Mediterranean Diet, a Posteriori Dietary Patterns, Time-Related Meal Patterns and Adiposity: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study in University Students

Abstract

The transition to university is connected to potentially obesogenic dietary changes. Our aim was to assess the relation of Mediterranean diet adherence, and a posteriori dietary and meal patterns with adiposity in Greek students at the University of the Peloponnese. A total of 346 students (269 women) participated. Anthropometry was performed, and a food frequency questionnaire was administered. The MedDietScore was higher in women and was not linearly related to adiposity. Principal component analysis revealed six patterns: (1) legumes/vegetables/fruits/tea/dairy/whole grains, (2) juice/sodas/liquid calories, (3) olive oil/fats, (4) meat/poultry/fish, (5) alcohol/eggs/dairy and (6) fast foods/sweets. Patterns 4 and 6 were related to overweight/obesity probability (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.995–2.538 and OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.07–6.06, respectively) and higher waist circumference (men). Men “early eaters” (breakfast/morning/afternoon snack) had a higher MedDietScore and lower overweight probability (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.220–1.020). Poor meal and dietary patterns relate to overweight and central obesity, which is important for targeted health promotion programs.

Dietary Habits Are Related to Phase Angle in Male Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

“…Sex disparities have been documented in lung cancer incidence [ 41 ] and sex may also influence treatment outcomes (such as in the case of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors and anti-programmed cell-death protein 1 (PD1) inhibitors) [ 42 ] or treatment complications [ 3 ]. Moreover, there are sex-related body composition [ 43 ] and PhA differences [ 28 ], and, possibly, sex differences in diet-related behaviors [ 44 ]. In this context, the sole inclusion of men can better reflect the net associations of diet with the PhA.…”

Relation of Minimally Processed Foods and Ultra-Processed Foods with the Mediterranean Diet Score, Time-Related Meal Patterns and Waist Circumference: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study in University Students

“…Students stated how often they consume main meals and snacks [24]. In total, information was collected for the following meals: breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and bedtime snack and several following frequencies.…”

“…This unique profile of UPF may also make them "attractive" food choices for university students for many reasons: new exposures, social circuits, food insecurity, poor cooking skills, migration, product characteristics, and an energy dense option if a main meal is skipped during classes and tight schedules [6,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. Dietary habits can affect adiposity in university students [24]. More particularly, the embracement of healthy nutritional schemes, such as the Mediterranean diet [25][26][27], as well as meal characteristics, such as frequency, eating main meals, and breakfast [20,24,28,29], have been negatively associated with obesity in university students.…”

“…Dietary habits can affect adiposity in university students [24]. More particularly, the embracement of healthy nutritional schemes, such as the Mediterranean diet [25][26][27], as well as meal characteristics, such as frequency, eating main meals, and breakfast [20,24,28,29], have been negatively associated with obesity in university students. Gender differences have also been described, with female students choosing more fruits, less fat and eating breakfast more frequently [30][31][32][33].…”

“…We have previously shown that dietary quality scores, such as the Food Compass Score, which includes NOVA categorization in its calculation, are associated with better nutritional habits and an "early eating" pattern in university students [39]. Moreover, a pattern high in fast foods and sweets, which are considered UPF, has been associated with a higher probability of overweight and obesity as well as a higher WC in men of the same cohort [24].…”