Childhood Mediterranean Diet Adherence Is Associated with Lower Prevalence of Childhood Obesity, Specific Sociodemographic, and Lifestyle Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Pre-School Children

Childhood Mediterranean Diet Compliance Is Associated with Lower Incidence of Childhood Obesity, Specific Sociodemographic, and Lifestyle Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Children Aged 6-9 Years

BACKGROUND

Mediterranean diet (MD) constitutes a commonly examined dietary model. It includes a plethora of bioactive ingredients with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic and anticancer properties. Several substantial studies support strong evidence that MD can exert preventing actions against human morbidity and mortality, promoting human well-being and quality of life. The present study aims to evaluate whether childhood MD compliance may be associated with socio-demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle factors in children at the age of 6-9 years.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional survey on 3875 children aged 6-9 years old with their matched mothers. Qualified questionnaires were used to evaluate and collect by one-to-one interviews with trained professionals the above data.

RESULTS

Elevated MD adherence was observed only in 22.2% of the enrolled children, while 37.5% of children maintained intermediate MD adherence and 40.3% of children adopted lower MD levels. Children MD compliance was related at an independent manner with maternal education level, childhood anthropometric factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist circumference to Height ratio (WtHR), quality of life, and exclusively breastfeeding behaviors after adjusting for several possible confounders (p ˂ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated MD adherence of children aged 6-9 years old showed a lower obesity of overweight/obesity, including abdominal obesity. A higher maternal educational status and adopting exclusively breastfeeding practices were associated with greater levels of children's MD adherence, promoting their quality of life and well-being. Based on the present results, future prospective surveys need to be performed to evaluate if there is a causality relation concerning this topic.

Mediterranean diet: a potential player in the link between oral microbiome and oral diseases

Background

The oral microbiome is a complex and dynamic assemblage of microorganisms that colonize different sites of the oral cavity maintaining both oral and systemic health. Therefore, when its composition is altered, oral diseases occur. Among oral inflammatory pathologies, periodontal diseases affect the tissues surrounding the teeth, representing the main cause of tooth loss and one of the most important threats to the oral health. Lifestyle and eating habits influence the composition of the human oral microbiota and the development and progression of oral diseases. In this context, the Mediterranean Diet (MD) model, comprising both healthy dietary choices and lifestyle, is linked to the prevention of several metabolic and chronic-degenerative pathological processes, including oral diseases. Indeed, the MD is a plant-based diet, enriched of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients, which may induce beneficial effects against dental caries and periodontal diseases.

Aim

This review summarizes the role of the oral microbiome in the development of the oral diseases and the potential of MD in modulating the oral microbiome leading to implications for oral health.

Conclusions

The data collected highlight the need to promote the MD pattern along with the correct hygiene habits to prevent the development of oral diseases.