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Papadimitriou A, Foscolou A, Itsiopoulos C, Thodis A, Kouris-Blazos A, Brazionis L, Sidossis AC, Polychronopoulos EA, Kokkinos P, Panagiotakos D, Sidossis LS. Successful aging and lifestyle comparison of Greeks living in Greece and abroad: the epidemiological Mediterranean Islands Study (MEDIS). Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2021; 97:104523. [PMID: 34537513 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2021.104523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Comparing lifestyle and successful aging between Greeks living in Greece (GG) and Greeks living abroad (GA) using a multidimensional model of successful aging including both biomedical and non-medical components. METHODS Anthropometric, clinical, psychological, socio-demographic, dietary and lifestyle parameters were assessed in a random sample of 252 GG and 252 GA. Successful aging was evaluated using the validated successful aging index (SAI range 0-10). RESULTS GA had better financial and educational status and scored higher in all social activity parameters (p's < 0.05). GA were more likely to be physically active (p < 0.001), had higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p < 0.001) and were less likely to be smoking (p = 0.008). Depression was more evident among GG compared to GA (p < 0.001). GA was aging significantly more successfully than GG (p < 0.001). Men irrespective of location were aging significantly more successfully than women (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Place of residence and personal choices significantly affect the level of healthy aging among people with similar genetic backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra Foscolou
- Department of Kinesiology and Health, School of Arts and Sciences Rutgers University, USA; Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, Athens Greece
| | - Catherine Itsiopoulos
- School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Australia; School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Australia
| | - Antonia Thodis
- School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University, Australia
| | | | | | - Amalia C Sidossis
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Evangelos A Polychronopoulos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, Athens Greece
| | - Peter Kokkinos
- Department of Kinesiology and Health, School of Arts and Sciences Rutgers University, USA
| | - Demosthenes Panagiotakos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, Athens Greece
| | - Labros S Sidossis
- Department of Kinesiology and Health, School of Arts and Sciences Rutgers University, USA; Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, Athens Greece.
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Schneider S, Lunau T, Eikemo TA, Kotz D, Bambra C, Kuntz B, Dragano N. Better air but not for all? Changes in second-hand smoke exposure at workplaces in 29 European countries over 10 years. Eur J Public Health 2021; 31:708-714. [PMID: 33760033 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the largest study of its kind to date, this article aims to describe the scope, trends over time, socio-demographic risk groups and the association with different progressive regulations relating to workplace second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure in 29 European countries during a period of high regulatory action. METHODS Three waves of the European Working Conditions Surveys (2005, 2010 and 2015) were evaluated, including a total of 95 718 workers. The samples are representative for all employed residents of the 29 countries included. All interviews were conducted face-to-face at respondents' homes (computer-assisted personal interviews). SHS exposure among the overall working population of 29 countries-including smokers-was examined. Workplace regimes were grouped corresponding to the sub-scale 'workplace' as used in the Tobacco Control Scale. RESULTS Between 2005 and 2015, SHS exposure in the European countries declined from around 19.0% (95% CI 16.1-22.0) to 9.9% (8.3-11.5). High SHS-exposure was reported by workers with the lowest level of education [11.5% (9.7-13.2)], among high-skilled manual labourers [14.3% (12.1-16.4)] and among those without a standard employment contract [11.2% (9.3-13.1)]. The highest exposure was reported by workers in the food service industry [19.7% (16.8-22.6)]. Countries with less workplace-related smoking prevention regulations were found to have the highest overall levels of exposure. CONCLUSION This multinational series of cross-sectional surveys on the trends in passive smoking in the workplace have shown that countries with more comprehensive workplace smoking bans overall report lower levels of SHS exposure among their work force as compared with slow progressing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Schneider
- Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine (MIPH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Thorsten Lunau
- Institute of Medical Sociology, Medical Faculty, Centre for Health and Society, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Terje A Eikemo
- Department of Sociology and Political Science, Centre for Global Health Inequalities Research (CHAIN), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Daniel Kotz
- Institute of General Practice, Addiction Research and Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Clare Bambra
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Benjamin Kuntz
- Division of Social Determinants of Health, Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nico Dragano
- Institute of Medical Sociology, Medical Faculty, Centre for Health and Society, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Teloniatis SI, Tzortzi A, Evangelopoulou V, Behrakis P. Relation between individual factors and support for smoking bans in bars in Greece: A cross-sectional study of the 2013 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). Tob Prev Cessat 2017; 3:118. [PMID: 32432193 PMCID: PMC7232813 DOI: 10.18332/tpc/74705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Smoking rates among the general population and among youth are decreasing in Greece. Low compliance with smoke-free legislation in indoor places in Greece renders non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke, especially when frequenting bars. The aim of the current study was to identify the factors related to support for smoking bans in bars in Greece. METHODS A cross-sectional secondary data analysis was conducted on the 2013 Greek Global Adult Tobacco Survey. Multivariate regression was used to analyze individual factors and their relation to support for the smoking ban in bars. The total sample was nationally representative of the Greek population and included 3961 residents over the age of 15 with 2061 supporting a ban in bars. RESULTS Overall, 50.5% (95% CI: 46.5-54.4) of Greeks supported the smoking ban in bars. Among them, 1,832 (74.9%, 95% CI=70.1-79.1) were non-smokers and 229 (13.7%, 95% CI=10.6-17.5) were smokers. Age over 65 years was significantly related to increased support for the smoking ban in bars compared to those aged 15-24 years (p<0.05). Belief that secondhand smoke causes lung cancer was significantly related (p<0.001) to having increased support for the ban. Increased knowledge of smoking-related harm was significantly related to increased support for the ban in bars (p<0.001). Male non-smokers were significantly less likely to support the ban in bars than females (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Increasing knowledge and awareness of smoking-related harm will enhance smoking ban support and compliance, improving tobacco prevention and cessation, especially among the youth and young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Tzortzi
- George D. Behrakis Research Laboratory, Hellenic Cancer Society, Athens, Greece.,Institute of Public Health, The American College of Greece, Athens, Greece
| | - Vaso Evangelopoulou
- George D. Behrakis Research Laboratory, Hellenic Cancer Society, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Behrakis
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Institute of Public Health, The American College of Greece, Athens, Greece
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Filippidis FT, Agaku IT, Girvalaki C, Jiménez-Ruiz C, Ward B, Gratziou C, Vardavas CI. Relationship of secondhand smoke exposure with sociodemographic factors and smoke-free legislation in the European Union. Eur J Public Health 2015; 26:344-9. [PMID: 26511601 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckv204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To explore whether exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) among non-smokers in the European Union (EU) showed any association with sociodemographic factors and/or the extent of national tobacco control policies. METHODS A secondary analysis was performed on data from 26 751 individuals ≥15 years old from 27 EU member states (EU MS), collected during the 2012 Special Eurobarometer survey (wave 77.1). Respondents were asked whether they had been exposed to SHS in eating or drinking establishments during the past 6 months, and/or in their workplace. Data on smoke-free policies were extracted from the European Tobacco Control Status Report and the European Tobacco Control Scale (TCS) in 2013. RESULTS In total, 29.0% of non-smoking participants reported being exposed to SHS in indoor areas. Males (vs. females) as well as individuals with difficulties to pay bills (vs. those with no difficulties), had significantly greater odds of being exposed to SHS in bars, restaurants and workplaces. For every unit increase of a country's score on the Smoke-free Component of the TCS (indicating greater adherence to smoke-free legislations) the odds ratio of reporting exposure to SHS was 0.82 in bars, 0.85 in restaurants and 0.94 in workplaces. CONCLUSIONS Differences in exposure to SHS clearly exist between and within EU MS, despite the fact that they all have signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, with the burden found to disproportionally affect younger people and individuals with financial difficulties. Moreover, enforcement of smoke-free legislation was inversely associated with SHS exposure, highlighting the importance of enforcing comprehensive smoking bans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippos T Filippidis
- 1 Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Israel T Agaku
- 2 Center for Global Tobacco Control, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charis Girvalaki
- 3 Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Carlos Jiménez-Ruiz
- 4 Tobacco Control Committee, European Respiratory Society, Brussels, Belgium 5 Unidad Especializada en Tabaquismo, Madrid, Spain
| | - Brian Ward
- 6 Department of European Affairs, European Respiratory Society, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christina Gratziou
- 7 Smoking Cessation Clinic, Pulmonary and Critical Care Department, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Constantine I Vardavas
- 2 Center for Global Tobacco Control, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA 3 Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
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