The relationship between mediterranean diet adherence and mindful eating among individuals with high education level

The study was conducted to evaluate the relationship of individuals with a high level of education with the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and mindful eating. For this purpose, a questionnaire study was applied to 188 individuals working as academicians at Yeditepe University and ranging in age between 18-65. General information form, Mediterranean diet adherence scale (MEDAS) and mindful eating scale (MEQ-30) were used in the data collection tool. Survey questions were applied face to face to the participants throughout the research. 33.5% of the individuals participating in the study are men and most of them are women with a rate of 66.5%. According to adherence to the Mediterranean diet scale, 56.4% of the participants show low adherence, 30.3% at an acceptable adherence and 13.3% high adherence. According to the MEQ-30 scale, 73.9% of participants have higher mindful eating score. The mean MEQ-30 of the participants who show low adherence to the Mediterranean diet is 3.27 ± 0.53, it is 3.29 ± 0.54 for those who show an acceptable level of adherence, and 3.44 ± 0.59 for those who show high adherence. Participants with high adherence to the Mediterranean diet have an unexpectedly higher BMI (p>0.05). Participants with high mindful eating scores were found to have lower BMI values. While adherence to the Mediterranean diet increases in individuals with high education levels, mindful eating scores increase, but this situation was found to be statistically insignificant. (r = 0.128, p = 0.080).