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Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between adherence to Mediterranean diet with physical performance and cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Coelho-Júnior HJ, Trichopoulou A, Panza F.. Ageing research reviews, 2021-06-19
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Results Nineteen cross-sectional studies that investigated 19.734 community-dwelling and institutionalized older adults free of disability and dementia were included. A high adherence to MeDi was cross-sectionally associated with better walking speed (SMD = 0.42; 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.12-0.72, P = 0.006; I² = 65 %, P = 0.06), knee muscle strength speed (SMD = 0.26; 95 % CI = 0.17-0.36, P Discussion Findings of the present study indicated that high adherence to MeDi was cross-sectionally associated with physical performance and cognitive function. Results of the pooled analysis of longitudinal studies revealed that high adherence to MeDi reduced the risk of global cognitive decline in non-demented older adults. However, no significant associations between MeDi adherence and the incidence of mobility problems, MCI, and dementia were found. Although important, our findings should be carefully interpreted due to the presence of heterogeneity and publication bias.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Coelho-Júnior, H. J., Trichopoulou, A., & Panza, F. (2021). Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between adherence to Mediterranean diet with physical performance and cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ageing research reviews. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2021.101395
Vancouver
Coelho-Júnior HJ, Trichopoulou A, Panza F. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between adherence to Mediterranean diet with physical performance and cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ageing research reviews. 2021. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2021.101395. PMID: 34153553.
BibTeX
@article{coelhojunior2021-34153553,
author = {Coelho-Júnior, H. J. and Trichopoulou, A. and Panza, F.},
title = {{Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between adherence to Mediterranean diet with physical performance and cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis}},
journal = {Ageing research reviews},
year = {2021},
doi = {10.1016/j.arr.2021.101395},
pmid = {34153553},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2021.101395}
}
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Key findings
- Results Nineteen cross-sectional studies that investigated 19.734 community-dwelling and institutionalized older adults free of disability and dementia were included.
- A high adherence to MeDi was cross-sectionally associated with better walking speed (SMD = 0.42; 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.12-0.72, P = 0.006; I² = 65 %, P = 0.06), knee muscle strength speed (SMD = 0.26; 95 % CI = 0.17-0.36, P < 0.00001; I² = 0 %, P = 0.69), global cognition (SMD = 0.24; 95 % CI = 0.15-0.33, P < 0.00001; I² = 85 %, P < 0.00001), and memory (SMD = 0.18; 95 % CI = 0.13-0.25, P < 0.00001; I² = 100 %, P < 0.00001).
- Results of the pooled analysis of longitudinal studies revealed that high adherence to MeDi reduced the risk of global cognitive decline in non-demented older adults.
- However, no significant associations between MeDi adherence and the incidence of mobility problems, MCI, and dementia were found.
- Although important, our findings should be carefully interpreted due to the presence of heterogeneity and publication bias.
Why it matters
This meta-analysis found that high adherence to the Mediterranean diet was cross-sectionally linked to better physical performance and cognitive function, and in longitudinal studies reduced the risk of global cognitive decline in non-demented older adults. However, it found no significant associations between Mediterranean diet adherence and the incidence of mobility problems, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia.
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Study details
- Study designsystematic review
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 65/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Ageing research reviews) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Ageing Research Reviews: journal h-index 225 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2021 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 216 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 30.9 citations a year over 7 year(s) since 2021 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 8.8× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 6 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 106 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Francesco Panza: h-index 92 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | National and Kapodistrian University of Athens: institution h-index 859 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 4 institution(s) in 3 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 34153553) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 65 / 100 | — |
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