engleski

Do Croatian university students from North- Mediterranean area adhere to the Mediterranean dietary pattern?

Background: Typical Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) has been associated with better health, longer life and promoted as a model for healthy eating. A major nutritional concern in Mediterranean countries is the loss of Mediterranean dietary pattern, especially among young sedentary population. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether dietary habits of Croatian North- Mediterranean university students adhere to MDP and to establish the relation between their dietary pattern and physical activity. Design: A cross-sectional study with estimates of dietary habits, body mass index and physical activity among Croatian university students from North-Mediterranean Primorsko-goranska County. Participants: Thousand and five Croatian university students from Primorsko-goranska County with average age of 21.9 years completed questionnaire that included questions on life style and diet. Dietary habits were assessed with food frequency questionnaire and scored by nine point Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS), dietary index evaluating adequacy to MDP. Results: Average MDS of participants was 5.4±0.9 representing moderately adherence to Mediterranean diet, that was in most of students, i.e. 48.6% of student had MDS values 4-5, while 48.9% had MDS values 6-9 that represents strong adherence to MDP. Participants who adhered strongly to MDP had better macro nutrient distribution and better intake of micronutrients (p<0.01) compared to other MDS groups. MDS correlated with energy intake (p<0.01) and macro and micronutrients intakes (p<0.01) only in the group of moderate adherence to MDP. The MDS was not associated with the body mass index, but it was positively associated with physical activity. Students with low adherence to MDP were significantly (p<0.01) less active compared to moderate and high adherence MDP counterparts. Almost half of our students (45.2%) were “low” physically active, while 39% were “moderately” physically active. Among all levels of physical activity, the adherence to MDP was almost similar and belonged to moderate adherence to MDS. Higher level of physical activity was associated to higher consumption of vegetables, fish (p<0.01), olive oil and dairy (p<0.01) and to lower consumption of meat and sweets (p<0.02). Conclusion: We found that about half of studied Croatian university students strongly adhered to Mediterranean dietary pattern, where higher point of MDS was associated to higher lever of physical activity. Traditional Mediterranean dietary habits are strongly living among our studied students representing positive future health outcomes for young adults and standing as exemplary role.

Mediterranean dietary pattern; University students; Mediterranean Diet Score; Physical activity; Croatia

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