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Obesity, Mediterranean Diet, and Public Health: A Vision of Obesity in the Mediterranean Context from a Sociocultural Perspective

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  • Francesc Xavier Medina

    (FoodLab & UNESCO Chair on Food, Culture and Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Rambla del Poblenou, 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Josep M. Solé-Sedeno

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Passeig Marítim, 25-29, 08003 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Anna Bach-Faig

    (FoodLab & UNESCO Chair on Food, Culture and Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Rambla del Poblenou, 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Alicia Aguilar-Martínez

    (FoodLab & UNESCO Chair on Food, Culture and Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Rambla del Poblenou, 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

Obesity is a disease that straddles medico-nutritional, psychological, and socio-cultural boundaries. There is a clear relationship between lifestyle and obesity, and today the Mediterranean diet in the Mediterranean area may represent an interesting corrective asset. However, we should not be under any misapprehension about the model’s capacity for action in non-nutritional terms. Our societies are experiencing a process of rapid change, and the Mediterranean area is no exception. The aim of this article is to present a view of obesity in the Mediterranean context from an open, mainly socio-cultural perspective, but from different points of view (medical, nutritional), seeking points of convergence and elements that contribute to the understanding of and approach to the disease in the context of the Mediterranean diet. As a public health and a multidimensional social problem, obesity must be dealt with in a holistic, open, and cross-disciplinary manner to ensure that it can be understood coherently. The only way to keep the usefulness of the Mediterranean diet within desirable limits will be our societies’ vitality and interest in rapidly adapting the Mediterranean diet to social change, thus providing valid answers to today’s needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesc Xavier Medina & Josep M. Solé-Sedeno & Anna Bach-Faig & Alicia Aguilar-Martínez, 2021. "Obesity, Mediterranean Diet, and Public Health: A Vision of Obesity in the Mediterranean Context from a Sociocultural Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-9, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3715-:d:529124
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Francesc-Xavier Medina, 2021. "Looking for Commensality: On Culture, Health, Heritage, and the Mediterranean Diet," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-9, March.
    2. Andrea de la Torre-Moral & Sergi Fàbregues & Anna Bach-Faig & Albert Fornieles-Deu & F. Xavier Medina & Alicia Aguilar-Martínez & David Sánchez-Carracedo, 2021. "Family Meals, Conviviality, and the Mediterranean Diet among Families with Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Amanda M. Barberio & Asalah Alareeki & Benjamin Viner & Joy Pader & Jennifer E. Vena & Paul Arora & Christine M. Friedenreich & Darren R. Brenner, 2019. "Central body fatness is a stronger predictor of cancer risk than overall body size," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. F. Xavier Medina & Francesc Fusté-Forné & Nela Filimon, 2023. "Public Awareness of Food Products, Preferences and Practices: Old Challenges and New Insights," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-3, May.
    2. Débora Godoy-Izquierdo & Raquel Lara & Adelaida Ogallar & Alejandra Rodríguez-Tadeo & María J. Ramírez & Estefanía Navarrón & Félix Arbinaga, 2021. "Psychosocial and Diet-Related Lifestyle Clusters in Overweight and Obesity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-15, June.
    3. F. Xavier Medina, 2021. "Mediterranean Diet: The Need for Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-5, May.

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