International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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Dr. Matina Kouvari

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1. Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health PROLEPSIS, 15121 Athens, Greece
2. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 17676 Athens, Greece
3. Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
4. Functional Foods and Nutrition Research (FFNR) Laboratory, University of Canberra, Bruce, Ngunnawal Country, ACT 2617, Australia
Interests: nutrition; nutrition epidemiology; cardiovascular diseases; metabolic syndrome; gender differences; health promotion

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forty million deaths around the globe are annually attributed to non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs). There is longstanding recognition that diet plays a major role in the etiology of many chronic diseases. For instance, estimates show that 80% of the most frequent chronic disease, i.e., cardiovascular disease (CVD), is preventable earlier in life if a healthier lifestyle is adopted. It is estimated that among all behaviors, nutrition makes the largest contribution to chronic diseases’ morbidity across Europe. This calls for cost‐effective preventive strategies towards this perspective in the first place. Population-based strategies are crucial complements to individual-based efforts and also have the potential for broad and sustained impacts; however, many challenges exist. In view of the magnitude of the disease burden attributable to diet and the limitations of the existing interventions, the development of novel food system interventions is urgently needed.

The scope of this Special Issue is to select original research articles or systematic reviews that connect nutrition with major chronic diseases, with a focus oriented towards health promotion strategies in the field of primary care.

Dr. Matina Kouvari
Guest Editor

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Keywords

healthy diet
health promotion
primary care
obesity
cardiometabolic disorders
cancer
public health

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wrist Circumference Cutoff Points for Determining Excess Weight Levels and Predicting Cardiometabolic Risk in Adults

by Larissa Monteiro Costa Pereira, Márcia Ferreira Cândido de Souza, Felipe J. Aidar, Márcio Getirana-Mota, Alex Menezes dos Santos-Junior, Mario Francisco Dantas de Santana Filho, Marcos Antonio Almeida-Santos, Raysa Manuelle Santos Rocha, Rebeca Rocha de Almeida, Leonardo Baumworcel, Luiz Henrique Sala de Melo Costa, Renata Rebello Mendes and Antônio Carlos Sobral Sousa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(5), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050549 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2024

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Abstract

(1) Background: An elevated wrist circumference may indicate excess weight and cardiometabolic risk. The present study aims to identify wrist circumference cutoff points (WrC) to determine excess weight levels and predict cardiometabolic risk in adults. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with adults aged 20 to 59 years old, attending the outpatient clinic at University Hospital/Federal University of Sergipe HU/UFS-EBSERH. Demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, and blood pressure (BP) data were collected. Cardiometabolic risk was assessed, according to the global risk score (ERG) and Framingham score criteria. The descriptive analysis included calculating medians and frequencies of anthropometric, demographic, biochemical, and blood pressure variables. The gender and age of adult groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney test. Spearman’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were used to assess the association between wrist circumference (WrC) and the variables mentioned above. The predictive validity of WrC in identifying excess weight levels and cardiometabolic risk was analyzed using the ROC curve. The sample consisted of 1487 adults aged 20 to 59 years, 55.7% of whom were female; (3) Results: WrC correlated positively with other adiposity indicators such as waist circumference and Body Mass Index. WrC was the anthropometric indicator most significantly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors. WrC cutoff points identified by the study for determining excess weight were categorized by gender and age group. For males aged 20 to 40 years and >40 years, respectively, the cutoff points for overweight were 17.1 cm and 17.3 cm, and for obesity, 17.9 cm and 17.5 cm. For females aged 20 to 40 years and >40 years, respectively, the cutoff points for overweight were 15.6 cm and 15.4 cm, and for obesity, 16.1 cm and 16 cm (4). Conclusions: Wrist circumference showed a significant correlation with other adiposity indicators and can be used to identify adults with excess weight and predict cardiometabolic risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Diet, Nutrition and Health Promotion Strategies to Prevent Chronic Diseases in All Life Stages)

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14 pages, 634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Older People in Emergencies; Addressing Food Insecurity, Health Status and Quality of Life: Evaluating the “365+ Days of Care” Program

by Dimitrios V. Diamantis, Konstantinos Katsas, Christina Maria Kastorini, Lyndsey Mugford, Nadia Dalma, Marsellos Ramizi, Ourania Papapanagiotou, Afroditi Veloudaki, Athena Linos and Matina Kouvari

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(7), 5235; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20075235 - 23 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1888

Abstract

During emergencies, older adults stand among the most vulnerable, facing long-lasting food insecurity and overall health issues. The “365+ Days of Care” food aid program addressed food insecurity and poor quality of life among vulnerable older adults following a devastating wildfire in Greece. Our aim was to evaluate the program’s efficiency, using a process evaluation framework and a partial cost–utility analysis. In total, n = 133 wildfire-hit residents (≥65 years) received daily tailored, pre-cooked meals and/or weekly food packages. The study outcomes were assessed from baseline to 12 months later. Focus groups and interviews (n = 30), researcher observations, and questionnaires were used to assess the beneficiaries’ perception of the initiative. Within the 12-month follow-up period, food insecurity and malnutrition risk decreased, whereas Mediterranean diet adherence; quality of life; and physical, social, and mental health were improved (p < 0.05). A one-point increase in food insecurity was positively associated with improved quality of life, general health, limitation in activities, body pain, vitality, and pain/discomfort (p’s < 0.05), and it was marginally associated with mobility, anxiety/depression, and self-evaluated health status (p’s < 0.1). Quantitative and qualitative data characterized it as successful, acceptable, beneficial, and of high quality. The partial cost–utility ratio was one QALY gained per EUR 22.608. The utilization of well-designed food aid programs during emergencies can alleviate food insecurity and improve quality of life in older adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Diet, Nutrition and Health Promotion Strategies to Prevent Chronic Diseases in All Life Stages)

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