Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and consumption of functional foods among the Balearic Islands’ adolescent population

Abstract

Objective: To assess differences in adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) between consumers and non-consumers of functional foods among the Balearic Islands' adolescent population. Design: Cross-sectional nutritional survey carried out (2007)(2008) in the Balearic Islands, a Mediterranean region. Dietary assessment was based on a semi-quantitative FFQ and two non-consecutive 24 h recalls. Anthropometric measurements and questions related to socio-economic status, physical activity and adherence to the MD were assessed. Setting: Data obtained from a representative sample of all inhabitants living in the Balearic Islands aged 12-17 years. Subjects: A random sample (n 1961) of the adolescent population was interviewed. Results: The mean adherence to the MD among consumers of functional foods was 56·42 (SD 6·05) % and 55·76 (SD 5·41) % among non-consumers. Consumption of fruit juice, fibre-rich bread/cookies, cereal bars, fish and soya milk was higher among adolescents with high MD adherence, and consumption of modified milk, probiotics, breakfast cereals and infusions was higher among adolescents with low MD adherence. Daily intakes of functional dietary components from plant foods (dietary fibre, vitamins C and E, carotene, folic acid) were higher among adolescents with high MD adherence. Conclusions: The Balearic Islands' adolescent population had moderate adherence to the MD; higher adherence was observed among consumers of functional foods. Average daily intakes of functional foods and functional dietary components were higher among adolescents with high adherence to the MD. Gender, age and low parental education were risk factors for low adherence to the MD, mainly among non-consumers of functional foods.

The Reliability of the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) Questionnaire

“…In children and youth, the adherence to the Mediterranean diet has often been investigated in the Mediterranean region [10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17]. For example, the prevalence of children and adolescents having low adherence to the Mediterranean diet was 4.2% in Spain [14], 14.9% and 27% for children and adolescents in Greece [15,16], andbetween 23.0% and 33.0% in Italy [17,18].…”

Dietary Calcium Intake and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Spanish Children: The ANIVA Study

“…The traditional MedDiet has been identified as a healthy diet and calcium intake is also related to a healthy diet [11]. Several authors [4,8] have used the KIDMED test to determine if subjects had good, average or poor adherence to the MedDiet.…”

“…The typical MedDiet is characterised by high intakes of fruits, vegetables, pulses, whole grains (largely unrefined) cereals, tree nuts, as well as olive oil as the principal source of added fat, along with high to moderate intakes of fish and seafood, moderate consumption of eggs, poultry and dairy products (cheese and yoghurt), and low consumption of red meat [5,7,8,9]. This diet model, plays a preventive role in the development of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, certain cancers, diabetes and obesity [10,11]. Interestingly, good adherence to the MedDiet was positively associated with better academic performance in youths [8].…”

“…Interestingly, good adherence to the MedDiet was positively associated with better academic performance in youths [8]. Despite the health benefits of the MedDiet, several studies have reported that dietary patterns in the Mediterranean region are changing to a more Westernised diet [11,12,13,14,15,16,17]. …”

Adesão Às Orientações Nutricionais: Uma Revisão De Literatura

“…[49][50][51][52][53][54] Esses índices avaliam a qualidade da dieta individual e populacional em termos de conformidade com a orientação dietética, 46,55 e entre os principais destaca-se o HEI, desenvolvido de acordo com as diretrizes alimentares americanas. Alguns estudos adaptaram o HEI para a população brasileira.…”