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


METHODS
Data from questionnaires were used to calculate the KIDMED index.


METHODS
Granada, Southern Spain.


METHODS
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.
Mariscal-Arcas
Miguel
M
Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain.
Rivas
Ana
A
Velasco
Javier
J
Ortega
Maria
M
Caballero
Ascension Maria
AM
Olea-Serrano
Fatima
F
D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009753:Nutritive Value; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires