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Is a Mediterranean Diet Associated with Subjective Well-Being among Adults with Overweight and Obesity? The Key Role of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Body Satisfaction
Godoy-Izquierdo, D.; Ogallar, A.; Lara, R.; Rodríguez-Tadeo, A.; Arbinaga, F. Association of a Mediterranean Diet and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption with Subjective Well-Being among Adults with Overweight and Obesity. Nutrients2021, 13, 1342.
Godoy-Izquierdo, D.; Ogallar, A.; Lara, R.; Rodríguez-Tadeo, A.; Arbinaga, F. Association of a Mediterranean Diet and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption with Subjective Well-Being among Adults with Overweight and Obesity. Nutrients 2021, 13, 1342.
Godoy-Izquierdo, D.; Ogallar, A.; Lara, R.; Rodríguez-Tadeo, A.; Arbinaga, F. Association of a Mediterranean Diet and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption with Subjective Well-Being among Adults with Overweight and Obesity. Nutrients2021, 13, 1342.
Godoy-Izquierdo, D.; Ogallar, A.; Lara, R.; Rodríguez-Tadeo, A.; Arbinaga, F. Association of a Mediterranean Diet and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption with Subjective Well-Being among Adults with Overweight and Obesity. Nutrients 2021, 13, 1342.
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that among behavioral-lifestyle factors, adherence to a healthy dietary pattern such as the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is linked not only to better psychological health and mental positive status but also to increased subjective well-being (SWB). Nevertheless, this association has been unexplored among individuals with excessive weight. This study explored whether adherence to the MedDiet and the intake of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables (FV) are associated with increased happiness and life satisfaction among Spanish adults with overweight or obesity when weight, body image, and body satisfaction are also considered. A convenience sample of adult individuals with excessive weight completed self-reports on the study variables, and weight and BMI were measured by bioimpedance. No evidence of a relationship with SWB indicators was obtained for MedDiet global indicators, probably due to the low adherence to a healthy diet by these individuals. In contrast, FV intake, as a powerful indicator of healthy eating, was associated with life satisfaction when BMI and body image dimensions were considered, among which body satisfaction also had a key role. Moreover, life satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between FV consumption and happiness. Our findings are expected to make a relevant contribution to knowledge on the positive correlates or protective factors for overall well-being in obesity, including dietary habits and body appreciation. Our results may inform obesity management actions focused on inclusive, positive aesthetic models and promoting a healthy lifestyle for happiness in obesity.
Keywords
healthy diet; fruits and vegetables; body image; happiness; excessive weight
Subject
Social Sciences, Psychology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.