Does Sex Matter in the Link Between Self-Efficacy and Mediterranean Diet Adherence in Adolescents? Insights from the EHDLA Study

By:
José Adrián Montenegro-Espinosa, José Francisco López-Gil
Date:
2025
Resource type:
Peer review
Link:

This cross-sectional study investigated the association between self-efficacy and Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) adherence in Spanish adolescents and explored sex-based differences. Among 619 adolescents (56.5% girls), girls showed a significantly stronger association between higher self-efficacy and better MedDiet adherence, particularly with higher consumption of fruits, pulses, fish, cereals, and nuts, and reduced breakfast skipping. In contrast, boys showed no statistically significant link, except a modest increase in dairy consumption with self-efficacy. The findings suggest gender-specific strategies may enhance the effectiveness of nutrition education programs for adolescents.

Photo Credit: Canva