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Publications

Journal Article Review Ppublish 186 citations

PubMed: 36178601 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-022-00481-1

Mediterranean Diet and Obesity-related Disorders: What is the Evidence?

Curr Obes Rep 11(4):287-304

Authors: Giovanna Muscogiuri, Ludovica Verde, Cem Sulu, Niki Katsiki, Maria Hassapidou, Evelyn Frias-Toral, Gabriela Cucalón, Agnieszka Pazderska, Volkan Demirhan Yumuk, Annamaria Colao, Luigi Barrea

Affiliations

  • Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Endocrinology Unit, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
  • Centro Italiano per la cura e il Benessere del paziente con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit, University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy.
  • Cattedra Unesco "Educazione alla salute e allo sviluppo sostenibile", University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
  • Centro Italiano per la cura e il Benessere del paziente con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit, University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy.
  • Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
  • Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
  • School of Medicine, Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil, Av. Pdte. Carlos Julio Arosemena Tola, Guayaquil, 090615, Ecuador.
  • Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Lifescience Faculty, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km. 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
  • Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes-Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, 34098, Turkey.
  • Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Endocrinology Unit, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
  • Cattedra Unesco "Educazione alla salute e allo sviluppo sostenibile", University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
  • Centro Italiano per la cura e il Benessere del paziente con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit, University Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy.
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche, Università Telematica Pegaso, Naples, 80143, Italy.

Abstract

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.

MeSH

Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Cardiovascular Diseases, Dyslipidemias, Noncommunicable Diseases, Diet, Mediterranean, Diet, Obesity, Communicable Diseases, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

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