Dietary habits among 177,091 Greek schoolchildren by age, sex, weight status, region, and living area. A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

This study aimed to investigate the dietary habits from early childhood to adolescence among participants from all regions of the country and living areas (rural/urban) and assess potential associations between dietary habits and obesity in both sexes.

Methods

Population data were derived from a cross-sectional health survey on a representative sample of 177,091 children aged 6–18 years. Dietary habits were considered via a self-completed questionnaire (Mediterranean diet quality index for children and adolescents [KIDMED]). Trained investigators assessed the anthropometric data.

Results

KIDMED scores were 6.7 ± 2.4 and 6.8 ± 2.3 for boys and girls, respectively, whereas a percentage of almost 10% of the total study population had insufficient dietary habits. Dietary habits peaked around age 11 years and then gradually worsened until the end of adolescence in both sexes, with an annual trend equal to −0.28 ± 0.02 (p < 0.001) for boys and −0.31 ± 0.03 (p < 0.001) for girls. Schoolchildren who are overweight/obese presented higher percentages in all unhealthy dietary habits (e.g., skipping breakfast, going often to a fast food restaurant, and consuming a lot of sweets) than children with a normal weight (all p-values < 0.001). Dietary habits did not noteworthy differ by area of living, that is, urban versus rural, of participants in both sexes. In addition, no noticeable differences in the values of the KIDMED index were found among all regions of Greece, with the highest values in Attica and Crete in both sexes.

Conclusions

Because Greek schoolchildren do not fully adopt the traditional cardio-protective Mediterranean diet, it could be helpful to provide certain recommendations, especially for adolescents, to decrease the risk for future adverse health consequences.