Mediterranean lifestyle and cardiovascular disease prevention

Ekavi Georgousopoulou, Duane Mellor, Nenad Naumovski, Evangelos Polychronopoulos, Stefanos Tyrovolas, Suzanne Piscopo, Giuseppe Valacchi, Foteini Anastasiou, Akis Zeimbekis, Vassiliki Bountziouka, Efthimios Gotsis, George Metallinos, Dimitra Tyrovola, Alexandra Foscolou, Josep-Antoni Tur, Antonia-Leda Matalas, Christos Lionis, Labros Sidossis, Demosthenes Panagiotakos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background

Adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern is a well-established protective factor against cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, diet quality is only one aspect of the overall healthy lifestyle adopted by Mediterranean populations. The latter has never been evaluated as a multi-factorial composite lifestyle. Thus, the aim of the present study was to provide a broader picture of the Mediterranean lifestyle and its effects on CVD risk, among elderly individuals.

Methods

During 2005–2015, 2,749 older (aged 65–100 years) from 21 Mediterranean islands (MEDIS) and the rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) of Greece were voluntarily enrolled onto the study. Dietary habits, physical activity status, socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle parameters (sleep, smoking habits, social life and educational status) and clinical profile aspects were derived through standard procedures.

Results

The overall prevalence of the traditional CVD risk factors were 62.3% for hypertension, 22.3% for diabetes mellitus (type 2) and 47.7% for hypercholesterolemia. The presence of diabetes mellitus was positively predicted by the geriatric depression scale (GDS) [odds ratio (OR) =1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–1.25] and by an urban residential environment (OR =2.57, 95% CI: 1.10–6.06) after adjusting for several confounders. Presence of hypertension was predicted by increasing age (OR =1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.12), increasing body mass index (BMI) (OR =1.12, 95% CI: 1.04–1.21), the habit of midday sleep (OR =2.07, 95% CI: 1.07–4.02) and inversely predicted by the frequency of socializing with friends (OR =0.767, 95% CI: 0.616–0.955). The estimated score in the GDS was the only independent positive predictor for the presence of hypercholesterolemia (OR =1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.21).

Conclusions

Lifestyle parameters such as social life, midday sleep (siesta) and residential environment are strongly associated with the presence of CVD risk factors in elderly and should be part of broader CVD prevention strategies to reduce the burden of the disease.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S39-S47
JournalCardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy
Volume7
Issue numberSuppl 1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Apr 2017

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mediterranean lifestyle and cardiovascular disease prevention'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this