1.
Whole-grain consumption and the risk of all-cause, CVD and cancer mortality: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.
Wei, H, Gao, Z, Liang, R, Li, Z, Hao, H, Liu, X
The British journal of nutrition. 2016;(3):514-25
Abstract
Results of the relationships between dietary whole-grain consumption and the risk of all-cause, CVD and cancer-specific mortality are mixed. We summarised the evidence based on a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Pertinent studies were identified by searching articles in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases up to 20 January 2016 and by reviewing the reference lists of the retrieved articles. Random-effects models were used to calculate summary relative risks (SRR) and 95 % CI. In all, eleven prospective studies (ten publications) were included in the meta-analysis. There were a total of 816 599 subjects and 89 251 cases of all-cause mortality. On the basis of the highest v. the lowest categories of intake, whole grains may be associated with a lower risk of mortality from all causes (SRR 0·87; 95 % CI 0·84, 0·90), CVD (SRR 0·81; 95 % CI 0·75, 0·89) and all cancers (SRR 0·89; 95 % CI 0·82, 0·96). For each 3 servings/d increase in whole-grain intake, there was a 19 % reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality (SRR 0·81; 95 % CI 0·76, 0·85), a 26 % reduction in CVD mortality (SRR 0·74; 95 % CI 0·66, 0·83) and a 9 % reduction in cancer mortality (SRR 0·91; 95 % CI 0·84, 0·98). The current meta-analysis provides some evidence that high intake of whole grains was inversely associated with the risk of all-cause, CVD and cancer-specific mortality. Further well-designed studies, including clinical trials and in different populations, are required to confirm our findings.
2.
Prevalence and Metrics Distribution of Ideal Cardiovascular Health: A Population-based, Cross-sectional Study in Rural China.
Chang, Y, Guo, X, Chen, Y, Guo, L, Li, Z, Yu, S, Yang, H, Sun, G, Sun, Y
Heart, lung & circulation. 2016;(10):982-92
Abstract
BACKGROUND The American Heart Association (AHA) introduced definitions of "ideal," "intermediate," and "poor" cardiovascular health (CVH) based on seven cardiovascular health metrics (smoking, body mass index, physical activity, diet score, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting glucose). This study used this construct to assess the prevalence and metric distribution of CVH in a rural population with traditional lifestyles and investigate the relationship of CVH with socio-demographic characteristics of participants. METHODS From January 2012 to August 2013, a representative sample of 11,113 adults (mean age 53.8±10.6 years; 53.8% women) was enrolled from a rural population in Northeast China using a multi-stage, stratified random cluster-sampling scheme. RESULTS According to the adjusted AHA criteria for CVH health metrics, there was 0.1% prevalence of ideal CVH (all seven health metrics at ideal levels), 11.7% of intermediate CVH (at least one health metric at intermediate level, but no poor health metrics), and 88.2% of poor CVH (at least one of seven health metrics at poor level). Women and young/middle-aged adults were more likely to have all of the ideal CVH metrics, behaviours, factors and CVH status. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed extremely low (0.1%) prevalence of ideal CVH in the rural population of northeast China. The poor CVH status, particularly among men and older individuals, underscores the need for urgent action on modifiable risk factors, especially blood pressure and smoking.