Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is Associated With Lower Likelihood of Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study

Background: Functional constipation is often seen in children, affecting quality of life and imposing a considerable burden on health care services. The Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between functional constipation and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in Turkish children aged 6–18 years. Methods: In this case–control study, 221 children with functional constipation (cases) were selected from a paediatric gastroenterology clinic between May 2018 and September 2019, and 230 children without constipation (controls) were randomly selected from those attending a well-child check-up. Cases and controls were matched on sex, age and socioeconomic characteristics. Compliance with the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the KIDMED index score. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyses the data. Results: KIDMED index scores in cases and controls were 4.0 (SD = 2.5) and 6.3 (SD = 2.4), respectively (P < 0.001). Odds ratios for functional constipation were 0.23 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.13–0.38) for KIDMED index score 4–7 and 0.05 (95% CI: 0.03–0.11) for score ≥ 8 compared with the lowest category (score ≤ 3; P < 0.001). A negative correlation was observed between age and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Conclusion: Good adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower risk of functional constipation, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet decreased with age. Education on nutrition and health is warranted to help maintain and improve the health of young people in Turkey.

Download Full-text

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet in relation to acute coronary syndrome or stroke nonfatal events: A comparative analysis of a case/case-control study

American Heart Journal ◽

10.1016/j.ahj.2011.07.012 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 162 (4) ◽

pp. 717-724 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Christina-Maria Kastorini ◽

Haralampos J. Milionis ◽

Aggeliki Ioannidi ◽

Kallirroi Kalantzi ◽

Vassilios Nikolaou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽

Comparative Analysis ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Control Study

Download Full-text

Mediterranean diet and non-fatal acute myocardial infarction: a case–control study from Italy

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980014000858 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 713-720 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Federica Turati ◽

Claudio Pelucchi ◽

Carlotta Galeone ◽

Delphine Praud ◽

Alessandra Tavani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

European Population ◽

First Episode ◽

High Consumption ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Control Study

AbstractObjectiveTo add epidemiological data on the association of adherence to the Mediterranean diet with non-fatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a Southern European population.DesignHospital-based case–control study. Conformity to the traditional Mediterranean diet was assessed through a score (i.e. the Mediterranean diet score, MDS) based on nine dietary components (high consumption of vegetables, legumes, fruit and nuts, cereals, and fish and seafood; high ratio of monounsaturated to saturated lipids; low consumption of dairy and meat; and moderate alcohol consumption). The score ranged between 0 (lowest adherence) and 9 (highest adherence). The association of the MDS, or its components, with the risk of AMI was evaluated through multiple logistic regression models, controlling for potential confounding variables.SettingThe study was conducted in the greater Milan area (Italy) between 1995 and 2003.SubjectsSeven hundred and sixty patients with a first episode of non-fatal AMI and 682 controls.ResultsHigh consumption of vegetables and legumes were inversely associated with non-fatal AMI risk. As compared with MDS<4, the OR of non-fatal AMI were 0·85 (95 % CI 0·65, 1·12) for MDS of 4–5 and 0·55 (95 % CI 0·40, 0·75) for MDS≥6, with a trend in risk (P<0·01). Results were consistent in strata of selected risk factors and an apparently stronger association emerged for individuals with a lower BMI.ConclusionsThe Mediterranean diet is inversely associated with the risk of non-fatal AMI in this Southern European population.

Download Full-text

Inverse Association Between the Mediterranean Diet and COVID-19 Risk in Lebanon: A Case-Control Study

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.707359 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Christine N. El Khoury ◽

Sofi G. Julien

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Dietary Patterns ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Western Diet ◽

Control Groups ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

And Control ◽

Control Study

Background: Since 2019, the world is confronting the COVID-19 public health crisis that deeply impacted all aspects of life, from the health sector to economy. Despite the advancement of research targeting pandemic containment measures, more strategies are still needed to alleviate the burden caused by this novel disease. In particular, optimal nutrition was proposed as a possible mitigating factor in the context of COVID-19. Indeed, the light is shed on balanced diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, which present the finest nutritional quality to support the immune system and other physiologic functions. In contrast, less varied diets that lack the needed nutrients and favor inflammation have been correlated with adverse health effects, including a hindered immune response, such as the western diet.Methods: This observational case control study aimed at exploring the possible associations between the different dietary patterns present among a sample of the Lebanese population and the COVID-19 occurrence and outcomes. An online survey collected information about the sociodemographic characteristics, health status, lifestyle, and dietary habits through the Mediterranean diet questionnaire and a semi-quantitative fod frequency questionnaire, and the COVID-19 infection and its burden. The sample consisted of 399 respondents divided into the case and control groups (37.6 and 62.4%, respectively) on the basis of the presence or absence of a COVID-19 infection history.Results: The participants in the case and control groups had average adherence to the Mediterranean diet and their dietary intake was closer to the western diet. However, the cases had a lower mean of the MedDiet score (p = 0.009). Food groups consumption analysis showed that this significant difference within the overall similar dietary patterns was due to a higher consumption of poultry and a trend toward decreased consumption of olive oil and increased read meat and alcohol intake among the cases. Additionally, gender influenced the levels of different foods' consumption. Nonetheless, the dietary intake did not impact the COVID-19 burden.Conclusion: It is recommended to adopt healthy food choices within the different dietary patterns for a better protection against COVID-19. These findings should be validated in larger-scale studies.

Download Full-text

Role of fibre and fruit in the Mediterranean diet to protect against myocardial infarction: a case–control study in Spain

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601382 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 56 (8) ◽

pp. 715-722 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

MA Martínez-González ◽

E Fernández-Jarne ◽

E Martínez-Losa ◽

M Prado-Santamaría ◽

C Brugarolas-Brufau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Control Study

Download Full-text

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Bone Fracture Risk in Middle-Aged Women: A Case Control Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11102508 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2508 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Anna Palomeras-Vilches ◽

Eva Viñals-Mayolas ◽

Concepció Bou-Mias ◽

MªÀngels Jordà-Castro ◽

MªÀngels Agüero-Martínez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Mass ◽

Fracture Risk ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Bone Fracture ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Bone Mass Loss ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Control Study

The prevention of bone mass loss and related complications associated with osteoporosis is a significant public health issue. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is favorably associated with bone health, a potentially modifiable risk factor. The objective of this research was to determine MD adherence in a sample of women with and without osteoporosis. In this observational case-control study of 139 women (64 women with and 75 without osteoporosis) conducted in a primary-care health center in Girona (Spain), MD adherence, lifestyle, physical exercise, tobacco and alcohol consumption, pathological antecedents, and FRAX index scores were analyzed. Logistic multilinear regression modeling to explore the relationship between the MD and bone fracture risk indicated that better MD adherence was associated with a lower bone risk fracture. Non-pharmacological preventive strategies to reduce bone fracture risk were also reviewed to explore the role of lifestyle and diet in bone mass maintenance and bone fracture prevention.

Download Full-text

Increased Functional Foods’ Consumption and Mediterranean Diet Adherence May Have a Protective Effect in the Appearance of Gastrointestinal Diseases: A Case–Control Study

Medicines ◽

10.3390/medicines6020050 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 50 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Ioannis-Nektarios Elmaliklis ◽

Athanasia Liveri ◽

Basileios Ntelis ◽

Konstantina Paraskeva ◽

Ioannis Goulis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Functional Foods ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽

Case Control ◽

Healthy People ◽

Diet Adherence ◽

Mediterranean Diet Adherence ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Control Study

Background: Epidemiological studies have suggested a possible correlation between nutritional factors and gastrointestinal diseases. Methods: A case–control study was designed in order to investigate if functional foods consumption and Mediterranean diet adherence have a positive effect in ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. In total, 142 patients (cases) and 147 gender-matched healthy people (controls) participated in the study. Functional food consumption was screened by using a Food Frequency Questionnaire based on the NHANES study, while Mediterranean diet adoption was evaluated by a 14-item Med Diet Assessment tool based on the PREDIMED study. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS-22. Results: In the previous 2–3 years, the controls had more frequently consumed some categories (probiotics, prebiotics-enriched, and low-fat foods) and some kinds of functional foods (mountain tea, berries, pomegranate, oats, mastics, turmeric, soybeans, and raisins) compared to the cases (p < 0.05). Healthy people were more adherent to the Mediterranean diet than patients (p < 0.05). A multifactor analysis showed that the augmented score of the Mediterranean diet and the augmented consumption of categories and kinds of functional foods were protective factors in the appearance of gastrointestinal diseases. Conclusions: More studies should be conducted in order to further investigate the possible association between specific food components and gastrointestinal diseases’ pathophysiology.

Download Full-text