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Murillo-Llorente MT, Palau-Ferrè AM, Legidos-García ME, Pérez-Murillo J, Tomás-Aguirre F, Lafuente-Sarabia B, Asins-Cubells A, Martínez-Peris M, Ventura I, Casaña-Mohedo J, Pérez-Bermejo M. Dietary Beliefs and Their Association with Overweight and Obesity in the Spanish Child Population. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2025;12:76. [PMID: 39857907 PMCID: PMC11764109 DOI: 10.3390/children12010076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2024] [Revised: 01/02/2025] [Accepted: 01/07/2025] [Indexed: 01/27/2025]

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Childhood obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease that represents one of the main preventable causes of morbidity and mortality. This study analyzes how nutritional beliefs influence eating habits and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Spanish children and adolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 35 educational centers in 12 Spanish provinces, with a sample of 1131 children and adolescents aged 6 to 14 years. Anthropometric and sociodemographic data were collected, and dietary habits were assessed by means of questionnaires. Statistical analyses were used to identify associations between dietary beliefs and body mass index.

RESULTS

In total, 29.5% of participants were overweight or obese. Two groups of beliefs were identified: healthier beliefs and less healthy beliefs. Children with less healthy dietary beliefs had a significantly higher BMI (22.16 kg/m2) compared to those with healthier beliefs (17.2 kg/m2). False nutritional beliefs, influenced by advertising and the family environment, contribute to overweight and obesity.

DISCUSSION

Dietary beliefs play a crucial role in determining eating habits and, therefore, the health of children. Nutrition education and public policies that promote healthy eating habits are essential to prevent childhood obesity. It is important to involve the family, the school, and the media in these efforts.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite efforts, many children continue to hold erroneous nutritional beliefs that contribute to the rise in overweight and obesity. This study highlights the importance of addressing dietary beliefs and promoting appropriate nutrition education to prevent childhood obesity. It is recommended to implement educational strategies and public policies that regulate the advertising of unhealthy foods and promote healthy eating habits.

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Affiliation(s)

María Teresa Murillo-Llorente SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.M.-L.); (A.M.P.-F.); (M.E.L.-G.); (J.P.-M.); (F.T.-A.); (B.L.-S.); (M.M.-P.); (J.C.-M.)
Alma María Palau-Ferrè SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.M.-L.); (A.M.P.-F.); (M.E.L.-G.); (J.P.-M.); (F.T.-A.); (B.L.-S.); (M.M.-P.); (J.C.-M.) Doctoral School, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
María Ester Legidos-García SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.M.-L.); (A.M.P.-F.); (M.E.L.-G.); (J.P.-M.); (F.T.-A.); (B.L.-S.); (M.M.-P.); (J.C.-M.)
Javier Pérez-Murillo SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.M.-L.); (A.M.P.-F.); (M.E.L.-G.); (J.P.-M.); (F.T.-A.); (B.L.-S.); (M.M.-P.); (J.C.-M.)
Francisco Tomás-Aguirre SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.M.-L.); (A.M.P.-F.); (M.E.L.-G.); (J.P.-M.); (F.T.-A.); (B.L.-S.); (M.M.-P.); (J.C.-M.)
Blanca Lafuente-Sarabia SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.M.-L.); (A.M.P.-F.); (M.E.L.-G.); (J.P.-M.); (F.T.-A.); (B.L.-S.); (M.M.-P.); (J.C.-M.)
Adalberto Asins-Cubells Centro de Salud de L’Eliana, Departamento Arnau de Vilanova-Lliria, 46183 Valencia, Spain;
Miriam Martínez-Peris SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.M.-L.); (A.M.P.-F.); (M.E.L.-G.); (J.P.-M.); (F.T.-A.); (B.L.-S.); (M.M.-P.); (J.C.-M.)
Ignacio Ventura Molecular and Mitochondrial Medicine Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain;
Jorge Casaña-Mohedo SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.M.-L.); (A.M.P.-F.); (M.E.L.-G.); (J.P.-M.); (F.T.-A.); (B.L.-S.); (M.M.-P.); (J.C.-M.)
Marcelino Pérez-Bermejo SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, C/Quevedo no. 2, 46001 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.M.-L.); (A.M.P.-F.); (M.E.L.-G.); (J.P.-M.); (F.T.-A.); (B.L.-S.); (M.M.-P.); (J.C.-M.)

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Rossi L, Berni Canani S, Censi L, Gennaro L, Leclercq C, Scognamiglio U, Sette S, Ghiselli A. The 2018 Revision of Italian Dietary Guidelines: Development Process, Novelties, Main Recommendations, and Policy Implications. Front Nutr 2022;9:861526. [PMID: 35399680 PMCID: PMC8990302 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.861526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open