scholarly journals Can Obesity Prevalence Explain COVID-19 Indicators (Cases, Mortality and Recovery)? A Comparative Study in OECD Countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuval Arbel ◽  
Chaim Fialkoff ◽  
Amichai Kerner ◽  
Miryam Kerner
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Linear Increase ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Competing Models ◽  
Complex Relationships

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a declared global pandemic with multiple risk factors. Obesity is considered by several researchers as one of the serious risk factors for coronavirus complications based on recent empirical studies. Yet, other scholars argue in favor of the existence of an obesity survival paradox, and criticize the former group of studies on the grounds that they lack controls for race, socioeconomic status, or quality of care. The objective of the current study is to analyze the potential relationships between different corona indicators and obesity on a state-wide level, based on an OECD report. In an attempt to test the counter-intuitive possibility of an obesity survival paradox, the proposed empirical model relaxes the assumption of monotonic change by applying the quadratic design and testing which one of the two competing models (i.e., quadratic or linear) better fits the data. Findings suggest more complex relationships between corona indices and obesity rates than previously thought. Consequently, ethical guidelines referring to priority in intubation and intensive care treatments should account for these complex relationships between obesity and corona. Indeed, there is a linear increase of mortality rate from corona with elevated prevalence of obesity. Yet, other indicators, such as the number of infected per 100,000 persons, rates of severe corona cases, rates of recovered corona patients and corona as the cause of death exhibit quadratic, rather than linear, patterns. The reasons for these non-linear patterns might be explained by several conditions such as increased metabolic reserves, more aggressive treatment, other non-corona complications for obese persons and unidentified factors that should be examined in future research.

Abstract 17019: Obesity and Cardiovascular Health in Young American Adults

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarabjeet S Suri ◽  
Vibhu Parcha ◽  
Rajat Kalra ◽  
Garima Arora ◽  
Pankaj Arora
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Piecewise Linear ◽  
The United States ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Adjusted Logistic Regression ◽  
The Impact

Background: The growing epidemic of obesity in the United States (US) is associated with cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the impact of the increasing obesity prevalence on the CV health of young American adults. Methods: The age-adjusted weighted prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia was estimated from the 2008-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in American adults aged 18-44 years, stratified by the presence of obesity. The trends were evaluated using a piecewise linear regression approach. The odds for CV risk factors were estimated using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. Results: Among 14,919 young adults, the prevalence of obesity was 33.9% (95% CI: 32.6-35.3%). Obese young adults were more likely to be non-Hispanic Blacks and in lower socioeconomic and educational attainment strata (p<0.05 for all). Obese young adults had a greater risk of having hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.0 [95% CI: 2.7-3.4]), diabetes (aOR: 4.3 [95% CI: 3.3-5.6]), and hyperlipidemia (aOR: 1.47 [95% CI: 1.3-1.7]). Among obese, hypertension increased from 36.5% (33.9-39.1%) in 2007-2010 to 39.4% (35.6-43.1%) in 2015-2018 (p= 0.07) and diabetes increased from 4.7% (3.6-5.8%) in 2007-2010 to 7.1% (5.3-9.0%) in 2015-2018 (p=0.11). A modest increase in diabetes was seen in non-obese individuals ( Table ). Hypercholesterolemia prevalence remained unchanged from 12.6% (95% CI: 10.6-14.7%) 2007-2010 to 10.9% (95% CI: 9.0-12.8%) in 2015-2018 (p=0.27) among obese young adults. Non-obese young adults showed a decline in hypercholesterolemia from 9.5% (95% CI: 8.0-11.0%) in 2007- 2010 to 7.1% (95% CI: 5.8-8.4%) in 2015-2018 (p=0.002). Conclusions: Nearly one-in-every three young American adults have obesity, which is accompanied by a two-fold higher prevalence of CV risk factors. The CV morbidity in young adults is expected to increase with an increasing prevalence of obesity..

scholarly journals Obesity in 7 - 10-year-old children in urban primary schools in Port Elizabeth

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Joanna McKersie ◽  
Maryna Louise Baard
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Paediatric Obesity ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive ◽  
Level Of Significance

Objective. The primary aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence of overweight and obesity among urban 7 - 10-year-old children in affluent (quintile 5) English-medium primary schools in Port Elizabeth.Method. A quantitative, descriptive one-way cross-sectional research design utilising random sampling was used. A once-off survey consisted of anthropometrical assessment of body mass index (BMI) according to standardised procedures. To classify children into weight categories, the International Obesity Task Force z-score BMI cut-off criteria were used. Post-hoc analysis consisted of one-way analysis of variance and χ2 tests. Level of significance was set at p<0.05. A total of 713 children participated in the study.Results. Overweight prevalence was 20.9% (n=149) and obesity prevalence was 9.8% (n=70). A significant interaction was found for overweight and obesity levels by gender and age (F=7.2, p=0.01). Of the boys (N=372) 18.5% (n=69) were overweight and 6.9% (n=26) were obese. The girls (N=341) had a 23.5% (n=80) overweight rate and 12,9% (n=44) were obese. The highest prevalence of overweight (24.7%, n=43, N=174) was found in children aged 10, and the highest prevalence of obesity (12.5%, n=21, N=167) was found in children aged 8. Conclusion. Results highlighted the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity among urban children from economically privileged settings. Future research into paediatric obesity is needed to curb the growing incidence.

scholarly journals Evaluating the effects of cardiometabolic exposures on circulating proteins which may contribute to SARS-CoV-2 severity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom G Richardson ◽  
Si Fang ◽  
Ruth E Mitchell ◽  
Michael V Holmes ◽  
George Davey Smith
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Multiple Testing ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Current Case ◽  
Regulatory Variants ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Antibody Class

Background: Developing insight into the pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is of critical importance to overcome the global pandemic caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19). In this study, we have applied Mendelian randomization (MR) to systematically evaluate the effect of 10 cardiometabolic risk factors and genetic liability to lifetime smoking on 97 circulating host proteins postulated to either interact or contribute to the maladaptive host response of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We applied the inverse variance weighted (IVW) approach and several robust MR methods in a two-sample setting to systemically estimate the genetically predicted effect of each risk factor in turn on levels of each circulating protein. Multivariable MR was conducted to simultaneously evaluate the effects of multiple risk factors on the same protein. We also applied MR using cis-regulatory variants at the genomic location responsible for encoding these proteins to estimate whether their circulating levels may influence SARS-CoV-2 severity. Findings: In total, we identified evidence supporting 105 effects between risk factors and circulating proteins which were robust to multiple testing corrections and sensitivity analyses. For example, body mass index provided evidence of an effect on 23 circulating proteins with a variety of functions, such as inflammatory markers c-reactive protein (IVW Beta=0.34 per standard deviation change, 95% CI=0.26 to 0.41, P=2.19x10-16) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IVW Beta=0.23, 95% CI=0.17 to 0.30, P=9.04x10-12). Further analyses using multivariable MR provided evidence that the effect of BMI on lowering immunoglobulin G, an antibody class involved in protecting the body from infection, is substantially mediated by raised triglycerides levels (IVW Beta=-0.18, 95% CI=-0.25 to -0.12, P=2.32x10-08, proportion mediated=44.1%). The strongest evidence that any of the circulating proteins highlighted by our initial analysis influence SARS-CoV-2 severity was identified for soluble glycoprotein 130 (odds ratio=1.81, 95% CI=1.25 to 2.62, P=0.002), a signal transductor for interleukin-6 type cytokines which are involved in the bodys inflammatory response. However, based on current case samples for severe SARS-CoV-2 we were unable to replicate findings in independent samples. Interpretation: Our findings highlight several key proteins which are influenced by established exposures for disease. Future research to determine whether these circulating proteins mediate environmental effects onto risk of SARS-CoV-2 are warranted to help elucidate therapeutic strategies for covid-19 disease severity.

Masculinity Constructs as Protective Buffers and Risk Factors for Men’s Health

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald F. Levant ◽  
David J. Wimer
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Health Care Practice ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
Traditional Masculinity

This study was designed to replicate the study of Levant, Wimer, and Williams (2011), which reported complex relationships between masculinity and health behaviors using a more diverse sample and updated measures. A sample of 589 college and community-dwelling men responded to an online survey consisting of five scales. Levant et al.’s (2011) study was partially replicated—some masculinity constructs were identified as protective buffers for some health behaviors and others as risk factors. The vast majority of the findings that were replicated were risk factors, suggesting that traditional masculinity is more of risk than a buffer, and occurred in the analyses involving Avoiding Anger and Stress and Avoiding Substance Use subscales, suggesting that these health behaviors are most closely associated with masculinity. The results are discussed in terms of limitations, suggestions for future research, and implications for health care practice.

Risk of Recidivism Among Justice-Involved Veterans

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 812-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Blonigen ◽  
Leena Bui ◽  
Eric B. Elbogen ◽  
Janet C. Blodgett ◽  
Natalya C. Maisel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
School Work ◽  
Violent Offending ◽  
Work Involvement ◽  
Risk Need Responsivity

Empirical research on recidivism risk among justice-involved veterans (JIVs) is limited. Using the risk-need-responsivity model, we conducted a systematic review of research on risk factors for recidivism among JIVs to identify the gaps in this literature and provide recommendations for future research. Substance abuse and indicators of antisociality were consistently linked to justice involvement in veterans; however, the evidence for negative family/marital circumstances and lack of positive school/work involvement was mixed. Several known risk factors for reoffending among civilian offenders (i.e., antisocial cognitions and associates; lack of prosocial activities) were marked by little to no empirical studies among veterans. Posttraumatic stress and traumatic brain injury, particularly when combined with anger and irritability issues, may be veteran-specific risk factors for violent offending. The implications of these findings for policy and practice and challenges to implementing risk assessments with JIVs are discussed.

Pain is temporary: Discourse analysis of inmates’ accounts of suicide

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 498-519
Author(s):  
Guo Jing-ying
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Zhejiang Province ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Suicide Intervention ◽  
Inmate Suicide

There have been abundant empirical studies identifying risk factors associated with inmate suicide. However, little attention has been turned to the voices of inmates who have experienced suicide. This article, based on semi-structured interviews with 14 incarcerated adults who have committed suicide and survived in prisons in Zhejiang Province, China, tries to explore how suicide is presented, constructed and oriented to in interaction. Implications for future research and suicide intervention are also discussed.

scholarly journals Prevalence, Risk Factors, Activity Limitation and Health Care Utilization of an Obese Population-Based Sample with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. e18-e24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas T Vozoris ◽  
Denis E O’Donnell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Utilization ◽  
Activity Limitation ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and determine the risk factors and health associations among individuals with combined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obesity.METHODS: Canadian national health survey data from 1994 to 2007 (n=650,000) were used. The presence of COPD was based on health professional-diagnosed self-report. The presence of obesity, defined by body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, was identified using self-reported and measured height and weight. Hospitalization, homecare use, physical activity assessments and socioeconomic data were all self-reported.RESULTS: In 2005, the prevalence of obesity in COPD (n=3470) and non-COPD (n=92,237) individuals was 24.6% and 17.1%, respectively (P<0.0001). In contrast to the non-COPD group, in which obesity prevalence increased by 38% over 14 years, obesity prevalence increased by only 5% in people with COPD over this same time period. Female sex was the only independent risk factor for obesity in COPD. Previous smoking, residing in Atlantic Canada and the Territories, and low education level were independent risk factors for obesity in the non-COPD group, but not in the COPD group. The odds of physical activity limitation and health care utilization were significantly higher among obese individuals with COPD compared with nonobese COPD and obese non-COPD groups.CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of obesity was higher in COPD, and exceeded that of the larger non-COPD group throughout the 13-year observation period. The presence of obesity in COPD was associated with significantly higher risk of severe activity limitation and increased health care utilization. The combination of obesity and COPD has major implications for health care delivery that has not been previously appreciated.

scholarly journals A case study of teachers’ efforts towards learning problems in virtual EFL class during Covid-19 school closure

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Muhammad Yani ◽  
Kamaluddin Yusra ◽  
Khusnul Khotimah
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Studies ◽  
English Teachers ◽  
School Closure ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Learning Problems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Almost All

The Covid-19 has been deemed a global pandemic affecting almost all sectors, particularly in education. Learning activities have been forced to relocate virtually due to the school closure. This study aimed at exploring teaching-learning problems felt by English teachers and their efforts to overcome those problems during the school closure in a state senior high school in West Lombok. Designed in a case study, two English teachers were voluntarily recruited using convenience sampling. The data for this study were gathered from observation, interviews, and documentation. Informed by the theory of Community of Inquiry (CoI) and previous empirical studies, the data were analysed using four stages of the interactive model. The investigation revealed that during the virtual teaching, teachers experienced considerable internal and external pedagogical glitches. It was also uncovered that the teachers disclosed some endeavours to maintain teaching, social, and cognitive presence in the instruction to surmount the nested pedagogical problems. However, their efforts were observed inadequate and left some room for improvement on how teachers could effectively serve in the virtual pedagogical practices. Some implications and future research directions are discussed accordingly. DOI: 10.26905/enjourme.v6i2.6463

Attachment Organization in Suicide Prevention Research

Crisis ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Venta ◽  
Carla Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Self Harm

Background: Identifying risk factors for suicide-related thoughts and behaviors (SRTB) is essential among adolescents in whom SRTB remain a leading cause of death. Although many risk factors have already been identified, influential theories now suggest that the domain of interpersonal relationships may play a critical role in the emergence of SRTB. Because attachment has long been seen as the foundation of interpersonal functioning, we suggest that attachment insecurity warrants attention as a risk factor for SRTB. Aims: This study sought to explore relations between attachment organization and suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and self-harm in an inpatient adolescent sample, controlling for demographic and psychopathological covariates. Method: We recruited 194 adolescents from an inpatient unit and assigned them to one of four attachment groups (secure, preoccupied, dismissing, or disorganized attachment). Interview and self-report measures were used to create four variables reflecting the presence or absence of suicidal ideation in the last year, single lifetime suicide attempt, multiple lifetime suicide attempts, and lifetime self-harm. Results: Chi-square and regression analyses did not reveal significant relations between attachment organization and SRTB, although findings did confirm previously established relations between psychopathology and SRTB, such that internalizing disorder was associated with increased self-harm, suicide ideation, and suicide attempt and externalizing disorder was associated with increased self-harm. Conclusion: The severity of this sample and methodological differences from previous studies may explain the nonsignificant findings. Nonsignificant findings may indicate that the relation between attachment organization and SRTB is moderated by other factors that should be explored in future research.

Obesity in relation to risk factors and socioeconomic conditions among school-age children at Khartoum State 2011/2012

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 413-416
Author(s):  
Dr. Suzan Ail Yousif Abo* ,Dr. ALI abdalazez Salih
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Anthropometric Measurement ◽  
Socioeconomic Conditions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Year ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Class Room ◽  
Watching Tv

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that was carried out at Khartoum Stateduring the school year 20112/2012 to estimate the prevalence of obesity among schoolchildren aged 6-15 years and to investigate the relationship between BMI (Body MassIndex) and socioeconomic status and life style factors. Two hundred and fifty pupilsparticipated in this study. The researcher took the anthropometric measurement insidethe class room and gave the questionnaire the students to be answered by one of child’sparents. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences(SPSS Version 13.0).In this study, prevalence of obesity was found to be (48%) of them 18% males and 30%females. Income of the family, number of high caloric carbonated beverages/week, wayof transportation to school, length of daily playing outside the home, and time spentin watching TV and video games were significantly correlated with student’s BMI.While parent’s BMI was not having significant correlation with student’s BMI.This study is considered as the first study in its field regarding this age category inKhartoum State, and it is promoting future researches in obesity and its determinant.Key words: Obesity in relation to risk factors and socioeconomic conditions amongschool-age children

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