Nutrition, obesity and the metabolic syndrome
Diet is an important determinant of a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors what is generally called the Metabolic Syndrome. This cluster includes abdominal obesity, such as measured by elevated waist circumference, and as well as high glucose levels, high triglyceride levels and low HDL-cholesterol concentrations, and elevated blood pressure. Persons with Metabolic Syndrome are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The topic Nutrition, obesity and metabolic syndrome is studied using various study designs and methods. Regarding the etiology we use prospective cohort studies as well as human intervention studies. The role several nutrients, foods and dietary patterns on the Metabolic Syndrome and its underlying risk factor insulin resistance are being studied. In addition, the topic is also addressed from a public health point of view, in the Netherlands as well as in the developing countries. This includes studies on the prevention of weight gain and development of type 2 diabetes in the general community.
Large projects
Key publications
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Partly replacing meat protein with soy protein alters insulin resistance and blood lipids in postmenopausal women with abdominal obesity
The Journal of Nutrition 144 (2014)9. - ISSN 0022-3166 - p. 1423 - 1429. -
Nutrient-rich foods, cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality: the Rotterdam study
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 68 (2014). - ISSN 0954-3007 - p. 741 - 747. -
Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in urban and rural Tanzania
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 103 (2014)1. - ISSN 0168-8227 - p. 71 - 78. -
Perceptions on healthy eating, physical activity and lifestyle advice: opportunities for adapting lifestyle interventions to individuals with low socioeconomic status
BMC Public Health 14 (2014). - ISSN 1471-2458 - 22 p. -
Effective Interventions in Overweight or Obese Young Children: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Childhood Obesity 10 (2014)6. - ISSN 2153-2168 - p. 448 - 460.