Comparison of dietary habits among Romanian, Moroccan and Spanish adolescents in southern Spain: Cross-cultural and gender differences

Aim: This study analyzes the characteristics and the most important differences between native and immigrant adolescents' dietary patterns in southern Spain. In order to define their dietary habits, and the corresponding socio-cultural and gender-related differences, the consumption frequency of the main food groups has been measured. Design: Cross-sectional research with cluster sampling in two primary schools and seven secondary schools. The instrument used was the questionnaire Kidscreen-52 Sampling. Sample: 1,840 Romanian, Moroccan and Spanish students aged between 10 and 19 years old. Data Analysis: Descriptive and contrast analysis carried out using the data analysis software SPSS, version 21. Results: Significant differences among these three cultural groups' diets in relation to all of the food groups were identified, with the exception of cereals and legumes. This indicates that immigrant adolescents' dietary patterns do not coincide with the "healthy migrant effect" as they show higher consumption rates of sweets, soft drinks and snacks. Gender-related differences in relation to alcohol consumption between Moroccan males and females were also detected, and in relation to the consumption of sweets and legumes between Spanish males and females. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).