title: Greek adolescents and the Mediterranean diet: factors affecting quality and adherence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of adolescents' adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD) and the connection to anthropometric, demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 525 adolescents aged 12 to 18 y from Athens and Heraklion, Greece, participated in this cross-sectional, school-based study, which took place during March and April 2012. The dependent variable was scored on the KIDMED test, with score >8 indicating an optimal Mediterranean diet (MD). Analysis included χ(2) test and Student's t test for the association between variables. Linear regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of AMD. A two-sided P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the participants, 21% had very good AMD. Positive predictors were mother's educational level (P < 0.01), living with both parents (P < 0.05), and residing in a smaller city (P < 0.01). Negative predictors were age (P < 0.05), >4-h computer use per day (P < 0.01), and lack of physical activity (P < 0.01). No correlation was found between AMD and body mass index (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several anthropometric, demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle characteristics were significantly associated with AMD. It is highly important that children and adolescents adhere at a very young age to the MD as the healthier dietary choice. Further researchers might explore whether the economic recession in Greece has any effects on adolescents' dietary habits.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Primary Education, Department of Science, Technology & Environment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Stamatina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Papadaki
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Primary Education, Department of Science, Technology & Environment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: Papadaki_matina@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mavrikaki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Adolescents; BMI; Dietary habits; Greece; Mediterranean diet