95% CI 6.8%-11.7% in 2013) and a reduction in the 'Ultra-processed' pattern (42.5%, 95% CI 39.4%-45.6% in 2015 vs. 51.3%, 95% CI 46.5%-56.1% in 2013). These results appear to be in line with the recommendations of the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines and regional policies to increase the intake of healthy foods and limit that of ultra-processed, high fat, sugar and salt foods.

Association between sleep period time and dietary patterns in Brazilian schoolchildren aged 7-13 years.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between sleep period time and dietary patterns (DPs) in Brazilian schoolchildren aged 7-13 years. METHODS: Sleep data of 1019 children were obtained from a questionnaire completed by parents/guardians. Food consumption, physical activity, and screen-based activity were assessed through the validated Web-CAAFE questionnaire. Latent profile analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. Associations between sleep period time and dietary patterns were analyzed by multinomial logistic regression, and the average marginal effect of sleep period time on the probability of adherence to dietary patterns was determined. RESULTS: Overall, 11.4% of children had inadequate sleep period time (<9 h per day). Three mutually exclusive dietary patterns were identified: "Monotonous" characterized by high consumption of pasta, instant pasta, sweets, and hamburgers/hot dog/pizza/salty snacks; "Traditional" characterized by high consumption of rice, vegetables, green leaves, beans, manioc flour, maize/potatoes, and meats; and "Dairy, bread, green leaves, maize/potatoes and sausage". The likelihood of adherence to the "Dairy, bread, green leaves, maize/potatoes and sausages" DP decreased by 0.026 as sleep period time increased by 1 h per day. For a sleep period time of more than 10 h per day, the average marginal effect of sleep period time on the likelihood of adherence to the this dietary pattern was significant and negative. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep period time was inversely associated with adherence to the "Dairy, bread, green leaves, maize/potatoes and sausages" DP; children who slept more than 10 h per day were less likely to present this pattern.

Empirically derived dietary patterns through latent profile analysis among Brazilian children and adolescents from Southern Brazil, 2013-2015.

The aims of this study were to identify dietary patterns (DPs) of children and adolescents participating in three cross-sectional surveys (2013-2015) and to test their associations with sociodemographic variables, physical activity (PAS), screen-based sedentary activity (SA), and weight status. One-day data were obtained from 5,364 schoolchildren (7-12 years) from public schools of Florianopolis (South of Brazil), using the validated questionnaire Web-CAAFE (Food Intake and Physical Activity of Schoolchildren). DPs were derived from the frequency of daily consumption of 32 foods/beverages by latent profile analysis. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association of the DPs with sociodemographic variables, physical activity, screen activity and weight status. 'Traditional', 'Monotonous', and 'Mixed' DPs were identified. The percentages of children and adolescents within these profiles were 41.3, 36.3, and 22.4%, respectively. Children and adolescents in the highest tertiles of both PAS and daily frequency of SA had a higher probability to present a 'Mixed' DP compared to peers with less PAS and SA. Children and adolescents who reported having a school meal were significantly more likely to present the 'Traditional'DP, while boys who did not report having a school meal had a higher probability to present the 'Monotonous' DP. The DPs were not associated with the year of survey, age, family income, or weight status.

Individual characteristics and public or private schools predict the body mass index of Brazilian children: a multilevel analysis.

The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of individual and school characteristics to the variability in body mass index (BMI) z-scores of 7 to 10 years old children. Anthropometric and sociodemographic data from two cross-sectional studies conducted with schoolchildren from the 2nd to the 5th grades of elementary schools were analyses (n = 2,936 in 2002, and n = 1,232 in 2007). Multilevel modeling was used to estimate variations in BMI at child and school levels. The contribution of the school context to the overall variability of BMI z-score was small but significant in 2002 (3.3%-4.4%) and in 2007 (2.4%-5.3%), showing that schoolchildren from private schools had a higher BMI compared to those from public schools. The monthly family income showed, in general, a negative association with BMI z-score in 2002 and a positive association in 2007, for both sexes. The consumption of sweets showed a negative effect in the BMIs of children. In both surveys, overweight/obese mothers and excessive birth weight were positively associated with BMI z-score. Mother's weight status had a higher influence on the overall variability of BMI in both surveys. In conclusion, school and child characteristics contributed to the variance in children's weight status. The results imply that overweight/obesity childhood prevention programs should focus on strategies of family engagement to be more effective.

Individual characteristics and public or private schools predict the body mass index of Brazilian children: a multilevel analysis / Características individuais e tipo de escola predizem o índice de massa corporal das crianças brasileiras: uma análise multinível / Características individuales y escuelas públicas o privadas en la predicen el índice de masa corporal: un análisis multinivel

The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of individual and school characteristics to the variability in body mass index (BMI) z-scores of 7 to 10 years old children. Anthropometric and sociodemographic data from two cross-sectional studies conducted with schoolchildren from the 2nd to the 5th grades of elementary schools were analyses (n = 2,936 in 2002, and n = 1,232 in 2007). Multilevel modeling was used to estimate variations in BMI at child and school levels. The contribution of the school context to the overall variability of BMI z-score was small but significant in 2002 (3.3%-4.4%) and in 2007 (2.4%-5.3%), showing that schoolchildren from private schools had a higher BMI compared to those from public schools. The monthly family income showed, in general, a negative association with BMI z-score in 2002 and a positive association in 2007, for both sexes. The consumption of sweets showed a negative effect in the BMIs of children. In both surveys, overweight/obese mothers and excessive birth weight were positively associated with BMI z-score. Mother's weight status had a higher influence on the overall variability of BMI in both surveys. In conclusion, school and child characteristics contributed to the variance in children's weight status. The results imply that overweight/obesity childhood prevention programs should focus on strategies of family engagement to be more effective.

O estudo teve como objetivo medir a contribuição das características individuais do aluno e da escola à variabilidade dos escores-z do índice de massa corporal (IMC) em crianças brasileiras entre 7 e 10 anos de idade. Foram analisados dados antropométricos e sociodemográficos de dois estudos trnasversais conduzidos com escolares da segunda à quinta série de Ensino Fundamental (n = 2.936 em 2002 e n = 1.232 em 2007). A modelagem multinível foi utilizada para estimar as variações de IMC em nível individual e de escola. A contribuição do contexto escolar à variabilidade global do escore-z do IMC foi pequena, porém significativa, em 2002 (3,3%-4,4%) e em 2007 (2,4%-5,3%), mostrando que alunos de escolas particulares tinham IMC mais alto, comparado ao dos alunos de escolas públicas. A renda familiar mensal mostrou uma associação negativa com o escore-z do IMC em 2002 e uma associação positiva em 2007, para ambos sexos. O consumo de doces mostrou efeito negativo sobre o IMC das crianças. Em ambos estudos, filhos de mães com sobrepeso/obesidade e alunos com história de excesso de peso ao nascer mostraram associação positiva com o escore-z do IMC. Em ambos estudos, o estado nutricional materno mostrou influência maior sobre a variabilidade global do IMC. Em conclusão, as características da escola e do aluno contribuíram para a variância no IMC da criança. Os resultados sugerem que, para serem mais eficazes, os programas de prevenção de sobrepeso/obesidade na infância devem focar em estratégias com participação da família.

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la contribución de las características individuales y escolares en la variabilidad del índice de masa corporal (IMC) z-scores en niños de entre 7 a 10 años de edad. Se analizaron datos antropométricos y sociodemográficos de dos estudios transversales conducidos con escolares de la segunda a la quinta serie de la enseñanza fundamental (n = 2.936 en 2002 y n = 1.232 en 2007). Se utilizaron modelos multinivel para estimar variaciones en el IMC en los niveles infantiles y escolares. La contribución del contexto escolar para la variabilidad general de IMC z-score fue pequeña, pero significativa en 2002 (3,3%-4,4%) y en 2007 (2,4%-5,3%), indicando que los escolares de escuelas privadas tenían un IMC superior, comparados con los de las escuelas públicas. Los ingresos familiares mensuales mostraron, en general, una asociación negativa con el IMC z-score en 2002 y una asociación positiva en 2007, para ambos sexos. El consumo de dulces mostró un efecto negativo en el IMC de los niños. En ambas encuestas, las madres con sobrepeso/obesas y el peso excesivo al nacer se asociaron positivamente con el IMC z-score. El estatus del peso de la madre tuvo una influencia más alta en la variabilidad general del IMC en ambas encuestas. En conclusión, las características escolares y del niño contribuyeron a la variancia en el estatus de peso de los niños. Los resultados implican que los programas infantiles de prevención de sobrepeso/obesidad deberían enfocarse en estrategias de adhesión familiar para ser más efectivos.

Validation of the Online version of the Previous Day Food Questionnaire for schoolchildren / Validação da versão Online do Questionário Alimentar do Dia Anterior para Escolares

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the validity of the web-based version of the Previous Day Food Questionnaire Online for schoolchildren from the 2nd to 5th grades of elementary school. Methods Participants were 312 schoolchildren aged 7 to 12 years of a public school from the city of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Validity was assessed by sensitivity, specificity, as well as by agreement rates (match, omission, and intrusion rates) of food items reported by children on the Previous Day Food Questionnaire Online, using direct observation of foods/beverages eaten during school meals (mid-morning snack or afternoon snack) on the previous day as the reference. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of participants' characteristics on omission and intrusion rates. Results The results showed adequate sensitivity (67.7%) and specificity (95.2%). There were low omission and intrusion rates of 22.8% and 29.5%, respectively when all food items were analyzed. Pizza/hamburger showed the highest omission rate, whereas milk and milk products showed the highest intrusion rate. The participants who attended school in the afternoon shift presented a higher probability of intrusion compared to their peers who attended school in the morning. Conclusion The Previous Day Food Questionnaire Online possessed satisfactory validity for the assessment of food intake at the group level in schoolchildren from the 2nd to 5th grades of public school.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a validade da versão baseada na Internet do Questionário Alimentar do Dia Anterior (Online) para escolares do segundo ao quinto ano do ensino fundamental. Métodos Participaram do estudo 312 escolares de 7 a 12 anos de uma escola pública de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. A validade foi testada pela sensibilidade, especificidade e taxas de concordância (acertos, omissões e intrusões) dos itens alimentares relatados no Questionário Alimentar do Dia Anterior Online, usando a observação direta dos alimentos consumidos no lanche escolar do dia anterior como padrão de referência. Análise de regressão logística multivariada multinomial foi conduzida para avaliar a influência de fatores relacionados aos participantes nas taxas de omissão e intrusão. Resultados Os resultados apontaram adequada sensibilidade (67,7%) e especificidade expressiva (95,2%). As taxas de omissão e de intrusão foram baixas, 22,8% e 29,5%, respectivamente, quando considerados todos os itens alimentares. O item pizza/hambúrguer exibiu a maior taxa de omissão, enquanto os laticínios apresentaram a maior taxa de intrusão. Escolares que frequentavam a escola no turno vespertino apresentaram maior probabilidade de intrusões de itens alimentares comparados aos escolares do turno matutino. Conclusão O Questionário Alimentar do Dia Anterior Online apresentou validade satisfatória para a análise do consumo alimentar em nível de grupo de escolares do segundo ao quinto ano de escola pública.

Validity of WebCAAFE questionnaire for assessment of schoolchildren's dietary compliance with Brazilian Food Guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate reporting bias of WebCAAFE, a web-based questionnaire for the assessment of food intake (recall of frequency of intake of thirty-two food items the day before) and physical activity in schoolchildren. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Self-reported food intake on WebCAAFE was compared with direct observation of school meals in five public schools. Additional data included school grade, sex, BMI, socio-economic status and access to Internet at home. Poisson regression was used to calculate the reporting bias (WebCAAFE v. direct observation) and the sample size necessary to detect a statistically significant difference between WebCAAFE reports and at least 75 % compliance with the recommendations for a healthy diet. SETTING: Intentional sample of five elementary public schools in Florianopolis, Brazil. SUBJECTS: Schoolchildren (n 629) from 2nd to 5th grades. RESULTS: Moderate bias magnitude was found for most food groups of interest. Frequency of consumption was not related to the bias. Sample sizes necessary to detect the compliance with dietary recommendations varied between four and seventy-four individuals for the different groups investigated. CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for moderate bias, WebCAAFE may be used as a food questionnaire for evaluation of schoolchildren's food compliance on a group level, even with a relatively small sample size.

Changes in total and central adiposity and body fat distribution among 7-10-year-old schoolchildren in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in total and central adiposity and body fat distribution in children over a 5-year period by investigating variations in BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and skinfold thicknesses (SFT). DESIGN: A school-based sample of children from 2nd to 5th grades of elementary schools participated in two cross-sectional studies in 2002 (n 2936) and 2007 (n 1232). SETTING: Public and private schools of Florianopolis, Brazil. SUBJECTS: Schoolchildren aged 7-10 years had their weight, height, WC and SFT measured according to standard procedures. Body fat distribution was assessed by triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and medial calf skinfold measurements. Changes in BMI, WC, WHtR and SFT were analysed, adjusting for type of school and monthly family income. RESULTS: Adjusted mean differences between 2002 and 2007 for BMI and WC were always positive and of similar magnitude between boys and girls. However, a statistically significant increase was observed only for BMI (raw and Z-score values) in boys. WHtR remained stable in both sexes. Adjusted median values for SFT also increased in boys and girls, except for triceps skinfold. BMI, WC and SFT tended to increase across age classes in both sexes. The relative change observed for the median central skinfolds (subscapular and suprailiac) was greater than that of peripheral skinfolds (triceps and medial calf). CONCLUSIONS: The subcutaneous adipose tissue (SFT) appeared to increase at a faster rate than total adiposity (BMI). The increase in central SFT indicates that the relative change is due primarily to a rise in central adiposity.

Avaliação do estado nutricional de idosos institucionalizados / Nutritional status assessment of institutionalized elderly

OBJETIVO: Identificar o estado nutricional, segundo o índice de massa corporal, e fornecer informações sobre medidas antropométricas de idosos institucionalizados no município de Florianópolis (SC). MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, no qual a população em estudo foi composta por 232 idosos, com idade a partir de 60 anos, residentes em instituições geriátricas do município de Florianópolis (SC). A avaliação antropométrica foi realizada obtendo-se o valor do índice de massa corporal, da prega cutânea triciptal e da circunferência da panturrilha. O diagnóstico do estado nutricional foi realizado utilizando-se os pontos de corte preconizados pela Organização Pan-Americana de Saúde para índice de massa corporal. Os dados são apresentados sob a forma de média e desvio-padrão. Foi realizado o teste t de Student para verificar a diferença entre os valores médios das variáveis entre os sexos. RESULTADOS: A amostra constituiu-se de 167 idosos de ambos os sexos. Encontrou-se uma prevalência de 45,5 por cento de baixo peso, 33,5 por cento de peso normal, 7,8 por cento de pré-obesidade e 13,2 por cento de obesidade. Para todas as variáveis antropométricas, o valor médio das mulheres foi superior ao dos homens. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados encontrados indicaram a prevalência de 66,5 por cento da amostra com estado nutricional inadequado, evidenciando a necessidade de medidas de promoção ou reabilitação da saúde dos idosos. Os dados mostram que há diferenças entre os sexos com relação ao estado nutricional e às variáveis índice de massa corporal e prega cutânea triciptal, além de contribuírem para a ampliação do referencial antropométrico de idosos institucionalizados.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the nutritional status, according to body mass index, and provide information regarding anthropometric measurements of institutionalized seniors in the city of Florianópolis (SC), Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. The research population consisted of 232 senior citizens, aged 60 or more, living in geriatric institutions in Florianópolis (SC), Brazil. Anthropometric assessment included determining the body mass index, tricipital skinfold, and calf circumference. Diagnosis of the nutritional status was performed using the cut-off points determined by the Pan-American Health Organization for body mass index. The data are presented as means and standard deviation. The Student's " t" test was used to detect differences in mean values of the variables between both genders. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 167 senior citizens of both genders. A prevalence of 45.5 percent of low weight, 33.5 percent of normal weight, 7.8 percent of overweight and 13.2 percent of obesity was observed. The mean values for women were higher than those for men for all anthropometric variables. CONCLUSION: The data obtained showed that 66.5 percent of the sample presented inadequate nutritional status, clearly evidencing the need to take some measures that promote or recover the health of senior citizens. In addition, the data obtained show that there are differences between both genders regarding the nutritional status and the variables body mass index and tricipital skinfold and contribute to increase the anthropometric references of institutionalized senior citizens.

Reprodutibilidade de um questionário de consumo alimentar para crianças em idade escolar / Reproducibility of a typical day food choices questionnaire for schoolchildren

OBJETIVOS: avaliar a reprodutibilidade de um questionário para obter auto-relato de 16 alimentos consumidos em cinco refeições num dia típico da semana, em escolares do ensino fundamental. MÉTODOS: participaram do estudo 342 escolares das primeiras às quartas séries do ensino fundamental (duas escolas públicas e três privadas) de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. A reprodutibilidade foi determinada através da comparação das respostas obtidas em dois dias, após um intervalo de três dias. Análises foram estratificadas por série escolar (primeiras e segundas versus terceiras e quartas) e rede escolar (pública e privada), para determinar, o percentual de concordância ( por centoCC) e estatística kappa ajustada. RESULTADOS: nas escolas públicas, os valores de por centoCC variaram entre 69 por cento (pães) e 84,5 por cento (peixes) e os valores de kappa entre 0,38 (pães) e 0,69 (peixes). Nas escolas privadas os por centoCC variaram entre 73,9 por cento (pães) e 91,6 por cento (feijão) e os valores de kappa entre 0,48 (pães) e 0,83 (feijão). Maiores valores de por centoCC e de kappa foram obtidos para as terceiras e quartas séries do que para as primeiras e segundas, nas escolas públicas e privadas. CONCLUSÕES: a reprodutibilidade do questionário foi demonstrada para os escolares de escolas privadas e públicas, embora melhores resultados foram obtidos nas escolas privadas.

OBJECTIVES: to assess the reproducibility of a questionnaire to obtain self-recall of 16 foods eaten in five meals on a typical day of the week in elementary-school children. METHODS: the study subjects were 342 schoolchildren from the first to fourth grade of elementary schools (two public and three private) in the city of Florianópolis, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Reproducibility was determined by comparing responses obtained on two separate days, within a 3-day interval. Analyses were stratified according to school grade (first and second versus third and fourth) and type of school (public and private) to assess: the percentage agreement ( percentCC) and the adjusted kappa statistic. RESULTS: in public schools, percentCC values ranged from 69 percent (bread) to 84.5 percent (fish), and kappa values from 0.38 (bread) to 0.69 (fish). In private schools, percentCC values ranged from 73.9 percent (bread) to 91.6 percent (beans) and kappa values from 0.48 (bread) to 0.83 (beans). In analyses stratified according to grade, percentCC and kappa values were better for third and fourth grades compared to first and second grades in both public and private schools. CONCLUSIONS: the reproducibility of the questionnaire was demonstrated for elementary schoolchildren in private and public schools, but the former presented better results.

Oral condition and its relationship to nutritional status in the institutionalized elderly population.

The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between the oral condition and nutritional status of all institutionalized elderly people in Florianópolis, Brazil. Of the population of 232 institutionalized individuals, the sample consisted of 187 elderly people. In the oral evaluation, the criteria used was the number of functional units present in the oral cavity, classifying the participants as those with highly compromised dentition (48%) and those with less-compromised dentition (52%). Diagnosis of nutritional status was carried out according to body mass index, observing a prevalence of 14% thin, 45% eutrophic, 28% overweight, and 13% obese. Statistical analysis of the variables studied was carried out by means of chi(2) association tests. There was a statistically significant association between highly compromised dentition and thinness (P=0.007) and among those who presented less-compromised dentition and the nutritional status of overweight, including obesity (P=0.014). It was concluded that compromising of the teeth could contribute to a tendency toward inadequate nutritional status.

Efeitos da suplementação e da fortificação de alimentos sobre a biodisponibilidade de minerais / Effects of supplementation and food fortification on mineral bioavailability

Estratégias de prevenção e combate a algumas deficiências nutricionais, como a anemia e a osteoporose, incluem a fortificação de alimentos e o uso de suplementação com minerais em populações de risco. Entretanto, interações com outros minerais podem ocorrer e comprometer o estado de saúde do indivíduo. Este artigo teve por objetivo rever algumas das interações que podem ocorrer entre minerais quando da suplementação ou fortificação de alimentos. A suplementação de cálcio parece estar relacionada a uma diminuição da absorção do zinco, fósforo e ferro. Por sua vez, o excesso de ferro pode comprometer a absorção e utilização do zinco, especialmente quando em formulações antianêmicas. Apesar dos resultados de alguns estudos serem controversos, a suplementação de minerais ou a fortificação de alimentos devem ser cuidadosas a fim de não ocasionar outras deficiências nutricionais.

Adiposidade corpórea e sua relaçäo com o gasto energético e a composiçäo da dieta de escolares do sexo feminino / Percent body fat and its relationship with energy expenditure and diet in adolescent girls

Este estudo objetivou analisar escolares do sexo feminino, de 13 a 16 anos, quanto ao percentual de gordura corporal e relacioná-lo com o gasto energético e a composiçäo da dieta. Participaram da amostra 59 escolares, selecionadas de forma näo probabilística acidental. O percentual de gordura foi estimado pela equaçäo apresentada por Lohman (1986). Para a estimativa da Ingestäo Calórica Total (IC), da Ingestäo Calórica por quilograma de massa corporal (IC/Kg) e de macronutrientes, utilizou-se um registro alimentar (3 dias) e o software NUT. O Gasto Energético Total (GET) e por quilograma de massa corporal (GE/Kg) foram estimados pelo registro de atividades físicas de BOUCHARD (1983). O teste "t" de student foi utilizado para verificar diferenças entre o GET e a IC e entre os subgrupos de maior e menor percentagem de gordura. Para verificar associaçöes entre as variáveis utilizou-se a Correlaçäo Linear de Pearson (r). O percentual de gordura correlacionou-se de forma positiva e significativa com o percentual de lipídios e negativamente com o percentual de carboidratos, com a IC/Kg e com o GE/Kg. O subgrupo de maiores percentuais de gordura revelou um maior consumo de lipídios, um menor consumo de carboidratos, IC/Kg e GE/Kg. Os resultados sugerem que um baixo gasto energético e a composiçäo da dieta, especialmente um maior consumo de lipídios, parecem exercer um importante papel no acúmulo de adiposidade corpórea.(au)