Mediterranean Diet Adherence in Celiac Patients: A Nested Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Gastroenterology
• Public Health

Background:

• The Mediterranean diet (MD) is known to reduce cardiovascular risk.
• Celiac disease (CD) is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk.
• Investigating MD adherence in CD patients is crucial for managing associated risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence in newly diagnosed celiac disease (CD) patients, CD patients on a gluten-free diet (GFD), and a non-celiac control group.
• To determine the association between gluten-free diet (GFD) adherence and Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence in CD patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study conducted in Hungary.
• Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) was used to assess MD adherence.
• Standardized Dietitian Evaluation (SDE) was used to assess gluten-free diet (GFD) adherence.

Main Results:

• All study groups (CD on GFD, newly diagnosed CD, controls) exhibited suboptimal Mediterranean Diet Scores (MDS).
• Celiac disease patients, irrespective of diagnosis status, consumed significantly fewer whole grains compared to controls.
• Adequate gluten-free diet (GFD) adherence correlated positively with higher Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence.

Conclusions:

• Celiac disease patients demonstrate poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), with insufficient whole grain intake.
• Adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) is associated with better Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence.
• Enhanced dietary education and targeted nutritional counseling are vital for improving diet quality and reducing cardiovascular risk in celiac disease patients.