title: Mediterranean diet adherence is associated with lifestyle, physical fitness, and mental wellness among 10-y-olds in Chile.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) within a population of children from Santiago, Chile. A secondary aim was to examine the relationship between MD adherence, body composition, physical fitness, self-esteem, and other lifestyle factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study of a sample of children (N = 515; 10.6 ± 0.5 y) was conducted. Weight, body mass index, skinfolds, and waist circumference were measured. Physical fitness was determined using aspects of the Assessing Levels of Physical Activity health fitness test battery for children. Adherence to the MD was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents questionnaire. Self-esteem was evaluated using the Rosenberg scale and the Five-Factor Self-Concept Questionnaire measured self-concept. Participants completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children and also were asked to report the number of hours per day they spent watching various screen-based devices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All findings were significant at the level P < 0.001. Adherence to an MD was consistently and negatively associated with percentage body fat (r = -0.302) and subscapular skinfold thickness (r = -0.329). Positive associations were found with PAQ-C (r = 0.277), self-esteem (r = 0.301) and self-concept (r = 0.234), and for physical fitness, especially for explosive power of the legs (r = 0.355). Positive correlations with handgrip strength were found in boys (r = 0.323), whereas negative correlations with screen time were found in girls (r = -0.511).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given its relation to a healthier body composition, physical fitness, healthier lifestyle behaviors, and mental wellness, the MD should be promoted amongst youngsters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. Electronic address: jjmuros@ugr.es.
authors.forename: José Joaquín
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Muros
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity, Sport and Health Sciences Laboratory, University of Santiago, Santiago, Chile; Department of Kinesiology, Saint Tomas University, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cofre-Bolados
authors.affiliation: Department of Education, International University of La Rioja, La Rioja, Spain.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arriscado
authors.affiliation: Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Corporal Expression, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Félix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zurita
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Division of Nursing, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Knox
mesh_terms: D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002677:Chile; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055105:Waist Circumference
keywords: Children; Chile; Mediterranean diet; Physical activity; Screen time; Self-concept; Self-esteem