| BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the eating habits, physical activity, and body size perception by obesity
status among 2–18 year old children in Iran.
METHODS:This cross sectional study included 250 children and adolescents aged between 2 and 18. Participants’ anthropometric
measurements were measured, adherence of Mediterranean Diet was evaluated by a questionnaire, the Mediterranean
Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED), body satisfaction, and perception of body size.
RESULTS: Mean age of subjects was 9.07±4.80 years, and 52.4% were girls. The KIDMED index score was 16.3% low,
54.3% moderate and 29.4% good. 72.7% of parents with overweight children and 36.4% with obese children, were perceived
that their child was normal, and compared with 58.3% of overweight and 7.7% of obese participants perceived normal body
size. There were no significant differences between physical activity in any weight status (p > 0.05) and between boys and
girls in the KIDMED index and any of foods intake. There was a significant difference in mean differences of KIDMED
index in boys in the four obesity statuses (P = 0.04), as well as in food consumption (P = 0.04), except for pulses in boys and
girls.
CONCLUSION: The percentage of obesity in boys is more compared to girls, the lowest KIDMED index score is for boys
in the obesity group. Therefore, adopting healthier dietary habits and lifestyle in childhood is especially important for boys
and also for girls. |