Paediatria Croatica, Vol. 63 No. 1, 2019.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.13112/PC.2019.5
Adherence to Mediterranean diet in University of Rijeka students
Sandra Pavičić Žeželj
Nataša Dragaš Zubalj
Daria Fantina
Greta Krešić
Gordana Kenđel Jovanović
Abstract
The traditional Mediterranean diet is associated with reducing the risk of many chronic non-communicable diseases. The aim of this
study was to determine diet quality in students from Rijeka. In addition, adherence to Mediterranean diet was assessed using two
indices, the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index and the Mediterranean Diet Score. The research was conducted from January to May
2018 and included 455 students from Rijeka University, 336 women and 119 men. Data on age, physical activity, anthropometry,
smoking habits and eating habits were obtained from the above mentioned questionnaires. The mean diet quality score of the students
obtained by the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index was 9.61, implying medium to poor diet quality. According to the Mediterranean
Diet Score, diet quality was estimated as being poor (mean score 3.70). Women had a significantly better Mediterranean Diet
Quality Index (9.36) than men (p<0.001) and non-smoking students had a significantly better Mediterranean Diet Quality Index
(9.11) than those that smoked (p<0.001). In conclusion, according to the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index and the Mediterranean
Diet Score, the study showed the diet of students to be medium to poor. From these results, it is evident that there is the need to increase
adherence to the Mediterranean diet and to change dietary habits of students. According to the results obtained, there is clear
need to create a health promotion program, with special emphasis on diet and diet education.
Keywords
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS; DIET QUALITY; MEDITERRANEAN DIET
Hrčak ID:
220744
URI
Publication date:
23.5.2019.
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