Numerous studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet is beneficial for adults, promoting heart health and overall well-being. However, a recent meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials has shed light on the positive impact of the Mediterranean diet on cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents. Led by José Francisco López-Gil, PhD, the study found that interventions based on the Mediterranean diet significantly improved various health markers among young individuals.
The meta-analysis included nine randomized clinical trials with a total of 577 participants aged 3-18 years. The interventions focused on promoting the consumption of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and fish, while reducing the intake of ultraprocessed foods. The results showed improvements in systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and both total and LDL cholesterol levels. Moreover, HDL cholesterol levels also saw an increase with the Mediterranean diet interventions.
José Francisco López-Gil emphasized the importance of incorporating dietary counseling and Mediterranean diet-based interventions into clinical practice, especially for young patients at risk of cardiometabolic issues. He stressed that prevention of cardiovascular disease should start early in life, as evidence has shown a link between childhood risk factors and adult cardiovascular disease.
While the benefits of the Mediterranean diet for adults are well-established, the study aimed to raise the level of evidence for its impact on youth. Adherence to the diet was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents in only four out of the nine studies. The findings suggest that while the diet is effective in improving lipid profiles and blood pressure, its impact on insulin resistance and glucose metabolism may be less pronounced.
The meta-analysis acknowledged several limitations, including concerns about bias in some trials and the incorporation of additional interventions such as physical activity alongside the Mediterranean diet. Not all trials provided data on participants’ prior knowledge of or adherence to the diet, potentially affecting the outcomes. Publication bias and the scarcity of studies also limited the ability to conduct subgroup analyses and meta-regressions.
The study provides compelling evidence for the positive impact of the Mediterranean diet on cardiometabolic health in children and teens. By emphasizing the consumption of nutrient-rich foods and reducing the intake of processed foods, the diet shows promising results in improving key health markers. Clinicians are encouraged to consider incorporating Mediterranean diet-based interventions in their practice to promote heart health and overall well-being in young patients.
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