Table 2.
Average number of missing items in the MedDietScore scale, according to the participants’ demographic, clinical and lifestyle characteristics; the ATTICA epidemiological study
| Mean (SD1) | p-value2 | IRR (95% CI)3 | p-value4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristics | ||||
| Sex | ||||
| Male | 2.07 (2.65) | 0.390 | 1.00 | – |
| Female | 2.17 (2.70) | 1.05 (0.99, 1.11) | 0.114 | |
| Educational level5 | ||||
| No formal studies | 2.83 (2.60) | 0.002 | 1.61 (1.29, 2.00) | < 0.001 |
| Primary education | 2.41 (2.61) | 1.37 (1.19, 1.58) | < 0.001 | |
| Secondary education | 2.69 (2.90) | 1.53 (1.34, 1.74) | < 0.001 | |
| Higher education | 1.76 (2.41) | 1.00 | – | |
| Clinical characteristics | ||||
| Obesity6 | ||||
| Yes | 2.05 (2.63) | 0.507 | 1.04 (0.97, 1.12) | 0.222 |
| No | 1.97 (2.58) | 1.00 | – | |
| Diabetes Mellitus7 | ||||
| Yes | 1.72 (2.35) | 0.007 | 1.31 (1.18, 1.45) | < 0.001 |
| No | 1.32 (2.05) | 1.00 | – | |
| Hypertension8 | ||||
| Yes | 2.07 (2.64) | 0.448 | 0.96 (0.90, 1.02) | 0.163 |
| No | 2.16 (2.71) | 1.00 | – | |
| Hypercholesterolemia9 | ||||
| Desirable levels (< 200 mg/dL) | 1.35 (2.18) | < 0.001 | 0.63 (0.58, 0.69) | < 0.001 |
| Borderline levels (200–239 mg/dL) | 1.89 (2.52) | 0.89 (0.82, 0.96) | 0.002 | |
| High levels (> 240 mg/dL) | 2.13 (2.57) | 1.00 | – | |
| Lifestyle characteristics | ||||
| Type of lifestyle10 | ||||
| Unhealthy lifestyle | 2.86 (2.78) | 0.022 | 1.20 (1.09, 1.33) | < 0.001 |
| Healthy lifestyle | 2.38 (2.63) | 1.00 | – | |
Notes: 1 SD= Standard Deviation. 2 p-value is based on the Independent samples t-test when the categorical characteristic has two categories, and on the one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) when the categorical characteristic has at least three categories. 3 IRR= Incidence Rate Ratio, CI= Confidence Interval. 4 p-value refers to the comparison of each category to the baseline category. 5 Educational level is defined as follows: No formal studies= 0 years, Primary education≤ 6 years, Secondary education≤ 12 years, and Higher education> 12 years. 6Obesity was defined as Body Mass Index (BMI)≥ 30 kg/m2. 7 Diabetes mellitus was defined as a fasting blood sugar > 125 mg/dl or the use of antidiabetic medication. 8 Patients whose average blood pressure levels were greater or equal to 140 / 90 mm Hg or were under antihypertensive medication were classified as hypertensives. 9 The definition of hypercholesterolemia was based on the total serum cholesterol levels. 10 Healthy lifestyle= non- smokers and physically active participants, Unhealthy lifestyle= Either smokers, or physically inactive participants