Impact of migration on dietary patterns and adherence to the Mediterranean diet among Northern Moroccan migrant adolescents in Madrid (Spain)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Few studies have compared the diets of minor migrants with similar ethnic groups in the country of origin. Although Moroccans form the largest foreign population group in Spain, there is limited information on their dietary changes and the effects on nutritional status. AIM: To determine whether migration has caused changes in adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in a sample of Moroccan adolescents living in Madrid (Spain) compared with their peers in northern Morocco (Al Hoceima). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 409 Moroccan pupils, 308 living in Al Hoceima and 101 living in Madrid. Food records were compiled over three non-consecutive days by pre-trained adolescents. Energy and nutrient intakes were estimated using the DIAL software, adapted to include foods usually eaten in Morocco. Diet quality indicators studied were the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI), caloric profile, cholesterol (mg/1000 kcal) and fibre density (g/1000 kcal). A binary logistic regression model was used to test the association between the MAI and the adolescents' geographical location and socio-economic level. RESULTS: Moroccan adolescents living in Al Hoceima were significantly 10.5 times more likely to attain a high MAI score than their peers living in Madrid. For both sexes, migration decreased significantly the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids (1.8 vs. 2.5). For boys, migrant adolescents had significantly higher daily energy (2860.9 vs. 2139.1 kcal), protein (13.9 vs. 13.2 %) and lower fibre (11.2 vs. 14.3) intakes than autochthonous adolescents. For girls, there were no significant differences.

Physical Activity Level, Mediterranean Diet Adherence, and Emotional Intelligence as a Function of Family Functioning in Elementary School Students

“…These outcomes may be explained by the reasons put forth by Galán-López et al [ 51 ] and Rosi et al [ 28 ], who explain that students older than eleven years start to take control over their own diet, in this way increasing their negative dietary patterns. In addition, El Mokhatari et al [ 52 ] concluded that worse dietary outcomes are obtained at the educational stage corresponding to compulsory secondary education, with this stage also coinciding with the start of adolescence.…”