Mediterranean Diet and Obesity-related Disorders: What is the Evidence?
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to summarize recent evidence on the effects of the Mediterranean diet (MD) on obesity and related disorders, including the role of dairy within the diet.
Results Summary
The study found that MD, which includes limited dairy intake, is effective in managing obesity and related disorders, but did not specifically evaluate dairy's standalone effects.
Population
People with obesity and obesity-related disorders (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes).
Effective Dosage
Not specified for dairy.
Duration
Not specified.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mediterranean diet (MD) | decrease | negative effects of obesity | people with obesity | partly | reversed | #1 |
Mediterranean diet (MD) | decrease | substantial weight loss | people with obesity | - | achieved | #2 |
Mediterranean diet (MD) | decrease | dyslipidemia | - | - | correlated with an excellent effect on reducing | #3 |
Mediterranean diet (MD) | increase | gut microbiota | - | - | positively modulates | #4 |
Mediterranean diet (MD) | increase | immune system | - | - | positively modulates | #5 |
Mediterranean diet (MD) | decrease | inflammatory mediators | - | - | significantly decreasing | #6 |
Mediterranean diet (MD) | decrease | obesity | - | - | proves to be the healthiest dietary pattern available to tackle | #7 |
Mediterranean diet (MD) | decrease | several non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes | - | - | proves to be the healthiest dietary pattern available to prevent | #8 |
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Obesity is a chronic disease, a major public health problem due to its association with non-communicable diseases and all-cause mortality. Indeed, people with obesity are at increased risk for a variety of obesity-related disorders including hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and several cancers. Many popular diets with very different macronutrient composition, including the Mediterranean diet (MD), have been used, proposed, and studied for prevention and management of obesity. In particular, MD has been the subject of countless studies over the years and now boasts a large body of scientific literature. In this review, we aimed to update current knowledge by summarizing the most recent evidence on the effect of MD on obesity and obesity-related disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: The negative effects of obesity are partly reversed by substantial weight loss that can be achieved with MD, especially when low-calorie and in combination with adequate physical activity. In addition, the composition of MD has been correlated with an excellent effect on reducing dyslipidemia. It also positively modulates the gut microbiota and immune system, significantly decreasing inflammatory mediators, a common ground for many obesity-related disorders. People with obesity are at increased risk for a variety of medical disorders including hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, there is an inevitable need for measures to manage obesity and its related disorders. At this point, MD has been proposed as a valuable nutritional intervention. It is characterized by a high consumption of vegetables, fruit, nuts, cereals, whole grains, and extra virgin olive oil, as well as a moderate consumption of fish and poultry, and a limited intake of sweets, red meat, and dairy products. MD proves to be the healthiest dietary pattern available to tackle obesity and prevent several non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.