The Role of Parental Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Family Time Together in Children’s Weight Status: The BeE-School Project

Abstract

The family context has been associated with children’s weight status. This study aims to investigate the association of parents’ adherence to the Mediterranean diet and family time with the weight status of children. The research is part of BeE-school, a cluster-randomized trial implemented in primary schools located in socially vulnerable contexts. A total of 735 children (380 boys and 355 girls) aged 6 to 10 participated in the study. Anthropometrics were assessed during school time, and weight status was categorized, while parents self-reported sociodemographic variables, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MEDAS questionnaire), and family time. Children from families with higher education levels whose parents have a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet have lower odds of overweight/obesity (odds ratio (OR) 0.301, 95% CI 0.143–0.634, p = 0.002). Also, children from families with lower education levels who have more time together with their family have lower odds of overweight/obesity (OR 0.731, 95% CI 0.573–0.934, p = 0.012). The family environment, mainly family time together and adherence to the Mediterranean diet, exerts a significant influence on children’s weight status. Professionals working in children’s health should consider the family when fostering health-promoting behaviors.