Un desayuno de buena calidad aumenta la adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea en escolares de educación primaria del Baix Montseny (Barcelona)

Background: The intake of a healthy breakfast has been associated to a healthier food choice throughout the day. The Mediterranean diet is considered a healthy eating pattern and has been associated with an improvement in the health status of both adults and children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the breakfast quality in primary school children. Methods: The studied population was school children aged 8 and 9 years. The breakfast quality was assessed with the ALADINO questionnaire and according to the enKid study criteria, and the assessment of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was carried out using the KIDMED questionnaire. Results: 269 school children participated, 146 male (54.2%). Most of them had a breakfast of poor (32.5%) or medium (54.1%) quality. The average score of the KIDMED index was 7.2 (1.9). Having a breakfast of good quality increased more than four-fold (OR 4.6, IC 95%1.4-15.1) the probability of a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet, in relation to a bad-poor quality breakfast. Conclusions: School children who consumed a better quality breakfast showed greater adherence to Mediterranean dietto the Mediterranean diet and also a moderate physical activity, being greater among boys and younger.