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Background: The present study aimed to examine how different meal and snack patterns are associated with micronutrient intakes and diet quality among a nationally representative sample of Greek children and adolescents aged 1–19 years from the cross‐sectional Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (n = 598). Methods: Meal and snack patterns were derived using 24‐h dietary recalls. Mean adequacy ratio (MAR) was used as an overall measure of diet quality. Multiple linear regression adjusted for covariates was conducted to examine associations between eating patterns, nutrient intakes and MAR. Results: Four most frequently reported eating schemes were identified including breakfast (B), lunch (L), dinner (D) and two snacks (S) (20.9%); B, L, D and 1S (16.2%); B, L, D and 3S (10.8%); and B, L and D (7.9%). Based on these schemes, the daily consumption of all main meals from the majority of the sample was highlighted. In children and adolescents aged 4–19 years, increasing snack frequency was positively associated with intakes of vitamin D, vitamin K, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folate, magnesium, copper and selenium. An inverse association was recorded for vitamin E, vitamin B6, calcium and iron. Among children aged 1–3 years, only niacin and copper were significantly associated with number of snacks, with the group of 'B‐L‐D‐2S' presenting the highest intake. As for the overall diet quality, among all participants, there was no significant association of MAR with the type of meal and snack pattern, and thus the snack frequency. Conclusions: Snacking behaviour is a common practice among children and adolescents. Modifying current snack foods with nutrient‐rich choices could lead to an improvement of their diet's nutritional quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eating frequency (EF) has been associated with generalized obesity. Aim: We aimed to prospectively investigate potential associations of frequency of eating episodes with regional fat layers. Design: EF was evaluated at baseline in 115 subjects free of clinically overt cardiovascular disease (54 ± 9.1 years, 70 women) in a prospective, observational study. Methods: Metabolic parameters known to be associated with dietary factors and anthropometric markers including ultrasound assessment of subcutaneous (Smin) and pre-peritoneal (Pmax) fat and their ratio Smin/Pmax (AFI) were evaluated at baseline and at follow-up, 5 years later. Results: EF at baseline positively correlated with Pmax, even after adjustment for potential confounders. EF above median was also an independent predictor for Pmax (beta coefficient=-0.192, P = 0.037) and AFI (beta coefficient = 0.199, P = 0.049) at follow up. Multivariable linear mixed models analysis demonstrated that subjects with increased EF presented a lower progression rate of Pmax (beta=-0.452, P = 0.006) and a higher progression rate of AFI (beta = 0.563, P = 0.003) over time, independently of age, sex, progression of BMI, energy intake, smoking and changes in parameters of glucose metabolism. Conclusions: High EF is associated with lower progression rate of pre-peritoneal fat accumulation. Future interventional studies should further investigate the clinical utility of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to identify and describe different dietary patterns in a nationally representative sample of Greek adults and to assess potential associations with lifestyle characteristics. This was a cross-sectional study. Dietary patterns were derived by principal component analysis using individual dietary data (24-h recall) of 3552 participants of the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS). Analysis of variance and chi-squared test were used to determine the lifestyle characteristics of the participants following each pattern. Three dietary patterns were identified explaining 16.5% of variance; a traditional pattern, loading positively on olive oil, non-starchy vegetables, and cheese; a Western pattern, loading positively on refined grains, processed meats, and animal fats; and a prudent pattern, loading positively on fruits, whole grains, and yoghurt and negatively on fast food. A fourth, snack-type pattern, loading positively on sweets, salty snacks, and nuts, was identified in women. Primary crude results revealed an association between dietary patterns and socio-economic status. In multivariate analysis, highest adherence to the prudent pattern was associated with higher protein and unsaturated fat intake and lower energy and saturated fat intake (all P ≤ 0.05); the Western and traditional patterns were associated with higher energy and total and saturated fat intake. The traditional pattern was additionally associated with higher monounsaturated fatty acids intake, whereas the Western pattern, with higher alcohol intake (all P ≤ 0.001). These findings are valuable for understanding the dietary behaviors of adults in Greece and enabling more focused public health policies for the promotion of healthier food behaviors in the future. • Three major dietary patterns among Greek adults: traditional, Western, and prudent. • The Mediterranean diet is progressively disappearing in the Mediterranean countries. • High heterogeneity in diet patterns further associated with socio-economic factors. • Snack-type pattern only in women (young, single, high education, employed, and smokers). • Low sleep quality and high depression prevalence associated with unhealthy patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]