Savvas C Savva

Obesity rates in Cyprus are very high and epidemiological information on type 2 diabetes mellitus is limited. The correlates of type 2 diabetes among adults remain unknown in the Cypriot population. Thus, the purpose of this study is to provide the first national estimate of the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and investigate its correlates. A random...

Vegetable oils are obtained from a plant source, such as vegetables, nuts, or seeds. Edible vegetable oils are mainly used in cooking, as salad dressings, in manufacture for margarines and spreads, and in bakery. During the past 100-150 years, there has been a substantial growth in the production and consumption of vegetable oils, which led to a wi...

Background In a cohort of children in Cyprus, we recently reported low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) to be associated with asthma. We examined whether genetic polymorphisms that were previously linked individually to asthma, obesity, or HDL-C are associated with both asthma and HDL-C levels in the Cyprus cohort. Methods We...

Background: Several studies have examined the relationship of asthma with serum dyslipidemia and reported positive, negative or no association. Most studies were limited by their cross-sectional design and the wide age range of the participants. In a cohort of children in Cyprus, we explored the association of asthma with serum high-density-lipopr...

Objectives: The aim of this study is to present age- and sex-specific reference values of insulin, glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and the homeostasis model assessment to quantify insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for pre-pubertal children. Methods: The reference population consists of 7074 normal weight 3- to 10.9-year-old pre-pubertal chi...

Iron deficiency remains the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide despite the fact that global prevention is a high priority. Recent guidelines suggest intake of red meat both in infants and toddlers to prevent iron deficiency. However frequent consumption of red and processed meat may be associated with an increased risk for cancer, cardiov...

INTRODUCTION: While asthma may be viewed as a barrier to exercise, physical activity has been proposed to protect against asthma development. Commonly using self-reported measures, studies have reported comparable or even higher physical activity in asthmatic compared to non-asthmatic children. With the use of accelerometers, the aim here was to c...

Objective To compare objectively assessed physical activity levels, between asthmatic children and non-asthmatic controls.Methods From a random community sample of 794 children aged 8–9 years, in a case–control design, 104 children with ever doctor's diagnosis of asthma and 99 non-asthmatic controls were recruited and had assessment of physical act...

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the association of breakfast consumption with children's diet quality and cardiometabolic risk factors. Study sample consisted of 1558 children aged 4-8 years from Cyprus. Breakfast frequency was assessed through a parental questionnaire. Body mass index (BMI), BMI z-scores, waist circumference, blo...

A balanced diet is fundamental for healthy growth and development of children. The aim of this study was to document and evaluate the dietary intake of Cypriot children aged 6-18 years (y) against recommendations, and to determine whether maternal education and children's weight status are associated with adherence to recommendations. The dietary i...

Objective: The combination therapy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRHa) and recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been used to increase growth in children with premature sexual maturation and attenuated growth. The aim of this report was to study the benefit over cost of combined treatment in girls with central precocious pube...

Background and objectives The identification of increased cardiometabolic risk among asymptomatic individuals remains a huge challenge. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the association of body mass index (BMI), which is an index of general obesity, and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), an index of abdominal obesity, with cardiometabolic ris...

To assess the association of baseline cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with incidence of overweight over a 4.6-year period in adolescence. In a cohort of 4878 adolescents, we assessed body mass index in years 2001-2003 and 2007. CRF was assessed at baseline as maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max , mL/kg/min) using the 20-m shuttle run test and was ex...

Objectives To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 2010 and examine prevalence trends between 2000 and 2010 among school-aged children and adolescents in Cyprus. Methods A representative cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2010. Anthropometric data were taken using standard methods from 3090 children. The IOTF cut-offs were use...

Increasing rates of overweight and eating disorders among young people are a concern. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of overweight/obesity among Cypriot adolescents between cohorts from 2003 and 2010 and to determine whether body mass index (BMI) was associated with psychological traits linked to eating disorders. Anthropometri...

To assess the eating attitudes and behaviours of the Cypriot adolescent population at national level, and evaluate secular trends between 2003 and 2010. A representative sample of children and adolescents aged 10-18 years participated in a school-based, cross-sectional study during the academic years 2003-2004 and 2009-2010. Participants completed...

Background and aims: To measure the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults in the Republic of Cyprus, and to evaluate and relate possible obesity risk factors of the adult Cypriot population. Methods: This is an epidemiological cross-sectional study on a stratified random sample of 1001 (48.5% males-51.5% females) subjects, aged 18-80 ye...

Whilst emerging evidence from animal and cell experiments has shown high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to have anti-inflammatory effects consistent with a protective role in asthma, human studies investigating the relationship of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with asthma have produced conflicting results. To examine the association between...

The incidence of Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Greek-Cypriot children aged less than 15 years between 1990 and 2009 was examined along with gender differences concerning the age of onset and the seasonal variation at manifestation of the disease. All newly diagnosed cases of T1DM in children less than 15 years old were registered with the capt...

Aim: the aim of the present study was to assess the validity of self-reported weight and height among Cypriot adolescents. Method: Adolescents' weight and height was measured during school. Students completed the questionnaires EAT-26 and EDI-3. Results: self-reported and measured weight and height are highly correlated. Boys underreport their weig...

The objective of this study was to synthesize available information on prevalence and time trends of overweight and obesity in pre-school children in the European Union. Retrieval and analysis or re-analysis of existing data were carried out. Data sources include WHO databases, Medline and Google, contact with authors of published and unpublished d...

The pathogenesis of bone disease in thalassaemia major (TM) is multifactorial and remains unclear, although gonadal dysfunction probably has the most dominant role. The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of several factors on the development of reduced bone mass in patients of both sexes with TM, treated in our Center. 76 thalassaemic pa...

Bisphosphonates are potent inhibitors of osteoclastic bone resorption and have been recently used in thalassaemia major (TM) osteoporosis with encouraging results. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of two Bisphosphonate drugs, Alendronate and Pamidronate on bone mass in patients of both genders with TM, treated in our Center. 53 (22...

To explore policy options that public health specialists (PHS) consider appropriate for combating obesity in Europe, and compare their preferences with those of other stakeholders (non-PHS). Structured interviews using multicriteria mapping, a computer-based, decision-support tool. Nine European countries. A total of 189 stakeholders. Twenty-seven...

To report 5-year changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 11-year-old children in Cyprus. This was a school-based study performed in Cyprus. A total of 14,090 11-year-old children (males: 51.2%), who had been examined in the 1997-8 and 2002-3 school years, were included in the study. The International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-off...

The current work sought to investigate the opinion of the physicians (private sector) on the use of antibiotics in Cyprus.

The incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has dramatically increased recently in some countries. To ascertain any changes in the incidence of T1DM in our population during the years 1990-2004. All newly diagnosed cases of T1DM children under the age of 15 yr were registered and relevant information was obtained. Population demographic data b...

This study was conducted to study the role of combination therapy of growth hormone and Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP) or idiopathic short stature (ISS). Five girls with CPP (median age 9.1 y, pubertal stage 2-3) (3 of them previously treated with GnRH analogue (GnRHa) for 1...

A multifaceted public health policy approach is required for reversing the current obesity epidemic. The Policy Options for Responding to the Growing Challenge of Obesity Research Project aimed to explore the consistency and/or variability of the perspectives of key stakeholders towards a range of different options to respond to the growing challen...

The clinical severity in thalassaemia major (TM) depends on the underlying mutations of the beta-globin gene and the degree of iron overload. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of genotype on the development of endocrine complications in TM in our center. Subjects and methods: 126 (62 males, 64 females) thalassaemic patients of Gree...

To estimate the prevalence of undernutrition and obesity in preschool children in Cyprus and identify possible associations. Cross-sectional study. Private and public nursery schools. A representative sample (n=1412) stratified by age, gender, district and area of residence. Weight (kg) and height (cm) were obtained and BMI (kg/m2) was calculated....

Low birth weight (BW) (<2,500 g) is associated with a high risk of impaired postnatal growth and late metabolic consequences. The aim of this study is to describe the postnatal growth pattern and the metabolic status of children born small for gestational age (SGA) and compare them with premature children born with low (1,500-2,500 g) and very low...

To evaluate the results of the screening program for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in the Greek Cypriot population. During 1990-2000, 109,532 neonates were screened by TSH determination. Permanent CH was proven with biochemical findings after discontinuation of treatment for scintigraphy at the age of 3 years. Permanent CH was diagnosed in 61 infa...

The relationships between n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in subcutaneous fat, BMI and overweight status were investigated in eighty-eight children from Crete and Cyprus. Overweight status, BMI and serum lipid levels were similar in children at both locations, but Cretan children had higher levels of total MUFA than Cypriot children (62.2 (sd 2.8) v. 52.2...

To identify short-term predictors of risk for overweight in early adolescence in a sample of Caucasian origin subjects, in Cyprus. A total of 357 subjects (178 males) with baseline age 11.5+/-0.4 y were re-evaluated after a mean of 1.6+/-0.5 y. Body weight and height, calculated body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure at baseline and follow-up. S...

To ascertain the exact incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) in Greek-Cypriots under the age of 15 yr, to analyze possible gender differences in the age of onset and to observe any seasonal variation in the manifestation of the disease. All cases of newly diagnosed DM1 patients under the age of 15 yr from 1990 to 2000 were collected and relev...

To estimate the prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity in Cyprus and define possible associated risk factors. Cross-sectional study of a representative sample of children 6-17 y of age performed during October 1999 to June 2000. Anthropometric data were taken using standard methods, from 2467 children. Certain diet and physical activities a...

The purpose of the study was to present smoothed percentiles for body weight and height, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) in Cypriot children and to compare their BMI 85th and 95th percentiles with those of children in other countries. The study was a cross-sectional study, including a representative sample of 2472 healthy children (4...

The diet consumed by Mediterranean populations, the so-called Mediterranean Diet as established in the Greek island of Crete and in southern Italy, has been proven beneficial in promoting human health, and has been credited for the low cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality in certain Mediterranean areas such as Crete. ¹ Recently, this part...

Visceral adipose tissue is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease risk factors and morbidity from cardiovascular diseases. Waist measurement and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) have been used as proxy measures of visceral adipose tissue, mainly in adults. To validate body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and WHtR as predictors...