Efectos de la dieta mediterránea en medidas antropométricas en una población ecuatoriana

Abstract

Eating habits constitute cultural patterns inherited from families, distinctive elements that identify people. The objective of this study was to determine the effects produced by anthropometric measurements in people who attended a nutritional clinic in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador. A cross-sectional study was carried out between November 2021 and February 2022. The normality of the variables was determined with the Shapiro-Wilks statistical test, and then the T student was calculated for dependent samples to assess the effect of the diet. In the aforementioned anthropometric parameters before and after the intervention. To evaluate the impact of the diet by sex, the T student was performed for independent samples. The results showed statistically significant differences in body mass index, abdominal circumference and muscle mass but not in fat percentage. In contrast, concerning sex, only a statistically significant difference was evidenced in muscle mass. The Mediterranean diet showed positive results in the body composition indicators evaluated, decreasing the BMI, the percentage of fat, and the abdominal circumference while favoring the increase in muscle mass. Keywords: Mediterranean Diet; body composition, obesity