Dieta mediterránea y enfermedad cardiovascular: resultados del estudio piloto del proyecto SUN

Fundamento: La dieta mediterránea ha sido propuesta como modelo de patrón dietético para la prevención de la cardiopatía isquémica. El proyecto SUN (“Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra”) es un estudio epidemiológico prospectivo de cohortes, que se inició en el año 2000 y que va dirigido a identificar determinantes dietéticos y no dietéticos implicados en estas enfermedades. La viabilidad del proyecto, se comprobó con un estudio piloto en dos fases. Métodos: La primera fase del estudio piloto contó con la participación de voluntarios en los que se valoraron las exposiciones dietéticas y no dietéticas mediante un cuestionario autoadministrado y por entrevista personal. Para la segunda fase, se seleccionó una muestra aleatoria de 600 graduados y se les envió el cuestionario por correo. Para estimar la variabilidad inter-sujetos se calcularon los percentiles 10, 25, 50, 75 y 90 de consumo para los principales alimentos y nutrientes considerados. Resultados: Los participantes entendieron y respondieron adecuadamente los cuestionarios. El tiempo medio empleado en contestar el cuestionario fue de 55,0 minutos (IC 95%=50,7-59,3). Se encontró una amplia variabilidad inter-sujetos entre los percentiles 10 y 90 en el consumo de los principales alimentos que pueden considerarse indicadores de la dieta mediterránea, como son el aceite de oliva, las frutas, las verduras y el vino. Conclusiones: La submuestra presentó una participación relativamente aceptable. Se halló un patrón de dieta mediterránea con una variabilidad inter-sujetos suficientemente amplia como para poder encontrar asociaciones entre el consumo de alimentos y la incidencia de las principales enfermedades cardiovasculares

Determinants of the adherence to an "a priori" defined Mediterranean dietary pattern

Background: A prospective cohort study with university level participants was initiated to study the effect of Mediterranean diet on health. Aims: The objective of this study was to identify possible lifestyle and socioeconomic variables associated with the consumption of a Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP). Method: This analysis includes 1587 males and 2260 females. MDP was defined “a priori” by summing the standardized residuals of nutrients and foods after adjusting a regression model using total energy intake as the independent variable. Multiple regression and non-parametric locally weighted regression models were adjusted with the relative adherence to the MDP as the dependent variable in males and females. Results: Women were more compliant than men with the MDP (Coefficient regression (b) = 4.1; Confidence Interval (CI) 95 % = 3.2 to 4.9). The compliance with the MDP was significantly poorer among younger participants both in men and women (p < 0.001 in men and in women). Participants who were more physically active were more likely to fulfill the traditional MDP (p = 0.01 in men and p < 0.001 in women). Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence supporting the progressive departure from the traditional MDP in younger and highly educated subjects of the Mediterranean area. A more active life-style is associated with a better compliance with the MDP

Daily physical activity and macronutrient distribution of low-calorie diets jointly affect body fat reduction in obese women.

Inadequate dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyles are believed to be important factors in predisposing people to obesity. This study analyzed the potential interaction between habitual physical activity and the carbohydrate (CHO)-fat distribution in 2 hypocaloric diets and the impact of such interplay on body composition changes. Forty healthy obese women, 20–50 years old, were randomly assigned to a high- or low-CHO energy-restricted diet, which was low or high in fat, respectively, during 10 weeks. Baseline and final measurements were performed to assess dietary habits, resting metabolic rate, and body composition changes. Physical activity was measured with a triaxial accelerometer and with a questionnaire. There were no significant differences in anthropometric and metabolic variables between both dietary groups at baseline. However, there was a positive correlation between total free-living physical activity and arm muscle preservation after 10 weeks (r = 0.371; p = 0.024). Interestingly, an interaction between macronutrient (CHO–fat distribution) intake and physical activity was found, since less-active subjects with a high-CHO–low-fat diet showed a greater fat loss than those more active with a lower-CHO–high-fat diet, whereas more-active subjects with a high-CHO–low-fat diet showed a smaller fat loss than those receiving a low-CHO–high-fat diet. Physical activity and the macronutrient content of energyrestricted diets, when designed to promote body fat mass reduction, should be considered together to better predict the outcome

Analytical study of Roman glasses from Southeastern Spain

Recent archaeological excavations carried out in the Iberian-Roman city of La Alcudia (Ilici , Hispania) have provided some important assemblages of Roman glass. The present paper summarizes the results of archaeological and archaeometric studies carried out on two assemblages from different sectors and chronology. The first set of glasses was unearthed in a sector corresponding to a section of the city’s west wall. The level in which the glasses were found is dated from the mid 1st to the mid 2nd century AD. The second set of glasses comes from an area known as Casitas Ibéricas (4th - 7th centuries AD). These glasses were found in ditches and pits, which had disturbed the more ancient archaeological levels. Most of the fragments in both sets represent blown glass. The archaeometric study concentrated on deter-mining the chemical composition of a representative selection of glass fragments from the two chronological periods in order to observe possible differences between them. Chromophores responsible for glass colour were identified. Moreover, the state of conservation of the glasses was evaluated in order to determine the nature of degradation processes. The samples were studied using conventional optical microscopy (OM), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), and visible spectrophotometry (VIS)

Dietary patterns and total mortality in a Mediterranean cohort: the SUN project

BACKGROUND: Different dietary patterns have been associated with several health outcomes, including morbidity and mortality. There is little evidence on the association between empirically derived dietary patterns and all-cause mortality in Southern European populations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to prospectively evaluate the association between an empirically derived dietary pattern and all-cause mortality. DESIGN: The Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Project is an ongoing, multipurpose, prospective and dynamic Spanish cohort. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Participants were a prospective cohort of 16,008 middle-aged Spanish adults. All of them were university graduates (alumni) (59.6% women, mean age 38 years). Usual diet was assessed at baseline with a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Deaths were confirmed by review of medical records and of the National Death Index. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Dietary patterns were ascertained through a factor (principal component) analysis based on 30 predefined food groups. Participants were classified according to tertiles of adherence to the three main dietary patterns identified with factor analysis. Cox regression models were fitted to estimate multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios and 95% CIs for mortality. RESULTS: Three major dietary patterns were identified. They were labelled Western dietary pattern (rich in red and processed meat, potatoes, and fast food), Mediterranean dietary pattern (rich in vegetables, fish and seafood, fruits, and olive oil), and alcoholic beverages dietary pattern. During follow-up, 148 deaths were reported (mean age at death 54.5 years). After adjustment for potential confounders, the lowest risk of all-cause mortality was found in the tertile of highest adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern (adjusted hazard ratio for third vs first tertile 0.53, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.84) (P for trend <0.01). The Western dietary pattern and alcoholic beverages dietary pattern showed no significant association with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Greater adherence to an empirically derived dietary pattern approaching the traditional Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality among middle-aged Mediterranean adults

Obesity risk is associated with carbohydrate intake in women carrying the Gln27Glu beta2-adrenoceptor polymorphism.

Interindividual differences in the response to dietary intake are, in some cases, genotype dependent. Moreover, genotype-environment interactions may appear when the impact of lifestyle factors (e.g., diet) on a phenotype (e.g., BMI > 30 kg/m2) differs by genotype. A case-control study (obese subjects vs. normal weight controls) was conducted to assess a possible effect modification on obesity risk of the Gln27Glu polymorphism for the ß2-adrenoceptor gene depending on dietary intake. The sample included 159 subjects with BMI > 30 kg/m2 and 154 controls with BMI 49% energy (E)] had a higher obesity risk (OR = 2.56, P = 0.051). The product-term introduced in the logistic model to assess effect modification revealed a marginally significant interaction (P = 0.058) between both factors. Furthermore, a high intake of CHO (E > 49%) was associated with higher insulin levels among women carrying the Gln27Glu polymorphism (P < 0.01). This gene-nutrient interaction emphasizes the importance of examining the outcome of some obesity-related mutations depending on lifestyle (including diet) and may explain the heterogeneity of findings from previous studies

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

A prospective study of eating away-from-home meals and weight gain in a Mediterranean population: the SUN (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra) cohort

OBJECTIVE: The traditional Mediterranean food pattern is more easily preserved when meals are eaten at home; however, as a result of recent socio-economic changes, away-from-home meal consumption has increased rapidly in Mediterranean countries. Little research has been conducted so far to investigate the long-term health effects of these changes in the Mediterranean area. DESIGN: In a prospective Spanish dynamic cohort of 9182 university graduates (the SUN Study; Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra, University of Navarra Follow-up) with a mean age of 37 years, followed up for an average of 4.4 years, we assessed the association between the frequency of eating out of home and weight gain or incident overweight/obesity. Dietary habits were assessed with an FFQ previously validated in Spain. RESULTS: During follow-up, eating-out consumers (two times or more per week) had higher average adjusted weight gain (+129 g/year, P < 0.001) and higher adjusted risk of gaining 2 kg or more per year (OR = 1.36; 95 % CI 1.13, 1.63) than non-eating-out consumers. Among participants with baseline BMI < 25 kg/m2, we observed 855 new cases of overweight/obesity. Eating away-from-home meals was significantly associated with a higher risk of becoming overweight/obese (hazard ratio = 1.33; 95 % CI 1.13, 1.57). CONCLUSIONS: A higher frequency of meals eaten out of home may play a role in the current obesity epidemic observed in some Mediterranean countries

Perception of body image as indicator of weight status in the European union

Objective To identify the factors associated with an adequate perception of body image in relation to body weight. Material and methods An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample of the European Union (7155 men and 8077 women). Body Mass Index (BMI) was grouped into four categories, perceived body image was assessed using the nine silhouettes drawing scheme. A multivariable logistic regression model for each sex was used to adjust for potentially confounding variables. Results Underweight men and women classi®ed themselves better than other groups (92.9% of correct answers among men and 79.3% among women). Overall, women classi®ed themselves better than men (57.6% vs. 32.7%). Discussion Perceived body image as a method of assessment for body weight has different validity depending on sociodemographic or attitudinal categories. Perceived body image as an estimate of the nutritional status has a limited individualized application. Thus, perhaps it could be applied as a proxy measure of adiposity among slim males and among slim and overweight females, but not among the other groups