Growth, the Mediterranean diet and the buying power of adolescents in Greece

Abstract

The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluate associations between pocket money, Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence and growth among Greek adolescents. A total of 319 (157 boys and 162 girls) Greek adolescents, aged 10-18 years participated in the study. Pocket money was recorded, MD adherence was assessed with the KIDMED score and growth was evaluated using the World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts. Participants receiving pocket money exceeding 6.0€ daily demonstrated increased fast-food consumption and breakfast skipping. Overall, a negative relationship was revealed between pocket money and obesity. However, lower allowance receivers were less likely to be obese, consume fruit per day and more likely to consume breakfast and sweets, compared to average pocket money receivers. Increased MD adherence was associated with a lower risk of overweight and as expected, unhealthy eating habits were observed among obese adolescents. Interrelationships tend to exist between MD adherence, pocket money and growth among adolescents.