Impact of a Short-Term Mediterranean-Style Diet on Health Indices

University of Roehampton22 enrolled

Overview

Emerging evidence suggests protective properties of a Mediterranean diet (MD) in relation to prevention and management of mood disorders. However, there is paucity of dietary interventions investigating adherence to MD and effects on mood and wellbeing in individuals without a clinical diagnosis. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of adherence to a short-term MD on mood and wellbeing in healthy adults

This is a 1-week, cross-over, randomised, controlled study investigating the effects of Mediterranean style diet on perceived mood and overall wellbeing in healthy adults. The intervention consists following daily for 1 week a Mediterranean style eating pattern. Participants are following their habitual diet during the control week. This is an investigator-initiated, randomised, cross-over, controlled study.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Healthy

Interventions

A mediterranean style dietOTHER

At baseline, an Educational Group Session (EGS) introduced participants to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) principles to support adherence. The interactive EGS covered MD typical foods to consume and avoid, cooking methods, and practical shopping guidance. Following the EGS, participants adopted a Mediterranean-style diet for a period of 7 days. Participants were encouraged to follow the MD guidelines (replacing typical western foods with MD foods) without restricting energy intake; examples were provided during the EGS and with take-home resource materials which detailed 'simple swaps' or alternative MD food items to replace western food items.

Habitual DietOTHER

participants were instructed to follow their habitual diet (control) and eating practices for 7 days. without restricting energy intake.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 35 YearsMax age: 64 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Habitual diet of low Mediterranean Diet (MD)adherence i.e. individuals with MD scoring ≤7 (low adherence) were included. * Living in UK Exclusion Criteria: * pregnant or breastfeeding following a weight loss diet * diagnosed medical condition (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, food allergies) * have any further health conditions which may cause you to react adversely whilst changing your diet. * diagnosed with a neurological impairment or psychiatric disorder * Current smoker (last 12 months) * history of substance abuse * taking dietary supplements * already following a Mediterranean style diet

Locations (1)

University of Roehampton, School of Life and Health Sciences

London, UK, United Kingdom

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Mood

Change in mood measured using the Bond-Lader Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The scale ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a more positive mood state (better outcome).

Time frame: Baseline and 7 days (final day of each condition) espressed in questionnaire scores

Secondary Outcomes

Wellbeing

Change in wellbeing measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). The WEMWBS total score ranges from 14 to 70, with higher scores indicating greater mental wellbeing (better outcome).

Time frame: Baseline and 7 days (final day of each condition) espressed in questionnaire scores

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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