Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Its Association with the Level of Physical Activity in Fitness Center Users: Croatian-Based Study

Abstract

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is based on the traditional cuisine of south European countries, and it is considered one of the healthiest dietary patterns worldwide. The promotion of combined MD and physical activity has shown major benefits. However, the association between physical activity and the MD in regular fitness center users is still insufficiently investigated. This cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted on 1220 fitness center users in Croatia. The survey consisted of three parts: general information, the Mediterranean Diet Serving Score (MDSS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The results showed that 18.6% of fitness center users were adherent to the MD, and there was a significant positive correlation between the level of physical activity and the MDSS score (r = 0.302, p < 0.001). Moreover, after dividing the sample into tertiles based on the IPAQ-SF score, the third tertile (MET > 3150 min/wk) had the most fitness center users (34.4%) adherent to the MD, while the first tertile (MET < 1750 min/wk) had the least (6.1%). These outcomes emphasize the importance of physical activity as they imply that, with higher levels of physical activity, people are also possibly more aware of the importance that a healthy and balanced diet has on their well-being.

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Tendency to Orthorexia Nervosa in Professional Athletes

“…In other words, all our participants with a higher total MET min/week score are more adherent to the MD, which is also in line with other studies that found a significant association between physical activity and adherence to the MD [6,41,42]. Our previous Croatia-based study conducted on recreational fitness center users showed a significant association between physical activity and adherence to the MD [6]. Moreover, after dividing our sample into tertiles based on the IPAQ-SF score, it was determined that the third tertile (MET > 3150 min/week) had the most fitness center users (34.4%) which were adherent to the MD, while the first tertile (MET < 1750 min/week) had the least (6.1%).…”

“…Another important finding in our study is the significant positive correlation between physical activity and the MD. In other words, all our participants with a higher total MET min/week score are more adherent to the MD, which is also in line with other studies that found a significant association between physical activity and adherence to the MD [6,41,42]. Our previous Croatia-based study conducted on recreational fitness center users showed a significant association between physical activity and adherence to the MD [6].…”

“…Even though many diets today are created by nutritionists, some of them are cultural and based on traditional cuisine. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is the traditional cuisine of countries on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and it is recognized as one of the healthiest dietary patterns worldwide [6,7]. The MD consists of a high intake of olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts, cereals and legumes, less frequent intake of fish, eggs and dairy products and occasional intake of sweets and meat, with predominantly white meat over red meat [8].…”

Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity as Healthy Lifestyles for Human Health

“…The association between PA and adherence to the MD was also investigated in 1220 fitness-center users in Croatia [11]. Results showed that MD adherence, measured by means of the Mediterranean Diet Serving Score (MDSS) in the whole study sample (mean age was 29.1 ± 8.8 years) was 8.0, and 18.6% of participants adhered to the MD (total MDSS score ≥ 14).…”

A Cross-sectional Study on the Evaluation of the Relationship between Sleep Quality, Physical Activity, Diet Quality, Night Eating Habits and Body Mass Index in Nutrition and Dietetics Department Students

“…Ergül ve Sağlam [100] tarafından yapılan bir araştırmada, kalsiyum ve D vitamini suplementi kullanan kadınların IPAQ-SF puanları, kullanmayanlardan daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Martinovic ve arkadaşları [66] tarafından yapılan bir araştırmada, IPAQ-SF puanı en düşük olan bireylerin besin desteği kullanım oranlarının, puanı daha yüksek olan bireylerden daha düşük olduğu gösterilmiştir. Besin desteği kullanım oranları arasındaki farkın besin desteği çeşidine göre değiştiği de vurgulanmıştır.…”