The association between cheese consumption and cardiovascular risk factors among adults

Background Although current dietary guidelines recommend limiting foods high in fat and saturated fat, such as high‐fat dairy, the effect of cheese consumption on body composition and cardiovascular risk factors is largely unknown. Methods Participants from a US population‐based survey, NHANES III, aged 25–75 years who completed a food frequency questionnaire and had measures of body composition and cardiovascular risk factors were included (n = 10 872). Linear regression was used to compare anthropometrics, blood lipids, blood pressure and blood glucose across categories of cheese consumption (combined full and low‐fat). Results In women, more frequent cheese consumption was associated with higher HDL‐C and lower LDL‐C (p for trend, < 0.05). However, in men, more frequent cheese consumption was associated with a higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, HDL‐C and LDL‐C, and diastolic blood pressure (p for trend, < 0.05). Men consuming 30 + servings/month had significantly higher BMI, waist circumference, and diastolic blood pressure compared to nonconsumers (P < 0.05). Conclusions More frequent cheese consumption was associated with less favourable body composition and cardiovascular risk profile in men, but with a more favourable cardiovascular risk profile in women. However, the type of cheese consumed by men and women may have differed resulting in opposing trends on body composition and cardiovascular risk factors.     

The association between educational status and risk factors related to cardiovascular disease in healthy individuals: The ATTICA study

PURPOSE: The object of this work was to study the associations between education status and several cardiovascular risk factors in 2271 randomly selected male and female adults. METHODS: The formal education level was used as proxy for socio-economic status; the distribution of the risk factors and the prevalence of risk conditions were analyzed by the different levels of education-"low", "medium", and "high." The association between education level and the investigated measurements was tested by the application of multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty (19.8%) males and 292 (25.3%) females were classified as "low", 471 (42.4%) males and 476 (41.3%) females as "medium", and 421 (37.8%) males and 386 (33.4%) females as "high" educated. Compared with those with "low" education, individuals who reported "high" education had 8% lower systolic (p < 0.001) and 4% lower diastolic (p < 0.001) blood pressure levels, 6% lower blood glucose levels (p < 0.001), 7% lower serum total cholesterol (p < 0.001), 6% higher HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001), 22% lower lipoprotein-a levels (p < 0.001), 11% lower apoliprotein-B levels (p < 0.001), 15% lower triglycerides (p < 0.001), 45% lower hs-CRP (p < 0.001), 8% lower fibrinogen levels (p < 0.01), and 7% lower white blood cell count (p < 0.001). The associations regarding inflammation markers remained statistically significant even after adjustment for several potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that in primary prevention it is important to focus our attention, especially, on people with low education, since they seem to be rather unprotected against the prevalence of several cardiovascular risk factors.     

Correlation between dietary glycemic index and cardiovascular disease risk factors among Japanese women

OBJECTIVE: To examine the correlation between dietary glycemic index (GI) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among subjects who consume white rice as a staple food. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the associations between dietary GI, dietary glycemic load (GL) and dietary intakes, and CVD risk factors. Dietary GI and GL were calculated from a 3-day (including two consecutive weekdays and one holiday) dietary records. SETTING: A weight-reduction program at a municipal health center in Tokyo, Japan. SUBJECTS: A total of 32 women aged 52.5+/-7.2 y participated in the weight-reduction program. RESULT: The GI food list made for the current study calculated for 91% of carbohydrate intakes measured. The mean dietary GI was 64+/-6, and the mean dietary GL was 150+/-37. Individuals in the highest tertile of GI consumed more carbohydrate, mostly from white rice (P<0.001), and less fat (P<0.01). Individuals in all three groups by tertile of GL showed similar tendencies. In the lowest GI tertile, the highest concentration of HDL-cholesterol and lowest concentration of triacylglycerol and immunoreactive insulin were observed (P<0.01). In the lowest GL tertile, the highest concentration of HDL-cholesterol and the lowest concentration of triacylglycerol were observed (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Calculated dietary GI and GL were positively associated with CVD risk factors among the Japanese women who consumed white rice as a staple food.     

Time-to-pregnancy and risk of cardiovascular disease among men and women

European Journal of Epidemiology - A few studies indicate that women with prolonged time-to-pregnancy (TTP) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This has not been studied in men....     

non-HDL-C与缺血性心血管病10年发病风险相关性研究

目的  评估非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-HDL-C)与10年缺血性心血管病(ischemic cerebrovas-cular disease, ICVD)发病风险的相关性。方法  从2017―2020年度国家心血管病高危人群队列研究中,筛选出安徽省年龄≥35岁人群100 893例,记录其基本信息、血压、血脂等,并计算血清non-HDL-C值。利用中国人10年ICVD发病危险度的简易评估模型预测入选者10年内ICVD患病风险,采用多因素logistic回归分析模型和趋势分析方法探究non-HDL-C对ICVD发病风险的意义,同时绘制森林图。结果  研究对象平均年龄(57.52±9.94)岁,其中男性40 931人占40.57%,女性59 962人占59.43%。男性高危发病风险人群占16.94%,高于女性(8.45%),且发病风险随non-HDL-C值、年龄的增加而上升,随教育和收入水平的提高而降低(P＜0.001)。non-HDL-C为未来10年ICVD发病风险的独立危险因素(P < 0.001)。结论  相比传统指标,non-HDL-C对预测未来10年ICVD发病风险有一定意义,且由于其无须考虑禁食状态等独特优势,non-HDL-C在一定程度上优于LDL、TG等传统指标。     

The risk of alcohol abuse and dependence in adulthood: the association with educational level.

In this analysis of prospectively gathered data, the authors sought to estimate the degree to which risk of alcohol abuse and dependence might be elevated among adults who attended but did not complete high school and among those who attended college without earning a degree. Study subjects were selected in 1980-1984 by taking probability samples of adult household residents at five sites of the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program: New Haven, Connecticut; Baltimore, Maryland; St. Louis, Missouri; Durham-Piedmont, North Carolina; and Los Angeles, California. At baseline, participants completed standardized interviews that measured sociodemographic variables and assessed whether they had met diagnostic criteria for currently or formerly active alcohol abuse-dependence syndromes. The interviews were readministered 1 year later to identify incident cases among the 13,673 participants. After subjects were sorted into risk sets by age and residence census tract and after persons with a prior history of alcohol abuse or dependence were excluded, there were in 156 risk sets 160 incident cases and 526 subjects at risk for future occurrence of alcohol syndromes. Compared with adults who had earned a college degree, those who had attended high school without completion were at increased risk (relative risk (RR) = 6.23, 95 percent confidence interval (CI) 2.41-16.09) as were adults who had attended college without earning a degree (RR = 3.25, 95 percent CI 1.36-7.76). In contrast, risk of alcohol disorders among adults with a high school diploma but no college was not reliably greater than the level of risk for those with a college degree (RR = 1.88, 95 percent CI 0.79-4.47).     

Trends in cardiovascular disease risk factors by educational level: the Stanford Five-City Project.

BACKGROUND. Trends in blood pressure, smoking, and cholesterol were examined from 1979-1980 through 1985-1986 in four cities in California by level of education (< high school, high school graduate, some college, college or postgraduate). METHODS. Four biennial cross-sectional surveys (n = 6,580) were conducted in two treatment and two control cities to evaluate a 6-year community health education intervention, conducted as part of the Stanford Five-City Project. RESULTS. Over the 8-year study period, men and women ages 25-74 from each educational group in the treatment cities showed significant declines in smoking prevalence and levels of blood pressure and cholesterol (with the exception of cholesterol in women). In general, declines in the least educated group (< high school) were stronger than declines in the most educated group (college or postgraduate). Similar declines occurred in each educational group in control cities. CONCLUSIONS. These results illustrate that persons from all educational levels can modify their risk for CVD and are of particular importance because of the higher prevalence of CVD risk factors among those with less education. The similarity of time trends in treatment as well as control cities suggests that the broad-based, multisource health education efforts in the United States are succeeding across the educational spectrum.     

Low awareness of cardiovascular disease risk among low-income African-American women

Focus groups were conducted with low-income African-American women in six different community settings in Northern California to assess their awareness of and concern for cardiovascular disease (CVD). These women had low awareness of the prevalence of CVD, attributed CVD to stress and low socioeconomic status, saw the media as an important source of health-related knowledge, and saw a need for more community awareness on CVD among African-American people.     

Tensions between career and interpersonal commitments as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease among women

For professional women, the tension between the career world and the world of interpersonal commitments to spouses, children and friends is thought to be particularly stressful, and a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The Career-Life Balance Inventory (CLBI) was created to survey a wide variety of these tensions among a group of 202 professional women. In a discriminant analysis, two scales from the CLBI (Career-Sacrifices and Interpersonal Sacrifices) appeared to play an important role in distinguishing those women experiencing serious cardiovascular disease. This model for the discrimination of cardiovascular disease was significant to the .01 level. This result suggests the need for more refined study of the tensions between career and interpersonal commitments, as these may relate to risk for cardiovascular disease.     

女性绝经前后代谢综合征与胆结石发病情况关联

目的 分析金昌队列中女性人群胆结石发病率,探索绝经前后女性代谢综合征及其各组分与胆结石发病的关系.方法 采用前瞻性队列研究方法,以队列人群基线资料中未患胆结石的女性为研究对象,分析代谢综合征及其各组分对胆结石发病的影响.结果 本研究共纳入4196人,随访结束时有胆结石者195例,占比4.65％.在绝经后女性人群中,有代...     

Dietary fat and cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular disease among women with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Nutritional therapy is a cornerstone of diabetes management, but no epidemiologic studies have investigated the relation between specific dietary fatty acids and cholesterol and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among diabetic patients. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the relation between specific dietary fatty acids and cholesterol and CVD risk among women with type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: Among 5672 women with type 2 diabetes from the Nurses' Health Study, diet was assessed prospectively and updated periodically. Relative risks of CVD were estimated from Cox proportional hazards analysis after adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: Between 1980 and 1998, we identified 619 new cases of CVD (nonfatal myocardial infarction, fatal coronary heart disease, and stroke). The relative risk (RR) of CVD for an increase of 200 mg cholesterol/1000 kcal was 1.37 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.68; P = 0.003). Each 5% of energy intake from saturated fat, as compared with equivalent energy from carbohydrates, was associated with a 29% greater risk of CVD (RR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.63; P = 0.04). The ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fat (P:S) was inversely associated with the risk of fatal CVD. We estimated that replacement of 5% of energy from saturated fat with equivalent energy from carbohydrates or monounsaturated fat was associated with a 22% or 37% lower risk of CVD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A higher intake of cholesterol and saturated fat and a low P:S were related to increased CVD risk among women with type 2 diabetes. Among diabetic persons, replacement of saturated fat with monounsaturated fat may be more effective in lowering CVD risk than is replacement with carbohydrates.     

The association between cesarean delivery and breast-feeding outcomes among Mexican women.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the impact of cesarean section delivery on the initiation and duration of breast-feeding in the 1987 Mexican Demographic and Health Survey. METHODS: The subsample (n = 2517) was restricted to women whose delivery of their last-born children (aged 5 years and younger) was attended by a physician. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between cesarean section and likelihood of either not initiating breast-feeding or doing so for less than 1 month. Among women who breast-fed for 1 month or more, multivariate survival analysis was used to examine the relationship between cesarean section and breast-feeding duration. RESULTS: Cesarean section was a risk factor for not initiating breast-feeding (odds ratio [OR] = 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.50, 0.82) and for breast feeding for less than 1 month (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.37, 0.91) but was unrelated to breast-feeding duration among women who breast-fed for 1 month or more (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.86, 1.11). CONCLUSIONS: It is desirable to provide additional breast-feeding support during the early postpartum period to women who deliver via cesarean sections.     

The relationship between educational level and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

Background  

This study describes the influence of educational level on bone mineral density (BMD) and investigating the relationship between educational level and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.     

Relations between n-3 fatty acid status and cardiovascular disease risk factors among Quebecers.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic evidence shows an inverse relation between fish consumption and death from ischemic heart disease. This beneficial effect is attributed to n-3 fatty acids. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between plasma phospholipid concentrations of the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and various cardiovascular disease risk factors among Quebecers. DESIGN: The study population consisted of 1460 subjects aged 18-74 y who participated in the 1990 Quebec Heart Health and Nutrition Survey. Data were obtained through home interviews and clinic visits. RESULTS: Expressed as the percentage of total fatty acids in plasma phospholipids, the geometric means of EPA, DHA, and their combination were 0.47%, 1.19%, and 1.70%, respectively. Concentrations of n-3 fatty acids were positively associated with fish intake. We found positive associations between EPA and total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, plasma glucose, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We found positive associations between DHA and total cholesterol, the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerols, systolic blood pressure, and plasma glucose and insulin. We also found positive associations between the ratio of EPA to arachidonic acid and total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure and a negative association with the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that concentrations of EPA and DHA in plasma phospholipids reflected Quebecer fish consumption. Results also show that EPA and the ratio of EPA to arachidonic acid can positively influence HDL-cholesterol concentrations.     

Knowledge and perceptions about breast cancer incidence, fatality and risk among Australian women

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the most common fatal cancer among Australian women. This study aimed to provide an accurate national picture of women's understanding of breast cancer incidence, fatality and risk. METHOD: A telephone survey explored the knowledge and perceptions of a sample of 2,935 Australian women in relation to breast cancer incidence, fatality, risk factors, risk perception and level of concern. RESULTS: Australian women were well aware of breast cancer in general terms, however, there were major aspects of incidence and risk which were poorly understood. Only 5% of women nominated age as a risk factor, and only one-third were able to make an approximately correct estimate of the incidence of breast cancer in Australia. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Recommendations for future information campaigns include targeting understanding of lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, age as a risk factor, survival from breast cancer and the need to separately address the perceptions of older versus younger women.     

Dietary flavonoid intake and risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women.

Flavonoids, a group of phenolic compounds found in fruits and vegetables, are known to have antioxidant properties. They prevent low density lipoprotein oxidation in vitro and thus may play a role in the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). In 1986, in a prospective study of 34,492 postmenopausal women in Iowa, the authors examined the association of flavonoid intake with CHD and stroke mortality. Over 10 years of follow-up, 438 deaths from CHD and 131 deaths from stroke were documented. Total flavonoid intake was associated with a decreased risk of CHD death after adjusting for age and energy intake (p for trend = 0.04). This association was attenuated after multivariate adjustment. However, decreased risk was seen in each category of intake compared with the lowest. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals of CHD death from lowest to highest intake category were 1.0, 0.67 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49-0.92), 0.56 (95% CI 0.39-0.79), 0.86 (95% CI 0.63-1.18), and 0.62 (95% CI 0.44-0.87).There was no association between total flavonoid intake and stroke mortality (p for trend = 0.83). Of the foods that contributed the most to flavonoid intake in this cohort, only broccoli was strongly associated with reduced risk of CHD death. The data of this study suggest that flavonoid intake may reduce risk of death from CHD in postmenopausal women.     

Independent associations of educational attainment and ethnicity with behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular disease

The authors examined the independent associations of educational attainment and ethnicity with behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular disease using data from the 1989 baseline survey for the New York State Healthy Heart Program. This telephone survey used the Centers for Disease Control Behavioral Risk Factor Survey interview instrument and was conducted in eight communities (total population, approximately 1.24 million people) in New York State. The response rate was 65.5% (n = 4,179); 3,606 subjects aged 20-64 years with self-described ethnicity of white (n = 1,935), black (n = 1,035), or Hispanic (n = 636) and of known educational status were retained in the analysis. After adjustment for age, sex, and ethnicity, significant associations were found between educational attainment and smoking, lack of regular exercise, overweight, diet atherogenicity, and knowledge about blood pressure and cholesterol. After adjustment for age, sex, and educational attainment, associations were found between ethnicity and most of these same variables. Blacks and Hispanics generally had less favorable risk factor profiles. These data indicate that the differences in cardiovascular disease risk profiles between whites and blacks or Hispanics cannot be fully explained by underlying differences in educational attainment. The differing patterns of risk factor distribution by educational attainment within ethnic groups have implications for the segmentation of risk reduction programs.     

Physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk in middle-aged and older women.

The authors investigated the relation between physical activity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women by following 1,564 University of Pennsylvania alumnae (mean age, 45.5 years), initially free of CVD, from 1962 until 1993. Energy expenditure was estimated from the daily number of flights of stairs climbed and blocks walked as well as the sports played and was categorized into approximate thirds (<500, 500-999, > or = 1,000 kcal/week). During 35,021 person-years, 181 CVD cases were identified. After adjustment for coronary risk factors, the relative risks of CVD were 0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69, 1.41) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.62, 1.25) for women who expended 500-999 and > or = 1,000, respectively, compared with <500 kcal/week (p for trend = 0.45). Only walking was found to be inversely related to CVD risk (p for trend = 0.054). Compared with women who walked <4 blocks/day, the relative risks of CVD were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.59, 1.19) and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.45, 1.01) for women who walked 4-9 and > or = 10 blocks/day, respectively. Finally, an interaction (p = 0.023) between body mass index and physical activity on CVD risk was observed, with an inverse association only for leaner (<23 kg/m2) women. These data showed no overall association of physical activity with CVD risk in women. However, walking > or = 10 blocks/day (approximately 6 miles (9.7 km)/week) was associated with a 33% decreased risk. One explanation for this finding may be that walking was reported more precisely than other kinds of activities.