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Worldwide adherence to Mediterranean Diet between 1960 and 2011
Cristina Vilarnau1,2, Denine Marie Stracker3, Anna Funtikov4
1Mediterranean Diet Foundation, Barcelona, Spain.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|November 30, 2018
Summary
Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence declined globally due to Westernization and economic crises. However, recent data shows stabilization and increases in some countries, highlighting the need to preserve these healthy eating traditions.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Global adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) has declined since the 1960s, influenced by Westernized eating habits.
- Recent economic crises may have further impacted dietary patterns worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze global trends in adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) across three distinct periods: 1961-1965, 2000-2003, and 2004-2011.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Food and Agriculture Organization Food Balance Sheets for 41 selected countries.
- Calculated the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI) based on average energy intake from food groups for each period.
- Assessed changes in MAI to determine trends in MD adherence.
Main Results:
- MAI generally deteriorated from 1961-1965 to 2004-2011 in many countries, but 16 nations showed an increase.
- MAI values stabilized between 2000-2003 and 2004-2011 in 16 of the 41 countries analyzed.
- Regional rankings showed Southern Mediterranean countries consistently had the highest MAI scores, followed by Mediterranean Europe, Central Europe, and Northern Europe.
Conclusions:
- Adherence to the MD significantly decreased between 1961-1965 and 2000-2003.
- A stabilization of MAI values and an increase in adherence were observed from 2004-2011 in 16 countries.
- Preserving Mediterranean dietary traditions and lifestyle habits is crucial to combatting chronic diseases.
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