Dr. Francesca Giampieri and Fernando Maniega, members of the Food, Nutritional Biochemistry, and Health Research Group at the Universidad Europea del Atlántico (European University of the Atlantic, UNEATLANTICO), an institution that is part of the academic network of the Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER), are participating in an international study. This study analyzes how parents’ nutritional knowledge and attitudes directly influence their children’s adoption of the Mediterranean diet.
In recent decades, the eating habits of children and adolescents have undergone a significant transformation, characterized by a gradual shift away from traditional healthy patterns in favor of less nutritious alternatives. The Mediterranean diet, recognized worldwide for its physical and mental health benefits, has lost popularity among younger generations. This model, based on the predominant consumption of plant-based foods, healthy fats such as olive oil, and a moderate intake of animal proteins, represents not only a nutritional guideline but also a culturally rooted lifestyle that promotes long-term health.
Scientific evidence suggests that dietary habits acquired during childhood tend to persist into adulthood, making this stage a critical period for nutritional intervention. While factors such as school, peers, and the media are known to influence food choices, the home remains the primary environment where initial attitudes toward food are developed. Parents, through their own food literacy and management of the home environment, act as the main agents of change, determining the availability of food and preparation methods that shape their children’s preferences.
The study is part of the DELICIOUS project, an initiative involving five countries in the Mediterranean basin: Spain, Italy, Portugal, Egypt, and Lebanon. The novelty of this research lies in the application of the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behavior) model, a comprehensive theoretical framework that assesses how parents’ psychological capacity, physical and social opportunity, and automatic and reflective motivation interact to promote healthy behaviors in their children.
To carry out this cross-sectional analysis, the research team conducted an electronic survey of 2,011 parents of children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 17 in the five participating countries. Parental psychosocial variables such as food literacy, perceived barriers and facilitators, and attitudes toward healthy eating were evaluated. At the same time, children’s adherence to the Mediterranean diet was measured using the KIDMED index, a validated tool for estimating diet quality in children and adolescents.
The results shed light on the strong correlation between parenting skills and children’s nutritional health. After adjusting for possible confounding factors, the study revealed a significant positive association between parents’ food literacy and their children’s adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Specifically, it was observed that parents who perceive fewer barriers and more facilitators in their environment (such as access to fresh food or time to cook) are more successful in helping their children maintain better habits.
The breakdown analysis using the COM-B model highlighted that parents’ “motivation” and “ability” are robust predictors. Parents who demonstrated a proactive attitude toward healthy eating and possessed the knowledge necessary to identify nutritious options had a decisive influence on their children consuming more fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and fewer ultra-processed products. In addition, parents’ educational level and an active lifestyle at home were identified as additional reinforcers of this positive dietary pattern.
The conclusions of this study underscore the need to design public health interventions that are not limited exclusively to educating children, but actively involve families.
Improving parents’ food literacy and equipping them with tools to overcome everyday barriers (such as lack of time or pressure from unhealthy food advertising) is essential to reversing the current trend away from the Mediterranean diet. The study validates the usefulness of the COM-B model for structuring more effective and personalized educational programs according to the cultural context of each Mediterranean country.
If you would like to learn more about this study, click here.
To read more research, consult the UNEATLANTICO repository.
The Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) offers scholarships to study academic programs such as the International Master’s Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, which allow professionals to acquire the necessary skills to address current challenges in public health and community nutrition.