ABSTRACT
Purpose: During the pandemic, people have changed their diet and lifestyle, which are highly important to maintain health and well-being. This study aims to investigate the relationship between demographic, socioeconomic, dietary and lifestyle characteristics and adolescents' adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD). Design/methodology/approach: In all, 2088 youth from Attica, Greece, 12–18 years old, were recruited in this school-based, cross-sectional study conducted in May–December 2021. The tools Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents, the Family Affluence Scale III and the Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire were used to estimate AMD, family affluence and the levels of physical activity (PA), respectively. Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, Chi-square tests, analysis of variance and multiple linear regression approaches were applied. Findings: Empirical results showed that boys (p = 0.000), higher socioeconomic status (p = 0.034) and higher maternal education (p = 0.026) emerged as significant determinants for higher AMD. In addition, healthier dietary patterns (p = 0.000), PA (p = 0.000), more social lifestyle (p = 0.000) and night sleep duration (p = 0.000) were also positively correlated to diet quality. On the contrary, age (p = 0.000), screen time (p = 0.003) and the negative consequences of COVID-19 affected adversely AMD among adolescents. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study was the first that highlighted the important role of several demographic, socioeconomic, dietary and lifestyle characteristics, together with the COVID-19 consequences to the AMD among secondary school children in Greece. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Health related quality of life of the adolescents during quarantine and social isolation potentially decreases, with significant alteration on physical activities and nutrition behaviour. OBJECTIVE(S): The present study investigates the relationship between Greek adolescents' health related quality of life and socioeconomic factors, lifestyle and dietary characteristics, along with their adherence to the Mediterranean Diet immediately after the lockdown period in Greece. METHOD(S): A total sample of 459 students aged 12-16 years old were recruited from secondary schools in the area of Athens. The KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire for children and adolescents, the KIDMED test, the Godin and Shephard Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Family Affluence Scale III, were used for the statistical analysis. T-tests, Kruskal Wallis, Chi-square, Anova tests and multiple regression analyses were employed. RESULT(S): Econometric analysis reveals that adolescents' health related quality of life is higher among boys, adolescents who live with both parents, tend to sleep more during night and do not spend many hours on screen viewing. Also, adolescents with higher family affluence level, being physically active and with a high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet have higher health related quality of life. CONCLUSION(S): Adolescents' adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, physical activity, socioeconomic characteristics and life style behaviors are highly correlated with perceived health related quality of life during COVID-19 period. Copyright © 2022-IOS Press. All rights reserved.