New Study Suggests Children who Follow the Mediterranean Diet are Less Likely to Become Obese
The Mediterranean Diet, a diet based on the traditional foods of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea like whole grain pasta, olive oil, beans, and nuts, has been known as a healthful diet for years. A new study, out of the University of Gothenburg, suggests that children who consume a Mediterranean-style diet are less likely to become obese than those who do not. The study tracked the weight and eating habits of more than 9,000 children across eight countries for two years. At the conclusion of the study, the researchers found that kids who followed the Mediterranean diet were 15% less likely to be obese than those who did not.
Obesity in children has become a major problem, and according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity now affects 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States. Although obesity continues to grow at a steady rate, there are several foods included in the Mediterranean Diet that decreases the risk of obesity in children.
Since this diet is comprised of foods like fruits, whole grains and pasta that are probably already in your children’s diet, it will be simple to enforce the Mediterranean diet even further! Registered dietitian Tami Best offers her solutions on how to incorporate the Mediterranean diet into your child’s daily lifestyle in an article in the Rochester Democratic and Chronicle.
Visit our Pasta Nutrition page for more information about the Mediterranean diet. To find recipes that fit into the Mediterranean diet with a full list of ingredients, be sure to visit our full Recipe Page!
