Peer Reviewed: Association Between Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity, and Obesity: Inactivity Among Active Kids

Introduction

Sedentary behavior and physical activity are not mutually exclusive behaviors. The relative risk of overweight for adolescents who are highly sedentary and highly physically active is unclear. A better understanding of the relationship between sedentary behaviors, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) would provide insight for developing interventions to prevent or reduce overweight.

Methods

Using the physical activity module of the School Health Action, Planning and Evaluation System (SHAPES), we collected data from 25,060 students in grades 9 through 12 from 76 secondary schools in Ontario, Canada. Sex-specific logistic regression analyses were performed to examine how BMI, weight perceptions, social influences, team sports participation, and smoking behavior were associated with being 1) high active-high sedentary, 2) low active-low sedentary, and 3) low active-high sedentary.

Results

Low active-high sedentary boys were more likely to be overweight than high active-low sedentary boys (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-2.58). When compared with high active-low sedentary girls, girls who were low active-high sedentary (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.23-4.09) or high active-high sedentary (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.01-3.61) were more likely to be overweight.

Conclusion

Sedentary behavior may moderate the relationship between physical activity and overweight. Developing a better understanding of sedentary behavior in relation to physical activity and overweight is critical for preventing and reducing overweight among youth.     

Screening for depressive symptoms in older adults in the Family Health Strategy,Porto Alegre,Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the prevalence of depression in older adults and associated factors.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study using a stratified random sample of 621 individuals aged ≥ 60 from 27 family health teams in Porto Alegre, RS, Southern Brazil, between 2010 and 2012. Community health agents measured depression using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Scores of ≥ 6 were considered as depression and between 11 and 15 as severe depression. Poisson regression was used to search for independent associations of sociodemographic and self-perceived health with both depression and its severity.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depression was 30.6% and was significantly higher in women (35.9% women versus 20.9% men, p < 0.001). The variables independently associated with depression were: female gender (PR = 1.4, 95%CI 1.1;1.8); low education, especially illiteracy (PR = 1.8, 95%CI 1.2;2 6); regular self-rated health (OR = 2.2, 95%CI 1.6;3.0); and poor/very poor self-rated health (PR = 4.0, 95%CI 2.9;5.5). Except for education, the strength of association of these factors increases significantly in severe depression.

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of depression was observed in the evaluations conducted by community health agents, professionals who are not highly specialized. The findings identified using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale in this way are similar to those in the literature, with depression more associated with low education, female gender and worse self-rated health. From a primary health care strategic point of view, the findings become still more relevant, indicating that community health agents could play an important role in identifying depression in older adults.     

The 3‐Year Longitudinal Impact of Sedentary Behavior on the Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students

BACKGROUND

Sedentary behavior is linked to many adverse health outcomes; however, its relationship with academic achievement is less understood. We examined sedentary behavior's impact on academic achievement over 3 years in 4408 adolescents from the COMPASS study.

METHODS

Sedentary behavior (screen‐based: watching/streaming television shows/movies, video/computer games, surfing the internet; communication‐based: texting/messaging/emailing, talking on the phone; and doing homework) and academic achievement (overall math and English marks) were self‐reported.

RESULTS

Holding time fixed, moving from the lowest quartile (Q1) to Q2, Q3, or Q4 of watching/streaming television shows/movies (Q2: OR = 0.90; 95%CI: 0.84‐0.97, Q3: OR = 0.85; 95%CI: 0.74‐0.98, Q4: OR = 0.74; 95%CI: 0.64‐0.85) or to Q2 of surfing the internet (Q2: OR = 0.87; 95%CI: 0.78‐0.97) decreased the likelihood of surpassing English standards. Moving from Q1 to Q2 of communication‐based sedentary behavior (OR = 0.90; 95%CI: 0.82‐0.99) decreased the likelihood of surpassing math standards. Moving from Q1 to Q4 (OR = 1.31; 95%CI: 1.15‐1.50) of watching/streaming television shows/movies increased the likelihood of surpassing math standards. Moving from Q1 to Q4 of doing homework (OR = 1.16; 95%CI: 1.02‐1.31) increased the likelihood of surpassing English standards.

CONCLUSIONS

Predicting academic achievement from total sedentary behavior is challenging. Targeting specific types of sedentary behavior should be considered for improving math and English achievement.

     

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     

Relationship between intra-household food distribution and coexistence of dual forms of malnutrition

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The relationship between food intake and nutritional status has been clearly established. Yet, there are only limited studies on food intake among family members and their nutritional status. The study examined the relationship between intra-household food distribution and coexistence of dual forms of malnutrition (DFM) in the same household.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Households with a malnourished child and overweight mother were categorized as DFM. Intra-household food distribution among family members was reported using ratios, which are a measure of individual intakes as compared to all household member intakes adjusted to RDA.

RESULTS

A 1,899 families were included in the study. The prevalence of DFM was 29.8% (95%CI 26.5-31.2). Children consumed lower amounts of energy (OR 1.34; 95%CI 1.06-1.69, P = 0.011), carbohydrates (OR 1.2; 95%CI1.03-1.61, P = 0.022), protein (OR 1.3; 95%CI 1.03-1.64, P = 0.026), and fat (OR 1.3; 95%CI 1.05-1.66, P = 0.016) than their mothers and other family members. In contrast, mothers consumed more carbohydrates than children and other family members (OR1.24; 95%CI 1.02-1.51, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to report on the food distribution among family members and its relationship with occurrence of DFM in Indonesia. The results confirm the occurrence of an unequal food distribution between children and mothers, which increases risk of DFM in the household. The results also demonstrate that nutritional education at the household level is important to increase awareness of the impact of DFM.     

Is low health literacy associated with overweight and obesity in adolescents: an epidemiology study in a 12–16?years old population,Nanning, China, 2012

Background

The problem of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is considered an epidemic in both developed and developing world by the WHO. There has been little study on the relationship between health literacy and body weight among adolescents.This epidemiological study aims to investigate the association between low health literacy and overweight and obesity among a population of Chinese adolescents aged 12–16 years in the city of Nanning, China in 2012.

Methods

This study was a population-based cross-sectional health survey utilising a two-stage random cluster sampling design. The sample consisted of high school students aged between 12–16 years with the total student population attending high schools in a large city as the sample frame. Health literacy was measured by the Chinese version of the short form of the Test of Functional Health Literacy translated for and validated among Taiwanese adolescents. Overweight and obesity were assessed in accordance to the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Database of Body Mass Index classification methods. Data were analysed using logistic regression modelling techniques with adjustment to the cluster sampling effect.

Results

A total of 1035 students responded to the survey providing usable information with 628 (48.1%) respondents classified as high, 558 (42.8%) moderate, and 119 (9.1%) low levels of health literacy. After adjusting for potential confounding factors and the cluster sampling effect, low health literacy was significantly associated with overweight and obesity (OR = 1.84, 95% C.I. = 1.13-2.99).

Conclusion

Results suggested that low health literacy level was associated with many aspects of adolescence health including their body weight. These results have public health implications on an important global problem of adolescence body weight. Enhancing the health literacy should be considered as part of the strategies in combating adolescence weight problem.     

Association of Rapid Weight Gain During Early Childhood With Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Japanese Adolescents

Background

Because of the lack of relevant data, we investigated the association between rapid weight gain (RWG) during early childhood and cardiovascular risk factors in Japanese adolescents.

Methods

The source population comprised 2285 adolescents aged 13 to 14 years enrolled in any public school in Fukuroi City, Japan during 2008, 2009, or 2010. Since there are no private schools in this city, almost all adolescents who lived in the city went to 1 of these schools. We obtained data on blood pressure (BP), serum lipids, and anthropometry during adolescence, as well as anthropometry at birth, age 1.5 years, and age 3 years, from the Maternal and Child Health Handbook for 1624 children. RWG was defined as a change in body-weight standard deviation score greater than 0.67 from age 0 to 1.5 years or from age 1.5 to 3 years.

Results

After adjusting for confounding factors, adolescents who had RWG from 0 to age 1.5 years or from age 1.5 to 3 years were more likely to be overweight. Adolescents who had RWG during both periods were more likely to be overweight (odds ratio [OR], 6.37; 95% CI, 3.06–13.24), have unfavorable lipid concentrations (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.15–3.58), and have high BP (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.34–4.13). The associations with unfavorable lipid concentrations and high BP disappeared after further adjusting for current body mass index.

Conclusions

RWG during early childhood predicts unfavorable lipid concentrations and high BP in Japanese adolescents, and this relationship is mediated by body mass index in later life.Key words: blood pressure, body weight change, infant, lipoproteins, obesity     

Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in a Nigerian Population

Objective

This survey explored prevalence of overweight and obesity and their associations with socio-demographic variables in a Nigerian population.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey involved 1521 adults in Nnewi. Age, sex, educational and occupational status, and BMI were recorded.

Results

Prevalence of overweight was higher in males (32.3%; 95% CI, 29.5%–35.2%) than in females (29.8%; 95% CI, 26.8%–33.0%); the reverse was the case for prevalence of obesity (19.6%; 95% CI, 17.3%–22.2% in males and 36.0%; 95% CI, 32.8%–39.4% in females). Higher odds ratios (ORs) for overweight and obesity were observed in participants aged 41–60 years (OR 2.03; 95% CI, 1.57–2.61 for overweight and OR 4.29; 95% CI, 3.25–5.67 for obesity) and those >60 years (OR 1.72; 95% CI, 1.21–2.43 for overweight and OR 4.21; 95% CI, 2.86–6.19 for obesity) compared to those aged 18–40 years. Female sex was associated with higher ORs for overweight (OR 1.20; 95% CI, 0.96–1.51) and obesity (OR 2.21; 95% CI, 1.73–2.83). Participants with secondary education had marginally higher ORs for overweight (OR 1.15; 95% CI, 0.88–1.51) and obesity (OR 1.17; 95% CI, 0.86–1.59) than those with tertiary education, and so were those with primary education for obesity (OR 1.19; 95% CI, 0.74–1.89) but higher OR for overweight (OR 1.44; 95% CI, 0.98–2.13). Unskilled participants had about the same OR for overweight and obesity as professionals, and while skilled participants had about the same OR for overweight as professionals, their OR for obesity (OR 1.27; 95% CI, 0.67–2.43) was fairly higher than that for professionals.

Conclusions

Prevalence of overweight is higher in males than in females, but the reverse is the case for prevalence of obesity. Older age and female sex are associated with increased risk of overweight and obesity, while working at a skilled occupation is associated with obesity, and tertiary educational attainment is associated with overweight.Key words: determinants, obesity, overweight, prevalence, developing country     

Risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in college students: association with sociodemographic variables

Objective

identify the modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus in college students and associate these factors with their sociodemographic variables.

Method

cross-sectional study, involving 702 college students from Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, physical exercise data and blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose levels were collected.

Results

the most prevalent risk factor was sedentariness, followed by overweight, central obesity, high fasting plasma glucose and arterial hypertension. A statistically significant association was found between overweight and sex (p=0.000), age (p=0.004) and marital status (p=0.012), as well as between central obesity and age (p=0.018) and marital status (p=0.007) and between high fasting plasma glucose and sex (p=0.033).

Conclusion

distinct risk factors were present in the study population, particularly sedentariness and overweight.     

Evaluation of Community-Based Trichiasis Surgery in Northwest Ethiopia

Background

Surgery to correct trachomatous trichiasis (TT) is recommended to prevent blindness caused by trachoma. This study evaluated the outcomes of community-based trichiasis surgery with absorbable sutures, conductd in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.

Methods

A simple random sample of 431 patients was selected from surgical campaign records of which 363 (84.2%) were traced and enrolled into the study. Participants were interviewed and examined for trichiasis recurrence, complications of TT surgery and corneal opacity. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to explore the associations between trichiasis recurrence, corneal opacity and explanatory variables at the eye level.

Results

The prevalence of trichiasis recurrence was 9.4% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 6.6–12.8) and corneal opacity was found in 14.3% (95% CI 10.9–18.3) of the study participants. The proportion of participants with complications of TT surgery was: granuloma 0.6% (95% CI 0.1–2.0); lid closure defects 5.5% (95% CI 3.4–8.4) and lid notching 16.8% (95% CI 13.1–21.1). No factors were identified for trichiasis recurrence. Corneal opacity was associated with increased age (Ptrend=0.001), more than 12 months post surgery (OR=2.7; 95%CI 1.3–5.6), trichiasis surgery complications (OR=2.9; 95%CI 1.4–5.9) and trichiasis recurrence (OR=2.5; 95%CI 1.0–6.3).

Conclusion

Prevalence of recurrent trichiasis and granuloma were lower than expected but higher for lid closure defects and lid notching. The majority of the participants reported satisfaction with the trichiasis surgery they had undergone. The findings suggest that recurrence of trichiasis impacts on the patients'' risk of developing corneal opacity but longitudinal studies are required to confirm this.     

Napping during the night shift and recovery after work among hospital nurses

OBJECTIVE:

To analyze the association between the length of napping during the night shift and the recovery after work among nurses.

METHOD:

Cross-sectional epidemiological study involving 1940 nurses from 18 public hospitals in the City of Rio de Janeiro. A multidimensional and self-applied questionnaire was used with information about health, sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, health-related behaviors and housework. Multiple logistic regression was applied to identify the association, adjusted for confounding variables.

RESULTS:

The gross analyses showed 44%, 127% and 66% higher chances of a high level of recovery after work for nurses who sleep up to two hours, between 2.1 and 3 hours and 3.1 hours or more, respectively, when compared to the nurses who do not sleep. After adjusting for confounding variables, the association only continues significant for the group that sleeps 2.1 to 3 hours during the night shift (OR=1.79; 95%CI=1.33-2.41).

CONCLUSION:

The association between the length of napping and the high level of recovery after work, confirmed in the present results, can be included in the studies that aim to support more appropriate policies aimed at improving the workers'' work, life and health conditions, not only in nursing, but night-shift workers in general.     

Association between sleep quality and quality of life in nursing professionals working rotating shifts

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the association between sleep quality and quality of life of nursing professionals according to their work schedules.

METHODS

A prospective, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted between January and December 2010, with 264 nursing professionals, drawn from 989 subjects at Botucatu General Hospital and stratified by professional category. The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and the WHOQOL-bref were administered to evaluate sleep quality and quality of life, respectively. Self-reported demographic data were collected with a standard form. Continuous variables were reported as means and standard deviations, and categorical variables were expressed as proportions. Associations were evaluated using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. The association of night-shift work and gender with sleep disturbance was evaluated by logistic regression analysis using a model adjusted for age and considering sleep disturbance the dependent variable. The level of significance was p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Night-shift work was associated with severe worsening of at least one component of sleep quality in the model adjusted for age (OR = 1.91; 95%CI 1.04;3.50; p = 0.036). Female gender was associated with sleep disturbance (OR = 3.40; 95%CI 1.37;8.40; p = 0.008). Quality of life and quality of sleep were closely correlated (R = -0.56; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Characteristics of the nursing profession affect sleep quality and quality of life, and these two variables are associated.     

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     

Exposure to alcohol among adolescent students and associated factors

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence of alcohol consumption among adolescent school students and identify its individual and contextual associated factors.

METHODS

The present research used data from the 2009 National School Health Survey (PeNSE), which included a sample of 59,699 9^th grade students in Brazilian capitals and the Federal District. The association between regular alcohol consumption and independent explanatory variables was measured by means of the Pearson’s Chi-square test, with a 0.05 significance level. The explanatory variables were divided into four groups based on affinity (sociodemographic; school and family context; risk factors; and protection factors). A multivariate analysis was carried out for each group, always adjusting for age and sex. Variables with p < 0.10 were used in the final multivariate analysis model.

RESULTS

The highest alcohol consumption in the preceding 30 days was independently associated with pupils aged 15 years (OR = 1.46) and over, female (OR = 1.72), white, children of mothers with higher education, studying in private school, students who had tried smoking (OR = 1.72) and drug use (OR = 1.81), with regular tobacco consumption (OR = 2.16) and those who have had sexual intercourse (OR = 2.37). The factors related to family were skipping school without parental knowledge (OR = 1.49), parents not knowing what children do in their free time (OR = 1.34), having fewer meals with their parents (OR = 1.22), reporting that parents do not care (OR = 3.05), or care little (OR = 3.39) if they go home drunk, and having suffered domestic violence (OR = 1.36).

CONCLUSIONS

The results reinforce the importance of viewing alcohol consumption among adolescents as a complex, multifactorial and socially determined phenomenon.     

The effect of eating behavior on being overweight or obese during preadolescence

Objectives

Being overweight or obese is central to metabolic syndrome, and these characteristics constitute dominant risk factors for chronic diseases. Although behavioral factors, including eating habits and sedentary lifestyles, are considered to be determinants of obesity, the specific childhood factors that contribute to this condition have not been clearly defined.

Methods

The subjects consisted of 261 children aged 7-9 years who were recruited from an elementary school during October 2003. Information was obtained from their parents using a questionnaire focused on eating behaviors and lifestyle factors, additional data were also collected via anthropometric measurements and biochemical examinations, including blood tests.

Results

A total of 48 (18.4%) of the 261 children were overweight, and 34 (70.8%) had at least one other component of metabolic syndrome. Eating behaviors emerged as significant lifestyle-related risk factors for being overweight or obese. Those who engaged in overeating more than twice per week had three times the risk of being overweight (odds ratio [OR], 3.10, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39 to 6.92), and those who ate rapidly had three times the risk of being overweight (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.68 to 6.41). Those who had fewer family meals (fewer than 2-3/month) had a nine times higher risk of being overweight than those who had family meals more frequently (at least 1/day) (OR, 9.51; 95% CI, 1.21 to 74.82).

Conclusions

This study showed that being overweight or obese during preadolescence is associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome and is related to unhealthy eating behaviors. Thus, weight-control strategies and healthy eating behaviors should be developed early in life to reduce the risk for metabolic syndrome.     

Deported Mexican migrants: health status and access to care

OBJECTIVE

To describe the health status and access to care of forced-return Mexican migrants deported through the Mexico-United States border and to compare it with the situation of voluntary-return migrants.

METHODS

Secondary data analysis from the Survey on Migration in Mexico’s Northern Border from 2012. This is a continuous survey, designed to describe migration flows between Mexico and the United States, with a mobile-population sampling design. We analyzed indicators of health and access to care among deported migrants, and compare them with voluntary-return migrants. Our analysis sample included 2,680 voluntary-return migrants, and 6,862 deportees. We employ an ordinal multiple logistic regression model, to compare the adjusted odds of having worst self-reported health between the studied groups.

RESULTS

As compared to voluntary-return migrants, deportees were less likely to have medical insurance in the United States (OR = 0.05; 95%CI 0.04;0.06). In the regression model a poorer self-perceived health was found to be associated with having been deported (OR = 1.71, 95%CI 1.52;1.92), as well as age (OR = 1.03, 95%CI 1.02;1.03) and years of education (OR = 0.94 95%CI 0.93;0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

According to our results, deportees had less access to care while in the United States, as compared with voluntary-return migrants. Our results also showed an independent and statistically significant association between deportation and having poorer self-perceived health. To promote the health and access to care of deported Mexican migrants coming back from the United States, new health and social policies are required.     

Seroprevalence of rubella in Colombia: a birth-year cohort analysis

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the seroprevalence of rubella and associated factors.

METHODS

Population-based seroprevalence study in a random sample of 2,124 individuals, aged six to 64 years, representative by age, sex and area in Medellín, Colombia, 2009. Biological and socioeconomic variables were analyzed for their association with serum protection against rubella, according to birth-year cohort; those born before (1954-1990) and after (1991-2003) the introduction of universal immunization. Titer of IgG antibodies against the rubella virus was detected using a high sensitivity (AxSYM^®Rubella IgG – Abbott Laboratories) and a high specificity test (VIDAS RUB IgG II^®– BioMerieux Laboratories). Proportions and weighted averages derived from a complex sample, including a correction factor for differences in gender participation, were estimated. Association with protection for groups of biological and social variables according to birth cohort was analyzed using a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Titers of IgG antibodies were higher in those born before (mean 110 UI/ml, 95%CI 100.5;120.2) compared to those born after (mean 64 UI/ml; 95%CI 54.4;72.8; p = 0.000) the introduction of mass immunization. The proportion of protection increased from 88.9% in those born 1990-1994, to 89.2% in those born 1995-1999 and to 92.1% in those born between 2000 and 2003, possibly due to boosters being administered from 1998 onwards. In those born before the introduction of the immunization, seroprotection was associated with previous contact with cases (OR 2.6; 95%CI 1.1;5.9), self- perceived health status (OR 2.5; 95%CI 1.05;6.0), educational level (OR 0.2; 95%CI 0.08;0.8) and years of residence in the neighborhood (RD 0,96; 95%CI 0.98;1.0) after adjusting for all variables. In those born after, serum protection was associated with effective sleep time (OR 1,4; 95%CI 1.09;1.8) and self-perceived health status (OR 5.5; 95%CI 1.2;23.8).

CONCLUSIONS

The seroprevalence profile changed with the mass immunization plan, with higher titers of IgG antibodies in those born before the start of the immunization. It is recommended that the level of long-term protection be monitored and concerted action taken to improve potentially associated socioeconomic conditions.     

Notified tuberculosis among Singapore residents by ethnicity, 2002–2011

Setting:

The National Tuberculosis Programme in Singapore where, among resident cases, higher tuberculosis (TB) rates have been reported in ethnic Malays.

Objective:

To describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of resident TB cases by ethnicity, and to assess whether Malays differ from other groups in terms of the above parameters.

Design:

Cross-sectional review of records from the tuberculosis registry’s electronic database.

Results:

Among 15 622 resident cases notified, 72.2% were Chinese, 18.7% Malay, 5.8% Indian and 2.9% were from other minorities. Compared to other ethnicities, Malays were more likely to be incarcerated at the time of notification (odds ratio [OR] 3.70, 95%CI 3.03–4.52) and clustered at the same residential address (OR 1.65, 95%CI 1.44–1.89), but were less likely to be aged ≥65 years (OR 0.61, 95%CI 0.54–0.70) or to reside in high-cost housing (OR 0.11, 95%CI 0.07–0.17). In terms of disease characteristics, more Malays had diabetes mellitus (OR 1.54, 1.37–1.73), a highly-positive acid-fast bacilli smear (OR 1.64, 95%CI 1.47–1.83) and cavitary disease on chest X-ray (OR 1.41, 95%CI 1.28–1.55).

Conclusion:

Compared to other ethnicities, reported TB cases among Malays were more severe and were likely to be more infectious. Increased vigilance in case management and contact investigations, as well as an improvement in the socio-economic conditions of this community, are required to reduce TB rates in this ethnic group.     

Lifestyle and Overweight Among Japanese Adolescents: The Toyama Birth Cohort Study

Objective

To investigate the effects of lifestyle factors on overweight among Japanese adolescents.

Methods

We studied 5753 junior high school students (2842 boys and 2911 girls) aged 12 to 13 years. The students were residents of Toyama prefecture, Japan and completed a questionnaire about their height, weight, and lifestyle factors, in June and July 2002. Subjects with a body-mass index (BMI) higher than age- and sex-specific cut-off points were defined as obese. Parental overweight was defined as a BMI of 25 or higher. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between lifestyle factors and overweight.

Results

Skipping breakfast, eating quickly, excessive eating, physical inactivity, and long hours of TV watching were positively and significantly associated with overweight in both sexes. There was a negative association between snacking and overweight in girls (P < 0.001); no such association was found in boys (P > 0.05). Nighttime snacking was negatively associated with overweight in boys and girls (P < 0.05). Extended video game playing (≥2 hours; OR = 2.00, P = 0.012) and short sleep duration (<7 hours; OR = 1.81, P = 0.004) were significantly associated with overweight in girls only. The respective risks of overweight that derived from the subjects’ fathers and mothers were 2.0 and 2.5 times, respectively, in boys and 1.9 and 3.0 times in girls.

Conclusions

Parental overweight, skipping breakfast, eating quickly, excessive eating, long hours of TV watching, long hours of video game playing, physical inactivity, and short sleep duration were associated with adolescent overweight. Furthermore, there were significant negative associations between adolescent overweight and snacking in girls and nighttime snacking in both sexes.Key words: overweight, lifestyle factors, adolescents, Japan, Toyama birth cohort study     

Risk Factors of Active Tuberculosis in People Living with HIV/AIDS in Southwest Ethiopia: A Case Control Study

Background

Determinants of active tuberculosis among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) are not well elucidated in countries with limited resources. The objective of this study was to assess distal and proximate determinants of active tuberculosis among people living with HIV/AIDS in southwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted from January to March, 2009 in South West Ethiopia. The study population consisted of 162 cases and 647 controls. Cases were adult people living with HIV/AIDS who developed active pulmonary tuberculosis and controls were people living with HIV/AIDS without active tuberculosis. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information on potential risk factors.

Results

After adjustment for potential confounders, male gender (OR=1.7; 95%CI: 1.1, 2.7), a low level of education (OR=2.8; 95% CI: 1.1, 7.1), a body mass index less than 18.5 kg/m2 (OR=4.1; 95% CI: 2.3, 7.4), hemoglobin level less than 10.0 g/dl (OR=2.8; 95%CI: 1.5, 5.2), a CD4 lymphocyte count less than 200 cells/µL (OR=9.8‘95% CI: 5.5, 17.5), a WHO clinical stage IV (OR=4.3; 95% CI: 2.6, 6.8), not taking antiretroviral treatment (OR=3.1; 95%CI: 1.9,4.9), an infection with helminthes (OR=2.2; 95% CI: 1.4, 3.4), a history of contact with a tuberculosis patient in the family (OR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.3), and living in a house made of mud wall (OR=3.7; 95% CI: 1.5, 7.5) were independently associated with the development of active tuberculosis in people living with HIV/AIDS.

Conclusion

All people living with HIV/AIDS should be screened for tuberculosis but in the presence of the risk factors mentioned above, intensified screening is recommended.