Francesca Scazzina, Alice Rosi, Francesca Giampieri, Carlos Poveda-Loor, Osama Abdelkarim, Mohamed Aly, Evelyn Frías-Toral, Juancho Pons, Laura Vázquez‐Araújo, Sandra Cano, Iñaki Elío, Lorenzo Monasta, Nadia Paladino, Ana Mata, Adrián Chacón, Pablo Busó, Giuseppe Grosso
Food security is a universal need worldwide. This study explored the relationship between food security and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in the context of the DELICIOUS project. A survey involving 2,011 parents of children and adolescents aged 6-17 years was conducted. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed through the KIDMED score. Information regarding the ease of accessing Mediterranean foods, economic allowance, employment and residence was collected. Logistic regressions analyses were performed to test the associations. Individuals living in rural areas and reporting difficulty in obtaining all studied foods were less likely to follow the Mediterranean diet. Higher adherence was associated with a household monthly income higher than €4000. No associations with family status and no differences across countries were found. The progressive shift away from the Mediterranean diet may depend not only on cultural preferences for unhealthier, industrial alternatives but also on family budgets and food accessibility.