Lifestyle Habits and Anthropometric Indicators Associated with Mediterranean Diet Adherence in Spanish Youth.

Background

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among young people poses a significant public health challenge. Childhood and adolescence are critical periods for establishing long-term health habits. Diet plays a central role in maintaining a healthy weight, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been consistently linked to numerous health benefits, including improved weight management and overall well-being. Understanding the factors that influence Mediterranean diet adherence in adolescents can help design effective interventions to promote healthier eating behaviors.

Objectives

This study sought to explore the association between following the Mediterranean diet and key physiological factors, including age, sex, body mass index, and pubertal status. Additionally, it explored how Mediterranean diet adherence relates to lifestyle behaviors such as sleep quality and physical activity levels, using data from a sample of 668 Spanish adolescents. Method: Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing dietary habits, physical activity, sleep quality, and pubertal status (Tanner scale).

Results

The findings revealed significant associations between Mediterranean diet adherence and body mass index, pubertal status, and physical activity level, while sex, age, and sleep quality showed no significant influence. Adolescents with lower body mass index tended to adhere more to the Mediterranean diet, reinforcing its role in weight management. Additionally, greater adherence was observed in later pubertal stages, suggesting increased nutritional awareness.

Conclusions

Healthy eating patterns are associated with a strong promotion of physical activity, highlighting the link between an active lifestyle and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. This positive multifactorial synergy requires further research to better understand its mechanisms and to design effective strategies for promoting healthy habits among adolescents.