Effectiveness of an Intervention Programme on Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in a Preschool Child: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
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2022
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Nutrients
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Abstract
Background: The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the dietary patterns with the
most accumulated scientific evidence on health benefits. In children, it has positive effects in the
prevention of obesity and cardiovascular diseases, as well as in the prevention of diabetes. We
aimed to evaluate the medium-term efficacy of an intervention programme, targeting adherence
to the Mediterranean diet among preschool children. Methods: In a randomised, parallel trial of
participants aged 3–5 years, a school garden was attended in the experimental group, and in the
control group, the usual content on the human body and health were taught. Adherence to the
Mediterranean diet was assessed using the KIDMED questionnaire, controlling for weight, height,
body mass index (BMI) and socio-demographic variables. Results: A reduction in BMI was found in
the experimental group after one year and at the end of the follow-up period. In the overall score
obtained in the KIDMED survey, a statistical trend was found between the two groups (p = 0.076). In
multivariate analysis, consumption of pulses more than once a week’ was predictive of improved diet
quality, with an Odds Ratio (OR) in the experimental group of 1.382 (95% CI 1.126–1.695; p = 0.009).
Conclusions: The experimental approach improved the quality of the participants’ diet, increasing
adherence to the Mediterranean diet due to increased consumption of plant-based protein.
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Keywords
Pre-school, Primary prevention, Child overnutrition, Health child service