Red meat consumption and mortality

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine, Online First

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Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This piece of research was based on data from two large prospective cohort studies. The study found that red meat consumption was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The authors conclude that substituting one serving of red meat for a serving of fish, poultry, nuts, legumes, low-fat dairy or whole-grains, would result in a 7% to 19% lower mortality risk.

Length of publication: 9 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Drinking black tea may lower blood pressure

Source: National Heart Forum

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Date of publication: January 2012

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A randomised controlled trial has assessed the effects of regular consumption of black tea (three cups a day) on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP). After six months, the participants had significantly lower systolic BP and diastolic BP. The authors give some possible causes for long-term black tea consumption lowering blood pressure.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Archives of Internal Medicine

Reducing the population’s sodium intake: the UK Food Standards Agency’s salt reduction programme

Source: Public Health Nutrition, 2012, 15 (02) p. 254-261

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Date of publication: February 2012

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The UK Food Standards Agency undertook a salt reduction programme between 2003 and 2010. Evaluation of the campaign showed that significant reductions in salt intake for certain foods had been achieved, and that public awareness had increased. Similar approaches are now being adopted in other countries.

Length of publication: 8 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Diet, physical activity and cardiovascular disease prevention in Europe

Source: european heart network

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Date of publication: 23 November 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: Reviews the progress made over the last 10 years, the scientific evidence on diet, physical activity and cardiovascular health, and proposes policy changes across Europe.

Length of publication: Full report 196 pages, summary 64 pages, briefing 4 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: National Heart Forum Briefing of the Year 2011

Government plans to tackle obesity unveiled

Source: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

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Date of publication: October 2011

Publication type: Press release

In a nutshell: NICE has announced that it will support local authorities by developing new public health guidance on working with local communities to prevent obesity. The NICE guidance is due to be published in November 2012. Guidance on the best practice principles for weight management services is also going to be developed, to help support effective commissioning of local weight management services. £14 million will be invested in the Change4Life programme, to encourage healthy eating and physical activity.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Policy options to reduce population salt intake

Source: BMJ 2011; 343:d4995

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Date of publication: 11 August 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Researchers at the Universities of Warwick and Liverpool report that the government and the UN should prioritise action to significantly reduce consumption of salt in the global population, using legislation if necessary. After reducing tobacco use, this would be the most cost-effective action to take, to improve cardiovascular health.

Length of publication: 8 pages

Some important notes: You may need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Effectiveness of a Canteen Take Away concept in promoting healthy eating

Source: Public Health Nutrition (first view article)

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Date of publication: June 2011

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This Danish study investigated the Canteen Take Away (CTA), a relatively new concept which provides employees with healthy ready-to-heat meals to take home to their families. The research showed that the CTA is an effective tool for the promotion of healthy eating habits.

Length of publication: 7 pages

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Salt reduction lowers cardiovascular risk: meta-analysis of outcome trials

Source: The Lancet, 2011, 378 (9789) p. 380-382

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Date of publication: July 2011

Publication type: Commentary

In a nutshell: A recent Cochrane review stated that cutting down on salt had no clear benefits in terms of cardiovascular disease. A commentary and re-analysis of data in the Lancet contradicts these findings, arguing that new analysis of the same data shows a significant reduction in cardiovascular events: stroke and heart attacks by 20% with a reduction of only 2g of salt a day. The National Heart Forum has also published a position statement on the Cochrane Review.

Length of publication: 3 pages

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Acknowledgements: The Cochrane Library and the National Heart Forum

Assessing the options to use the regulatory environment to promote local physical activity and healthy eating

Source: National Heart Forum and the British Heart Foundation Health Promotion Research Group, University of Oxford

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Date of publication: 11 April 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This reports on a project carried out by the BHF Health Promotion Research Group in the Department of Public Health at Oxford University. It describes the roles and responsibilities of local authorities, assesses the evidence and identifies legal options for implementation by local government, in the battle to prevent obesity, and promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

Length of publication: 148 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

 

Quality of life and cost-effectiveness of a 3-year trial of lifestyle intervention in primary health care

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine, 13 September 2010, vol 170 no 16, pp 1470-1479

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Date of publication: September 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This Swedish study of 151 patients over 3 years, demonstrated clear and cost-effective impact of group-based lifestyle interventions on quality of life (QOL) in patients at moderate to high risk of CVD. The researchers performed health economic evaluation, cost-utility analysis and cost-effectiveness using the net monetary benefit method.

Length of publication: 10 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Combined impact of lifestyle-related factors on total and cause-specific mortality

Source: PLoS Medicine September 2010, volume 7 issue 9

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Date of publication: September 2010

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This study involved 71,243 women who did not smoke or drink alcohol regularly. Their lifestyles were rated from 0 to 5, with points for taking daily exercise, eating fruit and vegetables and other factors. The study indicated that a relatively unhealthy lifestyle, scoring less than 4, contributed to 59% of cardiovascular deaths among the non-smoking, non-drinking participants. The results of the study therefore support the importance of overall lifestyle modification in disease prevention.

Length of publication: 11 pages

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Interventions to promote physical activity and dietary lifestyle changes for cardiovascular risk factor reduction

Source: Circulation 2010, 122 (4) p. 406-441

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Date of publication: July 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: Modest sustained lifestyle changes can reduce cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. However, interventions aimed at dietary patterns, weight reduction and physical activity are often not maintained long-term. This scientific statement by the American Heart Association provides evidence-based recommendations, strategies and guidelines for implementing physical activity and dietary interventions. Implications for policy and future research are also briefly outlined.

Length of publication: 36 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: American Heart Association