Associations between Mediterranean lifestyle and its components with clinical outcomes among community-dwelling older adults

The present study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between adherence to Mediterranean lifestyle (MEDLS) and health outcomes in older adults in England. We analyzed data from 565 adults aged ≥65 years in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. MEDLS adherence (0–24) included diet quality, physical activity, hydration, sleep, social isolation, and cooking habits. Outcomes included mobility limitations, basic (ADL) and instrumental (IADL) activities of daily living disability, walking speed, cognition, depressive symptoms, and mortality. Results indicated that higher MEDLS adherence was associated with lower ADL/IADL disability and reduced risk of functional decline. It also correlated with better cognitive performance and maintenance of processing speed, fluency, and memory, alongside fewer depressive symptoms. No associations with mortality were found. Sensitivity analysis indicated that social isolation, cooking activities, and physical activity were key contributors. In conclusion, greater MEDLS adherence relates to better physical and cognitive aging in non-MED settings.