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08-Apr-2008
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Arch Hellen Med, 25(1), January-February 2008, 83-87 ORIGINAL PAPER Dietary patterns and hypercholesterolemia, in remote Greek rural populations: The "ARGO" study G. POUNIS,1 D. PANAGIOTAKOS,1 G. DANIA,1 D. ÇASAPIS,2 P. KOTTILEAS,2 P. TOUTOUZAS2 |
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate nutritional habits in relation to the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia among people living in remote rural Greek islands.
METHOD A group of 383 men (aged 52±18 years) and 417 women (aged 48±18 years) from rural islands in the Aegean Sea comprised the study population. Nutritional evaluation was based on a short questionnaire based on the World Health Organization guidelines, which included 7 dietary questions. A diet score was developed (range 0-7).
RESULTS Of the study population 33% of men and 41% of women had hypercholesterolemia (fasting total serum cholesterol >200 mg/dL or use of lipid lowering agents). Data analysis showed that the nutritional habits of the participants were far removed from the healthy guidelines (mean score: 2.7±1.0 for men and 2.5±1.2 for women). A strong relationship was observed between the diet score and the presence of hypercholesterolemia (a 1 unit increase in the score was associated with 60% lower odds of having high total cholesterol levels, P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS The nutritional habits of the island population are far removed from the WHO dietary guidelines. This deviation was associated with increased prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in these people.
Key words: Cardiovascular disease, Dyslipidemias, Nutrition.
