Women Waist Research Articles

The Analysis of the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome and Physical Activity Participation in Stroke Patients: The National Health and Nutrition Survey (8th, 2019-2021)

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to find out the correlation with the risk of metabolic syndrome in stroke patients using KNHNES data.METHODS The raw data from the 1st to 3rd years of the 8th National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES) were used, and 290 stroke patients aged 60 or older (109 in 2019, 89 in 2020, 92 in 2021) were selected out of 22.559 participants. The average and standard deviation of the subjects' general characteristics were presented, the risk of stroke patients and metabolic syndrome and related variables were analyzed through Pearson’s correlation analysis(p<.05).RESULTS Men's fasting blood glucose was correlated with triglycerides (r=.175, p<.05), and HDL cholesterol was correlated with triglycerides (r=.-266, p<.05). Women's waist circumference was correlated with blood glucose (r=.321, p<.001), hypertension (r=.195, p<.05), and HDL cholesterol (r=.-205, p<.001). Fasting blood glucose was correlated with HDL cholesterol (r=.-265, p<.001) and triglyceride (r=.340, p<.001). HDL cholesterol was correlated with triglycerides (r=.-332, p<.001) and hypertension (r=.-195, p<.05).CONCLUSIONS In summary, the major independent factors for the risk of metabolic syndrome in stroke patients were triglyceride in men and fasting blood glucose and hypertension in women.

The Effect of Zumba Exercise to Women's Waist Hip Ratio

Abdominal obesity is a global public health problem. The high prevalence of abdominal obesity triggers an increase in morbidity and mortality in chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular, and cancer. One of the causes of the high prevalence of abdominal obesity is the lack of physical activity. Prevention efforts are needed through the identification of risk factors such as measurement of waist hip ratios. The respondents of this study were divided into two groups: 28 respondents who did zumba exercise for four weeks and 28 control respondents. The statistical test performed was a paired t-test comparison test. The results of this study indicate the value of t-count > t-table value (7.184 > 2.052) and the significance of 0.000 < 0.05. These results indicate that there is a decrease in the waist hip ratio after doing zumba exercise for four weeks.

Spa therapy (balneotherapy) relieves mental stress, sleep disorder, and general health problems in sub-healthy people.

To investigate the relieving effects of hot spring balneotherapy on mental stress, sleep disorder, general health problems, and women's health problems in sub-healthy people, we recruited 500 volunteers in sub-health in Chongqing, and 362 volunteers completed the project, including 223 in the intervention group and 139 in the control group. The intervention group underwent hot spring balneotherapy for 5months, while the control group did not. The two groups took questionnaire investigation (general data, mental stress, emotional status, sleep quality, general health problems, as well as some women's health problems) and physical examination (height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipid, blood sugar) 5months before and after the intervention, respectively. After intervention, sleep disorder (difficulty in falling asleep (P=0.017); dreaminess, nightmare suffering, and restless sleep (P=0.013); easy awakening (P=0.003) and difficulty in falling into sleep again after awakening(P=0.016); and mental stress (P=0.031) and problems of general health (head pain (P=0.026), joint pain(P=0.009), leg or foot cramps (P=0.001), blurred vision (P=0.009)) were relieved significantly in the intervention group, as compared with the control group. While other indicators (fatigue, eye tiredness, limb numbness, constipation, skin allergy) and women's health problems (breast distending pain; dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation) were relieved significantly in the self-comparison of the intervention group before and after intervention (P<0.05), but showed no statistically significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). All indications (except bad mood, low mood, and worry or irritability) in the intervention group significantly improved, with effect size from 0.096 to 1.302. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the frequency, length, and location of balneotherapy in the intervention group were the factors influencing emotion, sleep, and health condition (P<0.05). Relief of insomnia, fatigue, and leg or foot cramps was greater in old-age group than in young-aged group (P<0.05). Physical examination found that waist circumferences in women of various ages under 55years were significantly reduced in the intervention group (P<0.05), while that in men did not significantly change (P>0.05). Spa therapy (balneotherapy) relieves mental stress, sleep disorder, general health, and reduces women's waist circumferences in sub-healthy people.

高齢女性の食料品アクセスが食生活と健康におよぼす影響の分析

In this study, we examined the effect of food access on elderly women's food consumption and health by analyzing the results of mail surveys in Shirakawa city, Fukushima, Japan, where the city center has been hollowed out.We compared the local mail surveys conducted in 2010 and 2015, before and after the 2011 opening of a supermarket. We focused on elderly women, because among this demographic, indicators such as rate of walking to the store and frequency of food shopping has increased significantly in this period. Most of the analyses were based on data from female residents aged over 65 years in the 2015 survey (n＝215).The results are as follows: First, we compared the frequency of shopping and dietary (i.e., the dietary variety score (DVS)) and health indicators (i.e., waist circumference and activities of daily living) between the south district, where the distance to supermarket is over 500m, and another area where it is within 500m. The DVS was lower in the south district. However, there were not significant differences among health indicators. Second, we compared the dietary and health indicators across three groups, divided by the frequency of food shopping: more than 7 times per week, 2-6 times, or 1 or less than 1 shopping trip per week. Compared to a reference value, women's waist circumferences were smaller in the more-frequent shopping group. Third, structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that walking to the store was positively associated with the frequency of shopping trips, which was positively associated with higher DVS and inversely associated with women's waist circumference.

Behavioural and Anthropometric Profile of Reproductive Age Women Admitted with Cardiovascular Diseases in the Capital City of Bangladesh

Background and Objectives: Studies have shown that the risk profile of cardiovascular diseases for women of reproductive age is not the same as that of postmenopausal women. The risk profile of women of reproductive age group in our country has not been well studied. The present study was intended to investigate the risk profile and risk behaviour of reproductive age women for cardiovascular diseases.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, intended to assess the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among reproductive age women (ranging from 15 - 49 years), was conducted on women with cardiovascular diseases admitted at two selected Cardiac Specialized Hospitals of Dhaka city. A total of 223 women with predefined eligibility criteria were included in the study. The study investigated the details of the socio-demographic, behavioural, anthropometric and biochemical characteristics of the sampled population.&#x0D; Result: More than two-fifth of the respondents belonged to age group 35-45 years. A few (1.3%) respondents were currently smoker. But over 8% were used to consuming smokeless tobacco (betel-nut with zorda, gul etc.) and 12.6% were occasional consumer. The mean duration of smokeless tobacco consumption was 14.1 ± 10.6 years and the mean frequency of consumption of smokeless tobacco was 3.6 ± 2.3 per day. More than one-third of the respondents (35.90/0) were overweight and 15.7% were obese. The mean BMI of the respondents was 23.8 ± 4.8 kg/m2. The mean waist and hip circumferences were 98.9 ± 17 and 99.9 ± 12.2 cm respectively. Majority (89.7%) of the women's waist:hip ratio was at risk. The recommended fruit and vegetables intake (at least 5 servings a day) by the respondents was not found at all. Over half (50.2%) of the respondents were used to regular intake of extra table salt in their meals, 19.3% were occasional user. Nearly one-fifth of the respondents (17.9%) used to have fast food and the mean number of intake was 1.5±1 per day in a usual week. Over one-quarter (27.4%) of the respondents reported maintaining recommended physical exercise (minimum 30 min of physical exercise for at least 5 days a week). About 40% were hypertensive. Nearly two-thirds (62.3%) had the family history of chronic diseases; of them approximately 55% reported hypertension, 51.4% heart disease and diabetes mellitus.&#x0D; Conclusion: The women in general took inadequate fruits and vegetables. One-third of women were accustomed to fast food, street food, fatty-food etc. Every 1 in 16 women was used to consuming smokeless tobacco. Only one-third took recommended physical exercise. The rapidly increasing trend of obesity might be due to sedentary life-style with increased consumption of fatty-food and less intake of fruits and vegetables. Further investigation with large sample is recommended to validate the findings of the present study.&#x0D; Ibrahim Cardiac Med J 2014; 4(2): 10-15

Overweight is Prevalent among Cameroonian Women and is Associated with Increased Waist Circumference, Region, and Household Characteristics

We examined the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and associated household and dietary risk factors, in a national sample of Cameroonian women and children, and the change in these values within urban areas after 3 y.In a 2009 national survey (3 strata: South, North, Yaoundé/Douala, 30 clusters/stratum, 10 households/cluster), information on dietary intake, household characteristics, and height/length and weight were obtained from women 15‐49 y and children 12‐59 mo. A 2012 study in Yaoundé/Douala surveyed the same 30 clusters; in addition to the above measures, women's waist and hip circumferences were measured.In 2009, 32% of non‐pregnant women had BMI 蠅 25.0 and 11% of women had BMI 蠅 30. Prevalence of BMI 蠅 25 differed among regions (40% South, 11% North, 48% Yaoundé/Douala), but not between urban and rural areas (36 vs 27%, P=0.11). Greater maternal age, TV ownership, and, in the North, socio‐economic status, were associated with BMI 蠅 25. Weight‐for‐height Z score &gt; 2SD among children was &lt; 4% in all regions. Mean BMI among women in Yaoundé/Douala was 26.0 and 26.9 kg/m2 and BMI 蠅 25 was 48% and 57%, respectively, in 2009 and 2012 (P &gt; 0.1). Overweight/obese women had greater waist‐to‐hip ratios and were more likely to have waist circumference &gt; 88 cm compared to women with BMI &lt; 25 (P &lt; 0.001).The results indicate that overweight/obesity is prevalent among women in some regions of Cameroon. A comprehensive public health strategy is needed to combine chronic disease prevention with efforts to address micronutrient deficiencies and infectious diseases.

Neck Circumference as a Predictive Indicator of CKD for High Cardiovascular Risk Patients.

Background. Neck circumference (NC) is an anthropometric measure of obesity for upper subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution which is associated with cardiometabolic risk. This study investigated whether NC is associated with indicators of chronic kidney disease (CKD) for high cardiometabolic risk patients. Methods. A total of 177 consecutive patients who underwent the outpatient departments of cardiology were prospectively enrolled in the study. The patients were aged >20 years with normal renal function or with stages 1–4 CKD. A linear regression was performed using the Enter method to present an unadjusted R 2, standardized coefficients, and standard error, and the Durbin-Watson test was used to assess residual independence. Results. Most anthropometric measurements from patients aged ≧65 were lower than those from patients aged <65, except for women's waist circumference (WC) and waist hip ratio. Female NC obtained the highest R 2 values for 24 hr CCR, uric acid, microalbuminuria, hsCRP, triglycerides, and HDL compared to BMI, WC, and hip circumference. The significances of female NC with 24 hr CCR and uric acid were improved after adjusted age and serum creatinine. Conclusions. NC is associated with indicators of CKD for high cardiometabolic risk patients and can be routinely measured as easy as WC in the future.

Gender differences in the long-term effects of a nutritional intervention program promoting the Mediterranean diet: changes in dietary intakes, eating behaviors, anthropometric and metabolic variables.

BackgroundLong-term adherence to principles of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) following a nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern in Canadian men and women is not known. Moreover, gender differences in dietary and metabolic profile in such an intervention context has never been addressed. Objective was to determine gender differences in long-term effects of a 12-week nutritional intervention program promoting the adoption of the MedDiet and based on the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) on dietary intakes, eating behaviors, anthropometric and metabolic variables, in men and women presenting cardiovascular risk factors.MethodsSixty-four men and 59 premenopausal women were recruited. The 12-week nutritional program used a motivational interviewing approach and included individual and group sessions. A food frequency questionnaire was administered to evaluate dietary intakes from which a Mediterranean score (Medscore) was derived and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire allowed assessment of eating behaviors. Measurements were performed at baseline and after the 12-week nutritional intervention, and then at 3 and 6-month post intervention.ResultsNo gender difference was observed in changes in the Medscore during the nutritional intervention and follow-up. However, the Medscore returned towards baseline values during follow-up in men and women (P <0.0001). Men reported larger decreases in red and processed meat and larger increases in whole fruit intakes than women (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively). Men showed a greater decrease in habitual susceptibility to disinhibition than women (P = 0.03). A gender by time interaction was found for waist circumference, i.e. men had lower waist circumference at the end of the intervention as well as at follow-up than at baseline while women’s waist circumference decreased in response to the intervention only (P = 0.05). As for metabolic variables, changes observed in total-cholesterol (C) to HDL-C ratio, triglyceride levels and triglycerides to HDL-C ratio were more pronounced in men than in women after the intervention as well as at follow-up (P ≤0.03).ConclusionsOur results indicate that the 12-week nutritional intervention based on the SDT leads to more pronounced beneficial changes in long-term dietary intakes in men than in women and to greater improvements in metabolic profile in men.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials NCT01852721.

Orgasm and women's waist circumference

ObjectiveGiven that adiposity is related to poorer female sexual function, among many other health problems, the present study aimed at testing the hypothesis that larger waist circumference, an index of subcutaneous and abdominal fat mass, is associated with lack of specifically vaginal orgasm.Study design One hundred and twenty Portuguese women of reproductive age had their waist measured and reported their past month frequency of penile–vaginal intercourse (PVI), vaginal orgasm, orgasm from clitoral masturbation during PVI, non-coital partnered sex (in the absence of same-day PVI), non-coital partnered sex orgasm (regardless of same-day PVI), masturbation, and masturbation orgasm. ResultsIn both simple and partial correlations (controlling for age, social desirability responding, relationship status, and cohabitation status), larger waist circumference was associated with lack of any vaginal orgasm and with having masturbated in the past month. In a multiple regression, larger waist circumference was independently predicted by lesser frequency of vaginal orgasm, greater frequency of masturbation, and older age. ConclusionAbdominal fat mass appears to be adversely associated with lesser capacity for vaginal orgasm, but not for orgasms from other sexual activities. Results are discussed in the context of vaginal orgasm being relatively more contingent on situations of increased fitness in both partners.

Green Tea and Vitamin E Enhance Exercise-Induced Benefits in Body Composition, Glucose Homeostasis, and Antioxidant Status in Elderly Men and Women

Objective: To investigate the effects of green tea plus vitamin E in addition to exercise on body composition and metabolic and antioxidant parameters in healthy elderly individuals. Design: Interventional randomized controlled prospective trial. Methods: For 12 weeks, 22 elderly men and women (age: 71.1 ± 1.2 years; body mass index: 28.3 ± 0.5 kg/m2 [mean ± SE]) undertook 30 minutes of moderately intense walking 6 d/wk. They were randomly assigned to ingest either green tea plus vitamin E (GTVE; 3 cups and 400 IU, respectively; n = 11) or placebo (n = 11). Data on anthropometrics, fasting insulin and glucose levels, physical fitness, dietary intake, safety parameters, and biomarkers of oxidation status were recorded and analyzed at the start and end of the study. Results: Though dietary intake was unchanged, improved exercise capacity was followed by a significant reduction in body weight and fasting insulin levels in all participants. Additional consumption of GTVE resulted in a twofold increase in serum vitamin E (from 20.4 to 40.6 μmol/L, p < 0.001) and a decrease of men's and women's waist circumferences (from 100.8 and 95.7 to 96.9 and 85.0 cm, p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) and fasting glucose levels (from 5.30 to 4.98 mmol/L, p < 0.01). Plasma protein carbonyls dropped (from 0.93 to 0.77 nmol/mg protein, p < 0.05), whereas erythrocyte catalase activities increased (from 26.7 to 29.7 U/g hemoglobin, p < 0.05) in the GTVE group only. Oral peroxidase activities were increased in both groups. Conclusions: A daily dose of GTVE in healthy elderly men and women may improve exercise-induced benefits in body composition and glucose tolerance and may also lower oxidative burden.

Pycnogenol® Supplementation Improves Health Risk Factors in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome

This open, controlled study evaluated the effects of 6 month supplementation with Pycnogenol® maritime pine bark extract on health risk factors in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Pycnogenol® was used with the aim of improving risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome, central obesity, elevated triglycerides (TG), low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure and fasting blood glucose. Sixty-four subjects (range 45-55 years) presenting with all five risk factors of metabolic syndrome were included, and Pycnogenol® was administered for 6 months. A group of 66 equivalent subjects were followed up as controls. In the 6-month study Pycnogenol® supplementation 150 mg/day decreased waist circumference, TG levels, blood pressure and increased the HDL cholesterol levels in subjects. Pycnogenol lowered fasting glucose from baseline 123 ± 8.6 mg/dl to 106.4 ± 5.3 after 3 months and to 105.3 ± 2.5 at the end of the study (p < 0.05 vs controls). Men's waist circumference decreased with Pycnogenol from 106.2 ± 2.2 cm to 98.8 ± 2.3 cm and to 98.3 ± 2.1 after 3 and 6 months. Women's waist decreased from 90.9 ± 1.6 cm to 84.6 ± 2.1 cm and to 83.6 ± 2.2 cm after 3 and 6 months. Both genders waist circumference reduction was significant as compared to controls at both time points. In addition, plasma free radicals decrease in the Pycnogenol group was more effective than in the control group (-34.6%; p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study indicates a role for Pycnogenol® for improving health risk factors in subjects with metabolic syndrome.

Slimmer Women’s Waist is Associated with Better Erectile Function in Men Independent of Age

Previous research has indicated that men generally rate slimmer women as more sexually attractive, consistent with the increased morbidity risks associated with even mild abdominal adiposity. To assess the association of women's waist size with a more tangible measure of perceived sexual attractiveness (as well as reward value for both sexes), we examined the association of women's age and waist circumference with an index of men's erectile function (IIEF-5 scores), frequency of penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI), and sexual satisfaction in a representative sample of Czechs (699 men and 715 women) aged 35-65 years. Multivariate analyses indicated that better erectile function scores were independently associated with younger age of self and partner and women's slimmer waist. PVI frequency was independently associated with women's younger age and women's slimmer waist. Sexual satisfaction was independently associated with men's younger age and slimmer waist for both sexes. Better erectile function, greater PVI frequency, and greater sexual satisfaction were associated with women's slimmer waist, independently of both sexes' ages. Possible reasons for the waist effects were discussed, including women's abdominal body fat decreasing their own desire through neurohormonal mechanisms and decreasing their partner's desire through evolutionarily-related decreased sexual attractiveness.

Walking attenuates the relationships of high-meat, low-fruit dietary intake to total and regional adiposity in men and women.

Vigorous physical activity (running) has been shown to attenuate the association between diet and body weight. Walking is the most popular physical activity, but is a moderate-intensity physical activity because it requires less than sixfold the energy expenditure of sitting at rest. We therefore examined whether reported distance walked per week affected the relationship of diet to BMI and circumferences of the waist, hip, and chest in 30,014 female and 7,133 male participants of the National Walkers' Health Study. Reported meat and fruit intakes served as indicators of high-risk diets for weight gain. The analyses showed that higher meat and lower fruit intake were significantly and consistently associated with greater BMI and waist circumference at all activity levels. Longer usual walking distance significantly attenuated the concordant relationships of diet with women's BMIs (P < 10(-8)), men's BMIs (P = 0.04), and women's waist (P < 10(-6)), hip (P = 0.0001), and chest circumferences (P < 10(-5)). Compared to walkers who averaged <1.5 km/day, the association of diet with adiposity in subjects who walked ≥1.5 km/day was reduced 21% in women and 31% in men for BMI; 20% in women and 27% in men for waist circumference; 19% for women's hip circumference; and 26% for women's chest circumference. Thus we conclude that diets characterized by high-meat/low-fruit intake were significantly associated with greater BMI, and this association was attenuated by moderate physical activity. The weaker results in men than women probably related to the smaller sample size, and reduced statistical power of the men.

The Relationship Among Obesity, Menopausal Status, and Health Behavior Among Middle-Aged Women in a Rural Community of Southern Taiwan

In this study we explored the relationship among obesity, menopausal status, and health behavior among middle-aged women in a rural community of southern Taiwan. This was a cross-sectional study using a face-to-face interview to collect data. Sixty middle-aged women from four community centers participated in this study. The results indicated that approximately 23.3% of the women had body mass index (BMI) ≥27 kg/m2, and 38.3% of the women's waist girths were above 80 cm. Both BMI and waist circumference (WC) of the middle-aged women were significantly different between reproductive and postmenopausal status. The variable of nutrition-related health behavior was significantly and negatively associated with the BMI levels and accounted for 12% of the total variance. An understanding of the factors that contribute to obesity is provided among middle-aged women in Taiwan's rural communities.

The Contribution of Abdominal Obesity and Dyslipidemia to Metabolic Syndrome in Psychiatric Patients

Background/AimsMetabolic syndrome is an emerging risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among psychiatric patients in order to identify the dominant factors of metabolic syndrome.MethodsWe enrolled 225 patients who had been admitted to a chronic psychiatric hospital from October 2005 to February 2006. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was assessed based on the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP)-III with the new criterion of waist circumference in the Asia-Pacific Region.ResultsThe study population was relatively young (41.1 ± 8.8 years) and obese (waist in men, 91.3 ± 9.2 cm; waist in women, 84.1 ± 8.8 cm). Sixty percent of patients met the waist criterion of metabolic syndrome and 56% met the low high density lipoprotein (HDL) criterion. The mean serum triglycerides were high (170.0 ± 119.7 mg/dL) and 46% of patients met the triglyceride criterion. In contrast, less than 10% of patients showed impaired fasting glucose or high blood pressure (5%, 9%, respectively). The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 34.2% by applying ATP-III criteria (40% in men and 20% in women, respectively). No specific anti-psychotic drugs were related to significant increase in the incidence of metabolic syndrome.ConclusionsAbdominal obesity and dyslipidemia (low HDL and high triglycerides) were dominant contributing factors of metabolic syndrome among psychiatric patients, and the affected age groups were relatively young. These findings indicate that active and early screening, including triglycerides, HDL, and waist measurement, are absolutely essential to managing metabolic syndrome in psychiatric patients.

The epidemiological study of women with urinary incontinence and risk factors for stress urinary incontinence in China

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI) in Chinese women. In the cross-sectional survey, 20,000 Chinese women 20 years or older were randomly selected and interviewed with modified Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms questionnaires to estimate population prevalence rates and identify potential risk factors. A total of 19,024 women were included in the analysis and 976 excluded; qualified rate is 95% (19,024/20,000). Of the Chinese women aged from 20 to 99 years (mean +/- SD, 45 +/- 16 y), the overall prevalence rate of UI was 30.9%. Estimates of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urge urinary incontinence, and mixed urinary incontinence prevalence were 18.9%, 2.6%, and 9.4%, with a corresponding proportional distribution of 61%, 8%, and 31%, respectively. The prevalence of mixed urinary incontinence increased with aging, whereas the prevalence of SUI peaked in the group of women aged 50 years and that of urge urinary incontinence in the group of women aged 70 years. Only 25% of women have consulted doctors on this issue. Through multivariable logistic regression analysis, we identified age, vaginal delivery, multiparity, alcohol consumption, central obesity (women's waist circumference, >/=80 cm), constipation, chronic pelvic pain, history of respiratory disease, gynecological events, pelvic surgery, and perimenopause and postmenopause status as potential risk factors for SUI, among which age, vaginal delivery, and multiparity are three major risk factors. Our findings suggest that the prevalence of UI is high in China, with SUI as the most common subtype. Age, vaginal delivery, and others are risk factors for SUI.

The International Universities Walking Project: employee step counts, sitting times and health status

PurposeAwareness of potential health impact and variations in key risk factors for chronic disease are important considerations in multi‐site, workplace physical activity interventions. This study seeks to examine associations and site variations between workday step counts, sitting times, waist circumference and blood pressure in three universities.Design/methodology/approachParticipants were white‐collar, university employees (172 women and 44 men; aged 41.0±10.3 years) from Barcelona, Spain (n=81), Brisbane, Australia (n=71) and Leeds, UK (n=64). Workday step counts and sitting times (five days) and waist circumference and blood pressure were assessed and compared against health‐related thresholds. Step counts were classified into tertiles and differences in sitting time, waist circumference and blood pressure were compared across tertiles using ANOVA, as were site variations in key variables.FindingsDaily step counts were inversely associated with sitting times (p&lt;0.05), women's waist circumference (p&lt;0.05) and systolic (p&lt;0.01) and diastolic (p&lt;0.05) blood pressure. Activity rates – relative to the public health criterion of 10,000 daily steps – were lower in Brisbane (16 per cent) and Leeds (15 per cent), compared with Barcelona (47 per cent). Barcelona employees also sat less (p&lt;0.001), had lower men's and women's waist circumference (p&lt;0.01) and lower women's diastolic blood pressure (p&lt;0.001).Research limitations/implicationsThe small number of male participants precluded meaningful analyses for men.Originality/valueThe findings evidence the health benefits of workplace walking in the samples and highlight the need to account for variations in multi‐site, multi‐national interventions.

Media Influences on Attitudes and Perceptions Toward the Body Among Adult Men and Women

The current study investigated media influences on men's and women's body perception. Participants were 60 men and 60 women. Men overestimated their chest, waist, and thighs and underestimated their hips. Women overestimated the size of all body parts. Men's and women's perception of their body was not predicted by media exposure or attitudes to the media. Both men's and women's ideal body was different from their current bodies. Attitudes and exposure to the media predicted men's (but not women's) perceptions of the ideal body held by the media, as well as both men's and women's ideal chest and waist. These findings suggest that the media has an impact on the ideal body size of both men and women.

Evaluation of the Appropriateness of the Japanese Metabolic Syndrome Diagnostic Criteria on Routine Medical Health Checkups in a Rural Area.

Objective: The diagnostic criteria for the metabolic syndrome (MetS) were published in Japan in April 2005. However, there have been no large-scale studies in rural areas to confirm these criteria. We examined the prevalence of MetS in subjects who had undergone a routine medical health checkup at our hospital, located in a rural area. This data was used to investigate the appropriateness of the diagnostic criteria for MetS.Subjects and Methods: The MetS status was examined retrospectively in 2340 subjects (1408 men, 932 women ; mean age 49.6 ± 9.7 years) who underwent a routine medical health checkup at our hospital between April 2004 and March 2005.Results: Of the 1408 men and 932 women, 209 men (14.8%) and 23 women (2.5%) were diagnosed with MetS. Forty-four men (3.1%) and 4 women (0.4%) met all three diagnostic criteria for metabolic disorders. In the female group, only 8.7% of the 932 women met the waist circumference criterion of ≥90 cm. Because this waist circumference criterion was used during the first screening but was not met by most of the women, they were eliminated from our study. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the cutoff values for waist circumference were 85.0 cm (sensitivity 0.750, specificity 0.564) in men and 79.5 cm (sensitivity 0.787, specificity 0.709) in women. If the women's waist circumference criterion had been set at the value of ≥79.5 cm, this would have resulted in 48 (5.2%) women meeting the criterion.Conclusion: From the viewpoint of preventive medicine, the Japanese male MetS diagnostic criteria are fairly appropriate. However, for the women, the waist circumference criterion of ≥90 cm has been set too high and was not met by most of the female subjects. Therefore, the Japanese MetS criteria for women, particularly the cutoff value for waist circumference, requires further verification.

1—THE EFFECT OF ANTI-STATIC AGENTS ON THE SOILING OF GARMENTS AND ON THE EASE OF SOIL REMOVAL DURING WASHING

A study has been made of the effect of several anti-static agents on the soiling of fabrics soiled both artificially and in wear. It is concluded that electrostatic effects may be responsible for approximately half the total soiling observed on women's waist slips, made from fibres of high electrical resistance, but that electrostatic soiling is negligible on women's cardigans, which soil more by contact with dirty surfaces than by any other mechanism. Results are also given of the effect of some anti-static agents on the ease with which soil may be removed from fabrics during washing.