AUTHOR=López-Gil José Francisco , García-Hermoso Antonio , Tárraga-López Pedro Juan , Brazo-Sayavera Javier 

TITLE=Dietary Patterns, Adherence to the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines, and Ultra-Processed Consumption During the COVID-19 Lockdown in a Sample of Spanish Young Population

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2021.702731

DOI=10.3389/fped.2021.702731

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the dietary patterns, adherence to Food-Based Dietary Guidelines, and the ultra-processed consumption during COVID-19 lockdown among Spanish young population aged 3-17 years old. Methods: Parents/legal guardians of preschoolers/children/adolescents aged 3-17 years were enrolled through social networks. The eating habits were assessed by a Food Propensity Questionnaire applied in the ENALIA (Encuesta Nacional de Alimentación en la población Infantil y Adolescente) Spanish survey, which aims to collect food consumption data and other information about eating habits on children and adolescents (0 - 18 years old). Participants were dichotomized following the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines for Spanish young population offered by the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition. Ultra-processed food score was determined following the principles established in NOVA classification. Results: Data from 604 children and adolescents were included. It was found association between age group and the recommendations of snacks (p = 0.002), fruits (p = 0.002), diaries (p < 0.001) and carbohydrates (p < 0.001). Adolescents showed a lower mean compliance with these guidelines than children (p = 0.004) and preschoolers (p < 0.001). Similarly, children reported lower Food-Based Dietary Guidelines than preschoolers (p = 0.015). It was also observed a higher intake in adolescents than in children (p = 0.037), as well as in preschoolers (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The associations that were found highlight the low proportion of young population (especially adolescents) meeting the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines and the high consumption of ultra-processed foods during COVID-19 lockdown.