Stroke Survivor Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet

Abstract

Objective: To estimate adherence to the Mediterranean diet in a sample of chronic community-dwelling stroke survivors. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Participants: Convenience sample of 63 chronic (≥6 months) community-dwelling stroke survivors. Main Outcome Measure: MedDiet Score, a self-report screening tool that measures adherence to the Mediterranean diet based on consumption of 11 dietary components (ie, whole grains, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts, fish and shellfish, red meat products and processed meat, poultry, full fat dairy, olive oil, and alcohol beverages), measured using a 6-point Likert scale (0 = low adherence, 5 = high adherence, max score = 55). Results: The mean MedDiet score was 27.2 ± 4.7; males scored higher than females (28.5 ± 4.9 vs 26.0 ± 4.2, P = .031). Participants reported more adherence for red meat products and processed meat, poultry, and full fat dairy and less adherence for whole grains, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, fish and shellfish, and alcoholic beverages. Conclusions: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, a healthy dietary pattern recommended for secondary stroke prevention, was moderate in this sample of stroke survivors, and results were consistent with previous research on quality of dietary intake. Findings indicate the need for effective dietary interventions for stroke survivors to improve cardiometabolic health and reduce recurrent stroke risk.