Food Consumption Patterns and Nutrient Intakes of Children and Adolescents in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Call for Policy Action

Overview

Journal Nutrients

Date 2020 Nov 4

PMID 33143163

Citations 21

Authors

Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh

Mandy Taktouk

Lara Nasreddine

Affiliations

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Abstract

The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) has witnessed significant social and economic changes that may have influenced the diet of children and adolescents, and increased the risk for obesity and malnutrition in this age group. This review aims to characterize and assess food consumption patterns and nutrient intakes amongst school-aged children (5-10 years) and adolescents (10-19 years) in countries of the EMR. Electronic databases (MedLine, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were searched for relevant articles published between 2005 and 2020; international organizations and governmental websites were also searched. Available studies documented low intakes of fruits, vegetables and fiber, inadequate consumption of water, milk and dairy products, coupled with high intakes of fat, saturated fat, and sugar sweetened beverages, as well as a frequent consumption of energy-dense, nutrient poor foods such as sweet and savory snacks. Micronutrient inadequacies were also observed, particularly for calcium, iron, zinc and vitamins A, D, C, and folate. Acknowledging the impact that nutrition may have on building societies and transforming the lives of children, adolescents and their families, there is a crucial need for a food system approach in developing and implementing national and regional policies and interventions aimed at improving the diet of children and adolescents.

Citing Articles

Youth Healthy Eating Index (YHEI) and Diet Adequacy in Relation to Country-Specific National Dietary Recommendations in Children and Adolescents in Five Mediterranean Countries from the DELICIOUS Project.

Giampieri F, Rosi A, Scazzina F, Frias-Toral E, Abdelkarim O, Aly M Nutrients. 2024; 16(22).

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Food consumption and mental health in children and adolescents: A systematic review protocol.

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The Role of Energy Balance-Related Behaviors (EBRBs) and their Determinants on the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Children in Need, in Greece: A Scoping Review.

Mannino A, Halilagic A, Argyropoulou M, Siopis G, Roussos R, Svolos V Curr Nutr Rep. 2024; 14(1):2.

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The Influence of the Home Food Environment on the Eating Behaviors, Family Meals, and Academic Achievement of Adolescents in Schools in the UAE.

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Food consumption and adherence to dietary guidelines among Jordanian children and adolescents.

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