Differences in food consumption according to weight status and physical activity levels among Greek children between 1992/93 and 2006/07

Background There is a lack of data in Greece on trends in food intake according to weight status and physical activity ( PA ), despite the high prevalence of obesity. The present study aimed to examine differences in these parameters among first‐grade children from Crete, Greece, over a 15‐year period. Methods Children (aged 5.9–7.6 years) from two representative cross‐sectional studies participated during 1992/93 ( n  = 245) and 2006/07 ( n  = 257). Estimated 3‐day food records were used to assess food consumption and energy‐density ( ED ) [kJ g −1 (kcal g −1 )]. Moderate‐to‐vigorous‐ PA ( MVPA ) and cardiorespiratory‐fitness were assessed by questionnaires and the 20‐m shuttle‐run test (20m SRT ), respectively. Results In 2006/07, compared to 1992/93, both sexes had a significantly higher intake of dairy products and snacks ( P  <   0.001), a lower intake of cereals ( P  <   0.001) and higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels ( P  < 0.001). Among girls, fruit/vegetable consumption was higher ( P  <   0.05), although legume intake was lower ( P  < 0.005). Among overweight/obese ( OW / OB ) children, ED significantly decreased ( P  < 0.05) and the mean consumption of fruits/vegetables was higher ( P  <   0.001). The percentage of OW / OB boys was significantly higher ( P  <   0.001); however, MVPA was significant higher in this group compared to 1992/93 ( P  <   0.001). During the two time‐periods, active children in 2006/07 appeared to have a lower ED than active ones in 1992/93 ( P  < 0.001). Conclusions Several differences in food intake were observed among first‐grade children of Crete between 1992/93 and 2006/07, as characterised by significant increases in the consumption of dairy products and snacks and a decrease in the intake of cereals, among both sexes. Future school‐based interventions in this population should emphasise the need to increase fruit/vegetable, unrefined cereal and legume consumption.