Different classification of an adult population by two validated indexes of adherence to the Mediterranean diet

Background: the Mediterranean diet (MD) has been related to a good state of health. There are different index to evaluate the adherence to Mediterranean dietary pattern. Objective: the purpose of the study was to evaluate the classification of the adult population of the Comunitat Valenciana according to their suitability to the MD using two validated indexes, and analyze the degree of agreement between them. Methods: methodological study of the concordance of classification of a population through two instruments for measuring adherence to MD, of a representative sample of 2,728 adult of the Comunitat Valenciana. Data obtained from Encuesta de Nutricion de la Comunitat Valenciana 2010-2011. The adhesion was determined by "Puntuacion Modificada de Dieta Mediterranea" and "Cribado de Adherencia de Dieta Mediterranea". The population was classified as low, medium or high according to each index. A statistical analysis was performed for qualitative and quantitative variables. The concordance of the indexes was evaluated by the Kappa test. Results: in both indexes, the highest percentage (41% and 71%, respectively) of the population was in medium adherence to MD. Between both indexes, the value of the kappa index was 0.169, for men 0.163 and for women 0.174. By age groups: 0.158 for those aged 16-24 years, 0.139 for 25-44 years, 0.185 for 45-64 years, and 0.161 for those over 64 years. Conclusions: the two indexes tested showed a degree of poor agreement and classified the same population differently.