Validity of the MED4CHILD Tool for Assessing Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Preschool Children

Conclusion: The 18-item MED4CHILD questionnaire showed moderate validity for assessing adherence to the MedDiet in children aged 3 to 6 years, in terms of agreement with food and beverage consumption and favourable cardiometabolic profile.

What Is Known: • The Mediterranean diet has been linked to a number of health benefits and the assessment of children's adherence to this diet is important for public health and research. • The tools available to assess MedDiet compliance are mainly for adults.

What Is New: • The MED4CHILD questionnaire is a simple, inexpensive and rapid tool for assessing MedDiet compliance in children. • This tool showed moderate relative validity and a high score was associated with a favourable cardiometabolic profile.

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