A Mediterranean-type diet is associated with better metabolic profile in urban Polish adults: Results from the HAPIEE study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the Polish arm of the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) cohort study.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey including 8821 adults was conducted in Krakow, Poland. Food intake was evaluated through a validated food frequency questionnaire and adherence to the dietary pattern was assessed using a score specifically developed for non-Mediterranean countries (MedTypeDiet score). Linear and logistic regression models were performed to estimate beta and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), respectively.


RESULTS
Significant associations between the MedTypeDiet score and waist circumference (β=-0.307±0.239cm), systolic blood pressure (β=-0.440±0.428mmHg), and triglycerides (β=-0.021±0.016mmol/L) were observed. After multivariable adjustment, individuals in the highest quartile of the score were less likely to have MetS, central obesity, high triglycerides, and hypertension. Increase of one standard deviation of the score was associated with 7% less odds of having MetS (OR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88, 0.97). When analyzing the relation of single components of the MedTypeDiet score, wine, dairy products, and the total unsaturated:saturated fatty acids ratio were associated with MetS.


CONCLUSIONS
Adherence to a Mediterranean-like diet may decrease the risk of MetS also among non-Mediterranean populations.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Section of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Department of Epidemiology and Population Studies, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: giuseppe.grosso@studium.unict.it.
Giuseppe
G
Grosso
Department of Epidemiology and Population Studies, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: mxbiela@cyf-kr.edu.pl.
Urszula
U
Stepaniak
Department of Epidemiology and Population Studies, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: agnieszka.micek@uj.edu.pl.
Agnieszka
A
Micek
Department of Epidemiology and Population Studies, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: mxtopor@cyf-kr.edu.pl.
Roman
R
Topor-Mądry
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College of London, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: denes.stefler.10@ucl.ac.uk.
Denes
D
Stefler
Department of Epidemiology and Population Studies, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: mygomola@cyf-kr.edu.pl.
Krystyna
K
Szafraniec
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College of London, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: m.bobak@ucl.ac.uk.
Martin
M
Bobak
Department of Epidemiology and Population Studies, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: mmpajak@cyf-kr.edu.pl.
Andrzej
A
Pająk
D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference; D044465:White People
D014280:Triglycerides
Diabetes; Hypertension; Mediterranean diet; Metabolic syndrome; Obesity