The Mediterranean diet (MD) is considered a model for good health, and is promoted worldwide as one of the healthiest dietary patterns. Despite the MD's health benefits, the literature suggests that adherence to the MD tends to be in decline in most populations worldwide, including those in the Mediterranean region. The aim of this study was to investigate adherence to the MD, and its main sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, in the Slovenian population. Using a nationwide cross-sectional food consumption survey (SI.Menu), data were collected from a general questionnaire, from the 14-item MD adherence screener (14-MEDAS score), and from a questionnaire on the dietary habits of 850 adults and elderly people. The mean MEDAS score for the total study sample was 5.6 (SD 2.1), indicating a low adherence to the MD among the Slovenian population. The adherence to the MD was higher among women (OR = 1.534; 95% Cl 1.156-2.034), those with a university degree (OR = 1.527; 1.098-2.125; compared to those with no university degree), those who lived in a suburb or city (OR = 1.511; 1.016-2.249; OR = 1.568; 1.122-2.191; compared with those who lived in a village), non-smokers (OR = 1.561; 1.380-1.830; compared with smokers), and those who lived in the western part of Slovenia (OR = 1.558; 1.170-2.074; compared with those who lived in eastern Slovenia). Adherence to the MD in the Slovenian population is low, and is strongly related to educational level, gender, geographic region, place of residence, and smoking status. The frequency of the consumption of different food groups is also closely related.
Keywords: Mediterranean diet; adherence; adults; elderly; food groups; health; sociodemographic parameters.