Mediterranean Diet in Older Irish Adults: Prevalence, Patterns, Predictors and Pertinence

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Nutritional Epidemiology
• Public Health and Preventive Medicine

Background:

• The Mediterranean diet (MD) is strongly associated with healthy aging and prevention of age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
• Evidence suggests the health benefits of the MD extend beyond Mediterranean regions, highlighting its potential for broader public health applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the proportion of older Irish adults adhering to the Mediterranean diet (MD).
• To examine the association between MD adherence, assessed by the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), and anthropometric risk factors for non-communicable diseases in this population.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of data from the LifeAge study, involving 131 Irish adults aged over 50 years.
• Adherence to the MD was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) scoring tool.
• Statistical analysis correlated MEDAS scores with anthropometric measurements (waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, visceral fat level) and demographic factors (age, sex).

Main Results:

• The mean MD adherence score was 5.8 ± 2.2, with 41% classified as moderate-to-high adherers (MEDAS score > 7).
• Females exhibited significantly higher MD adherence scores than males (p = 0.002).
• Age, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and visceral fat level showed significant negative correlations with MD adherence, indicating better adherence among individuals with more favorable anthropometric profiles.

Conclusions:

• Adherence to the Mediterranean diet among older Irish adults is moderate and lower than reported in Mediterranean populations.
• Higher MD adherence is associated with a more favorable anthropometric profile and is more prevalent in females.
• The findings underscore the potential of the MD in reducing non-communicable disease risk in non-Mediterranean aging populations, suggesting a need to identify barriers to adherence in these groups.