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

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.

Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity as Healthy Lifestyles for Human Health

“…Globally, a medium adherence to the MD was found [14], in line with another recent investigation on an Italian adult population [16]. Intriguingly, eating pattern, perceived knowledge, and benefits have been evaluated by Cuoto et al [15] in a Portuguese immigrant community living in California. Even though Portugal is geographically not in the Mediterranean basin, the MD is a settled cultural heritage of the Portuguese population.…”

“…Among three other studies carried out in both Mediterranean [13,14] and non-Mediterranean countries [15], the first involved 1512 Spanish adults, aged 55-80 years, with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome. In this cross-sectional study, analyzing data from a sub-sample of the PREDIMED-Plus study, socioeconomic status was related to an unhealthy dietary pattern associated with low PA [13].…”

Barriers and Facilitators Associated with the Adoption of and Adherence to a Mediterranean Style Diet in Adults: A Systematic Review of Published Observational and Qualitative Studies

“…Characteristics of the included studies and ratings of risk of bias are shown in Table 1 and Table 2 . Of the 18 included studies, 12 were observational studies, all cross-sectional in design [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ], and 6 were qualitative studies [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Four studies, all qualitative [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 30 ] were related to adoption of MedDiet and 14 studies, both qualitative [ 29 , 31 ] and observation studies [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ] were related to adherence to MedDiet.…”

“…Of the 18 included studies, 12 were observational studies, all cross-sectional in design [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ], and 6 were qualitative studies [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Four studies, all qualitative [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 30 ] were related to adoption of MedDiet and 14 studies, both qualitative [ 29 , 31 ] and observation studies [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ] were related to adherence to MedDiet. Four studies were based in Mediterranean regions—one each from Italy [ 14 ] and Greece [ 17 ], and two from Spain [ 15 , 16 ], and all others were conducted in non-Mediterranean regions.…”

“…Four studies were based in Mediterranean regions—one each from Italy [ 14 ] and Greece [ 17 ], and two from Spain [ 15 , 16 ], and all others were conducted in non-Mediterranean regions. Seven of these studies were conducted in the United Kingdom [ 22 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 30 ] four studies were conducted in the USA [ 17 , 18 , 20 , 21 ], two studies were conducted in Australia [ 24 , 31 ] and one was conducted in the Netherlands [ 19 ].…”