Abstract:

Introduction:
Teaching and research staff (PDI) and administrative and support staff (PAS) might be exposed to an important physical and mental strain. This could have an impact on their affective state where lifestyle (including diet and physical activity) might exert a positive influence. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) has been extensively reported to be associated with favourable health outcomes such as longer life expectancy and a protective effect against chronic diseases. Although there are many studies available which analyse the dietary patterns of University students, the scientific evidence about dietary habits among PDI and PAS is still scarce. It is of interest to analyse this question due to the influence that both sectors might exert on the students.

Objectives:
To describe the adherence to the MD of PDI and PAS at Melilla Campus of University of Granada and study the association between the MD adherence and positive and negative emotional experiences

Methods:
This cross-sectional descriptive study included 35 staff of University of Granada. Adherence to the MD was determined by a validated 14-item Mediterranean diet questionnaire which was developed by the Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea (PREDIMED) study. The total score ranges from 0 to 14, with higher scores indicating greater MD adherence. MD score ≥ 7 (mid-range value) represented a modest accordance, and a score ≥ 9 represented strict accordance with this healthy dietary pattern (1). The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) was used to measure general affective state. It consists of a 20-item scale, with 10 items measuring positive affect and 10 items measuring negative affect. Positive Affect Score can range from 10–50, with higher scores representing higher levels of positive affect. Negative Affect Score can range from 10–50, with greater scores representing higher negative affect. In the present study, the PANAS was employed to measure affect “right now” (i.e. PANAS state). Study financed by the Project and Teaching Innovation "Avanzando hacia la implantación de buenas prácticas para una docencia saludable" (code 16-83)

Results:
The participants age range was 28-55 years, mean age 50±9.6 years old. Most of the participants (69%) were women. More than half of the study sample (54%) showed a low adherence to the MD. Mean Positive Affect Score was 32.4±7.5. Mean Negative Affect Score was 17.2±7.2. There was an inverse association between the MD adherence and Negative Affect Score (r=-0,503, p<0.01). No associations were found between the MD adherence and Positive Affect Score.

Conclusions:
It is outstanding the fact that, even if the participants are from a Mediterranean Region, our study found low adherence to the MD. Regardless of gender, those participants with higher adherence to the MD showed less negative affect score.

References:
[1] Benítez-Benítez AM et al. (2016). Adhesión a la dieta mediterránea en estudiantes de la Universidad de Extremadura: un recurso en educación para la salud. FEM, 19(6): 287-289.
[2] Medrano LA et al.(2015). Adaptación de la Escala de Afecto Positivo y Negativo (PANAS) para la población de Estudiantes Universitarios de Córdoba. Anuario de investigaciones, 2 (1): 22-36.
[3] León-Muñoz LM et al. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Pattern Has Declined in Spanish Adults. J Nutr. 2012 Aug 8;142(10):1843–50. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.112.164616

Keywords:

Healthy teaching, lifestyle, affective state.