Children’s and Families’ Determinants of Health-Related Behaviors in an Italian Primary School Sample: The “Seven Days for My Health” Project

Francesco Sanmarchi, Francesco Esposito, Sofia Marini, Alice Masini, Susan Scrimaglia, Angelo Capodici, Fabrizio Arrichiello, Filippo Ferretti, Marilisa Rangone, Francesca Celenza, Emilia Guberti, Domenico Tiso, Antonello Lorenzini and Laura Dallolio
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Francesco Sanmarchi: Specialty School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Francesco Esposito: Specialty School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Sofia Marini: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Alice Masini: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Susan Scrimaglia: Specialty School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Angelo Capodici: Specialty School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Fabrizio Arrichiello: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Filippo Ferretti: Department of Public Health, Bologna Health Trust, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Marilisa Rangone: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Francesca Celenza: Department of Public Health, Bologna Health Trust, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Emilia Guberti: Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Department of Public Health, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Domenico Tiso: Hospital Villa Maria, 47900 Rimini, Italy
Antonello Lorenzini: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Laura Dallolio: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Childhood obesity is an established health problem, and there is a growing need for health promotion interventions focused on healthy behaviors in collaboration with parents and schools. The Mediterranean diet (MD) could help to tackle obesity, but it is essential to maintain a good level of physical activity (PA) and limit time spent in sedentary activities (ST). To explore family determinants, adherence to the MD and PA levels as potential predictors of a child’s health-related behaviors, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of 368 Italian primary school children with a mean age of 8.95 years (SD = 1.43). Data were collected from May to June 2017 using a weekly diary, an interactive tool to assess the child’s and parents’ lifestyle. The child’s degree of adherence to the MD was calculated using the KIDMED index. Adherence to the MD was high, medium and poor in 5.2%, 62.5% and 32.3% of children, respectively. Higher maternal educational level was positively associated with children’s MD and PA ( p < 0.05) and negatively correlated to ST. Maternal fruit and vegetable consumption was positively related to the MD and negatively related to ST ( p < 0.05). Maternal PA was positively associated with the MD ( p < 0.001). Paternal PA, and fruit and vegetable consumption, were positively associated with children’s PA ( p < 0.05). Our results underline the need for future studies, mainly focused on school-based and family-based interventions, to promote healthy lifestyles and nutritional habits.

Keywords: Mediterranean diet; physical activity; sedentary behavior; KIDMED index; children; lifestyle; parents; educational level (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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