Table 6.
The NOVA classification system, FSAm-NPS score, and distribution of the Nutri-Score grades across the traditional MD pyramid’s tiers.
| Traditional Mediterranean Diet Pyramid | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiers of the Traditional Mediterranean Diet Pyramid | NOVA Classification System | Nutri-Score | ||||||
| Score | p-Value | A [n (%)] | B [n (%)] | C [n (%)] | D [n (%)] | E [n (%)] | ||
| Red Meat (n = 23) | NOVA 4 (n = 23) | 16.174 ± 4.418 | n.a. | - | - | 1 (4.3) | 14 (60.9) | 8 (34.8) |
| Sweets (n = 168) | NOVA 3 (n = 7) | 10.714 ± 5.736 | 0.068 | 1 (14.3) | - | - | 6 (85.7) | - |
| NOVA 4 (n = 161) | 15.522 ± 6.824 | 4 (2.5) | 3 (1.9) | 22 (13.7) | 69 (42.9) | 63 (39.1) | ||
| Eggs (n = 27) | NOVA 1 (n = 26) | −0.500 ± 0.860 * | n.a. | 10 (38.5) | 16 (61.5) | - | - | - |
| NOVA 4 (n = 1) | −4.000 | 1 (100.0) | - | - | - | - | ||
| Potatoes (n = 11) | NOVA 1 (n = 1) | −2.000 | n.a. | 1 (100.0) | - | - | - | - |
| NOVA 3 (n = 1) | −3.000 | 1 (100.0) | - | - | - | - | ||
| NOVA 4 (n = 9) | −0.222 ± 1.394 | 3 (33.3) | 6 (66.7) | - | - | - | ||
| Olives, Pulses, Nuts (n = 312) | NOVA 1 (n = 253) | −1.103 ± 3.872 * | <0.01 | 195 (77.1) | 35 (13.8) | 17 (6.7) | 4 (1.6) | 2 (0.8) |
| NOVA 3 (n = 19) | 11.947 ± 5.126 * | - | 1 (5.3) | 6 (31.6) | 11 (57.9) | 1 (5.3) | ||
| NOVA 4 (n = 40) | 12.400 ± 4.187 | - | - | 14 (35.0) | 24 (60.0) | 2 (5.0) | ||
| Fish (n = 34) | NOVA 3 (n = 23) | 6.000 ± 6.00 | 0.293 | 1 (4.3) | 7 (30.4) | 7 (30.4) | 8 (34.8) | - |
| NOVA 4 (n = 11) | 3.818 ± 4.490 | 1 (9.1) | 5 (45.5) | 4 (36.4) | 1 (9.1) | - | ||
| Dairy (n = 128) | NOVA 1 (n = 30) | −0.700 ± 1.119 * | <0.01 | 20 (66.7) | 10 (33.3) | - | - | - |
| NOVA 3 (n = 30) | 13.267 ± 5.166 * | 2 (6.7) | - | 2 (3.5) | 25 (83.3) | 1 (3.3) | ||
| NOVA 4 (n = 68) | 4.206 ± 7.049 | 22 (32.4) | 23 (33.8) | 8 (11.8) | 13 (19.1) | 2 (2.9) | ||
| Fruits and Vegetables (n = 155) | NOVA 1 (n = 57) | −6.597 ± 2.802 * | <0.01 | 56 (98.2) | 1 (1.8) | - | - | - |
| NOVA 3 (n = 21) | −4.619 ± 2.081 * | 21 (100.0) | - | - | - | - | ||
| NOVA 4 (n = 77) | 1.143 ± 10.782 | 50 (64.9) | 10 (13.0) | 5 (6.5) | 1 (1.3) | 11 (14.3) | ||
| Non refined cereals (n = 56) | NOVA 1 (n = 28) | −2.464 ± 2.064 * | <0.01 | 26 (92.9) | 2 (7.1) | - | - | - |
| NOVA 4 (n = 28) | 7.429 ± 8.153 | 10 (35.7) | 1 (3.6) | 7 (25.0) | 7 (25.0) | 3 (10.7) | ||
The table presents only the tiers and NOVA groups that contain at least one food product. The confidence level was set at 99%. * indicates statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) of NOVA1 or NOVA3 vs. NOVA4. n.a.: comparison not applicable due to small sample size (n < 2) in at least one group.