Representative Sample Research Articles

What factors attenuate the relationship between childhood neglect and adverse health outcomes? Examining the role of socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and the presence of a protective adult

BackgroundThe detrimental effects of childhood neglect on adult health outcomes are well-recognized; however, less is known about factors that may attenuate this relationship. Objective(1) To examine the associations between childhood neglect and various physical and mental health outcomes in adulthood among those who had not experienced childhood physical or sexual abuse; and (2) To determine whether adjusting for risk and protective factors, including socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and the presence of a trusted adult, attenuates these relationships. Participants and settingData came from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a representative sample of community-dwelling US adults (n = 41,322). MethodsThe relationships between childhood neglect and health outcomes were investigated using logistic regression analyses. Adjustments were made for demographics, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and the presence of a protective adult. ResultsChildhood neglect was significantly associated with adverse health outcomes, including health behaviors (e.g., smoking, low physical activity), physical health indicators (e.g., self-reported fair/poor health, stroke, asthma, COPD), disabilities (e.g., hearing impairment, vision impairment, cognitive impairment, difficulty walking or climbing stairs, difficulty bathing), and mental health indicators (e.g., poor mental health/past month, depression) after controlling for demographics. All significant associations indicated small or very small effect sizes. Associations were substantially attenuated when controlling for adult socioeconomic status, and further attenuated when controlling for the presence of a protective adult, with several outcomes becoming non-significant. ConclusionsSocioeconomic status and the presence of a protective adult in childhood considerably diminishes the association between childhood neglect and health outcomes in adulthood.

Mifepristone-Misoprostol Regimen vs. Surgical Abortion: Evaluating Pregnancy Termination Options in Bangladesh

Background: Access to safe and effective abortion services plays a vital role in safeguarding women's reproductive health, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being. This is particularly relevant in Bangladesh, where the legality of abortion is contingent upon specific circumstances. Therefore, ensuring women have the autonomy to choose between safe and effective termination methods becomes crucial. Objective: The study aims to see explore the efficacy, safety, and accessibility of mifepristone-misoprostol regimen and surgical abortion methods within the context of Bangladesh. Methods: This investigation employed a cross-sectional observational design, conducted within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Dhaka National Medical College in Bangladesh. The study spanned one year, commencing in March 2023 and concluding in February 2024. To ensure a representative sample of the patient population seeking abortion services, consecutive sampling was utilized. This approach involved recruiting all patients admitted during the designated timeframe who fulfilled the pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ultimately, the study enrolled 104 participants, a sample size determined by the number of admissions fitting the criteria within the one year. Results: The study found no significant difference in age distribution between women choosing medical or surgical abortion, with both groups mainly consisting of women aged 18-25. Overall complication rates were similar, but medical abortion had a higher need for additional procedures and longer stays, while surgical abortion required more bleeding observation. Pain experiences differed significantly, with no women in the medical group reporting no pain and a higher prevalence of moderate pain compared to surgical abortion. Women undergoing medical abortion were slightly more likely to experience complications overall, and primigravid women (first pregnancy) were significantly more likely to experience complications than multigravid women. Conclusion: Our findings suggest comparable safety profiles for both surgical and medical abortion procedures within the studied population. This indicates that surgical abortion can be a safe and effective option alongside medical abortion, potentially expanding the range of choices offered to women.

Health literacy and loneliness among physically inactive Danes aged 18–65: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionBoth physical inactivity and loneliness are public health threats bringing huge costs to society and quality of life. The two health challenges often co-exist, suggesting physically inactive and lonely individuals to be a high-risk group. Health literacy as a concept is understood as a modifiable health determinant, and it has been proposed for promoting equity in future health promotion.AimThe aim of this study was to examine the association between health literacy and loneliness among physically inactive adults.MethodsA representative sample of 6,196 Danish adults, aged 18–65 years, was invited to a screening on a set of health outcomes for physical inactivity, which was based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. A total of 1,033 adults were classified as physically inactive and therefore received the full questionnaire screening on a set of different health outcomes including the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) and the Three-Item Loneliness Scale (T-ILS). Two statistical approaches were applied: (1) health literacy expressed as nine different continuous variables corresponding to the domains of HLQ using logistic regressions analyses to examine the association between health literacy and loneliness; (2) health literacy expressed as nine different binary variables showing proportions of low literacy among lonely versus non-lonely participants. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata/IC version 16.1.ResultsAmong a sample of 1,010 physically inactive adults, 23.7% felt lonely with a T-ILS score below ≥7. Regression analyses predicted a negative association between health literacy and loneliness in all HLQ domains, after adjusting for gender, age, education, and occupation. Adjusted ORs ranged from 0.21 (95% CI: 0.16; 0.27) to 0.69 (95% CI: 0.57; 0.83) in domains 1–5 and 0.50 (95% CI: 0.41; 0.61) to 0.70 (95% CI: 0.55; 0.89) in domains 6–9. A similar pattern was found in the analysis with health literacy as a binary variable as the proportions of low health literacy were the highest among persons with loneliness in all HLQ domains.ConclusionEven after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, a negative association was predicted between health literacy and loneliness in physically inactive adults. This suggests that strategies for improving physical activity among inactive individuals might be more effective if they include a focus on enhancing health literacy and addressing loneliness.

Good Teaching Practices in Education and Support to Learning in Middle School

Contemporary education faces the challenge of innovating to improve the quality of learning, requiring teachers to adopt effective methodological strategies. This study examines teaching strategies and good practices in middle school education in Cuenca, Ecuador, with the objective of identifying effective approaches and areas for improvement. The methodology employed was mixed, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. A prospective and non-experimental design was used, which allowed observing educational phenomena without intervening in their development. The research included semi-structured interviews, focus groups and life stories to capture in-depth educational experiences. In addition, surveys were applied to a representative sample of teachers and students to obtain quantitative data on the perception and effectiveness of teaching practices. The main result of the study highlights that solid teacher training and the use of innovative technologies are crucial to improve educational quality and promote an inclusive and equitable environment.

Bidirectional association between physical activity and depression: the “Como Vai?” cohort study

To evaluate bidirectional and longitudinal association between physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms (DS). This is a cohort study called “Como Vai?” (How are you?), conducted by older population representative sample of the city of Pelotas-Rio Grande do Sul. The analyses used data from the first interview (2014) and follow-up (2019/20). The long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was applied to assess PA in the leisure, commuting and total domains. The presence of DS was measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-10). Linear regression models were used to evaluate bidirectional associations between PA and DS. Analytical sample included 515 individuals with a mean age of 70.7 (± 9.2) years. Each weekly minute of total PA (β: -0.0006; 95% CI: -0.0011; -0.0001) and commuting PA (β: -0.0008; 95% CI: -0.0016; -0.0001) in 2014 predicts worse DS scores in 2019/20. At the same time, DS score in 2014 (β: -9.79; 95% CI: -18.81; -0.76) was a negative predictor of leisure-time PA in the 2019/20 follow-up adjusted for sociodemographic and other health behaviors. However, when adjusted for the respective outcomes at baseline, the associations found were not statistically significant. The present study did not find evidence of bidirectionality between PA and DS and the prospective associations lost statistical significance after adjustment for the respective outcomes at baseline. Other investigations are necessary including more periods of follow-up, objective analyses of PA to complement analyses by domains and, therefore, provide a better understanding of this complex relationship.

Despite the perception that it is rare, by-catch of marine mammals can lead to population decline

Abstract By-catch, the unintentional capture of non-target species in fishing gear, is often described as a rare event when it pertains to marine mammals. Yet, it is the greatest threat to many marine megafauna species, especially small cetaceans. How can both of these statements be true simultaneously? The adjective “rare” is itself rarely defined in a precise and quantitative way. Data collection features are crucial to understand the processes leading to a perception of rarity in samples on by-catch of marine mammals and other protected, endangered and threatened species (PETS). Statistical principles in the design of monitoring schemes must be upheld to ensure sample representativeness when scaling up impact estimates to the level of whole fisheries. Random allocation of observers or monitoring technologies (e.g. Remote Electronic Monitoring) can be strengthened to test the hypothesis that by-catch is a rare event and not only a rarely registered event, especially in monitoring schemes that are not dedicated to PETS by-catch. Even if by-catch is a rare event at the level of a single fishing operation, given the large total number of the latter, and their expansive spatial and temporal extent, by-catch may still impact significantly marine mammal populations.

Sports-Related Concussion Among Physically Active Adolescents in the Southeastern United States: Effects on Mental Health During the Pandemic.

Sports-related concussions (SRC) pose risks to young people's physical and mental health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we studied linkages between youths' SRC experiences and internalizing problems (depression, self-harm, and suicidality) among a representative sample in Southeastern state (n = 4,668 total, n = 547 reported SRC experience). Logistic regressions indicated significant associations between youths' SRC experiences and depression (AOR = 1.32, p < .05), suicidality (e.g., attempted suicide AOR = 2.68, p < .001), and self-harm (AOR = 1.97, p < .001) while controlling for being bullied or teased, gender, age, race, and COVID-19's mental health impact. Contrary to prior findings: (1) SRC associations with self-harm and suicide attempts were consistent across genders; and (2) African American students with SRC were significantly more likely to experience depression, self-harm, suicide planning, and attempts than peers without SRC. Results indicated mental health resilience post-concussion for Latinx youth. Implications advocate population-specific health promotion measures that address vulnerabilities and protective factors while emphasizing SRC education for parents, coaches, and young athletes for timely psychological evaluation and support.

MLL oncoprotein levels influence leukemia lineage identities

Chromosomal translocations involving the mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) locus generate potent oncogenic fusion proteins (oncoproteins) that disrupt regulation of developmental gene expression. By profiling the oncoprotein-target sites of 36 broadly representative MLL-rearranged leukemia samples, including three samples that underwent a lymphoid-to-myeloid lineage-switching event in response to therapy, we find the genomic enrichment of the oncoprotein is highly variable between samples and subject to dynamic regulation. At high levels of expression, the oncoproteins preferentially activate either an acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) program, enriched for pro-B-cell genes, or an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) program, enriched for hematopoietic-stem-cell genes. The fusion-partner-specific-binding patterns over these gene sets are highly correlated with the prevalence of each mutation in ALL versus AML. In lineage-switching samples the oncoprotein levels are reduced and the oncoproteins preferentially activate granulocyte-monocyte progenitor (GMP) genes. In a sample that lineage switched during treatment with the menin inhibitor revumenib, the oncoprotein and menin are reduced to undetectable levels, but ENL, a transcriptional cofactor of the oncoprotein, persists on numerous oncoprotein-target loci, including genes in the GMP-like lineage-switching program. We propose MLL oncoproteins promote lineage-switching events through dynamic chromatin binding at lineage-specific target genes, and may support resistance to menin inhibitors through similar changes in chromatin occupancy.

Determinants of Prostate Cancer Screening in Korean Men: A Nationwide Study Using the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey 2023.

Research on the prevalence of prostate cancer (PCa) screening and reasons for undergoing screening is limited. We aimed to identify the factors influencing PCa screening behavior and explore the underlying motivations among Korean men. This cross-sectional study used data from the 2023 Korean National Cancer Screening Survey, which employs a nationally representative random sampling method. This study included 1,784 men aged 40-74 years. The respondents reported their experiences with PCa screening. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with participation in PCa screening. The lifetime PCa screening rate was 18.6%. Among screening modalities, transrectal ultrasonography was the most frequently used (31.9%), followed by prostate-specific antigen tests (25.6%) and digital rectal examinations (21.5%). The multivariable analysis identified several factors that significantly increased the likelihood of screening participation, including older age, living with a spouse, poor self-reported health, and abstinence from alcohol consumption in the previous 12 months. Men who had undergone colorectal cancer screening were more likely to participate in PCa screening (adjusted odds ratio, 4.01; 95% confidence interval, 2.03-7.93) than those who had not. The primary motivations for screening were recommendations from family or social networks (31.9%) and inclusion in health examination packages (24.3%), whereas healthcare provider recommendations (18%) and symptomatic concerns (5.7%) were the least influential. Our findings highlight the importance of providing evidence-based information for PCa screening recommendations and the need for improved communication and implementation of a shared decision-making approach for PCa screening in Korea.

Prevalence and predictors of help-seeking steps in a nationally representative Dutch sample of romantic couples.

Couples appear to frequently experience relationship problems, yet estimates of the prevalence and prediction of three distinct help-seeking steps, (1) recognition of serious relationship dissatisfaction, (2) considering help, and (3) receiving relationship help, are unknown for representative population samples. This is unfortunate as such knowledge may inform policy makers in the development of strategies to motivate couples to seek help. The prevalence of these steps along with reasons for not acquiring help was studied in a representative population sample of 1014 Dutch heterosexual couples. Multilevel Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling (APIM) analyses estimated the extent to which static socio-demographic factors were predictive of help-seeking behaviors. Of all partners, 28.6% reported having ever been seriously dissatisfied with their relationship (step 1), of which 86.2% had told their partner they were dissatisfied, on average 1.5 years after onset of the dissatisfaction. Of the seriously dissatisfied partners 36.4% considered professional relationship help (step 2) and 19.5% eventually received help (step 3), on average 3.7 years after the onset of dissatisfaction. Of these, 88.5% consulted a (couple) therapist. Main reasons for not acquiring help were that "things got better" (48.8%) and "the partner did not want relationship help" (35.4%), whereas financial considerations and shame were rarely endorsed. Although serious relationship dissatisfaction was common (i.e., 40.1% of all couples consisted of at least one partner who was ever dissatified), few couples sought help and they did so rather late. Waxing and waning of dissatisfaction often guided the decision to not seek help. Women and younger partners were more proactive in help-seeking. Marital status, having children, and education were largely unrelated to help-seeking.

Questionnaire surveys to investigate marine mammal fisheries bycatch: systematic review and best practice

Bycatch is the most significant threat to marine mammals globally. There are increasing requirements for national governments to fulfil their obligations to international agreements and treaties to assess fisheries catch and bycatch of non-target species. Questionnaire surveys represent one low-cost method to collect data to estimate fisheries catch and bycatch of vulnerable species including marine mammals. Questionnaire surveys can be particularly advantageous when bycatch is being investigated on large spatial and temporal scales, or in data-poor areas. This review aims to provide the necessary guidance required to design and conduct questionnaire studies investigating marine mammal bycatch. To do so, a systematic review was conducted of the methods used in 91 peer-reviewed or grey literature questionnaire studies from 1990 to 2023 investigating marine mammal bycatch. Literature was searched, screened, and analysed following the RepOrting standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses (ROSES) protocols. A narrative synthesis and critical evaluation of the methods used were conducted and best practice recommendations are proposed. The recommendations include suggestions for how to generate representative samples, the steps that should be followed when designing a questionnaire instrument, how to collect reliable data, how to reduce under-reporting and interviewer bias, and how weighting or model-based bycatch estimation techniques can be used to reduce sampling bias. The review’s guidance and best practice recommendations provide much-needed resources to develop and employ questionnaire studies that produce robust bycatch estimates for marine mammal populations where they are currently missing. Recommendations can be used by scientists and decision-makers across the globe. Whilst the focus of this review is on using questionnaires to investigate marine mammal bycatch, the information and recommendations will also be useful for those investigating bycatch of any other non-target species.

A novel application of inverse gas chromatography for estimating contact angles in porous media

HypothesisSurface wettability is a critical factor in multi-phase flow within porous media, a processes essential in various applications e.g. in the energy sector. Traditional methods for assessing wettability of porous media by contact angle measurements, such as sessile droplet and micro-CT techniques, are limited by interface pinning, sample size or resolution impacting precision and accuracy. We hypothesized that using smaller and unconstrained probes, specifically gas molecules, to retrieve interactions along a representative sample size via inverse gas chromatography (IGC) could provide a more accurate determination of contact angles. MethodWe propose a procedure to relate IGC results with macro-scale wettability descriptions, such as the Young equation. To test the effectiveness of IGC method, glass bead samples with varying wettability, modified through a silanization process, were prepared. Contact angles for a distilled water-air-sample system were measured using the sessile droplet method and micro-CT for comparative analysis. IGC was employed to determine the surface energy components of these samples, which were then used in the extended Young-Dupré equation to calculate the contact angles. FindingsThe contact angle ranges determined by IGC and micro-CT for untreated glass beads, the most hydrophilic samples, showed great alignment. This consistency is attributed to the chemical amorphous nature of the untreated beads reflected in the assumption that dispersive and specific energetic components of surface sites are uncorrelated, on which the proposed analysis is based. For treated samples, where the silanization process creates correlations between surface energetic components, the alignment between IGC and micro-CT results was less precise. This study successfully demonstrated that IGC, a molecular-scale probe-based technique, can effectively determine the contact angle range, a macroscopic property, for amorphous samples. Future work should incorporate correlations between energetic components of surface detected by IGC to extend this method's applicability to a wider material range.

Flood Incidence and Sustainable Development Planning Implications in Santchou, Cameroon

While studies on the incidence of flooding exist in several parts of Cameroon, very little empirical evidence has been reported for highly dynamic and urbanizing landscapes in Cameroon. Yet, micro level evidence on flooding and their development planning implications are required to advance theory building in the frame of development planning and hazard mitigation in rapidly urbanizing contexts. This paper bridges the knowledge gap by using the case of Santchou, a highly dynamic landscape, to: (a) analyse the spatio-temporal variations in flood incidence, (b) determine the drivers of flood occurrence, and (c) examine their sustainable development planning implications. To achieve these objectives, a representative sample of 141 households was conducted in five communities within the study area. This was complemented by key informant interviews (n=8) and field observations. Data was collected using the Kobo Collect tool. The collected data was analysed descriptively and presented as tables and bar charts, with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25). Cartographic data was analysed spatially and presented using maps. Based on the findings, the following conclusions were derived: Firstly, flood occurrence vary spatially in terms of severity, with very high intensity in the south east; this decreases towards the north west and western sections of the study area. Flood occurrence also vary over time with the peak of occurrence observed in the month of July and August which corresponds to the peak of the rainy season. Secondly, the most significant effects of floods include; the destruction of physical installations such as houses, household items. Floods equally affect human activities through the destruction of crops, livestock and the disruption of transport circulation. Furthermore, flood effects are less severe in Santchou Ville and Albatross neighborhoods compared to neighborhoods such as; Madagascar, Bessouck and Kassala Farm. Thirdly, while planning approaches exist at household, neighborhood and municipality levels, the most effective involves the use of sandbags and the cleaning of water channels. This study recommends that, sustainable development planning measures currently implemented at the household, neighborhood and municipal levels should be encouraged by the state and civil society organizations such as NGOs. Additionally, sustainable development planning measures should be implemented alongside proactive measures such as; flood alert signals, and the resettlement of inhabitants to safer areas. Future studies should assess the effectiveness of flood management approaches in the study area.

Intersectionality in probation: examining gender and race disparities in probation conditions and sentence length

This article uses the focal concern perspective to examine how extralegal factors like race, ethnicity, and gender affect probation outcomes and length. Utilizing a representative sample from Florida, the study employs cross-sectional regression analyses, including multinomial and ordinary least squares (OLS) models. Interaction effects are modeled to highlight the role of intersectionality in probation decisions. Results from this study reveal that gender and race disparities exist in the assignment of probation conditions and sentence length. Policy implications address judicial decision-making, disparities, and length of stay on probation.

Quantitative characterization of porosity evolution in the Triassic Chang 8 tight sandstone reservoir during hydrocarbon accumulation in the Maling area, Ordos Basin, China

The Maling area in the Ordos Basin is characterized by delta front deposits. The principal oil-bearing layer, Chang 8 Member (the 8th member of the Triassic Yanchang Formation), manifests low-to-ultra-low porosity and permeability due to the interplay of depositional, diagenetic, and burial processes. The reservoir exhibits pronounced heterogeneity and diagenetic alterations, which limit the efficacy of hydrocarbon exploration. Methodologies employed for this research encompass grain size imaging, physical property assays, petrographic thin sections, scanning electron microscopy, high-pressure mercury intrusion, and X-ray diffraction. These techniques facilitated a comprehensive investigation into the diagenetic attributes and compaction mechanisms of the reservoir. A porosity evolution simulation equation tailored to the Chang 8 tight sandstone reservoir was formulated based on diagenetic evolution traits and geological influences. Interdependencies and correlations among various diagenetic processes were analyzed. During diagenesis, compaction, cementation, and replacement led to a reduction in primary porosity, whereas dissolution-induced secondary pores served as high-permeability channels. A quantitative model for porosity evolution was developed alongside qualitative assessments, achieving a deviation of 3.18% when compared to gas porosity measurements. Evaluation of four representative samples revealed that compaction-induced diagenetic alteration predominates, with burial depth, formation age, and cement types playing critical roles in the evolution of reservoir porosity. This differential diagenetic evolution elucidates the underlying causes of variability in reservoir properties and heterogeneity in pore structure, providing valuable insights for future exploration strategies.

Limited Congruence: Citizens’ Attitudes and Party Rhetoric About Referendums and Deliberative Practices

Both citizens and political parties refer to novel participatory practices in the contemporary crisis of representative democracy. Survey data indicate a growing demand for such practices within the electorate, while political parties have also begun discussing them more frequently. However, previous studies on citizens’ attitudes and parties’ discourse on democratic innovations rarely speak to each other. It remains unclear whether citizens’ attitudes and parties’ discourse are congruent. This article seeks to address this gap in the literature and analyses the extent to which political parties reflect citizens’ attitudes towards referendums and citizens’ deliberation in their manifestos. We cover 15 political parties in Germany and the UK. Our analysis uses party manifesto data between 2010 and 2024, and data from surveys conducted on national representative samples. Our findings reveal that political parties and citizens rarely have congruent approaches towards referendums and deliberative practices. People’s enthusiasm about referendums is hardly reflected in parties’ rhetoric, but the latter reacts gradually to the public appetite for deliberation. There are visible differences between opposition parties and those in government.

Shocks to the System: Electoral Manipulation, Protests and the Evolution of Political Trust in Russia

Abstract How do electoral manipulation and resulting anti-fraud protests influence political trust in non-democratic contexts? I leverage the plausibly exogenous variation in the timing of a series of original surveys fielded on nationally representative samples in Russia to understand the impact of political shocks – particularly allegations of electoral fraud and post-election protests – on the evolution of trust in political institutions and individuals. This study demonstrates that allegations of excessive, blatant electoral fraud decrease trust in the autocrat. However, trust rebounds following attendant post-election protests. Finally, I examine the conditional impacts of fraud and protest on trust, finding that updating occurs primarily among those with weak political affiliation.

Spinal pain prevalence and associated determinants: A population-based study using the National Survey for Wales.

Spinal pain (SP) remains the leading cause of disability worldwide. The present study aimed to establish a current prevalence of SP and associated determinants in Wales by retrospectively analyzing data from the National Survey for Wales Dataset (NSWD). The NSWD is a large-scale cross-sectional, representative sample of adults across Wales, UK. A univariable and multivariable regression analysis was carried out on self-reported answers to health and well-being questions contained within the NSWD (2016-2020) to determine the strength of association of various determinants and comorbidities related to spinal pain. A total population of 38,954 of adults were included in the analysis. The study population included interview responses of 21,735 females and 17,219 males. The prevalence of SP in Wales was 4.95% (95% CI: 4.74%-5.15%) with a total of 847 males (4.92%, CI: 4.60%-5.24%) and 1082 females (4.98%, CI: 4.69%-5.27%) reporting spinal pain. The age group with the highest prevalence of SP was in the 70+ years age group for both males (5.44%, CI: 4.82%-6.07%) and females (5.95%, CI: 5.37%-6.54%). The strength of association between age and SP reaches its peak at 50-59 years with an adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) of 3.74 (p = <0.001), that decreases slightly at 60-69 years and 70+ years. For various comorbidities included in the NSWD, significant associations with SP were confirmed for: mental illness (aOR = 1.42, p = <0.001), migraine (aOR = 2.73, p = <0.001), nervous system issues (aOR = 1.61, p = <0.001), arthritis (aOR = 1.30, p = <0.001) and issues with bones/joints/muscles (aOR = 1.93, p = <0.001). For lifestyle factors, associations were confirmed for current smokers (aOR = 1.41, p = <0.001) and ex-smokers (aOR = 1.23, p = 0.003). This study demonstrates a low prevalence of SP in Wales when compared to global estimates and strong associations to a variety of determinants. This still represents a significant societal burden and these findings may help inform public health initiatives to encourage prevention and evidence-based interventional strategies and ultimately, improve the quality of life for those suffering with SP in Wales.

Adolescents' chronotype and its association with obesity-related outcomes: The EHDLA study.

This study aimed to assess associations between chronotype and obesity-related indicators in a sample of Spanish adolescents. This cross-sectional study used data from The Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities (EHDLA) Study, which included a representative sample of adolescents from Spain. A total of 820 adolescents (54.7% girls) aged 12-17 years were included in the analyses. The adolescents' chronotype was determined using the Morningness/Eveningness Scale in Children. Obesity-related indicators included body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, triceps and medial calf skinfolds, sum of skinfolds, and body fat percentage. Generalized linear models were used to examine the relationship between the Morningness-Eveningness score and chronotype status and the above-mentioned obesity-related indicators in adolescents. All analyses were adjusted for sex, age, socioeconomic status, sleep duration, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and energy intake. The morningness chronotype was associated with higher abdominal obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12 to 2.50; p = 0.001), waist-to-height ratio (unstandardized beta coefficient [B] = 0.01, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.05; p = 0.029) and skinfold calves (B = 1.04 95% CI 0.24 to 1.94; p = 0.011), compared with the intermediate chronotype. Adolescents with a morningness chronotype may be more prone to abdominal obesity than their counterparts with an intermediate chronotype. Effective intervention-related approaches can be applied to those with a morningness chronotype.

Effect of BMI on Caries Assessed by Structural Equation Modelling in an Adult Brazilian Population.

Compare different behavioural, environmental and socioeconomic factors for caries with transversal data to decompose the direct and indirect effects of body mass index (BMI) in relation to coronal and root caries. This cross-sectional study used a representative sample of 1002 individuals aged ≥ 35 years living in Porto Alegre. Questionnaires recorded age, sex, educational level, tooth brushing frequency and access to dental services. Oral examination assessed gingival bleeding and recession, coronal and root caries. Height and weight were collected to calculate the BMI. The structural equation modelling approach was used, and standardised coefficients (SC) to direct, indirect and total effects were calculated. The prevalence of excessive body weight was 71.17%, of which 40.09% were overweight and 31.07% were obese. The overall prevalence of coronal and root caries was 99.83 and 36.95, respectively. No direct link between BMI and coronal or root caries was observed. For coronal caries, positive SC was found for age (0.56; p < 0.01) and sex (female) (0.14; p < 0.01). For root caries, positive SC was detected for age (0.34; p < 0.01), smoking exposure (0.17; p < 0.01) and gingivitis (0.08; p < 0.01). Overweight and obese adults should not be regarded at higher risk for dental caries.