Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40981084›Full record

ArticleEpidemiologia (Basel, Switzerland)2025

The Relationship Between Socio-Demographic and Behavioral Characteristics and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet: The UniFoodWaste Study Among University Students in Italy.

Antonio Pinto, Daniele Nucci, Flavia Pennisi, Lorenzo Stacchini, Nicola Veronese, Stefania Maggi, Carlo Signorelli, Vincenzo Baldo, Vincenza Gianfredi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Epidemiologia (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing 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

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Antonio PintoFaculty of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy.ORCID 0009-0006-4315-0481
Daniele NucciPh.D. National Program in One Health Approaches to Infectious Diseases and Life Science Research Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-4546-213X
Flavia PennisiFaculty of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy.ORCID 0009-0001-9185-9747
Lorenzo StacchiniDepartment of Community Healthcare Network, Health District "Toscana ASL Nord Ovest", Pisa, Via Fleming 1, 56025 Pontedera, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-7405-4904
Nicola VeroneseFaculty of Medicine, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy.
Stefania MaggiNeuroscience Institute, Aging Branch, National Research Council (CNR), 35127 Padova, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-0453-8663
Carlo SignorelliFaculty of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9710-4962
Vincenzo BaldoDepartment of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-6012-9453
Vincenza GianfrediDepartment of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-3848-981X

Funding

the Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan PSR-LINEA2-2022
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) is associated with improved health outcomes, however limited evidence exists on the socio-demographic and behavioral determinants of MD adherence among university students, a population at risk of developing unhealthy habits during a critical life stage.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 2697 students (70.6% female) enrolled at a university in Northern Italy. MD adherence was measured using the validated Medi-Lite score. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to identify socio-demographic and behavioral associations with high adherence to the MD (score ≥12). Principal component analysis was performed to explore multivariate patterns across dietary components and participant characteristics.

resultsOverall, 25.6% of participants were classified as having high adherence to the MD. Higher adherence was more frequent among women, non-smokers, older students, and those living with their families. Students in health sciences showed greater adherence compared to those in other fields of study. Conversely, frequent users of mobile food ordering applications and smokers were less likely to adhere to the MD. These associations remained consistent after adjusting for age and sex.

conclusionsAdherence to the MD is suboptimal among university students and influenced by socio-demographic and behavioral factors. Targeted interventions should prioritize younger males, smokers, and convenience food users, while promoting sustainability and social support as facilitators of healthier dietary patterns.

Indexed as

behavioral characteristicsmediterranean dietsocio-demographic characteristicsstudents

Identifiers

PMID40981084
PMCPMC12452464

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.