Guidelines-Driven Educational Intervention Promotes Healthy Lifestyle Among Adolescents and Adults: A Serbian National Longitudinal Study.

Background and objectives: The effectiveness of short-term focused educational programs to change health behaviors across large populations seems to be poorly described so far. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate an age-specific 45-min educational program, designed in accordance with the current U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture dietary guidelines and physical activity (PA) guidelines, among adolescents and adults. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the health-promoting lifestyle habits by the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-II) at baseline and following 6⁻8 weeks post-education in a nationally representative sample of Serbian adolescents and adults (n = 3822). Results: The percentage of adolescents eating 3⁻5 servings of vegetables per day increased at follow-up (20.1% versus 23.1%, p = 0.001), with significantly more adolescents regularly reading food labels (from 12.2% at baseline to 14.2% at follow-up; p = 0.02). Taken together, mean HPLP-II scores in adolescents significantly improved for both diet (0.05 points; p < 0.0001) and PA (0.09 points; p < 0.0001), and for PA in adults (0.08 points; p < 0.0001). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that our model as a whole (including time of testing as a predictor variable, and age and gender as control variables) explained 3.0% of the variance in mean HPLP-II scores for diet (p = 0.942) and 3.0% for PA (p = 0.285) in adolescents, and 1.1% of the variance in HPLP-II scores for diet (p = 0.781) and 1.9% for PA (p = 0.075) in adults, respectively. Conclusions: It appears that a brief focused education can positively tackle unhealthy lifestyles in promoting good health in general population. Different modes of interactive communication used here appeared to strengthen participants' capacities for lifestyle changes.

Thinness in young schoolchildren in Serbia: another case of the double burden of malnutrition?

OBJECTIVE: Thinness is rarely highlighted or regularly monitored among children in developed countries although it may be rather frequent and pose a significant risk to children's health. We aimed to describe the prevalence of mild, moderate and severe thinness among young Serbian schoolchildren. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of schoolchildren aged 6-9 years. Children were assessed for weight, height and BMI as part of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative in Serbia. Thinness grades were defined as gender- and age-specific cut-offs for BMI according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria. SETTING: Serbia, September to November 2015. SUBJECTS: Students (n 4861) in grades 2 and 3 (6-9 years, 2397 girls). RESULTS: Overall prevalence of thinness in Serbian schoolchildren was 9·6 %. Mild thinness was clearly the largest category with a prevalence of 7·6 %, moderate thinness was present in 1·7 % of children and severe thinness was found in 0·3 % of children. OR indicated a significant risk of being thin for girls (1·44 times higher compared with boys) and children attending schools with no health-focused educational programme (1·57 times more likely to be thin than peers enrolled in schools with such programmes). In addition, OR for thinness tended to be 1·23 times higher in children living in an economically disadvantaged region of Serbia (P=0·06). CONCLUSIONS: A rather high prevalence of thinness highlights this malnutrition disorder as an emerging health issue that should trigger public health policies to tackle thinness, especially in girls of young age and children living in economically disadvantaged areas.

Nutrition labelling of pre-packaged foods in Belgrade, Serbia: current situation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of nutrition labels on pre-packaged food products, as well as to analyse the types of presentation. DESIGN: This was a descriptive study. The following characteristics were analysed: (i) presence and placement of the nutrition declaration (either as front-of-pack (FOP) or back-of-pack (BOP)); (ii) content of the presented information; (iii) presence of nutrition and health claims; and (iv) legibility of the written information. Settings Three different types of retailers in Belgrade, Serbia. SUBJECTS: A total of 2138 pre-packaged food products from ten categories. RESULTS: A nutrition declaration was found on 65.9% of all tested products. It was displayed on the back of the packaging of 62.7% of products and on the front of the packaging of 19.1% of products. BOP was the most commonly observed in breakfast cereals, soft drinks, milk and instant soups (in total over 90%), and the least common in meat products (21.5%). FOP was predominantly displayed on breakfast cereals (65.0%) and the least frequently on milk products (2.4%). The 'Big 4' (energy value, protein, carbohydrate and fat contents) and the 'Big 4 with additional information' figured on 40.9% of products. The 'Big 8' ('Big 4' plus sugar, saturated fat, fibre and sodium contents) and the 'Big 8 with additional information' were present less frequently (20.5%). Nutrition claims and health claims appeared on very few products (6.6% and 6.3%, respectively). The proportion of products with insufficient legibility was 31.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition labelling in Belgrade, Serbia is not satisfactory. Mandatory regulations may be the best way to improve the current situation.

Guanidinoacetic acid in human nutrition: Beyond creatine synthesis.

Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is a nutrient that has been used in human nutrition since the early 1950s. Recommended for its role in creatine biosynthesis, GAA demonstrated beneficial energy-boosting effects in various clinical conditions. Dietary GAA has also been suggested to trigger several creatine-independent mechanisms. Besides acting as a direct precursor of high-energy phosphagen creatine, dietary GAA is suggested to reduce blood glucose concentration by acting as an insulinotropic food compound, spare amino acid arginine for other metabolic purposes (including protein synthesis), modulate taste, and perhaps alter methylation and fat deposition in various organs including the liver. GAA as a food component can have several important metabolic roles beyond creatine biosynthesis; future studies are highly warranted to address GAA overall role in human nutrition.

Creatine consumption and liver disease manifestations in individuals aged 12 years and over.

Despite the overwhelming safety evidence concerning creatine intake in various settings, there is still incomplete information whether dietary creatine affects liver health at the population level. The main aim of this cross-sectional population-based study was to evaluate the association between creatine intake through regular diet and liver disease manifestations, including liver fibrosis and hepatic steatosis, among individuals aged 12 years and over, using open-source data from the 2017-2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). A total of 9254 male and female participants of all ages were included in the 2017-2018 NHANES round. We extracted data from the total sample population for participants who provided dietary data for individual foods via dietary interviews and examination data from liver ultrasound transient elastography. The final study sample consisted of 5957 participants (mean age 44.7 ± 21.0 years; 50.1% women), and the mean dietary creatine intake across the study population was 0.88 ± 0.71 g/day. Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were diagnosed in 1703 (28.7%) and 288 (4.8%) participants, respectively; hepatic steatosis was identified in 2595 (43.7%) individuals. Binary logistic regression with multivariable model adjusted for age, gender, family income to poverty ratio, body mass index, total energy intake, and alcohol consumption showed that consuming more creatine (≥2 g/day) did not significantly increase the risk of liver fibrosis (OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.70-1.21, p = .57), cirrhosis (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.53-1.65, p = .82), or hepatic steatosis (OR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.59-1.02, p = .07), as compared to participants who ingested <1 g of creatine daily. Dietary exposure to creatine through a regular diet is not associated with an increase in disease manifestations in individuals 12 years and over; further research is warranted to address the effects of excessive creatine intake (≥5 g/day) through a regular diet on liver health at the population level.

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with carotid disease according to NHLBI/AHA and IDF criteria: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been related to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Different criteria for diagnosis of MetS have been recommended, but there is no agreement about which criteria are best to use. The aim of the present study was to investigate agreement between the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, American Heart Association (NHLBI/AHA) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definitions of MetS in patients with symptomatic carotid disease and to compare the frequency of cardiovascular risk factor in patients with MetS diagnosed by these two sets of criteria. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional one involving 644 consecutive patients with verified carotid disease who referred to the Vascular Surgery Clinic Dedinje in Belgrade during the period April 2006 - November 2007. Anthropometric parameters blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and lipoproteins were measured using standard procedures. RESULTS: MetS was present in 67.9% of participants, according to IDF criteria, and in 64.9% of participants, according to the NHLBI/AHA criteria. A total of 119 patients were categorized differently by the two definitions. Out of all participants 10.7% had MetS by IDF criteria only and 7.8% of patients had MetS by NHLBI/AHA criteria only. The overall agreement of IDF and NHLBI/AHA criteria was 81.5% (Kappa 0.59, p < 0.001). In comparison with patients who met only IDF criteria, patients who met only NHLBI/AHA criteria had significantly more frequently cardiovascular risk factors with the exception of obesity which was significantly more frequent in patients with MetS diagnosed by IDF criteria. CONCLUSION: The MetS prevalence in patients with symptomatic carotid disease was high regardless of criteria used for its diagnosis. Since some patients with known cardiovascular risk factors were lost by the use of IDF criteria it seems that NHLBI/AHA definition is more suitable for diagnosis of MetS. Large follow-up studies are needed to test prognostic value of these definitions.

The Relationship Between Weight Loss and Health-related Quality of Life in a Serbian Population.

We examined changes in weight-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the relation to weight loss in a Serbian population undergoing diet-induced weight loss treatment. HRQOL was assessed at intake and after 1 year using the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (IWQOL-Lite) questionnaire. Study sample consists of 135 obese patients. After 1 year of diet therapy, patients experienced an average weight loss of ~12%, and significant improvements were noted in all IWQOL-Lite domains (Physical Function, Self-esteem, Sexual Life, Public Distress and Work). Amount of weight loss was closely linked to all domains (F = 27.49; p < 0.001), except Sexual Life (F = 2.08; p = 0.108). In patients with weight reductions of 5%-9.99%, there was a great improvement in physical function and self-esteem. In those with ≥10% weight loss, there was improvement in all dimensions of IWQOL-Lite. With the prevalence of obesity rising worldwide, including in Serbia, the positive effects of weight loss on weight-specific HRQOL are encouraging.

Association of overweight and obesity with cardiovascular risk factors in patients with atherosclerotic diseases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare demographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics, including inflammatory markers, according to the nutritional status of patients with verified atherosclerotic disease. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 1045 consecutive patients with verified carotid disease or peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Anthropometric parameters and data on cardiovascular risk factors and therapy for hypertension and hyperlipidemia were collected for all participants. RESULTS: Carotid disease was positively and PAD was negatively associated with body mass index (BMI). Negative association between obesity and PAD was significant only in former smokers, not in current smokers or in patients who never smoked. Overweight and general obesity were significantly related to metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001), lower values of high - density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001), increased triglycerides (p < 0.001), hyperglycemia (p < 0.001), self-reported diabetes (p < 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.001), high serum uric acid (p < 0.001), increased high sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.020) and former smoking (p = 0.005) after adjustment for age, gender and type of disease. Antihypertensive therapy seems to be less effective in patients who are overweight and obese. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, overweight and general obesity were significantly related to several cardiovascular risk factors.

The prevalence of polyvascular disease in patients with carotid artery disease and peripheral artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease remains the major cause of mortality in the Western World. AIMS: We aimed to assess the prevalence of polyvascular disease in patients with carotid artery disease and peripheral artery disease (PAD), and to determine the risk profile of patients with polyvascular disease. METHODS: The study included 1045 consecutive patients presenting to our department with carotid disease or PAD. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric parameters, and data on cardiovascular risk factors were collected in all patients. On the basis of medical history, patients were classified into those who had only symptomatic carotid disease or symptomatic PAD and those who had symptomatic polyvascular disease. RESULTS: Carotid disease alone was reported in 366 participants (35%), PAD alone, in 199 (19%), and polyvascular disease, in 480 (46%). Compared with carotid disease, PAD was more often a component of polyvascular disease (P = 0.002) and was combined with a higher number of other atherosclerotic diseases (P = 0.02). Compared with patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic disease in only 1 territory, patients with various types of polyvascular disease more often had hypertension (P from 0.03 to <0.001), dyslipidemia (P <0.001), high­sensitivity C­reactive protein levels of 3 mg/l or higher (P = 0.005), and more often were current smokers (P <0.001) or former smokers (P from 0.03 to 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We showed a high prevalence of symptomatic polyvascular disease in patients with carotid disease or PAD. The risk profile was worse in patients with polyvascular disease than in those with a disease in a single vascular territory.

Association of socioeconomic status measured by education and risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis: cross-sectional study.

AIM: To investigate the association between socioeconomic status and metabolic syndrome, lifestyle, clinical and biochemical characteristics, and inflammatory markers as risk factors for carotid atherosclerotic disease. METHODS: This cross-sectional study, involving 657 consecutive patients with verified carotid atherosclerotic disease, was performed in Belgrade, Serbia, during the period 2006-2007. Formal education level was used as a proxy for socioeconomic status. Anthropometric parameters and data on cardiovascular risk factors were analyzed in participants with different levels of education--low (< or = primary school), medium (secondary school), and high (university education). In the analysis, univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that low education was significantly positively associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45-3.81), increased triglycerides (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.12-2.78), increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (OR, 3.53; 95% CI, 2.17-5.88), and physical inactivity (OR, 4.24; 95% CI, 1.82-9.86) and negatively associated with former smoking (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.23-0.75). Medium education was significantly positively associated with increased triglycerides (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.14-2.62) and increased hsCRP (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.37-3.41), and negatively with age (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94-0.99). CONCLUSION: Increased triglycerides and hsCRP in people with low and medium education, and high prevalence of metabolic syndrome, its components and inflammatory markers in all study participants, suggest that regular health check-up, especially for those with lower education, may be useful in early detection and treatment of any abnormality that can be associated with cardiovascular disease.

Alternative methods of nutritional status assessment in adolescents.

The main objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the validity of the silhouette rating scale and reported values of height and weight in assessing weight status in a group of adolescents. 245 adolescents, students of the Belgrade elementary school, aged 11-14 (12.33 +/- 0.50), were involved. Weight status was assessed by anthropometry, self-reported height and weight and by figure rating scale. From the results obtained significant differences emerged as a function of weight status. The majority of normal weight adolescents were accurate in reporting their body size. The percentage of under-reporters was significantly higher in the overweight/obese group than in the normal weight group (chi2 = 9.741, p = 0.003). The correlation between BMI, both measured and self-reported, and perceived body size was positive and highly significant (p < 0.001). Self-reported weight and height appears acceptable for estimating weight status in normal weight adolescents, but not in those who are overweight or obese. This study also demonstrated that adolescents can estimate with some accuracy their body size using figure ratings scales.

WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative in Serbia: a prevalence of overweight and obesity among 6-9-year-old school children.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) is a public health program established in order to understand the progress of the obesity epidemic in young populations and gain inter-country comparisons within the European region, yet the data from a number of East European countries, including Serbia, were not available then. Therefore, the main aim of this cross-sectional study was to collect data about the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 6-9-year-old school children in Serbia according to the standardized protocol during the Fourth COSI Implementation Round. METHODS: From September 2015 to November 2015, 5102 first- and second-grade primary-school children (age 7.7±0.6 years) were assessed for weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) in 14 Serbian school districts. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of obesity, as calculated using the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-off points, vary across different age groups, with the lowest obesity rates reported in 7-year-old boys (6.2%), while the highest obesity prevalence rates were observed in 6-year-old boys (9.7%). In addition, being overweight was strongly associated with poor local community development and lower level of urbanization. The overall prevalence of overweight (23.1%, including obesity) and obesity (6.9%) in Serbian primary-school children seem to be comparable to rather high rates previously reported in other countries participating in the COSI program, indicating an obesity epidemic in Serbian children. CONCLUSIONS: This surveillance system should be regularly implemented throughout Europe, providing comparable data on rates of overweight/obesity in primary schools that might drive prudent actions to reverse the pandemic trend of childhood obesity.

Self-reported prevalence of obesity among 20,329 adults from large territories of Greece, Serbia and Turkey.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of overweight, obesity and body mass index (BMI) distribution in people living in large territories of Greece, Serbia and Turkey. A cross-sectional multi-national epidemiological survey was designed on the basis of self-reported information on height and weight using the formula kg/m2. Overall, 20,329 individuals, aged 20-68 yrs, 8,973 males and 11,356 females, participated in the study. Of these, 4,032 were selected from northern Greece, 10,069 from southwest Turkey and 6,228 from central Serbia. More specifically, participants from northern Greece were recruited from central Macedonia, from Southwest Turkey from the Kayseri region and from central Serbia from the greater Belgrade area. Our results showed that 12.4% of the population studied was obese and 31.3% overweight. The corresponding figures for participants from Greece were 19.9% and 35.4%, from Turkey 12.0% and 30.9% and from Serbia 8.2% and 29.4%, respectively. Overall, male participants had a higher mean BMI than females. However, Greek females were more obese in comparison with males. The opposite was true of the other two countries. Finally, in both males and females mean BMI tended to increase with age up to 50-59 years, and declined slightly thereafter. In conclusion, the overall prevalence of obesity and overweight in the Balkan peninsula does not differ from that reported in other European countries. However, BMI values between different countries of the Balkan peninsula are fairly variable, Greece leading in the prevalence of obesity with Serbia having the lowest prevalence of obesity. The data from this survey underline the need for health intervention aimed at preventing obesity, especially in Greece.

Relationship between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and risk factors in patients with peripheral arterial disease--a cross-sectional study.

We investigated whether patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with various serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) differ in the frequency of atherosclerotic risk factors. Among 388 patients, hsCRP levels were (1) low, <1 mg/L, in 41 (10.6%) participants; (2) medium, from 1 to 3 mg/L, in 152 (39.2%) participants, and (3) high, >3 mg/L, in 195 (50.2%) individuals. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, in comparison with patients with hsCRP level ≤3.0 mg/L, those with higher hsCRP levels had more frequently a severe form of PAD (gangrene, P ranged from .045 to <.001; ankle-brachial index ≤.40, P = .059) and had more frequently some of atherosclerotic risk factors (metabolic syndrome, P = .007; hypertension, P = .013; abdominal obesity, P = .007; high levels of uric acid, P = .022; high level of fibrinogen, P < .001; and depression, P = .015).

Sex differences of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with symptomatic carotid disease.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases, especially heart disease and stroke are the cause of more than a half of the total number of deaths in Serbia. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine sex differences of atherosclerotic risk factors in patients with symptomatic carotid disease. METHODS: The cross-sectional study, involving 657 consecutive patients with verified carotid atherosclerotic disease, was performed in Belgrade, Serbia. Sex differences of anthropometric parameters and atherosclerotic risk factors were analyzed by means of the univariate logistic regression. RESULTS: In comparison with men, lower education and physical inactivity were significantly more frequent in women, and the frequency of metabolic syndrome (MetS), lower high-density cholesterol, abdominal obesity, body mass index > or = 30.0 kg/m2, hypercholesterolemia and depression were also significantly higher in women. Smoking and high serum uric acid level were significantly more frequent in men than in women. Women had significantly higher number of MetS components per person, but there were no significant sex differences in the number of other risk factors. Out of all observed risk factors, including MetS components, physical inactivity and hypertension were most frequent in both sexes followed by ever smoking and low education in men and low education and dyslipidemia in women. CONCLUSION: There were significant sex differences in the distribution of some atherosclerotic risk factors, but not in their number per person. Only the number of MetS components was significantly higher in women.

Relationship between abdominal obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors: cross sectional study of patients with symptomatic carotid disease.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity, particularly visceral obesity, is considered one of major risk factors for cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate relationship between abdominal obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: The cross-sectional study involved 657 consecutive patients with verified carotid atherosclerosis. Carotid atherosclerosis was estimated by high resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference > 102 cm in men and > 88 cm in women. RESULTS: Abdominal obesity was present in 324 (49.3%) participants. Multivariate analyses showed that abdominal obesity was significantly positively associated with female sex, increased Baecke's Work Index of physical activity at work, years of school completed < 12, metabolic syndrome, increased triglycerides, hyperglycemia and high serum uric acid. Smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, hypertension, increased total cholesterol, increased HDL and LDL cholesterols, increased high sensitive C-reactive protein, increased fibrinogen, anti-lipid therapy and anti-diabetic therapy were not significantly related to abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: Abdominal obesity among patients with symptomatic carotid disease is significantly related to other cardiovascular risk factors, especially metabolic syndrome, metabolic syndrome components and high level of serum uric acid.

Eating disorders.

Eating disorders are considered chronic diseases of civilization. The most studied and well known are anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia is considered one of the most common psychiatric problems of girls in puberty and adolescence. Due to high mortality and morbidity as well as the increasing expansion of these diseases, it is clear why the amount of research on these diseases is growing worldwide. Eating disorders lead to numerous medical complications, mostly due to late diagnosis. The main characteristic of these diseases is changed behavior in the nutrition, either as an intentional restriction of food, i.e. extreme dieting, or overeating, i.e. binge eating. Extreme dieting, skipping meals, self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, and misuse of laxatives and diuretics for the purpose of maintaining or reducing body weight are characteristic forms of compensatory behavior of patients with eating disorder. The most appropriate course of treatment is determined by evaluating the patient's health condition, associated with behavior and eating habits, the experience of one's own body, character traits of personality, and consequently the development and functioning of the individual. The final treatment plan is individual. Eating disorders are a growing medical problem even in this part of the world. Prevention should be planned in cooperation with different sectors so as to stop the epidemic of these diseases.

Relationship between sociodemographic, anthropometric and biochemical characteristics and degree of peripheral arterial disease.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a severe atherosclerotic condition. The relationship between various risk factors and severity of PAD, measured by Ankle Brachial Index (ABI), has been the subject of a relatively small number of studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there was any relationship between severity of PAD, expressed as ABI, and anthropometric, clinical and biochemical characteristics of patients, including inflammatory markers. METHODS: The cross-sectional study, involving 388 consecutive patients with verified PAD, was performed at the Dedinje Vascular Surgery Clinic in Belgrade. The diagnosis of PAD was defined by Doppler sonography as ABI < 0.9, and by symptoms. Data on cardiovascular risk factors, anthropometric parameters, clinical and biochemical characteristics were collected for all participants. In the analysis, chi2 test, t-test and multivariate logistic regressions were used. RESULTS: According to the results of multivariate analysis (the model of which included age, percentage of body fat, average value of uric acid, high sensitivity C-reactive protein--hsCRP > or = 3 mg/L, fibrinogen > or = 4 g/L, Baecke index of physical activity at work and Baecke index of leisure-time physical activity), the patients with more severe form of peripheral arterial disease (ABI < or = 0.40) had more frequently increased high sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.002), lower Baecke index of physical activity at work (p = 0.050) and lower Baecke index of leisure-time physical activity (p = 0.024). Average value of body fat was significantly higher in the patients with a less severe form of disease (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: According to the results obtained, the increased values of hsCRP and physical inactivity are associated with a more severe form of PAD (ABI < or = 0.40).

Nutritional status in patients with active inflammatory bowel disease: prevalence of malnutrition and methods for routine nutritional assessment.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Malnutrition is a common feature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There are numerous methods for the assessment of nutritional status, but the gold standard has not yet been established. The aims of the study were to estimate the prevalence of undernutrition and to evaluate methods for routine nutritional assessment of active IBD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with active Crohn disease, 53 patients with active ulcerative colitis and 30 controls were included in the study. The nutritional status was assessed by extensive anthropometric measurements, percentage of weight loss in the past 1-6 months and biochemical markers of nutrition. RESULTS: All investigated nutritional parameters were significantly different in IBD patients compared to control subjects, except MCV, tryglicerides and serum total protein level. Serum albumin level and body mass index (BMI) were the most predictive parameters of malnutrition. According to different assessment methods the prevalence of undernutrition and severe undernutrition in patients with active IBD were 25.0%-69.7% and 1.3%-31.6%, respectively, while in the control subjects no abnormalities have been detected. There was no statistically significant difference of nutritional parameters between UC and CD patients except lower mid-arm muscle circumference in UC group. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition is common in IBD patients. BMI and serum albumin are simple and convenient methods for the assessment of the nutritional status in IBD patients. Further studies with larger group of patients are necessary to elucidate the prevalence of malnutrition and the most accurate assessment methods in IBD patients.

Presence of different forms of compensatory behaviours among eating disordered patients.

INTRODUCTION: Eating disorders indicate unhealthy habits in nutrition and/or behaviour in the feeding and maintaining of body weight. The main characteristic of these diseases is changed behaviour in nutrition, either as an intentional restriction of food, namely extreme dieting or overeating, i.e. binge eating. Extreme dieting, skipping meals, self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, and misuse of laxatives and diuretics for the purpose of maintaining or reducing body weight are the forms of compensatory behaviour. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present research was to determine the presence of different inappropriate compensatory behaviours among eating disordered patients. METHODS: The experimental group included 35 female eating disordered patients of 23.02 +/- 3.46 years on average, with anorexia or bulimia nervosa. The control group consisted of 70 girls aged 23.1 +/- 3.0 years on average. Each participant completed a "24-hour Recall Questionnaire" and the "Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale". RESULTS: A high statistically significant difference existed in the presence of all compensatory behaviours in the experimental and control group, regarding vomiting (chi2 = 40.6; p < 0.001), misuse of laxatives and diuretics (chi2 = 33.7; p < 0.001), extreme dieting (chi2 = 23.4; p < 0.001) and excessive exercising (chi2 = 27.1; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Eating disordered patients showed a significantly higher incidence of all evaluated forms of compensatory behaviour in comparison with the control group. This report confirms the presence of specific symptomatology of anorexia and bulimia patients.