Browsing by Person "Theodorakopoulos, Christos"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

Dietary intakes, knowledge, and perceptions of semi-professional rugby athletes in Scotland
(Taylor & Francis, 2022-03-26) Hitendre, Sonam; Jordan, Rebecca; Theodorakopoulos, Christos; White, Lois
Background: Adequate nutritional intake plays a pivotal role in optimizing performance, recovery, and body composition goals. This study aimed to investigate the dietary intakes (DIs); nutritional knowledge (NK); and attitudes, perceptions, and challenges (APC) of semiprofessional rugby players in Scotland. Methods: Dietary intakes and NK of 24 male semiprofessional rugby players of a Super6 club were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Players were categorized as having good or poor NK according to NK scores. Diet-related APCs were assessed using researcher-developed questionnaires and 1-1 semi-structured interviews. Results: Mean ± SD total NK% was poor, 53.7 ± 11.9%. The ‘Good’ NK group scored significantly higher in the Weight Management (p = 0.014), Macronutrients (p < 0.001), Micronutrients (p = 0.001), and Sports Nutrition (p < 0.001) sections. Mean DIs from food sources were 26.3 ± 9.2 kcal/kg/ day energy, 1.4 ± 0.4 g/kg/day protein, and 21.7 ± 10.1 g/day fibre. Median (25th,75th) carbohydrate intake was 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) g/kg/day, and 6.3 (2.3, 10.6) units/week alcohol. Mean ± SD fat and saturated fat (SFA) % total energy intake (EI) were 36.2 ± 3.7% and 12.8 ± 1.9%, respectively, and SFA %EI exceeded recommendations (p < 0.001). The ‘Good’ NK group had significantly higher intakes of all macronutrients (p < 0.05). Total NK% positively correlated with intakes of meat (r = 0.556, p = 0.011), cereals (r = 0.458, p = 0.042), dietary fat (r = 0.477, p = 0.034), vegetables (r = 0.487, p = 0.030), and alcoholic beverages (r = 0.541, p = 0.014). Supplement use was 68%. Players felt diet affected performance (94%) but 31% of them were unaware of any specific nutritional strategies. A healthy diet was perceived to be ‘balanced’ with ‘variety from all food groups. Lack of time for preparation was described as the main barrier to healthy eating. Conclusions: Overall, players had poor NK, their fibre and carbohydrate intake was suboptimal, whereas saturated fat intake exceeded recommendations. Many lacked awareness of current sports nutrition guidelines. Further nutrition education may be needed to improve diet quality and aid performance goals.
Do different obesity-criteria result in different phenotypes in older people?
(Elsevier, 2016-09-14) Theodorakopoulos, Christos; Jones, Jacklyn; Bannerman, E.; Greig, C. A.
Rationale: Sarcopenic obesity is a public health concern but identification of obesity in older age is challenging.1 The aim of this study was to identify and compare obesity phenotypes using two different criteria.
Effectiveness of nutritional and exercise interventions to improve body composition and muscle strength or function in sarcopenic obese older adults: A systematic review
(Elsevier, 2017-05-11) Theodorakopoulos, Christos; Jones, Jacklyn; Bannerman, Elaine; Greig, Carolyn
Although sarcopenic obesity (SO) poses a major public health concern, a robust approach for the optimization of body composition and strength/function in SO has not yet been established. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of nutritional (focusing on energy and protein modulation) and exercise interventions, either individually or combined, on body composition and strength/function in older adults with SO. MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus were searched. Main inclusion criteria comprised sarcopenia as defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) and obesity defined as % body fat .40% (women) and .28% (men). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), randomized controlled crossover trials and controlled clinical trials with older adults (mean age .65 years) following a nutritional regimen and/or an exercise training programwere considered. Out of 109 full text articles identified, only two RCTs (61 participants) met the inclusion criteria. One study was a nutritional intervention adding 15 g protein_Eday.1 (via cheese consumption) to the participants' habitual diet. The second study was a high-speed circuit resistance training intervention. Body composition did not change significantly in either of the studies. However,the exercise intervention improved significantly muscle strength and physical function. Although this review was limited by the small number of eligible studies, it provides evidence for the potential benefits of exercise and highlights the necessity for future research to develop effective interventions including dietary and exercise regimens to combat sarcopenic obesity.
SARCOPENIC OBESITY IN SCOTISH OLDER COMMUNITY-DWELLERS: A WEIGHT LOSS INTERVENTION USING HIGH PROTEIN INTAKE AND MIXED EXERCISE TRAINING TO AUGMENT BODY COMPOSITION AND FUNCTION IN OLDER AGE
(Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, 2018) Theodorakopoulos, Christos
Background: Sarcopenic obesity is the condition where obesity and sarcopenia (age-related low muscle mass and strength) occur together, which may predispose older individuals to more adverse health effects than either of the two conditions alone. Thus, improvements in body composition and function are of vital importance. Aim: The aims of this study were to A) systematically search the databases for nutritional and/or exercise interventions in sarcopenic obesity and assess their effectiveness in augmenting body composition and function. B) Screen Scottish older community-dwellers for sarcopenia and obesity. C) Implement a nutritional and exercise programme for individuals with sarcopenic obesity. Methods: A) Four databases were systematically searched for trials with sarcopenic obese older adults. B) Scottish community dwellers (≥ 65 years) were screened for body fat (using bioelectrical impedance analysis; BIA), body mass index (BMI), muscle mass, and grip strength. C) Those with a high % body fat (≥ 28 % in men; ≥ 40 % in women) and low skeletal muscle mass index (≤ 10.75 kg·m-2 in men; ≤ 6.75 kg·m-2 in women) were randomly allocated to a 16-week intervention with exercise (EX) or exercise plus dietary modifications (EXD). The EX group followed a mixed-exercise training programme, whereas the EXD followed the same exercise protocol alongside an energy-deficit (500 kcal daily deficit) and high protein diet (1.2 – 1.5 g kg bodyweight-1). Results: A) Two studies were identified from the literature with sarcopenic obese participants (one diet and one resistance-exercise trial) but neither noted a significant change in body composition. However, resistance exercise training significantly improved physical function. B) In total, 108 (men, n=29; women, n=79) adults (median (IQR) age, 70 (67, 75) yr) took part in the screening test. Prevalence of sarcopenia was 14.8%, of obesity 27.8 % (using BMI) vs 63.0 % (using BIA), and sarcopenic obesity 4.6 % (using BMI) vs 12.0 % (using BIA). C) After 16 weeks of the intervention, the median (IQR) changes in EXD vs EX in bodyweight, fat mass and muscle mass were: -5.0 (-5.0, -6.8) kg vs. +0.5 (0.0, 1.0) kg, -4.7 (-4.8, -4.2) kg vs 0.0 (-0.4, 0.7) kg, and +0.1 (-0.4, 0.7) kg vs +0.5 (0.3, 0.7) kg, respectively. Improvements that may be of clinical significance were noted in both groups for strength and physical function. Conclusion: More intervention trials are needed with sarcopenic obese older adults. Prevalence of high adiposity in Scottish older adults may be higher than what has been previously documented. High adiposity and the use of BMI may mask sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity. A high-protein energy-restriction diet with exercise training can potentially improve body compostion, and augment physical function in older adults with low muscle and high fat mass. Keywords: sarcopenia, obesity, sarcopenic obesity, body composition, older age, weight loss, high protein diet, exercise training, physical function
Screening for sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in Scottish community-dwellers >65 years
(Elsevier, 2016-09-14) Theodorakopoulos, Christos; Bannerman, E.; Jones, Jacklyn; Greig, C. A.
Rationale: Sarcopenia, obesity and sarcopenic obesity (SO) are recognised as major public health concerns affecting older adults’ health and quality of life, however identifying and managing these conditions can be challenging due to a plethora of different definition criteria [1], [2]. This study aimed to screen for sarcopenia, obesity and SO, in independent-living older Scottish adults using two different criteria.