Quarantine during COVID-19 outbreak: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet in the Cypriot population

Abstract Objective This study aimed to analyze the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in the adult general population of Cyprus during the COVID-19 confinement. Methods This was an internet-based cross-sectional study which collected information about socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, adherence to the Mediterranean diet and other dietary details, physical activity levels and smoking habits using a self-administered questionnaire. The survey was conducted between 6 April and 20 June 2020, one to two and a half months after the initiation of the social confinement measures. Results A total of 1485 Cypriot adults participated in the study. The median Mediterranean diet score was 21 (q1=19, q3=24) with males, married individuals, residents of rural regions, and physically active participants being more adherent to the Mediterranean diet compared to females, unmarried or divorced/widowed, residents of urban regions, and physically inactive participants, respectively (p Conclusions Adherence to the Mediterranean diet during the confinement imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Cypriot adult population was associated with male sex, age older than 45 years, being married, physical activity, and being resident of rural regions. Τhe importance of better understanding of nutritional behavior during COVID-19 lockdowns is emphasized so public health authorities can plan future lockdown policies on nutritional recommendations, when new pandemics appear.