Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern and personality in patients attending a primary health center.

Personality influences lifestyle behaviors, and particularly dietary behavior. The possible association of personality with adherence to the Mediterranean diet pattern (MDP) has not been reported. The objective of this study was to analyze the possible association of personality traits with adherence to the MDP, controlling for sociodemographic variables, presence of chronic illnesses, minor psychiatric morbidity, body mass index (BMI), daily smoking, and physical activity. This cross-sectional study included 206 patients, age 18 to 65 years, recruited at a primary health service in Granada, Spain, during 2007 to 2008. The participants answered a questionnaire, including sociodemographic characteristics, data on personality, and MDP. Personality was measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-125). Adherence to MDP was measured using the validated 14-point Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). MEDAS score was directly associated with the character dimension of self-directedness, age, and minor psychiatric morbidity score; and inversely with marital status (widowed, separated, or divorced) and BMI. Because highly self-directed individuals may respond better to diet advice, consideration of personality may prove helpful in the design of interventions to enhance the adherence to MDP. To improve the adherence to MDP in interventions with patients with low self-directedness, more intensive professional support and counseling with tailored messages about the health benefits of MDP may be indicated.