scholarly journals Dietary cost associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and its variation by socio-economic factors in the UK Fenland Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (6) ◽  
pp. 685-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tammy Y. N. Tong ◽  
Fumiaki Imamura ◽  
Pablo Monsivais ◽  
Søren Brage ◽  
Simon J. Griffin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Mediterranean Country ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Adherence ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Socio Economic Factors

AbstractHigh cost of healthy foods could be a barrier to healthy eating. We aimed to examine the association between dietary cost and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in a non-Mediterranean country. We evaluated cross-sectional data from 12 417 adults in the UK Fenland Study. Responses to 130-item FFQ were used to calculate a Mediterranean diet score (MDS). Dietary cost was estimated by matching food consumption data with retail prices of five major supermarkets. Using multivariable-adjusted linear regression, we examined the association of MDS and individual foods with dietary cost in absolute and relative scales. Subsequently, we assessed how much the association was explained by education, income, marital status and occupation, by conducting mediation analysis and testing interaction by these variables. High compared with low MDS (top to bottom third) was associated with marginally higher cost by 5·4 % (95 % CI 4·4, 6·4) or £0·20/d (95 % CI 0·16, 0·25). Participants with high adherence had higher cost associated with the healthier components (e.g. vegetables, fruits and fish), and lower cost associated with the unhealthy components (e.g. red meat, processed meat and sweets) (Pfor trend<0·001 each). In total, 20·7 % (95 % CI 14·3, 27·0) of the MDS-cost association was explained by the selected socio-economic factors, and the MDS-cost association was of greater magnitude in lower socio-economic groups (Pinteraction<0·005). Overall, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with marginally higher dietary cost, partly modified and explained by socio-economic status, but the potential economic barriers of high adherence might be offset by cost saving from reducing unhealthy food consumption.

scholarly journals Food Consumption during Pregnancy and Post-Partum. ECLIPSES Study

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Jardí ◽  
Estefania Aparicio ◽  
Cristina Bedmar ◽  
Núria Aranda ◽  
Susana Abajo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Maternal Factors ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Post Partum Period

Inadequate maternal diet can adversely affect mother and child. Our aim was to assess adherence to the Spanish dietary guidelines and to the Mediterranean diet, to analyze changes in diet during pregnancy and post-partum, and to identify maternal factors associated with food consumption. A total of 793 healthy pregnant women were recruited during the first prenatal visit and followed until the post-partum period. Data from the clinical history, anthropometric measurements, and lifestyle habits were collected. Food consumption was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. The results show that in pregnant women the consumption of healthy foods did not meet recommendations, whereas consumption of red and processed meat and sweet food exceeded recommendations. The results also show a medium adherence to the Mediterranean diet that remained unchanged throughout pregnancy. A significant decrease was observed in the consumption of fruits, followed by vegetables and then salted and sweet cereals from pregnancy to post-partum. A better adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been reported by pregnant women that are older, of higher social class, and higher education level, and who do not smoke nor drink (p < 0.005). In conclusion, the diet of pregnant women from Spain departs from recommendations, medium adherence to the Mediterranean diet was maintained throughout the pregnancy and post-partum, and a decreasing consumption of healthy food from the first trimester to the post-partum period was observed. Maternal factors such as age, social class, education, and smoking influence diet quality.

scholarly journals Health behaviours as predictors of the Mediterranean Diet adherence: a decision tree approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Joana Margarida Bôto ◽  
Ana Marreiros ◽  
Patrícia Diogo ◽  
Ezequiel Pinto ◽  
Maria Palma Mateus
Keyword(s):  
Decision Tree ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Interaction Detection ◽  
High Adherence ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Kidmed Index

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to identify health behaviours that determine adolescent’s adherence to the Mediterranean Diet through a decision tree statistical approach Design: Cross-sectional study, with data collected through a self-fulfilment questionnaire with five sections: 1) eating habits; 2) adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (KIDMED Index); 3) physical activity; 4) health habits; 5) sociodemographic characteristics. Anthropometric and blood pressure data were collected by a trained research team. The Automatic Chi-square Interaction Detection (CHAID) method was used to identify health behaviours that contribute to a better adherence to the Mediterranean Diet. Setting: Eight public secondary schools, in Algarve, Portugal. Participants: Adolescents with ages between 15 and 19 years old (n 325). Results: According to the KIDMED Index, we found a low adherence to MD in 9.0% of the participants, an intermediate adherence in 45.5% and a high adherence in 45.5%. Participants that regularly have breakfast, eat vegetable soup, have a second piece of fruit per day, eat fresh or cooked vegetables one or more times a day, eat oleaginous fruits at least 2 to 3 times a week, and practice sports and leisure physical activities outside school show higher adherence to the MD (P <0.001). Conclusions: The daily intake of two pieces of fruit and vegetables proved to be a determinant health behaviour for high adherence to MD. Strategies to promote the intake of these foods among adolescents must be developed and implemented.

scholarly journals Mediterranean Diet and Motivation in Sport: A Comparative Study Between University Students from Spain and Romania

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramón Chacón-Cuberos ◽  
Georgian Badicu ◽  
Félix Zurita-Ortega ◽  
Manuel Castro-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Motivational Climate ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Adherence ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Perceived Motivational Climate ◽  
Task Oriented

Background: The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is one of the healthiest dietary models worldwide, being an essential mean of preventing pathologies along with the practice of physical activity. Through a comparative study carried out across different countries, it has been demonstrated how this type of habits vary depending on the geographical context. The aim of this research was to evaluate the adherence to MD and its relationships with motivational climate in sport on a sample of university students from Spain and Romania; Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of university students [specialization: Physical Education (n = 605; 20.71 ± 2.42 years old)], using as main instruments the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) for students and adolescents and the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (PMCSQ-2); Results: It was shown that students from Spain had a high adherence to the MD (6.65 ± 2.63 vs. 5.06 ± 1.31). Spanish university students got higher scores in task-oriented motivational climate (4.03 ± 0.62 vs. 3.11 ± 0.55) while ego-oriented climate was higher in university students from Romania (3.24 ± 0.54 vs. 2.07 ± 0.75). Finally, it was observed that the task-oriented motivational climate was related to a lower adherence to MD in Spanish students (4.49 ± 0.37 vs. 3.98 ± 0.62). In contrast, in Romanian youth, a medium adherence to the MD was associated with higher scores for the ego-oriented motivational climate (3.27 ± 0.53 vs. 3.00 ± 0.54); Conclusions: As main conclusions, it was shown that the students from Spain had a high adherence to the MD. In addition, it has been demonstrated that ego-oriented climates are linked to a better adherence to MD, especially due to the importance of following a proper diet in sport contexts, as demonstrated by young Romanians.

scholarly journals Changes in the Lifestyle in Spanish University Population during the Confinement for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Sumalla-Cano ◽  
Tamara Forbes-Hernández ◽  
Silvia Aparicio-Obregón ◽  
Jorge Crespo ◽  
Maria Eléxpuru-Zabaleta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
University Employees ◽  
Sugary Drinks ◽  
University Population ◽  
The Mediterranean

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, eating and physical activity behaviours, in a University population. A healthy diet such as the Mediterranean Diet (MD) pattern, rich in fruit and vegetables can prevent degenerative diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc. (2) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, data were collected by an anonymous online questionnaire. Participants completed a survey consisting of 3 sections: sociodemographic data; dietary and physical activity behaviour; questionnaire of the Mediterranean Diet (MEDAS-14) and the emotional eater questionnaire Garaulet (EEQ). (3) Results: A total of 168 participants completed the questionnaire 66.7% women, from Spain 79.2%, 76.8% students, living in family home 76.2% and in normal weight 66.1% . Our population did the grocery 1 or less per week (76.8%); decreased or stay the same the consumption of fruits (57.1%), vegetables (58.9%), dairy products (74.4%), pulses (73.2%), fish/seafood (76.8%), white meat (83.3%), red and processed meat (91.1%), snacks (78.6%), rice/pasta/potatoes (78.6%), nuts (83.9%), low alcohol drinks (89.3%), spirits (98.8%) and sugary drinks (91.7%) . Increased cooking time (73.2%) and decreased or stay the same their physical activity (63.7%). University Employees increased more weight (1.01&plusmn;0.02) than students (0.99&plusmn;0.03) (p&lt;0.05). 79.8% of the participant obtained a Medium/High Adherence to the MD. Emotional and very emotional eaters were higher in women group (p&lt;0.01). (4) Conclusions: In the event of further confinement, strategies should be implemented to promote a balanced and healthy diet together with the practice of physical activity, taking special care of the group of women and University Employees.

Erosion of the Mediterranean diet among adolescents: evidence from an Eastern Mediterranean Country

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Farah Naja ◽  
Nahla Hwalla ◽  
Fatima Hachem ◽  
Nada Abbas ◽  
Fatima Al Zahraa Chokor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Food System ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Mediterranean Country ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Country Specific

Abstract At a time when the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet (MD) are pervasively recognised, a paradoxical observation is the decreasing adherence to this dietary pattern in its native countries. This study aims to investigate temporal trends in adherence to the MD among adolescents (10–19 years old) in Lebanon. Data were drawn from three national cross-sectional surveys conducted at three points in time: 1997 (n 2004), 2009 (n 3656) and 2015 (n 1204). Dietary intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recalls, and adherence to the MD was assessed using two country-specific indexes: the composite Mediterranean diet (c-MED) index and Lebanese Mediterranean diet (LMD) index. Significant decreases in c-MED and LMD scores and in the proportion of adolescents adhering to the MD were observed between 1997 and 2015, with more consistent results among females (P < 0·05). Projections for the year 2030 showed further decreases, with less than a quarter of adolescents remaining adherent to the MD. Based on linear regression analyses, belonging to the year 2009 was associated with significantly lower MD scores compared with 1997, even after adjustment for potential covariates (c-MED β = –0·16, 95 % CI –0·30, –0·01; LMD β = –0·42, 95 % CI –0·67, –0·17). Similar results were obtained when comparing survey year 2015 with 1997 (c-MED score β = –0·20, 95 % CI –0·33, –0·06; LMD score β = –0·60, 95 % CI –0·82, –0·37). Findings highlight the erosion of the MD among Lebanese adolescents and underline the need for a comprehensive food system approach that fosters the promotion of the MD as a nutritionally balanced and sustainable dietary pattern.

scholarly journals Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Its Association with Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Spanish University Students

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Isabel Cobo-Cuenca ◽  
Miriam Garrido-Miguel ◽  
Alba Soriano-Cano ◽  
Asunción Ferri-Morales ◽  
Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
University Students ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Adherence ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
High Level

The aims of this study were to assess the association of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) with physical fitness and body composition in Spanish university students and to determine the ability to predict the MD adherence of each Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) item. A cross-sectional study was performed involving 310 first-year university students. Adherence to the MD was evaluated with MEDAS-14 items. Anthropometric variables, body composition, and physical fitness were assessed. Muscle strength was determined based on handgrip strength and the standing long jump test. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was measured using the Course–Navette test. Only 24% of the university students had good adherence to the MD. The ANCOVA models showed a significant difference between participants with high adherence to the MD and those with medium and low adherence in CRF (p = 0.017) and dynamometry (p = 0.005). Logistic binary regression showed that consuming >2 vegetables/day (OR = 20.1; CI: 10.1–30.1; p < 0.001), using olive oil (OR = 10.6; CI: 1.4–19.8; p = 0.021), consuming <3 commercial sweets/week (OR = 10.1; IC: 5.1–19.7; p < 0.001), and consuming ≥3 fruits/day (OR = 8.8; CI: 4.9–15.7; p < 0.001) were the items most associated with high adherence to the MD. In conclusion, a high level of adherence to the MD is associated with high-level muscular fitness and CRF in Spanish university students.

scholarly journals Prenatal and childhood Mediterranean diet and the development of asthma and allergies in children

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (9A) ◽  
pp. 1629-1634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leda Chatzi ◽  
Manolis Kogevinas
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
High Adherence ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
High Level

AbstractObjectiveTo discuss current evidence about the relation between prenatal and childhood Mediterranean diet, and the development of asthma and allergies in children.DesignReview of the literature.Setting and resultsFour recent studies conducted in Mediterranean countries (Spain, Greece) and one conducted in Mexico evaluated the association between childhood Mediterranean diet and asthma outcomes in children. All of the studies reported beneficial associations between a high level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet during childhood and symptoms of asthma or allergic rhinitis. Individual foods or food groups contributing to the protective effect of Mediterranean diet included fish, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and cereals, while detrimental components included red meat, margarine and junk food intake.Two studies focused on prenatal Mediterranean diet: the first is a birth cohort in Spain that showed a protective effect of a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy on persistent wheeze, atopic wheeze and atopy at the age of 6·5 years; while the second is a cross-sectional study in Mexico, collecting information more than 6 years after pregnancy, that showed no associations between maternal Mediterranean diet during pregnancy and allergic symptoms in childhood except for current sneezing.ConclusionsFindings from recent studies suggest that a high level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet early in life protects against the development of asthma and atopy in children. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms of this protective effect, to evaluate the most relevant window of exposure, and to address specific components of diet in relation to disease.

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

2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 202-210 ◽  
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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document