Evaluation of the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) in children and adolescents in Southern Spain

Abstract

Objective: The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest dietary models. Recent changes in the actual Mediterranean diet include a reduction in energy intake and a higher consumption of foods with low nutrient density (e.g. soft drinks, candy, sweets, etc.). In Spain, in association with cultural and lifestyle changes, there has been a reduction in the intake of antioxidants and vitamins, an increase in the proportion of SFA and a decrease in the consumption of fibre, among other changes. Children and adolescents may be the age groups with the most deteriorated Mediterranean diet. The current paper presents the results of applying the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED) to a large sample of Spanish schoolchildren. Design: Data from questionnaires were used to calculate the KIDMED index. Setting: Granada, Southern Spain. Subjects: Schoolchildren (n 3190) aged 8-16 years. Results: Among the 8-10-year-olds, the KIDMED index classification was 'good' in 48?6 % of the population, 'average' in 49?5 % and 'poor' in 1?6 %. Among the 10-16-year-olds, the KIDMED index classification was good in 46?9 % of the population, average in 51?1 % and poor in 2?0 %. Conclusions: The nutritional behaviour of the present population of schoolchildren is similar to that found in the earlier KIDMED study.

Parental adherence to Mediterranean diet is associated with their adolescents´ cereals intake

“…MD adherence widely varied within Mediterranean countries, with large differences also existing among various European countries, while few data are available for non-Mediterranean countries. Similar to our study, studies conducted in Spain, Italy and Greece have confirmed that the majority of children belong to the group of medium adherence to MD (Serra-Majem, 2004;Mariscal-Arcas et al, 2009;Del Mar Bibiloni et al, 2016). To get the insight into the consumption of cereals and bakery products group, the questions dealing with these food groups were extracted from the KIDMED questionnaire and the data obtained are summarized in Fig.…”

Proposal for a Breakfast Quality Index (BQI) for children and adolescents

“…, 10.30 hours) and their nutrient content. Intakes were evaluated according to previously published guidelines for the Mediterranean diet (7,18,(31)(32)(33) , scoring one point each for the consumption of cereals, fruit/vegetables, dairy products and MUFA fats, one point for the intake of simple sugars ,5 % of total daily energy consumption, one point for energy intake 20-25 % of total daily energy intake, one point for intake of 200-300 mg of Ca, one point for MUFA:SFA ratio above the median for the population, one point for the consumption of cereals, dairy products and fruit/vegetables together in one meal, and one point for the non-consumption of foods rich in SFA or trans fats. Scores on the proposed index scale range from 1 to 10 ( Table 1).…”

Valoración de la efectividad de la educación alimentaria en niños preescolares, padres y educadores

“…En concreto en la zona de Levante, la mitad de la población, un 50,2%, entre 2 y 24 años mostraba este grado de adherencia 19 ; datos similares a los encontrados en este estudio inicialmente, donde un 58,33% de la muestra también tiene un índice Kidmed entre 4 y 7. Además, en estudios realizados con niños de mayor edad se observa que al aumentar la edad disminuye la adherencia 11,[20][21][22][23] . Aunque de manera no significativa, en este estudio se ha producido tras las intervenciones un aumento en la adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea.…”

“…Relacionándose una elevada adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea con una baja mortalidad y un efecto protector frente enfermedades cardiovasculares, diabetes tipo 2 y algún tipo de cáncer [6][7][8][9] . Este conjunto de beneficios contrasta con una disminución de su seguimiento, lo que justifica su promoción entre la población 10,11 . Anteriores estudios ponen de manifiesto que pequeñas intervenciones nutricionales realizadas en la escuela, contando con la colaboración de profesores y padres, mejoran los conocimientos sobre alimentación o los hábitos alimentarios 12,13 .…”