Modification of Mediterranean Diet Pyramid from an Island’s perspective

Abstract

Objective The present study aimed to determine traditional and local food consumption and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in Cyprus. And also, aimed to improve their adherence to the Mediterranean diet and traditional and local food consumption. From this point, this current study aimed to revise the Cyprus Mediterranean Diet Pyramid, based on the Current Mediterranean Diet Pyramid. Methods The sample size was calculated as a minimum of 386 according to a 95.0% confidence interval, and a 5.0% error. This study was conducted online between November 2020-April 2021 in Cyprus. All volunteers were invited to this study on the national public internet platforms. Participant´s adherence to the Mediterranean diet was determined by the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener. Traditional and local food consumption frequencies were determined by a Food Frequency Questionnaire. A novel Cyprus Mediterranean Diet Pyramid was developed with traditional and local food items for Cyprus. The modification was also aimed to safeguard planet health, to increase traditional food consumption and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Results 1,007 adults (78.0% native islanders/Cypriots) participated voluntarily in the current study. The mean Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener score was 7.55±2.30 points and only 34.4% had high adherence to the Mediterranean diet. According to their responses, there was a need to increase use of olive oil, vegetables, fruits, fish, and red wine consumption and to decrease red meat and dessert consumption. According to responses to the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener and their traditional/local food consumption frequencies an up-to-date Cyprus Mediterranean Diet Pyramid was done hence a national food pyramid for Cyprus. Commonly consumed traditional and local foods were added to the pyramid to facilitate increased adaptation of the Mediterranean diet in the general population. Adequately consumed foods were added to make it more region-specific and rarely consumed foods were added to help to increase consumption. Conclusion This modification is believed to be instrumental to increase Mediterranean diet adaptation, traditional/local food consumption and decrease the impact of nutrition on the planet´s health. And also, this modification can shed light on the development of the other traditional food pyramids.

Diet quality of preparatory school students in Awi Zone, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

“…Moreover, educated mothers search and understand nutrition information better than uneducated mothers. 45 …”

“…The positive significant association between maternal education and diet quality of students might be due to the role of education in improving household income and purchasing power of a variety of foodstuffs. Moreover, educated mothers search and understand nutrition information better than uneducated mothers 45…”

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“…Кілька досліджень показали покращення результатів діабету та вагітності, коли мультидисциплінарна група, орієнтована на поліпшення глікемічного контролю, надавала допомогу від періоду до зачаття до вагітності (24)(25)(26)(27). Одне дослідження показало, що догляд за існуючим діабетом у клініках, які включали діабет Цукровий діабет.…”

Use of Oleuropein and Hydroxytyrosol for Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Considerations about How Bioavailability and Metabolism Impact Their Adoption in Clinical Routine

“…Epidemiological and experimental evidence has confirmed that the so-called Mediterranean diet is a source of molecules that may mitigate cancer risk factors like chronic inflammation and redox imbalance, thus participating in the prevention of carcinogenesis in terms of loss of cell cycle regulation and proper immune modulation, as well as in the inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis. Moreover, some of these natural compounds may have a cytotoxic effect, making them interesting alternatives to or candidates for integration into conventional therapeutic approaches [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”