Higher adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet is associated with reduced psychosocial stress levels in baby boomers: a cross-sectional study
In their 2024 study, Jang, Jung & Lee investigated the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet among Korean baby boomers and their levels of psychosocial stress. The research involved 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). Study participants submitted a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ), which the authors used to calculate the Mediterranean-type diet score (MTDS). Psychosocial stress levels were evaluated through the psychosocial well-being index-short form (PWI-SF). Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the connection between MTDS (tertiles) and the prevalence of high psychosocial stress, stratified by gender. The MTDS tertiles ranged from T1 (20–33 points), T2 (34–37 points), to T3 (38–39 points) for men, and from T1 (20–33 points), T2 (34–37 points), to T3 (38–48 points) for women. Higher MTDS was linked to increased consumption of whole grains, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fish, and reduced red meat and dairy products in both genders. Moreover, elevated MTDS scores correlated with higher energy intake, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Men in the highest MTDS tertile showed a 41% lower odds ratio (OR) of high psychosocial stress compared to those in the lowest tertile. In comparison, women in the highest MTDS tertile exhibited a 39% lower OR of high psychosocial stress compared to those in the lowest tertile. Encouraging adherence to the Mediterranean diet among baby boomers could potentially reduce their levels of psychosocial stress. [NPID: Mediterranean diet, psychosocial stress, baby boomer, mental health, diet]
Year: 2024
