Role of anthropometric factors, self-perception, and diet on weight misperception among young adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Adolescence overweight and obesity have increased considerably, and the misperception of their weight status could reduce the efficiency of intervention programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence rate of misperception and to assess the relationship between weight perception and anthropometric parameters, self-perception, physical activity, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. METHODS: A total of 1643 young adolescents (11-16 years old) were surveyed in a cross-sectional investigation during two scholastic years (period October-May of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014) in 15 secondary schools of Sicily, southern Italy. Data on demographic information, anthropometric characteristics (bioelectrical impedance), physical activity level, The Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile, weight perception, and dietary habits (KIDMED) were collected. RESULTS: Misperception was found in the 27.6 % of the young adolescents, and boys were more likely to underestimate their weight status, while girls had a high percentage of overestimation. The strong association with weight misperception was with socioeconomic status, waist circumference, physical activities, and physical self-worth. Moreover, a good adherence to the Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with both overestimation and underestimation in both boys and girls. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight that almost one-third of the participants had a weight misperception that was associated with several anthropometric, social, and lifestyle factors. Future intervention to prevent overweight and obesity should consider not only gender-specific differences, but also parental SES, perception, and satisfaction of body weight status.

Sleep quality and duration is related with diet and obesity in young adolescent living in Sicily, Southern Italy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between sleeping habits, Mediterranean diet pattern, and weight status in an adolescent population. The sample consisted of 1586 individuals aged 11-14 years attending 15 secondary schools of Sicily, Southern Italy. School were randomly selected and the data collected during two school years. Anthropometric data was collected and body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Demographic information, sleep duration, pediatric daytime sleepiness questionnaire (PDSS), physical activity and dietary habits (including adherence to the Mediterranean Diet using the KIDMED score) were further collected. The mean age was 12±0.7 and about 24% were overweight and obese. An inverse correlation between total sleep time and body mass index (ß=-0.829, P=0.021), fat mass (ß=-0.526, P=0.025), and waist circumference (ß=-0.426, P=0.045) was found. Similar results were found for weekdays sleep time, while an inverse relationship was found with PDSS score. Adherence to Mediterranean Diet was higher in under/normal weight adolescent with a significant linear association between the KIDMED score and the PDSS, weekdays sleep time and total sleep time. Sleep duration was also associated positively with fruits and vegetable intake and negatively with sweet and snack consumption and eating outside habits. Short sleep duration and poor sleep were associated with an increase in BMI and fat mass as well as to unhealthy eating behaviors. These findings suggest that sleep patterns could be a potential target for obesity prevention programs in young adolescence.

Factors associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet among adolescents living in Sicily, Southern Italy.

The present study aimed to examine the factors associated with increased Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence among a sample of Italian adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1135 students (13-16 years) attending 13 secondary schools of Sicily, southern Italy. Validated instruments were used for dietary assessment and the KIDMED score to assess adolescents' adherence to the MD. A higher adherence to the MD was associated with high socioeconomic status (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.53, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.03-2.26) and high physical activity (OR 1.19, 95% CI: 1.02-1.70), whereas lower adherence was associated with living in an urban environment (OR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44-0.97) and being obese (OR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37-0.94). The adolescents' KIDMED scores were inversely associated with adolescents' intake of sweets, fast foods, fried foods, and sugary drinks, and directly with fruit, vegetables, pasta, fish, and cheese intakes. Urban-living adolescents were less likely to eat fruit and more prone to consume meat, sugary drinks, and fast food than rural-living adolescents. The latter were more likely to eat sweets and snacks. A general poor quality of food consumption in Italian adolescents away from the MD was reported, especially among those living in urban areas.

Personal eating, lifestyle, and family-related behaviors correlate with fruit and vegetable consumption in adolescents living in sicily, southern Italy.

Lifestyle habits and parental modeling have been reported to influence adolescents’ food choices, such as for fruit and vegetable consumption. The aim of this study was to investigate the association be-tween personal eating (i. e. breakfast and snacking behavior), lifestyle (sedentary and physical activity), and family-related (i. e. consuming meals with parents, family rules, and television use) habits and fruit and vegetable consumption among adolescents living in Sicily, southern Italy. A cross-sectional survey was conducted across 14 schools in urban and rural areas, including 1,135 adolescents (12 - 14 years old). Validated instruments were used to assess possible relationships between the study variables and daily fruit and vegetable consumption. Higher parental education, occupation, and rural environment were positively associated with adolescents’ daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. Both types of food consumption were negatively associated with an increased frequency of between-meal and out-of-home eating, and positively with having meals with parents and higher parental influence in adolescents’ food choices. Television viewing habits were not related with adolescents’ vegetable consumption, whereas having a television in their room and commercial advertisings were negatively associated with daily intake of fruits. Although socioeconomic and cultural status may influence fruit and vegetable consumption, personal eating and family-related behaviors may be targeted for implementing recommendations.