A Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Is Associated with Greater Participation in Physical Activity and Better Health-Related Quality of Life among Students and Professors at the Melilla Campus (University of Granada)

López-Olivares, María; Sapp, Philip; Riley, Terrence M.; Kris-Etherton, Penny M.; Enrique-Mirón, Carmen; Nestares, Teresa; Davis, Kristin M.

doi:10.3390/nu15183971

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…These variations underscore the importance of considering individual physiological and demographic factors when evaluating the effectiveness of dietary interventions and their impact on body composition. However, our analysis revealed that neither diet nor physical activity alone strongly predict changes in the Δ% FM-to-FFM ratio, indicating the influence of other factors beyond these traditional metrics ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) [ 19 , 20 ]. These results are contrary to the widely held belief that stricter caloric restriction always results in improved BC [ 21 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Diet and Physical Activity on Fat-to-Lean Mass Ratio

Padua,

Caprio,

Feraco

et al. 2023

Nutrients

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In this retrospective study, we evaluated the efficacy of a personalised low-calorie Mediterranean Diet (MD) in promoting fat mass (FM) reduction while preserving fat-free mass (FFM). This study involved 100 Caucasian adults aged 18–65 years who followed a tailored low-calorie MD for two months. The total energy expenditure was assessed using a multi-sensor armband. The change in body composition (BC) was evaluated using the Δ% FM-to-FFM ratio, calculated as the difference in the FM to FFM ratio before and after the diet, divided by the ratio before the diet, and multiplied by 100. A negative value indicates a greater decrease in FM than FFM, while a positive value suggests a greater increase in FM than FFM. This study demonstrated a significant FM reduction, with an average decrease of 5% (p < 0.001). However, the relationship between caloric reduction and the Δ% FM-to-FFM ratio showed a weak negative correlation (r = −0.03, p > 0.05). This suggests that the calorie deficit had a minimal direct impact on the BC changes. Subjects over the age of 30 showed an increase in muscle mass, while younger subjects showed no significant changes. Moreover, a direct correlation was observed between the changes in MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) values and the Δ% FM-to-FFM ratio, indicating that improved average physical activity intensity positively influences BC. In the female subgroup, high protein intake, exercise intensity, and the duration of physical activity were positively correlated with an improvement in the Δ% FM-to-FFM ratio. However, for individuals with BMI 20–25 kg/m2, high fibre intake was surprisingly negatively correlated with the Δ% FM-to-FFM ratio. This study underscores the intricate interplay between calorie restriction, physical activity intensity, and BC changes. It also suggests that individual factors, including age, gender, and BMI, may influence the response to a low-calorie MD. However, further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to confirm and expand upon these findings.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Diet and Physical Activity on Fat-to-Lean Mass Ratio

Padua,

Caprio,

Feraco

et al. 2023

Nutrients

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The association between food preferences, eating behavior, and body weight among female university students in the United Arab Emirates

Al Sabbah,

Ajab,

Ismail

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionThis cross-sectional study investigated the associations between lifestyle, eating habits, food preferences, consumption patterns, and obesity among female university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).MethodsApproximately 4,728 participants, including both Emirati and Non-Emirati students (International Students). Data collection involved face-to-face interviews and anthropometric measurements, showing an interrelated relationship between food preferences and obesity among female university students.ResultsWhile sociodemographic factors and lifestyle habits contribute to obesity, this study uniquely focuses on the role of food preferences and food consumption patterns in body weight status. The findings reveal a significant correlation between the intake of high-sugar beverages–such as milk, juices, soft drinks, and energy drinks–and an increased risk of overweight and obesity among both Emirati and Non-Emirati populations. Notably, milk consumption was particularly associated with obesity in non-Emirati populations (F = 88.1, p < 0.001) and with overweight status in Non-Emiratis (F = 7.73, p < 0.05). The consumption of juices and soft drinks was linked to obesity. Additionally, a significant preference for fruits and vegetables among overweight and obese students was observed, indicating a trend toward healthier food choices. However, there was also a clear preference for high-calorie, low-nutrient foods such as processed meats, sweets, and salty snacks. Fast food items like burgers, fried chicken, fries, pizza, shawarma, chips, and noodles were significantly correlated with increased body weight status, especially shawarma, which showed a notably high correlation with both obesity and overweight statuses (F-values of 38.3 and 91.11, respectively).ConclusionThe study indicated that food choices shape weight-related outcomes is important for designing effective strategies to promote healthier dietary patterns.

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Unhealthy Lifestyle Contributes to Negative Mental Health and Poor Quality of Life in Young University Students

Caamaño-Navarrete,

Saavedra-Vallejos,

Guzmán-Guzmán

et al. 2024

Healthcare

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Background: A negative lifestyle is reported to be related to poor mental health and quality of life (QOL). However, there is little information on this in university students. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between mental health (i.e., anxiety, depression symptoms and stress), QOL, SWLS and lifestyle parameters (i.e., PA, sleep duration, ST and food habits) among Chilean university students and then to determine the differences in mental health, QOL, SWLS and lifestyle parameters according to gender. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 211 university students (128 females and 83 males) aged 18–28 years. Mental health, QOL and lifestyle were measured through validated questionnaires. Results: Bad food habits (lowest score in the food survey) were linked to anxiety (2.3 [0.22–4.36], p = 0.03), depressive symptoms (3.75 [1.54–5.9], p = 0.001) and stress (2.24 [0.31–4.17], p = 0.023). Furthermore, <6 h of sleep was related to poorer mental health (13.5 [7.6–19.5], p = 0.001), anxiety (4.2 [2.0–6.4], p < 0.001), depressive symptoms (5.5 [3.2–7.9], p < 0.001) and stress (3.8 [1.8–5.9], p < 0.001). In addition, ≥4 h of ST was linked positively to negative mental health (8.3 [2.86–13.7], p = 0.003), depressive symptoms (3.45 [1.47–5.4], p = 0.001) and anxiety (3.2 [1.05–5.4], p = 0.004). Non-physical activity was related to the scores for anxiety (2.6 [0.20–5.0], p = 0.030), depression (2.7 [0.009–5.3], p = 0.049) and stress (2.4 [0.12–4.7], p = 0.039). Conclusions: this study showed that unhealthy lifestyle factors (i.e., insufficient sleep, lack of PA and prolonged ST) were strongly associated with poorer mental health and QOL in university students. These findings highlight the importance of addressing these aspects of lifestyle in intervention and health promotion programs aimed at young university students in order to improve their mental health and overall QOL.

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A Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Is Associated with Greater Participation in Physical Activity and Better Health-Related Quality of Life among Students and Professors at the Melilla Campus (University of Granada)

Cited by 4 publications

References 80 publications

The Impact of Diet and Physical Activity on Fat-to-Lean Mass Ratio

The Impact of Diet and Physical Activity on Fat-to-Lean Mass Ratio

The association between food preferences, eating behavior, and body weight among female university students in the United Arab Emirates

Unhealthy Lifestyle Contributes to Negative Mental Health and Poor Quality of Life in Young University Students

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