Objective: To evaluate the Healthy Eating Index among adolescents living in the Butantã district of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional population-based study using a sample of 437 adolescents of both genders, aged between 12 and 19 years. Probabilistic cluster samples were obtained from the study area in two stages (census tracts and homes). Dietary intake was measured by the 24-hour recall method and dietary quality was assessed by means of the Healthy Eating Index, adapted to local realities. Results: Among the adolescents assessed, 4% presented a healthy diet, 68% a diet that needed some improvement and 28% an inadequate diet. The scoring for the Healthy Eating Index components of grains, vegetables, pulses and food variety were high among men. Greater schooling levels for heads of families presented an association with greater consumption of grains, vegetables, milk and dairy products, and greater food variety. There was an inverse relationship for pulses and sodium. Conclusion: The majority of the adolescents studied did not follow the recognized dietary recommendations, which may compromise these individuals' future health.196663671Síntese de indicadores sociais 2003. Estudos & Pesquisas (2004) Informação demográfica e socioeconômica, número, 12. , Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, Rio de Janeiro;Heald, F.P., Nutrition in adolescence (1985) PanAmerican Health of adolescents and youths in the Americas, pp. 51-61. , Scientific Publications 489. Washington DC, PAHO/WHO;Dietz, W.H., Childhood weight affects adult morbidity and mortality (1998) J Nutr, 128 (2 SUPPL.), pp. 411S-414SFisberg, M., Bandeira, C.R.S., Bonilha, E.A., Halpern, G., Hirschbruch, M., Hábitos alimentares na adolescência (2000) Ped Mod, 36, pp. 734-733Mertz, W., Foods and nutrients (1984) J Am Diet Assoc, 84 (7), pp. 769-770Kant, A.K., Schatzkin, A., Graubard, B.I., Schairer, C., A prospective study of diet quality and mortality in women (2000) JAMA, 283 (16), pp. 2109-2115Kennedy, E.T., Ohls, J., Carlon, S., Fleming, K., The Healthy Eating Index: Design and applications (1995) J Am Diet Assoc, 95 (10), pp. 1103-1108Hann, C.S., Rock, C.L., King, I., Drewnowski, A., Validation of Healthy Eating Index with use of plasma biomarkers in a clinical sample of women (2001) Am J Clin Nutr, 74 (4), pp. 479-486Weinstein, S.J., Vogt, T.M., Gerrior, S.A., Healthy Eating Index scores are associated with blood nutrient concentrations in the Third Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2004) J Am Diet Assoc, 104 (4), pp. 576-584Feskanich, D., Rockett, H.R.H., Colditz, G.A., Modifying the Healthy Eating Index to assess diet quality in children and adolescents (2004) J Am Diet Assoc, 104 (4), pp. 1375-1383U.S. Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 16. [tabela de composição de alimentos] 2003[cited 2004 Jan 28]. Available from: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcompPhilippi, S.T., Tabela de composição química de alimentos: Suporte para decisão nutricional (2001) Brasília: ANVISASouci, S.W., Farchman, W., Kraut, (1994) Food composition and nutrition tables, , 5th ed. Stutgard: Medpharm Scientific Publishers;Pinheiro, A.B.V., Lacerda, E.M.A., Benzecry, E.H., Gomes, M.C.S., Costa, V.M., (2000) Tabela para avaliação de consumo alimentar em medidas caseiras, , 4. ed. São Paulo: Atheneu;(2002) Manual de receitas e medidas caseiras para cálculo de inquéritos alimentares: Manual elaborado para auxiliar o processamento de inquéritos alimentares, , Fisberg RM, Villar BS, editores, São Paulo: Signus;Fisberg, R.M., Slater, B., Barros, R.R., Lima, F.D., Carandina, L., Barros, M.B.A., Índice de qualidade da dieta: Avaliação e aplicabilidade (2004) Rev Nutr, 17 (3), pp. 301-318Bowman SA, Lino M, Gerrior SA, Basiotis PP. The Healthy Eatins Index: 1994-96. Washington (DC): U.S. Departament of Agrilculture1998Variyam JN, Blaylock J, Smallwood D, Basiostis PP. USDA's Healthy Eating Index and Nutrition Information. Washington (DC): United States Department of Agriculture/Economic Research Service1998. Technical Bulletin no1866Pinheiro, A.C., Atalah, E., Propuesta de uma metodologia de análisis de la calidad global de la alimentación (2005) Rev Med Chile, 133 (2), pp. 175-182Vieira, V.C.R., Priore, S.E., Ribeiro, S.M.R., Franceschini, S.C.C., Almeida, L.P., Perfil socioeconômico, nutricional e de saúde de adolescentes recém: Ingressos em uma universidade pública brasileira (2002) Rev Nutr, 15 (3), pp. 273-282Troiano, R.P., Briefel, R.R., Carroll, M.D., Bialostosky, K., Energy and fat intakes of children and adolescents in the United States: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2000) Am J Clin Nutr, 72 (5 SUPPL.), pp. 1343S-13453Garcia, G.C.B., Gambardella, A.M.D., Frutuoso, M.F.P., Estado nutricional e consumo alimentar de adolescentes de um centro de juventude da cidade de São Paulo (2003) Rev Nutr, 16 (1), pp. 41-50Capper, A.L., Ellison, R.C., Witschi, J.C., Sources of fat, fatty acids, and cholesterol in the diets of adolescents (1990) J Am Diet Assoc, 90 (10), pp. 1429-1431Cesar, C.L.G., Condições de vida da população estudada (2005) Saúde e condições de vida em São Paulo: Inquérito multicêntrico de saúde no Estado de São Paulo (ISA-SP), pp. 65-78. , São Paulo: Annablume;Pérez-Escamilla, R., Haldeman, L., Food label use modifies association of income with dietary quality (2002) J Nutr, 132 (4), pp. 768-772Fisberg, R.M., Slater, B., Morimoto, J.M., Bueno, M.B., Cesar, C.L.G., Carandina, L., Hábito alimentar da dieta: Qualidade da dieta (2005) Saúde e condições de vida em São Paulo: Inquérito multicêntrico de saúde no Estado de São Paulo (ISA-SP), pp. 81-89. , São Paulo: Annablume;