How is the Mediterranean Diet Assessed in Epidemiological Studies?

Researchers use various methods to assess adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in population studies. One common approach is the use of dietary questionnaires, such as food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and 24-hour dietary recalls. These tools help to quantify the intake of specific food groups and nutrients. The Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) is often used to evaluate adherence levels, with higher scores indicating greater adherence to the dietary pattern.