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The metabolic syndrome: prevalence and associated risk factor findings in the US population from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome is an important cluster of coronary heart disease risk factors with common insulin resistance. The extent to which the metabolic syndrome is associated with demographic and potentially modifiable lifestyle factors in the US population is unknown. METHODS: Metabolic syndrome-associated factors and prevalence, as defined by Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, were evaluated in a representative US sample of 3305 black, 3477 Mexican American, and 5581 white men and nonpregnant or lactating women aged 20 years and older who participated in the cross-sectional Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. RESULTS: The metabolic syndrome was present in 22.8% and 22.6% of US men and women, respectively (P =.86). The age-specific prevalence was highest in Mexican Americans and lowest in blacks of both sexes. Ethnic differences persisted even after adjusting for age, body mass index, and socioeconomic status. The metabolic syndrome was present in 4.6%, 22.4%, and 59.6% of normal-weight, overweight, and obese men, respectively, and a similar distribution was observed in women. Older age, postmenopausal status, Mexican American ethnicity, higher body mass index, current smoking, low household income, high carbohydrate intake, no alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity were associated with increased odds of the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The metabolic syndrome is present in more than 20% of the US adult population; varies substantially by ethnicity even after adjusting for body mass index, age, socioeconomic status, and other predictor variables; and is associated with several potentially modifiable lifestyle factors. Identification and clinical management of this high-risk group is an important aspect of coronary heart disease prevention.

Adult↗

Sex in Australia: a guide for readers.

The Australian Study of Health and Relationships (ASHR), a survey of 19,307 people aged 16-59 years which had a broad focus across many aspects of sexual and reproductive health. Our primary goal in presenting these data is to describe the overall prevalence of key outcomes and the ways in which they are patterned with respect to a range of sociodemographic factors. The socio-demographic factors used include age, gender, language spoken at home, highest level of education completed, region of residence, household income and occupational category. Where appropriate we also include stated sexual identity. Our choice of these factors reflects the fact that they are major elements in the structure of the Australian population and Australian society. For the purpose of reporting the initial results, we have grouped these outcomes into 18 papers. They are bracketed by an introductory methods paper which provides a detailed account of the design and execution of the study, and a concluding paper reflecting on the key themes emerging from the findings, the strengths and limitations of our approach and recommendations for future research.

Adolescent↗

Socio-economic deprivation associated with acute rheumatic fever. A hospital-based case-control study in Bangladesh.

There are few studies on the relationship between socio-economic factors and rheumatic fever (RF) in the populations where the burden of both socio-economic deprivation and RF is still very high. The aim of this study is to assess the association between some socio-economic factors and RF by examining data available from a RF hospital in Bangladesh. We have reviewed the medical records of patients presenting with manifestations suggestive of RF during a 1-year period. From the patients who showed group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal upper respiratory infection (ABHS infection), 44 RF cases defined by the Jones criteria and 86 control subjects, who did not satisfy the criteria, were identified for analysis. The median age was 12 years and 60% were female. RF was significantly associated with low income (odds ratio [OR] 2.37; P = 0.04); poor living conditions: substandard (kacha) house (OR 2.93, P = 0.02); and poor nutritional status: low height for age (OR 2.68, P = 0.02). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed an increased OR for kacha house (OR 3.18, P = 0.02) but the same estimate for low height for age (OR 2.68; P = 0.04). Our analysis shows that, among the patients presenting to the RF hospital with proven ABHS infection, acute RF is associated with socio-economic deprivation.

Adolescent↗

Obesity and socioeconomic status in children of Tijuana.

BACKGROUND: Although obesity has been associated with socioeconomic status among Hispanics living in the United States, little is known about whether a similar association exists among Hispanics living in Mexico, particularly among those living along the U.S.-Mexico border. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of obesity and its association with socioeconomic status in Mexican schoolchildren attending public and private schools in Tijuana, Baja California. METHODS: Anthropometric measurements and socioeconomic status were assessed in a cross-sectional study of 1172 school children, aged 6 to 13 years from 55 schools in Tijuana in 2001-2002. Underweight (body mass index [BMI] for age 5th percentile or lower), risk of overweight (BMI at 85th percentile or higher), and overweight (BMI greater than 95th percentile) were assessed using charts published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS: Abnormalities in weight were found in 46.3% of 587 boys and 43.7% of 585 girls in the study. Undernutrition was found in 3.7% of the boys and 3.8% of the girls. The general prevalence of overweight was 23.2% for boys and 21.7% for girls. Children living in low-income neighborhoods had the thickest biceps skinfolds (p<0.01), while children living in moderate-income neighborhoods and attending public schools had the thickest triceps skinfolds (p<0.001). Although boys living in high socioeconomic status neighborhoods were at decreased risk for being overweight, boys and girls attending private schools had a 75% increased risk (odds ratio, 1.75; confidence interval, 1.22-2.52) of being overweight than children attending public schools. CONCLUSIONS: Adiposity varies by type of school and neighborhood socioeconomic status. The biphasic curve in risk for being overweight associated with neighborhood socioeconomic status suggests that Mexican children living along the U.S. border may be experiencing a nutrition transition with respect to an increased risk of obesity and related chronic disease.

Adolescent↗

Who plays bingo in later life? The sedentary lifestyles of 'little old ladies'.

UNLABELLED: Bingo is a popular past time with less than 20% of seniors, but the prevailing stereotype of bingo players describes elderly women with nothing better to do, smoking heavily while gambling away their limited income day after day. Little research has actually explored the lifestyles of seniors who frequent the bingo halls or identified social factors explaining who plays and why. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the social context and lifestyle characteristics of seniors who regularly invest money on bingo. DESIGN AND METHODS: A 30-min telephone survey was conducted randomly with quotas for gender and urban/rural location with 400 Albertans aged 65+. Next, a strategic sample of 44 bingo players was added to the population sample to strengthen the dependent variable for regression analyses. Multiple regression analyses were used to define key characteristics of bingo players among 10 social or contextual factors and 5 lifestyle variables. RESULTS: Being female, more elderly, living in rental accommodation, receiving federal income supplements and reporting more health problems were significant predictors of more money typically spent on bingo (18% variance explained), and these findings lend support to the "little old lady" stereotype. However, sedentary living, rather than smoking, was the only significant and predictive lifestyle pattern, suggesting that the lifestyle vices projected about bingo players are not entirely accurate. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly women of marginal means do dominate the game of bingo in terms of money spent, but their gaming lifestyle apparently has less to do with habits of smoking, eating poorly, drinking alcohol, or having excessive leisure time, and more to do with sedentary recreation that is socially delimited by their gender, age, income and health.

Age Distribution↗

Free-range village chickens on the Accra Plains, Ghana: their husbandry and productivity.

A cross-sectional[4pc] survey investigating husbandry and productivity of free-range village chickens was carried out in four administrative districts within 60 km of Accra. Responses were provided by 101 men and 99 women. The mean (SD) household flock size was 28.7 (25.97) and the median was 20. The factors included in the final model investigating variance in flock size were sex of the respondent (p = 0.011), administrative area (p = 0.004), the numbers of members in the household (p = 0.017) and the number of cattle, sheep and goats owned by the household (p = 0.031). Chickens were owned by individual members of the household, but women and children were the predominant providers of care for chickens. All respondents described their chickens as scavengers that were provided with supplementary feed, and over 80% of respondents named maize as a supplementary food source. Approximately 50% of respondents claimed difficulty in providing supplementary feed, with the degree of difficulty varying between administrative areas (p < 0.001). A majority of respondents (approximately 65%) claimed that their chickens laid 3-4 clutches of eggs per year. Over 70% of respondents estimated that each clutch contained 10-20 eggs, and approximately 70% of respondents estimated that 75% of the eggs hatched. Opinions on mortality varied, but 60% of men and 70% of women estimated that between 50% and 75% of both chicks and adult birds died each year. Approximately 80% of respondents named Newcastle disease as the most important health issue. The opportunities for and consequences of controlling Newcastle disease are discussed.

Animal Feed↗

Choosing organics: a path analysis of factors underlying the selection of organic food among Australian consumers.

Path analysis of attitudinal, motivational, demographic and behavioural factors influencing food choice among Australian consumers who had consumed at least some organic food in the preceding 12 months showed that concern with the naturalness of food and the sensory and emotional experience of eating were the major determinants of increasing levels of organic consumption. Increasing consumption was also related to other 'green consumption' behaviours such as recycling and to lower levels of concern with convenience in the purchase and preparation of food. Most of these factors were, in turn, strongly affected by gender and the level of responsibility taken by respondents for food provisioning within their households, a responsibility dominated by women. Education had a slightly negative effect on the levels of concern for sensory and emotional appeal due to lower levels of education among women. Income, age, political and ecological values and willingness to pay a premium for safe and environmentally friendly foods all had extremely minor effects.

Age Distribution↗

Uptake of colorectal cancer screening in an uninsured population.

BACKGROUND: Montgomery County established a colorectal cancer education, screening, and treatment program as part of the Maryland state cancer program. The program removed barriers to screening by providing free endoscopy (predominantly colonoscopy) to uninsured county residents. METHODS: The education component was available to the general public and included distribution of free fecal occult blood cards (FOBTs). The clinical component was available only to the low-income uninsured. Clinical program participants met with a registered nurse who provided education, made endoscopy (colonoscopy) referrals, and provided case management. County residents entered the program in three ways: by direct referral from a physician, after contact with a health educator, or via telephone. RESULTS: Over 2 years, 1672 uninsured individuals registered with the program, of whom 13% had prior screening. In this group, 52% completed screening with at least one modality, the majority by colonoscopy. CONCLUSION: This program is one of the first in the nation to offer uninsured individuals free access to colonoscopy mediated by nurse referral and case management. It provides an experience that can inform interventions of experimental design in which the uptake of the options for colorectal cancer screening are compared; or it can serve as a "benchmark" against which other efforts to screen uninsured minority populations may be compared.

Case Management↗

[Population-based health monitoring via computer-assisted telephone interviews in Bavaria].

From June 1999 until May 2000, 2051 computer-assisted telephone interviews concerning health and health related behaviours were assessed in Bavarian households. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the validity and representativity of this data by a comparison of selected variables from the Bavarian Mikrozensus-survey 1999. The distribution patterns of the marital status, the size of the households, the gainful employment, the household-netto-income, the school qualification and of the smoking status correspond well with those of the Mikrozensus 1999. As often found in questionnaire based surveys, a disproportionately high rate of participation of highly educated persons was observed. This led to an effect only in terms of a too small rate of persons with a low household-netto-income. Within the study, two different designs were compared. The commitment of the telephone numbers to a gender for an equal quotation of men and women led to an under-representation of single-households and therefore also of unmarried persons, but it had no effect on the other characteristics. The results of this study show, that the method of computer assisted-telephone interviews is a valid and cheap basis for the establishment of an exhaustive health surveillance system in Germany.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of the Cornell and Bio-mittent reduced lighting programmes for laying hens.

The Cornell (8L:10D:2L:4D) and (Ralston Purina) Biomittent lighting programmes were applied to a commercial strain of White Leghorn laying hens from 20 to 64 weeks of age. 2. The egg production of hens exposed to the Cornell lighting was reduced compared to the Bio-mittent programme. 3. Food consumption was less and efficiency of utilisation significantly improved for the Cornell programme during phase I (20 to 36 weeks) of the study. Significant differences were not observed during phase II (37 to 64 weeks) or for the whole cycle (20 to 64 weeks). 4. Body weights were significantly greater for hens exposed to the Bio-mittent programme during both phases I and II. 5. Egg weights, egg mass and egg weight distributions were not different for hens exposed to the 2 programmes. 6. Food costs and the margin of income over food costs were significantly in favour of the Cornell programme during phase I. However, differences for phase II and the complete cycle were not significant. 7. The Bio-mittent programme offered a computed advantage of 14.4% fewer hours of light usage compared to the Cornell programme.

Animals↗

Trends in occupational mortality among middle-aged men in Sweden 1961-1990.

BACKGROUND: Many European countries have in recent decades reported growing socioeconomic differentials in mortality. While these trends have usually paralleled high unemployment and increasing income disparities, Sweden had low unemployment and narrowing income differences. This study describes trends, 1961-1990, in total and cardiovascular mortality among men, 45-69 years of age, in major occupational classes in Sweden. METHODS: From census data four cohorts were created from those enumerated in 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1985. Through record linkage with the Swedish cause of death registry the mortality in each cohort was followed for 5-10 years. Age-standardized mortality trends 1961-1990 were calculated for occupational groups, categorized according to sector of the economy. RESULTS: The increase in mortality among middle-aged men in Sweden 1965-1980 was mainly a result of increasing cardiovascular mortality among industrial workers and farmers. In the 1980s the trend for these groups changed into a last decrease in mortality similar to that for non-manual occupations for the whole period. Consequently the rate ratio for industrial workers in comparison with men having a professional/managerial type of occupation increased from 0.98 to 1.43. The slowest decrease is now found among unqualified occupations in services and transportation. CONCLUSIONS: While Sweden, during the period studied, had narrowing income differentials and low unemployment this result points to the importance of working conditions in understanding trends and distribution of male adult mortality.

Aged↗

Impact of chronic lymphatic filariasis on quantity and quality of productive work among weavers in an endemic village from India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of hydrocele and lymphoedema on the quantity and quality of productive work of weavers. METHOD: Case-control study in an endemic village in Andhra Pradesh, India. We collected qualitative data on work activities from cases and age- and sex-matched controls through informal discussions and observation. RESULTS: The mean (+/-standard deviation) daily work time of cases was 7.38 h (+/-2.47), significantly less than that of controls (8.17+/-2.41 h). Lost work time was equivalent to around 29 days of work in a year. Gender had significant influence on the mean number of working hours in this occupational group. Most cases could not weave, which is physically demanding, and preferred less strenuous tasks such as spinning, starching, dyeing or sizing. Hard physical labour constitutes 71.5% of total work time among patients and 83.7% in controls. As income also depends on the type of work, cases earn less. CONCLUSIONS: Filariasis has an adverse impact on the productivity of weavers, and morbidity management strategies and control programmes need to take this into account.

Adult↗

The New Zealand Socio-economic Index of Occupational Status: methodological revision and imputation for missing data.

OBJECTIVES: To revise and update the New Zealand Socio-economic Index (NZSEI) in the light of methodological issues in its construction, and to develop an imputation method for use where occupational information is not available. METHODS: Data were drawn from the following New Zealand national surveys: 1996 Population Census; 1996/97 and 1997/98 Household Economic Surveys; 1996/97 Household Health Survey. Three sets of statistical analyses were applied: alternating least squares to generate socio-economic scores; cluster and discriminant function analyses to identify cut-points; and regression and logistic regression to develop and test imputation methods. RESULTS: Socio-economic scores for the full-time workforce in 1996 showed a different distribution, but much the same occupational ordering, as in 1991. The introduction of part-time workers and income adjustment multipliers for self-employed workers significantly affected scores for management and agricultural titles. The application of cluster and discriminant function analyses generated six groupings that were relatively distinct occupationally. An imputation method based on an averaging of scores within age/qualification categories was found to achieve acceptable results. CONCLUSIONS: Methodological improvements in the construction of the NZSEI have enhanced its empirical robustness, while a simple imputation technique has widened the potential application of the scale.

Data Collection↗

Mortality in adults aged 26-54 years related to socioeconomic conditions in childhood and adulthood: post war birth cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine premature mortality in adults in relation to socioeconomic conditions in childhood and adulthood. DESIGN: Nationally representative birth cohort study with prospective information on socioeconomic conditions. SETTING: England, Scotland, and Wales. STUDY MEMBERS: 2132 women and 2322 men born in March 1946 and followed until age 55 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Deaths between 26 and 54 years of age notified by the NHS central register. RESULTS: Study members whose father's occupation was manual at age 4, or who lived in the worst housing, or who received the poorest care in childhood had double the death rate during adulthood of those living in the best socioeconomic conditions. All indicators of socioeconomic disadvantage at age 26 years, particularly lack of home ownership, were associated with a higher death rate. Manual origins and poor care in childhood remained associated with mortality even after adjusting for social class in adulthood or home ownership. The hazard ratio was 2.6 (95% confidence interval 1.5 to 4.4) for those living in manual households as children and as adults compared with those living in non-manual households at both life stages. The hazard ratio for those from manual origins who did not own their own home at age 26 years was 4.9 (2.3 to 10.5) compared with those from non-manual origins who were home owners. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic conditions in childhood as well as early adulthood have strongly influenced the survival of British people born in the immediate post war era.

Adult↗

Trends in socioeconomic health inequalities in the Netherlands, 1981-1999.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in socioeconomic inequalities in self reported health in both the 1980s and the 1990s in the Netherlands. DESIGN: Analysis of trends in socioeconomic health inequalities during the last decades of the 20th century were made using data from the Health Interview Survey (Nethhis) and the subsequent Permanent Survey on Living Conditions (POLS) from Statistics Netherlands. Socioeconomic inequalities in self assessed health, short-term disabilities during the past 14 days, long term health problems and chronic diseases were studied in relation to both educational level and household income. Trends from 1981 to 1999 were studied using summary indices for both the relative and absolute size of socioeconomic inequalities in health. SETTING: The Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: For the period 1981-1999 per year a random sample of about 7000 respondents of 18 years and older from the non-institutionalised population. MAIN RESULTS: Socioeconomic inequalities in self assessed health showed a fairly consistent increase over time. Socioeconomic inequalities in the other health indicators were more or less stable over time. In no case did socioeconomic inequalities in health seemed to have decreased over time. Socioeconomic inequalities in self assessed health increased both in the 1980s and the 1990s. This increase was more pronounced for income (as compared with education) and for women (as compared with men). CONCLUSION: There are several possible explanations for the fact that, in addition to stable health inequalities in general, income related inequalities in some health indicators increased in the Netherlands, especially in the early 1990s. Most influential were perhaps selection effects, related to changing labour market policies in the Netherlands. The fact that the health inequalities did not decrease over recent years underscores the necessity of policies that explicitly aim to tackle these inequalities.

Adolescent↗

Developing a media- and school-based program for substance abuse prevention among Hispanic youth: a case study of Mirame!/Look at me!

Mirame!/Look at Me! is a substance abuse prevention program for low-income Mexican American youth 9 to 13 years of age. The theory-driven curriculum, developed for mass distribution via a satellite television network, features social models who demonstrate cognitive-behavioral skills and display conservative norms regarding substance abuse. An 18-session curriculum contains 5-minute videos that are assigned to be followed by discussion and social reinforcement from a teacher or volunteer. This case study reports the program development process and experiences in the initial dissemination of the program through national networks for schools and cable television subscribers.

Adolescent↗

[Empirical bayesian model applied to the spatial analysis of leprosy occurrence].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the spatial distribution of leprosy, identify areas of potential case underreporting or high transmission risk, and to assess the ecological association of leprosy distribution with multibacillary cases. METHODS: This study was carried out in 94 neighborhoods of Recife, Brazil. Data was obtained from the Ministry of Health's Disease Reporting System. An ecological approach with the empirical Bayesian method was applied for local rate flattening, using data from a neighborhood matrix. RESULTS: The mean annual occurrence was 17.3% of new cases in individuals under the age of 15 (28.3% corresponded to multibacillary forms), revealing an intense disease transmission. The spatial distribution of leprosy indicated three areas where there was a concentration of high detection rates and low-income neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS: The Bayesian method allowed to reassess epidemiological indicators based on data from neighboring spatial units. This enabled to identify areas that should be prioritized in municipal control programs, either because of underreporting of cases or the higher number of occurrences related to multibacillary forms in individuals under 15.

Adolescent↗