Association Between Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Physical Activity in Elderly Men: A Comparative Study Between Iran and Spain

Banihashemi, Mojgan; Siahkouhian, Marefat; Nobari, Hadi; Oliveira, Rafael

doi:10.18502/ehj.v11i2.20710

Volume 11, Issue 2 (December 2025) Elderly Health Journal 2025, 11(2): 169-175 | Back to browse issues page

‎ 10.18502/ehj.v11i2.20710

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Banihashemi M, Siahkouhian M, Nobari H, Oliveira R. Association Between Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Physical Activity in Elderly Men: A Comparative Study Between Iran and Spain. Elderly Health Journal 2025; 11 (2) :169-175
URL: http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-349-en.html

Association Between Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Physical Activity in Elderly Men: A Comparative Study Between Iran and Spain

Mojgan Banihashemi

, Marefat Siahkouhian ^*

, Hadi Nobari

, Rafael Oliveira

Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Physiology, University of Mohaghegh Ardebili, Ardebil, Iran , m_siahkohian@uma.ac.ir

Abstract: (27 Views)

Introduction: The elderly population is increasing worldwide, highlighting the importance of healthy lifestyle behaviors such as nutritious eating and regular physical activity (PA). The Mediterranean-style dietary pattern (MDP) is recognized for its health-promoting nutritional profile. This study examines the association between MDP adherence and PA levels in elderly men from Iran and Spain.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly individuals aged 60 years and older in Iran and Spain (n = 1200). Adherence to the MDP was evaluated using a validated Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener. PA levels were assessed using the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity questionnaire. Additional demographic and anthropometric data—including age, sex, weight, and height—were also collected.
Results: Among Iranian elderly participants, vigorous PA showed a significant positive association with adherence to the MDP (β = 0.143, p = 0.001). No significant associations were observed for light (β = 0.055, p = 0.178) or moderate (β = −0.003, p = 0.934) physical activity. Among Spanish elderly participants, adherence to the MDP was significantly associated with both vigorous (β = 0.241, p < 0.001) and light (β = 0.112, p = 0.004) PA, while moderate activity showed no significant relationship (β = 0.007, p = 0.987).
Conclusion: Adherence to the MDP is positively associated with higher levels of vigorous PA in elderly men from both Iran and Spain, and with light PA among Spanish participants. These findings highlight the role of lifestyle behaviors—particularly diet and PA —in shaping health-related patterns in older adults, and emphasize the importance of promoting MDP alongside regular PA.

Keywords: Mediterranean Diet, Physical Activity, Elderly Men

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Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2025/07/7 | Accepted: 2025/12/21 | Published: 2025/12/19

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