Showing papers by "Robert Scragg published in 2006"

Associations between television viewing and consumption of commonly advertised foods among New Zealand children and young adolescents

Abstract: Objectives: To explore how time spent watching television (TV) is associated with the dietary behaviours of New Zealand children and young adolescents. Design: Secondary data analysis of a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey. Setting: In homes or schools of New Zealand school students. Participants: In total, 3275 children aged 5 to 14 years. Results: The odds of being overweight or obese increased with duration of TV viewing for children and adolescents when controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status and physical activity. Children and adolescents who watched the most TV were significantly more likely to be higher consumers of foods most commonly advertised on TV: soft drinks and fruit drinks, some sweets and snacks, and some fast foods. Both children and adolescents watching two or more hours of TV a day were more than twice as likely to drink soft drinks five times a week or more (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively), eat hamburgers at least once a week (both P = 0.02), and eat French fries at least once a week (both P < 0.01). Conclusions: These findings suggest that longer duration of TV watching (thus, more frequent exposure to advertising) influences the frequency of consumption of soft drinks, some sweets and snacks, and some fast foods among children and young adolescents. Efforts to curtail the amount of time children spend watching TV may result in better dietary habits and weight control for children and adolescents. Future studies examining the impact of advertising on children's diets through interventions and international comparisons of legislation would provide more definitive evidence of the role of advertising in child and adolescent obesity.

Trends in major cardiovascular risk factors in Auckland, New Zealand: 1982 to 2002-2003.

Abstract: AIM To describe recent trends in cardiovascular risk factors between 1982 and 2002-2003 in Auckland, New Zealand. METHODS Data on non-Maori and non-Pacific adults aged 35-74 years were derived from four population-based surveys carried out in 1982, 1986-88, 1993-94, and 2002-3 using similar protocols. RESULTS Systolic blood pressure levels continue to decline since the 1982 survey, together with a reduction in the proportion of people with raised blood pressure who were untreated. The downwards trend in cigarette smoking observed between 1982 and 1993-94 appears to have halted. Serum total cholesterol declined from 6.18 mmol/L in 1982 to 5.62 mmol/L in 2002-3 in men; and from 6.26 mmol/L in 1982 to 5.37 mmol/L in 2002-3 in women. HDL-cholesterol levels continued to rise over this time period. Use of lipid lowering medications increased from 0% in the 1982 and 1986-88 studies to 1.3% in men and 2.6% in women in the 1993-4 survey, and to 6.3% in men and 2.7% in women in the 2002-3 survey. The age-standardised mean body mass index increased from 25.6 (25.4-25.8) kg/m2 in 1982 to 27.2 (26.9-27.6) kg/m2 in 2002-3 in men; and from 24.5 (24.2-24.9) kg/m2 in 1982 to 26.6 (26.2-27.0) kg/m2 in women in 2002-3. The prevalence of overweight and obese people increased from 52.8% (49.7-55.9) to 70.9% (67.7-74.1) in men and from 36.5% (32.5-40.5) to 57.0% (53.4-60.6) in women. CONCLUSIONS Trends in systolic blood pressure, raised blood pressure, serum cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol levels, and use of antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering drug use in non-Maori and non-Pacific adult Aucklanders between 1982 to 2002-04 have been favourable. However, these favourable trends were, in part, counterbalanced by less favourable trends in body mass index, obesity, and cigarette-smoking. These findings suggest that the decline in cardiovascular mortality rates in New Zealand over the past 35 years may not be sustained.

Dietary intakes by different markers of socioeconomic status: results of a New Zealand workforce survey.

Abstract: AIM To compare dietary nutrient and food group intakes of men and women in a work force with various measures of socioeconomic status. METHODS Daily nutrient intakes were calculated from a self-administered food frequency questionnaire from participants in a cross-sectional health screening survey of a multiracial workforce carried out between May 1988 and April 1990. Participants comprised 5517 Maori, Pacific Island and Other workers (3997 men, 1520 women) aged 40 to 78 years. Socioeconomic measures included the New Zealand Socioeconomic Index (NZSEI), gross household income and level of education. RESULTS In general, there were trends across socioeconomic status levels with lower NZSEI occupational classes, lower family income, and non-tertiary education groups having lower intakes of dietary fibre, calcium, and alcohol and higher intakes of dietary cholesterol. These were reflected by their lower intakes of fruit, vegetables, milk, cheese and wine, and higher intakes of eggs. However, associations were not consistent across all measures of socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS Dietary intakes showed a generally more adverse pattern in the lower socioeconomic strata. NZSEI and education were associated with food group selections, whereas nutrient intakes were associated with income. More money available for food could improve nutrition. Public health programmes to improve nutrition need to be targeted at these groups and be coupled with personal support and structural changes that make "healthy choices the easy choices".

Blood pressure prevalences and levels for a multicultural population in Auckland, New Zealand: results from the Diabetes, Heart and Health Survey 2002/2003.

Abstract: Aims To estimate ethnic-specific raised blood pressure (RBP) prevalences, blood pressure levels, and associations of systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the Auckland region. Methods A cross-sectional survey of adults aged between 35-74 years in the Auckland region. There were 1006 Maori, 996 Pacific people (mostly of Samoan, Tongan, Niuean, or Cook Islands origin), and 2021 Others (mainly Europeans). Results Approximately 1 in 3 Maori and Pacific people had RBP (defined arbitrarily as greater than and equal to 140/90 mmHg or on blood pressure-lowering treatment), compared to 1 in 5 Others. The prevalences of RBP (adjusted for age and gender) were: Maori 37%, Pacific people 38%, and Others 22%. Maori and Pacific people had higher average systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels than Others (adjusted for age and gender). This difference became non-significant when adjusted for body mass index (BMI). SBP was (on average) higher for: male gender, increased age, increased BMI, no tertiary education, high pulse rate, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, those on current blood pressure-lowering medication. SBP was (on average) lower for current cigarette smokers. Conclusion Average blood pressure levels and the prevalences of RBP were higher in Pacific people and Maori compared to Others. BMI was identified as the major modifiable factor.

Parental attitudes towards the uptake of smoking by children.

Abstract: Issue addressed: Factors related to parental smoking and parenting practice have a big effect on adolescent smoking. More in-depth information about these relationships can be used to inform interventions. This study investigated Maori, Pacific Islander, New Zealand European and Asian parent attitudes and practices in relation to smoking uptake in children.

Metabolic equivalent (MET) intensities of culturally-specific physical activities performed by New Zealanders.

Abstract: Aims This study's purpose was to objectively measure the intensity, expressed as metabolic equivalents (METs), of free-living physical activities (PAs) performed by New Zealanders. Methods A sample of 186 European/Other (n=60), Mori (n=61), and Pacific (n=65) males and females (mean age 48.6±16.4 yrs) underwent 3 days of minute-by-minute heart rate monitoring (HRM) with individual calibration on a cycle ergometer. Mean METs were derived from average heart rate readings and compared to published equivalents from the United States (US) Compendium of Physical Activities. Results Although New Zealand-derived METs were slightly higher, comparison to the US instrument showed strong correlations (R 2 =0.62). Overall intensities for Mori kapahaka PAs ranged from 4.3 to 7.1 METs, and were generally classified as vigorous- and moderate-intensity for males and females, respectively. In addition to 12 New Zealand Mori and Pacific activities, 5 PAs captured during HRM are not found in the US Compendium, and New Zealand-derived METs for 9 PAs were classified differently from the US instrument. Conclusions Availability of New Zealand-specific MET intensities increases the precision of estimating energy expenditure and PA levels when direct measures are not possible. PA surveillance in New Zealand is further enhanced by the ability to substitute culturally-specific examples of intensity when necessary. Intensity is a dimension of physical activity (PA) that signifies the level of physical exertion associated with executing the activity. Absolute intensity represents the overall rate of energy expenditure (EE) while performing the PA, and metabolic equivalents (METs) 1 are universally accepted units for expressing EE relative to an individual's body weight. 2 One MET represents the rate of oxygen consumption (VO 2), approximately 3.5 ml·kg -1 ·min -1 , for an average adult sitting quietly. 3-5 Thus, an individual performing an activity of 4 METs has a VO 2 4 times higher than that at rest. 5 PA intensities are categorised in absolute terms as 'light' ( 6 METs), in accordance with guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). 5,6 Due to influencing factors such as an individual's age, gender, and fitness level, exact MET intensities can only be obtained through direct measures. Published tables of energy costs, such as the Compendium of Physical Activities 4,7 created in the United States (US), serve as references for estimating MET levels when direct measures are impractical. The US Compendium is an internationally accepted compilation of published and unpublished data that classifies an expansive range of PAs by MET

Blood pressure changes over 7 years in a large workforce cohort in New Zealand.

Abstract: AIM The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with changes in blood pressure levels over 7 years. METHODS The baseline Workforce Diabetes Survey was carried out between 1988 and 1990 on workers predominantly aged =40 years, and a follow-up survey of 4053 participants was carried out between 1995 and 1997. RESULTS Overall, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels increased by 6.0 (5.2%) and 3.1 (4.9%) mmHg, respectively, between the two surveys. The prevalence of GP-diagnosed raised blood pressure more than doubled over the 7 years--from 16.7% at baseline to 36.4% at follow-up. The two-thirds of participants whose blood pressure increased between the two surveys had on average lower baseline blood pressure levels, and were of shorter stature compared to those whose blood pressure levels showed no change or decreased (all p<0.05). A multivariate regression model of change in blood pressure over the 7 years showed that increase in systolic blood pressure levels was associated with lower baseline blood pressure levels; male gender; higher baseline weight and urinary albumin levels and greater increase in weight and urinary albumin levels over the 7 years; being of lower stature; being a never smoker; having newly or previously diagnosed diabetes; and being on current blood pressure lowering medication. CONCLUSION The principal modifiable factor associated with increasing blood pressure over the 7 years was higher baseline weight and a greater increase in weight during that time period. This study highlights the importance of prevention of weight gain as a key public health strategy and for managing raised blood pressure, which is one of the major determinants of the burden of CVD in New Zealand.