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High adherence to Mediterranean diet, but not individual foods or nutrients, is associated with lower likelihood of being obese in a Mediterranean cohort

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between the Mediterranean diet and obesity in a Mediterranean cohort.

Methods

The study population of MEAL (Mediterranean Healthy Eating, Ageing, and Lifestyle) study comprised 1814 men and women (18 + years) recruited in the city of Catania, southern Italy. Food intake was evaluated through a validated food frequency questionnaire and the Mediterranean diet adherence was assessed through the MEDI-LITE score.

Results

Individuals highly adherent to the Mediterranean diet (highest quartile of the score) were less likely to be obese (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.32, 0.89) despite there was no significant associations when considering men and women separately. The dietary profile of obese and non-obese individuals did not significantly differ, except for vitamin E, processed meat, and alcohol more consumed among non-obese ones. Among the food groups characterizing this dietary pattern, only satisfaction of the criterion for dairy products (< 1 serving/day) was significantly associated with lower odds of being obese. Among other covariates, current smoking was associated with obesity, while high physical activity and regular alcohol drinking were inversely associated. Some differences between men and women in the highest category of occupational status occurred, as the former were less likely, while the latter were more likely to be obese.

Conclusions

Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet as a whole dietary pattern, rather than its individual components, is associated with less likelihood of being obese.

Level of evidence

Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Gaetano Zappalà, Serena Mulè, Melania La Verde & Marina Marranzano

  2. Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica (DIBIMIS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Silvio Buscemi & Davide Corleo

  3. Unit of Malattie Endocrine, del Ricambio e della Nutrizione, AOU Policlinico “P. Giaccone”, Piazza delle cliniche 2, 90127, Palermo, Italy

    Silvio Buscemi & Davide Corleo

  4. Provincial Health Authority of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Maurizio D’Urso

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  1. Gaetano Zappalà
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Zappalà, G., Buscemi, S., Mulè, S. et al. High adherence to Mediterranean diet, but not individual foods or nutrients, is associated with lower likelihood of being obese in a Mediterranean cohort. Eat Weight Disord 23, 605–614 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-017-0454-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-017-0454-1

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