scholarly journals Worldwide variation of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, in 1961–1965 and 2000–2003

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (9A) ◽  
pp. 1676-1684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui da Silva ◽  
Anna Bach-Faig ◽  
Blanca Raidó Quintana ◽  
Genevieve Buckland ◽  
Maria Daniel Vaz de Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
The Other ◽  
Mediterranean Country ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Balance Sheets ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
European Group

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to analyse the worldwide trends of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), in 1961–1965 and 2000–2003.DesignData were obtained from the FAO food balance sheets in two periods: 1961–1965 and 2000–2003. In order to have a sample from across the world, forty-one countries were selected. The average of available energy for different food groups was calculated for all selected countries. These values were used to evaluate the adherence to the MD through a variation of Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI).ResultsThe majority of the forty-one countries in this study have tended to drift away from a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern. Mediterranean Europe and the Other Mediterranean country groups suffered a significant decrease in their MAI values. The Mediterranean European group, especially Greece, experienced the greatest decrease in MAI value.In both periods, the Other Mediterranean countries showed the highest MAI values. In an analysis by countries, Iran had the highest increase in MAI across the time periods, and Egypt occupied the first place in the ranking in 2000–2003.The Northern European group was the only one that registered an increase in MAI, although this was not statistically significant.ConclusionsMany countries in the Mediterranean basin are drifting away from the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP). However, countries in Northern Europe and some other countries around the world are taking on a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern. The Other Mediterranean countries have the closest adherence to the MDP, currently and in the 1960s. Nutrition policy actions to tackle dietary westernisation and preserve the healthy prudent MDP are required.

scholarly journals Changes in food supply in Mediterranean countries from 1961 to 2001

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reina Garcia-Closas ◽  
Antoni Berenguer ◽  
Carlos A González
Keyword(s):  
Olive Oil ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Geographical Differences ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Traditional Mediterranean Diet ◽  
The 1960S

AbstractObjectiveTo describe geographical differences and time trends in the supply of the most important food components of the traditional Mediterranean diet.DesignFood supply data collected from national food balance sheets for the period 1961–2001.SettingSelected Mediterranean countries: Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey.ResultsDifferences of almost 30-fold and five-fold were found in the supply of olive oil and fruits and vegetables, respectively, among the Mediterranean countries studied during the 1960s. A favourable increasing trend for the supply of fruit and vegetables was observed in most Mediterranean countries. However, an increase in the supply of meats and dairy products and a decrease in the supply of cereals and wine were observed in European Mediterranean countries from 1961 until 2001. Only in African and Asiatic Mediterranean countries were cereals the base of food supply. During the 1990s, Greece's food supply pattern was closest to the traditional Mediterranean diet, while Italy and Spain maintained a high availability of fruits, vegetables and olive oil, but were losing the other typical components. Among African and Asiatic Mediterranean countries, only Turkey presented a traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern except with respect to olive oil, the supply of which was very low. France showed a Western dietary pattern, with a high supply of animal products and a low supply of olive oil.ConclusionsDietary supplies in the Mediterranean area were quite heterogeneous in the 1960s and have experienced a process of Westernization, especially in European Mediterranean countries.

scholarly journals The Mediterranean Diet and the Increasing Demand of the Olive Oil Sector: Shifts and Environmental Consequences

REGION ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Neves ◽  
Iva Miranda Pires
Keyword(s):  
Olive Oil ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Policies ◽  
Slow Food ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Oil Sector ◽  
Increasing Demand

Mediterranean countries play a crucial role as olive oil producers and consumers compared to other world regions. This work focusses on the development of the world production, trade and consumption where the Mediterranean region stands out from the rest of the world, in particular, the Northern Mediterranean countries. Aspects such as how communication emphasizes the benefits of the Mediterranean diet - which is a distinctive characteristic of the Mediterranean culture and identity - the Slow Food Movement, the International Olive Council campaigns, and the successive Common Agricultural Policies, that have triggered production, trade and consumption around the world, are here discussed. Such increases and stimuli brought and is still bringing changes to the olive oil sector such as a shifting tendency in production modes as well as modernization of the sector, responding to the increasing demand. These shifts and demand are changing landscapes and are being referred as environmentally harmful to the ecosystems as the production of olive oil is shifting to more intensive production systems and monoculture plantations. These issues are here debated and illustrated with case study examples, referring to the Mediterranean countries, particularly, referring to the Iberian Peninsula.

scholarly journals Study of community-living Alzheimer’s patients’ adherence to the Mediterranean diet and risks of malnutrition at different disease stages

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariona Rocaspana-García ◽  
Joan Blanco-Blanco ◽  
Alfonso Arias-Pastor ◽  
Montserrat Gea-Sánchez ◽  
Gerard Piñol-Ripoll
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Nutritional Assessment ◽  
Mini Nutritional Assessment ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Global Deterioration Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The Mediterranean

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by deficits in episodic memory. It is the most common form of dementia and affects 50–70% of patients with cognitive impairments over the age of 65. Elderly people are particularly susceptible to malnutrition and that risk is even higher in patients with AD. This study assessed the nutritional status of patients with AD at different stages of AD and explored how that status correlated with cognitive, functional and behavioural variables and caregiver overburden. The characteristics of the diet and the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet were also analysed.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study that was representative of the general population and it was carried out in the Unit of Cognitive Disorders, Lleida, Spain. The participants were 111 subjects with AD who were aged 65 and over and still living at home. The subjects’ nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and Controlling Nutritional Status system. The monthly food intake was estimated using the short Food Frequency Questionnaire and adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated using the Mediterranean Diet Score. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Global Deterioration Scale, Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) were also used.ResultsWe found that 68% of the subjects presented with a risk of malnutrition and 19% were malnourished according to the MNA scale. Patients ate a higher quantity of meat and dairy products than recommended and fewer products from the remaining healthier food groups. Of the 111 subjects, 73% showed low adherence to the Mediterranean diet and 27% showed moderate adherence. There was a partial correlation between nutritional status and the MMSE when the data were adjusted for age and sex (r = 0, 318;p = 0.001) and inverse correlations were found for functional status (r =  − 0.283;p = 0.004) and the NPI (r =  − 0.409;p = 0.000) and ZBI scales (r =  − 0.433;p = 0.000) when they were adjusted using the same variables. The ZBI scale (OR 1.08, 95% CI [1.01–1.15]) showed an increase in the risk of malnutrition in the multivariate analysis.DiscussionAlterations in nutritional status were more common during the advanced stages of AD and were also associated with behavioural changes and caregiver overburden. Low adherence to traditional healthy diets in Mediterranean countries and food intake profiles should be considered when managing patients with AD. Other countries can use the results to examine diets in people with AD that are high in meat and dairy and low in healthy food groups like fruit and vegetables.

scholarly journals The use of indexes evaluating the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in epidemiological studies: a review

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (1a) ◽  
pp. 132-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Bach ◽  
Lluís Serra-Majem ◽  
Josep L Carrasco ◽  
Blanca Roman ◽  
Joy Ngo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Global Evaluation ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Reference Pattern ◽  
Diet Pattern ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Quantitative Definition

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to review some of the methods that several epidemiological studies use to evaluate the adherence of a population to the Mediterranean diet pattern. Among these methods, diet indexes attempt to make a global evaluation of the quality of the diet based on a traditional Mediterranean reference pattern, described as a priori, general and qualitative. The Mediterranean diet indexes, hence, summarise the diet by means of a single score that results from a function of different components, such as food, food groups or a combination of foods and nutrients. The reviewed evaluation methods can be classified into three categories depending on the way they are calculated: (1) those based on a positive or negative scoring of the components, (2) those that add or substract standardised components, and (3) those that are based on a ratio between components.Dietary scores have been used to explore the multiple associations between the Mediterranean diet, as an integral entity, and health parameters such as life expectancy or the incidence of obesity, cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancers. Moreover, these indexes are also useful tools to measure food consumption trends and to identify the involved factors, as well as to develop comprehensive public health nutrition recommendations.A more precise and quantitative definition of the Mediterranean diet is required if the adherence to such a dietary pattern is intended to be more accurately measured. Other aspects of the Mediterranean diet indexes should also be taken into account, like the inclusion of typical Mediterranean foods such as nuts and fish and the validation of the dietary pattern approach by using biomarkers.

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

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.

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 Availability of Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean foods during the last four decades: comparison of several geographical areas

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (9A) ◽  
pp. 1667-1675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Vareiro ◽  
Anna Bach-Faig ◽  
Blanca Raidó Quintana ◽  
Isabel Bertomeu ◽  
Genevieve Buckland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Olive Oil ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Food Availability ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Mediterranean Europe ◽  
The Mediterranean

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to evaluate the changes in the availability of the most important food components of the traditional Mediterranean diet and other food groups in five geographical areas during a 43-year period.DesignEcological study with food availability data obtained from FAO food balance sheets in forty-one countries for the period 1961–1965 and 2000–2004.SettingMediterranean, Northern and Central Europe, Other Mediterranean countries and Other Countries of the World were the studied areas.ResultsThe main changes since the 1960s, at an availability level, were found in European areas and in Other Mediterranean countries. The greatest changes were found in Mediterranean Europe, recording high availability of non-Mediterranean food groups (animal fats, vegetable oils, sugar and meat), whereas the availability of alcoholic beverages, including wine, and legumes decreased. Despite having lost some of its typical characteristics, Mediterranean Europe has more olive oil, vegetables, fruits and fish available than other areas. Although Northern Europe has a greater availability of non-Mediterranean foods, there has been a tendency towards a decrease in availability of some of these foods and to increase Mediterranean food such as olive oil and fruits.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that European countries, especially those in the Mediterranean area, have experienced a ‘westernisation’ process of food habits, and have increasingly similar patterns of food availability (mainly non-Mediterranean food groups) among them. Measures must be taken to counteract these tendencies and to avoid their possible negative consequences. It is also crucial to find ways to promote and preserve the Mediterranean diet and its lifestyle in modern societies.

scholarly journals The Mediterranean diet in a world context

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (1a) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikos Alexandratos
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Balance Sheets ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Good Nutrition ◽  
The Mediterranean

AbstractObjectiveTo put the debate on the Mediterranean diet in context by highlighting historical and prospective changes in the level and composition of food consumption in the world and key Mediterranean countries.DesignData from FAO's food balance sheets are used to illustrate historical evolution. Projections to 2030 are presented from FAO's recent and ongoing work on exploring world food and agriculture futures.SettingInternational.Results and conclusionsMany developing countries are undergoing diet transitions bringing them closer to the diets prevalent in the richer countries, i.e. with more energy-dense foods. There follows an increase in the incidence of diet-related non-communicable diseases, which are superimposed on the health problems related to undernutrition that still afflict them. In parallel, many low-income countries are making little progress towards raising food consumption levels necessary for good nutrition and food security. Wider adoption of food consumption patterns akin to those of the Mediterranean diet hold promise of contributing to mitigate adverse effects of such diet transitions. However, the evolution of food consumption in the Mediterranean countries themselves is not encouraging, as these countries have also followed the trend towards higher shares of energy-dense foods. Possible policy responses to these problems include measures to raise awareness of the benefits of healthier diets and/or to change relative food prices in favour of such diets (by taxing fattening foods) or, at the extreme, making individuals who follow ‘bad’ diets, and thus are prone to associated diseases, bear a higher part of the consequent costs borne by the public health systems (tax fat people).

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.

scholarly journals The Beneficial Health Effects of Vegetables and Wild Edible Greens: The Case of the Mediterranean Diet and Its Sustainability

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 9144
Author(s):  
Elena Chatzopoulou ◽  
Márcio Carocho ◽  
Francesco Di Gioia ◽  
Spyridon A. Petropoulos
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Scientific Interest ◽  
Mediterranean Populations ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Healthy Diets ◽  
The World ◽  
The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean diet (MD) concept as currently known describes the dietary patterns that were followed in specific regions of the area in the 1950s and 1960s. The broad recognition of its positive effects on the longevity of Mediterranean populations also led to the adoption of this diet in other regions of the world, and scientific interest focused on revealing its health effects. MD is not only linked with eating specific nutritional food products but also with social, religious, environmental, and cultural aspects, thus representing a healthy lifestyle in general. However, modern lifestyles adhere to less healthy diets, alienating people from their heritage. Therefore, considering the increasing evidence of the beneficial health effects of adherence to the MD and the ongoing transitions in consumers’ behavior, the present review focuses on updating the scientific knowledge regarding this diet and its relevance to agrobiodiversity. In addition, it also considers a sustainable approach for new marketing opportunities and consumer trends of the MD.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document