Nutrition behaviour and compliance with the Mediterranean diet pyramid recommendations: an Italian survey-based study
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Nutrition behaviour and compliance with the Mediterranean diet pyramid recommendations: an Italian survey‑based study Renata Bracale1 · Concetta M. Vaccaro2 · Vittoria Coletta2 · Claudio Cricelli3 · Francesco Carlo Gamaleri4 · Fabio Parazzini5 · Michele Carruba6 Received: 5 June 2019 / Accepted: 23 October 2019 © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019
Abstract Purpose Adopting a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern may help in preventing several chronic diseases. We assessed the eating behaviour and compliance with the Mediterranean diet pyramid recommendations in Italy. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted in subjects aged ≥ 20 years. A 14-question survey based on the updated Mediterranean diet pyramid was launched online from April 2015 to November 2016. At test completion, a personalized pyramid displaying the possible deficiencies and/or excesses was generated, that could be the basis to plan diet and lifestyle modifications. Results Overall, 27,540 subjects completed the survey: the proportion of females (75.6%), younger subjects (20.7%) and people with a University degree (33.1%) resembled those of the Italian population of Internet users rather than of the general population. 37.8% of participants declared a sedentary lifestyle, including 29.6% of those aged 20–29 years. A lower-thanrecommended intake of all food categories included in the Mediterranean diet pyramid, along with excess of sweets, red and processed meats, emerged, that may affect health in the long term. Low adherence to recommendations was observed especially among females and older people. Notably, a discrepancy surfaced between the responders’ perceived and actual behaviour toward the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables (81.8% vs 22.7–32.8%, respectively). Conclusions The nutritional habits and lifestyle of Italian participants are poorly adherent to the Mediterranean diet recommendations. The personalized pyramid tool may help in raising the awareness of individuals and their families on where to intervene, possibly with the support of healthcare professionals, to improve their behaviour. Level of evidence Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study. Keywords Compliance · Food pyramid · Italy · Lifestyle · Mediterranean diet · Nutrition
Introduction
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-019-00807-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. * Michele Carruba [email protected] 1
Department of Medicine and Sciences for Health, Molise University, Campobasso, Italy
2
Fondazione Censis, Rome, Italy
3
Società Italiana di Medicina Generale e delle Cure Primarie Firenze, Florence, Italy
Exhaustive evidence has established the central role of a healthy lifestyle, based on a balanced and diverse diet and on adequate physical activity, in preventing several chronic diseases, known to impose a substantial burden on healthcare systems and communities. 4
Ordine dei Farmacisti delle Provinc
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