The Relationship of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet with Disease Activity and Quality of Life in Crohn's Disease Patients.

Background and Objectives: Emerging evidence is placing the Mediterranean diet (MD) in the spotlight as a potential dietary model that could benefit inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in terms of prevention and progress of the disease. The main aim of the present study is to shed some light on the relationship between the adherence to the MD and the degree of disease activity, as well as the quality of life in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Materials and Methods: An administered questionnaire was used to assess and record a number of parameters, including recent medical and weight history, anthropometric characteristics, disease activity (in remission or active disease), and quality of life of both male and female CD patients. Moreover, the level of compliance of the participants to the Mediterranean diet model was evaluated and its relationship with disease activity and quality of life was investigated. Results: Adherence to the MD was significantly higher in patients with inactive disease than in those with active disease (p = 0.019). According to the correlation analysis conducted, adherence to the MD was negatively correlated with disease activity (p = 0.039) and positively correlated with quality of life (QoL) (p = 0.046) of the participants. Intake of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products was significantly higher in remission patients (p = 0.046, p = 0.001, p = 0.041, respectively). Conclusions: We conclude, according to the findings of the study, that adherence to the MD is associated with disease activity and QoL in patients with CD. Future research should focus on MD intervention studies on IBD patients in order to assess its effect on modulating disease activity/course and related inflammatory biomarkers.

Exploring the Role of Self-Efficacy in Maintaining Healthy Lifestyle Habits among Patients with Cardiometabolic Diseases; Findings from the Multi-Center IACT Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: Cardiometabolic disease progression can be delayed if patients engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors, adherence to which is highly influenced by psychosocial factors. The present study aimed at investigating the association of self-efficacy with the adherence level to healthy lifestyle behaviors among patients with cardiometabolic diseases in Greece. (2) Methods: 1988 patients (1180 females) with cardiometabolic diseases participated. Anthropometric, demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics were recorded. Patients were also asked to evaluate their efficacy to comply with healthy lifestyle behaviors. (3) Results: The majority exhibited unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. A subgroup demonstrated elevated self-efficacy in maintaining healthy habits despite facing diverse psychosocial challenges. Individuals with higher educational attainment, socioeconomic status, and rural/semi-urban residency had significantly elevated self-efficacy. Those with heightened self-efficacy exhibited significantly lower BMI and reduced prevalence of certain health conditions. Self-efficacy significantly influenced adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity engagement, and smoking cessation, even in challenging circumstances. (4) Conclusions: This study represented an innovative approach in examining the role of self-efficacy in shaping health behaviors and outcomes within a Greek population. By integrating specific psychosocial circumstances into the analysis, valuable insights were provided into the contextual factors influencing self-efficacy and adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Association of Pregnant Women's Perinatal Depression with Sociodemographic, Anthropometric and Lifestyle Factors and Perinatal and Postnatal Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: In recent decades, the incidence of depression has gradually increased in the general population globally. Depression is also common during gestation and could result in detrimental gestational complications for both the mother and the fetus. The survey presented aimed to evaluate whether pregnant women's perinatal depression could be associated with socio-demographic, anthropometry and lifestyle factors, and perinatal and postnatal outcomes. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted on 5314 pregnant women. Socio-demographic and lifestyle factors were recorded by relevant questionnaires via face-to-face interviews. Anthropometric parameters were measured by qualified personnel. Perinatal depressive symptomatology status was evaluated by Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II) questionnaire. Results: Depressive symptoms throughout gestation were found in 35.1% of the enrolled women. Perinatal depression was significantly associated with lower educational and economic level, pre-pregnancy regular smoking and reduced levels of Mediterranean diet adherence levels, a higher prevalence of gestational diabetes and preterm birth, as well as a higher incidence of delivering by caesarean section and abnormal childbirth weight. Perinatal depression was also significantly associated with a higher prevalence of maternal postpartum depression and lower prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practices, as well as with a higher incidence of childhood asthma. Conclusions: Pregnant women's perinatal depression appears to be associated with various socio-demographic, anthropometry, and lifestyle characteristics and with a higher frequency of several adverse pregnancy complications. The present findings emphasize the importance of pregnant women's perinatal mental health, highlighting the need to develop and apply public strategies and policies for psychological counseling and support of future mothers to minimize probable risk factors that may trigger perinatal depression. Novel well-organized, follow-up surveys of enhanced validity are highly recommended to establish more definitive conclusions.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and 20-year incidence of hypertension: the ATTICA prospective epidemiological study (2002-2022).

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary habits are a significant predictor of hypertension (HTN). We aimed to evaluate the long-term association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and HTN incidence. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This was a prospective study among 1415 non-hypertensive adults (44% men, age: 41 ± 13 years) followed up for 20 years. Anthropometric, lifestyle, and clinical parameters were evaluated at baseline. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated both at baseline and 10 years through the MedDietScore (range: 0-55, higher values indicate greater adherence). RESULTS: At the 20-year follow-up, 314 new HTN cases were recorded. HTN incidence was 35.5%, 22.5%, and 8.7% in the lowest, middle, and upper tertile of baseline MedDietScore, respectively (p < 0.001). For each 1-point increase in baseline MedDietScore, the 20-year HTN risk decreased by 7% [relative risk (RR): 0.925, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.906, 0.943], and this effect remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, and baseline lifestyle and clinical confounders, i.e., body mass index, physical activity, smoking, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, family history of HTN, and presence of hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus (RR: 0.973, 95%CI: 0.949, 0.997). In a similar multiadjusted model, compared to subjects who were consistently away from the Mediterranean diet (in the lowest MedDietScore tertile both at baseline and 10 years), only those who were consistently close (in the middle and upper MedDietScore tertiles both at baseline and 10 years) exhibited a 47% lower 20-year HTN risk. CONCLUSION: A high adherence to the Mediterranean diet, particularly when longitudinally sustained, is associated with lower incidence of HTN.

Addressing a Growing Crisis: Exploring Novel Insights and Solutions in Research on Nutrition and Childhood and Adolescent Obesity.

Given the escalating global prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), it is consequently crucial to address childhood obesity by promoting lifestyle adjustments, as exemplified in the World Health Organization's Package of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Interventions for Primary Healthcare [...].

Αssessment of Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status of Former Opioid Users Undergoing Detoxification Process.

RATIONALE: Opioid dependence is often associated with impaired nutritional status, weight changes, nutritional deficiencies, and increased sugar consumption. Scientific quantified data on the dietary habits and intake of such patients are sparse. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The study was conducted among 60 male and female former heroin addicts, who sought detoxification at the OKANA replacement therapy unit, in a public university hospital. All patients were treated for their addiction with buprenorfine/naloxone in combination with counseling. With the use of an administered questionnaire, several parameters were assessed and recorded, including nutritional habits, anthropometric characteristics, recent weight and medical history, and physical activity level of the participants. Additionally, a three-day dietary recall was performed and quantified with the aid of nutritional analysis software. The results were compared with the macronutrient requirements, calculated total energy expenditure, and the population reference intake (PRI) of the participants. Finally, the level of compliance of the participants to the Mediterranean diet model was assessed using the Mediterranean diet score tool. RESULTS: The vast majority of the participants (77%) had a normal BMI of 18.5-25, and 15% were categorized as underweight (<18.5). Furthermore, 63% of the patients reported a mean unintended weight reduction of 9 kg over the last three months. Regarding mean energy and protein intake, no significant differences between reported intake and calculated requirements were recorded. Sugar consumption was high since it reached 20% of the total energy intake. Micronutrient intake was significantly lower for vitamins K, E, and C and potassium compared with the PRI (p=0.034, p=0.001, p=0.046, and p=0.001, respectively). Finally, a low adherence of the participants to the Mediterranean diet model was observed since 38% scored ≤15 and 62% ≤ 30 on the Mediterranean diet score tool. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the study, the general nutritional status of this category of patients seems to be impaired, presenting an apparent weight reduction and an inadequate intake of some micronutrients and displaying disturbed eating behaviors. Further data on the field are required to build a future evidence base. Dietary assessment and individualized nutritional counseling, when necessary, might need to be incorporated into the typical clinical management of this patient category to avoid nutritional deficiencies and improve the withdrawal process.