The combination of daily breakfast consumption and optimal breakfast choices in childhood is an important public health message

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of breakfast consumption with children’s diet quality and cardiometabolic risk factors. Study sample consisted of 1558 children aged 4–8 years from Cyprus. Breakfast frequency was assessed through a parental questionnaire. Body mass index (BMI), BMI z-scores, waist circumference, blood lipid profile and blood pressure were examined in relation to breakfast frequency consumption. Habitual breakfast consumers’ daily nutrient intake was assessed through a 24-Hour Dietary Recall, according to their breakfast choices. Girls who have breakfast on a daily basis had lower mean BMI and BMI z-score; they were also less likely of having abnormal levels of serum triglycerides, atheromatic index (total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio) and diastolic blood pressure after controlling for several confounding factors. Within regular breakfast consumers, of both boys and girls, those having ready to eat cereals had a superior nutrient intake profile. Daily breakfast consumption along with good breakfast choices is an important public health message for Cypriot children.     

Depressive symptomatology and the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among older men and women from Cyprus; the MEDIS (Mediterranean Islands Elderly) epidemiological study

Aims. The purpose of this paper is to explore the link between symptoms of depression and the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in older adults. Methods. During 2005, 136 older men and 164 women from various parts of Cyprus agreed to participate in the study. The sampling was random and multistage (according to age–sex distribution of the referent population). All participants were living in the community and not in institutions. Among several socio‐demographic, bioclinical, lifestyle and dietary characteristics, depressive symptoms were assessed using the short version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results. Participants without signs of depression, typically, have fewer cardiovascular risk factors (i.e. hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and obesity) than those with moderate or severe symptoms. Even when behavioural variables (e.g. diet, smoking, exercise) are statistically controlled, participants that are higher than others on depression are more likely to have hypertension and/or hypercholesterolemia than those with lower scores. Every one‐unit increase in GDS score (range 0–15) is associated with a 12% higher likelihood of having an additional cardiovascular disease risk factor. Conclusions. Symptoms of depression are positively associated with the number of cardiovascular risk factors in ‘healthy’ older adults, irrespective of lifestyle behaviours (e.g. smoking, dietary intake and physical activity). Relevance to clinical practice. Healthcare providers should consider the implications of both the presence and nature of this relationship in their continuing care of older adults.     

COL4A3/COL4A4 mutations producing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and renal failure in thin basement membrane nephropathy

Mutations in the COL4A3/COL4A4 genes of type IV collagen have been found in approximately 40% of cases of thin basement membrane nephropathy, which is characterized by microscopic hematuria and is classically thought to cause proteinuria and chronic renal failure rarely. Here we report our observations of 116 subjects from 13 Cypriot families clinically affected with thin basement membrane nephropathy. These families first came to our attention because they segregated microscopic hematuria, mild proteinuria, and variable degrees of renal impairment, but a dual diagnosis of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and thin basement membrane nephropathy was made in 20 biopsied cases. Molecular studies identified founder mutations in both COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes in 10 families. None of 82 heterozygous patients had any extrarenal manifestations, supporting the diagnosis of thin basement membrane nephropathy. During follow-up of up to three decades, 31 of these 82 patients (37.8%) developed chronic renal failure and 16 (19.5%) reached end-stage renal disease. Mutations G1334E and G871C were detected in seven and three families, respectively, and were probably introduced by founders. We conclude that these particular COL4A3/COL4A4 mutations either predispose some patients to FSGS and chronic renal failure, or that thin basement membrane nephropathy sometimes coexists with another genetic modifier that is responsible for FSGS and progressive renal failure. The findings presented here do not justify the labelling of thin basement membrane nephropathy as a benign condition with excellent prognosis.     

Associations between exclusive breastfeeding and physical fitness during childhood

Purpose

Exposure to breastfeeding improves the survival, health, and development of children; therefore, breast milk is recommended as the exclusive nutrient source for feeding term infants during the first 6 months. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the possible association between exposure to exclusive breastfeeding and physical fitness performance in children and, if so, whether this association is influenced by the breastfeeding duration.

Methods

A total of 2853 (52.3 % girls) European children from the IDEFICS study aged 6–11 years with complete data on physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, flexibility, balance, speed) and exclusive breastfeeding duration (never, 1–3, 4–6, 7–12 months) were included in the present study. Multivariate and mixed linear regression models were estimated and adjusted for sex, age, birth weight, diet, physical activity, body mass index, and parental factors (age, body mass index, educational attainment).

Results

We found a positive association between exclusive breastfeeding and lower-body explosive strength (β = 0.034) as well as flexibility (β = 0.028). We also found a positive association between breastfeeding and balance in boys (β = 0.039), while this association was negative in girls (β = ?0.029). To improve lower-body explosive strength, 1–3 months of exclusive breastfeeding were enough; a longer duration did not lead to increasing benefit. In contrast, 4–6 months of breastfeeding were necessary to have any benefit on flexibility or balance, although this became nonsignificant after adjustment for body mass index and physical activity.

Conclusions

Exclusive breastfeeding seems a natural way of slightly improving some physical fitness components (mainly lower-body muscle strength) and thus future health.

     

Level of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Among Elderly Individuals Living in Mediterranean Islands: Nutritional Report from the Medis Study

The aim of this work was to evaluate the level of adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet among 1190 elderly adults living in the Greek islands and Cyprus.

Methodology: The retrieved information included demographic, bio-clinical and dietary characteristics.

Results: The level of adherence to this dietary pattern was 61% in both men and women. People in rural areas had slightly higher level of adherence compared to those living in urban areas (62% vs. 60%).

Conclusion: The level of adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet was moderate. People living in rural areas seem to better hold these traditional dietary habits.     

Age at Last Birth in Relation to Risk of Endometrial Cancer: Pooled Analysis in the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium

Childbearing at an older age has been associated with a lower risk of endometrial cancer, but whether the association is independent of the number of births or other factors remains unclear. Individual-level data from 4 cohort and 13 case-control studies in the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium were pooled. A total of 8,671 cases of endometrial cancer and 16,562 controls were included in the analysis. After adjustment for known risk factors, endometrial cancer risk declined with increasing age at last birth (P(trend) < 0.0001). The pooled odds ratio per 5-year increase in age at last birth was 0.87 (95% confidence interval: 0.85, 0.90). Women who last gave birth at 40 years of age or older had a 44% decreased risk compared with women who had their last birth under the age of 25 years (95% confidence interval: 47, 66). The protective association was similar across the different age-at-diagnosis groups and for the 2 major tumor histologic subtypes (type I and type II). No effect modification was observed by body mass index, parity, or exogenous hormone use. In this large pooled analysis, late age at last birth was independently associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer, and the reduced risk persisted for many years.