The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest dietary models. Recent changes in the actual Mediterranean diet include a reduction in energy intake and a higher consumption of foods with low nutrient density (e.g. soft drinks, candy, sweets, etc.). In Spain, in association with cultural and lifestyle changes, there has been a reduction in the intake of antioxidants and vitamins, an increase in the proportion of SFA and a decrease in the consumption of fibre, among other changes. Children and adolescents may be the age groups with the most deteriorated Mediterranean diet. The current paper presents the results of applying the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED) to a large sample of Spanish schoolchildren.

Data from questionnaires were used to calculate the KIDMED index.

Granada, Southern Spain.

Schoolchildren (n 3190) aged 8–16 years.

Among the 8–10-year-olds, the KIDMED index classification was ‘good’ in 48·6% of the population, ‘average’ in 49·5% and ‘poor’ in 1·6%. Among the 10–16-year-olds, the KIDMED index classification was good in 46·9% of the population, average in 51·1% and poor in 2·0%.

The nutritional behaviour of the present population of schoolchildren is similar to that found in the earlier KIDMED study.