title: [Validation of self-applicable questionnaire for a Mediterranean dietary index in Chile].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Availability of brief dietary indexes that can effectively evaluate dietary patterns and their association with health is critical for prevention and management of several chronic disease conditions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To adapt a self-applicable Mediterranean Dietary Index in Chile (Chilean-MDI).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Chilean-MDI was developed based on a previous Mediterranean eating score that was adapted to Chilean dietary habits. This index was further validated in a sample of 153 adults by comparing the concordance between the results obtained by self-application of the Chilean-MDI with those obtained by a trained nutritionist. Additionally, the index was applied in a sample of 53,366 Chilean adults in order to describe the diet quality of our population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was an adequate concordance between findings obtained by self-application of the Chilean-MDI and those achieved by the nutritionist. The application of the index in Chilean adult population showed a better diet quality (high Mediterranean diet adherence) among women, with advanced age and among people with higher educational levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Chilean-MDI can be successfully self-applied to portray the overall diet quality in the Chilean adult population. Additionally, this dietary index describes overall food intake in Chilean adults, showing demographic trends that are comparable to those obtained with similar indexes applied in other populations.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Nutrición Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile, arigotti@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Echeverría
authors.affiliation: Centro de Nutrición Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile, arigotti@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Inés
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Urquiaga
authors.affiliation: Centro de Nutrición Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile, arigotti@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Concha
authors.affiliation: Centro de Nutrición Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile, arigotti@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Catalina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dussaillant
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Salud Pública, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Villarroel
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Nutrición, Diabetes y Metabolismo, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Nicolás
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.affiliation: Centro de Nutrición Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile, arigotti@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leighton
authors.affiliation: Centro de Nutrición Molecular y Enfermedades Crónicas, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile, arigotti@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Attilio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rigotti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002677:Chile; D004034:Diet Surveys; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires