The Mediterranean diet: historical benefits and contemporary challenges in Southern Italy

The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is an ancient traditional way of eating that is characteristic of the territory of Southern Italy, Greece, and the island of Crete. For more than a decade, studies have been conducted that demonstrate the benefits of this type of diet, namely a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and increased life expectancy, etc. This eating pattern is characterized by a wealth of plant foods, olive oil, and moderate consumption of dairy products, fish and red wine. However, in recent decades, there has been a rapid spread of the Western eating pattern, which is characterized by high consumption of processed foods, fast food, sugary drinks, and foods rich in saturated fats and added sugars. Modern nutritional trends are replacing the traditional MedDiet. This global shift in eating habits has led to an alarming increase in obesity rates among both adults and children, particularly in regions that are historically the birthplace of the MedDiet. This narrative review aims to explore and analyze the historical influence of the MedDiet on the formation of eating habits among the inhabitants of Southern Italy. The novelty is that it presents the first investigation researching the correlation between the shift away from the traditional MedDiet and the rising prevalence of childhood obesity in Southern Italy based on current epidemiological data. The selection of sources was carried out in the scientific databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using specific keywords.