Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Lebanon”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Thoracic battle injuries in the Lebanon War: review of the early operative approach in 1,992 patients.

The effectiveness of aggressive resuscitation and early surgical intervention is evaluated in 1,992 casualties with thoracic battle wounds in Lebanon. The mechanism of injury was mainly high-velocity missiles and shelling in city battles. Ninety-seven percent of the wounds were penetrating. The mean age of the wounded was 20 years and the average transport, 4.2 km (3 miles). Logistics and newly equipped thoracic centers aided uniform therapy. For decompensating patients or those in critical condition, initial shock was treated with rapid volume expansion, cardiopulmonary support, and urgent thoracotomy. Thoracotomy was required in 1,422 casualties (71%) and definitive tube thoracostomy in 29%. Three hundred ten patients had pulmonary resections: 36 pneumonectomies, 112 lobectomies, and 162 segmental resections. In 627 patients following primary thoracotomy survival was 98.4%. For 456 casualties with additional systemic procedures, survival was 96.9%. For 285 casualties with cardiac injuries, a significant 14% incidence, overall survival was 73%. Survival was best for those with pericardial and coronary vessel wounds and dropped to 46% for those with left ventricular injuries. Survival was 87% among 54 patients with great vessel wounds. Life salvage in 726 (36%) patients was documented to result from early open procedures. Other benefits of this approach are presented in this broad-based study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Accurate anatomical location of war injuries: analysis of the Lebanon war fatal casualties and the proposition of new principles for the design of military personal armour system.

In this study we present a new approach to the design of the military personal armour system (MPAS). This approach is based on a computerized analysis of the exact anatomical location of 405 penetrating war injuries (290 shrapnel and 115 bullet injuries) in 164 soldiers killed in the Lebanon war. All the penetrating injuries (hits) were plotted on a computerized image of the human body. About 90 per cent of all hits were to the front of the body; 55 per cent of all hits were to the left side. About 45 per cent of all hits were to the torso, which is slightly more than the torso's proportion of total body-surface area (36 per cent). Of all hits to the torso, 64 per cent of the shrapnel hits and 73.3 per cent of the bullet hits were limited to the front mid torso (T4 to T9). The head at the level of the helmet received 9 per cent of all hits, most of which were over the frontal bones (72.4 per cent). The body part with the greatest density of penetrating injuries was the face, with 22.2 per cent of all penetrating wounds, and in particular the mid face, from the level of the lips to the level of the zygomatic bones, was especially vulnerable, sustaining 10 per cent of all the penetrating wounds. These findings suggest several possible modifications in the standard MPAS: an additional protective device over the front mid torso may be incorporated; the face may be protected by a transparent and lightweight face-shield; a horizontal margin added to the standard helmet may protect the upper face from missiles from above; a chin cover may protect the lower face.

Blast Injuries↗
PubMed1986

Skin sensitization to mycobacteria amongst school children prior to a study of BCG vaccination in North Lebanon.

1888 school children aged between 7 and 17 years, living in 13 villages in two districts of North Lebanon, were skin tested with four new tuberculins as the initial step in a study of BCG vaccination. The great majority of children were tested with Tuberculin, Leprosin A, Vaccin and Scrofulin. In comparison with other countries where similar studies have been carried out, extremely low levels of sensitization were discovered, indicating very little contact with mycobacteria. There was, however, a statistically significant increase in positivity with increasing age. The results obtained for the villages of each district were significantly different from each other, positivity being greatest in Akkar district for each reagent. The eight villages of Zgharta district could be separated into a lowland group of four villages, a mountain group of three villages and one anomalous mountain village. There was significantly more positivity in the lowland than in the mountain villages. In Akkar district, where leprosy has a low prevalence, positivity to Leprosin A was 8% amongst the children (leaving out an anomalous village). In Zgharta district where the disease does not occur, positivity was 3.4% to Leprosin A for the lowland villages and 0.9% for the group of 3 mountain villages. The two anomalous villages were the only ones in which tuberculosis cases were known to have occurred recently, and they were the only two villages in which Tuberculin positivity exceeded 10%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Two potential improvements to BCG and their effect on skin test reactivity in the Lebanon.

An account of an ongoing project to assess the possible benefits of two additives to BCG vaccine is presented. These additives are suspensions of irradiation killed Mycobacterium vaccae in one case, and M. leprae in the other. Groups of children aged 7-17 living in Zgharta and Akkar districts of North Lebanon have received vaccination with BCG alone or with either of the two additives since 1980. This region was chosen since contact with environmental mycobacteria is small, but both leprosy and tuberculosis occur there. So far the effects of the additives have been assessed by annual skin testing of volunteers with Tuberculin, Leprosin A, Vaccin and Scrofulin, and by measuring the size of the vaccine scars. Some children have now been followed up on four occasions, and special attention is paid to them. No complications have been encountered in the 1740 children who have entered the study (by our observation, or by local report on those who have not attended for follow-up) and the mean scar sizes after vaccines with the additives are no larger than those after BCG alone. There is no evidence that the additives have prevented development of Tuberculin positivity after vaccination, or have changed the nature of reaction to it. Incorporation of M. leprae significantly increased Leprosin A positivity and both additives increased Vaccin positivity in comparison with the effects of BCG alone. The results are fitted to a model of the theoretical expectations of the study and may be beginning to show the advantages expected of the additives. The only unexpected finding was a reduction in Scrofulin positivity especially associated with the additives. The very low contact with environmental mycobacteria experienced in the study area has allowed the pattern of post-vaccination decay of skin test positivity to be studied with greater precision than has been reported before, and differences have been detected between the two districts where the study was conducted. Confirmation of the possible advantage of the additives will rest with data to be obtained in longer term follow-ups and in studies being carried out in other countries.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed2003

Evidence of neurotoxicity in working children in Lebanon.

The potential for exposure to neurotoxicants in Lebanon is high, especially in the absence of strict control and regulatory measures in workplaces. Children working in mechanical and other trade workshops are at significant risk of exposure to organic solvents and as a result at significant risk to develop clinical and subclinical signs of neurotoxicity. This study investigated the association between exposure to solvents and neurobehavioral performance of 10-17 years old working children in comparison to groups of non-exposed working children and non-exposed children at school. A convenience cross-sectional sample of 100 working children (10-17 years) exposed to organic solvents at work, a positive control of 100 non-solvent exposed working children, and a negative control of 100 non-working, non-exposed school children were recruited to the study. The exposed and non-exposed groups were, as far as possible, frequency matched on geographic location of residence and on age. Neurotoxic effects were assessed through a questionnaire and the child's performance on a battery of neurobehavioral tests, which were specifically selected for a non-English speaking population and were tailored to assess the specific modalities of the central nervous system commonly known to be affected by the neurotoxicants identified. Children in the non-exposed groups (working and non-working) performed better than the working exposed group on reaction speed for the choice reaction time, symbol-digit and dual task tracking tests, but accuracy of performance was not affected on these tests. Children in the working exposed group also complained of more headaches, loss of concentration, memory deficits and higher irritability. This study identifies an association between exposure to solvents and lower neurobehavioral performance. Response speed appears to be particularly affected in solvent exposed working children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Infective endocarditis at a tertiary care centre in Lebanon: predominance of streptococcal infection.

OBJECTIVES: Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Many epidemiological studies have been reported worldwide; however, data from the Middle East is scarce. Most studies have recently shown a trend towards increasing incidence of Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis and decreasing prevalence of rheumatic heart disease as a predisposing condition. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all recorded cases of IE in adult patients admitted between 1986 and 2001 to the American University of Beirut-Medical Centre. RESULTS: The total number of cases was 91. The mean age was 48 years. Fifty-nine percent of patients had a predisposing cardiac condition, rheumatic heart disease being the most common (33%). Blood cultures were positive in 77.5% of the cases: the most commonly isolated organisms were Streptococcus spp. (51%; of which 57% were viridans streptococci.) and Staphylococcus spp. (36%; of which 72% were S. aureus and 28% were coagulase-negative staphylococci). Transoesophageal echocardiography was performed in 36 patients (40%), of which 32 (89%) showed positive findings. When applying the revised Duke criteria, 82% of the patients were classified as definite and 16.5% as possible endocarditis. Surgery was performed in 32% of cases mostly for valvular regurgitation, followed by heart failure. The complication rate was 69% with congestive heart failure, drug-related toxicities, new valvular regurgitation and systemic embolisation being the most common. The in-hospital mortality rate was 18%. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike data reported from the United States and northern Europe, this study confirms that in Lebanon, a developing country, we continue to have a predominance of streptococci as aetiologic agents in IE, and rheumatic heart disease as the most common underlying heart condition. Application of the revised Duke criteria was useful in confirming the diagnosis of IE.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1987

Delta hepatitis in Lebanon. Prevalence studies and a report on six siblings with chronic delta-positive active hepatitis.

The prevalence of delta infection in Lebanon is reported for the first time. Delta antigen and antibody were screened for in serum of 43 patients consecutively seen in hospital, 22 with acute hepatitis B (anti-HBc IgM-positive), and 21 with histological evidence of chronic active hepatitis, 6 of whom were brothers in a sibship of eleven. Twenty asymptomatic HBsAg carriers without clinical or biochemical evidence of liver disease were similarly studied. None of the asymptomatic carriers or acute hepatitis B patients had markers of delta infection. In contrast, delta antibody in high titre (greater than 1:5000) was found in 12 (57%) of the patients with chronic active hepatitis, including all six brothers. Five sisters in the sibship were anti-HBs-positive without evidence of liver disease, suggesting a horizontal mode of transmission of the delta virus, as a superinfection on a hepatitis B carrier state. Excluding the sibship, delta infection was present in 6 of 15 (40%) chronic active hepatitis patients. This prevalence is similar to other Middle Eastern countries. Delta infection was associated with severe liver disease.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

[Epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy in Lebanon].

AIMS: To assess the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, evaluate risk factors underlying its development, and assess the epidemiological characteristics of documented diabetes in the Lebanese population. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The population-based study was conducted in three regions in Lebanon from January 2nd 2000 until June 30th 2000. The study group comprised 112 known diabetic patients who had previously been identified among 4,063 randomly selected individuals. All known diabetic patients underwent an interview, a physical examination, and a thorough retinal examination that included evaluation for the absence or presence of diabetic retinopathy. Retinal examination was performed by an ophthalmologist using direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy through dilated pupils. Several risk factors were then evaluated in order to delineate those related to occurrence of diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: The prevalence of known diabetes was 2.95%. Of the 120 known diabetic patients, 112 accepted to be examined. The sex ratio (m:f) was 1.43, the mean patient age was 60.98 years, the mean age at onset of diabetes was 51.75 years, and the mean duration of diabetes was 9.19 years. Type 1 diabetes was found in 1.8% of the patients, whereas 98.2% had type 2 diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy was detected in 19 patients (16.96%). Duration of diabetes, frequency of fundoscopic surveillance, and altered vision were found to be significantly related to the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSION: In our study, diabetic retinopathy was found in 16.96% of known diabetic patients, a lower rate than in most of other countries. Most of the diabetic patients (84.82%) were aware that diabetes causes ocular disease, yet only a few (17.85%) were under regular fundoscopic surveillance.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

[Antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus at north Lebanon: place of the methicillin resistance and comparison of detection methods].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of 100 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from the laboratory of Microbiology of the Islami Hospital of Tripoli (Lebanon) to 19 antibiotics, and to determine the prevalence of methicillin resistant strains. 30% of strains studied were methicillin resistant, 96% were resistant to the penicillin G. Clavulanic acid restaurated the amoxicillin activity to 29%. The resistance level was 34% for amikacin, 3% for gentamycin and tobramycin, 10% for chloramphenicol, 44.33% for tetracyclin, 7% for erythromycin, 4.04% for clindamycin, 20% for trimethoprim-sulfametoxasol and 0% for vancomycin and teicoplanin. The methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus possess more important resistant level in comparison with the methicillin sensitive strains. We compared the ability of latex agglutination test (Slidex(R) SARM, bioMérieux, France) to detect the production of penicillin-binding protein 2' (PBP 2') in 100 clinical isolates of S. aureus with two reference methods: the oxacillin disk diffusion test and the MIC determination by the E-test (AB BIODISK, Sweden). The two reference methods give the same results for the detection of methicillin resistant S. aureus. The Slidex test was positive for all 30 isolates determined to be methicillin resistant by the reference methods (sensitivity 100%). The latex test was negative for 42 of 70 isolates determined to be methicillin susceptible by the reference methods, and the latex test was positive for 28 isolates determined to be susceptible (specificity 60%).

Drug Resistance, Bacterial↗
PubMed2001

Antimicrobial resistance of Enterococci in Lebanon.

There is little information on the types of Enterococcus spp and their antibiotic resistance patterns in Lebanon. One hundred and fifty-three consecutive clinical enterococcal isolates collected between 1998 and 1999 were tested against 11 antimicrobial agents using disk diffusion and the Etest. The isolates were identified by conventional methods and API-Strep and were found to consist of Enterococcus faecalis (72.5%), Enterococcus faecium (22.9%), Enterococcus avium (3.2%) and Enterococcus gallinarum (1.3%). The percent of resistant strains of E. faecalis and E. faecium respectively were, ampicillin 0.9 and 14%, erythromycin 59% and 40%, tetracycline 72% and 34%, chloramphenicol 32 and 11%, rifampin 36% and 57%, ciprofloxacin, 23% and 34%, norfloxacin 22 and 8%. High level aminoglycoside (HLA) resistance was found in 19% E. faecalis and 9% E. faecium for gentamicin and 36% and 26% for streptomycin. Excellent correlation was observed between the high level disk tests and the Etest in the detection of HLA resistance but not with the regular disks. None of the isolates showed resistance to vancomycin or teicoplanin except for one E. gallinarum isolate which showed intermediate resistance (MIC 16 mg/l) to vancomycin. These variable antimicrobial rates of resistance suggest a surveillance programme for antimicrobial resistance in this country would be helpful to help control infection, guide empirical antibiotic therapy and implement a policy of antibiotic usage.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed2002

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori resistance to metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxycillin and tetracycline in Lebanon.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance amongst Helicobacter pylori isolates cultured from gastric biopsies taken during routine endoscopies at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Lebanon. Fifty-four consecutively recovered H. pylori isolates were tested against metronidazole, clarithromycin, tetracycline and amoxycillin using the epsilometer test. Resistance to metronidazole (MIC > 8 mg/l) was found in 29.5% of the isolates while resistance to clarithromycin (MIC > or =0.25 mg/l) and tetracycline (MIC > or =4 mg/l) was low (4 and 2%, respectively). All isolates were susceptible to amoxycillin (MIC < or =8 mg/l). These findings are comparable with those reported from Europe and the United States. The prevalence of metronidazole resistance in our study was lower than that from other parts of the Middle East and the developing world.

Amoxicillin↗
PubMed1999

Drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in the Lebanon: implications for presumptive therapy.

A total of 50 consecutive clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, collected between 1996 and 1998, were tested against six antimicrobial agents using the E-test. The percentages of fully resistant (R) and intermediately-R strains, respectively, were: benzyl penicillin 18 and 38%, amoxycillin-clavulanate 6 and 12%, cefuroxime 22 and 16%, ceftriaxone 2 and 16%, and clarithromycin 10%. Fully and or intermediately multidrug-resistance (two or more drugs) was seen in 44% of the isolates, 18% being fully resistant. The MIC breakpoint for cefaclor is not defined by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) but MICs showed that: 76% of the isolates had an MIC of < or = 8 mg/l, 4% had an MIC of 16 mg/l and 20% had an MIC of > or = 32 mg/l. There was agreement between the E-test Pen MIC results and the 1 microg oxacillin (oxa) disk diffusion screen test for the 22 susceptible and the nine fully R strains but not for the 19 strains with Pen MICs between 0.1 and 1 mg/l; this shows the importance of MIC determination in such isolates. Penicillin and multiply antibiotic-resistant pneumococci are spreading in Lebanon, emphasizing the necessity to reconsider current treatment regimens in this country.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2005

Women's perceptions of reproductive health in three communities around Beirut, Lebanon.

The aim of this study was to elicit definitions of the concept of reproductive health among women in three communities around Beirut, Lebanon, as part of the reproductive health component of a larger Urban Health Study. The communities were characterised by poverty, rural-urban mobility and heterogeneous refugee and migrant populations. A random sample of 1,869 women of reproductive age completed a questionnaire, of whom a sub-sample of 201 women were randomly selected. The women's understanding of good reproductive health included three major themes, which were expressed differently in the three communities. Their understanding included good physical and mental health, and underscored the need for activities promoting health. Their ability to reproduce and raise children, practise family planning and birth spacing, and go through pregnancy and motherhood safely were central to their reproductive duties and their social status. Finally, they saw reproductive health within the context of economic status, good marital relations and strength to cope with their lives. These findings point to the need to situate interventions in the life course of women, their health and that of their husbands and families; the importance of reproduction not only from a health services point of view, but also as regards women's roles and responsibilities within marriage and their families; and taking account of the harsh socio-economic conditions in their communities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

An outbreak of Trichinella spiralis infection in southern Lebanon.

An outbreak of trichinosis occurred during January 1995 in a south Lebanese village with a population of 800-1000 persons. The estimated number of persons treated for a Trichinella-like illness was 200. Sixty-three persons sought medical attention at a local infirmary: 44 of them were diagnosed as having trichinosis or suspected trichinosis according to their clinical symptoms, signs and laboratory tests. An environmental investigation indicated that the source of infection was pork obtained from a single butcher in the village and consumed uncooked, as an ingredient of 'kubeniye' (a local dish), during Christmas and New Year's meals. Sera of patients, suspected patients, and asymptomatic controls were tested for the presence of anti-Trichinella antibodies. Eight (89%) of the 9 tested patients were positive, 1 (11%) was negative. Among the 7 suspected patients, 2 (28.5%) were positive, 3 (42.9%) had equivocal results, and 2 (28.5%) were negative. Among the 20 asymptomatic persons, 3 (15%) were positive, 12 (60%) negative and 5 (25%) had equivocal results. Specimens from the implicated pork meat were examined by microscopy and were found to contain encysted larvae of Trichinella spiralis. This outbreak of trichinosis is one of the largest reported. Previous outbreaks in Lebanon occurred under very similar circumstances, indicating a need to control and prevent the trading of pork meat that is not under veterinary control, and to increase the awareness of the population for this problem.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Identification of allergens in a selected group of asthmatics in Lebanon.

Anti-allergen antibodies were searched for by an Enzyme Immunoassay in the sera obtained from 60 patients with a clinical diagnosis of asthma. Allergic rhinitis was also present in 28 patients. The diagnosis of asthma was based on clinical criteria that include history and clinical evidence of airflow obstruction. Ten potential allergens (Bermuda grass, Olive tree, Parietaria, Alternaria, Cat hair dander, Dog hair dander, Mite DPT, Mugwort, Birch tree and Timothy grass) common to the Mediterranean area, were utilized. Twenty-five of 60 specimens were seropositive. Mite DPT was the allergen identified in 16 of the 25 seropositive specimens. Six of the 25 seropositive specimens reacted with more than one allergen. This may be due to the existence of similar antigenic determinant groups in the allergens used. There was no correlation between the occurrence of rhinitis in addition to asthma on one hand and the identified allergen on the other. Sixteen of the 25 seropositive patients were female. This observation is believed to be related to their occupation. Dog hair dander was identified as the allergen in 1 of the 25 seropositive patients. The low figure obtained was expected because keeping house pets is not a common practice in Lebanon. The 35 seronegative patients may belong to the intrinsic asthma group or the causative allergen in each case was not one of the 10 allergens used in this study. These results indicate that the house dust mite appears to be the most common allergen in the Lebanese asthmatic group studied.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Demographic and psychosocial profile of smoking among pregnant women in Lebanon: public health implications.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and determinants of smoking prior to and during pregnancy in Lebanon. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using two structured instruments. One instrument included information on demographic characteristics, smoking patterns in the index pregnancy and previous pregnancies, use of prenatal health services, stressful life events, and social support during pregnancy. The second was the Arabic General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Women who delivered in 11 randomly selected hospitals in Beirut and its suburbs within 24 hours were asked to consent to participate in the study. The total sample interviewed was 576 women. RESULTS: The prevalence of pre-pregnancy smoking was 32% and 20% for smoking in pregnancy. Considering argileh smoking, the prevalence of tobacco use in pregnancy increased to 27% in Beirut and 25% in the suburbs. Pre-pregnancy smoking was associated with older maternal age [OR = 1.08, 95% CI (1.03, 1.14)], low and medium education [OR = 2.22, 95% CI (1.22,4.04)], increased psychiatric distress [OR = 3.11, 95% CI (1.77,5.46)], and a husband who smoked [OR = 5.00, 95% CI (2.98,8.39)]. Continued smoking during pregnancy was associated with low and medium education [OR = 3.77, 95% CI (1.31, 10.8)], younger age [OR = 1.11, 95% CI (1.02-1.20)], and a heavy pre-pregnancy smoking pattern [OR = 13.9, 95% CI (1.40,137.4)]. CONCLUSION: Policies and programs to eliminate or reduce smoking during pregnancy should be targeted toward young and less educated females and involving the spouse. Obstetricians should promote smoking cessation during pregnancy using evidence-based methods.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Beta-thalassaemia intermedia in Lebanon.

Approximately one third of thalassaemia patients on record in Lebanon have thalassaemia intermedia. We have analysed three factors in a panel of 73 patients with this less severe form of the disease in our population: mild beta-globin gene mutations, deletions in the alpha-globin gene and the presence of a polymorphism for the enzyme Xmn I in the Ggamma-promoter region. The results show that the most important contributing factor is the beta-genotype: 68% of patients have a mild beta+ mutation (IVSI-6, cd29, -88 or -87), while 26% of patients are positive for the Xmn I polymorphism associated with increased production of HbF, which showed strong linkage to particular mutations (IVSII-1, cd8 and cd30). However, the genotype phenotype correlation is difficult, because many patients were initially misdiagnosed as thalassaemia major and were started early on regular blood transfusions, which was stopped later on. This illustrates well the importance of an early accurate diagnosis of thalassaemia intermedia for appropriate clinical management.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Prevalence and covariates of obesity in Lebanon: findings from the first epidemiological study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and examine associated covariates in the Lebanese population. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 2104 individuals, 3 years of age and older. Anthropometric measurements and dietary assessments were conducted following standard methods and techniques. Overweight and obesity (classes I to III) were defined according to internationally standardized criteria for classification of BMI. RESULTS: For children 3 to 19 years of age, prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were higher overall for boys than girls (22.5% vs. 16.1% and 7.5% vs. 3.2%, respectively). For adult men and women (age > or = 20 years), the prevalence of overweight was 57.7% and 49.4%, respectively. In contrast, obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)) was higher overall among women (18.8%) than men (14.3%), a trend that became more evident with increasing obesity class. BMI, percentage of body fat, and waist circumference increased to middle age and declined thereafter. Whereas lack of exercise associated significantly with obesity among children, obesity in older adults was more prevalent among the least educated, nonsmokers, and those reporting a family history of obesity. DISCUSSION: The results from this national population-based study in Lebanon show high prevalence rates of overweight and obesity comparable with those observed in developed countries such as the United States. While further studies are needed to examine the underlying social and cultural factors associated with lifestyle and nutritional habits, now is the time to institute multicomponent interventions promoting physical activity and weight control nationwide.

Adolescent↗