The Mediterranean diet has long been associated with numerous health benefits for adults, but a recent meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials has shown that it can also significantly improve cardiometabolic health in children and teens. Led by José Francisco López-Gil, PhD, from the Universidad de Las Américas in Quito, Ecuador, the study revealed that interventions following the Mediterranean diet’s core principles led to improvements in various health markers among young individuals.
The study emphasized the importance of incorporating dietary counseling and Mediterranean diet-based interventions into clinical practice, especially for young patients at risk of cardiometabolic issues. Evidence has shown that starting prevention measures for cardiovascular disease early in life is crucial, as atherosclerotic plaque buildup and cardiovascular risk factors in childhood can have lasting effects into adulthood.
The meta-analysis included nine randomized clinical trials with a total of 577 participants between the ages of 3 and 18. The participants were predominantly female, with the mean study duration being 17 weeks. The trials focused on a range of health conditions, including children and adolescents with excess weight, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and prediabetes. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents in four studies.
Compared to the control group, participants in the Mediterranean diet intervention group experienced significant improvements in various health markers. These included reductions in systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol. Additionally, there was an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol among those following the Mediterranean diet.
While the Mediterranean diet showed clear benefits for lipid profiles and blood pressure, its impact on insulin resistance and glucose metabolism was less pronounced. The researchers noted that longer intervention periods may be needed to observe significant changes in these areas.
Despite the positive findings, the meta-analysis had several limitations. Some trials included in the analysis had concerns regarding bias, and not all interventions were solely focused on the Mediterranean diet, with some incorporating physical activity or exercise as well. Additionally, publication bias may have overestimated the associations found in the study, and subgroup analyses were limited by the scarcity of available data.
The Mediterranean diet has been shown to have a positive impact on cardiometabolic health in children and teens. By emphasizing the consumption of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and fish over ultraprocessed foods, young individuals can experience improvements in their cardiovascular health. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of the Mediterranean diet on insulin resistance and glucose metabolism in this population.
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