Abdominal obesity, TV-viewing time and prospective declines in physical activity

ObjectiveTo examine the prospective associations of baseline abdominal obesity and TV-viewing time with five-year reductions in leisure-time physical activity level.MethodsWe used data from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab), a nationally representative population-based cohort study with measures collected in 1999–2000 and 2004–2005. Abdominal obesity was determined by waist circumference and TV-viewing time and physical activity level were assessed using established interviewer-administered questionnaires.ResultsAmong 2,191 men and 2,650 women aged ≥ 25 years, odds ratios (ORs) of 5-year reductions from sufficient to insufficient or no physical activity, and from insufficient to no physical activity were estimated with logistic regression. We adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. The odds of reducing physical levels from baseline to the follow-up survey for obese men (34.2%) and women (38.1%), respectively were 1.40 (1.10–1.79) and 1.44 (1.16–1.80), compared to those with a normal waist circumference. Women, but not men, with higher levels of TV-viewing time had higher odds of reducing physical activity levels (8.6%; OR 1.46; 1.01–2.11), independent of abdominal obesity.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that abdominal obesity is associated with prospective reductions in physical activity level, and that high levels of TV-viewing time might have an additional adverse influence for women.     

Trend in the prevalence of obesity and overweight among Iranian children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveChildhood obesity is an important predisposing factor for most non-communicable diseases. The aim of this review was to provide evidence on the prevalence and trends of childhood obesity and overweight in Iran.MethodsMultiple international and Iranian scientific databases were searched for relevant literatures. Two independent reviewers identified relevant papers in several steps. Separate meta-analyses (using fixed- or random-effect models) were performed to estimate the overall, age, sex, and age–sex specific prevalence of obesity and overweight. Stratified analysis based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, International Obesity Task Force, and World Health Organization definition criteria and study year also were performed.ResultsWe included 107 studies in the meta-analysis (49 English and 58 Persian). Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition criteria, the overall prevalence of obesity and overweight remained relatively constant in the 2000s and are estimated to be about 5.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.4–5.8) and 10.8% (95% CI, 10.2–11.4), respectively. The meta-regression analysis showed that the prevalence of obesity and overweight did not vary significantly with respect to sex and age of study participants. Girls had a lower prevalence of obesity and higher prevalence of overweight than boys.ConclusionThis review, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, suggests that although the trend in the prevalence of childhood obesity in Iranian children is not considerably high, but the escalating trend of excess weight among young children is alarming and should be considered by providers of interventional preventive programs at national and regional levels.     

The association of sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk factors in a national sample of children and adolescents: The CASPIAN III Study

ObjectivesAlthough sleep duration is one of the most important health-related factors, its association with risk factors for chronic diseases has not been completely clarified, especially among children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between sleep duration and CVD risk factors among a nationally representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents.MethodsThis cross-sectional national study was performed on a representative sample of 5528 Iranian students, ages 10 to 18 y living in central cities of 27 provinces of Iran. Physical examinations and laboratory tests were performed using standard protocols. To determine the association between sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk factors, multivariable logistic regression was used and odds ratios (OR; with 95% confidence intervals) are reported.ResultsThe mean ± SD age was not significantly different among boys (14.69 ± 2.45 y) and girls (14.7 ± 2.38 y). In a crude model, boys who slept > 8 h and 5 to 8 h had lower OR for abdominal obesity compared with those who had slept <5 h in a crude model (ORs, 0.70, 0.80, 1.0, respectively; P = 0.008). A similar result was observed in an age- adjusted model for the prevalence of abdominal obesity (ORs, 0.69, 0.76, 1.0, respectively; P = 0.011). Girls who had slept > 8 h per day had lower OR for high serum low-density lipoprotein levels compared with those who slept < 5 h per day (P = 0.002). These differences remained significant even in the fully adjusted model for all the confounding variables (P = 0.008). Moreover, among boys ages 10 to 14 y, longer sleep duration increased the risk for high total cholesterol in all models.ConclusionShorter sleep duration increased the risk for some cardiometabolic risk factors among adolescents. The clinical significance of our findings should be determined in longitudinal studies.     

First year infant weight trajectories predict overweight/obesity at age 2 in a diverse population

BackgroundObesity is emerging as early as two years of age and risk may be elucidated by differences in infant growth trajectories. We examined infant weight gain in the first year of life and association with overweight/obesity at age two.MethodsIn a diverse, population-based cohort study we conducted growth curve analysis using Health Maintenance Organization electronic medical record data from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013.ResultsAmong 930 infants, there was a linear relationship with birth weight and initial weight gain from birth and increased odds of developing overweight/obesity at age two [Odds Ratio OR = 1.001; (95% CI: 1.000–1.002), p = 0.0274] and [OR = 1.009; (1.006–1.01), p = 0.0001) respectively. The odds of becoming overweight/obese at age 2 increased in infants who had slower weight deceleration rates (OR third quartile = 2.78, fourth quartile = 4.3) compared to the first quartile. Other factors associated with overweight/obesity risk at age two included female sex and Native Hawaiian race/ethnicity.ConclusionsRate of weight gain in the first year may be an important risk factor for early childhood obesity. A deeper dive into first year growth patterns and related sociocultural and nutritional factors is needed to inform targetable points for intervention.     

Association of cardiovascular risk factors between Hispanic/Latino parents and youth: the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latino Youth

PurposeHispanic/Latinos have a high burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors which may begin at young ages. We tested the association of CVD risk factors between Hispanic/Latino parents and their children.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Youth study. Girls (n = 674) and boys (n = 667) aged 8 to 16 years (mean age 12.1 years) and their parents (n = 942) had their CVD risk factors measured.ResultsCVD risk factors in parents were significantly positively associated with those same risk factors among youth. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, diet and physical activity, obese parents were significantly more likely to have youth who were overweight (odds ratios [ORs], 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20–4.76) or obese (OR, 6.16; 95% CI, 3.23–11.77) versus normal weight. Dyslipidemia among parents was associated with 1.98 higher odds of dyslipidemia among youth (95% CI, 1.37–2.87). Neither hypertension nor diabetes was associated with higher odds of high blood pressure or hyperglycemia (prediabetes or diabetes) in youth. Findings were consistent by sex and in younger (age <12 years) versus older (≥12 years) youth.ConclusionsHispanic/Latino youth share patterns of obesity and CVD risk factors with their parents, which portends high risk for adult CVD.     

Correlates of obesity in adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder: The 2017–2018 National Survey of Children's Health

BackgroundThe prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and childhood obesity are increasing, and youth with ASD are at an increased risk of obesity compared to typically developing youth. Specific obesity risk factors in adolescents with ASD remain poorly understood.ObjectiveThis study examined correlates of obesity among adolescents with and without ASD using extant 2017–2018 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) data.MethodsThis cross-sectional study examined the co-occurrence of obesity among US adolescents with ASD aged 10–17 years compared to those without ASD, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, co-occurring conditions, and relevant covariates, using 2017–2018 NSCH data. Multiple logistic regression was used to compare the odds of obesity among children with mild ASD, moderate/severe ASD, and without ASD.ResultsOdds of obesity were higher in adolescents with ASD compared to adolescents without ASD (cOR 1.9, CI 1.3–2.7). In the adjusted model, the odds of obesity were not significantly higher in those with mild or moderate/severe ASD compared to those without ASD. Odds of obesity were higher for all adolescents who were Hispanic or Black, as well as those with lower household income or with one or more co-occurring conditions.ConclusionsThe association between obesity and ASD in this study highlights the need for greater attention to nutrition, physical activity, and co-occurring conditions among adolescents with ASD. Effective interventions to curtail the risks among racial/ethnic minority adolescents and adolescents with lower household income are needed. Further research is needed to examine additional factors associated with obesity in adolescents with ASD, including family, community, organizational, and policy factors.     

Body Mass Index and Disability in Chinese Nonagenarians and Centenarians

ObjectivesTo examine the potential association between body mass index (BMI) and activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) disabilities in a population-based sample of Chinese nonagenarians and centenarians.MethodsThis study analyzed data obtained from a survey conducted in 870 elderly Chinese adults aged 90 years or older in Dujiangyan. The participants were divided into 4 groups according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Asia criteria of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in BMI (<18.5, 18.5–23.0, 23.0–25.0, ≥25.0 kg/m², respectively) and to BMI quartile (<16.8, 16.8–18.9, 18.9–21.1, ≥21.1 kg/m², respectively). The ADL and IADL disabilities were measured using the physical self-maintenance scale (PSMS) and IADL scale developed by Lawton and Brody, respectively.ResultsThe participants included in the current statistical analyses were 233 men and 505 women. The mean age was 93.5 ± 3.2 years (ranging from 90 to 108 years). Using the WHO Asia criteria, the prevalence of underweight and obesity were 43.9% and 6.6%, respectively. In long-lived women, the prevalence of ADL and IADL disabilities was significantly higher in either the underweight group (39.4% and 72.9%, respectively) or the obesity group (38.1% and 77.7%, respectively) compared with the normal weight group (31.4% and 60.8%, respectively). After adjusting for relevant covariates, the underweight group and obesity group showed significantly increased odds ratios (ORs) for either ADL (1.5 and 1.8, respectively) or IADL disability (1.9 and 1.4, respectively). Similar results were found when using the BMI quartile. However, in long-lived men, no significant difference was found with respect to the prevalence of ADL or IADL disability and adjusted ORs among the different BMI groups.ConclusionsAmong Chinese long-lived adults, the risk of ADL and IADL disability was higher for women with both extremely low and high BMIs, but this pattern was not found in men.     

Body Mass Index,Waist-circumference and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Iranian Adults: Isfahan Healthy Heart Program

Considering the main effect of obesity on chronic non-communicable diseases, this study was performed to assess the association between body mass index (BMI), waist-circumference (WC), cardiometabolic risk factors and to corroborate whether either or both BMI and WC are independently associated with the risk factors in a sample of Iranian adults. This cross-sectional study was performed on data from baseline survey of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP). The study was done on 12,514 randomly-selected adults in Isfahan, Najafabad and Arak counties in 2000-2001. Ages of the subjects were recorded. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour post-load glucose (2hpp), serum lipids, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), BMI, WC, smoking status, and total daily physical activity were determined. Increase in BMI and WC had a significant positive relation with the mean of FBG, 2hpp, SBP, DBP, serum lipids, except for HDL-C (p<0.001 for all). After adjustment for age, smoking, physical activity, socioeconomic status (SES), and BMI, the highest odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) for diabetes mellitus (DM) according to WC was 3.13 (1.93-5.08) and 1.99 (1.15-3.44) in women and men respectively. Moreover, the highest ORs based on BMI with adjustment for age, smoking, physical activity, SES, and WC were for dyslipidaemia (DLP) [1.97 (1.58-2.45) in women and 2.96 (2.41-3.63) in men]. The use of BMI or WC alone in the models caused to enhance all ORs. When both BMI and WC were entered in the model, the ORs for all risk factors, in men, according to BMI, were more compared to WC. However, in women, ORs for DM and hypertension (HTN) in WC quartiles were more than in BMI quartiles. BMI is the better predictor of DM, HTN, and DLP in men compared to WC. Conversely, in women, WC is a superior predictor than BMI, particularly for DM and HTN. Furthermore, the measurement of both WC and BMI in Iranian adults may be a better predictor of traditional risk factors of CVDs compared to BMI or WC alone.Key words: Body mass index, Diabetes mellitus, Dyslipidaemia, Hypertension, Obesity, Risk Factor, Waist-circumference, Iran     

Relationship of race-ethnicity,body mass index,and economic strain with longitudinal self-report of physical functioning: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation

PurposeThis study examined progression and improvement of physical functioning limitations during the mid-life and whether race-ethnicity, economic strain, or body mass index were associated with these changes.MethodsWomen from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation with one or more measure of self-reported physical functioning, categorized as no, some, or substantial limitations, between study visits 4 and 12 were included (n = 2497).ResultsWhen women were aged 56–66 years, almost 50% reported limitations in functioning. African American women were more likely to report substantial (odds ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–2.52) and Chinese women were more likely to report some limitations (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.22–3.36) compared with Caucasian women. Economic strain and obesity predicted limitations. The probability of worsening ranged from 6% to 22% and of improving ranged from 11% to 30%. Caucasian and Japanese women had the highest probability of remaining fully functional (80% and 84%, respectively) compared with 71% of African American women.ConclusionsRace-ethnicity, obesity, and economic strain were associated with prevalence and onset of physical functioning limitations. Functional improvement is common, even among vulnerable subgroups of women. Future studies should characterize predictors of decline and improvement so that interventions can sustain functioning even in the context of many known immutable risk factors.     

Short sleep duration at night in 2.5-year-old children is associated with childhood obesity at age 5.5 years: The Japanese children cohort study

BackgroundObesity in children contributes to higher risks of various chronic diseases in adulthood and the prevalence has increased worldwide including Japan.ObjectivesThis study aims to examine the association between sleep duration at night in children aged 2.5 years and the subsequent risk of obesity at age 5.5 years.MethodsThis study is embedded in the Longitudinal Survey on Babies Born in the 21st Century, which recruited families who had a child born in Japan in 2001. The multivariable logistic regression models were applied to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) of childhood obesity at 5.5 years, defined as percentage of overweight (POW) ≥ 20 % and body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile of this study population according to sleep duration at night collected at 2.5 years child age.ResultsAmong 25,378 children, 2.6 % and 3.7 % were obese at age 5.5 years defined by POW and BMI respectively. Compared with night sleep duration > 11 h/d, shorter sleep durations in 2.5 years-old children were associated with higher risk of obesity at 5.5 years; the multivariable ORs (95 %CI) were 1.05 (0.81–1.35), 1.23 (0.93–1.62) and 1.54 (1.04–2.31) for sleep duration 10, 9 and ≤ 8 h/d, respectively; p-trend = 0.03. The observed association differed according to the children (child’s sex, napping habits, and children frequently play at park), and family characteristics (mother’s age at delivery and mother’s level of education).ConclusionShort night sleep duration among girls aged 2.5 years was associated with risk of obesity at age 5.5 years, suggesting the importance of sufficient sleep duration at night for the prevention of obesity.     

A Cross-sectional Study to Examine the Association Between Dietary Patterns and Risk of Overweight and Obesity in Hong Kong Chinese Adolescents Aged 10–12 Years

Objective: To describe the dietary patterns and examine the associations of these patterns with risk of overweight and obesity in Chinese adolescents.

Methods: Baseline data collected between November 2003 and October 2004 from 171 boys and 180 girls aged 10–12 years who participated in the Hong Kong Adolescent Bone Health Cohort Study were analyzed. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and dietary pattern calculated using factor analysis. Data on demographic characteristics, weight, height, and Tanner stage were collected. Overweight and obesity were defined using The International Obesity Task Force cutoff values. Cardiovascular fitness expressed as peak oxygen consumption was predicted using the postexercise heart rate by the 3-minute step test and was used as an objective measure of physical activity. Association between dietary patterns and risk of overweight and obesity was examined using multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for demographics, puberty, and physical activity.

Results: The mean (SD) age of the study sample was 11.2 (0.6) years and there were 57 (16.2%) participants who were overweight/obese. Three dietary patterns were identified, namely, vegetables–fruits, snacks–beverages, and animal foods, fats, and condiments dominated. There was no significant linear association between each dietary pattern and the risk of overweight and obesity in this sample. Instead, the risk of overweight and obesity in this sample was positively associated with pubertal stage and inversely associated with physical activity.

Conclusions: Pubertal stage and physical activity, but not dietary patterns, were important factors contributing to the risk of overweight and obesity in this population.     

Obesity and diabetes are jointly associated with functional disability in stroke survivors

BackgroundStroke is the most common cause of complex disability. Obesity and diabetes increase risk for functional disability in the general population, but their contribution to functional disability in stroke survivors is unknown.ObjectiveTo investigate the joint association of obesity and diabetes with functional disability in stroke survivors.MethodsCross-sectional data from 34,376 stroke survivors from the 2015 and 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveys were examined. Weighted and age-adjusted prevalence estimates and adjusted odds ratios (AOR, adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to compare prevalence and odds for self-reported functional disability, stratified by obesity-diabetes status (i.e., neither condition, obesity only, diabetes only, both conditions).ResultsPrevalence of functional disability increased across obesity-diabetes categories in the total sample: neither condition (45.4%, 95% CI: 43.4%–47.4%), obesity only (55.3%, 95% CI: 52.7%–58.0%), diabetes only (60.8%, 95% CI: 57.5%–64.1%), and both conditions (70.3%, 95% CI: 67.7%–72.9%). Compared to respondents with neither condition, those with both obesity and diabetes had 2.62 (95% CI: 2.23–3.08) higher odds for functional disability; odds were also increased for respondents with obesity only (1.52, 95% CI: 1.32–1.76) and diabetes only (1.71, CI: 1.45–2.01).ConclusionsOur findings indicated a joint effect of obesity and diabetes on functional disability that exceeded either condition alone, placing stroke survivors with both health conditions at greatest risk for diminished functional capacity. Recognizing obesity and diabetes as modifiable risk factors may be useful for identifying stroke sub-populations that could benefit from lifestyle intervention.     

Revictimization Is Associated With Higher Cardiometabolic Risk in Sexual Minority Women

ObjectivesAlthough there is evidence that interpersonal trauma is associated with cardiometabolic risk in women, previous studies have not assessed the potential role of revictimization (victimization in both childhood and adulthood) among sexual minority women.MethodsWe used data from the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study to examine the associations of revictimization (including physical, sexual, and any revictimization) with self-reported psychosocial factors, health behaviors, and cardiometabolic risk factors (e.g., obesity, hypertension, and diabetes). We tested multiple logistic regression models, adjusted for covariates, to estimate odds ratios of the associations between revictimization and cardiometabolic risk.ResultsThe sample included 615 sexual minority women with a mean age of 40.0 years; 38.7% White. Eighty-three (13.5%) and 101 (16.4%) participants reported experiencing sexual revictimization and physical revictimization, respectively. Each form of revictimization was associated with higher odds of reporting lifetime depression and recent binge eating, but lower odds of having high social support. Physical revictimization was associated with higher odds of obesity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38–4.10) and hypertension (AOR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.70–6.46). Similarly, participants who reported any revictimization were more likely to have obesity (AOR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.42–3.92) and hypertension (AOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.31–5.26). No form of revictimization was associated with a higher odds of diabetes.ConclusionsThe higher odds of obesity and hypertension observed among sexual minority women who reported revictimization reinforce the need for early interventions to reduce cardiometabolic risk in this vulnerable population.     

Gender-specific relationships between socioeconomic disadvantage and obesity in elementary school students

ObjectiveTo assess the gender-specific effect of socioeconomic disadvantage on obesity in elementary school students.MethodsWe evaluated body mass index (BMI) data from 2,648 first- and fourth-grade students (1,377 male and 1,271 female students) in eight elementary schools in Springfield, Illinois, between 2012 and 2014. Other factors considered in analysis were grade level, year of data collection, school, race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic disadvantage (SD). Students were considered SD if they were eligible for free/reduced price lunch, a school-based poverty measure. We performed Fisher's exact test or chi-square analysis to assess differences in gender and obesity prevalence by the other factors and gender-stratified logistic regression analysis to determine if SD contributed to increased odds of obesity.ResultsA higher proportion of SD female students (20.8%) were obese compared to their non-SD peers (15.2%) (p = 0.01). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analysis indicated no difference in obesity in SD and non-SD male students. However, in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses, SD female students had higher odds of obesity than their peers. Even after controlling for grade level, school, year of data collection, and race/ethnicity, SD female students had 49% higher odds of obesity than their non-SD classmates (odds ratio:1.49; 95% confidence interval: 1.09–2.04).ConclusionsObesity was elevated in SD female students, even after controlling for factors such as race/ethnicity, but such an association was not seen in male students. Further study is warranted to determine the cause of this disparity, and interventions should be developed to target SD female students.     

Physical activity mediates the protective effect of the Mediterranean diet on children's obesity status: The CYKIDS study

ObjectiveThere is some evidence regarding the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and obesity among adults; to our knowledge, however, no relevant data exist for children. We investigated the association between adherence to the MD and obesity status in children.MethodsA national cross-sectional study among 1140 children (mean age 10.7 ± 0.98 y) was carried out in Cyprus using stratified multistage sampling design. Body mass index was calculated according to International Obesity Task Force criteria, from parental reference. Adherence to the MD was assessed by the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED diet score). To test the research hypothesis, a logistic regression analysis was applied with two dependent variable categories of obesity status, normal weight (NW) versus overweight/obese (OW/OB), and the three categories of the KIDMED score independently, after controlling for several potential confounders.ResultsCompared with low MD adherers, children with a high KIDMED score were 80% less likely to be OW/OB (95% confidence interval 0.041–0.976), adjusted for age, gender, parental obesity status, parental educational level, and dietary beliefs and behaviors (model 2). When physical activity was taken into account, however, the aforementioned relation was not significant (model 3; odds ratio 0.20, 95% confidence interval 0.021–1.86). Furthermore, male gender, maternal obesity, and dietary beliefs and behaviors emerged as more significant in predicting obesity in children compared with their KIDMED score.ConclusionAdherence to the MD is inversely associated with obesity in this sample of 9- to 13-y-old children; however, other behaviors, and in particular physical activity, maternal obesity, dietary beliefs and behaviors, seem to be more significant.     

Associations between food insecurity and healthy behaviors among Korean adults

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESFood insecurity has been suggested as being negatively associated with healthy behaviors and health status. This study was performed to identify the associations between food insecurity and healthy behaviors among Korean adults.SUBJECTS/METHODSThe data used were the 2011 Community Health Survey, cross-sectional representative samples of 253 communities in Korea. Food insecurity was defined as when participants reported that their family sometimes or often did not get enough food to eat in the past year. Healthy behaviors were considered as non-smoking, non-high risk drinking, participation in physical activities, eating a regular breakfast, and maintaining a normal weight. Multiple logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to identify the association between food insecurity and healthy behaviors.RESULTSThe prevalence of food insecurity was 4.4% (men 3.9%, women 4.9%). Men with food insecurity had lower odds ratios (ORs) for non-smoking, 0.75 (95% CI: 0.68-0.82), participation in physical activities, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.76-0.90), and eating a regular breakfast, 0.66 (95% CI: 0.59-0.74), whereas they had a higher OR for maintaining a normal weight, 1.19 (95% CI: 1.09-1.30), than men with food security. Women with food insecurity had lower ORs for non-smoking, 0.77 (95% CI: 0.66-0.89), and eating a regular breakfast, 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72-0.88). For men, ORs for obesity were 0.78 (95% CI: 0.70-0.87) for overweight and 0.56 (95% CI: 0.39-0.82) for mild obesity. For women, the OR for moderate obesity was 2.04 (95% CI: 1.14-3.63) as compared with normal weight.CONCLUSIONSFood insecurity has a different impact on healthy behaviors. Provision of coping strategies for food insecurity might be critical to improve healthy behaviors among the population.     

Obesity is associated with a reduced odds for blunt intra-abdominal injuries in children

ObjectivesChildren with obesity may possess unique injury characteristics that may affect their emergency care. To better understand this relationship, we investigated the association of obesity in pediatric trauma patients and intra-abdominal injuries (IAIs) and routinely utilized emergency department (ED) diagnostic procedures (computed tomography (CT) scans and ultrasound (US) examinations).MethodsThis secondary data analysis utilized Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) data from 2007 to 2010. Since height data were not available, children (2–17 years) with obesity were defined using weight-for-age percentiles. Non-parametric testing determined potential confounders. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated using binary logistic regression for weight status and IAIs and diagnostic procedures.ResultsThere were 3846 patients with actual weight recorded: 3301 (85.8%) children without obesity and 545 (14.2%) with obesity. Children with obesity had decreased odds for IAI after adjusting for race, mechanical force injury (MFI) type, vomiting, and abdominal wall trauma (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.58 (95% CI 0.35–0.97); p-value = 0.04). Patients with obesity had reduced odds for a CT examination. No association was found between obesity status and US utilization. African-American patients had decreased odds for IAIs, CT scans and US examinations after adjustment which could be related to MFI type.ConclusionsObesity appears to reduce the odds for pediatric IAIs and CT scans, but not for US examinations. Selection bias is possible due to injury severity and missing or excluded weight data. Further research is needed in other pediatric populations with obesity and blunt injuries.     

Association of obesity with venous thromboembolism and myocardial injury in COVID-19

IntroductionAlthough both obesity and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) independently induce inflammation and thrombosis, the association between obesity class and risk of thrombosis in patients with COVID-19 remains unclear.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at a single institution. Patients were categorized based on obesity class. The main outcomes were venous thromboembolism (VTE) and myocardial injury, a marker of microvascular thrombosis in COVID-19. Adjustments were made for sociodemographic variables, cardiovascular disease risk factors and comorbidities.Results609 patients with COVID-19 were included. 351 (58%) patients were without obesity, 110 (18%) were patients with class I obesity, 76 (12%) were patients with class II obesity, and 72 (12%) were patients with class III obesity. Patients with class I and III obesity had significantly higher risk-adjusted odds of VTE compared to patients without obesity (OR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.05–6.14 for class I obesity; and OR = 3.95, 95% CI: 1.40–11.14 for class III obesity). Patients with class III obesity had significantly higher risk-adjusted odds of myocardial injury compared to patients without obesity (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.12–4.12). Both VTE and myocardial injury were significantly associated with greater risk-adjusted odds of mortality.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that both macrovascular and microvascular thromboses may contribute to the elevated morbidity and mortality in patients with obesity and COVID-19.     

The Relationship between Anthropometric Indices and Breast Cancer in Central Iran

Background: Anthropometric indices have a debatable relationship with breast cancer (BC) among different ethnicity. In the current study, we have evaluated the relationship between anthropometric indices and BC in Iranian participants.

Methods: Between 2012 and 2014, a total of 7,805 women were enrolled from different mammography centers in Isfahan province, Iran. For each participant, a detailed questionnaire was filled out and anthropometric indices were measured by trained technicians. We used logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for BC risk associated with anthropometry measurements, stratified on menopausal status.

Results: In the postmenopausal group, weight ≥68 kg compared to weight <61.75 kg was associated with decreased risk of BC (OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.63–0.97). Postmenopausal women with Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) ≥ 0.85 compared to WHR < 0.77 were at increased risk of BC (OR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.07–1.73). Both premenopausal and postmenopausal women had a decreased risk of BC with higher Obesity Index (OI) and Relative Weight.

Conclusion: Ethnicity appears to play an important role in the discrepancies between results of different studies about the correlation of anthropometric features with BC.     

Explorations on risk profiles for overweight and obesity in 9501 preschool-aged children

BackgroundChildhood obesity places a major burden on global public health. We aimed to identify and characterize potential factors, both individually and jointly, in association with overweight and obesity in Chinese preschool-aged children.MethodsWe cross-sectionally recruited 9501 preschool-aged children from 30 kindergartens in Beijing and Tangshan. Overweight and obesity are defined according to the World Health Organization (WHO), International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), and China criteria.ResultsAfter multivariable adjustment, eating speed, sleep duration, birthweight, and paternal body mass index (BMI) were consistently and significantly associated with childhood overweight and obesity under three growth criteria at a significance level of 5%. Additional fast food intake frequency, maternal BMI, gestational weight gain (GWG) and maternal pre-pregnancy BMI were significant factors for overweight (WHO criteria) and obesity (both IOTF and China criteria). Importantly, there were significant interactions between parental obesity and eating speed for childhood obesity. Finally, for practical reasons, risk nomogram models were constructed for childhood overweight and obesity based on significant factors under each criterion, with good prediction accuracy.ConclusionOur findings indicated a synergistic association of lifestyle, fetal and neonatal, and family-related factors with the risk of experiencing overweight and obesity among preschool-aged children.