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Mediterranean diet adherence and cognitive functioning in an Australian sample
Author(s) -
Murphy Karen Joy,
Crichton Georgina E,
Bryan Janet,
Hodgson Jonathan M
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.346.3
Subject(s) - mediterranean diet , cognition , anxiety , medicine , depression (economics) , gerontology , environmental health , psychiatry , economics , macroeconomics
A Mediterranean diet is reported to promote longevity, reduce mortality, and may improve cognition. In a retrospective cross sectional study with 1183 Australians, aged 40–65 years, we examined relationships with Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) adherence and self‐reported cognitive function and psychological well‐being. Dietary data were collected from a validated food frequency questionnaire and used to calculate mean intakes of foods included in a MedDiet and foods typically consumed in an Australian diet. Adherence to a MedDiet was determined based on an 11‐point scale. Measures of cognitive function and psychological well‐being included self‐esteem, anxiety, stress, memory functioning, cognitive failures, general health and physical function. 72% of the Australian sample had a medium (4–11 points) adherence to a MedDiet. Overall MedDiet adherence was not related to cognitive function. However intakes of plant foods, a major component of a MedDiet, was positively associated with measures of physical function (P=0.021) and general health (P<0.001), and negatively associated with trait anxiety (P=0.015), depression (P=0.012) and perceived stress (P=0.016). A substantial proportion of the diet in this Australian sample came from foods not typically consumed in a MedDiet. This is a major limitation when attempting to compare MedDiet adherence across populations.