[Dietary intake of secondary education students in Badajoz].

OBJECTIVES To quantify dietary intake of secondary education students in Badajoz, Spain, evaluating food frequency use in teenagers of both sexes. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study sample consisted of 1197 secondary education students (49.9% male and 50.1% female). After giving informed consent, they completed a self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) including 51 food items divided into five separate categories. This questionnaire was modified from the one used at the Valencian Community in 2003 and previously validated in a pilot study on 374 students. RESULTS Male and females students reported higher intakes of 70.6% and 17.6% of foods analyzed respectively, while intake of 11.8% of food items was similar in both sexes. Sex differences were statistically significant for 35% of foods (of which 72% and 28% were taken more frequently by males and females respectively). Intake of milk and dairy products appeared to be adequate, while intake of fish and seafood was low consumption of meat products was high. Intake of vegetables, fruits, bread, and cereals was below the recommended levels. Intake of pasta, rice, and oils was adequate, and there was not a high consumptio of cookies or industrial pastries. There was an excess intake of sweets, but intake of soft drinks was not high. CONCLUSIONS These results show intermediate values as compared to other national surveys.