The Association of Junk Food Consumption with Preadolescents’ Environmental Influences: A School-Based Epidemiological Study in Greece

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of environmental influences on Greek preadolescents’ junk food consumption. A cross-sectional study, was conducted among 1718 preadolescents (mean (standard deviation(SD)) age: 11.2(0.8) years old; 54% girls) and their parents, during the school years 2014–2016. Parental and child characteristics were collected anonymously, through self-administered and validated questionnaires. Among others, junk food consumption was recorded, classifying children as low, moderate, and high consumers. The majority of the preadolescents were classified as at least moderate junk food consumers, while almost 3/10 children were classified as high junk food consumers. A significantly lower junk food consumption was observed among preadolescents with a healthier family environment, consisting of normal-weight parents who consume junk foods less frequently, prefer home-cooked meals and adhere more to the Mediterranean diet, while more frequent family meals were also associated with lower junk food consumption. In addition, influence from teachers and participation in extracurricular sports activities were significantly associated with lower junk food consumption, while advertisements were found to have a significant negative impact on preadolescents’ eating habits. Notwithstanding, peers were not found to influence their dietary choices in terms of junk food consumption. Both parents and teachers seem to be positive influencers on preadolescents’ low junk food consumption. The detrimental role of advertisements on junk food consumption is reconfirmed, while peers’ influence is not significant on junk food consumption. The need for urgent public health initiatives for the promotion of healthy dietary habits among preadolescents is warranted.

Maternal–child consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages in informal settlements in Mumbai, India

“…A socio-ecological approach [ 42 ] can identify factors that could be addressed by interventions at maternal–child, family, community, and global levels. At the maternal–child level, the correlations between childhood UPF/SSB consumption with both mother’s UPF/SSB consumption and children’s age [ 43 , 44 ] demonstrate that prenatal, postpartum and early childhood maternal–child health services should educate on the short- and long-term health hazards of eating non-nutritious snack foods and drinking sugary beverages. In the informal settlement communities included in our sample, we found that higher maternal education was associated with lower child UPF/SSB consumption, which is consistent with other studies [ 45 , 46 ].…”

Nutritional Value of Meals Designed for a School-Based Food Aid Program and Comparison with Similar Commercial Products: An Example of Good Practice from the DIATROFI Program

“…Considering that salty taste is a steadily learned preference, the recommendation regarding the limitation of salt intake in adulthood would be more easily met should this habit start earlier in life [40]. Unfortunately, however, literature largely agrees that at preadolescence, children tend to increase their junk food consumption, leading to higher amounts of sodium consumed that could have a detrimental impact on their general eating habits long-term [41]. Current daily salt consumption in most European countries is estimated to be, on average, twice as high as the recommended daily consumption for children and adults, with processed foods being the major source [42].…”

Food Advertisement and Dietary Choices in Adolescents: An Overview of Recent Studies

“…Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for restrictions on the marketing of certain products, such as tobacco products and unhealthy foods/drinks to children and young adolescents [ 7 ]. Junk food advertisements have been described as a detrimental factor shaping junk food consumption in adolescents, along with interactions with environmental factors [ 8 ].…”