A influência da dieta mediterrânea na obesidade: uma revisão narrativa de literatura

Abstract

Introduction and objective: Obesity is a multifactorial condition associated with chronic metabolic and inflammatory alterations. In this context, the Mediterranean diet has been identified as an effective dietary pattern for the prevention and management of obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the Mediterranean diet on obesity, emphasizing its effects on metabolic and inflammatory parameters and its indirect relationship with gut microbiota modulation. Materials and methods: This was a narrative literature review conducted in the PubMed database, using the descriptors “Obesity” and “Mediterranean Diet” combined with the boolean operator AND. Studies published in the last ten years, available in full text, conducted with adults, and evaluating adherence or intervention with the Mediterranean diet related to metabolic or inflammatory outcomes were included. Results and discussion: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising over 2,500 participants. Overall, adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with weight reduction, improved insulin sensitivity, decreased inflammatory markers, and a better lipid profile. These effects were enhanced when combined with behavioral changes and physical activity and were attributed to the high content of fibers, polyphenols, and unsaturated fatty acids characteristic of this dietary pattern. Conclusion: The Mediterranean diet proved to be an effective and sustainable nutritional strategy for managing obesity, showing beneficial effects on metabolic and inflammatory parameters.