Diet quality, overweight and daily monetary allowance of Greek adolescents.

Objective To investigate cross-correlates of pocket-money on diet quality and weight status of Greek adolescents. Methods A total of 172 adolescents (55.2% boys), aged between 10 and 15 years old were recruited. Body weight and height were measured, body mass index (BMI) was computed. Weight status was assessed according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria and diet quality was evaluated via the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) - 2010. Results Adolescents were allowed a mean allowance of €4.63 ± 3.66 daily. Among boys participants, BMI correlated with pocket money (r = 0.311, p ≤ 0.002) and normoweight boys received statistically less money than their overweight peers (p ≤ 0.019). In both sexes, normoweight was more prevalent in the lowest monetary quartiles. Pocket money was not associated with HEI. Among boys, moderate HEI was more prevalent in the third quartile of pocket money, significantly higher compared to all others (p ≤ 0.01 for all). For girls, the prevalence of moderate HEI declined by each ascending pocket money quartile (p ≤ 0.05 for all). Conclusion In our sample, adolescents exhibited high rates of pooled overweight including obesity. The majority of the participants followed a diet of moderate quality. Pocket money was associated with BMI only among boys. As pocket money was not associated with diet quality, it is highly possible that adolescents might choose to spend their money on items other than foods. Our study shows that pocket money should be controlled during adolescence and teenagers should be educated on spending their money on healthier food choices.

Regional differences in the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among 13-year-old adolescents in Greece.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To assess regional differences in the weight status and abdominal obesity among 13-year-old Greek adolescents. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional, nationwide study in Greece. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A representative sample of 4833 13-year-old adolescents (50.7% boys) was recruited throughout the nine regional districts of Greece from 2010 to 2012. Basic anthropometry measurements (weight, height, and waist circumference) were obtained. Abdominal obesity and weight status were assessed according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria. RESULTS: The majority of the sample had a healthy body weight (60.3%), 4.1% were underweight, 27.2% were overweight, and 8.5% were obese. For boys, the highest prevalence of underweight was recorded in Epirus, normal body weight on the Ionian Islands, overweight in Central Greece and Macedonia, and obesity on the Ionian Islands. Among girls, the highest underweight prevalence was on the Ionian Islands, normal body weight in Macedonia, overweight in Central Greece and Macedonia, and obesity in Crete. Abdominal obesity affected 12.9% of the sample, with the greatest prevalence among Cretan boys and Thracian girls. Additionally, residing on the Greek islands was associated with a higher prevalence of central adiposity. CONCLUSION: Greek 13-year-old adolescents who are subjected to geographical changes exhibit high obesity and abdominal obesity rates. This study provides evidence to design regionally tailored interventions that aim to tackle and prevent the disease among the nine regional districts in Greece.