The Relationship of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, Dietary Inflammatory Index and Nutrient Intake in University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Investigating the relationships between dietary inflammatory index (DII), nutrient intake, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) of university students was aimed in the present study. Material and Method: A questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic characteristics, the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), the 24-hour food record, and the DII scoring was completed by undergraduate students in Uskudar University. Results: A total of 750 students (52.3% male, mean age= 21.6±2.2 years, mean body mass index= 23.97±2.63 kg/m2) were included in the study. Half (50.7%) of the students had low adherence to the MD. A 19.4% decrease was detected in the MEDAS scores as the body mass index of the students increased. The MEDAS score was positively associated with macronutrient (carbohydrates) intake. It was determined that as the MEDAS score increased; Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, biotin, folate, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, chlorine, and iodine intake increased, and the DII decreased by 6.8% (p<0.001). Conclusion: The dietary inflammatory potential was found not affected by the MEDAS score since the relationship disappeared in the regression analysis. Adherence to the MD was related to the intake of macro- and micro-nutrients, however, no statistically significant association was found on dietary inflammatory potential.