title: Nutritional knowledge in European adolescents: results from the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To build up sufficient knowledge of a 'healthy diet'. Here, we report on the assessment of nutritional knowledge using a uniform method in a large sample of adolescents across Europe.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The European multicentre HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study conducted in 2006-2007 in ten cities in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece (one inland and one island city), Hungary, Italy, Spain and Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 3546 adolescents (aged 12·5-17·5 years) completed a validated nutritional knowledge test (NKT). Socio-economic variables and anthropometric data were considered as potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NKT scores increased with age and girls had higher scores compared with boys (62% v. 59%; P < 0·0001). Scores were approximately 10% lower in 'immigrant' adolescents or in adolescents with 'immigrant' mothers. Misconceptions with respect to the sugar content in food or in beverages were found. Overall, there was no correlation between BMI values and NKT scores. After categorization according to BMI, scores increased significantly with BMI group only in boys. These differences disappeared after controlling for socio-economic status (SES). Smoking status and educational level of the mother influenced the NKT scores significantly in boys, as well as the educational levels of both parents in girls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nutritional knowledge was modest in our sample. Interventions should be focused on the lower SES segments of the population. They should be initiated at a younger age and should be combined with environmental prevention (e.g. healthy meals in school canteens).
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Child Nutrition, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität Bonn, Heinstueck 11, D-44225 Dortmund, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sichert-Hellert
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beghin
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Henauw
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grammatikaki
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hallström
authors.forename: Yannis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Manios
authors.forename: María I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Mesana
authors.forename: Dénes
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Molnár
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dietrich
authors.forename: Raffaela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Piccinelli
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plada
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sjöström
authors.forename: Luis A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Mathilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kersting
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000367:Age Factors; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires