The effect of nutrition education on mediterranean diet quality index (KIDMED) among adolescents

This study was conducted to evaluate affects of theory based nutrition education on adolescent's (mean age: 12.5±1.1 years, boy/girl=19/21) Mediterranean diet adherence in Pelitköy Halit Selçuk Ortaokulu Balıkesir. Study was conducted with 40 volunteered adolescents between 19th of February 2020 and 22nd of May 2020. Self-administered Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) used in this study to asses adolescent's Mediterranean diet adherence. Nutrition education program prepared based on Türkiye Beslenme Rehberi 2015 and presented ones during the study. Duration of the education was approximately 60minutes. Social Cognitive Theory was the theoretical framework of the intervention. The intervention has been given via a computer based presentation assistance (Microsoft® PowerPoint®) which was heavily consisted of related images rather then long and elusive sentences. SPSS version 21.0 for Microsoft was used for statistical analysis. No statistically significant difference found in physical activity status and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (F(2,37) = 2.896, p = 0.068) as well as body weight status and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (F(2,37) = 0.925, p = 0.405). On average, there were 0.93 points increase in KIDMED scores after intervention (95% CI [-1.5, -0,34]) which was statistically significant (p=0.003). Intervention achieved to produce significant change towards adolescents breakfast making habits (p≤0.05). As a conclusion study shown that theory based nutrition education interventions has a potential towards increasing MeD adherence of adolescents'. This potential will may strengthen with repetition (frequency) of the education, family participation to the education process, health professionals involvement during preparation and presentation of the education, an enhanced scope (number of participants) and a complementary approach which will also focus on physical activity.