Consumers’ Adherence to Mediterranean Diet to Revamp Italian Inner Areas

Over last years, the European Commission highlighted the need to develop a transition path towards a more sustainable food system, also promoting a change in citizen-consumers’ dietary habits. In this context, the Mediterranean Diet (MD) may play a crucial role in virtue of its importance not only with regard to the production of health and economic benefits, but also as an example of sustainable diet. Furthermore, MD represents an expression of food cultural diversity and is able to enhance local food products favoring the development of vulnerable context, such as that of rural inner areas. Despite the growing interest of citizen-consumers in foods characterized by social, ethical and environmental attributes, currently the adherence to the MD is undermined. Therefore, this study aims to assess consumers’ adherence to the MD and uncover those factors able to disseminate MD to foster sustainability while improving people’s health and life. Data collection was carried out through a web-based questionnaire and MD adherence was measured according to the MEDI-LITE score scale. In order to detect the variables affecting consumers’ adherence to the MD, a linear regression analysis was carried out. Results show a discrepancy between real and perceived adherence to DM, therefore there’s a generalized lack of knowledge about MD dietary pattern. Women are more likely to adopt such a diet, as well as health-conscious and high educated individuals. Despite some limitations, the study provides information to policy makers to encourage specific actions aimed to increase the knowledge and the adoption of MD.