Diet Quality of Preschoolers in Greece Based on the Healthy Eating Index: The GENESIS Study

Abstract Background The current study aimed to assess the diet quality of Greek preschoolers and the potential role of several sociodemographic factors related to it. Methods A representative sample of 2,287 Greek children aged 2 to 5 years (from the Growth, Exercise, and Nutrition Epidemiological S...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2009-04, Vol.109 (4), p.616-623
Main Authors: Manios, Yannis, PhD, Kourlaba, Georgia, MSc, Kondaki, Katerina, MSc, Grammatikaki, Evangelia, MSc, Birbilis, Manolis, MSc, Oikonomou, Evdokia, MSc, Roma-Giannikou, Eleytheria, MD, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Distribution
Anthropometry
Biological and medical sciences
child nutrition
Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena - physiology
Child, Preschool
Diet
Diet - standards
Diet Records
Diet Surveys
Dietary Fats - administration & dosage
dietary surveys
Dietetics
Eating
eating habits
Educational Status
Elementary school students
Employment
Exercise - physiology
Feeding. Feeding behavior
Female
food groups
food records
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Greece
Health Status Indicators
Humans
Internal Medicine
Male
maternal educational level
Mental Recall
mother-child relationships
Nutrition
Nutrition Assessment
nutritional adequacy
Nutritive Value
physical activity
preschool children
preschools
Sex Distribution
socioeconomic status
toddlers
Vegetables
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
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Summary:Abstract Background The current study aimed to assess the diet quality of Greek preschoolers and the potential role of several sociodemographic factors related to it. Methods A representative sample of 2,287 Greek children aged 2 to 5 years (from the Growth, Exercise, and Nutrition Epidemiological Study In preSchoolers) was used in this work. Dietary intake data was obtained using a combination of techniques comprising weighed food records, 24-hour recalls, and food diaries. A Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score was calculated summing the individual scores (0 to 10) assigned to each one of 10 index components. Results Eighty percent of participants had an HEI score 80 (ie, “good” diet), and the overall mean HEI score was 59. HEI scores were significantly higher among boys, children aged 4 to 5 years, children participating in moderate to vigorous physical activities for more than 3 hours per week, children living in rural or small towns, and those whose mothers were employed and had higher educational status (>12 years). HEI score was also found to be strongly associated with several macronutrient and micronutrient intakes. Conclusions Based on HEI scores, the vast majority of Greek preschoolers was found to have a poor diet. Moreover, low HEI scores were associated with low levels of physical activity, low vegetable intake, high saturated fat intake, lower maternal educational level, and unemployment status.
ISSN:0002-8223
2212-2672
1878-3570
2212-2680
DOI:10.1016/j.jada.2008.12.011