OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the socio-economic status (SES) of elderly eastern Mediterranean islanders is associated with their dietary habits, particularly with adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was measured by the MedDietScore (range: 0-55), whereas SES was estimated using education and financial status. SUBJECTS: During 2005-2007, 300 men and women from Cyprus, 100 from Samothraki, 142 from Mitilini, 114 from Kefalonia, 131 from Crete, 150 from Lemnos, 150 from Corfu and 103 from Zakynthos (aged 65-100 years), free of known chronic diseases, participated in the survey. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that belonging to the highest SES was associated with a higher MedDietScore (P < 0.01), after adjusting for potential sociodemographic, lifestyle, dietary and clinical confounders. A significant positive association was also found between MedDietScore and years of school (P = 0.004), as well as financial status (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Older Greek people of higher SES seem to follow a relatively healthier diet. Both education and income seem to play a role in this issue. Thus, public health policy makers should focus on people with low SES in order to improve their quality of diet and, consequently, their health status.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the socio-economic status (SES) of elderly eastern Mediterranean islanders is associated with their dietary habits, particularly with adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was measured by the MedDietScore (range: 0-55), whereas SES was estimated using education and financial status. SUBJECTS: During 2005-2007, 300 men and women from Cyprus, 100 from Samothraki, 142 from Mitilini, 114 from Kefalonia, 131 from Crete, 150 from Lemnos, 150 from Corfu and 103 from Zakynthos (aged 65-100 years), free of known chronic diseases, participated in the survey. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that belonging to the highest SES was associated with a higher MedDietScore (P < 0.01), after adjusting for potential sociodemographic, lifestyle, dietary and clinical confounders. A significant positive association was also found between MedDietScore and years of school (P = 0.004), as well as financial status (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Older Greek people of higher SES seem to follow a relatively healthier diet. Both education and income seem to play a role in this issue. Thus, public health policy makers should focus on people with low SES in order to improve their quality of diet and, consequently, their health status.
Authors: Joan Doménech-Abella; Jordi Mundó; Maria Victoria Moneta; Jaime Perales; José Luis Ayuso-Mateos; Marta Miret; Josep Maria Haro; Beatriz Olaya Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2018-01-10 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Christos Lionis; Dimitrios Anyfantakis; Emmanouil K Symvoulakis; Sue Shea; Demosthenes Panagiotakos; Elias Castanas Journal: BMC Res Notes Date: 2010-10-11
Authors: B Shatenstein; L Gauvin; H Keller; L Richard; P Gaudreau; F Giroux; K Gray-Donald; M Jabbour; J A Morais; H Payette Journal: J Nutr Health Aging Date: 2013 Impact factor: 4.075
Authors: Emily A Hu; Estefania Toledo; Javier Diez-Espino; Ramon Estruch; Dolores Corella; Jordi Salas-Salvado; Ernest Vinyoles; Enrique Gomez-Gracia; Fernando Aros; Miquel Fiol; Jose Lapetra; Lluis Serra-Majem; Xavier Pintó; Maria Puy Portillo; Rosa M Lamuela-Raventos; Emilio Ros; Jose V Sorli; Miguel A Martinez-Gonzalez Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-04-29 Impact factor: 3.240