Prevalence of overweight and obesity and associated risk factors among adult residents of northwest China: a cross-sectional study

Impact of pregestational obesity on perinatal complications: update in a Latin American cohort

OBJECTIVES

While the association between pregestational obesity and perinatal complications has been established, it is necessary to update the current understanding of its impact on maternal and foetal health due to its growing prevalence. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between pregestational obesity with the leading perinatal complications during the last 6 years.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was performed in San Felipe, Chile. Anonymised data of 11,197 deliveries that occurred between 2015 and 2021 were included.

METHODS

Pregestational body mass index was defined according to the World Health Organisation during the first trimester of pregnancy. The association between pregestational obesity and perinatal complications was analysed by calculating the odds ratio (OR), which was adjusted for confounding variables. Statistical differences were considered with a P-value of <0.05.

RESULTS

The prevalence of pregestational obesity was 30.1%. Pregestational obesity was related to a high incidence of perinatal complications (≥3 complications; P < 0.0001). The main perinatal complications were caesarean section, large for gestational age (LGA), gestational diabetes (GD), macrosomia, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), premature rupture of membranes (PROM), intrauterine growth restriction, and failed induction. Pregestational obesity was shown to be a risk factor for macrosomia (OR: 2.3 [95% confidence interval {95% CI}: 2.0-2.8]), GD (OR: 1.9 [95% CI: 1.6-2.1]), HDP (OR: 1.8 [95% CI: 1.5-2.1]), LGA (OR: 1.6 [95% CI: 1.5-1.8]), failed induction (OR: 1.4 [95% CI: 1.0-1.8]), PROM (OR: 1.3 [95% CI: 1.1-1.6]), and caesarean section (OR: 1.3 [95% CI: 1.2-1.4]).

CONCLUSIONS

Pregestational obesity has been shown to be a critical risk factor for the main perinatal complications in the study population. Pregestational advice is imperative not only in preventing pregestational obesity but also in the mitigation of critical perinatal complications once they arise.

The Association between Marital Status and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Obesity was included in the International Classification of Diseases in 1990 as a chronic disease characterized by the excessive accumulation of body fat and a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2.

AIM

This systematic review was aimed to examine the role of marital status in determining body mass index and the risk of obesity.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search using three databases (PubMed (Medline), Embase, and Google Scholar) with the search query.

RESULTS

Of the 105 studies included in the systematic review, 76 studies (72%) reported a greater risk of obesity in married individuals compared to unmarried individuals. A meta-analysis of 24 studies included a total population of 369,499 participants: 257,257 married individuals (40,896 of whom had obesity) and 112,242 comparison subjects (single, divorced, or widowed individuals, 15,084 of whom had obesity). Odds ratios for obesity found a significant pooled odds ratio for obesity in married individuals compared with controls (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.38-2.10). The socioeconomic environment was not the same throughout the period of studies analyzed. The odds of obesity in married individuals during economic crises was greater than during the period between crises: OR 2.56 (95% CI 2.09-3.13) during crises vs. OR 1.55 (95% CI 1.24-1.95) between crises.

CONCLUSION

The results of this review confirm the importance of considering marital status in determining the risk of obesity.

Prevalence and related factors of abdominal obesity among urban adults aged 35 to 79 years in southwest China

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and related factors of abdominal obesity among urban adults aged 35 to 79 years in southwest China.

Methods

From September 2013 to March 2014, a multi-stage sampling was conducted, and a total of 10,981 people aged 35-79 years living in Chengdu and Chongqing were included. More than 30 investigators were trained in data collection, including questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and blood biomarkers testing. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference ≥ 90 cm for men and ≥ 85 cm for women.

Results

The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 30.7%, 24.8% in males and 33.9% in females (p < 0.001). The prevalence of abdominal obesity increased with BMI. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was positively correlated with age, sex, marriage, alcohol consumption, hypertension and diabetes, and negatively correlated with high education level, smoking and Physical activity.

Conclusion

The prevalence of abdominal obesity among adults aged 35-79 in urban communities in southwest China is high, which is close to that of adults in urban communities in China. We should strengthen health education among the population, adopt healthy diet, maintain moderate physical activity and other measures to curb the prevalence of abdominal obesity in urban communities in southwest China.

Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of anti-obesity drugs for chronic weight management: a systematic review of literature

Introduction

Pharmacological therapy is recommended as a second-line alternative to reverse obesity. Currently, five anti-obesity drugs (AODs) have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management. The aim of this paper is to investigate the pharmacoeconomic evaluation of AODs through a systematic review with a special focus on methodological considerations.

Methods

We searched the general and specific databases to identify the primary pharmacoeconomic evaluation of AODs.

Results

A total of 18 full-text articles and three conference abstracts were included in this review. Most of the economic assessments were still about Orlistat. And the observations we could make were consistent with the previous systematic review. A few studies were on the combined therapies (i.e. PHEN/TPM ER and NB ER) compared to different comparators, which could hardly lead to a generalized summary of the cost-effectiveness. Most recently, pharmacoeconomic evidence on the newest GLP 1 RA approved for the indication of obesity or obesity with at least one comorbidity emerged gradually. Modelling-based cost-utility analysis is the major type of assessment method. In the modelling studies, a manageable number of the key health states and the state transitions were structured to capture the disease progression. In particular, the principal structure of the decision model adopted in the three studies on the newly approved drug was nearly the same, which enables more in-depth comparisons and generalizations of the findings.

Conclusion

This study provided an up-to-date overview of the strengths and areas for improvement in the methodological design of the pharmacoeconomic evaluation of the licensed drugs for chronic weight management. Future modelling evaluations would benefit from a better understanding of the long-term weight loss effects of the current therapeutic options and the weight rebound process after the discontinuation of treatment.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022302648, identifier CRD42022302648.

The prevalence and determinant of overweight and obesity among residents aged 40-69 years in high-risk regions for upper gastrointestinal cancer in southeast China

Being overweight or obese is one of the public health concerns worldwide, and its prevalence is gradually increasing. Obesity has been proven to be associated with some cancers, including upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGC). However, studies on the prevalence of obesity among residents of areas at high risk of UGC in China are minimal. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of obesity and its influencing factors among people aged 40-69 years (high-risk population) in high-risk areas for UGC in Jiangsu Province, southeast China. This cross-sectional study involved 45,036 subjects aged 40-69 years identified in the Rural Early Diagnosis and Treatment of UGC Project database in Jiangsu Province from 2017 to 2021. Differences in prevalence across gender and age were assessed using the Chi-square test. Using a multinomial logistic regression model, we examined independent risk factors for overweight/obesity and their gender and age differences. The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and overweight/obesity varied based on the standards used: Chinese standard (42.1%, 11.9%, and 54.0%) and WHO standard (34.7%, 4.7%, and 39.4%), respectively. Being overweight was more common in men than women, while obesity was more common in women than men. Age of 50-59 years, married, household size of 7-9, drinking, soy products, pickled food, and hot food intake were positively associated with overweight/obesity. Females, 60-69 years, higher education level, household size of 4-6, annual family income of more than 60,000 CNY, smoking, and fresh fruit intake were negatively associated with overweight/obesity. Stratified analysis showed that the effects of age, education and meat, egg and dairy products on overweight/obesity were different across gender. The impact of fresh fruit and vegetables on overweight/obesity was also heterogeneous between the younger (40-59 years) and older (60-69 years) groups. In conclusion, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is high among adults aged 40-69 years from high-risk areas for UGC of Jiangsu Province, southeast China. Independent influencing factors of being overweight/obese included gender, age, marital status, education, household size, annual family income, smoking, drinking, fresh fruit, soy products, pickled food and hot food intake, and may vary by gender and age. Screening-based interventions should be considered to control obesity levels among screened participants. Besides, heterogeneity of influencing factors across subgroups could be focused on to improve intervention effectiveness.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of overweight and obesity among adult population in Dubai: a population-based cross-sectional survey in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence of overweight and obesity and determine the associated risk factors among adults in Dubai.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A cross-sectional survey with a multistage, stratified random sampling design was conducted in the Emirate of Dubai in 2019.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included 2142 adults aged 18+ years in the Emirate of Dubai.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of obesity, which was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m², was 17.8%. The highest obesity rates were reported among women (21.6%) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-nationals (39.6%). Moreover, 39.8% of the population was overweight (BMI ≥25-29.9 kg/m²). Multivariate logistic regression showed associations between obesity and age, sex, nationality, hypertension and occupation. Obesity increases with age, with the highest risk at age group 50-59 years (OR 4.30; 95% CI 1.57 to 11.78) compared with the reference group (18-24 years). Females had a higher risk of obesity than males (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.10 to 2.38). Compared with those in the reference group (Western and others), UAE nationals, other Arabs and Asians were more likely to be obese ((OR 2.08; 95% CI 1.18 to 3.67), (OR 3.61; 95% CI 2.41 to 5.44) and (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.12 to 3.50), respectively). Clerical and service workers (OR 4.50; 95% CI 2.54 to 8.00) and elementary and unskilled occupation categories (OR 2.57; 95% CI 1.56 to 4.25) had higher risks of obesity than the reference group (professionals), p<0.01). Hypertensive individuals had a higher risk of obesity than normotensive individuals (OR=3.96; p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity and overweight are highly prevalent among adults in Dubai and are remarkably associated with sociodemographic and behavioural risk factors. Comprehensive strategic initiatives are urgently needed to control obesity in the high-risk populations in the Emirate of Dubai.

Determination of Multiple Cancer Risk Behaviors Among Adult Population in Turkey: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Modifiable cancer risk behaviors are general not seen alone but in combination in individuals. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the factors associated with combinations of cancer risk behaviors, including tobacco use, obesity, and low physical activity that cause cancer in adults. Methods: A total of 720 adults were selected using the multi-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using the World Health Organization STEP-wise protocols. Results: It was found that 46.9% of the participants showed one, 46.3% two or more types of risk behavior. The percentage of married individuals was higher among those who engaged in one, two, or three risky behaviors than those who did not engage in risky behaviors. Among participants with two risk behaviors, the percentage of those who rated their health as very good was lower than those without risk behaviors; those who had friends or relatives with cancer were high. Those who engaged in three risk behaviors were less educated and had lower incomes than those who did not engage in risk behaviors. Conclusions: Health intervention strategies should be increased in primary health care institutions for individuals who are married, has low level of education and income and has weak perception of health.

Triglycerides and systolic blood pressure negatively mediate the direct relationship of vitamin D status to resting energy expenditure: A cross sectional analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We determined whether individual components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) mediated the direct association of vitamin D status (25OHD) on resting energy expenditure (REE).

METHODS

Multiple linear regression determined predictors of REE from data on 180 men and women from two ethnic groups. We then modelled a mediation pathway through components of MetS on the direct association between 25OHD and REE. The mediation modelling used the PROCESS SPSS Macro (version 4.0) based on 5000 bootstrapped samples, with the adjustment for different sets of covariates.

RESULTS

REE was significantly predicted by age, fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM), ethnicity, inverse ln insulin, 25OHD, triglycerides (TG), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and, to some extent, by time of REE measurements (p < 0.094). Adjustment for all these covariates, resulted in a negative indirect mediation effect of TG [β coefficient (bootstrapped SE): 0.95 (0.519); bootstrapped 95% CI: 2.172, -0.165; p < 0.05] and a concurrent negative mediation of SBP [β coefficient (bootstrapped SE): 0.72(0.484); bootstrapped 95% CI: 1.851, -0.011; p < 0.05]. There remained a positive direct pathway from 25OHD to REE [β coefficient (S.E): 4.715 (2.129); p = 0.028], however the total effect of 25OHD was dampened [β coefficient (S.E): 3.04 (2.126); p = 0.154].

CONCLUSIONS

Independent of insulin sensitivity, a negative mediation by TG and SBP dampened the overall effect of 25OHD on REE.

Is there any putative mediatory role of inflammatory markers on the association between ultra-processed foods and resting metabolic rate?

The resting metabolic rate (RMR) represents the largest component of total daily energy expenditure. The sale of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is increasing globally; however, UPF can have many adverse effects, including increasing inflammatory markers and altering RMRs. This cross-sectional study included 285 healthy overweight and obese women. Anthropometric measurements were evaluated using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer InBody 770 scanner. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), plasminogen activator-1 (PAI-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) blood levels were measured after a 12-h fasting. Indirect calorimetry was used to evaluate the RMR by using the Weir equation, and RMR deviation (RMR estimated - RMR actual), RMR per body mass index (BMI), and free fat mass (FFM) were estimated. A validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used, and seven groups of UPFs were extracted based on the NOVA method. A negative association between the RMR [β = -0.159, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.471, -0.052, P = 0.044], RMR per BMI (β = -0.014, 95% CI: -0.025, -0.006, P = 0.036), and RMR per FFM (β = -0.241, 95% CI: -0.006, -0.000, P = 0.041) using the NOVA score was observed after adjusting for confounders. This association disappeared after inclusion of each inflammatory marker. All the markers may inversely mediate the relationship between the mentioned variables and the NOVA score. hs-CRP and MCP-1 also had a negative effect on the relationship between the NOVA score and RMR deviation. Finally, UPF intake is likely related with the RMR, mediated through changes in the production of hs-CRP, PAI-1, MCP-1, and IL-1β.

Heat maps of cardiovascular disease risk factor clustering among community-dwelling older people in Xinjiang: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

The clustering of multiple cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (CRFs) increases the risk of CVD prevalence and mortality. Little is known about CRF clustering among community-dwelling older people in Xinjiang. The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence of CRF clustering in this population.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Xinjiang, China.

PARTICIPANTS

Multilevel random sampling was used to survey individuals aged ≥60 in six regions of Xinjiang. In total, 87 000 participants volunteered, with a response rate of 96.67%; 702 participants with incomplete data were excluded and data from 86 298 participants were analysed.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The prevalence of smoking, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and overweight/obesity was 9.4%, 52.1%, 16.8%, 28.6% and 62.7%, respectively. The prevalence of CRF clusters among people of different ages, regions and ethnic groups differed significantly. The 85.7% of the participants presented at least one CRFs and 55.9% of the participants presented clustering of CRFs. The proportion of CRF clusters tended to be higher in men, 60-69-year-old group, northern Xinjiang and the Kazakh population. After adjusting for age and sex, logistic regression analysis revealed that men, 60-69-year-old group, northern Xinjiang and the Kazakh population were more likely to have clustering of CRFs, compared with their counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of CRFs in the older Xinjiang population is high and their clustering differs by sex, age, region and ethnicity. CRF prevention and management should be active in this population, and strategies to reduce CVD risk based on sex, age, ethnic group and region are warranted.

Duration of an acute moderate-intensity exercise session affects approach bias toward high-calorie food among individuals with obesity

Obesity is partly driven by unhealthy eating behaviors underpinned by an approach bias toward high-calorie food. Although exercise is a useful strategy for weight loss among individuals with obesity, whether exercise modulates this approach bias is unclear. This study assessed whether the duration of an acute moderate-intensity exercise altered the approach bias toward high-calorie food among individuals with obesity. In total, 24 individuals with obesity were included in this study with a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover design. Participants completed three sessions of 30, 45, or 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (40%-59% of heart rate reserve) on an elliptical trainer or completed a control rest session for 55 minutes. Food approach bias was evaluated using a joystick-based approach-avoidance task immediately before and after each session. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. We found that compared with that before exercise, the approach bias score toward high-calorie food was significantly decreased only in the 45-minute exercise session (p = .015) and that this score was also significantly lower than that after both the 60-minute exercise session (p = .002) and the control session (p = .024). These findings suggest a dose-response relationship between exercise duration and approach bias, with 45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise being an effective strategy for decreasing the approach bias toward high-calorie food among individuals with obesity.

Prevalence and factors associated with stroke risk factors in an urban community of Parakou, Northern Benin, 2016

Sub-Saharan Africa faces a heavy burden of stroke due to the growth of its risk factors. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of stroke risk factors and identify the factors associated with metabolic risk factors in the district of Titirou, in Parakou (northern Benin) in 2016. A cross-sectional study was conducted. It included people aged at least 15 years, living in Titirou for at least 6 months, and who had given their written consent to participate in the study. A door-to-door survey was performed from 15 march to 15 July 2016 in each neighborhood until the pre-determined number was reached. Sociodemographic data, medical histories, anthropometric and blood pressure measures were recorded using the WHO STEPS approach. The prevalence of stroke risk factors was calculated, and a multivariable logistic regression was done to identify the factors associated with metabolic risk factors for stroke. A total of 4671 participants were included with a mean age of 27.7±12.9 years and a sex ratio of 0.98. Concerning the behavioral risk factors for stroke, 17.2% were alcohol consumers, 3.5% were smokers, 21.5% had low fruit and vegetable intake, and 51.1% had low physical activity practice. The prevalence of metabolic risk factors for stroke was respectively of 8.7% for obesity, 7.1% for high blood pressure, 1.7% for self-reported diabetes, and 2.2% for dyslipidemia. Age (p<0.001), sex (p<0.001), marital status (p<0.001) and professional occupation (p = 0.010) were associated with obesity. Age was also associated with high blood pressure (p<0.001) and diabetes (p<0.001). Dyslipidemia varied according to smoking (p = 0.033) and low physical activity practice (p = 0.003). The study revealed a significant prevalence of some stroke risk factors. Targeted local interventions for primary prevention of stroke should be promoted in this community.

Influence of Obesity on Heart Rate Variability in Nurses with Age and Shift Type as Moderators

Obesity is a risk factor of cardiovascular disease-related mortality and may be associated with changes in the autonomic nerve activity. Nurses working shifts and caring for patients are under great mental and physical pressure, and research has proven that these can negatively affect the body. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of obesity in nurses on their heart rate variability (HRV) and determine whether age or shift type moderates this influence. A questionnaire survey and HRV measurements were conducted on nurses at a hospital in Taiwan during a routine employee health checkup. HRV analysis was conducted using a noninvasive HRV monitor for five minutes. A total of 242 nurses with a mean age of 28.98 ± 6.56 years were enrolled in this study. An overly large waist circumference (WC) had a negative impact on high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), and standard deviation of normal-to-normal interval (SDNN), while an overly high body mass index (BMI) had a negative impact on very low frequency (VLF) and SDNN. The interaction term “overly large WC × age” had a negative impact on HF (β = −0.21, p = 0.010) and LF (β = −0.18, p = 0.030), whereas the interaction term “overly high BMI×age” had a negative impact on HF (β = −0.27, p = 0.001), LF (β = −0.19, p = 0.023), and VLF (β = −0.17, p = 0.045). The interaction terms “overly large WC × shift type” and “overly high BMI × shift type” did not influence any HRV parameters. As age increased, so did the degree to which the HF and LF of nurses with an overly large WC were lower than normal, and so did the degree to which the HF, LF, and VLF of nurses with an overly high BMI were lower than normal.

Exploring Links Between Industrialization, Urbanization, and Chinese Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: Evidence is emerging that the incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is dramatically increased in China, but with a geographic variation. Objectives: We performed a review to summarize the link of accelerated industrialization, urbanization to changing trends in the incidence of IBD over the last three decades. Methods: An electronic database search was performed in PubMed, Medline, EMBASE and Google Scholar (for English literature) and the China Science Periodical Database in Wanfang Data (for Chinese literature) from January 1990 to June 2020. Results: By systematically analyzing the changing trends of gross domestic product (GDP) or GDP per capita, population migration from rural areas to cities and increasing incidence of IBD in parallel in different Chinese regions, an association between accelerated industrialization and urbanization and rising rate of IBD was shown. In which, rates of IBD incidence were higher in provinces with a high value of GDP per capita than those provinces with a low value of GDP per capita. Analysis of available epidemiological data revealed that the incidence of IBD was rising in parallel with increasing trends of both gross products of industry and urban population in Yunnan Province in a 14-year interval. Further evidence suggested that industrialization- and urbanization-induced subsequent changes in environmental factors, e.g., Westernized dietary habits and obesity, and work-related stress, might contribute to the increased risk of IBD in China. In addition, the preliminary results showed that urbanization and Westernized dietary habits might induce significant changes in gut microbiota profile that are possibly to increase the risk for IBD in Chinese. Conclusions: Existing evidence to suggest that accelerated industrialization/urbanization is associated with the increasing incidence of IBD in China, which provides novel insights to study the possible mechanisms for the recent increasing incidence of IBD in newly industrialized and urbanized developing countries. In the future, the interaction between relevant environmental factors e.g., air/water pollution and IBD susceptibility genes in Chinese should be examined.

MALAT1 gene rs600231 polymorphism positively associated with acute coronary syndrome in Chinese population: a case-control study

Background

Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) has been recognized as a major player in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the study was to determine the association between polymorphisms of the MALAT1 gene and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in a Chinese population in Xinjiang.

Methods

In the case-control study, we genotyped three nucleotide polymorphisms (rs3200401, rs4102217, rs600231) of the MALAT1 gene using SNPscan^TM typing assays (1,053 controls and 929 ACS patients). Furthermore, we explored a predictive model using MALAT1 rs600231 and clinical variables to predict the risk of ACS. Finally, the relative expression of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) MALAT1 was also measured in 92 ACS patients and 92 controls using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results

The prevalence of the GG genotype of rs600231 in ACS group was higher than that in control group (15.7% vs. 14.7%, P=0.048). The dominant model differed (AG + GG vs. AA) and the G allele of rs600231 in ACS group was higher than that in control group (for dominant model: 66.2% vs. 60.9%, P=0.014; for allele: 41.0% vs. 37.8%, P=0.042). Multivariate logistic regression analysis and the predictive nomogram model showed that the dominant model of rs600231 remained an independent risk factor for ACS [odds ratio (OR) =1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-1.63, P=0.009]. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for the nomogram model for the prediction of ACS was 0.738 (95% CI: 0.716-0.761). In addition, in the AG and GG phenotypes, the relative expression of lncRNA MALAT1 was significantly higher in ACS patients than in controls with the same phenotypes (P<0.05). Among ACS group, compared to other genotype carriers, the relative expression level of MALAT1 in GG genotype carriers was higher (P<0.05).

Conclusions

The present study suggested that the AG and GG genotype of rs600231 in MALAT1 gene was independently associated with ACS, and could be a risk genetic marker of ACS in a Chinese population in Xinjiang.

Burden of Elevated Body Mass Index and Its Association With Non-Communicable Diseases in Patients Presenting to an Endocrinology Clinic

Introduction In the last 45 years, the worldwide rate of obesity has risen by nearly three-folds. Globally, 650 million adults are obese and more than 1.9 billion are overweight. The estimated prevalence of overweight and obesity in Pakistan was found to be 25% and obesity prevalence alone was 10.3% using the Asian-specific body mass index (BMI) criteria. According to the World Health Organization, overweight and obesity increase the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Objectives The aim of this retrospective observational study was to determine the burden of elevated BMI and its association with NCDs among patients presenting to a private endocrinology clinic. Study design This was a retrospective observational study conducted at Medicell Institute of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism (MIDEM), and the study duration was two years. Methodology Medical records of the patients who visited MIDEM from January 2017 to December 2018 were reviewed. Patients' data such as age (in years), gender, height (in cm), and weight (in kg), along with primary complaints and comorbidities were retrieved. BMI was calculated by dividing weight (in kg) by squared height (in m²). Results A total of 613 records were reviewed. The median age and BMI were 38 years (IQR=18 - 80 years) and 28.8 kg/m² (IQR=24.6-33.05 kg/m²),respectively. Out of 613 patients, 10.6% were overweight and 72.6% were obese. Among 510 (83.2%) patients with elevated BMI (≥23 kg/m²), the most frequent associated NCDs were dyslipidemia (39.2%), diabetes (32.5%), hypertension (31.4%), thyroid disorders (28.6%), metabolic syndrome (25%), subfertility (14.9%), impaired glucose tolerance (12.7%) and autoimmune diseases (6.9%). On age- and gender-adjusted logistic regression model, the risk of dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes was significantly higher in overweight and obese patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated a high prevalence of obesity in patients visiting the endocrinology clinic. Obesity was identified as an independent risk factor for dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Future studies are suggested to determine the burden of obesity and establish its association with NCDs in the general population.

Disparities in Obesity Prevalence in Iranian Adults: Cross-Sectional Study Using Data from the 2016 STEPS Survey

INTRODUCTION

This paper outlines the prevalence, disparities, and social determinants of preobesity and obesity in Iranian adults.

METHODS

Data on 28,321 adults who participated in the 2016 National Survey of the Risk Factors of Noncommunicable Diseases (STEPS) survey were analyzed. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated from physically measured height and weight. To assess the association between sociodemographic factors and the prevalence of preobesity and obesity, a χ2 test and a logistic regression model were used. Socioeconomic inequality was quantified by a concentration index. Disparities in provincial mean BMI and concentration indices were shown on the map of Iran using geographic information system analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 60.3% of the participants were affected by preobesity or obesity. The preobesity prevalence was 39% in men and 35.2% in women. The obesity prevalence was 15.6% in men and 30.4% in women. The mean BMI for the country was 26.5. Higher ranges were observed across the northwestern and central territories. Female individuals in the age group 48-57 years who were married and lived in urban settings had an increased risk of being preobese or obese. The concentration index revealed a prorich inequality, with a greater magnitude among women.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that policies aimed at reducing preobesity and obesity should remain a public health priority in Iran. However, a greater emphasis should be placed on the northwestern and central territories and on higher socioeconomic groups.

Effectiveness of a Program Based on Telehealth in Nutritional Knowledge and Body Mass Index in Peruvian University Teachers

BACKGROUND

University teachers, as agents of socialization, are one of the most influential groups in improving public health, and their nutritional knowledge can influence both the eating behavior of students and the family.

OBJECTIVE

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of a telehealth program on the level of nutritional knowledge and body mass index (BMI) of university teachers.

METHODS

A pre-experimental study was carried out from August to December 2020. A pretest and a posttest were applied. The number of teachers in the initial test was 88 and those included in the final evaluation, 83; and they were selected by nonprobability sampling for convenience. The telehealth-based program lasted 18 weeks and included basic information on nutrition and motivational messages. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were collected through a predesigned questionnaire before and after the educational program.

RESULTS

Posttest knowledge scores increased significantly from 6.40 ± 1.70 to 10.59 ± 1.18 (P < .001). In relation to time, significant variations are observed in weight measurements (P < .001), BMI (P < .001), and basic nutritional knowledge (P < .001) before and after the intervention program.

CONCLUSION

The telehealth-based intervention improved basic nutritional knowledge levels and BMI. Likewise, the current findings provide evidence on the importance and need to develop future nutritional education programs that comprehensively encompass all study plans for the benefit of the university community.

Obesity and Heath-Carter Somatotyping of 3438 Adults in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China by Multivariate Analysis

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the somatotype and obesity of adults in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China and to explore multivariate path analysis for the feasibility and scientificity of using somatotypes to evaluate obesity.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

According to anthropometric methods, a cross-sectional study was performed on 10 indexes of 3438 adults (1690 men and 1748 women, aged > 20 years) living in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China (including Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Xibe, Uzbek, Tatar and Tajik). The Heath-Carter anthropometric method and body mass index (BMI) were used to evaluate somatotype and obesity, respectively. The feasibility and scientificity of using somatotypes to evaluate obesity were analysed by correspondence analysis.

RESULTS

Among the six populations, the somatotypes were mainly distributed as endomorphic mesomorph, mesomorph-endomorph and mesomorphic endomorph populations, accounting for 66.5% of males and 78.8% of females. The obesity rate (27.4% in males, 27.8% in females) of the six populations in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China was much higher than the average Chinese adult obesity rate (12.1%) and the global adult obesity rate (male: 11%, female: 15%). The distribution of BMI was significantly different (male: P=0.000, female: P=0.033) in different populations, and the incidence of overweight and obesity in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China increased gradually. This study found that there were significant differences in somatotype distribution among different obesity groups in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China (P=0.000). There was a strong correlation between overweight or obesity and endomorph-mesomorph, endomorphic mesomorph and mesomorphic endomorph. Furthermore, this study indicated that using somatotypes to evaluate obesity was reliable and scientific.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that the somatotype of overweight or obese people was mainly related to endomorphic mesomorph, mesomorph-endomorph, and mesomorphic endomorph.