title: Healthy diet to prevent cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis: the experience of the 'ProSa' project.
abstract: The ProSa (PROmozione e tutela della SAlute) Project ('Health Promotion Project') is a workplace programme geared to promote health among the Roman staff of the National Research Council of Italy. 789 employees of both genders (450 men, 339 women) have participated in the cardiovascular prevention programme (screening, computerized calculation of the risk level, dietary and pharmacological intervention) and 245 women have participated in the osteoporosis programme (calcaneal ultrasonometer test, dietary and pharmacological intervention). Menopause increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. In order to lower dietary fat content, dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D could be reduced. However, supplementation of both may not be necessary if we follow an integrated dietary approach. Therefore, for women in menopause with mixed hyperlipidaemia (hypercholesterolaemia and/or hypertriglyceridaemia) and/or overweight/obesity, dietary intervention was aimed at promoting the choice of foods low in fats and rich in calcium based on a list of recommended products distributed to all the participants. The dietary intervention was accompanied by a programme of regular physical activity with adequate exposure to sunlight. By following a balanced diet it is possible to improve the prognosis not only for hyperlipidaemic patients, but also for patients with signs of osteopaenia or osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Prevention and Safety Department, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Rome, Italy. roberto.volpe@cnr.it
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Volpe
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sotis
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gavita
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Urbinati
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valle
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Modena
mesh_terms: D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000517:prevention & control; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004041:Dietary Fats