Promoting of innovative models of mediterranean diet sustainable life long

WP 5.3 focused on promoting innovative models of the Mediterranean diet, considered not only as a cultural heritage but as a dynamic public health framework adaptable to different life stages and socioeconomic contexts.

The work aimed to strengthen adherence to Mediterranean dietary patterns throughout the life course, emphasising their role in health promotion, sustainability and chronic disease prevention.

A first research line analysed the determinants influencing adherence to the Mediterranean diet among children and adolescents. Socioeconomic and cultural factors, consumer preferences, lifestyle behaviours and levels of nutritional knowledge were examined, highlighting how dietary choices in early life are strongly shaped by family, school and social environments. These findings reinforced the importance of early, context-based strategies capable of supporting healthy eating habits from childhood.

The research also assessed adherence to the Mediterranean diet among adults and community-dwelling older individuals, exploring sociodemographic and psychosocial dimensions. Social isolation, income level, living environment and nutrition literacy emerged as relevant barriers to maintaining healthy dietary patterns. The analysis underscored how food environments and broader living conditions influence the capacity to sustain Mediterranean dietary habits, particularly in socially vulnerable contexts.

Building on these findings, WP 5.3 defined and evaluated innovative Mediterranean diet models tailored to different ages and socioeconomic groups. These models were designed to combine health benefits with environmental sustainability while preserving the core principles of the Mediterranean tradition and adapting them to contemporary lifestyles. Their effectiveness was assessed through experimental approaches and analytical models capable of capturing impacts on metabolic balance, dietary quality and long-term behavioural adherence.

A specific focus was placed on the family dimension, recognised as central in shaping dietary behaviours. The research contributed to the development of guidelines and communication tools promoting a “family Mediterranean nutrition” approach, designed to be shared and adaptable across generations. This strategy strengthened coherence between nutritional knowledge and everyday practices within the domestic environment.

Within the life-course perspective, WP 5.3 also developed and validated personalised dietary tools aimed at optimising metabolic control during sensitive phases such as pregnancy and the first 1,000 days of life. These tools integrated Mediterranean dietary principles with targeted nutritional strategies, supporting long-term metabolic health and weight management while maintaining sustainability criteria.