Mediterranean Diet Adherence, Body Mass Index, and Quality of Life Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Introduction. Young adulthood is a critical period for establishing dietary habits. This study examined associations among Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence, body mass index (BMI), and quality of life (QoL) in university students. Methods. A total of 729 students aged 18–30 years were assessed for MD adherence (MEDAS), QoL (SF-36), and anthropometrics. Associations were evaluated using regression analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results. Among 729 university students (mean age 21.3 ± 2.1 years; 59.1% female), females had higher MEDAS scores than males (7.2 ± 2.0 vs. 6.5 ± 2.2; p < 0.001). Higher MEDAS scores were positively associated with SF-36 physical (B = 1.85) and mental health (B = 1.47), while higher BMI was inversely associated with both domains (physical: B = −0.95; mental: B = −0.78; all p < 0.001). SEM showed acceptable model fit and explained 21% of the variance in the MEDAS, 27% in physical health, and 23% in mental health. Conclusions. Greater MD adherence is associated with better QoL and lower BMI in young adults, supporting the potential value of MD-based dietary behaviors.