Measuring the adherence to the mediterranean diet in adult population

This chapter examines adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) among Italian adults, highlighting its health, environmental, and cultural significance. While the MD is associated with reduced risks of chronic diseases, improved longevity, and lower environmental impacts, adherence has progressively declined due to socioeconomic, cultural, and lifestyle changes linked to modernization and globalization. Using the Mediterranean Diet Composite Score (MDCS) and data from the Italian Multipurpose Household Survey, the analysis reveals that medium adherence is the most common pattern across Italy, with notable regional differences. Higher adherence is associated with factors such as education, income, physical activity, health awareness, and environmental concern. The chapter also discusses the historical evolution of the MD in Italy and emphasizes the need for policies that improve access to healthy foods and support sustainable agricultural systems. Finally, it highlights the importance of developing standardized measures of MD adherence to improve research comparability and policy effectiveness.