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Lobstein T, Jewell J. What is a "high" prevalence of obesity? Two rapid reviews and a proposed set of thresholds for classifying prevalence levels. Obes Rev 2022; 23:e13363. [PMID: 34585495 PMCID: PMC9285557 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Categories such as "low" and "high" have been used for several decades to describe the prevalence of stunting and wasting in populations of children aged under 5 years. They provide support for public health risk assessment and policy-making, including alerting health departments and aid agencies to national trends and local needs. In the light of the need for monitoring progress to meet globally agreed targets for overweight and obesity, the classification of their prevalence will be a valuable to aid in policy development, to target resources, and to promote public health interventions. This paper reviews the current use of categories to describe obesity prevalence in policy, advocacy, and research literature. Where prevalence categories have been formally proposed, this paper compares their application on large-scale datasets. The paper then develops a set of recommended threshold values to classify prevalence levels for overweight and obesity among children under age 5 years, children aged 5-19 years, and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Lobstein
- Policy Section, World Obesity Federation, London, UK.,The Boden Group, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jo Jewell
- Nutrition Section, UNICEF, New York, New York, USA
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The sociocultural mechanism of obesity: The influence of gender role attitudes on obesity and the gender gap. Soc Sci Med 2021; 293:114655. [PMID: 34942576 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114655] [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: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide, women are more likely to be obese than men, but research on the mechanism of the gender gap in obesity is relatively lacking. This article uses five rounds of Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) data from 2010 to 2017 to empirically test the impact of gender role attitudes on obesity and the gender gap and to explore the mechanism. The main results show that the traditional gender role attitude will improve the probability of obesity in women, but it will not positively impact obesity in men. Using the proportion of "March 8th red flag bearer" at the provincial level as an instrumental variable to alleviate the possible estimation errors caused by omitted variables, the results show that the lower the proportion of red flag bearers, the higher the probability of obesity of women, and still will not improve the probability of obesity of men. The robustness test based on the generalized propensity score method (GPSM) supports the above results. The mechanism analysis shows that economic status and market participation are two essential mechanisms of gender role attitudes and female obesity. Traditional gender role attitudes increase the risk of women's obesity by reducing their economic status and labour market participation.
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Harrison AN, Rocke KD, James Bateman C, Bateman A, Chang SM. Physical activity and disordered eating behaviours: Are Caribbean adolescents at risk? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 57:218-226. [PMID: 34398467 DOI: 10.1002/ijop.12802] [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: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Excessive physical activity (PA) has been linked to increased risk for disordered eating behaviours and eating disorders. This study investigates the relationship between PA and disordered eating behaviours and attitudes (DEBAs) among Jamaican adolescents. This cross-sectional study included 521 adolescents, 12-19 years. Anthropometric measurements were collected, and adolescents completed questionnaires on disordered eating behaviours (EAT-26), physical activity, self-esteem and affect. Associations were assessed using sex-specific mixed-effect linear and logistic regression models. Participants reported exercising an average of 3 days per week. Adolescents who exercised for a longer duration had greater odds of having elevated EAT-26 scores (at least 1 hour-OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.03, 4.06; p = .042), while a higher exercise frequency among males (3-5 days per week) was protective against DEBAs (OR 0.38; 95% CI = 0.16, 0.88; p = .025). Female adolescents reported higher prevalence of elevated EAT-26 scores than males (p < .01). Increased negative affect increased odds of an elevated EAT-26 score. Exercise duration and frequency play a role in disordered eating behaviours in Jamaican adolescents and vary by gender. Our findings have implications for weight management interventions and policies, encouraging healthcare providers to monitor PA levels as well as negative affect in adolescents who display disordered eating behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail N Harrison
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica
| | - Kern D Rocke
- The George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre, The University of the West Indies, Bridgetown, Barbados
| | - Caryl James Bateman
- Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica
| | - Andre Bateman
- Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University
| | - Susan M Chang
- Caribbean Institute for Health Research, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica
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Costa-Font J, Györi M. The weight of patriarchy? Gender obesity gaps in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Soc Sci Med 2020; 266:113353. [DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Brown CR, Hambleton IR, Hercules SM, Alvarado M, Unwin N, Murphy MM, Harris EN, Wilks R, MacLeish M, Sullivan L, Sobers-Grannum N. Social determinants of breast cancer in the Caribbean: a systematic review. Int J Equity Health 2017; 16:60. [PMID: 28381227 PMCID: PMC5382386 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-017-0540-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the Caribbean and accounts for >1 million disability adjusted life years. Little is known about the social inequalities of this disease in the Caribbean. In support of the Rio Political Declaration on addressing health inequities, this article presents a systematic review of evidence on the distribution, by social determinants, of breast cancer risk factors, frequency, and adverse outcomes in Caribbean women. METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE, SciELO, CINAHL, CUMED, LILACS, and IBECS were searched for observational studies reporting associations between social determinants and breast cancer risk factors, frequency, or outcomes. Based on the PROGRESS-plus checklist, we considered 8 social determinant groups for 14 breast cancer endpoints, which totalled to 189 possible ways ('relationship groups') to explore the role of social determinants on breast cancer. Studies with >50 participants conducted in Caribbean territories between 2004 and 2014 were eligible for inclusion. The review was conducted according to STROBE and PRISMA guidelines and results were planned as a narrative synthesis, with meta-analysis if possible. RESULTS Thirty-four articles were included from 5,190 screened citations. From these included studies, 75 inequality relationships were reported examining 30 distinct relationship groups, leaving 84% of relationship groups unexplored. Most inequality relationships were reported for risk factors, particularly alcohol and overweight/obesity which generally showed a positive relationship with indicators of lower socioeconomic position. Evidence for breast cancer frequency and outcomes was scarce. Unmarried women tended to have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with breast cancer when compared to married women. While no association was observed between breast cancer frequency and ethnicity, mortality from breast cancer was shown to be slightly higher among Asian-Indian compared to African-descent populations in Trinidad (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4) and Guyana (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0-1.6). CONCLUSION Study quantity, quality, and variability in outcomes and reporting limited the synthesis of evidence on the role of social determinants on breast cancer in the Caribbean. This report represents important current evidence on the region, and can guide future research priorities for better describing and understanding of Caribbean breast cancer inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nigel Unwin
- Chronic Disease Research Centre, Bridgetown, Barbados
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Lindo JLM, LaGrenade J, Eldemire-Shearer D. The Health of Office-Based Workers in Kingston, Jamaica. Workplace Health Saf 2016; 65:74-82. [PMID: 27903917 DOI: 10.1177/2165079916667735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The health status of Jamaican workers was evaluated as a baseline for workplace health promotion interventions. Socio-demographic, health status, and lifestyle data were collected from 1,087 employees. Blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels, and body mass index were measured for study participants. The most common illness reported by the study participants was migraine headaches (16.0%), followed by hypertension (13.5%) and asthma (6.1%). Based on blood pressure measurements, 34.1% were pre-hypertensive (120-139/80-89 mmHg), 13.1% had Stage 1 hypertension (140-159/90-99 mmHg), and 2.3% Stage 2 hypertension (≥160/≥100 mmHg). Furthermore, 33% were overweight, 16.7% were obese, and 10% were extremely obese. Most (55.1%) of the study participants reported excessive fast-food consumption in the last 7 days. The high rates of obesity, hypertension, and fast-food consumption reported in this study emphasized the need for focused health promotion strategies. Universality across institutions presented an excellent opportunity for national workplace health intervention programs.
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Malhotra R, Hoyo C, Østbye T, Hughes G, Schwartz D, Tsolekile L, Zulu J, Puoane T. Determinants of obesity in an urban township of South Africa. SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/16070658.2008.11734173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Cunningham-Myrie CA, Theall KP, Younger NO, Mabile EA, Tulloch-Reid MK, Francis DK, McFarlane SR, Gordon-Strachan GM, Wilks RJ. Associations between neighborhood effects and physical activity, obesity, and diabetes: The Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey 2008. J Clin Epidemiol 2015; 68:970-8. [PMID: 25910912 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2014.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2012] [Revised: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of neighborhood disorder, perceived neighborhood safety, and availability of recreational facilities on prevalence of physical activity (PA), obesity, and diabetes mellitus (DM). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Multilevel analyses were conducted among 2,848 respondents from the 2007-08 Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey. Neighborhood effects were based on aggregated interviewer responses to systematic social observation questions. Mixed-effect logistic regression models were created to assess the relationship between neighborhood indicators and DM and the modifiable risk factors PA and overweight/obesity. RESULTS There was significant clustering in PA levels of 20 minutes at least once per week (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 10.7%), low/no PA (ICC = 7.22%), diabetes (ICC = 5.44%), and obesity (ICC = 3.33%) across neighborhoods. Greater levels of neighborhood disorder, home disorder, and counterintuitively recreational space availability were associated with higher levels of low/no PA among women. There was significant interaction by sex between neighborhood infrastructure and overweight/obesity with a significant association in men (odds ratio [OR] = 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05, 1.28) but not women (OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 0.95, 1.07). CONCLUSION Differences in PA and obesity-related outcomes among Jamaicans may be partially explained by characteristics of the neighborhood environment and differ by sex. Future studies must be conducted to determine the mechanistic pathways through which the neighborhood environment may impact such outcomes to better inform prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colette Andrea Cunningham-Myrie
- Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica; Tropical Medicine Research Institute, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica.
| | - Katherine P Theall
- Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Novie O Younger
- Tropical Medicine Research Institute, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Emily A Mabile
- Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Marshall K Tulloch-Reid
- Tropical Medicine Research Institute, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Damian K Francis
- Tropical Medicine Research Institute, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Shelly R McFarlane
- Tropical Medicine Research Institute, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica
| | | | - Rainford J Wilks
- Tropical Medicine Research Institute, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica
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Cohen AK, Rai M, Rehkopf DH, Abrams B. Educational attainment and obesity: a systematic review. Obes Rev 2013; 14:989-1005. [PMID: 23889851 PMCID: PMC3902051 DOI: 10.1111/obr.12062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Revised: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Although previous systematic reviews considered the relationship between socioeconomic status and obesity, almost 200 peer-reviewed articles have been published since the last review on that topic, and this paper focuses specifically on education, which has different implications. The authors systematically review the peer-reviewed literature from around the world considering the association between educational attainment and obesity. Databases from public health and medicine, education, psychology, economics, and other social sciences were searched, and articles published in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish were included. This paper includes 289 articles that report on 410 populations in 91 countries. The relationship between educational attainment and obesity was modified by both gender and the country's economic development level: an inverse association was more common in studies of higher-income countries and a positive association was more common in lower-income countries, with stronger social patterning among women. Relatively few studies reported on lower-income countries, controlled for a comprehensive set of potential confounding variables and/or attempted to assess causality through the use of quasi-experimental designs. Future research should address these gaps to understand if the relationship between educational attainment and obesity may be causal, thus supporting education policy as a tool for obesity prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Cohen
- Division of Epidemiology, University of California Berkeley School of Public Health, Berkeley, California, USA
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Barrett SC, Huffman FG, Johnson P, Campa A, Magnus M, Ragoobirsingh D. A cross-sectional study of Jamaican adolescents' risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. BMJ Open 2013; 3:e002817. [PMID: 23847264 PMCID: PMC3710979 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare obese versus non-obese Jamaican adolescents' risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs); and to explore a suitable and economical method of screening for these risk factors in the school settings. DESIGN A descriptive cross-sectional study of adolescents' risk for T2D and CVD. All the participants were examined at their respective schools. SETTING Jamaica, West Indies. POPULATION 276 Jamaican adolescents aged 14-19 years, randomly selected from grades 9 to 12 from 10 high schools on the island and included both boys and girls. All ethnicities on the island were represented. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES High fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, family history of obesity, T2D and CVDs, low physical activity, and presence of Acanthosis Nigricans. All blood measures were analysed using the finger prick procedure. RESULTS Waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, Acanthosis Nigricans, total cholesterol, family history of T2D and blood pressure were the strongest predictors of BMI (p=0.001). Over one-third of the participants were overweight. Jamaican adolescent females had a significantly higher number of risk factors and were less physically active than males (p<0.05). Over 80% of participants reported ≥3 risk factors for T2D and CVD. Participants with BMI ≥25 reported five or more risk factors. One-third of the overweight participants were classified with metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Jamaican adolescents are at risk of T2D and CVD. Family history of disease and anthropometric measures identified more participants at risk than did the blood measures. Jamaican adolescent females reported more risk factors for T2D and CVD as compared to males. Collection of this type of data was feasible within the school settings. All data were collected in 1 day per school. Intervention measures are needed to educate Jamaican adolescents to reduce overweight and subsequently the risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila C Barrett
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition and Hospitality Administration, School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, USA
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Abstract
There is a global obesity pandemic. However, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among men and women varies greatly within and between countries, and overall, more women are obese than men. These gender disparities in overweight and obesity are exacerbated among women in developing countries, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. Yet, in developed countries, more men are overweight than women. Current knowledge suggests that myriad sociocultural dynamics throughout the world exacerbate gender disparities in excess weight gain. Different contextual factors drive gender differences in food consumption, and women often report consuming healthier foods, yet may consume more sugar-laden foods, than men. Acculturation, through complex sociocultural pathways, affects weight gain among both men and women. The nutrition transition taking place in many developing countries has also affected excess weight gain among both genders, but has had an even greater impact on the physical activity levels of women. Furthermore, in some countries, cultural values favor larger body size among women or men as a sign of fertility, healthfulness, or prosperity. As the global obesity pandemic continues, more research on gender disparities in overweight and obesity will improve the understanding of this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Kanter
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Human Nutrition, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Benjamin Caballero
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Human Nutrition, Baltimore, MD, and
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Food concern and its associations with obesity and diabetes among lower-income New Yorkers. Public Health Nutr 2011; 15:39-47. [PMID: 21810285 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980011001674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine food concern (FC) and its associations with obesity and diabetes in a racially diverse, urban population. DESIGN Cross-sectional population-based survey. SETTING Five boroughs of New York City. SUBJECTS Lower-income adults (n 5981) in the 2004 New York City Community Health Survey. RESULTS The overall prevalence of obesity was 24 % and was higher among FC than non-FC white men and women, black women, US- and foreign-born whites and foreign-born blacks. In multivariable analysis, FC was marginally associated with obesity (OR = 1·18, 95 % CI 0·98, 1·42) among all lower-income New Yorkers, after controlling for socio-economic factors. The association of FC and obesity varied by race/ethnicity, with FC being positively associated with obesity only among white New Yorkers. FC whites had 80 % higher odds of obesity than whites without FC (OR = 1·80; 95 % CI 1·21, 2·68), with a model-adjusted obesity prevalence of 20 % among non-FC whites v. 31 % among FC whites. FC was not associated with diabetes after controlling for obesity and socio-economic factors. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher among FC whites and certain subgroups of blacks. FC was positively associated with obesity risk among lower-income white New Yorkers. Programmes designed to alleviate FC and poverty should promote the purchase and consumption of nutritious, lower-energy foods to help address the burden of obesity in lower-income urban populations.
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Gaskin PS, Broome H, Alert C, Fraser H. Misperceptions, inactivity and maternal factors may drive obesity
among Barbadian adolescents. Public Health Nutr 2008; 11:41-8. [PMID: 17572934 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980007000195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjectivesTo describe (1) the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their
association with physical activity; (2) the effect of different cut-off
points for body mass index (BMI) on weight status categorisation; and (3)
associations of weight status with perceptions of body size, health and diet
quality.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingSecondary schools in Barbados.SubjectsA cohort of 400 schoolchildren, 11–16 years old, selected to study
physical education practices.ResultsPrevalence of overweight (15% boys; 17% girls) and obesity (7% boys; 12%
girls) was high. Maternal obesity, as defined by the International Obesity
Task Force (IOTF) BMI cut-off points, predicted weight status such that
reporting an obese mother increased the odds of being overweight by 5.25
(95% confidence interval: 2.44, 11.31). Physical activity was inversely
associated with weight status; however levels were low. Recreational
physical activity was not associated with weight status in either category.
Overweight subjects tended to misclassify themselves as normal weight and
those who misclassified perceived themselves to be of similar health status
to normal-weight subjects. The National Center for Health Statistics and
IOTF BMI cut-off points produced different estimates of overweight and
obesity.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that inadequate physical activity and ignorance related
to food and appropriate body size are promoting high levels of adiposity
with a strong contribution from maternal obesity, which may be explained by
perinatal and other intergenerational effects acting on both sexes.
Prevalence studies and local proxy tools for adiposity assessment are
needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela S Gaskin
- University of the West Indies, School of Clinical Medicine and Research, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bridgetown, Barbados.
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Tanumihardjo SA, Anderson C, Kaufer-Horwitz M, Bode L, Emenaker NJ, Haqq AM, Satia JA, Silver HJ, Stadler DD. Poverty, obesity, and malnutrition: an international perspective recognizing the paradox. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 107:1966-72. [PMID: 17964317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jada.2007.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In the year 2000, multiple global health agencies and stakeholders convened and established eight tenets that, if followed, would make our world a vastly better place. These tenets are called the Millennium Development Goals. Most of these goals are either directly or indirectly related to nutrition. The United Nations has led an evaluation team to monitor and assess the progress toward achieving these goals until 2015. We are midway between when the goals were set and the year 2015. The first goal is to "eradicate extreme poverty and hunger." Our greatest responsibility as nutrition professionals is to understand the ramifications of poverty, chronic hunger, and food insecurity. Food insecurity is complex, and the paradox is that not only can it lead to undernutrition and recurring hunger, but also to overnutrition, which can lead to overweight and obesity. It is estimated that by the year 2015 noncommunicable diseases associated with overnutrition will surpass undernutrition as the leading causes of death in low-income communities. Therefore, we need to take heed of the double burden of malnutrition caused by poverty, hunger, and food insecurity. Informing current practitioners, educators, and policymakers and passing this information on to future generations of nutrition students is of paramount importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherry A Tanumihardjo
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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Komiya H, Mori Y, Yokose T, Tajima N. Smoking as a risk factor for visceral fat accumulation in Japanese men. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2006; 208:123-32. [PMID: 16434835 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.208.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological and clinical studies on the lifestyle-related obesity have identified smoking, physical activity and alcohol intake as risk factors for obesity. However, no consensus has yet been reached on the effect of smoking on visceral adiposity. This study was designed to assess whether smoking is associated with the accumulation of visceral fat, glucose and lipid metabolism. The subjects were 450 males aged from 24 to 68 years old, who were examined at the health control center in the regular health check conducted by their company. A self-administered questionnaire was used to ascertain smoking status, daily physical activity and alcohol drinking. The number of Brinkman index as an index for smoking status was positively related to being visceral fat area (VFA). In smokers whose Brinkman index was higher, the percent of subjects with abnormal body mass index, VFA, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, atherosclerotic index, plasma glucose, immunoreactive insulin, or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was higher than that in non-smokers. When evaluated in terms of age-adjusted odds ratios for incidence of a VFA of 100 cm(2) or greater, alcohol drinking was associated with the highest odds ratio. Smoking, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol drinking were associated with visceral adiposity, and smoking affected glucose and lipid metabolism. In conclusions, these findings suggest that smoking is a risk factor for visceral fat accumulation and deterioration of glucose and lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Komiya
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Utsunomiya University, Japan.
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