Mediterranean diet and food consumption in an urban adult population of Northwest Algeria

Background: Knowing the eating habits of populations is important to better define appropriate public health interventions. Aims: The aim of the current study was to describe the food consumption among adults in an urban population in North-western Algeria and to compare it to the Mediterranean diet. Subjects and methods: During 2007-2009, 787 individuals aged 30-64 years, randomly selected from the list of insured persons residing in Oran city. A questionnaire on socio-economic and nutritional habits was completed during a face-to-face interview. Results: Mostly, Bread was the most consumed food, three times a day for the majority of the participants (92.2%), followed by vegetal oil (67.9%) and milk (51.2%) twice a day. Dessert was more consumed (64.7%) than vegetables (58.7%), once a day. Olive oil was the least consumed. According to sex, women’s diet appears to be different from men regarding several foods. We observed that young subjects (30 to 39 years) displayed a high consumption of desserts (68.7%, p<0.0001) and potatoes (62.7%, p=0.024), as well as peanuts (44.9%, p=0.032). The most educated subjects, likewise, subjects with a sufficient monthly income consumed significantly more animal proteins, red meat and fish, as well as fruits. The food pyramid in the ISOR (Insulino-résistance à Oran) population was different from the MD (Mediterranean Diet), except for cereals and grain products. Conclusion: The diet of the urban population of northern Algeria is far to be compared to the Mediterranean diet with a high consumption of desserts and animal proteins, in particular among men with a good income. Keywords: Northwest Algeria, urban population, Mediterranean diet, monthly income, educational level.

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Cooking at Home and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet During the COVID-19 Confinement: The Experience From the Croatian COVIDiet Study

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.617721 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Danijela Pfeifer ◽

Josip Rešetar ◽

Jasenka Gajdoš Kljusurić ◽

Ines Panjkota Krbavčić ◽

Darija Vranešić Bender ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Adult Population ◽

Dietary Behavior ◽

Dietary Quality ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Impact

Introduction: The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the changes in dietary behavior among the Croatian adult population during the COVID-19 outbreak and to explore the impact of confinement on cooking habits.Methods: The study was based on results from COVIDiet_Int cross-sectional study—a part of COVIDiet project (NCT04449731). A self-administered online questionnaire was used to assess the frequency of food consumption, eating habits, and sociodemographic information. A total number of 4,281 participants (80.5% females and 19.4% males) completed the questionnaire.Results: The Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) score before the confinement was 5.02 ± 1.97, while during the confinement, the MEDAS score increased to 5.85 ± 2.04. Participants who had higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) during the confinement were mostly females (88.8%), aged between 20 and 50 years, with the highest level of education (66.3%) and normal BMI (70.6%). The majority of participants maintained their dietary behavior as it was before COVID-19 confinement, while 36.9% decreased their physical activity. Participants with higher MEDAS score were more eager to increase their physical activity. Additionally, higher median values of MEDAS score were noted for participants with body mass index values below 24.9 kg/m2 (6.0 vs. 5.0 for participants with BMI above 25 kg/m2). Participants in all residence places increased their cooking frequency during the confinement (53.8%), which was associated with an increase in vegetables, legumes, as well as fish and seafood consumption.Conclusions: According to our findings, Croatian adults exhibited medium adherence to the MedDiet during the COVID-19 confinement. The results suggest that cooking frequency could be positively associated with overall dietary quality, which is of utmost importance in these demanding times.

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Family Meals, Conviviality and the Mediterranean Diet among Families with Adolescents

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052499 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2499

Author(s):

Andrea de la Torre-Moral ◽

Sergi Fàbregues ◽

Anna Bach-Faig ◽

Albert Fornieles-Deu ◽

F. Xavier Medina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Family Meals ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Family Meal ◽

Food Pattern ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

The Family ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Meal Composition

Two aspects that characterize the Mediterranean diet (MD) are “what” and “how” we eat. Conviviality relates to “how” we eat and to the pleasure of sharing meals with significant people. The most studied concept is “family meals”, which includes conviviality, which involves “enjoying” family meals. Given the lack of research on convivial family meals in Mediterranean countries, the purpose of this qualitative study was to analyze the family meal representations and practices of families with 12- to 16-year-old adolescents to assess whether they responded to a pattern of conviviality, and to examine their association with MD adherence. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted and food frequency and family meal questionnaires were administered. A food pattern analysis was carried out and digital photos of meals were analyzed to examine eating habits and meal composition, respectively. The findings showed that parents believed family meals are a space for socialization and communication. Items relating to the conviviality of family meals identified in the study were meal frequency, meals at the table, lack of digital distractions, pleasant conversations, and time spent on family meals. Attention should be paid to conviviality in Mediterranean families when designing multi-approach strategies to promote healthy eating among adolescents.

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Self-Perceived Physical Activity and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Healthy Adolescents during COVID-19: Findings from the DIMENU Pilot Study

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9060622 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 622

Author(s):

Angelo Galluccio ◽

Giovanna Caparello ◽

Ennio Avolio ◽

Emanuele Manes ◽

Simona Ferraro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Wellness Programs ◽

Health Impact ◽

The Self ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Mediterranean Diet Adherence ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Impact

The global pandemic coronavirus disease (COVID-19) resulted in restrictions which forced adolescents to stay at home and influenced their food habits and lifestyles with potential negative health impact. This study aims to investigate the self-reported physical activity (PA) and eating habits related to the consumption of Mediterranean foods in a sample of adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown enrolled into the DIMENU study. A web survey was launched for 91 adolescents (aged 15–17 years) to assess their adherence to the Mediterranean Diet using the KIDMED test and lifestyle habits using a questionnaire designed following recommendations by Italian National Institute of Health (ISS score). Our results indicate that most of the sample declared no changes in eating habits and PA without sex differences. After dividing the sample into active and sedentary groups based on the self-perceived PA, we found that KIDMED and ISS scores were significantly higher (p = 0.0028 and p = 0.0001, respectively) in active adolescents. Moreover, KIDMED was positively correlated with ISS only in active adolescents (r = 0.311, p = 0.0185). In conclusion, our data underline the impact of the PA on the Mediterranean diet adherence in adolescents during the lockdown, suggesting the usefulness of promoting wellness programs directed towards inactive individuals to increase their awareness on the importance of healthy lifestyles.

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Chronotype and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Obesity: Results from the Opera Prevention Project

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12051354 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 1354

Author(s):

Giovanna Muscogiuri ◽

Luigi Barrea ◽

Sara Aprano ◽

Lydia Framondi ◽

Rossana Di Matteo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutrition Education ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Common Finding ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽

Anthropometric Parameters ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prevention Project ◽

The Mediterranean

Chronotype is the attitude of a subject in determining individual circadian preference in behavioral and biological rhythm relative to the external light–dark cycle. Obesity and unhealthy eating habits have been associated with evening chronotype. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a healthy nutritional pattern that has been reported to be associated with better health and quality of sleep. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the association of chronotype categories with adherence to the MD in a population of middle-aged Italian adults. This cross-sectional study included 172 middle-aged adults (71.5% females; 51.8 ± 15.7 years) that were consecutively enrolled in a campaign to prevent obesity called the OPERA (obesity, programs of nutrition, education, research and assessment of the best treatment) Prevention Project that was held in Naples on 11–13 October 2019. Anthropometric parameters, adherence to the MD and chronotype were studied. Chronotype was classified as morning in 58.1% of subjects, evening in 12.8% and intermediate in 28.1%. Our results demonstrated that individuals with evening chronotype, when compared to intermediate (p < 0.001) and morning chronotype (p < 0.001), were more prone to follow unhealthy lifestyle, performing less regular activity and being more frequently smokers. In addition, they showed the lowest adherence to the MD compared to morning (p < 0.001) and intermediate chronotypes (p < 0.001). The lower the chronotype score, the higher body mass index (BMI) values in the whole population (r = −0.158; p = 0.038), thus suggesting that evening chronotype was a common finding in subjects with obesity. In addition, positive correlations of chronotype score with age (r = 0.159; p = 0.037) and PREDIMED score (r = 0.656; p < 0.001) were found. The adherence to the MD, more than the intake of the single food items, was found to predict morning and evening chronotypes. In conclusion, evening chronotype was associated with unhealthy lifestyle and low adherence to the MD. Chronotype score was inversely associated to BMI and positively associated to age and adherence to the MD. Thus, the assessment of chronotype should be taken into account in the management of obesity and in the development of nutritional strategies.

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The Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Resilience, Test Anxiety, Academic Stress and the Mediterranean Diet. A Study with University Students

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17062071 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (6) ◽

pp. 2071 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Rubén Trigueros ◽

Ana M. Padilla ◽

José M. Aguilar-Parra ◽

Patricia Rocamora ◽

María J. Morales-Gázquez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emotional Intelligence ◽

University Students ◽

Test Anxiety ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Academic Stress ◽

Equation Model ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The University

The academic transition to university is a turning point in young people’s lifestyles. However, studies to date have focused on student behaviour within the classroom context, rather than on the consequences it may have on their lifestyle. This study aims to analyze the influence of emotional intelligence of university students on their resilience, academic stress, exam anxiety, and eating habits related to the Mediterranean diet at the university stage. This study was carried out with the participation of 733 male and 614 female students from the University of Almeria, aged between 19 and 27. A structural equation model was made to explain the causal relationships between the variables. The results showed emotional intelligence positively predicted resilience. In turn, test anxiety and academic stress were negatively predicted by resilience. Finally, test anxiety and academic stress were negatively predicted by the Mediterranean diet. In short, the results of the present study have shown that academic transfer to university and grading pressure can generate maladaptive consequences for food consumption.

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Habits, preferences and culinary skills of first-year students at the university of Huelva

Enfermería Global ◽

10.6018/eglobal.18.3.332791 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gema López Nieves ◽

Elena Sosa Cordobés ◽

Almudena Garrido Fernández ◽

Gabriel Travé González ◽

Francisca María García-Padilla

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Ad Hoc ◽

Eating Habits ◽

First Year ◽

Arithmetic Means ◽

First Year Students ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The University ◽

Dieta Mediterranea ◽

Dieta Mediterránea

Introducción: Los estudiantes universitarios se encuentran en un periodo crítico para el desarrollo y consolidación de estilos de vida futuros. El objetivo fue conocer los hábitos alimentarios, preferencias alimentarias y habilidades culinarias del alumnado de primer curso de las distintas titulaciones de la Universidad de Huelva.Material y Método: Estudio descriptivo transversal durante el año académico 2015-2016 de una muestra final de 756 alumnos. La adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea se ha medido a través del cuestionario KIDMED. El resto de variables se han recogido mediante un cuestionario ad hoc. El análisis de datos se realizó mediante el PSPP, calculándose medias, desviaciones típicas y porcentajes para el análisis descriptivo, prueba de Chi-cuadrado y ANOVA para el análisis relacional.Resultados: El 20,4% del alumnado tiene un nivel óptimo de adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea, frente al 65,3% que posee un nivel medio y un 14,3% bajo. Los alimentos preferidos son pollo (62,2%), pasta (58,2%), cerdo (50,4%) y las patatas fritas (45,9%). Entre los alimentos que saben preparar están la pasta, (93,8%), patatas con huevo (90.2 %), pizza precocinada (88.7 %), zumo (86.1 %) y carne a la plancha (85.8 %).Conclusiones: La dieta de los estudiantes onubenses es muy similar a la de otras poblaciones universitarias estudiadas. Se encontró preferencia por las carnes y alimentos ricos en glúcidos, en detrimento de la fruta y la verdura. Se observó un déficit en las habilidades culinarias, lo cual podría explicar el deterioro del patrón alimentario de éstos y orientar futuras intervenciones. Introduction: Students attending university are at a critical period for the development and consolidation of future lifestyles. The objective of this study was to know the eating habits, food preferences and culinary skills of first-year students on different degree courses at the University of Huelva.Material and Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study in academic year 2015-2016 of a sample of 756 students. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was measured by the KIDMED questionnaire. The rest of the variables were measured by an ad hoc questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using the PSPP programme, calculating arithmetic means, standard deviations and percentages for the descriptive analysis, with Chi-square test and ANOVA for the relational analysis.Results: 20.4% of students have an optimal level of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, compared to 65.3% % with an average level and 14.3% with low adherence. Favourite foods cited were chicken (62.2%), pasta (58.2%), pork (50.4%) and chips (45.9%). The types of food the students knew how to prepare included pasta (93.8%), egg and chips (90.2%), precooked pizza (88.7%), fruit juices (86.1%) and grilled meat (85.8%).Conclusions: Huelva university students diet is very similar to that of other university populations studied. We found a preference for meat and foods rich in carbohydrates, to the detriment of fruit and vegetables. A lack of culinary skills was observed, which could explain the deterioration in eating habits; this is a pointer to future interventions.

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Assessment of the Sustainability of the Mediterranean Diet Combined with Organic Food Consumption: An Individual Behaviour Approach

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu9010061 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 61 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Louise Seconda ◽

Julia Baudry ◽

Benjamin Allès ◽

Oualid Hamza ◽

Christine Boizot-Szantai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Organic Food ◽

Individual Behaviour ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Organic Food Consumption

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Evaluation of adherence to Mediterranean diet in medical students at Kocaeli University, Turkey

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/0300060518757158 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. 1585-1594 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Canan Baydemir ◽

Emrah Gokay Ozgur ◽

Sibel Balci

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Smoking Habit ◽

First Year ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

First Year Students ◽

Academic Knowledge ◽

The Mediterranean

Introduction This study was conducted to evaluate the eating habits of medical students at Kocaeli University in northwest Turkey in terms of their ability to apply their academic knowledge regarding healthy lifestyles to their own lives using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED). Methods In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire including demographic information and the KIDMED index was administered to 354 medical school students (206 first-year and 148 third-year students). The students’ sex, body mass index, KIDMED score, place of residence, smoking habit, media screen time, and regular exercising variables were evaluated. Results The KIDMED score was −2 to 8 (3.8 ± 1.9) among all students, −1 to 8 (3.9 ± 2.0) among first-year students, and −1 to 8 (3.6 ± 1.9) among third-year students. In total, 59.1% of females and 40.9% of males among first-year students showed moderate adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and female students showed better adherence to the Mediterranean diet than males among third-year students. Conclusion Medical students at Kocaeli University in Turkey showed inadequate application of their academic knowledge about healthy living to their own lives.

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Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Spanish Population and Its Relationship with Early Vascular Aging according to Sex and Age: EVA Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12041025 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 1025 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marta Gómez Sánchez ◽

Leticia Gómez Sánchez ◽

Maria C Patino-Alonso ◽

Rosario Alonso-Domínguez ◽

Natalia Sánchez-Aguadero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Global Analysis ◽

Population Sample ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Spanish Population ◽

Vascular Aging ◽

The Mediterranean

The objective of this study is to analyze the influence of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MDA) and its components on early vascular aging (EVA) in a Spanish population sample free of cardiovascular disease and to analyze the differences by sex. Methods: We recruited 501 individuals aged 35–75 without cardiovascular disease by random sampling (55.90 ± 14.24 years, 49.70% men). EVA was defined in two steps: Step 1: subjects with vascular damage in carotid arteries or peripheral artery disease were classified as EVA. Step 2: subjects at the percentile of the combined Vascular Aging Index (VAI) were classified; ≥ p90 was considered EVA and < p90 was considered normal vascular aging (NVA), estimated using the following formula (VAI = (log (1.09) × 10 cIMT + log (1.14) cfPWV) × 39.1 + 4.76 by age and sex. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) was measured by SphigmoCor System® and carotid intima-media thickness by Sonosite Micromax® ultrasound and classified thus: values ≥ Percentile 90 were considered EVA and those < Percentile 90 as NVA, with population percentiles analyzed. The principal result variable was assessed using the 14-item MEDAS questionnaire, developed and validated by the PREDIMED group, comprising 12 questions about the frequency of food consumption and two questions regarding the Spanish population’s typical eating habits. Results: MDA was observed by 25% (17% men and 34% women). EVA was present in 17% (29% men and 4% women). The adjusted logistic regression models showed that an increase in MDA decreases the probability of EVA in the global analysis (OR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.16–0.82). In the analysis by sex, this association was only seen in men (OR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.12–0.86), but not in women (OR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.04–2.50). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that a greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet decreases the probability of presenting EVA. In the analysis by sex, this association applies only to men.

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Adherence to the Mediterranean Lifestyle and Desired Body Weight Loss in a Mediterranean Adult Population with Overweight: A PREDIMED-Plus Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12072114 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 2114 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cristina Bouzas ◽

Maria del Mar Bibiloni ◽

Alicia Julibert ◽

Miguel Ruiz-Canela ◽

Jordi Salas-Salvadó ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Body Weight ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Longitudinal Research ◽

Adult Population ◽

Body Weight Loss ◽

Health Study ◽

Mediterranean Population ◽

The Mediterranean

Background. Body weight dissatisfaction is a hindrance to following a healthy lifestyle and it has been associated with weight concerns. Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle (diet and exercise) and the desired body weight loss in an adult Mediterranean population with overweight. Methods. Cross-sectional analysis in 6355 participants (3268 men; 3087 women) with metabolic syndrome and BMI (Body mass index) between 27.0 and 40.0 kg/m2 (55–75 years old) from the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Desired weight loss was the percentage of weight that participants wished to lose. It was categorized into four cut-offs of this percentage (Q1: <10%, n = 1495; Q2: 10–15%, n = 1804; Q3: <15–20%, n = 1470; Q4: ≥20%, n = 1589). Diet was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire and a 17-item Mediterranean diet questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed by the validated Minnesota-REGICOR and the validated Spanish version of the Nurses’ Health Study questionnaire. Results. Participants reporting higher percentages of desired weight loss (Q3 and Q4) were younger, had higher real and perceived BMI and were more likely to have abdominal obesity. Desired weight loss correlated inversely to physical activity (Q1: 2106 MET min/week; Q4: 1585 MET min/week. p < 0.001) and adherence to Mediterranean diet (Q1: 8.7; Q4: 8.3. p < 0.001). Conclusions. In older Mediterranean individuals with weight excess, desired weight loss was inversely associated with Mediterranean lifestyle adherence. Deeply rooted aspects of the MedDiet remained similar across groups. Longitudinal research is advised to be able to establish causality.

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