Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and importance of physical activity and screen time in Extremaduran high school adolescents

The aim of this study is to evaluate if screen time and parents’ education levels are associated with adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern. This cross-sectional study analyzed a representative sample of 3333 children and adolescents (8 to 16 years) included in the Physical Activity, Sedentarism, lifestyles and Obesity in Spanish youth (PASOS) study in Spain (which ran from March 2019 to February 2020). Data on screen time (television, computer, video games, and mobile phone) per day, Mediterranean diet adherence, daily moderate or vigorous physical activity, and parents’ education levels were gathered using questionnaires. A descriptive study of the variables according to sex and parents’ education level was performed. Logistic regression models (adjusted by sex and weight status) were fitted to evaluate the independent association between screen time and Kids’ level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED) index, as well as some of its items. A greater amount of screen time was associated with worse adherence to the Mediterranean diet; a lower consumption of fruit, vegetables, fish, legumes, and nuts; and a greater consumption of fast food, sweets, and candies. A lower parents’ education level was associated with worse adherence to the Mediterranean diet. It is necessary to promote the responsible, limited use of screen time, especially in children with parents with a lower education level.

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Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Selected Lifestyle Elements among Young Women with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus from Northeast Poland: A Case-Control COVID-19 Survey

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041173 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1173

Author(s):

Monika Grabia ◽

Anna Puścion-Jakubik ◽

Renata Markiewicz-Żukowska ◽

Joanna Bielecka ◽

Anita Mielech ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Young Women ◽

Screen Time ◽

Healthy Population ◽

The Mediterranean

An appropriate balanced diet and dietary patterns are important at every stage of life, but in the case of young patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), it is especially crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to assess health and nutritional behaviors, mainly adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland among women with T1DM, and to compare them with a healthy population. This survey (based on a questionnaire) was conducted in December 2020 and included 219 young women, healthy (n = 106) and with T1DM (n = 113), from northeast Poland. Over 30% of the study group admitted that they did not engage in any physical activity. A large proportion declared that their screen time was 5–7 h a day (48% in control and 40% in T1DM group). High intakes of sweet-beverages, sweets and red meat, but also low intakes of olive oil, fish and nuts were observed. The vast majority of participants (60% vs. 71%) were moderately adherent to the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). The study demonstrated that despite the similarity between the behaviors of healthy people and those with T1DM, negative health and nutritional practices, such as low physical activity, long screen time, medium and high levels of stress and inappropriate eating habits were observed.

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Physical Activity and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet among Spanish Employees in a Health-Promotion Program before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Sanitas-Healthy Cities Challenge

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052735 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2735

Author(s):

Evelia Franco ◽

Jesús Urosa ◽

Rubén Barakat ◽

Ignacio Refoyo

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Health Promotion ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Short Form ◽

Health Promotion Program ◽

Noncommunicable Diseases ◽

Healthy Cities ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Promotion Program ◽

The Mediterranean

Physical activity and a healthy diet are key factors for avoiding major noncommunicable diseases. The aim of the present study was to analyze how physical activity (PA) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet among employees participating in the Healthy Cities program have been affected during confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample was composed of 297 employees from 40 leading companies based in Spain, who participated in the 5th edition of the Sanitas “Healthy Cities” challenge. The participants (148 women and 149 men), aged between 24 and 63 years old (M = 42.76; SD = 7.79) completed the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) questionnaire to measure adherence to the Mediterranean diet before and during the pandemic. Pearson χ2 tests revealed that workers were more likely to show sedentary behaviors during the pandemic than before (83.5% vs. 66.7%). Additionally, they were more likely to reach high levels of PA (51.2% vs. 64%), and Wilcoxon tests revealed that energy expenditure measured in Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) was higher during the pandemic (4199.03 METs) than before (3735.32 METs), due to an increase in moderate PA. Lastly, a higher adherence to a Mediterranean diet during the pandemic (76.4%) than before (54.5%) was reported. The findings of this investigation suggest a positive effect of working from home for employees involved in a health-promotion program, and highlight the relevance of this kind of action among this population.

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Self-Perceived Physical Activity and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Healthy Adolescents during COVID-19: Findings from the DIMENU Pilot Study

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9060622 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 622

Author(s):

Angelo Galluccio ◽

Giovanna Caparello ◽

Ennio Avolio ◽

Emanuele Manes ◽

Simona Ferraro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Wellness Programs ◽

Health Impact ◽

The Self ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Mediterranean Diet Adherence ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Impact

The global pandemic coronavirus disease (COVID-19) resulted in restrictions which forced adolescents to stay at home and influenced their food habits and lifestyles with potential negative health impact. This study aims to investigate the self-reported physical activity (PA) and eating habits related to the consumption of Mediterranean foods in a sample of adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown enrolled into the DIMENU study. A web survey was launched for 91 adolescents (aged 15–17 years) to assess their adherence to the Mediterranean Diet using the KIDMED test and lifestyle habits using a questionnaire designed following recommendations by Italian National Institute of Health (ISS score). Our results indicate that most of the sample declared no changes in eating habits and PA without sex differences. After dividing the sample into active and sedentary groups based on the self-perceived PA, we found that KIDMED and ISS scores were significantly higher (p = 0.0028 and p = 0.0001, respectively) in active adolescents. Moreover, KIDMED was positively correlated with ISS only in active adolescents (r = 0.311, p = 0.0185). In conclusion, our data underline the impact of the PA on the Mediterranean diet adherence in adolescents during the lockdown, suggesting the usefulness of promoting wellness programs directed towards inactive individuals to increase their awareness on the importance of healthy lifestyles.

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Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Its Association with the Level of Physical Activity in Fitness Center Users: Croatian-Based Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13114038 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 4038

Author(s):

Dinko Martinovic ◽

Daria Tokic ◽

Lovre Martinovic ◽

Marko Kumric ◽

Marino Vilovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Short Form ◽

Well Being ◽

General Information ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Fitness Center ◽

Balanced Diet ◽

The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is based on the traditional cuisine of south European countries, and it is considered one of the healthiest dietary patterns worldwide. The promotion of combined MD and physical activity has shown major benefits. However, the association between physical activity and the MD in regular fitness center users is still insufficiently investigated. This cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted on 1220 fitness center users in Croatia. The survey consisted of three parts: general information, the Mediterranean Diet Serving Score (MDSS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The results showed that 18.6% of fitness center users were adherent to the MD, and there was a significant positive correlation between the level of physical activity and the MDSS score (r = 0.302, p < 0.001). Moreover, after dividing the sample into tertiles based on the IPAQ-SF score, the third tertile (MET > 3150 min/wk) had the most fitness center users (34.4%) adherent to the MD, while the first tertile (MET < 1750 min/wk) had the least (6.1%). These outcomes emphasize the importance of physical activity as they imply that, with higher levels of physical activity, people are also possibly more aware of the importance that a healthy and balanced diet has on their well-being.

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Physical Activity and the Mediterranean Diet

Mediterranean Diet ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-27969-5_16 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 219-228

Author(s):

Melanie D. Hingle ◽

Deepika R. Laddu ◽

Scott B. Going

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

The Mediterranean

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Influence of physical activity, the Mediterranean diet and sociodemographic variables on the values of different cardiovascular risk scales

Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.3233/mnm-211537 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Pere Riutord Sbert ◽

Ángel Arturo López González ◽

Bartomeu Riutord Fe ◽

Neus Riutord Fe ◽

Sebastiana Arroyo Bote ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Social Class ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Tobacco Consumption ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sociodemographic Variables ◽

Mean Values ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Physical Activity Adherence

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. There are several risk factors for CVD, many of which are preventable, including sedentary lifestyles and poor diet. OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet and sociodemographic variables such as age, sex and social class on the values of different cardiovascular risk scales. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study in 1584 Spanish workers in which the influence of different sociodemographic variables (age, sex, social class) and healthy habits (tobacco consumption, physical activity assessed with the IPAQ questionnaire, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet) on the values of different cardiovascular risk (CVR) scales (REGICOR, SCORE, DORICA, ERICE, heart age, and vascular age) was assessed. RESULTS: All the CVR scales showed better mean values as the level of physical activity increased, something similar occurring with the prevalence of altered values, in both sexes. High adherence to the Mediterranean diet also improved the mean values and prevalence of altered values in men and women. CONCLUSION: The Mediterranean diet and physical exercise decrease the probability of suffering a cardiovascular event and improve all the CVR scales analyzed in this study.

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Self-Regulation

Mood Prep 101 ◽

10.1093/med-psych/9780190914301.003.0006 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 79-96

Author(s):

Carol Landau

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

High School ◽

Screen Time ◽

Fast Food ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Relative Lack ◽

High Sugar ◽

Body Positive ◽

Optimal Health

This chapter, on self-regulation, covers student sleep issues, nutrition, and physical activity. Most students in both high school and college are sleep deprived, and this can be a major disruptor of mood. Stress, school schedules, and too much screen time have disrupted sleep. The typical American diet with fast food, high sugar, fat, and additives has been a factor implicated in the development of depression. Americans get much less physical activity than is recommended for optimal health. This is unfortunate, because physical activity both helps prevent and has been shown to be a treatment for mild and moderate depression. Teaching and modeling self-regulation will help students as they go away to college. The relative lack of structure in college requires greater independence. Female body dissatisfaction, which can lead to self-criticism and distorted eating patterns, is identified as a major force of dysregulation, and suggestions are made for promoting body-positive attitude and behaviors.

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Food insecurity and social determinants of students’ low adherence to the Mediterranean diet

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.006 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

T Tsiampalis ◽

A Petralias ◽

A Linos

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Social Determinants ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

School Grade ◽

Nursery Schools ◽

The Mediterranean

Abstract Background Despite the fact that the Meditteranean diet is highly beneficiary for people’s health, there are many factors which cause disparities in the level of adherence. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of household food insecurity (FI) on adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD), to explore the participants’ characteristics modifying the studied relationship and find the social determinants of students’ low adherence to the specific dietary pattern. Methods A cross-sectional study with 140 schools and 4,242 students was conducted in Greece (2017-2018). Especially designed and validated instruments were used to record students’ sociodemographic characteristics, household’s FI status and students’ AMD. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to investigate the effect of FI and to identify the significant social determinants of students’ AMD, according to students’ school grade. Results After adjusting for other characteristics, students whose both parents are born in other countries, spend at most 4 hours/week on TV/electronic games, live in the regions of Peloponnese, Central Macedonia or Attica and attend primary schools adhere more to the Mediterranean diet, while higher level of physical activity and lower FI are significantly associated with better AMD. Parents’ educational level in nursery schools (p = 0.002) and employment status in nursery schools (p = 0.012) and in high schools/ lyceums (p = 0.008) were found to modify significantly the studied relationship in the univariate analysis, while school grade (p = 0.013) and physical activity (p = 0.088) were found to modify the studied relationship in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions Several demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics were significantly associated with students’ AMD. Thus, emphasis should be given on the design of special programs to reduce household FI and intervene in the rest characteristics. Key messages Researchers and policymakers should consider food insecurity as important risk factor for school-aged children, particularly for those who live in poverty. Emphasis should be given on the design of special low-cost programs aiming to reduce food insecurity.

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Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Maternal Lifestyle during Pregnancy: Island–Mainland Differentiation in the CRIBS Birth Cohort

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12082179 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 2179

Author(s):

Dubravka Havaš Auguštin ◽

Jelena Šarac ◽

Mario Lovrić ◽

Jelena Živković ◽

Olga Malev ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Machine Learning ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Island Population ◽

Learning Approach ◽

Modifiable Factors ◽

Machine Learning Approach ◽

The Mediterranean

Maternal nutrition and lifestyle in pregnancy are important modifiable factors for both maternal and offspring’s health. Although the Mediterranean diet has beneficial effects on health, recent studies have shown low adherence in Europe. This study aimed to assess the Mediterranean diet adherence in 266 pregnant women from Dalmatia, Croatia and to investigate their lifestyle habits and regional differences. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed through two Mediterranean diet scores. Differences in maternal characteristics (diet, education, income, parity, smoking, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), physical activity, contraception) with regards to location and dietary habits were analyzed using the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test. The machine learning approach was used to reveal other potential non-linear relationships. The results showed that adherence to the Mediterranean diet was low to moderate among the pregnant women in this study, with no significant mainland–island differences. The highest adherence was observed among wealthier women with generally healthier lifestyle choices. The most significant mainland–island differences were observed for lifestyle and socioeconomic factors (income, education, physical activity). The machine learning approach confirmed the findings of the conventional statistical method. We can conclude that adverse socioeconomic and lifestyle conditions were more pronounced in the island population, which, together with the observed non-Mediterranean dietary pattern, calls for more effective intervention strategies.

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