Diet quality, overweight and daily monetary allowance of Greek adolescents

Abstract

Objective To investigate cross-correlates of pocket-money on diet quality and weight status of Greek adolescents. Methods A total of 172 adolescents (55.2% boys), aged between 10 and 15 years old were recruited. Body weight and height were measured, body mass index (BMI) was computed. Weight status was assessed according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria and diet quality was evaluated via the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) - 2010. Results Adolescents were allowed a mean allowance of €4.63 ± 3.66 daily. Among boys participants, BMI correlated with pocket money (r = 0.311, p ≤ 0.002) and normoweight boys received statistically less money than their overweight peers (p ≤ 0.019). In both sexes, normoweight was more prevalent in the lowest monetary quartiles. Pocket money was not associated with HEI. Among boys, moderate HEI was more prevalent in the third quartile of pocket money, significantly higher compared to all others (p ≤ 0.01 for all). For girls, the prevalence of moderate HEI declined by each ascending pocket money quartile (p ≤ 0.05 for all). Conclusion In our sample, adolescents exhibited high rates of pooled overweight including obesity. The majority of the participants followed a diet of moderate quality. Pocket money was associated with BMI only among boys. As pocket money was not associated with diet quality, it is highly possible that adolescents might choose to spend their money on items other than foods. Our study shows that pocket money should be controlled during adolescence and teenagers should be educated on spending their money on healthier food choices.

Growth, the Mediterranean diet and the buying power of adolescents in Greece

“…In Tunisia [14] and Vietnam [18] and China's mega-cities [25], pocket money has been associated to increased snacks, fast-food and out-of-home consumption. In Greece [15], pocket-money was correlated with the total energy, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sugar and carbohydrate intake of adolescents and additionally, among girls, diet quality measured by healthy eating index declined, with the increase in pocket money [15]. Apart from unhealthy eating habits, pocket money has been associated with increased health issues and addiction problems including tobacco [26,27] and drug usage [28].…”

“…Several factors have been researched in an effort to explain excessive overweight and deviations from the traditional Mediterranean diet (MD) in Greek youth, including genetic/familial factors [10], geographic prevalence [7], SES [11] and sedentary behavior [12]. However, according to the literature, pocket money is an equally important, often underestimated, factor modifying food choices among youngsters that increases the consumption of unhealthy food [13][14][15], and subsequently, the prevalence of overweight [16,17].…”

“…Overall, research appears unanimous on the detrimental effects of pocket money on adolescent diet quality. Pocket money increases the consumption of sugar [13,14,17] and out-of-home snacks [14,15,18]. In parallel, it appears to be a significant predictor of overweight and obesity, as well as of physical inactivity [15][16][17]19].…”

“…Pocket money increases the consumption of sugar [13,14,17] and out-of-home snacks [14,15,18]. In parallel, it appears to be a significant predictor of overweight and obesity, as well as of physical inactivity [15][16][17]19]. Despite the compelling evidence indicating the importance of pocket money on youth's nutrition and health, the number of relevant studies conducted in developed countries is limited, while additionally, parents and stakeholders appear oblivious to the effects of daily allowance on adolescent health.…”

Development and relative validity of a self‐administered semi‐quantitative drinks frequency questionnaire, validated in a population of university students

“…In Greece, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has reached high levels [24][25][26] and the need for frequent monitoring has been highlighted. 27 Drinks contribute to a quarter of the energy intake of Greeks.…”