Exploring food consumption patterns in the province of Kenitra, Northwest of Morocco.

BACKGROUND

Morocco is currently undergoing rapid changes in diets and lifestyles, influenced by globalization and urbanization, leading to a shift away from the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) toward Western diets.

OBJECTIVE

Describe and explore the food consumption patterns of the population of Kenitra province and their adherence to the MedDiet using a validated survey.

METHOD

The current cross-sectional study involved 442 respondents from Kenitra province, comprising individuals aged 18 and above. The survey included a combination of closed and open-ended questions regarding food consumption patterns and socio-demographic characteristics. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed using the Panagiotakos method to calculate the MedDiet score (MDS). Additionally, each participant's adherence to the MedDiet was evaluated using a method based on Martínez-González's approach.

RESULTS

The results indicate that 31% of the participants eat vegetables, 28% eat fruits, and 19% eat wholegrain bread daily. Furthermore, 58% regularly use olive oil in their cooking. Eating out of home (OOH) was high, with popular places being restaurants and cafes (70%), fast food outlets (20%), and workplace canteens (7%). Overall, participants showed moderate adherence to the MedDiet, with a mean MDS of 36.3 ± 19.7.

CONCLUSIONS

Promoting healthy eating habits is crucial in Kenitra. With moderate consumption of nutrient-dense foods and the popularity of the MedDiet, targeted interventions and educational initiatives can promote healthy dietary behaviors, improving overall public health.