Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40556924›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2025

Regional variations in Mediterranean diet adherence: a sociodemographic and lifestyle analysis across Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean regions within the MEDIET4ALL project.

Mohamed Ali Boujelbane, Achraf Ammar, Atef Salem, Mohamed Kerkeni, Khaled Trabelsi, Bassem Bouaziz, Liwa Masmoudi, Juliane Heydenreich, Christiana Schallhorn, Gabriel Müller and 35 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 25 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
25citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

25 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

45 authors.

Mohamed Ali Boujelbane *Department of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Achraf Ammar *Department of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Atef SalemDepartment of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Mohamed KerkeniHigh Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
Khaled TrabelsiResearch Laboratory, Education, Motricity, Sport and Health, EM2S, LR19JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
Bassem BouazizMultimedia InfoRmation Systems and Advanced Computing Laboratory (MIRACL), University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
Liwa MasmoudiHigh Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
Juliane HeydenreichDepartment of Experimental Sports Nutrition, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
Christiana SchallhornDepartment of Sports Economics, Sociology and History, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Gabriel MüllerDepartment of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Ayse Merve UyarDepartment of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Hadeel Ali GhazzawiDepartment of Nutrition and Food Technology, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Adam Tawfiq AmawiDepartment of Movement Sciences and Sports Training, School of Sport Science, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Bekir Erhan OrhanFaculty of Sports Sciences, Istanbul Aydın University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Giuseppe GrossoDepartment of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Osama AbdelkarimFaculty of Sport Sciences, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
Tarak DrissInterdisciplinary Laboratory in Neurosciences, Physiology, and Psychology: Physical Activity, Health, and Learning (LINP2), UFR STAPS, Paris Nanterre University, Nanterre, France.
Kais El AbedHigh Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
Piotr ZmijewskiJozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
Frédéric DebeaufortDepartment BioEngineering, Institut Universitaire de Technologie IUT-Dijon-Auexrre-Nevers, University Burgundy Europe, Dijon, France.
Nasreddine BenbettaiebDepartment BioEngineering, Institut Universitaire de Technologie IUT-Dijon-Auexrre-Nevers, University Burgundy Europe, Dijon, France.
Clément PoulainJoint Research Unit UMR PAM-Food Processing and Microbiology, Université Bourgogne Europe, INRAE, Institut AgroDijon, Dijon, France.
Laura ReyesVitagora Innovation Cluster, Dijon, France.
Amparo GameroDepartment of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Marta Cuenca-OrtoláDepartment of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Antonio CillaDepartment of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Nicola FrancescaDepartment of Agricultural Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Concetta Maria MessinaLaboratory of Marine Biochemistry and Ecotoxicology, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences DiSTeM, University of Palermo, Trapani, Italy.
Enrico ViolaDepartment of Agricultural Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Björn LorenzenMicrotarians SIS, Société d'Impact Societal, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
Stefania FiliceMicrotarians SIS, Société d'Impact Societal, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
Aadil BajoubLaboratory of Food and Food By-Products Chemistry and Processing Technology, National School of Agriculture in Meknès, Meknès, Morocco.
El-Mehdi AjalLaboratory of Food and Food By-Products Chemistry and Processing Technology, National School of Agriculture in Meknès, Meknès, Morocco.
El Amine AjalUPR of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
Majdouline ObtelLaboratory of Social Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
Sadjia LahianiVALCORE Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of M'hamed Bougara Boumerdes, Boumerdes, Algeria.
Taha KhaldiBiotechnology Research Center C.R.Bt Constantine ALGERIA, Constantine, Algeria.
Nafaa SouissiHigh Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
Omar BoukhrisSIESTA Research Group, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Haitham JahramiGovernment Hospitals, Manama, Bahrain.
Waqar HusainDepartment of Humanities, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Evelyn Frias-ToralEscuela de Medicina, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador.
Walid MahdiMultimedia InfoRmation Systems and Advanced Computing Laboratory (MIRACL), University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
Hamdi ChtourouHigh Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
Wolfgang I SchöllhornDepartment of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is acknowledged for its health advantages; however, compliance with its principles differs by region and is influenced by geographical, cultural, economic, and life-style factors. This research examines regional differences in sociodemographic and lifestyle factors between Mediterranean (MC) and non-Mediterranean (NMC) countries, with a particular focus on adherence to the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle, as well as the associated barriers in each region. Methods: The MEDIET4ALL international survey was conducted across 10 countries, and data were collected from 4,010 participants. Dietary adherence was assessed via the MedLife Index, and additional lifestyle measures included physical activity (IPAQ-SF), sleep patterns (PSQI), mental health (DASS-21), and social participation (SSPQL). Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and standardized residual analyses to identify significant regional variations. Results: The study revealed distinct dietary patterns, with MC participants showing stronger adherence to traditional MedDiet components (legumes, fish) while NMC participants favored modern adaptations (whole grains). Both regions exhibited low physical activities dominance (60%-62%), although MC participants engaged more (21.1% vs. 18.5%) in moderate physical activity. MC maintained higher proportions of "sometimes socially active" individuals, NMC showed greater representation in the "always socially active" category. Sleep quality was poorer in MC (45% below recommended duration vs. 40% in NMC), while NMC reported higher insomnia rates. Mental health symptoms were comparable (33%-35% moderate depression/anxiety in both), reflecting post-pandemic global trends. Barriers differed regionally with MC faced economic/access constraints while NMC struggled with knowledge gaps and time limitations. Conclusion: Our findings highlight that while Mediterranean regions maintain traditional dietary patterns, globalization and modern lifestyle shifts are narrowing regional health behaviors. Public health strategies should address region-specific barriers, including economic constraints in MC regions and knowledge gaps in NMC regions, while promoting MedDiet adherence. Future research should explore the impact of cultural, socio-economic, and digital factors on dietary behaviors and mental health to develop tailored, effective interventions for improving overall well-being.

Indexed as

Diet, MediterraneanLife StylePatient ComplianceAdultAgedExerciseFemaleHumansMaleMediterranean RegionMiddle AgedSociodemographic FactorsSocioeconomic FactorsSurveys and Questionnaireshealth predictorsMediterranean regions differencesMedLife Indexmental healthphysical activitypsychological distresspublic health

Identifiers

PMID40556924
PMCPMC12185284

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