Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and collaborating institutions have found that a Mediterranean-style diet tailored for residents of the Southeast can enhance diet quality and assist with weight loss. The study, known as DELISH (Delicious Eating for Life in Southern Homes), evaluated the "Med-South" dietary pattern, emphasizing nuts, vegetable oils, whole grains, nonstarchy vegetables, and fruit, designed to align with regional food preferences.
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The research was led by co-principal investigators Thomas Keyserling, MD, MPH, professor of medicine, and Carmen Samuel-Hodge, Ph.D., RD, research professor in the Department of Nutrition. The study aimed to determine whether this Med-South diet could lead to sustained weight loss and improved diet quality compared to a traditional calorie-focused weight loss program.
A total of 360 adults with a body mass index of 30 or higher from central North Carolina participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to either the Med-South Weight Loss Program or a control program focused on calorie reduction. Over 24 months, participants in the Med-South group went through three phases: improving diet quality, focusing on weight loss while maintaining the Med-South eating pattern, and maintaining weight loss.
Data collection occurred at four, 12, and 24 months, assessing body weight, diet quality, and other health measures. Diet quality was measured through food intake questionnaires and the Veggie Meter, which gauges carotenoid levels in the skin as an indicator of fruit and vegetable consumption.
Results indicated that both groups lost and maintained an average weight loss of approximately 4.5 kilograms or 10 pounds over 24 months, with no significant differences noted in weight loss or blood pressure between the groups. However, participants in the Med-South group reported marked improvements in diet quality, such as increased intake of high-quality fats and reduced carbohydrate consumption, along with higher scores on overall diet quality indexes.
Keyserling emphasized the importance of incorporating healthful dietary patterns into weight loss programs, noting that, while calorie-restricted diets may yield similar weight loss results, a healthful dietary pattern has additional benefits for preventing chronic diseases. The study addresses the higher rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular issues prevalent in the Southeast, highlighting the benefits of dietary patterns that prioritize high-quality fats and carbohydrates.