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Zaccagni L, Rinaldo N, Mazzoni G, Mandini S, Masotti S, Toselli S, De Luca F, Gualdi-Russo E. Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 Prevention Measures on Adolescent Growth in Italy. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2101. [PMID: 37510542 PMCID: PMC10379597 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11142101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 infection has caused increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. Several strategies have been adopted around the world to prevent its spread. Italy underwent a long lockdown for face-to-face educational activities, which were replaced with online classes. This longitudinal study aimed to analyze the effects of COVID-19 prevention measures on physical growth and body image perception in a sample of Italian adolescents who experienced the pandemic-induced lockdown in 2020. In particular, we wished to ascertain how lifestyle changes had affected their growth rates and health. Special attention was paid to increases in adiposity indicators (BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio) and weight caused by reduced physical activity, and consequent possible dissatisfaction with body image. We assessed the impact of school closures by comparing the annual growth rate and body image perception changes of adolescents (n = 60; age = 11.3 ± 0.4 years) who experienced this isolation with those in the following years who did not experience these restrictions (n = 68; age = 11.4 ± 0.3 years). As a consequence of the lockdown, our results indicate a greater annual growth rate in weight and other indices of adiposity (p < 0.05). As the virus is continuing to evolve and propagate, larger population studies can verify and confirm our findings. In promoting health policy to prevent the ongoing prevalence of obesity in adolescents, an accurate assessment of whether the increase in obesity rates during the pandemic is to be considered a temporary trend is highly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Zaccagni
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Center for Exercise Science and Sports, University of Ferrara, 44123 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Natascia Rinaldo
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Center for Exercise Science and Sports, University of Ferrara, 44123 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gianni Mazzoni
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Center for Exercise Science and Sports, University of Ferrara, 44123 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Simona Mandini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Center for Exercise Science and Sports, University of Ferrara, 44123 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabrina Masotti
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Center for Exercise Science and Sports, University of Ferrara, 44123 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefania Toselli
- Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Federica De Luca
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Emanuela Gualdi-Russo
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Bleyer A. Increasing Cancer in Adolescents and Young Adults: Cancer Types and Causation Implications. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2023; 12:285-296. [PMID: 37074337 DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2022.0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to identify cancer incidence trends in the United States and globally in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) 15-39 years of age, by sex, and to speculate on causes for trend changes. Methods: For the United States, SEER*Stat was used to obtain average annual percent change (AAPC) trends in cancer incidence during the period 2000-2019 among 395,163 AYAs. For global data, the source was the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation and its sociodemographic index (SDI) classification system. Results: In the United States, the invasive cancer incidence increased during the period 2000-2019 in both females (AAPC: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.90-1.20, p << 0.001) and males (AAPC: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.43-0.69, p << 0.001). A total of 25 and 20 types of cancers increased statistically significantly in female and male AYAs, respectively. Among potential causes for the increases, the obesity epidemic in the United States strongly correlates with the overall cancer increase in both its female (Pearson correlation coefficient R2 = 0.88, p = 0.0007) and male (R2 = 0.83, p = 0.003) AYAs, as does the most common malignancy in American AYAs, breast cancer (R2 = 0.83, p = 0.003). Worldwide, cancer incidence in the age group increased steadily during the period 2000-2019 among high-middle, middle, and low-middle SDI countries, but not in low SDI countries and with slowing of increase in high SDI countries. Conclusions: The increases and their age-dependent profiles implicate several causations that are preventable, including obesity, overdiagnosis, unnecessary diagnostic radiation, human papilloma virus infection, and cannabis avoidance. The United States is beginning to reverse the increasing incidence, and prevention efforts should be augmented accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archie Bleyer
- Pediatric & Young Adult Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Bend, Oregon, USA
- McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
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Mirza FG, Tahlak MA, Hazari K, Khamis AH, Atiomo W. Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome amongst Females Aged between 15 and 45 Years at a Major Women's Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5717. [PMID: 37174235 PMCID: PMC10178028 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Objective criteria have been scarce in published data on the occurrence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is crucial that we enhance our comprehension of PCOS prevalence in the UAE to inform key stakeholders about the disease's burden and enable comparisons with other nations. This research aimed to examine the PCOS prevalence at a large academic tertiary centre in Dubai, UAE, called Latifa Women and Children's Hospital. We performed a cross-sectional study by reviewing the electronic medical records of patients accessing care between 2017 and 2022 (5 years). By utilizing the international classification of diseases codes (ICD-10), we discovered a period prevalence of PCOS of 1.6% among 64,722 women aged between 15 and 45 years. It is worth noting that the estimated annual point prevalence rose from 1.19% in 2020 (at the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic) to 2.72% in 2022 (after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic). Therefore, the odds ratio of the risk of a PCOS diagnosis in 2022 compared to 2020 was 2.28. The majority of the women diagnosed with PCOS in this study had an ICD-10 code of E28.2. Women with PCOS were younger than the controls, less likely to be pregnant, and had a higher body mass index and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This is the most extensive research to date examining PCOS prevalence in the UAE, and it emphasizes the significance of this condition. It is crucial to prioritize PCOS to prevent morbidity and mortality from reproductive and long-term health consequences, including infertility, type 2 diabetes and endometrial cancer, which is presently the most frequent gynecological cancer in the UAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi G. Mirza
- Latifa Women and Children Hospital, Dubai P.O. Box 9115, United Arab Emirates; (F.G.M.); (M.A.T.); (K.H.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine, and Health Sciences, Building 14, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai P.O. Box 505055, United Arab Emirates;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Muna A. Tahlak
- Latifa Women and Children Hospital, Dubai P.O. Box 9115, United Arab Emirates; (F.G.M.); (M.A.T.); (K.H.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine, and Health Sciences, Building 14, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai P.O. Box 505055, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Komal Hazari
- Latifa Women and Children Hospital, Dubai P.O. Box 9115, United Arab Emirates; (F.G.M.); (M.A.T.); (K.H.)
| | - Amar Hassan Khamis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine, and Health Sciences, Building 14, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai P.O. Box 505055, United Arab Emirates;
| | - William Atiomo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine, and Health Sciences, Building 14, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai P.O. Box 505055, United Arab Emirates;
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