Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Arterial Blood Pressure in Schoolchildren

The Role of Parental Eating Habits

Bibliographic Data

ID15713096
AuthorsAlexandra Foscolou (0000-0002-8068-577X, Technological Educational Institute of Peloponnese), Πάνος Παπανδρέου (0000-0002-5629-0831, IASO General Hospital), Panos Papandreou (Department of Nutrition, IASO Hospital, 37-39 Kifissias Ave., 15123 Athens, Greece), Aikaterini Bikaki (Harokopio University of Athens), Maria Skouroliakou (0000-0002-0468-8397, Harokopio University of Athens), Aristea Gioxari (0000-0002-4869-6815, Technological Educational Institute of Peloponnese, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume12
Issue7
Pages844-844
Publication date2025-06-26
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children12070844
PMID40723037
OpenAlexW4411962064
LanguageEN
References cited27

Background/Objectives : 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. Methods : 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. Results : Children with higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet had significantly lower SBP ( p p = 0.009), and hip circumference ( p = 0.01) compared to those with lower adherence. Similarly, children of parents with high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet exhibited lower body weight ( p = 0.03), waist circumference ( p = 0.03), SBP ( p p = 0.004). In fully adjusted models, for each unit increase in children's KIDMED scores, a 1.33 unit reduction in SBP ( p p 's Conclusions : 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

Anthropometry · Blood pressure · Body mass index · Mediterranean diet · Waist · Demography · Medicine · Nutritional Studies and Diet · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Sodium Intake and Health · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics