title: Diet quality of preschoolers in Greece based on the Healthy Eating Index: the GENESIS study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current study aimed to assess the diet quality of Greek preschoolers and the potential role of several sociodemographic factors related to it.
  
  
  METHODS
  A representative sample of 2,287 Greek children aged 2 to 5 years (from the Growth, Exercise, and Nutrition Epidemiological Study In preSchoolers) was used in this work. Dietary intake data was obtained using a combination of techniques comprising weighed food records, 24-hour recalls, and food diaries. A Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score was calculated summing the individual scores (0 to 10) assigned to each one of 10 index components.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty percent of participants had an HEI score <50 (ie, "poor" diet), 0.4% had an HEI score >80 (ie, "good" diet), and the overall mean HEI score was 59. HEI scores were significantly higher among boys, children aged 4 to 5 years, children participating in moderate to vigorous physical activities for more than 3 hours per week, children living in rural or small towns, and those whose mothers were employed and had higher educational status (>12 years). HEI score was also found to be strongly associated with several macronutrient and micronutrient intakes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on HEI scores, the vast majority of Greek preschoolers was found to have a poor diet. Moreover, low HEI scores were associated with low levels of physical activity, low vegetable intake, high saturated fat intake, lower maternal educational level, and unemployment status.
authors.affiliation: Departmentof Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, 70 El.Venizelou Ave, 17671 Kallithea, Athens, Greece. manios@hua.gr
authors.forename: Yannis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Manios
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kourlaba
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kondaki
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grammatikaki
authors.forename: Manolis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Birbilis
authors.forename: Evdokia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oikonomou
authors.forename: Eleytheria
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roma-Giannikou