| Title: | Mediterranean diet adherence, body composition, and recovery outcomes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients : a mixed-methods study |
|---|
| Authors: | ID Teraž, Kaja (Author)
ID Šimunič, Boštjan (Author)
ID Pišot, Rado (Author)
ID Pišot, Saša (Author) |
|---|
| Files: |  PDF - Presentation file, download (502,54 KB)
MD5: 522A8A85BA89A1DDF0C0633772E84348
 URL - Source URL, visit https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2026.1834540/full
|
|---|
| Language: | English |
|---|
| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
|---|
| Organization: |  ZRS Koper - Science and Research Centre Koper
|
|---|
| Abstract: | Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of nutritional and lifestyle factors in recovery from severe illness, yet their role in post-hospitalization rehabilitation remains insufficiently understood. Methods: This study investigated the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet, body composition, and recovery-related outcomes in individuals following severe COVID-19 using an explanatory mixed-methods design. Thirtynine patients were assessed at hospital discharge and after 8 weeks of unsupervised rehabilitation in a single-centre prospective cohort study conducted in Slovenia (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04860206, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04860206). Results: Quantitative analyses showed a significant increase in fat-free mass over time and positive associations between fat-free mass and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Qualitative findings further revealed that individuals with higher adherence demonstrated structured routines, adaptive coping strategies, and greater psychosocial resilience during recovery. Discussion: Together, these findings suggest that adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern, alongside related lifestyle behaviors, may support favorable body composition and enhance recovery processes following severe illness. This study provides an integrated perspective on physiological and behavioral determinants of recovery, highlighting the potential of nutrition-based approaches in post- COVID-19 rehabilitation. |
|---|
| Keywords: | body composition, clinical nutrition, COVID-19 rehabilitacija, dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, Mediterranean diet, mixed-methods, rehabilitation |
|---|
| Publication status: | Published |
|---|
| Publication version: | Version of Record |
|---|
| Publication date: | 01.01.2026 |
|---|
| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
|---|
| Number of pages: | 9 str. |
|---|
| Numbering: | Vol. 13, [article no.] ǂ1834540 |
|---|
| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-30644  |
|---|
| UDC: | 613.2:616.9-056.24 |
|---|
| ISSN on article: | 2296-861X |
|---|
| DOI: | 10.3389/fnut.2026.1834540 |
|---|
| COBISS.SI-ID: | 283124995 |
|---|
| Copyright: | © 2026 Teraž, Šimunič, Pišot and Pišot.
|
|---|
| Note: | Soavtorji: Boštjan Šimunič, Rado Pišot, Saša Pišot;
Nasl. z nasl. zaslona;
Opis vira z dne 30. 6. 2026;
|
|---|
| Publication date in DiRROS: | 30.06.2026 |
|---|
| Views: | 162 |
|---|
| Downloads: | 127 |
|---|
| Metadata: |    |
|---|
|
:
|
Copy citation |
|---|
| | | | Share: |  |
|---|
Hover the mouse pointer over a document title to show the abstract or click
on the title to get all document metadata. |
