Mediterranean diet and socio-economic status in Greek adolescents
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to explore the effect of socio-economic status (SES) on energy balance behaviours and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), in Greek adolescents.
Design/methodology/approach
391 students, 14-16 years old, have been recruited from two public high schools located in low SES areas of Athens and two private high schools from higher SES areas. Students completed a specifically designed energy balance behaviours questionnaire together with the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents and the KIDMED index.
Findings
Adolescents of low SES reported lower adherence to the MD (p<0.05), higher consumption of soft drinks (p<0.001), lower breakfast consumption (p<0.001), fewer meals per day consumed with parents (p<0.05), lower physical activity levels (p<0.01) and more TV viewing hours (p<0.01) compared to adolescents of higher SES.
Research limitations/implications
Family annual income, an indicator of family SES, has not been recorded, since this was considered a sensitive and difficult information to be obtained by the adolescents.
Originality/value
This study was conducted during a period of Greek economic recession and was designed to investigate the effect of lower SES on diet quality and unhealthy behaviours in the youth. Understanding and limiting possible health inequalities in Greece, due to the economic crisis, is of paramount importance.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to all the participants for their valuable contribution to the study.
Citation
Costarelli, V., Sdrali, D. and Konstantopoulou, A. (2013), "Mediterranean diet and socio-economic status in Greek adolescents", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 43 No. 6, pp. 535-542. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-04-2012-0037
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited