The objectives of this study are to identify eating patterns of university professors and to assess the relationships among sociodemographic factors in relation to lifestyle and physical activity. It ...is a cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational, and observational study with a representative sample of 127 educators, which covers almost the total population of university professors belonging to one of the campuses of the University of Granada (Spain). Two eating patterns were identified a posteriori through explanatory factor analysis: a Western pattern characterised by the consumption of dairy products, eggs, meat, sausages, refined oils, and butter, sugar, processed baked goods, and sugar-containing beverages and alcoholic drinks, and a Mediterranean pattern based on olive oil, fish, fruits, nuts, vegetables, pulses, cereals, and honey, which explain the 20.102 and 17.411 of variance, respectively. Significant differences are observed between the two genders with respect to anthropometric characteristics (weight and size, p < 0.001 in both cases) and to nutritional status (p = 0.011). Origin (p = 0.022) and level of physical activity (p = 0.010) were significantly related to adherence to a Western diet pattern. In the case of the Mediterranean diet pattern, significant differences are observed according to the professors’ type of bachelor’s degree (p = 0.37). This study provides evidence on factors having an impact on adherence to eating patterns of professors of the University of Granada, and it suggests that programmes addressed to such groups should be developed to promote health.
This study explored multidimensional outcomes that were derived from the adherence to regular exercise among previously sedentary postmenopausal 45 to 64 years old women who engaged in a ~20-week ...exercise program.
A randomized controlled trial with between-group (intervention and control women) and within-subject measures (baseline, postintervention, and 3-month and 12-month follow-ups) was conducted. HRQoL and several indicators of cardio-metabolic status and fitness were assessed.
After the intervention, the participants experienced a positive change in their short and long-term physical and mental health, with significant enhancements in several HRQoL dimensions, particularly mental well-being (23.3% of change) and menopause-related health and subdomains (17.0% of change) (P < .01). Improvements were maintained or continued (eg, mental well-being) overtime. These outcomes were accompanied by significant improvements in cardio-metabolic status and fitness, including weight, BMI, cardio-respiratory fitness and flexibility (up to 16.2% of change, P < .05). After the intervention, the intervention group exhibited better HRQoL than the control group at each of the measurement phases. Between-group differences were also observed for some indicators of cardiovascular health and flexibility.
Our findings add evidence on the association of positive outcomes on HRQoL with improvements in cardio-metabolic health and fitness status after the adoption of an active lifestyle.
Abstract Women's care during perimenopause and postmenopause is taking new paths to help women cope with both somatic manifestations and changes related to psychological and social factors. An ...updated, systematic review was conducted on non-pharmacological psychosocial interventions with regard to peri- and postmenopause. Several databases complemented with reference lists and reviews were used to perform a literature search of any relevant article. Studies were selected if they included psychoeducational programmes, health education and promotion and cognitive-behavioural techniques applied to peri- or postmenopausal women, independently of study design, main outcomes and intervention comparators. A total of 33 reports and 3 relevant reviews published between 1987 and 2013 were included. Psychosocial options are promising intervention options for self-management and self-care, as they provide multiple benefits with no side effects. Moreover, these options are recommended for women in clinical, subclinical and asymptomatic groups, as they offer women the agency and skills necessary to manage and relieve menopausal symptoms, as well as provide information and alternatives to prevent menopausal symptoms and to have a more positive experience during these life stages. These options do more than reduce distress and complaints, as they allow women in any condition to enjoy enhanced health, well-being and quality of life. Moreover, these options are accompanied by important cost reductions in pharmaceutical investment and healthcare. Nevertheless, several issues remain controversial or have scarcely been investigated, and additional high-quality research should address these issues properly in the future. Despite these limitations and the weaknesses of the review, the findings of this review are interesting and positive. Thus, we encourage women-focused institutions and policies (e.g., healthcare centres, public organisations and women's associations) to offer psychosocial interventions to peri- and postmenopausal women within a comprehensive healthcare paradigm.
This study explored the multidimensional outcomes that resulted from the adherence to regular exercise among previously sedentary postmenopausal women. The exercise was managed through a supervised, ...multicomponent, adapted approximately 20-week program in a suited health promotion intervention.
A multigroup, mixed-design study with between-group (intervention, sedentary, and active women) and within-subject measures (baseline, postintervention, and 3- and 12-month follow-ups) was conducted using intention-to-treat methodology. The Cervantes Scale assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and several indicators of cardio-metabolic status and fitness were also assessed.
After the intervention, the participants experienced positive changes in short and long-term physical and mental health, with significant enhancements in several HRQoL dimensions, particularly mental well-being and menopause-related health and subdomains. Improvements were maintained or continued (eg, mental well-being) throughout the period, leading up to the 12-month follow-up. These outcomes were accompanied by significant improvements in cardio-metabolic status and fitness, including weight, body mass index, cardio-respiratory fitness, and flexibility.
Our findings parallel previous empirical evidence showing the benefits associated with regular exercise, and add evidence to the association of positive outcomes in HRQoL with improvements in cardio-metabolic health and fitness status after the adoption of an active lifestyle.
The cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the principal reasons of morbidity and mortality in the world. The cardiac rehabilitation is a program of secondary prevention to complement the effects of the ...cardiological treatment with the participation of the patient in the control of their habits of life, as a way of promotion of its own cardiovascular health. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the long-term effects of a cardiac rehabilitation program on some parameters of corporal composition in patients that have attended or not, to the phase the III of the program. The study was performed in subjects that suffered a cardiovascular event and they were members of the Association of Cardiac Patients of Granada and Province. All the members were offered the possibility of forming a part of the study. Some parameters of body composition were measured and a nutritional evaluation was performed in all the subjects. The visceral and body fat and, which play a key role in the cardiovascular pathology, are lower in the patients attending to the cardiac rehabilitation program, revealing that are better predictors of the cardiovascular risk. Thanks to the nutritional advice received, an increase in healthy nutrients is observed and the subjects attending to the program feature major phase angle, indicating that they have a better state of hydration, together with a better integrity of the cell membranes and distribution of water between the compartments intra- and extracellular compartments.
Previous data showed that the administration of high doses of melatonin improved the circadian system in athletes. Here, we investigated in the same experimental paradigm whether the antioxidant ...properties of melatonin has also beneficial effects against exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage in athletes. Twenty-four athletes were treated with 100 mg·day
−1
of melatonin or placebo 30 min before bedtime during 4 weeks in a randomized double-blind scheme. Exercise intensity was higher during the study that before starting it. Blood samples were collected before and after treatment, and plasma was used for oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC), lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitrite plus nitrate (NOx), and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) determinations. Glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulphide (GSSG) levels, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reductase (GRd) activities, were measured in erythrocytes. Melatonin intake increased ORAC, reduced LPO and NOx levels, and prevented the increase of AOPP, compared to placebo group. Melatonin was also more efficient than placebo in reducing GSSG·GSH
−1
and GPx·GRd
−1
ratios. Melatonin, but not placebo, reduced creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, and total cholesterol levels. Overall, the data reflect a beneficial effect of melatonin treatment in resistance-training athletes, preventing extra- and intracellular oxidative stress induced by exercise, and yielding further skeletal muscle protection against exercise-induced oxidative damage.
Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) se encuentran entre las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad en todo el mundo. La rehabilitación cardíaca es un programa de prevención secundaria cuyo ...objetivo es complementar los efectos del tratamiento cardiológico a través de la participación del paciente en el control de sus hábitos de vida, como medio de promoción de su salud cardiovascular. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar los efectos a largo plazo del programa de rehabilitación cardiaca (PRC) sobre algunos parámetros de la composición corporal de pacientes que han asistido o no, a la fase III del PRC. El estudio se realizó en sujetos que sufrieron un evento cardiovascular y que pertenecían a la Asociación de Pacientes Cardiacos de Granada y Provincia. A todos los miembros se les ofreció la posibilidad de formar parte del estudio. Se realizó un estudio de algunos parámetros de composición corporal y se realizó una valoración nutricional de todos los sujetos. La masa grasa y la grasa visceral, que desempeñan un papel importante en la patología cardiovascular, son estadísticamente menores tanto en hombres como mujeres que asisten al PRC, revelando que son mejores predictores del riesgo cardiovascular. Gracias al consejo nutricional recibido se observa un incremento de nutrientes cardiosaludables y los sujetos que asisten al programa de rehabilitación presentan mayor ángulo de fase, indicando que tienen un mejor estado de hidratación, junto con una mejor integridad de la membrana celular y distribución del agua entre los compartimentos intra y extracelulares.
Exercise can induce circadian phase shifts depending on the duration, intensity and frequency. These modifications are of special meaning in athletes during training and competition. Melatonin, which ...is produced by the pineal gland in a circadian manner, behaves as an endogenous rhythms synchronizer, and it is used as a supplement to promote resynchronization of altered circadian rhythms. In this study, we tested the effect of melatonin administration on the circadian system in athletes. Two groups of athletes were treated with 100 mg day(-1) of melatonin or placebo 30 min before bed for four weeks. Daily rhythm of salivary melatonin was measured before and after melatonin administration. Moreover, circadian variables, including wrist temperature (WT), motor activity and body position rhythmicity, were recorded during seven days before and seven days after melatonin or placebo treatment with the aid of specific sensors placed in the wrist and arm of each athlete. Before treatment, the athletes showed a phase-shift delay of the melatonin circadian rhythm, with an acrophase at 05:00 h. Exercise induced a phase advance of the melatonin rhythm, restoring its acrophase accordingly to the chronotype of the athletes. Melatonin, but not placebo treatment, changed daily waveforms of WT, activity and position. These changes included a one-hour phase advance in the WT rhythm before bedtime, with a longer nocturnal steady state and a smaller reduction when arising at morning than the placebo group. Melatonin, but not placebo, also reduced the nocturnal activity and the activity and position during lunch/nap time. Together, these data reflect the beneficial effect of melatonin to modulate the circadian components of the sleep-wake cycle, improving sleep efficiency.
Oxidative stress is associated with atherosclerosis and plaque lesions in experimental in vitro models. Few in vivo studies have examined the association between redox status and the prognosis of ...acute coronary syndromes.We undertook a prospective, observational study of 137 patients who had been admitted because of an acute coronary syndrome. We determined glutathione peroxidase activity (a marker of systemic antioxidant status) and recorded clinical and angiographic features and cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, reinfarction, readmission with a new ischemic event, or need for coronary revascularization).The mean age of the patients (78% of whom were men) was 61.7 +/- 10.9 years; 76% were admitted with non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome. Left ventricular ejection fraction was normal in 61%. In the 23.4% who experienced cardiovascular events, glutathione peroxidase activity was higher (mean, 2.38 vs 1.76 mU/mg of protein; P < 0.01). Two-year event-free survival was lower in patients whose glutathione peroxidase activity was higher than the 50th percentile (63% vs 82%; P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed a direct independent relationship between glutathione peroxidase activity and cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 3.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-9.02; P < 0.01).We conclude that patients who experienced acute coronary syndromes and events during follow-up had higher plasma glutathione peroxidase activity, and that glutathione peroxidase activity was an independent predictor of events during follow-up.
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