Low Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Isolated Adolescents: The Mediation Effects of Stress

Abstract

Loneliness perception during adolescence has been increased dramatically in recent years. Changes in lifestyle and difficulties in social interaction could explain this increased phenomenon. As described in previous research, this fact has been associated with the development of high stress levels and dysfunctional lifestyles, in which eating habits play a main role. In this regard, loneliness has been classically associated with poor eating habits, fundamentally the consumption of processed food with little nutritional value. However, the relationship between loneliness and healthy eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean Diet (MD), has not been previously analyzed. The main aim of the present study was to identify the relationship between perceived loneliness, stress, dietary habits, and adherence to the MD in a sample of 527 Spanish adolescents. The obtained results show a significant association between high perceived loneliness and high stress levels with lower MD adherence. Hence, adolescents with high perceived loneliness exhibit poor dietary habits in comparison to those counterparts with low perceived loneliness. Mediation analyses demonstrated an indirect effect of the loneliness on adherence to the MD through the mediation effect of stress. These findings point out a possible mechanism that underlies the classic association between loneliness and health deterioration, based on a poor adherence to a healthy dietary pattern, such as the MD.

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

“…Concerns about nutrition issues in adolescents are growing [ 16 , 17 ]. The eating habits and nutritional knowledge acquired during this stage are key factors for the creation of good eating habits in adulthood [ 18 ]. The management of a healthy diet during adolescence can positively affect psychological well-being and the maturation of the brain, since the most important brain structures develop quickly during this period [ 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

“…The eating habits and nutritional knowledge acquired during this stage are key factors for the creation of good eating habits in adulthood [ 18 ]. The management of a healthy diet during adolescence can positively affect psychological well-being and the maturation of the brain, since the most important brain structures develop quickly during this period [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Therefore, improving the comprehension of eating habits and patterns of healthy lifestyles during this period can help to identify factors that foster good health [ 18 ].…”

“…The MD is defined by the frequent consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, with olive oil as the main source of added fat. Other characteristics of the MD are the regular and moderate intake of dairy products, the moderate intake of fish and poultry, limited red meat, and moderate consumption of wine [ 18 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. These foods play an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases [ 24 , 25 , 26 ], providing benefits against cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer’s disease [ 27 ], and cancers [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]—specifically bowel and breast cancers [ 28 ].…”

“…According to psychosomatic theory, people that ingest food depending on their emotions do not have the ability to discern between hunger and negative emotional states [ 35 ]. However, a high adherence to the MD was shown to be connected with greater happiness in adolescents, specifically in psychological well-being, better mood, and better financial and social resources [ 18 ].…”

Comidas tradicionales y alimentación saludable: el ejemplo de la dieta mediterránea

“…La relevancia de los efectos beneficiosos de este patrón alimentario direcciona a que próximas investigaciones van a centrarse en otros aspectos y otros grupos etarios, como los adolescentes. Prueba de esto es el trabajo liderado por Ferrer-Cascales et al, que profundiza en la soledad percibida, los niveles de estrés y la menor adherencia a la DM (45) o la asociación que se estable entre la adhesión a la DM, los hábitos saludables, los procesos de aprendizaje y los logros académicos obtenidos, desarrollado por Chacón-Cuberos et al (46) , también en España.…”