Commensality and eating patterns in adolescents: An analysis from structural equation modeling.

Area of Science:

• Public Health Nutrition
• Adolescent Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Dietary patterns are crucial for adolescent health and development.
• Understanding factors influencing eating behaviors, such as commensality, is essential.
• The Food Guide for the Brazilian Population provides a framework for healthy eating.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the influence of commensality on the dietary patterns of Brazilian adolescents.
• To investigate the relationship between sociodemographic factors, body satisfaction, and commensality.
• To analyze sex-specific differences in these relationships.

Main Methods:

• Utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) on data from the 2015 National Survey of School Health (PeNSE).
• Analyzed a representative sample of Brazilian adolescents from public and private schools.
• Developed a theoretical model stratified by sex, incorporating sociodemographic characteristics, handwashing, body satisfaction, and commensality.

Main Results:

• Commensality was positively associated with healthy eating patterns in both male (SDE: 0.42) and female (SDE: 0.62) adolescents.
• Age was inversely associated with commensality in males (SDE: -0.28).
• Body dissatisfaction showed a stronger negative association with commensality in females (SDE: -0.30) compared to males.

Conclusions:

• A positive relationship exists between commensality and healthy eating patterns among Brazilian adolescents.
• Sociodemographic factors and body satisfaction have differential influences on commensality based on sex.
• Promoting shared meals may be a viable strategy to improve adolescent dietary habits in Brazil.