Adherence to the Traditional Mediterranean Diet Is Inversely Associated with Body Mass Index and Obesity in a Spanish Population

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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Well-Being and the Lifestyle Habits of the Spanish Population: The Association between Subjective Well-Being and Eating Habits

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041553 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1553

Author(s):

Laura Cabiedes-Miragaya ◽

Cecilia Diaz-Mendez ◽

Isabel García-Espejo

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Perceived Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Spanish Population ◽

Sociological Research ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Lifestyle Habits ◽

Independent Variables

The so-called Mediterranean diet is not simply a collection of foodstuffs but an expression of the culture of the countries of the south of Europe, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Despite the link between food and culture, little has been studied about how diet contributes to the well-being of the population. This article aims to analyze the association between subjective well-being and the eating habits of the Spanish population in order to gain a better understanding of the subjective well-being that food culture produces. For this study, we used a representative sample of the Spanish adult population from a survey by the Sociological Research Center (CIS 2017). Three indicators of subjective well-being were used: perceived health, life satisfaction, and feeling of happiness. The independent variables relating to eating habits considered in the analysis were, among others, how often meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, and sweets were consumed; how the food was prepared; how often meals were eaten out at restaurants or cafés and how often they were eaten with family or friends. Other independent variables related to lifestyle habits were also included in the analysis, in particular, physical exercise and body mass index. We used ordinal logistic regressions and multiple linear regression models. Our findings coincide in large measure with those obtained in earlier studies where perceived health and income play a key role in evaluating subjective well-being. In turn, several variables related to lifestyle habits, such as consuming sweets and fruits, social interaction around meals, exercising, and body mass index, were also associated with subjective well-being.

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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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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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Body mass index, tri-ponderal mass index, and pubertal growth pattern: New data in a Spanish population

Anales de Pediatría (English Edition) ◽

10.1016/j.anpede.2018.07.002 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 89 (3) ◽

pp. 135-136

Author(s):

Beatriz García Cuartero

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Growth Pattern ◽

Spanish Population ◽

Pubertal Growth

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Motivational Climate towards the Practice of Physical Activity, Self-Concept, and Healthy Factors in the School Environment

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11040999 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 999 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Manuel Castro-Sánchez ◽

Félix Zurita-Ortega ◽

Eduardo García-Marmol ◽

Ramón Chacón-Cuberos

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Body Mass ◽

School Children ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Motivational Climate ◽

Self Concept ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Task Oriented

The objective of the present study was to define and contrast an explanatory model relating the motivational climate, body mass index, and adherence to a Mediterranean diet with the self-concept of school children. A further objective was to analyze the existing relationships between the variables included in the developed model according to sex, using a multi-group structural equation analysis. In the study, a total of 734 school children, of both sexes, reported their perceived motivational climate towards sport, body mass index, adherence to a Mediterranean diet, and self-concept. These children were aged between 10 and 12 years old and attended public school in the province of Granada (Spain). The multi-group structural equation model developed demonstrated an excellent fit to the empirical data (χ2 = 228.179; DF = 40; p < 0.001; CFI = 0.965; NFI = 0.958; IFI = 0.968; RMSEA = 0.048). The findings identified a direct negative relationship between the ego climate and the task climate. Furthermore, an inverse relationship was found between the task climate and body mass index, and a direct relationship was found between the ego climate and body mass index. Meanwhile, Mediterranean diet adherence was directly related to the task climate and negatively related to the ego climate. The main conclusions of the present study highlight the positive effects of a task-oriented motivational climate and adherence to a Mediterranean diet, with regards to body mass index. Furthermore, a task-oriented motivational climate and a lower body mass index are related to a more positive self-concept.

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

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980007000833 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 214-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Marta Rossi ◽

Eva Negri ◽

Cristina Bosetti ◽

Luigino Dal Maso ◽

Renato Talamini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Body Mass ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Control Group ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Case Control Studies ◽

Anthropometric Measures ◽

Waist To Hip Ratio ◽

The Mediterranean

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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Contribution of diet and physical activity to metabolic parameters among survivors of childhood leukemia.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.9552 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 9552-9552

Author(s):

Emily S. Tonorezos ◽

Debra A. Kent ◽

Chaya S. Moskowitz ◽

Kevin C. Oeffinger

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Insulin Resistance ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Body Mass ◽

Visceral Adiposity ◽

Metabolic Parameters ◽

Childhood All ◽

Diet Pattern ◽

History Of

9552 Background: Survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at increased risk for obesity, insulin resistance and increased visceral adiposity. A history of cranial radiation therapy (CRT) worsens this risk. In non-cancer populations, adherence to a Mediterranean Diet has been shown to improve metabolic parameters and risk of diabetes mellitus. Whether diet may contribute to insulin resistance and increased adiposity in ALL survivors is not known. Methods: We surveyed 117 adult survivors of childhood ALL using the Harvard Food Frequency Questionnaire. Physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) was measured with the SenseWear Pro2 Armband. Fasting blood was obtained on all subjects and insulin resistance was estimated using the Homeostasis Model for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Visceral adiposity was measured by abdominal CT. Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet pattern was calculated using the index developed by Trichopoulou. Subjects were compared using univariate analysis. Results: Subjects were majority female (56%); 25% were minority or Hispanic white. A history of CRT was present in 15 (29%) men and 25 (38%) women. Among all subjects, greater adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern was associated with improved HOMA-IR (p=0.14), visceral adiposity (p=0.03), subcutaneous adiposity (p=0.005), waist circumference (p=0.02), and body mass index (p=0.03) (all unadjusted analyses). The effect of adherence to a Mediterranean diet on insulin resistance was especially notable in men who did not receive CRT (p=0.06). Higher dairy intake was found to worsen HOMA-IR (p=0.014), but other individual components of the Mediterranean diet, such as low intake of meat and high intake of fruits and vegetables, were not significant. Inclusion of PAEE did not alter our findings, although higher PAEE was associated with lower body mass index. Conclusions: Adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern, especially low consumption of dairy products, may improve insulin resistance in survivors of childhood ALL. Further study is warranted.

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