Evaluation of Adherence Levels to the Mediterranean Diet in Patients with Cholelithiasis

Objective: The Mediterranean diet is associated with preventing and treating diseases with the consumption of beneficial nutrients in its composition and the intake of nutrients. It is a sustainable diet model with a protective feature on health. The beneficial health effects of the daily dietary pattern and adherence level to the Mediterranean diet in forming gallstones are well recognized. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the Mediterranean diet on individuals with cholelithiasis.

Methods: The study included a total of one hundred people, fifty of whom had cholelithiasis, and fifty healthy controls who were in the same age group as the patient group. Participants were questioned about their food frequency by surveys. Adherence level to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated with the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS).

Results: When the patients were compared with the healthy controls, the patient group had a lower Mediterranean diet adherence (p<0.01). According to the statistics, there was a negative correlation between body mass index (r: -0.486), waist circumference (r: -0.407), body fat ratio (r: -0.521), and adherence levels to the Mediterranean diet in the males of the patient group. The total daily energy, total fat, carbohydrates, n-6 fatty acid, and saturated fatty acid intake levels of females in the patient group were higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). The total daily energy, fat, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol intake levels of the males in the patient group were higher than those in the control group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The study found that adherence level to the Mediterranean diet model and weight control significantly affect the formation of gallstones. Keywords:  Anxiety, Blood Draw, Child, Nursing, Pain, Virtual Reality.