Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life and Anthropometric Measurements in University Professors.

The main objective of this study was to assess the relationship between Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) according to the anthropometric measurements of teaching and research staff (TRS) at the University of Granada (UGR), Spain. This diagnostic, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and observational study was performed on university lecturers (65 women and 62 men) using a correlational descriptive methodology. The lecturers' anthropometric measurements were taken, while MD adherence was determined using the PREvention with MEDiterranean diet (PREDIMED) questionnaire. The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used for measuring HRQOL. Better results for body composition were associated with improvements in the physical and mental dimensions and MD adherence. Statistically significant differences were found between sexes, with men showing higher values for weight, height, waist circumference, BMI, waist/hip ratio (WHR), muscle mass, and systolic and diastolic pressure than women. Similarly, MD adherence was positively correlated with vitality (r = 0.233; p = 0.009), social functioning (r = 0.229; p = 0.008), and the mental component summary (r = 0.205; p = 0.021). The regression model determined that the mental component summary (ß = 0.239, p = 0.041), diastolic pressure (PD) (ß = -0.473, p < 0.000), fat percentage (FP) (ß = -0.241, p = 0.004), and age (ß = -0.231, p = 0.022) significantly predicted MD adherence. The results obtained in this study suggest that healthy dietary patterns such as the MD and an optimum body composition contribute to an improved HRQOL.

Caloric and Lipid Profiles during Pregnancy in a Socio-Culturally Diverse Society.

This research analyzes the determining factors in diet quality among the Spanish pregnant population with the aim of promoting healthier eating habits and preventing the development of non-communicable diseases. It is a diagnostic, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and observational study, with correlational descriptive methodology, and 306 participants. The information was collected using the 24 h dietary recall. Various sociodemographic factors that influence diet quality were analyzed. It was found that pregnant women consume too much protein and fat, score high in SFA consumption, and do not achieve the CH recommendations, consuming twice as much sugar. Carbohydrate intake is inversely related to income (ß = -0.144, p < 0.005). Likewise, protein intake is linked to marital status (ß = -0.114, p < 0.005) and religion (ß = 0.110, p < 0.005). Finally, lipid intake appears conditional upon age (ß = 0.109, p < 0.005). As regards the lipid profile, a positive association is only observed with age and MFA consumption (ß = 0.161, p < 0.01). On the other hand, simple sugars are positively related to education (ß = 0.106, p < 0.005). The results of this research show that the diet quality of pregnant women does not meet the nutritional recommendations established for the Spanish population.

Caloric and Lipid Profiles in the Spanish Population of North Africa.

This study introduces an analysis for determining factors of diet quality among the Spanish adult population in North Africa with the aim of promoting healthier eating habits to prevent the development of diabetes mellitus. It is a diagnostic, non-experimental, cross-sectional and observational study, with a descriptive correlational methodology, with 201 participants from Ceuta and Melilla. The information collection has been carried out through the 24 h diet recall. Various sociodemographic factors influencing the quality of the diet have been analyzed. People from Melilla adopt a carbohydrate-rich diet (p = 0.004), whereas people from Ceuta have a lipid-rich diet (p = 0.002), particularly a high- monounsaturated-fat diet (p = 0.007). Muslims consume more sugar (p = 0.001) compared with Christians. Those working consume less carbohydrates (p = 0.13) than those not working. The latter consuming more fats (p = 0.39), and those with a higher education level show higher consumption of proteins (p = 0.001). The results of this study suggest that diet quality, in general, does not follow healthy recommendations established for the Spanish population, where the sugar consumption-diabetes relationship justifies the need for further research on Muslim population.

Mediterranean Diet and the Emotional Well-Being of Students of the Campus of Melilla (University of Granada).

A certain link exists between the consumption of particular groups of food and well-being. In this study, we analyzed in depth the relationship between strict adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and emotional well-being through a descriptive, exploratory, transversal, and correlational study of students from the Campus of Melilla, University of Granada, Spain. The sample consisted of 272 individuals. Adherence to the MD was measured with the PREvención con DIetaMEDiterránea (PREDIMED) questionnaire, emotional well-being (both positive and negative affection) with the Spanish version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the state of perceived health with the Short Form-36 (SF36), and the degree of physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). A strict adherence to the MD was found to be significantly related to positive emotional state (ß = 0.018, p = 0.009). The perceived state of health (ß = 0.192, p < 0.001), mental role (ß = 0.346, p < 0.001), and physical activity (ß = 0.155, p = 0.007) were found to be predictive factors of a positive emotional state. Conversely, the relationship between the adherence to the MD and a negative emotional state was not significant. Various components of the MD were found to be independently connected to well-being. The results suggest that adopting a nutritional pattern such as the MD is linked to an improvement in emotional well-being.