Andrade, VandaPinto, Paula2024-11-122024-11-122024-10Andrade, V.L. & Pinto, P. (2024). Fluctuations in Mediterranean Diet adherence pre- and post-pandemic : a study of portuguese cohorts 2019–2024. Nutrients, 16(19), 3372. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16193372http://hdl.handle.net/10400.15/4999Background/Objectives: The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a lifestyle offering numerous health benefits. Nevertheless, the adherence to the MD is moderate even in Mediterranean countries. While sociodemographic factors influence MD adherence, additional impacts occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional longitudinal study with three cohorts of Portuguese adults analyzes MD adherence before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and explores the effect of sociodemographic variables. Methods: Sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, and MD adherence were assessed in the years 2019, 2021, and 2024 with an online self-filled questionnaire. MD adherence was measured with the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Results: MEDAS score increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 2019 to 2021 (6.2 ± 0.7 to 7.7 ± 0.1), followed by a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in 2024 (7.2 ± 0.1) relative to 2019, which was more pronounced in participants with higher income. Accordingly, a trend in healthierengMEDASCOVID-19healthy lifestylesport practicefood choicessociodemographic factorsjournal articlehttps://doi.org/10.3390/nu161933722072-6643