Food consumption patterns in Mediterranean adolescents: Are there differences between overweight and normal weight adolescents?

Yannakoulia Mairy, Harokopio University
Brussee E. Sandra, University of Maine
Andreas C. Drichoutis, University of Ioannina
Anastasia Z. Kalea, University of Maine
Nikos Yiannakouris, Harokopio University
Antonia-Leda Matalas, Harokopio University
Dorothy J. Klimis-Zacas, University of Maine

Abstract

The aim of the present analysis was to quantify food consumption based on food group classification during several time-periods of the day in a sample of adolescents and to identify potential differences in food patterns between normal weight and overweight participants. Nutritional assessment was conducted in 120 high-school students. BMI was used to classify participants as normal weight and overweight/obese. Dietary intake was assessed by 3-day food records, and was analyzed at the food group level for seven different day time-periods. In order to exploit the time dimension of our data and to further control for the influence of other covariates, we estimated a random effects regression model for panel data. In the multivariate analysis, no statistically significant differences were found between normal weight and overweight adolescents in regards to their consumption patterns throughout the day. However, male participants, compared to females, had higher intake of all food groups with the exception of fruit and adolescents engaging in vigorous exercise tended to consume more servings from all food groups at any given time period. We concluded that overall food consumption, and not its distribution throughout the day or in specific time intervals, may be the underlying dietary factor of overweight adolescents in our sample.