Nutr Res Pract.  2024 Apr;18(2):257-268. 10.4162/nrp.2024.18.2.257.

Higher adherence to a Mediterraneantype diet is associated with reduced psychosocial stress levels in baby boomers: a cross-sectional study

• Jang EH
• Jung R
• Lee S

• KMID: 2558502
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2024.18.2.257

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
This study investigated the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet among Korean baby boomers and their levels of psychosocial stress.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
The study included 1,656 adults (889 men and 797 women) born between 1955 and 1963 who participated in the 2005–2006 survey of the community-based Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). The Mediterranean-type diet score (MTDS) was calculated from the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) data. The psychosocial stress levels were calculated using the psychosocial well-being indexshort form (PWI-SF). Logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the association between the MTDS (tertiles) and the prevalence of high psychosocial stress by gender.
RESULTS
The ranges of the MTDS tertile groups were T1 (20–33 points), T2 (34–37 points), and T3 (38–39 points) for men, T1 (20–33 points), T2 (34–37 points), and T3 (38–48 points) for women. In both men and women, the consumption of whole grains, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fish increased with higher MTDS, while the consumption of red meat and dairy products decreased (P for trend < 0.05). As MTDS score increased the intake of energy, fiber, vitamins, and minerals (P for trend < 0.05). Men in the highest MTDS tertile had a 41% lower odds ratio (OR) of high psychosocial stress compared with those in the lowest tertile (OR, 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38–0.91). Similarly, women in the highest tertile of the MTDS had a 39% lower OR of high psychosocial stress compared with those in the lowest tertile (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40–0.95).
CONCLUSION
Promoting adherence to the Mediterranean diet among baby boomers may have a positive impact on reducing their levels of psychosocial stress.

Keyword

Mediterranean diet; psychosocial stress; baby boomer; mental health; diet

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Flow diagram of the inclusion and exclusion of participants for this study. Participants were included from the KoGES.KoGES, Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study; PWI-SF, psychosocial wellbeing index-short form; MTDS, Mediterranean-type diet score.

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