Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and its association with self-concept and academic and physical domain in education science students: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Mediterranean diet is considered to be a healthy and convenient diet model due both to its physical and mental benefits. Therefore, the aim of the present research is to detail diet pattern, academic performance and self-concept, anxiety and physical activity practice in university students, as well as to establish relationships between the variables. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 558 undergraduates at the University of Granada, using an Ad Hoc Socio-Academic Questionnaire, the PREDIMED, Self-concept Form-5 and BAI tests to collect the data. Results: The results obtained show that a high percentage of the sample practices more than three hours of physical activity per week, needs to improve their diet, reflects low levels of anxiety and shows higher scores in academic self-concept. Conclusions: A positive adherence to the Mediterranean diet shows improvements in academic performance and in the physical, social and academic aspects of ”self-concept”.