Association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and metabolic syndrome in workers at a multinational company...

This study aimed to analyze the association between Mediterranean diet (MD) and cardiometabolic health in a working population.

A cross-sectional study was conducted. 5,891 employees of a Spanish multinational company in Madrid. MEDAS (Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener) questionnaire was completed to assess their adherence to the MD. Cardiovascular risk (CVR) prediction formulas using the European low-risk SCORE, body mass index (BMI), and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) were determined. Logistic regression, odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were used.

42% were women. Mean age of 42.67±9.03 years. 89% showed medium or high adherence to MD, 99.5% had mild CVR, and 6.45% had MS. MD was not associated with the SCORE but was inversely associated with BMI and MS (P<.001). The association of MS with DM, showed an OR of 0.45 (95%CI: 0.31-0.68). Also significant with each of its isolated parameters: HDL cholesterol 0.63 (0.48-0.84), triglycerides 0.57 (0.43-0.78), abdominal circumference 0.62 (0.50-0.77) and blood glucose 0.67 (0.49-0.93), except for blood pressure 0.85 (0.70-1.04).

Adherence to MD is associated with a lower prevalence of MS and a more favorable metabolic profile. Higher-quality studies are needed to provide more scientific evidence.