Effects of Greek orthodox christian church fasting on serum lipids and obesity

BACKGROUND: No study to date has focused on the impact of Greek Orthodox Christian fasting on serum lipoproteins and obesity yet. METHODS: 120 Greek adults were followed longitudinally for one year. Sixty fasted regularly in all fasting periods (fasters) and 60 did not fast at all (controls). The three major fasting periods under study were: Christmas (40 days), Lent (48 days) and Assumption (August, 15 days). A total of 6 measurements were made during one year including pre- and end-fasting blood collection, serum lipoprotein analyses and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: Statistically significant end-fasting total and LDL cholesterol differences were found in fasters. Fasters compared to controls presented 12.5% lower end-total cholesterol (p < 0.001), 15.9% lower end-LDL cholesterol (p < 0.001) and 1.5% lower end-BMI (p < 0.001). The end- LDL/HDL ratio was lower in fasters (6.5%, p < 0.05) while the change in end- HDL cholesterol in fasters (4.6% decline) was not significant. Similar results were found when the pre- and end-fasting values of fasters were compared. No change was found in control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to Greek Orthodox fasting periods contributes to a reduction in the blood lipid profile including a non-significant reduction in HDL cholesterol and possible impact on obesity

Policy options for obesity in Europe: a comparison of public health specialists with other stakeholders

Objective: To explore policy options that public health specialists (PHS) consider appropriate for combating obesity in Europe, and compare their preferences with those of other stakeholders (non-PHS). Design: Structured interviews using multicriteria mapping, a computer-based, decision-support tool. Setting: Nine European countries. Subjects: A total of 189 stakeholders. Twenty-seven interviewees were PHS and non-PHS included food, sports and health sectors. Measurements: A four-step approach was taken, i.e. selecting options, defining criteria, scoring options quantitatively and weighting the criteria to provide overall rankings of options. Interviews were recorded and transcribed to yield qualitative data. Results: The PHS concur with other stakeholders interviewed, as all emphasised the importance of educational initiatives in combating obesity, followed by policies to improve community sports facilities, introduce mandatory food labelling and controlling food and drink advertising. Further analyses revealed several significant differences. The non-PHS from the private sector ranked institutional reforms favourably; the PHS from non-Mediterranean countries supported the option of medicines to prevent obesity; and those PHS from Mediterranean countries endorsed the use of activity monitoring devices such as pedometers. As far as appraisal criteria were concerned, PHS considered efficacy and the economic impact on the public sector to be the most important. Conclusion: There is clear consensus among PHS and other stakeholders concerning the need for a package of policy options, which suggests that European-wide implementation could be successful. However, it would be advisable to avoid more contentious policy options such as taxation until future changes in public opinion.New and Emerging Science and Technology (NEST) research programme (European Union)

Sugar-added beverages consumption among kindergarten children of Crete: effects on nutritional status and risk of obesity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To assess the intake of sugar-added beverages such as soft drinks and commercially available fruit juices in kindergarten children, and to examine its association with obesity indices, physical activity levels and dietary habits.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 856 children aged 4–7 years living in Crete, Greece in 2004–5 were included in this cross-sectional study. Nutrient and food intake was assessed with the use of 3-day weighed food records. Body measurements were used in order to assess BMI and waist circumference, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was calculated with the use of a questionnaire.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Approximately 59.8% of all children consumed sugar-added beverages on a daily basis. High intake of sugar-added beverages (> 250 g/day) was associated with low intakes of calcium (p < 0.001), vitamin A and E (p < 0.010), fruits and vegetables (p = 0.007), and milk and yogurt (p = 0.048). Compared to non or low consumers, high consumers of sugar-added beverages (> 250 g/day) had higher BMI levels and two times greater risk of being overweight and/or obese (OR:2.35, p = 0.023).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>High intake of sugar-added beverages in kindergarten children is associated with poor eating habits and inadequate nutrient intake, as well as increased risk for developing childhood obesity.</p

From the ‘Small but Smart State’ to the ‘Small and Entrepreneurial State’: Introducing a Framework for Effective Small State Strategies within the EU and Beyond

As the current international system is leaning towards multipolarity, small states face the danger of their influence being diminished and their interests being ignored. Small states in Europe and within the European Union might find themselves in such a predicament. In order to overcome it, they are in need of effective strategies. Literature on the international relations of small states suggests that, despite their limitations, small states are able to pursue their goals and succeed in the international system. Small state studies employ the ‘small but smart state’ concept for a small state that can maximize its influence. Despite being widely used, the latter lacks analytical value and remains a cliché. The objective of this article is to pin down the ‘small but smart’ state strategy and based on that to provide a comprehensive framework for the analysis and the design of effective small state strategies. We suggest that the ‘small but smart’ state strategy shares many elements with the entrepreneurial action, as the latter is extended from its business origins to include a specific strategy. We draw on the field of entrepreneurship to explore the ways it can enhance our understanding of the international relations of small states and we introduce a framework for the ‘small and entrepreneurial state’ strategy. The notion of the ‘small and entrepreneurial state’ adds more depth and rigor into our small state analyses as well as reinvigorates a fragmented and repetitive literature. Last but not least, our ‘small and entrepreneurial state’ approach can be of use for both small state scholars and policy makers

The nutritional value of periodic fasting prescribed by the Greek Orthodox Christian and its effect on blood lipids and other biochemical and biological factors

Η παρούσα μελέτη είναι η πρώτη μελέτη που προσπαθεί να παρουσιάσει τη συνολική εικόνα της επίδρασης της περιοδικής φυτοφαγίας που ακολουθείται από τους πιστούς ακόλουθους των διατροφικών κανόνων της Ορθόδοξης Χριστιανικής Εκκλησίας, σε μια σειρά από βιοχημικές και βιολογικές παραμέτρους. Η Ορθόδοξη Χριστιανική δίαιτα αποτελεί σημαντικό χαρακτηριστικό της Κρητικής Μεσογειακής δίαιτας και συμβάλλει σημαντικά στη διατήρηση ενός καλού επιπέδου υγείας και ενός καλού διατροφικού επιπέδου του πληθυσμού. Η τήρηση μιας διατροφής που εναλλάσσεται από τη φυτοφαγία στην κρεατοφαγία σε τακτά χρονικά διαστήματα, χαρακτηρίζεται από αυξημένη πρόσληψη φρούτων και λαχανικών, καθώς επίσης διατροφικού σιδήρου, φυτικών ινών, φυλικού οξέος, και χαμηλή πρόσληψη ολικού λίπους, κορεσμένων και trans λιπαρών οξέων. Παράλληλα, παρατηρείται μείωση των επιπέδων των λιπιδίων αίματος (κυρίως της ολικής χοληστερόλης και της LDL- χοληστερόλης) και του σωματικού βάρους, ενώ δεν αυξάνεται ο κίνδυνος για εμφάνιση υπέρτασης, ανεπάρκειας βιταμινών Α και Ε, αλλά ούτε και σιδηροπενικής αναιμίας. Συμπληρωματικά, η τήρηση αυτής της διατροφής σχετίζεται με αυξημένα επίπεδα ω-3 πολυακόρεστου δοκοσαεξαενοϊκού (ή εικοσιδυεξενοϊκού) οξέος (DHA) στο υποδόριο λίπος, γεγονός που σχετίζεται με χαμηλότερες πιθανότητες συγκέντρωσης καταθλιπτικών συμπτωμάτων. Μια τέτοιου είδους διατροφή, ακόμα και όταν δεν τηρείται για θρησκευτικούς και πνευματικούς σκοπούς, είναι μια καλή αποτοξίνωση του οργανισμού από την κατανάλωση κρέατος και άλλων τροφίμων που αποβαίνουν επιζήμια για τον οργανισμό και την υγεία των ανθρώπων, όταν καταναλώνονται συχνά και σε μεγάλες ποσότητες. Παράλληλα, η περιοδική φυτοφαγία που συστήνεται από την Ορθόδοξη Χριστιανική Εκκλησία και που αποτελεί κύριο χαρακτηριστικό της παραδοσιακής Μεσογειακής διατροφής των Ελλήνων προάγει την υγεία και προλαμβάνει χρόνιες ασθένειες, όπως καρδιαγγειακές νόσους, υπέρταση, σακχαρώδη διαβήτη τύπου 2 και διάφορες μορφές καρκίνου. Επιπλέον, η προαγωγή των διατροφικών κανόνων της Ορθόδοξης Χριστιανικής Εκκλησίας θα μπορούσε να αποτελέσει μια αποτελεσματική στρατηγική αγωγής υγείας σε αυτόν τον πληθυσμό (Χριστιανούς Ορθόδοξους), όχι μόνο γιατί η Ελλάδα είναι μια χώρα που, κατά το πλείστον χαρακτηρίζεται από βαθύ θρησκευτικό συναίσθημα και ταυτόχρονα πληθώρα παραδόσεων, αλλά και επειδή τα άτομα θα είναι πολύ εξοικειωμένα με αυτού του είδους τις συστάσεις και θα έχουν τη δυνατότητα να ικανοποιούν παράλληλα τις σωματικές και τις πνευματικές τους ανάγκες

DEVELOPING "POTENTIAL ENTREPRENEURS" IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTES

Successful entrepreneurial activities are a function of human venture and environmental conditions, since the key to improving entrepreneurial perceptions and attitudes within society and within Higher Education (HE) institutions lies in education.The purpose of this paper is to address issues surrounding entrepreneurial education in HE in Greece, and describes the delivery and evaluation of two programs. The programs were offered by a public university and a public technological & educational institute designed to create opportunities for learning entrepreneurial capacities, in order to develop a framework for the design and implementation of such activities.Research results, concerning (i) the programs' concept and (ii) the degree that the programs influence the students' knowledge, skills and attitudes towards the undertaking of entrepreneurial activities, provide useful information for academicians, educators, educational managers and policy makers, concerning the design of similar programs. The methodology used brings in the description of each program's structure (in terms of its formation, development, implementation and evaluation) and the evaluation of its effectiveness, based on a pre- and post-analysis of students' perceptions from each institution. Data were collected from 904 students, with both business and scientific-technological studies background.The analysis of data provides useful conclusions in relation to (i) the design of entrepreneurial education, (i.e. emphasis should be placed on the networking with the business world, the laboratory assistance, the mentoring process, the participants' scientific background) and (ii) the accomplishment of the two programs' objectives in "developing potential entrepreneurs", which seems to be moderately positive.Higher education, potential entrepreneurs, training, development programs