Affiliations: [a] Department of Community Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran | [b] Faculty of Nursing, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn RoyalAcademy, Bangkok, Thailand
| [c] Biological Sciences and Sports Health Department, Faculty of Physical Education, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| [d] Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Mahdieh Abbasalizad-Farhangi, Department of Community Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, I.R. Iran. Postal code: 5166614711, POBOX: 14711. Tel.: +98 41 33362117, 09143183326; Fax: +98 41 33340634; E-mail: abbasalizad_m@yahoo.com; abbasalizadm@tbzmed.ac.ir
Abstract: BACKGROUND:This study aimed to evaluate the eating habits, physical activity, and body size perception by obesity status among 2–18 year old children in Iran. METHODS:This cross sectional study included 250 children and adolescents aged between 2 and 18. Participants’ anthropometric measurements were measured, adherence of Mediterranean Diet was evaluated by a questionnaire, the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED), body satisfaction, and perception of body size. RESULTS:Mean age of subjects was 9.07±4.80 years, and 52.4% were girls. The KIDMED index score was 16.3% low, 54.3% moderate and 29.4% good. 72.7% of parents with overweight children and 36.4% with obese children, were perceived that their child was normal, and compared with 58.3% of overweight and 7.7% of obese participants perceived normal body size. There were no significant differences between physical activity in any weight status (p > 0.05) and between boys and girls in the KIDMED index and any of foods intake. There was a significant difference in mean differences of KIDMED index in boys in the four obesity statuses (P = 0.04), as well as in food consumption (P = 0.04), except for pulses in boys and girls. CONCLUSION:The percentage of obesity in boys is more compared to girls, the lowest KIDMED index score is for boys in the obesity group. Therefore, adopting healthier dietary habits and lifestyle in childhood is especially important for boys and also for girls.Registration number: IR.TBZMED.REC.1400.880
Keywords: Physical activity, dietary patterns, life style, obesity
