Association between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Physical Fitness with Body Composition Parameters in 1717 European Adolescents: The AdolesHealth Study

Abstract

Obesity, low levels of physical fitness, and unhealthy eating patterns are responsible for part of the health problems of adolescents today. The current study aimed at examining the association between the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), through each answer to the items of the Adherence to the MD Questionnaire (KIDMED), and physical fitness with body composition parameters (body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat, and waist circumference) in 1717 European adolescents (N = 900 boys, N = 817 girls). Data of body composition, physical fitness results, and the answers to KIDMED were analyzed by the Student’s t-test. Additionally, the effect size (ES) was calculated and a Chi-square test analyzed the proportion of participants with and without over waist circumference, overfat, and overweight in each KIDMED question. The relative risk of suffering over waist circumference, overfat and overweight in relation to the responses was calculated by Odd-Ratio. Adherence to the MD did not influence the condition of over waist circumference, overfat and overweight, although certain dietary habits were identified as risk factors for their development. Over waist circumference, overfat, and overweight boys and girls presented higher levels of body mass, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and BMI (p < 0.001; ES = 1.73–3.38), as well as lower levels of all the parameters of the physical fitness analyzed (p < 0.001; ES = 0.45–1.08), except the handgrip test. A direct relationship between fitness and over waist circumference, overfat, and overweight was found.

Mediterranean Diet Nutrients to Turn the Tide against Insulin Resistance and Related Diseases

“…As recently evidenced in cross-sectional investigations, adherence to the Mediterranean eating style can give health advantages starting from young age [23]. The consumption of fish, nuts and dairy products, representing a fundamental aspect in the MedDiet, can be related to a better body composition and fitness performance in adolescents, in terms of speed/agility and cardiorespiratory endurance [23]. Nonetheless, even in European countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, half of the children and adolescents show only a low adherence to this healthy dietary tradition [24], with a high rate of pediatric overweight and development of obesity and related complications in adult life.…”

“…Phenolic compounds from plant sources may also modulate insulin action and metabolism in insulin-sensitive tissues, with potential preventive or curative effects against IR and IR-related diseases. As recently evidenced in cross-sectional investigations, adherence to the Mediterranean eating style can give health advantages starting from young age [23]. The consumption of fish, nuts and dairy products, representing a fundamental aspect in the MedDiet, can be related to a better body composition and fitness performance in adolescents, in terms of speed/agility and cardiorespiratory endurance [23].…”

Is adherence to the Mediterranean diet associated with healthy habits and physical fitness? A systematic review and meta-analysis including 565 421 youths

“…For this reason, the relationship between adherence to the MD, PA, sedentary behaviours and different parameters of physical fitness has been analysed in several studies, but inconsistent results have been reported, and a metaanalytic understanding of how the MD adherence contributes to healthy habits and Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. IP address: 44.224.250.200,on 21 Dec 2020 at 02:52:56, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114520004894 physical fitness in youth remains unknown.…”

Changes in Lipoinflammation Markers in People with Obesity after a Concurrent Training Program: A Comparison between Men and Women

“…Lifestyle changes are a critical part of obesity prevention and intervention and are being pursued by public health organizations to promote health [ 5 ]. Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are two powerful drivers of the obesity pandemic [ 6 ] and have been linked to an increased prevalence of disease and an increased risk of all-cause mortality [ 7 ].…”