Association Between Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Metabolic Syndrome Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Study in Adults

Creative Commons License

Kubilay M. N., Ömür S.

33rd European Congress on Obesity, İstanbul, Türkiye, 12 - 15 Mayıs 2026, ss.569-571, (Özet Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: İstanbul
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.569-571
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and atherogenic dyslipidemia. The Mediterranean diet is among the fundamental lifestyle interventions shown to improve MetS components. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on MetS indicators and on the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and visceral adiposity index (VAI), which are known to be associated with these components, as well as gender di&erences in these relationships.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included adults aged 18-65 living in Türkiye who did not have cancer, chronic kidney or liver disease, and were not following a restrictive diet program. Participants’ adherence to the Mediterranean diet, 24-hour dietary intake records, anthropometric measurements (body weight, BMI, waist circumference), and biochemical data (fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, blood pressure) were evaluated. Additionally, TyG and VAI indices were calculated, and subgroup analyses were performed by gender. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 26.0 program.

Results: A total of 318 individuals participated in the study (48.1% male, 51.9% female). Men with low adherence to the Mediterranean diet had significantly higher body weight (87.64±15.34) compared to those with moderate adherence (81.41±9.38) (p=0.031). In women, an increasing trend in the TyG index and triglyceride levels was observed in the low adherence group. Physical activity levels were found to decrease significantly with increasing disease burden (p = 0.002), high BMI (p < 0.001), and waist circumference risk (p < 0.001). Mediterranean diet adherence tended to be higher in individuals with normal-weight than in individuals with obesity (p = 0.034). An increase in MEDAS scores was negatively associated with body weight, BMI, waist circumference, LDL, and systolic

blood pressure (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and increased physical activity positively a&ect the MetS components and the TyG and VAI indices. Dietary adherence is particularly critical for weight control in men and for improving the lipid profile in women. The findings demonstrate the importance of multidisciplinary lifestyle interventions focusing on nutrition and exercise in individuals at risk for MetS.