Gender-specific insights into adherence to Mediterranean diet and lifestyle: analysis of 4,000 responses from the MEDIET4ALL project
Mohamed Ali Boujelbane, Achraf Ammar, Atef Salem, Mohamed Kerkeni, Khaled Trabelsi, Bassem Bouaziz, Liwa Masmoudi, Juliane Heydenreich, Christiana Schallhorn, Gabriel Müller, Ayse Merve Uyar, Hadeel Ghazzawi, Adam Tawfiq Amawi, Bekir Erhan Orhan, Giuseppe Grosso, Osama Abdelkarim, Tarak Driss, Kaïs El Abed, Piotr Żmijewski, Nasreddine Benbettaïeb, Clément Poulain, Laura Reyes-Uribe, Amparo Gamero, Marta Cuenca-Ortolá, Nicola Francesca, Concetta María Messina, Bent Lorenzen, Stefania Filice, Aadil Bajoub, El-Mehdi Ajal, El Amine Ajal, Majdouline Obtel, Sadjia Lahiani, Taha Khaldi, Nafaa Souissi, Omar Boukhris, Haitham Jahrami, Waqar Husain, Walid Mahdi, Hamdi Chtourou, Wolfgang I. Schöllhorn
Abstract
Background The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is widely recognized for its health benefits, though adherence varies across populations and is influenced by multiple lifestyle and demographic factors. This study examined MedDiet adherence patterns and their associations with lifestyle behaviors, with particular attention to gender differences in a large, multinational cohort. Methods Data were obtained via the MEDIET4ALL survey, an international cross-sectional study that included 4,010 participants (mean age: 36.04 ± 15.06 years; 59.5% female) across 10 countries. The evaluation of adherence to the MedDiet was conducted using the MedLife Index, a validated tool that assesses adherence to MedDiet patterns and lifestyle behaviors through three blocks: Mediterranean food consumption, MedDiet habits, and lifestyle behaviors. Additionally, validated instruments were used to measure associated factors, including perceived barriers to adherence, physical activity, sleep quality and disturbances, mental health, life satisfaction, social participation, and technology use behaviors. Results While total Mediterranean lifestyle (MedLife) scores showed no significant gender differences, women demonstrated better adherence to food consumption components ( p < 0.001), while men showed greater physical activity and social participation. Women reported poorer sleep metrics (efficiency, latency, duration) and higher insomnia severity (all p < 0.05). Psychological distress was more prevalent among women, who also expressed greater needs for psychosocial and nutritional support ( p < 0.001). The MedLifeMEDLIFE Index showed significant positive correlations with physical activity ( r = 0.298), social participation ( r = 0.227), and sleep satisfaction ( r = 0.181), and negative correlations with mental health measures (insomnia: r = –0.137; depression: r = –0.115; stress: r = –0.089; anxiety: r = –0.076; all p < 0.001). Conclusion Our findings reveal distinct gender-specific patterns in MedDiet adherence and associated lifestyle factors. These results underscore the need for differentiated public health approaches that address the unique behavioral and psychosocial needs of men and women to promote MedLife adoption.