The Student Counselling Centre at the University of Crete, Greece.

This report describes the Student Counselling Centre (SCC) at the University of Crete. The SCS was established in 2003. Its main areas of activity are individual and group psychological support, crisis intervention, research, prevention, volunteering and awareness.

Adipose tissue fatty acid composition in Greek patients with breast cancer versus those with benign breast tumors.

Background: Fatty acid composition of adipose tissue is a most reliable biomarker of long-term dietary fatty acid intake. Few studies have implemented biomarkers of fatty acid intake in relation to breast cancer. In this study the relation between adipose tissue composition and breast cancer was investigated.

Adipose tissue fatty acids in breast cancer patients versus healthy control women from Crete.

Background: Few studies have implemented biomarkers of fatty acid intake in relation to breast cancer.

Aims: To examine possible differences in adipose tissue fatty acid composition between breast cancer patients and healthy control women. The relationship between tumor promotion and adipose tissue fatty acid synthesis was also investigated.

Lack of an association of depression with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in adipose tissue and serum phospholipids in healthy adults.

Studies have shown that depression relates to biomarkers of both short-term and long-term polyunsaturated fatty acid intake. However, it is not known which of these two biomarkers is more closely related to depression. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of depression with both adipose tissue and serum phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acids and to assess the importance of each of these two biomarkers in relating to depression.

Depression and serum adiponectin and adipose omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in adolescents.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate for a possible relationship between depression and serum adiponectin and adipose tissue omega-3 and omega-6 PUFA. The sample consisted of 90 healthy adolescent volunteers from the island of Crete. There were 54 girls and 36 boys, aged 13 to 18.

Depression and adipose and serum cholesteryl ester polyunsaturated fatty acids in the survivors of the seven countries study population of Crete.

Background: Studies have shown that depression relates to biomarkers of both short- and long-term polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake. However, it is not known which of these two biomarkers has the closest relationship to depression.

Objective: To examine the relationship of depression with both adipose tissue and serum cholesteryl ester PUFA and to assess the importance of each of these two biomarkers in relating to depression.

Depression and long chain n-3 fatty acids in adipose tissue in adults from Crete.

Background: Only one study has investigated the relationship of essential fatty acids in the adipose tissue with depression in adults and suggested an inverse relationship between docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) (DHA) and depression.

Objective: To examine the relation between adipose tissue polyunsaturated fatty acids especially n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, an index of long-term or habitual fatty acid intake, and depression in adults.

Design: Cross-sectional study of healthy adults from the island of Crete.

Depression and adipose polyunsaturated fatty acids in an adolescent group.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relation between adipose tissue polyunsaturated fatty acids, an index of long-term or habitual fatty acid dietary intake and depression. The sample consisted of 90 adolescents from the island of Crete. There were 54 girls and 36 boys, aged 13-18.

Depression and adipose polyunsaturated fatty acids in the survivors of the Seven Countries Study population of Crete.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relation between adipose tissue polyunsaturated fatty acids, an index of long-term or habitual fatty acid dietary intake and depression. The sample consisted of 150 elderly males from the island of Crete. The subjects were survivors of the Greek Seven Countries Study group.

Effects of Greek Orthodox Christian Church fasting on serum lipids and obesity.

Background: No study to date has focused on the impact of Greek Orthodox Christian fasting on serum lipoproteins and obesity yet.

Methods: 120 Greek adults were followed longitudinally for one year. Sixty fasted regularly in all fasting periods (fasters) and 60 did not fast at all (controls).

Depression and adipose essential polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the relation between adipose tissue polyunsaturated fatty acids, an index of long-term or habitual fatty acid dietary intake, and depression. The sample consisted of 247 healthy adults (146 males, 101 females) from the island of Crete. The number of subjects with complete data on all variables studied was 139.

Abdominal vs buttock adipose fat: relationships with children's serum lipid levels.

Objective: To explore the extent to which the reported unfavorable fatty acid content of abdominal depots in adults is also true for children. In addition, the present study aims to assess the relative importance of abdominal vs buttock adipose tissue fat in the prediction of serum lipid levels in children.

Design: A cross-sectional study of children from the island of Crete.

Prostate cancer vs hyperplasia: relationships with prostatic and adipose tissue fatty acid composition.

The objective of the present study was to study whether adipose tissue and prostatic tissue fatty acid composition differentiates between prostate cancer and benign hyperplasia patients. In addition, the present investigation aimed at exploring the extent to which prostatic tissue fatty acid composition differentiates between prostate-confined cancer and extraprostatic disease including possible metastasis. The subjects were 71 male patients from the island of Crete.

Adipose fat quality vs. quantity: relationships with children's serum lipid levels.

Background: There is a controversy as to the relative importance of obesity vs quality of dietary fat in the prediction of serum lipoproteins in children. A reason for this is an apparent lack of studies implementing biomarkers of long-term dietary fat intake among children. The objective of the present study was to assess the relative contribution of degree of obesity, fat centrality, and quality of adipose tissue fat in the prediction of serum lipids in 12-year-old children.

Obesity indices in a cohort of primary school children in Crete: a six year prospective study.

Objective: To report on the body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and sum of skinfolds in a cohort of Cretan children and identify the factors associated with these indices.

Design: The present study was a follow-up study. Children were measured prospectively at ages 6, 9 and 12.

The effects of a health education intervention initiated at first grade over a 3 year period: physical activity and fitness indices.

A health education intervention was carried out for three consecutive years on primary school Cretan children. Baseline measures were obtained from 962 pupils (509 boys and 453 girls) registered in first grade in 1992. The health education intervention programme was directed at both the children of the intervention group and their parents, and has a projected duration of 6 years.

Anxiety and adipose essential fatty acid precursors for prostaglandin E1 and E2.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relation state and trait anxiety and adipose tissue essential fatty acid precursors for prostaglandins E1 and E2.

Methods: The sample consisted of 144 male and female Cretan adults, 23 to 69 years of age. Anthropometric and arterial blood pressure measurements were taken, and adipose tissue samples as well as data concerning general health habits were collected.

Heart disease risk-factor status and dietary changes in the Cretan population over the past 30 y: the Seven Countries Study.

A follow-up study was conducted to identify the heart disease risk-factor status and dietary changes of surviving elderly subjects in Crete who took part in the Seven Countries Study in 1960. In 1991, data were obtained from 245 of the 686 original male participants (169 of the original 40-49-y age group and 76 men 50-59 y age group). In 1991, the men were 70-79 and 80-89 y old.

Prevalence of obesity in Greece.

The purpose of the present study is the presentation of the available literature on obesity in Greece. The heterogeneity of design, small sample size and limited number of studies conducted, complicates the delineation of definite trends. Nevertheless, the existing literature appears to point at a high prevalence of obesity among Greek children.

Type A behavior and adipose tissue linoleic acid: implications for stress management.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relation between Type A behavior and adipose tissue linoleic acid composition.

Methods: The sample consisted of 73 male and female Cretan adults, 23-64 years of age. Anthropometric and arterial blood pressure measurements were taken.

Nutrition status of the elderly in Anogia, Crete, Greece.

General health and nutritional status of 167 free-living elderly Greek (aged 65-91 years) were assessed. The most prevalent diseases/symptoms encountered were related to respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and vascular systems (hypertension). Most subjects were socially active.

Alcohol, tobacco, and father's aggressive behavior in relation to socioeconomic variables in Cretan low versus medium income families.

In order to identify socioeconomic factors affecting parents' alcohol and cigarette consumption and father's aggressiveness toward other family members, 87 low-income and 92 medium-income Greek families were tested. Father's alcohol consumption correlated positively with his smoking (p < .0008) and aggressive behavior (p < .