Heart disease risk-factor status and dietary changes in the Cretan population over the past 30 y: the Seven Countries Study.

A follow-up study was conducted to identify the heart disease risk-factor status and dietary changes of surviving elderly subjects in Crete who took part in the Seven Countries Study in 1960. In 1991, data were obtained from 245 of the 686 original male participants (169 of the original 40-49-y age group and 76 men 50-59 y age group). In 1991, the men were 70-79 and 80-89 y old. There was a significant (11.5%) increase in serum total cholesterol concentrations between 1960 and 1991. Body mass index and systolic and diastolic blood pressures also increased significantly, and all age groups were characterized by central obesity. A representative subsample of 21 men took part in a 3-d weighed food record study. Dietary data indicated increases in the intake of saturated fat and decreases in monounsaturated fat over the 30-y period. Comparison with a 1962 representative Cretan sample indicated a significantly increased concentration of adipose palmitic acid (16:0) in our surviving sample. The observed changes occurred during a period when many developed countries were observing a decline in most heart disease risk factors.

Nutrition status of the elderly in Anogia, Crete, Greece.

General health and nutritional status of 167 free-living elderly Greek (aged 65-91 years) were assessed. The most prevalent diseases/symptoms encountered were related to respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and vascular systems (hypertension). Most subjects were socially active. Body mass index was < 20 and > 25 Kg/m2 in 7 and 57% of the subjects, respectively. Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in women than in men, and as a group, 18 and 42%, respectively, had diastolic blood pressures > 90 and systolic blood pressures > 160 mmHg. Anemia and hypoalbuminemia were detected in < 5% of the population. Total fat intake was 40-45% of total energy intake and most of it came from monounsaturated fat. Hypercholesterolemia (> 6 mmol/L) was present in 32% of subjects. The percentages of men who smoked (66%) or drank (68%) were significantly higher than those of women (2 and 1%, respectively). Dietary intake data were compared with US recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for elderly. Daily energy and protein intakes were lower than the US RDA levels; calcium intake was > 50% of the US RDA, while magnesium and vitamin B6 levels were < 50% of the US RDA. Vitamin C intake was much higher than that of the US RDA. Mean thiamin, vitamin A, riboflavin and iron intakes were below the US RDA, while fiber intake was < 50% of the corresponding US estimate. Phosphorus was higher than the US RDA in men, while lower for women. Sodium intakes exceeded those recommended, while potassium levels were higher than those recommended in males, and lower in females.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alcohol, tobacco, and father's aggressive behavior in relation to socioeconomic variables in Cretan low versus medium income families.

In order to identify socioeconomic factors affecting parents' alcohol and cigarette consumption and father's aggressiveness toward other family members, 87 low-income and 92 medium-income Greek families were tested. Father's alcohol consumption correlated positively with his smoking (p < .0008) and aggressive behavior (p < .00005), while mother's alcohol correlated positively with her smoking (p < .0001) and number of marriages (p < .01), and negatively with the family's overcrowding index (p < .006). Furthermore, father's smoking correlated positively with his alcohol (p < .01), and mother's smoking with her alcohol (p < .0004) and tenancy (p < .01). Finally, father's aggressiveness was found to be positively related to his alcohol consumption and negatively to his work and level of education.