Patient empowerment and the Mediterranean diet as a possible tool to tackle prediabetes associated with overweight or obesity: a pilot study

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proposed as a bone loss index in postmenopausal women and as a marker of inflammation in coeliac patients. The aims of this work were to evaluate the effect of gluten-free diet (GFD) on NLR retrospectively and study the relationship between NLR and Mediterranean diet adherence and selected food groups (fruits, vegetables, red meat, potatoes, and unrefined and refined cereals). Adult individuals (n=50), who had been on a strict GFD by at least 6 months, were recruited. The degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was calculated with two different scores: the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS-14), assessed through the validated 14-item questionnaire of the PREDIMED study, and the MEDScore (Score-55) proposed by Panagiotakos. The latter includes the consumption of unrefined cereals (UC). High percentages of osteopenia and osteoporosis were found within the recruited subjects, who furnished the reports of bone mineral density (BMD), in particular in postmenopausal (Post-M) women. Recent NLR was higher in subjects with osteoporosis compared to osteopenia and normal BMD. However, retrospective analysis showed both increase and decrease in NLR after GFD, with no significant differences between Marsh grade, anemia, and BMD status. Moreover, premenopausal previous pregnancy (Pre-MPP) and Post-M had higher NLR at diagnosis compared to Men and premenopausal (Pre-M), but higher differences were observed in recent NLR between Pre-MPP and Men only. Chocolate consumption was associated with lower recent NLR, whereas the latter was correlated with Score-55, but not with MDS-14. Moreover, refined cereal consumption was correlated with recent NLR. Although large prospective studies are needed in order to clarify the relationship between UC and NLR in coeliac patients, in this pilot study, we have investigated for the first time the relationship between NLR, dietary habit, and osteoporosis in coeliac disease.

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Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, long-term weight change, and incident overweight or obesity: the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) cohort

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.3945/ajcn.2010.29764 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 92 (6) ◽

pp. 1484-1493 ◽

Cited By ~ 135

Author(s):

Juan-José Beunza ◽

Estefanía Toledo ◽

Frank B Hu ◽

Maira Bes-Rastrollo ◽

Manuel Serrano-Martínez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Weight Change ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Overweight Or Obesity

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Applying Behavioral Nudges in a Dietary Comparator for Surgical Trials: Developing the MediDiet

10.1101/2021.10.14.21265033 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Irene Y. Zhang ◽

Daniel Norwitz ◽

Adam Drewnowski ◽

Nidhi Agrawal ◽

David R. Flum ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Positive Affect ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Dietary Intervention ◽

Behavioral Science ◽

Negative Emotions ◽

Dietary Change ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Dietary Feedback

Introduction: The Mediterranean diet is being studied as an alternative to surgery for common gastrointestinal conditions. However, dietary change can be challenging. "Nudges" - behavioral science strategies seeking to influence cognitive processes to promote good behaviors - may help. We conducted a pilot study evaluating the acceptability of the MediDiet, a behaviorally designed dietary intervention incorporating nudges and recommendations based on the Mediterranean Diet. Methods: We conducted a three-phase pilot study involving parallel randomized surveys of U.S. adults. After completing a validated questionnaire assessing dietary consistency with a Mediterranean diet, participants were randomized to feedback containing no nudge versus nudge: peer comparison; peer comparison + positive affect induction; or default. Participants then rated their positive and negative emotions, motivation for dietary change, and interest in recipes. Responses were analyzed using baseline covariate-adjusted regression. Results: Among 1,709 participants, 56% were men, 73% were White, and the mean age was 38. In response to dietary feedback, participants reported low negative emotions, high positive emotions, moderate motivation for dietary change and high interest in recipes. Nudges did not affect the extent of negative (p=0.104) or positive (p=0.34) emotions, motivation (p=0.139), or interest (p=0.86). In exploratory analyses, those with moderate and high consistency with the Mediterranean diet, with or without nudges, reported lower negative affect, greater positive affect, greater motivation, and greater interest in recipes, than the minimally consistent, no nudge group. Conclusion: Delivering dietary feedback based on the Mediterranean diet using behavioral nudges was acceptable among U.S. adults, rousing positive reactions without triggering negative ones. As early evidence, this pilot study provides the basis for testing nudge-based dietary guidance among individuals with symptomatic gallstones, diverticulitis, and other gastrointestinal diseases.

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Short-term Exposure to a Mediterranean Environment Influences Attitudes and Dietary Profile in U.S. College Students: The MEDiterranean Diet in AMEricans (A-MED-AME) Pilot Study

Journal of the American College of Nutrition ◽

10.1080/07315724.2015.1118652 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 35 (7) ◽

pp. 621-626 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Katherine Petroka ◽

Monica Dinu ◽

Chelsea Hoover ◽

Alessandro Casini ◽

Francesco Sofi

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Mediterranean Environment ◽

Short Term ◽

Short Term Exposure ◽

The Mediterranean

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What Model of Nutrition Can Be Recommended to People Ending Their Professional Sports Career? An Analysis of the Mediterranean Diet and the CRON Diet in the Context of Former Athletes

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12123604 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 3604

Author(s):

Joanna Hołowko-Ziółek ◽

Paweł Cięszczyk ◽

Jarosław Biliński ◽

Grzegorz W. Basak ◽

Ewa Stachowska

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Body Weight ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Calorie Restriction ◽

Dietary Behavior ◽

Professional Sports ◽

Former Athletes ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Overweight Or Obesity

Athletes who retire from their sporting career face an increase in body weight, leading to overweight or obesity. Simultaneously, a significant number of these athletes meet the criteria of metabolic syndrome. The available literature does not offer clearly defined standards of nutrition for the discussed group of people. In this situation, it seems advisable to develop different standards of dietary behavior typical of athletes finishing their sports careers. For this purpose, the study analyzed two types of diets: the Mediterranean diet and the Calorie Restriction with Optimal Nutrition (CRON) diet based on significant calorie restrictions. Both diets seem to meet the requirements of this group of people.

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Cognitive Health of Nonagenarians in Southern Italy: A Descriptive Analysis from a Cross-Sectional, Home-Based Pilot Study of Exceptional Longevity (Cilento Initiative on Aging Outcomes or CIAO)

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina56050218 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (5) ◽

pp. 218 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vincenzo Pizza ◽

Paola Antonini ◽

Rossella Marino ◽

Giovanni D’Arena ◽

Serena Grazia Lucibello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Southern Italy ◽

Apoe Genotype ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Disease Assessment ◽

Psychological Traits ◽

Exceptional Longevity ◽

The Mediterranean

Background and objectives: Nonagenarians and centenarians (NCs) are an extremely fragile population, particularly in regard to their physical and cognitive function. The aim of this study was to define the neurocognitive profiles among 29 NCs and their 49 younger cohabitants aged 50–75 years from The Cilento Initiative on Aging Outcomes (CIAO) Pilot study in the South of Italy that had provided initial hypotheses regarding positive psychological traits related to exceptional longevity. Materials and Methods: During the home visits, lifestyle information with specific questionnaires, functional autonomy and the neuropsychological Mini Mental Scale Examination (MMSE), and the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-Cog) scale were obtained by qualified study personnel. The total blood oxidative capacity was also determined by testing the reactive derivative of oxygen metabolites (d-ROM) and by the Biological Antioxidant Potential (BAP). In all individuals, the APOE genotype determination was also performed. Results: All the subjects in both groups showed high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet. None of the NCs had severe cognitive impairment, and a very low incidence of dementia was found. The data obtained on the Activities ed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADL-IADL) scale showed that the majority of NCs (16/29) were autonomous in daily life activities. The comparative assessment of NCs and cohabitants showed no significant differences in the laboratory assessment of oxidative stress and APOE genotype. Conclusions: In the Cilento Region of Southern Italy, NCs seemed to have good cognitive status when compared to younger cohabitants aging 50–65 years without significant differences in oxidative stress markers or APOE genotype. These results might be related to optimal adherence to the Mediterranean diet, although other lifestyle factors and positive personality traits may also contribute to their healthy aging. Further studies on a larger population should be performed to confirm the results of this pilot study.

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Homocysteine Levels Show Significant Differences among Mediterranean Dietary Quality Index Variables Compared to Folate and Vitamin B12 Status in Women

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000237 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 85 (3-4) ◽

pp. 202-210 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ivona Višekruna ◽

Ivana Rumbak ◽

Ivana Rumora Samarin ◽

Irena Keser ◽

Jasmina Ranilović

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Quality Index ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Dietary Quality ◽

Vitamin B ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Poor Diet ◽

The Mediterranean

Abstract. Results of epidemiologic studies and clinical trials have shown that subjects following the Mediterranean diet had lower inflammatory markers such as homocysteine (Hcy). Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess female diet quality with the Mediterranean diet quality index (MDQI) and to determine the correlation between MDQI, homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 levels in the blood. The study participants were 237 apparently healthy women (96 of reproductive age and 141 postmenopausal) between 25 and 93 years. For each participant, 24-hour dietary recalls for 3 days were collected, MDQI was calculated, and plasma Hcy, serum and erythrocyte folate and vitamin B12 levels were analysed. Total MDQI ranged from 8 to 10 points, which represented a medium-poor diet for the subjects. The strength of correlation using biomarkers, regardless of group type, age, gender and other measured parameters, was ranked from best (0.11) to worst (0.52) for olive oil, fish, fruits and vegetables, grains, and meat, in this order. Hcy levels showed the best response among all markers across all groups and food types. Our study shows significant differences between variables of the MDQI and Hcy levels compared to levels of folate and vitamin B12 in participants with medium-poor diet quality, as evaluated according to MDQI scores.

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