Examination of the relationship between Mediterranean diet score with some biochemical parameters and depression symptoms in adult individuals

The Mediterranean diet is a nutritional model in which high consumption of plant-based foods is recommended, which is associated with a positive effect on both physiological and mental health problems such as depression with loss of interest, feeling of worthlessness, reluctance, sadness and pessimism. In this study, it is aimed to determine the level of compliance with the Mediterranean diet in people who applied to the Şehit Mehmet Aygün Healthy Life Center Healthy Nutrition Counseling in Elazığ province and to examine its relationship with some blood parameters, anthropometric measurements and depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted on 270 adults aged 19-65 years who applied to the Healthy Nutrition Counseling Unit for the first time and met the study criteria. In the study, a questionnaire form prepared by the researchers inquiring socio-demographic characteristics, health information, dietary habits, Mediterranean Dietary Adherence Scale (MEDAS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used and the questionnaire was applied by face-to-face interview method. The data were recorded in the statistical package program and Chi-Square, Fisher's Exact, Independent Sample T, Mann-Whitney U, Pearson and Spearman Correlation tests were used in statistical analysis. The mean age of the individuals participating in the study was 35.50±11.20 years and 86.7% were female. The mean MEDAS score of the participants was 4.93±1.71 and the mean BDI score was 7.98±5.42. The rate of inadequate adherence to the Mediterranean diet was 79.6%, acceptable adherence was 16.7%, and strict adherence was 3.7%. The prevalence of depression symptoms was 8.9%. In the data obtained as a result of the study, the frequency of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was found to be significantly higher in the 25-34 age group, in the university and higher education level, in those with income-generating jobs, in those with a good socioeconomic status perception, in those who do regular physical activity, in those who do not smoke, and in those with a normal BMI group (p<0.05). Body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, body fat mass, muscle weight, fluid weight, basal metabolic rate, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, ALT, insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1c values and BDI score were significantly lower, while HDL cholesterol value was significantly higher in individuals with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p<0.05). A significant negative correlation was found between Mediterranean diet and depression levels (p<0.001). As a result, one in five of the participants adhered to the Mediterranean diet and approximately one in ten had depressive symptoms. It was determined that adherence to the Mediterranean diet may have a positive effect on anthropometric measurements, blood parameters and depressive symptoms in adults. The public should be informed in order to raise awareness about the benefits of the Mediterranean-type diet and to ensure that this dietary model is adopted throughout the society. In order to determine the effects of the Mediterranean diet on health, more large-scale studies should be conducted to reflect the whole population.