Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in a Portuguese Immigrant Community in the Central Valley of California.

Roberto M Couto,Andrew D Frugé,Michael W Greene

doi:10.3390/nu13061989

Abstract

The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is a healthy eating pattern associated with a better quality of life among older adults and reduced risk of non-communicable diseases. Little is known about the MedDiet in immigrant communities from countries in which the MedDiet is a settled cultural heritage. Thus, we examined MedDiet adherence and perceived knowledge, benefits, and barriers to the MedDiet in a Portuguese immigrant community in Turlock, California. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 208 participants in Turlock and Livermore, California, which was used as a reference population. Univariate, multivariable, and logistic regression models were used for data analysis. Compared to the Livermore group, the Turlock group was younger and less educated, but had a higher average MedDiet score and active adherence to a MedDiet (p < 0.001 for both). In the Turlock group, convenience, sensory appeal, and health were observed to be significant barriers to the MedDiet (p < 0.05), while health, weight loss, natural content, familiarity, price, sensory appeal, and mood were significant benefit factors (p < 0.05). In conclusion, participants in Turlock had greater MedDiet adherence despite lower education attainment. Furthermore, the perceived benefits of the MedDiet were key factors in MedDiet perception and adherence in a Portuguese immigrant community.

Highlights

Nutrition is thought to be a core element in ameliorating health conditions in a globally aging society [1]
The Turlock group had a lower percentage of older adults (>65 years old), a greater percentage of participants in the ‘other ethnic group’ category, and a lower percentage of participants with associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s/profession degrees
There were no statistical differences between groups for sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), and health-related qualifications

Summary

Introduction

Nutrition is thought to be a core element in ameliorating health conditions in a globally aging society [1]. The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) has been widely reported as a model of a healthy eating pattern for a better quality of life among older adults [2,3] and for reducing the risk of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases associated with aging [4], such as cardiovascular disease [5,6,7], cancer [8], metabolic syndrome [6], obesity [5,6], and dementia [3]. Like Italy, Greece, and Spain, MedDiet adherence in Portugal was greatly reduced from 1961 to 1965 compared to 2004–2011 [13]. As observed in neighboring countries, regional differences in adherence to the Mediterranean food pattern exist in Portugal. The regions of Algarve and Madeira have the highest MedDiet adherence, while Lisbon and Tejo valley and the Azores have the lowest [14]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion