Mediterranean-style eating tailored for the Southeast can support weight loss and improve diet quality
Participants who followed a Mediterranean-style plan tailored for the Southeast not only kept weight off but also ate better in ways that may help prevent chronic disease.
Researchers from the University of North Carolina found that a Mediterranean-style eating plan, adapted for the Southeast, can support weight loss and improve diet quality. The trial, called DELISH, involved 360 adults with obesity who were randomly assigned to either the Mediterranean-South (Med-South) program or a control program focused on reducing calorie intake.
Over 24 months, participants in the Med-South group followed a diet rich in nuts, vegetable oils, whole grains, nonstarchy vegetables, and fruit, while still consuming similar amounts of calories compared to the control group. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, showed that the Med-South participants experienced similar weight loss (~4.5 kg) and improvements in fruit and vegetable intake, without significant differences in blood pressure between the two groups.
The researchers, led by Dr. Thomas Keyserling and Dr. Carmen Samuel-Hodge, concluded that incorporating a healthful dietary pattern into lifestyle weight loss programs should be a priority, as it can prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, which are prevalent in the Southeast.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
