The protective effect of the Mediterranean Diet (MeDi) is undisputed. However, adherence to MeDi has decreased in recent years, particularly in young people. The aim of this study was to evaluate adherence to MeDi in medical students and to assess the influence of knowledge acquisition as well as other factors on dietary compliance.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on medical students. The data were obtained through anonymous surveys that collected demographic characteristics, medical history, alcohol and tobacco consumption, physical activity and adherence to MeDi – using 14-point Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score (MEDAS) –. Adherence to MeDi and related factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariable analysis.

Medical students from the first to the sixth year of the 2018–2019 academic year.

The study was conducted at the university of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Of 589 respondents (73 % women) mean aged 22 years (range 18–39), 58·9 % showed good adherence to MeDi. Adherence was significantly associated with age (P = 0·017) but not with sex or the presence of comorbidities. Independently, adherence to MeDi was higher in last academic courses (OR = 2·1; 95 % CI = 1·3, 3·2; P = 0·001), in those who consumed alcohol more frequently (OR = 1·5; 95 % CI = 1·0, 2·1; P = 0·039) and in those who practiced more exercise (OR = 1·5; 95 % CI = 1·2, 1·9; P < 0·001).

Half of all medical students did not have a good adherence to MeDi. Adherence was higher at older age in higher academic years and related to greater physical activity. It would be convenient to quantify dietary knowledge as well as implement nutritional educational programmes, favouring a healthy lifestyle.

Schools can be an effective arena for food education. The Tasty School is a tailored teacher-driven food education model that provides tools for implementing food education in primary schools. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the Tasty School model on pupils’ eating patterns and experiences. We also aimed to assess the implementation strength of the Tasty School.

A quasi-experimental study was conducted during one school year 2019–2020 in fifteen intervention and ten control schools. The intervention schools implemented the Tasty School food education model. The pupils completed web-based baseline and follow-up questionnaires in class during a school day. The principals were interviewed after the intervention. The data were analysed using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures, accounting for the implementation strength and selected standardisation effects.

A total of twenty-five general Finnish primary schools.

1480 pupils from grades 3−6 (age 8–12 years) from five municipalities in Finland.

Percentages of pupils eating a balanced school meal increased in schools where food education was actively implemented (P = 0·027). In addition, pupils’ experience of social participation in school dining strengthened in schools where the Tasty School model was implemented (5-point scale mean from 2·41 to 2·61; P = 0·017).

Healthy eating patterns can be promoted by the active implementation of food education in primary schools. The Tasty School model offers a promising tool for developing healthy eating patterns and increasing social participation among pupils not only in Finland, but also potentially in other countries as well.

To investigate family structure differences in adolescents’ consumption of fruit, vegetables, sweets and sugar-added soft drinks with adjustments for socio-demographic and socio-economic variables.

Cross-sectional data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey.

Norwegian primary and secondary schools.

Adolescents (n 4475) aged 11, 13, 15 and 16 years.

After adjusting for covariates, living in a single-mother family was associated with lower vegetable consumption (OR 0·76, 95 % CI 0·63, 0·91) and higher soft drink consumption (OR 1·29, 95 % CI 1·06, 1·57). Living in a mother and stepfather family was negatively associated with fruit (OR 0·71, 95 % CI 0·54, 0·95) and vegetable (OR 0·72, 95 % CI 0·54, 0·97) consumption. Living in a single-father family was associated with lower sweets consumption (OR 0·48, 95 % CI 0·32, 0·72). No significant interactions were demonstrated between family structure and socio-demographic or socio-economic covariates.

The study suggests that an independent association between family structure and adolescents’ food habits exists.

The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between nutrition literacy (NL) and food habits (FH) in adolescents, and the factors affecting the relationship.

The study used a cross-sectional design. The data were collected using socio-demographic information forms, the Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale (ANLS) and the Adolescent Food Habit Checklist (AFHC). The socio-demographic characteristics of adolescents were analysed using descriptive statistics, and the factors affecting NL and FH were determined using the t test, Mann–Whitney U test and ANOVA. The correlation between ANLS and AFHC scores was tested with correlation analysis, and linear regression analysis was employed to predict the change in the NL of adolescents at the level of FH.

The study was conducted in the city of Izmir in Turkey.

The study consisted of a total of 467 adolescents.

There was a statistically significant relationship between NL of adolescents and their gender, education level of the father, grade, BMI values and daily lifestyle behaviours (DLB), as well as between their FH and DLB. There was a positive and significant relationship between ANLS and AFHC. The ANLS and its subscales were found to have a statistically significant effect on AFHC. According to the linear regression analysis, the nutritional habits of adolescents were found to be significantly affected by NL (β = 0·357).

As ANLS scores increased, AFHC scores were determined to increase as well. This finding shows that the FH of adolescents have changed positively with increase in their NL.

To assess the relative validity of a FFQ developed for the Pelotas Birth Cohort Studies.

Participants completed a ninety-two-food-item FFQ and then answered two 24-h recalls (24HR), one in-person interview and a second one by telephone, administered 14–28 d apart. Median and relative differences of energy, fifteen nutrients and eleven food groups were estimated based on the FFQ and the average of two 24HR. Nutrients were log-transformed and energy-adjusted using residual method. Validity was assessed by crude, energy-adjusted and de-attenuated Pearson and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients. Agreement of quartiles and weighted κ were performed. Differences in energy and nutrient estimations between methods were plotted in Bland–Altman graphs.

Pelotas, southern Brazil.

Two hundred fifty-four participants randomly selected from the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort during the 22-year follow-up (2015).

The FFQ overestimated energy and most nutrients and food groups compared with the two 24HR. Energy-adjusted and de-attenuated Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from 0·21 to 0·66. The highest energy-adjusted and de-attenuated concordance correlation coefficients were observed for Ca (0·48), niacin (0·32), Na (0·29), vitamin C (0·28) and riboflavin (0·25). The percentage of nutrients classified into the same and opposite quartiles ranged from 36·5 to 60·3 %, and from 4·8 to 19·1 %, respectively. Weighted κ was moderate for Ca (0·51), beans and legumes (0·50) and milk and dairies (0·49).

The FFQ provides a reasonable dietary intake assessment for habitual food consumption. However, the relative validity was weak for specific nutrients and food groups.

Many studies of food intake have been performed and published in Sweden, but to our knowledge no studies have extensively explored the beverage consumption of the Swedish adult population. The present study aimed to describe the beverage consumption and the contribution of beverage energy (including alcohol energy) to total energy intake according to gender, region of living, meal type and day for a Swedish adult population.

National dietary survey Riksmaten (2010–2011), collected by the Swedish National Food Agency.

Sweden.

A total of 1682 participants (57 % women) reported dietary intake data during four consecutive days, specified by portion size, meal, time point, day of the week and venue. Meals were categorized as breakfast, lunch, dinner and ‘other’.

The beverage reported to be consumed the most was water (ml/d), followed by coffee. Men had a higher consumption of juice, soft drinks, beer, spirits and low-alcohol beer, while the consumption of tea and water was higher for women. For both genders, milk contributed the most to beverage energy intake. Energy percentage from beverages was higher at lunch and dinner during weekends for both genders. Participants from the biggest cities in Sweden had a higher consumption of wine for both genders and tea for men than participants from other regions.

A considerable part of total energy intake was contributed by beverages, especially for men. Beverages can contribute to a more enjoyable diet, but at the same time provide energy, sugar and alcohol in amounts that do not promote optimal health.

To examine the impacts on food and nutrition-related outcomes resulting from participation in urban gardens, especially on healthy food practices, healthy food access, and healthy food beliefs, knowledge and attitudes.

The systematic review identified studies by searching the PubMed, ERIC, LILACS, Web of Science and Embase databases. An assessment of quality and bias risk of the studies was carried out and a narrative summary was produced.

Studies published as original articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals in English, Spanish or Portuguese between 2005 and 2015 were included.

The studies included were based on data from adult participants in urban gardens.

Twenty-four studies were initially selected based on the eligibility criteria, twelve of which were included. There was important heterogeneity of settings, population and assessment methods. Assessment of quality and bias risk of the studies revealed the need for greater methodological rigour. Most studies investigated community gardens and employed a qualitative approach. The following were reported: greater fruit and vegetable consumption, better access to healthy foods, greater valuing of cooking, harvest sharing with family and friends, enhanced importance of organic production, and valuing of adequate and healthy food.

Thematic patterns related to adequate and healthy food associated with participation in urban gardens were identified, revealing a positive impact on practices of adequate and healthy food and mainly on food perceptions.

To update the data on food consumption and practices in children under 3 years of age in metropolitan France.

The Nutri-Bébé 2013 cross-sectional study selected a random sample, according to the quota sampling method. After giving their informed consent, parents had to record the food consumption during three non-consecutive days framed by two face-to-face interviews, using for quantitative information different portion size measurement aids.

One thousand one hundred and eighty-four children were enrolled. Mothers’ mean age was 30·8 (sd 5·4) years; 38 % were primiparous; 89 % lived with a partner; 60 % had an occupation. Of the infants younger than 4 months, 31 % were breast-fed. One thousand and thirty-five children consumed infant formula followed by growing-up milk in 63 % of them; solid foods were introduced at a mean age of 5·4 (sd 2·13) months. From 8 months onwards, 25 % of children consumed the same foods as their parents on a more or less regular basis; 29 % ate in front of a screen, with a daily average screen time of 43·0 (sd 40·4) min.

This robust survey highlights the low prevalence and duration of breast-feeding in France and shows a modest improvement since the previous survey of 2005 in the observance of recommendations concerning other feeding practices. The frequent consumption of adult foods and the screen time are of concern.

Exposure to advertisements cannot fully explain the associations between young children’s dietary intake and the time they spend in front of the television. It is therefore of importance to study television content other than advertisements in this aspect. The present study aimed to examine the nature and extent of verbal and visual appearances of foods and beverages in children’s television programmes on Icelandic public service television.

A total of 27 h of children’s programmes (domestic and internationally produced) were watched. All verbal and visual appearances of foods and beverages were coded, as well as the context in which the foods/beverages were discussed or appeared.

Children’s programmes on Icelandic public service television.

Two food groups were of special interest for their importance from a public health perspective: high-calorie and low-nutrient (HCLN) foods and fruits and vegetables (F&V). The χ2 test and logistic regression were performed to analyse if the occurrence of the two groups was associated with the context where foods/beverages appeared.

Of the 125 different programmes, a food or beverage appeared in 86 %. Of the total food appearances (n 599), HCLN foods accounted for 26 % and F&V for 23 %. HCLN foods were presented as desirable by appearing more frequently with child characters (P<0·01) than F&V.

Public service television has the potential to improve the way food and eating is presented in children’s programmes, as young childhood is a critical period for founding healthy habits for later life.

To investigate meal pattern longitudinally and explore whether meal skipping was associated with overweight among Norwegian children and adolescents.

Longitudinal study. Children's meal frequencies were reported by their parents using a retrospective FFQ. Weight and height were measured by public health nurses. Descriptive data comparing 4th and 7th grade were analysed by paired-sample t tests for continuous variables and χ2 tests for categorical variables. Odds ratio estimates, including confidence intervals, with BMI category (normal/overweight) as the dependent variable, were determined through logistic regression analyses.

Primary schools, Telemark County, Norway.

A cohort of 428 Norwegian boys and girls; 4th graders in 2007, 7th graders in 2010.

The number of children eating four main meals per day (regular meal frequency) decreased from 4th grade (47 %) to 7th grade (38 %; P = 0·001). Those who ate regular meals in 4th grade but not in 7th grade had higher odds (OR = 3·1; 95 % CI 1·1, 9·0) of being overweight in 7th grade after adjusting for gender, maternal education and physical activity, but the odds ratio was not statistically significant after adjusting for overweight in 4th grade (OR = 2·8; 95 % CI 0·7, 11·6).

The present study showed significant increases in overall meal skipping among children between 4th and 7th grade. The results indicate an association between overweight and meal skipping, but additional prospective and longitudinal analyses and intervention trials are warranted to confirm this relationship.

The aim of the paper is to describe the formative evaluation of the feedback component of an online nutrition tailoring instrument, the Children's and Adolescents’ Nutrition Assessment and Advice on the Web (CANAA-W), among parents of schoolchildren.

Parents of pre-primary and primary-school children recorded their child's food intake over 3 d with CANAA-W and completed the evaluation questionnaire online. A subsample participated in focus group discussions.

Parents completed CANAA-W at home.

Forty-six parents completed the evaluation questionnaire. Seventeen parents participated in three focus group discussions.

Parents were enthusiastic: the majority (81 % or more) found the advice comprehensible, interesting, logical, useful, believable, well formulated, correct, personal, relevant, complete, attractive, containing enough and not too much information; they indicated that it is helpful to improve their children's eating habits and that they intend to use it. The qualitative analyses revealed that the respondents appreciated the confrontation with their child's diet and the visualization (i.e. traffic light colours, pictograms, food models, diagrams). The length of the feedback was rather a drawback, but it was useful nevertheless.

CANAA-W was well received by the parents; the scores on the feasibility questionnaire were high and the qualitative analyses showed that the confrontation with their child's diet, and attractive visualization of the most relevant feedback linked to more elaborated optional feedback, were well appreciated. The major challenge will be to convince parents who are less interested in food habits and less computer-literate to participate in this type of study.