Showing papers by "Andy R Ness published in 2008"
TL;DR: To test early nutritional interventions and prospective observational cohorts and to assess likely economic consequences of RCTs.
Abstract: to test early nutritional interventions and prospective observational cohorts. RCTs are generally accepted as methodologically the best approach for informing health policy. They can equalise unknown as well as known confounding factors and so can demonstrate causation; they permit estimation of effect size and so can be used to assess likely economic
499 citations
TL;DR: Objective measures of physical activity can be incorporated into large longitudinal studies of children and were different from those who did not, but the differences were modest.
Abstract: Background: Objective methods can improve accuracy of physical activity measurement in field studies but uncertainties remain about their use. Methods: Children age 11 years from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), were asked to wear a uni-axial accelerometer (MTI Actigraph) for 7 days. Results: Of 7159 children who attended for assessment, 5595 (78%) provided valid measures. The reliability coefficient for 3 days of recording was .7 and the power to detect a difference of 0.07 SDs (P ≤ .05) was > 90%. Measures tended to be higher on the first day of recording (17 counts/min; 95% CI, 10–24) and if children wore the monitor for fewer days, but these differences were small. The children who provided valid measures of activity were different from those who did not, but the differences were modest. Conclusion: Objective measures of physical activity can be incorporated into large longitudinal studies of children.
378 citations
TL;DR: Substantially increasing EPA+DHA intake for 3 months was found not to have beneficial or harmful effects on mood in mild to moderate depression, and an overall negligible benefit of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation for depressed mood was confirmed.
Abstract: Low dietary intakes of the n-3 long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) EPA and DHA are thought to be associated with increased risk for a variety of adverse outcomes, including some psychiatric disorders. Evidence from observational and intervention studies for a role of n-3 LCPUFA in depression is mixed, with some support for a benefit of EPA and/or DHA in major depressive illness. The present study was a double-blind randomised controlled trial that evaluated the effects of EPA þ DHA supplementation (1·5g/d) on mood and cognitive function in mild to moderately depressed individuals. Of 218 participants who entered the trial, 190 completed the planned 12 weeks intervention. Compliance, confirmed by plasma fatty acid concentrations, was good, but there was no evidence of a difference between supplemented and placebo groups in the primary outcome ‐ namely, the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales at 12 weeks. Mean depression score was 8·4 for the EPA þ DHA group and 9·6 for the placebo group, with an adjusted difference of 21·0 (95% CI 22·8, 0·8; P¼0·27). Other measures of mood, mental health and cognitive function, including Beck Depression Inventory score and attentional bias toward threat words, were similarly little affected by the intervention. In conclusion, substantially increasing EPA þ DHA intake for 3 months was found not to have beneficial or harmful effects on mood in mild to moderate depression. Adding the present result to a meta-analysis of previous relevant randomised controlled trial results confirmed an overall negligible benefit of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation for depressed mood.
245 citations
TL;DR: Neither the parental comparisons nor the use of FTO genotype as an instrumental variable, suggest that greater maternal BMI during offspring development has a marked effect on offspring fat mass at age 9–11 y, which is unlikely to have driven the recent obesity epidemic.
Abstract: Background
The developmental overnutrition hypothesis suggests that greater maternal obesity during pregnancy results in increased offspring adiposity in later life. If true, this would result in the obesity epidemic progressing across generations irrespective of environmental or genetic changes. It is therefore important to robustly test this hypothesis.
180 citations
TL;DR: Higher levels of PA were associated with lower BP, and results suggested that the volume of activity may be more important than the intensity.
Abstract: The pathological processes associated with development of cardiovascular disease begin early in life. For example, elevated blood pressure (BP) can be seen in childhood and tracks into adulthood. The relationship between physical activity (PA) and BP in adults is well-established, but findings in children have been inconsistent, with few studies measuring PA mechanically. Children aged 11 to 12 years were recruited from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. 5505 had systolic and diastolic BP measurements, plus valid (at least 10 hours for at least 3 days) accelerometer measures of PA; total PA recorded as average counts per minute (cpm) over the period of valid recording, and minutes per day spent in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). Data on a number of possible confounders were also available. Small inverse associations were observed; for systolic BP, beta=-0.44 (95% confidence interval -0.59, -0.28) mm Hg per 100 cpm, and beta=-0.66 (95% CI -0.92, -0.39) mm Hg per 15 minutes/d MVPA, adjusting for child's age and gender. After adjustment for potential confounders, associations were weakened but remained. When PA variables were modeled together, associations with total PA were only a little weaker, whereas those with MVPA were substantially reduced; for systolic BP, beta=-0.42 (95% CI -0.71, -0.13) mm Hg per 100 cpm, and beta=-0.03 (95% CI -0.54, 0.48) mm Hg per 15 minutes/d MVPA. In conclusion, higher levels of PA were associated with lower BP, and results suggested that the volume of activity may be more important than the intensity.
166 citations
TL;DR: How often the log odds, risk, or hazard ratio per unit increase in exposure, and its standard error, can be estimated from results reported from observational studies of diet and prostate or bladder cancer so that results are usable in meta-analyses estimating dose-response associations is examined.
Abstract: Epidemiologic investigations often report dose-response associations, which may be combined in meta-analyses. The authors examined how often the log odds, risk, or hazard ratio per unit increase in exposure, and its standard error, can be estimated from results reported from observational studies of diet and prostate or bladder cancer so that results are usable in meta-analyses estimating dose-response associations. Eight electronic databases were searched for studies reporting on the association of diet, nutrition, or physical activity with these cancers. A total of 767 papers reported 3,284 results; 1,999 (61%) results, reported in 545 (71%) papers, were usable in dose-response meta-analyses. The most important reason that results were not usable was the absence of sufficient information on exposure levels in the different groups. The proportion of results usable in "high-low" meta-analyses (comparisons of extreme categories) was similar (62%). Results that showed evidence of an association were more likely to be usable than results that found no such evidence. Insufficient detail in reporting of results of observational studies can lead to exclusion of these results from meta-analyses and is an important threat to the validity of systematic reviews of such research. Results providing evidence of associations may be overrepresented in meta-analyses of observational studies.
154 citations
TL;DR: Substantially increasing EPA+DHA intake for 3 months was found not to have beneficial or harmful effects on mood in mild to moderate depression, and an overall negligible benefit of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation for depressed mood was confirmed.
Abstract: We recently reported a null outcome from a study of n -3 long-chain PUFA supplementation in depressed mood ( 1 ) .
143 citations
TL;DR: The interrelationship between physical activity, bone mass, and childhood fracture risk suggests that the higher bone mass associated with increased physical activity does not compensate for the risk caused by increased exposure to injuries.
Abstract: Low bone mass is a determinant of fractures in healthy children. Small studies provide limited evidence on the association between ethnicity, birth weight, family size, socioeconomic status, dietary calcium intake, or physical activity and fracture incidence. No studies have investigated whether these determinants of fracture risk act through affecting bone mass or through other mechanisms. The aim of this study was to use a population-based birth cohort to confirm which variables are determinants of fracture risk and to further study which of these risk factors act independently of bone mass. Children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children have been followed up from birth to 11 yr of age. Maternal self-reported data have been collected contemporaneously on early life factors, diet, puberty, and physical activity. These were linked to reported fractures between 9 and 11 yr of age. Multivariable logistic regression techniques were used to assess whether these potential determinants were independent of, or worked through, estimated volumetric BMD or estimated bone size relative to body size measured by total body DXA scan at 9.9 yr of age. A total of 2692 children had full data. One hundred ninety-three (7.2%) reported at least one fracture over the 2-yr follow-up period. Children who reported daily or more episodes of vigorous physical activity had double the fracture risk compared with those children who reported less than four episodes per week (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.21–1.76). No other independent determinants of fracture risk in healthy children were found. In conclusion, reported vigorous physical activity is an independent risk factor for childhood fracture risk. However, the interrelationship between physical activity, bone mass, and childhood fracture risk suggests that the higher bone mass associated with increased physical activity does not compensate for the risk caused by increased exposure to injuries.
133 citations
TL;DR: Most evidence is available investigating a role for n-3PUFA in depression, depressive illness and suicidal behaviour, but work is also available on anxiety and anxiety-related disorders, fatigue and fatigue- related disorders, aggression, hostility and anti-social behaviour, inattention, impulsivity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenic disorders.
Abstract: Selected biochemical evidence suggests a potential role for n-3 long-chain PUFA (n-3PUFA) in the regulation of mood and behaviour. The present paper reviews the relevant evidence, to date, from epidemiological studies, clinical studies and intervention trials. Most evidence is available investigating a role for n-3PUFA in depression, depressive illness and suicidal behaviour, but work is also available on anxiety and anxiety-related disorders, fatigue and fatigue-related disorders, aggression, hostility and anti-social behaviour, inattention, impulsivity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenic disorders. For all these aspects of mood and behaviour, the evidence available is currently limited and highly inconsistent, both in terms of study methodology and study findings. There is a clear need for further work in this area.
115 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Parents’ physical activity during pregnancy and early in the child’s life showed a modest association with physical activity of the child at age 11-12 years, suggesting that active parents tend to raise active children.
Abstract: Objective To examine factors in early life (up to age 5 years) that are associated with objectively measured physical activity in 11-12 year olds. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Avon longitudinal study of parents and children, United Kingdom. Participants Children aged 11-12 years from the Avon longitudinal study of parents and children. Main outcome measure Physical activity levels in counts per minute (cpm) and minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity for seven days measured with a uniaxial actigraph accelerometer. Results Valid actigraph data, defined as at least three days of physical activity for at least 10 hours a day, were collected from 5451 children. Several factors were associated with physical activity at ages 11-12 years. Regression coefficients are compared with the baseline of "none" for categorical variables: maternal brisk walking during pregnancy (regression coefficient 5.0, 95% confidence interval -8.5 to 18.5; cpm for<1 h/wk and ≥2 h/wk of physical activityl7.7, 5.3 to 30.1), maternal swimming during pregnancy (21.5, 10.9 to 32.1 and cpm for <1 h/wk and ≥2 h/wk of physical activity 24.2, 7.8 to 40.7), parents' physical activity when the child was aged 21 months (28.5,15.2 to 41.8 and cpm of physical activity for either parent active and both parents active 33.5,17.8 to 49.3), and parity assessed during pregnancy (2.9, -7.6 to 13.4 and cpm of physical activity for 1 and 22 parity 21.2, 7.1 to 35.3). Conclusions Few factors in early life predicted later physical activity in 11-12 year olds. Parents' physical activity during pregnancy and early in the child's life showed a modest association with physical activity of the child at age 11-12 years, suggesting that active parents tend to raise active children. Helping parents to increase their physical activity therefore may promote children's activity.
111 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined factors in early life (up to age 5 years) that are associated with objectively measured physical activity in 11-12 year olds and found that parents' physical activity during pregnancy and early in the child's life showed a modest association with physical activity of the child at age 11 -12 years, suggesting that active parents tend to raise active children.
Abstract: Objective To examine factors in early life (up to age 5 years) that are associated with objectively measured physical activity in 11-12 year olds.
Design Prospective cohort study.
Setting Avon longitudinal study of parents and children, United Kingdom.
Participants Children aged 11-12 years from the Avon longitudinal study of parents and children.
Main outcome measure Physical activity levels in counts per minute (cpm) and minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity for seven days measured with a uniaxial actigraph accelerometer.
Results Valid actigraph data, defined as at least three days of physical activity for at least 10 hours a day, were collected from 5451 children. Several factors were associated with physical activity at ages 11-12 years. Regression coefficients are compared with the baseline of “none” for categorical variables: maternal brisk walking during pregnancy (regression coefficient 5.0, 95% confidence interval −8.5 to 18.5; cpm for <1 h/wk and ≥2 h/wk of physical activity 17.7, 5.3 to 30.1), maternal swimming during pregnancy (21.5, 10.9 to 32.1 and cpm for <1 h/wk and ≥2 h/wk of physical activity 24.2, 7.8 to 40.7), parents’ physical activity when the child was aged 21 months (28.5, 15.2 to 41.8 and cpm of physical activity for either parent active and both parents active 33.5, 17.8 to 49.3), and parity assessed during pregnancy (2.9, −7.6 to 13.4 and cpm of physical activity for 1 and ≥2 parity 21.2, 7.1 to 35.3).
Conclusions Few factors in early life predicted later physical activity in 11-12 year olds. Parents’ physical activity during pregnancy and early in the child’s life showed a modest association with physical activity of the child at age 11-12 years, suggesting that active parents tend to raise active children. Helping parents to increase their physical activity therefore may promote children’s activity.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed epidemiology studies of modifiable maternal exposures and offspring blood pressure (BP) and found no strong evidence that any component of maternal diet during pregnancy (maternal protein, energy, calcium, and various other nutrients) influences offspring BP.
Abstract: Prenatal programming of adult disease is well established in animals. In humans the impact of common in utero exposures on long-term offspring health is less clear. We reviewed epidemiology studies of modifiable maternal exposures and offspring blood pressure (BP). Three maternal exposures were identified for review and meta-analyzed where possible: smoking during pregnancy, diet, and age at childbirth. Meta-analysis suggested there was a modest association between higher offspring BP and prenatal exposure to smoke (confounder-adjusted β = 0.62 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval: 0.19–1.05, I2 = 16.4%). However, the level of confounder adjustment varied between studies, which in some studies attenuated the association to the null. There was no strong evidence that any component of maternal diet during pregnancy (maternal protein, energy, calcium, and various other nutrients) influences offspring BP. The results of studies of maternal age varied and there was strong evidence of heterogeneity in the pooled analysis. The association with maternal age, if present, was modest (confounder-adjusted β = 0.09 mm Hg/y, 95% confidence interval: −0.03 to 0.21, I2 = 89.8%). In sum, there is little empirical evidence that the maternal exposures reviewed program offspring BP. Other components of offspring health may be more susceptible to effects of programming in utero.
TL;DR: It is not necessary to adjust for energy intake before entry into a PCA analysis to determine dietary patterns when using food frequency questionnaire data, and effects of energy intake can be determined at a later stage in the analytical process.
Abstract: Adjusting for energy intake in dietary pattern investigations using principal components analysis
TL;DR: WC and BMI offer a feasible alternative to the MRI estimation of IAAT and SAAT, respectively, in a population-based sample of boys and girls, and remain relatively small at this age and stage of sexual maturation.
Abstract: Objective: To describe abdominal adipose tissue distribution in a large sample of contemporary British children; to determine the influence of gender, stage of maturation and body mass index (BMI) on abdominal adipose tissue distribution; and to compare the ability of BMI and waist circumference to predict abdominal adipose tissue.
Subjects and methods: A total of 74 boys (mean age 13.4±0.4 years) and 96 girls (mean age 13.5±0.5 years) were selected from volunteer children enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Height, weight and waist circumference were measured and BMI calculated. Stage of sexual maturation was available for 113 children using a self-report questionnaire based on Tanner's criteria. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAAT) and intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) volumes and patterning.
Results: Boys had lower levels of IAAT (P=0.036) and SAAT (P=0.003) than girls. IAAT and SAAT were higher in overweight and obese boys and girls when compared with normal weight children (P<0.0001). This pattern was also reflected in waist circumference groups. Boys had higher IAAT/SAAT ratios than girls, indicating proportionately more adipose tissue deposited intra-abdominally (P=0.002). However, both boys and girls deposited less than 10% of their abdominal fat as internal adipose tissue. WC predicted 67.4% of the variance in IAAT (P<0.001), and BMI predicted 84.8% of the variance in SAAT (P<0.001). However, BMI as the best single predictor explained only 8.4% of the variance in the IAAT/SAAT ratio (P<0.001).
Conclusions: At this age and stage of sexual maturation, the amount of IAAT remains relatively small. WC and BMI offer a feasible alternative to the MRI estimation of IAAT and SAAT, respectively, in a population-based sample of boys and girls.
TL;DR: Birth weight, length and ponderal index were all positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in both sexes, with no strong evidence of a difference in effect between girls and boys.
Abstract: Objectives: To explore the developmental origins of cardiorespiratory fitness. Methods: We examined the associations of birth size and duration of breast feeding with cardiorespiratory fitness assessed at the 9 year follow-up examination in 3612 participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We used physical work capacity at a heart rate of 170 beats per minute (PWC170) as our assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness. This was estimated using standard regression methods from parameters measured using an electronically braked cycle ergometer. Results: Birth weight, length and ponderal index were all positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in both sexes, with no strong evidence of a difference in effect between girls and boys. Work capacity increased by 1.12 W (95% CI: 0.83, 1.40) on average per 1 standard deviation (SD) greater birth weight. This association was not affected by adjustment for socioeconomic position and maternal smoking during pregnancy; there was some attenuation with adjustment for both maternal and paternal height and body mass index and more marked attenuation with adjustment for the child’s height and body mass index. In the fully adjusted model work capacity increased by 0.51 W (95% CI: 0.21, 0.81) per SD birth weight. Whether an individual had been breastfed and duration of breastfeeding were not associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in any models. Conclusion: Our results provide some support for a role of intrauterine factors in determining cardiorespiratory fitness in childhood.
TL;DR: The association between sodium intake at 4 months and future SBP requires replication in studies that can control for effects of potassium before it can be concluded that early infancy is a sensitive period with respect to effects of sodium on future blood pressure.
Abstract: Sodium intake in infancy and blood pressure at 7 years: findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
TL;DR: It is thought that recent changes in dental care provision have led to increased numbers of hospital admissions for dental abscess, and it is suggested that access to routine and emergency dental care needs to be reviewed.
Abstract: Steven J Thomas and colleagues think that recent changes in dental care provision have led to increased numbers of hospital admissions for dental abscess, and they suggest that access to routine and emergency dental care needs to be reviewed
TL;DR: This clinical method of handling BIA reveals important variations in nutritional status that would not be detected using anthropometry alone and may provide a more valid identification of children at risk of underweight or obesity in field and clinical settings.
Abstract: (1) To develop a method of manipulating bioelectrical impedance (BIA) that gives indices of lean and fat adjusted for body size, using a large normative cohort of children. (2) To assess the discriminant validity of the method in a group of children likely to have abnormal body composition. Two prospective cohort studies. Normative data: Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), population based cohort; proof of concept study: tertiary feeding clinic and special needs schools. Normative data: 7576 children measured aged between 7.25 and 8.25 (mean 7.5) (s.d.=0.2) years; proof of concept study: 29 children with either major neurodisability or receiving artificial feeding, or both, mean age 7.6 (s.d.=2) years. Leg-to-leg (ZT) and arm-to-leg (ZB) BIA, weight and height. Total body water (TBW) was estimated from the resistance index (RI=height2/Z), and fat-free mass was linearly related to TBW. Fat mass was obtained by subtracting fat-free mass from total weight. Fat-free mass was log-transformed and the reciprocal transform was taken for fat mass to satisfy parametric model assumptions. Lean and fat mass were then adjusted for height and age using multiple linear regression models. The resulting standardized residuals gave the lean index and fat index, respectively. In the normative cohort, the lean index was higher and fat index lower in boys. The lean index rose steeply to the middle of the normal range of body mass index (BMI) and then slowly for higher BMI values, whereas the fat index rose linearly through and above the normal range. In the proof of concept study, the children as a group had low lean indices (mean (s.d.) −1.5 (1.7)) with average fat indices (+0.21 (2.0)) despite relatively low BMI standard deviation scores (−0.60 (2.3)), but for any given BMI, individual children had extremely wide ranges of fat indices. The lean index proved more stable and repeatable than BMI. This clinical method of handling BIA reveals important variations in nutritional status that would not be detected using anthropometry alone. BIA used in this way would allow more accurate assessment of energy sufficiency in children with neurodisability and may provide a more valid identification of children at risk of underweight or obesity in field and clinical settings.
TL;DR: Evidence is provided of the role of betel quid not containing tobacco and leukoplakia in populations where betelquid did not contain tobacco and that controlled for smoking, and a case–control study nested in a cross‐sectional study in Papua New Guinea and a systematic review of similar studies.
Abstract: Leukoplakia is an asymptomatic, potentially malignant change in the oral mucosa. Previous studies have reported that smoking and betel quid chewing are associated with increased risk of leukoplakia; few studies have reported on these associations in populations where betel quid does not contain tobacco. We conducted a case-control study nested in a cross-sectional study in Papua New Guinea and a systematic review of studies that included chewers of betel quid without tobacco. Our study recruited 1,670 adults. We recorded betel quid chewing and smoking. The prevalence of leukoplakia was 11.7%. In the nested case-control study of 197 cases and 1,282 controls, current betel chewing was associated with increased risk of leukoplakia with an adjusted odds ratio for current chewers of 3.8 (95% CI 1.7, 8.4) and in the heaviest chewers of 4.1 (95% CI 1.8, 9.1) compared to non-chewers. Current smoking was associated with an increased risk of leukoplakia with an adjusted odds ratio for current smokers of 6.4 (95% CI 4.1, 9.9) and amongst heaviest smokers of 9.8 (95% CI 5.9, 16.4) compared to non-smokers. The systematic review identified 5 studies examining risk of leukoplakia associated with betel quid chewing in populations where betel quid did not contain tobacco and that controlled for smoking. In studies that adjusted for smoking, the combined random effect odds ratio was 7.9 (95% CI 4.3, 14.6) in betel quid chewers. The results of this study and systematic review of similar studies provide evidence of the role of betel quid not containing tobacco and leukoplakia.
TL;DR: It is suggested that n-3PUFAs may not have a role in the aetiology of minor depression, which is consistent with the results of other studies that have not demonstrated an association between depressed mood and n- 3PUFA status in non-clinical populations and epidemiological studies.
Abstract: Previous research suggests that low n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3PUFA) status is associated with higher levels of depression in clinical populations. This analysis aimed to investigate the relationship between depressed mood and n-3PUFA status in a non-clinical population. The analysis was conducted on data collected as part of a large randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of n-3PUFA supplementation on depressed mood in a community-based population. On entry into the trial, data on depressed mood were collected using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Plasma concentrations of various n-3PUFAs and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6PUFAs) were obtained from fasting venous blood samples, and various demographics were also measured. Using regression, there was no evidence of an association between either measure of depressed mood and any of the measures of n-3PUFA status or of n-6PUFA:n-3PUFA ratios. Clear associations were also not found when demographic factors were included in the analyses. These findings suggest that n-3PUFAs may not have a role in the aetiology of minor depression. This is also consistent with the results of other studies that have not demonstrated an association between depressed mood and n-3PUFA status in non-clinical populations and epidemiological studies that have not demonstrated an association between depressed mood and n-3PUFA intake in these populations.
TL;DR: The results suggest that the initial positive finding with obesity in the BWHHS was a chance finding, and the findings do not support a causal effect of low folate on obesity.
Abstract: Objective: Epidemiological studies have shown that low folate levels are associated with a high body mass index (BMI). These findings have potentially important health implications and warrant further investigation to determine whether a causal relationship exists and the direction of this relationship. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T TT genotype is associated with reduced folate availability and may be a surrogate for measuring folate levels. We sought to determine whether MTHFR C677T genotype was associated with obesity. Design: We carried out our study on four populations from three longitudinal studies based in the UK and Denmark in which DNA for genotyping was obtained along with measures of obesity. Methods: Our subjects were taken from the British Women’s Heart and Health Study (BWHHS), the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (two populations: mothers and children) and the Copenhagen City Heart Study. We performed analyses separately by population, and then carried out a meta-analysis, combining similar populations. Results: Initial findings in the BWHHS suggested that the TT genotype may be associated with an increased risk of obesity BMIR30, however, no association was found with BMI or central adiposity in this cohort. This genotype was not associated with obesity in our other cohorts. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the initial positive finding with obesity in the BWHHS was a chance finding. Our findings do not support a causal effect of low folate on obesity.
TL;DR: The findings show that common intronic and exonic WNK1 variants are associated with diastolic blood pressure gradient from 7 to 11 years and with systolicBlood pressure at 11 years.
Abstract: WNK1 gene variants have been associated with adult blood pressure. We aimed to investigate relationships between WNK1 variants and blood pressure, as well as blood pressure change with age, in a longitudinal childhood study. Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in WNK1 and blood pressure and the rate of blood pressure change between 7 and 11 years were examined in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parent and Children Study (n=5326 for systolic blood pressure at 11 years). We observed associations (P<0.05) with diastolic blood pressure gradient with age for 33 of 82 typed and imputed polymorphisms, including polymorphisms in exons 4, 10, and 11 (rs10774466, rs1012729, and rs9804992). The minor allele (G) of rs1012729 (frequency: 25.6%) was associated with a gender-adjusted change in a diastolic blood pressure gradient of -0.11 mm Hg/y (95% CI: -0.20 to -0.03 mm Hg/y; P=0.0054). No associations were shown with the systolic blood pressure gradient. At age 11 years, 30 polymorphisms showed association (P<0.05) with systolic blood pressure, including variants in exons 4 and 10 (rs10774466 and rs1012729). Only 3 polymorphisms were associated with diastolic blood pressure at 11 years. In exploration of polymorphism-dietary cation interactions on systolic blood pressure at 11 years, 59 reached significance (P<0.05; 12.3 expected by chance), mostly (n=33) related to dietary calcium. The findings show that common intronic and exonic WNK1 variants are associated with diastolic blood pressure gradient from 7 to 11 years and with systolic blood pressure at 11 years. Our study suggests that previously reported effects of WNK1 variants on blood pressure are mediated via effects on the gradient of blood pressure change with age.
TL;DR: Some evidence indicates that maternal anemia in contemporary pregnant women is associated with lower offspring BP, and it is possible that, in well-nourished populations, low hemoglobin is more likely to reflect greater plasma volume expansion (and thus better maternal and offspring health) than iron deficiency.
TL;DR: The aim of the present study is to derive lean and fat indices for children aged 7–11 years and investigate associations with objective measures of cardio-respiratory fitness and grip strength, and BMI showed slightly weaker associations.
Abstract: Indices for lean and fat mass adjusted for height derived from bioelectrical impedance for children aged 7 years have been published previously and their usefulness in the clinical assessment of undernutrition has been demonstrated. However, there is a need for norms that cover a wider age range and to explore their functional significance. The aim of the present study is to derive lean and fat indices for children aged 7–11 years and investigate associations with objective measures of cardio-respiratory fitness and grip strength. Subjects were 9574 children participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) data collected longitudinally between ages 7 and 11 were used to derive lean and fat indices using the method of standardised residuals. Cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) (9 years) and grip strength (11 years) were also measured. Correlation coefficients and 95 % CI were calculated to assess the strength of association between lean index, fat index and CRF and grip strength. Equations for calculating lean and fat indices in children aged 7–11 years relative to the ALSPAC population are presented. Lean index was linearly associated with CRF (rboys 0·20 (95 % CI 0·15, 0·25), rgirls 0·26 (95 % CI 0·22, 0·30)) and grip strength (rboys 0·29 (95 % CI 0·26, 0·32), rgirls 0·26 (95 % CI 0·23, 0·29)). BMI showed slightly weaker associations, while fat index was unrelated to either CRF or grip strength. Lean indices relate to muscle function and fitness while fat index does not.
05 Nov 2008
TL;DR: The use of accelerometers to study physical activity has presented some challenges on how to summarise and interpret the data that they generate, however these studies are providing important information on the levels and patterns of physical activity among children and adolescents.
Abstract: Advances in technology have improved our ability to measure physical activity in free-living humans. In the last few years, several large epidemiological studies in Europe and the United States have used accelerometers to assess phys- ical activity in children and adolescents. The use of accelerometers to study physical activity has presented some challenges on how to summarise and interpret the data that they generate, however these studies are providing important information on the levels and patterns of physical activity among children and adolescents. Some studies have reported that few children and adolescents appear to meet the recommended minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day. Accel- erometers have also allowed examination of the relationships between physical activity and health outcomes like obesity and other chronic disease risk factors such as insulin resistance, aerobic fi tness, blood lipids and blood pressure. Use of accelerometers allows such relationships to be estimated with a precision that was previously impossible with self-report measures of physical activity. Such information is already advancing our understanding of the role that physical activity plays in preventing childhood obesity and cardiovascular disease risk.
01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: There is little empirical evidence that the maternal exposures reviewed program offspring BP, and other components of offspring health may be more susceptible to effects of programming in utero.
Abstract: Prenatal programming of adult disease is well estab- lished in animals. In humans the impact of common in utero expo- sures on long-term offspring health is less clear. We reviewed epidemiology studies of modifiable maternal exposures and offspring blood pressure (BP). Three maternal exposures were identified for review and meta-analyzed where possible: smoking during preg- nancy, diet, and age at childbirth. Meta-analysis suggested there was a modest association between higher offspring BP and prenatal exposure to smoke (confounder-adjusted 0.62 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval: 0.19-1.05, I 2 16.4%). However, the level of confounder adjustment varied between studies, which in some studies attenuated the association to the null. There was no strong evidence that any component of maternal diet during pregnancy (maternal protein, energy, calcium, and various other nutrients) influences offspring BP. The results of studies of maternal age varied and there was strong evidence of heterogeneity in the pooled analysis. The association with maternal age, if present, was modest (confounder- adjusted 0.09 mm Hg/y, 95% confidence interval: 0.03 to 0.21, I 2 89.8%). In sum, there is little empirical evidence that the maternal exposures reviewed program offspring BP. Other compo- nents of offspring health may be more susceptible to effects of programming in utero. (Pediatr Res 63: 593-598, 2008)
01 Jan 2008
Journal Article•