Micronutrient dietary intakes and their food sources in adults: the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS).

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to assess micronutrient intake among Greek adults and to identify the main food sources that contribute to it. METHODS: Food consumption data from 2389 participants in the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS), collected with 24-h recalls, was used to calculate micronutrient intakes. Usual nutrient intake was estimated according to the National Cancer Institute method. Nutrient adequacy was estimated using the estimated average requirement (EAR) cut-point method, when available, or adequate intake otherwise. The probability approach was used to determine iron intake adequacy in females of reproductive age. Food group contribution for each nutrient assessed was derived to identify their main food sources. RESULTS: Almost all individuals had vitamin D intake below EAR, whereas vitamins A, E, K and C, as well as potassium intake, were also insufficient in a considerable percentage of the population (>70% in most age groups). Calcium intake was substantially below the EAR for females aged >50 years and males >70 years; the same for magnesium in males >70 years. Furthermore, 50% of females, including those of reproductive age, had intake of folate below EAR. More than 50% of the population (to 79%) exceeded the upper tolerable limit for sodium (2300 mg day-1 ). Food contribution analysis revealed that most vitamins were derived from low-quality foods (i.e. fast-food). CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of adults residing in Greece have low nutrient intake and poor food selections. These results provide guidance to public health policy makers for developing strategies to improve the dietary quality in Greece.

The association of protein and carbohydrate intake with successful aging: a combined analysis of two epidemiological studies.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have reported associations between levels of protein and carbohydrate intake with several health outcomes. Yet, their effect on successful (or healthy) aging remains unknown. The purpose of the present work was to investigate the association of protein and carbohydrate intake levels with successful aging. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was carried out on the participants of two epidemiological studies; the ATTICA and the MEDIS studies. Anthropometrical, clinical and socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habits, and lifestyle parameters were derived through standard procedures. Successful aging was evaluated using a validated index (SAI) composed of 10 health-related social, lifestyle and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: SAI levels were lower in low protein-high carbohydrate diet group (B = - 0.08, p = 0.04), but higher in high protein-high carbohydrate group (B = 0.06, p = 0.04), as compared to low protein and low carbohydrate diet, in participants living in insular areas. Protein-carbohydrate diet was not associated with SAI (all p's > 0.05) among participants living in urban areas (p for diet-study interaction < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A high protein diet seems to be beneficial for older islanders in terms of successful aging; stating a hypothesis for a potential diet-environmental interaction that may be related to the quality of foods consumed and, consequently the sources of nutrients.

Effect of Gestational Weight Gain during the First Half of Pregnancy on the Incidence of GDM, Results from a Pregnant Cohort in Northern Greece.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gestational weight gain (GWG) up to 23+6 weeks of gestation on the incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). A pregnant cohort of 5948 women in Northern Greece was recruited. Anthropometric features before and during pregnancy were recorded, the GWG by 23+6 weeks was calculated and a Generalized Linear Regression Model (GLM) with subgroup analyses based on weight status were computed. GDM was diagnosed in 5.5% of women. GLM results showed that GDM likelihood increased with maternal age (MA) and pre-pregnancy BMI (aOR: 1.08, 95%CI: [1.06, 1.11] and aOR: 1.09, 95%CI: [1.09, 1.11], respectively). Ιn the normal pre-pregnancy weight group, when the extra weight gain was >8 kgs, the odds of GDM increased (OR: 2.13, 95%CI: [0.98, 4.21], p = 0.03). Women with pre-pregnancy level 2 clinical obesity (OB2 pre) (BMI > 35 and <40 kg/m2) that shifted to OB3 category (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) had an increased GDM likelihood (OR: 4.85, 95%CI: [1.50, 15.95]). Women of higher MA may require stricter monitoring for GDM from early pregnancy, while in obese women, recommended GWG may need to be re-evaluated, since refraining from any weight gain may have a preventive effect for GDM.

The relationship between behavioral factors, weight status and a dietary pattern in primary school aged children: The GRECO study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Numerous factors have been associated with the increase in childhood overweight and obesity, including environmental, dietary and behavioral. The latter have been associated with unhealthy eating behaviors but studies of their relation to dietary patterns are limited. Dietary patterns serve as a better means to evaluate children's diet and risk of obesity and therefore the aim of the study was to examine the relationship of behavioral factors with a specific dietary pattern developed for children (child derived Food Index (cdFI)), and to assess how behavioral and diet are related to children's weight status when addressed together in a model. METHODS: Study included school-aged children (n = 4434) from the Greek Childhood Obesity study (GRECO), a cross-sectional survey. Participants self-reported behavioral habits and dietary intake, using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). A high dietary pattern-cdFI is related to a healthier dietary pattern. Anthropometric data were measured. Multiple linear and logistic regressions were performed, adjusting for age and gender. RESULTS: The dietary pattern was positively associated with sleep, family meals and study hours, and was inversely associated with total screen time, frequency of eating out and eating while on some screen. Overweight and obese children were more likely to have a lower cdFI score (2%), sleep less (8%) and report more study hours (6%). CONCLUSION: In order to reduce and prevent child overweight and obesity, interventions probably need to address specific behavioral and dietary patterns together.

Beer, wine consumption, and 10-year CVD incidence: the ATTICA study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Low/moderate alcohol consumption seems to be protective against cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to investigate the association of wine/beer consumption with the 10-year CVD incidence. SUBJECTS/METHODS: During 2001-2002, 3042 CVD-free adults consented to participate in the ATTICA study; of them 2583 completed the 10-year follow-up (85% participation rate), but precise information about fatal/nonfatal CVD incidence (myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, cardiac ischemia, heart failure, chronic arrhythmias, and stroke) was available in 2020 participants (overall retention rate 66%). Alcohol/ethanol intake and the alcoholic beverages consumed were assessed; participants were categorized into three groups (no use; ≤1 glass/week; >1 glass/week). RESULTS: Alcohol drinking was reported by 56% of the participants who did not develop a CVD event and 49% of those who had (p = 0.04); whereas ethanol intake was 14 ± 16 g among those who did not had an event vs. 21 ± 18 g among those who had a CVD event (p < 0.001). A strong inverse and similar association between low wine/beer intake (≤1 glass/week) and the risk of developing CVD was observed [HR: 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17-0.98; and HR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20-0.93, respectively], as compared to abstention. No significant association was found in participants exceeding drinking 1 glass/week compared with abstainers. Compared to <2 g/day ethanol intake, participants who reported 2-10, 10-20, and >20 g/day had CVD-risk HRs (95% CI) of 0.60 (0.40-0.98), 1.22 (0.60-1.14), and 1.81 (0.70-4.61), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed similar results of low wine/beer consumption against CVD incidence, mainly due to its implication on low-grade chronic inflammation.