Showing papers in "Annals of Human Biology in 2013"
TL;DR: Knowing the total cell number of the human body as well as of individual organs is important from a cultural, biological, medical and comparative modelling point of view.
Abstract: Background: All living organisms are made of individual and identifiable cells, whose number, together with their size and type, ultimately defines the structure and functions of an organism. While...
851 citations
TL;DR: Because of the observed secular trends in growth, it is advised to use the new references, which have been endorsed by the Norwegian Department of Health, which were constructed for length/height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and head circumference.
Abstract: Background: Previous growth references for Norwegian children were based on measurements from the 1970s and 1980s. New reference data, collected through the Bergen Growth Study and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, are presented as LMS values. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional sample of children aged 0–19 years in stratified randomized design measured in 2003–2006 as a part of the Bergen Growth Study (n = 7291) and birth data of children born in 1999–2003 from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (n = 12 576) was used to estimate the new references by the means of the LMS method. Measurement reliability was assessed by test-rest studies. Results: New references were constructed for length/height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and head circumference. Length/height and weight for children aged 0–4 years were similar to previous Norwegian references, but mean height increased up to a maximum of 3.4 cm in boys and 2.5 cm in girls during the pubertal years. Mean height was similar to (or slightly hi...
137 citations
TL;DR: Although BMI and WC significantly predict resting blood pressure in adolescents, the use of ABSI explained a greater amount of the variance in BP in this population.
Abstract: Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) in childhood and adolescence is associated with overweight and obesity. Recently a body shape index (ABSI) has been suggested as superior to body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) and waist circumference (WC) as a measure of disease risk. Objective: To examine the association between ABSI, BMI, WC and BP in Portuguese adolescents and to consider the role of ABSI, BMI and WC when examining this issue in adolescents. Methods and procedures: Height, body mass, WC and resting blood pressure were assessed in 445 Portuguese adolescents (252 girls and 193 boys) aged 10–17 years. Results: ABSI, BMI and WC were all significantly related to both SBP and DBP (all p = 0.001 or better). ABSI, BMI and WC were all significant predictors of SBP and DBP for the whole sample and when analysed in separate gender groups (p = 0.001 or better in all cases). However, in all cases ABSI was a better predictor of BP than BMI or WC. Conclusions: Although BMI and WC significantly predict resting BP in ...
87 citations
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that MI among Shuar is not a uniformly negative process but instead produces complex cardiovascular and metabolic health outcomes.
Abstract: Background: Market integration (MI), the suite of social and cultural changes that occur with economic development, has been associated with negative health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease; however, key questions remain about how this transition manifests at the local level. Aim: The present paper investigates the effects of MI on health among Shuar, an indigenous lowland Ecuadorian population, with the goal of better understanding the mechanisms responsible for this health transition. Subjects and methods: This study examines associations between measures of MI and several dimensions of cardiovascular and metabolic health (fasting glucose, lipids [LDL, HDL and total cholesterol; triglycerides] and blood pressure) among 348 adults. Results: Overall, Shuar males and females have relatively favourable cardiovascular and metabolic health. Shuar who live closer to town have higher total (p < 0.001) and HDL cholesterol (p < 0.001), while Shuar in more remote regions have higher diastolic blood pressure...
71 citations
TL;DR: The inter-ethnic admixture landscape of Rio de Janeiro captured by autosomal AIM-Indels is in agreement with historical records and similar to that expected from uniparental mtDNA and Y-chromosome information.
Abstract: The Brazilian population is highly heterogeneous as a result of five centuries of inter-ethnic mating between native Amerindians, European colonizers and Africans arrived during slavery. This study aimed to assess the proportions of inter-ethnic admixture in the Brazilian population of Rio de Janeiro using autosomal Ancestry-Informative Markers (AIMs). The autosomal data were also compared to the results expected from uniparental genetic markers. A total of 413 individuals were genotyped for 46 AIM-Indels and ancestry estimates were then assessed using HGDP-CEPH samples as ancestral reference. Individuals from Rio de Janeiro presented highly diverse admixture patterns. The global admixture estimates showed a predominantly European ancestry, above 55%, followed by African and Amerindian contributions. A separate self-declared Afro-descendant group also included in this study revealed an increased African ancestry, from ∼30% to ∼50%. The inter-ethnic admixture landscape of Rio de Janeiro captured by autosomal AIM-Indels is in agreement with historical records and similar to that expected from uniparental mtDNA and Y-chromosome information. The AIM-Indel panel proved to be a rapid strategy to estimate autosomal genetic ancestry at individual and population levels in Rio de Janeiro, which is useful in population genetics and in case-control association studies.
58 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that 19 STR loci are polymorphic among the Han population in Southern China and is a useful tool in forensic paternity test and anthropological study.
Abstract: Background: The knowledge of allele and genotype frequencies is an essential prerequisite to the use of any human polymorphism in forensic medicine. Aim: To study the genetic polymorphism and evaluate the 19 STR loci using forensic medicine. Subjects and methods: Nineteen STR loci, which include D19S433, D5S818, D21S11, D18S51, D6S1043, D3S1358, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, Penta D, vWA, D8S1179, TPOX, Penta E, TH01, D12S391, D2S1338 and FGA, were amplified simultaneously with GoldeneyeTM DNA ID system 20A kit for 1161 unrelated Han individuals in Southern China. The PCR products were separated with the arrayed capillary electrophoresis. The allele frequency distribution and several parameters commonly used in forensic science were statistically analysed. Results: The observed heterozygosity (Hobs) of these 19 STR loci ranged from 0.6072–0.9070; the expected heterozygosity (Hexp) ranged from 0.6052–0.9117; the power of discrimination (PD) ranged from 0.7836–0.9662; the power of exclusion (PE) ranged ...
45 citations
TL;DR: After the age of 5 years national reference curves are more suitable than the WHO reference curves for clinical use in Austria and these height curves are very similar to the German reference curves published recently.
Abstract: Background: Previous studies have demonstrated differences between national and the WHO reference curves in children older than 5 years. Moreover, reference curves for body proportions (sitting height, subischial leg length and their ratio) based on state-of-the-art statistics are not available.Aim: To develop reference curves for height and body proportions for use in Austria and compare the curves with WHO reference curves. To estimate and statistically investigate extreme percentiles.Subjects and methods: A sample of ∼14 500 children between 4–19 years of age was drawn via schooling institutions, stratified by provinces according to age- and sex-specific population proportions. GAMLSS models were used for a flexible estimation of percentile curves.Results and conclusions: After the age of 5 years national reference curves are more suitable than the WHO reference curves for clinical use in Austria. These height curves are very similar to the German reference curves published recently. Therefore,...
38 citations
TL;DR: These findings indicate that orbit volume can index eye and visual cortex volume in humans, suggesting that larger high latitude orbits do translate into larger visual cortices.
Abstract: Background: In humans orbital volume increases linearly with absolute latitude. Scaling across mammals between visual system components suggests that these larger orbits should translate into larger eyes and visual cortices in high latitude humans. Larger eyes at high latitudes may be required to maintain adequate visual acuity and enhance visual sensitivity under lower light levels.Aim: To test the assumption that orbital volume can accurately index eyeball and visual cortex volumes specifically in humans.Subjects and methods: Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques are employed to measure eye and orbit (n = 88) and brain and visual cortex (n = 99) volumes in living humans. Facial dimensions and foramen magnum area (a proxy for body mass) were also measured.Results: A significant positive linear relationship was found between (i) orbital and eyeball volumes, (ii) eyeball and visual cortex grey matter volumes and (iii) different visual cortical areas, independently of overall brain ...
35 citations
TL;DR: The relationship between motor performance and selected biological factors varied with age and with the specificity of the motor test, and age in months and sex stood out as the main predictors of motor performance.
Abstract: Background: Biological factors can affect the motor development process of children However, the magnitude of these effects throughout the developmental process remains fairly unknownAim: To determine the influence of age, sex and selected somatic measures on the motor performance of pre-school childrenSubjects and methods: Three hundred and sixty-seven pre-schoolers (172 boys and 195 girls), aged from 3–5 years old, were recruited from 10 public pre-schools located in the district of Viana do Castelo, Portugal The children’s motor performance was assessed by five motor sub-tests of Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2: grasping, visuo-motor integration, stationary, locomotion and object manipulation sub-tests Age, sex, height, weight and BMI were considered as hypothetical predictors of motor performance Pearson’s correlation test and multiple linear regression analysis were used to explore the magnitude of the relationship between motor sub-tests and the hypothetical predictorsResults: De
33 citations
TL;DR: The prevalence of AO among adolescents was higher in both sexes and AO is associated with different eating habits in females and males and these relationships are mediated by familial contexts.
Abstract: Background and aims: Lifestyle variables have a key role in the development of abdominal obesity (AO). The objective of this study was to identify lifestyle factors and socioeconomic variables associated with AO in adolescents. Methods and results: This study carried out a school-based survey in the Brazilian city of Maringa in Parana. The representative sample was of 991 adolescents (54.5% girls) from both public and private high schools selected through multi-stage random sampling. AO was classified according to waist circumference value. The independent variables studied were: gender, age, socioeconomic level, parental and household characteristics, smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour and nutrition-related habits. Poisson regression was used with robust variance adjustment to analyse the associations. The analysis was stratified by sexes. The prevalence of AO was 32.7% (girls = 36.3%, boys = 28.4%). In girls, excessive intake of fried foods was inversely associated with AO an...
33 citations
TL;DR: High physical activity levels were associated with much higher levels of energy expenditure than observed in Western societies and oppose the concept of physical activity being stable and constrained in humans.
Abstract: Purpose: To examine the relationship between physical activity and energy demands in children and adolescents with highly active lifestyles.Methods: Physical activity patterns of 30 rural Kenyan children and adolescents (14 ± 1 years, mean ± SD) with median body mass index (BMI) z-score = −1.06 [−3.29–0.67] median [range] were assessed by accelerometry over 1 week. Daily energy expenditure (DEE), activity-induced energy expenditure (AEE) and physical activity level (PAL) were simultaneously determined using doubly-labelled water (DLW). Active commuting to school was assessed by global positioning system.Results: Mean DEE, AEE and PAL were 12.2 ± 3.4, 5.7 ± 3.0 MJ/day and 2.3 ± 0.6, respectively. A model combining body mass, average accelerometer counts per minute and time in light activities predicted 45% of the variance in DEE (p < 0.05) with a standard error of DEE estimate of 2.7 MJ/day. Furthermore, AEE accounted for ∼47% of DEE. Distance to school was not related to variation in DEE, AEE or P...
TL;DR: Voice change has a number of attractive features as a marker of male pubertal timing including its methodological and technical simplicity as well as its social salience to group members.
Abstract: Background: Age at menarche is often used to measure maturational tempo in girls. Unfortunately, no parallel marker exists for boys. It is suggested that voice change has a number of advantages as a marker of the timing and degree of male pubertal development. Aim: Traditional auxological methods are applied to voice change in order to compare differential development both between (males vs females; Tsimane vs North American; better vs worse condition) and within (voice vs height; fundamental frequency vs formant structure) populations. Subjects and methods: Fundamental and formant frequencies, as well as height and weight, were measured for 172 Tsimane males and females, aged 8–23. Participants were assigned to ‘better’ or ‘worse’ condition based on a median split of height-for-age and weight-for-age z-scores. Results: Results support dramatic vocal changes in males. Peak voice change among Tsimane male adolescents occurs∼1 year later than in an age-matched North American sample. Achieved adult male voic...
TL;DR: Metabolic derangements are prevalent in children who were detected to be non-obese by anthropometric measures, and clinicians should actively look and correct them.
Abstract: Background: Obesity-associated metabolic consequences are commonly seen among young South Asians. Objective: To assess the nutritional status, prevalence of metabolic derangements and to identify the validity of different obesity diagnostic criteria in the detection of metabolic derangements among 5–15 year old school children in the Colombo district of Sri Lanka. Materials and procedures: After a 12-hour overnight fast, blood was drawn for glucose, lipid profile and alanine amino transferase (ALT) enzyme. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done with blood taken for random blood sugar 2 hours after glucose load. Height, weight, waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure were measured. Results: Nine hundred and twenty children were studied (boys, n = 547). Thirty-two (3.5%) were obese according to IOTF classification. Five (0.5%) and 57 (6.2%) children had systolic and diastolic hypertension. Twelve (1.3%) and three (0.3%) had impaired fasting glucose and 2-hour OGTT, respectively. One hundred and thi...
TL;DR: The substantial joint effect of the risk factors suggests that interventions focusing on these risk factors should be part of pre-conceptional and pre-natal care.
Abstract: Background: Hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy increase the risk of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes.Aim: To assess the impact of age, education, family history of cardiovascular disease, pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and weight gain during pregnancy on hypertensive disorders, among primiparae and multiparae.Subjects and methods: In a birth cohort study, puerperae were consecutively recruited at public maternity units of Porto, Portugal (2005–2006). The study included 6952 women with singleton births and complete data. Hypertensive disorders included chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia/eclampsia.Results: Overall, hypertensive disorders affected 4.6% of single pregnancies and were associated with older age, lower education, family history of cardiovascular disease and excessive weight before and during pregnancy, similarly in primiparae and multiparae. Approximately 50% of cases among primiparae and 70% among multiparae were attributable to the join...
TL;DR: A successful modelling of testis growth led to a new pubertal milestone, APTV, and the high correlations between the phenomenologically different domains “linear growth” and “pubertal development” allow the conclusion that these different domains develop along similar biological mechanisms, which are steered mainly by genetic factors.
Abstract: Background: Growth and pubertal development have each been studied in detail, but rarely in conjunction.Aim: The study aim was to determine what somatic and pubertal development have in common and how they differ and to quantify the association between milestones for growth and for pubertal development (in terms of pubic hair and genitalia/breast, Age of Peak Testes Velocity, APTV and menarche) in relation both to chronological (CA) and bone age (RUS).Subjects and methods: The data analysed are from the 1st Zurich Longitudinal Growth Study, with 120 boys and 112 girls with almost complete data from birth to adulthood.Results: Variability of pubertal milestones was somewhat reduced in terms of RUS, in particular in later phases. Pubic hair phase PH2 appeared ∼1 year after the onset of the pubertal spurt. Around the age of maximal deceleration (T9) an adult-like appearance of pubic hair, genitalia and breasts was reached in most cases. APTV occurred close to T8. Correlations were large between miles...
TL;DR: This erratum has corrected three mistakes in the original manuscript in the direct calculation of peak height velocity and age at take-off and has implemented the solutions in a STATA program which directly calculates the estimates, standard errors and confidence intervals for age, height and velocity at peak height Velocity.
Abstract: A new family of mathematical functions to fit longitudinal growth data was described in 1978. The ability of researchers to directly use parameters as estimates of age at peak height velocity resulted in them overlooking the possibility of directly calculating these quantities after model estimation. This erratum has corrected three mistakes in the original manuscript in the direct calculation of peak height velocity and age at take-off and has implemented the solutions in a STATA program which directly calculates the estimates, standard errors and confidence intervals for age, height and velocity at peak height velocity.
TL;DR: The disharmonic secular change in weight and height has led to high overweight/obesity in Argentinian schoolchildren, consistent with global and regional trends, indicating a shift in BMI distribution, especially at the higher centiles.
Abstract: Aim: To assess secular changes in physical growth and the current prevalence and trend of overweight/obesity in Argentinian schoolchildren.Subjects and methods: One thousand and forty-nine schoolchildren aged 6 and 12 years attending schools in 1990 were compared with an age-matched sample of 935 boys and girls collected between 2005–2007. Changes in weight, height and BMI by age between the surveys were analysed using one-way analysis of variance. Overweight and obesity were defined according to IOTF criteria and compared by Chi-squared test. Odds ratios (OR) and intervals of confidence (95% CI) were also calculated.Results: Six and 12 year-old boys and girls were significantly heavier (1.2–3.2 kg) and had higher BMIs (0.7–1.0 kg/m2) in 2005–2007 than in 1990. Significant differences in height were seen in 6 year old boys (1.5 cm) and 12 year old girls (1.3 cm). Overweight and obesity increased by 4.4% (OR = 1.4, 1.1–1.8) and 5.9% (OR = 4.3, 2.8–6.5), respectively; obesity being higher in younger...
TL;DR: Low birth weight and mother’s trauma during pregnancy are risk factors for underweight in Polish schoolchildren, particularly in boys.
Abstract: Background: An increased prevalence of body mass deficit among children has been reported in developing countries, including Eastern European states which have undergone political transformation. However, there are few studies evaluating risk factors for body mass deficit in schoolchildren and adolescents.Aim: To assess selected familial, pre-natal and early life factors in terms of risk associated with the prevalence of body mass deficit in children aged 7–10 years.Subjects and methods: Logistic regression models based on 812 records for children aged 7–10 years were applied for the evaluation of familial, pre-natal and perinatal risk factors affecting the height-to-weight ratio.Results: The risk of underweight in 7–10-year-old children is significantly higher for girls (OR = 1.70) and for children whose mothers reported a traumatic experience during pregnancy (OR = 2.77). The effect of reported stress during pregnancy differed as regards the child’s sex. Mother’s trauma increased the risk of bod...
TL;DR: The homogenous genetic strata of the West Slavic populations and the Slovenian population suggest the existence of a common ancestral Slavic population in central European region.
Abstract: Background: The Slovenian territory is geographically positioned between the Alps, the Adriatic Sea, the Pannonian basin and the Dinaric Mountains and, as such, has served as a passageway for different populations over different periods of time. Turbulent historic events and the diverse geography of the region have produced a diverse contemporary population whose genetic analysis could provide insight into past demographic events.Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse Y-chromosome biallelic and STR markers in a Slovenian population from five different regions.Subjects and methods: A total of 42 Y-chromosomal biallelic markers and 17 Y-STRs were genotyped in 399 individuals from five different Slovenian regions.Results: The analysis of Y-chromosome markers revealed 29 different haplogroups in the Slovenian population, with the most common being R1a1a, R1b, I2a1 and I1. Analysis of the genetic affiliations between different populations revealed strong affiliations of the Slovenian gene pool with ...
TL;DR: BA can be successfully modelled as a semi-quantitative entity and shows marked associations with somatic development, despite the fact that the latter reflects changes in size, while the former is essentially a maturity index and reflecting changes in biochemical composition of tissues.
Abstract: Background: Somatic and bone development have each been studied in detail, but rarely in conjunction.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine what somatic and bone development have in common and how they differ. A second aim was to check for a pubertal spurt in bone age (BA) and to quantify it in a similar way as has been done for height. The Preece–Baines model is used to fit longitudinal data for BA.Subjects and methods: The data analysed are from the 1st Zurich Longitudinal Growth Study comprising 120 boys and 112 girls with almost complete data from birth to adulthood.Results: Variability of somatic milestones was reduced in terms of BA and there was an aftergrowth after reaching adult RUS score 1000. A strong increase in the RUS score was seen at a late stage of the pubertal spurt (PS). Somatic milestones correlated with the RUS score attained at these ages and more so at an early stage of the PS. A PS for BA was clearly identified with a location at 14.2 years for boys and 12.2 years for ...
TL;DR: These findings are important for future investigations in the field and in epidemiological and clinical settings so as to accurately identify risk of lower or higher adiposity and body composition using FM and FFM.
Abstract: Background: The composition of fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) are now considered to be important indicators of body composition Aim: This cross-sectional study determines the body composition using FM and FFM among children Subjects and methods: The study was conducted among 1248 children (619 boys; 629 girls) aged 5–12 years and belonging to the Bengalee Muslim population of West Bengal, India Anthropometric measurements of height, weight, triceps and sub-scapular skin-folds were recorded and body mass index (BMI) calculated Body composition was assessed using FM and FFM Results: The age-specific mean values of FM and FFM ranged from 193–307 kg (boys) and 191–362 kg (girls) and from 1469–2344 kg (boys) and 1418–2287 kg (girls), respectively Statistically significant sex differences were observed in FM and FFM (p < 005) Age- and sex-specific smooth percentile curves were derived for BMI, FM and FFM using the L, M and S modelling approach for further evaluation of body composition C
TL;DR: A context for the research participants’ decision-making process, strategies to allay fears and concerns and concrete areas to target in research-related interventions are provided.
Abstract: Background: Biobehavioural research methodology can be invasive and burdensome for participants – particularly adolescents with mental illnesses. Human biological researchers should consider how methodological impositions may hinder adolescent research participation. However, literature on adolescent’s voices and concerns toward biobehavioural research participation is virtually non-existent.Aim: This study was designed to determine adolescents’ perceptions of participation in research involving the collection of biomarkers via blood, saliva and/or urine samples.Subjects and methods: Urban adolescent females (aged 12–19) receiving outpatient mental health treatment (n = 37) participated in focus groups with concurrent survey administration to explore attitudes, beliefs and willingness/intentions toward biobehavioural research participation.Results: Participants had favourable attitudes toward biobehavioural research and were amenable to provide each specimen type. Mistrust for research emerged, ho...
TL;DR: These centile curves could help assess the relative growth of Pacific children and identify children for further assessment and treatment and support the need to prioritize interventions for Pacific families to address childhood obesity.
Abstract: Background: Since 2000, the longitudinal Pacific Island Families study has measured the weight, height and body mass index (BMI) of 582 girls and 643 boys at 2, 4, 6 and 9 year data collection phases.Aim: To extend and record the age-related distribution of weight, height and BMI measures in Pacific children aged 2–10 years and to compare the distribution to population and clinical growth charts.Methods: Gender-specific age-related centile curves were derived using the LMS method for weight, height and BMI. The 50th centiles from the World Health Organisation growth reference for 2–5 year olds and the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) for 5–10 year olds were compared. Overweight and obesity were defined by the CDC BMI 85th and 95th centiles.Results: The proportion of children whose weight and height were above the reference 50th centile increased with age. At age 10, using CDC criteria, more than 50% of the children were classified as obese and 70% were overweight.Conclusions: These charts support...
TL;DR: Aerobic fitness has a low tracking between APHV and adulthood, and comparisons of aggregated sexes revealed the low adolescent VO2peak group had lower values in adulthood relative to other groups.
Abstract: Background: Although adults’ aerobic fitness is known to be correlated with cardiovascular disease risk, the longitudinal relationship with adolescent aerobic fitness is poorly described.Aim: To longitudinally investigate the relationship between aerobic fitness during adolescence and adulthood.Subjects and methods: Participants (207 boys, 149 girls) aged 7–17 years performed annual measures of VO2peak. In adulthood (40 and 50 years), 78 individuals (59 males and 18 females) were reassessed. Serial height measurements were used to estimate age at peak height velocity (APHV). During adolescence, VO2peak was measured via a treadmill test to voluntary exhaustion; adult VO2peak was assessed using submaximal predictive tests. Correlations were tested using Spearman’s rho. ANCOVA was used to assess adult VO2peak group differences based off APHV VO2peak groupings (low, average or high).Results: When sexes were pooled, moderate tracking existed from 2 years prior to APHV to APHV and APHV to 2 years after ...
TL;DR: 2D:4D is not strongly associated with adult anthropometric measures, including those of adiposity, and no substantial association was found between any assessed anthropometric measure, includingThose of adipulence and 2D: 4D.
Abstract: Objectives: This report aimed to assess whether second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is associated with adult anthropometric measures and, in particular, measurements of adiposity. Methods: Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and bioelectrical resistance and reactance were measured at baseline attendance of the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. 2D:4D was measured from photocopies of participants' hands that were taken at a recent follow-up of the cohort. Complete anthropometric and 2D:4D data were available for 8840 women and 6076 men. Linear regression models adjusted for age at baseline and country of birth were used to estimate the expected mean increment in anthropometric measures for a standard deviation increment in 2D:4D. Results: No substantial association was found between any assessed anthropometric measure, including those of adiposity and 2D:4D. Conclusions: 2D:4D is not strongly associated with adult anthropometric measures, including those of adiposity.
TL;DR: Although bivariate analysis showed elevated fertility and childhood mortality among the women with consanguineous marriage, after controlling for relevant socio-demographic factors in multivariate analysis, fertility, childhood mortality and foetal loss showed no significant association withconsanguinity.
Abstract: Background: The long tradition of high prevalence of consanguineous marriages in Omani society may have ramifications for reproductive behaviour and health of offspring. Aim: To examine the relevance of consanguinity to reproductive behaviour, adverse pregnancy outcome and offspring mortality in Oman. Subjects and methods: The data analysed came from the 2000 Oman National Health Survey. Selected indicators that are related to reproductive behaviour, adverse pregnancy outcome and offspring mortality were considered as explanatory variables. Various statistical methods and tests were used for data analysis. Results: Consanguineous marriage was found to be associated with lower age at first birth, higher preference for larger family size, lower level of husband–wife communication about use of family planning methods and lower rate of contraceptive use. Although bivariate analysis showed elevated fertility and childhood mortality among the women with consanguineous marriage, after controlling for relevant so...
TL;DR: Improvements to the statistical basis of the FELS method provide a more effective method of estimating skeletal maturity, which led to narrower confidence limits and a natural interpretation of skeletal age.
Abstract: Background: Evaluation of skeletal maturity provides clinicians and researchers a window into the developmental progress of the skeleton. The FELS method for maturity assessment provides a point estimate and standard error based on 98 skeletal indicators.Aim: This paper outlines the statistical methodology used by the original FELS method and evaluates improvements that address the following: serial correlation in the calibration sample is now considered, a Bayesian estimation method is now employed to improve estimation near ages 0 and 18 years and uncertainty in the calibration due to sampling is now accounted for when computing confidence limits.Subjects and methods: The original FELS method was calibrated using 677 Fels Longitudinal Study participants. In the improved method, serial correlation is accounted for using GEE, a Bayesian analysis with a prior centred on chronological age is used and the bootstrap is used to account for all sources of variation.Results: Accounting for serial correla...
TL;DR: Overweight and obesity increased remarkably among Shandong adolescents from 1985–2010 and has become a serious public health problem and comprehensive evidence-based strategies of intervention should be introduced.
Abstract: Background: Prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased in both developed and developing countries. The increasing global prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents constitutes a public health crisis Aim: The present study assessed the rural–urban differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Shandong Province, China from 1985–2010. Subjects and methods: The BMI of adolescents aged 7–18 years was calculated using data from five national repeated cross-sectional surveys on students' constitution and health carried out by the government in 1985, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010 in Shandong Province, China. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was obtained according to the WGOC (Working Group on Obesity in China) reference norm and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-offs. Results: In the past 25 years, The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased rapidly: The rate of overweight plus obesity by WGOC reference norm increased from 3.60% ...
TL;DR: Observed parameters showed marker-specific sex differences in plasma, but these differences were not related to sex hormones, reflecting oral but not systemic conditions.
Abstract: Background: Several studies showed there are sex differences in oxidative stress. An observational study analysing oxidative stress markers in young healthy men and women is lacking. Moreover, it is unclear whether the differences are related to sex hormones. Aim: The primary goal was to analyse differences in oxidative stress markers with regard to sex in plasma of young healthy subjects and whether differences are related to sex hormones. The secondary study compared oxidative stress markers in plasma with salivary samples. Methods: Plasma and saliva samples were analysed from 158 young healthy probands. Established spectro-photometric/fluorometric methods were used to quantify oxidative stress markers. Sex hormones were measured using ELISA kits. Results: In plasma, malondialdehyde and advanced glycation end products were significantly higher in women. Advanced oxidation protein products and the ferric reducing ability of plasma were higher in men. Sex hormones were not associated with oxidative stress...
TL;DR: It is reported that birth weight ≥ 2780 g and head circumference at birth ≥ 33 cm are independent predictors of breastfeeding onset success and not associated with a higher risk of early discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding.
Abstract: Background: Many studies have shown that children born small for gestational age are at a metabolic disadvantage. Breastfeeding is associated with reduced risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Objective: To determine whether ponderal index, weight, length or head circumference at birth affect early exclusive breastfeeding discontinuation. Design: Information from medical records of full-term infants attending the same paediatric clinic was used to examine the relationship between birth size and failure to breastfeed within 28 days after birth. Details of demographics and diagnoses were prospectively recorded. Feeding method was assessed at each child visit by their healthcare provider. Feeding practices were compared between infants of high, normal and low ponderal index at birth. Results: Multivariate models (p's ≤ 0.02) confirmed that the chance of exclusive breastfeeding continuation within 4 weeks of life was less in infants whose birth weight was below 2780 g or whose neonatal head circumference was...