title: Cheese consumption in relation to cardiovascular risk factors among Iranian adults- IHHP Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is expected that dairy products such as cheeses, which are the main source of cholesterol and saturated fat, may lead to the development or increase the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases; however, the results of different studies are inconsistent. This study was conducted to assess the association between cheese consumption and cardiovascular risk factors in an Iranian adult population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information from the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) was used for this cross-sectional study with a total of 1,752 participants (782 men and 970 women). Weight, height, waist and hip circumference measurement, as well as fasting blood samples were gathered and biochemical assessments were done. To evaluate the dietary intakes of participants a validated food frequency questionnaire, consists of 49 items, was completed by expert technicians. Consumption of cheese was classified as less than 7 times per week and 7-14 times per week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher consumption of cheese was associated with higher C-Reactive Protein (CRP), apolipoprotein A and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level but not with fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and apolipoprotein B. Higher consumption of cheese was positively associated with consumption of liquid and solid oil, grain, pulses, fruit, vegetable, meat and dairy, and negatively associated with Global Dietary Index. After control for other potential confounders the association between cheese intake and metabolic syndrome (OR: 0.81; 96%CI: 0.71-0.94), low HDL-C level (OR: 0.87; 96%CI: 0.79-0.96) and dyslipidemia (OR: 0.88; 96%CI: 0.79-0.98) became negatively significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found an inverse association between the frequency of cheese intake and cardiovascular risk factors; however, further prospective studies are required to confirm the present results and to illustrate its mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, 8187698191, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadeghi
authors.affiliation: Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia. ; Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8187698191, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khosravi-Boroujeni
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8187698191, Iran.
authors.forename: Nizal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sarrafzadegan
authors.affiliation: Physiology research center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8187698191, Iran.
authors.forename: Sedigheh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asgary
authors.affiliation: Mental health department, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8187698191, Iran.
authors.forename: HamidReza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roohafza
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8187698191, Iran.
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gharipour
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8187698191, Iran.
authors.forename: Firouzeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sajjadi
authors.affiliation: Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia.
authors.forename: Saman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khalesi
authors.affiliation: Medical Plants Research Centre, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord 8136893669, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rafieian-Kopaei
keywords: Cheese consumption; cardiovascular risk factors; food frequency questionnaire