Abstract
The Mediterranean diet has shown to have positive health impacts on metabolic diseases and cognitive performance. However, Mediterranean countries have witnessed a decreased adherence during the past years and the adoption of a more westernized dietary pattern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of Mediterranean diet adherence with sociodemographic, lifestyle, and anthropometric factors among Lebanese high school adolescents. Specifically, we aimed to analyse in this group the association between low adherence and breakfast intake. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on randomly selected students (268 boys and 332 girls), aged between 15 and 18 years old, from private and public schools in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. Data were obtained from self-administered questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. The Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents was used to assess the adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The results showed a high percentage of adolescents having a low adherence (43%), with girls (64.2%) having a significant (p < 0.001) higher adherence than boys (35.8%). Furthermore, the study proved that a lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with a higher risk of obesity (15.5%), breakfast skipping (69.4%), and an unhealthy breakfast options (17.4%). Younger adolescents (47.4%), students from public schools (92.6%), and students with the highest grades (25.3%) had a significantly higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet than those from private schools (7.4%) and older adolescents (18.9%). In conclusion, results should plead for an increased awareness in Lebanese schools, supporting students to be more adherent to the Mediterranean diet, in order to prevent a further increase in metabolic diseases later in adulthood.
Highlights
Introduction eMediterranean diet (MD) has largely been examined by several studies due to its positive health impacts [1, 2]. e traditional MD is a near-vegetarian diet with a high content in monounsaturated fatty acids mainly from olive oil, which constitutes its primary source of lipids, and it would be normal to expect the health benefits it provides [1, 3]
17.4% of the students reported working after school, and only 13% had a low academic performance. e majority of the adolescents had low (27.3%) or moderate (31%) physical activity (PA) and were of normal weight (68.1%). 8.3% of the students were obese, and 21.6% were overweight
The low adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD) group had a higher percentage of boys (53.9%), whereas the moderate and high AMD groups had a higher percentage of girls (61.5% and 64.2%, respectively) compared to boys (38.5% and 35.8%, respectively)
Summary
Introduction eMediterranean diet (MD) has largely been examined by several studies due to its positive health impacts [1, 2]. e traditional MD is a near-vegetarian diet with a high content in monounsaturated fatty acids mainly from olive oil, which constitutes its primary source of lipids, and it would be normal to expect the health benefits it provides [1, 3]. Studies have revealed that adolescents in several Mediterranean countries are facing a lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD), for example, the adolescents of Turkey [13], Crete [15], Italy [16], and Greece [17], while youth in Spain has been able to maintain a traditional MD [18, 19]. In Lebanon, adolescents have shown a low AMD and the adoption of a new western-like dietary pattern [11], which may constitute one of the main determinants of the increasing rates of obesity that Lebanese adolescents have been witnessing in the past years [20]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
