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

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 ۶۰ years and older in Iran and Spain (n = ۱۲۰۰). 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 = ۰.۱۴۳, p = ۰.۰۰۱). No significant associations were observed for light (β = ۰.۰۵۵, p = ۰.۱۷۸) or moderate (β = −۰.۰۰۳, p = ۰.۹۳۴) physical activity. Among Spanish elderly participants, adherence to the MDP was significantly associated with both vigorous (β = ۰.۲۴۱, p < ۰.۰۰۱) and light (β = ۰.۱۱۲, p = ۰.۰۰۴) PA, while moderate activity showed no significant relationship (β = ۰.۰۰۷, p = ۰.۹۸۷). 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.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mediterranean Diet ، Physical Activity ، Elderly Men