Adherence to the Mediterranean Lifestyle and Desired Body Weight Loss in a Mediterranean Adult Population with Overweight: A PREDIMED-Plus Study

Abstract

[eng] Background. Body weight dissatisfaction is a hindrance to following a healthy lifestyle</p><p>and it has been associated with weight concerns. Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the</p><p>association between the adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle (diet and exercise) and the desired</p><p>body weight loss in an adult Mediterranean population with overweight. Methods. Cross-sectional</p><p>analysis in 6355 participants (3268 men; 3087 women) with metabolic syndrome and BMI (Body</p><p>mass index) between 27.0 and 40.0 kg/m2 (55–75 years old) from the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Desired</p><p>weight loss was the percentage of weight that participants wished to lose. It was categorized</p><p>into four cut-os of this percentage (Q1: <10%, n = 1495; Q2: 10–15%, n = 1804; Q3: <15–20%,</p><p>n = 1470; Q4: 20%, n = 1589). Diet was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire</p><p>and a 17-item Mediterranean diet questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed by the validated</p><p>Minnesota-REGICOR and the validated Spanish version of the Nurses’ Health Study questionnaire.</p><p>Results. Participants reporting higher percentages of desired weight loss (Q3 and Q4) were younger,</p><p>had higher real and perceived BMI and were more likely to have abdominal obesity. Desired weight</p><p>loss correlated inversely to physical activity (Q1: 2106 MET min/week; Q4: 1585 MET min/week.</p><p>p < 0.001) and adherence to Mediterranean diet (Q1: 8.7; Q4: 8.3. p < 0.001). Conclusions. In older</p><p>Mediterranean individuals with weight excess, desired weight loss was inversely associated with</p><p>Mediterranean lifestyle adherence. Deeply rooted aspects of the MedDiet remained similar across</p><p>groups. Longitudinal research is advised to be able to establish causality.</p>