Mediterranean diet in relation to body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio

AbstractObjectiveThe Mediterranean diet is rich in fat and starch, and hence may be related to overweight. We therefore investigated the relationship between adherence to a Mediterranean diet and body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR).Design and settingData were obtained from the control group of a network of case–control studies on cancer conducted in major teaching and general hospitals in four Italian areas between 1991 and 2002. An interviewer-administered validated 78-item food-frequency questionnaire was used to obtain information on the subjects’ habitual diet. Information on socio-economic factors, lifestyle habits and anthropometric measures was also collected. A Mediterranean diet score (MDS) was derived on the basis of eight characteristics of the Mediterranean diet.SubjectsSubjects were 6619 patients (3090 men, 3529 women) admitted to hospital for a wide spectrum of acute, non-neoplastic conditions, unrelated to known risk factors for cancer and long-term modifications of diet.ResultsIn multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, study centre, education, tobacco smoking, occupational physical activity and total energy intake, the MDS was not related to BMI (β = 0.05 for men and −0.04 for women) or WHR (β = 0.000 and 0.001, respectively) in both sexes.ConclusionsAdherence to the major characteristics of the Mediterranean diet is unrelated to BMI and WHR, confirming previous data from Greece and Spain.

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Plasma Carotenoid Levels in Relation to the Mediterranean Diet in Greece

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831.73.3.221 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 73 (3) ◽

pp. 221-225 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Trichopoulou ◽

Benetou ◽

Lagiou ◽

Gnardellis ◽

Stacewicz-Sapunzakis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Olive Oil ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Body Mass ◽

Plasma Levels ◽

Beta Carotene ◽

Blood Levels ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Significant Positive Association ◽

The Mediterranean

In the context of the Greek segment of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), we conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the effects of the intake of plant foods central in the traditional Mediterranean diet on plasma levels of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein-zeaxanthin. Study subjects were a random sample of 45 men and 68 women, aged 30–82 years, from the Greek EPIC cohort of 27953 volunteers. Linear regression models were fitted, with the carotenoid blood levels as dependent variables. Independent variables were selected food items, as well as body mass index, controlling for energy intake and a set of demographic factors. Body mass index was inversely associated with plasma levels of the studied carotenoids. The association was highly significant for alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, significant for lutein-zeaxanthin, and borderline significant (p ~ 0.07) for lycopene. Tomato intake was significantly positively associated with plasma lycopene, and beta-carotene. Other fruity vegetables and non-fruity vegetables were significantly positively associated, the former with a-carotene and the latter with both alpha- and beta-carotene plasma levels. Fruits showed a highly significant positive association with plasma beta-cryptoxanthin, as well as with beta-carotene. No association was found between the intake of olive oil or other added lipids and plasma carotenoids. We conclude that among the studied components of the Mediterranean diet, fruits and vegetables tend to increase levels of some carotenoids, but olive oil has no apparent effect.

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Social Jet Lag Associates Negatively with the Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Body Mass Index among Young Adults

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11081756 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1756 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Zerón-Rugerio ◽

Cambras ◽

Izquierdo-Pulido

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Young Adults ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Body Mass ◽

Jet Lag ◽

Sleep Habits ◽

Anthropometric Parameters ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Lower Adherence

Obesity and unhealthy eating habits have been associated with irregular sleep–wake patterns during the week, also known as social jet lag. The Mediterranean diet is a healthy pattern related with a better health and sleep quality. However, potential associations with social jet lag remain unexplored. The aim of this study was to examine whether higher social jet lag is linked to lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet and whether it is associated with BMI (Body Mass Index). This cross-sectional study included 534 young adults (18–25 years). Anthropometric parameters, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, chronotype and social jet lag were studied. Our results revealed that individuals with greater social jet lag showed lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet and had a higher BMI. Among the habits that characterized the Mediterranean dietary pattern, we observed that higher social jet lag was significantly associated with a lower intake of fruits and vegetables, as well as skipping breakfast. Hence, the promotion of regular sleep habits together with healthy dietary patterns should be considered for obesity prevention, especially among young adults.

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Assessment of Risk Factors Associated with Cardiovascular Diseases in Overweight Women

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13103658 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 3658

Author(s):

María-José Castro ◽

José-María Jiménez ◽

María López ◽

María-José Cao ◽

Manuel Durán ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Body Mass ◽

Premenopausal Women ◽

Hdl Cholesterol ◽

Breast Volume ◽

Anthropometric Measures ◽

Waist To Hip Ratio ◽

Cholesterol Ratio

The assessment of anthropometric variables has been shown to be useful as a predictor of cardiovascular risk in overweight and obese patients. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of the relationship between breast volume and body mass index as an indicator of cardiovascular risk in premenopausal women with overweight and mild obesity. A prospective observational study of 93 premenopausal women was performed. Evaluation of anthropometric measures included age, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, breast projection, and ptosis. Cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated using the Framingham cardiovascular risk score, the triglycerides/HDL cholesterol ratio and the waist-hip ratio. Ninety-three women were included, with a mean 36.4 ± 7.5 years. Mean BMI was 27.3 ± 1.9 kg/m2, waist-to-Hip ratio was 0.8 ± 0.07, and mammary volume was 1045 ± 657.4 cm3. Mean body fat mass was 30.6 + 3.6% and mean visceral fat was 6.6 + 3.2%. The mean triglycerides to HDL ratio was 1.7 ± 0.8 and waist-to-hip ratio was 0.8 ± 0.07. Breast volume related to body mass index can be used as a predictor of cardiovascular risk in premenopausal women who are overweight and mildly obese.

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Lipid, protein and carbohydrate intake in relation to body mass index: an Italian study

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980007226084 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 306-310 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Giorgia Randi ◽

Claudio Pelucchi ◽

Silvano Gallus ◽

Maria Parpinel ◽

Luigino Dal Maso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Body Mass ◽

Case Control ◽

Convincing Evidence ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Case Control Studies ◽

Partial Regression Coefficient ◽

Italian Regions ◽

Comparison Groups

AbstractObjectiveTo analyse the association between macronutrient intake and body mass index (BMI).DesignA series of hospital-based case–control studies.SettingsSelected teaching and general hospitals in several Italian regions.SubjectsA total of 6619 subjects from the comparison groups of the case–control studies were included in the analysis.MethodsWe obtained data from a validated 78-item food-frequency questionnaire submitted between 1991 and 2002. For various macronutrients, the partial regression coefficient (variation of BMI (kg m− 2) per 100 kcal increment of energy intake) was derived from multiple linear regression models, after allowance for age, study centre, education, smoking habits, number of eating episodes and mutual adjustment for macronutrients.ResultsBMI was directly associated with protein intake among women only (β = 0.68) and with unsaturated fats in both genders (for monounsaturated fats β = 0.27 for men and 0.26 for women; for polyunsaturated fats β = 0.27 for men and 0.54 for women), and inversely related to carbohydrates (β = − 0.05 for men and − 0.21 for women) and number of eating episodes in both genders (β = − 0.42 for men and − 0.61 for women) and to saturated fats among women only (β = − 0.57).ConclusionsThese results confirm and provide convincing evidence that, after allowance for selected covariates including total energy intake, a protein-rich diet is not inversely related to BMI, and a carbohydrate-rich diet is not directly related to BMI.

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Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and anthropometric profile of obese Algerian subjects

The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research - July-December 2021 ◽

10.51745/najfnr.5.11.23-29 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (11) ◽

pp. 23-29

Author(s):

Lotfi Rahal ◽

Ahmed Ghouini

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Body Mass ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

World Health ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Mediterranean Diet Score ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Diet Score ◽

Anthropometric Profile

Background: Obesity is currently considered an increasingly more severe social and health-related problem. The World Health Organization qualified obesity as a chronic disease associated with several chronic complications such as circulatory diseases, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory diseases. Aims: We aim to establish the correlation between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet MD and the anthropometric profile of obese Algerian subjects. Subjects and Methods: Our study included a cohort of 104 subjects. 47 subjects were at a normal weight and 57 subjects with an overweight (a body mass index BMI of 26 to 35 Kg/m2). Assessment of anthropometric profile took into account the BMI and body composition. The adherence to the MD was assessed using Mediterranean Diet Score MDS. Results: there is a positive correlation between adherence to MD and anthropometric parameters in obese subjects. Conclusions: The Mediterranean diet could positively impact comorbidities accompanying this disease that poses a major public health problem. Keywords: Obesity, Mediterranean Diet, anthropometric profile, body mass index, Mediterranean Diet Score.

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Adherence to the Mediterranean diet: An online questionnaire based-study in a Spanish population sample just before the Covid-19 lockdown

Functional Foods in Health and Disease ◽

10.31989/ffhd.v11i6.806 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 283

Author(s):

Ana Bagues ◽

Andrea Almagro ◽

Teresa Bermúdez ◽

Yolanda López-Tofiño ◽

Antonio González ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Body Mass ◽

Population Sample ◽

Age Groups ◽

University Education ◽

Spanish Population ◽

Academic Degree ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Impact

Background: The Mediterranean Diet (MD) has been associated with a reduced risk of developing several pathologies, such as cardiovascular diseases. Despite this, adherence to MD in the general population has decreased in the past years. Due to COVID-19 crisis, eating habits of the population are being affected, thus data assessing these habits just before lockdown are important to determine how they are modified. The Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) questionnaire was used to evaluate adherence to MD just before COVID-19 lockdown.Methods: The KIDMED survey was launched through the Google platform for surveys, from 2/20/20 until 3/13/20. Additionally, questions about gender, weight and height for body mass index (BMI) calculation, academic degree, and nationality were included. Multivariate linear regression was performed for data analysis.Results: A total of 861 completed surveys were collected. Some surveys were discarded because data was missing (18), the participants were not of Spanish nationality (18), or because they did not belong to the age groups included in the study (19). The remaining 804 surveys were divided into the following age groups: 15-24 (n=160), 25-34 (n=158), 35-54 (n=363) and 55-69 (n=123). In the 15–24-year-old group, 71.9% had a BMI between 18-24.9, but only 28.1% reached an index ≥8 in the KIDMED questionnaire. Adherence to MD improved as the age in the groups increased, but so did the BMI, especially in the oldest group. In all adult groups, approximately 50% had a university education. Overall, lower BMI was significantly related to females, younger age and a higher degree of studies. On the other hand, the higher adherence to MD was related to older age and a higher degree of education. Conclusions: The improved adherence to MD was not associated with a reduced BMI. Maybe other factors, like sedentary life or hormonal changes, known to impact people while aging, have influenced our results. Possibly, adherence to MD might have played a protective role, at least partially, against an even higher BMI. More research is needed to fully determine the impact of adherence to MD in the Spanish population, also after COVID-19 lockdown.Keywords: Mediterranean diet, KIDMED, Body mass index, Spain

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Examining the Prevalence of Obesity in Croatia: The Story of the Mediterranean Diet

ECONOMIA AGRO-ALIMENTARE ◽

10.3280/ecag3-2020oa11036 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-32

Author(s):

Danijel Nestic ◽

Tomislav Vukina

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

The Other ◽

Adult Health ◽

Food Groups ◽

Waist To Hip Ratio ◽

Aggregate Index ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Impact

The objective of this study is to establish a causal relationship between the Mediterranean diet (MD) and various measures of overweightness using the Croatian Adult Health Survey 2003 data. Our results show that among three measures of obesity (body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and obesity (BMI = 30), we found statistically the most convincing relationship between the BMI and the MD. Our results show that an increase in the Mediterranean diet aggregate index by 10% reduces the BMI by about 0.9%. When the MD10 index is replaced with the set of its ten constituent food groups, as a group, these food variables are jointly statistically significant, most of them have expected (negative) signs, and some of them are also individually significant. For the other two overweight measurements (WHR and obesity) we found that the impact of MD aggregate index is insignificant but when the index is replaced by its ten constituent food elements, these are jointly statistically significant in explaining the variation in the obesity measures.

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The Relationship Between Body-Mass Index, Central Obesity and Asthma in Children

Asthma Allergy Immunology ◽

10.21911/aai.546 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 24-31

Author(s):

Arzu Ay ◽

Hülya Ucaryılmaz ◽

Ayca Emsen ◽

Hasibe Artaç

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Allergic Asthma ◽

Body Mass ◽

Central Obesity ◽

Asthma Severity ◽

Control Group ◽

Test Results ◽

Waist To Hip Ratio ◽

Function Test ◽

The Relationship

Objective: We hypothesized that, compared with body mass index (BMI) alone, central obesity would provide added information regarding types of asthma (allergic, nonallergic) and asthma severity. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 children aged between 7-17 years with 50 allergic asthma, 50 nonallergic asthma and 50 controls were included in the study. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences of the groups were measured. Waist-to-hip ratio and BMI were calculated. Pulmonary function test results were recorded. The relation between anthropometric measurements, asthma, atopy, obesity and each other was analyzed. Results: Obesity according to BMI was higher in the group with allergic asthma than nonallergic asthma and the control group (p: 0.014). A positive correlation was found between asthma and BMI percentile, BMI z score and waist-to-hip ratio (p: 0.002; 0.003; 0.040, respectively). Children with obesity according to waist circumference were more frequent in the groups with allergic and nonallergic asthma compared to the control group (p: 0.048). There was a significant relationship between asthma severity and central obesity (p: 0.048). FEV1 / FVC and FEF25-75 were lower in the asthmatic groups compared to the control group (p: 0.028; 0.012, respectively). Conclusion: This study showed that central obesity was associated with asthma and asthma severity, but not with atopy. More investigation is needed to clarify how central obesity in children affects the control of asthma and the response to asthma medication. Keywords: Childhood asthma, central obesity, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index

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