title: Qualitative methods to evaluate Mediterranean diet in adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To fulfil a comprehensive approach to consumption, which is necessary to characterise food habits and their relationship to diseases, using a diet quality index (DQI) developed for a Mediterranean region (Med-DQI).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional nutritional survey provided the data for the construction of the DQI.
  
  
  METHODS
  A representative sample made up of 964 subjects from a French Mediterranean area, Hérault département.
  
  
  METHODS
  Foods such as olive oil, fish and cereals were used instead of nutrients to build up scores which constructed the Med-DQI. Biochemical analysis identified biomarkers used to validate the Med-DQI. Correspondence factorial analysis illustrated the characteristics of subjects with different scores given by the Med-DQI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The subjects could be satisfactorily classified by the Med-DQI. The oldest age, less educated, overweight, manual workers, living in a rural area and male classes showed a better Med-DQI. For women, they were also from the oldest age class, but some of them were from the upper social class, with an ideal BMI and lived by the Mediterranean shore. A composite biomarker index, based on plasma carotene and vitamin E levels and the percentage of EPA and DHA in erythrocytes membranes, can identify subjects with good and poor Med-DQI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Med-DQI G is a good instrument to identify groups at risk with regard to nutritional quality. SUBJECTS with alpha + beta-carotene levels >1 mg/l, vitamin E > 30 mg/l, EPA > 0.65% and DHA > 4% of fatty acids in erythrocytes are likely to have a good diet.
authors.affiliation: Groupe d'Epidémiologie Métabolique, Centre de recherche en Cancérologie Centre Régional de Lutte contre le Cancer, Montpellier, France. mariette.gerber@wanadoo.fr
authors.forename: Mariette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gerber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012923:Social Class; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005227:Fatty Acids; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; C041635:alpha-carotene