Abstract
Personality influences lifestyle behaviors, and particularly dietary behavior. The
possible association of personality with adherence to the Mediterranean diet pattern
(MDP) has not been reported. The objective of this study was to analyze the possible
association of personality traits with adherence to the MDP, controlling for sociodemographic
variables, presence of chronic illnesses, minor psychiatric morbidity, body mass index
(BMI), daily smoking, and physical activity. This cross-sectional study included 206
patients, age 18 to 65 years, recruited at a primary health service in Granada, Spain,
during 2007 to 2008. The participants answered a questionnaire, including sociodemographic
characteristics, data on personality, and MDP. Personality was measured by the Temperament
and Character Inventory (TCI-125). Adherence to MDP was measured using the validated
14-point Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). MEDAS score was directly associated
with the character dimension of self-directedness, age, and minor psychiatric morbidity
score; and inversely with marital status (widowed, separated, or divorced) and BMI.
Because highly self-directed individuals may respond better to diet advice, consideration
of personality may prove helpful in the design of interventions to enhance the adherence
to MDP. To improve the adherence to MDP in interventions with patients with low self-directedness,
more intensive professional support and counseling with tailored messages about the
health benefits of MDP may be indicated.
Keywords
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Biography
D. Jurado is research scientist, CTS-549 Research Group, Institute of Neurosciences, Center for Biomedical Research; D. Jurado is also an associate professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
Biography
J. M. Martínez-Ortega is research scientist, CTS-549 Research Group, Institute of Neurosciences, Center for Biomedical Research; J. M. Martínez-Ortega is an assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
Biography
M. Gurpegui is director, CTS-549 Research Group, Institute of Neurosciences, Center for Biomedical Research; M. Gurpegui is a professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
Biography
E. Burgos-Garrido is a family physician, La Chana University Health Care Center, Andalusian Health Service, Granada, Spain.
Biography
F. J. Diaz is an associate professor, Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 23, 2012
Accepted:
February 8,
2012
Footnotes
STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
FUNDING/SUPPORT The authors have received institutional support from the University of Granada.
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
