Mediterranean Diet Program Indirectly Benefits Patients Relatives
by Anjanee Sharma on
March 10, 2021 at 6:41 PM
Study demonstrates that people living with a patient undergoing intensive weight loss treatment also reap benefits from the treatment.
The research team examined data from 117 patients and 148 family members of the patients included in the PREDIMED-Plus (PREVencióDIetaMEDiterranea Plus) weight loss and lifestyle program for two years. The PREDIMED - Plus is a study where patients follow a Mediterranean diet-based intensive weight reduction program and a plan promoting physical activity. It aims at achieving weight loss in people with obesity and high cardiovascular risk.
The researchers further analyzed whether the family members who were not enrolled in the program also indirectly benefited from it. Three out of four times, family members were the patient's partner, and the rest were children, parents, siblings, or some other kin. Their adherence to the dietary patterns was also recorded through a questionnaire.