Effect of a nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern on anthropometric profile in healthy women from the Québec city metropolitan area

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a nutritional intervention promoting a Mediterranean food pattern on anthropometric profile in healthy women. Design: Nutritional intervention study. Setting: Laval University, Canada. Subjects: Seventy-seven healthy women started the study and four did not complete the study. Methods: A 12-week nutritional intervention in free-living conditions consisted of two group courses on nutrition and seven individual sessions with a dietitian. A follow-up visit was performed 12 weeks after the end of the intervention (week 24). A Mediterranean dietary score (MedScore), based on the 11 components of the Mediterranean pyramid, was established to evaluate the adherence to the Mediterranean food pattern. Results: Small but significant decreases in body weight and waist circumference were observed after 12 weeks of intervention (0.5 kg and 1.2 cm, respectively (Po0.01)). Increase in partial MedScore for legumes, nuts and seeds (increase in consumption) as well as increase in partial MedScore for sweets (decrease in consumption) were significantly associated with changes in waist circumference (r ¼ À0.36, P ¼ 0.001; r ¼ 0.24, P ¼ 0.05, respectively). No association was observed between changes in anthropometric profile and changes in the consumption of olive oil. Conclusion: Changes in dietary food pattern, more specifically an increase in the consumption of legumes, nuts and seeds, and a decrease in the consumption of sweets, were associated with some beneficial changes in anthropometric profile.

Differences between men and women in dietary intakes and metabolic profile in response to a 12-week nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean diet

“…More specifically, increases in intakes of legumes, nuts and seeds and whole-grain products reported in both men and women possibly contributed to a decrease in energy density through increased water content and fibre intake ( 33 ) . Moreover, the decrease in red and processed meat intake may have led to replacement of animal proteins by vegetable proteins sources such as legumes, nuts and seeds, which contain satiating components such as proteins and fibres ( 34 , 35 ) .…”

Effect of the mediterranean diet with and without weight loss on markers of inflammation in men with metabolic syndrome

“…Unlike the first phase of the study, meals and foods were not provided to participants. Three 3‐day food journals collected at weeks 2, 8, and 16 of the weight loss period were used to compute a dietary score reflecting overall “adherence” to the MedDiet as published in Goulet et al (18). The MedDiet score obtained during the weight loss period indicated that participants were not adhering to the MedDiet principles during this period of the study (data not shown).…”

Gender differences in the long-term effects of a nutritional intervention program promoting the Mediterranean diet: changes in dietary intakes, eating behaviors, anthropometric and metabolic variables

“…Changing dietary habits represents a major challenge for many people [ 4 , 5 ]. In this regard, although adherence to the MedDiet is beneficial for CVD prevention [ 5 , 6 ], previous studies reported difficulties regarding maintenance of the MedDiet principles [ 5 , 7 ]. Evidence suggests favourable diet adherence outcomes in the context of different intervention settings lasting over a 12-month period [ 8 ] and including sustained support to individuals in the long term (e.g., information, individual or group sessions) [ 9 , 10 ].…”