Long-term memory of body weight and past weight satisfaction: a longitudinal follow-up study

Recalled body weight and self-reported current weight were validated in a longitudinal study population by comparing recalls at 50 y to actual measures taken at ages 18, 30, 40, and 50 y. Recalled body weights were also compared with reported desired weights at these same ages. Self-reported weights at 50 y were equally accurate for both males and females; the mean reporting underestimate was -1.98 kg for males and -1.86 kg for females. Males' self reports at age 50 y were influenced by years of education (P less than 0.005) and current body size (P less than 0.0001) whereas females' were not. Correlations between recall of past weights and measured weights ranged from r = 0.87 at 18 y to 0.95 at 40 y. Recalls of past body weight were not significantly influenced by the passage of time, the number of years of education, or the accuracy of current weight reports. Current body size (wt/ht2) was significantly associated with life-time weight dissatisfaction in both sexes (P less than 0.0005).     

Folate and vitamin B12 in relation to lactation: a 9-month postpartum follow-up study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between lactation and markers of folate and vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency in women with and without vitamin supplementation. DESIGN: A 9-month follow-up study. Subjects and methods: Blood samples from 91 women, who gave birth to a single healthy child, were collected 3 weeks, 4 and 9 months postpartum and analysed for circulating level of homocysteine (tHcy), methylmalonic acid (MMA), folate and B12. The participants were categorized as exclusively, partly or not breast-feeding dependent on the degree of lactation 4 months postpartum. During follow-up, lifestyle factors were recorded by structured interviews. RESULTS: Among 72 exclusively breast-feeding women, the median (10-90% percentile) tHcy was 5.8 (3.1-8.3) micromol/l 3 weeks postpartum, 6.1 (4.1-10.3) micromol/l 4 months postpartum and 5.3 (3.6-8.7) micromol/I 9 months postpartum. At 9 months postpartum, none of the women breast-fed exclusively. No significant change occurred in the concentration of B12 and folate. Exclusively breast-feeding women without vitamin supplementation had higher median tHcy than supplemented exclusively breast-feeding women 4 and 9 months postpartum (7.0 vs 5.4 micromol/l (P < 0.001) and 5.8 vs 4.5 micromol/l (P = 0.003), respectively). Six women had increased (>15 micromol/l) tHcy; four of these were unsupplemented and exclusively breast-feeding. CONCLUSION: We found no overall indication of depletion of the folate and B12 stores during the lactation period in this population. However, folate-supplemented women had lower tHcy and higher folate levels, suggesting a beneficial effect of supplementation with folate throughout lactation.     

Local and regional adverse reactions to BCG-SSI vaccination: A 12-month cohort follow-up study

In a 12-month cohort follow-up study of 2435 children vaccinated in 2007 by Statens Serum Institute BCG strain (BCG SSI^®), 17.8% had an adverse event (AE): erythema 12.4%, induration 12.2%, abscesses 2.5%, ulceration 0.9%, lymphadenitis 0.1%. The factors associated with a lower risk of AE were: age at vaccination <1 year compared to age >1 year (OR = 0.35 [0.2–0.6] for age <28 days, 0.29 [0.2–0.42] for age 29 days to 2 months, and 0.53 [0.37–0.74] for age 3–11 months), a visible papule (OR = 0.48 [0.36–0.63]), and a low vaccine dose (OR = 0.42 [0.31–0.58]). AE to BCG SSI^® vaccination were frequent but rarely severe.     

Factors associated with changes in body weight during a five-year follow-up of a population with high blood pressure

In 1972 a cardiovascular disease prevention programme was started in North Karelia in Eastern Finland. At the outset of the programme a random sample comprising 10940 persons aged 25 to 59 years was studied. Those subjects whose systolic blood pressure was greater than or equal to 175 and/or diastolic greater than or equal to 100 mmHg or who were undergoing antihypertensive treatment, were re-examined in 1977. Their body weight was measured both in 1972 and 1977. The changes in their physical activity, smoking and eating habits were also interviewed. The men aged 25 to 49 years had increased their body mass index by 0.4 kg/m2 and the men aged 50 to 59 years by 0.2 kg/m2, on average. In women (aged 25 to 49 years) body mass index had increased by 0.5 kg/m2 but decreased in the age group 50 to 59 years by 0.2 kg/m2, on average. In men the change in body weight exerted the strongest partial regression on the change in smoking, age and physical activity (both in leisure time and at work). In women aged 25 to 49 years the reasons for increased body weight were the same as in men. In older women, aged 50 to 59 years the decrease in body weight was associated with age, change in amount of smoking and initiation of antihypertensive drug therapy.     

Life style related to blood pressure and body weight in adolescence: Cross sectional data from the Young-HUNT study,Norway

Background  

The associations between physical activity, unhealthy dietary habits and cigarette smoking and blood pressure, overweight and obesity are well established in adulthood. This is not the case for similar associations in adolescence. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine how physical activity, smoking status and dietary habits were related to overweight, obesity and blood pressure in a population of Norwegian adolescents.     

Diet,body weight,and colorectal cancer: a summary of the epidemiologic evidence

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and the number of new cases annually is approximately equal for men and women. Several nutritional factors are likely to have a major influence on risk of this cancer. Physical inactivity and excessive adiposity, especially if centrally distributed, clearly increase the risk of colon cancer. Hyperinsulinemia may be an important underlying risk factor. In conjunction with obesity and physical inactivity, which induce a state of insulin resistance, certain dietary patterns that stimulate insulin secretion, including high intakes of red and processed meats, saturated and trans-fats, and highly processed carbohydrates and sugars, may increase the risk of colon cancer. There is evidence suggesting that some component of red meat may independently increase the risk of colorectal cancer, and some micronutrients may be important as protective agents. Currently, the evidence is strongest for folate and calcium. Folate may be especially important in alcohol drinkers because alcohol appears to increase the risk, particularly when folate intake is low. This interaction may be related to the antifolate properties of alcohol. In contrast to earlier studies, more recent epidemiologic studies have generally not supported a strong influence of dietary fiber or fruits and vegetables, although these have other health benefits, and their consumption should be encouraged. The majority of colon cancers, as well as many other conditions, may be prevented by lifestyle alterations in the intake of these nutritional factors, in addition to other factors, such as smoking.     

Diet, alcohol, body mass, and social factors in relation to blood pressure: the Caerphilly Heart Study.

Data for 387 men who had completed seven-day weighed dietary records as part of the Caerphilly Heart Study were examined for relations of alcohol, diet, body mass index (BMI), and other variables to blood pressure. These included age, smoking, exercise, and social class. For men not on antihypertensive treatment (n = 356) regression analysis showed that age (p less than 0.001), BMI (p less than 0.05), and alcohol intake (p less than 0.01) were significantly related to systolic blood pressure, and BMI (p less than 0.001) and alcohol intake (p less than 0.01) to diastolic blood pressure. In addition, protein intake (p less than 0.05) was significantly and inversely related to the risk of being hypertensive, but other dietary variables were not related to blood pressure. For men on antihypertensive treatment (n = 31) significant inverse correlations were observed between diastolic blood pressure and the intakes of potassium (p less than 0.01), fibre (p less than 0.001), polyunsaturated fat (p less than 0.01), and a number of other dietary variables. Reasons for these differences are discussed.     

Overweight, obesity, and blood pressure: the effects of modest weight reduction

Several large epidemiological studies have shown an association between body mass index and blood pressure in normal weight and overweight patients. Weight gain in adult life especially seems to be an important risk factor for the development of hypertension. Weight loss has been recommended for the obese hypertensive patient and has been shown to be the most effective nonpharmacological treatment approach. However, long-term results of weight loss programs are disappointing with people often regaining most of the weight initially lost. In recent years, a modest weight loss, defined as a weight loss of 5% to 10% of baseline weight, has received increasing attention as a new treatment strategy for overweight and obese patients. A more gradual and moderate weight loss is more likely to be maintained over a longer period of time. Several studies have confirmed the blood pressure-lowering effect of a modest weight loss in both hypertensive and nonhypertensive patients. A modest weight loss can normalize blood pressure levels even without reaching ideal weight. In patients taking antihypertensive medication, a modest weight loss has been shown to lower or even discontinue the need for antihypertensive medication. In patients with high normal blood pressure, a modest weight loss can prevent the onset of frank hypertension. The blood pressure-lowering effect of weight loss is most likely a result of an improvement in insulin sensitivity and a decrease in sympathetic nervous system activity and occurs independent of salt restriction. In conclusion, a modest weight loss that can be maintained over a longer period of time is a valuable treatment goal in hypertensive patients.     

Long-term follow-up of a 10-month programme in curriculum development for medical educators: a cohort study

Context  There is an ongoing need for curriculum development (CD) in medical education. However, only a minority of medical teaching institutions provide faculty development in CD. This study evaluates the long-term impact of a longitudinal programme in curriculum development.
Methods  We surveyed eight cohorts of participants ( n  =   64) and non-participants ( n  =   64) from 1988 to 1996 at baseline and at 6–13 years after completion of a 10-month, one half-day per week programme offered annually, which included a mentored CD project, workshops on CD steps, a final paper and a presentation.
Results  Fifty-eight participants (91%) and 50 non-participants (78%) returned completed follow-up surveys. In analyses, controlling for background characteristics and baseline self-rated proficiencies, participants were more likely than non-participants at follow-up to report having developed and implemented curricula in the past 5 years (65.5% versus 43.7%; odds ratio [OR] 2.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–5.66), to report having performed needs assessment when planning a curriculum (86.1% versus 58.8%; OR 5.59, 95% CI 1.20–25.92), and to rate themselves highly in developing (OR 3.57, 95% CI 1.36–9.39), implementing (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.16–7.93) and evaluating (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.10–6.84) curricula. At follow-up, 86.2% of participants reported that the CD programme had made a moderate or great impact on their professional careers. Responses to an open-ended question on the impact confirmed continued involvement in CD work, confidence in CD skills, application of CD skills and knowledge beyond CD, improved time management, and lasting relationships formed because of the programme.
Conclusions  Our results suggest that a longitudinal faculty development programme that engages and supports faculty in real CD work can have long-lasting impact.     

Long-term weight development in women: a 15-year follow-up of the effects of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate how well prepregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, and postpartum weight retention predict retention of weight 15 years later among parous women. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The Stockholm Pregnancy and Women's Nutrition (SPAWN) study is a long-term follow-up study of women who delivered children in 1984 to 1985 (n = 2342). The participants initially filled out questionnaires about their eating and exercise habits, social circumstances, etc. before, during, and at 1 year after pregnancy. Anthropometric data were also sampled. Fifteen years later, these women were invited to take part in the follow-up study. Anthropometric measurements were collected, and similar questions were asked. Five hundred sixty-three women participated in the SPAWN 15-year follow-up study. The sample was divided into groups to examine three presumably critical time periods: 1) overweight and normal weight before pregnancy; 2) low, intermediate, and high weight gainers during pregnancy; and 3) low, intermediate, and high weight retainers at 1 year after pregnancy. RESULTS: The overweight women did not gain more weight during pregnancy or retain more weight at 1 year follow-up. High weight gainers during pregnancy retained more weight at the 1-year and the 15-year follow-ups. High weight retainers had gained more during pregnancy and retained it at the 15-year follow-up. Fifty-six percent of the high weight gainers during pregnancy ended up in the high weight retainers group. DISCUSSION: Women who are overweight before pregnancy do not have a higher risk of postpartum weight retention than normal weight women. Thus, it is not necessarily the initially overweight woman who should be the target or focus of weight control programs during or after pregnancy. Both high weight gainers and high weight retainers had higher BMI at the 15-year follow-up, although only 56% of the high weight gainers during pregnancy were also classified as high weight retainers at the 1-year follow-up. Weight retention at the end of the postpartum year predicts future overweight 15 years later.     

Parental monitoring and adolescent drinking: results of a 12-month follow-up

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between parental monitoring and adolescent drinking over time. METHODS: Adolescents completed a baseline survey regarding their involvement with alcohol and parental monitoring. They were interviewed 12 months later, to obtain follow-up measures of drinking and involvement in alcohol-risk situations. RESULTS: Highly monitored adolescents were less likely to report that they were drinking 12 months later. This relationship remained when controlling for age, gender, drinking at baseline, and being in various high-risk situations. CONCLUSIONS: The longer term protective relationship between parental monitoring and alcohol involvement was demonstrated. The need to establish frequent parental monitoring is indicated.     

Cross-cultural variation in blood pressure: A quantitative analysis of the relationships of blood pressure to cultural characteristics,salt consumption and body weight

This study has analyzed the relationships of cross-cultural variation in blood pressure to cultural characteristics, salt consumption and body weight. The data used were blood pressures for adults in 84 groups, ratings of cultural characteristics (based on anthropological data and made by raters who had no knowledge of the blood pressure data) and, where available, salt consumption and body mass index (weight/height²).Blood pressures were higher and the slopes of blood pressure with age were greater in groups which had greater involvement in a money economy, more economic competition, more contact with people of different culture or beliefs, and more unfulfilled aspirations for a return to traditional beliefs and values. Blood pressures were also higher in groups for which the predominant family type was a nuclear or father-absent family, as opposed to an extended family. For Negroes, groups who were descended from slaves had higher blood pressures than other groups.The correlations between blood pressures and involvement in a money economy were substantial and significant even after controlling for level of salt consumption and, for men, also after controlling for body mass index. For men there were also significant partial correlations between blood pressure and salt consumption, controlling for type of economy. For women there were significant partial correlations between blood pressure and body mass index, controlling for type of economy.In conclusion, cross-cultural variation in blood pressure appears to be due to multiple factors. One contributory factor appears to be psychosocial stress due to cultural disruption, including the disruption of cooperative relationships and traditional cultural patterns which frequently occurs during economic modernization. In addition, both the protective effects of very low salt consumption in some groups and differences in body weight appear to contribute to cross-cultural variation in blood pressure.     

Differential association between adherence to nutritional recommendations and body weight status across educational levels: a cross-sectional study

Objective

The impact of diet quality and physical activity (PA) on weight might be different according to socioeconomic status. Our aim was to estimate associations between adherence to nutritional guidelines and BMI and the interaction with socioeconomic characteristics.

Methods

A total of 11,931 men and 39,737 women from the NutriNet-Santé cohort (France, 2009–2012) were included in this cross-sectional analysis. The association between PNNS-GS (a score estimating adherence to French nutritional guidelines) and BMI was assessed by multivariate linear regression. A modified score (mPNNS-GS) separating diet quality from PA was also used.

Results

BMI, overweight and obesity displayed an inverse gradient from less to more educated groups, whereas PNNS-GS increased. A higher PNNS-GS was associated with a lower BMI, more importantly in the less educated: BMI decrease ranged from − 1.1% in less educated to − 0.7% in more educated men and from − 0.6% to − 0.3% in women. The effect of mPNNS-GS and PA in particular was also stronger among less educated subjects.

Conclusion

Overall, better adherence to nutritional recommendations was inversely associated with BMI, and this association was stronger in the less educated groups. This suggests that nutritional policies should still concentrate on promoting access to a healthier diet and PA, especially among less educated individuals.