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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Dec 22;13(6):2195-2206.
doi: 10.1093/advances/nmac104.

High Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is Associated with Higher Physical Fitness in Adults: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Bruno Bizzozero-Peroni  1   2   3 , Javier Brazo-Sayavera  3   4   5 , Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno  1   6 , Rubén Fernández-Rodríguez  1 , José F López-Gil  1 , Valentina Díaz-Goñi  3   7 , Iván Cavero-Redondo  1   6 , Arthur E Mesas  1   8
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

High Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is Associated with Higher Physical Fitness in Adults: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Bruno Bizzozero-Peroni et al. Adv Nutr. .

Abstract

Although prior research has synthesized the relationships between the Mediterranean diet (MD) and components of physical fitness (PF) in adults, they are limited and inconclusive. This study aimed to synthesize the associations between high (compared with low) MD adherence and PF levels with each of its components (cardiorespiratory, motor, and musculoskeletal) in adulthood. We conducted a systematic search in 5 databases from inception to January 2022. Observational studies and randomized controlled trials were included. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and effect sizes (Cohen d index) with their 95% CIs were calculated via a random effects model. A total of 30 studies were included (19 cross-sectional in young, middle-aged, and older adults; 10 prospective cohort in older adults; and 1 randomized controlled trial in young adults) involving 36,807 individuals (mean age range: 20.9-86.3 y). Pooled effect sizes showed a significant cross-sectional association between higher MD adherence scores (as a continuous variable) and overall PF (d = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.75; I2 = 91.0%, n = 6). The pooled ORs from cross-sectional data showed that high adherence to MD was associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 2.06, 2.47; I2 = 0%, n = 4), musculoskeletal fitness (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.47; I2 = 61.4%, n = 13), and overall PF (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.20, 1.68; I2 = 83.2%, n = 17) than low adherence to MD (reference category: 1). Pooled ORs from prospective cohort studies (3- to 12-y follow-up) showed that high adherence to MD was associated with higher musculoskeletal fitness (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.38; I2 = 0%, n = 4) and overall PF (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.26; I2 = 9.7%, n = 7) than low adherence to MD (reference category: 1). Conversely, no significant association was observed between MD and motor fitness. High adherence to MD was associated with higher PF levels, a crucial marker of health status throughout adulthood. This trial was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42022308259.

Keywords: Mediterranean diet adherence; Mediterranean foods; adulthood; aerobic capacity; healthy diet; motor skills; muscular strength.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Forest plot for the cross-sectional associations between high adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical fitness components in adults of all ages.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Forest plot for the prospective cohort associations between high adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical fitness components in older adults.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Forest plot for the cross-sectional association between higher Mediterranean diet adherence scores (as a continuous variable) and overall physical fitness in adults of all ages.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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