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Nutrient adequacy and Mediterranean Diet in Spanish school children and adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate dietary habits and nutritional status of Spanish school children and adolescents, and their relationship with the Mediterranean Diet.

Design: Cross-sectional study by face-to-face interview.

Setting: Free living children and adolescents of all Spanish regions.

Subjects: A random sample of 3166 people aged 6–24 y.

Methods: Home interviews conducted by a team of 43 dietitians included 24-h recalls (a second 24-h recall in 25% of the sample) and a short frequency questionnaire to determine the quality of the Mediterranean Diet (KIDMED).

Results: The participation rate was 68%. In general, the adequacy of the Mediterranean Diet rose with increased mean intakes of the majority of vitamins and minerals and decreased percentages of inadequate intakes (<2/3 of the RNI) for calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and C in both sexes, and iron and vitamin A only in females.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the Mediterranean Diet contributes to nutritional quality, and also shows concomitant risks as the Mediterranean Diet deteriorates.

Sponsorship: Kellogg's, Foundation for the Advancement of the Mediterranean Diet.

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Acknowledgements

We express our appreciation to all the Enkid team investigators; a project funded by Kellogg's España SA and Kellogg's Company, Battle Creek, USA via the Fundación Universitaria de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Fundación para la Investigación Nutricional. The Enkid Study Group was composed of: Directors: LI Serra-Majem and J Aranceta Bartrina; Coordinators: L Ribas Barba and C Pérez Rodrigo; Collaborators: R García Closas; L Gorgojo Jiménez, L Jover Armengol; J Ngo de la Cruz; L Peña Quintana; A Pérez Rodrigo; B Román Viñas; G Salvador Castells. Scientific Committee: Á Ballabriga Agudo (Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona); P Cervera Ral (CESNID, U.B.); A Delgado (Universidad del País Vasco); JM Martín Moreno (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo, Madrid); J Mataix Verdú (Universidad de Granada); M Moya (Universidad Miguel Hernández); R. Tojo Sierra (Universidad de Santiago de Compostela). We also acknowledge additional support from: E Casals Canudas; I Palma Linares; JJ Garre López; J González García; R del Llano Ribas; RD Vera García; M Olmos Castellvell and V Martín García.

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Guarantor: L Serra-Majem.

Contributors: LIS-M was involved in the study planning, data analysis and paper writing. LR was responsible for the data analysis, paper preparation and edition, and fieldwork quality control. AG contributed to write the paper. CPR also contributed to the study planning and fieldwork quality control. JA also contributed to the study planning.

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Correspondence to Ll Serra-Majem.

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Serra-Majem, L., Ribas, L., García, A. et al. Nutrient adequacy and Mediterranean Diet in Spanish school children and adolescents. Eur J Clin Nutr 57 (Suppl 1), S35–S39 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601812

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601812

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