European Heart Journal Advance Access originally published online on February 13, 2007
European Heart Journal 2007 28(5):638-639; doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehl517
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Traditional diet hope for our children: reply
Department of Cardiology,
Second University of Naples,
Via Omodeo 45
Italy
Department of Pediatrics,
Second University of Naples,
Italy
Chair of Cardiology,
Second University of Naples,
Italy
E-mail address: giodisal{at}yahoo.it
We thank very much Manisha Talim for the interest in our work.1 We agree that the faulty diet of our children today appears to be the most likely cause of abnormal myocardial deformation properties we demonstrated in obese, non-hypertensive, children.
Children's diet has changed dramatically in the last years, influenced by TV commercials and the convenience of fast food. Today, children consume too much fatty and processed food.
Conversely, it has been demonstrated that high adherence to the traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern is associated with a lower prevalence of obesity in men and women in the Mediterranean population.2 This healthy dietary pattern is associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular and cancer mortality.3 The main characteristics of this dietary pattern consist of a high consumption of plant-based foods and low and high intakes of meat and fish, respectively. Furthermore, high intakes of both low (e.g. vegetables and fruits) and high (e.g. olive oil and nuts) energy-dense food characterize the traditional Mediterranean diet. However, also the lack of exercise and the increased in access to sedentary recreation opportunities such as electronic games and computers may influence childhood obesity. Indeed, the American Academy of Pediatrics4 and the recent Australian Physical Activity Recommendations5 propose that children spend no more than 2 h/day watching TV and using other electronic entertainment media. Diet and exercise are extremely important to curb this escalating problem.
In our opinion, there is a need for a family-oriented approach to cardiovascular prevention. Parents must prefer for themselves and for their children healthy foods such as vegetables and cutting down fatty meals as well as encouraging regular exercise activities and limiting the time dedicated by their children to videogames.
References
- Di Salvo G, Pacileo G, Del Giudice EM, Natale F, Limongelli G, Verrengia M, Rea A, Fratta F, Castaldi B, D'Andrea A, Calabro P, Miele T, Coppola F, Russo MG, Caso P, Perrone L, Calabro R. (2006) Abnormal myocardial deformation properties in obese, non-hypertensive children: an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, standard echocardiographic, and strain rate imaging study. Eur Heart J 27:2689–2695.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Schroder H, Marrugat J, Vila J, Covas MI, Elosua R. (2004) Adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet is inversely associated with body mass index and obesity in a Spanish population. J Nutr 134:3355–3361.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Trichopoulou A, Costacou T, Bamia C, Trichopoulos D. (2003) Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and survival in a Greek population. N Engl J Med 348:2599–2608.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - American Academy of Pediatrics. (2001) Children, adolescents, and television (RE0043). Pediatrics 107:423–426.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - Salmon J and Shilton T. (2004) Endorsement of physical activity recommendations for children and youth in Australia. J Sci Med Sport 7:405–406.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
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