scholarly journals Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Its Association with Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Spanish University Students

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Isabel Cobo-Cuenca ◽  
Miriam Garrido-Miguel ◽  
Alba Soriano-Cano ◽  
Asunción Ferri-Morales ◽  
Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
University Students ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Adherence ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
High Level

The aims of this study were to assess the association of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) with physical fitness and body composition in Spanish university students and to determine the ability to predict the MD adherence of each Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) item. A cross-sectional study was performed involving 310 first-year university students. Adherence to the MD was evaluated with MEDAS-14 items. Anthropometric variables, body composition, and physical fitness were assessed. Muscle strength was determined based on handgrip strength and the standing long jump test. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was measured using the Course–Navette test. Only 24% of the university students had good adherence to the MD. The ANCOVA models showed a significant difference between participants with high adherence to the MD and those with medium and low adherence in CRF (p = 0.017) and dynamometry (p = 0.005). Logistic binary regression showed that consuming >2 vegetables/day (OR = 20.1; CI: 10.1–30.1; p < 0.001), using olive oil (OR = 10.6; CI: 1.4–19.8; p = 0.021), consuming <3 commercial sweets/week (OR = 10.1; IC: 5.1–19.7; p < 0.001), and consuming ≥3 fruits/day (OR = 8.8; CI: 4.9–15.7; p < 0.001) were the items most associated with high adherence to the MD. In conclusion, a high level of adherence to the MD is associated with high-level muscular fitness and CRF in Spanish university students.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Dietary Habits among University Students in Lebanon

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. El Hajj ◽  
Sofi G. Julien
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Nutritional Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dietary Choices ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Westernized Diet ◽  
The Mediterranean

Although the Mediterranean Diet has been acknowledged as the best overall diet for the year 2020, it has seen a decrease in its adherence over the past years. This is due to several reasons, one of which is the gradual shift to a more westernized diet with all the influences that occur especially on university students whose dietary choices set a path for future dietary habits. The aim of this study is to check the level of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and frequency of breakfast consumption among university students in Lebanon and check whether they are influenced by sociodemographic, anthropometric, dietary knowledge, or academic data. A cross-sectional questionnaire was electronically sent to randomly selected students (210 females and 93 males) from different universities across Lebanon, aged between 18 and 25 years old. The questionnaire was filled online, and all data were self-reported. The Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) was used as a tool to evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean Diet. The results showed that 18.8% of respondents had high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet. Students who reported always consuming breakfast and not skipping meals had significantly higher adherence to the MD. Furthermore, students with lower BMI and higher KIDMED scores had significantly more correct answers on the nutritional knowledge questions. In addition, there was a significant difference in the average KIDMED scores between different GPA categories, most notably when comparing high and poor MD adherence; students with excellent GPA scores had higher adherence to the MD than those with poor GPA scores. In conclusion, nutrition awareness in a university setting is very important since it may positively affect academic outcomes and may be the last chance to teach and engrave healthy eating patterns to a large scale of students.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Physical Fitness, Body Composition, and Adherence to Mediterranean Diet in Adolescents from Estonia: The AdolesHealth Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (22) ◽  
pp. 4479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Galan-Lopez ◽  
Raúl Domínguez ◽  
Maret Pihu ◽  
Thordis Gísladóttir ◽  
Antonio J. Sánchez-Oliver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Adherence ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The City

Unhealthy lifestyles, low levels of physical fitness, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) are associated with bad quality of life and the development of a wide range of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The current study aimed to evaluate the level of adherence to the MD in physical fitness performance and body composition parameters in children and adolescents of Estonia. Therefore, 413 adolescents (56% boys) from the city of Tartu completed the Mediterranean Diet Questionnaire (KIDMED) for analyzing the adherence to MD and performed the Alpha Fitness Test for measuring physical fitness and body composition. A 41.67% of low, 44.05% of average, and 14.28% of high adherence to MD was detected, without difference between genders (p = 0.747). In the Alpha Fitness battery, a higher performance was observed in all tests for boys vs. girls (p < 0.05). In relation to body composition, higher height, weight, and waist values were observed in boys (p < 0.05) and a lower body fat percentage (p < 0.01) without differences in body mass index (BMI; p = 0.906). The adherence to the MD is classified as average/low. Gender significantly influences all variables of the Alpha Fitness battery and anthropometrics measures excepting BMI. According the levels of adherence to the MD, no statistically different prevalence was observed for Non-Overweight (N-Oweight), Non-Overfat (N-Ofat), or Non-Overwaist (N-Owaist). Still, a risk factor for Overweight (Oweight) in boys with low adherence was observed in comparison to those with a mid-level of adherence to the MD.

scholarly journals Mediterranean Diet and Motivation in Sport: A Comparative Study Between University Students from Spain and Romania

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramón Chacón-Cuberos ◽  
Georgian Badicu ◽  
Félix Zurita-Ortega ◽  
Manuel Castro-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Motivational Climate ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Adherence ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Perceived Motivational Climate ◽  
Task Oriented

Background: The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is one of the healthiest dietary models worldwide, being an essential mean of preventing pathologies along with the practice of physical activity. Through a comparative study carried out across different countries, it has been demonstrated how this type of habits vary depending on the geographical context. The aim of this research was to evaluate the adherence to MD and its relationships with motivational climate in sport on a sample of university students from Spain and Romania; Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of university students [specialization: Physical Education (n = 605; 20.71 ± 2.42 years old)], using as main instruments the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) for students and adolescents and the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (PMCSQ-2); Results: It was shown that students from Spain had a high adherence to the MD (6.65 ± 2.63 vs. 5.06 ± 1.31). Spanish university students got higher scores in task-oriented motivational climate (4.03 ± 0.62 vs. 3.11 ± 0.55) while ego-oriented climate was higher in university students from Romania (3.24 ± 0.54 vs. 2.07 ± 0.75). Finally, it was observed that the task-oriented motivational climate was related to a lower adherence to MD in Spanish students (4.49 ± 0.37 vs. 3.98 ± 0.62). In contrast, in Romanian youth, a medium adherence to the MD was associated with higher scores for the ego-oriented motivational climate (3.27 ± 0.53 vs. 3.00 ± 0.54); Conclusions: As main conclusions, it was shown that the students from Spain had a high adherence to the MD. In addition, it has been demonstrated that ego-oriented climates are linked to a better adherence to MD, especially due to the importance of following a proper diet in sport contexts, as demonstrated by young Romanians.

scholarly journals Physical Fitness, Body Composition, and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Young Football Players: Influence of the 20 mSRT Score and Maturational Stage

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Manzano-Carrasco ◽  
Jose Luis Felipe ◽  
Javier Sanchez-Sanchez ◽  
Antonio Hernandez-Martin ◽  
Leonor Gallardo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Sport Activity ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Maturational Stage ◽  
The Mediterranean

This study aimed to analyze the differences in physical fitness variables, body composition, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet according to the cardiorespiratory fitness and the maturational stage in young football players. A total of 194 male football players (aged 8–16) from three football sport schools participated in this study. Data on cardiorespiratory fitness (the 20-m shuttle run test), anthropometric measurements, handgrip strength, respiratory capacity (forced spirometry), and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED questionnaire) were collected. Players were divided into two groups depending on their maturational stage (prepubertal n = 127 and pubertal n = 67). The results show a direct relationship between low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index, as well as body fat and leg fat. Similarly, players with lower cardiorespiratory fitness presented higher values of handgrip strength in the prepubertal state. On the other hand, improvements in respiratory values were observed in the pubertal state with the rest of the parameters when the cardiorespiratory fitness was increased. Therefore, the promotion of recreational football that encourage and develop cardiorespiratory fitness is a key factor and can be used as an effective sport activity to promote physical fitness and healthy habits in children and adolescents as well as within the population that is already physically active.

scholarly journals Relationship between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Body Composition with Physical Fitness Parameters in a Young Active Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Manzano-Carrasco ◽  
Jose Luis Felipe ◽  
Javier Sanchez-Sanchez ◽  
Antonio Hernandez-Martin ◽  
Ivan Clavel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Vertical Jump ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Active Population ◽  
Fitness Parameters ◽  
The Mediterranean

The current study aimed at analyzing the relationship between body composition, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), and physical fitness (PF) in a young active population. A total of 1198 athletes (boys = 875; girls = 323) enrolled in different municipal sports schools participated in this study. Data on adherence to the MD (KIDMED questionnaire), anthropometric measurements, and PF (20 m shuttle run test, handgrip strength, vertical jump and forced spirometry) were collected. Results show that the pubertal boys had a higher score in the KIDMED test than the prepubertal ones (+0.38, p = 0.28). Moreover, boys with better adherence to the MD had significantly higher results in handgrip strength (+12.20 regarding low MD group and +9.13 regarding medium MD group, p < 0.05), as well as in forced vital capacity (FVC) (+0.66 regarding low MD group and 0.29 regarding medium MD group, p < 0.05). No differences were found in the girls. Finally, the result of the KIDMED test is a variable with a positive and significant relationship with cardiorespiratory fitness, along with the FVC, percentage of fat mass, and performance in the vertical jump (p < 0.05). It is concluded that adherence to the MD could show a relationship with various PF variables in boys and could be a predictor of cardiorespiratory fitness in both cases.

Is adherence to the Mediterranean Diet associated with healthy habits and physical fitness? A systematic review and meta-analysis including 565,421 youths

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-32
Author(s):  
Antonio García-Hermoso ◽  
Yasmin Ezzatvar ◽  
José Francisco López-Gil ◽  
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez ◽  
Jordi Olloquequi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Sedentary Behaviour ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Inverse Variance ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
High Level

Abstract The relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD), physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour and physical fitness levels has been analysed in several studies; however, there is mixed evidence among youth. Thus, this study aimed to meta-analyse the associations between adherence to the MD and PA, sedentary behaviour, and physical fitness among children and adolescents. Three databases were systematically searched, including cross-sectional and prospective designs with a sample of healthy youth aged 3–18 years. Random-effects inverse-variance model with the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman variance estimator based on DerSimonian-Laird were used to estimate the pooled effect size (correlation coefficient [r]). Thirty-nine studies were included in the meta-analysis, yielding a total of 565,421 youth (mean age, 12.4 years). Overall, the MD had a weak-to-moderate positive relationship with PA (r = 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11 to 0.17), cardiorespiratory fitness (r = 0.22; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.31) and muscular fitness (r = 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.18), and a small-to-moderate negative relationship with sedentary behaviour (r = –0.15; 95% CI, –0.20 to –0.10) and speed-agility (r = –0.06; 95% CI, –0.12 to –0.01). There was a high level of heterogeneity in all of the models (I2 ≥ 75%). Overall results did not remain significant after controlling for sex and age (children or adolescents) except for PA. Improving dietary habits toward those of the MD could be associated with higher physical fitness and PA in youth, lower sedentary behaviours and better health in general.

scholarly journals Prenatal and childhood Mediterranean diet and the development of asthma and allergies in children

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (9A) ◽  
pp. 1629-1634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leda Chatzi ◽  
Manolis Kogevinas
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
High Adherence ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
High Level

AbstractObjectiveTo discuss current evidence about the relation between prenatal and childhood Mediterranean diet, and the development of asthma and allergies in children.DesignReview of the literature.Setting and resultsFour recent studies conducted in Mediterranean countries (Spain, Greece) and one conducted in Mexico evaluated the association between childhood Mediterranean diet and asthma outcomes in children. All of the studies reported beneficial associations between a high level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet during childhood and symptoms of asthma or allergic rhinitis. Individual foods or food groups contributing to the protective effect of Mediterranean diet included fish, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and cereals, while detrimental components included red meat, margarine and junk food intake.Two studies focused on prenatal Mediterranean diet: the first is a birth cohort in Spain that showed a protective effect of a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy on persistent wheeze, atopic wheeze and atopy at the age of 6·5 years; while the second is a cross-sectional study in Mexico, collecting information more than 6 years after pregnancy, that showed no associations between maternal Mediterranean diet during pregnancy and allergic symptoms in childhood except for current sneezing.ConclusionsFindings from recent studies suggest that a high level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet early in life protects against the development of asthma and atopy in children. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms of this protective effect, to evaluate the most relevant window of exposure, and to address specific components of diet in relation to disease.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Body Composition in Nutrition and Dietetic Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Servet Madencioğlu ◽  
Sevinç Yücecan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Near East ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Nutrition And Dietetics ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractIntroductionThe determination of level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in young adults has been investigated in countries situated near the Mediterranean region generally. The main purpose of this study were to determine differences in body composition by gender and level of adherence to the MD and to determine the relationship between body composition and level of adherence to the MD in Nutrition and Dietetics students at Near East University in Cyprus.Materials and MethodsThe study was conducted on 126 Nutrition and Dietetics students, aged 18 to 32 years. MDS was calculated, and then classified into three groups: good (36–55 points), moderate (21–35 points), and poor (0–20 points). Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance (BIA). Anthropometrical measurements; height (H), body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were assessed according to standardized procedures and physical activity (PA) was assessed by using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-short form). The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee at Near East University.ResultsAccording to study results 31.0% of students were found out to low adherence, while 69.0% of students had moderate adherence to the MD. There is no student had high adherence to the MD. There was no significant difference (p = 0.877) between the male and female students in terms of adherence to Mediterranean diet. The findings indicate that the eating habits of the Nutrition and Dietetics students, even those studying nutrition, are in need of improvement. The results show that 78.6% of students were normal and 21.4% of students were overweight and obese. Male students’ BW (p = 0.000), WC (p = 0.000) and HC (p = 0.015) were higher than females’, while female students’ fat mass (FM) (p = 0.000) was higher than males’. However, there is no significant difference between BW (p = 0.724), FM (p = 0.896), BMI (p = 0.691), WC (p = 0.632) and HC (p = 0.982) neither low adherence nor moderate adherence to the MD. Most of students minimal active according to IPAQ scores (41.2%) and there is no significant difference IPAQ score and adherence to the MD (p = 0.923).DiscussionOne of the healthiest diets worldwide is the traditional MD. Several studies have shown, that higher adherence to the MD is inversely related with BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHR). Little is known of how adherence to the MD is related to body composition, especially in university students. Further large-scale studies are required to clarify the relationship between adherence to the MD and body composition

scholarly journals Role of Nutrition and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in the Multidisciplinary Approach of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Evaluation of Nutritional Status and Its Association with Severity of Disease

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Barrea ◽  
Gabriella Fabbrocini ◽  
Giuseppe Annunziata ◽  
Giovanna Muscogiuri ◽  
Marianna Donnarumma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Hidradenitis Suppurativa ◽  
Bioelectrical Impedance ◽  
Impedance Analysis ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lower Phase ◽  
The Mediterranean

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory and debilitating skin disorder. The exacerbating factors of HS include nutrition and adiposity. We aimed to investigate the relationships between body composition and the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) with the severity of HS in a sample of naive-treatment patients with HS. In this case–controlled, cross-sectional study, we enrolled 41 HS patients and 41 control subjects. Body composition was evaluated by a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) phase-sensitive system. PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) and the 7-day food records were used to evaluate the degree of adherence to the MD and dietary pattern, respectively. The clinical severity was assessed by using the Sartorius HS score. HS patients had a worse body composition, in particular lower phase angle (PhA) (p < 0.001), and a lower adherence to the MD than controls, in spite of no differences in energy intake between the two groups. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis showing a value of PhA of ≤ 5.7 and a PREDIMED score of ≤ 5.0 identified HS patients with the highest clinical severity of the disease. After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and total energy intake, the HS Sartorius score maintained negative correlations with PhA (p < 0.001), PREDIMED score, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (p = 0.005). The results of the multivariate analysis showed PhA and PREDIMED score were the major determinants of HS Sartorius score, explaining 82.0% and 30.4% of its variability, respectively (p < 0.001). Novel associations were demonstrated between PhA and the degree of adherence to the MD with the HS severity. PhA and PREDIMED score might represent possible markers of severity of HS in a clinical setting.

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