Demographic and lifestyle factors associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet in relation to overweight/obesity among Israeli adolescents: findings from the Mabat Israeli national youth health and nutrition survey

Abstract

Israeli adolescents had overall a high rate of poor MD adherence. Jewish middle-school children were at the highest risk. Interventions aimed at increasing physical activity, reducing sedentary time, improving mother's education and promoting reading of food labels are recommended.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was positively associated with micronutrient adequacy and negatively associated with dietary energy density among adolescents

“…The study population, sampling method and data resources in the Mabat‐Youth Survey have been described elsewhere . Briefly, the Mabat‐Youth Survey is a cross‐sectional, nationally representative, school‐based study.…”

“…The KIDMED index is a 16‐item index to measure the adherence to the MD among children and adolescents . Based on the data availability in FFQs and eating behaviour questionnaires in the Mabat‐Youth study, a 14‐item modified KIDMED index, without information on nuts consumption and olive oil usage at home, was utilised for quantitatively measuring MD adherence in the Mabat‐Youth Study (see Supporting information, Table S1) . Altogether, 5005 participants had complete data to compose a 14‐item KIDMED score.…”

“…These 5005 participants were finally included in the present analysis. Three KIDMED groups were categorised by modified14‐item KIDMED scores: (i) ≥7, good; (ii) 3–6, average; and (iii) ≤2, poor . The reasons for defining the cut‐off points in the modified KIDMED scores have been described before .…”

“…The prevalence of having poor KIDMED scores varied in different countries, ranging from 5% to 27%, depending on the different geographical location and age . In Israeli adolescents, the prevalence of having poor KIDMED scores was 25.5% .…”

“…Against this background, the 16‐item KIDMED index has been developed and utilised for assessing the MD adherence in children and adolescents . We assessed the MD adherence in Israeli adolescents using a modified 14‐item KIDMED index (see Supporting information, Table S1) based on the MabatYouth Survey – the first Israeli National Youth Health and Nutrition Survey . The prevalence of having poor KIDMED scores varied in different countries, ranging from 5% to 27%, depending on the different geographical location and age .…”