Modified Mediterranean diet score adapted to a southern Mediterranean population and its relation to overweight and obesity risk. Issue 13 (29th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: El Kinany, Khaoula; Mint Sidi Deoula, Meimouna; Hatime, Zineb; Boudouaya, Hanae Abir; Atassi, Mariam; El Asri, Achraf; Benslimane, Abdelilah; Nejjari, Chakib; Ibrahimi, Sidi Adil; Lagiou, Pagona; El Rhazi, Karima
• Is Part Of: Public health nutrition. Volume 24:Issue 13(2021)
• Page Start: 4064
• Page End: 4070
• Publication Date: 2021-09-29
• Subjects: Modified Mediterranean diet -- Nutritional transition -- Traditional diet -- North Africa -- Morocco; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition policy -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S1368980020002062
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-9800

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: The current study aimed to develop a modified Mediterranean diet (MMD) score adjusted to the southern Mediterranean countries' cultural specificities and to evaluate associations between adherence to this modified score and overweight/obesity risk in Moroccan adults. Design: Population-based cross-sectional study. Setting: Rural and urban areas of the five greatest provinces of Morocco. Participants: In total, 1516 participants were recruited between September 2009 and February 2017. Dietary assessment was obtained using a validated Moroccan FFQ. We constructed a MMD score focusing on twelve components. The MMD score ranged from 0 (no adherence to the traditional southern Mediterranean diet (MD)) to 12 (maximal adherence) and was categorised as low (scores 0–4), moderate (scores 5–7) and high (scores 8–12). Results: Among the whole population, 754 (50·5 %) were women and 738 (49·5 %) were men, and the mean age was about 55·60 ± 13·70. In total, 58 % of participants were moderately active. Regarding educational level, 50·7 % were illiterate. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 43·3 and 8·6 %, respectively. In multivariate analyses, close adherence to MMD (scores 8–12) was associated with reduced overweight/obesity risk (OR 0·61, 95 % CI 0·44, 0·84). Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was very high among Moroccan adults. Adherence to the traditional southern MD may help prevent overweight and obesity.