Browsing by Person "Belogianni, Katerina"

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Adherence rates to the Mediterranean diet are low in a representative sample of Greek children and adolescents
(Oxford University Press, 2008-10-01) Kontogianni, Meropi D.; Vidra, Nikoletta; Farmaki, Anastasia-Eleni; Koinaki, Stella; Belogianni, Katerina; Sofrona, Stavroula; Magkanari, Flora; Yannakoulia, Mary
Data from studies in pediatric samples exploring adherence to the Mediterranean diet are scarce. The aim of the present work was to explore adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern in a representative sample of Greek children and adolescents. The study sample (n = 1305, 3–18 y) was representative of the Greek pediatric population in terms of sex and age. Information on participants' sociodemographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle characteristics were collected through telephone interviews. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet guidelines for adults and to the general dietary guidelines for children was evaluated using KIDMED scores: the higher the score, the more favorable the dietary pattern. The Goldberg cut-off limits for the ratio of energy intake:basal metabolic rate were used to evaluate dietary underreporting and children were accordingly classified as low energy reporters (LER) or non-LER. Only 11.3% of children and 8.3% of adolescents had an optimal KIDMED score (≥8). In adolescents, partial correlation analysis revealed a negative weak association between KIDMED and BMI (r = −0.092; P = 0.031), which remained significant in the non-LER subgroup (r = −0.137, P = 0.011). Multiple regression analysis revealed that higher KIDMED scores were associated, in non-LER children, with less time spent on sedentary activities (P = 0.002) and higher paternal education (P = 0.050), whereas in adolescents, with younger age (P = 0.001), less time spent on sedentary activities (P = 0.015), higher maternal education (P = 0.014), and higher eating frequency (P = 0.041). In conclusion, low adherence rates to the Mediterranean diet were observed in Greek children and adolescents; this evidence needs to be further explored regarding its impact on health and disease.
Promotion of healthy nutrition among students participating in a school food aid program: a randomized trial
(Springer International Publishing, 2016-03-29) Zota, Dina; Dalma, Archontoula; Petralias, Athanassios; Lykou, Anastasia; Kastorini, Christina-Maria; Yannakoulia, Mary; Karnaki, Pania; Belogianni, Katerina; Veloudaki, Afroditi; Riza, Elena; Malik, Rhea; Linos, Athena
Objectives To evaluate the potential benefits on students’ eating habits, of incorporating healthy nutrition education as part of a school food aid program. Methods 146 schools participating in the DIATROFI Program in Greece during the 2013–2014 school year were randomly allocated to the environmental intervention (received a healthy daily meal) and the multicomponent intervention (MI) group (in addition to the meal, a healthy nutrition educational program was applied). The analysis, based on 3627 pre–post intervention questionnaire pairs, was stratified for children (ages 4–11 years) and adolescents (ages 12–18 years). Results Children participating in the MI group displayed 25 % higher odds of increasing the weekly consumption of milk/yoghurt and fruits, 61 % higher odds of improving BMI from overweight/obese to normal and 2.5 times higher odds of improving from underweight to normal. For adolescents in the MI group, the odds of increasing the consumption of vegetables were 40 % higher. In both intervention groups, approximately one in four overweight/obese adolescents reached normal weight. Conclusions Educational programs on healthy nutrition might be considered worth implementing in the framework of school food aid programs.
Rationale and design of an online educational program using game-based learning to improve nutrition and physical activity outcomes among university students in the United Kingdom
(Taylor & Francis, 2018-08-02) Belogianni, Katerina; Ooms, Ann; Ahmed, Hafez; Nikoletou, Dimitra; Grant, Robert; Makris, Dimitrios; Moir, Hannah J.
Objective: To assess the impact of an online game-based educational program on nutrition knowledge and dietary and physical activity habits among university students in the United Kingdom. Design: Randomized controlled trial with pre- and postintervention comparisons. Setting: Two higher education settings in London, UK. Subjects: Current undergraduate and postgraduate students of two universities (n = 88) aged 18–34 years are randomly allocated to an intervention (n = 44) or a control group (n = 44). Intervention: The intervention group will receive access to an educational website and online quizzes with gamification elements, including information about healthy eating and physical activity. The control group will receive no information. Duration of the intervention will be 10 weeks. Measures of Outcome: Primary outcome is nutrition knowledge. Secondary outcomes include dietary and activity habits. Nutrition knowledge and dietary and activity habits will be assessed using questionnaires. Weekly steps will be counted using pedometers. Assessment of anthropometric and metabolic risk factors will take place. Analysis: Quantitative analysis will investigate changes in nutrition knowledge between the two groups of the study population. Linear regression analysis will be used, if the data follow the normal distribution (otherwise binomial regression analysis), to examine whether field of study, residence status, body mass index (BMI), and demographic factors affect nutrition knowledge. Associations between changes in knowledge and dietary and physical activity behavior will be assessed by correlations. Conclusions/Implications: The study will provide insights with regard to the design and use of online game-playing as a cost-effective approach to improve nutritional knowledge among university students.
Red and processed meat intake associations with health and guidelines for adults in Greece
(2015) Benetou, V.; Kastorini, Christina-Maria; Belogianni, Katerina; Zota, Dina; Papadimitriou, E.; Spiridis, I.; Kosti, R.; Panagiotakos, D.; Linos, Athena
Introduction High intake of red and processed meat has been associated with detrimental effects on health. The level of scientific evidence supporting these associations needs to be investigated in order to formulate dietary guidelines for the general adult population. Material-Method The association between consumption of red and processed meat and incidence of coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancer was investigated and the evidence was graded. Quantitative and qualitative guidelines were subsequently developed after considering several other factors. Results There is general agreement that the highest intake of processed meat compared to the lowest is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer. High intake of red meat compared to lower intake is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer (general agreement) and type 2 diabetes (majority of the evidence). The final recommendations were set to consume maximum one serving of red meat per week and to avoid processed meat. Conclusions The limitation of red meat consumption to one serving weekly and the avoidance of processed meat for adults living in Greece, is based on sound evidence, is consistent with the traditional Greek dietary pattern and should be encouraged by all health professionals.
The role of nutrition in people aged 65 years and older: Scientific evidence and dietary guidelines
(2015) Belogianni, Katerina; Kastorini, Christina-Maria; Zota, K.; Spyridis, I.; Papadimitriou, E.; Kosti, R.; Samara, A.; Alamanos, I.; Dedousis, G.; Karaitianos, I.; Linos, D.; Magklara-Katsilambrou, E.; Pantazopoulou-Foteinea, A.; Polychronopoulos, E.; Sourtzi, P.; Fouseki, E.; Psaltopoulou, T.; Benetou, V.; Riza, Elena; Linos, Athena
AIM The development of food-based dietary guidelines for people 65 years and older is important for maintaining and promoting their health. Material-Method Diet-health relationship, the age-related physiological changes that affect diet and physical activity, energy and nutrient requirements and existing dietary guidelines from international organizations and countries for people 65 years and older were investigated. Dietary habits of the Greek elderly population were also studied. Results Based on the results of the study and considering the beneficial effects of the traditional Greek diet for health, the food availability and the dietary habits of the population, dietary guidelines were formulated as follows: 4 servings/day of vegetables, 3 servings/day of fruits, 3 servings/day of dairies, 5–7 servings/day of cereals, 3–5 servings/day of added fats and oils, 2–3 servings/week of meat, 2–3 servings/week of fish, up to 4 eggs/week and ≥3 servings/week of legumes. Adequate intake of fluids, maintenance of a healthy body weight and regular physical activity are also important. Results The impact of a healthy diet and regular physical activity on health and well-being of the older population is indisputable. Health professionals should encourage the adoption of healthy diet and regular physical activity in this population.
Types of interventions targeting dietary, physical activity, and weight-related outcomes among university students: a systematic review of systematic reviews
(Oxford University Press, 2019-06-10) Belogianni, Katerina; Baldwin, Christine
A plethora of studies aiming to improve dietary, physical activity (PA), and weight-related (WR) outcomes among university students have been implemented and summarized in a series of systematic reviews, with unclear conclusions regarding their effectiveness. This overview aims to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies aiming to improve health outcomes in university students, to assess their methodological quality, to identify the different types of interventions used and outcomes assessed, and to estimate their overall effect. Four electronic databases were searched until 19 March, 2018 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The identified reviews were described and their methodological quality was rated. The studies of reviews were investigated to identify the different types of interventions used and outcomes assessed. Effectiveness was assessed by measuring the overall number of improved outcomes out of the total number of outcomes reported. As a result, 8 reviews were identified targeting food sales (n = 2), dietary (n = 3), PA (n = 1), WR (n = 1), or all outcomes (n = 1). The methodological quality of the reviews was moderate (n = 5) to low (n = 3). In all, the reviews included 122 studies, of which 36 used an environmental, 51 a face-to-face, 30 an e-intervention, and 5 a combined approach. Environmental interventions improved a moderate number of food sales (32 of 61) and dietary intake (22 of 47) outcomes. Face-to-face interventions improved a high number of dietary cognitive outcomes (15 of 18), a moderate number of dietary intake (28 of 65) and WR (11 of 18) outcomes, and a low number of PA behavioral (22 of 69) and cognitive (2 of 14) outcomes. E-interventions improved a high number of dietary cognitive variables (11 of 16) but had a low effect (≤33%) on the other types of outcomes. In conclusion, face-to-face and e-interventions improved cognitive variables toward diet or PA but were less effective in changing actual behaviors. Environmental interventions favorably changed food sales. Face-to-face and e-interventions moderately affected WR outcomes. Future research should focus on long-term studies.
Vegetable and fruit intake: Associations with health and guidelines for adults in Greece
(2015) Benetou, V.; Belogianni, Katerina; Kastorini, Christina-Maria; Zota, Dina; Papadimitriou, E.; Spiridis, I.; Veloudaki, Afroditi; Panagiotakos, D.; Linos, Athena
Introduction High vegetable and/or fruit intake has been associated with beneficial effects on health. Nevertheless, the level of scientific evidence supporting these associations needs to be investigated in order to formulate dietary guidelines for the general adult population. Material-Method The association between vegetable and fruit intake and incidence of coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer was investigated and the level of evidence of these associations was graded. Quantitative and qualitative guidelines were subsequently developed taking into account several other factors. Results There is general agreement of evidence that the highest intake of vegetables and/or fruits compared to the lowest intake is associated with lower risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, colorectal and oral cancer, while the majority of the evidence has shown that is also associated with lower risk of esophageal and stomach cancer. The final recommendations were set to 4 servings of vegetables and 3 servings of fruits daily. Conclusions The recommended daily consumption of 4 servings of vegetables and 3 servings of fruits for adults living in Greece is based on sound evidence, complies with their dietary habits and traditions, is practically feasible and should be encouraged by all health professionals.