The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the changes in dietary behavior among the Croatian adult population during the COVID-19 outbreak and to explore the impact of confinement on cooking ...habits.
The study was based on results from COVIDiet_Int cross-sectional study-a part of COVIDiet project (NCT04449731). A self-administered online questionnaire was used to assess the frequency of food consumption, eating habits, and sociodemographic information. A total number of 4,281 participants (80.5% females and 19.4% males) completed the questionnaire.
The Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) score before the confinement was 5.02 ± 1.97, while during the confinement, the MEDAS score increased to 5.85 ± 2.04. Participants who had higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) during the confinement were mostly females (88.8%), aged between 20 and 50 years, with the highest level of education (66.3%) and normal BMI (70.6%). The majority of participants maintained their dietary behavior as it was before COVID-19 confinement, while 36.9% decreased their physical activity. Participants with higher MEDAS score were more eager to increase their physical activity. Additionally, higher median values of MEDAS score were noted for participants with body mass index values below 24.9 kg/m
(6.0 vs. 5.0 for participants with BMI above 25 kg/m
). Participants in all residence places increased their cooking frequency during the confinement (53.8%), which was associated with an increase in vegetables, legumes, as well as fish and seafood consumption.
According to our findings, Croatian adults exhibited medium adherence to the MedDiet during the COVID-19 confinement. The results suggest that cooking frequency could be positively associated with overall dietary quality, which is of utmost importance in these demanding times.
Dietary supplement users tend to have a better diet quality and overall prudent lifestyle. The main goals of this research were to report the prevalence and type of dietary supplements among Croatian ...adolescents and to examine the differences in the diet quality among dietary supplement users vs. non-users at the beginning (15/16 y) and at the end of high school education (18/19 y). This research is based on results of the longitudinal CRO-PALS study in which 607 adolescents participated, who had complete dietary, anthropometric, and physical activity data at the beginning (15/16 y) and at the end of their high school education (18/19 y). The dietary assessment method used was a single multi-pass 24 h recall. Dietary supplement users were divided into two groups for the purposes of statistical analysis-users of vitamin and multivitamin preparations (VMV) and users of mineral and multivitamin preparations (MMV). As they aged, there was an increase in the consumption of dietary supplements, and the most frequently used preparation in both age groups was vitamin C (23.7% of users). Dietary supplement users had a higher intake of non-carbonated sweetened drinks and a lower intake of fruits and vegetables in both genders and both age groups. Fast food intake was higher among dietary supplement girl users and boys who were not dietary supplements users in both age groups. Dietary supplement users had a higher achieved average intake of most micronutrients (values obtained only from food) in both genders and both age groups (with exceptions for certain vitamins and minerals). By observing other parameters for assessing the diet quality in this research, we can conclude that girls who do not use dietary supplements have a better diet quality in both age groups.
The present study aims to assess the diet quality, the relationship between diet quality and lifestyle, and the association of diet quality with body mass index and students' field of study during ...COVID-19 lockdown periods (spring and winter) in 2020. Datasets were collected via an anonymous online self-reported questionnaire distributed during two time periods using social media. A total of 1939 Croatian students (82.4% women and 17.6% men) completed the questionnaire. Diet quality was assessed using the pro-healthy diet index (pHDI) and non-healthy diet index (nHDI). An increase in diet quality was noted during both lockdown periods but was lower during the winter lockdown. Cooking for oneself was associated with a high level of pHDI, while ordering or buying ready-to-eat food was linked to a low level of pHDI. Additionally, a decrease in screen time and increased physical activity was associated with high pHDI values. Furthermore, during both lockdown periods, students with a BMI above 30 kg/m
had the highest nHDI values compared to other students. Although positive changes were found during both lockdown periods, they were less pronounced throughout the winter lockdown. Further studies are needed to elucidate the real impact of these changes in the post-COVID period.
Shifting of energy intake towards a later time in the day is associated with an increased risk of obesity in adults. However, there is a lack of data for adolescents. The aim of this study was to ...investigate adolescents eveningness in energy intake (EV) and its association with anthropometric indicators of nutritional status. This investigation was based on results from the Croatian physical activity in adolescence longitudinal study (CRO-PALS). The cohort included 607 adolescents (50.25% females and 49.75% males) who were assessed at the age of 15/16 and 18/19. A single multi-pass 24-h recall was used as a dietary assessment method, while anthropometric indicators of nutritional status included body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and the sum of four skinfolds. The School Health Action, Planning and Evaluation System (SHAPES) questionnaire was used to assess active daily energy expenditure and sedentary behaviors. EV was significantly higher at 18/19 years compared to 15/16 years in whole population (
< 0.01), among male adolescents (
< 0.01), but not among female adolescents (
> 0.05). Although a significant correlation between EV and WHR was found in females at the age of 15/16 (
< 0.01), the results of this study suggest that EV has no or a minor effect on anthropometric indicators of nutritional status in adolescence.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has left substantial consequences on the mental health of the student population, primarily through an increase in the symptoms of acute stress and anxiety. Aim: ...This study evaluated diet quality and its association with mental state among Croatian students during the spring and winter COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. Methods: Data were collected using an anonymous online self-reported questionnaire taken on two occasions. During the spring lockdown (from May 18 to June 7, 2020) and the winter lockdown (from December 14–22, 2020), 751 and 1188 students completed the questionnaire, respectively. Diet quality was determined using the pro-healthy diet index (pHDI) and non-healthy diet index (nHDI). Results: Although to the greatest extent associated with increased white meat, fish, and legumes intake, an increase in pHDI was also linked to increased consumption of water and sweets and decreased intake of processed meat products and nuts. Increased nHDI was mainly due to increased intake of processed meat products, alcohol, and sweets. Moreover, diet quality was higher during the lockdowns than in the periods before. However, diet quality increased to a lesser extent during the winter lockdown and was associated with a poorer mental state, shown as type D (Distressed) personality. Type D personality positively correlated with nHDI and sweets intake but negatively with pHDI, fruit, and vegetable consumption. Conclusion: These results indicate the need to alleviate further students’ diet quality and mental state impairment. Also, further investigation of the association between diet quality and mental state should be provided.
Effects of eating outside the home on adolescent diet quality Mudnić, Željana; Rešetar, Josip; Gajdoš-Kljusurić, Jasenka ...
Hrvatski časopis za prehrambenu tehnologiju, biotehnologiju i nutricionizam,
07/2023, Volume:
18, Issue:
1-2
Journal Article, Paper
Open access
Location of meal consumption can affect the quality of adolescents’ diet. The main goal of this study was to observe if eating outside the home affects diet quality of 607 adolescents from the ...CRO-PALS longitudinal study. 24-hour recall was used as a dietary assessment method and meal location was also recorded during the interview. Two measurements were taken: one in the first and one in the final year of high school, so the goal was also to determine the differences between the groups and between the two measurements. As expected, considering previous studies, adolescents who had a higher energy intake consumed outside the home showed lower diet quality, more so in the case of girls and during the first year.
Mjesto konzumiranja obroka može utjecati na kvalitetu prehrane adolescenata. Glavni cilj ovog istraživanja bio je promatrati utječe li prehrana izvan kuće na kvalitetu prehrane 607 adolescenata uključenih u CRO-PALS longitudinalnu studiju. Provedena su dva mjerenja: jedno u prvom i jedno u završnom razredu srednje škole, pa je cilj bio i utvrditi razlike između skupina i između ta dva mjerenja. 24-satno prisjećanje korišteno je kao metoda procjene prehrane, a mjesto obroka također je zabilježeno tijekom intervjua. Očekivano, s obzirom na prethodna istraživanja, adolescenti koji su imali veći energetski unos izvan kuće pokazali su nižu kvalitetu prehrane, više u slučaju djevojčica i tijekom prve godine
After appearing only in medical law for a long time, advance directives and other forms of voluntary measures are increasingly also being recognised as an effective protector of the right to ...self-determination in family law. The aim of the paper is to consider the Croatian model of advance decision making in family law, observing it in the context of European, international and comparative law. In this sense, the paper first provides an overview of relevant international and European documents, then briefly analyses different solutions to the discussion in question that exist in the national legislations of the selected European countries, namely, Germany, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Serbia, and finally a detailed analysis of Croatian law. The paper aims to point out certain doubts and ambiguities that exist in Croatian law, give suggestions for improving the legislation, and encourage the continuation of scientific research in this legal field.
This article deals with an interdisciplinary, legal and sociological, analysis of divorce in Croatia. In the legal context, we provide an overview of the legal and historical development of key ...elements appearing in relation with divorce: the principle of fault and parental custody of children after divorce.We present statistical data on concluded marriages, age at marriage conclusion, dissolved marriages, and duration of marriage in Croatia in the last fifty years.We provide guidelines for contemporary divorce regulation in Croatia by introducing mandatory education of parents prior to divorce involving children, family mediation, and meeting international liabilities of Croatia to provide children with the option of taking part in divorce proceedings.
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