A influência das ofertas e escolhas de alimentos na epidemia global da obesidade

Abstract

Obesity appears as a serious public health problem worldwide. The Global Epidemic of Obesity is characterized by the coexistence of nutritional deficiency, overweight, and micronutrient deficiencies with non-communicable chronic diseases. Food consumption outside the household, admittedly less healthy than those eaten at home, seems to have a considerable contribution to the increase in this prevalence. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the composition of meals consumed at a mall in Federal District (BR), at lunchtime, correlating the amount of energy preparations with the profile of the dinner, using methods such as observation of meals served and silhouettes analysis. The sample consisted of 100 adults of both sexes and the results showed subjectively 18% of subjects with obesity grade I, 36% grade II and 46% grade III; this being more representative number of women (63%). Prevailed by choosing typical Brazilian menu (first course, main meal, base meals and trim), followed by carbonated beverages. When doing a quantitative analysis of the portions could be verified that were offered on average 830Kcal / lunch. We conclude that although the consumption of national menu, whose composition is well distributed, refers to healthy food, the volume of the meal / portions motivates the customer to eating up your energy needs. The intervention of government authorities in fostering educational campaigns focusing on nutrition and exercise in order to improve the quality of life of the population and combat obesity in the medium and long term is suggested.