title: Mediterranean diet adherence and self-reported psychological functioning in an Australian sample.
abstract: Given the reported health benefits of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and delay in cognitive decline, we aimed to determine the level of adherence to a MedDiet using an 11-point scale and examine relationships with cognitive function and psychological well-being. Cross-sectional analyses were undertaken on data from 1183 Australian adults, aged 40-65. Food frequency questionnaires were used to calculate mean intakes of foods included in a MedDiet and foods typically consumed in an Australian diet. Outcome measures included self-reported cognitive failures, memory, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, general health and physical function. The majority of Australians (71.7%) had a medium adherence to a MedDiet pattern. Overall MedDiet adherence was not related to cognitive function. However, intakes of plant foods associated with a MedDiet were positively associated with physical function and general health, and negatively associated with trait anxiety, depression and perceived stress. A substantial proportion of the diet in this Australian sample came from foods not typically consumed in a MedDiet. This is a major limitation when attempting to compare MedDiet adherence in different populations. Global standardisation of serving sizes and food groups are required for adequate comparison.
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Physiology Research Centre, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Georgina E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Crichton
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bryan
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hodgson
authors.forename: Karen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D001315:Australia; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Australians; Cognition; MedDiet; Mediterranean diet; Plant foods; Psychological wellbeing