The Relationship of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, Dietary Inflammatory Index and Nutrient Intake in University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Year 2023, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 291 - 297, 21.06.2023

Müge Arslan , Nurcan Yabancı Ayhan , Hatice Çolak , Esra Tansu Sarıyer , Ekin Çevik

Abstract

Objective: Investigating the relationships between dietary inflammatory index (DII), nutrient intake, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) of university students was aimed in the present study.

Material and Method: A questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic characteristics, the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), the 24-hour food record, and the DII scoring was completed by undergraduate students in Uskudar University.

Results: A total of 750 students (52.3% male, mean age= 21.6±2.2 years, mean body mass index= 23.97±2.63 kg/m2) were included in the study. Half (50.7%) of the students had low adherence to the MD. A 19.4% decrease was detected in the MEDAS scores as the body mass index of the students increased. The MEDAS score was positively associated with macronutrient (carbohydrates) intake. It was determined that as the MEDAS score increased; Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, biotin, folate, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, chlorine, and iodine intake increased, and the DII decreased by 6.8% (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The dietary inflammatory potential was found not affected by the MEDAS score since the relationship disappeared in the regression analysis. Adherence to the MD was related to the intake of macro- and micro-nutrients, however, no statistically significant association was found on dietary inflammatory potential.

Keywords

Mediterranean diet, dietary inflammatory index, nutrition

Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Akdeniz Diyetine Uyumun Diyet İnflamatuvar İndeksi ve Besin Alımı ile İlişkisi: Kesitsel Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmada üniversite öğrencilerinin diyet inflamatuvar indeksi (DII), besin alımı ve Akdeniz diyetine (AD) uyumu arasındaki ilişkilerin incelenmesi amaçlandı.

Gereç ve Yöntem: Üsküdar Üniversitesinde lisans eğitimi alan öğrenciler sosyodemografik özellikler, Akdeniz diyetine uyum ölçeği (MEDAS), 24-saatlik besin tüketim kaydı ve DII skorlamasını içeren bir anketi tamamladılar.

Bulgular: Çalışmaya toplamda 750 öğrenci (%52,3 erkek, ortalama yaş= 21,6±2,2 yıl, ortalama beden kütle indeksi= 23,97±2,63 kg/m2) dahil edildi. Öğrencilerin yarısının (%50,7) AD uyumu düşüktü. Öğrencilerin beden kütle indeksi değerleri arttıkça Akdeniz diyetine uyum (MEDAS) puanlarında %19,4’lük azalma saptandı. MEDAS puanı makrobesin (karbonhidrat) alımı ile pozitif ilişkiliydi. MEDAS puanı arttıkça A vitamini, E vitamini, C vitamini, B6 vitamini, biyotin, folat, potasyum, magnezyum, fosfor, klor ve iyot alımının arttığı ve DII %6,8 oranında azaldığı saptandı (p<0.001).

Sonuç: Regresyon analizinde ilişkinin ortadan kalkması nedeniyle diyetin inflamatuvar potansiyelinin MEDAS skorundan etkilenmediği görülmüştür. AD'ye bağlılık makro ve mikro besinlerin alımıyla ilişkiliydi, ancak diyetin inflamatuar potansiyeli üzerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmadı.

Keywords

Akdeniz diyeti, diyet inflamatuvar indeksi, beslenme

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