Factors associated with food choices among Greek primary school students: a cluster analysis in the ELPYDES study

Abstract

Food choice in Greece follows a westernized model. We tried to identify the characteristics of clusters regarding food choice and behaviour in a large sample of Greek primary school students, in order to acknowledge some mediating parameters that need to be addressed when planning interventions to promote healthy nutrition. Cross-sectional study in 2439 fifth and sixth grade students from the Attica and Thessaloniki regions. Three self-administered questionnaires were distributed assessing food consumption, nutrition knowledge and factors associated with dietary change. Data were analysed using principal components analysis (PCA) and K-means cluster analysis. A total of 28.4% (n = 592) of the students were identified as demonstrating 'unbalanced nutrition' whereas 44.8% (n = 1018) and 22.8% (n = 319) demonstrated 'balanced' and 'low food intake', respectively. With regards to nutrition knowledge, the clusters were as follows: medium (n = 319, 14.5%), good (n = 1788, 80.9%) and bad knowledge (n = 101, 4.57%) cluster. After analysing the results of PCA, three clusters were formed: A 'negative effect' (n = 561, 28.8%), a 'health oriented' (n = 777, 39.9%) and a 'reinforced' to eat fruits and vegetables (n = 506, 31.3%) group. The present study managed to identify clusters that correspond to food intake, nutrition knowledge and other factors associated with dietary behaviour and to describe their characteristics.