Navigation
Adherence to the mediterranean diet in Spanish university students: association with lifestyle habits, mental and emotional well-being
The Mediterranean Diet is widely recognized as a healthy dietary pattern; however, recent trends indicate a decline in adherence among Mediterranean populations. University students, facing new influences and responsibilities, are particularly vulnerable to changes in their health behaviors. This study aims to analyze adherence to the Mediterranean Diet among university students and its association with lifestyle habits and mental and physical health indicators.
A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1,268 students (mean age 23.65 ± 7.84 years) from a northern Spanish university between November 2020 and March 2021. An online questionnaire assessed adherence to the Mediterranean Diet alongside variables such as perceived stress, self-esteem, life satisfaction, suicidal behavior, emotional and behavioral problems, emotional intelligence, physical activity, sedentary behavior, alcohol consumption, and compulsive internet use.
The study found that 29.26% of participants exhibited high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet. Regression analysis revealed that high adherence correlated with increased emotional intelligence and reduced levels of suicidal ideation, emotional problems, and compulsive internet use. The significant associations between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and various lifestyle and mental health indicators underscore the necessity for interdisciplinary promotion strategies within the university context. [NPID: Mediterranean Diet, well-being, emotional intelligence, university]
Year: 2025
