Mediterranean Diet and physical activity in Romanian and Spanish university students - a comparative study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2019.0402Keywords:
Mediterranean Diet, physical activity, students, questionnaire, physical educationAbstract
Purpose: The main purpose of this research was to show if there are differences between the Mediterranean diet and physical activity in students from Romania and Spain. Material: The study was carried out on a sample of 567 participants, 149 of which (24.69%) are from Romania (Transilvania University of Braşov) and 427 (75.31%) are students from Spain (University of Granada ). To evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean diet we used The Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), and for the assessment of the level of physical activity, we used the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). The reliability of the KIDMED was good (Cronbach’s α = 0.83) and for PAQ-A is 0.874. Statistical analyses were done through program IBM SPSS Statistics 22. The statistical indicators used in this study, were the following: standard deviation (SD), arithmetic average (X), chi-square test, Student’s T-test (t), percent%, Levene’s test, ANOVA One-Way. Results: The results of the variance analysis showed that there is no statistically significant relationship between the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical activity in Romanian students (F=0.517; p=0.598), or in Spanish students (F=0.255; p=0.775). Also, the results regarding adherence to the MD and PA was: poor adherence , n=31, (mean=29.06; standard deviation=3.723), average adherence , n=275, (mean=28.62; standard deviation=3.386), and high adherence, n=261 (mean=28.50; standard deviation=3.779). Conclusions: This study highlighted the fact that there are no significant differences regarding the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the level of physical activity between the two countries (Romania and Spain). Unlike Spanish students, we found that Romanian students have a poor adherence to the MD.Downloads
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References
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24. Cocca A, Liukkonen J, Mayorga-Vega D, Viciana-Ramírez J. Health-Related Physical Activity Levels in Spanish Youth and Young Adults. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 2014;118:247–60.
https://doi.org/10.2466/10.06.PMS.118k16w1
25. Pengpid S, Peltzer K, Kassean HK, Tsala Tsala JP, Sychareun V, Müller-Riemenschneider F. Physical inactivity and associated factors among university students in 23 low-, middle- and high-income countries. International Journal of Public Health, 2015;60:539–49.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-015-0680-0
26. Varela-Mato V, Cancela, JM, Ayan, C, Martín, V, Molina, A. Lifestyle and Health among Spanish University Students: Differences by Gender and Academic Discipline. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2012; 9: 2728-2741.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph9082728
27. Ortenburger DE, Wąsik J. Cognitive-behavioral approach and the role of physical activity in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain in athletes. Society integration education. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference, 2018;4:182-189.
https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2018vol1.3179
28. McPhee JS, French DP, Jackson D, Nazroo J, Pendleton N, Degens H. Physical activity in older age: perspectives for healthy ageing and frailty. Biogerontology, 2016;17:567–80.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-016-9641-0
29. Pavičić ŽS, Kenđel JG, Krešić G. The association between the Mediterranean diet and high physical activity among the working population in Croatia. Medycyna Pracy. 2019; 70(2):169-176.
https://doi.org/10.13075/mp.5893.00773
30. Zurita-Ortega F, San Román-Mata S, Chacón-Cuberos R, Castro-Sánchez M, Muros J. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with Physical Activity, Self-Concept and Sociodemographic Factors in University Student. Nutrients, 2018;10:966.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10080966
31. Godos J, Castellano S, Marranzano M. Adherence to a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Is Associated with Higher Quality of Life in a Cohort of Italian Adults. Nutrients, 2019;11:981.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11050981
32. González-Valero G, Ubago-Jiménez JL, Ramírez-Granizo IA, Puertas-Molero P. Association between Motivational Climate, Adherence to Mediterranean Diet, and Levels of Physical Activity in Physical Education Students. Behav. Sci. 2019; 9: 37.
https://doi.org/10.3390/bs9040037
33. Galan-Lopez, P, Ries, F, Gisladottir, T, Domínguez, R, Sánchez-Oliver, A.J. Healthy Lifestyle: Relationship between Mediterranean Diet, Body Composition and Physical Fitness in 13 to 16-Years Old Icelandic Students. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2018; 15: 2632.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15122632
https://doi.org/10.1079/PHN2004556
2. Kavouras SA, Panagiotakos DB, Pitsavos C, Chrysohoou C, Arnaoutis G, Skoumas Y, et al. Physical Activity and Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Increase Total Antioxidant Capacity: The ATTICA Study. Cardiology Research and Practice, 2011;2011:1–7.
https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/248626
3. Lucia Maria L, Ovidiu S, Lencu C, Laza V. Dietary patterns, physical activity, body mass index, weight-related behaviours and their interrelationship among Romanian university students-trends from 2003 to 2016. Nutrición Hospitalaria, 2018;35(2):375-383.
https://doi.org/10.20960/nh.1296
4. Hadjimbei E, Botsaris G, Gekas V, Panayiotou AG. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle Characteristics of University Students in Cyprus: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2016;2016:1–8.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/2742841
5. Navarro-González, I, López-Nicolás, R, Rodríguez-Tadeo, A, Ros-Berruezo, G, Martínez-Marín, M, Domenéch-Asensi, G. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet by nursing students of Murcia (Spain). Nutr. Hosp. 2014; 30: 165–172.
https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2014.30.1.7413
6. Durá-Travé T, Castroviejo Gandarias A. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet in college population. Nutr. Hosp. 2011; 26: 602-608.
https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2011.26.3.4891
7. Štefan L, Prosoli R, Juranko D, Čule M, Milinović I, Novak D, et al. The Reliability of the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) Questionnaire. Nutrients, 2017;9:419.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9040419
8. Dare C, Viebig RF, Batista NS. Body composition and components of Mediterranean diet in Brazilian and European University Students. Rev. Bras. Obes. Nutr. Emag. 2017; 11: 557-566.
9. Rodríguez FJ, Espinoza LR, Gálvez J, Macmillan NG, Solis P. Nutritional status and lifestyles in university students of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaiso. Rev. Univ. Salud. 2013; 15:123-135.
10. Darmon N, Drewnowski A. Contribution of food prices and diet cost to socioeconomic disparities in diet quality and health: A systematic review and analysis. Nutr. Rev. 2015; 73: 643-660.
https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuv027
11. Bottcher MR, Marincic PZ, Nahay KL, Baerlocher BE, Willis AW, Park J. Nutrition knowledge and Mediterranean diet adherence in the southeast United States: Validation of a field-based survey instrument. Appetite, 2017; 111:166-176.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.12.029
12. Chacón-Cuberos R, Badicu G, Zurita-Ortega F, Castro-Sánchez M. Mediterranean Diet and Motivation in Sport: A Comparative Study Between University Students from Spain and Romania. Nutrients, 2018;11:30.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11010030
13. Chiujdea M. Dieta mediteraneană și sistemul public de sănătate fac din Spania cea mai sănătoasă țară din lume [The Mediterranean diet and the public health system make Spain the healthiest country in the world]. [Internet]. [updated 2018 Jun 15; cited 2019 May 22]. Available from: https://www.rfi.ro/social-109806-spania-sanatoasa-dieta-mediteraneana-sistem-public-sanatate (In Spanish)
14. Mandolesi L, Polverino A, Montuori S, Foti F, Ferraioli G, Sorrentino P, et al. Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Functioning and Wellbeing: Biological and Psychological Benefits. Frontiers in Psychology, 2018;9:509.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00509
15. Rausch Osthoff A-K, Juhl CB, Knittle K, Dagfinrud H, Hurkmans E, Braun J, et al. Effects of exercise and physical activity promotion: meta-analysis informing the 2018 EULAR recommendations for physical activity in people with rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and hip/knee osteoarthritis. RMD Open, 2018;4:e000713.
https://doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2018-000713
16. Macpherson H, Teo W-P, Schneider LA, Smith AE. A Life-Long Approach to Physical Activity for Brain Health. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2017;9:147.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2017.00147
17. Krüger M, Seng C. Effects of Short Practice of Climbing on Barriers Self-Efficacy within a Physical Education and Sport Intervention in Germany. Sports, 2019; 7:81.
https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7040081
18. Olanrewaju O, Kelly S, Cowan A, Brayne C, Lafortune L. Physical Activity in Community Dwelling Older People: A Systematic Review of Reviews of Interventions and Context. PLoS ONE, 2016. 11(12): e0168614.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168614
19. Bădicu G. Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults from Braşov, Romania. Education Sciences, 2018;8:52.
https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci8020052
20. World Health Organization. Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health. 2010. [Internet]. [updated 2018 Jun 15; cited 2019 March 12]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity
21. Hervás G, Ruiz-Litago F, Irazusta J, Fernández-Atutxa A, Fraile-Bermúdez A.B, Zarrazquin I. Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, Body Composition, and Nutrition Are Associated with Bone Status in University Students. Nutrients, 2018; 10: 61.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10010061
22. Zurita-Ortega F, Roman-Mata SS, Chacon-Cuberos R, Castro-Sanchez M, Muros JJ. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with Physical Activity, Self-Concept and Sociodemographic Factors in University Student. Nutrients, 2018; 10:1-11.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10080966
23. Badicu G. Physical Activity and Sleep Quality in Students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport of Braşov, Romania. Sustainability, 2018; 10:2410.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072410
24. Cocca A, Liukkonen J, Mayorga-Vega D, Viciana-Ramírez J. Health-Related Physical Activity Levels in Spanish Youth and Young Adults. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 2014;118:247–60.
https://doi.org/10.2466/10.06.PMS.118k16w1
25. Pengpid S, Peltzer K, Kassean HK, Tsala Tsala JP, Sychareun V, Müller-Riemenschneider F. Physical inactivity and associated factors among university students in 23 low-, middle- and high-income countries. International Journal of Public Health, 2015;60:539–49.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-015-0680-0
26. Varela-Mato V, Cancela, JM, Ayan, C, Martín, V, Molina, A. Lifestyle and Health among Spanish University Students: Differences by Gender and Academic Discipline. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2012; 9: 2728-2741.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph9082728
27. Ortenburger DE, Wąsik J. Cognitive-behavioral approach and the role of physical activity in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain in athletes. Society integration education. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference, 2018;4:182-189.
https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2018vol1.3179
28. McPhee JS, French DP, Jackson D, Nazroo J, Pendleton N, Degens H. Physical activity in older age: perspectives for healthy ageing and frailty. Biogerontology, 2016;17:567–80.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-016-9641-0
29. Pavičić ŽS, Kenđel JG, Krešić G. The association between the Mediterranean diet and high physical activity among the working population in Croatia. Medycyna Pracy. 2019; 70(2):169-176.
https://doi.org/10.13075/mp.5893.00773
30. Zurita-Ortega F, San Román-Mata S, Chacón-Cuberos R, Castro-Sánchez M, Muros J. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with Physical Activity, Self-Concept and Sociodemographic Factors in University Student. Nutrients, 2018;10:966.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10080966
31. Godos J, Castellano S, Marranzano M. Adherence to a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Is Associated with Higher Quality of Life in a Cohort of Italian Adults. Nutrients, 2019;11:981.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11050981
32. González-Valero G, Ubago-Jiménez JL, Ramírez-Granizo IA, Puertas-Molero P. Association between Motivational Climate, Adherence to Mediterranean Diet, and Levels of Physical Activity in Physical Education Students. Behav. Sci. 2019; 9: 37.
https://doi.org/10.3390/bs9040037
33. Galan-Lopez, P, Ries, F, Gisladottir, T, Domínguez, R, Sánchez-Oliver, A.J. Healthy Lifestyle: Relationship between Mediterranean Diet, Body Composition and Physical Fitness in 13 to 16-Years Old Icelandic Students. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2018; 15: 2632.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15122632
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2019-08-28
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Badicu G, Chacón C, Zurita-Ortega F, Castro-Sanchez M, Balint L. Mediterranean Diet and physical activity in Romanian and Spanish university students - a comparative study. Physical Education of Students. 2019;23(4):172-8. https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2019.0402
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