Implementing a Mediterranean-Style Diet Outside the Mediterranean Region
- PMID: 29728772
- DOI: 10.1007/s11883-018-0732-z
Implementing a Mediterranean-Style Diet Outside the Mediterranean Region
Abstract
Purpose of review: Populations surrounding the Mediterranean basin have traditionally reaped health benefits from a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), which may benefit Westernized countries plagued by chronic disease. But is it feasible to implement beyond the Mediterranean? To answer this question, we present evidence from randomized controlled trials that achieved high dietary compliance rates with subsequent physical and mental health benefits.
Recent findings: In the 1960s, the Seven Countries Study identified dietary qualities of Mediterranean populations associated with healthy aging and longevity. The PREDIMED study confirmed reductions in CVD-related mortality with a MedDiet; a meta-analysis in over 4.7 million people showed reduced mortality, CVD-related mortality, and reduced risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Continually emerging research supports the MedDiet's benefits for chronic diseases including metabolic syndrome, cancers, liver disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, and anxiety. We summarize components of studies outside the Mediterranean that achieved high compliance to a Med-style diet: dietitian led, dietary education, goal setting, mindfulness; recipe books, meal plans, and food checklists; food hampers; regular contact between volunteers and staff through regular cooking classes; clinic visits; and recipes that are simple, palatable, and affordable. The next step is testing the MedDiet's feasibility in the community. Potential obstacles include access to dietetic/health care professionals, high meat intake, pervasive processed foods, and fast food outlets. For Western countries to promote a Med-style diet, collective support from government, key stakeholders and policy makers, food industry, retailers, and health professionals is needed to ensure the healthiest choice is the easiest choice.
Keywords: Blue zones; HELFIMED; MedDiet; MedLey; Mediterranean diet.
Comment in
-
Commentary on: "Implementing a Mediterranean-Style Diet Outside the Mediterranean Region".Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2018 Jul 9;20(9):45. doi: 10.1007/s11883-018-0744-8. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2018. PMID: 29987642 Free PMC article. Review. No abstract available.
Similar articles
-
Dietary intervention for people with mental illness in South Australia.Health Promot Int. 2018 Feb 1;33(1):71-83. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daw055. Health Promot Int. 2018. PMID: 27476869
-
Metabolic and Vascular Effect of the Mediterranean Diet.Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Sep 23;20(19):4716. doi: 10.3390/ijms20194716. Int J Mol Sci. 2019. PMID: 31547615 Free PMC article. Review.
-
A Mediterranean-style dietary intervention supplemented with fish oil improves diet quality and mental health in people with depression: A randomized controlled trial (HELFIMED).Nutr Neurosci. 2019 Jul;22(7):474-487. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2017.1411320. Epub 2017 Dec 7. Nutr Neurosci. 2019. PMID: 29215971 Clinical Trial.
-
Translation of a Mediterranean-Style Diet into the Australian Dietary Guidelines: A Nutritional, Ecological and Environmental Perspective.Nutrients. 2019 Oct 18;11(10):2507. doi: 10.3390/nu11102507. Nutrients. 2019. PMID: 31635208 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Long-Term Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet 1-Year after Completion of the MedLey Study.Nutrients. 2022 Jul 28;14(15):3098. doi: 10.3390/nu14153098. Nutrients. 2022. PMID: 35956274 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.
Cited by
-
From plate to planet: culturally responsive culinary practices for health system innovation.Front Nutr. 2024 Oct 17;11:1476503. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1476503. eCollection 2024. Front Nutr. 2024. PMID: 39483786 Free PMC article.
-
Development of an Aotearoa New Zealand adapted Mediterranean dietary pattern and Kai/food basket for the He Rourou Whai Painga randomised controlled trial.Front Nutr. 2024 Jul 26;11:1382078. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1382078. eCollection 2024. Front Nutr. 2024. PMID: 39131736 Free PMC article.
-
Influence of Metabolic Dysregulation in the Management of Depressive Disorder-Narrative Review.Nutrients. 2024 May 29;16(11):1665. doi: 10.3390/nu16111665. Nutrients. 2024. PMID: 38892598 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Comparing The Mediterranean and The Japanese Dietary Pattern in Relation to Longevity - A Narrative Review.Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2024;24(15):1746-1755. doi: 10.2174/0118715303270869240120040514. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2024. PMID: 38288822 Review.
-
He Rourou Whai Painga, an Aotearoa New Zealand dietary pattern for metabolic health and whānau wellbeing: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.Front Nutr. 2023 Dec 11;10:1298743. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1298743. eCollection 2023. Front Nutr. 2023. PMID: 38148791 Free PMC article.
References
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Medical
Research Materials