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Biomedical subjects

G B Mensink

Publications and source records attributed to G B Mensink.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Benefits of leisure-time physical activity on the cardiovascular risk profile at older age.

BACKGROUND: Intensity, frequency and duration of physical activity may contribute in different ways to the maintenance of cardiovascular health. Their relative importance may also change at different stages in life and this should be taken into account for activity recommendations. METHODS: The relationship of frequency and duration of leisure-time physical activities with cardiovascular risk factors was studied in 4942 male and 5885 female participants aged 50-69, of the German Cardiovascular Prevention Study (1984-1991). RESULTS: After adjustment for several possible confounders, women with modest levels (2-12 times per month, 0.5-2 h per week) of moderate-to-vigorous activity (> or =5 kcal/kg/h) had significantly lower systolic blood pressure (-1.8%), resting heart rate (-3.1%) and body mass index (-3.2%) values than sedentary women. Beneficial differences increased with frequency and duration of activity. Light activities (3-4.5 kcal/kg/h), conducted > or =5 times a week, were significantly associated with favourable lower diastolic blood pressure (-1.4%), resting heart rate (-2.3%) among women, and body mass index (women -2.9%, men -2.2%) among both genders. Recommended activity levels (> or =5 times, > or =3.5 h weekly) were associated with a lower prevalence of multiple risk factors (odds ratio [OR] = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.41-0.75 for men and OR = 0.44 95% CI: 0.31-0.63 for women). CONCLUSIONS: For sedentary elderly, even less physical activity than currently recommended, is likely to improve the cardiovascular risk profile.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The relationship between alcohol consumption, health indicators and mortality in the German population.

BACKGROUND: The patterns of total alcohol, beer and wine consumption were evaluated in the German National Health Surveys. The impact of these habits on cardiovascular and all-cause mortality as well as cardiovascular risk factors and liver disease parameters was estimated. METHODS: Independent representative samples of the German population (15,400 people), and regional samples of the Berlin-Spandau population (2,370 in total), aged 25-69 years, were analysed. The amount and frequency of alcohol consumption was assessed with standardized questionnaires. Biochemical analyses included serum lipids and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (Gamma GT). Multiple analyses of variance were used to determine the relationship between alcohol intake and biochemical parameters. A mortality follow-up of about 7 years was conducted for the Berlin-Spandau population. Proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: Over 80% of men and 55% of women in Germany drink alcohol on a regular base. The majority of the consumers (65% of men, 87% of women) are light (1-20 g/day) or moderate (21-40 g/day) drinkers. Higher serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and Gamma GT levels were observed with increasing alcohol intake. In light and moderate drinkers no significant relationship was seen with non-HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and body mass index, compared to teetotallers. Men who consumed 1-20 g alcohol/day had a significantly lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. As compared to nondrinkers, the risk was almost 50% lower. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that light (and possibly moderate) alcohol consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular and total mortality risk and is favourably related to HDL-cholesterol.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Anthropometric data and obesity].

In the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 several anthropometric data were obtained from 7124 men and women, aged 18-79 years. These data were analysed and compared with 1990/92 survey data. On average, people form the Western part of Germany are somewhat taller than those from the Eastern part, the differences being smallest in the youngest age group. With the use of the Body Mass Index (BMI) as the criterion, the prevalence of overweight (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2) ranges from 52% for West German women to 67% for West German men, and of obesity (BMI < or = 30 kg/m2) from 18% for West German men to 24.5% for East German women. Generally, overweight is more prevalent in the East than in the West. In the male population, aged 25-69 years, the prevalence of obesity increased by 5.9% in the East and by 11.5% in the West during the last decade. Among females the prevalence of obesity increased by 6.4% in the West, but decreased by 6.3% in the East. Still obesity is more prevalent among East German females. Since obesity is a key health risk, these recent German prevalence figures are alarming.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Physical activity].

The questionnaire data of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 were used to determine the actual physical activity level in Germany. With the use of similar data from the National Health Surveys 1990/92 changes in activity level over time were estimated. At present, a large part of the population is sedentary during leisure time. Among men this proportion is larger in the eastern part and among older women in the western part of Germany. The proportion of young sedentary women is, however, smaller in the eastern part of Germany. The proportion of men engaged in sport for two hours per week or more, is larger in the western part of Germany. Among West and East German women this proportion is almost equal, although among younger women more are active in the eastern part. During the last seven years, the proportion of sedentary men younger than 50 years of age has grown, whereas the same proportion has declined among those over 50 years of age. Among women a similar decline is apparent above 30 years of age and more pronounced as it is for men. In general, the proportion of active men and women engaged in sport during leisure time for more than 2 hours per week has increased.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Intake of dietary supplements and nutritional behavior].

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the use of dietary supplements in Germany. Using data of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey and the Nutrition Survey 1998, the differences in usual dietary intake between regular supplement users and others were examined. Regular supplement users have, on average, a more nutrient rich dietary pattern with a higher vitamin and mineral content. This was observed even after adjustment for age and total energy intake. Additional differences in other health relevant characteristics like body mass index, smoking habits, level of physical activity and social economic status between regular supplement users and others, indicate that the regular users show in general a more health conscious behaviour.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Nutrition in Germany 1998].

In addition to the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey, the German Nutrition Survey 1998 (GeNuS) was conducted in a subsample of 4030 participants. Among these persons, a comprehensive dietary interview was performed with use of the software DISHES 98. The proportion of 33-34% energy from fat is considerably less than the 40% energy from fat which was estimated about ten years ago. In general, the supply of most vitamins, minerals and trace elements is sufficient. For a part of the population, the intake of dietary fibre, vitamins D and E, folate, zinc, iodine and, among women, also vitamins B1, B2, B6, iron and phosphorus is on a suboptimal level. Observed differences in dietary habits in the eastern and western part of Germany did not have an obviously more favourable dietary pattern in any part of Germany.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Folic acid intake of women in childbearing age].

An optimal maternal folate status reduces the risk of neural tube defects in the offspring. In the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey, red cell folate and serum folate levels have been measured in 1,266 women aged between 18 and 40 years. Applying the dietary assessment software DISHES 98 made it possible to estimate the individual folate intake. A high proportion of the participants showed sub-optimal red cell folate levels as well as folate intakes below the recommendations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Physical activity and its association with other lifestyle factors.

The association of several lifestyle factors with leisure-time physical activity was examined from 1990 to 1991 in a representative sample of 2623 men and 2688 women, ages 25-69, in Germany. Active persons during leisure time were less likely to live in small villages, to smoke and generally had a lower body mass index as compared to sedentary. Men and women with high socioeconomic status were, respectively, four and three times more likely to have an active leisure time than those with low socioeconomic status. After adjustment for age, body mass index, urbanization, socioeconomic status, smoking and average monthly temperature, they less often felt the need to sleep early, consumed more often fruit, salad, whole grain bread and vitamin supplements, less often white bread and meat and a higher amount of fluids as compared to sedentary persons. They were more likely to be single and to eat breakfast regularly. Higher levels of leisure-time physical activity were associated with a general healthier lifestyle.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The relationship between resting heart rate and all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality.

AIMS: The association between resting heart rate and changes in heart rate with all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality was studied among 1827 men and 2929 women, aged 40-80 years, followed for 12 years. METHODS AND RESULTS: After adjustment for initial age, serum cholesterol, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, smoking and diabetes, the all-cause mortality hazard ratio was 1.7 (95% confidence interval 1.4-2.2) for heart rate increments of 20 beats.min-1 for men and 1.4 (confidence interval 1.1-1.8) for women. For cardiovascular mortality, the risk estimates were 1.7 (confidence interval 1.2-2.6) for men and 1.3 (confidence interval 0.9-2.0) for women. We observed no significant association between heart rate and cancer mortality. For women, stronger predictive information for all-cause mortality was provided if changes in heart rate were evident at the 2-year review. CONCLUSION: The resting heart rate is a predictor of mortality, independent of major cardiovascular risk factors.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Intensity, duration, and frequency of physical activity and coronary risk factors.

Relationships between coronary risk factors and intensity, duration, and frequency of leisure activity were studied in 5943 men and 6039 women, ages 25-69. Age, smoking, socioeconomics, season, body mass index (BMI), urbanization, occupational activity, and liquid, alcohol, and saturated/total fat intake were adjusted using multivariate regressions. Among men each 100 kcal.kg-1.wk-1 spent on vigorous activities (7.5-9.0 MET) was associated with: significant (P < 0.01) average differences of -0.36 mmol.L-1 total cholesterol, +0.17 mmol.L-1 HDL cholesterol (P < 0.001), +0.05 HDL/total cholesterol (P < 0.001), -0.33 mmol.L-1 triglycerides, -3 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure, -10 beats.min-1 heart rate (P < 0.001), +30 L.min-1 peak flow, and -1.1 kg.m-2 BMI. Among women it was associated with: -7 mm Hg systolic blood pressure, -6 beats.min-1 heart rate (P < 0.001), +50 L.min-1 peak flow (P < 0.001), and -1.4 kg.m-2 BMI (P < 0.05). Moderate activity (either 3.0-4.5 MET or 5.0-7.0 MET) was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with HDL cholesterol, BMI, and, for men, heart rate; for women, it was associated with HDL/total cholesterol, triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure, and peak flow. With duration and intensity constant, increasing frequency by one time per wk was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with -0.014 mmol.L-1 total cholesterol, +0.001 HDL/total cholesterol, -0.36 beats.min-1 heart rate, -0.093 kg.m-2 BMI among men, and +0.009 mmol.L-1 HDL cholesterol, +0.001 HDL/total cholesterol, -0.014 mmol.L-1 triglycerides, -0.31 beats.min-1 heart rate, and -0.098 kg.m-2 BMI among women. Serum lipids and BMI showed stronger associations with frequency than with intensity or duration.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Physical activity and its association with cardiovascular risk factors and mortality.

We compared various indices for physical activity and their association with cardiovascular risk factors as well as total and cardiovascular disease mortality. We used data from three independent national representative samples in Germany, with a total of 7,689 men and 7,747 women age 25-69 years. Persons with high conditioning physical activity had more favorable risk factor levels compared with sedentary persons, after adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, survey period, and socioeconomic status. We observed a clear association with mortality only for intense physical activity. The rate ratio (RR) for total mortality was 0.36 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.16-0.79] and 0.26 (95% CI = 0.08-0.83) for cardiovascular disease mortality for men spending more than 2 hours per week on sports, compared with sedentary men. Among women, the corresponding RR for total mortality was 0.28 (95% CI = 0.07-1.17). The effect of physical activity on cardiovascular disease mortality among women was not clear owing to few fatal cardiovascular events.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

National trends in risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Germany.

BACKGROUND: National representative health surveys for Germany were conducted for the first time in 1984/85 and again in 1987/88 and 1990/91. METHODS: Data from these three independent population samples (ages 25-69 years) are used to describe national trends in cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, national cardiovascular disease mortality rates during this time period are presented. RESULTS: A net rise in median total serum cholesterol level of 0.17 mmol/liter (6.6 mg/dl) for men and 0.08 mmol/liter (3.1 mg/dl) for women was observed. Also observed was an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol of 0.04 mmol/liter (1.5 mg/dl) for men and of 0.09 mmol/liter (3.5 mg/dl) for women. This resulted in a favorable increase in the HDL/total cholesterol quotient. There were no statistically significant changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with the exception of a net increase of 2 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure for women. A net rise of 0.3 kg/m2 for men and 0.4 kg/m2 for women in body mass index was observed. The prevalence of male smokers declined during the observed period while the prevalence of female smokers increased. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the measured risk factors increased in both sexes during the study period. This is not reflected in cardiovascular mortality, which has shown a steady downward trend for more than 20 years.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The relationship between coffee consumption and serum cholesterol under consideration of smoking history.

A large German population sample of 6820 men and 7258 women was used to investigate the relationship between coffee consumption, total serum cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Analyses were conducted on men and women separately. Differences in age, body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, smoking habits, alcohol, fish, milk and tea consumption, physical activity and medication use were controlled for in the analyses. Interactions between coffee consumption and smoking habits in their relationship with serum cholesterol were part of the analyses. For men, a positive relationship between coffee consumption and total serum cholesterol was found among smokers and life-long abstainers but not in the group of ex-smokers. In women a relationship between coffee consumption and total serum cholesterol was also present, but very weak (only statistical significant in covariance analyses). Levels of HDL cholesterol did not correlate with coffee consumption in either men and women. Hypotheses concerning the peculiarities of the group of ex-smokers are developed, and supporting empirical evidence is given. It is suggested that the group of ex-smokers should always be analysed separately.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Lipoprotein metabolism and coffee intake--who is at risk?

Data from a representative health and nutrition survey of German adults (sample of 1073 women and 806 men) were used to investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and the concentration of cholesterol in serum as well as other lipoprotein constituents. For these outcome variables multivariate analyses were conducted separately for men and women. Differences in age, body mass index, smoking habits, use of oral contraceptives, physical activity, alcohol, fish, fat, milk and tea consumption were controlled for in the models. Interactions between coffee drinking behavior and smoking habits as well as between coffee and the use of oral contraceptives in their relationship with serum cholesterol were of special interest in the analyses. Higher coffee intake (> 400 ml/d) showed higher total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and lower triglyceride rich lipoprotein (TRL) and triglyceride concentrations in serum compared to lower intake (< 200 ml/d). Smoking appeared to be an aggravating factor in these relationships. Results of the linear regression analysis demonstrated an increase of 1.66 mg/dL LDL-C per cup of coffee daily consumed for men and of 1.58 mg/dL for women. The combination of high coffee intake, smoking and no oral contraceptive use ever was associated with the highest total and LDL-C and lowest TRL concentrations in this population. The observed differences may be explained by an increase of lipoprotein lipase activity due to coffee consumption.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reduction of coronary heart disease risk factors in the German cardiovascular prevention study.

BACKGROUND: In six regions of former West Germany, a community-oriented prevention program for coronary heart disease (CHD) was conducted over a 7-year period. METHODS: In the intervention regions, CHD prevention activities were performed with special emphasis on healthy nutrition, increased physical activity, and reduction of smoking, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. The impact of these activities on CHD risk factor trends was observed in three independent samples of the intervention regions. Three independent representative samples of the total West German population were used as a reference. Linear regression models with interaction terms to represent the intervention effects were used to test for differences in risk factor trends. RESULTS: In the pooled intervention regions, a net reduction in mean values of systolic (-2.0%) and diastolic (-2.0%) blood pressure, total serum cholesterol (-1.8%), as well as the percentage of smokers (-6.7%) was observed compared with the nationwide trend. From the major CHD risk factors, only body mass index was not influenced in the intervention population. CONCLUSIONS: The community-oriented German Cardiovascular Prevention program can effectively be used to reduce CHD risk factors in a broad population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationships between nutrient intake, nutritional status and activity levels in an elderly and in a younger population; a comparison of physically more active and more inactive people.

Differences in absolute nutrient intakes, nutrient densities, and nutritional status between more physically active and more physically inactive elderly persons were analyzed from data of the Heidelberg-Michelstadt-Berlin Study. Comparisons were made in the different sex groups for older persons, the same comparisons were made for a group of younger persons. Although there was no significant statistical difference, the active persons had higher absolute energy intakes compared with inactive persons in all groups, except in the younger female group. Active older women have statistically significant higher vitamin B2, iodine, and calcium intakes than less active older women. Active older men have higher energy, carbohydrate, carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, and calcium intakes than the less active older men. A totally different pattern of intakes is seen in the group of younger persons. The more active younger women show lower absolute intakes of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B1, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and sodium in comparison with the less active young women. Active young men show higher iodine intakes compared with the inactives. The differences in intakes however are not reflected in the nutritional status. The nutritional status of more active people is therefore neither endangered nor improved in comparison with less active.

Activities of Daily Living↗