Association between dietary offerings and nutritional status of adolescents as a factor of geographic region

Abstract

An analysis was performed of 14-day menu rotations in nine student dormitories in two different regions in Croatia – Coastal and Continental – during two seasons. Subjects were adolescents aged 15–22 years (n=978); the anthropometric measured outcomes were body mass index, body fat and waist-hip ratio. In the Coastal region, vegetable and fruit groups were present in the menus in significantly greater proportions as characteristic elements of the Mediterranean diet. Since diet reflects nutritional status, significant differences were established depending on regional affiliation. In both regions, calories and the share of macronutrients in the menus exceeded international standards for a healthy diet. Almost 17% of male students and 13% of female students were overweight or obese. Body weight was significantly lower for female students in the Coastal region, though BMI was not significantly different between the genders in the two regions. However, the percentage of body fat and WHR revealed that the share of the overweight adolescent population is lower in the Coastal region in comparison to the Continental region (8.3% vs. 11.1%), which might be the result of higher energy and fat levels offered on the menu at dormitories. The data set of nutritional vs. anthropometric values confirmed that regional affiliation is an important factor in the diet quality and the nutritional status of adolescents.