Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
10.Uluslararası Beslenme ve Diyetetik Kongresi, Ankara, Türkiye, 31 Mart - 04 Nisan 2021, ss.315-316
Objectives:The Mediterranean diet(MD) is a nutritional model, reducing the risk of many chronic
diseases(1). Diet Quality Index-International(DQI-I) is an index created to examine the population's diet
quality(2). It consists of diversity, adequacy, moderation, and general balance categories(2). This study
was carried out to evaluate the relationship between diet quality and some demographic variables like
age, marital status in healthy adult individuals.Method:This cross-sectional descriptive study included
926 healthy individuals aged 19-64 between February-June 2020. The questionnaire, consisting of
general information, Mediterranean Diet Assessment Tool(PREDIMED), and a 24-hour dietary recall,
was applied to some individuals face-to-face and others by phone due to quarantine. DQI-I calculated
according to 24-hour dietary recall. The ages of the participants were categorized according to World
Health Organization(WHO) age categories as young adults(19-40 years old,n=558) and middle-aged
adults(41-65 years old,n=368).Results:The age of the participants was 35.1±13.40, and 50.4% of them
were women. 51.2% of the participants were single, and 48.8% were married. PREDIMED and DQI-I
scores of married individuals(6.3±2.14 and 54.8±9.81, respectively) were higher than those of single
individuals(5.5±2.22 and 52.2±9.68,respectively)(p<0.001). When the age groups were evaluated,
PREDIMED and DQI-I scores of middle-aged adults(6.4±2.13 and 55.0±9.88, respectively) were found
higher than those of young adults(5.5±2.21 and 52.4±9.64, respectively)(p<0.001). PREDIMED and
DQI-I scores of married young adults were higher than single young adults(p=0.003).Conclusions:This
study showed that as the age increases in adult individuals, the DQI-I and PREDIMED scores increase.
That could be due to increased awareness of healthy nutrition with age or a healthier diet to manage
chronic diseases. In addition, higher DQI-I and PREDIMED scores have determined in married
individuals compared to single individuals. This finding suggests that lifestyle changes affect diet
quality. The fact that young adults' nutritional habits are closer to fast-food predominant and westernstyle
diet decreases diet quality and adherence to MD. Also, most young adults were single in this study,
which could be the reason for to decrease diet quality and adherence to MD. The results of our study are
consistent with other studies in the literature(3,4). Studies should be conducted to improve the nutritional
habits and diet quality of society, especially young people.