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University Lecturer
01 September 1988 - 01 September 2018
Tonia Vassilakou is Professor of Public Health Nutrition in the Department of Public Health Policy, University of West Attica. She is a member of the Dean’s Office of the School of Public Health and a member of the National Nutrition Policy Committee. She holds a Degree on Food Science and Technology from the Agricultural University of Athens and she PhD pursued at the Medical School of Athens. She has been working at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of Harokopio University (2000-2004) and at the National School of Public Health from 1988 until 2019, when the School was merged with the University of West Attica as the Department of Public Health Policy. She is the Director of the MSc. Program in Public Health held by the Department of Public Health Policy She has been teaching at the MSc. Program and as an invited lecturer in undergraduate and postgraduate courses organized by other universities. She has been the supervisor of more than 80 master dissertations and she is a member of the advisory committee for two doctoral theses. She has been coordinating and participating in several research projects. She has written 1 book, has contributed to 7 chapters of books and textbooks, has published more than 45 high impact original research scientific papers in national and international peer-reviewed journals. She is the Guest Editor for the Special Issue on “Childhood Malnutrition” of the peer-reviewed Open Access Journal “Children” by MDPI.
In their attempt to achieve the optimum weight or body shape for their activity, athletes frequently use harmful weight-control practices that may lead to the development of disordered eating or eating disorders. These practices are linked to several medical and mental consequences that may be more serious in adolescent athletes, as their bodies must meet both intensive growth demands and training requirements at the same time. Among other consequences, adolescent athletes may be at nutritional risk, due to their high nutrient needs and unhealthy eating behaviors. A literature review was conducted to examine the main nutritional risks and malnutrition issues faced by adolescent athletes that present disordered eating attitudes or eating disorders. Most studies refer to adult elite athletes, however research on adolescent athletes also indicates that the most common nutritional risks that may arise due to disordered eating include energy, macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances and changes in body composition that may lead to menstrual abnormalities, and decreased bone mass density. Educational programs and early detection of disordered eating and eating disorders are crucial to avoid the emergence and ensure timely management of nutrition-related problems in the vulnerable group of adolescent athletes.
Ioanna Kontele; Tonia Vassilakou. Nutritional Risks among Adolescent Athletes with Disordered Eating. Children 2021, 8, 715 .
AMA StyleIoanna Kontele, Tonia Vassilakou. Nutritional Risks among Adolescent Athletes with Disordered Eating. Children. 2021; 8 (8):715.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIoanna Kontele; Tonia Vassilakou. 2021. "Nutritional Risks among Adolescent Athletes with Disordered Eating." Children 8, no. 8: 715.
Childhood malnutrition of every form, including undernutrition (wasting, stunting and underweight), micronutrient deficiencies, as well as overweight and obesity, consists a triple burden of disease, especially for low- and middle-income countries, and is one of the leading causes of poor health and a major impediment to personal development and achievement of full human potential worldwide [1]. Globally in 2019, 149 million children under the age of 5 years were stunted, almost 50 million wasted, 340 million suffered from micronutrient
Tonia Vassilakou. Childhood Malnutrition: Time for Action. Children 2021, 8, 103 .
AMA StyleTonia Vassilakou. Childhood Malnutrition: Time for Action. Children. 2021; 8 (2):103.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTonia Vassilakou. 2021. "Childhood Malnutrition: Time for Action." Children 8, no. 2: 103.
Malnutrition prevails in considerable proportions of children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), and is often associated with adverse outcomes. For this, routine screening for malnutrition is pivotal. In the present cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the risk for malnutrition in pediatric outpatients with CF. A total of 76 outpatients (44 girls, 11.9 ± 3.9 years old, 39.5% adolescents) were recruited and anthropometric, clinical, dietary and respiratory measures were collected. All outpatients were screened for malnutrition risk with a validated disease-specific instrument. Most children exhibited a low risk for malnutrition (78.9%), whereas none of the participants were characterized as having a high malnutrition risk. In the total sample, malnutrition risk was positively associated with age (r = 0.369, p = 0.001), and inversely related to the body mass index (r = −0.684, p < 0.001), height z-score (r = −0.264, p = 0.021), and forced expiratory volume (FEV1%, r = −0.616, p < 0.001). Those classified as having a low malnutrition risk were younger (p = 0.004), heavier (p < 0.001) and taller (p = 0.009) than their counterparts with a moderate risk. On the other hand, patients in the moderate risk group were more likely pubertal (p = 0.034), with a reduced mid-upper arm fat area (p = 0.011), and worse pulmonary function (p < 0.001). Interestingly, none of the children attaining ideal body weight were classified as having a moderate malnutrition. risk, whereas 37.5% of the patients allocated at the moderate risk group exhibited physiological lung function. In this cohort of outpatients with CF that were predominantly well-nourished and attained physiological lung function, malnutrition risk was identified only in small proportions of the sample. Our data support that patients that are older, pubertal, or have diminished fat mass are at greater risk for malnutrition.
Dimitrios Poulimeneas; Maria G. Grammatikopoulou; Argyri Petrocheilou; Athanasios G. Kaditis; Tonia Vassilakou. Triage for Malnutrition Risk among Pediatric and Adolescent Outpatients with Cystic Fibrosis, Using a Disease-Specific Tool. Children 2020, 7, 269 .
AMA StyleDimitrios Poulimeneas, Maria G. Grammatikopoulou, Argyri Petrocheilou, Athanasios G. Kaditis, Tonia Vassilakou. Triage for Malnutrition Risk among Pediatric and Adolescent Outpatients with Cystic Fibrosis, Using a Disease-Specific Tool. Children. 2020; 7 (12):269.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDimitrios Poulimeneas; Maria G. Grammatikopoulou; Argyri Petrocheilou; Athanasios G. Kaditis; Tonia Vassilakou. 2020. "Triage for Malnutrition Risk among Pediatric and Adolescent Outpatients with Cystic Fibrosis, Using a Disease-Specific Tool." Children 7, no. 12: 269.
Malnutrition is caused either by cancer itself or by its treatment, and affects the clinical outcome, the quality of life (QOL), and the overall survival (OS) of the patient. However, malnutrition in children with cancer should not be accepted or tolerated as an inevitable procedure at any stage of the disease. A review of the international literature from 2014 to 2019 was performed. Despite the difficulty of accurately assessing the prevalence of malnutrition, poor nutritional status has adverse effects from diagnosis to subsequent survival. Nutritional status (NS) at diagnosis relates to undernutrition, while correlations with clinical outcome are still unclear. Malnutrition adversely affects health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with cancer and collective evidence constantly shows poor nutritional quality in childhood cancer survivors (CCSs). Nutritional assessment and early intervention in pediatric cancer patients could minimize the side effects of treatment, improve their survival, and reduce the risk of nutritional morbidity with a positive impact on QOL, in view of the potentially manageable nature of this risk factor.
Vassiliki Diakatou; Tonia Vassilakou. Nutritional Status of Pediatric Cancer Patients at Diagnosis and Correlations with Treatment, Clinical Outcome and the Long-Term Growth and Health of Survivors. Children 2020, 7, 218 .
AMA StyleVassiliki Diakatou, Tonia Vassilakou. Nutritional Status of Pediatric Cancer Patients at Diagnosis and Correlations with Treatment, Clinical Outcome and the Long-Term Growth and Health of Survivors. Children. 2020; 7 (11):218.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVassiliki Diakatou; Tonia Vassilakou. 2020. "Nutritional Status of Pediatric Cancer Patients at Diagnosis and Correlations with Treatment, Clinical Outcome and the Long-Term Growth and Health of Survivors." Children 7, no. 11: 218.
Nutrition is an important component of cystic fibrosis (CF) therapy, with a high-fat diet being the cornerstone of treatment. However, adherence to the dietary recommendations for CF appears suboptimal and burdensome for most children and adolescents with CF, leading to malnutrition, inadequate growth, compromised lung function and increased risk for respiratory infections. A cross-sectional approach was deployed to examine the degree of adherence to the nutrition recommendations and diet quality among children with CF. A total of 76 children were recruited from Aghia Sophia’s Children Hospital, in Athens, Greece. In their majority, participants attained their ideal body weight, met the recommendations for energy and fat intake, exceeding the goal for saturated fatty acids consumption. Carbohydrate and fiber intake were suboptimal and most participants exhibited low or mediocre adherence to the Mediterranean diet prototype. It appears that despite the optimal adherence to the energy and fat recommendations, there is still room for improvement concerning diet quality and fiber intake.
Dimitrios Poulimeneas; Maria G. Grammatikopoulou; Panagiota Devetzi; Argyri Petrocheilou; Athanasios G. Kaditis; Theodora Papamitsou; Stavros E. Doudounakis; Tonia Vassilakou. Adherence to Dietary Recommendations, Nutrient Intake Adequacy and Diet Quality among Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Results from the GreeCF Study. Nutrients 2020, 12, 3126 .
AMA StyleDimitrios Poulimeneas, Maria G. Grammatikopoulou, Panagiota Devetzi, Argyri Petrocheilou, Athanasios G. Kaditis, Theodora Papamitsou, Stavros E. Doudounakis, Tonia Vassilakou. Adherence to Dietary Recommendations, Nutrient Intake Adequacy and Diet Quality among Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Results from the GreeCF Study. Nutrients. 2020; 12 (10):3126.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDimitrios Poulimeneas; Maria G. Grammatikopoulou; Panagiota Devetzi; Argyri Petrocheilou; Athanasios G. Kaditis; Theodora Papamitsou; Stavros E. Doudounakis; Tonia Vassilakou. 2020. "Adherence to Dietary Recommendations, Nutrient Intake Adequacy and Diet Quality among Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Results from the GreeCF Study." Nutrients 12, no. 10: 3126.
Objective: The aim of the study was to compare 3 international growth references and explore their differences in assessing growth in Greek school-aged patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods: Sample included 114 patients (50 boys, age 11.5 ± 3.9 years), provided care at Aghia Sofia Children's Hospital, Greece. Anthropometrics and predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%) were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and height z scores were computed according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) references. Agreement between methods was analyzed with kappa statistics, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and Bland-Altman analysis. The relationship between FEV1% and BMI was explored with linear regression. Results: Mean CDC BMI z score was the lowest (0.06 ± 1.08), followed by WHO (0.17 ± 1.14) and IOTF (0.35 ± 1.05) (P ≤ 0.001 for all). The CDC and WHO growth references highly agreed for most weight status strata and stunting; all other comparisons produced lower agreements. Except for CDC and IOTF BMI z scores, all other comparisons produced wide levels of agreement and proportional bias. CDC reference classified more children as attaining low or normal weight, against WHO or IOTF (P ≤ 0.001 for all). Lowest prevalence of ideal and excess weight was recorded by CDC, compared to all other standards (P ≤ 0.001 for all). All BMI z scores provided moderate associations with FEV1%. Conclusion: Large variations across weight status classification were present when employing 3 growth standards in school-aged patients . Given than BMI z-scores from all references provided comparable associations with pulmonary function, our data indicate that no studied reference is better than others in assessing growth in CF.
Dimitrios Poulimeneas; Maria G. Grammatikopoulou; Argyri Petrocheilou; Athanasios G. Kaditis; Evgenia Troupi; Stavros E. Doudounakis; Dimitrios Laggas; Tonia Vassilakou. Comparison of International Growth Standards for Assessing Nutritional Status in Cystic Fibrosis: The GreeCF Study. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition 2020, 71, e35 -e39.
AMA StyleDimitrios Poulimeneas, Maria G. Grammatikopoulou, Argyri Petrocheilou, Athanasios G. Kaditis, Evgenia Troupi, Stavros E. Doudounakis, Dimitrios Laggas, Tonia Vassilakou. Comparison of International Growth Standards for Assessing Nutritional Status in Cystic Fibrosis: The GreeCF Study. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition. 2020; 71 (1):e35-e39.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDimitrios Poulimeneas; Maria G. Grammatikopoulou; Argyri Petrocheilou; Athanasios G. Kaditis; Evgenia Troupi; Stavros E. Doudounakis; Dimitrios Laggas; Tonia Vassilakou. 2020. "Comparison of International Growth Standards for Assessing Nutritional Status in Cystic Fibrosis: The GreeCF Study." Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition 71, no. 1: e35-e39.
Objective: The objective of this study was to translate the Menopause-specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire in Greek and validate it for usage in the Greek population both in written and electronic form. Methods: The original English questionnaire MENQOL with 1-month recall period was translated by our team. According to instructions by Mapi Research Trust, the questionnaire was forward and back-translated, followed by patient testing and proofreading. Then it was transcripted electronically. Validation was performed with the following tests: internal consistency (reliability), stability (test-retest reliability) with Cronbach's alpha correlations, independent and paired t tests, and Pearson's correlation coefficients. Results: A total of 105 women, the majority recently menopausal, participated in the study. Internal consistency using the Cronbach's alpha showed high reliability ranging between 0.833 (physical domain) and 0.896 (vasomotor domain) for the written, and 0.720 (physical domain) and 0.868 (vasomotor domain) for the online form. Test-retest reliability was also high for both forms. The sexual domain of MENQOL had the higher mean, indicating the highest impact on quality of life (3.80 ± 2.35). Conclusions: The Greek version of MENQOL is a reliable instrument for evaluating menopausal women. Availability of an online form will allow wider dissemination of the questionnaire. Further use of the questionnaire in Greece may lead to better understanding of the bothersome symptoms of menopause; a prerequisite to develop intervention studies for amelioration of quality of life.
Evgenia-Ioanna Papadima; Anastasios Boutsiadis; Alexandra Soldatou; Sofia Ivanidou; Tonia Vassilakou; Lina Michala. Linguistic translation and validation of the Menopause-specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire in Greek menopausal women. Menopause 2020, 27, 808 -815.
AMA StyleEvgenia-Ioanna Papadima, Anastasios Boutsiadis, Alexandra Soldatou, Sofia Ivanidou, Tonia Vassilakou, Lina Michala. Linguistic translation and validation of the Menopause-specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire in Greek menopausal women. Menopause. 2020; 27 (7):808-815.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEvgenia-Ioanna Papadima; Anastasios Boutsiadis; Alexandra Soldatou; Sofia Ivanidou; Tonia Vassilakou; Lina Michala. 2020. "Linguistic translation and validation of the Menopause-specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire in Greek menopausal women." Menopause 27, no. 7: 808-815.
Background:Pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) patients suffer high rates of undernutrition, subject to several parameters. We aimed to assess growth and nutritional status of Greek children and adolescents with CF.Methods:Eighty-four patients (35 boys) formed the sample. Anthropometrics and FEVResults:In the total sample, 6.0% of the patients were underweight, 4.8% stunted, 8.3% wasted and 17.9% in nutritional failure, whereas 59.5% attained the ideal BMI for CF. FEVConclusions:The examined CF patients appear to be thriving. Unlike published research, the participants’ sex, gene mutation and acquisition of pathogens did not affect growth.
Dimitrios Poulimeneas; Argiri Petrocheilou; Maria G. Grammatikopoulou; Athanasios G. Kaditis; Ioanna Loukou; Stavros E. Doudounakis; Dimitrios Laggas; Tonia Vassilakou. High attainment of optimal nutritional and growth status observed among Greek pediatric cystic fibrosis patients: results from the GreeCF study. Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism 2017, 30, 1169 -1176.
AMA StyleDimitrios Poulimeneas, Argiri Petrocheilou, Maria G. Grammatikopoulou, Athanasios G. Kaditis, Ioanna Loukou, Stavros E. Doudounakis, Dimitrios Laggas, Tonia Vassilakou. High attainment of optimal nutritional and growth status observed among Greek pediatric cystic fibrosis patients: results from the GreeCF study. Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2017; 30 (11):1169-1176.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDimitrios Poulimeneas; Argiri Petrocheilou; Maria G. Grammatikopoulou; Athanasios G. Kaditis; Ioanna Loukou; Stavros E. Doudounakis; Dimitrios Laggas; Tonia Vassilakou. 2017. "High attainment of optimal nutritional and growth status observed among Greek pediatric cystic fibrosis patients: results from the GreeCF study." Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism 30, no. 11: 1169-1176.
Background: Diabetes mellitus is a global public health problem. The purposes of this study were: development of healthy eating habits, excellent glycemic control, maintenance ideal body weight, smoking cessation, regular physical exercise, prevention of complications.Methods: A sample of 100 diabetic patients (57% males and 43% females, aged 39-89 years old) was monitored in the Hospital of Tripolis. Patients completed a questionnaire about their eating habits. Body weight, height, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) calculation and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured. Follow lifestyle intervention included dietary guidelines.Results: After the intervention significant differences were observed: increases in physical activity (58.95% from 41.0%, p-value = 0.002), duration of exercise (Q1 = 1.0 from 0.5, p-value = 0.023), consumption of breakfast (94.74% from 86.0%, p-value = 0.013 ), daily number of meals (median = 5 from 4, p-value = 0.002), average score of frequency in fats / oils / olive consumption (median = 2.8 from 2.5, p-value <0.001) average score of frequency in fruit consumption (median = 4.0 from 2.5, p-value <0.001), and decreases in weight (Q1 = 73.0 from 74.5, p-value = 0.002), BMI (median = 31.7 from 32.4, p-value = 0.002), waist circumference (median = 106 from 108, p-value <0.001), average score of frequency in grain / starchy / legumes consumption (Q1 = 2.6 from 2.8, p-value = 0.050).Conclusions: This study shows that even small interventions can have the desired results. But it needs perseverance and adaptation of programs to the specific characteristics and cultural beliefs of patients.
Angeliki Stamatopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou. Assessment of the eating habits of diabetic patients and consequential evaluation of targeted intervention in Tripolis, Greece. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health 2016, 4, 263 .
AMA StyleAngeliki Stamatopoulou, Tonia Vassilakou. Assessment of the eating habits of diabetic patients and consequential evaluation of targeted intervention in Tripolis, Greece. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health. 2016; 4 (1):263.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAngeliki Stamatopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou. 2016. "Assessment of the eating habits of diabetic patients and consequential evaluation of targeted intervention in Tripolis, Greece." International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health 4, no. 1: 263.
Zacharoula Karabouta; Vasiliki Bisbinas; James E Greening; Tonia Vassilakou. Association between waist circumference and family history of cardiovascular disease in a group of overweight/obese children and adolescents. Endocrine Abstracts 2016, 1 .
AMA StyleZacharoula Karabouta, Vasiliki Bisbinas, James E Greening, Tonia Vassilakou. Association between waist circumference and family history of cardiovascular disease in a group of overweight/obese children and adolescents. Endocrine Abstracts. 2016; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleZacharoula Karabouta; Vasiliki Bisbinas; James E Greening; Tonia Vassilakou. 2016. "Association between waist circumference and family history of cardiovascular disease in a group of overweight/obese children and adolescents." Endocrine Abstracts , no. : 1.
Objective: Whole grain consumption has long been associated with human health. However, its relationship with breast cancer remains not well understood and appreciated. The aim of this work was to evaluate the association between whole grain consumption and breast cancer in women. Methods: A case-control study was designed. Two hundred and fifty consecutive, newly diagnosed breast cancer female patients (56 ± 12 years) and 250 one-to-one age-matched controls were enrolled. A standardized, validated questionnaire assessing various sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, and dietary characteristics was applied through face-to-face interviews. Moreover, data on regular consumption of whole grains (i.e., never/rarely, 1–6 times/week, >7 times/week) were recorded. Overall dietary habits were assessed through the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet using the MedDietScore (theoretical range 0–55). Results: Whole grain consumption of more than 7 times/week was associated with a 0.49-fold (odds ratio = 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.29, 0.82) lower likelihood of having breast cancer, after adjustments were made. Conclusions: This study suggested that whole grain consumption more than 7 times/week was consistently associated with reduced risk of breast cancer.
Niki Mourouti; Meropi Kontogianni; Christos Papavagelis; Theodora Psaltopoulou; Melpo Kapetanstrataki; Petrini Plytzanopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou; Nikolaos Malamos; Athena Linos; Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. Whole Grain Consumption and Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study in Women. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2015, 35, 143 -149.
AMA StyleNiki Mourouti, Meropi Kontogianni, Christos Papavagelis, Theodora Psaltopoulou, Melpo Kapetanstrataki, Petrini Plytzanopoulou, Tonia Vassilakou, Nikolaos Malamos, Athena Linos, Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. Whole Grain Consumption and Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study in Women. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2015; 35 (2):143-149.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNiki Mourouti; Meropi Kontogianni; Christos Papavagelis; Theodora Psaltopoulou; Melpo Kapetanstrataki; Petrini Plytzanopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou; Nikolaos Malamos; Athena Linos; Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. 2015. "Whole Grain Consumption and Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study in Women." Journal of the American College of Nutrition 35, no. 2: 143-149.
The relationship between meat intake and breast cancer has been inconsistent .The aim of this work was to evaluate the association between meat intake and breast cancer, in women.A case-control study with 250 consecutive, newly diagnosed breast-cancer-female-patients (56 ± 12 years) and 250, one-to-one age-matched controls was conducted. A standardized, validated questionnaire assessing various socio-demographic, clinical, lifestyle and dietary characteristics was applied through face-to-face interviews. Data on consumption of red, white, processed and grilled meat were also recorded. Overall dietary habits were assessed through the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet using the MedDietScore (theoretical range 0-55).Processed meat intake, even for 1-2 times/week,was associated with a 2.7-fold (OR= 2.65, 95% CI 1.36, 5.14) (p= 0.004) higher likelihood of having breast cancer, while daily intake increased the likelihood by a 2.8-fold (OR = 2.81, 95% CI 1.13, 6.96) (p = 0.026), after various adjustments made. Red, white and grilled meat intake was not significantly associated with the outcome when the same adjustments were made.This study suggested that only daily processed-meat intake was consistently associated with increased odds of breast-cancer.
Niki Mourouti; Meropi Kontogianni; Christos Papavagelis; Petrini Plytzanopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou; Theodora Psaltopoulou; Nikolaos Malamos; Athena Linos; Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. Meat consumption and breast cancer: A case–control study in women. Meat Science 2015, 100, 195 -201.
AMA StyleNiki Mourouti, Meropi Kontogianni, Christos Papavagelis, Petrini Plytzanopoulou, Tonia Vassilakou, Theodora Psaltopoulou, Nikolaos Malamos, Athena Linos, Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. Meat consumption and breast cancer: A case–control study in women. Meat Science. 2015; 100 ():195-201.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNiki Mourouti; Meropi Kontogianni; Christos Papavagelis; Petrini Plytzanopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou; Theodora Psaltopoulou; Nikolaos Malamos; Athena Linos; Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. 2015. "Meat consumption and breast cancer: A case–control study in women." Meat Science 100, no. : 195-201.
Since dietary habits have been associated with breast cancer, the tested research hypothesis was the associations between food patterns, as derived through multivariate methods, and breast cancer. In a case–control study, Two-hundred and fifty consecutive, newly diagnosed breast cancer female patients (56 ± 12 years) and 250 one-to-one age-matched, healthy controls were studied. A standardized, validated questionnaire assessing various socio-demographic, clinical, lifestyle, and dietary characteristics was applied through face-to-face interviews. Factor analysis, with principal components method, was applied to extract dietary patterns from 86 foods or food groups consumption reported by the controls. Three components were derived explaining 43 % of the total variation in consumption. Component 1 was characterized by the consumption of potatoes, red meat and its products, poultry and white meat, dairy products, use of margarine/butter in cooking or at the table, consumption of sausages, fried food as well as grilled meat or fish; component 2 was characterized by the consumption of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; and component 3 was characterized by olive oil and fish consumption. After adjusting for various confounders, components 2 and 3 were favorably associated with the absence of having breast cancer [odds ratio (OR) 0.60, 95 % CI 0.47–0.75 and OR 0.81, 95 % CI 0.66–0.99, respectively], while component 1 was not significantly associated with the disease. Adherence to healthy dietary patterns (including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, olive oil, and fish) seems to be favorable in not having breast cancer, among middle-aged women.
Niki Mourouti; Christos Papavagelis; Petrini Plytzanopoulou; Meropi Kontogianni; Tonia Vassilakou; Nikolaos Malamos; Athena Linos; Demosthenes Panagiotakos. Dietary patterns and breast cancer: a case–control study in women. European Journal of Nutrition 2014, 54, 609 -617.
AMA StyleNiki Mourouti, Christos Papavagelis, Petrini Plytzanopoulou, Meropi Kontogianni, Tonia Vassilakou, Nikolaos Malamos, Athena Linos, Demosthenes Panagiotakos. Dietary patterns and breast cancer: a case–control study in women. European Journal of Nutrition. 2014; 54 (4):609-617.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNiki Mourouti; Christos Papavagelis; Petrini Plytzanopoulou; Meropi Kontogianni; Tonia Vassilakou; Nikolaos Malamos; Athena Linos; Demosthenes Panagiotakos. 2014. "Dietary patterns and breast cancer: a case–control study in women." European Journal of Nutrition 54, no. 4: 609-617.
Background: Alcohol is considered to be a co-carcinogen as well as a tumor promoter, with several studies showing a linear dose-dependent association. However, moderate alcohol consumption has been found to be protective as far as cardiovascular diseases are concerned. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of alcohol intake with breast cancer. Design: It is a case – control study. Patients: Two hundred and fifty consecutive newly (within six months) diagnosed breast cancer patients with first developed breast cancer (56±12 years) and 250 age-matched controls were studied. Main Outcome Measures: A special questionnaire assessing various socio-demographic, clinical, lifestyle and dietary characteristics, was applied through face-to-face interviews. Moreover, frequency of alcohol intake (i.e., never, rarely, 3-4 times/month, 1-2 times/week, 3-4 times/week, daily) and type (i.e., red or white wine, beer, whisky, other beverages) of alcoholic beverages consumed were also recorded. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated using the MedDietScore (theoretical range 0-55). Results: Alcohol drinking on a weekly basis (i.e., 3-4 times/week) was associated with lower likelihood of having breast cancer (OR=0.16; 95%CI 0.03, 0.80), while higher consumption showed opposite results. Moreover, it was revealed that wine drinking was associated with lower odds of breast cancer (OR=0.60; 95%CI 0.35, 1.00) with no significant differences between red or white wine. Limitations: The major limitation of this study was the potential recall bias. Conclusions: Moderate alcohol intake, and especially wine consumption, seem to be associated with breast cancer prevention.
Niki Mourouti; Meropi Kontogianni; Christos Papavagelis; Theodora Psaltopoulou; Petrini Plytzanopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou; Nikolaos Malamos; Athena Linos; Demosthenes Panagiotakos. The J-shaped Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study. Current Nutrition & Food Science 2014, 10, 120 -127.
AMA StyleNiki Mourouti, Meropi Kontogianni, Christos Papavagelis, Theodora Psaltopoulou, Petrini Plytzanopoulou, Tonia Vassilakou, Nikolaos Malamos, Athena Linos, Demosthenes Panagiotakos. The J-shaped Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study. Current Nutrition & Food Science. 2014; 10 (2):120-127.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNiki Mourouti; Meropi Kontogianni; Christos Papavagelis; Theodora Psaltopoulou; Petrini Plytzanopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou; Nikolaos Malamos; Athena Linos; Demosthenes Panagiotakos. 2014. "The J-shaped Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study." Current Nutrition & Food Science 10, no. 2: 120-127.
Mediterranean diet has long been associated with human health. However, its relationship with breast cancer remains not well understood and appreciated. The aim of this work was to evaluate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and its inherent constituents, with breast-cancer. Two-hundred-and-fifty consecutive, newly diagnosed breast-cancer female patients (56 ± 12 yr) and 250, 1-to-1 age-matched with the patients, controls, were studied. A standardized, validated questionnaire assessing various sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, and dietary characteristics, was applied through face-to-face interviews. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated using the 11-components MedDietScore (theoretical range 0–55). Multiple logistic regression was applied to test the research hypothesis, whereas discriminant analysis was used to explore the strength of each component in relation to the outcome. One unit increase in the MedDietScore (i.e., greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet) was associated with 9% lower likelihood of having breast cancer (odds ratio = 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.86, 0.97). Decomposition of the MedDietScore revealed that the most important components and with beneficial effect were nonrefined cereals, vegetables, fruits, and alcohol, followed by red meat, but with unfavorable effect. A dietary recommendation for healthy eating, close to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, seems promising for breast cancer prevention.
Niki Mourouti; Meropi Kontogianni; Christos Papavagelis; Petrini Plytzanopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou; Nikolaos Malamos; Athena Linos; Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is Associated With Lower Likelihood of Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study. Nutrition and Cancer 2014, 66, 810 -817.
AMA StyleNiki Mourouti, Meropi Kontogianni, Christos Papavagelis, Petrini Plytzanopoulou, Tonia Vassilakou, Nikolaos Malamos, Athena Linos, Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is Associated With Lower Likelihood of Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study. Nutrition and Cancer. 2014; 66 (5):810-817.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNiki Mourouti; Meropi Kontogianni; Christos Papavagelis; Petrini Plytzanopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou; Nikolaos Malamos; Athena Linos; Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. 2014. "Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is Associated With Lower Likelihood of Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study." Nutrition and Cancer 66, no. 5: 810-817.
Introduction: Health attitudes and beliefs have long been associated with lower risk of various diseases, better compliance to medication and less likelihood of relapsing. The aim of this work was to study health beliefs and attitudes of hypertensive subjects in relation to the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Methods: The Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society ran a project where during 2006-2012, 10,141 individuals (39 ± 15 years, 47% men, i.e., 0.01% of the Greek population), from all areas of the country, were voluntarily enrolled and participated into a face-toface interview that gathered information about their beliefs and attitudes on diet, smoking and physical activity, as well as management of CVD disorders. Results: Self-reported prevalence of hypertension was 16.7% in men and 13.2% in women. Hypertensive subjects had lower educational level than non-hypertensive (11 ± 5 vs. 13 ± 4.5 years of school, p Conclusion: There is need for more effective health strategies in order to convince people, especially those with cardiometabolic disorders, on the importance of the modifiable CVD risk factors.
Evangelos Polychronopoulos; Ekavi N. Georgousopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou; Christos Pitsavos; Christina Chrysohoou; Vassilios Athyros; John Goudevenos; Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. Health Attitudes and Beliefs Among Hypertensive Subjects: A Study of the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society. The Open Hypertension Journal 2014, 6, 12 -17.
AMA StyleEvangelos Polychronopoulos, Ekavi N. Georgousopoulou, Tonia Vassilakou, Christos Pitsavos, Christina Chrysohoou, Vassilios Athyros, John Goudevenos, Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. Health Attitudes and Beliefs Among Hypertensive Subjects: A Study of the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society. The Open Hypertension Journal. 2014; 6 (1):12-17.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEvangelos Polychronopoulos; Ekavi N. Georgousopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou; Christos Pitsavos; Christina Chrysohoou; Vassilios Athyros; John Goudevenos; Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. 2014. "Health Attitudes and Beliefs Among Hypertensive Subjects: A Study of the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society." The Open Hypertension Journal 6, no. 1: 12-17.
Background: Previous studies have suggested that individual cardiometabolic factors may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Objective: To evaluate the association between individual cardiometabolic factors with breast cancer development. Design: A case – control study. Two-hundred-and-fifty consecutive, newly diagnosed breast cancer female patients (56±12 years) and 250, one-to-one age-matched with the patients, healthy volunteers (controls), were studied. A standardized, validated questionnaire assessing various socio-demographic, clinical, lifestyle and dietary characteristics, was applied through face-to-face interviews. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated using the 11-components MedDietScore (theoretical range 0-55). A detailed medical history regarding the common co-morbidities (i.e., diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia) and their treatment was also recorded, while women were also categorized using the Body Mass Index (BMI) as an indicator of obesity. Results: Obesity (i.e., BMI>30 kg/m2) was positively associated with the likelihood of having breast cancer. Conclusions: With the exception of obesity, none of the other tested cardiometabolic risk factors seemed to be a predisposing factor for breast cancer development.
Niki Mourouti; Christos Papavagelis; Meropi Kontogianni; Petrini Plytzanopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou; Nikolaos Malamos; Athena Linos; Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. Cardiometabolic Factors and Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study in Women. The Open Hypertension Journal 2013, 5, 49 -49.
AMA StyleNiki Mourouti, Christos Papavagelis, Meropi Kontogianni, Petrini Plytzanopoulou, Tonia Vassilakou, Nikolaos Malamos, Athena Linos, Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. Cardiometabolic Factors and Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study in Women. The Open Hypertension Journal. 2013; 5 (1):49-49.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNiki Mourouti; Christos Papavagelis; Meropi Kontogianni; Petrini Plytzanopoulou; Tonia Vassilakou; Nikolaos Malamos; Athena Linos; Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos. 2013. "Cardiometabolic Factors and Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study in Women." The Open Hypertension Journal 5, no. 1: 49-49.
Background: It is now widely adopted that the financial crisis of 2007 - 2009 and the subsequent fiscal policies have affected populations' health and health systems. Although a significant body of work has already attempted to evaluate the susceptibility of health status to the financial crises, there is relatively little analysis of how these downturns influence populations' health. Greece is one of the countries that have been affected more by the financial turmoil than any other European country. The aim of this work was to evaluate long-time trends (2006-2012) of the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its main determinants (i.e., smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and unhealthy diet) over the Greek population. Methods: During 2006-2012 the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society contacted a longitudinal survey of 10,000 men and women (39±15 years, 18-89 years, 56% women). Individuals were randomly enrolled on a volunteer basis and were almost equally allocated to the studied period (i.e., 1000-1500/year), from all regions of Greece. Prevalence of CVD and its main determinants were evaluated through face-to-face interviews. Results: Time-series, age-sex standardized analysis revealed a 9.9% (95% CI 3.5%-16.7%) annual increase in the prevalence of CVD; a 4.5% (95% CI 0.8%-8.3%) increase in the prevalence of dyslipidemias; a 8.5% (95% CI 3.6%-13.6%) increase in the prevalence of diabetes; a 8.5% (95% CI 3.6%-13.6%) increase in the prevalence of diabetes, whilst it was observed a 4.3% (95% CI 0.8%-7.6%) annual decrease in the prevalence of obesity. No significant change was observed in the prevalence of hypertension (p=0.52). The peak in the prevalence of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and CVD was observed in 2009 and 2010. Moreover, the prevalence of smoking habit showed a 3.8% (95% CI 1.6%-5.8%) annual decrease, whereas the self-reported level of adherence to a Mediterranean type of diet increased by 2.1% per year (95% CI 0.0%-4.1%). Conclusion: This is the first study that attempted to map the CVD risk profile of a population dramatically affected by the financial crisis. The presented findings underline the emerging need for developing a conceptual framework for identifying health system responses and setting policy lessons and practices against the effects of financial crisis to human health.
D. B. Panagiotakos; C. Pitsavos; C. Chrysohoou; V. Athyros; J. Goudevenos; Tonia Vassilakou; E. Polychronopoulos. Prevalence of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in relation to the financial crisis: a longitudinal study (2006-2012) in Greece. European Heart Journal 2013, 34, P2501 -P2501.
AMA StyleD. B. Panagiotakos, C. Pitsavos, C. Chrysohoou, V. Athyros, J. Goudevenos, Tonia Vassilakou, E. Polychronopoulos. Prevalence of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in relation to the financial crisis: a longitudinal study (2006-2012) in Greece. European Heart Journal. 2013; 34 (suppl 1):P2501-P2501.
Chicago/Turabian StyleD. B. Panagiotakos; C. Pitsavos; C. Chrysohoou; V. Athyros; J. Goudevenos; Tonia Vassilakou; E. Polychronopoulos. 2013. "Prevalence of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in relation to the financial crisis: a longitudinal study (2006-2012) in Greece." European Heart Journal 34, no. suppl 1: P2501-P2501.
Background: Although a substantial body of work has been made in promoting cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, the prevalence of CVD and its determinants continues to increase. It is known that prevention depends largely on people's health behavior; and people's health behavior is likely to be dependent on their health beliefs, including their perceptions of susceptibility, severity, as well as environmental social determinants, like the recent financial crises that affected Europe. The aim of this work was to evaluate long-time trends (2006-2012) of Greek individuals' attitudes and beliefs regarding CVD risk factors, during a financial crisis that enormously affected the population. Methods: During 2006-2012 the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society contacted a longitudinal survey of 10,000 men and women (39±15 years, 18-89 years, 56% women). Individuals were randomly enrolled on a volunteer basis and were almost equally allocated to the studied period (i.e., 1000-1500/year), from all regions of Greece. Attitudes and beliefs of CVD risk factors were evaluated through face-to-face interviews. Results: Time-series, age-sex standardized analysis revealed a decreasing trend (0.4%, 95% CI -2.0% to +2.7%) in regular CVD risk factors monitoring by the participants, through the healthcare system. Moreover, individuals' care about their health status decreased by 4.9% per year (95% CI 2.5% to 7.2%); whereas, their beliefs that CVD risk factors modification may improve their health status decreases by 4.2% per year (95% CI 2.2% to 6.3%). The perception that stress is the main determinant of CVD increases by an annual rate of 4.2% (95% CI 1.7% to 6.7%). The percent of people that ignore public health messages regarding smoking cessation and unhealthy eating increases by 1.9% and 5.2% per year, respectively, during the studied period. Conclusion: This is the first study that attempted to evaluate the attitudes and beliefs regarding CVD prevention of a population that has been dramatically affected by the recent financial crisis. The decreasing trend of individual's care regarding their health status, as well as their unfavorable beliefs and attitudes towards CVD prevention, emerges the need from public healthcare professionals to bridge this gap.
D. B. Panagiotakos; C. Pitsavos; C. Chrysohoou; V. Athyros; J. Goudevenos; Tonia Vassilakou; E. Polychronopoulos. Attitudes and beliefs towards cardiovascular disease prevention in relation to the financial crisis: a longitudinal study (2006-2012) in Greece. European Heart Journal 2013, 34, P2502 -P2502.
AMA StyleD. B. Panagiotakos, C. Pitsavos, C. Chrysohoou, V. Athyros, J. Goudevenos, Tonia Vassilakou, E. Polychronopoulos. Attitudes and beliefs towards cardiovascular disease prevention in relation to the financial crisis: a longitudinal study (2006-2012) in Greece. European Heart Journal. 2013; 34 (suppl 1):P2502-P2502.
Chicago/Turabian StyleD. B. Panagiotakos; C. Pitsavos; C. Chrysohoou; V. Athyros; J. Goudevenos; Tonia Vassilakou; E. Polychronopoulos. 2013. "Attitudes and beliefs towards cardiovascular disease prevention in relation to the financial crisis: a longitudinal study (2006-2012) in Greece." European Heart Journal 34, no. suppl 1: P2502-P2502.
Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos; Ekavi N. Georgousopoulou; Evangelos Polychronopoulos; Tonia Vassilakou; Christina Chrysohoou; Christos Pitsavos; Vasilios Athyros; John Goudevenos. Beliefs and attitudes regarding cardiovascular disease risk factors: A health survey in 10,141 Greek men and women (2006–2012). International Journal of Cardiology 2013, 168, 4847 -4849.
AMA StyleDemosthenes B. Panagiotakos, Ekavi N. Georgousopoulou, Evangelos Polychronopoulos, Tonia Vassilakou, Christina Chrysohoou, Christos Pitsavos, Vasilios Athyros, John Goudevenos. Beliefs and attitudes regarding cardiovascular disease risk factors: A health survey in 10,141 Greek men and women (2006–2012). International Journal of Cardiology. 2013; 168 (5):4847-4849.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDemosthenes B. Panagiotakos; Ekavi N. Georgousopoulou; Evangelos Polychronopoulos; Tonia Vassilakou; Christina Chrysohoou; Christos Pitsavos; Vasilios Athyros; John Goudevenos. 2013. "Beliefs and attitudes regarding cardiovascular disease risk factors: A health survey in 10,141 Greek men and women (2006–2012)." International Journal of Cardiology 168, no. 5: 4847-4849.