Gender-specific Associations Research Articles

Evaluating TAB2, IKBKB, and IKBKG Gene Polymorphisms and Serum Protein Levels and Their Association with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Its Treatment Efficiency

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness, affecting millions worldwide. Its pathogenesis involves the death of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), followed by photoreceptor degeneration. Although AMD is multifactorial, various genetic markers are strongly associated with the disease and may serve as biomarkers for evaluating treatment efficacy. Objective: This study investigates TAB2 rs237025, IKBKB rs13278372, and IKBKG rs2472395 variants and their respective serum protein concentrations in relation to AMD occurrence and exudative AMD treatment response to anti-VEGF treatment. Results: Our study revealed that TAB2 rs237025 allele A was identified as a risk factor for early and exudative AMD development. The same associations remained only in females with exudative AMD but not in males, suggesting gender-specific pathogenetic pathways in exudative AMD. Analysis of IKBKB rs13278372 or serum IKBKB protein associations with early or exudative AMD occurrence in the Lithuanian population revealed no significant associations. On the other hand, we found that each A allele of IKBKB rs13278372 was associated with a worse response to anti-VEGF treatment (OR = 0.347; 95% CI: 0.145–0.961; p = 0.041). These results suggest a potential marker for future studies evaluating anti-VEGF treatment for exudative AMD patients. IKBKG rs2472395 was a protective variant for early AMD in males and for exudative AMD in females only. Also, IKBKG protein concentration was lower in exudative AMD relative to the control group (median (IQR): 0.442 (0.152) vs. 0.538 (0.337), p = 0.015). Moreover, exudative AMD patients who carry the GG genotype of IKBKG rs2472394 exhibited significantly reduced serum IKBKG concentrations compared to the controls (median (IQR): 0.434 (0.199) vs. 0.603 (0.335), p = 0.012), leading to the hypothesis that the IKBKG rs2472394 variant might play a role in protein concentration differences and exudative AMD development. Conclusions: Our study identified the TAB2 rs237025 allele A as a significant risk factor for both early and exudative AMD, with gender-specific associations observed in females with exudative AMD, suggesting distinct pathogenetic pathways. While IKBKB rs13278372 and serum IKBKB protein levels showed no significant association with AMD development, the A allele of IKBKB rs13278372 was associated with a worse response to anti-VEGF treatment, indicating its potential as a marker for treatment outcomes. Additionally, the IKBKG rs2472395 variant was found to be protective for early AMD in males and exudative AMD in females, and lower IKBKG protein levels were associated with exudative AMD, particularly in patients with the GG genotype of IKBKG rs2472394, suggesting its role in protein concentration and disease progression. These findings highlight genetic markers that may contribute to AMD pathogenesis and treatment response.

Sex-Induced Changes in Microbial Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes in Gastrointestinal Tract of Simmental Cattle.

This study investigates gender-based differences in the gut microbiota of Simmental cattle, focusing on bacterial, archaeal, and fungal communities. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed using high-throughput sequencing, with taxonomic classification performed through the SILVA and UNITE databases. Alpha and beta diversity metrics were assessed, revealing significant differences in the diversity and composition of archaeal communities between males and females. Notably, females exhibited higher alpha diversity in archaea, while beta diversity analyses indicated distinct clustering of bacterial and archaeal communities by gender. The study also identified correlations between specific microbial taxa and hematological parameters, with Treponema and Methanosphaera showing gender-specific associations that may influence cattle health and productivity. These findings highlight the importance of considering gender in microbiota-related research and suggest that gender-specific management strategies could optimize livestock performance. Future research should explore the role of sex hormones in shaping these microbial differences.

Gender-specific association between a lipid composite index and asthma among US adults: insights from a population-based study

BackgroundAbnormalities in lipid metabolism are common among adult asthmatics. However, the precise directionality linking asthma to blood lipid levels remains controversial. Our study aimed to evaluate the association between the Non-HDL to HDL Ratio (NHHR), a lipid composite index, and asthma prevalence among the adult population in the United States.MethodsUtilizing adult participants’ data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2009 to 2018, the study employed a multivariable logistic regression model, adjusting for covariables, to establish the relationship between NHHR levels and the prevalence of asthma. Furthermore, smoothing curve fitting and subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate the robustness of this association.ResultsThis study included 26,023 adult individuals (mean age = 49.63 ± 17.66). In the fully adjusted model, a significant inverse association was observed between log-transformed NHHR values and asthma prevalence (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.79–0.93). Subgroup analysis revealed that gender served as a modulator, altering the association between NHHR levels and asthma prevalence. A more pronounced negative association between lnNHHR and asthma prevalence was noted among male participants [(Male: OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.69–0.88) vs. (Female: OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.83–1.03), P for interaction = 0.0313].ConclusionsOur study revealed an inverse association between NHHR levels and the prevalence of asthma in the US adult population, which is influenced by gender. NHHR measurement may be a potential tool for early identification and prediction of adult asthmatics in specific populations.

Armed Forces as an Employer of Choice: The Role of Gender and Person–Organization Fit

Many militaries are facing challenges in meeting recruitment goals and increasing the number of women in their ranks. The objectives of this study were to examine the gender-specific associations between Armed Forces (AF) employer knowledge dimensions (i.e., familiarity, job attributes, and reputation) and AF attractiveness as an employer as well as to assess the moderating effects of person–organization fit (P-O fit) between these associations. Participants included 1,955 potential applicants who completed an online survey on the Canadian Armed Forces’ image. Results from multiple-group analyses showed that P-O fit was the factor most strongly associated with AF attractiveness for both men and women. Results also suggested that P-O fit plays a moderating role for women in that a minimum level of P-O fit is necessary for perceived work–life benefits in the AF to positively affect attraction to a military career.

Gender-specific associations between sleep stages and cardiovascular risk factors.

Sleep characteristics are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and both sleep and CVD risk vary by gender. Our objective was to examine associations between polysomnographic sleep characteristics and CVD risk after excluding moderate-severe sleep apnea, and whether gender modifies these associations. This was a cross-sectional study with at-home polysomnography in adults in Brazil (n= 1,102 participants with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)<15 events/hour). Primary exposures were N3, REM, wake after sleep onset (WASO), arousal index (AI) and AHI, and outcomes were blood pressure (BP) and lipid levels. Associations between sleep and BP varied by gender. In women, more N3 was associated with lower systolic BP (-0.40 mmHg per 10 minutes, 95%CI -0.71, -0.09), lower diastolic BP (-0.29 mmHg per 10 minutes, 95%CI -0.50, -0.07), and lower odds of hypertension (OR 0.94, 95%CI 0.89, 0.98). In men, more WASO was associated with higher systolic BP (0.41 mmHg per 10 minutes, 95%CI 0.08, 0.74) and higher odds of hypertension (OR 1.07, 95%CI 1.01, 1.14). No interactions by gender were observed for lipids. More WASO was associated with lower total cholesterol (-0.71 per 10 minutes, 95%CI -1.37, -0.05). Higher AHI was associated with higher total cholesterol (+0.97 per event/hour, 95%CI 0.24, 1.70) and higher LDL (+0.84 per event/hour, 95%CI 0.04, 1.64). N3 is more strongly associated with BP in women, which is consistent with other studies demonstrating gender differences in BP control and CVD risk and adds a novel risk factor. Longitudinal and interventional studies are required to determine whether changes in N3 result in BP changes.

Gender-specific association between circulating serum Klotho and metabolic components in adults

BackgroundKlotho plays a pivotal role in human aging. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is composed of multiple conditions that are also risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. We try to discuss gender-specific differences in Klotho and the associations between Klotho and MetS components.Materials and methodsThe National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database from cycle 2015–2016 was analyzed. MetS was defined according to the 2005 updated criteria by the American Heart Association and National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Gender-specific differences in serum Klotho, and associations between Klotho level and MetS components were examined.ResultsA total of 2475 participants (40–79 years old) with comprehensive data were included (52% women). In general, lower Klotho was associated with advanced age, male sex, tobacco use, elevated triglycerides, renal insufficiency, inflammation, low estradiol, and low sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). The correlation between MetS and Klotho was more obvious in women, mainly in waist circumference and triglyceride. There were no gender-specific differences in the associations between Klotho and renal dysfunction, but multivariate linear regression analysis showed gender differences in other factors associated with Klotho. Estradiol, SHBG, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) were associated with Klotho levels independent of age and renal function in men, whereas in women, Klotho was independently associated with triglycerides and white blood cell count.ConclusionKlotho levels had gender disparities regardless of age, renal function, and sex hormones. In the current cohort, triglycerides were the major component of MetS that was independently associated with serum Klotho levels, and the association was particularly seen in women. However, HDL was found to be the male-specific MetS component independently associated with Klotho.

A - 22 Effects of Gender on the Relationship between Coping Styles and Executive Functioning in Alcohol Use Disorders

Abstract Objective Executive functioning (EF) and coping styles are important factors likely to influence risk and resilience to relapse following Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) treatment. This study aims to evaluate EF and coping as independent predictors of relapse and the interplay between these two constructs by treatment outcome group and gender differences. Methods 23 females and 59 males in AUD residential treatment programs completed self-report questionnaires, a neuropsychological battery, and were followed for six months to determine treatment outcome. A logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate coping (Brief COPE Inventory) and EF (Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System, Color-Word Interference Test, CWIT; inhibition and switching conditions) variables as predictors of relapse status. Significant predictors were evaluated by group status and gender to understand the association between coping and EF using Pearson correlation within each group. Results Gender (B = 8.6, p = 0.032), two coping (self-distraction (B = 2.3, p = 0.051) and humor (B = 1.9, p = 0.051)) and two EF (CWIT inhibition (B = 0.5, p = 0.007) and CWIT switching (B = 1.9, p = 0.006)) variables resulted in 85.4% overall classification accuracy. Correlations between these coping and EF, when evaluated by treatment group and gender, revealed significant gender-specific associations only among the relapse groups: self-distraction and CWIT inhibition (r = 0.379) in females and humor and CWIT inhibition (r = 0.242) in males. Conclusion Overall, EF and coping styles have independent predictive value for determining relapse risk in individuals with AUD. Poor EF skills may inhibit an individual’s ability to engage in appropriate coping during times of emotional distress. Understanding gender differences in relation to these dynamic relationships is essential for creating supportive and effective psychosocial interventions.

Gender-specific association of multiple risk factors with neonatal moderate or severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundNeonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) leads to different degrees of neurological sequelae. The incidence of HIE is relatively high, and the causal pathways leading to HIE are still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with HIE comparing differences between genders.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 196 neonates diagnosed with HIE was conducted. Based on the severity of clinical findings, HIE was classified as mild, moderate or severe. For mild HIE, the outcomes were relatively less severe, whereas moderate to severe HIE could suffer serious consequences, including death, cerebral palsy, epilepsy. T-test, chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze data.ResultsAmong the 196 neonatal HIE, 39 (19.9%) had mild HIE,157 (80.1%) had moderate or severe HIE. The logistic regression analysis showed that gender was a specific stratified characteristic of moderate or severe HIE. In the male neonates group, emergency cesarean section, abnormal labor stage and amniotic fluid contamination were associated with an increased risk of moderate or severe HIE, where the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were 4.378 (95% confidence intervals (CI):2.263–6.382), 2.827 (95% CI:1.743–5.196) and 2.653 (95%CI:1.645–3.972), respectively. As expected, a significant additive effect was found in the interactions between emergency cesarean section and abnormal labor stage, as well as between emergency cesarean section and amniotic fluid contamination, where the relative excess risk of interaction was 2.315(95%CI:1.573–3.652) and 1.896(95%CI: 1.337–3.861) respectively.ConclusionEmergency cesarean section, abnormal labor stage and amniotic fluid contamination were risk factors of moderate or severe HIE in neonates, and the associations were significantly correlated with male gender. Notably, coinciding incidences of emergency cesarean section with abnormal labor stage, or emergency cesarean section with amniotic fluid contamination were possibly synergistic in increasing the risk of moderate or severe HIE. These findings may assist clinicians in strengthening their awareness on risks affecting HIE and help reduce the incidence of moderate or severe HIE in clinical practice.

Arteriosclerotic Calcification and Atrial Fibrillation in the General Population: The Rotterdam Study

Limited population-based data on the gender differences and association between arteriosclerotic calcification at different sites and atrial fibrillation (AF) exist. We aimed to investigate the (gender-specific) associations between arteriosclerotic calcification at different sites with the risk of AF in the general population. Arteriosclerotic calcification was quantified using computed tomography examinations between 2003 and 2006 in 2,259 participants free of AF from the population-based Rotterdam Study. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors, were used to assess the associations of volumes of coronary artery calcification (CAC), aortic arch calcification (AAC), extracranial and intracranial carotid arteries, vertebrobasilar arteries, and the aortic valve with incident AF. During a median follow-up of 8.6 years, 182 incident AF cases occurred. A larger CAC was associated with incident AF (hazard ratio [HR], 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25 1.09 to 1.44, p = 0.0019). The gender-stratified analyses showed that larger CAC in men (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.86, p = 0.0068) and larger AAC in women were associated with incident AF (HR1.44, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.01, p = 0.0299). In conclusion, CAC in the general population, especially in men, and AAC in women were significantly associated with new-onset AF. Our findings imply that interventions to lower arteriosclerotic calcification, particularly, CAC, carry potential for the prevention of AF in the general population, especially in men.

Gender-specific association between snoring and total sleep duration with type 2 diabetes mellitus in rural adults.

To investigate the separate and joint association between snoring and total sleep duration with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in both genders within Chinese rural community. The Henan Rural Cohort Study included a total of 28093 participants. Data on snoring and total sleep duration were obtained through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Binary logistic regression was employed to assess the correlation between snoring and total sleep duration with T2DM. The prevalences of T2DM were 8.53% in males and 9.27% in females. Males exhibited a higher prevalence of snoring (34.90%) compared to females (22.42%), and the median of total sleep duration was also longer in males (8.83h) than in females (8.67h), respectively (P < 0.001). Females who snored had an adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for T2DM of 1.19 (1.06, 1.35) when contrasted with non-snorers. Compared with optimal total sleep duration (6-8h), longer total sleep duration (≥ 8h) increased the prevalence of T2DM by 17% (95%CI: 3%, 32%) in females. Additionally, the participants with shorter total sleep duration (< 6h) and snoring have the highest risk of T2DM, with an increase of 91% (95%CI: 20%, 204%) than those with optimal total sleep duration and non-snorers in females. These significant associations were not found in males. Snoring and longer total sleep duration independently elevated the prevalence of T2DM. Meantime, a synergistic relationship was observed between snoring and total sleep duration with a higher prevalence of T2DM. These associations exhibited gender-specific differences.

Loneliness in the college student population: Prevalence and associations with substance use outcomes

Objectives: We assessed the prevalence of loneliness by gender and gender-specific associations between loneliness and substance use in university students. Participants: Participants were students enrolled in colleges and universities throughout the United States (n = 84,481). Methods: Gender was self-reported and categorized as male, female, and transgender/nonbinary. Descriptive analyses were conducted, and logistic regression was used to measure associations between loneliness and substance use by gender and substance. Results: Loneliness prevalence was 58% in the sample, and loneliness was most prevalent among transgender/nonbinary students (79%). Loneliness was associated with reduced odds of alcohol use and increased odds of benzodiazepine use in all genders, and increased odds of marijuana, stimulant, and opioid misuse in females and males. Conclusions: Loneliness is prevalent in college students, especially in transgender/nonbinary students, and it is associated with increased odds of substance use. College administrators should consider implementing interventions to reduce loneliness in this population.

MED12 Loss-of-Function Variants as a Cause of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in Females With Hardikar Syndrome and Nonspecific Intellectual Disability.

Mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12) is required for the assembly of the kinase module of Mediator, a regulatory complex that controls the formation of the RNA polymerase II-mediated preinitiation complex. MED12-related disorders display unique gender-specific genotype-phenotype associations and include X-linked recessive Opitz-Kaveggia syndrome, Lujan-Fryns syndrome, Ohdo syndrome, and nonspecific intellectual disability in males predominantly carrying missense variants, and X-linked dominant Hardikar syndrome and nonspecific intellectual disability in females known to predominantly carry de novo nonsense/frameshift and nonsense/missense variants, respectively. MED12 was previously identified as a low-penetrance candidate gene for non-isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH+). At the time, however, there was insufficient evidence to confirm this association. In a clinical database search, we identified 18 individuals who were molecularly diagnosed with MED12-related disorders by exome or genome sequencing, including eight missense, four frameshift, two nonsense, and one splice variant. Nine of these variants have not been previously reported. Two females with nonspecific intellectual disability were found to carry a de novo frameshift variant, indicating that potentially truncating variants causing nonspecific intellectual disability are not limited to nonsense variants. Notably, CDH was reported in three out of seven females with Hardikar syndrome or nonspecific intellectual disability but was not reported in males with MED12-related disorders. These results suggest that pathogenic MED12 variants are a cause of CDH+ in females with Hardikar syndrome and nonspecific intellectual disability.

Gender-specific associations among neck circumference, the rs9939609 FTO gene polymorphism, and the 14-year risk of metabolic syndrome in the Korean adult population.

Limited data exist on the relation between neck circumference (NC) and the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MS). This study investigated gender-specific associations between NC and the 14-year risk of MS and explored the impact of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism on these associations. This population-based prospective cohort study involved 2,666 participants (1,301 men and 1,365 women), who were free of MS at baseline (2005-2006). Incident MS cases, defined by the presence of 3 or more criteria regarding blood pressure and blood levels of glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, were identified through biennial examinations until 2020. NC measurements taken at baseline and between 2013 and 2014 were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard regression to determine gender-specific associations with MS risk. Controlling for potential confounders such as waist circumference (WC), significant associations were observed in both genders. Individuals in the highest NC quartile exhibited more than a 2-fold higher MS risk than those in the lowest quartile; with hazard ratios of 2.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.74 to 3.22) for men and 2.65 (95% CI, 1.89 to 3.72) for women (p for trend <0.001). No significant interaction was found between the FTO polymorphism and NC. In diagnostic test analyses, NC and WC demonstrated comparable area under the curve values in both genders. The findings suggest that NC is as effective as WC for predicting the incidence of MS.

Gendered wage returns to changes in non-routine job tasks: Evidence from Germany

The labor market exhibits persistent occupational segregation by gender, with women and men performing distinct job tasks within their occupations. Prior research suggests that non-routine job tasks generally lead to higher wages, especially in digitally advancing contexts. However, these findings are largely based on cross-sectional data and neglect gender as a relevant dimension of inequality. We analyze three-wave panel data over nine years from the German National Educational Panel Study to explore the relationship between changes in non-routine job tasks and wages by gender. Given the constrained wage-setting opportunities within German firms, we further examine whether the association between task changes and wages differs for employees with and without job changes, both within and across occupational segments. Our fixed-effect regression analyses reveal gender-specific associations between changes in non-routine job tasks and wage increases. Men benefit from performing more complex and autonomous tasks, with additional gains when an inter-segmental job change accompanies the increase in complex job tasks. Conversely, women do not see wage benefits from enhancements in either complex or autonomous job tasks. These findings underscore the gendered patterns of wage increases associated with advancements in non-routine job tasks, with men profiting intra-individually from shifts towards more non-routine job tasks.

Could differential under-reporting of loneliness between men and women bias the gender-specific association between loneliness duration and rate of memory decline? A probabilistic bias analysis of effect modification.

Gender is an observed effect modifier of the association between loneliness and memory aging. However, this effect modification may be a result of information bias due to differential loneliness under-reporting by gender. We applied probabilistic bias analyses to examine whether effect modification of the loneliness-memory decline relationship by gender is retained under three simulation scenarios with various magnitudes of differential loneliness under-reporting between men and women. Data were from biennial interviews with adults aged 50+ in the US Health and Retirement Study from 1996-2016 (5,646 women and 3,386 men). Loneliness status (yes vs. no) was measured from 1996-2004 using the CES-D loneliness item and memory was measured from 2004-2016. Simulated sensitivity and specificity of the loneliness measure were informed by a validation study using the UCLA Loneliness Scale as a gold standard. The likelihood of observing effect modification by gender was higher than 90% in all simulations, although the likelihood reduced with an increasing difference in magnitude of the loneliness under-reporting between men and women. The gender difference in loneliness under-reporting did not meaningfully affect the observed effect modification by gender in our simulations. Our simulation approach may be promising to quantify potential information bias in effect modification analyses.

Progression of white matter hyperintensities is related to blood pressure increases and global cognitive decline – A registered report

Abstract White matter hyperintensities (WMH) reflect cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD), a major brain pathology contributing to cognitive decline and dementia. Vascular risk factors, including higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP), have been associated with the progression of WMH yet longitudinal studies have not comprehensively assessed these effects for abdominal obesity or reported sex/gender-specific effects. In this pre-registered analysis of a longitudinal population-based neuroimaging cohort, we investigated the association of baseline DBP and waist-to-hip ratio with WMH progression in linear mixed models. We also examined the relationship of WMH progression and executive and global cognitive function. We conducted gender interaction and stratified analyses. We included data from 596 individuals (44.1 % females, mean age = 63.2 years) with two MRI scans over approximately 6 years. We did not find a significant association of baseline DBP with WMH progression. WMH progression significantly predicted global cognitive decline but not decline in executive function. In exploratory analyses, increases in DBP as well as baseline and increase in systolic blood pressure were associated with WMH progression, confined to frontal periventricular regions. There was no association of WHR nor any gender-specific associations with WMH progression. Adequate BP control might contribute to limit WMH progression and negative effects on global cognitive function in the middle-aged to older population for men and women.

Gender differences in the association between transitions in depressive symptoms and oral health among older adults with chronic conditions

BackgroundOral health influences the quality of life of older adults. Further, depression is negatively associated with oral health. However, little is known about this relationship among older adults with chronic health conditions. Additionally, since oral health and depression differ between genders, this study aimed to investigate the effect of transitions in depressive symptoms on oral health among older adults with chronic health conditions by gender. MethodsWe used data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2020−2022). The study sample comprised 2836 older adults (1104 men; 1732 women). We adopted multiple linear regression to examine the association between depressive symptom transitions and oral health by gender. ResultsThe new onset depression symptoms were significantly associated with the deterioration of oral health in men (β = −5.4308) and women (β = −4.8328). Our study showed a gender-specific association between new onset depressive symptoms and particular domains of oral health. For men, the association was slightly more negative in psychosocial function (β = −2.1177) while women presented lower GOHAI scores in both the physical function domain (β = −1.8800) and the psychosocial function domain (β = −1.8801). LimitationsThe data used in this study were self-reported via a survey; thus, self-report bias may be a relevant concern. ConclusionTo prevent deterioration in oral health, depressive symptoms must be detected and addressed early among older adults with chronic conditions. This study underscores the importance of interventions that consider gender differences in the association between depressive symptoms and psychosocial and physical functioning.

Gender differences in adolescent food preferences and their association with parent food preferences: data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS).

Food preference is an important factor that affects one's eating behavior and dietary intake. Parent food preferences and food choices may influence children food preferences. This study is aimed to describe gender differences and time trends of Chinese adolescent food preferences and to explore the association between adolescent and their parent food preferences. The data were drawn from four waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) conducted between 2006 and 2015. Participants were asked to indicate their degree of preferences for five food categories (fast food, salty snack food, fruits, vegetables, and soft/sugary drinks) using a 5-point Likert scale (from "dislike very much" to "like very much"). Logistic regression was performed to determine the association of food preferences between adolescents and their parents. Adolescent preferences for unhealthy foods were significantly higher than those of adults. Adolescent food preferences for fruits and vegetables decreased slightly over nine years, and there were gender differences in healthy food preferences (girls > boys, P < 0.05). Regardless of boys or girls, adolescent food preferences for healthy foods (fruits and vegetables) were significantly associated with both their fathers (OR: 3.64-4.58 for boys and 2.71-4.39 for girls) and mothers (OR: 2.13-4.11 for boys and 3.07-5.66 for girls) food preferences. For fast food and salty snack food preferences, boys appeared to be influenced greater by their fathers than girls, while girls appeared to be influenced greater by their mothers than boys. The present study reveals a high degree of unhealthy food preferences among Chinese adolescents and a gender-specific association of fast food and salty snack preference between Chinese adolescents and their parents. Our results may be useful for interventions to reduce adolescent unhealthy food preferences and intakes.

Analysis of Sociodemographic–and Sport-Factors as Correlates of Doping Tendency in Professional Handball Players

Factors associated with doping in sports are frequently studied, but sport specific, gender-stratified investigations are rare. This study aimed to evaluate sociodemographic and sport factors associated with doping tendency (DT) in professional handball players. The participants were handball professionals from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (n=173; 22.12±3.11 years of age, 64 females and 109 males) who were tested on sociodemographic variables (gender, age, education), sport factors (experience in sport, achievement at the junior and senior level), and doping factors (personal opinion on the problem of doping, doping knowledge, and personal DT). Logistic regressions with sociodemographic- and sport-factors as predictors were calculated for binarized outcome (positive DT vs. negative DT). A greater likelihood of having a positive DT was found for males than for females (OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.16-2.12) and for those who achieved success at the junior level (OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.02- 1.95). Among females, positive DT increased with experience in handball (OR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.11-1.55). Male players who achieved better competitive/sport results at a younger age were more prone to doping (OR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.21-1.83). While a greater tendency toward doping in males might be expected due to sociocultural factors, the gender-specific associations indicated specific factors that must be noted in the development of anti-doping strategies in this sport.

Is There a Meaningful Association Between Physical Literacy and Health Literacy? A Cross- Sectional Study in Older Adolescents

Health literacy (HL) is hypothesized to be associated with physical literacy (PL), but studies have rarely examined this association in adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the possible relationships between PL and physical activity levels (PAL), with HL in high-school adolescents. The participants in this cross-sectional study were high school students (n=204; 100 females; 16 to 19 years of age). Variables included evaluation of the HL, PL, and PAL. The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents was used for analysis of the PAL. PL was assessed by the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy, and the Physical Literacy Assessment of Youth (PLAYself). HL was evaluated using the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate correlations were calculated for the total sample and stratified by gender. Boys had greater PAL than girls (t test =6.76, p&lt;0.001), but no significant gender differences were found in PL and HL. The results showed no significant association between PL and HL in boys. PL was significantly associated with HL in girls (17% of the explained variance, p&lt;0.001), with PLAYself being a significant partial regressor (Beta =0.38, p&lt;0.001). Due to the established gender-specific associations between HL and PL, in developing and implementing educational strategies aimed at improving PL and HL in adolescents, a gender-specific approach is warranted.