Awareness of the Mediterranean Diet and its Perceived Effect on Cardiovascular Health in the Western Region, Saudi...

To increase awareness of mediterranean diet (MD) and its perceived effects on cardiovascular health, enhance knowledge and inform public health efforts aimed at improving the population's health outcomes of. The MD comprises heart-healthy eating patterns high in vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and fruits.

This cross-sectional study involved adult participants who were living in the Western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The data were collected online through social media platforms, then cleaned, coded, and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 21 to generate key insights.

A total of 390 participants were included in the study. The study noted gender differences in the awareness of core MD components, with females showing better knowledge than males (p = 0.009). Compared to other age groups, participants aged 18-29 years demonstrated significantly higher awareness of the diet (p = 0.008) and cardiovascular risk factors (p = 0.009). Common foods cited as good sources of dietary fiber include oats (302, 48.5%) and legumes (199, 31.9%).

The study demonstrated a lack of awareness of the MD among the participants, but female and young adults demonstrated better awareness of the diet and its perceived effects on cardiovascular health. The research identified critical deficiencies in knowledge and awareness regarding the importance of MD in cardiovascular health. These findings call for greater public education and awareness regarding healthy lifestyle and dietary choices, aimed at encouraging healthy practices and enhancing overall wellbeing.