Cambrils becomes a living laboratory for Mediterranean diet research

The URV and the local council launch a chair to analyze dietary habits and promote health in the region.

Generic image of Mediterranean diet products on a wooden table.
IA

Generic image of Mediterranean diet products on a wooden table.

The Universitat Rovira i Virgili and Cambrils City Council have formalized the creation of a chair dedicated to the study and promotion of the Mediterranean diet as a pillar of health.

This new initiative aims to turn the Baix Camp municipality into an experimental space where gastronomy, well-being, and scientific research converge. The main goal is to establish a collaborative network between chefs, healthcare professionals, researchers, and local stakeholders to generate knowledge that is socially relevant and transferable.
Among the milestones set by the chair is the launch of the Health Observatory of the Mediterranean Area Catalunya Sud. This body is intended to accurately measure the population's dietary habits and the level of adherence to this nutritional model, which is currently not guaranteed despite its historical ties to the region.
According to data collected by the institution, only 48% of young people maintain dietary habits aligned with the Mediterranean diet. To reverse this trend, the chair plans to foster alliances with international research centers and develop an intensive program of training and outreach activities to integrate these habits into daily life.