Análisis de la dieta mediterránea en escolares de Primaria, Secundaria y Bachillerato / Analysis of the Mediterranean diet in Primary, Secondary and high school students

RESUMEN

RESUMEN La dieta Mediterránea es considerada uno de los modelos dietéticos más saludables. El objetivo es analizar el grado de adherencia a la dieta mediterránea (DM) en escolares atendiendo al sexo y etapa educativa. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal (n= 634; 280 varones y 354 mujeres). La adherencia a la DM se halló a través del cuestionario KIDMED. La adherencia a la calidad de la DM no difiere significativamente entre varones y mujeres. Sin embargo, atendiendo por ítems, los varones ingieren más verduras (p< 0.036) y desayunan lácteos (p< 0.043) mientras que las mujeres hacen un mayor uso del aceite de oliva (p< 0.028). Aunque a nivel global los escolares obtienen valores más elevados de adherencia a una DM alta (p< 0.013), solo el 38.8% escolares presentan una elevada adherencia a la DM, siendo Primaria con mayor adherencia a la DM alta (p< 0.001). Conclusiones: el sexo no es un elemento diferenciador en la calidad de la DM. Se observa un descenso progresivo en los niveles óptimos de DM a partir de Primaria. Estos resultados sugieren la necesidad de implementación de actividades tendientes a la promoción de habilidades y actitudes que supongan la adherencia hacia hábitos alimenticios saludables.

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest dietary models. The objective of this study was to analyse the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in schoolchildren according to sex and educational stage. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out (n= 634, 280 men and 354 women). Adherence to MD was measured using the KIDMED questionnaire. Adherence to the quality of MD did not differ significantly between men and women. However, according to the items, men ingested more fresh vegetables (p< 0.036) and consumed a dairy breakfast (p< 0.043) while women used olive oil more often (p< 0.028). Although, on a global level, the students obtained high values of adherence to a MD (p< 0.013), only 38.8% of the students had high adherence to MD, with Primary Education being the stage with the highest adherence to MD (p< 0.001). Conclusions: Sex was not a differentiating factor to the quality of MD. There is a progressive decrease in the optimal levels of MD from primary education. These results suggest the need to implement activities aimed at the promotion of skills and attitudes that improve adherence to healthy eating habits.