Low-fat dairy consumption and reduced risk of hypertension: the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) cohort

BACKGROUND: Some observational studies have shown a beneficial effect of dairy consumption on blood pressure, especially in overweight and relatively young (<40 y) persons. However, no results from prospective studies conducted in a free-living population exist that show this association in middle-aged adults. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess whether total, low-fat, and whole-fat dairy consumption was associated prospectively with the risk of hypertension. DESIGN: This was a prospective study conducted in 5880 university graduates in Spain, aged >20 y in 2000 (mean age: 37 y), free of hypertension and cardiovascular disease at baseline, and followed-up with mailed questionnaires for a median of 27 mo. Dairy consumption was assessed with a previously validated semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: One hundred eighty new cases of hypertension were identified. The hazard ratio of hypertension between extreme quintiles of low-fat dairy product consumption was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.84; P for trend = 0.02) after adjustment for the main known risk factors for hypertension and several dietary factors. No significant association between whole-fat dairy products or total calcium intake and incident hypertension was seen. CONCLUSION: In this Mediterranean cohort, low-fat dairy consumption, but not whole-fat dairy consumption, was associated with a lower risk of incident hypertension.     

The Mediterranean Diet and Incidence of Hypertension: The Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Study

The Mediterranean diet is receiving increasing attention incardiovascular epidemiology. The association of adherence tothe Mediterranean diet with the incidence of hypertension wasevaluated among 9,408 men and women enrolled in a dynamic Spanishprospective cohort study during 1999–2005. Dietary intakewas assessed at baseline with a validated semiquantitative foodfrequency questionnaire, and a 9-point Mediterranean diet scorewas constructed. During a median follow-up period of 4.2 years(range, 1.9–7.9), 501 incident cases of hypertension wereidentified. After adjustment for major hypertension risk factorsand nutritional covariates, adherence to the Mediterranean dietwas not associated with hypertension (the hazard ratio was 1.10(95% confidence interval (CI): 0.81, 1.41) for moderate adherenceand 1.12 (95% CI: 0.79, 1.60) for high adherence). However,it was associated with reduced changes in mean levels of systolicblood pressure (moderate adherence, –2.4 mm Hg (95% CI:–4.0, –0.8); high adherence, –3.1 mm Hg (95%CI: –5.4, –0.8)) and diastolic blood pressure (moderateadherence, –1.3 mm Hg (95% CI: –2.5, –0.1);high adherence, –1.9 mm Hg (95% CI: –3.6, –0.1))after 6 years of follow-up. These results suggest that adheringto a Mediterranean-type diet could contribute to the preventionof age-related changes in blood pressure. blood pressure; dairy products; diet; diet, Mediterranean; food; hypertension; longitudinal studies     

Fruit and vegetable consumption is inversely associated with blood pressure in a Mediterranean population with a high vegetable-fat intake: the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Study

There is evidence that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables reduces blood pressure (BP). Characteristically, the Mediterranean diet is rich in plant-derived foods and also in fat, but studies conducted in Mediterranean countries to relate diet to BP are scarce. We studied the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and BP in a cross-sectional analysis of 4393 participants in the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Study, an ongoing dynamic cohort study in Spain. Diet was measured using a food-frequency questionnaire previously validated in Spain. Fat represented more than 37 % total energy intake. Subjects were considered to have undiagnosed hypertension if they reported systolic BP > or = 140 mmHg or diastolic BP > or = 90 mmHg, and not a medical diagnosis of hypertension. The adjusted prevalence odds ratio of undiagnosed hypertension (upper v. lowest quintile) was 0.58 (95 % CI 0.36, 0.91; P for trend 0.01) for vegetable consumption and 0.68 (95 % CI 0.43, 1.09; P for trend 0.10) for fruit consumption. Comparing those in the highest quintile of both fruit and vegetable consumption with those in the lowest quintile of both food groups, the prevalence odds ratio was 0.23 (95 % CI 0.10, 0.55; P = 0.001), after adjusting for risk factors for hypertension and other dietary exposures. In a Mediterranean population with an elevated fat consumption, a high fruit and vegetable intake is inversely associated with BP levels.     

Predictors of weight gain in a Mediterranean cohort: the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra Study 1

BACKGROUND: High consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks has been associated with weight gain and obesity in the United States. This trend may also be affecting populations with different eating patterns who increasingly are adopting typical US dietary patterns. OBJECTIVE: We assessed whether the consumption of sweetened drinks and other food items increased the likelihood of weight gain in a Mediterranean population. DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort analysis of 7194 men and women with a mean age of 41 y who were followed-up for a median of 28.5 mo with mailed questionnaires. Dietary exposure was assessed with a previously validated semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: During follow-up, we observed that 49.5% of the participants increased their weight (x weight gain: 0.64 kg; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.73 kg). In the participants who had gained > or =3 kg in the 5 y before baseline, the adjusted odds ratio of subsequent weight gain for the fifth quintile compared with the first quintile of sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption was 1.6 (95% CI: 1.2, 2.1; P for trend = 0.02). This association was absent in the participants who had not gained weight in the 5-y period before baseline. The consumption of hamburgers, pizza, and sausages (as a proxy for fast-food consumption) was also independently associated with weight gain (adjusted odds ratio for the fifth compared with the first quintile = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0, 1.4; P for trend = 0.05). We also found a significant, but weaker, association between weight gain and both red meat and sweetened fruit juice consumption. CONCLUSION: In a Mediterranean cohort, particularly in the participants who had already gained weight, an increased consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks and of hamburgers, pizza, and sausages was associated with a higher risk of additional subsequent weight gain.     

Vitamin D and Risk of Obesity-Related Cancers: Results from the SUN (‘Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra’) Project

Obesity is associated with a higher risk of several types of cancer, grouped as obesity-related cancers (ORC). Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in obese subjects, and it has been suggested to play a role in the association between obesity and cancer risk. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between vitamin D intake and the subsequent risk of ORC in a prospective Spanish cohort of university graduates. The SUN Project, initiated in 1999, is a prospective dynamic multipurpose cohort. Participants answered a 556-item lifestyle baseline questionnaire that included a validated food-frequency questionnaire. We performed Cox regression models to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) of ORC according to quartiles of energy-adjusted vitamin D intake (diet and supplements). We included 18,017 participants (mean age = 38 years, SD = 12 years), with a median follow-up of 12 years. Among 206,783 person-years of follow-up, we identified 225 cases of ORC. We found no significant associations between vitamin D intake and ORC risk after adjusting for potential confounders: HR_Q2vsQ1 = 1.19 (95% CI 0.81–1.75), HR_Q3vsQ1 = 1.20 (95% CI 0.81–1.78), and HR_Q4vsQ1 = 1.02 (95% CI 0.69–1.51). Dietary and supplemented vitamin D do not seem to be associated with ORC prevention in the middle-aged Spanish population.     

Dietary patterns in pregnancy and associations with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors

OBJECTIVE: To obtain distinct dietary patterns in the third trimester of pregnancy using principal components analysis (PCA); to determine associations with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 12 053 pregnant women partaking in a population-based cohort study recorded current frequency of food consumption via questionnaire in 1991-1992. Dietary patterns identified using PCA were related to social and demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors. RESULTS: Five dietary patterns were established and labelled to best describe the types of diet being consumed in pregnancy. The 'health conscious' component described a diet based on salad, fruit, rice, pasta, breakfast cereals, fish, eggs, pulses, fruit juices, white meat and non-white bread. The 'traditional' component loaded highly on all types of vegetables, red meat and poultry. The 'processed' component was associated with high-fat processed foods. The 'confectionery' component was characterized by snack foods with high sugar content and the final 'vegetarian' component loaded highly on meat substitutes, pulses, nuts and herbal tea and high negative loadings were seen with red meat and poultry. There were strong associations between various socio-demographic variables and all dietary components; in particular, a 'health conscious' diet was positively associated with increasing education and age and non-white women. There was a negative association with increased parity, single, non-working women, those who smoked and who were overweight pre-pregnancy. Opposite associations were seen with the 'processed' component. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct dietary patterns in pregnancy have been identified. There is clear evidence of social patterning associated with the dietary patterns, these social factors need to be accounted for in future studies using dietary patterns. This study will form the basis for further work investigating pregnancy outcome.     

Self-reported drinking and driving amongst educated adults in Spain: The "Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra" (SUN) cohort findings

Background  

The role of alcohol as a risk factor for motor vehicle crashes is long known. Yet, reports on the prevalence of drinking and driving suggest values between 20%–30% when the adult driving population is interviewed. We wondered whether these values hold true among European educated citizens and whether there are any significant differences in prevalence by age, gender, type of profession and other lifestyle indicators.     

Association of major dietary patterns with socioeconomic and lifestyle factors of adult women living in Tehran,Iran

ObjectivesTo detect major dietary patterns and their relation with demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors in adult women living in Tehran, Iran.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, 460 women 20–50 y of age were selected by a stratified random-sampling method. Factor analysis was conducted to ascertain the major dietary patterns, and analysis of covariance was fitted to assess the relation between demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle variables and adherence to major dietary patterns.ResultsTwo major dietary patterns were extracted: healthy and unhealthy. After adjustment for confounders, age (b = 0.31, P < 0.01), university degree (b = 0.85, P < 0.01), housing size >20 m²/head (b = 0.30, P < 0.01), total family income US >$500/mo (b = 0.25, P < 0.05), physical activity (b = 0.01, P < 0.05), and history of hypertension (b = 0.36, P < 0.05) were positively associated and duration of residence in Tehran (b = ?0.01, P < 0.05) was negatively associated with a healthy dietary pattern. Conversely, ethnicity (Turk versus Fars; b = 0.30, P < 0.01) and smoking (b = 0.64, P < 0.01) were positively associated and age (b = ?0.33, P < 0.01) was negatively associated with an unhealthy dietary pattern.ConclusionOur findings support the association between demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle factors and dietary patterns of the studied women. Therefore, it is suggested these factors should be considered in future studies on the association between dietary patterns and disease.     

Mediterranean Alcohol-Drinking Patterns and All-Cause Mortality in Women More Than 55 Years Old and Men More Than 50 Years Old in the “Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra” (SUN) Cohort

Background: Most of the available epidemiological evidence on alcohol and chronic disease agrees on recommending alcohol abstention to young people, but some controversy exists about the most appropriate recommendation for alcohol abstention for people of older ages. A growing body of evidence suggests that the pattern of alcohol consumption is likely to be a strong effect modifier. The Mediterranean Alcohol Drinking Pattern (MADP) represents a score integrating several dimensions of drinking patterns (moderation, preference for red wine, drinking with meals, and avoiding binge drinking). Our aim was to clarify this issue and provide more precise recommendations on alcohol consumption. Methods: We prospectively followed-up 2226 participants (men older than 50 years and women older than 55 years at baseline) in the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) cohort. We classified participants into three categories of adherence to the MADP score (low, moderate, and high), and we added a fourth category for abstainers. Cox regression models estimated multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of all-cause death and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using low MADP adherence as the reference category. Results: The strongest reduction in risk of mortality was observed for those with high adherence to the MADP, with an HR of 0.54 (95% CI: 0.37–0.80). The moderate adherence group (HR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44–0.96) and the abstention group (HR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.36–0.98) also exhibited lower risks of mortality than the low MADP adherence group. Conclusions: based on the available evidence, a public health message can be provided to people older than 50 years as follows: among those who drink alcohol, high adherence to the MADP score could substantially reduce their risk of all-cause mortality.     

Gender and age differences in lifestyle factors related to hypertension in middle-aged civil service employees

The aim of this study is to identify lifestyle factors related to hypertension in man and woman workers, and to investigate age and gender differences in the relationships of the factors. From 6,000 civil service employees (4,937 men and 1,063 women) aged 40-69 years, information on lifestyle-related factors such as stress, exercise habits, preference for salty taste, alcohol drinking and smoking habits, and body mass index, as well as age and family history of hypertension was obtained through self-administered questionnaires in 1997. Hypertension was defined as either a systolic blood pressure > or = 140 mmHg, a diastolic blood pressure > or = 90 mmHg, or undergoing treatment for hypertension, and was present by 37.0% in men and 19.6% in women. Only body mass index was a significant lifestyle-related risk factor common to both genders with an odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval in parentheses of 2.2 (2.0-2.5) for men and 3.2 (2.3-4.6) for women. Men and women who preferred salty taste showed multivariate adjusted odds ratios of 0.9 (0.8-1.1) and 1.5 (1.1-2.2) for hypertension, respectively. In the stratified subanalysis, women aged 50 years and over had a significant odds ratio of 2.7 (1.5-4.9), whereas women aged 40-49 years and men of all age classes failed to show significant relationships. Salt intake was suggested to be a key factor for hypertension particularly for women after menopause.     

Health,Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe study: dietary patterns and their association with socio-demographic factors in the Lithuanian urban population of Kaunas city

Objectives  

The purpose of this study was to identify the main dietary patterns in the Lithuanian urban population and to determine their association with socio-demographic factors.     

Fish consumption among pregnant women in London, Ontario: associations with socio-demographic and health and lifestyle factors

BACKGROUND: Intake of fish and omega-3 fatty acids is inversely related to adverse health outcomes; however, these relationships may be confounded by socio-economic status and health behaviours. This study's purpose was to describe the socio-demographic, health and lifestyle correlates of fish consumption among pregnant women. METHODS: Pregnant women (n=2394) completed a telephone interview between 10-22 weeks' gestation (London, Ontario, 2002-5) containing questions on socio-demographic, health and lifestyle variables; dietary intake was measured using a 106-item validated food-frequency questionnaire. Unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios were obtained using a modified Poisson regression model. RESULTS: Infrequent fish consumption, <1/week, was reported by 32% of women. After adjusting for age and education, infrequent fish consumption was associated with education 相似文献   

Associations between sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and dietary quality among adolescents in Palma de Mallorca

OBJECTIVE: We assessed associations between sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and dietary quality among adolescents. METHODS: Subjects were 445 adolescents (171 boys, 274 girls; 14 to 18 y old) selected from the Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) school census (96% participation) using two-stage probability sampling. The study protocol included dietary intake by means of a validated semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire; sociodemographic factors of sex, maternal level of education, parental occupational status, and maternal region of origin; physical activity; and body weight and height measurements. Body mass index was calculated and energy intake expressed as multiples of basal metabolic rate. RESULTS: Mean daily energy intakes were 12.9 MJ for boys and 12.0 MJ for girls. Boys showed a higher percentage of energy from carbohydrates but a lower percentage from proteins and fat than did girls (44.9 versus 41.6, 18.8 versus 19.8, and 36.3 versus 38.5, respectively). Dietary fiber intake was within the recommended levels. Mineral and vitamin intakes generally met their estimated needs, except for vitamins A and D, which covered less than two-thirds of the recommended intake. Maternal educational level was positively correlated with dietary mineral and vitamin intakes. A positive relation between physical activity and dietary intakes of carbohydrate and of mineral and vitamin was found. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal level of education and physical activity are associated to the quality of diet among adolescents in Palma de Mallorca.     

A case-control study of the association between socio-demographic, lifestyle and medical history factors and multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE: The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains poorly understood. Socio-demographic characteristics may play important roles in its development. METHODS: In a case-control study of MS, a total of 200 newly diagnosed MS patients and 202 frequency age- and sex-matched controls were studied. RESULTS: A direct and significant association was observed between cigarette smoking and the risk of MS. Higher education seemed to reduce the risk of MS. Contact with cats was inversely associated with MS, particularly in males, whereas contact with caged birds increased the risk significantly, especially in females. A strong family aggregation of MS was observed among cases. A past history of trauma and eye problems appeared to pose a high risk of MS. Cases had a significant family history of eye problems, mumps, measles, rubella, cancer and auto-immune diseases. CONCLUSION: If smoking and history of certain infectious diseases increase the risk of MS significantly, they could be modified and avoided, thereby reducing the likelihood of being afflicted by MS.