Food patterns and Mediterranean diet in western and eastern Mediterranean islands

Abstract

Objective: To assess current Mediterranean dietary patterns (MDP) in the western and eastern Mediterranean, i.e. in Balearic islanders (BI) and Greek islanders (GI). Subjects and methods: Dietary patterns were assessed using FFQ on a representative sample (n 1200) of the BI and GI (n 1324) adult population. A Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) was calculated according to the consumption of nine MDP components: (i) with a beneficial effect on health, i.e. vegetables, fruits and nuts, cereals, legumes, fish and shellfish, MUFA:SFA ratio, and moderate alcohol consumption; and (ii) with a detrimental effect on health, i.e. meat and meat products, and milk and dairy products. Persons with consumption of beneficial components below the median (GI plus BI) received a value of 0 and those with consumption above the median a value of 1. Persons with below-median consumption of detrimental components received a value of 1 and above-median consumption a value of 0. For alcohol, a value of 1 was given to consumptions of 10-50 g/d (men) and 5-25 g/d (women). The range of the MDS was 0-9, with higher scores indicating greater adherence to the MDP. Results: GI showed higher adherence (mean MDS 5?12 (SD 1?42)) to the MDP than BI (mean MDS 3?32 (SD 1?23)). BI diet was characterized by a high intake of legumes, nuts, seed oils, sugar and confectionery, and non-alcoholic beverages compared with GI, whereas GI diet was richer in fruit, vegetables, potatoes, olive oil, animal products and alcoholic beverages. Conclusions: The GI diet seems closer to the traditional MDP than the BI diet.

Food Consumption Patterns of Balearic Islands’ Adolescents Depending on Their Origin

“…However, in many cases, self-reporting is the only feasible method of assessing dietary intake in epidemiological studies. Over the years, researchers have come to recognise that the dietary assessment method used (FFQ) usually tends to overestimate food and nutrient intake, and the report values from FFQ are subject to substantial error, both systematic and random [42]. Nevertheless, taking into account the well-known limitations of the use of FFQ, we agree with the opinion of previous authors [42][43][44] who defend the use of FFQ with firm and clear statements.…”

Nut Consumption and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Mediterranean Population

“…The definition of a Mediterranean diet places nuts up front and demands their intake on a daily basis, together with vegetables, fruit, olive oil and cereals [ 21 ]. Unfortunately, such intense consumption is not common, even among populations of the Mediterranean region [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. A recent study performed in the population of Dalmatia, in the coastal region of Croatia, revealed a disappointingly low prevalence of daily nut consumption, ranging from 3% on the Island of Vis to 11% in the City of Split [ 25 ].…”

Prepregnancy maternal obesity and fetal-perinatal death in a Mediterranean country

“…Furthermore, obesity rates in Greece show an increased tendency, with higher rates of obesity and lower rates of adherence to MD in women, especially of younger reproductive age [11]. Evidence supports that more and more Mediterranean countries have abandoned MD principles [29]. For these reasons, during this period, when protective effect of MD is lost, more and more studies from the Mediterranean area will focus on the results of the above-mentioned phenomenon and will demonstrate its impact on public health.…”