[Nutrition and life style in the elderly - risk factors and recommendations]. / Táplálkozás, életmód idoskorban - kockázati tényezok és ajánlások.

Demographic data appear to demonstrate an increase in the number and ratio of elderly world-wide. Authors give a short survey on physiological alterations occurring at older age, on methods suitable for assessing nutritional status and criticism thereof. Nutritional and life style habits are also discussed. Prevalence of obesity and undernutrition and their sequelae are likewise presented. Diagnosis of undernutrition by using questionnaire can significantly improve the efficiency of family doctors' activity. Authors provide recommendations for improving nutrition and life style in healthy persons with optimal body mass, and for obese and undernourished subjects.

Nutritional counseling for diabetic patients: a pilot study in hungarian primary care.

Although nutritional advice and counseling are an important part of diabetes care, current Hungarian health care regulations make it available only in the secondary (specialist) care. Authors planned and implemented a self-financed nutritional counseling in primary care setting. For 67 of 108 diagnosed diabetic patients of a primary care practice in Budapest, a free of charge educational service was offered. The 47 patients (45 type 2 and 2 type 1) who accepted the invitation were educated in two consecutive group sessions. Only 24 of them were ready to take part in three further individual consultations. Fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin were measured before and after the sessions and 1 year later. Comparison was made between genders (31 men, 16 women) and patients who took part in the group and the individual nutritional counseling, respectively. Patients with a higher educational level, males and persons with shorter duration of diabetes were more likely to participate in the consultation. All glycemic parameters improved after counseling in both groups, but this was significant only in men and for the group consultation. After 1 year, a further improvement was seen in women and in patients of the individually counseled group. In turn, fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin concentrations of men and group-consulted patients increased again, reaching almost the baseline level before consultations. Nutritional counseling in the primary care offers more comfort and help for diabetics but requires changes in insurance regulation, and reimbursement system together with increase in resources.

[New approach in the interpretation of adipose tissue]. / Szemléletváltás a zsírszövet megítélésében.

Scientific results in the past fifteen years have proven that adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ secreting several hormones. Authors review and discuss the functions of leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin and omentin with special references to metabolic actions.

Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity on the basis of body mass index and body fat percentage in Hungarian schoolchildren: representative survey in metropolitan elementary schools.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The incidence of obesity is increasing dramatically not only among adults, but also in children. The purpose of the survey was to assess the age- and gender-specific anthropometric data of children between the ages of 7 and 14 years who attended elementary schools in Budapest. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 2005. Altogether 1,928 students (1,002 boys and 926 girls) were recruited from the schools. The representative sampling sites were selected randomly. Height and waist circumference were measured, other data were analyzed by an 8-polar bioelectrical impedance procedure. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 11 for windows. RESULTS: On the basis of body mass index (BMI), prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity were 5.1, 18.1 and 7.4% for boys and 6.8, 19.6 and 6.3% for girls, respectively. On the basis of body fat percentage (%BF), prevalence of obesity was 17.9% for boys and 12.8% for girls. Forty nine percent of boys and 28% of girls categorized as overweight by BMI were obese according to their %BF. The difference in waist circumference between individuals categorized by BMI as normal and obese was 24.7 cm for boys and 20.5 cm for girls. Between those categorized as non-obese and obese by %BF, the difference was 17.3 cm for boys and 16.4 cm for girls. Normal and overweight boys and girls with high %BF had significantly higher waist circumferences than their counterparts with normal %BF. This means that many obese children may escape detection as obese, if classified as overweight on the basis of BMI alone. CONCLUSION: Results appear to underline that in addition to BMI, the determination of the %BF and waist circumference is important in epidemiological studies to identify obese subjects.

Lifestyle of Hungarian adolescents--observations among metropolitan secondary school students.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Obesity among adolescents is a significant and global disease which requires early prevention. The development of overweight and obesity depends not only on genetic components but also on lifestyle. The objective of the survey was to study the lifestyle of 15- to 19-year-old secondary school students in Budapest. METHODS: Students (n = 1,273, 670 boys, 603 girls) were asked to complete questionnaires about their leisure activities, physical exercise, eating habits and knowledge of nutrition. The response rate was 45.2%. RESULTS: Three-quarters of the secondary school students lived a sedentary life and more than half were dissatisfied with their body weight. More than 40% of the girls had been on a slimming diet at least once. Half of the students regularly consumed vitamin and/or mineral supplements. Nearly 25% of the adolescents did not have breakfast and nearly 60% of the school-leavers smoked regularly. CONCLUSIONS: Coordinated cooperation is necessary among stakeholders to support the aim of changing nutritional and exercise behavior of adolescents.

[Association between birth weight and childhood obesity in a Budapest metropolitan survey]. / A születési testtömeg és a gyermekkori elhízás kapcsolata egy fôvárosi felmérés alapján.

INTRODUCTION: According to epidemiological investigations, association between birth weight and overweight and obesity in childhood/adolescence is ambiguous. AIM: The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between birth weight and overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence. METHODS: Birth and actual anthropometric data of school children and secondary school students from metropolitan schools were analyzed. Overweight/obesity were established by standardized (sex, age) body mass index, and obesity also by body fat percent. RESULTS: Data of 1,334, 7- to 19-year-old children and adolescents (725 boys and 609 girls) were evaluated. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was similar in the case of persons with low (19.36%) and normal birth weight (18.96%), while in the case of persons with high birth weight this rate was 25.98%. Based on body fat percent, the prevalence of obesity in the latter group was also higher than in groups with low and normal birth weight (18.11% vs. 12.89% and 12.66%). CONCLUSIONS: Among macrosomic babies the rate of overweight and obesity is higher than among normal or low-birth-weight babies, particularly in childhood.

[Methods for the assessment of adolescent obesity in epidemiological studies]. / Az epidemiológiai vizsgálatokban alkalmazható néhány méromódszer a serdülokori elhízás megítélésére.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of obesity is increasing dramatically not only among adults, but also in the child population. OBJECTIVE: Comparison of different anthropological methods. METHODS: The authors evaluated the data of 654 boys and 584 girls (age 15-19 years). Body height and waist circumference were measured, body composition was determined using InBody3.0 bioimpedance instrument. Body mass index and body fat percentage were calculated by the instrument. RESULTS: On the basis of age and gender specific diagnostic criteria for body mass index, incidence of leanness, overweight and obesity in the boys' group were 6.7, 15.9 and 4.1%, respectively. In the girls' group the respective figures were 7.2, 7.9 and 1.9%. On the basis of body fat percentage, 5.1% of boys and 16.2% of girls were obese, whereas on the basis of data for waist circumference, visceral obesity occurred in 10.5% of boys and 7.9% of girls. In the overweight groups 10.5% of boys and 77.0% of girls were obese on the basis of body fat percentage, whereas taking into consideration the values of waist circumference, 38% of boys and 55% of girls could be regarded as obese. CONCLUSIONS: The determination of body composition is of utmost importance in obesity screening and in the follow-up slimming diets. In addition to this, simple and inexpensive waist circumference measurements should be performed in each instance.

[Is there a unique measuring method to assess obesity?]. / Van kitüntetett méromódszer az elhízás megállapítására?

UNLABELLED: In the literature there is not available a uniformly accepted method for assessing the degree of obesity. AIM: To determine how far insulin resistance, serum levels of leptin and resistin are altered in persons categorized on the basis of body-mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and abdominal circumference. METHODS: 101 volunteer boys and 115 girls participated in the studies. Body height was measured, body mass, abdominal circumference, and body composition were determined by InBody3 bioimpedance instrument. Body mass index and body fat percentage were calculated by the instrument. Concentrations of serum glucose, insulin, leptin, and resistin were determined. Insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostasis model: HOMA IR . RESULTS: Body fat percentage, serum levels of leptin and resistin were significantly higher in girls than in boys. Increases in BMI, body fat percentage, and abdominal circumference were associated with the significant elevation of both HOMA IR and serum leptin concentrations. In overweight boys categorized by body fat percentage as obese the serum leptin concentrations were significantly higher than in their non-obese counterparts. CONCLUSION: Determination of body composition would be important concerning the follow-up of biochemical changes occurring in the body during the course of both epidemiological studies and nutritional interventions.

[Effects of oligofructose containing diet in obese persons]. / Az oligofruktóz hatásának vizsgálata elhízottakban.

UNLABELLED: In the treatment of obesity the introduction of a low-calorie diet is a fundamental requirement. The enhancement of the fiber content of food causing satiety may contribute to the observation of dietary prescriptions. Oligofructoses belong to the group of dietary fibers. AIM: To study the effects of the consumption of a low-energy diet (2,000 kcal/day) completed with Jerusalem artichoke concentrate in obese adolescents and adults. METHODS: 12 obese students (6 boys and 6 girls) and 6 obese women were put on a low-calorie regimen for 12 weeks, whereas 16 obese students (10 boys and 6 girls) and 17 obese women consumed the same low-calorie diet completed with Jerusalem artichoke concentrate containing 14 g/day oligofructose. Sensation of fullness was estimated. In addition to anthropometric parameters serum biomarkers of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and adipokines were determined. RESULTS: The consumption of the low-calorie diet completed with Jerusalem artichoke concentrate resulted in a diminished sensation of hunger. Body mass index and body fat percentage decreased significantly. In girls and women, the serum levels of triglycerides were also significantly reduced and the rate of insulin resistance estimated on the basis of homeostasis model assessment was also improved. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study appear to demonstrate that the Jerusalem artichoke concentrate produced by a new technology can be a promising component of future diet therapy.

Dietary habits of school children: representative survey in metropolitan elementary schools. Part two.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the eating habits and the nutrient intake of 11- to 14-year-old school children as part of a representative nutrition and health survey in primary schools in Budapest. METHODS: A food frequency questionnaire of 875 school children, aged from 11 to 14 (449 boys and 426 girls), was recorded and evaluated. Energy and nutrient intake of 235 children (124 boys and 111 girls) was calculated in parallel by 3-day dietary record. RESULTS: The average energy intake (MJ) was appropriate (boys: 10.40 +/- 1.89; girls: 9.18 +/- 1.50); protein and fat intake was somewhat higher than the Hungarian recommended dietary allowances. Sodium intake was alarmingly high. The intake of calcium and vitamin D was inadequate. The intakes of zinc, chromium, retinol, folate for both genders, and iron in the case of girls were insufficient. The daily consumption of milk and dairy products was deficient, that of vegetables and fresh fruits was rather low, while the frequency of consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, chips, sticks and fast foods was high. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition intervention programs should be launched among Hungarian school children.

Lifestyle of school children: representative survey in metropolitan elementary schools. Part one.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children is increasing dramatically. Obesity is multifactorial and depends on lifestyle as well as genetic components. The purpose of the survey was to investigate the lifestyle of 7- to 14-year-old children attending elementary schools in Budapest. METHODS: The research was questionnaire-based. Children were asked to answer questions about their leisure activities, physical exercise, nutritional, eating, and smoking habits. RESULTS: Many children live a sedentary life and are dissatisfied with their body weight. One in 5 boys and 1 in 3 girls have been on a slimming diet at least once. About two-thirds of the children regularly consumed vitamin and/or mineral supplements and at the same time just over half of them knew how much fruit should be eaten daily. School children in the upper classes did not eat 5 times a day. More than 5% of the 11- to 14-year-old boys and more than 10% of the girls smoked regularly. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, the unfavorable lifestyle of the great majority of Hungarian school children may have implications for their health during adulthood.

[Nutritional and antioxidant status of colorectal cancer patients]. / Colorectalis tumorban szenvedô betegek tápláltsági állapota és antioxidáns-státusza.

INTRODUCTION: Oxidative stress is one of the risk factors of colorectal carcinogenesis. In inflammatory reactions the activated leucocytes product mutagenic and mitogenic free radicals, hereby promoting tumor formation. Obesity, hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia increases the energy supply of epithelial cells, thus leads to deregulation of mitochondrial electron transport chain. The latter leads to increased free radical production that causes troubles in cell cycle regulation, mutations, and unrestricted proliferation of damaged cells. AIM: Evaluation of some parameters of antioxidant and nutritional status in patients with benign or malignant colorectal neoplasm. METHODS: Assessment of nutrient intake, measurement of some anthropometric parameters (body height, body weight, waist, hip and arm circumference, waist/hip ratio), determination of serum prealbumin level, evaluation of the biomarkers of antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, levels of uric acid and albumin, total antioxidant status, free radical scavenger capacity), determination the concentration of oxidated product and malondialdehyde. RESULTS: In patients with malignant tumor the dietary fiber, folate and vitamin A intake was under the optimal level, and the serum prealbumin concentration was lower than in patients with benign lesion. There was a high incidence of overweight and obesity among patients. Significant difference was found between diseased subjects and healthy controls in terms of the biomarkers of antioxidant status, such as free radical scavenger capacity, concentration of advanced oxidation protein products and malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase activity. CONCLUSIONS: The insufficient folate and vitamin A intake, the high incidence of overweight and obesity, and the abnormal values of the biomarkers of antioxidant status observed in the study groups seem to support the correlation between colorectal tumor, nutritional and antioxidant status.

Effect of enterally administered n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in acute pancreatitis--a prospective randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: In acute pancreatitis (AP) administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) might change the course of the disease through modulation of eicosanoid synthesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective, randomized clinical trial from 28 patients with moderate-severe AP, 14 received n-3 PUFAs (fish oil) enterally (3.3g/day for 5-7 days). Measurement of erythrocyte superoxide-dysmutase (SOD) activity, serum total antioxidant status (TAS), vitamin A and E, fatty acids, C-reactive protein, transthyretin concentrations were performed at admission, day 3, 7 and 14. RESULTS: The n-3 to n-6 LCPUFA ratios increased significantly in serum lipids of the patients receiving n-3 PUFA supplementation, whereas remained unchanged in the controls. Supplementation resulted in significant decrease in length of hospitalization (13.07+/-6.70 vs. 19.28+/-7.18 days, P<0.05) and jejunal feeding (10.57+/-6.70 vs. 17.57+/-10.52, P<0.05). Complications developed in 6/14 (42%) of treated and 9/14 (64%) of control patients. The SOD activity was significantly higher at day 3 in the supplemented group (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences between the two groups in other antioxidants and acute phase reactants. CONCLUSION: The use of enteral formula enriched with n-3 PUFAs in the treatment of AP seems to have clinical benefits based upon the shortened time of jejunal feeding and hospital stay.

Nutritional Solutions to Reduce Risks of Negative Health Impacts of Air Pollution.

Air pollution worldwide has been associated with cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality, particularly in urban settings with elevated concentrations of primary pollutants. Air pollution is a very complex mixture of primary and secondary gases and particles, and its potential to cause harm can depend on multiple factors-including physical and chemical characteristics of pollutants, which varies with fine-scale location (e.g., by proximity to local emission sources)-as well as local meteorology, topography, and population susceptibility. It has been hypothesized that the intake of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients may ameliorate various respiratory and cardiovascular effects of air pollution through reductions in oxidative stress and inflammation. To date, several studies have suggested that some harmful effects of air pollution may be modified by intake of essential micronutrients (such as B vitamins, and vitamins C, D, and E) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Here, we review the existing literature related to the potential for nutrition to modify the health impacts of air pollution, and offer a framework for examining these interactions.

[Nutritional/physiologic assessment of carbohydrates]. / Szénhidrátok táplálkozás-élettani megítélése.

Out of the energy-rich nutrients the reduction in the dietary intake of fats entails an increase in carbohydrate intake. The various carbohydrates owing to differences in their chemical and physical properties influence differentially satiety, and plasma levels of glucose and lipids. The present survey gives a short account on the carbohydrates occurring in the nutrients, deals with their effects on metabolism, and discusses the relationship between carbohydrate intake and obesity on the basis of recent research findings. At present, it appears that there is no convincing evidence available, which would suggest that the action by simple sugars and by complex carbohydrates is different on glucose tolerance, plasma lipid profile, and on the development of obesity.

[Correlation of anthropometric parameters and blood-pressure in elderly people]. / Idoskorúak antropometriai paraméterei és azok összefüggése a vérnyomásértékkel.

INTRODUCTION: The elderly represent a growing segment of populations in developed and also in developing countries. Anthropological measurements offer a cheap and easy way method for assessment of health and nutritional status and in prediction for mortality. Anthropological parameters and their relation to blood pressure were studied in elderlies. METHODS: Two hundred-thirteen elderly people (83 men over 65 y and 110 women over 60 y) were involved. The weight, height, waist- and hip circumferences were measured and waist: hip ratio, and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Blood pressure was measured by the use of sphygmomanometer. Hypertension was diagnosed when systolic blood pressure was >/= 140 and/or diastolic >/= 90 mmHg. The SPSS 10 version for Windows was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: According to the BMI, 72% of men and 65% women were considered overweight or obese. According to waist circumference 51% of men and 83% of women belonged to the high risk group. Under 80 y the mean blood pressure was in the pathological range both in the case of men and women. That could be considered as a sign of the insufficient efficiency of treatment or bad compliance. By 60% of this elderly population hypertension was registered. 75% of people, considered overweight or obese according to BMI, showed hypertension. According to the waist circumference, in 73% of people in the high risk group hypertension was detected versus 6% of persons in the non-risk group. This relation could not be observed in women. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of obesity and overweight is higher in the elderly group than in the younger adult population. Decrease in body mass may be suggested only by cautious nutritional intervention, control of systolic blood pressure should be more regular and prudent.

[Cross-sectional survey on the nutritional and life-style habits of secondary school students in Hungary]. / Hazai reprezentatív felmérés a középiskolás fiatalok táplálkozási és életmódbeli szokásairól.

INTRODUCTION: The national representative survey of secondary school students (age: 15-18 years) was undertaken between 1997 and 2000. The authors presented the data related to the nutritional and life-style habits. METHODS: The data for 6,347 students (48.4% boys and 51.6% girls) were evaluated. The anonymous questionnaire contained inquiries on nutritional rhythm, food frequency, use of vitamin and mineral supplements, smoking, alcohol and drug consumption habits, regular physical activity and family background (qualification, smoking, alcohol consumption). Within the frame of personal interviews the authors collected data on students' history with regard to occurrence of diabetes mellitus, other chronic diseases and in girls the time of the first menstruation. Concerning parents' history the authors collected information on the incidence of hypertension, myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, and stroke. STATISTICAL EVALUATION: Data were recorded in Data-Ease database system, in forms of individual records. The individual records were converted to be suitable for the statistical evaluation by SPSS for windows 9 statistical program pack. Data are presented as means and percent distribution. RESULTS: The nutritional rhythm of students was irregular. The daily consumption of milk, dairy products, fruits, fresh vegetables and vegetable dishes was insufficient. Eighty percent of students added extra salt to foods. More than 49% of students regularly consumed some forms of vitamin and/or mineral supplements. Thirty five percent of boys and 30% of girls smoked daily, 14.6% of boys and 5.9% of girls consumed alcohol at least once a week. Fifteen percent of boys and 11% of girls already tried taking drugs at least once. Only 50% of boys and 31% of girls were involved in a regular physical activity. Twenty two percent of fathers and 25% of mothers had university qualifications, whereas intermediate qualifications were recorded in 63 and 59%, lower qualifications occurred in 8 and 13% of parents, respectively. The incidence of smoking was 42% for fathers and 36% for mothers. Weekly alcohol consumption was recorded in 11%, daily consumption in 7% among fathers, the same figures for mothers were 4-4%, respectively. The incidence of hypertension, myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, and stroke was 26; 3.4; 5.4 and 1.5% in fathers and 32.9; 4.2; 6.6 and 1.5% in mothers. CONCLUSIONS: The data collected in the complex nutritional hygienic survey revealed serious deficiencies in the nutritional and life style habits of secondary school students. These factors considerably contribute to the unfavorable statistics of nutrition related non-infectious diseases in adulthood.

[Cut-off values for the diagnosis of obesity and hypertension based on epidemiologic measurements in Hungarian youth]. / Fiatalkori elhízás és emelkedett vérnyomás diagnosztikájában alkalmazható határértékek, hazai reprezentatív felmérés alapján.

INTRODUCTION: A representative nutritional hygienic survey was performed in a population of secondary school students (ageing from 15 to 18 years) between the years of 1997 and 2000. Herewith, the authors give an account on the anthropometric and blood pressure studies. SAMPLING: the representative sampling sites were selected randomly. In the capital three-stage, in the counties four-stage stratified groups were assigned for the studies. The data for 3071 girls and 3274 boys were evaluated. Anthropometric parameters determined were as follows, body mass, body height, waist and hip circumference. The body mass index (BMI) and the waist/hip ratio was calculated. Blood pressure values were recorded using OMRON M4 automatic device. Repeated blood pressure measurements were performed twice at least > or = two weeks apart if the systolic blood pressure was 135 and/or the diastolic pressure was > or = 85 mmHg. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows 9.0. RESULTS: Out of the anthropometric parameters the gender and age-specific percentile distribution is given in regard to body mass, body height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist/hip ratio. There was a strong relationship between the waist circumference and BMI. Elevated blood pressure values were found at the first recording in 14.1% of boys and in 2.5% of girls. In students who presented three times, the incidence of high blood pressure was 7.5% in boys and 1.1% in girls. Only 1% of students was aware of his or her hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The representative survey provides reference values concerning body mass, body height, BMI, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio and blood pressure values in the age group of 15 to 18 years. It also provides data for the prevalence of hypertension and gives cut off values for the diagnosis of leanness, overweight and obesity.

[Incidence of risk factors in parents with acute myocardial infarction at young age and in their children]. / Kockázati tényezok elofordulása fiatalkori akut myocardialis infarctus miatt kezelt szülokben és utódaikban.

INTRODUCTION: The preliminaries of the cardiovascular diseases can be traced back to the childhood. The authors tried to find relationship between parents with early onset myocardial infarction (AMI) and incidence of risk factors for ischemic heart disease in their children as compared to respective data for families with no incidence of myocardial infarction. METHODS: The study population consisted of 38 persons with early onset AMI myocardial infarction (age < 55 y) and their 66 children, and 38 adult control subjects and their 33 children. In each person arterial blood pressure, body weight, body height, waist circumference were recorded and body mass index (BMI: kg/m2) was calculated. Eating habits and life style practices were recorded in a questionnaire in the case of each participant. Laboratory variables were determined in the blood sera as follows, glucose, triglycerides (Tg), total cholesterol (T-C), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein-A, apolipoprotein-B, and lipoprotein (a). The atherogenic index (LDL-C/HDL-C) (LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol) was also calculated. STATISTICAL EVALUATION: Data were evaluated statistically using the SPSS for Windows 9. RESULTS: According to the mean BMI values all groups of parents belonged to the overweight category. The mean cholesterol levels of all adults were in the borderline high category. In males with early onset myocardial infarction sera concentrations of HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein-A were significantly lower, whereas triglyceride and atherogenic index were significantly higher than respective data for control parents. In all groups of parents, fasting mean serum glucose concentrations were higher than the reference value, serum total-cholesterol concentrations were in the borderline high category. In the daughter of the parents with early onset myocardial infarction had a higher atherogenic index than that of controls. Eating habits did not essentially differ between case vs. control families. Consumption of milk, dairy products, fruit and vegetables was insufficient in each group. Incidences of smoking for parents and children were 55% and 35% in the myocardial infarction group and 44% and 37% in the control group, respectively. Physical activity was completely insufficient in each group studied. CONCLUSION: Since no considerable differences were seen between the case vs control families in the parameters tested, therefore it is presumed that the offspring born to parents with or without early onset myocardial infarction are at equal risk to develop cardiovascular diseases unless lifestyle practices are profoundly changed.

Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors among Hungarian university students in Budapest.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The lack of data regarding cardiovascular risk factors among university students in Hungary prompted us to undertake a cross-sectional pilot study in students at Semmelweis University, Budapest. METHODS: A total of 264 students (78 males, mean age 21.4+/-2.6 years, and 186 females, mean age 21.2+/-2.6 years) participated in the study. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure and serum lipid parameters were investigated. The relationship between body mass index and cardiovascular disease risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The occurrence of overweight and abdominal obesity was significantly higher in the male group. The mean serum lipid values were within the acceptable range for both genders; however, in a significantly greater number of male than female students the HDL-cholesterol concentration (<1 mmol/l) was in the low range. High lipoprotein(a) values were seen in 33% of the male and 22.6% of the female students. In both groups of students the body mass index exhibited a positive correlation with waist circumference, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (p<0.01), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In the female students there was an inverse correlation between body mass index and HDL-cholesterol concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The anthropometric and lipid parameters of the student population studied were more favorable than those for an age-matched Hungarian youth population. Nevertheless, the higher occurrence of elevated blood pressure, overweight, abdominal obesity, lower HDL-cholesterol in the male group should be regarded as a warning sign, all the more since their diet was imbalanced and their knowledge in this field was incomplete. The results of our preliminary study point out the importance of teaching nutrition more efficiently, not only during university training but also at an earlier age.