Community education : promoting the Mediterranean diet among adults

Abstract

As declared by the World Health Organisation in 2012, cardiovascular diseases killed 17.5 million people worldwide in 2012, which is 3 in every 10 deaths (WHO, 2012). These statistics are alarming considering that also the Maltese population leads the European Union in having the highest overweight and obese rates (WHO, 2014). On a positive note, according to the WHO (2012), the mortality rates in Mediterranean regions are lower than those of other countries. In fact, this study aimed at promoting the Mediterranean Diet through a community outreach to help people change their attitudes and behaviours thus be able to follow a healthier lifestyle. A pre-test questionnaire was distributed to assess the participants’ knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards the Mediterranean diet. Following the three educational sessions, a post-test questionnaire was distributed to assess the short-term impact of the sessions. Seven weeks after the sessions, telephone interviews were held with a sample of the participants to assess the long-term impact of the educational sessions. The main outcomes of the study concluded that the educational sessions through an active learning process were very effective to promote the Mediterranean Diet among adults and challenge individuals to change their attitudes and behaviours and thus follow a healthier lifestyle.