Matval styrs av flera olika aspekter, vilket gör det komplext. Detta innebär också att det ofta är svårt att styra konsumenten att förändra sina matval till att bli mer hållbara. Studiens syfte är att ur ett hållbarhetsperspektiv undersöka hur konsumenter resonerar kring matval idag och för framtiden. En kvalitativ studie i form av fokusgruppsintervjuer genomfördes för att skapa diskussioner i frågor om hållbarhet och matval. Resultatet är analyserat utifrån Belascos teori som utgörs av “Den kulinariska triangeln av motsättningar”. Resultatet visade att många låter priset styra över matvalen snarare än viljan att göra, vad de anser vara, ett bra val. Detta innebar också att en del informanter inte ansåg sig kunna ta det ansvar för hållbarheten de önskade. Vidare speglade identitet många av valen, där traditioner, vanor och personliga smakpreferenser var svåra att ge upp. Det framkom även att framtidens proteinkälla inte nödvändigtvis behöver vara vegetabiliskt, men att man gärna ser en mer hållbar produktion och konsumtion av kött som man är villig att ta del av, så länge en kost med kött inte är helt utesluten. Informanterna såg till exempel möjligheter i att äta kött odlat i laboratorium eller större tillgänglighet av viltkött. Studien visade att en förändring kräver tid. Pris framstod vara största faktorn som styr matval, vilket innebär att en prisförändring av hållbar mat skulle kunna bidra till ett aktivt ändrande av matval. / Several aspects impact our food choices, which makes it complex. This also implies that it is often difficult to control the consumers to change their food choices to become more sustainable. The aim of this study was to examine from a sustainability perspective how consumers reason about food choices today and for the future. A qualitative study was conducted using focus group interviews to discuss questions about sustainability and food choices. The result was analyzed from Belasco’s theory about the culinary triangle of contradictions. The result showed that for many people food choices were governed by price rather than the desire to make, what they consider, a good choice., For some informants this resulted in not being able to take responsibility for the sustainability they wanted. Moreover, identity reflected many of the choices, where tradition, habits and personal taste preferences were difficult to give up. It also appeared that the future protein source not necessarily needs to be vegetable, but the informants liked to see a more sustainable meat production and consumption that they were willing to support as long as meat could be included in the diet. The informants saw opportunities in eating lab grown meat or more available venison. Importantly, the study showed that change requires time and price appeared to be the biggest factor governing food choices, which means that price change could contribute to an active change in food choices.

Facing the growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), the development of nutritionalinterventions allowing not only optimal glycemic control but also promoting postprandial satietyand overall satisfaction constitutes an interesting therapeutic avenue. This study was carried outin two parts, with the first part informing the second one.The first part was conducted in 61 middle-aged adults with or without prediabetes orT2D and aimed to assess the influences of gender/sex and health status on the relative rankingof the importance of eight common determinants of food choices as well as the sensoryevaluation and the frequency of consumption of almonds, pistachios, avocados, oatmeal, andeggs. Data analysis showed that 1) participants perceived “taste and own food preferences” ashaving the greatest influence on their food choices, 2) women attributed more importance to their“own food-related health beliefs” (p=0.040), while men reported a higher influence of the“recommendations of a health professional” (p=0.065), 3) almonds’ and pistachios’ taste wasrated the highest, and 4) taste ratings of pistachios (β=0.323, p=0.018) and avocados (β=0.604,p<0.001) were positively associated with their frequency of consumption by participants.Based on the sensory evaluation of the five foods, almonds were included in the testmeal of the second part of this study. The latter was conducted in 7 middle-aged men with T2Dand aimed to assess the effects of the types of macronutrient subtypes contained in isocaloricmacronutrient-matched meals on the postprandial glycemic, hormonal (insulin and glucagon-likepeptide-1 (GLP-1)) and appetite responses. The control meal contained white bread, butter andcheese, and the test meal contained white bread and almonds. Data analysis showed that thetest meal was associated with 1) lower postprandial glycemia (p=0.014), 2) higher postprandialGLP-1 serum concentrations (p=0.044) as well as 3) decreased hunger (p=0.032) and increasedfullness (p=0.014). There were no meal-associated differences in postprandial serum insulinconcentrations.Results highlight the importance of taste and food preferences and point out somegender/sex-related differences in the determinants of food choices. They also support thebeneficial effects of almonds, a food that seemed well appreciated by men and women, on keytherapeutic targets of T2D management.

The purpose of this research was to examine food security for people with prediabetes participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), focusing on their food choice decisions and coping strategies over a 30-day benefit cycle that potentially increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes. A cross-sectional, quantitative design based on food choice process model constructs was used. SNAP participants (n = 36) with prediabetes, aged 21â??70 years, were recruited as outpatients from Bronx Lebanon Hospital and completed self-reported questionnaires on demographics and health, food security, and food frequency. Descriptive statistics, Pearson chi square tests, and regression analysis were performed using SPSS. Also, independent t test, and Levene's test were used for ad hoc analysis to assess variation of food choice decisions over 30 days. Of the sample, 5% had low and 95% very low food secure status. Food security status did not predict coping strategies (p = .724); however, food security status and type of coping strategy had a moderate relationship (p < 0.01; r =.60). Food choices of 11 food categories changed over a 30-day cycle with greatest variation for Week 1, compared to Weeks 2â??4 (p < .005). Use of coping strategies to minimize hunger was limited. Very low food security associated with certain coping strategies disrupted eating patterns. Disrupted eating patterns affect food variation over time, increasing the intake of non-nutrient-dense foods and the risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The implications for positive social change include the potential to change SNAP's benefit allotments, make nutrition education mandatory, and create a nutrition package, thereby lowering food insecurity and the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

D. Tech. (Food Service Management, Department of Hospitality, Tourism and PR Management, Faculty of Human Sciences)|, Vaal University of Technology| / Background South Africa is one of the developing countries faced with the co-existence of undernutrition and overnutrition, often experienced within the same household. On the one hand, hunger, undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are linked to poverty and household food insecurity. Simultaneously, South Africans are exposed to ‘nutrition in transition’, where overweight and chronic diseases of lifestyle, such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and cancer are on the rise as part of the overnutrition profile. Sound nutrition is important throughout the lifecycle to combat under- and overnutrition and nutrition-related diseases. In urban areas, the grandmother or another senior female family member is often responsible for caring for the children in the household during the day. This includes physical, emotional and nutritional care. It is therefore essential for the caregiver to have good nutrition knowledge, to provide not only in her own needs, but also in those of the children. A nutrition education programme is one strategy for improving the nutrition knowledge of caregivers of children. Objective The primary objective in this study was to develop, tailor, implement and evaluate a nutrition education programme (NEP) for Sesotho-speaking females and caregivers of children in the Boipatong Township in the Vaal Region of South Africa and to test its impact in the short and longer term. Nutrition knowledge regarding four South African food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) was empirically tested before and after the intervention and then compared to a control group. In addition, dietary intake was assessed to detect any changes after the intervention in the medium term. Methodology In this both quantitative and qualitative methodologies were applied. Two frameworks, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Framework of Malnutrition (2004) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Framework for Nutrition Education (1997), gave structure to the planning, implementation and evaluation of the research project. This study’s nutrition education programme was based on a socio-ecological model to guide behavioural change in terms of healthy food choices. In the preparation phase, a situational analysis was performed by means of a cross-sectional analytical design using descriptive statistics. Socio-demographic and self-reported health information was obtained. Nutrition knowledge, based on the South African food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs), was measured, and dietary intake was assessed and compared with the estimated average requirements (EARs) for their age categories. Phase two, the formulation phase, used an experimental design. The acceptability and understanding of the existing national nutrition education (NE) material for individuals with low living standards (LSM) was investigated in this phase of the nutrition education programme (NEP). A culturally tailored booklet was developed in English, translated into Sesotho, pilot tested and implemented as part of the nutrition education programme. Lesson plans were developed and pilot tested. A non-randomised control trial was used in the implementation and evaluation phases. The effect of the nutrition education programme on nutrition knowledge was quantitatively measured in a pre- and post-test design at each discussion session in the short term, using paired t-tests in the experimental group of caregivers. The evaluation phase tested the impact of the nutrition education in the longer term. Nutrition knowledge was measured quantitatively in a before-after intervention test design by means of a self-completed structured questionnaire, based on the four South African FDBGs included in the programme. A control group who was not subjected to any intervention was used to complete the same questionnaire before and after the intervention in the same time period as the experimental group. In the experimental group, dietary intake was assessed before and after the intervention to detect changes in dietary intake. No dietary intake was measured in the control group, as changes could be attributed to influences beyond the control of this study. Two randomly selected focus groups of the experimental group were run to provide deeper insight into their perceptions regarding the acceptability and understanding of the NEP and NE material. Results The situational analysis of the preparation phase revealed a poor community that displayed typical patterns of nutrition in transition, at risk of malnutrition. The median age of the sample of caregivers was 44 years (IQR 32-62). Income and consumption poverty was confirmed by 80.5 percent of households spending R300 or less on food, with 75 percent of households having between four and seven people living in the dwelling. Dietary results were indicative of food poverty and poor food choices, possibly due to monetary constraints. A low energy intake (median 5323 kJ/day; IQR 3369-7949), was observed. Only 13.9 percent reached the estimated energy requirement (EER) of 7855 kJ per day for their age category. The overall mean average requirements of the diet was 0.7 but the possiblity of micronutrient deficiencies could not be excluded with a MAR of 0.6 for vitamins and minerals respectively. The median nutrition knowledge was 50 percent (IQR 42-54%) The lowest score was obtained for the FBDG ‘Enjoy a variety of food’ (33.4%; 95% CI 1.1), followed by the FBDG on animal protein (40.3%; 95% CI 1.0). It was decided to augment these two FBDGs with the plant protein FBDG (54.3%; 95% CI 1.8). Despited a relatively good knowledge measured in the caregivers, none of the plant protein food items appeared in the top 20 food items most frequently consumed. The formulation phase included the testing of existing nutrition education material. Messages were well understood (60.5%). However, caregivers found the images contained in the pamphlets and the design of the pamphlets confusing. A definite need was identified for new, culturally acceptable NE material in the caregivers’ home language, Sesotho (74%). During the implementation phase the lectures were presented and the change in the short-term nutrition knowledge of the FBDGs was measured at every session by means of a pre-post-test design. The median age of the caregivers was 63 years (52-78). A significant change in nutrition knowledge was found for each FBDG in terms of the mean number of questions answered correctly by the participants between the results of each pre- and post-test. In the evaluation phase, the impact of the NEP was measured in the Boipatong experimental group and compared, regarding nutrition knowledge, to a control group in the longer term (three months after completion of the intervention). Median nutrition knowledge before the intervention was 49 percent (IQR 46-57) compared to 70 percent (IQR 68-73) after the intervention – an increase of 21 percent. In contrast, the control group showed an increase of only five percent. The results showed that the eating habits of many of the caregivers still fell substantially short of internationally recognised standards (estimated energy requirement (EER) and estimated average requirement (EAR)), and this could contribute to undernutrition as well as to an increased risk of diet-related chronic disease. A median kilojoule intake of 4788 kJ (IQR 3415-6596) per day before and 4651 kJ (IQR 3369-6664) per day after the intervention was registered. Carbohydrate foods remained an important source of energy. Calcium presented a major concern, as none of the participants reached the EAR despite a slight increase in the intake of milk (volume and frequency) after the intervention, as validated by the top 20 food lists and as measured by a nutrient average requirement (NAR) of 0.1 to 0.7 before and after the intervention respectively. The mean average requirements (MAR) remained relatively stable, at 0.7 (median) before the intervention and 0.6 after the intervention. The NEP thus had an insignificant positive effect on dietary intake, except for calcium, iodine and vitamin C intake, which showed significant increases. No relationships could be found between the MAR as an indicator of dietary quality and nutrition knowledge. However, this does not mean that an NEP is not a suitable strategy. Changes in food choices and dietary intake should be measured in the longer term, since lifestyle changes are challenging to adopt when people, especially those in deprived communities, do not have the financial means to make healthy food choices. Conclusion When planning nutrition education strategies to improve the health status of communities in deprived areas, one is faced with the difficulty of households with a low socio-economic status and poor dietary intake, which increases the risk of food and nutrition insecurity. The nutrition education programme, developed, tailored and implemented as an intervention strategy to address an identified need of caregivers, was effective in improving nutrition knowledge. Four of the South African dietary guidelines were used in the nutrition education programme tailored to the specific profile that emerged from the situational analysis and the development of supportive nutrition education material. Lesson plans and the Sesotho and English booklets are available for use in other nutrition education programmes. The study contributed to the understanding of food choices of the urban community of Boipatong as well as of the nutrient inadequacies observed. Nutrition knowledge alone is not enough to bring about changes in food choices when the means to do so are lacking. Poverty and nutrition are closely linked and thus difficult to separate.

Objectif. Analyse qualitative exploratoire du contenu alimentaire et nutritionnel de blogues tenus par des mères québécoises afin d’établir l’importance relative des événements et expériences de vie, des sources d’influence et des systèmes alimentaires personnels des blogueuses sur leurs choix alimentaires. Méthodes. Analyse de contenu effectué à l’aide du modèle conceptuel de Sobal et Bisogni. Le logiciel NVivo fut utilisé afin de codifier toutes les mentions relatives à l’alimentation, la nutrition et les choix alimentaires dans les quatre blogues de mères retenus. Résultats. Les quatre catégories principales du modèle de Sobal et Bisogni se retrouvent dans les blogues. La catégorie influences est celle qui obtient le plus de mentions, sauf pour le blogue tenu par une nutritionniste où les mentions sont réparties également entre influences et système alimentaire personnel. Plusieurs sources d’information en nutrition sont mentionnées, autant de sources formelles qu’informelles. Conclusion. L’analyse des blogues nous permet d’avoir accès à de l’information générée de façon spontanée par les mères et remet en question l’efficacité des messages nutritionnels émanant des professionnels de la santé. Comme les choix alimentaires des mères affectent de façon importante le développement des comportements alimentaires de leurs enfants, il est du rôle des nutritionnistes et autres professionnels de mieux définir leurs messages afin que ceux-ci soient davantage compris et adoptés. / Objectives. Exploratory qualitative analysis of food and nutritional content of blogs run by Quebec mothers in order to identify the relative importance of life course events and experiences, source of influences, and personal food system on their food choices. Methods. Content analysis conducted using the conceptual model by Sobal and Bisogni. NVivo software was used to codify all references to food, nutrition and food choices in the four selected mothers’ blog. Results. The four main categories of Sobal and Bisogni’s model are found in blogs. The category influences is the one that gets the most mention, except for the blog run by a registered dietitian where the references are equally divided between influences and personal food system. Several sources of nutrition information are mentioned, both formal and informal sources. Conclusion. Analysis of blogs allows us to have access to information provided spontaneously by mothers and questions the effectiveness of nutrition messages from health professionals. As the mothers' food choices affect significantly the development of eating behaviors of their children, it is the role of dietitians and other professionals to better define their messages so that they are better understood and adopted.

Introduction : L’adolescence est une période cruciale dans le développement des saines habitudes alimentaires et pour le maintien de celles-ci à l’âge adulte. Les choix alimentaires sont guidés par de multiples facteurs individuels, environnementaux et sociaux qui, durant la période de l’adolescence, se butent à une quête identitaire. Objectifs : Explorer et mettre en relief les principaux déterminants jouant un rôle dans le processus décisionnel des choix alimentaires chez de jeunes adolescents québécois tout en évaluant la méthode de recherche qualitative utilisée. Méthodologie : Issue du projet de recherche « Les dimensions socioculturelles des pratiques alimentaires et d'activité physique des jeunes : une enquête qualitative auprès d'adolescents québécois de 12 à 14 ans », cette étude repose sur l’analyse de 30 entrevues semi-dirigées utilisant des photographies en lien avec l’alimentation. Résultats : Les facteurs individuels et ceux liés aux environnements sociaux se démarquent principalement. Parmi les facteurs individuels, le goût et les perceptions sensorielles, la représentation ou l’impression personnelle des aliments et les connaissances nutritionnelles sont très influents. La famille ainsi que les activités sociales associées à l’aliment ou au lieu de consommation dominent au chapitre des facteurs sociaux. Enfin, l’utilisation de la photographie s’avère un outil de collecte de données très intéressant afin d’obtenir des propos complémentaires en situation d’entrevue. Conclusion : Cette étude confirme l’importance de certains déterminants (surtout individuels et sociaux) qui influencent les comportements alimentaires des jeunes adolescents québécois. Les connaissances acquises dans le cadre de ce projet seront utiles pour les divers intervenants appelés à développer ou à mettre en œuvre des programmes d’intervention adaptés pour la promotion de la santé et de saines habitudes chez les jeunes adolescents québécois. Mots clés : jeunes, adolescents, adolescence, motivations de consommation, choix alimentaire, alimentation, photographie / Introduction : Adolescence is a pivotal period when healthy eating habits are developed and strengthened into adulthood. Food choices are inevitably influenced by multiple factors, both individual and environmental. Moreover, amongst teenagers, such factors are often biased by a quest for identity. Study Aims : Investigate and contrast the principal determinants pertaining to the decision-making process of food choices among Quebec teenagers as well as evaluate the qualitative research method used. Method : This study is based on the project « Les dimensions socioculturelles des pratiques alimentaires et d'activité physique des jeunes : une enquête qualitative auprès d'adolescents québécois de 12 à 14 ans ». Thirty semi-directed interviews were analyzed using a framework of food photo-elicitation. Results : Both key individual and social factors were found to be significant. Taste and sensory perception, personal meaning of food and nutritional knowledge were found to be key individual motivators. Conversely, for social factors, family, friends, activities and location pertaining to food consumption had an important impact. In the setting of an interview, the use of photography is a very interesting and useful tool to further collect key, complementary data. Conclusion : This study confirms the importance of key individual and social determinants of eating behaviours among Quebec teenagers. The knowledge acquired will be useful for both the improvement and development of governmental programs that will be well-suited to promote healthy behaviours among Quebec teenagers. Keywords : adolescence, teenagers, adolescents, photo-elicitation, food choices,

Introdução A adolescência é uma fase importante na consolidação das práticas alimentares saudáveis. Os conhecimentos e percepções dos adolescentes sobre alimentação saudável são determinantes para que se incorporem tais práticas. Objetivo Avaliar os conhecimentos e as percepções sobre alimentação saudável e escolhas alimentares de adolescentes. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo transversal, de natureza quanti-qualitativa com coleta de dados primários, com adolescentes, em escola pública no município de São Paulo. Os dados de peso, estatura foram coletados para a avaliar o estado nutricional, por meio do Índice de Massa Corporal, e possíveis associações entre o gênero e a idade foram verificadas. O estado nutricional foi analisado segundo os percentis propostos pela OMS. Utilizou-se a análise da estatística descritiva, teste do qui-quadrado, ANOVA e teste t-student. Para avaliar os conhecimentos, as percepções e as escolhas alimentares foram elaboradas 4 perguntas discursivas sobre o tema alimentação saudável. Utilizou-se a técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo, por meio das seguintes figuras metodológicas: expressões chaves e idéias centrais, para a construção do discurso. Resultados Os adolescentes apresentaram um conhecimento adequado com relação ao conceito de alimentação saudável, sendo que 52,6% relacionaram a uma dieta equilibrada e variada. 55,4% percebiam a sua alimentação como saudável. Com relação às escolhas alimentares observou-se que a maioria dos alunos opta pelo consumo de alimentos com alta densidade energética, durante o intervalo de aula ou em casa. Quanto ao estado nutricional aproximadamente 30% dos adolescentes apresentaram excesso de peso corporal. Os funcionários entrevistados sugerem modificações para a melhoria do valor nutritivo e dos aspectos sensoriais da alimentação escolar. Conclusão - Os adolescentes apresentaram excesso de peso, conhecimentos e percepções adequadas sobre alimentação saudável, mas optam por escolhas alimentares inadequadas. A percepção e a opinião dos funcionários é que há desperdício e não aceitação de alguns alimentos. / Introduction: Adolescence is an important period of life for healthy eating practices consolidation. Adolescents´ knowledge and perceptions about healthy eating are determinants to integrate these practices. Objective: Evaluate adolescents´ knowledge and perceptions about healthy eating and food choices. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study with primary data collection, with adolescents from a public school in the city of São Paulo. Weight and high was collected to evaluate the nutritional status, through body mass index, and possible associations between gender and age was verified. Nutritional status was analyzed by WHO percentiles. Descriptive statistic, chi-square test, ANOVA and t-student test were used. To evaluate their knowledge, perceptions and food choices were elaborated 4 discursive questions about healthy eating. The Discourse of the Collective Subject technique was used, through the following methodological figures: key expressions and central ideas, for the discourse construction. Results: Youth presents an adequate knowledge about healthy eating, 52,6% related it to a balance and varied diet; and 55,4% perceive their own diet as healthy. Most of the students refer to choose high energy dense foods, during school break or on their own home. In relation to nutritional status nearly 30% of the adolescents were overweight. The employees interviewed suggested modifications to improve nutritional values and sensory aspects of the school meal program. Conclusion: Adolescents presents overweight and adequate knowledge and perceptions about healthy eating, but their food choices are inadequate. The employees perception and opinion about school meals are related to waste and rejections of some foods.

Background: Food choice and practice of older people is very significant for their health and well-being. Earlier studies have focused on the choices made by older people in developed countries. Therefore, this study aimed to explore food choices and practices among older people in Thailand from the perspectives of older people themselves and their caregivers. Methodology: The study was performed in Samut Sakhon, Thailand. Six Focused Group Discussions and six semi-structured interviews were conducted with older people and their caregivers. The discussions and interviews explored individual food practices and the factors influencing the type and quantity of food selected. Data were transcribed using the denaturalized and verbatim approach, and analysis followed an inductive thematic approach. Results: Both older people and caregivers shared that price and convenience were two common food choice values. Some also mentioned nutritional value as a determining factor. Older people worried about unhygienic food and food which contained chemicals or was contaminated. They were concerned about food preparation process, dirt from pollution of the locality etc. Culture affected the way old people ate with their families, and what they chose to eat. Furthermore, the national Fishery law had a negative impact upon their food selection habits. Conclusion: Older people’s food choice was the outcome from their personal mental processes that weighted, balanced, and prioritized each food choice value such as affordability, convenience, availability or nutritional benefits. To encourage healthy eating habits among older people, individual needs and opinions should be taken into consideration.

Objectif. Analyse qualitative exploratoire du contenu alimentaire et nutritionnel de blogues tenus par des mères québécoises afin d’établir l’importance relative des événements et expériences de vie, des sources d’influence et des systèmes alimentaires personnels des blogueuses sur leurs choix alimentaires. Méthodes. Analyse de contenu effectué à l’aide du modèle conceptuel de Sobal et Bisogni. Le logiciel NVivo fut utilisé afin de codifier toutes les mentions relatives à l’alimentation, la nutrition et les choix alimentaires dans les quatre blogues de mères retenus. Résultats. Les quatre catégories principales du modèle de Sobal et Bisogni se retrouvent dans les blogues. La catégorie influences est celle qui obtient le plus de mentions, sauf pour le blogue tenu par une nutritionniste où les mentions sont réparties également entre influences et système alimentaire personnel. Plusieurs sources d’information en nutrition sont mentionnées, autant de sources formelles qu’informelles. Conclusion. L’analyse des blogues nous permet d’avoir accès à de l’information générée de façon spontanée par les mères et remet en question l’efficacité des messages nutritionnels émanant des professionnels de la santé. Comme les choix alimentaires des mères affectent de façon importante le développement des comportements alimentaires de leurs enfants, il est du rôle des nutritionnistes et autres professionnels de mieux définir leurs messages afin que ceux-ci soient davantage compris et adoptés. / Objectives. Exploratory qualitative analysis of food and nutritional content of blogs run by Quebec mothers in order to identify the relative importance of life course events and experiences, source of influences, and personal food system on their food choices. Methods. Content analysis conducted using the conceptual model by Sobal and Bisogni. NVivo software was used to codify all references to food, nutrition and food choices in the four selected mothers’ blog. Results. The four main categories of Sobal and Bisogni’s model are found in blogs. The category influences is the one that gets the most mention, except for the blog run by a registered dietitian where the references are equally divided between influences and personal food system. Several sources of nutrition information are mentioned, both formal and informal sources. Conclusion. Analysis of blogs allows us to have access to information provided spontaneously by mothers and questions the effectiveness of nutrition messages from health professionals. As the mothers' food choices affect significantly the development of eating behaviors of their children, it is the role of dietitians and other professionals to better define their messages so that they are better understood and adopted.

Introdução A adolescência é uma fase importante na consolidação das práticas alimentares saudáveis. Os conhecimentos e percepções dos adolescentes sobre alimentação saudável são determinantes para que se incorporem tais práticas. Objetivo Avaliar os conhecimentos e as percepções sobre alimentação saudável e escolhas alimentares de adolescentes. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo transversal, de natureza quanti-qualitativa com coleta de dados primários, com adolescentes, em escola pública no município de São Paulo. Os dados de peso, estatura foram coletados para a avaliar o estado nutricional, por meio do Índice de Massa Corporal, e possíveis associações entre o gênero e a idade foram verificadas. O estado nutricional foi analisado segundo os percentis propostos pela OMS. Utilizou-se a análise da estatística descritiva, teste do qui-quadrado, ANOVA e teste t-student. Para avaliar os conhecimentos, as percepções e as escolhas alimentares foram elaboradas 4 perguntas discursivas sobre o tema alimentação saudável. Utilizou-se a técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo, por meio das seguintes figuras metodológicas: expressões chaves e idéias centrais, para a construção do discurso. Resultados Os adolescentes apresentaram um conhecimento adequado com relação ao conceito de alimentação saudável, sendo que 52,6% relacionaram a uma dieta equilibrada e variada. 55,4% percebiam a sua alimentação como saudável. Com relação às escolhas alimentares observou-se que a maioria dos alunos opta pelo consumo de alimentos com alta densidade energética, durante o intervalo de aula ou em casa. Quanto ao estado nutricional aproximadamente 30% dos adolescentes apresentaram excesso de peso corporal. Os funcionários entrevistados sugerem modificações para a melhoria do valor nutritivo e dos aspectos sensoriais da alimentação escolar. Conclusão - Os adolescentes apresentaram excesso de peso, conhecimentos e percepções adequadas sobre alimentação saudável, mas optam por escolhas alimentares inadequadas. A percepção e a opinião dos funcionários é que há desperdício e não aceitação de alguns alimentos. / Introduction: Adolescence is an important period of life for healthy eating practices consolidation. Adolescents´ knowledge and perceptions about healthy eating are determinants to integrate these practices. Objective: Evaluate adolescents´ knowledge and perceptions about healthy eating and food choices. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study with primary data collection, with adolescents from a public school in the city of São Paulo. Weight and high was collected to evaluate the nutritional status, through body mass index, and possible associations between gender and age was verified. Nutritional status was analyzed by WHO percentiles. Descriptive statistic, chi-square test, ANOVA and t-student test were used. To evaluate their knowledge, perceptions and food choices were elaborated 4 discursive questions about healthy eating. The Discourse of the Collective Subject technique was used, through the following methodological figures: key expressions and central ideas, for the discourse construction. Results: Youth presents an adequate knowledge about healthy eating, 52,6% related it to a balance and varied diet; and 55,4% perceive their own diet as healthy. Most of the students refer to choose high energy dense foods, during school break or on their own home. In relation to nutritional status nearly 30% of the adolescents were overweight. The employees interviewed suggested modifications to improve nutritional values and sensory aspects of the school meal program. Conclusion: Adolescents presents overweight and adequate knowledge and perceptions about healthy eating, but their food choices are inadequate. The employees perception and opinion about school meals are related to waste and rejections of some foods.