Dietary fat, both in terms of quantity and quality, has been implicated to cancer development, either positively or negatively. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether olive oil or monounsaturated fat intake was associated with the development of cancer. A systematic search of relevant studies, published in English, between 1990 and March 1, 2011, was performed through a computer-assisted literature tool (i.e., Pubmed). In total 38 studies were initially allocated; of them 19 case-control studies were finally studied (13800 cancer patients and 23340 controls were included). Random effects meta-analysis was applied in order to evaluate the research hypothesis. It was found that compared with the lowest, the highest category of olive oil consumption was associated with lower odds of having any type of cancer (log odds ratio = -0.41, 95%CI -0.53, -0.29, Cohran's Q = 47.52, p = 0.0002, I-sq = 62%); the latter was irrespective of the country of origin (Mediterranean or non-Mediterranean). Moreover, olive oil consumption was associated with lower odds of developing breast cancer (logOR = -0,45 95%CI -0.78 to -0.12), and a cancer of the digestive system (logOR = -0,36 95%CI -0.50 to -0.21), compared with the lowest intake. The strength and consistency of the findings states a hypothesis about the protective role of olive oil intake on cancer risk. However, it is still unclear whether olive oil's monounsaturated fatty acid content or its antioxidant components are responsible for its beneficial effects.

Objective: To evaluate whether consumption of breakfast cereals is associated with BMI in a sample of Greek adolescents.Design: A cross-sectional health and nutrition survey.Setting and subjects: During 2004–5, 2008 schoolchildren aged 12–17 years were selected from twelve schools located in Vyronas region (Athens metropolitan area). Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. A semi-quantitative FFQ was applied and multiple logistic regression analysis was used.Results: Overall, 4·7 % of boys and 1·7 % of girls were obese, whereas 19·4 % of boys and 13·2 % of girls were overweight. Only 20·7 % of boys and 15·5 % of girls reported that they consume cereals as a first choice for breakfast. Consumption of breakfast cereals was associated with lower BMI in boys (P= 0·08) and girls (P= 0·019), irrespective of age and physical activity status. More prominent results were observed for daily cereal consumption or for more than two daily servings of cereals consumed for breakfast. Consumption of pre-sweetened breakfast cereals was associated with lower BMI compared with non-pre-sweetened or no intake of cereals, in both genders (P< 0·001). Consumption of breakfast cereals was associated with 33 % (95 % CI 14 %, 48 %) lower likelihood of overweight/obesity, irrespective of age, sex and physical activity status.Conclusions: Consumption of breakfast cereals was associated with lower BMI levels and a lower likelihood of overweight/obesity in both genders; thus a solid basis for public health professionals could be built when issuing advice on weight management.

A significant increase in the prevalence of obesity has occurred worldwide and the importance of considering the role of diet in the prevention and treatment of obesity is widely acknowledged. A growing body of evidence encourages the consumption of ready-to-eat cereals (RTEC) as part of a healthful diet. Research has shown an inverse association between the consumption of RTEC and the rate of obesity. However, other findings claim that this association was only attributed to the consumption of whole-grain cereals and not the refined-grain ones. Although meta-analyses of clinical trials support the use of a low-glycaemic index diet on weight loss, findings from other studies on the effect of the dietary glycaemic index on body weight have not been consistent. Thus, further research into the role of glycaemic index in the prevention and management of obesity and chronic disease is needed. Moreover, significant differences have been observed in composition among the marketed RTEC. In light of the revealing protective role of whole-grain, fibre-rich, low-energy-dense and low-glycaemic index/glycaemic load foods against obesity, public health professionals could drive their efforts towards the promotion of even more healthier RTEC when issuing advice on weight management. It seems, however, that despite any differences in their composition, the frequent consumption of RTEC due to their nutritional contribution is recommended in moderation and under the current recommendations in the context of a healthy balanced diet.

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. After removing the articles which were not relevant, a total of 28 cross-sectional studies was chosen (12 qualitative, and 16 quantitative). The findings confirmed that five groups of factors influence patients’ adherence to overall treatment: (1) health beliefs, knowledge, and perceptions regarding the risks and challenges of disease and medication intake along with adherence process perceptions; (2) self-concept; (3) emotions; (4) patient–healthcare providers relationship/communication and (5) social and cultural interactions. It is worth mentioning that cultural issues, such as culinary particularities, ethnic identity, social life as well as patients’ skills and abilities, play a profound role in the effectiveness of the recommended lifestyle modifications beyond the aforementioned common factors. The need for clear-cut culturally adapted guidelines along with personalized advice from physicians is imperative as it could improve patients’ self-efficacy. These socio-psychological factors should be seriously considered as a means to increase the effectiveness of future community prevention programs.

Although the association between meat consumption and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been extensively investigated, studies focusing specifically on the relationship between white meat consumption and CVD risk factors are fewer with controversial findings. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between white meat consumption and the incidence of cardiometabolic risk factors. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed articles was conducted from 2010 to 2022 (1 November), according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Thirteen prospective cohort studies were selected studying mainly poultry, with the exception of one study that also analyzed rabbit meat. From the seven studies on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, four studies found no association, two studies found positive associations, and two studies found inverse associations when comparing poultry to other meats. Of the two studies on the risk of hypertension, one observed no association and one a positive association. Of the two studies on weight management, one observed a positive association with weight gain, the other study observed the same relationship only for chicken with skin, while for chicken without skin a positive relationship with relative weight loss was found. As for metabolic syndrome and its components, two studies revealed inverse associations with white meat intake. Only fresh lean white meat consumption seems to have potential beneficial effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. Future research should scrutinize consumption habits related to white meat intake when investigating its association with cardiometabolic risk factors.

(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. Anthropometric, demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics were recorded. Patients were also asked to evaluate their efficacy to comply with healthy lifestyle behaviors. (3) Results: The majority exhibited unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. A subgroup demonstrated elevated self-efficacy in maintaining healthy habits despite facing diverse psychosocial challenges. Individuals with higher educational attainment, socioeconomic status, and rural/semi-urban residency had significantly elevated self-efficacy. Those with heightened self-efficacy exhibited significantly lower BMI and reduced prevalence of certain health conditions. Self-efficacy significantly influenced adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity engagement, and smoking cessation, even in challenging circumstances. (4) Conclusions: This study represented an innovative approach in examining the role of self-efficacy in shaping health behaviors and outcomes within a Greek population. By integrating specific psychosocial circumstances into the analysis, valuable insights were provided into the contextual factors influencing self-efficacy and adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors.