Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Diet is a modern nutritional model inspired by the traditional dietary patterns of some of the countries of the Mediterranean basin, particularly Southern Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Turkey, and Spain.
Common to the diets of these regions are a high consumption of fruits and vegetables, bread, wheat and other cereals, olive oil, and fish, which tend to be low in saturated fat, and high in monounsaturated fat and dietary fiber.
A main factor in the appeal of the Mediterranean Diet is its rich, full-flavored foods. Margarine and hydrogenated oils are considered bland and lacking the flavor olive oil can impart to foods. Red wine is also consumed regularly but in moderate quantities.
Definition from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_diet*
*Wikipedia should not be taken as an authoritative medical resource due to the nature of Wikis, which are editable by the general public.
Evidence on the Mediterranean Diet for prevention of obesity
Large cohort study with 17,238 females and 10,589 males with a three-year follow up. Of those who were overweight at the beginning of the study, 8% of females and 7% of males became obese. However, those who were on the Mediterranean Diet had a significantly lower risk of obesity. Odds Ratio = 0.69 (95% Confidence interval 0.54-0.89).
Reference: Mendez MA, et al. J Nutr. 2006 Nov;136(11):2934-8.