Among various diets, the Mediterranean diet (MD) has been shown to have a protective effect in preventing the development of chronic non-communicable diseases. However, due to globalization and the increasing consumption of highly processed, energy-dense foods, the prevalence of the MD is nevertheless declining. The purpose of our research was to assess the prevalence of the MD among the adult population of Slovenia and to examine the characteristics of individuals who eat more in line with the MD compared to those who do not. Based on data obtained from the SI.Menu 2017/18 survey, we assessed the dietary compliance with the MD guidelines on a representative sample of 850 adults, 406 men and 444 women, aged between 18 and 74. Using data from the questionnaire on food consumption frequency, we used the Mediterranean diet score to assess the MD. We used appropriate statistical tests to examine associations between dietary compliance and other characteristics such as gender, age, cohesion region, physical activity, socioeconomic status, body mass index, and selected diseases. The results showed that less than a third of respondents eat in accordance with the MD, with women (39.9%), adults aged 65 and over (36%), and residents of western Slovenia (33.8%) eating more frequently in accordance with MD guidelines. Among adults below the age of 65, we found that higher compliance with the MD was associated with greater physical activity, a higher socioeconomic status, and a body mass index lower than 25 kg/m². The MD is more prevalent among adults over 65 who do not have high blood pressure (41.7%) compared to those who do (30.5%). We must encourage the adult population of Slovenia to eat more in line with MD guidelines, especially those groups where we have identified greater discrepancies between their diet and the MD. Measures should emphasize increased consumption of affordable foods while limiting consumption of highly processed, energy-dense foods.
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