Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a representative sample of Greek adults and its association with modifiable risk factors: results from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus is a disease associated with many complications leading to premature death. The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and the proportion of the population unaware of the condition, in association with modifiable risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: Data from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey were used (n = 3773 adults, 40.8% men) and were obtained by trained personnel. METHODS: Diabetes mellitus disease status was categorized as per the International Classification of Diseases codes (10th version). A subsample from the two main metropolitan areas was used to assess T2D and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (n = 990; 38.2% men) from plasma analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of T2D in the population was 5.2% in total, reaching 13.7% in adults aged >60 years (no sex differences). IFG was observed in 27.3% of adults in the two metropolitan areas, and 40% were unaware of having T2D in this subsample. The likelihood of having T2D significantly increased with age and body weight, whereas it decreased with higher educational level and physical activity (P for all <0.001). CONCLUSION: The high T2D prevalence in adults, especially among the older age-groups, suggests a major public health problem in Greece.

Effectiveness and easiness of adherence to behavioural guidelines for diet and lifestyle changes for cholesterol-lowering: the Increasing Adherence of Consumers to Diet & Lifestyle Changes to Lower (LDL) Cholesterol (ACT) randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to assess perceived effectiveness and easiness of behavioural diet and lifestyle changes related to dyslipidaemia given by physicians or dieticians as a result of diet and lifestyle modifications being difficult to maintain. METHODS: One-hundred hypercholesterolaemic individuals were enrolled in a parallel, randomised 6-week study. Fifty were advised by dietitians (dietitian group: DG) in six weekly face-to-face behavioural therapy sessions and 50 received standard advice from physicians (physician group: PG). All individuals were followed-up for another 6 weeks under real-life conditions. Questionnaires regarding perceived effectiveness, easiness of adhering, forecasted and actual adherence to specific cholesterol-lowering advice were completed. RESULTS: Scores of perceived effectiveness of advice for sufficient exercise, limiting saturated fat (SFA) intake, eating fish twice a week, consuming plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and limiting salt intake different scientifically (all P < 0.05) in PG and DG between study phases. Scores of the individuals' perception of effectiveness at all study phases were higher in the DG compared to PG for sufficient exercise, limiting SFA intake, eating fish twice a week, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limiting salt intake, whereas scores of easiness were significant only for fish consumption (P = 0.008) and using foods with added plant sterols (all P < 0.05). DG and PG significantly differed in forecasted (week 6) versus actual adherence (week 12) to various chances, with DG reporting higher adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle and dietary changes related to dyslipidaemia can be achieved with continuous education, monitoring and follow-ups by dieticians, as well as potentially other trained healthcare professionals.

Dietary patterns and lifestyle characteristics in adults: results from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS).

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify and describe different dietary patterns in a nationally representative sample of Greek adults and to assess potential associations with lifestyle characteristics. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: Dietary patterns were derived by principal component analysis using individual dietary data (24-h recall) of 3552 participants of the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS). Analysis of variance and chi-squared test were used to determine the lifestyle characteristics of the participants following each pattern. RESULTS: Three dietary patterns were identified explaining 16.5% of variance; a traditional pattern, loading positively on olive oil, non-starchy vegetables, and cheese; a Western pattern, loading positively on refined grains, processed meats, and animal fats; and a prudent pattern, loading positively on fruits, whole grains, and yoghurt and negatively on fast food. A fourth, snack-type pattern, loading positively on sweets, salty snacks, and nuts, was identified in women. Primary crude results revealed an association between dietary patterns and socio-economic status. In multivariate analysis, highest adherence to the prudent pattern was associated with higher protein and unsaturated fat intake and lower energy and saturated fat intake (all P ≤ 0.05); the Western and traditional patterns were associated with higher energy and total and saturated fat intake. The traditional pattern was additionally associated with higher monounsaturated fatty acids intake, whereas the Western pattern, with higher alcohol intake (all P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings are valuable for understanding the dietary behaviors of adults in Greece and enabling more focused public health policies for the promotion of healthier food behaviors in the future.

Association of meal and snack patterns with micronutrient intakes among Greek children and adolescents: data from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to examine how different meal and snack patterns are associated with micronutrient intakes and diet quality among a nationally representative sample of Greek children and adolescents aged 1-19 years from the cross-sectional Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (n = 598). METHODS: Meal and snack patterns were derived using 24-h dietary recalls. Mean adequacy ratio (MAR) was used as an overall measure of diet quality. Multiple linear regression adjusted for covariates was conducted to examine associations between eating patterns, nutrient intakes and MAR. RESULTS: Four most frequently reported eating schemes were identified including breakfast (B), lunch (L), dinner (D) and two snacks (S) (20.9%); B, L, D and 1S (16.2%); B, L, D and 3S (10.8%); and B, L and D (7.9%). Based on these schemes, the daily consumption of all main meals from the majority of the sample was highlighted. In children and adolescents aged 4-19 years, increasing snack frequency was positively associated with intakes of vitamin D, vitamin K, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folate, magnesium, copper and selenium. An inverse association was recorded for vitamin E, vitamin B6 , calcium and iron. Among children aged 1-3 years, only niacin and copper were significantly associated with number of snacks, with the group of 'B-L-D-2S' presenting the highest intake. As for the overall diet quality, among all participants, there was no significant association of MAR with the type of meal and snack pattern, and thus the snack frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Snacking behaviour is a common practice among children and adolescents. Modifying current snack foods with nutrient-rich choices could lead to an improvement of their diet's nutritional quality.

Structured advice provided by a dietitian increases adherence of consumers to diet and lifestyle changes and lowers blood low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol: the Increasing Adherence of Consumers to Diet & Lifestyle Changes to Lower (LDL) Cholesterol (ACT) randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from healthcare professionals suggest that consumer compliance to healthy diet and lifestyle changes is often poor. The present study investigated the effect of advice provided by a physician or dietitian on consumer adherence to these measures combined with consuming foods with added plant sterols (PS) with the aim of lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). METHODS: One hundred mildly-to-moderately hypercholesterolaemic individuals were enrolled into a parallel, randomised, placebo-controlled study. Dietitians (dietitian group; DG) advised 50 individuals in six weekly face-to-face behavioural therapy sessions, whereas the other 50 received standard advice from physicians (physician group, PG). Both groups consumed foods with added PS (three servings a day) for 6 weeks. Subsequently, all individuals were followed-up for another 6 weeks under real-life conditions. Blood lipids were measured at baseline and weeks 6 and 12 and 3-day diet diaries were taken at weeks 1, 6 and 12. RESULTS: Individuals in the DG significantly improved their dietary habits, physical activity and increased PS intake compared to the PG. After 6 weeks, LDL-C decreased in both groups compared to baseline without any significant differences between groups. At week 12, LDL-C was further significantly improved only in the DG (P = 0.006) compared to week 6. Total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglycerides were significantly lower in the DG compared to the PG at week 12 after adjusting for levels at week 6 (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although structured counselling by dietitians and common standard advice by physicians were equally effective with respect to improving blood cholesterol after 6 weeks, dietitians were more effective in the longer-term (i.e. 6 weeks after the end of the intervention period).