Greater Mediterranean diet adherence is observed in Dutch compared with Greek university students

Research has demonstrated that Mediterranean youth appear to abandon the traditional diet. The present study aimed to assess Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence in Greek university students, compared with a non-Mediterranean (Dutch) population.

The MD was assessed through the MD score (MedDietScore, MDS) in 100 nutrition students from Amsterdam and 85 from Thessaloniki. Subjects at both sites demonstrated average MDS, which was higher in the Dutch sample (27.5 ± 3.9) compared to the Greek (26.1 ± 3.4) (p ≤ 0.001). The highest score was observed in Amsterdam (39). Potatoes, non-refined cereals, vegetables and olive oil were more frequently consumed by Dutch students (p ≤ 0.001), but the Greeks demonstrated a higher legume intake (p ≤ 0.05). The Dutch diet comprised 17% protein, 50% carbohydrate and 33% fat, whereas the Greeks consumed 14% protein, 48% carbohydrate and 38% fat (p ≤ 0.001 and p ≤ 0.031 for between-country protein and fat intake, respectively). In Amsterdam, significantly greater amounts of polyunsaturated (PUFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acids as a percentage of energy intake (p ≤ 0.001, p ≤ 0.01) were consumed.

The findings indicate that the MD has been transmitted to non-Mediterranean populations, probably as a result of its declared health benefits. However, it is alarming that an average adherence score was demonstrated by the Greek nutrition students and this is indicative of the need for new approaches in transmitting the Mediterranean dietary pattern.