Analysis of adherence to the Mediterranean diet using the KIDMED 2.0 questionnaire in a population of adolescents

Introduction: nutrition influences our physical and intellectual health throughout life. The Mediterranean diet, rich in plant-based foods, olive oil, and low in ultra-processed products, is among the healthiest and most sustainable. However, adherence to it has declined, especially among children and adolescents, contributing to the rise in childhood obesity. This study aims to describe adherence to the Mediterranean diet in a group of adolescent.

Materials and Methods: adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed in adolescents and their parents using the KIDMED 2.0 questionnaire. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents older than 10 years attending Pediatric Outpatient Clinics between March and May 2025, as well as at least one of their legal guardians accompanying them.

Results: a total of 152 adolescents participated, with a mean age of 12.6 ± 2.4 years; 53% were male and 47% female. The vast majority (96.1%) were of Spanish nationality. The questionnaire results showed no significant differences in overall scores or adherence levels (low, medium, high) — whether in parents, in parents’ perception of their children’s adherence, or in the adolescents’ self-reported adherence.

Conclusion: more than half (51.3%) of the adolescents showed a medium level of adherence, and one in five had a high level. No significant differences were observed by sex or by parents’ educational level. Notably, adherence to the Mediterranean pattern was higher among parents (44.1%) compared to that reported by their children (19.7%).