Abstract
The Mediterranean diet (MD) and other lifestyle characteristics have been associated with well-being, a broad multiparameter concept that includes individual’s subjective assessment of their own well-being (SWB). Some studies have suggested that diet influences SWB, thus, this work aimed to add novel information on the association of MD and SWB in a sample of Portuguese adults. Data on sociodemographic, economic, lifestyle, diet, and SWB were collected through a self-filled online questionnaire. MD adherence was assessed by the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) score. Results showed a moderate adherence to the MD in 490 Portuguese adults (mean MEDAS of 7.4 ± 2.1). A higher MD adherence was found to be significantly positively associated with women, employed individuals, a higher number of meals per day, and those with frequent contact with nature (p-value < 0.0025, using Bonferroni adjustment). As a novelty, this study divided the participants into low SWB, medium SWB, and medium to high SWB profiles (3.9 ± 1.0; 6.2 ± 1.0; 8.2 ± 1.3, respectively; p-value < 0.05), which reported significantly increasing MEDAS scores (6.5 ± 2.1; 7.3 ± 2.1; 7.8 ± 1.9; respectively, p-value < 0.05).
Highlights
The Mediterranean diet (MD) represents the heritage of millennia of exchanges among people, cultures and foodstuffs around the Mediterranean basin [1]
All profiles could be classified as moderate adherence to MD (14-Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) score between six and nine), the present study has shown that MD
This study shows a moderate adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern in a study sample of 490 Portuguese adults
Summary
The Mediterranean diet (MD) represents the heritage of millennia of exchanges among people, cultures and foodstuffs around the Mediterranean basin [1]. The traditional MD has emerged as a healthy dietary pattern since the Seven Country Study showed that the dietary pattern common to olive growing areas of the Mediterranean region was associated to lower rates of all-cause and coronary heart disease death [2] This dietary pattern is characterized by a high consumption of low processed plant foods (cereals, fruits, vegetables, legumes, tree nuts, seeds and olives), olive oil as the main source of dietary lipids, moderate intake of fish and seafood (depending on the proximity to the sea), moderate wine, and low intake of eggs, meat, dairy, and animal fat [1]. After the recognition of the MD as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010, a Mediterranean diet pyramid was defined, reflecting the concept of MD as a way of life within the Mediterranean societies [3] This pyramid established dietary daily, weekly and occasional food consumption guidelines, and included characteristics such as consumption of seasonal products and eating the main meals convivially, with family or friends [3]. MD and other lifestyle characteristics have been associated with health and well-being [4,5,6]
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