Gender differences in eating habits and lifestyles of young students: observational evaluation from MaestraNatura program.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Unhealthy diet and sedentary life represent the main risk factors for chronic NonCommunicable Diseases. Investing in children's health education leads to benefits for their whole lifespan and the whole of society. MaestraNatura (MN) is an education program addressed to increase knowledge and skills about food and nutrition in students from primary and first-level secondary school. The main objective of the present paper was to evaluate eating habits and the adherence to the principles of the Italian dietary guidelines (IDG) of 8-14 years old children to identify possible influences of gender and parents on their eating choices and behaviors. Therefore, the potential benefits of MN on promoting changes in lifestyle and dietary patterns were also evaluated.

Methods

SUBMITTER: Silenzi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12672309 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature