Objective Assessment of eating, physical activity and sedentary habits of adolescents with overweight and obesity.

Methods This study took place as part of a randomised clinical trial to assess the efficacy of an intervention based on food and exercise counselling in order to reduce the body mass index of adolescents between 10 and 14 years old with obesity and overweight attended at primary care (Nutriben Prize). We enrolled 85 boys and 85 girls; parents’ consent was obtained from all subjects.

Results Eating habits: 3.4% have no breakfast, 1.7% have no afternoon snack and 35.1% snack between meals (40.9% do it sometimes). Breakfast: 84.7% lacteous products, 67.2% cereals or sandwich, 14.7% industrial pastry. 12.9% have no fruit daily, 4.1% have no vegetables, lettuce or legumes, 6.9% have no fish, 0.6% have no meat. 85% consume candy. 71.3% do not eat fast food. 24.9% have soft drinks with meals and 14.1% packed juice. 6.5% eat by themselves, 46.5% when they are bored and 42.9% snack while watching television. Differences between genders: the girls consumed vegetables more times a week (p<0.05) and more boys than girls did not consume candy regularly (p<0.05). Physical activity/sedentary habits: mean time in front of the computer and television: 145.3 minutes per day. Time doing sports (school plus extra school): 208.8 minutes in the week.

Conclusions Eating, physical activity and sedentary habits of adolescents with overweight and obesity are suboptimal. The promotion of physically active lifestyles and healthy eating behaviours is necessary, especially in this group of children.