Sociodemographic factors and screen exposure associated with the consumption of healthy and unhealthy dietary markers in children attended at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

AIM: To evaluate the association between sociodemographic factors and screen exposure during meals with the consumption of dietary markers in children treated at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study with children of both sexes between 2 and 9 years of age. Food consumption and screen exposure were assessed using specific forms. The socio-demographic data evaluated were age, maternal education, household composition, receipt of government benefits, and household food and nutrition security. The statistical analysis included simple and multivariate logistic regression with a confidence interval of 95%.

RESULTS: Among the 129 children evaluated, most of them were of preschool age (57.4%), 71.3% received some type of government benefit, and 69.8% ate meals in front of screens. Among the markers of a healthy diet, beans (86.0%) and fresh fruits (69.8%) were the most consumed, while among the markers of an unhealthy diet, the most common components were sweetened beverages (61.7%) and cookies, candies, or other sweets (54.7%). There was a higher consumption of sweetened beverages among the children whose families received a government benefit (OR 2.63; 95% CI: 1.13-6.13) and who were exposed to a screen during meals (2.27; 95% CI: 1.01-5, 14).

CONCLUSION: This study showed that in view of the high frequency of consumption of unhealthy foods and screen exposure during meals, it is imperative that food and nutrition education actions are taken to promote an adequate and healthy food environment in childhood.