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.

This article evaluates the association between sociodemographic factors, screen exposure during meals, and the consumption of healthy and unhealthy dietary markers in children aged 2 to 9 years treated at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro. The cross-sectional study of 129 children found high consumption of healthy foods like beans (86.0%) and fresh fruits (69.8%), alongside frequent intake of unhealthy foods, particularly sweetened beverages (61.7%) and sweets (54.7%). Notably, consumption of sweetened beverages was significantly higher among children from households receiving government benefits and those exposed to screens during meals. The findings highlight the need for targeted food and nutrition education to promote healthier eating environments in childhood, considering the influence of socioeconomic status and mealtime screen use.