Defining the Traditional Mediterranean Lifestyle: Joint International Consensus Statement

Sidossis, Labros S.; Lawson, R; Aprilakis, E; Barata, BC; Baska, A; Beneka, A; Bird, R; Birrell, F; Chatzinikola, C; Chondronikola, M; Chrousos, GP; Conduit, R; Constantinou, C; de Courten, B; Cvejic, JH; Davis, AM; Demetriou, CA; Errington, L; Feehan, J; Figueroa, C; Flynn, MM; Frates, B; Kabthymer, RH; Karagounis, LG; Karimi, Leila; Kennedy, GA; Kolokotroni, O; Korovljev, D; Kouris-Blazos, Antigone; Kushkestani, M; Kyriakides, TC; Hutanu, EM; Mosquera, MC; Nikiphorou, E; O'Brien, N; Philippou, E; Piątek, K; Poole, S; Popescu-Spineni, D; Radd-Vagenas, S; Sidossis, A; Simonis, M; Soultanakis, H; Telinga, A; Tierney, Audrey; Tkacz, A; Vlachopoulos, D; Yaman-Dent, G; Yap, Y; Zervides, Z; Itsiopoulos, Catherine

doi:10.26181/27013024.v1

Defining the Traditional Mediterranean Lifestyle: Joint International Consensus Statement

journal contribution

posted on 2024-09-13, 05:05 authored by Labros S. Sidossis, R Lawson, E Aprilakis, BC Barata, A Baska, A Beneka, R Bird, F Birrell, C Chatzinikola, M Chondronikola, GP Chrousos, R Conduit, C Constantinou, B de Courten, JH Cvejic, AM Davis, CA Demetriou, L Errington, J Feehan, C Figueroa, MM Flynn, B Frates, RH Kabthymer, LG Karagounis, Leila KarimiLeila Karimi, GA Kennedy, O Kolokotroni, D Korovljev, Antigone Kouris-BlazosAntigone Kouris-Blazos, M Kushkestani, TC Kyriakides, EM Hutanu, MC Mosquera, E Nikiphorou, N O'Brien, E Philippou, K Piątek, S Poole, D Popescu-Spineni, S Radd-Vagenas, A Sidossis, M Simonis, H Soultanakis, A Telinga, Audrey TierneyAudrey Tierney, A Tkacz, D Vlachopoulos, G Yaman-Dent, Y Yap, Z Zervides, Catherine Itsiopoulos

Introduction: The term “Mediterranean lifestyle” has gained increasing prominence in recent years, yet a specific definition remains elusive. In response, the Mediterranean Lifestyle Medicine Institute Board of Directors convened a multidisciplinary panel comprising international experts and leaders in lifestyle medicine. Their goal was to review existing literature and formulate a consensus definition of the “traditional Mediterranean lifestyle (tMedL),” referring to the historical way of living of the people in the Mediterranean region. This paper presents the agreed consensus statement and a comprehensive holistic definition of the term “traditional Mediterranean lifestyle.”. Methods: Major medical and social sciences electronic databases from inception to February 2023 were searched, employing keywords relevant to the Mediterranean lifestyle and its constituent elements (diet, physical activity, sleep, stress, socialization). Subsequently, definitions for each pillar were created and synthesized to derive a comprehensive definition of the “traditional Mediterranean lifestyle.”. Results: This proposed definition received ratification from the Mediterranean Lifestyle Medicine Institute's expert working group during the First International Mediterranean Lifestyle Medicine Conference held in June 2023 on the island of Leros, Greece. “The traditional Mediterranean lifestyle is characterized by its diverse and adaptable nature. Key facets encompass conviviality, lifelong social connectedness, purposeful living, strong community and familial bonds, harmony with nature and the environment, profound spirituality, adherence to religious practices, preservation of local customs, resilience cultivated through adversity, and a commitment to moderation across all spheres of life.”. Conclusions: This definition comprehensively outlines the primary lifestyle factors ingrained in Mediterranean inhabitants across generations. Its holistic nature furnishes a crucial conceptual framework for directing lifestyle medicine practitioners in assisting patients to mitigate diseases, promote overall well-being, devise research initiatives to investigate the health ramifications of this lifestyle, and inform curriculum development.

History

Publication Date

2024-10-01

Journal

Lifestyle Medicine

Volume

5

Issue

4

Article Number

e115

Pagination

13p.

Publisher

Wiley

ISSN

2688-3740

Rights Statement

© 2024 The Author(s). Lifestyle Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.