Adherence to the Mediterranean diet in Italian school children (The ZOOM8 Study). (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roccaldo, Romana; Censi, Laura; D'Addezio, Laura; Toti, Elisabetta; Martone, Deborah; D'Addesa, Dina; Cernigliaro, Achille; the ZOOM8 Study group; Censi, Laura; D'Addesa, Dina; D'Amicis, Amleto; Angelini, Veronica; Bevilacqua, Noemi; Catasta, Giovina; Fabbri, Irene; Galfo, Myriam; Martone, Deborah; Roccaldo, Romana; Toti, Elisabetta; Spinelli, Angela; Baglio, Giovanni; Lamberti, Anna; Nardone, Paola; Galeone, Daniela; Teresa Menzano, Maria; Teresa Scotti, Maria; Teresa Silani, Maria; Teti, Silvana; Cattaneo, Adriano; D'Acapito, Paola; Carletti, Claudia; Pascali, Federica; Giostra, Giordano; Cairella, Giulia; Castronuovo, Esmeralda; Fersini, Giuseppina; La Rocca, Marina; Rizzo, Simonetta; Cernigliaro, Achille;
• Is Part Of: International journal of food sciences and nutrition. Volume 65:Number 5(2014)
• Page Start: 621
• Page End: 628
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 641.3
• DOI: 10.3109/09637486.2013.873887
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-7486

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) of 1740 Italian 8–9-year-olds was evaluated using the KIDMED index and a descriptive analysis of it by socio-demographic and lifestyle factors was performed. Only 5.0% of the children resulted "high" adherers of MD (62.2% "average" and 32.8% "poor"). This scarce adherence was due to a low consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes, dairy products and a high intake of commercially baked goods for breakfast and sweets. Hindrances to fruit, vegetables and pulses consumption were reported for one-third of the sample. The adherence rates did not differ significantly with BMI and gender. Adherence improved with: having lunch at school; liking lunch at school; breakfast with family; no free access to food; availability of fruit and pulses; liking vegetables; higher maternal education; lower child screen time; population size of place of residence. The results show it is important to improve family food habits and dietary knowledge.</p> </abstract>