The importance of the Mediterranean diet & its implications for young Maltese adolescents : an exploratory study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to obtain a better understanding on the current eating patterns, knowledge and perceptions of the Mediterranean Diet amongst Maltese adolescents. A triangulated research method approach was used to reach the main objectives of the study. A questionnaire (N=203) was developed and distributed to Form 3 Home Economics students coming from different areas around Malta and Gozo, to get to know what are the eating patterns of adolescents aged between 13 and 14 years, and to get an insight of their knowledge and awareness with regard to the Mediterranean Diet. After that, three schools were invited to participate in a lesson trial about such topic, to get an overview of how a lesson about the Mediterranean Diet would go about if it was to be included in the Form 3, Home Economics Syllabus. Following these two methodologies, the analyses were discussed with three different interviewees, including a School Medical Doctor, a representative from the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department and a Home Economics Education Officer. The main outcomes of the study suggest that while some adolescents are aware of the Mediterranean Diet, they still tend to follow an unhealthy lifestyle and do not have enough awareness about the noncommunicable diseases that could arise due to unhealthy eating. Since the Mediterranean Diet is made up of healthy seasonal and sustainable food products, and is regarded as the best food guide for our country by many, the need to give it more importance in the Home Economics curriculum is evident. A lesson on the Mediterranean Diet could be one strategy to adopt as effectively shown in this study.