KIDMED test; prevalence of low adherence to the mediterranean diet in children and young; a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: during the last decades, a quick and important modification of the dietary habits has been observed in the Mediterranean countries, especially among young people. Several authors have evaluated the pattern of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in this group of population, by using the KIDMED test.Objectives: the purpose of this study was to evaluate the adherence to the Mediterranean Diet among children and adolescents by using the KIDMED test through a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods: Pub Med database was accessed until January 2014. Only cross-sectional studies evaluating children and young people were included. A random effects model was considered.Results: eighteen cross-sectional studies were included. The population age ranged from 2 to 25 years. The total sample included 24 067 people. The overall percentage of high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was 10% (95% CI 0.07-0.13), while the low adhesion was 21% (IC 95% 0.14 to 0.27). In the low adherence group, further analyses were performed by defined subgroups, finding differences for the age of the population and the geographical area.Conclusion: the results obtained showed important differences between high and low adherence to the Mediterranean Diet levels, although successive subgroup analyzes were performed. There is a clear trend towards the abandomnent of the Mediterranean lifestyle.