Physical activity and breast cancer risk among women in the southwestern United States

Physical activity may influence breast cancer risk through multiple mechanisms and at different periods in life. In this study we evaluate breast cancer risk associated with total and vigorous physical activity at ages 15, 30, and 50 years and the referent year prior to diagnosis/selection. Participants were non-Hispanic white (NHW) (1527 cases and 1601 control subjects) and Hispanic/American Indian (HAI) (798 cases and 924 controls) women. Both total and vigorous activity reduced risk of breast cancer in a dose-response manner. Among premenopausal women, only high total metabolic equivalent of the task (MET) hours of activity during the referent year was associated with reduced breast cancer risk in NHW women (odds ratio [OR] 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.43, 0.91). Among postmenopausal women, physical activity had the greatest influence among women not recently exposed to hormones. Among these women, high total lifetime activity reduced risk of breast cancer for both NHW (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.36, 1.02; p trend 0.01) and HAI women (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.23, 1.16; p trend 0.07). Additionally, high total MET hours of activity at age 30 years (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.37, 0.85) and at age 15 years (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.38, 0.88) reduced breast cancer risk among postmenopausal NHW women not recently exposed to hormones. Among HAI women, more recent activity performed during the referent year and at age 50 appeared to have the greatest influence on breast cancer risk. Among postmenopausal NHW women. there was a significant interaction between physical activity and hormone replacement therapy (p value, 0.01), while among postmenopausal HAI women, physical activity interacted with body mass index (p value, 0.04). These data suggest that physical activity is important in reducing risk of breast cancer in both NHW and HAI women.     

Diet and the risk of invasive cervical cancer among white women in the United States

A case-control study of incident invasive cervical cancer was conducted in Birmingham, Alabama; Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Miami, Florida; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during 1982-1983. Controls were selected by random-digit dialing and were matched to cases by age, race, and telephone exchange. Of the white, non-Hispanic cases and controls identified, 271 (73%) and 502 (74%), respectively, were successfully interviewed. Diet was assessed by asking about the usual adult frequency of consumption of 75 food items and the use of vitamin supplements. Included were the major sources of the four micronutrients believed to reduce the risk of cervical cancer: carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate. Women in the highest quartiles of intake of each of these micronutrients had adjusted relative risks of invasive squamous cell cervical cancer comparable to those of women in the lowest quartiles, although their micronutrient intake was estimated to be 3-4 times as high. Risk was not affected by increased consumption of vegetables, dark green vegetables, dark yellow-orange vegetables, fruits, or legumes, or by high intake of the basic food groups. These generally negative findings stand in contrast to findings in previous epidemiologic studies, and the discrepancy is not readily explained by bias, uncontrolled confounding, or inadequate power. The question of the role of diet and nutrition in the etiology of cervical cancer is not yet resolved.     

Korean women living in the United States as student wives

Korean students' wives who travel with their husbands to the United States while they pursue academic degrees often experience the extremes of assimilation into the host culture. The purpose of this study is to address the following questions: (a) What are the processes used by Korean women to adapt to life in the United States, and (b) what are the barriers they encounter, as wives of students and mothers of their children, in adapting to this new life? Fourteen Korean wives were interviewed. All interviews were completed in Korean and transcribed verbatim. The study reveals eight phases to the basic social process of adjusting to life in the United States: preconfronting, confronting, discovering, undergoing crisis, seeking, reorienting, reflecting, and reconfronting. These were observed to be dynamic and recurrent ongoing phases that are likely to repeat themselves. The study findings provide health care practitioners with a better understanding of Korean wives' adjustment to life in the United States and suggest the development of culturally appropriate interventions.     

Maternal obesity and the risk of infant death in the United States

BACKGROUND: Maternal obesity (defined as prepregnancy body mass index [BMI] >or=30 kg/m) is associated with increased risk of neonatal death. Its association with infant death, postneonatal death, and cause-specific infant death is less well-characterized. METHODS: We studied the association between maternal obesity and the risk of infant death by using 1988 US National Maternal and Infant Health Survey data. A case-control analysis of 4265 infant deaths and 7293 controls was conducted using SUDAAN software. Self-reported prepregnancy BMI and weight gain were used in the primary analysis, whereas weight variables in medical records were used in a subset of 4308 women. RESULTS: Compared with normal weight women (prepregnancy BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m) who gained 0.30 to 0.44 kg/wk during pregnancy, obese women had increased risk of neonatal death and overall infant death. For obese women who had weight gain during pregnancy of <0.15, 0.15 to 0.29, 0.30 to 0.44, and >or=0.45 kg/wk, the adjusted odds ratios of infant death were 1.75 (95% confidence interval = 1.28-2.39), 1.42 (1.07-1.89), 1.59 (1.00-2.51), and 2.87 (1.98-4.16), respectively. Nonobese women with very low weight gain during pregnancy also had a higher risk of infant death. The subset with weight information from medical records had similar results for recorded prepregnancy BMI and weight gain. Maternal obesity was associated with neonatal death from pregnancy complications or disorders relating to short gestation and unspecified low birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal obesity is associated with increased overall risk of infant death, mainly neonatal death.     

Maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity and the risk of cesarean delivery in nulliparous women

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity on the risk of term cesarean delivery in nulliparous women. METHODS: The authors examined data from 641 nulliparous women with a term pregnancy that participated in the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study from 1995 to 2002. Unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed for normal weight (BMI 19.8-26.0 kg/m(2)), overweight (BMI 26.1-29.0 kg/m(2)), and obese (BMI>29.0 kg/m(2)) women. Normal weight women served as the referent population. RESULTS: The unadjusted risk ratio for cesarean delivery for overweight women compared with normal weight women was 1.4 (95% CI, 0.97, 2.1) and for obese women compared with normal weight women was 1.4 (95% CI, 1.03, 2.0). After controlling for maternal height, education, weight gain during pregnancy, and labor induction, the adjusted risk ratio for cesarean delivery among overweight women was 1.2 (95% CI, 0.8, 1.8). The adjusted risk ratio for obese women was 1.5 (95% CI, 1.05, 2.0). CONCLUSION: Our analysis confirms that there is a moderate association between maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and an unplanned term cesarean delivery. However, the risk is not as large as previously reported.     

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Britain, Canada, and United States.

Three nations carried out large surveys of their non-institutionalized populations during the period 1976-81, with essentially similar techniques for measuring height and weight. Using criteria previously published for the British survey, we analyzed the Canadian and United States data and compared the prevalence of excessive weight for ages 20-64 in the three countries. Overweight was defined as a Quetelet index value of 25.1-30, and obesity as a value exceeding 30. Compared to their Canadian and British counterparts, American men are more likely to be overweight or obese, especially at the lower age levels. The proportion of excessively heavy men reaches a plateau around age 50 in all three countries, possibly indicative of a survivor phenomenon. Among women, the US has the highest proportion of excessively heavy individuals at all ages except 20-24; this difference is especially marked at ages 45-54. Unlike men, there is no evidence that the proportion of overweight or obese women reaches a plateau by age 64.     

Dramatic rise in overweight and obesity in adult filipino women and risk of hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To assess trends in BMI of adult Filipino women over a 16-year period of rapid socioeconomic change; to identify factors associated with those trends; and to estimate the risk of hypertension associated with overweight, obesity, and high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Women from randomly selected urban and rural communities of Metro Cebu, Philippines were recruited during a 1983 to 1984 index pregnancy, then followed prospectively for 16 years. Overweight and obesity were defined using BMI cut-off points of 25 and 30, respectively. The analysis sample included women 15 to 45 years of age when measured 4 months postpartum. Weight change in subsequent intervals from 1985 to 1999 was modeled using linear regression. The relationship of BMI and WHR to risk of hypertension in the last survey was modeled using logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity combined increased nearly 6-fold from approximately 6% in 1983 to 1984 to 35% in 1998 to 1999. Weight gain was positively associated with urban residence, improved socioeconomic status, fewer pregnancies and months of lactation, and more away-from-home work hours. Risk of hypertension was independently elevated by high WHR and overweight/obesity. DISCUSSION: The dramatic trend of increasing overweight and obesity in this sample of women represents a serious health concern, especially in light of the strong association of excess weight, particularly in the truncal region, to risk of hypertension.     

Park availability and physical activity,TV time,and overweight and obesity among women: Findings from Australia and the United States

This study examined relationships between three measures of park availability and self-reported physical activity (PA), television viewing (TV) time, and overweight/obesity among women from Australia and the United States. Having more parks near home was the only measure of park availability associated with an outcome. Australian women (n=1848) with more parks near home had higher odds of meeting PA recommendations and lower odds of being overweight/obese. In the US sample (n=489), women with more parks near home had lower odds of watching >4 h TV per day. A greater number of parks near home was associated with lower BMI among both Australian and US women. Evidence across diverse contexts provides support to improve park availability to promote PA and other health behaviors.     

Prevalence and determinants of obesity and overweight among reproductive age women living in the semi-arid region of Brazil

The study estimated the prevalence and determinants of overweight and obesity in women of reproductive age in the Semi-Arid Region of Brazil. In the cluster sampling of 8,000 households of the state of Ceará, 6,845 women were surveyed. Overweight and obesity were measured by the body mass index and risk factors identified by multivariate analysis. The prevalences of overweight and obesity were 32.6% and 16.1%, respectively. After adjusted analysis, obesity was positively associated with age>30 years (PR=1.55), marital status, married (PR=1.36), elementary education (PR=1.40), age at menarche<12 years (OR=1.59), having >1 child (PR=1.65) and contraceptive use (PR=1.31). Specific health and nutritional conditions were identified as highly associated to morbid obesity: hypertension (PR=3.11), diabetes (PR=2.08), dissatisfaction with body image (PR=4.26) and procedures for weight loss (PR=2.73). The study concluded that overweight and obesity are highly prevalent in the Semi-Arid Region of Brazil. Education was the only socioeconomic determinant considered as amenable to change. The reproductive risk factors identified enforce the need to mobilize the services of prenatal and postpartum care and family planning to prevent and control obesity.     

超重及肥胖患者的饮食及人体成分

目的　分析北京医院减重门诊患者的饮食习惯、能量摄入及消耗、人体测量、人体成分的基本情况。方法　前瞻性选取2014年11月至2015年8月在北京医院内分泌营养减重联合门诊就诊的体质量指数（BMI）≥ 24 kg/m2的患者89例,平均年龄（45.8±16.4）岁,其中男性35例,女性54例,分为糖尿病组（n=35）和非糖尿病组（n=54）,比较2组患者的饮食习惯、能量摄入及消耗、人体测量以及人体成分的基本情况。结果　无论是否患有糖尿病,超重及肥胖患者(BMI≥24 kg/m2)的进餐速度都偏快,多在10 min内用餐完毕,偏爱中餐和肉食,不喜欢热食。非糖尿病组超重及肥胖患者的餐馆用餐频次（3~5次/周）高于糖尿病组（1~2次/周）。与糖尿病组比较,非糖尿病组超重及肥胖患者的脂肪供能比［（34.9±7.6）%比（30.8±5.9）%］更高,碳水化合物摄入量［（232.2±59.7）g比（283.6±89.5）g］、碳水化合物供能比［（47.9±8.3）%比（53.4±7.1）%］、静息代谢率/体质量比值［（66.9±9.6）kJ/(d·kg)比（71.1±7.9）kJ/(d·kg)］较低（均P＜0.05）,而两组间总能量、蛋白质、优质蛋白质、脂肪摄入量,蛋白质供能比以及静息代谢率比较差异无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）。患者平均BMI（32.8±4.4）kg/m2,最高达53.5 kg/m2。与糖尿病组比较,非糖尿病组超重及肥胖患者的臀围［（117.15±9.9）cm比（111.1±8.2）cm］、上臂围［（36.4±3.8）cm比（34.0±3.3）cm］、三头肌皮褶厚度［（36.1±8.9）mm比（31.6±8.8）mm］较大（均P＜0.05）,年龄偏小［（41.7±16.9）岁比（52.9±13.1）岁,P=0.001］,而两组间体质量、BMI、腰围、颈围、双手握力比较差异无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）。非糖尿病组超重及肥胖患者的体质量［（94.8±18.3）kg比（86.9±17.2）kg］、体脂肪［（39.7±11.3）kg比（33.5±8.9）kg］、体脂百分比［（41.7±6.5）%比（38.5±6.7）%］、内脏脂肪面积［（145.3±24.8）cm2比（130.7±27.5）cm2］均高于糖尿病组（均P＜0.05）,而BMI及骨骼肌重量比较差异无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）。结论　与糖尿病组患者比较,超重及肥胖的非糖尿病患者年龄偏小,饮食习惯更差,体脂肪、体脂百分比、内脏脂肪面积更大。     

The obesity epidemic in the United States

We describe the epidemic of obesity in the United States: escalating rates of obesity in both adults and children, and why these qualify as an epidemic; disparities in overweight and obesity by race/ethnicity and sex, and the staggering health and economic consequences of obesity. Physical activity contributes to the epidemic as explained by new patterns of physical activity in adults and children. Changing patterns of food consumption, such as rising carbohydrate intake--particularly in the form of soda and other foods containing high fructose corn syrup--also contribute to obesity. We present as a central concept, the food environment--the contexts within which food choices are made--and its contribution to food consumption: the abundance and ubiquity of certain types of foods over others; limited food choices available in certain settings, such as schools; the market economy of the United States that exposes individuals to many marketing/advertising strategies. Advertising tailored to children plays an important role.     

Alarming trends in pediatric overweight in the United States

Objectives:  

A comprehensive review of the pediatric overweight literature was undertaken to examine secular changes in the prevalence of pediatric overweight, the current magnitude and scope of pediatric overweight, and the identity of high-risk groups in the U.S.     

Alarming trends in pediatric overweight in the United States

SummaryObjectives: A comprehensive review of the pediatric overweight literature was undertaken to examine secular changes in the prevalence of pediatric overweight, the current magnitude and scope of pediatric overweight, and the identity of high-risk groups in the U.S.Methods: Articles published in the last two decades and studies of nationally representative numbers of children were highlighted.Results: An unprecedented three-fold increase in the prevalence of pediatric overweight has occurred in recent decades in the U.S. and evidence suggests that this trend is continuing unabated. While no sociodemographic or racial group has escaped this trend, particularly at risk are African American girls, Hispanic girls and boys, and children from low-income households.Conclusions: The rising prevalence of pediatric overweight in the U.S. is a harbinger of increases in diabetes, cardiovascular disease and numerous other health problems. Furthermore, disparities in pediatric overweight along ethnic and socio-economic lines are expected to further exacerbate current disparities in rates of chronic disease. Strategies and programs to prevent overweight among children are urgently needed.

---

Zusammenfassung Alarmierende Trends in der Verbreitung von Übergewicht im Kindesalter in den USAZielsetzung: Eine umfassende Prüfung der Literatur zu Übergewicht im Kindesalter wurde vorgenommen, um langfristige Veränderungen im Vorkommen, das gegenwärtige Ausmass und die Reichweite von Übergewicht im Kindesalter zu untersuchen und um Gruppen mit besonders hohem Risiko in den USA zu identifizieren.Methoden: Spezifisch berücksichtigt wurden Artikel, die während der letzten 20 Jahre publiziert wurden und Studien mit national repräsentativen Teilnehmerzahlen.Ergebnisse: Eine noch nie da gewesene Verdoppelung der Prävalenz für Übergewicht im Kindesalter war in den letzten Jahrzehnten zu verzeichnen und die Datenlage deutet darauf hin, dass sich dieser Trend unvermindert fortsetzt. Keine sozio-ökonomische oder ethnische Untergruppe konnte sich diesem Trend entziehen. Afroamerikanische Mädchen und lateinamerikanische Mädchen und Knaben sowie Kinder aus Haushalten mit niedrigem Einkommen sind besonders gefährdet.Schlussfolgerungen: Die steigende Prävalenz für Übergewicht im Kindesalter in den USA ist ein Vorbote für eine Zunahme von Diabetes, Herzkreislauferkrankungen und zahlreichen anderen Gesundheitsproblemen. Weiterhin ist zu erwarten, dass die ethnischen und sozio-ökonomischen Ungleichheiten bei Übergewicht im Kindesalter die bereits bestehenden Ungleichheiten im Vorkommen von Krankheiten noch verstärken. Es bedarf dringend Strategien und Programme zur Vorbeugung von Übergewicht bei Kindern.

---

Résumé Tendance alarmante du surpoids pédiatrique aux Etats-UnisObjectifs: Une revue exhaustive de la littérature sur le surpoids pédiatrique a été effectuée pour examiner les changements au cours du siècle de la prévalence du surpoids, son importance actuelle et son extension, ainsi que pour identifier les groupes à haut risque aux Etats-Unis.Méthodes: Etude des articles publiés au cours des 20 dernières années et des études portant sur des échantillons d'enfants représentatifs au niveau national.Résultats: Un doublement sans précédant de la prévalence du surpoids pédiatrique s'est produit au cours des récentes décennies aux Etats-Unis et les données suggèrent que cette tendance se poursuit inexorablement. Bien que cette tendance touche tous les groupes socio-démographiques et ethniques, les filles africaines-américaines, les garçons et les filles hispaniques et les enfants de familles ayant un bas revenu sont particulièrement à risque.Conclusions: La prévalence croissante du surpoids pédiatrique aux Etats-Unis est une source d'accroissement du diabète, de maladies cardio-vasculaires et de nombreux autres problèmes de santé. De plus, les disparités de surpoids pédiatriques selon l'ethnie ou le niveau socio-économique ont probablement exacerbé les inégalités actuelles concernant les taux de maladies chroniques. Il est urgent de développer des stratégies et des programmes destinés à prévenir le surpoids chez les enfants.

     

Health and depression in women from the former Soviet Union living in the United States and Israel

Post-immigration adjustment is affected by demographic and health characteristics, as well as national resources. Since 1989, more than a million people emigrated from the former Soviet Union (FSU) to the United States and Israel. These countries differ substantially in health systems and immigrant benefits. The purpose of this study is to compare depressed mood between midlife women from the FSU who reside in the United States and Israel, controlling for demographic and health characteristics. The analysis includes 72 women, 36 from each country, who comprise subsets of larger studies and were matched on age and years since immigration. Women were aged 42-70, and immigrated fewer than 8 years prior to recruitment. Using multiple regression analyses it was found that living in the United States, having lower self-reported health status, and having arthritis predicted higher depression scores. Future cross-national interdisciplinary research should be directed toward identifying specific contextual factors that will guide interventions and influence health policy for new immigrants.     

Calcium intake and body composition in African-American children and adolescents at risk for overweight and obesity

This study examined the role of calcium intake on body composition in 186 African-American adolescents at risk for overweight and obesity. The average weight of 89.8 kg ± 23.6 (SD) had a mean BMI z score of 2.2. Females with a calcium intake of <314 mg/day had higher percent fat mass compared to those with the highest calcium intakes that were ≥634 mg/day. Compared to those with a low calcium intake (<365 mg/day), those with the highest calcium intake of >701 mg/day had higher intake of thiamin, folate, cobalamin, vitamin D, phosphorus, iron, zinc.     

Association of energy intake and macronutrient composition with overweight and obesity in malay women from klang valley

This cross-sectional study investigates the association between energy intake and macronutrient composition of the diet with overweight and obesity among Malaysian women. One hundred and fifteen adult Malay women aged 20 to 59 years (mean age 37.2±7.6 years) were interviewed. Dietary intake was assessed using the food history method. Body weight status was assessed using weight, height, waist circumference and fat percentage measurements. When energy intake was assessed for accuracy, only 41% of the subjects (n=47) were normal energy reporters. Among the normal energy reporters, 55% were of normal weight whereas 32% and 13% were overweight and obese. Mean energy intake for normal weight, overweight and obese subjects was 1685±199 kcal/day, 1810±166 kcal/day and 2119±222 kcal/day, respectively. Energy intake increased with body mass index (BMI) category. Among the overweight and obese, energy intake was respectively higher by 125 kcal/day and 434 kcal/day as compared to their normal weight counterparts (p< 0.001). There was also a significant, moderate and positive correlation between energy intake and BMI (r=0.635), waist circumference (r=0.545), and body fat percentage (r=0.534). When macronutrient composition of diet was analysed (% energy and g/1000 kcal), there was no significant difference in carbohydrate, protein or fat intake between the obese, overweight and normal weight subjects. There was also no significant correlation between macronutrient composition of the diet and body weight status. Based on these findings, we conclude that the subjects' body weight status is likely to be influenced by energy intake rather than the macronutrient composition of the diet.     

Disparities in pediatric obesity in the United States

This paper describes the disparities in the U.S. childhood obesity epidemic, mainly based on recent nationally representative data. The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased since the late 1970s; the over time shifts (changes) in distributions of various body fatness measures indicate that U.S. children have become fatter and the obese groups gained more body fat, especially more central obesity, as indicated by waist circumference. However, considerable between-group and regional disparities exist in the prevalence, fatness measures, and over time trends. The disparities and trends are complex, which reflects the complexity and dynamics in obesity etiology. Clearly, some population groups are affected more seriously than others. Native American children have the highest prevalence of obesity, whereas Asians have the lowest rate among all ethnic groups. Preschool age children have a lower obesity prevalence than older children. Young people in some states and cities are twice more likely to be overweight or obese than those living in other regions. Low-socioeconomic status is associated with obesity only among some population groups, e.g. white children and adolescents. Vigorous, effective interventions are needed to promote healthy lifestyles among U.S. young people and to reduce disparities in obesity.