Level of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Among Elderly Individuals Living in Mediterranean Islands: Nutritional Report from the Medis Study

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the level of adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet among 1190 elderly adults living in the Greek islands and Cyprus.

Methodology: The retrieved information included demographic, bio-clinical and dietary characteristics.

Results: The level of adherence to this dietary pattern was 61% in both men and women. People in rural areas had slightly higher level of adherence compared to those living in urban areas (62% vs. 60%).

Conclusion: The level of adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet was moderate. People living in rural areas seem to better hold these traditional dietary habits.

KEYWORDS:

• diet
• Mediterranean
• elderly
• epidemiology

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are, particularly, grateful to the men and women from the islands of Cyprus, Mitilini, Samothraki, Crete, Corfu, Zakynthos and Cephalonia, who participated in and collaborated on this research. We also wish to express our gratitude to: M. Tornaritis, A. Polystipioti, M. Economou, N. Papairakleous (field investigators from Cyprus), K. Gelastopoulou, I. Vlachou (field investigator from Mitilini), E. Ladoudaki, M. Antonopoulou, N. Tsakountakis, K. Makri (field investigators from Crete), E. Niforatou, V. Alpentzou, M. Voutsadaki, M. Galiatsatos (field investigators from Cephalonia), M. Micheli, E. Lioliou, K. Voutsa (field investigator from Corfu), and P. Stravopodis, A. Katsarou, G. Pounis, E. Apostolidou, G. Papavassiliou, (field investigators from Zakynthos), for their substantial assistance in the enrolment of the participants.

The Study is funded by Research grants from the Hellenic Heart Foundation, and therefore we would also like to thank Prof. Pavlos Toutouzas, Director of the Foundation.

No conflict of interest exists.