Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern among Balearic Islands adolescents

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to assess the prevalence of the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) in Balearic Islands adolescents, and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors that might determine adherence to the MDP. A cross-sectional nutritional survey was carried out in the Balearic Islands between 2007 and 2008. A random sample (n 1231) of the adolescent population (12-17 years old) was interviewed. Dietary questionnaires and a general questionnaire incorporating questions related to socio-economic status, parental education level and lifestyle factors were used. Dietary habits were assessed by means of two 24 h recalls and a quantitative FFQ. Adherence to the MDP was defined according to a score constructed considering the consumption of nine MDP characteristic components: high MUFA:SFA ratio, moderate ethanol consumption, high legumes, cereals and roots, fruits, vegetables and fish consumption, and low consumption of meat and milk. Then, socio-demographic, lifestyle and health status variables that could determine a higher or ower adherence were assessed. The mean adherence was 57·9 (SD 8·9) % and the median adherence was 57·3 %. Half of the Balearic Islands adolescents (50·5 %) showed an adherence to the MDP comprised between 52·7 and 62·8 %. By multivariate analyses, a high maternal level of education, increased physical activity, reduced alcohol intake and abstinence from smoking were independent associations of better adherence to the MDP. The promotion of not only the MDP but also the Mediterranean lifestyle, including greater physical activity, should be reinforced among the Balearic younger generations.

Western and Mediterranean dietary patterns among Balearic Islands’ adolescents: socio-economic and lifestyle determinants

“…Children who follow a healthy diet are those who might also maintain high levels of physical activity (53) . Despite no significant association between physical activity and the dietary patterns being obtained in the present study, in a previous study we found that sedentary and low-active adolescents showed the lowest adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern (11) .…”

“…However, a progressive shift to a non-Mediterranean pattern, even in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, has been observed (44) . Previous studies carried out in Spain confirmed that young generations (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) are further away from the Mediterranean dietary pattern. Lately, we found that the average adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern in our adolescent population was 58 % (11) .…”

“…Previous studies carried out in Spain confirmed that young generations (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) are further away from the Mediterranean dietary pattern. Lately, we found that the average adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern in our adolescent population was 58 % (11) . The present study has identified two major dietary patterns among adolescents ('Western' and 'Mediterranean'), supporting evidence for a nutrition transition from a traditional healthy diet towards a Western diet among Mediterranean youth.…”

“…Recent nutritional surveys carried out in Spain also confirmed a progressive departure from the traditional Mediterranean diet towards a Western dietary pattern, mainly in young generations (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) . Because there is evidence that nutritional behaviours track from adolescence into adulthood, the promotion of healthy nutrition during adolescence has the potential to confer significant long-term health benefits (1) .…”

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

“…Furthermore, this dietary pattern has a protective effect on weight gain (13,14) and the development of type 2 diabetes (8,14,15) . Despite the health benefits of the MD, several studies have reported that dietary pattern in the Mediterranean areas has been changing and switching to a more Westernized diet (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) . Increased prevalence of diet-related diseases such as overweight and obesity among children in Greece (19,21) , Spain (13,22) and Italy (23,24) support the findings of these studies.…”