Comparative Study Regarding the Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and the Eating Habits of Two Groups—The Romanian Children and Adolescents Living in Nord-West of Romania and Their Romanian Counterparts Living in Italy

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MD) is associated with significant health benefits, including prevention of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Given the important migratory flow from Romania to Italy in recent decades, this study seeks to evaluate the differences between the nutritional habits of Romanian children and adolescents in Romania compared with those of Romanian children who moved to Italy or were born in Italy from both Romanian parents. Method: To assess adherence to MD, parents of Romanian children in Romania (RCR) and Romanian children in Italy (RCI) answered questions from an adapted version of the KIDMED test. Results: The results show that the high KIDMED index among RCI is significantly higher than the same index among RCR (68.09 versus 17.76, p < 0.05). RCR obtained a higher KIDMED score on different items: they had a lower consumption of fast food and sweets but an increased consumption of nuts, yogurts, and cheese. Conclusions: RCI have a better adherence to MD, but, at the same time, they are more exposed to westernized diet and practice less physical activity. Nutrition education is an important tool for improving health outcome.

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Chronotype and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Obesity: Results from the Opera Prevention Project

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12051354 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 1354

Author(s):

Giovanna Muscogiuri ◽

Luigi Barrea ◽

Sara Aprano ◽

Lydia Framondi ◽

Rossana Di Matteo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutrition Education ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Common Finding ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽

Anthropometric Parameters ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prevention Project ◽

The Mediterranean

Chronotype is the attitude of a subject in determining individual circadian preference in behavioral and biological rhythm relative to the external light–dark cycle. Obesity and unhealthy eating habits have been associated with evening chronotype. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a healthy nutritional pattern that has been reported to be associated with better health and quality of sleep. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the association of chronotype categories with adherence to the MD in a population of middle-aged Italian adults. This cross-sectional study included 172 middle-aged adults (71.5% females; 51.8 ± 15.7 years) that were consecutively enrolled in a campaign to prevent obesity called the OPERA (obesity, programs of nutrition, education, research and assessment of the best treatment) Prevention Project that was held in Naples on 11–13 October 2019. Anthropometric parameters, adherence to the MD and chronotype were studied. Chronotype was classified as morning in 58.1% of subjects, evening in 12.8% and intermediate in 28.1%. Our results demonstrated that individuals with evening chronotype, when compared to intermediate (p < 0.001) and morning chronotype (p < 0.001), were more prone to follow unhealthy lifestyle, performing less regular activity and being more frequently smokers. In addition, they showed the lowest adherence to the MD compared to morning (p < 0.001) and intermediate chronotypes (p < 0.001). The lower the chronotype score, the higher body mass index (BMI) values in the whole population (r = −0.158; p = 0.038), thus suggesting that evening chronotype was a common finding in subjects with obesity. In addition, positive correlations of chronotype score with age (r = 0.159; p = 0.037) and PREDIMED score (r = 0.656; p < 0.001) were found. The adherence to the MD, more than the intake of the single food items, was found to predict morning and evening chronotypes. In conclusion, evening chronotype was associated with unhealthy lifestyle and low adherence to the MD. Chronotype score was inversely associated to BMI and positively associated to age and adherence to the MD. Thus, the assessment of chronotype should be taken into account in the management of obesity and in the development of nutritional strategies.

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Characteristics of fast food consumption among adolescents

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120006539 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Akmaral Baspakova ◽

Ainur Zinalieva ◽

Anara Abitova ◽

Yeltay Rakhmanov

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Fast Food ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Research Work ◽

Education Programme ◽

Noncommunicable Diseases ◽

Primary Data ◽

Fast Food Consumption

AbstractSpecial attention is paid to healthy eating in order to promote the health of children and adolescents. Eating habits are formed in childhood, respectively, a child who has eaten unhealthy food, including fast food, is at additional risk of noncommunicable diseases. Fast food is convenient and made to meet the tastes of consumers through the use of salt, sugar and fat. In addition, some ingredients can cause salience and physiological reactions that contribute to weight gain.Improper nutrition of children and adolescents, non-compliance with the daily diet and the use of fast food products can lead to some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, as well as bronchial asthma, some endocrinological diseases. Therefore, the purpose of our research work was to determine the frequency of fast food consumption by adolescents in Aktobe, Republic of Kazakhstan.The study was approved by the Local ethical Commission of the West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University of Aktobe, Republic of Kazakhstan (№2 from 30.01.2018). By applying the questionnaire of the method was conducted experimentally controlled studies. The study involved 209 adolescents aged 15–18 years. Factors such as age and health were controlled. The primary data were analyzed using the McNemar's test, the open responses were coded, and the data were analyzed using SPSS Statistical Version 25.36.8% of the respondents consume fast food a couple times a week, 48.8% consume it once a week, and the remaining 14.3% consume the mentioned food several times a month. Before buying food, it was found that those who took care of food's nutritional value were 47.8%, and 52.1% did not care about it. After having been informed of the dangers of fast food that the consumption of fast food leads to obesity, comparative differences were found in the results, respondents that answered “no” attained 5,26 %, p = 0.0001 (odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]]: 40 [36,6–44,3]). Healthy education programme offered to the adolescents led to the comparative difference in previous data to 5.9% in respondents who liked fast food and intended to continue taking on p = 0.0001 (OR and 95% CI: 33,3 [31,9–36,2]). After having attended the seminar on healthy eating, the number of respondents who liked and intended to continue consuming French fries and chips were decreased to 3.17%, relative differences were obtained before retrieving data p = 0.0001 (OR and 95% CI: 20.0 [18, 6–22.9]).Teenagers quite often use fast food and the majority of respondents visit fast food cafes, without thinking that poor nutrition is one of the factors of noncommunicable diseases and obesity among teenagers.

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Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet among School Children and Adolescents Living in Northern Italy and Unhealthy Food Behaviors Associated to Overweight

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10091322 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1322 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Francesca Archero ◽

Roberta Ricotti ◽

Arianna Solito ◽

Deborah Carrera ◽

Federica Civello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

School Children ◽

Fast Food ◽

Weight Status ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Fast Food Restaurants ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Italian Children ◽

Ethnic Origins

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the differences in Mediterranean diet and its components among primary and secondary school children and adolescents living in northern Italy, and the associations with the weight status. Adherence was assessed by the KIDMED (Mediterranean Diet Quality Index) questionnaire on 669 subjects (6–16 years) attending five schools of Novara. The adherence was poor in 16.7%, average in 63.7%, and high in 19.6% of the students. Poor adherence was more frequent in primary than in secondary schools (20.7% vs. 13.7%, p < 0.04). Some unhealthy behaviors were more prevalent in younger children. Children of other ethnic origins had a mixed behavior, choosing both traditional healthy and unhealthy foods. Besides male gender and primary school, in Italian children, the risk of overweight was directly associated with eating at fast-food restaurants (OR: 1.890, CI 95% 1.002–3.563), and inversely with consumption of vegetables more than once a day (OR: 0.588, CI 95% 0.349–0.991), and olive oil at home (OR: 0.382, CI 95% 0.176–0.826). In children of other ethnic origins, this risk was associated with skipping breakfast (OR: 16.046, CI 95% 1.933–133.266), or consuming commercial baked good or pastries for breakfast (OR: 10.255, CI 95% 1.052–99.927). The overall KIDMED score correlated with height (β: 0.108; p < 0.005). Poor food quality is replacing the Mediterranean dietary pattern in children and adolescents, in particular among younger children. Because the risk of overweight was associated with different components of the Mediterranean diet depending on ethnic origins, tailored nutritional programs remain a need.

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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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The Mediterranean Eating in Scotland Experience project: evaluation of an Internet-based intervention promoting the Mediterranean diet

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1079/bjn20051476 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 290-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Angeliki Papadaki ◽

Jane A. Scott

Keyword(s):

Nutrition Education ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Hdl Cholesterol ◽

Control Group ◽

Monounsaturated Fat ◽

Feedback Intervention ◽

Intention To Treat ◽

The Mediterranean

A 6-month intervention study with a quasi-experimental design was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an Internet-based, stepwise, tailored-feedback intervention promoting four key components of the Mediterranean diet. Fifty-three (intervention group) and nineteen (control group) healthy females were recruited from the Universities of Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian, Scotland, respectively. Participants in the intervention group received tailored dietary and psychosocial feedback and Internet nutrition education over a 6-month period, while participants in the control group were provided with minimal dietary feedback and general healthy-eating brochures. Internet education was provided via an innovative Mediterranean Eating Website. Dietary changes were assessed with 7 d estimated food diaries at baseline and 6 months, and data were analysed to calculate the Mediterranean Diet Score, a composite score based on the consumption of eight components of the traditional Mediterranean diet. The ‘intention-to-treat’ analyses showed that, at 6 months, participants in the intervention group had significantly increased their intake of vegetables, fruits and legumes, as well as the MUFA:saturated fatty acid ratio in their diet, and had significantly increased plasma HDL-cholesterol levels and a reduced ratio of total:HDL-cholesterol. Participants in the control group increased their intake of legumes but showed no other favourable significant changes compared with baseline. This Internet-based, tailored-feedback intervention promoting components of the Mediterranean diet holds promise in encouraging a greater consumption of plant foods, as well as increasing monounsaturated fat and decreasing saturated fat in the Scottish diet; it also shows that the Mediterranean diet can be adopted by healthy individuals in northern European countries.

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Family Meals, Conviviality and the Mediterranean Diet among Families with Adolescents

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052499 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2499

Author(s):

Andrea de la Torre-Moral ◽

Sergi Fàbregues ◽

Anna Bach-Faig ◽

Albert Fornieles-Deu ◽

F. Xavier Medina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Family Meals ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Family Meal ◽

Food Pattern ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

The Family ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Meal Composition

Two aspects that characterize the Mediterranean diet (MD) are “what” and “how” we eat. Conviviality relates to “how” we eat and to the pleasure of sharing meals with significant people. The most studied concept is “family meals”, which includes conviviality, which involves “enjoying” family meals. Given the lack of research on convivial family meals in Mediterranean countries, the purpose of this qualitative study was to analyze the family meal representations and practices of families with 12- to 16-year-old adolescents to assess whether they responded to a pattern of conviviality, and to examine their association with MD adherence. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted and food frequency and family meal questionnaires were administered. A food pattern analysis was carried out and digital photos of meals were analyzed to examine eating habits and meal composition, respectively. The findings showed that parents believed family meals are a space for socialization and communication. Items relating to the conviviality of family meals identified in the study were meal frequency, meals at the table, lack of digital distractions, pleasant conversations, and time spent on family meals. Attention should be paid to conviviality in Mediterranean families when designing multi-approach strategies to promote healthy eating among adolescents.

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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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The Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Resilience, Test Anxiety, Academic Stress and the Mediterranean Diet. A Study with University Students

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17062071 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (6) ◽

pp. 2071 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Rubén Trigueros ◽

Ana M. Padilla ◽

José M. Aguilar-Parra ◽

Patricia Rocamora ◽

María J. Morales-Gázquez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emotional Intelligence ◽

University Students ◽

Test Anxiety ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Academic Stress ◽

Equation Model ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The University

The academic transition to university is a turning point in young people’s lifestyles. However, studies to date have focused on student behaviour within the classroom context, rather than on the consequences it may have on their lifestyle. This study aims to analyze the influence of emotional intelligence of university students on their resilience, academic stress, exam anxiety, and eating habits related to the Mediterranean diet at the university stage. This study was carried out with the participation of 733 male and 614 female students from the University of Almeria, aged between 19 and 27. A structural equation model was made to explain the causal relationships between the variables. The results showed emotional intelligence positively predicted resilience. In turn, test anxiety and academic stress were negatively predicted by resilience. Finally, test anxiety and academic stress were negatively predicted by the Mediterranean diet. In short, the results of the present study have shown that academic transfer to university and grading pressure can generate maladaptive consequences for food consumption.

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Habits, preferences and culinary skills of first-year students at the university of Huelva

Enfermería Global ◽

10.6018/eglobal.18.3.332791 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gema López Nieves ◽

Elena Sosa Cordobés ◽

Almudena Garrido Fernández ◽

Gabriel Travé González ◽

Francisca María García-Padilla

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Ad Hoc ◽

Eating Habits ◽

First Year ◽

Arithmetic Means ◽

First Year Students ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The University ◽

Dieta Mediterranea ◽

Dieta Mediterránea

Introducción: Los estudiantes universitarios se encuentran en un periodo crítico para el desarrollo y consolidación de estilos de vida futuros. El objetivo fue conocer los hábitos alimentarios, preferencias alimentarias y habilidades culinarias del alumnado de primer curso de las distintas titulaciones de la Universidad de Huelva.Material y Método: Estudio descriptivo transversal durante el año académico 2015-2016 de una muestra final de 756 alumnos. La adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea se ha medido a través del cuestionario KIDMED. El resto de variables se han recogido mediante un cuestionario ad hoc. El análisis de datos se realizó mediante el PSPP, calculándose medias, desviaciones típicas y porcentajes para el análisis descriptivo, prueba de Chi-cuadrado y ANOVA para el análisis relacional.Resultados: El 20,4% del alumnado tiene un nivel óptimo de adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea, frente al 65,3% que posee un nivel medio y un 14,3% bajo. Los alimentos preferidos son pollo (62,2%), pasta (58,2%), cerdo (50,4%) y las patatas fritas (45,9%). Entre los alimentos que saben preparar están la pasta, (93,8%), patatas con huevo (90.2 %), pizza precocinada (88.7 %), zumo (86.1 %) y carne a la plancha (85.8 %).Conclusiones: La dieta de los estudiantes onubenses es muy similar a la de otras poblaciones universitarias estudiadas. Se encontró preferencia por las carnes y alimentos ricos en glúcidos, en detrimento de la fruta y la verdura. Se observó un déficit en las habilidades culinarias, lo cual podría explicar el deterioro del patrón alimentario de éstos y orientar futuras intervenciones. Introduction: Students attending university are at a critical period for the development and consolidation of future lifestyles. The objective of this study was to know the eating habits, food preferences and culinary skills of first-year students on different degree courses at the University of Huelva.Material and Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study in academic year 2015-2016 of a sample of 756 students. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was measured by the KIDMED questionnaire. The rest of the variables were measured by an ad hoc questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using the PSPP programme, calculating arithmetic means, standard deviations and percentages for the descriptive analysis, with Chi-square test and ANOVA for the relational analysis.Results: 20.4% of students have an optimal level of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, compared to 65.3% % with an average level and 14.3% with low adherence. Favourite foods cited were chicken (62.2%), pasta (58.2%), pork (50.4%) and chips (45.9%). The types of food the students knew how to prepare included pasta (93.8%), egg and chips (90.2%), precooked pizza (88.7%), fruit juices (86.1%) and grilled meat (85.8%).Conclusions: Huelva university students diet is very similar to that of other university populations studied. We found a preference for meat and foods rich in carbohydrates, to the detriment of fruit and vegetables. A lack of culinary skills was observed, which could explain the deterioration in eating habits; this is a pointer to future interventions.

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Determinants of Adherence to Healthy Eating Patterns in a Population of Children and Adolescents: Evidence on the Mediterranean Diet in the City of Mataró (Catalonia, Spain)

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11040854 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 854 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Arcila-Agudelo ◽

Ferrer-Svoboda ◽

Torres-Fernàndez ◽

Farran-Codina

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

School Level ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Future Research ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

Suboptimal Adherence ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Optimal Adherence

Despite its benefits, the Mediterranean diet (MD) is being abandoned or not adopted by young generations in most Mediterranean countries. In Spain, up to 69% of the child and adolescent population has been found to have suboptimal adherence to the MD. The aim of this study was to analyze which factors are associated with an optimal adherence to the MD in school-age children and adolescents from Mataró, Spain. A cross-sectional study was performed on 1177 children and adolescents aged between 6 and 18 years from Mataró. The Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents (KIDMED index) was used to evaluate adherence to a MD. We found that over 59% of subjects showed suboptimal adherence to a MD, with this prevalence being higher for secondary school than for primary school children. The factors positively associated with following an optimal MD were the mother’s education level, children at the primary school level, the absence of distractions at breakfast, and regular physical activity. The availability of spending money was negatively associated with the likelihood of optimal adherence to a MD. Future research should study more in-depth the possible causality between the factors studied and adherence to a MD.

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