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Kiezen voor fruit als tussendoortje, smullen van yoghurt natuur, extra groenten opscheppen, buiten spelen in plaats van tv-kijken, te voet of met de fiets op stap gaan. Hoe krijg je kinderen zover? Met de juiste aanpak, slimme tips en het nodige geduld.

Cholesterol, an important physiological factor becomes atherogenic only when it is oxidized. All the risk factors such as Western diet, sedentary behavior, tobacco, pollutants, diabetes have the ability to increase and oxidize the cholesterol in our body which results in to atherothrombosis. Cholesterol is also important for the synthesis of steroids and steroid hormones, and for the bile and bile acid salts. Sterol plays also an important role in embryonic development. Recent evidence indicates that cholesterol homeostasis in the central nervous system has been associated with neurological, neurodegenerative, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Recently cholesterol has been indicated to maintain the cell membrane integrity of the epithelial cells of the beta cells of pancreas, which is helpful in the prevention of diabetes among patients receiving statins. In neuronal cell membrane phospholipids, it maintains the integrity of neurons and prevents depression and aggression among patients receiving hypocholesterolemic agents. Increased production of cholesterol has to be avoided because it forms solid crystals which are known to kill normal cells. Increased cholesterol in the tissues may also have adverse effects because if it is oxidized, it predisposes inflammation in the arteries and deposits in arteries, initiating atherosclerosis. Therefore regulation of cholesterol metabolism is achieved predominantly through repression of transcription of genes that govern the synthesis of cholesterol and its receptor-mediated uptake from plasma lipoproteins via low-density lipoprotein cholesterol receptors in the hepatocytes and macrophages. Hypercholesterolemia could be a function of the brain due to a disturbance in the central circadian clock, causing disturbed circadian energy metabolism. Psychological stress can also cause hypercholesterolemia, yet the pathophysiological mechanisms involved remain elusive. The macrophage-specific reverse cholesterol transport, by which the

• The global summit on nutrition, health and human behaviour (GSNHHB) identified the objective of increasing “the availability of long chain Omega‐3 (especially docosahexaenoic acid) for human consumption in a sustainable, environmentally responsible way”. • The objectives of management for sustainability include maintaining continuity of supply and limiting negative impacts. These objectives have associated challenges which are best illustrated using a case study. • Marine fisheries are likely to remain the main source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for the foreseeable future. I use the example of the Antarctic krill fishery, which is a minor but high value source of DHA, to illustrate the issues, processes, actors and risks involved in attempting to manage natural resources in a sustainable, environmentally responsible way. • One of the key issues is uncertainty: The natural state of ecosystems, how they respond to exploitation, and how these responses will be affected by environmental change are not clearly understood. The solution is to use “precautionary” measures, which often means catching less than is theoretically possible, and additional restrictions on where the fishery can operate. • The “sustainability” of the Antarctic krill fishery has been questioned in a way that has impacted the delivery of Antarctic krill products to consumers. In reality, the fishery is one of only 3% of fisheries worldwide that the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations considers “under-exploited” and one of the few that have a management approach committed to limiting impacts on the both the target stock and the wider ecosystem. Disagreement arises partly because there is no universal agreement about the definitions of “sustainable” and “environmentally responsible” or about the standards of evidence required to support a claim. A potential solution is to identify the different objectives that people have for the ecosystem, and to agree acceptable trade-offs, le

Background: Although physical activity is considered to yield substantial health benefits, the level of physical activity among European teenagers is not sufficient. Adolescence is characterized by a decline in physical activity level. Many studies investigated the effectiveness of interventions promoting physical activity among young people, but none dealt with the available evidence specific for Europe. This review was conducted to summarize the effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity among European teenagers. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify European intervention studies published in the scientific literature since 1995. Four databases were searched, reference lists were scanned and the publication lists of the authors of the retrieved articles were checked. The ANGELO framework was used to categorise the included studies by setting and by intervention components. Results: The literature search identified 20 relevant studies. Fifteen interventions were delivered through the school setting, of which three included a family component and another three a family and community component. One intervention was conducted within a community setting, three were delivered in primary care and one was delivered through the internet. Ten interventions included only an individual component, whereas the other ten used a multi-component approach. None of the interventions included only an environmental component. Main findings of the review were: (1) school-based interventions generally lead to short term improvements in physical activity levels; (2) improvements in physical activity levels by school-based interventions were limited to school related physical activity with no conclusive transfer to leisure time physical activity; (3) including parents appeared to enhance school-based interventions; (4) the support of peers and the influence of direct environmental changes increased the physical activity level of secondary school children

Introduction. Coronary risk factors (CRF) and acute coronary syndromes are decreasing in developed countries but have become a major health problem in most middle-income countries. The increased risk of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in South Asians is not accounted for by conventional risk factors alone. This study examines the association of chronobehavioral risk factors with ACS. Subjects and Methods. We used a case-control study design including 435 patients with ACS who were compared with 495 age- and gender-matched control subjects. Clinical, electrocardiographic, radiological and laboratory data were obtained in all the patients for confirmation of diagnosis by WHO and AHA criteria. Chronobiological and psychological risk factors were assessed by validated questionnaires. Psychological risk factors, such as psychosocial stress, was assessed by stress at work and at home, financial stress, and major life events in the past year. Other questions assessed locus of control and presence of depression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted after adjustment of age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) to determine the association of risk factors with ACS. Results. Risk factors: all psychological risk factors (40.0% vs. 12.7%, n = 174 vs. 63, P < 0.001), including psychosocial stress, depression, type A behavior, acute emotional stress were significantly more common among ACS cases compared to the control group. All chronobiological risk factors (24.1% vs. 10.5%, n = 105 vs. 52, P < 0.001), including late-night eating, large meals, hot and cold weather, as well as sleep deprivation due to any cause (24.4% vs. 10.5%, n = 106 vs. 52, P < 0.001) were significantly more common among ACS patients as compared to the control group. After adjustment for age and BMI, sleep deprivation and psychological risk factors were positively and strongly associated with ACS (P < 0.001), as shown by odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. Total psychosocial stress

[No abstract available]

Apart from the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, the pituitary and pineal glands and the suprachiasmatic nucleus are also involved in determining autonomic functions. Western diet, autonomic dysfunction and obesity are further associated with sympathetic activation that promotes atherosclerosis, end-organ damage, and hypertension. Experimental sites indicate that high-fatinduced weight gain in rats elevates plasma leptin at 1 to 3 days after the onset of calorie-dense diets, and that dietinduced overfeeding may increase sympathetic activity within 1 week after the onset of the regimen. It has been shown, for the first time, that the high-fat, cafeteria-style diet stimulates sustained increases in lumbar sympathetic neural drive in rats. Halberg demonstrated for the first time in 1973 that eating dinner was associated with relative weight gain, whereas eating the same amount of calories as breakfast was linked to relative weight loss in humans and death in animals. There appear to be independently variable effects on circadian physiology and metabolism in association with circadian restriction of feeding to a particular time of the day and during caloric restriction. Apart from these markers related to energy, circadian alteration in metabolism of nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, B vitamins and coenzyme Q10 may be important in autonomic functions. © 2015 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Background. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a major neurotrophin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have a documented role in neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and neuronal survival. BDNF can benefit infarct size and functional motor recovery after an ischemic brain lesion in stroke. BDNF also appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of several cardiometabolic disorders, indicating that it is important in brain-body dysfunctions. This review examines the available evidence about the role of BDNF in the development of cardiometabolic vascular risk. Methods. Internet search and discussion with peer colleagues. Results. Several studies have demonstrated that phenotypes associated with insulin resistance are at increased risk for developing cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, vascular dementia, depression and diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome which are risk factors for CVDs. BDNF is a member of the neurotrophin family, which interacts with high affinity with tyrosine receptor kinase B and is abundantly expressed in central and peripheral nervous system and can cross the blood-brain barrier in both directions. Majority of the BDNF (70-80%) is derived from brain but it is also present in other body tissue. Apart from lipid and glucose metabolism, BDNF also controls the food intake and appetite. Lower serum BDNF and higher VEGF concentrations were associated with increased risk of incident stroke/TIA. BDNF and VEGF seem to be novel risk markers and may improve stratification of patients at risk for stroke/TIA. Increased concentrations of BDNF were also associated with less white matter hyperintensity and better visual memory. BDNF may serve as an intermediate biomarker for subclinical vascular disease. It may have biological potential to serve as a therapeutic target for primary and secondary prevention of cardiometabolic risk as well as clinical and subclinical vascular brain disease. BDNF deficiency has been observed in association with depr

[No abstract available]

Background. Dr. Halberg, the Lord of Time, showed that all biological functions, including gene functions, follow a circadian rhythm. An earlier study revealed that births in September to November may program increased longevity up to 100 years. Recent studies showed that risk factors can predispose trans-generational inheritance of diseases or health from parents to offspring. This study examined the role of time of birth on the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and other chronic diseases. Subjects and Methods. The pilot study included 100 adults aged 20 years and above to investigate any association of time of birth with future risk of CVDs and diabetes. After approval from the local Hospital Ethics Committee and obtaining written informed consent, subjects 20 years and older were recruited for the study. The sample size was based on known prevalence of hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke and diabetes in the populations concerned. It was estimated that at least 9% of the population, aged 25 years and above, had any one or more of the above diseases. Time of birth for each subject was obtained from the individual's horoscope, in which the exact time and date of birth were recorded at the time of birth. The presence of diseases was recorded based on available records of diagnosis and treatment. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to determine whether the time of birth predicts risk factors associated with various diseases. Results. The results of the study have shown that the incidence of hypertension, prehypertension and diabetes as well as prediabetes was lower among subjects who were born during the nighttime (18:00 to 6:00) compared to subjects who were born during the daytime (6:00 to 18:00). The second quarter of the day (06:00-12:00) is associated with increased sympathetic activity with its adverse effects, whereas the first quarter of the day (12:00-06:00) is associated with increased parasympathetic and low sympathet

Apart from the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, the pituitary and pineal glands and the suprachiasmatic nucleus are also involved in determining autonomic functions. Western diet, autonomic dysfunction and obesity are further associated with sympathetic activation that promotes atherosclerosis, end-organ damage, and hypertension. Experimental sites indicate that high-fat-induced weight gain in rats elevates plasma leptin at 1 to 3 days after the onset of calorie-dense diets, and that dietinduced overfeeding may increase sympathetic activity within 1 week after the onset of the regimen. It has been shown, for the first time, that the high-fat, cafeteria-style diet stimulates sustained increases in lumbar sympathetic neural drive in rats. Halberg demonstrated for the first time in 1973 that eating dinner was associated with relative weight gain, whereas eating the same amount of calories as breakfast was linked to relative weight loss in humans and death in animals. There appear to be independently variable effects on circadian physiology and metabolism in association with circadian restriction of feeding to a particular time of the day and during caloric restriction. Apart from these markers related to energy, circadian alteration in metabolism of nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, B vitamins and coenzyme Q10 may be important in autonomic functions. © 2016 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

The world is still ignorant about the role of functional food security characterized by diversity and adequacy of nutrients that may have been beneficial and abundant in the Paleolithic diet 40,000 years ago because of food diversity. Therefore, the increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the resultant type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease throughout the world, are closely linked to food security via westernized dietary patterns, physical inactivity, and rapid increase in the rate of obesity. There is substantial evidence that increased intake of functional foods can bring about a significant decline in the epidemic of obesity and metabolic syndrome, resulting in health promotion. We therefore propose that functional food security can maintain the normal physiology and metabolism of our bodies, resulting in prevention of diseases and improvement of world health. © 2016 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Background: Cardiometabolic risk has been reported to be significantly high among South Asian immigrants to developed countries, compared to people living in South Asian countries. This may be due to disruption of metabolic cycles. Halberg proposed that restricted feeding at a particular time of the day and low calorie intake have independent effects on body weight. This study examines the association of circadian restricted feeding in conjunction with low calorie diet in patients with risk of CVDs and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subjects and Methods: This study included 32 volunteers, 25-67 years of age, receiving low caloric diet with circadian restricted feeding. All volunteers had an available medical record of overweight (n = 2), obesity (n = 5), hypertension (n = 12), type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 9) or angina pectoris (n = 4). We randomly selected age- and gender-matched urban patients (n = 500) with known type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension and/or coronary artery disease (CAD) for comparison with volunteers on low caloric diets. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to seek associations of protective or risk factors relative to CVDs and type 2 diabetes. Results: Mean body weight, body mass index, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower in the study group, compared to high-risk urban participants. Fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol were significantly lower in the study group, compared to high-risk urban subjects. Multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjustment of age and body mass index revealed that the relative risk (RR) and confidence interval of difference (CI) for restricted feeding (male: 0.63 [0.59-0.68], P < 0.001; female: 0.65 [0.62-0.69], P < 0.001) and low-calorie intake (male: 0.64 [0.61-0.67], P < 0.001); female: 0.66 [0.63-0.69], P < 0.001) were inversely associated with the risk of CVDs and type 2 diabetes. Total energy intake (male: 0.67 [0.61-0.74

Background. Brain-derived neuro-trophic factor (BDNF), a major neurotrophin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have a documented role in neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and neuronal survival. BDNF can benefit infarct size and functional motor recovery after an ischemic brain lesion in stroke. BDNF also appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of several cardiometabolic disorders, indicating that it is important in brain-body dysfunctions. This review examines the available evidence about the role of BDNF in the development of cardiometabolic vascular risk. Methods. Internet search and discussion with peer colleagues. Results. Several studies have demonstrated that phenotypes associated with insulin resistance are at increased risk for developing cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, vascular dementia, depression and diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome which are risk factors for CVDs. BDNF is a member of the neurotrophin family, which interacts with high affinity with tyrosine receptor kinase B and is abundantly expressed in central and peripheral nervous system and can cross the blood-brain barrier in both directions. Majority of the BDNF (70-80%) is derived from brain but it is also present in other body tissue. Apart from lipid and glucose metabolism, BDNF also controls the food intake and appetite. Lower serum BDNF and higher VEGF concentrations were associated with increased risk of incident stroke/TIA. BDNF and VEGF seem to be novel risk markers and may improve stratification of patients at risk for stroke/TIA. Increased concentrations of BDNF were also associated with less white matter hyperintensity and better visual memory. BDNF may serve as an intermediate biomarker for subclinical vascular disease. It may have biological potential to serve as a therapeutic target for primary and secondary prevention of cardiometabolic risk as well as clinical and subclinical vascular brain disease. BDNF deficiency has been observed in association with dep

There is marked increase in our knowledge about the role of the environmental factors in the global dimensions of the noncommunicable diseases (NCD) including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Recent studies indicate that there is coexistence of nutritional deficiencies and appreciable over-nutrition in association with sedentary behavior due to urbanization and industrialization. Environmental factors including helio-magnetic fluctuations may result into inflammatory dysfunctions in various biological systems. These dysfunctions can manifest in the form of central obesity and overweight in developing countries as well as in high income countries. The Global Burden of Disease Study clearly showed that the gratifying gains in cardiovascular health occurred in developed countries, in association with an epidemic of CVD in the developing world. Singh et al., proposed, modifying the previous hypothesis, that overweight comes first in conjunction with inflammation, hyperinsulinemia, increased angiotensin activity, vascular variability disorders and central obesity followed by glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, low HDL and hypertriglyceridemia (Metabolic syndrome).This sequence is followed by coronary artery disease(CAD), gall stones and cancers and finally dental caries, gastrointestinal diseases, bone and joint diseases, degenerative diseases of the brain and psychological disorders, during transition from poverty to affluence. It seems that all the NCDs are mediated by inflammation due to interaction of biological systems with environmental factors, including heliomagnetic fluctions. As people become rich, they begin to increase their intake of proinflammatory refined foods; dietary w-6 and trans fat, salt and sugar in the form of ready prepared foods, syrups, dairy products and flesh foods in place of grain and vegetable based diet. There is a greater use of automobiles, television vewing and decrease in sports, walking and dancing as recreation which a

Background There are few studies detailing the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension in India. Methods Men and women, over 25 years of age were included. After completion of a dietitian-administered questionnaire followed evaluation by a physician, physical examination and blood pressure measurement. Cross-sectional survey screened 6940 subjects, (3507 men (M), 3433 women (W): 1993-96) from cities located in five corners of India (Kolkata, n = 900; Nagpur, n = 894; Mumbai, n = 1542; Thiruanantpuram, n = 1602; Moradabad, n = 2002). Prehypertension (BP 130-139/85-89 mm Hg) and hypertension (BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg) were diagnosed according to the European Society of Cardiology criteria. Results Prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension, respectively, was significantly greater in South India (Trivandrum: W 31.5; 31.9%; M 35.1; 35.5%) and West India (Mumbai: W 30.0; 29.1%; M 34.7; 35.6%) compared to North India (Moradabad: W 24.6; 24.5%; M 26.7; 27.0%) and East India (Kolkata: W 20.9; 22.4%; M 23.5; 24.0%). Subjects with prehypertension and hypertension were older, had a higher BMI, central obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. They had a higher salt and alcohol intake, with greater oral contraceptive usage (W). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed strong positive associations of hypertension with age, central obesity, BMI, sedentary lifestyle, salt and alcohol intake and oral contraceptive usage (W). Fruit, vegetable and legume intake showed inverse associations, tobacco intake showed none. One in four with hypertension was aware of their diagnosis and of those receiving treatment, one in three had well-controlled hypertension. Conclusions There is little awareness that prehypertension and hypertension are public health issues in India. Ageing population, central obesity, sedentary lifestyle, excessive salt and alcohol, lower fruit, vegetable and legumes intake increase risk for blood pressure elevation.

Background: The pathways for development of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are sedentary behaviour, common dietary habits of the Western world, tobacco use, stress, and alcoholism among individuals and populations with underlying lack of general and health education. However, some experts have observed that poverty is the primary cause of disability and deaths due to NCDs. This study examines the association of social class and social determinants of health as risk factors for deaths due to NCDs. Subjects and methods: Randomly selected death records of 2,222 (1,385 men and 837 women) decedents, aged 25-64 years at time of death, out of 3,034 death records, were studied by verbal autopsy questionnaires, during 1999-2001 from the records at the Municipal Corporation in Moradabad. All the risk factors were assessed by questionnaires which werecompleted with the help of the victim's spouse and a local treating doctor practising in the concerned field. Social classes were assessed, based on attributes of per capita income, occupation, education, housing, and ownership of consumer luxury items in the household. Poverty was considered if the total family income was