The Association Between the American Heart Association Life's Essential 8 and Metabolic Syndrome Among Postmenopausal Women: Findings from NHANES 2011-2020.

Postmenopausal women face increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to hormone changes during menopause. Life's Essential 8 (LE8), a relatively new cardiovascular health assessment index by the American Heart Association, may impact MetS diagnostics and potential treatment strategies. This study investigated the association between LE8 and MetS among postmenopausal women.

Association between socioeconomic indicators and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements in population studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Arterial stiffness, which is estimated by pulse wave velocity (PWV), has been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; however, there is sparse literature on socioeconomic (SES) indicators and PWV.

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, evidence was retrieved from cross-sectional and cohort studies on the association of SES indicators (both single and composite) with arterial stiffness. A total of 16,331 records were reviewed and 9 studies included.

Total choline intake, liver fibrosis and the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Results from 2017 to 2020 NHANES.

Objectives: This study investigated the cross-sectional relationships of total choline intake with the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its progression to liver fibrosis.

Study Design: The study used data on total choline intake, hepatic steatosis, and liver fibrosis from the cross-sectional 2017-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, including 24-h dietary recalls and liver ultrasound elastography (FibroScan®).

Main Outcome Measures: Steatosis was defined as a controlled attenuation parameter score ≥ 285dB/m.

Assessment of Lifetime Risk for Cardiovascular Disease: Time to Move Forward.

Over the past decades, there has been a notable increase in the risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), even among younger individuals. Policymakers and the health community have revised CVD prevention programs to include younger people in order to take these new circumstances into account. A variety of CVD risk assessment tools have been developed in the past years with the aim of identifying potential CVD candidates at the population level; however, they can hardly discriminate against younger individuals at high risk of CVD.

Exploring the Role of Self-Efficacy in Maintaining Healthy Lifestyle Habits among Patients with Cardiometabolic Diseases; Findings from the Multi-Center IACT Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: Cardiometabolic disease progression can be delayed if patients engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors, adherence to which is highly influenced by psychosocial factors. The present study aimed at investigating the association of self-efficacy with the adherence level to healthy lifestyle behaviors among patients with cardiometabolic diseases in Greece. (2) Methods: 1988 patients (1180 females) with cardiometabolic diseases participated.

The Relation between Consumer Perception and Objective Understanding of Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels (FOPNLs); Results from an Online Representative Survey.

Background: This study investigates the efficacy of Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels (FOPNLs) as a cost-effective tool for improving dietary choices among Greek consumers. The purpose of the study was to investigate Greek customers' preferences and comprehension of commonly used European FOPNL schemes.

Methods: The Hellenic Food Authority and the Agricultural University of Athens performed a representative online survey in March 2022, titled "The Role of Nutritional Labelling in Public Perception and Food Procurement.

Effect of DASH vs. mediterranean diet accompanied by a salt restriction on metabolic syndrome and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with high normal blood pressure or grade 1 hypertension: secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Lifestyle interventions are recommended as the first-line treatment to control metabolic syndrome components and improve cardiometabolic risk factors. However, studies directly comparing the cardiometabolic effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) vs. the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) accompanied by salt restriction are currently lacking.

Dietary habits among 177,091 Greek schoolchildren by age, sex, weight status, region, and living area. A cross-sectional study.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the dietary habits from early childhood to adolescence among participants from all regions of the country and living areas (rural/urban) and assess potential associations between dietary habits and obesity in both sexes.

Methods: Population data were derived from a cross-sectional health survey on a representative sample of 177,091 children aged 6-18 years. Dietary habits were considered via a self-completed questionnaire (Mediterranean diet quality index for children and adolescents [KIDMED]).

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and 20-year incidence of hypertension: the ATTICA prospective epidemiological study (2002-2022).

Background/objectives: Dietary habits are a significant predictor of hypertension (HTN). We aimed to evaluate the long-term association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and HTN incidence.

Subjects/methods: This was a prospective study among 1415 non-hypertensive adults (44% men, age: 41 ± 13 years) followed up for 20 years.

Trajectories of healthy aging and their association with prodromal parkinson disease: The HELIAD study.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of prodromal PD (pPD) with trajectories of healthy aging, according to its latest definition by the WHO. In a sample of 1,226 older adults (704 women), PD diagnosis was reached through standard clinical research procedures. Probability of pPD was calculated according to the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society's research criteria for PD-free participants.

Mediterranean diet trajectories and 20-year incidence of cardiovascular disease: The ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022).

Background And Aims: Only few studies have assessed longitudinal dietary trends in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We aimed to evaluate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet, both baseline and longitudinal, and 20-year CVD incidence.

Methods And Results: This was a prospective study among 1988 Greek adults (50% men, age: 45 ± 14years).

Physicians' Words, Patients' Response: The Role of Healthcare Counselling in Enhancing Beneficial Lifestyle Modifications for Patients with Cardiometabolic Disorders: The IACT Cross-Sectional Study.

: Preventive cardiology aims to educate patients about risk factors and the importance of mitigating them through lifestyle adjustments and medications. However, long-term adherence to recommended interventions remains a significant challenge. This study explores how physician counselling contributes to successful behavior changes in various aspects of lifestyle.

Increased body weight and central adiposity markers are positively associated with the 20-year incidence of cardiovascular disease: The ATTICA epidemiological study (2002-2022).

Increased adiposity predisposes to cardiovascular disease (CVD). We hypothesized that the presence of obesity would be positively associated with CVD risk, and that the co-presence of central obesity would modify/enhance this association. This was a prospective study (2002-2022) among 1845 Greek adults (mean age, 44.

Exploring Patient Beliefs and Medication Adherence in the Mediterranean Context: A Cross-Sectional Study in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases and Cardiometabolic Disorders in Greece-The IACT-Study.

Background: Evidence has shown that poor adherence to vascular medications contributes to a considerable proportion of all cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and mortality. The aim of the present work was to examine patients' beliefs/views that affect their level of adherence to the assigned medical treatment in the context of a multi-center study in Greece.

Methods: Between July 2022 and April 2023, 1988 patients (1180 females) with established cardiovascular disease or relevant cardiometabolic disorders were chosen from seven medical centers in Greece.

Selenium, Selenoproteins and 10-year Cardiovascular Risk: Results from the ATTICA Study.

Background: Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that is involved in several pathophysiological functions. The relationship of Se with cardiovascular disease remains inconclusive, especially regarding the role of different selenospecies.

Objective: The present study assessed the levels of Se distribution in plasma selenoproteins, namely glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3), selenoprotein P (SelP) and selenoalbumin (SeAlb) and total Se in selenoproteins in relation to 10-year cardiovascular risk in the ATTICA prospective study.

Cognitive vulnerability, anxiety, and physical well-being in relation to 10-year cardiovascular disease risk: The ATTICA epidemiological study.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between irrational beliefs and the 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence among apparently healthy adults. The ATTICA study is a population-based, prospective cohort (2002-2012) consisting of 853 participants without evidence of CVD (453 men and 400 women) who underwent psychological evaluations. Participants completed the Irrational Beliefs Inventory (IBI, range 0-88), a self-reported measure consistent with the Ellis model of psychological disturbance.

Association Between Family History of Diabetes, Irrational Beliefs, and Health Anxiety with 10-Year Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: the ATTICA Epidemiological Study (2002-2012).

Background: This study aimed to examine the relationship between family history of diabetes, irrational beliefs, and health anxiety in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Method: ATTICA is a prospective, cohort study (2002-2012). The working sample included 845 participants (18-89 years), free of diabetes at baseline.

Cardiometabolic Patient-Related Factors Influencing the Adherence to Lifestyle Changes and Overall Treatment: A Review of the Recent Literature.

It is well acknowledged that most of the modifiable risk factors for Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) can be averted through lifestyle modifications beyond medication adherence. This review aims to critically evaluate the cardiometabolic (CM) patient-related factors that influence the adherence to lifestyle changes studied alone and/or in combination with medication. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed articles from 2000 to 2023 retrieved 379 articles.

Lifestyle Trajectories Are Associated with Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease: Highlights from the ATTICA Epidemiological Cohort Study (2002-2022).

The study aimed to assess the trajectories of lifestyle characteristics and their association with 20-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence. In 2002, 3042 Greek adults (aged: 45 (12) years) free of CVD were enrolled. In 2022, the 20-year follow-up was performed on 2169 participants; of those, 1988 had complete data for CVD.

Comparative performance of equations to estimate low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease incidence: The ATTICA study (2002-2022).

Accurate estimation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is important for monitoring cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and guiding lipid-lowering therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the magnitude of discordance of LDL-C levels calculated by different equations and its effect on CVD incidence. The study sample consisted of 2354 CVD-free individuals (49% males, mean age 45 ± 14 years); 1600 were re-evaluated at 10 years and 1570 at 20 years.

The Synergetic Effect of Soft Drinks and Sweet/Salty Snacks Consumption and the Moderating Role of Obesity on Preadolescents' Emotions and Behavior: A School-Based Epidemiological Study.

The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is high along with the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among children and adolescents. The present study sought to investigate the synergetic effect of soft drinks and sweet/salty snacks consumption, and the moderating role of obesity on preadolescents' emotions and behavior. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1728 Greek preadolescents aged 10-12 and their parents, during the school years 2014-2016.

Clustering of Activity-Related Behaviors in Relation to Self-Reported Causes of Stress among Pre-Adolescents: Results from a National Epidemiological Study.

An epidemiological study was conducted among 1728 10-12-year-old students (55.1% girls) and their parents during 2014-2016 in Greece. This study aimed to identify the dominant clusters of physical activity/sedentariness among preadolescents and investigate their association with self-reported sources of stress.

Association between Family and School Pressures, Consumption of Ultra-Processed Beverages, and Obesity in Preadolescents: A School-Based Epidemiological Study.

The aim of the present work was two-fold. Firstly, to evaluate the association between the consumption of ultra-processed beverages (UPB) on preadolescents' likelihood of being obese. Secondly, to investigate the potential impact of family and school environmental stressors on this unhealthy lifestyle habit.

Metabolically Healthy Overweight and Obesity, Transition to Metabolically Unhealthy Status and Cognitive Function: Results from the Framingham Offspring Study.

Aims: To evaluate the association between metabolically healthy overweight/obesity (MHO) status and longitudinal cognitive function while also considering the stability of the condition.

Methods: In total, 2892 participants (mean age 60.7 (9.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the Greek Version of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS-GR): What Are the Barriers in South-East Europe?

Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is a secondary prevention intervention proven to improve quality of life, yet with low participation. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS) was developed to assess multi-level barriers to participation. This study aimed at the translation, and cross-cultural adaptation of the CRBS into the Greek language (CRBS-GR), followed by psychometric validation.