Search

Fermented dairy products have recently gained popularity due to their purported health benefits, nevertheless, their role in ageing remains uncertain. This narrative review aims to evaluate evidence from observational (prospective) and interventional studies on the potential benefits of fermented dairy product consumption for musculoskeletal and mental health in older adults. Additionally, it seeks to determine whether any observed benefits surpass those of non-fermented dairy products and to identify directions for future research. Prospective studies support either favourable or neutral associations of fermented dairy products with outcomes of musculoskeletal health or neutral associations with mental health outcomes, whilst it remains unclear if the benefits observed with fermented dairy products go beyond those of the non-fermented dairy foods. Few interventional studies suggest overall favourable effects of yogurt and cheese on musculoskeletal health in older adults but given their small number (N = 6) and heterogeneity, they do not allow a clear assessment or definitive recommendations for fermented dairy intake. Interventional studies reporting mental health outcomes are largely lacking for this age group (N = 1). Given the very limited evidence for the effectiveness of fermented dairy products, future well-designed prospective and randomized controlled trials are needed to better understand their benefits (especially compared to those of non-fermented dairy foods), their characteristics and the quantities required to offer protection against musculoskeletal and/or mental health ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood overweight/obesity (Ov/Ob) and its combination with metabolic complications, known as metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO), is a major public health problem1. Diet is one of the most important modifiable determinants of weight status and health, but the relationship between dietary patterns and Ov/Ob or MUO in children and adolescents remains poorly studied2,3. The aim of this study was to explore associations between adherence to dietary patterns and the risk of childhood Ov/Ob or MUO. A literature search was performed following PRISMA guidelines4 in Scopus and Medline databases to identify longitudinal prospective studies, and randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) with ≥12-month follow-up, in children and adolescents (age: 2-19 years; regions: Europe, USA, Canada or Oceania, in English language, publication period: January 2013-June 2023). Studies' quality was also evaluated with the ROBINS-E and RoB-2 tools. From the 2603 references initially identified, 29 prospective studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. All studies reported on Ov/Ob risk. Dietary patterns were assessed with a-priori method in 15 studies and with a-posteriori method in 14 studies. Conceptually, dietary patterns were characterized as "healthy" (HDP) or "unhealthy" (UDP), however there were inherent differences in the way dietary patterns were defined/ extracted, the items loading high in each extracted pattern and the scoring system applied for the degree of adherence to each pattern. Limited evidence suggests that adherence to patterns during childhood, which are lower in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while higher in sweets, refined grains, fast foods, and processed meats are associated with higher BMI later in adolescence. Eighteen studies were included in meta-analysis. Adherence to a HDP was associated with lower odds of Ov/Ob [odds ratio (OR): 0.85 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80; 0.91) for the adjusted model] compared to non-adherence, while adherence to UDP was associated with higher odds of Ov/Ob [OR: 1.34 (95%CI: 1.17; 1.53) for the adjusted model] compared to non-adherence. Higher adherence to a HDP was associated with lower BMI [beta: −0.02 (95%CI: −0.04; −0.01) kg/m2 for the adjusted model] and lower increase in BMI over time [beta: −0.11 (95%CI: −0.18; −0.04) kg/m2 for the adjusted model], compared to lower adherence. No significant associations were found between adherence to a HDP and z-BMI, while a marginally significant association was revealed between adherence to UDP and z-BMI [beta: 0.04 (95%CI: −0.00; 0.08) kg/m2 for the adjusted model]. Higher adherence to HDP exhibits preventive effect against Ov/Ob in children and adolescents. Results should be interpreted cautiously because of the heterogeneity in defining "exposure" and should be confirmed through future research both in prospective cohorts and RCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study examined the differences between maintainers and regainers regarding obesity related eating behaviors. A secondary objective was to develop an eating behavior index predicting the likelihood of successful weight loss maintenance.Methods: The current cross-sectional evaluation conducted in Cyprus was part of the MedWeight (Greek) study. Eligible for participation were Cypriot (maintainers = 145; regainers = 87) adult men and women who reported being at least overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) and experienced an intentional weight loss of ≥10% of their maximum lifetime weight, at least 1 year before participation. Among other assessments, weight-related behaviors were evaluated through Weight-Related Behaviors Index (WRBI).Results: Statistically significant differences between the two groups were observed regarding meals per day (P = 0.008), frequency of eating home cooked meals (P = 0.004) and WRBI total score (P = 0.022). Results from logistic regression models indicated that the odds of maintaining weight loss increase at 30% (Model 1: P < 0.05, Odds ratio 1.306, 1.095-1.556 95% C.I., Model 2: P < 0.05, OR 1.308, 1.097-1.560 95% C.I.) and at 38% after adjusting for physical activity (Model 3: P < 0.05, OR 1.377, 1.114-1.701 95% C.I..) for each point scored in WRBI total score.Conclusions: Eating more frequently home cooked meals and less eating away from home meals may be beneficially associated with weight loss maintenance. WRBI seems to be a useful tool when dealing with patients who have previously lost significant weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary vitamin D intake and 10‐year first fatal/nonfatal cardiovascular disease (CVD), conventional CVD risk factors and surrogate markers related to inflammation, coagulation, insulin resistance, liver and renal function. Methods: The ATTICA study was conducted during 2001–2012 including 1514 men and 1528 women (aged >18 years) from the greater Athens area, Greece. Dietary assessment was based on a validated semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Daily intake of vitamin D was calculated using a standardised food database. Follow‐up (2011–2012) was achieved in 2020 participants (n = 317 cases). Results: Ranking from first to third vitamin D tertile, CVD events were 24%, 17% and 12% for men (P = 0.002) and 14%, 10% and 11% for women (P = 0.59). Inverse associations between vitamin D and CVD in total sample [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.76 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.60–0.97] and in men (HR = 0.66 95% CI = 0.49–0.89) were observed, and lost after adjusting for inflammation/coagulation markers; for women, no significant trends were observed. Regarding 10‐year onset of conventional risk factors, inverse associations of vitamin D with hypertension in men (HR = 0.62 95% CI = 0.39–0.99) and transition to metabolically unhealthy status in women (HR = 0.69 95% CI = 0.51–0.93) were observed. Significant inverse associations for C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6 and fibrinogen in both sexes, whereas these were revealed only in women for insulin resistance. Conclusions: Contradicting the neutral/modest associations in vitamin‐D supplementation trials, increased food‐generated vitamin D may protect against hard and intermediate CVD endpoints, implying different paths between sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) have been operationalized as exhibiting a greater level of complexity than basic ADL. In the same way, incorporating more advanced ADLs may increase the sensitivity of functional measures to identify cognitive changes that may precede IADL impairment. Towards this direction, the IADL-extended scale (IADL-x) consists of four IADL tasks and five advanced ADLs (leisure time activities).Design: Retrospective, cross-sectional study.Setting: Athens and Larissa, Greece.Participants: 1,864 community-dwelling men and women aged over 64.Measurements: We employed both the IADL-x and IADL scales to assess functional status among all the participants. Diagnoses were assigned dividing the population of our study into three groups: cognitively normal (CN), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia patients. Neuropsychological evaluation was stratified in five cognitive domains: memory, language, attention-speed, executive functioning and visuospatial perception. Z scores for each cognitive domain as well as a composite z score were constructed. Models were controlled for age, sex, education and depression.Results: In both IADL-x and IADL scales dementia patients reported the most functional difficulties and CN participants the fewest, with MCI placed in between. When we restricted the analyses to the CN population, lower IADL-x score was associated with worse cognitive performance. This association was not observed when using the original IADL scale.Conclusion: There is strong evidence that the endorsement of more advanced IADLs in functional scales may be useful in detecting cognitive differences within the normal spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate whether aquatic athletes follow optimal dietary intake, 58 athletes, all members of the Greek national swimming and water polo teams, were tested. Dietary intake was assessed at the nutrient, food, and food group level using the 24-h recall method and a food frequency questionnaire. Mean energy intake for males and females was 14.3 and 8.5 MJ, respectively. Mean carbohydrate consumption for male and female athletes was 4.5 g/kg and 3.8 g/kg of body weight, respectively. Fat intake was 153 g for males and 79 g for females. A significant number of the athletes (71% of the males, 93% of the females) did not meet the Dietary Reference Intakes for at least one of the antioxidant vitamins. The data suggest that athletes of both genders consumed too much fat and too little carbohydrate. Insufficient fruit and vegetable intake was related to low intake of antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of frailty using five different instruments in a cohort of older adults and explore the association between frailty and various risk factors. Method: 1,867 participants aged 65 years and above were included in the current retrospective cross-sectional study. Frailty was operationalized according to the Fried definition, the FRAIL Scale, the Frailty Index (FI), the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), and the Groningen Frailty Index (GFI). We explored the role of various frailty risk factors using logistic regression analyses. Results: The prevalence of frailty varied depending on the definition used (Fried definition = 4.1%, FRAIL Scale = 1.5%, FI = 19.7%, TFI = 24.5%, and GFI = 30.2%). The only risk factors consistently associated with frailty irrespectively of definition were education and age. Conclusion: The frailty prevalence reported in our study is similar or lower to that reported in other population studies. Qualitative differences between frailty definitions were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Aiginition Longitudinal Biomarker Investigation Of Neurodegeneration (ALBION) is a longitudinal ongoing study initiated in 2018 that takes place in the Cognitive Disorders Clinic of Aiginition Hospital of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Its aim is to address several research questions concerning the preclinical and prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease and explore potential markers for early detection, prediction, and primary prevention of dementia. Methods: We here present the design and the preliminary baseline characteristics of ALBION. The sample of our study consists of people aged over 50 who are concerned about their memory but are cognitively normal (CN) or have mild cognitive deficits. Each participant undergoes an extensive assessment including several demographic, medical, social, environmental, clinical, nutritional, neuropsychological determinants and lifestyle activities. Furthermore, we are collecting data from portable devices, neuroimaging techniques and biological samples (blood, stools, CSF). All participants are assessed annually for a period of 10 years. Results: In total, 47 participants have completed the initial evaluation up to date and are divided in two groups, CN individuals (N = 26) and MCI patients (N = 21), based on their cognitive status. The participants are, on average, 64 years old, 46.3% of the sample is male with an average of 12.73 years of education. MCI patients report more comorbidities and have a lower score in the MMSE test. Regarding APOE status, 2 participants are ε4 homozygotes and 10 ε4 heterozygotes. CSF analyses (Aβ42, Τ-tau, P-tau) revealed no differences between the two groups. Conclusion: The ALBION study offers an opportunity to explore preclinical dementia and identify new and tailored markers, particularly relating to lifestyle. Further investigation of these populations may provide a wider profile of the changes taking place in the preclinical phase of dementia, leading to potentially effective therapeutic and preventive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eating frequency (EF) has been associated with generalized obesity. Aim: We aimed to prospectively investigate potential associations of frequency of eating episodes with regional fat layers. Design: EF was evaluated at baseline in 115 subjects free of clinically overt cardiovascular disease (54 ± 9.1 years, 70 women) in a prospective, observational study. Methods: Metabolic parameters known to be associated with dietary factors and anthropometric markers including ultrasound assessment of subcutaneous (Smin) and pre-peritoneal (Pmax) fat and their ratio Smin/Pmax (AFI) were evaluated at baseline and at follow-up, 5 years later. Results: EF at baseline positively correlated with Pmax, even after adjustment for potential confounders. EF above median was also an independent predictor for Pmax (beta coefficient=-0.192, P = 0.037) and AFI (beta coefficient = 0.199, P = 0.049) at follow up. Multivariable linear mixed models analysis demonstrated that subjects with increased EF presented a lower progression rate of Pmax (beta=-0.452, P = 0.006) and a higher progression rate of AFI (beta = 0.563, P = 0.003) over time, independently of age, sex, progression of BMI, energy intake, smoking and changes in parameters of glucose metabolism. Conclusions: High EF is associated with lower progression rate of pre-peritoneal fat accumulation. Future interventional studies should further investigate the clinical utility of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this work was to explore parents' and children's attitudes towards healthy eating and the free provision of a daily school meal in underprivileged areas of Greece. Methods Twenty focus groups were conducted in 14 schools. Eligible participants were children/adolescents and their parents, who were recipients of a food aid, healthy nutrition school-based programme. Their perceptions towards healthy eating and related barriers, experience of a school feeding programme, other nutrition intervention initiatives were qualitatively evaluated. Results Most of the parents referred to the Mediterranean diet as a healthy dietary pattern. Nearly all parents were aware of their effect as role models and commented on the benefits of eating together as a family, as well as on the importance of improving their own dietary habits. Parents reported using various methods to promote a healthy diet, as part of their parenting role. They perceived their role as difficult, as they have to deal with children's resistance, financial constraints arising from the current economic crisis in Greece and busy work schedules. All students perceived the school feeding programme as health-promoting, reflecting their parents' perceptions. Conclusion The present findings indicate that although the traditional Mediterranean diet was perceived by the majority of the adults as a health and traditional dietary pattern, parents reported several barriers related to its adoption. In particular, the most common barriers included financial difficulties, limited time for food preparation and children's resistance to consume healthy foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent inflammatory mediator, is implicated in atherosclerosis. Its key biosynthetic enzymes are lyso-PAF acetyltransferases (lyso-PAF-AT), responsible for PAF synthesis through the remodeling route and a specific CDP-choline:1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol cholinephosphotransferase (PAF-CPT), responsible for its de novo biosynthesis. PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) and its extracellular isoform lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A catabolize PAF. The impact of diet on PAF metabolism is ill-defined. The aim was to investigate associations between PAF, its enzymes and dietary factors. Methods: One-hundred and six ( n = 106) healthy volunteers were recruited. Food-frequency questionnaires, dietary recalls, lifestyle and biochemical variables were collected. Food groups, macronutrient intake, a priori (MedDietScore) and a posteriori defined food patterns with PCA analysis, dietary antioxidant capacity (DAC), glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load were assessed. Results: PAF was inversely correlated with antioxidant-rich foods (herbal drinks and coffee), the DAC as well as a dietary pattern characterized by legumes, vegetables, poultry and fish (all Ps < 0.05). PAF was positively correlated to % fat intake. Lyso-PAF-AT was also negatively associated with healthy patterns (fruits, nuts and herbal drinks, and a pattern rich in olive oil and whole-wheat products), as well as the DAC and % monounsaturated fatty acids. PAF-CPT was negatively associated with GI and coffee intake and positively with dietary cholesterol. PAF-AH was negatively associated with coffee and positively associated with alcohol consumption (all Ps < 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, the DAC and healthy dietary patterns were inversely associated with PAF or its biosynthetic enzymes, suggesting potential new mechanisms of the diet-disease associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effects of different coffee amounts on dietary intake and appetite feelings in normal-weight and overweight/obese individuals. Design and Methods Thirty-three volunteers (16 normal-weight, 17 overweight/obese) participated in three trials: they consumed a standard breakfast along with 200 ml of either coffee with 3 or 6 mg caffeine/kg body weight (Coffee 3 and Coffee 6, respectively), or water. At fasting and at standard time points for the 3 h following breakfast/drink consumption participants recorded their appetite feelings on visual analogue scales. At 180 min, participants consumed an ad libitum meal and the next day they recalled their food intake during the experimental day. Results A significant intervention effect was found for the energy intake of the ad libitum meal ( P = 0.05) and of the whole day ( P = 0.02) only in overweight/obese individuals. Specifically, Coffee 6 resulted in a reduced energy intake during the ad libitum meal compared to Coffee 3 ( P = 0.03) and in the total day compared to both water ( P = 0.04) and Coffee 3 ( P = 0.008). No effect was observed for the appetite feelings. Conclusions A moderate coffee amount can effectively reduce energy intake in the following meal and in the total day compared to lower or no coffee intake in overweight/obese participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term effects of two obesity treatment modalities: lifestyle intervention coupled with surgery and lifestyle intervention coupled with low-energy diet. Material-Methods: A total of 32 morbidly obese women participated in the study. A group of them (n=15) underwent vertical banded gastroplasty and they were assigned to the lifestyle plus surgery group (LS-surgery). The rest of them (n=17) were assigned to the lifestyle plus low-energy-diet group (LS-diet). Results: The LS-surgery group lost significantly more weight after 12 months than the LS-diet group (46.4±3.0 kg vs. 18.5±3.0 kg, P<0.001) and this difference remained significant till the 36-month follow- up assessment. Conclusions: Even though the combination of intensive lifestyle intervention along with low-energy-diet resulted in weight loss and maintenance, this effect was less pronounced than the one achieved through the combination of lifestyle modification and surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the long-term effects of the daily consumption of isoenergetic quantities of fresh banana, banana juice or water, as snacks, on energy intake and body weight in healthy women. Material-methods: Thirty-three pre-menopausal women aged 19-50 years old, having Body Mass Index between 24-30 kg/m², were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: "Banana", "Juice" and "Water". Volunteers were asked to consume on a daily basis for two months, 30 min before lunch and dinner, 120 g of fresh banana or 170 mL of banana juice or 170mL of water, respectively. Body weight and dietary intake were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study. At the end of the study, self-reported changes in their appetite-related feelings, compared to the pre-intervention state, were also recorded. Results: Body weight ("Banana Group": 74,7±11,4 and 75,2±11,4 kg, "Juice Group": 68,9±7,7 and 69,5±7,4 kg, "Water Group" 73,8±6,9 and 74,3±7,4 kg, at pre- and post-intervention respectively, P=0,979) or energy intake values were not significantly different at the end of the intervention, compared to the pre-intervention levels, in any of the three groups; furthermore, no significant intervention effect was found for these outcomes. Participants in the "Banana Group" reported greater reduction in the feeling of hunger (P=0,052) and a greater increase in the feeling of fullness (P=0,028), compared to those in the "Juice Group". Conclusions: Daily consumption of banana and banana juice does not lead to an increase in body weight, finding suggesting that ad¬equate energy compensation takes place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effect of seasonality in estimating population mean nutrient intake using a single dietary recall has not been fully explored. The present study aimed to evaluate variation in energy and nutrient intake using a single 24-h recall between two seasons (spring/summer and autumn/winter) in a sample of children and adolescents. Methods: A randomly selected subgroup ( n = 623) of a representative sample of 3–18-year-old Greek children and adolescents was used in the present analysis. Information on participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, body weight/height and dietary intake were collected through telephone interviews. Dietary assessment was based on two 24-h recalls (the first during the spring/summer season and the second 6 months later, during autumn/winter season). Results: Reported daily energy intake in spring/summer was 344 ± 130 kJ (82 ± 31 kcal) higher compared to the one in autumn/winter after adjusting for potential confounders ( P = 0.008). However, the contribution of the macronutrients to the total energy intake was not statistically different between the two periods and the same was also true for vitamin C and calcium. The results remained unchanged after excluding low energy reporters. Conclusions: The use of a second 24-h recall in a different season of the year does not confer additional information with regard to a population assessment of macronutrient contribution to the total energy intake in paediatric samples; its use appears to be justified in the light of a more accurate assessment of energy intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives:Height is a classic polygenic trait, with a number of genes underlying its variation. We evaluated the prospect of gene-to-diet interactions in a children's cohort, for the insulin-like growth factor II (IGF) rs680 polymorphism and height variation.Subjects/Methods:We screened 795 periadolescent children (424 girls) aged 10–11 years old from the Gene and Diet Attica Investigation (GENDAI) pediatric cohort for the IGF rs680 polymorphism (rs680).Results:Children homozygous for the common allele (GG) were taller (148.9±7.9 cm) compared with those with the A allele (148.1±7.9 cm), after adjusting for age, sex and dairy intake (β±s.e.: 2.1±0.95, P=0.026). A trend for rs680 × dairy intake interaction was also revealed (P=0.09). Stratification by IGF rs680 genotype revealed positive significant (P=0.014) association between dairy product intake and height in A-allele children adjusted for the same confounders. A daily increase of four dairy servings was associated with a 0.4 cm increase in height. On grouping dairy intake into low (1.9±0.7 servings per day) and high dairy product consumption (4.4±1.5 servings per day), children with the A allele who were high dairy product consumers were taller compared with the low dairy product consumers (148.8±7.9 vs 147.4±7.7 cm, respectively, P=0.05).Conclusions:A higher consumption of dairy products is associated with increased height depending on the rs680 IGF2 genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin, an adipose-derived hormone with central and peripheral actions, is involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Interactions between genetic and environmental factors have been associated with decrease in circulating adiponectin leading to obesity. AIM: We investigated whether variants of the ADIPOQ gene encoding adiponectin interact with diet to predict serum adiponectin concentration. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of healthy school-aged children of Greek origin (n = 991), aged 11.2 +/- 0.6 years was conducted in 2005-2006. DNA was genotyped for two SNPs [rs1501299 (n = 741) and rs17300539 (n = 713)] located in the ADIPOQ gene. Detailed dietary, behavioural, lifestyle, anthropometric and biochemical data were recorded for all participants. RESULTS: Both SNPs were in HWE. The rs1501299 (GG vs GT + TT) x fibre interaction was significantly associated with adiponectin concentration (P = 0.028). When fibre intake was low, GG homozygotes exhibited significantly higher adiponectin concentrations compared to T allele carriers (mean +/- SD = 5.1 +/- 2.7 vs 4.2 +/- 2.3; P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the rs1501299 x fibre interaction was significantly associated with adiponectin levels; in specific, GG homozygotes exhibited higher adiponectin levels compared to T carriers under conditions of lower fibre intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research on the effects of running and swimming on areal bone mineral density (aBMD) is inconclusive. This study examined the putative roles of the type and intensity of exercise in this respect, by measuring aBMD (adjusted for age, weight, and height) of the total body and of various subregions in 52 males aged 17-30yr (21 runners, 16 swimmers, 15 controls). The athletes were Competing at either long-distance (‘endurance’, n = 17) or short-distance (‘sprint’, n = 20) events. Compared with controls, runners had significantly higher leg aBMD (+6.7%, p<0.05), while swimmers had significantly lower leg and total body aBMD (-9.8% and -7.0%, respectively, p<0.05). Endurance athletes had significantly lower total body aBMD than controls (-4.9%, p<0.05). Sprint athletes did not differ significantly from controls at any site, but they had significantly higher aBMD than endurance athletes throughout the skeleton (p<0.05). Compared with controls, endurance swimmers had significantly lower aBMD at the legs and total body (-14.8% and -10.4%, respectively, p<0.05), while sprint runners had significantly higher values for the legs, trunk, and total body (+8.0%, + 10.0%, and + 6.3 %, respectively, p < 0.05). Sprint swimmers and endurance runners did not differ from controls at any site or the total body. These results suggest that the type and intensity of exercise have independent and additive effects on bone density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate nutrition-related habits of Greek school-aged adolescents. DESIGN:: Epidemiological survey. SETTING AND SUBJECTS:: The study was part of the Health Behavior in School Aged Children (HBSC) survey. A representative sample of school-aged adolescents aged 11.5, 13.5, and 15.5?y was obtained. The final sample consisted of 4211 students (51.6% girls and 48.4% boys). They were asked to complete a translated form of the international HBSC questionnaire, including several thematic entities. The Unhealthy Food Choices Score (UFCS) was devised in order to evaluate the overall quality of reported eating habits of respondents; the higher the score, the lower the diet quality. RESULTS:: Among all students surveyed, 14.7% were reported to be on a diet to lose weight (girls: 19.5%; boys: 9.7%; P<0.001), and 22.9% were dissatisfied with their body weight but not on a diet. Girls were found to have lower UFCS values compared to boys (24.7±4.6 vs 24.1±4.5, P<0.001). Girls dissatisfied with their weight, but not on a diet, showed the highest UFCS values compared to both those on a diet and those not on a diet. TV viewing was positively associated with the consumption of sodas, crisps, cakes and pastries, and sweets and chocolates. CONCLUSIONS:: Dieting is becoming a major problem, especially among older girls. The findings of this study suggest that eating habits of Greek school-aged adolescents are in the process of changing from more traditional to more Westernized ones.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2004) 58, 580-586. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601849 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study, which was part of the Health Behavior in School Aged Children (HBSC) study, was to provide national estimates for overweight and obesity in Greek school-aged children and adolescents. A nationwide multistage procedure was followed to obtain a representative sample of children and adolescents aged 11.5, 13.5 and 15.5 y. The resultant sample consisted of 4299 students, 51.3% girls and 48.7% boys. Self-reported weight and height data were used. According to the body mass index cutoff points adopted by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), 9.1% of girls and 21.7% of boys were classified as overweight, and 1.2% of girls and 2.5% of boys as obese. Corresponding values using CDC growth charts were 8.1% of girls and 18.8% of boys for overweight, and 1.7% of girls and 5.8% of boys for obese. Compared to most other western countries, the prevalence of obesity is lower in Greek children aged 11-16 y. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: IADL-extended; cognition; function; erratum EN IADL-extended cognition function erratum 541 541 1 04/17/20 20200401 NES 200401 The above article (Kalligerou I et al i ., [1]) published with an incorrect reference. IADL-extended, cognition, function, erratum. [Extracted from the article]