Abstract
Background
Given the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in Iran, identification of a healthy diet is essential.
Objective
This study aimed to assess the association between adherence to a Mediterranean diet and overweight and obesity in female adolescents.
Methods
Two hundred and eighty female adolescents from high schools in Tehran were recruited. General information, physical activity and food frequency questionnaires were completed. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated using the Mediterranean Style Dietary Pattern Score (MSDPS).
Results
Under and over reporters of energy intake were excluded from the analysis (n = 37). Results indicated that prevalence of overweight and obesity was 13.3% and 12.5%, respectively. The mean of MSDPS was low in this population (15.99 ± 5.64). The MSDPS was positively associated with mother’s education level and energy intake (p < 0.05). No significant relation was observed between MSDPS and overweight and obesity among adolescents. However, there was a negative significant association between MSDPS and WHR just among students who had educated mothers [high: second median v. low: first median, odds ratio (OR) = 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.12–1.03].
Conclusion
Adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern is low among adolescent females in Tehran, with no association with overweight and obesity.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all field investigators, staff, and participants of the present study. This study was supported by a grant number from National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Authors’ contributions: BR initiated the study, supervised the project, and assisted in interpretation and in writing the manuscript. FS carried out statistical analysis, interpretation and writing the manuscript. FN critically reviewed the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript. MD and BB contributed to the design of the study and acquisition of data. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Funding: This work was financially supported by National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute of Shahid Behehshti University of Medical Sciences.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Adverse effects of stimulant medications in children and adolescents: focus on sleep and growth disturbances
- The relationship between anxiety, depression and risk behaviors in adolescents
- Bullying, its effects on attitude towards class attendance and the contribution of physical and dentofacial features among adolescents in Northern Nigeria
- Psychometric analysis of Epworth Sleepiness Scale and its correlation with Pittsburgh sleep quality index in poor sleepers among Indian university students
- Self-care challenges in adolescents: a comprehensive literature review
- Sexual behavior and pregnancy among adolescents in foster family homes
- Sad and lonely: body dissatisfaction among adolescent girls
- Distracted driving on YouTube: implications for adolescents
- Factors affecting utilization of youth friendly health services in Lagos State, Nigeria
- Adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern and overweight and obesity among female adolescents in Iran
- Associations among daytime sleepiness, depression and suicidal ideation in Korean adolescents
- Influencing factors on high-risk sexual behaviors in young people: an ecological perspective
- Improving adolescent access and services in a large primary care network: report of a 10 year project
- Is age of menarche among school girls related to academic performance?
- Bicycle and helmet use of adolescents in Markham, Canada