Body mass index and waist circumference are independent risk factors for low vital capacity among Japanese participants of a health checkup: a single-institution cross-sectional study

Objective

This study aimed to examine the associations between obesity and percentage vital capacity (%VC), as well as lifestyle-related disorders, among Japanese participants of a voluntary health checkup.

Methods

Subjects were 7,892 individuals who participated in a medical health checkup from January to December 2007. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess associations between low %VC (<80) and body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), as well as lifestyle-related disorders.

Results

Medical histories of hypertension and dyslipidemia were more frequent in the low %VC group than in the normal %VC group in both sexes. In men, BMI was significantly associated with low %VC (25.0 ≤ C2 < 27.5, odds ratio (OR) = 2.10; 27.5 ≤ C3 < 30.0, OR = 2.23; C4 ≥ 30.0, OR = 3.46) relative to the first category (C1 < 25.0). A significant association was also observed between WC and low %VC (85 ≤ C2 < 90, OR = 1.40; 90 ≤ C3 < 95, OR = 1.55; 95 ≤ C4, OR = 2.51; relative to C1 < 85.0 cm). In women, BMI was significantly associated with low %VC in C3 and C4 (C3, OR = 2.05; C4, OR = 2.84), and WC was significantly associated with low %VC in C4 (C4, OR = 2.32).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that obesity may be associated with restrictive pulmonary function and underscore the importance of maintaining ideal body weight for the prevention of restrictive pulmonary dysfunction.     

Injury, violence, and risk among participants in a mass gathering of the Rainbow Family of Living Light

The Rainbow Family of Living Light (RFLL), a large communal group with no centralized authority, has held an annual gathering on U.S. federal land for the past 34 years. In 2005, RFLL held its annual gathering in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Surveillance for injuries was established at nearby emergency departments and participants were asked to complete a health and risk assessment. We found that the majority of injuries resulted from outdoor activities and were not associated with violence. Assessments indicate that this is a medically underserved population and that participants would benefit from preventive and crisis services. We recommend early collaborative planning with RFLL members to reduce the potential for burden on local emergency departments and to meet the health care needs of this group. Future host communities should consider providing minor care, health screening, and information or referral services near the main gathering site.     

Nutrition risk factors among home delivered and congregate meal participants: Need for enhancement of nutrition education and counseling among home delivered meal participants

Objective  

The short-term impact of nutrition education and counseling intervention on nutrition risk factors among home delivered (HDM) and congregate (CGM) meal participants using Nutrition Survey Risk Screening was studied.     

Adverse events among high-risk participants in a home-based walking study: a descriptive study

Background  

For high-risk individuals and their healthcare providers, finding the right balance between promoting physical activity and minimizing the risk of adverse events can be difficult. More information on the prevalence and influence of adverse events is needed to improve providers' ability to prescribe effective and safe exercise programs for their patients.     

Selective risk taking among needle exchange participants: implications for supplemental interventions

OBJECTIVES: This study characterized social network context of HIV risk behavior among injection drug users who participated in a needle exchange program. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 1184 injection drug users at the Baltimore Needle Exchange Program enrolled in an evaluation cohort. Analysis consisted of multiple logistic regression with statistical adjustment for the interdependence of observations. RESULTS: Of the 203 (17.1%) injection drug users who reported using a syringe after someone else, 78.3% reported sharing with close friends, and the adjusted odds ratio of any sharing and sharing with close friends was 30.9. Injection drug users were more likely to report sharing with a strong-tie close friend (adjusted odds ratio = 1.52) and less likely to report sharing with other close friends if those friends were weak ties and new to their network. Friendship ties were not stable, with fewer than 30% of the friends being repeat nominations. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that many injection drug users engage in selective risk taking that may minimize their disease risk exposure in the short term. The turnover in networks, however, suggests that programs need to emphasize the importance of exclusive use.     

Stroke risk perception among participants of a stroke awareness campaign

Background  

Subjective risk factor perception is an important component of the motivation to change unhealthy life styles. While prior studies assessed cardiovascular risk factor knowledge, little is known about determinants of the individual perception of stroke risk.     

Breast self-examination among college women: predictors for cancer control

Monthly breast self-examination (BSE) to aid in the early diagnosis of breast cancer is advocated for all adult women, but regular and competent practice is unusual. Our purpose was to explore the associations between young women's reported cancer history, BSE training, demographic variables (predictors), self-reported frequency of BSE, BSE skill level, breast lump detection ability, confidence, and anxiety (outcome variables). A general health history questionnaire was administered to 73 female university students, faculty, and staff. BSE skill and detection ability were measured by observation; confidence and anxiety ratings were obtained by interview. BSE frequency was predicted by employment status and cyclically enlarged breasts, while BSE skill was related to professional BSE training and the length of that training plus bra size. Surprisingly, BSE training was not found to be associated with self-reported BSE frequency. These analyses suggest that BSE training may result in more complete BSE (although well below acceptable standards) performed by women who are moderately confident and sensitive to the risk of breast cancer--but not in more frequent BSE.     

Hair dye use and breast cancer: a case-control study among screening participants

To investigate whether hair dye use increases the risk of breast cancer, a case-control study was conducted among patients attending a screening center in New York City. The study group consisted of 398 breast cancer cases identified at the screening center between 1977 and 1981, and 790 randomly selected controls screened during the same period. Subjects were interviewed by telephone to obtain information on known risk factors for breast cancer, along with a complete history of hair dye use detailing type of dye, color, duration, frequency, and temporal periods of use. Most subjects (77%) had used hair dye at least once, 38% of the subjects at least 100 times. However, little increased risk of breast cancer was found among hair dye users. The adjusted odds ratio for ever having used hair dye was 0.8 (95% confidence interval 0.6-1.1), and there was no evidence of a trend in risk with increasing number of hair dye uses. The results were the same whether all past exposures were considered or only exposures more than 10 years before disease. Breast cancer risk did not increase with increasing intensity of exposure, as measured by frequency of use or darkness of color. No effect was seen for different types or colors of dye, or for use during different periods of reproductive life. Although personal hair dye use was unrelated to breast cancer risk, there was an adjusted odds ratio of 3.0 (95% confidence interval 1.1-7.8) for 5 or more years of work as a beautician. Overall, the results of this study, taken in conjunction with the findings of other epidemiologic studies, do not implicate hair dye use as an important cause of human breast cancer.     

Late relapse/sustained abstinence among former smokers: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND: Relapse remains the most refractory aspect of nicotine dependence, but little is known about relapse that occurs after a period of prolonged abstinence (i.e., "late relapse"). METHOD: The current study examined the prevalence and predictors of late relapse/sustained abstinence in a community-based, longitudinal cohort of former smokers surveyed at baseline and again 4 years later (n = 1143). RESULTS: Late relapse rates declined precipitously and sustained abstinence increased as the duration of abstinence at baseline increased. Although the risk for late relapse appeared to be small when using a point prevalence definition of smoking, that risk increased substantially if fluctuations in smoking behavior over time were considered (i.e., many former smokers relapsed and then regained abstinence during the 4-year study period). Although there were a number of significant prospective predictors of late relapse/sustained abstinence, they did not retain their predictive ability after controlling for baseline duration of abstinence. CONCLUSION: Although late relapse rates in the general population of former smokers appear low, and particularly so for individuals who have been abstinent for long periods of time, fluctuations between abstinence and smoking over time are not uncommon. How these fluctuations influence health or sustained abstinence over time is unclear. Because late relapse rates are generally low, interventions are likely to require careful targeting of at-risk individuals if they are to be efficacious and cost-effective.     

Shift work and age as interactive predictors of body mass index among offshore workers

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated shift pattern (day shifts versus day-night rotation) and its interactions with age, and with years of shiftwork exposure, as predictors of body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Survey data were collected from offshore personnel working day shifts (N=787) or day-night shifts (N=787); information was obtained about shift pattern and years of shiftwork exposure, height, weight, demographic factors, and smoking habits. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test a model in which BMI was predicted by additive and interactive effects of shift pattern, age, and exposure years with control for confounding variables. RESULTS: In a multivariate analysis (controlling for job type, education and smoking), BMI was predicted by the main effects of age and years of shiftwork exposure. Shift pattern was not significant as a main effect, but it interacted significantly with the curvilinear age term and with the linear and curvilinear components of shiftwork exposure. In the day shift group, age but not exposure predicted BMI; the opposite was true of the day-night shift group. The increase in BMI with an increase in age and exposure years was steeper for the day-night shift group than for the day shift group. CONCLUSIONS: The significant interaction effects found in this study were consistent with the view that continued exposure to day-night shift work gives rise to increases in BMI, over and above the normative effects of ageing on BMI shown by day-shift workers.     

Demographic and lifestyle predictors of body mass index among offshore oil industry workers: cross-sectional and longitudinal findings

BACKGROUND: Significant overweight among offshore workers on North Sea oil and gas installations has been linked to high calorie intake, lack of active leisure-time pursuits, and environmental factors conducive to weight gain. However, the prevalence of overweight among offshore workers has not been examined in recent data, and no longitudinal studies of body mass index (BMI) in this occupational group have been reported. Aims The present study sought to examine BMI levels in a sample of UK offshore personnel, and to evaluate demographic factors, smoking and work-related physical activity as predictors of BMI, and 5 year change in BMI. METHODS: Survey data (including age, education, marital status, work-related physical activity and height/weight) were collected in 1995 from male workers on 17 North Sea installations (n = 1581, 83% response rate); follow-up data were obtained in 2000 (n = 354, 34.9% of the potential sample). RESULTS: Overall mean BMI was 25.6 (2.8) kg/m(2): rates of obesity (BMI > 30) and overweight (BMI = 25-30) were 7.5 and 47.3%, respectively. Mean age was 38.7 (8.9) years; linear and quadratic age terms predicted BMI. Age-adjusted BMI values were very similar to those reported from other offshore studies over the past 15 years. Age, marital status, education, smoking and physical activity significantly predicted baseline BMI, but only age (and some interactive effects) predicted 5 year BMI change. CONCLUSIONS: The present age-adjusted BMI values were closely similar to those found offshore in the mid-1980s, but also to recent national data; thus, North Sea personnel do not appear to reflect current population trends towards increased BMI levels. This result accords with the emphasis now given to health promotion (particularly dietary change) on offshore installations; the present findings also highlight the need to focus these initiatives on workers with sedentary jobs and/or low education.     

Accuracy of self-reported smoking status among participants in a chemoprevention trial

BACKGROUND: Exposure to tobacco products is readily assessed through self- or interview-administered questionnaires. Degree of misreporting among participants in chemoprevention trials is unknown. We assessed the level of discrepancy between self-reported smoking exposure and plasma cotinine among participants in a chemoprevention trial. METHODS: Analyses were conducted among 824 men and women who participated in a dietary trial of adenoma recurrence. Smoking exposure was ascertained through self-administered questionnaires at three time-points. Plasma cotinine was measured by gas chromatography among 283 never, 446 former and 95 current self-reported smokers. Sensitivity and specificity were assessed using various plasma cotinine cut-points. RESULTS: Degree of misclassification for self-reported current smokers was minor (0-3%), regardless of cotinine cut-point used. Using a cut-point of 20 ng/ml, which takes into account exposure to environmental tobacco smoke among nonsmokers, sensitivity and specificity were 98.9% and 80.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that degree of misreport for current smokers is extremely low; however, approximately 20% of self-reported never smokers misreport their exposure, suggesting that validation of self-report is needed for these individuals.     

某再生橡胶车间群体性高铁血红蛋白血症事件调查

调查分析一起由于使用劣质原料引起员工高铁血红蛋白血症中毒的事件, 为今后调查处理此类事件提供经验和依据。某橡胶厂再生橡胶车间, 陆续有人出现头晕、胸闷、乏力、发绀等症状, 共11例病例, 罹患率为100%。所有病例均被诊断为高铁血红蛋白血症, 予以美兰、补液治疗后痊愈出院。本次中毒事件发生在再生橡胶精炼出片车间, 该车间刚刚更换了生产原料(固体松香)。对现场提取的部分松香原料和成品橡胶运用气相色谱质谱法定性分析, 检测出苯胺类物质。结合现场调查、实验室检测结果及临床资料, 认为这是一起使用含苯胺类化学物杂质的橡胶原料引起的急性苯的氨基、硝基化合物中毒事件。     

群体同日不同时段尿碘水平观察报告

尿碘是评估人群碘营养状况和消除碘缺乏病进程的重要指标 [1 ]。我们在 1天中分 5个时段对 1组 8～ 10岁学生的尿碘水平进行了连续观察 ,现将有关情况报告如下。1　材料与方法1.1　对象及采样　 2 0 0 1年 4月中旬随机选择本市姜灶小学、金乐小学二年级 117名男性学生 ,分别采集晨起时的尿样和同日 8∶ 0 0、11∶ 0 0、13∶ 30和 16∶ 0 0时段的尿样。1.2　检测方法　尿碘用快速定量检测法测定 [2 ] ,试剂由湖北省卫生防疫站提供。1.3　统计方法　数据用统计软件 SPSS10 .0进行处理 [3 ]。2　结果　　 117名学生同日 5个时段采样尿碘测定…