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- Title
Socioeconomic and psychosocial determinants of adherence to the Mediterranean diet in a general adult Italian population.
- Authors
Ruggiero, Emilia; Castelnuovo, Augusto Di; Costanzo, Simona; Persichillo, Mariarosaria; Bracone, Francesca; Cerletti, Chiara; Donati, Maria Benedetta; Gaetano, Giovanni de; Iacoviello, Licia; Bonaccio, Marialaura
- Abstract
Background To evaluate the adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD) and its major socioeconomic and psychosocial determinants in a large sample of the Italian population, covering three main geographical areas of the Country (Southern, Central and Northern). Methods Data were obtained from the Italian Nutrition & Health Survey (INHES), including a total of 7, 430 participants (age >20) recruited from all over Italy (2010–13). Dietary information was collected by the European Food Propensity Questionnaire. Adherence to MD was assessed by using the MedDietScore based on 11 food groups. Associations were tested by multivariable logistic regression analysis (Odds ratio [OR] with 95% CI). Results Adherence to MD was higher in Southern Italy as compared with the Northern (OR = 1.34; 95% CI 1.18–1.53), and was closely associated with adult age (OR= 2.40; 1.61–3.58 for those aged > 75 years as compared with 20–34 years) and higher educational level (OR = 1.77; 1.40–2.24 for post-secondary education as opposed to lowest educational attainment). Subjects reporting adverse life events and those with family-related stress were less likely to show an optimal adherence to MD (OR = 0.55; 0.46–0.67 and OR = 0.44; 0.28–0.69, for highest vs. lowest tertile, respectively) as compared with adequate controls. A number of eating behaviours were also inversely associated with MD, such as consuming higher amount of alcohol in the weekend than in week days. Conclusions Adherence to MD is strongly determined by age, geographical area and educational level. Psychosocial factors and several eating behaviours are also closely associated.
- Subjects
ITALY; AGE distribution; CONFIDENCE intervals; FOOD habits; LIFE change events; MEDICAL protocols; MENTAL health; MULTIVARIATE analysis; NUTRITION; NUTRITIONAL assessment; POPULATION geography; QUESTIONNAIRES; PSYCHOLOGICAL stress; SURVEYS; LOGISTIC regression analysis; SOCIOECONOMIC factors; BINGE drinking; EDUCATIONAL attainment; FOOD diaries; FAMILY attitudes; MEDITERRANEAN diet; ODDS ratio
- Publication
European Journal of Public Health, 2019, Vol 29, Issue 2, p328
- ISSN
1101-1262
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/eurpub/cky127