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Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and psychological wellbeing before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
The role of diet in influencing mental health is gaining attention, particularly concerning how certain dietary patterns may enhance psychological resilience. This research focuses on the association between a Mediterranean diet and positive psychological well-being among older adults in England, specifically during the pre-pandemic period and through the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conducted as a prospective observational cohort study, the research involved 3,296 older participants (46% men) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), with an average age of 68.18 years. Each participant completed a dietary questionnaire in 2018/2019, which assessed adherence to a Mediterranean style of eating through the relative Mediterranean Diet Index (rMED).
Psychological well-being was evaluated using the CASP12 assessment tool at two distinct times: baseline in 2018/2019 and again in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Findings revealed a significant correlation between higher rMED scores and improved psychological well-being. Specifically, higher adherence to this dietary pattern was associated with an increase in well-being scores (β=0.054, p<0.001), even after controlling for variables such as depressive symptoms, education level, income, physical activity, smoking habits, self-rated health, and chronic illnesses.
Moreover, longitudinal analyses indicated that individuals maintaining a strong adherence to the Mediterranean diet experienced less decline in well-being during the pandemic’s early months (β=0.026, p=0.042). This predictive relationship remained significant even when factoring in baseline well-being and experiences related to COVID-19 infection.
Consequently, the study concludes that a strong commitment to a Mediterranean dietary pattern is positively linked to psychological well-being in older adults. This association is notable even amid significant societal challenges, suggesting that the promotion of Mediterranean-style diets could play a vital role in enhancing both physical and mental health. The implications of these findings emphasize the need for public health initiatives that integrate nutritional strategies to bolster mental health resilience in aging populations.
Year: 2026
