Mediterranean Diet and Its Correlates among Adolescents in Non-Mediterranean European Countries: A Population-Based Study

Novak, Dario; Štefan, Lovro; Prosoli, Rebeka; Emeljanovas, Arūnas; Miežienė, Brigita; Milanović, Ivana; Radisavljević-Janić, Snežana

doi:10.3390/nu9020177

Cited by 46 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Although the feasibility and acceptability of the MD has been explored in older people and those in middle age [ 37 , 38 , 49 , 50 ], to date there has been no research that has investigated the feasibility of promoting an MD to women of childbearing age, with only evidence from cross-sectional studies in adolescent girls and women in early adulthood suggesting poor adherence to diet patterns similar to the MD [ 51 , 52 ]. Promoting a healthy diet in women of childbearing age can have a significant impact on both maternal and child health; however, the present study demonstrates that whilst an MD may be generally well received, adherence would require several obstacles to be overcome.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Perceived Barriers to Following a Mediterranean Style Diet in Childbearing Age: A Qualitative Study

Hundley

Tsofliou

2018

Nutrients

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A considerable amount of research has focused on interventions in pregnancy to promote health in current and future generations. This has yielded inconsistent results and focus has turned towards improving health in the preconception period. Promotion of healthy dietary patterns similar to a Mediterranean diet in the preconception years has been suggested as a dietary strategy to prevent maternal obesity and optimize offspring health. However, it is uncertain whether adoption is acceptable in women of childbearing age. This qualitative study aims to investigate the perceived barriers to following a Mediterranean diet in women of childbearing age. Semi-structured focus groups were used to generate deep insights to be used to guide the development of a future intervention. Nulliparous women aged between 20 and 47 years were recruited (n = 20). Six focus groups were digitally audio recorded and transcribed verbatim by the researcher. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data, which occurred in parallel with data collection to ascertain when data saturation was reached. Five core themes were identified: Mediterranean diet features, perceived benefits, existing dietary behavior and knowledge, practical factors, and information source. The present study highlights that a Mediterranean diet is acceptable to childbearing-aged women, and the insights generated will be helpful in developing an intervention to promote Mediterranean diet adoption.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Perceived Barriers to Following a Mediterranean Style Diet in Childbearing Age: A Qualitative Study

Hundley

Tsofliou

2018

Nutrients

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“…physical fitness among adolescents have deteriorated in the past 20 years, and the indicators of cardiorespiratory fitness have decreased by nearly 50% during this period [3]. Only 13-14% of high school students comply with recommendations for healthy nutrition [4,5], 11% of young people consume alcohol [6]. Moreover, 22% experience psychological distress [7].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Behaviors and Psychological Distress Among Conscripts of the Lithuanian Military Service: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study

Miežienė

Emeljanovas

Česnaitienė

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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The decline in healthy behavior in young people is a concern for public health in general and for country’s defense. The aim of this study is to identify and compare health behaviors and psychological distress between male conscripts enlisted and rejected for military service. This cross-sectional study included 1243 men aged 19–26 years (mean age 22.50 ± 2.43 years). We assessed health behaviors (physical activity, adherence to healthy eating patterns, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption) and psychological distress. Among all conscripts, 44.7% were physically inactive, 50.2% had low adherence to healthy nutrition, 9.6% were heavy drinkers, 62.3% were current smokers, and 9.1% had high psychological distress level. Compared with physically inactive conscripts, physically active conscripts were more likely to be enlisted (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–2.03). Compared with current nonsmokers, current smokers were less likely to be enlisted (OR = 0.58; CI 0.39–0.86). Compared with conscripts with a high distress level, those with a low distress level were almost four times more likely to be enlisted (OR = 0.26; 95% CI 0.12–0.55). Adherence to guidelines for healthy eating and alcohol consumption was not significantly related to enlistment. These findings suggest that health behaviors in male conscripts are unsatisfactory. That is, about half are physically inactive, have a poor diet, and smoke, and nearly one in 10 is a heavy drinker and has a high psychological distress level. The enlisted conscripts were more likely to be sufficiently physically active and less likely to be a current smoker or have a high distress level. Early intervention programs to provide a heathier population of young men for conscription should focus on mental well-being and target health-related behaviors such as physical activity and not smoking. Preferably, these should be implemented as health education programs in schools to help prevent the development of adverse health behaviors among young men. Governmental policies and strategies are required to enable intersectional collaboration and shared responsibility among the education, military and health sectors.

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“…Moreover, the high consumption of products rich with minerals and plant foods rich with antioxidants contribute to the health of vascular system and reduction of high arterial blood pressure [ 43 ]. Most recently, a study conducted on a large sample of European adolescents showed, that participants, who were overweight and obese had increased odds of reporting low MD [ 44 ]. We also found that MD is inversely related with heart rate, which is consistent with some previous findings [ 45 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship between Lifestyle Factors and Body Compositionin Young Adults

Štefan

Čule

Milinović

et al. 2017

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Background: Little is known of how lifestyle factors might influence on body composition parameters in young adults from Croatia. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the lifestyle factors and body composition in young adults. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants were 271 university students (59.0% of women). Body composition was measured by using bioelectric impendance analysis (BIA). Blood pressure and heart rate were measured according to standardized protocol and Mediterranean diet adherence (MD), physical activity (PA) and psychological distress (PD) were assessed with validated questionnaires. Results: Self-rated health (SRH) and PA were inversely associated with weight, body-mass index (BMI), fat-mass percentage and blood pressure in men and with weight, BMI, fat-mass percentage and heart rate in women. Higher levels of SRH and PA were positively associated with fat-free mass percentage in both men and women. Smoking was positively associatedwith BMI and fat-mass percentage in women and with heart rate in men. Alcohol consumption was positively associated with weight and BMI in women and fat-mass percentage and heart rate in men, yet inversely associated with fat-free mass percentage only in men. PD was positively associated with weight and blood pressure in men and with BMI, fat-mass percentage and blood pressure in women. Conclusions: Our study shows that higher levels of SRH, MD and PA are related with healthy body composition parameters in young adults. Special interventions and policies that enhance PA and MD and decrease substance use and misuse (SUM) and PD should be implemented within the university school systems.

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Mediterranean Diet and Its Correlates among Adolescents in Non-Mediterranean European Countries: A Population-Based Study

Cited by 46 publications

References 54 publications

Exploring the Perceived Barriers to Following a Mediterranean Style Diet in Childbearing Age: A Qualitative Study

Exploring the Perceived Barriers to Following a Mediterranean Style Diet in Childbearing Age: A Qualitative Study

Health Behaviors and Psychological Distress Among Conscripts of the Lithuanian Military Service: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study

The Relationship between Lifestyle Factors and Body Compositionin Young Adults

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