Abstract
This systematic review discusses data on the dietary intake of preschool children living in the Mediterranean countries of the European Union, including the comparison with a Mediterranean-like diet and the association with nutritional status. Specifically, data from the multinational European Identification and Prevention on Dietary and life style induced health effects in children and infants (IDEFICS) study and national studies, such as the Estudo do Padrão Alimentar e de Crescimento Infantil (EPACI) study and Geração XXI cohort in Portugal, ALimentando la SAlud del MAñana (ALSALMA) study in Spain, Étude des Déterminants pré-et postnatals précoces du développement et de la santé de l’ENfant (EDEN) cohort in France, Nutrintake 636 study in Italy, and Growth, Exercise and Nutrition Epidemiological Study in preSchoolers (GENESIS) cohort in Greece, were analyzed. In the majority of countries, young children consumed fruit and vegetables quite frequently, but also consumed sugared beverages and snacks. High energy and high protein intakes mainly from dairy products were found in the majority of countries. The majority of children also consumed excessive sodium intake. Early high prevalence of overweight and obesity was found, and both early consumption of energy-dense foods and overweight seemed to track across toddler and preschool ages. Most children living in the analyzed countries showed low adherence to a Mediterranean-like diet, which in turn was associated with being overweight/obese. Unhealthier diets were associated with lower maternal educational level and parental unemployment. Programs promoting adherence of young children to the traditional Mediterranean diet should be part of a multi-intervention strategy for the prevention and treatment of pediatric overweight and obesity.
Highlights
The “Mediterranean diet” is not a homogenous and exclusive diet model in the 16 countries situated around the Mediterranean Sea [1]
Relevant keywords relating to the Mediterranean diet in combination with MeSH terms and text words (“Mediterranean diet” or “diet” or “dietary pattern” or “dietary habits” or “Mediterranean countries” or “European Union” or “adherence” or “score”) were used in combination with words relating to weight status (“overweight” or “obesity”) and age group
National studies investigating the dietary habits and nutritional status of preschool children living in the Mediterranean countries of the European Union were identified as follows: in Portugal, the Estudo do Padrão Alimentar e de Crescimento Infantil (EPACI) a representative cross-sectional study [19,20] and five prospective or cross-sectional studies nested within the Geração XXI birth cohort [21,22,23,24,25]; in Spain, the ALimentando la SAlud del MAñana (ALSALMA) cross-sectional study [26]; in France, one national cross-sectional survey [27] and one study nested within the Étude des Déterminants pré- et postnatals précoces du développement et de la santé de l’Enfant (EDEN)
Summary
The “Mediterranean diet” is not a homogenous and exclusive diet model in the 16 countries situated around the Mediterranean Sea [1]. Public Health 2016, 13, 572; doi:10.3390/ijerph13060572 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
