According to Greek researchers, people who eat a Mediterranean diet are up to 60 percent less likely to be obese.
The Mediterranean diet which is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish and olive oil has been linked to a longer life expectancy, less heart disease and protection against certain cancers.
In the study of over 3000 participants, researchers surveyed current eating habits. Researchers evaluated the diets of participants by using self-administered food frequency questionnaire with the daily or weekly intake of nearly 200 foods being reported. Overall, researchers found that those who favoured foods from the Mediterranean diet were up to 60 percent less likely to have central obesity and 51 percent less likely to be obese.
Researchers conclude that combining foods from the Mediterranean diet with regular physical exercise moderates the prevalence of obesity and therefore cardiovascular disease.
This latest study is available online in the February 2006 edition of the journal Nutrition.
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