title: Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern and heart rate in the SUN project.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A higher heart rate has been related to an increase of total and cardiovascular mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and heart rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  The SUN project is an ongoing multipurpose cohort study based on university graduates from Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study included 15,863 participants of the SUN project. Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern was assessed through a validated 136-item food frequency questionnaire and calculated according to the 9-point score proposed by Trichopoulou. Multiple linear regression models were fitted to assess the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern and heart rate and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The multivariable-adjusted models revealed that participants with a high adherence (7--9 points) to the Mediterranean dietary pattern had a heart rate 2.2 bpm (95% CI 1.4-3.1) lower than participants with a low adherence (0--2 points).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern seems to be related to a lower heart rate.
authors.affiliation: Clinic University of Navarra, Navarra, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-López
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martínez-González
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Basterra-Gortari
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Barrio-López
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gea
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Beunza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D004522:Educational Status; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Diet; Mediterranean dietary pattern; heart rate