Understanding the relationship between quality of life, anthropometric measures and mental health in individuals with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a chronic medical condition caused by an excessive accumulation of body fat that represents a major risk factor for public health. The relationship between obesity, quality of life (QoL) and mental health has been examined in some previous literature. However, the studies found have not linked anthropometric variables with QoL factors, as they have used generic questionnaires. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to analyse the influence of anthropometric variables on the QoL of people with obesity and examine its relationship with psychological variables. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study composed of 77 Spanish participants adults (M = 45.12 years; SD = 10.29) collected from two different research projects. The measurements were carried out in the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Alicante (Spain), including sociodemographic variables, anthropometric data and psychological questionnaires. RESULTS: The finding demonstrated the relationship between anthropometric variables and all QoL factors. Also, individuals with lower QoL exhibit more symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress and are more prone to emotional eating. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the necessity of integrating psychological support into obesity treatment strategies, as well as the importance of using QoL questionnaires specific to people with obesity.

[Influence of adherence to a mediterranean diet and nutritional status on ovarian reserve]. / Influencia de la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea y del estado nutricional en la reserva ovárica.

OBJECTIVE: Currently, esterility affects between 15% and 20% of couples of fertile age. Female reproductive success is mainly determined by age and ovarian reserve (OR). Recent studies highlight the influence of modifiable factors such as dietary habits and nutritional status on OR. In this regard, the Mediterranean Diet (MD) is postulated as a standard of healthy eating. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to analyze the influence of adherence to DM and nutritional status on the OR of infertile women. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out, lasting one year, between February 2022 and February 2023, in a sample of forty-five female patients who attended the Gynaecology-Esterility consultation at the Marina Salud Hospital in Denia (Spain) due to genital desire older than one year. An exploratory descriptive analysis based on univariate statistics was performed. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample (n=45) was 31.84 (±3.99) years, with an average BMI of 26.27 (±6.08) kg/m2, with 44.4% (n=20) having excess body weight. The RO was measured based on AMH, with an average value of 2.32 (±1.59) ng/ml and RFA, with an average of 19.80 (±14.13) antral follicles. A statistically significant association was found between low adherence to DM and lower anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH; p=0.025) levels. In addition, an association was found between low consumption of vegetables (p=0.044), excessive consumption of red meat (p=0.027) and carbonated beverages (p=0.015) with insufficient AMH levels, indicative of low OR. Low fruit consumption was also found to be associated with low oestradiol levels (p=0.045). Statistically significant associations were also found reflecting the influence of nutritional status on OR. CONCLUSIONS: One of the main factors conditioning the success of ART (assisted reproductive technology) is the woman's OR. The most widely used parameter to assess OR is AMH. Lifestyle and diet are modifiable factors that can influence OR. High adherence to DM and consumption of vegetables is associated with higher levels of AMH; however, high intake of red meat and carbonated beverages is associated with lower levels. Nutritional status, adherence to DM and dietary habits influence the status of OR, so it would be advisable to promote programmes to improve the population's diet in order to improve reproductive health.

OBJECTIVE: Actualmente, la esterilidad afecta a entre el 15% y 20% de las parejas en edad fértil. El éxito reproductivo femenino está determinado fundamentalmente por la edad y la reserva ovárica (RO). Recientes estudios remarcan la influencia de factores modificables como los hábitos dietéticos y el estado nutricional en la RO. A este respecto, la Dieta Mediterránea (DM) se postula como un estándar de alimentación saludable. Por ende, el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la influencia de la adherencia a la DM y el estado nutricional en la RO de mujeres estériles. METHODS: Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo transversal, de un año de duración, entre los meses de febrero de 2022 y febrero de 2023, en una muestra de cuarenta y cinco pacientes de sexo femenino que acudieron a la consulta de Ginecología-Esterilidad en el Hospital Marina Salud de Denia (España) por deseo genésico mayor a un año. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de carácter exploratorio basado en una estadística univariable. RESULTS: El estudio incluyó una muestra total de cuarenta y cinco mujeres (n=45) siendo la media de edad de 31,84 (±3,99) años, siendo el IMC medio de 26,27 (±6,08) kg/m2, teniendo el 44,4% (n=20) un IMC por encima de los valores normales. En cuanto a la RO, se midió en base a la AMH, siendo el valor promedio de 2,32 (±1,59) ng/ml, y al RFA, siendo la media de 19,80 (±14,13) folículos antrales. Se encontró una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre la baja adherencia a la DM y menores niveles de hormona antimülleriana (AMH; p=0,025). Además, se determinó una asociación entre el bajo consumo de verduras y hortalizas (p=0,044), el excesivo consumo de carne roja (p=0,027) y de bebidas carbonatadas (p=0,015) con insuficientes niveles de AMH, indicativos de baja RO. También se observó que el bajo consumo de fruta estaba asociado con bajos niveles de estradiol (p=0,045). Asimismo, se encontraron asociaciones estadísticamente significativas que reflejaban la influencia del estado nutricional en la RO. CONCLUSIONS: Uno de los principales factores que condicionan el éxito de una TRA (técnica de reproducción asistida) es la RO de la mujer, siendo la AMH el parámetro más utilizado para su valoración. La RO puede verse influenciada por factores modificables como son el estilo de vida y la alimentación, se observa cómo una alta adherencia a la DM y el consumo de verduras y hortalizas se relaciona con mayores niveles de AMH; por el contrario, la alta ingesta de carne roja y bebidas carbonatadas se asocia niveles más bajos. El estado nutricional, el grado de adherencia a la DM y los hábitos dietéticos influyen en el estado de la RO, de modo que sería conveniente promover programas de mejora en la alimentación de la población con la finalidad de mejorar la salud reproductiva.

Influence of the Mediterranean diet on seminal quality-a systematic review.

Currently, there is a growing interest in the study of fertility because fertility-related problems affect up to 15% of the world's population. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the Mediterranean diet on seminal quality in men of reproductive age. For this purpose, a systematic review of the literature was carried out following the PRISMA method. Electronic searches were carried out in the international databases PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. In total, 10 articles with 2032 men were included. As inclusion criteria, articles published between 2012 and 2022 were selected, including those that included men aged between 18 and 55 years. Nutritional status was assessed through weight, height, and BMI. Dietary habits were evaluated through different indexes and food frequency questionnaires, and finally, semen quality was evaluated by measuring sperm concentration and motility (progressive and non-progressive). In six (60%) of the included articles, a positive relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and semen quality was demonstrated; in two (20%) of the articles, no association was found; and finally, in two (20%) of the included articles, the relationship between dietary patterns typical of DM and semen quality was evaluated. Dietary habits influence semen quality. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet can improve male reproductive health, as it is a diet with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This is the first systematic review about the influence of the Mediterranean diet on semen quality, and the results are positive. These findings may allow us to provide better advice to our patients and to establish interventions with the aim of improving the results of assisted reproduction techniques.

[The importance of nutrition in the prevention of endometriosis: systematic review]. / La importancia de la alimentación en la prevención de la endometriosis: revisión sistemática.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: endometriosis is a hormone-dependent disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue in extrauterine sites, which can trigger a chronic inflammatory reaction. This disease mainly affects women of childbearing age and can have a negative impact on their physical, mental and social well-being. There are eating patterns considered as anti-inflammatory, such as the Mediterranean diet, which could help in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis. The objective of this review was to know the relationship between the consumption of different food groups and the prevention of endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: a systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA methodology. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases were consulted. Studies published between 2013 and 2023 were selected, accessible in full text, written in English and Spanish and including a sample of women with endometriosis and/or healthy women, in addition to evaluating the relationship between diet and endometriosis. Unrelated articles, systematic reviews or meta-analyses, pilot studies and studies conducted in animals were excluded. RESULTS: a total of ten studies were included. The consumption of fruits, vegetables (not cruciferous), dairy products, fish, potatoes, legumes, vitamins (A, C, D and B12), monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and minerals (calcium, potassium and magnesium) seems to reduce the risk of endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: further studies investigating the relationship between consumption of different food groups and risk of endometriosis are needed.

Assessment of Nutritional Status and Its Influence on Ovarian Reserve: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, there is a growing interest in the relationship among lifestyle, reproductive health, and fertility. Recent investigations highlight the influence of environmental and lifestyle factors such as stress, diet, and nutritional status on reproductive health. The aim of this review was to determine the influence of nutritional status on ovarian reserve in order to improve the reproductive health of women of childbearing age. METHODS: A systematic literature review was carried out following the PRISMA method. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias tool. Data were extracted, and the results were summarized into two blocks: according to the technique used to assess ovarian reserve and nutritional status; according to the results found in the relationship between ovarian reserve and nutritional status. RESULTS: A total of 22 articles involving 5929 women were included. In 12 of the included articles (54.5%), a relationship between nutritional status and ovarian reserve was demonstrated. In seven publications (31.8%), the increased body mass index (BMI) led to a decrease in ovarian reserve, two of them (0.9%) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, showing a decrease only if BMI > 25. In two articles (0.9%), there was a negative relationship between ovarian reserve and waist-to-hip ratio, and in one (0.45%), a positive relationship was shown between ovarian reserve and testosterone levels, the latter being related to body mass index. In five articles (22.7%), body mass index was used as a confounder and was negatively related to ovarian reserve, and in another four (18%), no correlation was found. CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian reserve appears to be influenced by nutritional status. A high body mass index has a negative impact on the ovary, decreasing antral follicle count and anti-Müllerian hormone. Oocyte quality is compromised, increasing the rate of reproductive problems and the demand for assisted reproductive techniques. Further studies are needed to understand which dietary factors have the greatest effect on ovarian reserve in order to promote reproductive health.

Neurocognitive Suicide and Homicide Markers in Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Suicide and homicide are considered important problems in public health. This study aims to identify the cognitive performance of suicidal and homicidal behaviors in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, as well as examining whether there are shared neuropsychological mechanisms. A systematic review of the recent literature was carried out from September 2012 to June 2022 using the Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Among the 870 studies initially identified, 23 were finally selected (15 related to suicidal behaviors and 8 to homicidal behaviors). The results evidenced a relationship between impairment of cognitive performance and homicidal behavior; meanwhile, for suicidal behaviors, no consistent results were found. High neuropsychological performance seems to act as a protective factor against violent behavior in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, but not against suicidal behavior; indeed, it can even act as a risk factor for suicidal behavior. To date, there is insufficient evidence that shared neurocognitive mechanisms exist. However, processing speed and visual memory seem to be affected in the presence of both behaviors.

Memory function performance in individuals classified as overweight, obese, and normal weight.

Evidence accumulated to date about the relationship between cognitive impairments and adults who are overweight and obese suggests that excess weight has a great impact on memory function. Nevertheless, most of the literature has focused only on studying the influences on working memory and episodic memory. This study aimed to examine the potential associations of clinical and anthropometric measures [body mass index (BMI), WHR, body fat, visceral fat, muscle mass, and hypertension] with six memory domains, including contextual memory, short-term visual memory, short-term memory, non-verbal memory, short-term phonological memory, and working memory, in a sample of 124 individuals classified as overweight (n = 33), obese (n = 53), and normal weight (n = 38). The results obtained showed that, after controlling for employment situations, people classified as obese had poorer short-term phonological memory and working memory than those with normal weights. Bivariate correlations showed that measures of weight, BMI, waist-hip ratio index, body fat, and visceral fat were inversely associated with memory function. However, muscle mass was not a significant predictor of memory function. Higher systolic blood pressure was also associated with worse memory function. The study provides evidence of the importance of adiposity in health and memory function.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Pregnancy and Its Benefits on Maternal-Fetal Health: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Pregnancy is a transcendent period for the mother and the fetus, characterized by an increase on energy requirements. Mediterranean diet (MD) is considered a healthy eating pattern that can provide the nutritional requirements of pregnancy and protect from the development of obstetric pathologies. Objective: To know the relationship between adherence to the MD and its maternal-fetal benefits. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted by identifying articles in the PubMed and Cochrane databases. The publication date of the studies was between 2010 and 2020, and the inclusion criteria established were that the articles were written in English and Spanish and were accessible in full text. Studies concerning assisted reproduction, gene modulation, conference abstracts, systematic reviews, and pilot studies were excluded. Results: Finally, a total of 14 studies were included in the review. The association between the MD and the reduction of some pathologies of pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, overweight or obesity, sleep quality, complications of childbirth, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and alterations in fetal growth was demonstrated, as well as perinatal problems, including birth weight, prematurity, gastroschisis, and other childhood problems. Conclusion: The MD is an optimal diet to consume during pregnancy.

The Associations of Mental Health Disturbances, Self-Esteem, and Partner Violence Victimization with Condom Use in Spanish Adolescents.

Risky sexual behaviors, such as not using a condom for preventing sexually transmittable diseases and unwanted pregnancies, are associated with emotional and psychological problems in adolescence, including higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem. Adolescents with a history of violence victimization are also at increased risk of engaging in sexual risk behaviors. In this study, we examined the associations between mental health disturbances and partner violence victimization and the non-use of condoms among young people in Spain. We also examined self-esteem as a mediator of mental health problems and unprotected sexual relationships. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 831 adolescents randomly selected from 25 high schools in Spain. From the initial sample, 285 students (144 men and 141 women) from high schools in Alicante (Spain) who reported having experienced sexual activity with at least one partner were approached. The results showed that one in three adolescents between 14 and 19 years old did not use condoms during sexual intercourse. The factors associated with the non-use of condoms in the estimated models of Poisson robust variance were having a history of physical, psychological, or sexual violence; having been expelled from school because of behavioral problems; and having higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress and lower levels of self-esteem. Self-esteem was independently associated with the non-use of condoms. Having lower levels of self-esteem increased the risk of not using a condom during participants' last sexual intercourse. These findings suggest the importance of developing public health strategies for mental health promotion to increase condom use among adolescents.

Effects of Impulsivity on Competitive Anxiety in Female Athletes: The Mediating Role of Mindfulness Trait.

It has been demonstrated that athletes in competitive sports suffer from high levels of competitive anxiety, especially in the case of females. In this sense, it is necessary to identify possible risk and protective factors of those athletes in this collective who suffer from this type of anxiety. However, few studies analyze the relationship between Physical Activity (PA) and anxiety, identifying the possible mediation effect of trait variables such as impulsivity and mindfulness in female athletes. Hence, the aims of this study were: to determine differences between PA levels with anxiety, mindfulness, and impulsiveness; to identify the predictive value of sociodemographic factors and physical activity, impulsivity, and mindfulness on anxiety factors; and to analyze the possible mediating effects of mindfulness on the relationship between impulsivity and anxiety. A total of 242 female athletes underwent an assessment of physical activity, anxiety, mindfulness traits, and impulsivity using validated questionnaires. Data were analyzed according to (1) individual or collective sport, and (2) PA levels according to energy expended (METs min/day). Participants were grouped by light, moderate, and vigorous PA levels. There were 30.5% elite athletes and 73.2% collective sports athletes. Mean age was 22.1 years and mean light, moderate, and vigorous PA were 86.1 ± 136.2, 114.4 ± 159.8, and 370.1 ± 336.3 METs min/day, respectively. Those athletes performing vigorous PA exhibited lower levels of impulsiveness and higher mindfulness traits. As expected, the mindfulness trait was a mediating factor in the relationship between impulsiveness and each factor of competitive anxiety (cognitive, somatic, and self-efficacy). Female athletes could suffer competitive anxiety, especially those who present higher levels of impulsivity. However, higher levels of mindfulness traits seem to be a protective factor in the effects of impulsivity on anxiety in this population and have demonstrated to be significant mediators in this association. Further studies are needed with other female athletes to replicate these results and to determine the specific protective mechanisms of mindfulness traits in preventing competitive anxiety.

Effectiveness of a Two-Year Multicomponent Intervention for the Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Older People.

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a two-year intervention based on the Mediterranean diet for the treatment of overweight and obesity in a sample of 51 older people from the Mediterranean city of Alicante (Spain). We also examined the effects of the intervention on psychological well-being. The participants were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received group nutritional education sessions, an individualized dietary-nutritional treatment based on a Mediterranean diet, and a physical activity program; the control group received Mediterranean nutritional education in a written format. The experimental group showed a greater loss in weight (p = 0.017) and percentage of fat mass (p = 0.049), and a greater reduction in body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.014) and waist circumference (p = 0.010). Both groups improved their depression scores using the PHQ-9; however, no significant improvement was seen in adherence to the Mediterranean diet (PREDIMED) and anxiety level (GAD-7). These results suggest that a two-year intervention based on the Mediterranean diet allows an older population with overweight or obesity to achieve greater weight loss and a greater decrease in BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass percentage. In relation to psychological well-being, depression levels improved at the end of said intervention.

Effects of the Mediterranean Lifestyle During the COVID-19 Lockdown in Spain: Preliminary Study.

We aim to assess the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean style-diet before and after the period of confinement due to COVID-19 in a sample of 51 older patients who were part of a clinical trial of the Instituto de Investigación sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL, CEIM). Participants were randomly assigned to two conditions: experimental vs. a control group. A pre-test survey assessment was conducted before confinement, while a post-test survey was conducted after the confinement period. Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and nutritional status were evaluated through self-reported questionnaires. Individuals who initiated the Mediterranean Diet intervention program before confinement increased 3.5% their level of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and maintained their nutritional status after the confinement. In the case of BMI, there no were statistically significant differences between groups before and after confinement. These results suggest that adherence to the Mediterranean Diet may play an important role in the establishment of appropriate dietary guidelines in confinement situations such as the COVID-19.

The Role of BMI, Body Fat Mass and Visceral Fat in Executive Function in Individuals with Overweight and Obesity.

Evidence accumulated to date suggests that excess weight in the adult population is associated with a wide range of impairments in executive function. However, most studies have only examined the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the cognitive function of individuals with overweight and obesity. This study examined the potential associations of markers of adiposity (BMI, body fat, and visceral fat) with five domains of executive function including cognitive flexibility, inhibition, monitoring, planning, and working memory in a sample of 87 adult with overweight (n = 34) and obesity (n = 53). The results show that obese people had poorer working memory than those with overweight. After controlling for educational levels and physical activity, the results suggest that neither the waist-hip index not visceral fat were associated with cognitive function. In overweight, body fat was negatively associated with executive components of inhibition (p = 0.05) and monitoring (p = 0.02). In the obesity subgroup, body fat was negatively associated with inhibition (0.02) and working memory (0.04). The results provide evidence of the importance of adiposity for cognitive function. The implications for understanding the influence of markers of adiposity in adults with overweight and obesity are discussed.

Effects of a School-Based Intervention for Preventing Substance Use among Adolescents at Risk of Academic Failure: A Pilot Study of the Reasoning and Rehabilitation V2 Program.

Tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use are important health problems that contribute greatly to causes of death in worldwide. Early onset of substance use increases rapidly during adolescence and it has been associated with a wide range of adverse events. Because substance use is associated with dramatic consequences, delaying the initiation of substance use among adolescents remains a major public priority. This study examined the effectiveness of a school-based intervention program based on the application of the Reasoning and Rehabilitation V2 (R&R2) program for preventing substance use among adolescents at risk of academic failure. A sample of 142 participants (aged 13-17 years old) who were studying alternative education provision in Spain were randomly allocated to two conditions (68 experimental group, 74 control group). A pre-test survey assessing past and current substance use was conducted prior the implementation of the program, while a post-test survey was conducted about 12 months after the pre-test. The results showed a significant effect of the R&R program in the reduction of cigarette smoking, episodes of drunkenness, alcohol consumption and cannabis use. However, for daily smoking and episodes of drunkenness such benefits showed a reduction over time. These findings offer additional evidence of the effectiveness of the Reasoning and Rehabilitation V2 program in Spanish adolescent students who are exposed to substance use and suggest areas of future research.

Comparison of Body Scanner and Manual Anthropometric Measurements of Body Shape: A Systematic Review.

Anthropometrics are a set of direct quantitative measurements of the human body's external dimensions, which can be used as indirect measures of body composition. Due to a number of limitations of conventional manual techniques for the collection of body measurements, advanced systems using three-dimensional (3D) scanners are currently being employed, despite being a relatively new technique. A systematic review was carried out using Pubmed, Medline and the Cochrane Library to assess whether 3D scanners offer reproducible, reliable and accurate data with respect to anthropometrics. Although significant differences were found, 3D measurements correlated strongly with measurements made by conventional anthropometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and air displacement plethysmography (ADP), among others. In most studies (61.1%), 3D scanners were more accurate than these other techniques; in fact, these scanners presented excellent accuracy or reliability. 3D scanners allow automated, quick and easy measurements of different body tissues. Moreover, they seem to provide reproducible, reliable and accurate data that correlate well with the other techniques used.

Is Energy Expenditure or Physical Activity Considered When Energy Intake Is Measured? A Scoping Review 1975-2015.

The health-transitions humans have delivered during the 20th Century associated with the nutrition is that from undernutrition to obesity, which perseveres in the current years of the 21st Century. Energy intake (EI) is a contributing factor and therefore a fascination in nutritional sciences. However, energy expenditure (EE) has not been usually considered as a conjoint factor. Thus, this study aimed to review if studies on adults consider data on dietary intake, specifically EI, and included data on EE and physical activity (PA). A search of MEDLINE from 1975 to December 2015 was managed. Our scoping review consisted of keywords related to EI, dietary allowances, and nutritional requirements. From 2229 acknowledged articles, 698 articles were finally taken fulfilling inclusion and quality criteria. A total of 2,081,824 adults (53.7% females) were involved, and most studies had been conducted in EEUU (241), Canada (42), Australia (30), Japan (32), and Brazil (14). In Europe, apart from UK (64), the Netherlands (31) and France (26) led the classification, followed by Sweden (18), Denmark (17), and France (26). Mediterranean countries are represented with 27 studies. A total of 76.4% did not include EE and 93.1% did not include PA. Only 23.6% of the studies contained both EI and EE. A large methodological diversity was perceived, with more than 14 different methods regarding EI, and more than 10 for EE. PA was only analyzed in scarce articles, and scarcely considered for interpretation of data and conclusions. Moreover, PA was often measured by subjective questionnaires. Dietary surveys show a large diversity regarding methodology, which makes comparability of studies difficult. EE and PA are missing in around 80% of studies or are not included in the interpretation of results. Conclusions regarding EI or diet adequacy in adults should not be taken without analyzing EE and PA.

[Influence of food or food groups intake on the occurrence and/or protection of different types of cancer: systematic review]. / Influencia de la ingesta de alimentos o grupos de alimentos en la aparición y/o protección de los diversos tipos de cáncer: revisión sistemática.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: the diet plays an important role in the origin and prevention of multiple chronic degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases or cancer. Objective: the main objective of this paper is to analyze the studies that are focused on researching the relationship between the consumption of the particular groups of foods and its importance on the increase and for prevention of the risk of cancer appearance. Methods: a bibliographical review was carried out in the main international databases (PubMed, Scopus and Nutrition Reference). The results were structured in two main sections: those related with the increase of cancer risk and food related with the increase of cancer risk. In the present review, 104 scientific articles have been evaluated. Results: the results have shown a positive association between red meat and colon cancer, alcoholic drinks and liver cancer, and salt and gastric cancer. The Mediterranean diet was associated in a preventive way with digestive and respiratory tract cancer. Conversely, no statistically significant association was found between dairy products and ovarian cancer, carbohydrates and sugars and pancreatic cancer, and tae and breast cancer. Conclusions: as a result, healthy eating guidelines, such as the Mediterranean diet, based on lower consumption of red meat, alcoholic drinks and salt, might contribute to reducing the incidence of colon cancer, liver cancer and gastric cancer.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la dieta tiene un importante papel en la formación y en la prevención de múltiples enfermedades crónicas-degenerativas, como son las enfermedades cardiovasculares o el cáncer. Objetivos: el objetivo principal consiste en analizar los estudios que centren su investigación en conocer la relación entre el consumo de determinados grupos de alimentos y su función en el aumento y/o prevención del riesgo de aparición de diversos tipos de cáncer. Métodos: se realizó una revisión sistemática en bases de datos internacionales (PubMed, Scopus y Nutrition Reference). Los estudios fueron estructurados en dos bloques principales: relacionados con el aumento del riesgo de cáncer y alimentos relacionados con el aumento del riesgo de cáncer. Los estudios evaluados en la presente revisión han sido un total de 104 artículos científicos. Resultados: los resultados han mostrado una asociación positiva entre la carne roja y el cáncer de colon, las bebidas alcohólicas y el cáncer de hígado y la sal y el cáncer gástrico. La dieta mediterránea se asoció de manera preventiva con el cáncer del tracto digestivo y respiratorio, mientras que, por otro lado, no se ha encontrado asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el consumo de lácteos y el cáncer de ovario, los carbohidratos o azúcares y el cáncer de páncreas y el té y el cáncer de mama. Conclusiones: por todo ello, patrones de alimentación saludable como la dieta mediterránea, basados en una menor ingesta de carne roja, bebidas alcohólicas y sal, contribuyen a una reducción en la incidencia del cáncer de colon, cáncer de hígado y cáncer de estómago.

Neurocognitive Functioning and Suicidal Behavior in Violent Offenders with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders.

Suicide is one of the main premature causes of death in patients with schizophrenia. However, little is known about the relationship between neurocognitive functioning and suicidality in violent offenders with schizophrenia who have been sentenced to psychiatric treatment after committing violent crimes. We examined the neurocognitive functioning of a sample of 61 violent offenders, most of them murderers with schizophrenia who were classified as suicide attempters (n = 26) and non-attempters (n = 35). We compared the neurocognitive functioning of both groups using a neuropsychological battery. Suicide attempters showed similar performance to non-attempters in a neuropsychological test across all domains of cognitive functioning, memory, attention, verbal fluency, and executive functioning. However, after controlling for demographic and clinical variables, suicide attempters performed better than non-attempters in two planning-related tasks: the Tower of London (p < 0.01) and the Zoo Map (p < 0.01). Suicide attempters were also characterized as having more family histories of suicidality and as displaying more depressive symptoms and negative symptoms of psychopathology on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scale. These results suggest that suicide attempters have a greater ability to formulate plans and initiate goals directed at making a suicide attempt.

Personal and Lifestyle Determinants of HIV Transmission Risk in Spanish University Students.

The increase in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission cases poses a serious public health concern. Although several previous studies have been conducted with the aim of identifying the risk factors for HIV transmission, the number of cases has been increasing, especially in youth. The present study is aimed at the identification of personal and lifestyle determinants of HIV transmission risk in a sample of 335 Spanish university students selected by convenience sampling from a public university located in Alicante (Spain). Sociodemographic factors, lifestyles, and variables of HIV risk of transmission were evaluated. Group differences on risk of HIV transmission were evaluated between participants depending on their sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, relationship status, employment status, economic status, and sexual orientation) and lifestyle (diet, physical exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, and stress). Linear regression models were conducted in order to identify those personal and lifestyle variables related to HIV transmission risk. The obtained results indicate that, generally, being older, in a relationship, and employed were factors related to a high risk of HIV transmission. Regarding lifestyle, poor diet, lower intensity of physical exercise, higher alcohol intake, and smoking were fundamentally associated with a higher risk of HIV transmission, through lower use of condoms and higher frequency of risky sexual behaviors. Hence, participants who develop an unhealthy lifestyle exhibit twice the probability of being at a high risk of HIV transmission, especially regarding these previously indicated behaviors. The present study points out the relevance of sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyles of university students in their proneness to developing risky behaviors for HIV infection. Future studies should be developed with larger, randomized, and more representative samples, in order to obtain significant information for the development of effective preventive strategies oriented toward the increase in the adherence to healthy lifestyles and HIV prevention.

Use of Technology-Based Interventions in the Treatment of Patients with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Obesity is one of the most important health problems worldwide. The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in the last decades and is now recognized as a global epidemic. Given the dramatic consequences of obesity, new intervention approaches based on the potential of technologies have been developed. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and MedLine databases to assess how different types of technologies may play an important role on weight loss in obese patients. Results: Forty-seven studies using different types of technologies including smartphones, app, websites, virtual reality and personal digital assistant were included in the review. About half of interventions (47%) found a significant effect of the technology-based interventions for weight lost in obese patients. The provision of feedback could also be effective as a complement to interventions carried out using technology to promote weight loss. Conclusions: The use of technologies can be effective to increase weight loss in patients with obesity improving treatment adherence through self-monitoring.