Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Arterial Blood Pressure in Schoolchildren: The Role of Parental Eating Habits
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The aim of the present study was to examine the association between the systolic (SBP) as well as diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels of school-aged children and the adherence of both children and their parents to the Mediterranean Diet. <b>Methods&l...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/7/844 |
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| author | Alexandra Foscolou Panos Papandreou Aikaterini Bikaki Maria Skouroliakou Aristea Gioxari |
| author_facet | Alexandra Foscolou Panos Papandreou Aikaterini Bikaki Maria Skouroliakou Aristea Gioxari |
| author_sort | Alexandra Foscolou |
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| description | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: The aim of the present study was to examine the association between the systolic (SBP) as well as diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels of school-aged children and the adherence of both children and their parents to the Mediterranean Diet. <b>Methods</b>: Detailed data on sociodemographic characteristics, eating habits, and anthropometry were collected from each child (N = 102) and their accompanied parent or legal guardian (N = 102). KIDMED (range: −4 to 12) was used to evaluate children’s level of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and MedDietScore (range: 0–55) was used for parents. Children’s blood pressure (BP) was measured using a validated automated oscillometric device. <b>Results</b>: Children with higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet had significantly lower SBP (<i>p</i> < 0.001), DBP (<i>p</i> = 0.009), and hip circumference (<i>p</i> = 0.01) compared to those with lower adherence. Similarly, children of parents with high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet exhibited lower body weight (<i>p</i> = 0.03), waist circumference (<i>p</i> = 0.03), SBP (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and DBP (<i>p</i> = 0.004). In fully adjusted models, for each unit increase in children’s KIDMED scores, a 1.33 unit reduction in SBP (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and a 0.77 unit reduction in DBP were found. Similarly, parental MedDietScore was independently associated with significant reductions in children’s SBP (1.01 mmHg) and DBP (0.75 mmHg) (all <i>p</i>’s < 0.05). <b>Conclusions</b>: Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern by children and parents seems to be associated with lower BP in childhood, supporting the potential value of a family-based approach, particularly involving mothers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b8ba184271f345de9a95f0a384a6fc5d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-b8ba184271f345de9a95f0a384a6fc5d2025-08-20T03:08:09ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-06-0112784410.3390/children12070844Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Arterial Blood Pressure in Schoolchildren: The Role of Parental Eating HabitsAlexandra Foscolou0Panos Papandreou1Aikaterini Bikaki2Maria Skouroliakou3Aristea Gioxari4Department of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, University of the Peloponnese, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, GreeceDepartment of Nutrition, IASO Hospital, 37-39 Kifissias Ave., 15123 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Ave., 17676 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Ave., 17676 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, University of the Peloponnese, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The aim of the present study was to examine the association between the systolic (SBP) as well as diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels of school-aged children and the adherence of both children and their parents to the Mediterranean Diet. <b>Methods</b>: Detailed data on sociodemographic characteristics, eating habits, and anthropometry were collected from each child (N = 102) and their accompanied parent or legal guardian (N = 102). KIDMED (range: −4 to 12) was used to evaluate children’s level of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and MedDietScore (range: 0–55) was used for parents. Children’s blood pressure (BP) was measured using a validated automated oscillometric device. <b>Results</b>: Children with higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet had significantly lower SBP (<i>p</i> < 0.001), DBP (<i>p</i> = 0.009), and hip circumference (<i>p</i> = 0.01) compared to those with lower adherence. Similarly, children of parents with high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet exhibited lower body weight (<i>p</i> = 0.03), waist circumference (<i>p</i> = 0.03), SBP (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and DBP (<i>p</i> = 0.004). In fully adjusted models, for each unit increase in children’s KIDMED scores, a 1.33 unit reduction in SBP (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and a 0.77 unit reduction in DBP were found. Similarly, parental MedDietScore was independently associated with significant reductions in children’s SBP (1.01 mmHg) and DBP (0.75 mmHg) (all <i>p</i>’s < 0.05). <b>Conclusions</b>: Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern by children and parents seems to be associated with lower BP in childhood, supporting the potential value of a family-based approach, particularly involving mothers.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/7/844systolic blood pressurediastolic blood pressureMediterranean Dietchildrenparents |
| spellingShingle | Alexandra Foscolou Panos Papandreou Aikaterini Bikaki Maria Skouroliakou Aristea Gioxari Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Arterial Blood Pressure in Schoolchildren: The Role of Parental Eating Habits Children systolic blood pressure diastolic blood pressure Mediterranean Diet children parents |
| title | Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Arterial Blood Pressure in Schoolchildren: The Role of Parental Eating Habits |
| title_full | Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Arterial Blood Pressure in Schoolchildren: The Role of Parental Eating Habits |
| title_fullStr | Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Arterial Blood Pressure in Schoolchildren: The Role of Parental Eating Habits |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Arterial Blood Pressure in Schoolchildren: The Role of Parental Eating Habits |
| title_short | Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Arterial Blood Pressure in Schoolchildren: The Role of Parental Eating Habits |
| title_sort | adherence to the mediterranean diet and arterial blood pressure in schoolchildren the role of parental eating habits |
| topic | systolic blood pressure diastolic blood pressure Mediterranean Diet children parents |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/7/844 |
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