Cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index values in 9-year-old rural Norwegian children

Aim: To describe cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index (BMI) values in a representative population of 9-year-old Norwegian children in two rural communities and compare present values with previous findings.
Methods: Two hundred and fifty-nine 9-year-old children were invited, and 256 participated in this study. Maximal oxygen uptake was directly measured during a continuous progressive treadmill protocol. Body mass and height were also measured.
Results: The mean ± SD relative maximal oxygen uptake was 52.8 ± 6.5 for boys and 46.9 ± 7.2 mL/kg/min for girls. Eight percent of the boys and 16.8% of the girls were classified as overweight, and 1.6% of the boys and 6.9% of the girls as obese. Mean age, body mass, height and Ponderal index were not significantly different between sexes. Girls had a higher BMI than boys (p = 0.05).
Conclusion: Compared to earlier Norwegian studies, children's BMI values seem to have increased substantially. This increase is most pronounced in girls. When assessing these differences using the PI, this increase is less marked. Comparing maximal oxygen uptake data with that in earlier Nordic studies, there is no evidence that fitness has declined among 9-year olds. However, the limitations of the few earlier studies make reliable comparisons difficult.     

Mercury as a possible link between maternal obesity and autism spectrum disorder

The incidence of both obesity and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has dramatically increased during the last decades. Moreover, the most recent studies have revealed increased risk of ASD in offspring of overweight and obese women. However, the mechanisms of association between ASD and maternal obesity are unknown. Taking into account the existing data indicating the association between mercury (Hg) exposure and development of obesity and ASD, we hypothesize that Hg may serve as an additional link between maternal obesity and ASD. In particular, it is supposed that obesity is associated with excessive accumulation of Hg in the maternal organism. After conception, the fetus is developing in the conditions of Hg overload within the body of obese women thus predisposing to the development of ASD. The proposed hypothesis may be confirmed by the existing data. In particular, previous studies demonstrated that overweight and obese persons are characterized by a significantly higher level of Hg in hair, blood and urine than the lean ones. Therefore, an obese organism is characterized by elevated Hg burden that may be transferred to the fetus during pregnancy. Moreover, multiple studies have demonstrated a tight association between maternal and children Hg status being indicative of placental transfer of metal from maternal organism to offspring. Finally, a growing body of data indicates the influence of Hg exposure and Hg status on the risk of ASD in children. However, additional experimental and clinical studies are required to prove the hypothesis and provide novel data on the role of Hg in maternal obesity-associated ASD development. In particular, the contribution of Hg to ASD development in children from obese mothers should be determined. If a significant role of Hg in maternal obesity ASD risk will be confirmed, this will open additional perspectives of risk modification. Taking into account the universal mechanisms of Hg toxicity, transport, and accumulation, further preventive actions may be undertaken to reduce the risk of Hg toxicity and Hg-associated ASD development. In particular, it is supposed that the use of Hg chelators (like N,N′bis-(2-mercaptoethyl)isophthalamide, NMBI), antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds prior or during pregnancy may have a beneficial effect. However, the safety of such actions should repeatedly be tested to avoid adverse health effects in a developing fetus.     

Breastfeeding attitude,health-related quality of life and maternal obesity among multi-ethnic pregnant women: A multi-group structural equation approach

BackgroundIdentifying the factors influencing breastfeeding attitude is significant for the implementation of effective promotion policies and counselling activities. To our best knowledge, no previous studies have modelled the relationships among breastfeeding attitude, health-related quality of life and maternal obesity among multi-ethnic pregnant women; the current study attempts to fill this research gap.ObjectivesThis study investigated the relationships among maternal characteristics, health-related quality of life and breastfeeding attitude amidst normal weight and overweight/obese pregnant women using a multi-group structural equation modelling approach.DesignExploratory cross-sectional design was used.SettingAntenatal clinics of a university-affiliated hospitalParticipantsPregnant women were invited to participate; 708 (78.8%) agreed to participate in the study.MethodsWe examined a hypothetical model on the basis of integrating the concepts of a breastfeeding decision-making model, theory of planned behaviour-based model for breastfeeding and health-related quality of life model among 708 multi-ethnic pregnant women in Singapore. The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey were used to measure breastfeeding attitude and health-related quality of life, respectively.ResultsTwo structural equation models demonstrated that better health-related quality of life, higher monthly household income, planned pregnancy and previous exclusive breastfeeding experience were significantly associated with positive breastfeeding attitude among normal and overweight/obese pregnant women. Among normal weight pregnant women, those who were older with higher educational level were more likely to have positive breastfeeding attitude. Among overweight/obese pregnant women, Chinese women with confinement nanny plan were less likely to have positive breastfeeding attitude. No significant difference existed between normal weight and overweight/obese pregnant women concerning estimates of health-related quality of life on breastfeeding attitude (Critical Ratio = −0.193). The model satisfactorily fitted the data (Incremental Fit Index = 0.924, Tucker–Lewis Index = 0.905, Comparative Fit Index = 0.921 and Root Means Square Error of Approximation = 0.025). Health-related quality of life was found to affect breastfeeding attitude in multi-ethnic pregnant women.ConclusionsThis relationship implied the importance of early culturally specific interventions to enhance health-related quality of life for improving positive breastfeeding attitude among pregnant women across different ethnic groups.     

Modifiable risk factors for incidence of pain in older adults

Pain symptoms in aging populations have significant public health impact. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for the incidence of pain in older adults, focusing on those factors that can be modified. Secondary analyses were performed of survey data from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study of US adults older than 50 years. Generalized estimating equations logistic regressions were used to evaluate the effect of selected variables on the incidence of pain using biennial (1992 through 2006) data, determining the relationship between the incidence of pain and the potential risk factors. Of the 18,439 survey respondents in 2006, 34.1% (95% CI: 33.2%, 35.0%) reported that they were often troubled by pain; 24.3% reported having moderate to severe pain; and 22.3% reported that their daily life was affected by pain. Between 1992 and 2006, 7967 individuals reported new onset of pain in 169,762 person-years of follow-up, an incidence of 4.69 (4.59, 4.80) per 100 person-years. Depression and being overweight were independent predictors associated with an increased likelihood of incident pain. Current smoking increased the likelihood of incident pain only in those subjects who also reported depression. In conclusion, pain is a common symptom in older adults. Depression, smoking, and overweight are potentially modifiable risk factors and could be considered in the prevention and management of pain in older adults.     

Long‐term effects of rapid weight gain in children,adolescents and young adults with appropriate birth weight for gestational age: the kiel obesity prevention study

Aim: This study investigates the effect of rapid weight gain in term children, adolescents and young adults born appropriate for gestational age. Methods: In all, 173 girls and 178 boys aged 6.1–19.9 (12.5 ± 3.1)years participated. Rapid weight gain (group 1) was defined as a change in weight‐SDS (standard deviation score) from birth till two years >0.67, ‘no change’ as ≥?0.67 and ≤0.67 (group 2) vs ‘slow weight gain’ as 90th age‐/sex‐specific BMI‐percentile was defined as overweight. Parental BMI, socio‐economic status and lifestyle were assessed as confounders. Results: A total of 22.8% gained weight rapidly, and 15.7% was overweight. Group 1 compared with group 2 and 3 subjects was taller, heavier and had a higher prevalence of overweight (girls/boys: 26.2%/28.9% vs 11.6%/19.0% vs 2.8%/5.0%; p < 0.01/p < 0.05). Concomitantly, a higher WC, %FM and FFM were observed. Rapid weight gain was positively associated with REE (adjusted for FFM) in boys (r = 0.26; p < 0.01), but not with cardio‐metabolic risk factors. Conclusion: Rapid weight gain was related to increases in height, weight, a higher prevalence of overweight and central fat distribution. In addition, rapid weight gain was related to a higher REE in boys, but not to cardio‐metabolic risk factors.     

北京市体重正常和超重肥胖儿童血糖血脂状况分析

目的探讨超重、肥胖儿童血糖、血脂水平变化特点，为儿童肥胖的干预研究提供依据。方法选择北京市3所中学、2所小学，根据2005—2006年中小学生体检身高、体重结果进行筛选，对自愿参加的1045名7～15岁学生进行身高、体重测量。采集空腹肘静脉血测定血清总胆固醇（TC）、三酰甘油（TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL—C）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL—C）和空腹血糖（FPG）。结果FPG，TG，HDL—C，LDL—C在不同体型男、女儿童间差异均有统计学意义（P值均〈0．01），HDL—C水平为肥胖组〈超重组〈正常组，FPG，TG，LDL—C水平均为肥胖组〉超重组〉正常组。男童TC异常检出率差异无统计学意义，FPG，TG，LDL—C偏高和HDL—C偏低的检出率均为肥胖组〉超重组〉正常组；女童FPG，TC，LDL—C异常检出率差异均无统计学意义（P值均〉0．05），TG偏高和HDL—C偏低的检出率为肥胖组〉超重组〉正常组。结论超重和肥胖儿童较体重正常儿童存在明显的血糖和血脂异常。应加强超重和肥胖儿童血糖和血脂检测，并进行综合干预.     

2004年威海市部分15岁以上居民超重与肥胖情况及其影响因素调查

[目的]分析15岁以上居民超重与肥胖患病情况及其影响因素，为开展有针对性的干预提供基础信息。[方法]2004年在威海市用分层整群随机抽样方法抽取18867名15岁以上居民进行调查与分析。[结果]调查18867人，超重、肥胖与严重肥胖者9606人，占50．91％。这一比例男性为48．10％，女性为53．74％，经常饮酒者为52．82％，从不参加体育锻炼者为51．69％，经常吃肉类、禽蛋类和水产品者分别为49．07％、51．13％、50．62％。非条件Logistic回归分析结果，农村家庭、受教育程度低、吸烟、未婚、家庭年收入低及学生是超重与肥胖的保护因素，遗传、年龄较大、已婚、家庭年收入高是危险因素。[结论]不良饮食习惯与缺乏体育锻炼是导致超重与肥胖的重要因素。     

2005年济南市历城区部分居民超重肥胖和慢性病患病情况调查

[目的]了解城乡居民超重、肥胖患病现状及其与几种慢性非传染性疾病(慢性病)患病情况,分析其关系,促进慢性病预防控制工作.[方法]2005年8月,在济南市历城区抽取部分15岁以上城乡居民进行调查分析.[结果]调查5 134人,标化超重率为30.89%,男性、女性分别为33.07%、28.75%(P＜0.05),城区、农村分别为34.07%、29.29%(P＜0.01);标化肥胖率为10.34%,男性、女性分别为10.10%、10.49%(P＞0.05),城区、农村分别为13.29%、8.93%(P＜0.01).调查并检测6 084人,高血压、冠心病、脑卒中、骨关节病患病率分别为29.60%、5.72%、1.33%、12.54%.检测2 137人,糖尿病、血脂异常、代谢综合征患病率分别为9.41%、32.57%、15.11%.肥胖和超重与糖尿病、高血压、冠心病、血脂异常、骨关节病、代谢综合征密切相关(P＜0.01),RR值分别为2.91、2.25、2.36、2.79、1.65、8.98.[结论]历城区城乡居民超重率、肥胖率处于全国大城市水平,超重、肥胖具有患多种慢性病的风险.     

上海市宝山区居民超重与肥胖流行现状及影响因素分析

目的了解宝山区居民超重与肥胖的影响因素,以便为开展肥胖健康教育与健康促进工作提供依据。方法采用行为危险因素监测方法,分析其超重和肥胖的患病情况,并对可能与超重和肥胖相关的因素进行单因素分析以及多因素非条件Logistic回归分析。结果15~69岁居民超重和肥胖的患病率分别为31.6%和7.0%;超重的男性高于女性(P<0.01),肥胖的女性高于男性(P<0.01);超重和肥胖都随年龄增高而增高(P<0.01),随文化程度增高而下降(P<0.01);肥胖随收入的增高而下降(P<0.05),超重不受收入影响;在职业方面,工人肥胖率最低,离退休人员最高(P<0.01)。多因素Logistic逐步回归分析显示,性别、年龄、脑力劳动、甜食习惯为超重的影响因素;性别、年龄、人均月收入为肥胖的影响因素。结论宝山区的超重与肥胖问题不容乐观,应充分考虑年龄、性别、脑力劳动、甜食习惯及收入对超重与肥胖的影响,继续加强健康教育与健康促进工作。