Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the association between Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence, fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, mental well-being (MWB) and quality of life (QoL) in Dutch adults. METHODS: Dutch adults (n = 696, aged 18-90) participated in a prospective study with assessments at baseline and two months follow-up. MD adherence and FV consumption were assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). MWB was assessed using the WHO-5 and QoL using the Multicultural Quality of Life Index. Additionally, change between baseline and two months was calculated for the MEDAS, FV consumption, MWB and QoL. Multiple linear regression models were used to test the association between MD adherence/FV consumption and MWB and QoL, using both baseline data and change data. RESULTS: Data were available for 617 participants at baseline and 459 at follow-up. At baseline significant positive association between FV consumption and QoL (Estimate = 0.005, p = <.001) and MWB was shown (Estimate = 0.07, p = <.001), with a slight non-linear trend for both (quadratic term estimate QoL - 0.000006; p = 0.01; MWB - 0.00007; p =.006). The associations between MD adherence, MWB and QoL were not significant (all p >.664). None of the change regression analyses showed a significant association. CONCLUSION: FV consumption was cross-sectionally related to both QoL and MWB, but longitudinal change in FV consumption was not significantly related to QoL or MWB. MD adherence is not related to either MWB or QoL total score. Overall, FV consumption potentially should be promoted to enhance MWB and QoL.