Assessing children's diet quality in Crete based on Healthy Eating Index: The Children Study

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to assess children's diet quality in Crete and the potential role of several socio-demographic factors related to it. Methods: Between October 2005 and March 2006, 481 primary school children were recruited from Crete. Dietary intake data was obtained using a combination of techniques comprising a 24 h recall and 3 food diaries. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was calculated summing the individual scores (0-10) assigned to 10 index components. Results: The majority of participants (84.5%) had diet that 'needs improvement' (HEI score: 51-80). Twelve percent of participants had 'poor diet' and only 3.5% of schoolchildren had 'good diet' (HEI score 480). The overall mean of the HEI score was 60.5. The mean values of the HEI components score ranged between 2.8 (that is, the HEI component that measures vegetables intake) and 9.9 (that is, component that expresses the variety of consumed foods). Low mean values were found in the total fat and saturated fat components (3.7 and 3.4, respectively). Moreover, the HEI score was strongly associated with dietary macronutrients and micronutrients intake. Conclusion: On the basis of the HEI score, the vast majority of children were found to have a diet that 'needs improvement'. This indicates the increased necessity of drawing and implementing nutrition education programs targeting both children and their families and aiming to increase vegetables and fruits intake and reduce fat intake.

Social capital, tolerance of diversity and adherence to Mediterranean diet: the Rhea Mother–Child Cohort in Crete, Greece

“…†Also adjusted for maternal age, maternal education, physical activity before pregnancy, residence and total area of the house in m 2 . healthy diet is progressively being adopted (33,34) . Thus, the norms about dietary patterns are deteriorating and women have to make an effort to adjust to the new, in essence old, healthier recommendations.…”

Dietary patterns and socioeconomic position

“…The positive association between socioeconomic position and dietary pattern has been confirmed by research carried out on different populations, using different indexes or statistical techniques to determine dietary patterns. As reviewed by Darmon et al (2008), higher values of Healthy Eating Index (Loughley et al, 2004;Angelopoulos et al, 2009;Manios et al, 2009), Diet Quality Index (Patterson et al, 1994;Lallukka et al, 2006), dietary diversity scores (Kant and Graubard, 2007), and other diet-quality measures (Groth et al, 2001;Dynesen et al, 2003;Robinson et al, 2004) have all been associated with a higher socioeconomic position, usually estimated by education level. Using principal components analysis to determine dietary patterns, Robinson et al (2004) found that educational attainment was the most important determinant of a healthy eating pattern.…”

Development and validation of a food-based diet quality index for New Zealand adolescents

“…The assessment of diet quality among adolescents has tended to use both food and nutrient-based diet indices such as the Healthy Eating Index [11-13] and its derivatives [14,15]. These diet indices were adapted from those originally developed for adults based on the United States Dietary Guidelines.…”