Adherence to a Mediterranean type of diet in the world: a geographical analysis based on a systematic review of 57 studies with 1,125,560 participants

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to assess the level and time-trends of adherence to Mediterranean-type diets (MTD) among the general population, globally. According to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, a comprehensive literature search of the MEDLINE and Scopus databases was carried out, until 04/09/2023, based on specific criteria. Fifty-seven studies with 1,125,560 apparently healthy adults from Europe (n = 37), US (n = 8), Asia (n = 8), Australia (n = 4) and Africa (n = 1) were included. Adherence to an MTD was moderate with a significant decline observed in the last decade. European countries, mainly driven by Mediterranean countries, showed higher adherence than other regions. Geographical analysis revealed that adherence to an MTD is related to both geographic location and socioeconomic status throughout the world.

Keywords:

• Mediterranean diet
• mediterranean type diet
• worldwide adherence
• diet quality
• geographical analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data described in the manuscript will be made available upon request to the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.