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Changes in the overall diet pattern is one of the key factors for prevention of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), with several studies highlighting the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. Concerning other lifestyle factors, regular practice of moderate physical activity and adequate night sleep are also part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle [1-3].

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All these lifestyle factors impact on individual well-being. This concept has been incorporated in WHO’s definition of health: “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence or disease or infirmity”. In 2015, the WHO Regional Office for Europe has targeted the well-being of the European population as one of the priorities in the health 2020 monitoring framework

Well-being is a broad concept that integrates objective social and environmental factors, as well as psychological factors [4]. Some studies have suggested that diet may influence psychological well-being. [4-6]. However, no relationship between Mediterranean Diet and psychological well-being were found so far [7], rendering it difficult to reach a firm conclusion. Furthermore, these associations may be influenced by other behaviours that also impact on well-being, such as physical activity, sociability, and sleep quantity [8]. This study is focused on a multi-factorial approach to well-being by studying the association between lifestyle factors and subjective factors of well-being.

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The collection of data will be through an anonymous on-line survey distributed in all the participating countries.

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The main initial benefits of this study will be of scientific nature and the results of the survey are expected to provide improved knowledge and understanding of the association between our lifestyle and food habits and our perception of well-being, in particular, of whether we feel stressed, fatigued or energetic in our daily life and what is, in general, the level of satisfaction with our life. The direct benefits will be one (or several) communications of these results in the form of scientific articles and (or) presentations at specific Conferences in the area of Mediterranean lifestyle and well-being. On a second step, we envisage the possibility of being able to prepare some general recommendations as to how to implement some behavioral changes that may contribute to improve our lifestyle and well-being. These recommendations may be disseminated through normal communication media (journals, website, radio, consumers associations, etc).

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1-Mattioli, A.V.; et al. Mediterranean diet impact on cardiovascular diseases: A narrative review. Journal of cardiovascular medicine (Hagerstown, Md.) 2017
2 - Sofi, F. et al.  A. Mediterranean diet and health status: An updated meta-analysis and a proposal for a literature-based adherence score. Public health nutrition 2014, 17, 2769-2782;

3. Bach-Faig, A. et al. Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates. Public health nutrition 2011, 14, 2274-2284
4 - WHO. The european health report 2015. Targets and beyond – reaching new frontiers in evidence; 
5. Hendy, H.M. Which comes first in food–mood relationships, foods or moods? Appetite 2012, 58, 771-775.

6. Rahe, C.; Unrath, M.; Berger, K. Dietary patterns and the risk of depression in adults: A systematic review of observational studies. European journal of nutrition 2014, 53, 997-1013.
7. Crichton, G.E.; Bryan, J.; Hodgson, J.M.; Murphy, K.J. Mediterranean diet adherence and self-reported psychological functioning in an australian sample. Appetite 2013, 70, 53-59.
8. Orpana, H.; Vachon, J.; Pearson, C.; Elliott, K.; Smith, M.; Branchard, B. Correlates of well-being among canadians with mood and/or anxiety disorders. Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada-Research Policy and Practice 2016, 36, 302-313.