Summary:
In older Spanish adults with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome, a Mediterranean Diet and lifestyle intervention significantly improved perceived vitality, physical and mental well-being, and nutritional self-efficacy compared to usual behaviours lacking structured dietary or lifestyle intervention, though it was associated with barriers including low motivation, disease burden, mobility issues, and limited social support.
| PICO | Description |
|---|---|
| Population | Spanish adults aged 60–81 years with overweight or obesity and diagnosed with metabolic syndrome participating in a randomized clinical trial. |
| Intervention | Mediterranean Diet and healthy lifestyle behavioural intervention supported by continuous contact with researchers, peer support, and nutritional education. |
| Comparison | Usual lifestyle practices without structured dietary or behavioural support (comparison implied through qualitative analysis). |
| Outcome | Participants reported enhanced vitality, psychological well-being, physical performance, and confidence in healthy eating. Gender-specific facilitators included women’s empowerment and contribution to family health. Barriers included illness burden, low motivation, mobility limitations, and lack of partner support. Ongoing support from the research team was crucial for sustained adherence. |
Source: Paloma Massó Guijarro, et al. “Participants’ Perspectives on Health Impact, Barriers and Facilitators to Adherence in a Mediterranean Diet Lifestyle Trial.” Read article here.
