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- Foodstuffs and colorectal cancer risk : a reviewPublication . Marques-Vidal, Pedro; Ravasco, Paula; Ermelinda Camilo, MariaBackground and aims: To assess the relationships between food intake and colorectal cancer risk. Methods: Systematic review of available prospective studies on dietary intake and colorectal cancer. Results: Twelve out of 15 studies found no significant relationship between vegetable intake and colorectal cancer risk; also, 11 out of 14 studies found no relationship with fruit consumption. Conversely, the combined consumption of vegetables and fruit reduced colorectal cancer risk in three out of six studies, although the relationship was somewhat inconsistent between genders and anatomical localizations. Most studies found no relationship between cancer risk and red meat (15 in 20) or processed meat (seven out of 11) consumption; still, most of the reported relative risks were above unity, suggesting that high consumption of red or processed meat might increase colorectal cancer risk. The consumption of white meat, fish/seafood, dairy products, coffee or tea was mostly unrelated to colorectal cancer risk, although the consumption of smoked or salted fish actually increased risk. Conclusions: The relationships between dietary intake and colorectal cancer risk might be less important than previously reported. The combined consumption of vegetables and fruit might be protective, whereas excessive consumption of meat or smoked/salted/processed food appears to be deleterious.
- Trends in overweight and obesity in Portugal : the National Health Surveys 1995 to 1996 and 1998 to 1999Publication . Marques-Vidal, Pedro; Matias Dias, CarlosObjective: To assess overweight and obesity trends in the Portuguese population. Research methods and procedures: National Health Surveys, conducted in 1995-6 (17,989 men; 20,249 women) and 1998-9 (17,923 men; 20,302 women), were used. Results: In men, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 39.9% (95% CI: 39.2 to 40.6) and 10.3% (95% CI: 9.9 to 10.7), respectively, in 1995-6, to 42.5% (95% CI: 41.8 to 43.2) and 11.5% (95% CI: 11.0 to 12.0), respectively, in 1998-9. In women, prevalence of obesity increased from 12.7% (95% CI: 12.2 to 13.2) in 1995-6 to 14.2% (95% CI: 13.7 to 14.6) in 1998-9, whereas the prevalence of overweight remained stable: 32.2% (95% CI: 31.6 to 32.9) in 1995-6 and 32.3% (95% CI: 31.6 to 32.9) in 1998-9. In men, prevalence of overweight and obesity were higher among former smokers and educational group of 6 to 12 years, and prevalence of obesity was higher in the Lisbon region. In women, prevalence of overweight and obesity were higher among never smokers, and prevalence of obesity was higher among educational group of -6 years. Prevalence of obesity was higher in the Alentejo region, and overweight was higher in the Center region. Finally, prevalence of obesity increased in both sexes for all strata studied (age, smoking status, educational level, and geographic region), whereas prevalence of overweight increased only in men. Discussion: In Portugal, overweight and obesity levels are related to sociodemographic factors; the increase in obesity levels stresses the need for preventive measures.
- Hypnotic consumption in the Portuguese population : data from the National Health Survey 1998-1999Publication . Marques-Vidal, Pedro; Matias Dias, CarlosObjective: To assess the prevalence and factors related to hypnotic intake in Portugal. Methods: Data from the National Health Survey conducted in 1998-1999 in a representative sample of 39 640 subjects aged > 18 years. Subjects were asked if they took hypnotics, for how long and also for how many days they had taken them the previous 2 weeks. Results: Overall, 13% of subjects reported taking hypnotics, and this frequency was higher for women (19%) than for men (7.4%, p < 0.001) and increased from 1.5% among age group [18-25[ to 26.2% among subjects aged > 75 years (p < 0.001). In both genders, the Lisbon region had the higher prevalence (15.4%) and Algarve the lowest (10%, p < 0.001); also ex-smokers the highest (15.4%), and current smokers the lowest prevalence (6.8%, p < 0.001). Women took hypnotics continuously during the previous 2 weeks more frequently than men (75 vs. 70%, p < 0.001), and the main reason for intake also differed between genders (p < 0.001). Finally, 69% of the subjects reported taking hypnotics for more than 3 years, and this prevalence was higher in women (71.6%) than in men (62.0%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed hypnotic intake to be positively related with age and inversely related with a sedentary lifestyle in both genders, and positively related with smoking and negatively related with obesity in men. Conclusion: A significant percentage of the Portuguese population takes hypnotics in an almost continuous manner, and the intake is related to gender, age, obesity, and physical activity status.
- Trends of food intake in Portugal, 1987-1999 : results from the National Health SurveysPublication . Marques-Vidal, Pedro; Ravasco, Paula; Dias, C M; Camilo, Maria ErmelindaObjective: To assess trends of food intake in Portugal. Design: Analysis of three cross-sectional studies: 1987, 1995-1996 and 1998-1999. Setting: Representative samples of free-living individuals. Subjects: 64 734 men and 71 282 women. Interventions: Food intake was assessed by questionnaires inquiring the number of meals and which foodstuffs (fish, meat, milk, rice/pasta/potatoes, soup, vegetables and fruit) had been consumed the day before. Results: Age-adjusted average number of meals decreased from 3.3+/-0.1 in 1987 to 2.9+/-0.1 in 1998-1999 in both genders (P<0.001). In men, the percentage of subjects consuming meat, milk and potatoes/rice/pasta increased from 73, 66 and 91% in 1987 to 83, 74 and 95% in 1998-1999, respectively. The percentage of subjects consuming soup and fish decreased from 70 and 56% in 1987 to 62 and 53% in 1998-1999, respectively. In women, the percentage of subjects consuming meat, milk, potatoes/rice/pasta and vegetable increased from 70, 66, 89 and 71% in 1987 to 78, 77, 93 and 83% in 1998-1999, respectively. The percentage of subjects consuming soup and fish decreased from 70 and 55% in 1987 to 64 and 53% in 1998-1999, respectively. These trends were more pronounced in the younger age, which also displayed a higher frequency of snacking. Multivariate analysis adjusting for age group, region and educational level showed that the consumption of meat, milk and vegetables increased and the consumption of soup, fish and fruit decreased in 1998-1999 relative to 1995-1996. Conclusions: Within a decade, the Portuguese dietary pattern has changed considerably, shifting from a traditional, south European to a more Westernized, protein-rich diet.