Mediterranean Diet Pyramid
Encyclopedia
The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid is a nutrition
guide that was developed by Oldways, the Harvard School of Public Health
, and the World Health Organization
in 1993. It refers to the traditional Mediterranean Diet
pattern of eating, suggesting the types and frequency of foods that should be enjoyed every day.
The diet is closely tied traditionally to areas of olive oil
cultivation in the Mediterranean region.
The pyramid, structured in light of current nutrition research and representing a healthy, traditional Mediterranean diet, is based on the dietary traditions of Crete
, Greece
and southern Italy
circa 1960 at a time when the rates of chronic disease were among the lowest in the world, and adult life expectancy was among the highest, even though medical services were limited. These findings were established in large part by scientist Ancel Keys
.
The pyramid is divided into daily, weekly, and monthly frequencies, but does not recommend serving sizes.
Extensive nutrition science research has concluded that the Mediterranean diet consumption pattern promotes good health and longevity. Studies linking the Mediterranean diet and decreased risk of illnesses such as lung disease and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as protection against allergies and asthma
have been published. Further information about these can be seen in the references below.http://mediterraneanmark.org/html/meddiet/meddiet_pyramid.html
Nutrition
Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
guide that was developed by Oldways, the Harvard School of Public Health
Harvard School of Public Health
The Harvard School of Public Health is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University, located in the Longwood Area of the Boston, Massachusetts neighborhood of Mission Hill, which is next to Harvard Medical School. HSPH is considered a significant school focusing on health in the...
, and the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
in 1993. It refers to the traditional Mediterranean Diet
Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet is a modern nutritional recommendation inspired by the traditional dietary patterns of southern Italy, Crete and much of the rest of Greece in the 1960s....
pattern of eating, suggesting the types and frequency of foods that should be enjoyed every day.
The diet is closely tied traditionally to areas of olive oil
Olive oil
Olive oil is an oil obtained from the olive , a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin. It is commonly used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and soaps and as a fuel for traditional oil lamps...
cultivation in the Mediterranean region.
The pyramid, structured in light of current nutrition research and representing a healthy, traditional Mediterranean diet, is based on the dietary traditions of Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and southern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
circa 1960 at a time when the rates of chronic disease were among the lowest in the world, and adult life expectancy was among the highest, even though medical services were limited. These findings were established in large part by scientist Ancel Keys
Ancel Keys
Ancel Benjamin Keys was an American scientist who studied the influence of diet on health. In particular, he hypothesized that different kinds of dietary fat had different effects on health....
.
The pyramid is divided into daily, weekly, and monthly frequencies, but does not recommend serving sizes.
Extensive nutrition science research has concluded that the Mediterranean diet consumption pattern promotes good health and longevity. Studies linking the Mediterranean diet and decreased risk of illnesses such as lung disease and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as protection against allergies and asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
have been published. Further information about these can be seen in the references below.http://mediterraneanmark.org/html/meddiet/meddiet_pyramid.html