Development and validation of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for young school-aged children

The objective of the present study was to examine the validity for estimating energy and macronutrients intake of a newly developed picture aid, semi quantitative FFQ for Greek children and preadolescents. The two methods were found to agree in terms of mean energy intake according to the Bland and Altman method, although a trend in overestimating energy intake was found as the intake increased. Additionally, results of the Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed the similarity of the distribution in energy intake as estimated from the FFQ and the 3DD [median (IQR): 2038 (1264 - 2651) kcals for the FFQ vs. 1902 (1583 - 2324) kcals for the 3DD, p=0.33] (Table 1). Concerning macronutrients intake, according to the Bland and Altman method, although the mean difference was different than zero (all p’s <0.05), the agreement was considered adequate as the mean difference for each nutrient (with the exception of poly-unsaturated fatty acids) was < 1SD of the same nutrient intake as estimated from the reference method

A national survey of the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Greece: the Greco study

The aim of the present paper from the Greek Childhood Obesity (GRECO) study is to provide current national data on overweight and obesity prevalence in preadolescent schoolchildren (aged 10-12 years old) in Greece, and to evaluate the quality of children’s diet by assessing the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet

Epidemiology of overweight and obesity in a Greek adult population: The ATTICA study

Objective: To evaluate the status of overweight and obesity in a Greek random sample. Research Methods and Procedures: From 2001 to 2002, 1514 men (20 to 87 years old) and 1528 women (20 to 89 years old) were enrolled into the study. Among several sociodemographic, lifestyle, and bioclinical factors, anthropometric characteristics were also recorded. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the World Health Organization classification. Results: The prevalences of overweight and obesity were 53% and 20% in men and 31% and 15% in women (p for gender differences &lt; 0.05). The age-adjusted peak prevalence of obesity was observed in men older than 40 years old and women between 50 and 59 years old (Bonferonni α &lt; 0.001). Central obesity prevailed in 36% of en and 43% of women (p for gender differences &lt; 0.001). Obesity varied from 10% in rural to 25% in urban areas, but this difference was explained mainly by differences in occupational status (p &lt; 0.9). Moreover, obese and overweight participants were older, less educated, more frequently sedentary, consumed higher quantities of alcoholic beverages, and were devoted to an unhealthier diet as compared with those of normal weight (all p &lt; 0.05). A positive association was also observed between BMI and diastolic and systolic blood pressures, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels (all p &lt; 0.001). Discussion: Overweight and obesity seem to be a great health problem in the Greek population, especially in middle-aged and older adults. Unfavorable lifestyle habits, low education, and the classical cardiovascular risk factors were associated with the prevalence of these health conditions. Copyright © 2004 NAASO

Validation of a Self-reported Food Frequency for Overweight and Obese Children, Using Parental 3-Day Food Records: The 4yourfamily Study

Background Many studies derive dietary information from child self-reported Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs). This may be subjected to misreporting, especially among overweight and obese children. Aim The aim of this study was to examine the validity of data acquired from child-reported dietary intake using a semiquantitative FFQ developed for assessing dietary habits of overweight and obese children in Greece, using parental 3-day food records of child intakes. Methods Validation analysis was based on 106 (from total 115) children (41% boys and 59% girls). Children were asked to report the frequency of their dietary intake, using the FFQ provided. Parents were asked to keep a 3-day food record for their children&apos;s intake. Correlations and significance between methods were assessed via Spearman correlation coefficient and Wilcoxon nonparametric pairwise comparisons, respectively. Agreement between the FFQ and the 3-day record was performed using Bland-Altman method. Results Significant correlations, ranging from 0.32 to 1 (all P &lt;.05), were observed between food consumption reported in the FFQ and recorded in the 3-day dietary record. High correlation was found for fruits (ρ = 0.988), vegetables (ρ = 0.985), dairy (ρ = 0.702), meat (ρ = 0.958), fish (ρ = 0.841), starchy foods (ρ = 0.793), sweets (ρ = 1), and beverages (ρ = 0.978). Medium correlation was observed only between the consumption of legumes (ρ = 0.329). No significant differences were found between reported FFQ and 3-day dietary record for most food groups and beverages examined. Mean intake agreement was ranged from 90.6% to 98.1% (Bland-Altman). Conclusions The FFQ used appears to be a valid tool for investigating dietary intake of food among overweight and obese children. © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

Effects of three different family-based interventions in overweight and obese children: The “4 your family” randomized controlled trial

Childhood overweight and obesity prevalence has risen dramatically in the past decades, and family-based interventions may be an effective method to improve children’s eating behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three different family-based interventions: group-based, individual-based, or by website approach. Parents and school aged overweight or obese children, 8–12 years of age, were eligible for the study. A total of 115 children were randomly allocated in one of the three interventions, and 91 completed the study (79% compliance); Group 1 (n = 36) received group-based interventions by various experts; Group 2 (n = 30) had interpersonal family meetings with a dietitian; and Group 3 (n = 25) received training through a specifically developed website. Anthropometric, dietary, physical activity, and screen time outcomes were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Within-group comparisons indicated significant improvement in body weight, body mass index (BMI)-z-score, physical activity, and screen time from baseline in all three study groups (p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, total body fat percentage (%TBF) was also decreased in Groups 2 and 3. Between-group differences varied with body weight and %TBF change, being larger in Group 3 compared to Groups 1 and 2, in contrast to BMI-z-score, screen time, and health behaviors, which were significantly larger in Group 2 than the other two groups. In conclusion, personalized family-based interventions are recommended to successfully improve children’s lifestyle and body weight status. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland