Effect of gender on the association of adiposity with cardiovascular reactivity in Gujarati Indian adolescents

Studies have reported that both gender and adiposity influence cardiovascular reactivity amongst adolescents. However, not much is known about the effect of gender on the association of adiposity with cardiovascular reactivity. The current study was conducted to learn how gender affects the association of adiposity with cardiovascular reactivity in the Gujarati Indian adolescents so as to develop preventive strategies for the local population. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 428 (Girls-173, Boys-255) Gujarati Indian adolescents of age group 16-19 years. Adiposity was assessed in terms of Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat Percentage (BF %), Fat Mass (FM), Fat Mass Index (FMI) and Waist Circumference (WC). Percentage Rise in Pulse Rate (%RPR) and Percentage Rise in Diastolic Blood Pressure (%RDBP) during Isometric Handgrip Test were used to assess the cardiovascular reactivity to acute sympathetic stress. Pearson's correlation coefficient was determined to find the association of adiposity with cardiovascular reactivity. Boys were found to have a significantly larger WC, higher physical fitness and greater %RDBP in comparison to girls while girls had a significantly higher BF% and FMI in comparison to boys. In both boys and girls, BMI, BF%, FMI and WC showed significant positive association with %RDBP with stronger correlationship found in girls. Girls also showed a significant negative correlationship between physical fitness and vascular reactivity. It could thus be concluded that gender affected the association of adiposity with vascular reactivity in Gujarati Indian adolescent such that girls tend to have a larger correlationship between adiposity and vascular reactivity than boys which is most likely due to lower physical fitness.     

Alcohol consumption among adolescents in Kraljevo,Serbia

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of alcohol consumption among adolescents in one town in Central Serbia. A questionnaire was used to obtain data from 191 Serbian students aged 18 years regarding personal experience with alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking, along with sociodemographics data. Alcohol consumption was reported by 97.4% subjects, with 34.9% having the first experience with alcohol at the age of 14 years or less. Binge drinking (the intake of five or more drinks at one sitting) was reported by 37.8% subjects. Significantly higher consumption of beer (p<0.0001) and spirits (p=0.03) was observed in boys. The most common reason for both initiation and continuation of drinking, regardless of gender, were celebrations (p≥0.12). Smokers were more likely than nonsmokers to consume all alcoholic beverages more frequently (p≤0.04) and in larger quantities (p≤0.004). More frequent or more extensive alcohol consumption, or both, was associated in boys with frequent going out and socializing (p≤0.01), close peer relationship (p=0.04), alcohol abuse within the immediate environment (p≤0.04), better financial status of family (p=0.04), and parental criticism (p≤0.02); in girls, it was associated with parental disapproval (p≤0.02), alcohol abuse within the immediate environment (p≤0.04), and general discontentedness (p=0.049). Regardless of gender, positive alcohol outcome expectancies increased alcohol consumption (p≤0.048), and negative expectancies decreased intake (p≤0.047).     

全国儿童期单纯性肥胖流行病学调查济南市区报告

目的了解济南市区儿童期单纯性肥胖症流行病学特点。方法采取随机整群抽样方法,调查0～17岁儿童6758名,儿童肥胖判定标准按WHO的身高标准体重值,标准差记分法,体重高于中位数一个标准差为超重,两个标准差为肥胖。测量体重、身长/身高,3岁以上肥胖儿童以1∶1比例配对测量腰围、臀围、大腿围及血压;然后进行统计学分析。结果肥胖总检出率11.36%,超重总检出率14.95%,其中男童肥胖、超重检出率分别为14.26%、16.55%,女童肥胖与超重分别为7.96%、13.14%。3岁前男女儿童BMI平均值分别为17.10、16.65,3～6岁略降低,6岁后上升,12岁分别为20.52、19.69。肥胖儿童收缩压与舒张压高于第95百分位数比例分别为8.58%、11.15%,明显高于正常体重儿童的比例1.72%、4.46%。结论济南市区儿童单纯性肥胖检出率增加,随年龄增长快速上升趋势,肥胖者已具有心血管损害指标,预防控制重点应在学龄前期。     

Adolescent Waterpipe Use is Associated with Greater Body Weight: The Irbid-TRY

Background: Adult waterpipe smokers are at increased risk of obesity. However, it is unclear if adolescents, who are at the epicenter of the global waterpipe epidemic, are at similar risk. Objective: Therefore, the current study examined the waterpipe smoking relationship with obesity among adolescents. Methods: A sample of 2,313 boys and girls in grades 7–10 were surveyed about waterpipe and cigarette use in Jordan. Weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio were measured. Obesity indices were assessed as a function of smoking status (never used tobacco, current waterpipe only, current cigarettes only, and current dual smoking) as well as frequency of use of each tobacco product. Results: About 51.5% of adolescents smoked waterpipe whereas 29.8% were overweight/obese. Students who smoked waterpipe weekly had twofold greater odds of being obese than never-smokers (OR = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.08–4.21). Approximately 12% of students currently smoked waterpipe but not cigarettes, 2% smoked cigarettes but not waterpipe, and 11% smoked both. Body weight and age- and gender-specific BMI were greater for waterpipe and dual users compared to never users, especially for dual vs. never users (58.6 ±.8 vs. 55.6 ±.4 and.48 ±.07 vs..29 ±.03, respectively; p <.005). Conclusions: For dual users, greater frequency of tobacco use was associated with greater weight and BMI. Waterpipe and dual use is associated with greater obesity, BMI, and body weight among Jordanian adolescents. Given the rising epidemics of both tobacco use and obesity among Middle Eastern adolescents, the clustering of these risk factors warrants public health action.     

河南省3～18岁儿童矮小症流行状况及影响因素分析

目的 研究河南省3～18岁儿童矮小症流行现状,并进行相关因素分析.方法 采用整群抽样方法抽取河南省具有代表性的10市12667名3～18岁幼儿园及中小学生,分析身高的年龄分布,不同年龄、性别、学校类型矮小症患病率特点,并对影响矮小症患病率的相关因素进行分析.结果 河南省儿童矮小症患病率为5.2％.身高分布总体特点为男童...     

Effect of iron on growth in iron deficient anemic school going children.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children has been associated with retardation in growth and the cognitive development. In the ongoing study on the effects of IDA in school going children, the effects on anthropometric parameters such as height (Ht), Weight (Wt), head circumference (HC), body mass index (BMI) and the mid arm circumference (MAC) were studied along with the hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), MCV, MCH, serum iron (SI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and % saturation. The pre-supplementation values of all these parameters were taken in anemic and control groups of girls and boys. After deworming all the children with albendazole (400 mg), the anemic group was put on iron supplementation (Ferrous iron 3-4 mg/kg body weight/day) along with vitamin C (100 mg OD) and the control children were given vitamin C (100 mg OD), for 90 days. Pre-supplementation values of IDA children were significantly lower for MAC and HC in girls and for Ht and MAC in boys, when compared to the control group. After the therapy both the groups of girls showed improvement in the hematological parameters though it was greater in the anemic girls. Ht and Wt of both groups also improved significantly but the anemic girls showed increase in BMI also. Both the control and anemic boys showed gain in weight. Post therapy, improvement in hematological parameters for both the anemic girls and boys were greater than their respective control groups. The MAC value for anemic girls were in the control range but those of anemic boys remained lesser than the control boys. So, it can be concluded from the present study that the IDA children lagged behind the control children in terms of anthropometric parameters and they benefited relatively more in terms of anthropometric improvement and hematological improvement after iron supplementation.     

太原市城乡青春期高血压流行病学调查

目的了解太原市青春期血压水平以及高血压的发生状况,探索青春期原发性高血压的易患因素,为开展成年期心血管疾病的预防提出理论依据。方法采用分层整群随机抽样方法对太原市1 749名13～18岁青春期少年进行身高、体质量、收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)的测定,并计算体质量指数(BMI),以血压值在其年龄、性别第95百分位以上者为高血压,经进一步体检排除继发性高血压,筛选出原发性高血压者69例,将其作为研究对象,用随机抽样法在所有血压正常青少年中选择69名作为对照,进行1∶1病例对照配对,抽取静脉血查空腹血糖、甘油三酯、胆固醇,并填写统一制定的调查表。对可能影响高血压发生的因素进行Logistic回归分析。结果①城乡间SBP、DBP均值差异有统计学意义,城乡原发性高血压发生率差异无统计学意义。②同性别、不同年龄组间SBP、DBP均值差异无统计学意义,男女之间SBP、DBP差异有统计学意义。③单因素分析显示:BMI升高、高脂血症是青春期原发性高血压的重要危险因素。将SBP和DBP分别进行分析,发现肥胖、高血压家族史、高脂血症是收缩期高血压的危险因素,肥胖、高脂血症是舒张期高血压的危险因素。多因素Logistic回归分析显示:BMI是青春期原发性高血压发病的危险因素。收缩期原发性高血压的危险因素有肥胖、高脂血症、感到入睡困难、高血压家族史;舒张期原发性高血压的危险因素有肥胖、高脂血症。结论肥胖、高脂血症是青春期原发性高血压的重要危险因素,与收缩期及舒张期原发性高血压均有关系,高血压家族史是收缩期高血压的危险因素。     

Paraoxonase-1 genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to DNA damage in workers occupationally exposed to organophosphate pesticides

Human paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a lipoprotein-associated enzyme involved in the detoxification of organophosphate pesticides (OPs) by hydrolyzing the bioactive oxons. Polymorphisms of the PON1 gene are responsible for variation in the expression and catalytic activity of PON1 enzyme. In the present study, we have determined (a) the prevalence of two common PON1 polymorphisms, (b) the activity of PON1 and acetylcholinesterase enzymes, and (c) the influence of PON1 genotypes and phenotypes variation on DNA damage in workers exposed to OPs. We examined 230 subjects including 115 workers exposed to OPs and an equal number of normal healthy controls. The results revealed that PON1 activity toward paraoxon (179.19 ± 39.36 vs. 241.52 ± 42.32 nmol/min/ml in controls) and phenylacetate (112.74 ± 17.37 vs. 134.28 ± 25.49 μmol/min/ml in controls) was significantly lower in workers than in control subjects (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed in the distribution of genotypes and allelic frequencies of PON1₁₉₂QR (Gln/Arg) and PON1₅₅LM (Leu/Met) in workers and control subjects (p > 0.05). The PON1 activity toward paraoxonase was found to be significantly higher in the R/R (Arg/Arg) genotypes than Q/R (Gln/Arg) and lowest in Q/Q (Gln/Gln) genotypes in both workers and control subjects (p < 0.001). For PON1₅₅LM (Leu/Met), PON1 activity toward paraoxonase was observed to be higher in individuals with L/L (Leu/Leu) genotypes and lowest in individuals with M/M (Met/Met) genotypes in both groups (p < 0.001). No influence of PON1 genotypes and phenotypes was seen on the activity of acetylcholinesterase and arylesterase. The DNA damage was observed to be significantly higher in workers than in control subjects (p < 0.05). Further, the individuals who showed least paraoxonase activity i.e., those with (Q/Q [Gln/Gln] and M/M [Met/Met]) genotypes showed significantly higher DNA damage compared to other isoforms in workers exposed to OPs (p < 0.05). The results indicate that the individuals with PON1 Q/Q and M/M genotypes are more susceptible toward genotoxicity. In conclusion, the study suggests wide variation in enzyme activities and DNA damage due to polymorphisms in PON1 gene, which might have an important role in the identification of individual risk factors in workers occupationally exposed to OPs.     

2型糖尿病患者血清脂联素和胰岛素敏感性的相关性

目的探讨正常人和2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者血清脂联素（APN）和胰岛素敏感性的相关性。方法正常对照组20例,T2DM58例按体重指数（BMI）又分为正常体重组（16例）、超重组（22例）和肥胖组（20例）。测定正常对照组和T2DM各组患者的胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）、APN、糖化血红蛋白（HbA1C）、空腹血糖（FPG）和空腹胰岛素（FINS）水平。结果与正常对照组相比,T2DM超重组和肥胖组的APN显著降低（均P〈0．01）,肥胖组APN较超重组显著降低,超重组APN较正常体重组显著降低（均P〈0．05）;与正常对照组相比,T2DM各组HOMA-IR显著升高（均P〈0．01）。所有研究个体APN与BMI（r=-0．538,P〈0．01）和HOMA-IR（r=-0．459,P〈0．01）呈显著负相关。结论T2DM患者血清APN水平显著降低,并以超重组和肥胖组患者降低更为明显;APN与HOMA-IR和BMI呈显著负相关。     

Asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine in patients presenting with risk factors for coronary heart disease

The aim of the present study was to investigate asymmetric (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) production in patients presenting with one or more risk factor (RF) for coronary heart disease (CHD). Patients and methods: Overall, 113 participants were enrolled in the study, including 45 patients presenting with risk for CHD (27 male and 18 female; aged 55.9 ± 6.4 years), 30 sex and age-matched middle-aged healthy controls (16 male and 14 female; aged 56.3 ± 8.4 years), and 38 young healthy controls (38 male; aged 24.6 ± 3.9 years). Results: No significant differences for ADMA and SDMA were recorded between patients groups presenting with risk for CHD. However, ADMA and SDMA were significantly higher in all examined patient groups (≥3 and 1–2 RF, hypertensive and non-hypertensive, obese and non-obese, diabetics and non-diabetics) compared with both control groups (middle-aged and young controls) (p<0.001). ADMA significantly correlated with SDMA in ≥3 RF (p<0.05), hypertensive (p<0.05), non-obese (p<0.05), non-diabetics (p<0.01), as well in middle-aged (p<0.05) and young controls (p<0.001). Conclusion: Significantly higher ADMA and SDMA were found between patients presenting with risk for CHD (≥3 and 1–2 RF, hypertensive and nonhypertensive, obese and non-obese, diabetics and non-diabetics) and healthy, middle-aged and young controls. ADMA significantly correlated with SDMA in ≥3 RF, hypertensive, non-obese and non-diabetic patients, as well as in middle-aged and young controls.     

DECREASE WITH AGE IN FREQUENCY OF THE HOMOZYGOUS DELETIONAL ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME GENOTYPE IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS*

1. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genotypes in hypertensive patients were studied in order to delineate their cardiovascular risk due to the ACE gene. We hypothesized that the distribution of ACE genotypes may change with age because of the risk of myocardial infarction associated with the homozygous deletional (DD) genotype . 2. A total of 223 subjects were recruited from the Hypertension Outpatient Clinic of the Sai Ying Pun Hospital with consent. They consisted of 75 patients with newly diagnosed or documented hypertension, 46 patients with ischaemic heart disease and 102 normal controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leucocytes and amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Insertion (I) or deletion (D) alleles were identified after electrophoresis. The frequencies of ACE genotypes and alleles were measured in three age groups: < 50 years, 50-59 years and > 60 years . 3. A significant correlation between ACE genotype and age was found (P= 0.03). The relative frequency of the D allele in those under 50 years of age was similar in controls and hypertensive patients (0.40 vs 0.41; P = 0.94), but was significantly lower in patients ≥ 50 years compared with those patients < 50 years of age (0.22 vs 0.41; P = 0.01) . 4. The observed decrease in frequency of the DD genotype in older hypertensive patients is consistent with the increase in cardiovascular risk associated with the D allele and raises the possibility that the DD genotype may increase the risk of premature death, at least in the population studied .     

蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶1B基因Pro387Leu突变与天津地区汉族不同糖耐量水平人群的相关性研究

目的:探讨天津地区汉族人蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶1B(PTP1B)基因外显子9单核苷酸Pro387Leu多态性分布情况及其与不同糖耐量水平的相关性。方法:根据口服葡萄糖耐量试验(OGTT)结果将来自天津地区的汉族327例患者分成初次诊断2型糖尿病(T2DM)组、糖耐量异常(IGT)组和糖耐量正常(NGT)组,采用聚合酶链反应-限制性内切酶片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)方法测定PTP1B(Pro387Leu)多态性分布情况,分析不同基因型别临床及生化指标。结果:本组人群中的基因突变均为杂合子突变型(PL型),未发现纯合突变型(LL型),基因型PP、PL分布情况在3组间的差别无统计学意义(P>0.05)。PP、PL型患者体质量指数(BMI)、空腹胰岛素(FINS)、胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)差别有统计学意义,PL型明显高于PP型(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论:天津汉族人存在PTP1B基因外显子9Pro387Leu单核苷酸多态性,其多态性与不同糖耐量水平人群无相关性,而与肥胖有相关性。     

The correlation of apolipoprotein B,apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I ratio and lipoprotein(a) with myocardial infarction

Recent evidence shows that apolipoprotein (apo) B, apoB/apoA-I ratio and lipoprotein(a) are better indicators of coronary risk than the conventional lipid profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of apoA-I and B, and lipoprotein(a) with myocardial infarction (MI). We performed a cross-sectional study including 208 patients (100 men and 108 women), with and without previous MI evaluated by coronary angiography. The severity of coronary heart disease was scored on the basis of the number and extent of lesions in the coronary arteries. Lipid levels were measured by the enzymatic method and apolipoprotein levels were measured by the immunoturbidimetric method. The MI group had higher plasmatic levels of lipoprotein(a) (0.37±0.28 vs. 0.29±0.23 g/L, p<0.05), apoB (1.13±0.40 vs. 0.84±0.28 g/L, p<0.05) and of the apoB/apoA-I ratio (0.77±0.37 vs. 0.68±0.20, p<0.05) compared to controls. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC) suggested a good reliability in the diagnose of coronary heart disease for the apoB/apoA-I ratio (0.756, p<0.05), apoB (0.664, p<0.05), lipoprotein(a) (0.652, p<0.05) and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (0.688, p<0.05). Multivariate analysis performed with adjustments for cardiovascular risk factors, showed that the levels of lipoprotein(a), apoB and apoB/apoA-I ratio are significant independent cardiovascular risk factors. Our results indicate that there is an important relationship among high plasma apoB concentration, lipoprotein(a) concentration, the apoB/apoA-I ratio, and MI. We showed that the apoB/apoA-I ratio has a stronger correlation with MI than the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio. We therefore suggest using apoB/apoA-I ratio and lipoprotein(a) in clinical practice as a markers of MI risk.     

青岛市城阳区儿童超重、肥胖患病率调查

目的了解青岛市城阳区儿童超重和肥胖患病现状。方法以随机整群抽样的方法,抽取青岛市城阳区5450名儿童测查身高、体重,以中国学龄儿童超重、肥胖筛查体重指数（BMI）分类标准计算超重和肥胖的患病率。结果青岛市城阳区3～18岁儿童超重、肥胖总检出率分别为12.8%、9.0%,其中男童分别为13.9%、9.9%,女童分别11.6%、8.4%。4～7岁肥胖检出率女童大于男童,差异无统计学意义（P〈0.05）。7～13岁男童和女童肥胖检出率差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。13～18岁肥胖检出率男童大于女童,差异无统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论青岛市城阳区儿童超重和肥胖日益增多,必须加强对儿童肥胖的防治。     

Hypovitaminosis D and cardiometabolic risk factors among non-obese youth

Hypovitaminosis D and increased cardiometabolic risk have been well established in adults. This study aims to determine whether or not vitamin D also influences cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents. To test this hypothesis, we recruited 186 boys (mean age 12.4 ± 3.7 years) and 114 girls (11.6 ± 3.7) in a cross-sectional observational study. Anthropometrics were obtained and morning fasting blood samples were collected. Serum glucose and lipid profile were determined using routine methods. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In our population, approximately 10% of subjects had severe 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (< 12.5 nmol/L), while 50% of the boys and 40% of the girls had mild vitamin D deficiency (12.5–24.9 nmol/L). Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were inversely correlated with age, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, waist and hip circumferences and serum triglyceride concentrations, and positively associated with HDL-cholesterol. Age and systolic blood pressure were significant predictors of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, explaining about 30% of the variance (p = 0.0005). In conclusion, significant associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and cardiometabolic parameters support promising cardioprotective benefits from vitamin D sufficiency at an early age. Follow-up with prospective clinical intervention studies are needed to validate this hypothesis.     

Obesity is associated with a slower response to initial phenprocoumon therapy whereas CYP2C9 genotypes are not

Background Initiation of phenprocoumon therapy is associated with a variable individual response. The CYP2C9 genotype has been shown to influence the response to warfarin therapy, but such an effect on phenprocoumon therapy remains uncertain.Method Two hundred sixty hospital patients started on phenprocoumon were recruited for this study. Body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, dietary habits, comorbidity, and comedication were initially assessed. A 5′ exonuclease assay (TaqManR) was used to analyze the presence of five polymorphisms of the CYP2C9 gene in each of the study patients. Study endpoints included the time necessary to achieve the international normalized ratio (INR) target (INR >2) and the total drug amount required to attain target INR. For 250 of 260 patients, the subsequent required daily maintenance dose of phenprocoumon was also recorded.Results Both the necessary time and total dose required to attain target INR correlated significantly with BMI. The leaner the patient, the shorter the required time interval [BMI <22 (n=31), 5.48±2.49 days; BMI 22–25 (n=70), 6.09±2.40; BMI 25–30 (n=113), 6.76±3.61; BMI >30 (n=46), 8.50±5.75; p=0.001] and the lower the required dosage until the therapeutic range was achieved [BMI <22 (n=31), 23.8±12.1 mg; BMI 22–25 (n=70), 25.9±11.4 mg; BMI 25–30 (n=113), 29.6±25.2; BMI >30 (n=46), 35.8±19.7; p=0.027]. Overweight and waist circumference as a surrogate marker for abdominal fat were also associated significantly with these two parameters. Moreover, obesity was associated with a lower body-weight-adjusted maintenance dosage. All CYP2C9 genotypes that were tested failed to reveal an association with individual response variability.Conclusion Patient obesity appears to directly correspond to the amount of phenprocoumon required during initiation of therapy. The CYP2C9 genotype was not shown to influence the necessary therapeutic dosage.     

Association between weight status and recreational drug abuse in Korean adolescents

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between weight status and recreational drug use in Korean adolescents. A total of 72,399 adolescent students (38,152 boys and 34,247 girls) from the middle first to high third grade participated in the 5^th Korea Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey (KYRBWS-V) project in 2009. They were assessed for body mass index (BMI) and recreational drug abuse. The associations between BMI and recreational drug use were examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis after adjusting for the covariate variables of age, smoking frequency and cigarette consumption, frequency of alcohol consumption and severe alcohol intoxication, amount of alcohol consumed, parents’ education level, economic status, sedentary activities during the week, mental stress, sleep duration, frequency of vigorous and moderate physical activities, and muscular strength exercises during the week. For boys, the odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) between overweight and drug use were 0.990 (0.723–1.356; p = 0.950) for almost none, 0.939 (0.521–1.693; p = 0.834) for past use, and 0.791 (0.385–1.624; p = 0.523) for present use. The OR (95% CI) between obesity and drug use was 0.731(0.508–1.052; p = 0.091) for almost none, 0.755 (0.389–1.465; p = 0.407) for past use, and 0.701 (0.314–1.565; p = 0.386) for present use. For girls, the OR (95% CI) between overweight and drug use was 1.112 (0.702–1.763; p = 0.650) for almost none, 1.103 (0.464–2.619; p = 0.825) for past use, and 0.927 (0.267–3.218; p = 0.905) for present use. The OR (95% CI) between obesity and drug abuse was 0.594 (0.261–1.352; p = 0.215) for almost none, 1.318 (0.462–3.764; p = 606) for past use, and <0.001(<0.001–<0.001; p = 0.998) for present use. We concluded that recreational drug use had no correlation with overweight and obesity in Korean adolescents.     

Changed preference for sweet taste in adulthood induced by perinatal exposure to bisphenol A-A probable link to overweight and obesity

Background

The preference of obesity has risen dramatically worldwide over the past decades. Some latest reports showed significant increase of obesity in men compared to women. Implication of environmental endocrine disruptors has been focused more and more. Numerous studies in vitro and vivo implied metabolic actions of bisphenol A (BPA), however much less consideration is given to the possibility of BPA exposure-induced change in gender-specific behaviors which result in obesity and overweight.

Objectives

To examine whether perinatal exposure to BPA at relative dose to environmental levels can influence sweet preference of male and female rats and consequently lead to alteration in bodyweight.

Methods

Rats perinatally exposed to BPA at doses of 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L were tested sweet preference for 0.25%, 0.5% saccharin and 15% sucrose by two-bottle choice (water vs. saccharin/sucrose). The food intake, liquid consumption and bodyweight of each rat were monitored daily. At the end of the test, the fat percentage and tail blood pressure were measured.

Results

Significant sex difference of preference for 0.25% and 0.5% saccharin was shown in control and all BPA-treated groups (p < 0.001, female vs. male). 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L BPA treatment induced the increase of preference for 0.25% saccharin solution in males, but not in females. 0.1 mg/L BPA treatment increased sucrose preference in males at postnatal day (PND) 70 and 140 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, compared to control respectively) but decreased sucrose preference in females at PND 140 (p < 0.05, compared to control). The males treated by BPA showed overweight (p < 0.001), high fat percentage (p < 0.001) and tail blood pressure (p < 0.05) than control at PND 140.

Conclusion

Perinatal exposure to a low dose of BPA could increase sweet preference of male rats. Calorie intake may be programmed during early life, leading to changes of body weight depending on the gender. Although further researches concerning the mechanism are required, the results of the present study are particularly important with regards to the more significant increasing prevalence of obesity in men and the environmental endocrine disruptors.     

Association between body mass index, body fat per cent and muscle power output in soccer players

The objectives of this study were to examine (a) the prevalence of overweight/obesity, (b) the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and body fat percent (BF), and (c) the association between BMI, BF and power output in adult male soccer players. Members of competitive soccer clubs (n=169, aged 22.7±4.2yr) were examined for anthropometric characteristics and body composition, and performed the physical working capacity in heart rate 170 min^?1 test (PWC170), a force-velocity test (F-v) and the Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT). Based on international BMI cut-off points, 17.8% (n=30) of participants were classified as overweight. BMI was correlated with BF (r=0.67, p<0.001) and could be predicted based on the equation BF=1.193·BMI-12.24 (standard error of estimate 2.49). BMI and BF were in inverse relationship with mean power during WAnT (r=?0.30, p<0.001; r=?0.47, p<0.001, respectively). BF was also in inverse relationship with PWC170 (r=?0.26, p<0.001) and maximal power of the F-v test (r=?0.18, p=0.020).The prevalence of overweight among participants was lower than what is observed in general population. The findings confirmed previous observations on general population about the negative effect of overweight and fatness on selected parameters of physical fitness.     

International Abstracts

The goal of this study was to develop an understanding the developmental trajectory of smoking behaviors in adolescents who seek smoking cessation treatment to inform tailored prevention and treatment efforts; this includes identifying gender differences in smoking behaviors. Smoking trajectory was examined retrospectively in 639 treatment-seeking adolescents (59% female; 44% African American, 50% European American, mean ± SD daily cigarettes per day [CPD] 19.16 ± 7.2 for both girls and boys). Smoking trajectory variables examined included age at first cigarette, age at daily smoking (a proxy measure for onset of dependence), and age at treatment request. The time interval from first cigarette to daily smoking was shorter for girls than for boys (mean ± SD 0.9 ± 1.1 years for girls, 1.3 ± 1.5 years for boys, p < 0.01). From this clinical sample of adolescent smokers, findings suggest only a brief window of opportunity for secondary preventive interventions before the development of tobacco dependence. Additional research is needed to explore the specific factors that differentially affect smoking trajectory in girls compared to boys.