Obesity and the risk of newly diagnosed asthma in school-age children

To determine the relation between obesity and new-onset asthma among school-age children, the authors examined longitudinal data from 3,792 participants in the Children's Health Study (Southern California) who were asthma-free at enrollment. New cases of physician-diagnosed asthma, height, weight, lung function, and risk factors for asthma were assessed annually at five school visits between 1993 and 1998. Incidence rates were calculated, and proportional hazards regression models were fitted to estimate the adjusted relative risks of new-onset asthma associated with percentile of body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)(2)) and indicators of overweight (>85th body mass index percentile) and obesity (>95th body mass index percentile). The risk of new-onset asthma was higher among children who were overweight (relative risk (RR) = 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14, 2.03) or obese (RR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.36). Boys had an increased risk associated with being overweight (RR = 2.06, 95% 1.33, 3.18) in comparison with girls (RR = 1.25, 95% CI: 0.83, 1.88). The effect of being overweight was greater in nonallergic children (RR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.26, 2.49) than in allergic children (RR = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.63, 2.15). The authors conclude that being overweight is associated with an increased risk of new-onset asthma in boys and in nonallergic children.     

Childhood Asthma and Extreme Values of Body Mass Index: The Harlem Children’s Zone Asthma Initiative

To examine the association between body mass index (BMI) percentile and asthma in children 2-11 years of age, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of 853 Black and Hispanic children from a community-based sample of 2- to 11-year olds with measured heights and weights screened for asthma by the Harlem Children's Zone Asthma Initiative. Current asthma was defined as parent/guardian-reported diagnosis of asthma and asthma-related symptoms or emergency care in the previous 12 months. Among girls, asthma prevalence increased approximately linearly with increasing body mass index (BMI) percentile, from a low of 12.0% among underweight girls (BMI 95th percentile). After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, and household smoking, among girls, having asthma was associated with being at risk for overweight (odds ratio [OR], 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-5.0) and being overweight (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.8) compared to normal weight; among boys, having asthma was associated both with overweight (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.4-4.3) and with underweight (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.1-7.7). Large, prospective studies that include very young children are needed to further explore the observed association between underweight and asthma among boys. Early interventions that concomitantly address asthma and weight gain are needed among pre-school and school-aged children.     

Association between gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension

Gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension are common, and their relation is not well understood. The authors conducted a population-based case-control study using 1992-1998 Washington State birth certificate and hospital discharge records to investigate this relation. Consecutive cases of pregnancy-induced hypertension were divided into four groups based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes: eclampsia (n=154), severe preeclampsia (n=1,180), mild preeclampsia (n=5,468), and gestational hypertension (n=8,943). Cases were compared with controls who did not have pregnancy-induced hypertension (n=47,237). Gestational diabetes was more common in each case group (3.9% in eclamptics, 4.5% in severe preeclamptics, and 4.4% in both mild preeclamptics and those with gestational hypertension) than in controls (2.7%). After adjustment for body mass index, age, ethnicity, parity, and prenatal care, gestational diabetes was associated with increased risk of severe preeclampsia (odds ratio (OR)=1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1, 2.1), mild preeclampsia (OR=1.5, 95% CI: 1.3, 1.8), and gestational hypertension (OR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.2, 1.6). Gestational diabetes was more strongly associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension among women who received less prenatal care (OR=4.2 for eclampsia and OR=3.1 for severe preeclampsia, p<0.05 for both) and among Black women (OR for eclampsia and preeclampsia together=3.9, p<0.05).     

Associations of weight,weight change,and body mass with breast cancer risk in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women

PURPOSE: A wealth of studies have examined the effects of weight, weight gain, and obesity on breast cancer risk; however, few have examined this relationship in Hispanic white women, a population with the highest rate of obesity in the U.S. METHODS: A population-based case-control study was conducted in New Mexico of Hispanic (n = 694) and non-Hispanic (n = 813) white women with incident breast cancer during the period of January 1, 1992 through December 31, 1994. Conditional logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the relative risk of breast cancer for levels of weight, weight change, and body mass index (BMI) and to assess differences in the effects by ethnicity, menopausal status, early life BMI, and estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor (ER/PR) expression in tumors. RESULTS: Weight change from age 18 to usual adult weight was associated with increased risk of breast cancer among Hispanics [4th quartile vs. baseline, odds ratio (OR): 2.41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45-4.03] with no substantial variation by menopausal status. In non-Hispanic white women, weight change was a risk factor for those in the post-menopausal group (4th quartile vs. baseline, OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.09-4.73). The effect of usual BMI (test for interaction p = 0.04) and weight change (test for interaction p = 0.03) differed by ethnicity. Increased risk from weight gain was largely restricted to women who were lean at age 18 and those with ER(+)/PR(+) tumors. Height, weight at age 18, and BMI at age 18 were not associated with risk in either ethnic group. CONCLUSIONS: Weight change and obesity are risk factors for breast cancer in both Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women. However, the risk for Hispanic women is evident independent of menopausal status, while the risk for non-Hispanics is apparent in post-menopausal women. Due to the increasing prevalence of adult obesity, particularly among Hispanic women, adult weight gain may be an important modifiable risk factor for the primary prevention of breast cancer among Hispanic populations.     

Differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women with breast cancer for clinical characteristics and their correlates

PurposeBody size and ethnicity may influence breast cancer tumor characteristics at diagnosis. We compared Hispanic and non-Hispanic white (NHW) cases for stage of disease, estrogen receptor (ER) status, tumor size, and lymph node status, and the associations of these with body size in the 4-Corners Breast Cancer Study.MethodsOne thousand five hundred twenty-seven NHW and 798 Hispanic primary incident breast cancer cases diagnosed between October 1999 and May 2004 were included. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by multiple logistic regression.ResultsHispanic women were more likely to have larger (>1 cm) ER? tumors and more than four positive lymph nodes (P < .003). Lymph node status was not associated with body size. However, among NHW women, obesity (body mass index >30) and increased waist circumference (>38.5 inches) were significantly positively associated with ER? tumor status (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.24–2.81 and OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.58–4.22, respectively). In contrast, among Hispanic women, obesity and waist circumference had inverse associations with ER? tumor status (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.29–0.84 and OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.30–1.05, respectively).ConclusionsHispanic ethnicity may modify the association of body size and composition with ER? breast cancer. This finding could have relevance to clinical treatment and prognosis.     

Risk factors for invasive pneumococcal disease among Navajo adults

Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is 3-5 times more common among Navajo adults than in the general US population. The authors conducted a case-control study to identify risk factors for IPD among Navajo adults. Navajos aged > or =18 years with IPD were identified through prospective, population-based active laboratory surveillance (December 1999-February 2002). Controls matched to cases on age, gender, and neighborhood were selected. Risk factors were identified through structured interviews and medical record reviews. The authors conducted a matched analysis based on 118 cases and 353 controls. Risk factors included in the final multivariable analysis were chronic renal failure (odds ratio (OR) = 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9, 7.7), congestive heart failure (OR = 5.6, 95% CI: 2.2, 14.5), self-reported alcohol use or alcoholism (OR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.5, 5.4), body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)(2)) <5th (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.0, 10.6) or >95th (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.0, 8.0) percentile, and unemployment (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.2, 5.5). The population attributable fractions were 10% for chronic renal failure, 18% for congestive heart failure, 30% for self-reported alcohol use or alcoholism, 6% for body mass index, and 20% for unemployment. Several modifiable risk factors for IPD in Navajos were identified. The high prevalence of renal failure, alcoholism, and unemployment among Navajo adults compared with the general US population may explain some of their increased risk of IPD.     

A case-control study of physical activity and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). the San Luis Valley Diabetes Study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between physical activity and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). METHODS: We conducted a population-based case-control study in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white men and women, ages 20-74. A total of 167 cases with NIDDM and 1100 controls with normal glucose tolerance were included. All subjects completed an oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS: Persons with recently diagnosed NIDDM reported significantly lower levels of physical activity than control subjects. For total metabolic units, the odds ratio for subjects in the highest tertile compared to those in the lowest tertile was 0.60 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.37-0.98) after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, and family history of diabetes. The adjusted odds ratio for persons reporting high levels of vigorous activity (at least three times per week for 20 minutes) was also less than 1, but was not statistically significant (odds ratio (OR) = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.47-1.14). Similar adjusted odds ratios were observed for high versus low levels of self-assessed work activity (OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.34-0.74) and leisure time physical activity (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.44-0.90). Further adjustments for body mass index attenuated the strength of the association between physical activity and NIDDM. This is consistent with the hypothesis that obesity is one consequence of physical inactivity that puts individuals at increased risk for NIDDM. The association of physical activity and NIDDM was stronger in Hispanic than in non-Hispanic white subjects, although this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of physical activity are associated with lower odds of NIDDM and this relationship may be stronger in Hispanic subjects.     

The Predictors of Patient�CPhysician Race and Ethnic Concordance: A Medical Facility Fixed-Effects Approach

Objective. To examine the predictors of patient–physician race/ethnicity concordance among diabetes patients in an integrated delivery system. Data Source. Kaiser Permanente's Northern California Diabetes Registry of 2005. Study Design. Logistic regression predicted concordance for each racial/ethnic group. Availability of a concordant physician, whether a patient chose their physician, and patient language were main explanatory variables. Data Collection/Extraction Methods. The study population consisted of 109,745 patients and 1,750 physicians. Principal Findings. Patients who chose their physicians were more likely to have a same race/ethnicity physician with OR of 2.2 (95 percent CI 1.74–2.82) for African American patients, 1.71 (95 percent CI 1.44–2.04) for Hispanic patients, 1.11 (95 percent CI 1.04–1.18) for white patients, and 1.38 (95 percent CI 1.23, 1.55) for Asian patients. Availability of a same race/ethnicity physician was also a predictor of concordance for African American patients (OR 2.7; 95 percent CI 2.45–2.98) and marginally significant for Hispanic patients (OR 1.02; 95 percent CI 1.01–1.02), white patients (OR 1.02; 95 percent CI 1.00–1.04), and Asian patients (OR 1.05; 95 percent CI 1.03, 1.07). Limited English language was a strong predictor of concordance for Hispanic patients (OR 4.81; 95 percent CI 4.2–5.51) and Asian patients (OR 9.8; 95 percent CI 7.7, 12.6). Conclusion. Patient language, preferences, and the racial composition of the physician workforce predict race/ethnicity concordance.     

Association of periconceptional multivitamin use and risk of preterm or small-for-gestational-age births

The authors' objective was to determine the relation between periconceptional multivitamin use and the risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA: <5th percentile; 5th-<10th percentiles) or preterm (<34 weeks; 34-<37 weeks) births. Women in the Pregnancy Exposures and Preeclampsia Prevention Study (1997-2001) reported at enrollment their regular multivitamin use in the past 6 months (n=1,823). Women were classified as users or nonusers in multinomial logistic models. After adjustment for race, age, education, enrollment gestational age, and household density, periconceptional multivitamin use was associated with a reduced risk of preterm births (<34 weeks) (odds ratio (OR)=0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.13, 0.64) and spontaneous preterm births (<34 weeks) (OR=0.40, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.99). Risk of SGA (<5th percentile) was marginally lower (OR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.40, 1.03) after adjustment for smoking, education, parity, enrollment gestational age, and body mass index. Prepregnancy body mass index modified this relation. Nonobese users had a reduction (OR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.91) in risk of SGA (<5th percentile); there was no effect among obese women. There was no effect of multivitamin use on risk of preterm births (34-<37 weeks) or SGA (5th-<10th percentiles). Sensitivity analysis for unmeasured confounding by folate intake supported these findings. Study results indicate lower rates of severe preterm births and extreme SGA in women who report periconceptional vitamin use, although these should be considered cautiously until replicated.     

Race/ethnicity and self-reported diabetes among adults in the National Health Interview Survey: 2000-2003

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of race among Hispanic and non-Hispanic people on self-reported diabetes after adjusting for selected individual characteristics and known risk factors. METHODS: Using the National Health Interview Survey 2000-2003, these analyses were limited to Hispanic and non-Hispanic people who self-identified as white or black/African American for a final sample of 117,825 adults, including 17,327 Hispanic people (with 356 black and 16,971 white respondents). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of diabetes was 7.2%. After adjusting for selected covariates, Hispanic white and black respondents were 1.56 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32, 1.83) and 2.64 (95% CI 1.10, 6.35) times more likely to report having diabetes than non-Hispanic white respondents. The estimate for non-Hispanic black respondents was 1.45 (95% CI 1.29, 1.64). When compared to low-income non-Hispanic white respondents, low-income Hispanic white respondents (odds ratio [OR] 1.64; 95% CI 1.26, 2.19) and non-Hispanic black respondents (OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.38, 2.11) were more likely to report having diabetes. Hispanic black people born in the U.S. were 3.54 (95% CI 1.27, 9.82) times more likely to report having diabetes when compared to Hispanic white people born in the U.S. In comparison to non-Hispanic white respondents, the odds of reporting diabetes decreased for non-Hispanic black respondents, while the odds remained constant for Hispanic white respondents (p-value for interaction between survey year and race/ethnicity = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that race may be a proxy for unmeasured exposures among non-Hispanic and Hispanic people. Thus, given the importance of race on health and the racial heterogeneity among Hispanic people, race among Hispanic people should be investigated whenever the data allow it.     

Inverse association of physical fitness with plasma fibrinogen level in children: the Columbia University BioMarkers Study

Plasma fibrinogen has emerged as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adults, but relatively little is known about the correlates of plasma fibrinogen level in childhood. In the Columbia University BioMarkers Study (1994-1998), the authors evaluated the association between physical fitness and plasma fibrinogen level in 193 children 4-25 years old; 68% were Hispanic and 46% male. Fitness level assessed by treadmill testing was inversely associated with plasma fibrinogen (r = -0.24, p<0.001). Plasma fibrinogen levels showed a graded inverse relation with tertiles of fitness assessed by treadmill (p<0.001). In multivariate analyses, after adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and presence of the A allele in the -455 position of the beta-fibrinogen promoter gene, the fitness level remained inversely associated with plasma fibrinogen level (beta = -1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.3, -0.34). Resting heart rate was also correlated with plasma fibrinogen level (r = 0.18, p<0.05). Fibrinogen levels (mg/dl) increased over tertiles of resting heart rate (p = 0.002) and were significantly associated with resting heart rate in multivariate analysis (beta = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.17, 1.5). These findings indicate that plasma fibrinogen is inversely associated with physical fitness in children independent of body mass index.     

Anthropometric characteristics, dietary patterns and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Vietnam

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of anthropometric characteristics and dietary patterns on Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Vietnam. METHODS: Data from 144 subjects (9m/39f newly diagnosed diabetics; 18m/78f control subjects) were analyzed in this case-control study. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences and percent body fat were measured. Dietary intakes were assessed by 24-hour recall on three non-consecutive weekdays. Fasting blood samples were collected for the analysis of plasma glucose, fructosamine, protein and lipid concentrations. RESULTS: Although the body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) was similar between diabetic and control subjects, diabetic subjects had significantly greater percent body fat (31.1 +/- 5.8% vs. 27.7 +/- 6.2%) and waist-hip ratios (WHR, 0.91 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.86 +/- 0.08). Diabetic subjects had higher intakes of protein (p < 0.01), especially animal protein (p < 0.001), and consumed more meat (p < 0.01) than control subjects. Percent body fat and WHR were positively associated with diabetes (odds ratios [OR] 1.53 [95%CI 1.29-1.79] and 1.09 [95% CI 0.89-1.58], respectively) as were protein intake (OR 1.21 [95% CI 1.12-1.31]) and animal protein intake (OR 1.18 [95% CI 1.10-1.26]). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that percent body fat and WHR are risk factors associated with diabetes even when the BMI is normal. Evolving dietary patterns with increasingly more protein and meat consumption may also contribute to the deterioration of glucose metabolism among Vietnamese people.     

Prevalence of the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype in Iranian adolescents

BACKGROUND: No evidence exists regarding the prevalence of the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype in adolescents. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of this phenotype in a representative sample of Tehranian adolescents. METHODS: Anthropometry and serum triglyceride concentration were assessed in a population-based cross-sectional study of 3036 Tehranian adolescents (1413 male and 1623 female) aged 10 to 19 years in 1998. Hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype was defined as concurrently having serum triglyceride concentration>or=110 mg/dL and waist circumference equal to or greater than the 90th percentile for age and gender. Overweight (>or=95th percentile) and at risk for overweight (>or=85th to <95th percentile) was defined based on the standardized percentile curves of body mass index suggested for Iranian adolescents. RESULTS: The prevalence of the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype was 6.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]=5.5-7.2) among Tehranian adolescents (males 7.3%, CI=5.9-8.7; females 5.6%, CI=4.4-6.7). When examined by body mass index category, 38.7% of overweight adolescents had a hypertriglyceridemic waist compared to 7.7% of adolescents at risk for overweight and 0.7% of adolescents at normal weight (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence showing that the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype is prevalent among 6.5% of Tehranian adolescents, and particularly among overweight adolescents.     

Overweight among children and adolescents in a Native Canadian community: prevalence and associated factors

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of pediatric obesity in North America is increasing. Native American children are at especially high risk. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of pediatric overweight and associated behavioral factors in a Native Canadian community with high rates of adult obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Height and weight were measured in 445 children and adolescents aged 2-19 y. Fitness level, television viewing, body image concepts, and dietary intake were assessed in 242 subjects aged 10-19 y. Overweight was defined as a body mass index > or =85th percentile value for age- and sex-specific reference data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Multiple logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with overweight, with adjustment for age and sex. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of overweight in subjects aged 2-19 y was significantly higher than NHANES III reference data [boys: 27. 7% (95% CI: 21.8, 34.5); girls: 33.7% (95% CI: 27.9, 40.1)]. In the subset aged 10-19 y, > or =5 h television viewing/d was associated with a significantly higher risk of overweight than was < or =2 h/d [odds ratio (OR) = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.06, 5.98]. Subjects in the third and fourth quartiles of fitness had a substantially lower risk of overweight than did those in the first quartile [third quartile compared with first quartile: OR = 0.24 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.66); fourth quartile compared with first quartile: OR = 0.13 (95% CI: 0.03, 0. 48)]. Fiber consumption on the previous day was associated with a decreased risk of overweight (OR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.99 for each 0.77 g/MJ increase in fiber intake). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric overweight is a harbinger of future diabetes risk and indicates a need for programs targeting primary prevention of obesity in children and adolescents.     

出生重量指数对中年罹患代谢综合征的预测作用

目的　探讨出生重量指数与中年期罹患代谢综合征 (MS)的联系。方法　对 975名“宫内发育与成人疾病”队列研究人群 (男 4 94人、女 4 81人 ,年龄 4 1～ 5 2岁 )的身高、体重、血压和血脂进行了测定 ,并用稳态模式评估法计算胰岛素抵抗指数。根据 1999年WHO定义进行MS诊断。采用多因素logistic回归方法分析出生重量指数对中年期MS患病风险的预测作用 ,及其与成年体重指数的交互作用。结果　人群MS检出率为 180例 (18 7% ) ,出生重量指数 相似文献   

Determinants of developmental delay in infants aged 12 months

The aim of this study was to determine which demographic, maternal, obstetric and postnatal variables were associated with achievement of developmental milestones at the age of 12 months in term infants. Mothers and babies were enrolled in the Auckland Birthweight Collaborative Study shortly after birth. All infants were full term (gestation >or= 37 weeks). Approximately half of the sample were small for gestational age (SGA = birthweight 10th percentile). A maternal interview was conducted soon after birth. Phase 2 of the study occurred 12 months later when mothers were sent a postal questionnaire requesting information about the child's health and development during the first year of life using the Denver Prescreening Developmental Questionnaire. Seven hundred and forty-four (85.4%) European mothers returned the postal questionnaire. SGA children were not at increased risk of developmental delay at 12 months of age. In a sample representative of New Zealand European children, after adjustment for the effects of potential confounders, maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR = 2.1 [95% CI 1.1, 4.0]), maternal smoking during the first year of life (OR = 1.9 [95% CI 1.0, 3.8]) and low levels of satisfaction with parenting (OR = 2.4 [95% CI 1.1, 5.2]) were associated with significantly increased risk of developmental delay. In the subgroup of SGA children, maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR = 2.9 [95% CI 1.4, 6.2]), high levels of stress associated with parenting (OR = 2.2 [95% CI 1.2, 4.0]), and low levels of satisfaction with parenting (OR = 4.3 [95% CI 1.3, 13.5]) were significantly associated with developmental delay after adjustment for the effects of potential confounders. In conclusion, maternal and postnatal factors were better predictors of developmental delay than demographic variables.     

Community-based study of hepatitis C virus infection and type 2 diabetes: an association affected by age and hepatitis severity status

Past studies of the relation between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and type 2 diabetes conflict. The authors aimed to elucidate the relation by using a large community-based sample with a wide range of liver conditions. Between October 1997 and February 1998, 2,327 consecutive subjects (aged > or =35 years) were enrolled at the public health facility in Taiwan. Blood sugar, hepatitis B surface antigen, and antibody for HCV (anti-HCV) were tested. Abdominal sonography was performed on viral-hepatitis-positive subjects. In univariate analysis, older age, lower educational levels, sedentary work, body mass index of > or 25 kg/m2, and anti-HCV positivity were significantly associated with type 2 diabetes (p<0.05), but smoking, alcohol consumption, gender, and hepatitis B surface antigen status were not. In multivariate logistic regression, anti-HCV positivity was strongly associated with type 2 diabetes in subjects aged 35-49 years (odds ratio (OR)=3.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4, 8.0) and 50-64-years (OR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.5). Sonographic evidence of fatty liver (OR=2.4, 95% CI: 1.2, 4.8) and chronic liver disease (OR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.0, 4.2) in anti-HCV-positive subjects was moderately associated with type 2 diabetes after age and gender adjustment. Data suggest that HCV infection is moderately associated with type 2 diabetes; the association was strongest for subjects aged 35-49 years and increased with severity of the liver condition.     

Predisposition to acute respiratory infections among overweight preadolescent children: an epidemiologic study in Poland

This cross-sectional field health survey has as its subjects 1129 preadolescent children resident in Krakow. Trained health visitors interviewed the mothers at the children's schools or at the parents’ homes in order to gather standardized information regarding the families' social background and the families' and children's respiratory health and episodes of respiratory infections. Predisposition to respiratory infections in children has been defined as frequent spells (3 or more) of acute respiratory infections experienced by a given child over the 12 months preceding the interview. Clinical examination of children consisted of anthropometric measurements and spirometric testing. Anthropometric measurements (weight and height) were used for calculation of the body mass index (kg/m²). A child whose BMI was 20 or higher was defined as overweight (90th percentile). Susceptibility to acute respiratory infections was related significantly to body mass index. The children with BMI≥20 experienced twice as high a risk for acute respiratory infections than children with low BMI (OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.13–3.59). Out of other potential factors possibly involved in the occurrence of respiratory infections only the presence of chronic respiratory symptoms (OR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.64–3.59), allergy (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.34–2.66), and Environmental Tobacco Smoke (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.05–2.25) increased the susceptibility of children to acute respiratory infections. Central heating in the household was shown to have a protective effect (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43–1.00) when compared with children from households where coal or gas was used for home heating.     

The role of social norms and friends' influences on unhealthy weight-control behaviors among adolescent girls

Dieting is common among adolescent girls and may place them at risk of using unhealthy weight-control behaviors (UWCBs), such as self-induced vomiting, laxatives, diet pills, or fasting. Research has suggested that social factors, including friends and broader cultural norms, may be associated with UWCBs. The present study examines the relationship between the school-wide prevalence of current weight loss efforts among adolescent girls, friends' dieting behavior, and UWCBs, and investigates differences in these associations across weight categories. Survey data were collected in 31 middle and high schools in ethnically and socio-economically diverse communities in Minnesota, USA. The response rate was 81.5%. Rates of UWCBs were compared across the spectrum of prevalence of trying to lose weight and friends' involvement with dieting, using chi(2) analysis and multivariate logistic regression, controlling for demographic factors and clustering by school. Girls with higher body mass index (BMI) were more likely to engage in UWCBs than those of lower BMI. Multivariate models indicated that friends' dieting behavior was significantly associated with UWCBs for average weight girls (OR = 1.57, CI = 1.40-1.77) and moderately overweight girls (OR = 1.47, CI = 1.19-1.82). The school-wide prevalence of trying to lose weight was significantly, albeit modestly, related to UWCBs for average weight girls (15th-85th percentile; OR = 1.17, CI = 1.01-1.36), and marginally associated for modestly overweight girls (85th-95th percentile; OR = 1.21, CI = .97-1.50), even after controlling for friends' dieting behaviors. The social influences examined here were not associated with UWCBs among underweight ( < 15th percentile) or overweight ( > 95th percentile) girls. Findings suggest that social norms, particularly from within one's peer group, but also at the larger school level may influence UWCBs, particularly for average weight girls. Implications for school-based interventions to reduce UWCBs are discussed.     

Risk factors for open-angle glaucoma: a case-control study

The objective of this study was to identify possible risk factors associated with open-angle glaucoma (OAG). A case-control study included patients seen at an ophthalmologic clinic. Cases were all consecutive new patients with either unilateral or bilateral OAG detected during the study period. Controls were a random sample of all other patients aged 30 or more, seen in the same department in the same period. Data on demographic, anthropometric and diet habits as well as medical characteristics were collected from 144 patients by medical examination and interview. The study took place at the University Department of Ophthalmology and general private practice of ophthalmology, both in the city of Kinshasa. Forty consecutive patients with OAG and 104 controls were chosen randomly between all consecutive non OAG patients. Odds ratio (OR) are presented for the relation between OAG and age, sex, ethnicity, family history of glaucoma, the length of stay in Kinshasa, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, alcohol, diet habits. Adjusted odds ratio resulting from stepwise logistic regression was employed. Results indicate: family history of glaucoma (OR, 18; 95% CI, 5.80-59.00; P < 0.001), age (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.09; P = 0.025), body mass index (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.01-1.18; P = 0.05), hyperopia (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.05-7.08; P = 0.03), Mongo ethnic group (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.11-12.20; P = 0.03) and consumption of rice (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.65-12.20; P = 0.004) conferred a significantly greater risk of OAG. This study seems confirm that Mongo ethnic group is associated with an increased risk of OAG.