Introduction:

correct eating habits during adolescence are considered protective factors against the risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases in adulthood.

Objective:

to identify the frequency of malnutrition by excess or defect in adolescents of the 8th grade of the Carlos Ulloa Urban Basic Secondary School and its relationship with eating habits.

Methods:

an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out in adolescents of the 8th grade of the Carlos Ulloa Urban Basic Secondary School of the municipality of Pinar del Río. Anthropometric indicators were determined to evaluate the different nutritional phenotypes and eating habits by means of validated self-report questionnaires. Mean, standard deviation, absolute and relative frequencies and mean comparison tests at 95 % confidence were used.

Results:

female sex and excess malnutrition (overweight or obese) predominated with 35,6 %. Statistically significant differences (p<0,05) between sexes were found for waist circumference, tricipital fold, waist-height index and waist-hip index. Frequent omission of breakfast (23,3 %), infrequent consumption of fruits (63,3 %) and vegetables (37,0 %), fish (90,4 %), frequent consumption of sausages and smoked foods (43,8 %) and junk food (37,0 %)

Conclusions:

were found to be inadequate eating habits. Overweight and obesity affected approximately one third of the adolescents studied and poor dietary practices were observed.

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