ORCID Profile
0000-0002-2599-1934
Current Organisation
Deakin University
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Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 05-11-2019
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114518003070
Abstract: The present study examined the association between high-quality diet (using the Mediterranean diet (MD) as an ex le) and well-being cross-sectionally and prospectively in Spanish children and adolescents. Participants included 533 children and 987 adolescents at baseline and 527 children and 798 adolescents at 2-year follow-up, included in the UP& DOWN study (follow-up in schoolchildren and adolescents with and without Down’s syndrome). The present study excluded participants with Down’s syndrome. Adherence to an MD was assessed using the KIDMED index. Well-being was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and the KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire. Associations between MD adherence and well-being were assessed using multi-level, mixed-effects linear regression. At baseline, MD adherence was positively related to health-related quality of life in secondary school girls and boys ( β =0·41, se 0·10, P ·001 β =0·46, se 0·10, P ·001, respectively) and to positive affect in secondary school girls and boys ( β =0·16, se 0·05, P =0·006 β =0·20, se 0·05, P ·001, respectively) and in primary school boys ( β =0·20, se 0·08, P =0·019). At 2-year follow-up, MD adherence was negatively related to negative affect in secondary school adolescent girls and boys ( β =–0·15, se 0·07, P =0·047 β =–0·16, se 0·06, P =0·019, respectively), and MD adherence was associated with higher positive affect scores in secondary school girls ( β =0·30, se 0·06, P ·001) and in primary school boys ( β =0·20, se 0·09, P =0·023). However, MD adherence at baseline did not predict well-being indicators at 2-year follow-up. In conclusion, higher MD adherence was found to behave as a protective factor for positive well-being in cross-sectional analysis.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 30-03-2023
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 24-09-2020
DOI: 10.2196/19431
Abstract: There is a need to develop interventions to reduce the risk of dementia in the community by addressing lifestyle factors and chronic diseases over the adult life course. This study aims to evaluate a multidomain dementia risk reduction intervention, Body Brain Life in General Practice (BBL-GP), targeting at-risk adults in primary care. A pragmatic, parallel, three-arm randomized trial involving 125 adults aged 18 years or older (86/125, 68.8% female) with a BMI of ≥25 kg/m2 or a chronic health condition recruited from general practices was conducted. The arms included (1) BBL-GP, a web-based intervention augmented with an in-person diet and physical activity consultation (2) a single clinician–led group, Lifestyle Modification Program (LMP) and (3) a web-based control. The primary outcome was the Australian National University Alzheimer Disease Risk Index Short Form (ANU-ADRI-SF). Baseline assessments were conducted on 128 participants. A total of 125 participants were randomized to 3 groups (BBL-GP=42, LMP=41, and control=42). At immediate, week 18, week 36, and week 62 follow-ups, the completion rates were 43% (18/42), 57% (24/42), 48% (20/42), and 48% (20/42), respectively, for the BBL-GP group 71% (29/41), 68% (28/41), 68% (28/41), and 51% (21/41), respectively, for the LMP group and 62% (26/42), 69% (29/42), 60% (25/42), and 60% (25/42), respectively, for the control group. The primary outcome of the ANU-ADRI-SF score was lower for the BBL-GP group than the control group at all follow-ups. These comparisons were all significant at the 5% level for estimates adjusted for baseline differences (immediate: difference in means −3.86, 95% CI −6.81 to −0.90, P=.01 week 18: difference in means −4.05, 95% CI −6.81 to −1.28, P .001 week 36: difference in means −4.99, 95% CI −8.04 to −1.94, P .001 and week 62: difference in means −4.62, 95% CI −7.62 to −1.62, P .001). A web-based multidomain dementia risk reduction program augmented with allied health consultations administered within the general practice context can reduce dementia risk exposure for at least 15 months. This study was limited by a small s le size, and replication on a larger s le with longer follow-up will strengthen the results. Australian clinical trials registration number (ACTRN): 12616000868482 anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12616000868482.aspx.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-04-2020
DOI: 10.1007/S00394-019-01969-8
Abstract: Osteoporosis is associated with both lower health-related quality of life and depression in older people. We examined the independent and combined effects of a multi-component exercise program and calcium-vitamin D In this 12-month, factorial design randomized controlled trial, 180 healthy community-dwelling men aged 50-79 years with normal to below average bone mineral density were allocated into one of four groups: exercise + fortified milk exercise fortified milk or controls. Exercise consisted of high-intensity resistance training with weight-bearing exercise (3 days per week 60-75 min per session). Men assigned to fortified milk consumed 400 ml/day of low-fat milk containing 1000 mg/day calcium and 800IU/day vitamin D Mean adherence to the exercise program and fortified milk was 67% (95% CI 61, 73%) and 90% (95% CI 86, 93%), respectively. There were no exercise-by-fortified milk interactions nor main effects of exercise or calcium-vitamin D for any of the HR-QoL measures or depressive symptoms. In healthy community-dwelling older men, exercise training and/or calcium-vitamin D fortified milk did not improve HR-QoL or depressive symptoms.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-03-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S12877-022-02894-Y
Abstract: Adequate dietary protein intake is recommended for older adults to optimise muscle health and function, and support recovery from illness, however, its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the association between total protein intake and different sources of dietary protein and HRQoL in Australians aged 60 years and older over a 12-year period. This study used data from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle study (AusDiab), a 12-year population-based prospective study. The s le included 752 (386 females) adults aged 60 years and older. Protein intake was estimated at baseline (1999/2000) from a 74-item Food Frequency Questionnaire, and HRQoL using the 36-item Short-form Health Survey assessed at baseline (1999/2000) and after 12 years (2011/12). The association between protein intake and change in HRQoL was evaluated using multivariate regression analysis adjusted for relevant confounders. The difference in change in HRQoL between participants with total protein intakes of 1.0 g/kg/day, intakes of between 1.0–1.2 g/kg/day and intakes of 1.2 g/kg/day were assessed using one-way ANCOVA. Total protein intake at baseline was not associated with 12-year changes in physical component summary (PCS) or mental component summary (MCS) scores of HRQoL. Higher animal, red meat and processed animal protein intakes were associated with deteriorations in PCS scores after adjusting for relevant confounders (β = − 0.04 95% CI: − 0.07, −0.01 p = 0.009 β = − 0.05 95% CI: − 0.08, − 0.01 p = 0.018 β = − 0.17 95% CI: − 0.31, − 0.02 p = 0.027 respectively). Higher red meat protein intake was associated with deteriorations in MCS scores after adjusting for relevant confounders (β = − 0.04 95% CI: − 0.08, − 0.01 p = 0.011). There was no difference in 12-year changes in PCS or MCS between participants consuming total protein of 1.0 g/kg/day, 1.0–1.2 g/kg/day and intakes of 1.2 g/kg/day. There was no relationship between total dietary protein intake and HRQoL, but higher protein intakes from animal, red meat and processed animal sources were associated with a deterioration in HRQoL scores over 12 years. Due to the number of associations examined and high drop out of older less healthy participants, further research is required to confirm the associations detected in healthy and less healthy participants, with a view to making protein intake recommendations for older adults.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 25-09-2019
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114519002435
Abstract: Studies have examined the association between depressive symptoms and dietary patterns however, only few studies focused on older adults. The present study examines the association between current and past dietary patterns and depression in a community-dwelling adult population aged 55 years and over. Adults ( n 4082) were recruited into the Wellbeing, Eating and Exercise for a Long Life study in Victoria, Australia. In 2010 and 2014, data were collected using self-administered questionnaires including a 111-item FFQ, the RAND thirty-six-item Short Form Health Survey of health-related quality of life and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale in 2014. Current (2014) and past (2010) dietary patterns were determined using principal component analysis. Association between dietary patterns and depressive symptoms was assessed using a mixed model analysis with adjustment for covariates. Two similar dietary patterns were identified in men and women ( n 2142). In women, a healthy dietary pattern (characterised by frequent intake of vegetables, fruits and fish) was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms (current diet: β = −0·260, 95 % CI −0·451, −0·070 past diet: β = −0·201, 95 % CI −0·390, −0·013). A current unhealthy dietary pattern in women (characterised by frequent intake of red and processed meat, potatoes, hot chips, cakes, deserts and ice cream) was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms ( β = 1·367, 95 % CI 0·679, 2·056). No associations were identified in men. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to understand the differences that may occur by sex.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 17-04-2020
Abstract: here is a need to develop interventions to reduce the risk of dementia in the community by addressing lifestyle factors and chronic diseases over the adult life course. his study aims to evaluate a multidomain dementia risk reduction intervention, Body Brain Life in General Practice (BBL-GP), targeting at-risk adults in primary care. pragmatic, parallel, three-arm randomized trial involving 125 adults aged 18 years or older (86/125, 68.8% female) with a BMI of ≥25 kg/m sup /sup or a chronic health condition recruited from general practices was conducted. The arms included (1) BBL-GP, a web-based intervention augmented with an in-person diet and physical activity consultation (2) a single clinician–led group, Lifestyle Modification Program (LMP) and (3) a web-based control. The primary outcome was the Australian National University Alzheimer Disease Risk Index Short Form (ANU-ADRI-SF). aseline assessments were conducted on 128 participants. A total of 125 participants were randomized to 3 groups (BBL-GP=42, LMP=41, and control=42). At immediate, week 18, week 36, and week 62 follow-ups, the completion rates were 43% (18/42), 57% (24/42), 48% (20/42), and 48% (20/42), respectively, for the BBL-GP group 71% (29/41), 68% (28/41), 68% (28/41), and 51% (21/41), respectively, for the LMP group and 62% (26/42), 69% (29/42), 60% (25/42), and 60% (25/42), respectively, for the control group. The primary outcome of the ANU-ADRI-SF score was lower for the BBL-GP group than the control group at all follow-ups. These comparisons were all significant at the 5% level for estimates adjusted for baseline differences (immediate: difference in means −3.86, 95% CI −6.81 to −0.90, i P /i =.01 week 18: difference in means −4.05, 95% CI −6.81 to −1.28, i P /i & .001 week 36: difference in means −4.99, 95% CI −8.04 to −1.94, i P /i & .001 and week 62: difference in means −4.62, 95% CI −7.62 to −1.62, i P /i & .001). web-based multidomain dementia risk reduction program augmented with allied health consultations administered within the general practice context can reduce dementia risk exposure for at least 15 months. This study was limited by a small s le size, and replication on a larger s le with longer follow-up will strengthen the results. ustralian clinical trials registration number (ACTRN): 12616000868482 anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12616000868482.aspx.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2022
DOI: 10.1093/JN/NXAB386
Abstract: Examining a variety of diet quality methodologies will inform best practice use of diet quality indices for assessing all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. To examine the association between 3 diet quality indices (Australian Dietary Guideline Index, DGI Dietary Inflammatory Index, DII Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, MIND) and risk of all-cause mortality, CVD mortality, and nonfatal CVD events ≤19 y later. Data on 10,009 adults (mean age 51.8 y 52% female) from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity, and Lifestyle study were used. An FFQ was used to calculate DGI, DII, and MIND at baseline. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate HRs and 95% CI of all-cause mortality, CVD mortality, and nonfatal CVD events (stroke myocardial infarction) according to 1 SD increase in diet quality, adjusted for age, sex, education, smoking, physical activity, energy intake, history of stroke or heart attack, and diabetes and hypertension status. Deaths due to all-cause (n = 1955) and CVD (n = 520), and nonfatal CVD events (n = 264) were identified during mean follow-ups of 17.7, 17.4, and 9.6 y, respectively. For all-cause mortality, HRs associated with higher DGI, DII, and MIND were 0.94 (95% CI: 0.89, 0.99), 1.08 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.15), and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89, 0.98), respectively. For CVD mortality, HRs associated with higher DGI, DII, and MIND were 0.93 (95% CI: 0.85, 0.99), 1.10 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.24), and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.82, 0.98), respectively. There was limited evidence of associations between diet quality and nonfatal CVD events. A better quality diet predicted lower risk of all-cause and CVD mortality in Australian adults, whereas a more inflammatory diet predicted higher mortality risk. These findings highlight the applicability of following Australian dietary guidelines, a Mediterranean-style diet, and a low-inflammatory diet for the reduction of all-cause and CVD mortality risk.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 25-01-2021
DOI: 10.3390/NU13020356
Abstract: Background: In children and adolescents, chronic low-grade inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of co- and multi-morbid conditions to mental health disorders. Diet quality is a potential mechanism of action that can exacerbate or ameliorate low-grade inflammation however, the exact way dietary intake can regulate the immune response in children and adolescents is still to be fully understood. Methods: Studies that measured dietary intake (patterns of diet, indices, food groups, nutrients) and any inflammatory biomarkers in children and adolescents aged 2 to19 years and published until November 2020 were included in this systematic review, and were selected in line with PRISMA guidelines through the following databases: Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, Global Health, Medline COMPLETE and Web of Science–Core Collection. A total of 53 articles were identified. Results: Results show that adequate adherence to healthful dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, or food groups such as vegetables and fruit, or macro/micro nutrients such as fibre or vitamin C and E, are associated with decreased levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers, mainly c-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), whereas adherence to a Western dietary pattern, as well as intake of food groups such as added sugars, macro-nutrients such as saturated fatty acids or ultra-processed foods, is associated with higher levels of the same pro-inflammatory biomarkers. Conclusions: This is the first systematic review examining dietary intake and biological markers of inflammation in both children and adolescents. A good quality diet, high in vegetable and fruit intake, wholegrains, fibre and healthy fats ameliorates low-grade inflammation, and therefore represents a promising therapeutic approach, as well as an important element for disease prevention in both children and adolescents.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 11-2018
DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S182046
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-05-2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 30-10-2018
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114518003148
Abstract: High Na intake and chronically elevated cortisol levels are independently associated with the development of chronic diseases. In adults, high Na intake is associated with high levels of urinary cortisol. We aimed to determine the association between urinary Na and K and urinary cortisol in a cross-sectional s le of Australian schoolchildren and their mothers. Participants were a s le of Australian children ( n 120) and their mothers ( n 100) recruited through primary schools. We assessed Na, K, free cortisol and cortisol metabolites in one 24 h urine collection. Associations between 24 h urinary electrolytes and 24 h urinary cortisol were assessed using multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models. In children, urinary Na was positively associated with urinary free cortisol ( β =0·31, 95 % CI 0·19, 0·44) and urinary cortisol metabolites ( β =0·006, 95 % CI 0·002, 0·010). Positive associations were also observed between urinary K and urinary free cortisol ( β =0·65, 95 % CI 0·23, 1·07) and urinary cortisol metabolites ( β =0·02, 95 % CI 0·03, 0·031). In mothers, urinary Na was positively associated with urinary free cortisol ( β =0·23, 95 % CI 0·01, 0·50) and urinary cortisol metabolites ( β =0·008, 95 % CI 0·0007, 0·016). Our findings show that daily Na and K intake were positively associated with cortisol production in children and their mothers. Investigation of the mechanisms involved and the potential impact of Na reduction on cortisol levels in these populations is warranted.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 21-09-2022
DOI: 10.1017/S000711452200304X
Abstract: Changes between diet quality and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) over 12 years were examined in men and women, in 2844 adults (46 % males mean age 47·3 ( sd 9·7) years) from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle study with data at baseline, 5 and 12 years. Dietary intake was assessed with a seventy-four-item FFQ. Diet quality was estimated with the Dietary Guideline Index, Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet Intervention for Neurological Delay Index (MIND) and Dietary Inflammatory Index. HR-QoL in terms of global, physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) was assessed with the Short-Form Health Survey-36. Fixed effects regression models adjusted for confounders were performed. Mean MCS increased from baseline (49·0, sd 9·3) to year 12 (50·7, sd 9·1), whereas mean PCS decreased from baseline (51·7, sd 7·4) to year 12 (49·5, sd 8·6). For the total s le, an improvement in MIND was associated with an improvement in global QoL ( β = 0·28, 95 % CI (0·007, 0·55)). In men, an improvement in MIND was associated with an improvement in global QoL ( β = 0·28, 95 % CI (0·0004, 0·55)). In women, improvement in MIND was associated with improvements in global QoL ( β = 0·62 95 % CI (0·38, 0·85)), MCS ( β = 0·75, 95 % CI (0·29, 1·22)) and PCS ( β = 0·75, 95 % CI (0·29, 1·22)). Positive changes in diet quality were associated with broad improvements in HR-QoL, and most benefits were observed in women when compared to men. These findings support the need for strategies to assist the population in consuming healthy dietary patterns to lead to improvements in HR-QoL.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 14-05-2018
DOI: 10.3390/NU10050613
No related grants have been discovered for Susan Torres.