Christoforos Christoforou

The Mediterranean diet is recognised as one of the healthiest dietary patterns worldwide; however, adherence has declined even within Mediterranean populations. This study investigated Mediterranean diet adherence and examined its associations with preferences for traditional dairy products and olive-related products among adults participating in a study in Cyprus. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 273 adults using a structured questionnaire that included sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics, the 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), and questions assessing preferences for and consumption of dairy products, olive oil, olive-derived products, and foods prepared with olive oil. Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, and multiple linear regression were performed. The mean MEDAS score was 8.1 ± 2.6; using study-specific descriptive categories, 40.0% of participants had scores classified as good to excellent adherence. Olive oil was the most preferred and most frequently consumed olive-related product, with 75.1% of participants reporting that they “liked very much” olive oil and 49.8% consuming it daily. In the primary multivariable analysis, older age, greater traditional dairy preference, greater olive-related preference, and more frequent olive-related consumption were associated with higher MEDAS scores, whereas sex, body mass index, smoking status, and physical activity were not significantly associated with MEDAS score. However, in a sensitivity analysis excluding the two olive-oil-related MEDAS components, the olive-related preference and consumption associations were no longer statistically significant. Overall, traditional food preferences were associated with Mediterranean diet adherence within this convenience sample; however, the olive-related findings should be interpreted cautiously because of potential construct and measurement overlap. Given the cross-sectional design and demographic characteristics of the sample, these findings do not establish temporality or causality and should not be considered representative of the general adult population of Cyprus.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were asked to stay at home. Places where people interacted such as schools, universities, and cafes were closed, and all gatherings were forbidden. Only stores offering fast-moving consumer goods were open, so citizens could purchase all food categories. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the eating and buying habits of consumers in Cyprus and Greece, and any changes in their lifestyles. Methods: An online survey including 1011 participants took place using an electronic questionnaire. Results: The results showed that lockdown significantly affected individuals by increasing weight gain (p < 0.01). The explanatory investigation of related lifestyle habits and nutrition traits showed that the dietary patterns behind these changes included increased meal frequency (p < 0.05)—even without an increased appetite—and subsequent increases in both purchases (p < 0.05) and consumption of several food groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, even though exercise per se was not discontinued due to COVID-19, it was apparent that exercise type was altered to adapt to the relevant restrictions (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, the COVID-19 lockdown significantly affected Cypriots and Greeks in many aspects like their eating behavior, food purchasing habits, and lifestyle, all resulting in increased weight and potentially adverse health outcomes.

Background: Obesity and related health challenges remain significant concerns in Cyprus and Greece. Mindful eating (ME) has emerged as a behavioral approach to address these issues, yet its relationship with BMI, vitamin D levels, and sleep duration in Mediterranean populations is underexplored. Objectives: This study aimed to examine associations between ME subcategories (Awareness, Distraction, Disinhibition, Emotional, and External Cues), BMI, vitamin D levels, and sleep duration among Cypriot and Greek adults across two cohorts. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed with data collected in 2022 (N₁ = 438) and 2023 (N₂ = 174). Participants completed the validated Cyprus Mindful Eating Questionnaire (CyMEQ). Vitamin D levels, sleep duration, and BMI were self-reported. Statistical analyses included Mann–Whitney U Tests for ME subcategory comparisons, chi-square tests for categorical variables, and Spearman correlations to examine associations. Results: Significant differences were found between cohorts in ME subcategories, with N₁ scoring higher in Awareness [Median (IQR): 2.60 (2.20–3.00) vs. 2.00 (1.80–2.30), p = 0.02], Disinhibition [2.70 (2.50–3.00) vs. 2.50 (2.20–2.70), p = 0.03], and External Cues [2.50 (2.10–2.90) vs. 2.10 (1.80–2.50), p = 0.01]. ME scores were negatively correlated with BMI (r = −0.25, p = 0.01) and positively associated with vitamin D levels and sleep duration. Differences in vitamin D supplementation practices were observed across groups; however, these differences did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.07). Conclusions: ME behaviors, particularly Awareness and Disinhibition, are associated with BMI, highlighting their potential in obesity management. The interplay between ME, vitamin D, and sleep underscores the need for integrative health interventions in Mediterranean populations.

Background: Obesity is a major health concern in Cyprus and Greece, where mindful eating (ME) could aid in weight management by fostering awareness of eating behaviors. This cross-sectional study explores associations between ME, BMI, vitamin D levels, and sleep among 612 Cypriot and Greek adults (22.1% male, median age 33.5). Methods: Participants completed an online survey, including the Mindful Eating Questionnaire, over two phases (2022: N1 = 438; 2023: N2 = 174). Results: The mean ME score was 2.61 ± 0.36, with most participants classified as medium "mindful eaters." Significant negative correlations were observed between Awareness scores and BMI for Cypriots (r = -0.30, p = 0.01) and Greeks (r = -0.20, p = 0.05), while higher Disinhibition scores correlated positively with BMI (Cypriots: r = 0.35, p = 0.005; Greeks: r = 0.25, p = 0.02). Vitamin D was not tested in 63.8% of participants, and 57.5% did not take supplements, with seasonal variations (p = 0.043). Positive associations were also observed between vitamin D levels, ME scores, and sleep duration. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of mindful eating practices and vitamin D supplementation in obesity management. Public health interventions should consider promoting ME, routine vitamin D testing, and adequate sleep for comprehensive weight management.