Since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, the amount of terrorism preparedness training has increased substantially. However, gaps continue to exist in training for the mental health casualties that result from such events. Responders must be aware of the mental health effects of terror-ism and how to prepare for and buffer these effects. However, the degree to which responders possess or value this knowledge has not been studied.

Multi-disciplinary terrorism preparedness training for healthcare professionals was conducted in Kansas in 2003. In order to assess knowledge and attitudes related to mental health preparedness training, post-test surveys were provided to 314 respondents 10 months after completion of the training. Respondents returned 197 completed surveys for an analysis response rate of 63%.

In general, the results indicated that respondents have knowledge of and value the importance of mental health preparedness issues. The respon-dents who reported greater knowledge or value of mental health preparedness also indicated significantly higher ability levels in nationally recognized bioterrorism competencies (p <0.001).

These results support the need for mental health components to be incorporated into terrorism preparedness training. Further studies to determine the most effective mental health preparedness training content and instruction modalities are needed.

To examine knowledge of and adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) among Greek adolescents, assess associations between MDP knowledge and adherence with BMI, and determine socio-cultural factors predicting MDP compliance.

Cross-sectional.

Greek adolescents aged 15–17 years.

Two hundred adolescents (103 females, ninety-seven males) from six schools on the Greek island of Chios. The sampling procedure was similar for all schools; schools were randomly selected from different geographic areas and all municipalities. BMI was calculated from measured height and weight; participants completed four questionnaires assessing parents’ socio-economic status and education, adolescents’ perceived and actual MDP knowledge, past-week dietary habits, and MDP adherence.

Participants’ BMI indicated 64·5 % were normal weight and 35·5 % were overweight/obese (mean BMI 23·7 (sd 3·8) kg/m2). Over half had very poor MDP knowledge (58·5 %) and adherence (59·5 %); both perceived (F = 3·35, P = 0·037) and actual MDP knowledge (F = 3·45, P = 0·034) were significantly different across MDP adherence. Perceived MDP knowledge was positively correlated with vegetable consumption (r = 0·185, P = 0·009); actual knowledge was negatively correlated with meat consumption (r = −0·191, P = 0·007). BMI was negatively correlated with family income (r = −0·202, P = 0·004), indicating higher BMI in less affluent households. Actual MDP knowledge was the only significant predictor of MDP adherence (standardized β = 0·162, P = 0·030) in a model accounting for 7·3 % of overall variance.

Greek adolescents reported consuming a more Westernized diet detached from the traditional MDP. Actual MDP knowledge and family income were important factors affecting MDP adherence and BMI, respectively. Promoting the traditional MDP among Greek adolescents and their families appears warranted.