Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026
06:48
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
4.4K
Adherence to a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern in children from eight European countries. The IDEFICS study
G Tognon1, L A Moreno2, T Mouratidou2
1Public Health Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|September 16, 2014
Summary
European children show similar adherence to Mediterranean diets, except for Italian preschoolers. This study analyzed adherence across eight countries, finding variations by sex and age but no consistent link to socioeconomic factors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Dietary Pattern Analysis
- Public Health
Background:
- Documented benefits of Mediterranean-like dietary patterns are known.
- Limited data exists on adherence among European children.
- The Identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants (IDEFICS) study provides a basis for this research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare Mediterranean diet adherence among children aged 2-9 across eight European countries.
- To calculate the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) for European children.
- To investigate factors influencing adherence to a Mediterranean-like diet in children.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 24-hour dietary recall data from 7940 children in the IDEFICS study.
- Calculated MDS based on age- and sex-specific median intakes of six food groups and fat ratios.
- Stratified adherence by sex, age, parental origin, and socioeconomic characteristics.
Main Results:
- Highest adherence (MDS>3) observed in Italian preschool boys (55.9%); lowest in Spanish school-aged girls (26.0%).
- Adherence was not consistently associated with living in Mediterranean countries or higher socioeconomic status.
- Variations in adherence between sexes and age groups differed by country without a clear pattern.
Conclusions:
- European children exhibit largely similar adherence to Mediterranean-like diets.
- Italian preschoolers represent an exception with notably higher adherence.
- Further research may explore country-specific factors influencing dietary patterns in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Dietary Connections
52.0K
In biological systems, most metabolic pathways are interconnected. The cellular respiration processes that convert glucose to ATP—such as glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, and the citric acid cycle—tie into those that break down other organic compounds. As a result, various foods—from apples to cheese to guacamole—end up as ATP. In addition to carbohydrates, food also contains proteins and lipids—such as cholesterol and fats. All of these organic compounds are used...
52.0K
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
2.4K
Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ...
2.4K
01:15Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients
240
Bioavailability studies are essential for evaluating a drug's therapeutic efficacy and understanding its absorption patterns under various physiological conditions. Conducting such studies on target patient populations provides more relevant data by simulating real-world disease states. However, practical challenges often necessitate the use of young, healthy adult volunteers as study subjects.Patients may exhibit altered drug absorption patterns due to the effects of the disease itself,...
240
01:30Regulation of Food Intake
2.8K
Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
2.8K
01:27Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
2.0K
Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
2.0K
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
941
Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
941