Eating 'green' and being 'green': A cross-sectional study among Italian adults through Mediterranean diet adherence

This study examines the factors influencing adherence to the Mediterranean diet from a socioeconomic perspective, focusing on Italy as a representative Mediterranean country. The observed decline in adherence to this diet in favour of Western dietary patterns highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the factors influencing this trend. Specifically, the analysis investigates sociodemographic and economic variables that may influence adherence to the Mediterranean diet. On the other hand, it assesses the role of individual characteristics related to environmental concerns and pro-environmental behaviours, considering that the Mediterranean diet is widely recognised not only as a healthy but also a sustainable dietary model. The study utilises secondary data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics, based on a representative sample of 34 151 individuals, employing an ordinal logistic regression model. The findings reveal that sociodemographic factors – such as gender, age, education, economic status, family structure, and region of residence – significantly and positively affect adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Regarding environmental concerns and behaviours, the study finds a strong association between environmental awareness and higher adherence. Therefore, policy interventions and educational campaigns aimed at promoting the Mediterranean diet should adopt a holistic approach that includes the environmental dimension.