The association between self-reported diet quality and health-related quality of life in rural and urban Australian adolescents

Lifestyle habits, health indicators and sociodemographic factors associated with health-related quality of life and self-esteem in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Mental health is defined as a state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and has been shown to be positively associated with self-esteem and quality of life. It is important to note that mental health is dynamic and influenced by a wide range of social, biological, and behavioral factors. Therefore, the aim this study was to describe the health-related quality of life and self-esteem in adolescents, examining their relationship with various health indicators, lifestyle habits, and sociodemographic variables.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 761 students (14.51 ± 1.63 years). Health-related quality of life, self-esteem, satisfaction with body image, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity practice, hours of nightly sleep, maximum oxygen consumption, body mass index, academic performance, and various sociodemographic factors of all participants were analyzed.

RESULTS

Regression analysis showed that body satisfaction and academic performance were associated of both health-related quality of life and self-esteem. Additionally, physical activity, age, and favourable settings for physical activity engagement were also found to be related to health-related quality of life, whilst adherence to the Mediterranean diet, hours of nightly sleep, maximum oxygen consumption and socioeconomic status were associated with self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the associations found between health-related quality of life and self-esteem with lifestyle habits and sociodemographic indicators, there is an urgent need to develop interdisciplinary and cross-cutting promotion strategies to improve the mental health of adolescents.

Association of Friendly School and Family Contexts and Reducing Health Risk Behaviors Among Adolescents: A Cross-National Study in Europe, North America, and China

BACKGROUND

Social factors play an important role in adolescents' behaviors. This study aims to understand percentages of health risk behaviors across country in Europe, North America, and China; explore the associations between friendly school and family contexts and involvement for several health risk behaviors among adolescents.

METHODS

Data derived from health behavior in school-aged children cross-sectional surveys and China Education Panel Survey in 2014-2015. Hierarchical generalized linear modeling was used to analyze data.

RESULTS

The highest percentages of health risk behaviors including unhealthy diet, smoking or alcohol, screen-based sedentary behaviors, and violent behaviors across country ranged from 28.62% to 65.24%. National classmate friendliness was negatively associated with 5 out of 9 health risk behaviors prevalence rates in 41 countries (p < 0.05). Adolescents' perceived peer friendly and helpful were common protective factor for engaging in several health risk behaviors (p < 0.01). Individual family contexts were associated with 3 types of health risk behaviors involvement (p < 0.001).

SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Health risk behaviors among adolescents reducing was associated with the implementation of friendly school and family contexts, emphasizing the significance of the goals of embedding friendly adolescents, along with the home-school collaboration.

CONCLUSIONS

Public health strategies should promote national climate of friendship and individual perceived friendly school contexts to reduce health risk behaviors.

Perceived Quality of Life Is Related to a Healthy Lifestyle and Related Outcomes in Spanish Children and Adolescents: The Physical Activity, Sedentarism, and Obesity in Spanish Study

BACKGROUND

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for safeguarding the well-being and quality of life perception, appropriate growth, and development of children and adolescents, while also mitigating the risk of future adult-onset diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To assess associations between perceived quality of life and healthy lifestyle and related outcomes in Spanish children and adolescents.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of 8-16-year-old children and adolescents (n = 3534) were included in the nationwide study of Physical Activity, Sedentarism, and Obesity in Spanish Youth (PASOS). Data were collected through (1) questionnaires on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), healthy lifestyle outcomes (dietary intake, physical fitness, sleep, and screen time), and (2) anthropometric measurements for weight status assessment. Data were analysed by logistic regression, using the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as the grouping variable.

RESULTS

Participants with a lower HRQoL were those with a lower adherence to the MedDiet and lower achievement of the recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables. They were also less likely to follow the recommendations for screen time and sleep (with the exception of the weekend) compared to participants with a higher HRQoL. Participants with a lower HRQoL showed a lower healthy weight status and poorer physical fitness than those with a higher HRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthy eating habits, healthy weight status (normal weight), appropriate sleep time, physical fitness, and limited screen time play a crucial role in the perceived quality of life in children and adolescents.

Nutrition literacy status and its association with adherence to the Mediterranean diet, anthropometric parameters and lifestyle behaviours among early adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate nutrition literacy status and its association with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), anthropometric parameters and lifestyle behaviours among early adolescents.

DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional study. Nutrition literacy was evaluated using the 'Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale'. Dietary intake was assessed by 24-h food recall. The 'Mediterranean Diet Quality Index' was used to evaluate adolescents' adherence to the MD. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Body weight, height, waist, hip and neck circumference were measured.

SETTING

Four secondary schools in İzmir, Türkiye.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included 1074 secondary school students.

RESULTS

Adolescents' nutrition literacy was at a moderate level. Nutrition literacy scores were significantly lower in those who skip main meals. Adolescents with high nutrition literacy had higher intakes of fibre, protein, protein, Ca, K, Mg, P, vitamin C, folate and Fe intake than those with low and moderate nutrition literacy (P < 0·05). According to IPAQ, active adolescents had higher nutrition literacy scores than inactive adolescents. There was no significant difference in BMI and anthropometric measurements of the adolescents according to their nutrition literacy level. Linear regression analysis showed that each unit increase in nutrition literacy increased adherence to the MD by 0·286 points (β = 0·286) and decreased total screen time by 0·182 points (β = -0·182).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings showed that nutrition literacy among early adolescents was not optimal, and a higher nutrition literacy score was significantly associated with higher MD adherence, and healthy eating habits and lifestyle behaviours.

Association of health predictors with quality of life in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the association of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) with physical activity, food consumption, sleep duration and screen time in children and adolescents.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with 268 students aged 10-17 years from a public school in Brazil. The outcome variable was HRQOL score, evaluated by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™). Exposure variables were habitual physical activity, food consumption, sleep duration, and screen time. A general linear model was used to estimate age-adjusted means and 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) of HRQOL scores, and a multivariable analysis of variance to identify factors associated with lower/higher HRQOL scores. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas.

RESULTS

Overall HRQOL score was 70.3 (95 % CI: 68.0-72.6). Multivariable analyses showed lower HRQOL scores for those adolescents who: 1-were physically inactive (67.3; p=0.014); 2-sleep less than 6 h per night (66.8; p=0.003); 3-eat fruits and vegetables less than five days/week (68.9; p=0.027); and 4-eat fast food twice/week or more (68.6; p=0.036) when compared to their opposite groups. Screen time was not statistically significantly associated with total HRQOL.

CONCLUSIONS

The joint association found in our study suggests that at least three habits must change to improve the HRQOL of children and adolescents (physical activity, food consumption, and sleep duration). Therefore, interventions in schools to promote a healthy lifestyle to achieve a better HRQOL should include a multidisciplinary team to properly guide children and adolescents about these habits simultaneously.

Diet quality, ultra-processed food consumption, and quality of life in a cross-sectional cohort of adults and teens with celiac disease

BACKGROUND

Coeliac disease (CeD), a common autoimmune condition, requires strict adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD). Adherence to the GFD has been associated with quality of life (QOL). However, there may be other diet-related concerns, such as overall diet patterns, including diet quality or ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, possibly associated with QOL among people with CeD following a GFD that have not been examined.

METHODS

Diet quality was determined based on 24-h diet recalls of a cross-sectional prospectively recruited sample of 80 participants (50 adults and 30 teens) with biopsy-confirmed CeD ('Study Sample') using the Healthy Eating Index and Alternate Mediterranean Diet score. The amount of UPF consumed was assessed using Nova, a food processing classification system. QOL was measured using Celiac Disease-Specific Quality of Life (CDQOL) and Celiac Disease Pediatric-Specific Quality of Life (CDPQOL). The Study Sample's diet patterns were compared with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) groups (25 adults reporting prior CeD and GFD; 51 adults with new CeD and no GFD; 15,777 adults and 2296 teens without CeD). The relationship of the Study Sample's diet patterns with CDQOL/CDPQOL was assessed using analysis of covariance.

RESULTS

The Study Sample's diet patterns were suboptimal but generally favourable compared with all NHANES groups. Compared to Study Adults with the highest tertile of UPF, those with the lowest tertile had significantly higher CDQOL (mean: 67.6 vs. 78.3, p < 0.001). Compared to Study Teens with the lowest tertile of AMED, those with the highest tertile had significantly higher CDPQOL (mean: 67.0 vs. 79.9, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Maintaining high diet quality and minimising UPF may be important for CeD-specific QOL among individuals with CeD maintaining a GFD.

The mediating effect of food choice upon associations between adolescent health-related quality of life and physical activity, social media use and abstinence from alcohol

BACKGROUND

Understanding how health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is related to lifestyle factors during adolescence is crucial to effective health promotion. The aim of this analysis was to identify associations between HRQoL and lifestyle and to determine the degree to which they are mediated by food choices in adolescents.

METHODS

The Wellbeing in Schools (NI) survey (N = 1609; 13-14 years) assessed HRQoL using the Kidscreen52. Food choice was assessed by Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Social media and alcohol abstinence were self-reported.

RESULTS

Path analysis indicated that fruit and vegetable intake was associated with higher HRQoL on dimensions of moods and emotions, parent relations and home life, financial resources, and social support and peers. Bread and diary intake was related to higher physical wellbeing. Protein was associated with higher psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, self-perception, parent relations and home life, financial resources, and lower social support and peers. Junk food was related to lower moods and emotions. Males had higher psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, parental relations and home life. Females had higher self-perception, autonomy, and social support and peers. Greater physical activity explained higher HRQoL on all dimensions. Less social media was associated with higher psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, self-perception, parent relations and home life, and school environment. Alcohol abstinence was associated with higher physical wellbeing, psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, self-perception, parent relations and home life, and school environment dimensions.

CONCLUSION

Intervention to promote HRQoL in adolescents should consider food choices whilst encouraging physical activity, discouraging social media and deterring alcohol, and targeting boys and girls separately.

Back to Basics: Lifestyle Interventions for Adolescent Depression

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this activity, practitioners will be better able to:• Discuss and better understand the recently adopted screening standards for adolescents with depression and the potential advantages of using "lifestyle medicine"• Set up a process for providing effective interventions for the increased number of patients with adolescent depression• Design or update their toolbox of treatment options for adolescents with depression based on the new literature and increased demand.

ABSTRACT

Recently adopted quality standards recommend that pediatricians screen adolescents for depression and that they document follow-up plans for those who screen positive. As a result of these new recommendations, pediatricians and other pediatric providers, as well as psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, may face an increasing number of referrals and a growing need for effective interventions for adolescent depression. Given the widely acknowledged scarcity of traditional mental health resources, the current study reviewed the rapidly expanding array of evidence-based, but nontraditional, interventions applicable to outpatient pediatric and mental health care settings. Many of these interventions come from a lifestyle medicine framework. Lifestyle medicine interventions are congruent with the cultures of pediatrics and outpatient psychiatry, and offer additional evidence-based tools for providers managing adolescent depression. These interventions can be implemented individually or within group or community settings, and may be used in conjunction with more common interventions such as psychotherapy or psychotropic medications.

Adherence to Mediterranean diet associated with health-related quality of life in children and adolescents: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become a significant outcome in assessing interventions in the pediatric population and could be influenced by diet patterns. The Mediterranean diet (MD) pattern has been related to multiple positive health outcomes, including decreased cardiovascular risk and better mental health. We aimed to evaluate the association between MD adherence and HRQoL in children and adolescents.

METHODS

The literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Ovid-MEDLINE databases from inception to May 2022. Two researchers independently checked titles and abstracts, evaluated full-text studies, extracted data, and appraised the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).

RESULTS

Eleven studies (1 longitudinal and 10 cross-sectional), totaling 6,796 subjects, were included. Ten studies assessed MD adherence with KIDMED index, and one assessed MD adherence with Krece Plus test, while all included studies assessed HRQoL with a KIDSCREEN test. All studies analyzed the association between MD adherence and HRQoL with linear regression, and eight used adjusted models. Five studies found a significant positive association of MD adherence with HRQoL, with β-values ranging from 0.13 to 0.26. Two found a nonsignificant positive relationship, while one found a negative association. According to the NOS criteria, the risk of bias assessment showed four studies with a low risk of bias and seven with a high risk of bias.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest a positive correlation of MD adherence with HRQoL in children and adolescents. However, future research is needed to strengthen the evidence of this relationship.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CRD42021236188 (PROSPERO).

Investigation of the Associations between Diet Quality and Health-Related Quality of Life in a Sample of Swedish Adolescents

Most adolescents do not consume a high-quality diet, while self-reported mental health problems within this group are increasing. This study aimed to investigate the association between diet quality and health-related quality of life, and to explore the differences in diet quality and health-related quality of life between gender and parental education status. In this cross-sectional study, a detailed web-based recall method was implemented to determine dietary intake, which was analysed using the newly developed Swedish Healthy Eating Index for Adolescents 2015 (SHEIA15) and the Riksmaten Adolescents Diet Diversity Score (RADDS), to determine diet quality. The KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire was used to measure health-related quality of life, and parental education was self-reported through questionnaires. Parental education was divided into two groups: ≤12 years or >12 years. The study included 1139 adolescents from grade 7 (13−14 years old), 51% were girls. The results showed that girls had higher scores for healthy eating and diet diversity but lower scores for health-related quality of life. A positive association was found between diet diversity and health-related quality of life (Adj R2 = 0.072, p = 0.001), between vegetable/fruit consumption and health-related quality of life (Adj R2 = 0.071, p = 0.002), and between healthy eating and diet diversity (Adj R2 = 0.214, p < 0.001). No association was found between healthy eating and health-related quality of life for all participants. The mean scores for healthy eating and diet diversity were significantly higher in the higher education parental group. In conclusion, higher diet diversity and increased fruit and vegetable consumption could be a strategy to improve health-related quality of life among adolescents. There is a need to promote better diet quality, especially in households of low parental education. In addition, there is a further need to investigate the potential benefits of improved diet quality on mental health and overall well-being.

A cross-sectional study examining self-reported anthropometric measurements with adolescents' nutrition attitudes, obesity awareness and diet quality indices during the pandemic

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between adolescents' nutritional attitudes, obesity awareness, and diet quality with their self-reported anthropometric measurements taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This cross-sectional type of study was conducted in a district in the south of Turkey. The research was carried out online with 907 adolescents who agreed to participate voluntarily.

RESULTS

Among the adolescents, 28.5% considered themselves overweight, and 32.1% were currently trying to lose weight. According to BMI, 16.1% were affected by overweight/obesity. Adolescents' nutritional attitudes and obesity awareness levels were moderate, while their KIDMED nutritional habits were also moderate. In this study, a negative relationship was found between the adolescents' ASHN mean scores and their body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, neck circumference, waist/hip ratio and waist/height ratio measurements; and between their OAS mean scores and their body weight, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio and waist/height ratio measurements; and between their KIDMED index scores and their waist/height ratio measurements (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of adolescents who perceive themselves as overweight is higher than the results obtained from the measurement values. BMI levels and other anthropometric measurement values of adolescents with positive nutrition attitudes and physical activity behaviours are also positively affected.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

This study may have a significant impact on the formulation and implementation of interventions to prevent obesity and increase physical activity for school health nurses. Since the pandemic is still continuing, healthcare providers must stress the risk of obesity in adolescence.

Cross-sectional associations of schoolchildren's fruit and vegetable consumption, and meal choices, with their mental well-being: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Poor mental well-being is a major issue for young people and is likely to have long-term negative consequences. The contribution of nutrition is underexplored. We, therefore, investigated the association between dietary choices and mental well-being among schoolchildren.

METHODS

Data from 7570 secondary school and 1253 primary school children in the Norfolk Children and Young People Health and Well-being Survey, open to all Norfolk schools during October 2017, were analysed. Multivariable linear regression was used to measure the association between nutritional factors and mental well-being assessed by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale for secondary school pupils, or the Stirling Children's Well-being Scale for primary school pupils. We adjusted all analyses for important covariates including demographic, health variables, living/home situation and adverse experience variables.

RESULTS

In secondary school analyses, a strong association between nutritional variables and well-being scores was apparent. Higher combined fruit and vegetable consumption was significantly associated with higher well-being: well-being scores were 3.73 (95% CI 2.94 to 4.53) units higher in those consuming five or more fruits and vegetables (p<0.001; n=1905) compared with none (n=739). The type of breakfast or lunch consumed was also associated with significant differences in well-being score. Compared with children consuming a conventional type of breakfast (n=5288), those not eating any breakfast had mean well-being scores 2.73 (95% CI 2.11 to 3.35) units lower (p<0.001; n=1129) and those consuming only an energy drink had well-being scores 3.14 (95% CI 1.20 to 5.09) units lower (p=0.002; n=91). Likewise, children not eating any lunch had well-being scores 2.95 (95% CI 2.22 to 3.68) units lower (p<0.001; 860) than those consuming a packed lunch (n=3744). In primary school analyses, the type of breakfast or lunch was associated with significant differences in well-being scores in a similar way to those seen in secondary school data, although no significant association with fruit and vegetable intake was evident.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that public health strategies to optimise the mental well-being of children should include promotion of good nutrition.

Relationships of Child-, Parents-, and Environment-Associated Determinants with Diet Quality, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits among Indonesian Urban Adolescents

BACKGROUND

The trend of unhealthy lifestyles is increasing among adolescents and has been associated with the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). However, specific determinants of unhealthy lifestyles among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries remain limited.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationships of child-, parents-, and environment-associated determinants with diet quality, physical activity, and smoking habits among low-socioeconomic urban adolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study involving 238 adolescents aged 11 to 17 years was conducted in Jakarta, Indonesia. Adolescents and their parents were interviewed to assess the determinants of healthy lifestyles that included diet quality, physical activity, and smoking habits. Diet and physical activity were quantified using the Diet Quality Index for Adolescents (DQI-A) and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), respectively. Multiple regression was used to determine the β coefficients and odds ratios predictive of healthy lifestyles.

RESULTS

Mean scores of DQI-A and PAQ-C were considered low (33.5% ± 8.9% and 2.1 ± 0.5, respectively). Overall, 17.6% of adolescents were smokers, with 88% of these being males. Predictors of diet quality were child- (age, gender) and environment-associated (house size, access to a computer) determinants with β coefficients of -6.52 to 3.26. The PAQ-C score was associated with child- (female) and environment-associated (living area) determinants with β coefficients of -0.45 and 0.14, respectively. Younger adolescents and females were protective factors for smoking. Parents-associated determinants were not associated with any lifestyle indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

Child- and environment-associated determinants were predictors of healthy lifestyles among adolescents. Thus, personal empowerment and environment transformation are needed to facilitate a healthy lifestyle and reduce the burden of NCDs among adolescents.

Mental and physical health-related quality of life and their associated factors among students of a comprehensive allied health institution

BACKGROUND

Healthcare students are subjected to critical levels of mental and physical stress that might hinder their quality of life.

OBJECTIVES

This study comprehensively investigated physical and mental Health-related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) and their associated factors among Allied Health (AH) students of nine academic majors.

METHODS

Participants completed anonymous questionnaire included demographics and life style, HR-QoL measured by the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21), and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. SF-12 Physical (PCS) and Mental (MCS) Components Summary scores were compared between gender and between academic majors. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine factor associated with PCS and MCS scores.

RESULTS

A total of 838 students (77.4% females) participated in the study. The overall PCS was 45.64±7.93 and statistically different between majors (P < 0.001). The Overall MCS score was 39.45±10.86 and statistically greater in males (P < 0.001). PCS scores were significantly associated with anxiety score, GPA, diet self-evaluation, and upper back and hip musculoskeletal pain. MCS scores were significantly associated with weekly clinical training hours, stress score, depression score, gender, university year, GPA, sleep self-evaluation, diet self-evaluation, and neck musculoskeletal pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Low levels of mental and physical HR-QoL were observed among AH students and were associated with academic-related, health-related, and lifestyle-related factors. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess effective approaches to improve HR-QoL among AH students.

Dietary patterns and health-related quality of life among Iranian adolescents

PURPOSE

Examining the associations of a-posteriori-defined dietary patterns and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Iranian adolescents.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 900 apparently healthy students (mean age 15.33 years; 53.0% female) during 2020-21. The validated Persian version of self-report Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Version 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQL) for healthy adolescents was used in an online survey to assess HRQOL. Total, physical health, psychosocial health, emotional functioning, social functioning, and school functioning PedsQL scores were calculated, and impaired HRQOL was defined as > 1 standard deviation below the total population sample mean PedsQL scores. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intakes during telephone interviews. Daily intakes of 20 predefined food groups were calculated and submitted to the principal component factor analysis to identify a-posteriori-defined dietary patterns.

RESULTS

Three major dietary patterns labeled as Mediterranean, mixed, and unhealthy were identified, of which only the Mediterranean pattern characterized by high intakes of vegetables, fruits, olives, potatoes, eggs, nuts and legumes, pickles, low-fat dairy, fish, poultry, and vegetable oils was consistently associated with HRQOL. Controlling for covariates in the multivariable-adjusted binary logistic regression analysis, participants in the top tertile of Mediterranean pattern score were less likely to have impaired HRQOL than those in the bottom tertile (total: OR 0.25; physical health: OR 0.35; psychosocial health: OR 0.15; emotional functioning: OR 0.17; social functioning: OR 0.15; and school functioning: OR 0.18; all P < 0.010).

CONCLUSION

Current findings indicate that an a-posteriori-defined Mediterranean-style dietary pattern is associated with better HRQOL among healthy Iranian adolescents.

Health care need and health disparities: Findings from the Regional South Australia Health (RESONATE) survey

Regional South Australia has some of the highest rates of psychological distress, chronic disease and multimorbidity of any Australian State or Territory. Yet, the healthcare needs of this population are still not completely understood. To better understand the healthcare needs of regional South Australians, we invited adults living in the region to complete the 44-item consumer utilisation, expectations and experiences of healthcare instrument (CONVERSATIONS), online or in hard-copy. The survey was conducted between April 2017 and March 2018. A multi-modal recruitment campaign was utilised to promote the survey. We examined associations between study outcomes and remoteness area, and drew comparisons between our findings and other surveys reporting pertinent outcomes in the urban SA population. The questionnaire was completed by 3,926 adults (52.5% females; 37.6% aged 60 + years). Among the 264 distinct health conditions reported by participants, the most prevalent were hypertension (31.6%), depression (25.7%), anxiety (23.5%) and hypercholesterolaemia (22.9%). The lifetime prevalence of these conditions among participants exceeded rates reported in urban SA. The largest regional-urban health disparities were observed for eczema/dermatitis, skin cancer, other cancer types and cataracts, where prevalence rates were 2075%, 400%, 373% and 324% higher, respectively, than that reported in urban SA. Participants also reported higher levels of multimorbidity (37.7% higher) relative to urban South Australians. By contrast, participants appeared to be exposed to fewer lifestyle risk behaviours (e.g. smoking, alcohol, inadequate fruit or vegetable intake) than their urban counterparts. In summary, there was a high level of healthcare need, and considerable health disparity among participants when compared with urban settings (particularly for skin and eye conditions). These findings highlight the need for a more targeted approach to delivering health services and health promotion activities in regional areas.

Adherence to Lifelines Diet Score (LLDS) is associated with better sleep quality in overweight and obese women

PURPOSE

Previous studies have shown the connection between diet quality to sleep quality and weight status, although the relationship between Lifelines Diet Score (LLDS)-a fully food-based score that uses the 2015 Dutch Dietary Guidelines and underlying international literature-and sleep quality has not been evaluated in overweight and obese individuals yet. This observational study was conducted on overweight and obese adult females to assess the relationship between adherence to a LLDS pattern and sleep quality in Iran.

METHODS

A cohort of 278 overweight and obese women aged above 18 years was enrolled and their dietary intake was assessed using a 147-item, semi-quantitative, validated food frequency questionnaire. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a self-reported questionnaire including 19-items, was applied to estimate sleep quality among the target population. Diet quality indices (LLDS) were calculated using the P.C. Vinke, et al. method, based on the 2015 Dutch Dietary Guidelines and the underlying literature.

RESULTS

Subjects in the highest LLDS tertile (those who had adhered closely to the food-based score) were older, compared to the lowest tertile (37.57 ± 7.77 versus 34.57 ± 9; p = 0.01). It was shown that about 25.5% of our subjects have poor quality sleep and 39% have better sleep quality which were mostly in the third tertile with greater LLDS. The parallel values in the first tertile were 29.9% and 46.8%, respectively (p = 0.02). Binary logistic regression was applied to evaluate the association between adherence of LLDS and sleep quality. The result has shown that the LLDS were correlated with lower risk poor sleep quality, wherein those who were in higher tertile (higher adherence to LLDS) had better sleep quality (odds ratio [OR]:0.586, 95% confidence interval [CI] (0.285-1.207), p = 0.009) and the result was not affected by adjusting for potential cofounders including age, education levels, and economic levels, sleep quality remained significantly associated with [OR]: 0.531, 95% confidence interval [CI] (0.248-1.138, p = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

From this observational study, the higher LLDS can be related with better sleep quality in overweight and obese women.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without the intervention, such as case studies.

[Quality of life related to health and habits: Differences between adolescents in rural and urban environments]

INTRODUCTION

Adolescence is a decisive stage in human development in which intense physical, psychological, emotional and social changes are experienced. There are many influential factors in health, highlighting among them the environment.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to analyse the lifestyle differences associated with the health of adolescents as a function of rural and urban environment.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 761 students (14.51±1.63 years) from 25 educational centers in a region of northern Spain, distributed between 650 urban and 111 rural students. Life habits and different indicators of physical, psychological and social health were evaluated, assessing the level of physical activity, maximum oxygen consumption, hours of night sleep, quality of life related to health, self-esteem, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the environment and the socioeconomic level.

RESULTS

Adolescents in rural areas reported a greater number of hours of night sleep and higher levels of HRQL, both as a whole, and specifically in psychological well-being, school environment and autonomy and parents. Adolescents in urban areas reported higher levels of physical activity between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., and a higher consumption of fast food.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show the need for strategies aimed at counteracting the negative influence that physical and sociodemographic factors typical of urbanized areas exert on HRQL. On the other hand, in relation to lifestyle habits, a wider range of extracurricular physical activities in rural areas would be recommended.

Resilience and lifestyle-related factors as predictors for health-related quality of life among early adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Objective

To examine whether lifestyle-related factors and resilience predict health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a sample of early adolescents.

Methods

A total of 611 eighth grade pupils (response rate: 79%) participated in this cross-sectional study. The variables measured were physical activity (accelerometer), cardiorespiratory fitness (Andersen test) and a questionnaire assessing dietary habits, sleep disturbance, resilience (Resilience Scale for Adolescents) and HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-27).

Results

A total of 36% of the sample met the official recommendations of 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Univariate analysis identified physical activity, dietary habits, sleep disturbances, body mass index (BMI), cardiorespiratory fitness and resilience, but not sedentary time, as predictors of HRQoL. Multivariate regression analysis identified resilience as a positive predictor (β 0.18 to 0.27) of all HRQoL domains and sleep disturbance as a negative predictor (β −0.65 to −0.24) of four HRQoL domains. BMI (β = −0.27) and cardiorespiratory fitness (β = 0.021) were predictors of the HRQoL domain physical well-being. Adherence to dietary recommendations was both a positive and a negative predictor of HRQoL (β −0.45 to 0.59).

Conclusion

Resilience and sleep disturbances were the main predictors of HRQoL.

The Mediating and Moderating Effects of Physical Fitness of the Relationship between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Health-Related Quality of Life in University Students

The aim of this study was to estimate the relationship between the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in university students and to assess whether this relationship is mediated or moderated by cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and handgrip strength. A cross-sectional study was performed involving 310 first-year Spanish university students. Adherence to the MD was evaluated with the 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), and the HRQoL was evaluated with the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire. CRF was assessed by the 20 m shuttle run test, and the handgrip strength was determined by dynamometry. ANCOVA models showed that participants with higher CRF and handgrip strength levels had significantly higher scores in the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the SF-12 and in the MEDAS questionnaire than those with medium and low scores (p < 0.050). Additionally, the ANCOVA models showed that students with good adherence to the MD showed higher scores in the MCS of HRQoL than those with low adherence (p = 0.044, ES = 0.013), but these results did not appear for the PCS of HRQoL (p = 0.728, ES = 0.001). In the mediation analysis, it was found that CRF and handgrip strength acted as full mediators of the relationship between adherence to the MD and the MCS of HRQoL. In the moderation analysis, it was evidenced that CRF and handgrip strength did not act as moderators in the relationship between adherence to the MD and the MCS of HRQoL. In conclusion, adherence to the MD does not seem to have a direct effect on the MCS of HRQoL because this association seems to be fully mediated by CRF and handgrip strength.

Exploring the association between mental wellbeing, health-related quality of life, family affluence and food choice in adolescents

Young people choose energy-dense, nutrient-poor diets, yet understanding of potential determinants is limited. Associations between food choices, mental wellbeing, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and family affluence were explored to identify targets for intervention to promote dietary health and wellbeing in young people. Adolescents were recruited via post-primary schools in the UK and surveyed at two time-points when aged 13-14 years and 15-16 years. The questionnaire enquired about mental wellbeing using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, HRQoL using the KIDSCREEN-10, socio-economic status using the Family Affluence Scale and food choice by Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). With missing and anomalous cases excluded, the sample comprised 1208 cases. Factor analysis on the FFQ indicated five food choice factors: 'Junk Food'; 'Meat'; 'Healthy Protein'; 'Fruit/Vegetables'; 'Bread/Dairy'. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that frequent consumption of Junk Food was associated with being male and lower mental wellbeing. Frequent Meat intake was associated with being male and with lower HRQoL. Frequent choice of Bread/Dairy foods was more common among males and associated with higher wellbeing and greater affluence. Those who consumed Fruit/Vegetables frequently were more likely to be female, have higher HRQoL, higher mental wellbeing, and greater family affluence. These direct associations endured between time points. The dietary factors were not mutually exclusive. Those who frequently chose Junk Food were less likely to choose Fruit/Vegetables. Frequent choice of Meat was associated with more frequent choice of Junk Food and Healthy Protein. Intervention to improve dietary and psychological health in young people should target males, those in less affluent households, seek to reduce consumption of 'junk' food, and increase fruit and vegetable intake.

Racial Differences in Perceived Food Swamp and Food Desert Exposure and Disparities in Self-Reported Dietary Habits

Both food swamps and food deserts have been associated with racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in obesity rates. Little is known about how the distribution of food deserts and food swamps relate to disparities in self-reported dietary habits, and health status, particularly for historically marginalized groups. In a national U.S. sample of 4305 online survey participants (age 18+), multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to assess by race and ethnicity the likelihood of living in a food swamp or food desert area. Predicted probabilities of self-reported dietary habits, health status, and weight status were calculated using the fitted values from ordinal or multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for relevant covariates. Results showed that non-Hispanic, Black participants (N = 954) were most likely to report living in a food swamp. In the full and White subsamples (N = 2912), the perception of residing in a food swamp/desert was associated with less-healthful self-reported dietary habits overall. For non-Hispanic Blacks, regression results also showed that residents of perceived food swamp areas (OR = 0.66, p < 0.01, 95% CI (0.51, 0.86)) had a lower diet quality than those not living in a food swamp/food desert area. Black communities in particular may be at risk for environment-linked diet-related health inequities. These findings suggest that an individual's perceptions of food swamp and food desert exposure may be related to diet habits among adults.

Limited dietary interventions in rural Australian communities: A systematic review

AIM

This review aimed to synthesise the evidence on the effectiveness of dietary interventions targeting adolescents (>13 years) and adults living in rural or remote Australia.

METHODS

Six electronic databases were searched to identify dietary interventions undertaken in rural or remote communities. Studies were included if they utilised intervention and control comparisons or pre and post assessment of diet-related outcomes. If studies included metropolitan populations, dietary outcome measures had to be provided separately for rural data.

RESULTS

In total, 14 articles from 12 unique studies met the criteria for inclusion and together provided incomplete coverage across all states of Australia, included intervention studies targeted diet to address obesity, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure or diabetes. No studies were focussed on reducing community malnutrition. All studies, with one exception, focussed specifically on rural adults, no interventions specifically targeted adolescents in rural areas. Only two studies documented the involvement of a dietitian in intervention development or delivery. All studies produced a significant outcome for either dietary intake, body mass index, waist circumference, or diet related biomedical risk factors for individuals located in rural or remote areas of Australia.

CONCLUSION

Dietary interventions in rural Australia are under-studied, especially among the adolescent population. This is despite the high level of preventable diet-related disease burden in rural and remote Australia. Existing evidence shows promise in improving dietary intakes, but further, large scale intervention research, with the involvement of dietitians, is urgently needed to improve the health of rural communities.

Geographical Disparities in Screening and Cancer-Related Health Behaviour

This study aimed to identify whether cancer-related health behaviours including participation in cancer screening vary by geographic location in Australia. Data were obtained from the 2014-2015 Australian National Health Survey, a computer-assisted telephone interview that measured a range of health-related issues in a sample of randomly selected households. Chi-square tests and adjusted odds ratios from logistic regression models were computed to assess the association between residential location and cancer-related health behaviours including cancer screening participation, alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise, and fruit and vegetable intake, controlling for age, socio-economic status (SES), education, and place of birth. The findings show insufficient exercise, risky alcohol intake, meeting vegetable intake guidelines, and participation in cervical screening are more likely for those living in inner regional areas and in outer regional/remote areas compared with those living in major cities. Daily smoking and participation in prostate cancer screening were significantly higher for those living in outer regional/remote areas. While participation in cancer screening in Australia does not appear to be negatively impacted by regional or remote living, lifestyle behaviours associated with cancer incidence and mortality are poorer in regional and remote areas. Population-based interventions targeting health behaviour change may be an appropriate target for reducing geographical disparities in cancer outcomes.

The influence of diet quality and dietary behavior on health-related quality of life in the general population of children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The association between diet quality, dietary behavior and health-related quality of life has been mostly examined in children and adolescents with specific chronic diseases. No systematic review has synthesized the influence of diet quality and dietary behavior on health-related quality of life in the general population of children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the primary studies that evaluated the association between diet quality, dietary behavior and health-related quality of life in the general population of children and adolescents and to synthesize the findings for the association.

METHODS

A computer search in the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE and PSYCINFO was performed to retrieve English language studies that were published from 1946 up to April 8, 2018. We also screened the PubMed-related articles and the reference lists of the existing relevant literature to identify other eligible studies. We synthesized the association between diet quality, dietary behavior and health-related quality of life using both a qualitative method and meta-analysis. We reported the review following up the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies were included in the synthesis including twelve cross-sectional studies and five longitudinal studies. We found that diet quality and dietary behavior were associated with health-related quality of life in children and adolescents. The positive effect of healthy diets on health-related quality of life was observed for multiple domains of health-related quality of life, including physical, school and emotional functioning, and psychosocial quality of life. We observed a dose-response relationship between the diet exposure and health-related quality of life, where an unhealthy dietary behavior or lower diet quality was associated with decreased health-related quality of life among children and adolescents.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the systematic review suggest the importance of promoting healthy diets and nutrition for good health-related quality of life among children and adolescents. Future research is needed to strengthen the evidence for prospective relationships and for the dose-response effect between diet quality, dietary behavior and health-related quality of life among children and adolescents.

Pediatric-Adapted Liking Survey (PALS): A Diet and Activity Screener in Pediatric Care

Clinical settings need rapid yet useful methods to screen for diet and activity behaviors for brief interventions and to guide obesity prevention efforts. In an urban pediatric emergency department, these behaviors were screened in children and parents with the 33-item Pediatric-Adapted Liking Survey (PALS) to assess the reliability and validity of a Healthy Behavior Index (HBI) generated from the PALS responses. The PALS was completed by 925 children (average age = 11 ± 4 years, 55% publicly insured, 37% overweight/obese by Body Mass Index Percentile, BMI-P) and 925 parents. Child–parent dyads differed most in liking of vegetables, sweets, sweet drinks, and screen time. Across the sample, child and parent HBIs were variable, normally distributed with adequate internal reliability and construct validity, revealing two dimensions (less healthy—sweet drinks, sweets, sedentary behaviors; healthy—vegetables, fruits, proteins). The HBI showed criterion validity, detecting healthier indexes in parents vs. children, females vs. males, privately- vs. publicly-health insured, and residence in higher- vs. lower-income communities. Parent’s HBI explained some variability in child BMI percentile. Greater liking of sweets/carbohydrates partially mediated the association between low family income and higher BMI percentile. These findings support the utility of PALS as a dietary behavior and activity screener for children and their parents in a clinical setting.

Self-rated health and health-related quality of life are related with adolescents' healthy lifestyle

OBJECTIVES

Self-rated health (SRH) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are related with health outcomes. It is expected that these constructs are also associated with healthy behaviours. Thus, the present study sought to analyse the associations between a healthy lifestyle composite score and SRH and HRQoL among adolescents.

STUDY DESIGN

This was an observational, cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the cross-sectional health behaviour in school-aged children (HBSC) 2014 Portuguese survey. Participants were 5024 adolescents (2373 boys), aged 10-17 years. A composite score of healthy lifestyle was obtained using the combination of the following factors: daily physical activity, sleep at least 8-9 h/night, daily consumption of fruit and vegetables, spend <2 h daily in screen-based behaviours, never drink and never smoke.

RESULTS

Adolescents with a healthy lifestyle had significantly better SRH and higher HRQoL than those who were not engaged in all healthy behaviours.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthy lifestyle (composed of physical activity, sleep at least 8-9 h/night, daily consumption of fruit and vegetables, spend <2 h daily in screen-based behaviours, never drink and never smoke) is related to SRH and HRQoL. Promoting a comprehensive approach to these behaviours is a public health strategy to be considered when aiming to improve health, in general, and SRH and HRQoL, in particular.

Diet quality and well-being in children and adolescents: the UP&DOWN longitudinal study

The present study examined the association between high-quality diet (using the Mediterranean diet (MD) as an example) and well-being cross-sectionally and prospectively in Spanish children and adolescents. Participants included 533 children and 987 adolescents at baseline and 527 children and 798 adolescents at 2-year follow-up, included in the UP&DOWN study (follow-up in schoolchildren and adolescents with and without Down’s syndrome). The present study excluded participants with Down’s syndrome. Adherence to an MD was assessed using the KIDMED index. Well-being was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and the KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire. Associations between MD adherence and well-being were assessed using multi-level, mixed-effects linear regression. At baseline, MD adherence was positively related to health-related quality of life in secondary school girls and boys (β=0·41,se0·10,P<0·001;β=0·46,se0·10,P<0·001, respectively) and to positive affect in secondary school girls and boys (β=0·16,se0·05,P=0·006;β=0·20,se0·05,P<0·001, respectively) and in primary school boys (β=0·20,se0·08,P=0·019). At 2-year follow-up, MD adherence was negatively related to negative affect in secondary school adolescent girls and boys (β=–0·15,se0·07,P=0·047;β=–0·16,se0·06,P=0·019, respectively), and MD adherence was associated with higher positive affect scores in secondary school girls (β=0·30,se0·06,P<0·001) and in primary school boys (β=0·20,se0·09,P=0·023). However, MD adherence at baseline did not predict well-being indicators at 2-year follow-up. In conclusion, higher MD adherence was found to behave as a protective factor for positive well-being in cross-sectional analysis.

Prevalence of consumption and nutritional content of breakfast meal among adolescents from the Brazilian National Dietary Survey

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of breakfast consumption and describe the foods and nutrients consumed at this meal and throughout the day by Brazilian adolescents.

METHOD

A total of 7276 adolescents aged 10-19 years were evaluated in the Brazilian National Dietary Survey 2008-9, a population-based cross-sectional study. Individuals' information was collected at home. Dietary data were obtained by two food records. Breakfast was defined as the first eating occasion of the day that occurred between 6 and 9:59am. Differences between breakfast consumers, occasional consumers, and skippers were tested through Pearson's chi-squared test or F-test of regression analysis.

RESULTS

Breakfast was consumed by 93% of adolescents and it was associated with age, income, geographic region and household area. The most frequently consumed foods at breakfast were white bread, coffee, butter/margarine, refined cookies and crackers, and whole milk. The mean daily intakes of total energy, sugar, and calcium were higher among occasional consumers and skippers. Breakfast consumers had higher intake of vitamins B12, C, and D. Breakfast contributed more to total intake of calcium, phosphorus, thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamins A, B6, and D (17-32%), trans fat and sodium (about 30%) and less to folate, vitamin C, iron, zinc, and fiber (8-12%) and energy intake (16%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the prevalence of breakfast consumption among Brazilian adolescents was high, the overall nutritional quality of this meal is suboptimal, highlighting the need to support adolescents and their families to make more nutrient-dense food choices.

Diet quality, disordered eating and health-related quality of life in Greek adolescents

Purpose

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a subjective multi-dimensional concept referring to an individual’s perception of health and well-being in domains related to physical, mental, emotional and social functioning. The current study aims at investigating possible associations between dietary quality, disordered eating attitudes and HRQOL in Greek adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 400 students (198 boys; 202 girls), 14-17 years old, were recruited from five high schools in the area of Kallithea in Athens, Greece. Standard anthropometric measurements were taken, and obesity classification was conducted using the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-off points. Students completed the KIDMED index, which evaluates the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) as a diet quality index, the EAT-26 questionnaire, which assesses disordered eating attitudes and the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire for children and adolescents assessing perceived HRQOL.

Findings

Disordered eating attitudes are significantly negatively correlated with the total score of HRQOL (p < 0.01) and with the subcategories: psychological well-being (p < 0.01), parents and autonomy (p < 0.01) and school environment (p < 0.001), whereas adherence to the MedDiet was positively correlated with all the components and total score of HRQOL. Linear regression analysis revealed that adherence to the MedDiet (p < 0.05), total number of meals/day (p < 0.01) and number of meals with the family (p < 0.05) were significant predictors of HRQOL in adolescents.

Research limitations/implications

The convenient sampling of 400 students was conducted from five schools, from one municipality of Athens, Greece.

Originality/value

Adherence to the MedDiet positively affects important components of HRQOL in adolescents, whereas disordered eating attitudes has a negative effect. Identifying adolescents with low HRQOL is highly important because it could result in an early detection of individualised healthcare needs and possible non-diagnosed ill-health problems.