Adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern is associated with higher quality of life in a cohort of Italian adults

Authors of a study published in the journal Nutrients state that ‘The observed rise in non- communicable diseases may be attributed to the ongoing changes of urban environment and society, as well as greater awareness of health- related issues and subsequent higher rates of diagnosis, which all contribute to the overall quality of life’. Their work tested the association between adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern and self-reported quality of life in a cohort of Italian adults.
The demographic and dietary characteristics of 2,044 adults living in southern Italy were analysed. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and a Mediterranean diet adherence score were used to assess dietary intake. The authors state that a mediterranean dietary pattern does not stand for a unique pattern of foods; rather, it refers to the consumption of foods that characterize the dietary habits of the individuals living in the Mediterranean coasts. The higher consumption of majority of plant-derived foods, such as fruit,
vegetable, legume, and whole-grains, using olive oil as main source of fat, moderate alcohol consumption, moderate intake of fish and dairy products, and limited intake of meat and highly processed foods represent the key features of this dietary pattern. The Manchester Short Appraisal (MANSA) was used to assess self-rated quality of life. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to test the associations.
A significant linear trend of association was found for the overall quality of life and adherence to Mediterranean diet score. All of the components of the MANSA, with the exception of self-rated mental health, were individually associated with higher adherence to this dietary pattern.
The study found that adherence to a healthy dietary pattern is associated with the measures of better overall perceived quality of life.
Source: Adherence to a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Is Associated with Higher Quality of Life in a Cohort of Italian Adults. Godos J, Castellano S, Marranzano M. Nutrients. 2019 Apr 29;11(5). pii: E981.