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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 19818

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kalliopi Anna Poulia

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Guest Editor

Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life, Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
Interests: diet; nutrition; malnutrition; chronic kidney disease; nutritional support; oncology nutrition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Michael Chourdakis

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Guest Editor

Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessalonik, Greece
Interests: perinatal epidemiology; nutrition in pregnancy; nutritional epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, interest in the interaction of nutrition and health has been growing. The effects of specific nutrients, alongside studies regarding a more holistic approach to our diet—those focusing more on the effect of dietary patterns on the metabolic profile and on the nutrients that can be used in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases—are increasingly in the spotlight.

This Special Issue is an attempt to present recent advances in nutrition and health, in terms of prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases and the management of nutrition-related problems.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

Assessment of nutritional status (i.e., laboratory markers and methods of measurements of body composition);
Dietary intake for the prevention of health-related problems;
Dietary patterns and their effect on health and disease;
Medical nutrition therapy;
Nutritional supplements and their effect on wellbeing, in health and disease.

We invite clinicians and researchers to submit relevant scientific work from epidemiological or clinical studies, either original articles or review, to this Special Issue.

Dr. Kalliopi Anna Poulia
Dr. Michael Chourdakis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 364 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quality of Life of Hemodialysis Patients in Greece: Associations with Socio-Economic, Anthropometric and Nutritional Factors

by Ioanna Floria, Ioanna Kontele, Maria G. Grammatikopoulou, Theodoros N. Sergentanis and Tonia Vassilakou

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15389; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215389 - 21 Nov 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2690

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious public health problem that, in recent decades, has taken on significant dimensions with serious effects on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate the QoL of a sample of hemodialysis patients in Greece and the possible correlations with socio-economic and anthropometric factors, as well as with adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD). During September–November 2019, one-hundred and five (n = 105) patients with end-stage CKD (63.4 ± 13.09 years of age) who were regularly monitored in five public and private hemodialysis units in the region of Attica, completed a demographic questionnaire, the MedDietScore questionnaire, and the KDQOL-SF questionnaire. Females presented worse QoL than males (p < 0.05), and older patients presented worse QoL than younger patients (p < 0.01). Patients of higher educational status presented better QoL scores than those of lower educational status (p < 0.01), while those with low financial status presented lower QoL scores than patients of middle and high financial status (p < 0.01). Obese patients had lower QoL scores than overweight patients (p < 0.05), and overweight males scored higher than normal weight males (p < 0.05). Age was negatively correlated to the total and most of the scales of QoL (p < 0.01). A majority of the patients (90.5%) showed a moderate adherence to MD, although “work status” was the only QoL scale that was correlated to MD. Age, educational status and financial status accounted for 28.1% of the variance in the KDQOL-SF total score. Hemodialysis patients need support in various levels, such as social, financial and educational, as well as nutritional counseling to adopt a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight, in order to achieve a better quality of life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nutrition and Health)

15 pages, 1384 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Assessment of Nitrite and Nitrate Intake from Processed Meat Products: Results from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS)

by Sotiria Kotopoulou, Antonis Zampelas and Emmanuella Magriplis

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12800; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912800 - 6 Oct 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3724

Abstract

Long-term exposure to a high nitrite and nitrate intake through processed meat is of concern, as it has been related to adverse health effects. Individual consumption data from 2152 participants (46.7% males) in the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS) were linked with current Maximum Permitted Levels (MPLs) to calculate exposure to nitrite and nitrate from processed meat products (assessed as nitrite equivalent), evaluate potential risk and identify the major contributors. Processed meat intakes were determined by combining data from 24 h recalls and frequency of consumption reported in Food Propensity Questionnaires (FPQs). Median exposure was estimated to be within safe levels for all population groups. However, 6.6% (n = 143) of the consumers exceeded the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of nitrite (0.07 mg/kg bw/day), of which 20.3% were children aged 0–9 years (N = 29) (15.3% of all children participants in the study, N = 190). In total, pork meat was the major contributor (41.5%), followed by turkey meat (32.7%) and sausages (23.8%), although contribution variations were found among age groups. The outcomes are of public health concern, especially exposure among children, and future research is warranted to evaluate possible associations with health effects, by using more refined occurrence data if available. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nutrition and Health)

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15 pages, 385 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence and Socioeconomic Correlates of Adult Obesity in Europe: The Feel4Diabetes Study

by Dimitrios V. Diamantis, Kalliopi Karatzi, Paris Kantaras, Stavros Liatis, Violeta Iotova, Yulia Bazdraska, Tsvetalina Tankova, Greet Cardon, Katja Wikström, Imre Rurik, Emese Antal, Alelí M. Ayala-Marín, Natalia Giménez Legarre, Konstantinos Makrilakis and Yannis Manios

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12572; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912572 - 1 Oct 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2672

Abstract

To effectively tackle obesity, it is necessary to identify all specific socioeconomic factors which contribute to its development. We aimed to highlight the prevalence of adult overweight/obesity in European countries and investigate the association of various socioeconomic factors and their accumulative effect on overweight/obesity status. Cross-sectional data from the Feel4Diabetes study for 24,562 adults residing in low socioeconomic areas were collected, representing Belgium, Finland, Greece, Spain, Bulgaria, and Hungary. Socioeconomic Burden Score (SEBS) was created, accounting for unemployment, financial insecurity, and education ≤ 12 years. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and logistic regression. In total, 19,063 adults with complete data were included (34.5% overweight and 15.8% obese). The highest overweight/obesity rates occurred in Greece (37.5%/17.8%) and Hungary (35.4%/19.7%). After adjusting for confounders, age of <45 years and female sex were inversely associated with overweight/obesity, while low educational level (≤12 years), unemployment, and financial insecurity were positively associated. The increase in SEBS (clustering of socioeconomic disadvantages) was associated with increased overweight/obesity likelihood. This association of SEBS scores with overweight/obesity was evident for males and females across all examined countries, excluding males in low-income countries (Bulgaria and Hungary), where the highest SEBS score was inversely associated with overweight/obesity. The clustering burden of socioeconomic disadvantages on overweight/obesity was found to be influenced by the countries’ economic state and sex. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nutrition and Health)

14 pages, 1900 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Short-Term Effects of Traditional Greek Meals: Lentils with Lupins, Trahana with Tomato Sauce and Halva with Currants and Dried Figs on Postprandial Glycemic Responses—A Randomized Clinical Trial in Healthy Humans

by Emilia Papakonstantinou, Konstantinos Galanopoulos, Anastasia E. Kapetanakou, Maria Gkerekou and Panagiotis N. Skandamis

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11502; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811502 - 13 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2065

Abstract

Low glycemic index (GI) diets have been associated with decreased chronic disease risk. In a randomized, cross-over study we investigated the GI and glycemic response to three traditional Greek mixed meals: Lentils, Trahana, and Halva. Twelve healthy, fasting individuals received isoglucidic test meals (25 g available carbohydrate) and 25 g glucose reference, in random order. GI was calculated and capillary blood glucose (BG) samples were collected at 0–120 min after meal consumption. Subjective appetite ratings were assessed. All three tested meals provided low GI values. Lentils GI was 27 ± 5, Trahana GI was 42 ± 6, and Halva GI was 52 ± 7 on glucose scale. Peak BG values were lowest for Lentils, followed by Trahana and then by Halva (p for all <0.05). Compared to the reference food, BG concentrations were significantly lower for all meals at all time-points (p for all <0.05). Lentils provided lower glucose concentrations at 30 and 45 min compared to Trahana (p for all <0.05) and at 30, 45, and 60 min compared to Halva (p for all <0.05). BG concentrations did not differ between Trahana and Halva at all time points. No differences were observed for fasting BG, time to peak rise for BG, and subjective appetite ratings. In conclusion, all three mixed meals attenuated postprandial glycemic response in comparison to glucose, which may offer advantages to glycemic control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nutrition and Health)

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17 pages, 774 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Spaghetti Differing in Soluble Fiber and Protein Content on Glycemic Responses in Humans: A Randomized Clinical Trial in Healthy Subjects

by Emilia Papakonstantinou, Marina Xaidara, Vassiliki Siopi, Marianna Giannoglou, George Katsaros, Georgios Theodorou, Eirini Maratou, Kalliopi-Anna Poulia, George D. Dimitriadis and Panagiotis N. Skandamis

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(5), 3001; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19053001 - 4 Mar 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3278

Abstract

This randomized, single blind, cross-over study investigated the glycemic responses to three spaghetti No 7 types differing in dietary protein and soluble fiber content. Fourteen clinically and metabolically healthy, fasting individuals (25 ± 1 years; ten women; BMI 23 ± 1 kg/m²) received isoglucidic test meals (50 g available carbohydrate) and 50 g glucose reference, in random order. GI was calculated using the FAO/WHO method. Capillary blood glucose and salivary insulin samples were collected at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 120 min. Subjective appetite ratings (hunger, fullness, and desire to eat) were assessed by visual analogue scales (VAS, 100 mm) at baseline and 120 min. All three spaghetti types (regular, whole wheat, and high soluble fiber–low carbohydrates) provided low GI values (33, 38, and 41, respectively, on glucose scale) and lower peak glucose values compared to glucose or white bread. No differences were observed between spaghetti No 7 types for fasting glucose, fasting and post-test-meal insulin concentrations, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), and subjective appetite. Conclusions: all spaghetti No 7 types, regardless of soluble fiber and/or protein content, attenuated postprandial glycemic response, which may offer advantages to glycemic control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nutrition and Health)

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Review

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22 pages, 5454 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Soy Isoflavones on Biochemical Markers of Bone Metabolism in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

by Wiesław Kanadys, Agnieszka Barańska, Agata Błaszczuk, Małgorzata Polz-Dacewicz, Bartłomiej Drop, Maria Malm and Krzysztof Kanecki

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(10), 5346; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105346 - 17 May 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3573

Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed to more completely assess potential changes in bone turnover marker levels in postmenopausal women during the intake of soy isoflavones. PubMed (Medline) and EMBASE were searched for relevant studies, and their quality was evaluated according to Cochrane criteria. The levels of markers were evaluated in a total of 1114 women who ingested mean daily doses of 98.2 mg (30.9 to 300) of soy isoflavones for 3 to 24 months, in comparison to those of 1081 subjects who used a placebo. Ten, eighteen, eight, and fourteen comparison studies were finally selected for an estimation of the effects on osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), pyridinoline (PYD), and deoxypyridinoline (DPD), respectively. A summary of the results of intervention was as follows: 4.16%, 95% CI: –7.72–16.04, p = 0.49 for OC; 5.50%, 95% CI: –3.81–14.82, p = 0.25 for BAP; –12.09%, 95% CI: –25.37–1.20, p = 0.07 for PYD; and –7.48%, 95% CI: –15.37–0.41, p = 0.06 for DPD. The meta-analysis of the included studies revealed some statistically insignificant observations that soy isoflavones intake is associated with a trend in increased levels of OC and BAP, as well as a trend in reduced levels of PYD and DPD. Soy isoflavones may have a beneficial effect on bone formation markers, but this requires extensive multi-center research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nutrition and Health)

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