Healthy diets positively associated with health-related quality of life in children and adolescents from low socioeconomic areas: Findings from the Greek Food Aid Program, DIATROFI.

Objectives: To assess the relationship of diet with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in vulnerable children and adolescents.

Methods: Data included 6583 children and adolescents (aged 3-18 years old) from the Greek Food-Aid DIATROFI Program in the 2015 to 2016 and 2017 to 2018 school years. HRQoL was measured with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory questionnaire and diet with food frequency questionnaires. The healthy plant-based diet index (hPDI), animal score, and dietary patterns were investigated.

Results: The hPDI and animal score were associated with good HRQoL (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval], 10-unit increase: OR = 1.28 [1.05, 1.57], OR = 1.51 [1.14, 2.00]) and physical (OR = 1.62 [1.23, 2.13]), emotional (OR = 1.30 [1.07, 1.58], OR = 1.41 [1.08, 1.85]) and school function (OR = 1.32 [1.09, 1.59], OR = 1.46 [1.12, 1.89]). Dietary patterns of fruits, raw vegetables, and cheese were associated with good HRQoL (OR of 1-unit increase: 1.22 [1.13, 1.32]), and physical OR = 1.18 [1.09, 1.27]) and emotional function (OR = 1.09 [1.02, 1.18]). Starchy foods and sweetened beverages were associated with poor HRQoL (OR = 0.75 [0.63, 0.90]), and emotional (OR = 0.80 [0.68, 0.95]) and school function (OR = 0.72 [0.61, 0.85]).

Conclusion: Healthy diets and dietary patterns were positively associated with the HRQoL of vulnerable children and adolescents, which may offer opportunities for prevention.