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Mediterranean Diet Helps People Avoid ObesitySchröder H, Marrugat J, Vila J, et al.: Adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet is inversely associated with body mass index and obesity in a Spanish population. J. Nutr. 134:3355-3361, 2004. What is the problem and what is known about it so far?Obesity is a growing problem in the U.S. and around the world. Obesity causes many health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and several kinds of cancer. It is thought that the Mediterranean-style diet (a diet that includes fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, fish, olive oil, and other foods) may help people maintain a healthy weight and avoid health problems related to obesity. The researchers wanted to study people in Spain who ate a traditional Mediterranean diet to see how it affected their weight. Who was studied?1,547 men and 1,615 women who were 25 to 74 years old were studied from 1999 to 2000. They all lived in the province of Girona, Spain. How was the study done?The participants were surveyed to see how well they followed the traditional Mediterranean-style diet. The height and weight of each participant was measured to calculate body mass index (a measure of weight in relation to height). What did the researchers find?The more the participants stuck to the Mediterranean diet, the lower their body mass index was and the lower their risk of becoming obese. What are the implications of the study?The Mediterranean diet is a healthy way to eat and contains essential nutrients in healthy quantities that can help a person avoid becoming obese. |
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