Trends of abdominal adiposity in white, black, and Mexican-American adults, 1988 to 2000

Prevalence of central obesity and associated factors in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a global public health concern that is now on the rise, especially in low- and middle-income nations. Despite the fact that there are several studies reporting the prevalence of central obesity among adults in Ethiopia, there is a lack of a systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing the existing observational studies. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of central obesity and its associated factors in Ethiopia.

METHODS

Online libraries such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, and Addis Ababa University were searched. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA statistical software (v. 16). Forest plots, Begg's rank test, and Egger's regression test were all used to check for publication bias. To look for heterogeneity, I² was computed, and an overall estimated analysis was carried out. Subgroup analysis was done by region and study setting. In addition, the pooled odds ratio for related covariates was calculated.

RESULTS

Out of 685 studies assessed, 20 met our criteria and were included in the study. A total of 12,603 people were included in the study. The prevalence of central obesity was estimated to be 37.31% [95% confidence interval (CI): 29.55-45.07]. According to subgroup analysis by study region and setting, the highest prevalence was observed in the Dire Dawa region (61.27%) and community-based studies (41.83%), respectively. Being a woman (AOR = 6.93; 95% CI: 3.02-10.85), having better socioeconomic class (AOR = 5.45; 95% CI: 0.56-10.34), being of age 55 and above (AOR = 5.23; 95% CI: 2.37-8.09), being physically inactive (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.37-2.24), being overweight (AOR = 4.00; 95% CI: 2.58-5.41), being obese (AOR = 6.82; 95% CI: 2.21-11.43), and having hypertension (AOR = 3.84; 95% CI: 1.29-6.40) were the factors associated with central obesity.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of central obesity was high in Ethiopia. Being a woman, having a higher socioeconomic class, being older, being physically inactive, being overweight or obese, and having hypertension were all associated. Therefore, it is vital for the government and health organizations to design and implement preventive measures like early detection, close monitoring, and positive reversal of central obesity in all patients and the general population. High-quality investigations on the prevalence of central obesity in the Ethiopian people are required to better understand the status of central obesity in Ethiopia.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42022329234.

A Comprehensive Assessment of the Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Incidence of Gastric Cancer in the United States, 1992-2014

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the racial and ethnic disparities in the incidence of gastric cancer and their temporal trends in the United States.

Materials and Methods

Using data from 13 cancer registries in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we assessed such disparities during 1992-2014 in the United States using a variety of disparity metrics.

Results

The age-standardized incidence rate of non-cardia gastric cancer was highest in Asian and Pacific Islanders, while the incidence of cardia gastric was highest in non-Hispanic whites in men and was similarly low in all groups in women. The incidence of non-cardia gastric cancer decreased in all groups over time, particularly in Asian and Pacific Islanders (on average by 3% per year). The incidence of cardia gastric remained relatively stable in virtually all racial/ethnic groups. The racial and ethnic disparities in gastric cancer incidence steadily decreased over time as measured on the absolute scale, which was mainly driven by the reduced disparities in non-cardia gastric cancer. The range difference in the incidence of gastric cancer decreased on average by 4.1% per year in men and by 2.6% per year in women from 1992 to 2014. The between group variance decreased by 5.6% per year in men and by 3.4% per year in women. The relative-scale disparity measures generally remained stable over time.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates decreased racial and ethnic disparities in the incidence of gastric cancer over time in the United States, particularly as measured on the absolute scale.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Incidence of Esophageal Cancer in the United States, 1992-2013

Racial and ethnic disparities in the incidence of esophageal cancer have not been thoroughly characterized with quantitative health-disparity measures. Using data from 1992-2013 from 13 US cancer registries in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we assessed such disparities according to histological type, based on a variety of disparity metrics. The age-standardized incidence rate of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was highest among black persons, while adenocarcinoma mainly affected white men. The rate of SCC decreased over time in all racial/ethnic groups, and this was most pronounced in black persons (by 5.7% per year among men and 5.0% among women). The adenocarcinoma rate rose among non-Hispanic whites and among black men. Racial/ethnic disparities in the incidence of total esophageal cancer decreased over time, which was due mainly to reduced disparities in SCC. The 2 absolute disparity measures-range difference and between-group variance-for adenocarcinoma rose by 3.2% and 6.8% per year, respectively, in men and by 1.8% and 5.3% per year, respectively, in women. This study demonstrates decreased racial/ethnic disparities in the incidence of esophageal SCC over time in the United States, while disparities increased in adenocarcinoma incidence as measured on the absolute scale.

Distorted self-perceived weight status and underestimation of weight status in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients

OBJECTIVES

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM 2) patients' self-perception of their weight status is very critical in diabetes care. We sought to investigate perception of weight status in a sample of 200 DM 2 patients attending an outpatient clinic at a Teaching Hospital and compared it with their BMI-measured weight status, with a focus on underestimation of their weight status. Factors associated with underestimation of weight status in this sample were also explored.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design, anthropometric and clinical variables were assessed using appropriate tools. Questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic data and self-perception of weight status. Self-perceived weight status was compared to BMI-measured weight status by cross-tabulation, Kappa statistics of agreement and χ2 for trend analysis. Both univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify factors associated with underestimation of weight status.

RESULTS

The prevalence of general overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity was 32.0% (n = 64) and 58.0% (n = 116) respectively. Generally, 58.0% (n = 116) of the participants had a distorted weight perceived weight status in which 77.6% (n = 90) underestimated their weight status. Factors associated with underestimation of weight status were being overweight/obese (AOR = 22.9, 95% CI = 8.30-63.07, p<0.001), not married (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.50-9.17, p = 0.005) and never tried to lose weight (AOR = 6.9, 95% CI = 2.35-19.97, p<0.001). Participants aged over 40 years and those being hyperglycaemic were not significantly associated to underestimation of weight status.

CONCLUSION

We found a substantial discordance between BMI-measured and self-perceived weight status. Factors that were associated with underestimation of weight status were being; overweight/obese, not married and never tried to lose weight. Diabetes patients should be provided with information about weight guidelines.

Gender differences in the association of visceral and subcutaneous adiposity with adiponectin in African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study

BACKGROUND

Adiponectin, paradoxically reduced in obesity and with lower levels in African Americans (AA), modulates several cardiometabolic risk factors. Because abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT), known to be reduced in AA, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) compartments may confer differential metabolic risk profiles, we investigated the associations of VAT and SAT with serum adiponectin, separately by gender, with the hypothesis that VAT is more strongly inversely associated with adiponectin than SAT.

METHODS

Participants from the Jackson Heart Study, an ongoing cohort of AA (n = 2,799; 64% women; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) underwent computer tomography assessment of SAT and VAT volumes, and had stored serum specimens analyzed for adiponectin levels. These levels were examined by gender in relation to increments of VAT and SAT.

RESULTS

Compared to women, men had significantly lower mean levels of adiponectin (3.9 ± 3.0 μg/mL vs. 6.0 ± 4.4 μg/mL; p < 0.01) and mean volume of SAT (1,721 ± 803 cm(3) vs. 2,668 ± 968 cm(3); p < 0.01) but significantly higher mean volume of VAT (884 ± 416 cm(3) vs. 801 ± 363 cm(3); p < 0.01). Among women, a one standard deviation increment in VAT was inversely associated with adiponectin (β = - 0.13; p < 0.0001) after controlling for age, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, education, pack-years of smoking and daily intake of alcohol. The statistically significant inverse association of VAT and adiponectin persisted after additionally adjusting for SAT, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), suggesting that VAT provides significant information above and beyond BMI and WC. Among men, after the same multivariable adjustment, there was a direct association of SAT and adiponectin (β = 0.18; p = 0.002) that persisted when controlling for BMI and WC, supporting a beneficial effect of SAT. Insulin resistance mediated the association of SAT with adiponectin in women.

CONCLUSION

In African Americans, abdominal visceral adipose tissue had an inverse association with serum adiponectin concentrations only among women. Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue appeared as a protective fat depot in men.

Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993-2009

The objective of this study is to examine the trends in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and prevalence of overweight (BMI 25-27.49 kg m(-2) ), general obesity (BMI ≥ 27.5 kg m(-2) ) and abdominal obesity (WC ≥ 90 cm for men and ≥80 cm for women) among Chinese adults from 1993 to 2009. Data were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, which was conducted from 1993 to 2009 and included a total of 52,621 Chinese adults. During the period of 1993-2009, mean BMI values increased by 1.6 kg m(-2) among men and 0.8 kg m(-2) among women; mean WC values increased by 7.0 cm among men and 4.7 cm among women. The prevalence of overweight increased from 8.0 to 17.1% among men (P < 0.001) and from 10.7 to 14.4% among women (P < 0.001); the prevalence of general obesity increased from 2.9 to 11.4% among men (P < 0.001) and from 5.0 to 10.1% among women (P < 0.001); the prevalence of abdominal obesity increased from 8.5 to 27.8% among men (P < 0.001) and from 27.8 to 45.9% among women (P < 0.001). Similar significant trends were observed in nearly all age groups and regions for both men and women. The prevalence of overweight, general obesity and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults has increased greatly during the past 17 years.

Influence of body mass index, gender, and Hispanic ethnicity on physical activity in urban children

PURPOSE

This community-based participatory research study examined the association between overweight status and activity among Hispanic urban, school-age children.

DESIGN AND METHODS

In a sample of 140 children, activities were assessed using the Youth Risk Behavior Survey's questions about physical activity (PA) and team sports.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine percent were overweight (body mass index [BMI] >85%). Normal-weight children had higher levels of PA and team sports. Females had lower levels of PA and team sports. Significant associations included BMI and sports team participation, and BMI and Hispanic ethnicity.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Nurses should be aware that Hispanic urban children are at risk for lower activity.

The relationship among registered nurses' weight status, weight loss regimens, and successful or unsuccessful weight loss

PURPOSE

To investigate relationships between body mass index (BMI), personality type, weight loss regimens, and successful or unsuccessful weight loss.

DATA SOURCES

Seven hundred and twenty-one registered nurses (RNs) were recruited from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the membership of a nursing honor society, and RNs at a large state university. Participants completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a demographic survey (age, gender, height, weight, ethnicity, education status, disability, shift work hours, and prescription medication use), and questions related to their weight status, weight loss attempts, and motivation.

CONCLUSIONS

RNs who had a lower BMI were more successful in losing weight than RNs who had a higher BMI. They were also more successful in their weight loss attempts if they did not use a diet regimen.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

RNs who were successful in losing weight did not use a specified dietary regimen.

Gene by sex interaction for measures of obesity in the framingham heart study

Obesity is an increasingly prevalent and severe health concern with a substantial heritable component and marked sex differences. We sought to determine if the effect of genetic variants also differed by sex by performing a genome-wide association study modeling the effect of genotype-by-sex interaction on obesity phenotypes. Genotype data from individuals in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort were analyzed across five exams. Although no variants showed genome-wide significant gene-by-sex interaction in any individual exam, four polymorphisms displayed a consistent BMI association (P-values .00186 to .00010) across all five exams. These variants were clustered downstream of LYPLAL1, which encodes a lipase/esterase expressed in adipose tissue, a locus previously identified as having sex-specific effects on central obesity. Primary effects in males were in the opposite direction from females and were replicated in Framingham Generation 3. Our data support a sex-influenced association between genetic variation at the LYPLAL1 locus and obesity-related traits.

Role of depressive symptoms in explaining socioeconomic status disparities in dietary quality and central adiposity among US adults: a structural equation modeling approach

BACKGROUND

The link between socioeconomic status (SES), depression, dietary quality, and central adiposity remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

Pathways linking SES to dietary quality and central adiposity through depressive symptoms were examined across sex-ethnicity groups.

DESIGN

Extensive data on US adults aged 30-64 y from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study were used in multiple linear logistic regression models and structural equation models to test pathway associations. Measures included Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scores, 2005 Healthy Eating Index (HEI) values, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Sample sizes for most analyses ranged between 1789 for anthropometric outcomes and 1227 for trunk fat outcomes.

RESULTS

The CES-D score was associated with lower HEI scores in all sex-ethnicity groups, except in African American men, and with higher waist-to-hip ratios (WHRs) among African American women. A CES-D score > or =16 was positively associated with waist circumference (WC) and with trunk fat among white women and men, respectively. SES was positively related to central adiposity among African American men (central obesity and WC) and African American women (central obesity and percentage trunk fat) but was inversely related to central adiposity among white women. Among whites only, the total positive effect of SES on HEI was significantly mediated by CES-D score. Among white women, the total inverse effect of SES on WC and WHR was significantly explained by the CES-D score and HEI, whereas the CES-D score was positively associated with WHR among African American women, independently of SES.

CONCLUSION

Future mental health interventions targeted at reducing SES disparities in dietary quality and central adiposity may have different effects across sex-ethnicity groups.

Obesity on the rise

The prevalence of obesity has increased markedly during recent years with the burden of obesity higher in minority groups in the United States. Rates of obesity vary according to age and employment, although the effect by socioeconomic strata is diminishing. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) are the primary anthropometric measures of obesity, but waist-to-height is increasingly being used as a measure that identifies both overweight and metabolic risk. BMI should be interpreted with caution in the elderly, children, and some Asian populations.

Gender-ethnic disparity in BMI and waist circumference distribution shifts in US adults

While obesity has been increasing in the United States, little is known about the variation in recent BMI and waist circumference (WC) distribution shifts across socio-demographic groups. We assessed shifts in BMI and WC distributions and compared between-group differences over the past decade, and projected future BMI and WC distributions and prevalence of obesity and central obesity using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1988-1994 and 1999-2004 data. BMI/WC distributional shifts overall and in percentiles were compared across groups. Average yearly shift was calculated and used for projecting future distributions and prevalence. Both BMI and WC increased more in their uppermost percentile distribution, though BMI shift declined toward the uppermost percentiles among women. Heavier Americans gained more adiposity over the past decade. Ethnic (non-Hispanic (NH) white vs. black) disparities in mean BMI and WC became wider. Over the survey period, mean BMI increased by 1.3 units vs. 1.8 units among men and women, whereas WC, by 4.2 cm vs. 4.8 cm. Young adults had the largest increase. Shift in women's WC was stable between the 25th and 75th percentiles, but gained pace at higher WC, while women's BMI and men's BMI and WC shifts increased linearly. NH black women had the largest shifts and would have central obesity and obesity prevalence of 90.8 and 70.7% by 2020. Shifts in BMI and WC distribution varied across age-, gender-, and ethnic groups. Future rise in the obesity and central obesity prevalence rates are expected, but would vary by demographic groups.

Obesity and central obesity as risk factors for incident dementia and its subtypes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

While dementia affects 6-10% of persons 65 years or older, industrialized countries have witnessed an alarming rise in obesity. However, obesity's influence on dementia remains poorly understood. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. PUBMED search (1995-2007) resulted in 10 relevant prospective cohort studies of older adults (40-80 years at baseline) with end points being dementia and predictors including adiposity measures, such as body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). There was a significant U-shaped association between BMI and dementia (P = 0.034), with dementia risk increased for obesity and underweight. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for underweight, overweight and obesity compared with normal weight in relation to incident dementia were: 1.36 (1.07, 1.73), 0.88 (0.60, 1.27) and 1.42 (0.93, 2.18) respectively. Pooled ORs and 95% CI for obesity and incident Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia were 1.80 (1.00, 3.29) vs. 1.73 (0.47, 6.31) and were stronger in studies with long follow-up (>10 years) and young baseline age (<60 years). Weight gain and high WC or skin-fold thickness increased risks of dementia in all included studies. The meta-analysis shows a moderate association between obesity and the risks for dementia and AD. Future studies are needed to understand optimal weight and biological mechanisms.

Cardiovascular risk reduction among African Americans: a call to action

African Americans are at greater risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than European Americans or Asians. They also bear a disproportionately greater burden from type-2 diabetes mellitus. Not as much access to healthcare and less intensive use of available therapies may explain some of these disparities. However, the high prevalence of potentially modifiable risk factors, particularly hypertension and dyslipidemia, in African Americans also provides great opportunity for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in this population. In addition to lifestyle approaches, achieving aggressive goals for blood pressure (< or =130/80 mmHg) and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (<100 mg/dL, or <70 mg/dL for patients at very high cardiovascular risk, including those with diabetes) will necessitate the use of effective pharmacologic therapies. Clinical trial data indicate that antihypertensive regimens, particularly those that include a diuretic, are as effective in African Americans as in other racial/ethnic groups. Moreover, potent statins have been shown to decrease low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol to goal levels in African-American patients.

Metabolic syndrome in African Americans: implications for preventing coronary heart disease

The metabolic syndrome represents a specific clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in the same individual (abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance, a prothrombotic state, and a proinflammatory state). Almost 50 million American adults (about one in four) have the metabolic syndrome, which puts them at increased risk for the development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. African Americans, especially African-American women, have a high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. This is attributable mainly to the disproportionate occurrence in African Americans of elevated blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. Management of the metabolic syndrome consists primarily of modification or reversal of the root causes (overweight/obesity and physical inactivity) and therapy to reduce or control the risk factors. Although all components of the metabolic syndrome should be addressed, optimal control of atherogenic dyslipidemia and elevated blood pressure may reduce cardiovascular risk by more than 80%.

[Accuracy of waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio as predictors of dyslipidemia in a cross-sectional study among blood donors in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso State, Brazil]

This study evaluated the accuracy of anthropometric fat location indices (waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio) as predictors of dyslipidemia, in addition to defining their respective cut-offs. The sample consisted of 416 healthy male blood donors from 20 to 58 years of age at the Blood Center in Cuiabá, capital of Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Serum lipids were determined through the enzymatic method. Data analysis through the ROC curve identified the best indicator and the cut-off with the largest statistically significant area under the ROC curve. The best cut-off points for waist-to-hip ratio and waist circumference were 0.90 and 85cm, respectively. The area under the ROC curve between waist circumference and high cholesterol/HDL relation included the 0.50 value, so waist circumference could not be considered a predictor of dyslipidemia. The best sensitivity and specificity were in the youngest group. Waist-to-hip ratio was a better predictor of dyslipidemia than waist circumference, although the latter showed better discriminating power to detect hypertriglyceridemia. The most accurate cut-off points were lower than those set by the World Health Organization.

Probabilities of death from breast cancer and other causes among female breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Among cancer patients, probabilities of death from that cancer and other causes in the presence of competing risks are optimal measures of prognosis and of mortality across demographic groups. We used data on breast cancer patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program in a competing-risk analysis.

METHODS

We determined vital status and cause of death for 395,251 white and 35,259 black female patients with breast cancer diagnosed from January 1, 1973, through December 31, 2000, by use of SEER data. We calculated probabilities of death from breast cancer and other causes according to stage, race, and age at diagnosis; for cases diagnosed from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2000, we also calculated some such probabilities according to tumor size and estrogen receptor (ER) status. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

The probability of death from breast cancer after nearly 28 years of follow-up ranged from 0.03 to 0.10 for patients with in situ disease to 0.70 to 0.85 for patients with distant disease, depending on race and age. The probability of death from breast cancer at the end of the follow-up period generally declined with age at diagnosis; the probability among the oldest (> or =70 years) compared with the youngest (<50 years) patients was 33% lower for white and 46% lower for black patients with localized disease and 14% lower for white patients and 13% lower for black patients with distant disease. The probability of death from breast cancer exceeded that from all other causes for patients diagnosed with localized disease before age 50 years, with regional disease before age 60 years, and with distant disease at any age. The probability of death from breast cancer for patients diagnosed with localized or regional disease was statistically significantly greater in black patients than in white patients (all six P values < or =.01 for age groups 30-49 to 60-69 years; two P values < or =.04 for ages > or =70 years). Among patients with localized or regional disease and known ER status, the probability of death from breast cancer after nearly 11 years of follow-up ranged from 0.04 to 0.11 for patients with localized ER-positive tumors of 2 cm or less to 0.37 to 0.53 for patients with regional ER-negative tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The probability of death from breast cancer versus other causes varied substantially according to stage, tumor size, ER status, and age at diagnosis in both white and black patients.

Cervical adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma incidence trends among white women and black women in the United States for 1976-2000

BACKGROUND

Although cervical carcinoma incidence and mortality rates have declined in the U.S. greatly since the introduction of the Papanicolaou smear, this decline has not been uniform for all histologic subtypes. Therefore, the authors assessed the differential incidence rates of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) of the cervix by race and disease stage for the past 25 years.

METHODS

Data from nine population-based cancer registries participating in the U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program were used to compute incidence rates for cervical carcinoma diagnosed during 1976-2000 by histologic subtype (SCC and AC), race (black and white), age, and disease stage (in situ, localized, regional, or distant).

RESULTS

In black women and white women, the overall incidence of invasive SCC declined over time, and the majority of tumors that are detected currently are in situ and localized carcinomas in young women. The incidence of in situ SCC increased sharply in the early 1990s. AC in situ (AIS) incidence rates increased, especially among young women. In black women, invasive AC incidence rose linearly with age.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in screening, endocervical sampling, nomenclature, and improvements in treatment likely explain the increased in situ cervical SCC incidence in white women and black women. Increasing AIS incidence over the past 20 years in white women has not yet translated into a decrease in invasive AC incidence. Etiologic factors may explain the rising invasive cervical AC incidence in young white women; rising cervical AC incidence with age in black women may reflect either lack of effective screening or a differential disease etiology.