Greek adolescents and the Mediterranean diet: factors affecting quality and adherence

Abstract

Objective: Evaluation of adolescents' adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD) and the connection to anthropometric, demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle characteristics.

Methods: In all, 525 adolescents aged 12 to 18 y from Athens and Heraklion, Greece, participated in this cross-sectional, school-based study, which took place during March and April 2012. The dependent variable was scored on the KIDMED test, with score >8 indicating an optimal Mediterranean diet (MD). Analysis included χ(2) test and Student's t test for the association between variables. Linear regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of AMD. A two-sided P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Of the participants, 21% had very good AMD. Positive predictors were mother's educational level (P < 0.01), living with both parents (P < 0.05), and residing in a smaller city (P < 0.01). Negative predictors were age (P < 0.05), >4-h computer use per day (P < 0.01), and lack of physical activity (P < 0.01). No correlation was found between AMD and body mass index (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Several anthropometric, demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle characteristics were significantly associated with AMD. It is highly important that children and adolescents adhere at a very young age to the MD as the healthier dietary choice. Further researchers might explore whether the economic recession in Greece has any effects on adolescents' dietary habits.

Keywords: Adolescents; BMI; Dietary habits; Greece; Mediterranean diet.