Prevalence of Physical Activity Among Adults in a Metropolitan Nigerian City: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Baseline information on physical activity is relevant to controlling the epidemic of chronic noncommunicable diseases occurring in many African countries. However, standardized data on physical activity are lacking in Nigeria. We assessed the prevalence of physical activity and its relationships with sociodemographic characteristics in a subnational sample of Nigerian adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a representative sample of 934 adults (age, 20–82 years) living in metropolitan Maiduguri, Nigeria. Physical activity was measured using the validated Nigerian version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Hausa IPAQ-SF). Using the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline, participants were classified as sufficiently active or insufficiently active. Sociodemographic correlates of sufficient physical activity were identified using multinomial logistic regression.

Results

Overall, 68.6% of Nigerian adults were sufficiently active. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in prevalence of physical activity between men (68.0%) and women (69.3%), but physical activity tended to decrease with increasing age category, especially among men. Physical activity prevalence was positively associated with being married (OR = 1.52, CI = 1.04–4.37) and blue collar work (OR = 2.19, CI = 1.16–4.12) and negatively associated with car ownership (OR = 0.38, CI = 0.17–0.86) and higher income (OR = 0.54, CI = 0.10–0.95).

Conclusions

The prevalence of physical activity varied between sociodemographic subgroups of Nigerian adults; thus, public health policies and interventions based on ecologic models of health behaviors may be warranted in promoting physical activity in Nigeria.Key words: physical activity, sociodemographic characteristics, IPAQ, Nigerian adults     

Association Between Self-Reported Bruxism and Malocclusion in University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives

Bruxism can result in temporomandibular disorders, oral pain, and tooth wear. However, it is unclear whether bruxism affects malocclusion. The aim of this study was to examine the association between self-reported bruxism and malocclusion in university students.

Methods

Students (n = 1503; 896 men and 607 women) aged 18 and 19 years were examined. Malocclusion was defined using a modified version of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need. The presence of buccal mucosa ridging, tooth wear, dental impression on the tongue, palatal/mandibular torus, and the number of teeth present were recorded, as well as body mass index (BMI). Additional information regarding gender, awareness of bruxism, orthodontic treatment, and oral habits was collected via questionnaire.

Results

The proportion of students with malocclusion was 32% (n = 481). The awareness of clenching in males with malocclusion was significantly higher than in those with normal occlusion (chi square test, P < 0.01). According to logistic regression analysis, the probability of malocclusion was significantly associated with awareness of clenching (odds ratio [OR] 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–3.93) and underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m²) (OR 1.89; 95% CI, 1.31–2.71) in males but not in females. In subgroup analyses, the probability of crowding was also significantly associated with awareness of clenching and underweight (P < 0.01) in males.

Conclusions

Awareness of clenching and underweight were related to malocclusion (crowding) in university male students.Key words: bruxism, malocclusion, young adult, cross-sectional studies     

Association of Glycemic Status With Impaired Lung Function Among Recipients of a Health Screening Program: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japanese Adults

Background

The dose-response relationship between glycemic status and lung function has not been thoroughly investigated. We hypothesized that there are continuous and inverse associations between glycemic measures and lung function tests and examined the hypothesis in Japanese adults.

Methods

We cross-sectionally investigated associations of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) with forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in 3161 adults who participated in a health screening from 2008 to 2011. The study participants included both diabetic and non-diabetic adults. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the associations.

Results

Inverse associations were observed in both sexes, which were attenuated in women after adjustment for multiple variables. A 1% absolute increase in HbA1c was associated with a −52-mL (95% confidence interval [CI] −111 to 8 mL) difference in FVC and a −25-mL (95% CI −75 to 25 mL) difference in FEV1 in women, and a −128-mL (95% CI −163 to −94 mL) difference in FVC and a −73-mL (95% CI −101 to −44 mL) difference in FEV1 in men. A 10-mg/dL increase in FPG was associated with a −11-mL (95% CI −29 to 8 mL) difference in FVC and a −8-mL (95% CI −24 to 7 mL) difference in FEV1 in women, and a −32-mL (95% CI −44 to −21 mL) difference in FVC and a −19-mL (95% CI −28 to −9 mL) difference in FEV1 in men.

Conclusions

Inverse associations between glycemic measures and lung function were observed. Men seem more susceptible to the alteration in FVC and FEV1 than women.Key words: diabetes, glycemic status, lung function     

Sociodemographic and Anthropometric Factors Associated With Screen-Based Sedentary Behavior Among Japanese Adults: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Concern over the health risks of sedentary behavior has highlighted the need to examine factors associated with screen-based (television/computer) sedentary behavior. The present study examined the association of screen-based sedentary behavior with body weight and sociodemographic attributes among Japanese adults.

Methods

A population-based cross-sectional study enrolled 1034 Japanese adults aged 40 to 69 years who lived in 2 Japanese cities. Sociodemographic variables, height, weight, and time spent on screen-based sedentary behavior were collected by self-administered questionnaire. Differences in screen time in relation to body mass index and weight gain since age 20 years were assessed by the Mann-Whitney U test. Independent associations of each variable with screen time were examined by forced-entry logistic regression analyses.

Results

Mean (SD) age and median (interquartile range) duration of screen time per week were 55.6 (8.4) years and 832.0 (368.8–1263.1) minutes, respectively, for men, and 55.3 (8.4) years and 852.6 (426.0–1307.5) minutes, respectively, for women. Screen time among participants with weight gain was longer than among those with a weight gain of less than 10 kg (P = 0.08). Unmarried and unemployed participants had longer screen times. Participants aged 40 to 49 years were less likely than older age groups to spend time on screen-based sedentary behavior during leisure hours.

Conclusions

The present findings imply that strategies are necessary to discourage screen-based sedentary behavior among all demographic groups, especially among adults who are elderly, unmarried, or unemployed.Key words: weight status, Japanese, sedentary behavior, sociodemographic     

No Association between Arsenic Exposure from Drinking Water and Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bangladesh

Background

The long-term effects of arsenic exposure from drinking water at levels < 300 μg/L and the risk of diabetes mellitus remains a controversial topic.

Method

We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study using baseline data from 11,319 participants in the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study in Araihazar, Bangladesh, to evaluate the associations of well water arsenic and total urinary arsenic concentration and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and glucosuria. We also assessed the concentrations of well water arsenic, total urinary arsenic, and urinary arsenic metabolites in relation to blood glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in subsets of the study population.

Results

More than 90% of the cohort members were exposed to drinking water with arsenic concentration < 300 μg/L. We found no association between arsenic exposure and the prevalence of diabetes. The adjusted odds ratios for diabetes were 1.00 (referent), 1.35 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.90–2.02], 1.24 (0.82–1.87), 0.96 (0.62–1.49), and 1.11 (0.73–1.69) in relation to quintiles of time-weighted water arsenic concentrations of 0.1–8, 8–41, 41–91, 92–176, and ≥ 177 μg/L, respectively, and 1.00 (referent), 1.29 (0.87–1.91), 1.05 (0.69–1.59), 0.94 (0.61–1.44), and 0.93 (0.59–1.45) in relation to quintiles of urinary arsenic concentrations of 1–36, 37–66, 67–114, 115–204, and ≥ 205 μg/L, respectively. We observed no association between arsenic exposure and prevalence of glucosuria and no evidence of an association between well water arsenic, total urinary arsenic, or the composition of urinary arsenic metabolites and HbA1c level.

Conclusions

Our findings do not support an association of arsenic exposure from drinking water and a significantly increased risk of diabetes mellitus in the range of levels observed. Further prospective studies would be valuable in confirming the findings.     

Association Between Traditional Japanese Diet Washoku and Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Findings from the Kashiwa Study

Objectives

To identify the dietary patterns among community-dwelling Japanese older adults and to explore the association between these patterns and sarcopenia.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Kashiwa city, Chiba prefecture, Japan.

Participants

Community-dwelling older adults (n = 1241) aged 65 years and over who were not eligible for long-term care.

Measurements

Dietary intake was assessed using the brief self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ). Dietary patterns were identified using both principal component analysis and the score on the Japanese diet comprising soybeans and soybean products, fish, vegetables, pickles, mushroom, seaweeds, and fruits. Sarcopenia was defined by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed with sarcopenia status as the dependent variable after adjusting for economic status, living alone status, BMI, energy intake, multimorbidity, and physical activity.

Results

Participants’ mean age was 74.6 years, and 52.1% were male. According to AWGS criteria, 5.1% had sarcopenia. Three dietary patterns were identified from the principal component analysis. Dietary pattern 1 (DP1), showed high loadings for fish, tofu, vegetables, and fruits which are similar to the side dishes in a typical Japanese diet. Dietary pattern 2 (DP2) had high factor loadings for fish, rice, and miso soup which are main dishes in a typical Japanese diet. Dietary pattern 3 (DP3) had a high factor loading for noodles. Men with the lowest tertile of DP1 score had a higher likelihood of being sarcopenic (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20?11.2). Women with the lowest tertile of DP2 score had a moderate likelihood of being sarcopenic (AOR 2.71, 95%CI 0.99?7.46). Low adherence to Japanese dietary pattern was associated with prevalence of sarcopenia in both genders.

Conclusion

Adherence to a dietary pattern high in foods characteristic of a Japanese diet including fish, soybean products, vegetables, and fruits was associated with low prevalence of sarcopenia in both genders.

     

Association Between Accumulation of Advanced Glycation End-Products and Hearing Impairment in Community-Dwelling Older People: A Cross-Sectional Sukagawa Study

Objectives

The experimental studies suggested the hypothesis that the accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) could induce hearing impairment. The purpose of this study is to examine the hypothesis among elderly people using an epidemiologic approach.

Time Spent Walking and Risk of Diabetes in Japanese Adults: The Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective Diabetes Study

Background

The association between time spent walking and risk of diabetes was investigated in a Japanese population-based cohort.

Methods

Data from the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Diabetes cohort were analyzed. The surveys of diabetes were performed at baseline and at the 5-year follow-up. Time spent walking per day was assessed using a self-reported questionnaire (<30 minutes, 30 minutes to <1 hour, 1 to <2 hours, or ≥2 hours). A cross-sectional analysis was performed among 26 488 adults in the baseline survey. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between time spent walking and the presence of unrecognized diabetes. We then performed a longitudinal analysis that was restricted to 11 101 non-diabetic adults who participated in both the baseline and 5-year surveys. The association between time spent walking and the incidence of diabetes during the 5 years was examined.

Results

In the cross-sectional analysis, 1058 participants had unrecognized diabetes. Those with time spent walking of <30 minutes per day had increased odds of having diabetes in relation to those with time spent walking of ≥2 hours (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.23; 95% CI, 1.02–1.48). In the longitudinal analysis, 612 participants developed diabetes during the 5 years of follow-up. However, a significant association between time spent walking and the incidence of diabetes was not observed.

Conclusions

Increased risk of diabetes was implied in those with time spent walking of <30 minutes per day, although the longitudinal analysis failed to show a significant result.Key words: diabetes, time spent walking, the JPHC Diabetes study     

Prevalence of Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Japanese Older Adults

Background

Sarcopenia, the age-dependent loss of skeletal muscle mass, is highly prevalent among older adults in many countries; however, the prevalence of sarcopenia in healthy Japanese community-dwelling older adults is not well characterized.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia and to examine the association of sarcopenia with falls and fear of falling in community-dwelling Japanese older adults.

Design

This is a cross-sectional study.

Setting and Subjects

Healthy men (568) and women (1314) aged 65 to 89 years participated in this research.

Measurements

For all participants, 3 measurements were taken: skeletal muscle mass measurement using bioelectrical impedance, 10 m at a usual walking speed, and handgrip strength. Sarcopenia was defined as the presence of both poor muscle function (low physical performance or low muscle strength) and low muscle mass.

Results

The prevalence of sarcopenia, determined using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People–suggested algorithm, in men and women aged 65 to 89 years was 21.8% and 22.1%, respectively. The prevalence of sarcopenia increased age-dependently, especially in those older than 75 years in both genders. In the young old, the prevalence of sarcopenia was higher in women than in men; however, in those older than 85 years, the prevalence of sarcopenia was lower in women than in men (P < .05). In addition, fall incidents and fear of falling were more prevalent in sarcopenic older adults than in nonsarcopenic older adults (P < .05).

Conclusions

These results suggest that sarcopenia is highly prevalent in community-dwelling Japanese older adults and is related to falls and fear of falling.     

Prevalence and Association of Physical Activity with Obesity: An Urban,Community-Based,Cross-Sectional Study

Aim:To study levels of physical activity and various measures of obesity and their association in an urban population.Results:Physical Activity (PA) levels declined with age and the decline was greater among females. The Pearson''s correlation coefficient for age against PA among males was found to be negative and weak (r = –0.104) and that among females was found to be similar (r = –0.206). The prevalence of obesity was higher among females (28.8 %) than among males (13.3 %) and the difference was statistically significant. There was a progressive increase in abdominal obesity with age in both genders. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among individuals with low levels of PA as compared to those with high levels of PA.Conclusion:Sedentary behavior is prevalent in more than half of the current study sample. This was more so with increasing age, female gender and increasing obesity. PA is an important component on long-term weight control, and therefore adequate levels of activity should be prescribed to combat the obesity epidemic. Habitual moderate physical activity may be beneficial in preventing excess accumulation of fat.     

Frailty Severity and Dietary Variety in Japanese Older Persons: A Cross-Sectional Study

Providing older person individuals with an appropriate intervention at the time of frailty onset is important to prevent the progression of the condition and the need for long-term care. However, the proper timing of starting nutritional and dietary interventions for frail older person subjects has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study, we aimed to clarify the association between frailty and dietary variety among older persons in Japan. We surveyed sex, age, body height, body weight, body mass index, serum albumin level, dietary variety, and nutritional intake indexes in 747 community-dwelling older person individuals who underwent a comprehensive health examination in October 2014. Frailty was determined using the Kihon Checklist (25 questions). Kihon Checklist is widely used to assess frailty in Japan, and their physical, cognitive and social function was evaluated. After excluding those who did not complete the Kihon Checklist and those who required long-term care, frailty status was analyzed in 665 older person individuals. The numbers and percentages of frail, pre-frail and robust older persons were found to be 77 (11.6%), 182 (27.4%) and 406 (61.0%) respectively. Significant differences among robust, pre-frail, and frail subjects were observed in terms of age, serum albumin level, alcohol consumption, smoking, and history of diabetes. Among the nutritionrelated indexes, only the dietary variety showed a significant difference. The results of ordinal logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between frailty and sex, age, smoking status, diabetes, and dietary variety score. Dietary variety was significantly associated with the progression of frailty among older persons in the community.     

Period Prevalence and Sociodemographic Factors of Hypertension in Rural Maharashtra: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background:

Hypertension is most common cardiovascular disease and it account for large proportion of all cardiovascular deaths and disability worldwide.

Research Questions:

What is the level of prevalence of hypertension in rural area? What are the soociodemographic factors associated with hypertension?

Objectives:

To find out prevalence of hypertension in rural area.

Study Design:

A community-based cross-sectional study setting: Rural Health Training Centre Paithan, field practice area of govt. medical college Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Participants:

1297 persons aged 19 years and above.

Study Period:

June 2005 to December 2006.

Materials and Methods:

A house-to-house survey was conducted by the author himself, interviewed the participants by systematic random sampling method, using pretested structured standard questionnaire. Two independent blood pressure (BP) readings were taken in sitting position by visiting each participant at their home. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP more than or equal to 140 mm of Hg or diastolic BP more than or equal to 90 mm of Hg or those individuals currently taking antihypertensive treatment.

Statistical Tests:

Percentiles, Chi Square test, Chi-Square for linear trend, multiple logistic regression analysis on SPSS software Version 10.

Results:

Overall prevalence of hypertension in the study subjects was 7.24%. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified various factors significantly associated with hypertension were age, sex, BMI, additional salt intake, smoking, DM, alcohol consumption, and higher socioeconomic status.

Conclusions:

The overall prevalence of hypertension in study subjects was 7.24%.     

Association Between Sodium Excretion and Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality in the Elderly: A Cohort Study

Objective

High dietary sodium intake is a risk factor for cardiovascular events and death. Recently, a J-shaped correlation between sodium intake and adverse outcomes has been shown. The evidence on the association between sodium intake and cardiovascular outcomes in the elderly is scant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between sodium intake and cardiovascular events and mortality in an elderly population, taking into account frailty status.

Socioeconomic Status and Overweight: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Japanese Children and Adolescents

Background

Socioeconomic status (SES) as a determinant of obesity has received scant attention in Japan. This study examined the association between SES and overweight among Japanese children and adolescents.

Methods

Cross-sectional analyses of a representative sample of Japanese children (6–11 years: n = 397) and adolescents (12–18 years: n = 397) were performed, with measured heights and weights from the 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the 2010 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions. Overweight, including obesity, was defined by International Obesity Task Force cut-offs. SES indicators included household income, equivalent household expenditure, parental educational attainment, and parental occupational class.

Results

Overweight prevalence was 12.3% in children and 9.1% in adolescents. Adolescents living in middle-income households were more likely to be overweight than those living in high-income households (OR 2.26, 95% CI, 1.01–5.67) after adjustment for age, sex, and parental weight status. Similarly, adolescents living in households with low expenditure levels were more likely to be overweight than those living in households with high expenditure levels (OR 3.40, 95% CI, 1.20–9.60). In contrast, no significant association was observed among children.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that low household economic status was associated with being overweight, independent of parental weight status, among Japanese adolescents.Key words: socioeconomic status, overweight, children, adolescent, Japan     

浙江省德清县农村社区成人鼾症状况调查

目的 了解德清县农村社区成人鼾症情况.方法 采用流行病学现况研究设计,整群抽取浙江省德清县4个农村社区,面对面调查上述社区中所有18～64周岁的社区户籍居民.在Epi data3.1中文版建立数据库]SPSS11.0软件中进行数据分析.结果 在5726名合格对象中,农村社区18～64岁成人鼾症粗患病率为33.9%,按照2000年全国人口进行年龄性别标化,年龄性别标化率为53.8%.鼾症的患病率存在年龄趋势,随着年龄的增加而增加(χ2=193.13,P<0.001).在非条件多元logistic回归分析中,年龄较大、男性、吸烟、惠高血压和较胖可能增加鼾症的风险,相应OR值分别为1.04(95%CI:1.03～1.05)、1.87(95%CI:1.59～2.20)、1.60(95%CI:1.36～1.89)、1125(95%CI:1.09～1.45)和1.15(95%CI:1.13～I.18).结论 农村社区成人鼾症患病率较高,应加强监控.     

Caregivers Burden of Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses in the Community: A Cross-Sectional Study

A chronic physical/mental disease not only has direct consequences for the chronically-ill older adults but can also alter the caregiver’s life. The objectives of this study were to identify burdens of community-dwelling older adults, characteristics of caregivers, severity of caregiver burden, and to develop supportive strategies. Caregivers of community-dwelling older adults were randomly interviewed between February and March 2012. Information on baseline characteristics and caregiver burden using Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI) was collected. One hundred-fifty caregivers were interviewed. The mean ZBI was 20.8 + 11.3 [95 % CI 19.0, 22.7]. The majority of caregiver burden was classified as no burden (52 %). The age of caregivers, self-reported health status and duration of care had a positive relationship with ZBI scores while self-reported income had a negative one. Caregiver burden among Thai community-dwelling elder persons was small as most of those cared for had uncomplicated illness but this might be underestimated. Caregiver-dependent factors were more strongly associated with high burden than patient characteristics. Healthcare providers should consider these factors for interventions to alleviate burden.     

Association Between the Hypertriglyceridemic Waist Phenotype,Prediabetes, and Diabetes Mellitus Among Adults in Puerto Rico

This study assessed the association of the hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype with prediabetes and diabetes (DM) in a group of Hispanics. Analysis of a cross-sectional study of 858 adults residing in Puerto Rico that collected data on blood pressure, biochemical, and anthropometric measurements was performed. HTGW phenotype was defined as elevated triglycerides and elevated waist circumference. Prediabetes was defined as a fasting glucose of 100–125 mg/dL and DM as a fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL or prior diagnosis. Prevalence of HTGW, prediabetes, and DM was 27.9, 38.0, and 21.6 %, respectively. Subjects with the HTGW phenotype had higher adjusted odds of prediabetes (POR 5.55; 95 % CI 3.38–9.13) and DM (POR 7.28; 95 % CI 3.63–14.63) compared to those without the phenotype. The association for prediabetes was stronger for women than among men. HTGW phenotype was strongly associated with prediabetes and DM, reinforcing the need to further assess its performance as a screening tool to identify at-risk individuals for cardiometabolic conditions.