Trajectories of healthy aging and their association with prodromal parkinson disease: The HELIAD study.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of prodromal PD (pPD) with trajectories of healthy aging, according to its latest definition by the WHO.Methods: In a sample of 1,226 older adults (704 women), PD diagnosis was reached through standard clinical research procedures. Probability of pPD was calculated according to the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society's research criteria for PD-free participants. A healthy aging metric was introduced using an item response theory approach (IRT) based on information from validated questionnaires assessing functionality. Four trajectories of healthy aging were created based on whether the healthy aging status of participants was above or below the median at baseline and follow up: High-High, High-Low, Low-High and Low-Low.Results: 34.3% belonged to the High-High group, 15.7% to the High-Low, 18.6% to the Low-High and 31.4% to the Low-Low group. Participants with possible/probable pPD were 78% less likely to belong in High-High trajectory of healthy aging as compared to those without pPD (OR = 0.22, 95%CI 0.06-0.79, p-value = 0,02).Conclusion: Our findings suggest an inverse association of pPD probability with healthy aging among older adults; Further research is needed to investigate the clinical implications of this association.

Fly Me to the Immune: Immunonutrition in Rheumatic Diseases.

Immunonutrition is the maintenance and induction of immune homeostasis with the use of nutritional factors, the so called, immunonutrients. Immunonutrition focuses on four "Is" representing an equal number of systemic responses with regards to: a) Immunity, b) Infection, c) Inflammation and d) Injury. Although at the early stages of the development of immunonutrition, its application was focused on malnourished patients, with a latter extension in the intensive care unit setting, today we acknowledge the great importance of immunonutrients in rheumatology. In rheumatic diseases (RDs), all the "Is" representing the four aims and targets of immunonutrition are fulfilled. Impaired Immunity is the hallmark of RDs, with both innate and adaptive immunity contributing to the development and course of each disease entity, representing distinct immunoregulation abnormalities, often paired with micronutrient deficiencies. Infections are both drivers and a frequent epiphenomenon of systemic RDs. Subclinical inflammation is propagated long before the first signs or symptoms of RDs and musculoskeletal conditions (injury) are apparent in all patients with RDs, accompanied by pain, underlying connective tissue disease and the consequent reduction in the function of musculoskeletal. Herein, the role of probiotics, curcumin, vitamins, Selenium, Zinc and n-3 fatty acids as immunonutrients is discussed.

Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower probability of prodromal Parkinson's disease and risk for Parkinson's disease/dementia with Lewy bodies: A longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Lifestyle factors have been implicated in the long-lasting neurodegenerative process in prodromal Parkinson's disease (pPD). The aim was to investigate the associations between adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MeDi) and longitudinal changes of pPD probability and the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) or pPD in a Mediterranean older population. METHODS: Data from the Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet cohort (community-dwelling individuals, aged ≥ 65 years) were used. A detailed food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary intake and calculate MeDi adherence score, ranging from 0 to 55, with higher scores indicating higher adherence. The probability of pPD was calculated according to the updated Movement Disorder Society research criteria. RESULTS: In all, 1047 non-PD/dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) participants were followed for 3 ± 1 years. MeDi adherence was associated with lower increase in pPD probability over time (b = -0.003, 95% confidence interval -0.006 to -0.001, p = 0.010). Forty-nine participants had incident possible/probable pPD (i.e., pPD probability ≥ 30%). Compared to the participants in the lowest quartile of MeDi adherence, those in the higher quartiles had an approximately 60%-70% lower risk for possible/probable pPD (p for trend 0.003). MeDi-pPD associations were driven by both motor and non-motor pPD markers and not from risk markers. Also, 21 participants were diagnosed with PD/DLB at follow-up. For each unit increase in the MeDi score, there was a 9%-10% lower risk for PD/DLB (hazard ratio 0.906 [95% confidence interval 0.823-0.997], p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Mediterranean diet adherence is associated with lower increase in pPD probability over time and lower possible/probable pPD and PD/DLB incidence in older Mediterranean people. More studies are needed to confirm our results in other populations.

A Modified Mediterranean Diet Improves Fasting and Postprandial Glucoregulation in Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Pilot Study.

The ideal lifestyle intervention to battle both obesity and diabetes is currently unknown. The aim of this pilot uncontrolled intervention trial was to assess the effect of a modified Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on weight loss and glucoregulation among overweight/obese adults. Eleven men and women with overweight/obesity, aged 37 ± 12 years, participated in a free-living intervention until 10% weight loss was achieved. Participants followed an individualized MedDiet high in monounsaturated fat and protein with decreased carbohydrate and saturated fat contents. Physical activity and dietary intake were monitored with pedometers and food records, respectively. Upon weight loss achievement, anthropometric measurements, blood metabolic profiles and individual responses to oral glucose and mixed-meal tests were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. The results showed significant ameliorations in body fat, waist circumference and leptin levels (p < 0.01), with concomitant increases in adiponectin-leptin ratios (p < 0.001). Glucoregulation was significantly improved according to glucose and insulin responses, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance indices and postprandial insulin sensitivity indices (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the modified Mediterranean diet may induce significant improvements in body composition, adipocytokine profile and glucose metabolism in overweight/obese individuals. Notably, ameliorated glycemia and increased insulin sensitivity may be retained even at postprandial level, irrespective of the meal consumed.

Dietary Inflammatory Index score and prodromal Parkinson's disease incidence: The HELIAD study.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of the inflammatory potential of diet with prodromal Parkinson's disease (pPD) probability and incidence among community-dwelling older individuals without clinical features of parkinsonism at baseline. The sample consisted of 1,030 participants 65 years old or older, drawn from a population-based cohort study of older adults in Greece (Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet - HELIAD). We calculated pPD probability, according to International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society research criteria. Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) was used to measure the dietary inflammatory potential, with higher index score reflecting a more pro-inflammatory diet. Associations of baseline DII with pPD probability cross-sectionally, and with possible/probable pPD incidence (pPD probability ≥30%) during the follow-up period, were examined via general linear models and generalized estimating equations, respectively. Cross-sectionally, one unit increase of DII score [DII (min, max) = -5.83, 6.01] was associated with 4.9% increased pPD probability [ß=0.049, 95%CI (0.025-0.090), p<0.001]. Prospectively, 62 participants developed pPD during 3.1±0.9 (mean±SD) years of follow-up. One unit increase in DII was associated with 20.3% increased risk for developing pPD [RR=1.203, 95%CI (1.070-1.351), p=0.002]. Participants in the highest tertile of DII score were 2.6 times more likely to develop pPD [ß=2.594, 95%CI (1.332-5.050), p=0.005], compared to those in the lowest tertile. More pro-inflammatory diet was related with higher pPD probability and pPD incidence (pPD probability ≥30%) in a community-dwelling older adult population. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Plasma Glutathione and Prodromal Parkinson's Disease Probability.

BACKGROUND: A decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels is considered one of the earliest biochemical changes in Parkinson's disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: The authors explored the potential role of plasma GSH as a risk/susceptibility biomarker for prodromal PD (pPD) by examining its longitudinal associations with pPD probability trajectories. METHODS: A total of 405 community-dwelling participants (median age [interquartile range] = 73.2 [7.41] years) without clinical features of parkinsonism were followed for a mean (standard deviation) of 3.0 (0.9) years. RESULTS: A 1 µmol/L increase in plasma GSH was associated with 0.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.1%-0.7%; P = 0.017) less increase in pPD probability for 1 year of follow-up. Compared with participants in the lowest GSH tertile, participants in the highest GSH tertile had a 12.9% (95% CI, 22.4%-2.2%; P = 0.020) slower rate of increase of pPD probability for 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Plasma GSH was associated with pPD probability trajectories; therefore, it might assist in the identification of individuals who are likely to reach the threshold for pPD diagnosis more rapidly. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Late life psychotic features in prodromal Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Some case series have suggested that psychotic features could occur even before the onset of motor symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (PD). Our aim was to investigate a possible association between psychotic symptoms and prodromal Parkinson's disease in a population-based cohort, the Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet study. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included participants aged ≥65 years without dementia or PD. We defined psychotic symptoms as the presence of at least one new hallucinatory or delusional feature, assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory scale and the Columbia University Scale for Psychopathology in Alzheimer's Disease, exhibited only at follow-up and not present at baseline visit. We calculated the probability of prodromal PD (pPD) for every participant, according to the 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society research criteria for prodromal PD. RESULTS: Participants who developed psychotic manifestations over a three-year follow up (20 of 914) had 1.3 times higher probability of pPD score (ß [95%CI]: 1.3 [0.9-1.5], p=0.006) compared to non-psychotic subjects. This association was driven mostly by depressive symptoms, constipation and subthreshold parkinsonism (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that emerging psychotic features evolve in parallel with the probability of pPD. This is the first study that provides evidence for the presence of psychotic experiences in pPD. The association detected needs to be confirmed in longitudinal studies.

Frailty and Prodromal Parkinson's Disease: Results From the HELIAD Study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between frailty, Parkinson's disease (PD), and the probability of prodromal Parkinson's disease (prodromal PD) in Greek community-dwelling older individuals. METHODS: Parkinson's disease diagnosis was reached through standard clinical research procedures. Probability of prodromal PD was calculated according to the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society's research criteria for PD-free participants. Frailty was evaluated according to definitions of the phenotypic and multidomain approach. Logistic and linear regression models were performed to investigate associations between frailty (predictor) and the probability of prodromal PD, either continuous or dichotomous (≥30% probability score), or PD (outcome). RESULTS: Data from 1765 participants aged 65 and older were included in the present analysis. Parkinson's disease and prodromal PD prevalence were 1.9% and 3.0%, respectively. Compared to nonfrail participants, those who were frail, as identified with either the Fried frailty phenotype or Frailty Index had approximately 4 (odds ratio [OR] 4.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.54-10.89) and 12 times (OR 12.16, 95% CI 5.46-27.09) higher odds of having a PD diagnosis, respectively. Moreover, compared to the nonfrail, frail participants as identified with either the Fried frailty phenotype or Frailty Index had 2.8 (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.09-7.37) and 8.3 times (OR 8.39, 95% CI 4.56-15.42) higher odds of having possible/probable prodromal PD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty status was associated with prodromal PD and PD, suggesting common characteristics or underlying mechanisms of these conditions. Although prospective studies are warranted, acknowledging the possible association of frailty, PD, and prodromal PD may improve their clinical management.

Association of the Polygenic Risk Score With the Probability of Prodromal Parkinson's Disease in Older Adults.

Several studies have investigated the association of the Parkinson's disease (PD) polygenic risk score (PRS) with several aspects of well-established PD. We sought to evaluate the association of PRS with the prodromal stage of PD. We calculated PRS in a longitudinal sample (n = 1120) of community dwelling individuals ≥ 65 years from the HELIAD (The Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet) study in order to evaluate the association of this score with the probability of prodromal PD or any of the established risk and prodromal markers in MDS research criteria, using regression multi-adjusted models. Increases in PRS estimated from GWAS summary statistics' ninety top SNPS with p < 5 × 10-8 was associated with increased odds of having probable/possible prodromal PD (i.e., ≥ 30% probability, OR = 1.033, 95%CI: 1.009-1.057 p = 0.006). From the prodromal PD risk markers, significant association was found between PRS and global cognitive deficit exclusively (p = 0.003). To our knowledge, our study is the first population based study investigating the association between PRS scores and prodromal markers of Parkinson's disease. Our results suggest a strong relationship between the accumulation of many common genetic variants, as measured by PRS, and cognitive deficits.

A Prospective Validation of the Updated Movement Disorders Society Research Criteria for Prodromal Parkinson's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to validate the recently updated research criteria for prodromal Parkinson's disease (pPD) proposed by the International Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Society. METHODS: A total of 16 of 21 markers of pPD were ascertained in the Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet cohort composed of community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years. The probability of pPD was calculated for 961 individuals without Parkinson's disease (PD) or dementia with Lewy bodies at baseline who were followed-up for a median of 3 years. The ability of the criteria to predict conversion to PD/dementia with Lewy bodies was assessed by estimating their sensitivity and specificity, plotting receiver operating characteristics curves, and using logistic regression. These analyses were repeated using the original criteria. RESULTS: No incident PD/dementia with Lewy bodies case had probable pPD at baseline (ie, ≥80% pPD probability). At cut-offs of 10%, 30%, and 50% probability of pPD, the sensitivity and specificity of the criteria ranged from 4.5% to 27.3%, and 85.7% to 98.3% respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.691 (95% confidence intervals, 0.605-0.777). In logistic regression models, the criteria-derived posttest odds of pPD were a significant predictor of conversion at follow-up. The updated criteria performed similarly to the original but showed a slight increase in sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: The new criteria demonstrated suboptimal sensitivity in our random sample of community-dwelling individuals. The absence of specialized assessments with high likelihood ratios in our cohort could be hindering the demonstration of higher sensitivities. Such assessments should be a part of future validation attempts. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia during the Olympus Marathon Ultra-Endurance Trail Run.

Research on hyponatremia during mountain marathons is scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of exercise-associated hyponatremia during a 44-km trail running race that reached an altitude of 2780 m (Olympus Marathon). Sixty-two runners (five women) who completed the race participated in the study (age: 34.4 ± 8.6 years; height: 1.77 ± 0.06 m; and weight: 75.3 ± 10.0 kg). Anthropometric characteristics, blood, and urine samples were collected pre- and post-race. Food and fluid intake were recorded at each checkpoint. Due to race regulations, the runners could not carry any additional food and fluids besides the ones provided at specific checkpoints. Five runners (8%) exhibited asymptomatic hyponatremia (serum sodium <135 mmol∙L-1). Serum sodium in the hyponatremic runners decreased from 138.4 ± 0.9 (pre) to 131.4 ± 5.0 mmol∙L-1 (post), p < 0.05. Plasma osmolality increased only in the eunatremic runners (pre: 290 ± 3; post: 295 ± 6 mmol∙kg-1; p < 0.05). Plasma volume decreased more in the hyponatremic compared to eunatremic runners (-4.4 ± 2.0 vs. -3.2 ± 1.4%, p < 0.05). Lastly, dietary sodium intake was lower in the hyponatremic runners compared to eunatremic (789 ± 813 vs. 906 ± 672 mg; p < 0.05). The incidence of hyponatremia among the athletes was relatively low, possibly due to race conditions.

Sex-Specific Physical Activity Patterns Differentiate Weight Loss Maintainers From Regainers: The MedWeight Study.

BACKGROUND: Although plenty of evidence indicates that weight loss maintainers are highly physically active, studies focusing on the sex-specific differences in activity levels between maintainers and regainers are scarce. The authors aimed to investigate sex-specific differences in activity patterns in a cohort of Mediterranean maintainers and regainers. METHODS: Sample includes 756 participants of the MedWeight registry (60.5% women), aged 18-65 years, who lost ≥10% of their initial weight, and either maintained their loss for ≥12 months or regained it. Participants completed a series of questionnaires, including demographics and weight history. Activity levels were evaluated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short version. RESULTS: Maintainers of both sexes were, in total, more active than their same-sex regainers. When specific activities were considered, women maintainers spent more time walking than regainers (Padjusted = .02), whereas men maintainers spent more time in vigorous activities (Padjusted = .001) and walking than regainers (Padjusted = .001). Modest increments in activity of sex-relevant intensity were associated with increased odds for maintenance. CONCLUSIONS: Maintainers attained a more active lifestyle than their same-sex regainers, involving more walking for both sexes and more vigorous activities for men. The detected differences, according to activity intensity, support that activity patterns associated with successful weight loss are distinguishable between sexes.

Motor function and the probability of prodromal Parkinson's disease in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Identification and characterization of Parkinson's disease (PD) in its prodromal stage is crucial. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between motor function and the probability of prodromal PD in a community-dwelling older population. METHODS: We used data from a population-based cohort of older adults (HELIAD study). Subjective motor function was evaluated with a 12-item motor symptoms questionnaire and objective motor function indirectly with a physical activity questionnaire and two gait speed tests. The probability of prodromal PD was calculated according to the Movement Disorder Society research criteria for n = 1731 without PD. Regression multiadjusted models were used to investigate the associations between each motor measure and prodromal PD probability. RESULTS: For each unit increase in motor symptoms score and for each kcal/kg/day lower energy expenditure (corresponding to 20 minutes of light walking/day for a 75-kg man) there was a 27% and 3% higher probability for prodromal PD, respectively (P < 0.001). Having at least one subjective motor symptom increased the odds of having possible/probable prodromal PD (n = 49; P < 0.05). Including subjective and indirect motor variables in the same model showed that both (symptoms and physical activity) contributed significantly to the model (P < 0.01). Excluding subthreshold parkinsonism from the calculation showed that gait speed less than 0.8 m/s was also associated with a higher prodromal PD probability score (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Subjective motor symptoms as well as simple objective motor measures of physical activity or gait speed are associated with a higher probability of prodromal PD in older adults. These data may serve to enable the early identification of prodromal PD cohorts, particularly if they are confirmed in longitudinal studies. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Higher probability of prodromal Parkinson disease is related to lower cognitive performance.

OBJECTIVE: Given the limited information on cognitive function before Parkinson disease (PD) clinical onset in the general population, we sought to assess prodromal PD (pPD) probability and relate it to detailed cognitive performance in a community cohort. METHODS: In a population-based cohort of 1,629 dementia-free and PD-free participants ≥65 years of age in Greece, we assessed probability of pPD according to the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society's criteria. Clinical cognitive diagnoses (cognitively unimpaired, mild cognitive impairment [MCI], dementia) considering neuropsychological testing and functional status were assigned in consensus conferences. Cognitive performance in 5 cognitive domains was assessed by a detailed neuropsychological battery and summarized in the form of z scores. We investigated associations between pPD probability (and its individual constituents) and cognitive outcomes. RESULTS: The median probability of pPD was 1.81% (0.2%-96.7%). Participants with MCI had higher probability of pPD compared to those with normal cognition (p < 0.001). Higher probability of pPD was related to lower performance in all cognitive domains (memory, language, executive, attention, and visuospatial function) (p < 0.001). Lower cognitive performance was further associated with certain nonmotor markers of pPD, such as daytime somnolence, depression, urinary dysfunction, constipation, and subthreshold parkinsonism (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher probability of pPD was associated with lower cognitive performance in all domains and higher probability of MCI. This may reflect a widespread pathologic process although future studies are warranted to infer causality. These results suggest to clinicians that they should assess cognition early, and to researchers that they should further look into the possible mechanisms that may underlie this observation.

Malnutrition surveillance among refugee children living in reception centres in Greece: a pilot study.

Background: The health of asylum seekers is of cardinal importance for the future health of Europe. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess malnutrition prevalence among refugee children living in reception areas in northern Greece. Methods: A total of 192 refugee children (1-18 y old), inhabitants of the refugee reception centres in Drama and Kavala, were evaluated for acute and chronic malnutrition according to the WHO growth standards and charts. Results: In the total sample, 13.0% of the participants had at least one form of malnutrition, the prevalence of underweight was 7.8% and stunting affected 7.3% of the children. Moreover, a greater proportion of adolescent girls from the Drama centre (38.5%) demonstrated at least one form of malnutrition compared with the children in Kavala (p=0.046). Girls demonstrated an increased prevalence of malnutrition compared with boys, while children <5 y of age appeared more vulnerable. Conclusions: The present data underscore the necessity for malnutrition screening among refugees in order to have an early assessment of their nutritional status and address the direct and root causes of this substantial problem.

Mediterranean diet adherence is related to reduced probability of prodromal Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society recently introduced a methodology for probability score calculation for prodromal PD. OBJECTIVES: To assess the probability of prodromal PD in an older population and investigate its possible association with Mediterranean diet adherence. METHODS: Data from a population-based cohort study of older adults (HEllenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet) in Greece were used. Probability of prodromal PD was calculated according to International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society research criteria. A detailed food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary intake and calculate Mediterranean diet adherence score, ranging from 0 to 55, with higher scores indicating higher adherence. RESULTS: Median probability of prodromal PD was 1.9%, ranging from 0.2 to 96.7% in 1,731 PD-free individuals aged ≥ 65 (41% male). Lower probability for prodromal PD (P < 0.001) in the higher Mediterranean diet adherence groups was noted, driven mostly by nonmotor markers of prodromal PD, depression, constipation, urinary dysfunction, and daytime somnolence. Each unit increase in Mediterranean diet score was associated with a 2% decreased probability for prodromal PD (P < 0.001). Compared to participants in the lowest quartile of Mediterranean diet adherence, those in the highest quartile were associated with a ∼21% lower probability for prodromal PD. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower probability of prodromal PD in older people. Further studies are needed to elucidate the potential causality of this association, potential relation of the Mediterranean diet to delayed onset or lower incidence of PD, as well as the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Validity of Predictive Equations for Resting Energy Expenditure in Greek Adults.

AIM: To examine the validity of published resting energy expenditure (REE) equations in Greek adults, and if indicated, develop new cohort-specific predictive REE equations. METHODS: Indirect calorimetry and anthropometric data were obtained from 226 adult volunteers of diverse age groups and body mass index ranges (18-60 years, 16.6-67.7 kg·m-2). Measured REE was compared to preexisting prediction equations via correlation, regression, and Bland-Altman analysis. Then, cohort-specific REE equations were developed using curve estimation and nonlinear regression. To reduce type I error, presently derived equations were validated by splitting the sample into a training and validation group. RESULTS: Preexisting equations over-predicted in-cohort REE. Equations by Livigston and Kohlstadt were most accurate at the individual level (63% accuracy), while formulas by Owen and collaborators elicited highest accuracy at the group level (-1.8% bias). Bland-Altman analysis showed proportional bias for most equations. Currently developed equations showed highest overall accuracy with 70% at the individual and group level (1.0% bias), with small differences between measured and predicted REE values (mean, 95% CI 36 [-15 to 88] kcal·day-1). CONCLUSION: Data indicate currently developed equations to be the most accurate and valid for estimating REE in Greek adults. Further studies should examine the developed equations in an independent sample.

Similar Mediterranean diet adherence but greater central adiposity is observed among Greek diaspora adolescents living in Istanbul, compared to Athens.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case-control study was to compare Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence and anthropometry between Greek diaspora adolescents living in Istanbul and Greek adolescents, inhabitants of Athens. DESIGN: A total of 206 adolescents (103 from each site), aged 10.0-19.0 years old, all of Greek origin, were recruited from schools in Athens and minority schools in Istanbul, for the present case-control study. Participants at each site were age and sex-matched. Anthropometric measurements were performed, and diet adherence was assessed with the KIDMED score. RESULTS: Breakfast skipping, decreased dairy and increased commercially baked good/pastries consumption for breakfast, fast-food intake and consumption of several sweets each day was more prevalent in Istanbul, but, on the other hand, students from Athens reported eating fewer fruit, vegetables and nuts. The adoption of unhealthy eating habits in each site was counterbalanced by a more 'healthy' dietary element, resulting in an overall similar MD adherence between both sites. Additionally, although weight status was indifferent between the two cities, higher rates of abdominal obesity were recorded in Istanbul, when the weight-to-height ratio was used for diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in several domains of the KIDMED score were recorded among cities, possibly as results of food availability and prices. However, MD adherence and weight status appeared similar, indicating that the dietary transition and acculturation experienced by the remnants is actually very slow and minimal during the 93 years since population exchange.

Diet quality, overweight and daily monetary allowance of Greek adolescents.

Objective To investigate cross-correlates of pocket-money on diet quality and weight status of Greek adolescents. Methods A total of 172 adolescents (55.2% boys), aged between 10 and 15 years old were recruited. Body weight and height were measured, body mass index (BMI) was computed. Weight status was assessed according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria and diet quality was evaluated via the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) - 2010. Results Adolescents were allowed a mean allowance of €4.63 ± 3.66 daily. Among boys participants, BMI correlated with pocket money (r = 0.311, p ≤ 0.002) and normoweight boys received statistically less money than their overweight peers (p ≤ 0.019). In both sexes, normoweight was more prevalent in the lowest monetary quartiles. Pocket money was not associated with HEI. Among boys, moderate HEI was more prevalent in the third quartile of pocket money, significantly higher compared to all others (p ≤ 0.01 for all). For girls, the prevalence of moderate HEI declined by each ascending pocket money quartile (p ≤ 0.05 for all). Conclusion In our sample, adolescents exhibited high rates of pooled overweight including obesity. The majority of the participants followed a diet of moderate quality. Pocket money was associated with BMI only among boys. As pocket money was not associated with diet quality, it is highly possible that adolescents might choose to spend their money on items other than foods. Our study shows that pocket money should be controlled during adolescence and teenagers should be educated on spending their money on healthier food choices.

Nutritional Surveillance of Christian Orthodox Minority Adolescents in Istanbul.

Previous studies have shown that the diets of migrant populations are of poor quality; however, studies on populations remaining in one geographical region as a minority after an acute population movement are scarce. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess dietary intake and growth of Greek minority adolescents in Turkey. Anthropometric measurements and dietary assessment were performed in 103 Greek Orthodox students (aged 10-19 years old) of three minority schools in Istanbul. Prevalence of overweight and obesity according to the WHO growth charts was 39.8 %. Accordingly, 40 % of the sample exhibited excess body fat. Dietary intakes of protein, carbohydrate, fiber, vitamins E and D, folic acid and calcium were inadequate, while energy, total fat and iron intakes were considered adequate. Our results indicate that Greek minority adolescents living in Turkey have similar weight status compared to their counterparts in Greece, but greater body fat than Turkish coevals, while being at risk of several nutrient inadequacies.