Higher Risk Of Obesity Research Articles

ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH BEHAVIORS WITH WEIGHT AND OBESITY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AMONG THE UK OLDER POPULATION

Abstract Using a sample of 4,182 UK adults aged 50 and above, this study explored the association of changes in health behaviours with weight and obesity during UK lockdown in Jun/Jul and Nov/Dec 2020. Over 30% adults reported more sitting, more TV watching or less exercise. Around 20% adults were engaged in eating more or sleeping less. More alcohol drinking happened in 12.3% adults. Results suggested that more sedentariness, more TV watching, less exercise, more eating and more alcohol drinking were associated with a significant increase in weight. Meanwhile, less sedentariness or less eating significantly reduced weight in Nov/Dec 2020. A higher risk of obesity was found in adults sitting, eating, or sleeping more than usual. Considering potential health risks associated with obesity in older population, weight management is necessary nationwide.

A Maternal High-Fat Diet Causes Anxiety-Related Behaviors by Altering Neuropeptide Y1 Receptor and Hippocampal Volumes in Rat Offspring: the Potential Effect of N-Acetylcysteine

The children of obese mothers are known to have a high risk of obesity and metabolic disease and are prone to developing cognitive deficits, although the underlying mechanism is not yet fully understood. This study investigated the relationship between neuropeptide Y1 receptor (NPY1R) and anxiety-like behaviors in the hippocampi of male rat offspring exposed to maternal obesity and the potential neuroprotective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). A maternal obesity model was created using a high-fat (60% k/cal) diet. NAC (150mg/kg) was administered by intragastric gavage for 25days in both the NAC and obesity + NAC (ObNAC) groups. All male rat offspring were subjected to behavioral testing on postnatal day 28, the end of the experiment. Stereological analysis was performed on hippocampal sections, while NPY1R expression was determined using immunohistochemical methods. Stereological data indicated significant decreases in the total volume of the hippocampus and CA1 and dentate gyrus (DG) regions in the obese (Ob) group (p < 0.01). Decreased NPY1R expression was observed in the Ob group hippocampus (p < 0.01). At behavioral assessments, the Ob group rats exhibited increased anxiety and less social interaction, although the ObNAC group rats exhibited stronger responses than the Ob group (p < 0.01). The study results show that NAC attenuated anxiety-like behaviors and NPY1R expression and also protected hippocampal volume against maternal obesity. The findings indicate that a decrease in NPY1R-positive neurons in the hippocampus of male rats due to maternal conditions may be associated with increased levels of anxiety and a lower hippocampal volume. Additionally, although there is no direct evidence, maintenance of NPY1R expression by NAC may be critical for regulating maternal obesity-induced anxiety-related behaviors and hippocampal structure.

Increased incidence of overweight and obesity among preschool Swedish children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had wide effects on child health globally. Increased prevalence of childhood obesity has been observed by a number of countries during the pandemic. The absence of a formal societal lockdown during the pandemic, made Sweden stand out compared to other countries. This study aims to examine changes in BMI among preschool children in Sweden before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Retrospective population-based cross-sectional study, with longitudinal follow-up for a portion of the children. The study included 25049 children from three Swedish regions, with growth measures at 3- (n = 16237), 4- (n = 14437) and 5-years of age (n = 11 711). Care Need Index was used as a socioeconomic parameter at health centre level. There was an increase in BMI in children aged three (P = 0.028) and four (P<0.001) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Obesity in 3-year-old girls increased from 2.8% to 3.9%. Four-year-olds increased in obesity, and overweight (girls) and the prevalence of underweight decreased in boys. No change in BMI was observed in 5-year-olds. Children in areas of low socioeconomic status had higher risk of obesity. Overweight and obesity increased among 3- and 4-year-old children in Sweden, findings that were accentuated in children attending child health centres in areas with lower socioeconomic status. The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have affected health behaviours negatively in Swedish preschool children. Our results expose the need for extended efforts directed to prevent childhood obesity, especially targeting lower socioeconomic areas.

Continuous physiological signal measurement over 24-hour periods to assess the impact of work-related stress and workplace violence

Work-related stress has long been recognized as an essential factor affecting employees' health and wellbeing. Repeated exposure to acute occupational stressors puts workers at high risk for depression, obesity, hypertension, and early death. Assessment of the effects of acute stress on workers' wellbeing usually relies on subjective self-reports, questionnaires, or measuring biometric and biochemical markers in long-cycle time intervals. This study aimed to develop and validate the use of a multiparameter wearable armband for continuous non-invasive monitoring of physiological states. Two worker populations were monitored 24 h/day: six loggers for one day and six ICU nurses working 12-hr shifts for one week. Stress responses in nurses were highly correlated with changes in heart rate variability (HRV) and pulse transit time (PTT). A rise in the low-to high-frequency (LF/LH) ratio in HRV was also coincident with stress responses. HRV on workdays decreased compared to non-work days, and PTT also exhibited a persistent decrease reflecting increased blood pressure. Compared to loggers, nurses were involved in high-intensity work activities 45% more often but were less active on non-work days. The wearable technology was well accepted by all worker participants and yielded high signal quality, critical factors for long-term non-invasive occupational health monitoring.

Exploring the Link between ADHD and Obesity: A Focus on Temperament.

Multiple studies support the relationship between ADHD and overweight/obesity in youth. Different mechanisms may be involved, such as temperamental and psychopathological factors. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that specific temperamental and psychopathological dimensions could mediate the relationship between ADHD and obesity. The sample included 100 children and adolescents (78 males and 22 females; age range 6 to 18 years; mean age 9.90 ± 2.5 years). The assessment procedure included Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Long (CPRS-R:L) as the inclusion criterion for ADHD diagnosis, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), a dimensional measure for psychopathology, and the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory, which describes four temperamental dimensions: novelty seeking (NS), harm avoidance (HA), reward dependence (RD), and persistence (P). While in the whole ADHD sample, the highest scores were found in NS and the lowest in P, ADHD with overweight/obesity, compared to ADHD with normal weight, showed higher HA and RD, lower NS, and higher CBCL Internalizing scores. These findings suggest that ADHD youth with overweight/obesity present specific temperamental and psychopathological features compared to those without overweight/obesity. If confirmed in larger samples, using a control group without ADHD, these temperamental and psychological features may be helpful for an earlier recognition of ADHD patients at higher risk for obesity, and may represent possible targets for temperament-based preventive interventions and tailored treatment programs. These features should be included in the routine assessment of children and adolescents with ADHD and/or are overweight/obese.

Risk Factors of Obesity among Children Under 5 Years in Hilla City

Childhood obesity was rarely seen. But over the past few years, more people have started to see this thing. This issue is mostly attributable to families' shifting lifestyles in the modernized Iraq, where they now have greater spending power, easier access to goods and services, and the means to live more comfortably and opulently because to advancements in technology. A case-control study was conducted on 100 children with obesity and 100 healthy participants in primary health care centers at Hilla city. The study used a convenience sampling technique (non-random sampling technique) to choose the children with obesity and control groups via take body anthropometry and direct interviews. The data collection continued for a period of 3 months starting on 2nd January 2022 and ending on 1st April,2022. The highest percentage of children with obesity in the age group 5 years 36 (36.0%). The mean age was 3.97±0.958, and the range (was 2-5). Fifty percent of children with obesity each for boys and girls. The results found that girl children are likely at higher risk for obesity at 2.125 times than boys. While children whose mothers have low professionals are a likely at less risk for obesity than children who their mother have high professionals (B= -2.065-; P. value&lt; 0.001; OR= 0.127; 95% C.I 0.055-0.291). In addition, a high percentage of obese children gain weight after covid-19. The study revealed female children, mothers with low professional, the mother that gained a high weight during pregnancy, and the heredity of obesity are significantly associated with an increased risk of obesity in children. Health care providers should highlight concerning the risks of obesity and providing prevention strategies, ensuring parental participation by setting policies, guidelines and precautionary measures which should ideally be developed.

Impact of socioeconomic position on childhood obesity in Finland based on register data from 2018

Abstract Background Obesity is a globally growing public health challenge among children. In developed countries, the risk of obesity is commonly higher among lower socioeconomic groups. Measuring socioeconomic position (SEP), especially income, is challenging in surveys as self-reported information may suffer from reporting, awareness, recall and non-response bias. Our aim is to utilize official register data on several SEP indicators and measured height and weight of children, to identify the strongest predictors of SEP of the parents on the risk of obesity among the whole 2-17-year-old child population in Finland. Methods Data for all children who had visited child health clinic or school health care in 2018 were extracted from the National Outpatient Register on Primary Health Care Services (n = 387623, coverage 40% in 2018). Obesity was defined according to the WHO criteria. SEP indicators were obtained from Statistics Finland for both parents living in the same household with a child. Boosted regression model was used to analyze the contribution of SEP to obesity using training dataset on 155479 non-related children. Results The area under the curve for the final model in training dataset was 0.736 and 0.718 in validation dataset. Mother's educational level (12.6% of the total explained variation) and household's disposable income (12.6%) were the SEP indicators that most strongly predicted childhood obesity, whereas the impact of educational level of the father was somewhat smaller (8.1%). The influence of the age of a child was even bigger (39.2%), the prevalence of obesity being highest at 11 and 9 years of age among boys and girls, respectively. Conclusions Our results based on official register data from Finland, a Nordic high-income country, endorse earlier findings on higher obesity risk among children with low socio-economic family background. Identification of the SEP related risk factors and support to families are essential in the prevention of childhood obesity. Key messages

Short sleep duration at night in 2.5-year-old children is associated with childhood obesity at age 5.5 years: The Japanese children cohort study

BackgroundObesity in children contributes to higher risks of various chronic diseases in adulthood and the prevalence has increased worldwide including Japan. ObjectivesThis study aims to examine the association between sleep duration at night in children aged 2.5 years and the subsequent risk of obesity at age 5.5 years. MethodsThis study is embedded in the Longitudinal Survey on Babies Born in the 21st Century, which recruited families who had a child born in Japan in 2001. The multivariable logistic regression models were applied to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) of childhood obesity at 5.5 years, defined as percentage of overweight (POW) ≥ 20 % and body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile of this study population according to sleep duration at night collected at 2.5 years child age. ResultsAmong 25,378 children, 2.6 % and 3.7 % were obese at age 5.5 years defined by POW and BMI respectively. Compared with night sleep duration > 11 h/d, shorter sleep durations in 2.5 years-old children were associated with higher risk of obesity at 5.5 years; the multivariable ORs (95 %CI) were 1.05 (0.81–1.35), 1.23 (0.93–1.62) and 1.54 (1.04–2.31) for sleep duration 10, 9 and ≤ 8 h/d, respectively; p-trend = 0.03. The observed association differed according to the children (child’s sex, napping habits, and children frequently play at park), and family characteristics (mother’s age at delivery and mother’s level of education). ConclusionShort night sleep duration among girls aged 2.5 years was associated with risk of obesity at age 5.5 years, suggesting the importance of sufficient sleep duration at night for the prevention of obesity.

Association between peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 gene with overweight and obesity risk: Case–control study and meta-analysis

This study aims to investigate the association of rs8192678 polymorphism in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 (PPARGC1) gene with obesity and overweight. The rs8192678 polymorphism was genotyped in all participants. In addition, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature for genetic association studies was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar before January 2022. The case-control study showed an increased risk for obesity in the allele model (OR: 1.45, 95%CI = 1.00–2.20, P value = 0.05). Ten case-control studies including 7821 individuals (3150 obese, 648 overweight, and 4023 normal weight) were included in the meta- analysis. Statistical analysis revealed an increased risk of overweight/obesity with polymorphism in the recessive model (OR: 1.18, 95%CI = 1.02–1.37, P value = 0.03), homozygous model (OR: 1.28, 95%CI = 1.01–1.62, P value = 0.37), and heterozygous model (OR: 1.16, 95%CI = 1.02–1.34, P value = 0.48). Our results suggest that the rs8192678 polymorphism was correlated with a higher risk of obesity in a case-control study and meta-analysis.

Prevalence of Obesity and Its Associated Factors Among Malaysian Adults: Finding From the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019.

In 2016, World Health Organization (WHO) estimated more than 650 million obese adults, resulting in a country's health burden. This study aims to determine the prevalence of obesity and its associated factors among Malaysian adults. A total of 5820 respondents, aged 18 to 59 years, from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, were included for the data analysis. The prevalence of obesity was described and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the factors associated with obesity. The prevalence of obesity among Malaysian adults was 20.1%, based on the findings from this study. Multivariate analyses showed that women, being Malays, Indians, and other Bumiputeras, were significantly associated with a higher risk of obesity. Besides, those diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and hypertension were also significantly associated with greater risk of obesity. This information is crucial for policy makers in formulating effective strategies or targeted programs in preventing obesity among Malaysian adults.

Lactose-reduced infant formula with corn syrup solids and obesity risk among participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), a federal nutrition assistance program supporting low-income families, serves half of United States-born infants, most of whom are issued infant formula by age 2 mo. Obesity prevalence is high among children of low-income households, particularly formula-fed children. This study was conducted to determine whether glucose-based lactose-reduced infant formula made with corn syrup solids (CSSF) is associated with increased obesity risk compared with non-CSSFs that are lactose based. WIC administrative data on infant formula issuance and child weights and lengths were collected prospectively in Southern California between 2012 and 2020. Included children stopped breastfeeding by 3 mo, were issued cow's milk-based formula through 12 mo, and were enrolled through the final year of WIC eligibility at age 4 y ( n=15,246). CSSF issuance was assessed continuously (range 0-13 mo) and dichotomously (any, none). Poisson and linear risk regression with robust SE estimates generated risk ratios (RRs), risk differences, and CIs for child obesity [BMI for age (in kg/m 2) ≥95th percentile]. Any CSSF was issued to 23% of children, and 25% were obese at age 4 y. Children with any CSSF issuance had 10% higher obesity risk (RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.20) than children with no CSSF issuance at age 2 y. Associations remained significant through age 4 y (RR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01,1.14), independent of maternal weight status, total formula issued and breastfeeding duration, and were not modified by child race or sex. Obesity risk increased with additional mo of CSSF exposure, reaching 16% higher risk (RR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.28) at age 2 y for children with 12 mo of CSSF. CSSF issuance is associated with increased obesity risk in the first 5 y life in a dose dependent manner, independently of maternal weight status, breastfeeding duration, and total formula issuance.

ТHE METABOLIC ASPECTS OF PREECLAMPSIA DEVELOPMENT

Complications associated with preeclampsia (PE) include fetal growth retardation, premature birth, prenatal and postpartum hemorrhage, perinatal loss, and more. Obese women have an increased risk of developing PE, probably due to impaired placental development due to altered metabolic homeostasis. The aim was to generalize current knowledge about the role of risk factors associated with obesity and hypercholesterolemia in PE with an emphasis on the results of preclinical models. Material and methods. In reviewing the literature, we used Medline systems from PubMed (2011). The search was adapted for Embase (2014-2022) and Scopus (2015-2022). The inclusion criteria were: the effect of obesity on pregnancy; experimental models of the pathogenesis of obesity during pregnancy; the features of predictive diagnosis of obese women at the stage of preconception and during pregnancy; features of antenatal care in obese women. The study was performed at Vinnytsya National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, according to research work № 0121U109141 “Optimization of early diagnosis and preventive treatment of perinatal complications caused by gestational endotheliopathy.” Results. Inflammatory cytokines from maternal adipose tissue and hypercholesterolemia have been associated with systemic inflammation, hypertension, and other adverse effects associated with PE. The main pathways of the negative influence of obesity on the genesis of PE were realized due to the manifested gestational endotheliopathy. Decreases in adipose tissue and associated adipokines were associated with optimization of placental angiogenesis and an overall improvement in the adverse effects associated with PE. Conclusions. Increased maternal adipose tissue mass and cholesterol levels contribute to metabolic disorders and systemic inflammation, which may contribute to the development of gestational endotheliopathy and subsequent abnormal placenta vascularization. Further research will need to further clarify the contribution of pharmacotherapy, as well as some lifestyle adjustments, including preconceptional weight loss and the results of PE in women at high risk of obesity.

Longitudinal exposure to neighborhood poverty and obesity risk in emerging adulthood

This study uses data from the longitudinal Panel Study of Income Dynamics data and its Transition to Adulthood (TA) Study (2005–2017), in conjunction with decades of neighborhood-level data from the U.S. decennial census and American Community Survey, to examine the relationship between individuals’ neighborhood poverty exposure trajectories in childhood and the likelihood of obesity in emerging adulthood. Latent growth mixture models reveal that exposure to neighborhood poverty differs considerably for white and nonwhite individuals over their childhood life course. Durable exposure to neighborhood poverty confers greater subsequent obesity risks in emerging adulthood than transitory experiences of neighborhood poverty. Racial differences in the changing and persistent trajectories of neighborhood poverty help explain part of the racial differences in obesity risks. Among nonwhites, and compared to consistent nonpoor neighborhood conditions, both durable and transitory neighborhood poverty exposures are significantly associated with higher obesity risks. This study suggests that a theoretical framework that integrates key elements of the life-course perspective is helpful to uncover the individual and structural pathways through which neighborhood histories in poverty shape population health in general.

Association of mental distress with chronic diseases in 1.9 million individuals: A population-based cross-sectional study

ObjectiveMental distress has a high global prevalence and is associated with poor health outcomes. This study aimed to estimate the relationship between mental distress and the risk of 10 chronic diseases using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). MethodsCross-sectional data from the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 BRFSS were analyzed. The association between mental distress based on the number of days of poor mental health and the risk of 10 chronic diseases, namely obesity, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis, kidney disease, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, skin cancer, and other cancers, were assessed by logistic regression models to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Subgroup analyses stratified by age and sex were also conducted. ResultsPositive associations between mental distress and chronic diseases were observed. We also found a dose-response gradient between mental distress levels and the risk of all chronic diseases except skin cancer. In respondents aged 18–44 years reporting ≥23 days/month of mental distress, there has the largest odds ratio between mental distress levels and each chronic disease. Moreover, mental distress was associated with higher risks of obesity and arthritis in women relative to men. ConclusionsMental distress was positively associated with chronic diseases. Age and sex are crucial in this relationship. Further studies with longitudinal data are needed to clarify the direction of this association.

Danavorexton, a selective orexin 2 receptor agonist, provides a symptomatic improvement in a narcolepsy mouse model

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1), caused by loss of orexin neurons, is a neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, disrupted nighttime sleep, hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations and sleep paralysis, as well as a high risk of obesity. Danavorexton (TAK-925) is a novel brain-penetrant orexin 2 receptor (OX2R)-selective agonist currently being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of hypersomnia disorders including NT1. Thus, detailed characterization of danavorexton is critical for validating therapeutic potential of OX2R-selective agonists. Here, we report preclinical characteristics of danavorexton as a therapeutic drug for NT1. Danavorexton showed rapid association/dissociation kinetics to OX2R. The activation mode of endogenous OX2R by danavorexton and orexin peptide was very similar in an electrophysiological analysis. In orexin/ataxin-3 mice, a mouse model of NT1, danavorexton promoted wakefulness, and ameliorated fragmentation of wakefulness during the active phase after both acute and repeated administration, suggesting a low risk of receptor desensitization. Electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectral analysis revealed that danavorexton, but not modafinil, normalized dysregulated EEG power spectrum in orexin/ataxin-3 mice during the active phase. Finally, repeated administration of danavorexton significantly suppressed the body weight gain in orexin/ataxin-3 mice. Danavorexton may have the potential to treat multiple symptoms of NT1. These preclinical findings, together with upcoming clinical observations of danavorexton, could improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of NT1 and therapeutic potential of OX2R agonists.

Associations between dietary patterns and cardiovascular disease risk in Canadian adults: a comparison of partial least squares, reduced rank regression and the simplified dietary pattern technique.

ObjectivesWe aimed to compare two data reduction techniques, partial least squares (PLS) and reduced rank regression (RRR), in identifying dietary patterns associated with a high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in Canadian adults, and to construct PLS- and RRR-based simplified dietary patterns as well as evaluating associations between derived patterns and CVD risk.&#x0D; ApproachData were collected from 24-hour dietary recalls of adult respondents in two cycles of the nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-Nutrition: CCHS 2004 linked to health administrative databases (n = 12,313) and CCHS 2015 (n = 14,020). Using 39 food groups, PLS and RRR were applied for the identification of an energy-dense (ED), high-saturated-fat (HSF) and low-fiber-density (LFD) dietary pattern. Associations of derived dietary patterns with lifestyle characteristics and CVD incidence and mortality were examined using weighted multivariate regression and weighted multivariable-adjusted Cox-proportional hazard models, respectively. Random and systematic measurement errors were adjusted for in all statistical analyses.&#x0D; ResultsPLS and RRR identified highly similar ED, HSF, LFD dietary patterns with common high positive loadings for fast food, carbonated drinks, salty snacks and solid fats, and high negative loadings for fruit, dark green vegetables, red and orange vegetables, other vegetables, whole grains, legumes and soy (≥|0.17|). Food groups with the highest loadings were summed to form simplified pattern scores. Although the dietary patterns were not significantly associated with CVD risk, they were positively associated with 402 kcal/d higher energy intake (P-trends &lt;0.05) and higher obesity risk [PLS (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.62, 2.7) and RRR (OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.44, 2.17)] (P-trends &lt;0.0001) in the fourth quartiles as compared to the first.&#x0D; ConclusionPLS and RRR were shown to be equally effective for derivation of a high-CVD-risk dietary pattern among Canadian adults. This research highlights the importance of leveraging linked data to inform public health nutrition policies. Further research is warranted on the role of major dietary components in cardiovascular health.

Dietary insulin index and load in relation to cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study on the RaNCD cohort study

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the link between the dietary insulin index (DII) and dietary insulin load (DIL) and cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MethodIn this cross-sectional population-based study, 827 participants with diabetes were included based on the RaNCD (Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease) cohort study baseline data. DII and DIL were calculated based on standard formulas using food insulin index values published earlier. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association of DII and DIL with cardiovascular risk factors. ResultsA significantly direct association was shown between DII and metabolic syndrome (MetS; odds ratio [OR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–2.50). The odds of developing abdominal obesity in patients with the highest DII were almost twice as high as those with the lowest DII (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.02–4.99). Patients in the top quintile of DIL had twice the odds of being obese than those in the bottom quintile. Furthermore, positive associations were found between DIL and both MetS (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.10–4.21) and waist circumference (OR, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.10–7.20). ConclusionHigher DII and DIL were positively related to greater risks for both MetS and abdominal obesity among patients with T2DM. Additionally, higher DIL was associated with a higher risk for obesity in the Ravansar population. However, further prospective investigations are needed to clarify the cause-and-effect link between DII, DIL, and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with T2DM.

Does the Association of Sedentary Time or Fruit/Vegetable Intake with Central Obesity Depend on Menopausal Status among Women?

(1) Background: The prevalence of central obesity is growing rapidly among women, and the prevalence differs by menopausal status. Longer sedentary time and less fruit/vegetable (F/V) intake increased the risk of central obesity. Among women of different menopausal statuses, controversy surrounds the association between sedentary time or F/V intake and central obesity. This study aimed to explore whether the independent and joint associations between sedentary time or F/V intake and menopausal status are correlated with central obesity, respectively. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Hunan, China. Self-reported questionnaires were used to gather information on demographic characteristics, menopausal status, sedentary time, and F/V intake. Waist circumference was measured at the study site. Binary logistic regression and multiple interaction models were used to explore the independent and joint associations of menopausal status and the above two lifestyle variables with central obesity. (3) Results: A total of 387 women with a mean age of 47.7 ± 6.6 years old participated in the study. The prevalence of central obesity was 52.8%. Peri- and post-menopause statuses and not taking five servings of F/V per day were risk factors of central obesity (p < 0.05), whereas no significant association was found between sedentary time and central obesity (p > 0.05). Among peri-menopausal (mutual odds ratio (OR): 2.466, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.984–6.182; p < 0.05) and post-menopausal women (mutual OR: 2.274, 95% CI: 1.046–4.943; p < 0.05), more than 4 h of sedentary time per day was associated with a high risk of central obesity. Among pre-menopausal women, the consumption of five servings of F/V per day was associated with a low risk of central obesity (mutual OR: 0.444, 95%CI: 0.236–0.837, p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: More than half of women in the central south of China presented with central obesity, spent >4 h of sedentary time per day, or did not engage in recommended F/V intake. Healthier lifestyle intervention is warranted to prevent central obesity development, including reducing the sedentary time to <4 h per day for peri- and post-menopausal women, while increasing taking five servings of F/V per day for pre-menopausal women.

Impact of exposure to secondhand smoke on the risk of obesity in early adolescence.

BackgroundExposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) might be associated with obesity in children. This study aimed to evaluate whether continuous, quit, or start exposure to SHS was associated with obesity risk in early adolescents.MethodsWe used population-based longitudinal data of primary school students in Adachi City, Tokyo, Japan, in 2018 (4th grade) and 2020 (6th grade) and studied 3605 students. The association between continuous, quit, start, or never exposed to SHS from 4th to 6th grade and BMI categories (underweight or normal weight, overweight, obesity) in 6th grade was investigated using ordinal logistic regression models.ResultsContinuous SHS group showed a higher risk of being in the high BMI category than no SHS group (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.16–1.96). The stratified analyses by sex showed a similar association in boys (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.25–2.44) but not in girls (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 0.74–1.76). Quitting SHS group did not show a higher risk of being in the high BMI category than no SHS group (OR = 1.11, 95% CI 0.75–1.66) and the same was true for boys (OR 1.46, 95% CI 0.88–2.41).ConclusionsContinuous SHS was a risk factor for obesity in boys in early adolescence; however, quitting SHS may help prevent it.Impact Continuous secondhand smoke (SHS) was not associated with a higher risk of obesity in early adolescence in girls.Continuous SHS can be a risk factor for obesity in early adolescence in boys.Quitting SHS may help to prevent obesity in early adolescence in boys.

Associations of self-reported residential noise exposure with obesity and hypertension in children and adolescents.

BackgroundEpidemiologic evidence linking environmental noise to obesity and hypertension remains scarce, especially in children, and the results remain inconclusive. This study aims to examine the cross-sectional associations of self-reported residential noise exposure with obesity and hypertension in children and adolescents.MethodsAs an ongoing study, a representative sample of the children aged 6–9 years in Chongqing were selected in 2014. In 2019, self-reported residential noise (answer categories: “very quiet,” “moderately quiet,” “slightly quiet,” and “not at all quiet”) data were collected, and 3,412 participants with completed data were included in the analyses.ResultsParticipants living in a quieter area had a significantly lower risk of obesity than those living in a noisy area (very quiet: OR = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.29–0.88, P = 0.015; moderately quiet: OR = 0.61, 95%CI: 0.36–1.02, P = 0.059). Similar associations were observed for abdominal obesity, although did not reach statistical significance. Consistently, residential noise exposure was significantly associated with body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio. Self-reported residential noise exposure was positively associated with systolic blood pressure (β = −1.808; 95%CI = −3.495, −0.110; P = 0.037). When sleep quality, study stress, BMI, and vegetable/fruits consumption were further adjusted, all effect estimates decreased, and no statistical association was observed between noise exposure and blood pressure. Furthermore, we found that the mediating effects of obesity on the associations of self-reported residential noise exposure with hypertension were 6.8% (% of total effect mediated = 0.068, 95%CI: −2.58, 3.99), although did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionsSelf-reported residential noise exposure was associated with a higher risk of obesity or abdominal obesity. Also, self-reported residential noise exposure was positively associated with hypertension, and obesity may partially mediate this association, but did not reach statistical significance.