Physical activity, but not dietary intake, attenuates the effect of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism on obesity and metabolic syndrome in Lithuanian adult population

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the associations between the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene rs9939609 variant with obesity and metabolic syndrome and interactions between FTO alleles, dietary intake and physical activity in Lithuanian adult population.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A health survey was carried out in randomly selected municipalities of Lithuania. The random sample was obtained from the lists of 25-64 year-old inhabitants. The data from 1020 individuals were analyzed. The single-nucleotide polymorphism, rs9939609, in the FTO gene was assessed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. 24-hour recall was used for evaluation of dietary habits. Information on physical activity at work, traveling to and from work and at leisure time was gathered by a standard questionnaire.

RESULTS

The carriers of the AA genotype had the highest mean values of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). They had 1.72 time higher odds of obesity (P = 0.009) and 1.67 time higher odds of increased WC (P = 0.013) than those with the TT genotype. Carriers of the T allele had lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared to carriers of the AA genotype (33.8% and 42.5% respectively; P = 0.018). No interaction between the rs9939609 variant and energy or dietary intakes on weight status was found. Significant effect of the interactions 'genotype×age' and 'genotype×physical activity' on BMI was demonstrated. The FTO rs9939609 polymorphism was associated with anthropometric parameters and metabolic syndrome in the younger age group (25-44 years) and in individuals having low level of physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Age and physical activity modulated the effect of the FTO polymorphism on weight status and metabolic syndrome in Lithuanian adult population.

Effect of nationwide tobacco control policies on smoking cessation in high and low educated groups in 18 European countries

BACKGROUND

Recently a scale was introduced to quantify the implementation of tobacco control policies at country level. Our study used this scale to examine the potential impact of these policies on quit ratios in European countries. Special attention was given to smoking cessation among lower educational groups.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data were derived from national health surveys from 18 European countries. In the analyses we distinguished between country, sex, two age groups (25-39 and 40-59 years) and educational level. Age-standardised quit ratios were calculated as total former-smokers divided by total ever-smokers. In regression analyses we explored the correlation between national quit ratios and the national score on the Tobacco Control Scale (TCS).

RESULTS

Quit ratios were especially high (>45%) in Sweden, England, The Netherlands, Belgium and France and relatively low (<30%) in Lithuania and Latvia. Higher educated smokers were more likely to have quit smoking than lower educated smokers in all age-sex groups in all countries. National score on the tobacco control scale was positively associated with quit ratios in all age-sex groups. The association of quit ratios with score on TCS did not show consistent differences between high and low education. Of all tobacco control policies of which the TCS is constructed, price policies showed the strongest association with quit ratios, followed by an advertising ban.

CONCLUSION

Countries with more developed tobacco control policies have higher quit ratios than countries with less developed tobacco control policies. High and low educated smokers benefit about equally from the nationwide tobacco control policies.

Smoking and passive smoking in Estonia, Lithuania and Finland. Identifying target groups of tobacco policy

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to identify population groups which are the most crucial as targets for anti-tobacco action.

METHODS

A comparison was made of the prevalence and patterns of smoking and passive smoking in Estonia, Finland and Lithuania.

RESULTS

Total exposure to smoking, both one's own and passive smoking, was more common in two Baltic countries than in Finland. In these Baltic countries passive smoking was notably common among women. In all countries the exposure was more prevalent among the younger and less educated, but no difference emerged between urban and rural areas.

CONCLUSIONS

The following target groups were identified as priorities for anti-tobacco actions: i) men of all ages in Estonia and Lithuania to stop their already established tobacco use, ii) young women in all three countries to prevent their starting a career of tobacco use and iii) young and less educated women in Estonia and Lithuania to prevent passive smoking, i.e. their exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

The relationship of childhood to adult blood pressure: longitudinal study of juvenile hypertension in Lithuania

OBJECTIVE

To assess changes in blood pressure from childhood to adulthood and the ability to predict adult blood pressure.

DESIGN

Longitudinal study of a cohort of children with baseline data and a follow-up survey after 20 years.

SETTING

Epidemiological survey of schoolchildren and subsequent inhabitants of Kaunas, a town in Lithuania.

PARTICIPANTS

The children came from 15 schools and accounted for 25% of all 12- and 13-year-old children born in 1964 in Kaunas. The first survey (n = 1082) was carried out in 1977. The same population was re-examined in 1997 (n = 505). Data from 217 men and 288 women, who participated in both the first and the most recent surveys, is presented.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure at the age of 32-33 years.

RESULTS

In the 20 years between the two surveys blood pressure increased more in men than in women. Statistically significant correlation between childhood and adult blood pressure levels was estimated (for systolic blood pressure r=0.40 in men and r=0.24 in women; for diastolic blood pressure r=0.14 in men and r=0.34 in women). Stepwise regression analysis of the data showed that the best predictors of adult blood pressure were the initial childhood blood pressure levels and change in BMI during the 20-year period for both men and women. Other factors were less predictive.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood blood pressure is related to adult levels and, together with changes in body mass index, is a significant predictor of adult blood pressure.