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PubMed2004

Predictors of the accuracy of self-reported height and weight in adolescent female school students.

OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated predictors of the accuracy of self-reported values of body weight and height in adolescent females. METHOD: Self-reported and measured weight and height values were obtained for 683 school students aged 11-18 years. Predictors of accuracy were determined for self-reported weight, height, and body mass index (BMI; based on self-reported values). RESULTS: Self-reported weight was underestimated. This was most likely for students with higher BMI values and actual weight. Younger, early pubertal and premenarcheal students were most likely to underestimate their height whereas older, postmenarcheal (more than 3 years) students were most likely to overestimate their height. The more exercise reported, the more accurate the height estimation. This translates to a greater underestimation of BMI as adolescents become older, have a longer duration since menarche, and exercise more. DISCUSSION: When accurate information is required, clinicians should measure height and weight, particularly if the adolescent female is perimenarcheal or appears to differ from population averages for height and weight.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Nutritional status of schoolchildren in an urban area of Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: As in many other Asian countries, Sri Lanka is in the phase of a rapid demographic, nutritional and epidemiological transition. As a result dietary habits and lifestyle are changing. These have led to new health problems in the region. Childhood overweight and obesity are examples of such problems. OBJECTIVE: To provide information on the nutritional status of 8-12 years old schoolchildren in an urban area of Sri Lanka. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seven schools situated in the city of Colombo were randomly selected. They showed a fair representation of children of all social levels. Fifty students from each grade (years 4, 5, 6, 7) of each school were randomly selected. Their height was measured using a stadiometer to the closest 0.1cm and weight measured using an electronic weighing scale (Seca, France) to the closest 100 g. Calibration was checked with a standard weight at each 25 measurements. Information regarding behaviour, feeding practices and socioeconomic factors were obtained by a questionnaire filled by the parent or the guardian. To define obesity and overweight, sex and age specific body mass index (BMI) criteria recommended by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) were used. The age and sex specific BMI 5th percentile from revised NCHS (2000) growth charts were used to define thinness. Weight and height Z score of less than -2 from the median of height for age and weight for age derived using the ANTHRO software (CDC, USA) were used to define stunting and underweight respectively. Data were analysed using Epilnfo 2000 (CDC, USA) computer package. RESULTS: Anthropometric data of 1 224 children (48% boys), and feeding practices and behaviour pattern data of 1 102 children (44% boys) were analysed. Obesity prevalence among boys (4.3%) was higher than in girls (3.1%). The prevalence of thinness was 24.7% in boys and 23.1% in girls. 5.1% of boys and 5.2% of girls were stunted. 7.0% of boys and 6.8% of girls were underweight. 66% of obese children and 43.5% of overweight children belonged to high-income category (monthly family income more than Rs. 20,000). Apart from family income, behaviour patterns did not significantly influence the nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS: Although the data are not representative of the entire country, nutritional transition is evident in the city of Colombo. Obesity and overweight in older children are some emerging nutritional problems that may be the consequence of emerging patterns of the lifestyle and diet in response to social and cultural changes.

Age Distribution↗

PubMed1992

Evaluation of mating systems involving five breeds for integrated beef production systems: III. Integrated system.

Angus (A), Charolais (C), Hereford (H), Limousin (L), and Simmental (S) breeds were included in deterministic computer models simulating integrated cow-calf-feedlot production systems. Three mating systems were used: pure-breeding and two-and three-breed rotational crossbreeding. Breed information was taken from the literature. Herd sizes were unrestricted; however, 100 heifers were saved as replacements. Cows were removed for reproductive failure, age (greater than 10.5 yr), or death. Calves produced in the cow-calf segment were fed in a custom feedlot to four slaughter end points: 440 d, 457 d, 288-kg carcass weight, and low Choice. All animals were fed to requirements. Cull cows were slaughtered after weaning. Biological and economic efficiencies improved with crossbreeding; however, rankings of breed combinations depended on how efficiencies were measured (weight, lean, or value basis). Among purebreds, reproductive performance had a large influence on breed rankings at age and weight end points, whereas feedlot performance was important at the low Choice end point. Crossbred combinations involving British (A or H) and Continental (C or S) breeds were more efficient than other crossbred combinations at all end points. However, choosing specific breed combinations for integrated systems depends on slaughter end points, market end points (weight vs lean), and measures of efficiency (weight, lean, or value basis).

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed1987

Brain growth during ethanol-induced hypoplasia.

The inhibition of fetal brain growth resulting from in utero ethanol exposure may impair central nervous system (CNS) development and thereby result in mental retardation. Studies of ethanol-induced brain hypoplasia using chick embryos have shown that the early development of the chick is significantly growth inhibited by a single dose of ethanol (1.0 g/kg) given at the start of incubation (day 0). However, this level of ethanol exposure has been reported to have no effect on chick weight measured at hatching, suggesting that the weights of ethanol-treated chicks were regained during their development. The present experiments were undertaken to determine the biochemical changes associated with the varying growth rates believed to occur in the alcohol-treated embryos. The results indicated that between days 5 and 8 of development, the rates of DNA and protein synthesis (measured as radioactive thymidine and leucine incorporation, respectively) were inhibited by ethanol. The growth inhibition was highly correlated with blood alcohol content and there were associated increases in brain prostaglandin E (PGE) levels relative to vehicle-treated embryos. Further, there was a significant, inverse correlation between brain cyclic AMP content and individual brain weight. By day 10, the ethanol-treated embryos remained smaller than controls but their rates of DNA and protein synthesis were comparable to those of control animals. The normal rates of synthesis observed on day 10 appeared to correlate with clearance of the ethanol dose and with restoration of normal brain levels of PGE relative to 10-day vehicle-dosed embryos.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

A longitudinal study of chronic lead exposure and physical growth in Boston children.

We investigated the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between chronic exposure to lead and physical growth among a cohort of children reassessed 13 years after initial examination. We measured weight, height, and dentin lead levels of 270 children in 1975-78. In 1989-1990 we reexamined 79 of these children for measurement of weight, height, and bone lead levels by means of in vivo K X-ray fluorescence. To avoid potential confounding by race and chelation history, analysis was restricted to white subjects without a history of lead chelation therapy. A total of 236 subjects provided complete information for the study of cross-sectional relationship between dentin lead levels and changes in physical growth: 58 subjects for the study of longitudinal relationship between dentin lead levels and changes in physical growth and 54 subjects for the study of longitudinal relationship between bone lead levels and changes in physical growth. Dentin lead levels averaged 14.9 micrograms/g; tibia and patella lead levels averaged 1.2 and 5.0 micrograms/g, respectively. With control for potential confounders including age, sex, baseline body size, and mother's socioeconomic status, log10 dentin lead level was positively associated with body mass index as of 1975-1978 (beta = 1.02, p = 0.03) and increase in body mass index between 1975-78 and 1989-90 (beta = 2.65, p = 0.03). Bone lead levels were not significantly associated with physical growth. This is the first study relating chronic lead exposure to body mass index. The results suggest that chronic lead exposure in childhood may result in obesity that persists into adulthood.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Agreement between measured and self-reported weight in older women. Results from the British Women's Heart and Health Study.

BACKGROUND: previous studies of the accuracy of self-reported weight have been criticised for using inadequate methods and have included only young or middle aged adults. Self-report is more likely to be relied upon in both clinical and research practice in older age groups. The cultural pressures that may cause the tendency among younger women to underestimate their weight, particularly when they are overweight, may operate differently in older women. OBJECTIVE: to determine the accuracy of self-reported weight among older women. METHODS: national cross sectional survey of women aged 60-79 from 9 towns across England, Scotland and Wales. Self-reported weight from a participant questionnaire was compared to measured weight at examination. RESULTS: of 2729 women who were invited, 1636 (60%) returned the questionnaire (of whom 1549 gave a self-reported weight) and 1384 (51%) attended for examination (of whom 1381 were weighed). In total there were 1310 (48% of the total invited sample) with complete self-report and measured weight. Self-reported and measured weight were highly correlated (Pearson's correlation coefficient, 0.982 95% confidence interval, 0.979-0.983) and self-reported weight differed from measured weight by only 1.0 kg (95% confidence interval 0.8 kg, 1.1 kg) on average. However, a difference plot, with limits of agreement at -4.0 kg to +6.0 kg (95% confidence intervals: lower limit -4.3 kg, -3.8 kg; upper limit +5.7 kg, +6.2 kg) revealed poor agreement between methods. Obese individuals, in particular, were more likely to underestimate their weight. CONCLUSIONS: though self-report of weight by women in their 60s and 70s is highly correlated, at an individual level differences between self-report and measured weight are frequently large. Obese individuals, in particular, tend to underestimate their weight. Self-report of weight should not be relied upon in prospective epidemiological studies or clinical practice when accuracy at the level of the individual is required.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Weight-for-height measurement and saturated fatty acid intake are predictors of serum cholesterol level in children.

To assess the relationship of serum cholesterol level to anthropometric measurements and dietary intake, we measured serum cholesterol, height, weight, triceps skinfold, and 24-hour dietary intake in 80 children (mean age = 9.8 years) during April 1989. The mean serum cholesterol level was 3.95 mmol/l. In comparison with national data, weight-for-height and triceps skinfold measurements exceeded the 90th percentile in 18 (23%) and 26 (33%) of the children, respectively. Mean cholesterol and fat intakes were 114 mg/1,000 kcal and 36% of energy, respectively. In multiple stepwise regression analyses, weight-for-height measurement and saturated fatty acid intake were most predictive of serum cholesterol levels. Diets of children who consumed 30% of energy or less from fat (low-fat group) met or exceeded the Recommended Dietary Allowances except for energy and vitamin E and were higher in percentage of energy from carbohydrate, dietary fiber, magnesium, iron, and copper than were diets of children who consumed 31% of energy or more from fat (high-fat group). Children in the high-fat group ate more red/processed meats, baked desserts, and fats/oils than children in the low-fat group. Our data indicate that programs to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease in children may need to focus on maintaining ideal body weight and reducing saturated fatty acid intake.

Anthropometry↗

PubMed1980

Patient-care unit system for measuring clinical and distributive pharmacy workload.

A time-weighted measurement of workload for distributive and clinical pharmaceutical services, the Patient-care Unit (PCU) System, is described. The Department of Pharmaceutical Services and the School of Pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco, defines each patient-care pharmaceutical activity and assigns it a weighted value (WPCU) based on the time required to complete the activity. Manpower requirements are based on WPCUs and records of activities performed. Forty-two WPCUs have been defined. Based on these units, the PCU System permits (1) determination of pharmacy time devoted to distributive and clinical pharmaceutical services, (2) evaluation of staffing requirements for existing or proposed programs, (3) measurement of departmental productivity, and (4) comparison of pharmaceutical services offered in different hospitals. Applications and limitations of the PCU concept, which has been adopted by nine other hospitals, are discussed. The PCU System is a step toward development of a uniform workload reporting system for hospital pharmacies.

California↗

PubMed1994

The relationship of egg cholesterol to serum cholesterol, serum calcium, feed consumption, and dietary cholecalciferol.

Hy-Line W36 hens, 20 wk of age, were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments consisting of cholecalciferol at (0, 550, or 2,750 IU/kg of finished feed). Serum calcium and cholesterol, yolk cholesterol, and egg specific gravity were measured. Feed consumption, egg production, and egg weight measurements were also recorded. Feed consumption, egg production, and egg weights were initially reduced when cholecalciferol was omitted from the diet. These effects disappeared by the beginning of the fourth 28-d period. Egg cholesterol concentrations among treatments followed no consistent pattern. A positive correlation was noted between serum calcium and serum cholesterol.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Obesity and depressive symptoms in elderly Japanese: the Tsurugaya Project.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the association between obesity and depressive symptoms in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1128 community-dwelling elderly Japanese aged 70 years or older in 2002. We calculated the body mass index [BMI=weight (kg)/height (m)2] from measured weight and height and evaluated depressive symptoms using the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS 30), with a cut-off point of 11. RESULTS: In men, no apparent association was observed between BMI and depressive symptoms. An inverse linear trend was observed in women overall, but stratified analysis of chronic medical conditions, such as stroke or cancer, showed an inverse association was evident only among women with the conditions. Among women without these chronic conditions, no apparent association was evident. CONCLUSION: No apparent association was observed in men overall or in apparently healthy women. An inverse trend was observed only in women with chronic medical conditions.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Shared care for diabetes: supporting communication between primary and secondary care.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects on information exchange of electronic communication between physicians co-treating diabetic patients. DESIGN: Comparison of traditional paper-based communication for reporting and electronic communication. SETTING: General practitioners and an internal medicine outpatient clinic of an urban public hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 275 diabetic patients, and the 32 general practitioners and one internal medicine consultant who cared for them. INTERVENTION: An electronic communication network, linking up the computer-based patient records of the physicians, thus enabling electronic data interchange. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of letters sent and received per year by the general practitioners, the number of diabetes-related parameters (e.g. results of laboratory tests) in the patient records, and HBA1C levels. RESULTS: INTERVENTION GPs received more messages per year (1.6 per patient) than control GPs (0.5 per patient, P<0.05). Significant higher availability (P<0.05) was achieved for data on HBA1C levels, fructosamine levels, blood pressure measurements, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and weight measurements. INTERVENTION patients showed a slight but significant decrease of HBA1C levels in the second semester of 1994 (from 7.0 to 6.8, P = 0.03), control patients also showed a slightly decreased group mean, but this change was not significant (from 6.6 to 6.5, P = 0.52). The magnitudes of these mean differences, however, were not significantly different (intervention group: 0.21; control group: 0.12, P = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: The electronic communication network for exchanging consultation outcomes significantly increased frequency of communication and the availability of data to the general practitioner on diagnostic procedures performed in the hospital, thus providing more complete information about the care that patients are receiving. A large-scale experiment over a longer period of time is needed to assess the effects of improved communication on quality of care.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Is there a causal relation between obesity and asthma? Evidence from Chile.

OBJECTIVE: An association between obesity and asthma symptoms has been reported in the literature, but such a relationship is inconsistent if atopic status or bronchial hyper responsiveness (BHR) is considered. The objective was to assess the association between obesity and asthma symptoms or BHR in adults. METHODS: A study was carried out in 1232 people born between 1974 and 1978 in Chile. The participants completed the European Community Health Survey questionnaire, were skin tested and subject to a BHR challenge to methacholine. MEASUREMENTS: Weight, height and waist circumference were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. RESULTS: There was a positive association between wheeze and breathlessness following exercise and BMI (both with an OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.06), the associations with wheeze tended to disappear in women who did react at least to one allergen, and persisted in those who did not react to any allergens. BMI was negatively associated with BHR (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89-0.97). Waist circumference was not associated with asthma symptoms and it was negatively associated with BHR. CONCLUSION: Although there was an association between BMI and asthma symptoms, there were weaknesses in the evidence because waist circumference, a more direct measure of obesity than BMI, was not associated with asthma symptoms, and BMI and waist circumference were negatively associated with BHR.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of disparities in birth weight on differences in postnatal growth of monozygotic and dizygotic twins.

Influence of intrapair differences in birth weight (IDBW) on the patterns of postnatal growth of MZ and DZ twins from middle/late childhood to adolescence were studied in 49 MZ, 40 DZ male and 40 MZ, 35 DZ female pairs coming from the Wrocław Longitudinal Twins Study. Intrapair differences in the patterns in postnatal growth were expressed in several indices: average differences in standardized values (ASD Height, ASD Weight); absolute average differences in standardized values (ABSD Height, ABSD Weight); average Euclidean distances coefficient (EUCD Height, EUCD Weight); coefficient of shape differences (SHC Height, SHC Weight); measure of deviation (MD Height, MD Weight) and correlation coefficient for the standardized attained values (CORC Height, CORC Weight). Relationships between IDBW and indices were based on the means of Spearman Rank Order Correlation. Additionally for 40 MZ, 35 DZ male and 25 MZ, 18 DZ female pairs, the relationships between IDBW and intrapair differences in biological parameters derived from Preece Baines model 1, describing differences in time (DT1), height (DH1), velocity (DV1) at the beginning of the adolescent growth spurt, differences in time (DT2), height (DH2), velocity (DV2) at peak height velocity and differences in adult height (DAH) were examined. The results showed that only in MZ girls did dissimilarity in birth weights significantly impair the subsequent growth in stature. Furthermore, the results revealed that birth weight influences the parameter describing adult stature in MZ girls. It is concluded that the lack of relationship in DZ twins is due to their unique genotype, which strongly determines the postnatal growth. Three possible interpretations are given as explanations of the results obtained in this study: male excess neonates mortality, 'third factor' and programmed of growth in utero.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

A comparative study of laboratory parameters and symptoms effected by Toki-shakuyaku-san and an iron preparation in rats with iron-deficiency anemia.

In order to more closely examine the effect of Toki-shakuyaku-san and an iron preparation in vivo in an animal experiment, we prepared anemic rats, divided them into 4 groups, i.e., an untreated group, a Toki-shakuyaku-san group, an iron-preparation group and a Toki-shakuyaku-san+iron-preparation group, and assessed the results of laboratory parameters, hematology, and general symptoms of anemia. The results showed trends toward improvement in indices of anemia, i.e., erythrocyte (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht) and serum iron (Fe), and improvement of anemic symptoms in the 3 treated groups. Examination of erythrocyte morphology showed that erythrocyte destruction had occurred only slightly in the 3 treated groups. The organ weight measurements showed an increase in the weight of the heart and spleen in the untreated group, but tended to be closer to normal in the 3 treated groups. The number and wet weight of the feces in the untreated group were markedly lower than normal, but increased in the Toki-shakuyaku-san group. In the iron-preparation group, the hemorrhage of stomach and pigmentation of the tail which seem to be a side effect of iron were observed, but was not seen in the Toki-shakuyaku-san group. The results animal experiment more closely examined the results of clinical study, and we concluded that by using Toki-shakuyaku-san and the iron preparation in combination, it is possible to lessen the adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal symptoms, and that more ameliorative effect on the anemic state can be expected.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Molecular size of the diapause hormone of the silkworm Bombyx mori.

The diapause hormone (DH) responsible for arrested development of the silkworm Bombix mori consists of two active principles of peptide (A and B). Since both hormones form aggregates in aqueous phases, the molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography of Merckogel OR 6000 using methanol-dichloromethane mixture as the developing agent. Gramicidins and modified peptides soluble in the organic solvents were used as the standard markers for the molecular weight measurements of the hormones. The molecular weights of DH-A and -B are estimated to be 3300 +/- 400 and 2000 +/- 200, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Lumbar pain and fin swimming.

BACKGROUND: It was hypothesised that fin swimming have unique physiopathologic features in particular concerning low back involvement. METHODS: Retrospective study. SETTING: elite competitive fin swimmers. PARTICIPANTS: 17 males and 14 females aged from 16 to 23 years. INTERVENTION: piroxicam, sport interruption for a week, proper warming-up and wearing suggestions during out-of-water exercises in the symptomatic group. Absence of intervention in the asymptomatic one. MEASURES: anthropometric measures (weight, height, legs length discrepancy), isokinetic measures (trunk flexor/extensor ratio) and conventional radiological investigation were taken for all subjects. RESULTS: Low back pain was present in 14 subjects during off season but only 7 referred discomfort in competitive season. 78.5% of symptomatic subjects showed radiological abnormalities while imaging changes were present in 52.9% of the asymptomatic group. Flexor/extensor ratio isokinetically evaluated was less than one in 6 athletes complaining back discomfort. Non steroid medication, physiotherapy, training and wearing cares was suggested. Authors report a pain free return to competition in 57% and a partial resolution in 28% of those symptomatic cases who were not used to training cares (in particular proper "out-of-water" warming up) and wearing precautions (complete wiping and suitable thermic clothing after swimming). CONCLUSIONS: In fin swimming low back pain can be related to the existence of environmental and intrinsic factors. In our series no significant difference in imaging changes was pointed out among asymptomatic or painful athletes. Therefore a cyclic load on the column, in absence of training precautions can make spine abnormalities (in particular schisis, facet derangement and pars lesion) symptomatic.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1983

Weight change since age 18 years in 30- to 55-year-old whites and blacks. Associations with lipid values, lipoprotein levels, and blood pressure.

To assess associations between current weight, weight at age 18 years, and weight change from age 18 years to ages 30 to 55 years with current levels of plasma cholesterol (C), high- and low-density lipoprotein C (HDLC and LDLC), triglycerides (TG), and systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP), we calculated weight change from self-reported weight at age 18 years and measured weight at ages 30 to 55 years in 308 white and 69 black subjects in a random recall group and 244 whites and 66 blacks in a hyperlipidemic recall group in the Princeton School Study. In random-recall-group whites, mean weight gain over time was greater in men than in women; black women had greater weight gain than black men, and nearly twice the weight gain of white women. Current weight and/or weight gain from age 18 years to ages 30 to 55 years in whites were inversely associated with HDLC level and positively associated with TG level, SBP, and DBP. Similar, but less consistent and significant, trends were observed for blacks. Although weight at age 18 years had no consistent independent explanatory relationship to C, TG, HDLC, and LDLC values, random-recall-group white men who were in the lowest quartile for weight at age 18 years had current levels of C, TG, SBP, and DBP that were all lower than those observed in white men who had been in the upper quartile of weight at age 18 years. Atherogenic increments in TG levels, SBP, and DBP from age 18 years to ages 30 to 55 years are a function, in part, of weight gain during these years.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Weight satisfaction and dieting practices among college males in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain baseline data regarding body mass index (BMI), weight satisfaction and weight perception in male college students. Approaches used to lose weight and characteristics of dieters were also investigated. METHODS: Written questionnaires and height and weight measurements were used to collect data. Nine-hundred thirty male college students selected by multiple stage sampling among colleges in Taiwan participated in this study. Simple frequency and ANOVA were used to analyze data. Post hoc analyses were performed with the LSD test when the F ratio for the ANOVA was significant at p<0.05. RESULTS: The mean BMI for all subjects was 21.7. Males with a BMI < or =22.5 are considered thin by Taiwanese and world standards. Yet 34% of these males were attempting to lose weight and 14% percent perceived themselves as either overweight or obese. Exercise was the main approach to losing weight for subjects in all weight categories. Subjects in the dissatisfied/dieting group tended to measure body weight more frequently (p<0.05), spent more time exercising and reading nutrition information (p<0.05) and skipped breakfast and lunch more frequently (p<0.05) than non-dieters. Male dieters ate fewer vegetables and less meat than non-dieters. CONCLUSIONS: Male college students had frequent misconceptions and dissatisfaction with their body weight. Behavioral characteristics among those dissatisfied with their weight indicate they are at risk for developing eating disorders.

Adult↗