Adherence to the Mediterranean diet in first-year university students and its association with lifestyle-related factors: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction

Students’ dietary habits are moving from Mediterranean diet guidelines towards unhealthy eating patterns. The aim of this study was to determine adherence to the Mediterranean diet in a sample of Spanish university students and its association with lifestyle factors.

Material and methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 685 university students who completed a self-report questionnaire. The data collected included demographic characteristics, dietary habits, smoking habits, alcohol consumption and physical activity. Mediterranean diet adherence was assessed by measuring the consumption of the foods that compose this type of diet through a score (range 0–10). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was considered poor, average, or good.

Results

The mean adherence score for the Mediterranean diet was 4.9 (1.2) points out of 10. A higher degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was observed in physically active students (OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.05–5.10; p = 0.038). Students who performed ≥150 min/week of physical activity (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.33–0.62; p < 0.001) and those over 25 years old (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.26–0.73; p = 0.002) were less prone to low adherence to the Mediterranean diet than sedentary and younger students.

Conclusion

The university students have poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The results of the current study indicate that age and physical activity are associated with Mediterranean diet adherence. It is urgent to raise awareness among university students and implement intervention programmes promoting a healthy lifestyle.