Validity Of Self-Reported Weight, Height And Body Mass Index Among Malaysian Late Adolescents

Introduction: Malaysia suffers from obesity problems with nearly a quarter of the children and adolescents being overweight or obese. Validated methods are needed to measure the trend of overweight and obesity easily.Objective: The study investigates the precision of Malaysian late adolescents' self-reported height and weight compared to direct-measured methods.Methods: About 114 young adults aged 19-20 years old participated in this cross sectional study in 2019. Self-reported and direct-measured anthropometrics including height and weight were gathered through phone calls and study instruments. The obtained height and weight values calculates BMI and determines classifications.Results: The ICC value were excellent between reported and measured weight (ICC= 0.94; 95% CI=0.91-0.96), height (ICC= 0.95; 95% CI=0.83-0.98) and BMI (ICC = 0.89; 95% CI=0.78-0.94) were found. Additionally, good agreement observed from B & A plots indicated that the differences between both independent measurement variables were minor and most of the differences were within the area of the limit of agreement at the population level for their anthropometric measurements. The Cohen’s Kappa showed substantial agreement of BMI calculated from reported weight and height (ҡ = 0.61; 95% CI= 0.48-0.74), boys (ҡ = 0.67; 95% CI=0.43-0.91) and girls (ҡ = 0.58; 95% CI=0.43-0.73).Conclusion: This validation study concluded that self-reported height and weight were in agreement with direct-measured methods. This technique can be utilized to assess the anthropometric status of Malaysian late adolescents for population studies.

Algorithm-based advice taking and clinical judgement: impact of advice distance and algorithm information

Evidence-based algorithms can improve both lay and professional judgements and decisions, yet they remain underutilised. Research on advice taking established that humans tend to discount advice – especially when it contradicts their own judgement (“egocentric advice discounting”) – but this can be mitigated by knowledge about the advisor’s past performance. Advice discounting has typically been investigated using tasks with outcomes of low importance (e.g., general knowledge questions), and students as participants. Using the judge-advisor framework, we tested whether the principles of advice discounting apply in the clinical domain. We used realistic patient scenarios, algorithmic advice from a validated cancer risk calculator, and General Practitioners (GPs) as participants. GPs could update their risk estimates after receiving algorithmic advice. Half of them received information about the algorithm’s derivation, validation, and accuracy. We measured Weight of Advice and found that, on average, GPs weighed their estimates and the algorithm equally – but not always: they retained their initial estimates 29% of the time, and fully updated them 27% of the time. Updating did not depend on whether GPs were informed about the algorithm. We found a weak negative quadratic relationship between estimate updating and advice distance: although GPs integrate algorithmic advice on average, they may somewhat discount it, if it is very different from their own estimate. These results present a more complex picture than simple egocentric discounting of advice. They cast a more optimistic view of advice taking, where experts weigh algorithmic advice and their own judgement equally and move towards the advice even when it contradicts their own initial estimates.

Feasibility Study of an Automated Carbohydrate Estimation System Using Thai Food Images in Comparison With Estimation by Dietitians

Carbohydrate counting is essential for well-controlled blood glucose in people with type 1 diabetes, but to perform it precisely is challenging, especially for Thai foods. Consequently, we developed a deep learning-based system for automatic carbohydrate counting using Thai food images taken from smartphones. The newly constructed Thai food image dataset contained 256,178 ingredient objects with measured weight for 175 food categories among 75,232 images. These were used to train object detector and weight estimator algorithms. After training, the system had a Top-1 accuracy of 80.9% and a root mean square error (RMSE) for carbohydrate estimation of <10 g in the test dataset. Another set of 20 images, which contained 48 food items in total, was used to compare the accuracy of carbohydrate estimations between measured weight, system estimation, and eight experienced registered dietitians (RDs). System estimation error was 4%, while estimation errors from nearest, lowest, and highest carbohydrate among RDs were 0.7, 25.5, and 7.6%, respectively. The RMSE for carbohydrate estimations of the system and the lowest RD were 9.4 and 10.2, respectively. The system could perform with an estimation error of <10 g for 13/20 images, which placed it third behind only two of the best performing RDs: RD1 (15/20 images) and RD5 (14/20 images). Hence, the system was satisfactory in terms of accurately estimating carbohydrate content, with results being comparable with those of experienced dietitians.

Hepatoprotective Role of Propolis Extract to Prevent Hepatotoxic Effects of ATT in patients with Tuberculosis

Objective: The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of propolis in hepatocytes injury caused by ATT due to isoniazid and rifampicin. Methods: Healthy albino rats of with average weight of 200-250g were under this study. These rats dividing into main four groups, A group is taken a control group and then further into the group B, group C, and group D as group for experiments. The control group had 15 rats with measured weight, they were given distilled water. Group B had 15 rats, they were given with standard dose of rifampicin and isoniazid. Group c had 15 rats, they were also given with standard dose of rifampicin and isoniazid. Group D had 15 rats, they were given with standard dose of rifampicin and isoniazid and also extract of the propolis we prepared. Results: Serum ALT in the experimental group B with group C, group D were also found to be of statistically significant with p-value < 0.001. ALT serum level observed high in group B. Multiple comparison between groups revealed that group B with a significantly increase in the serum enzyme AST level in comparison to group A, group C and group D with p-value <0.001. Conclusion: This study showed that ethanolic extract of propolis prevents isoniazid and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in the albino rats. Key words; Propolis, Anti-tuberculosis treatment, Hepato-toxicity.

Time-trends of overweight and obesity among schoolchildren in Kuwait over a 13-year period (2007–2019): repeated cross-sectional study

Objectives: This study aimed to examine age-specific trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren in Kuwait over a 13-year period (2007 to 2019) using the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) definitions. Design: Using cross-sectional approach, Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System (KNSS) objectively measured weight and height of schoolchildren over a 13-year period. Log-binomial regression models were used to examine age-specific trends of obesity and overweight over the study period. Setting: Public primary, middle, and high schools in all provinces of Kuwait. Participants: Schoolchildren aged 5-19 years (N 172 603) Results: According to the WHO definition, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren respectively increased from 17.73% and 21.37% in 2007 to 20.19% and 28.39% in 2019 (P for trends<0.001). There is evidence that the obesity in females (but not males) has levelled off in the period 2014-2019 according to the three definitions of obesity, which is corroborated by a similar trend in the mean of BMI-for-age Z score. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity and overweight in schoolchildren in Kuwait has risen over the last 13 years and trends are similar across all definitions. Obesity is no longer increasing at the same pace and there is evidence that the prevalence of obesity in females has plateaued. The current level of childhood overweight and obesity is too high and requires community-based and school-based interventions.

Malnutrition in Infants Aged under 6 Months Attending Community Health Centres: A Cross Sectional Survey

A poor understanding of malnutrition burden is a common reason for not prioritizing the care of small and nutritionally at-risk infants aged under-six months (infants u6m). We aimed to estimate the anthropometric deficit prevalence in infants u6m attending health centres, using the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF), and to assess the overlap of different individual indicators. We undertook a two-week survey of all infants u6m visiting 18 health centres in two zones of the Oromia region, Ethiopia. We measured weight, length, and MUAC (mid-upper arm circumference) and calculated weight-for-length (WLZ), length-for-age (LAZ), and weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ). Overall, 21.7% (95% CI: 19.2; 24.3) of infants u6m presented CIAF, and of these, 10.7% (95% CI: 8.93; 12.7) had multiple anthropometric deficits. Low MUAC overlapped with 47.5% (95% CI: 38.0; 57.3), 43.8% (95% CI: 34.9; 53.1), and 42.6% (95% CI: 36.3; 49.2) of the stunted, wasted, and CIAF prevalence, respectively. Underweight overlapped with 63.4% (95% CI: 53.6; 72.2), 52.7% (95% CI: 43.4; 61.7), and 59.6% (95% CI: 53.1; 65.9) of the stunted, wasted, and CIAF prevalence, respectively. Anthropometric deficits, single and multiple, are prevalent in infants attending health centres. WAZ overlaps more with other forms of anthropometric deficits than MUAC.

Development of a BMI-Assigned Stunkard Scale for the Evaluation of Body Image Perception Based on Data of the SOS Reference Study

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Stunkard’s figure rating scale is a widely used tool to assess weight status and, more recently, body image perception in people with obesity. However, large population-based studies on Europeans linking this scale’s silhouettes with measured BMI values are lacking. Therefore, we used measured weight and height data from the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) reference cohort to assign a mean BMI to each of the 9 Stunkard Scale silhouettes and to define silhouette cutoff values for categorizing people with obesity and overweight. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 1,128 participants from the SOS reference cohort were included (54% females, BMI = 25.2 [ranging from 17.6 to 45.4] ±3.8 kg/m², and age = 50 [ranging from 36 to 62] ±7 years [means ± standard deviation]). Patients estimated their own body size by choosing a silhouette of the Stunkard Scale. A mean BMI, based on measured weight and height, was assigned to each male and female silhouette of the Stunkard Scale. Measured BMI values were compared with BMI values calculated by simple linear regression analysis. ROC analysis was used to test accuracy of discrimination and the Youden index to assess optimal cutoff. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Figure ratings and BMI were strongly correlated in men, <i>r</i> (518) = 0.76, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001 and women, <i>r</i> (606) = 0.80, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001. Silhouette selection significantly predicted BMI values in men, β = 16.03, <i>t</i> (518) = 25.30, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, and women, β = 12.06, <i>t</i> (606) = 32.98, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, and explained a significant proportion of variance in BMI values in men, <i>R</i>^<i>2</i> = 0.55, <i>F</i> (1, 518) = 639.98, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, and women, <i>R</i>^<i>2</i> = 0.64, <i>F</i> (1, 606) = 1,087.88, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001. ROC curve analyses resulted in an optimal cutoff value of 6 for identifying people with obesity and 5 for overweight. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Stunkard’s figure rating scale can be used with confidence to assess weight status. Silhouette selection accurately classifies subjects as overweight or obese.

Malnutrition in Infants Aged under 6 Months Attending Community Health Centres: A Cross Sectional Survey

Poor understanding of malnutrition burden is a common reason for not prioritizing the care of small and nutritionally at-risk infants aged under-six months (infants u6m). We aimed to estimate the anthropometric deficit prevalence in infants u6m attending health centres, using the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF); and to assess the overlap of different individual indicators. We undertook a two-week survey of all infants u6m visiting each of 18 health centres in two zones of the Oromia region, Ethiopia. We measured weight, length, and MUAC (Mid upper arm circumference); and calculated weight-for-length (WLZ), length-for-age (LAZ), and weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ). Overall, 21.7% (95% CI: 19.2; 24.3) of infants u6m presented CIAF and of these, 10.7% (95% CI: 8.93; 12.7) had multiple anthropometric deficits. Low MUAC overlapped with 47.5% (95% CI: 38.0; 57.3), 43.8% (95% CI: 34.9; 53.1), and 42.6% (95% CI: 36.3; 49.2) of the stunted, wasted and CIAF prevalence, respectively. Underweight overlapped with 63.4% (95% CI: 53.6; 72.2), 52.7% (95% CI: 43.4; 61.7), and 59.6% (95% CI: 53.1; 65.9) of the stunted, wasted and CIAF prevalence, respectively. Anthropometric deficits, single and multiple, are prevalent in infants attending health centres. WAZ overlaps more with other forms of anthropometric deficits than MUAC.

The Relationship between Bodyweight Status and Weight Perception Explains Differences in Calories Ordered in a Food Choice Exercise

Understanding food choice is critical to be able to address the rise in obesity rates around the globe. In this paper, we examine the relationship between measured (BMI, using self-reported height and weight) and perceived weight status with the number of calories ordered in a controlled online food choice exercise. A total of 1044 participants completed an online food choice exercise in which they selected ingredients for a sandwich from five categories: meat/protein, cheese, spread/dressing, bread, and vegetables. We examine the number of calories ordered by participants and use linear regression to study the relationship of BMI category relative to self-reported perceived weight status with calories ordered. As a comparison to previous literature, we also examine the relationship between relative weight status and self-reported dieting behavior using logistic regression. We find that participants perceiving themselves to have a higher BMI than their BMI calculated using height and weight ordered significantly fewer calories and were more likely to report dieting than participants who perceived themselves to have a lower BMI than their calculated BMI. The relationship between perceived weight status and measured weight status explains behavior in a food choice task. Understanding how people perceive their weight may help design effective health messages.

Weight perception and symptoms of depression in rural Australian adolescents

Objective To investigate associations between measured and perceived weight, and symptoms of depression in rural Australian adolescents. Method: At baseline a prospective rural adolescent cohort study collected demographic data, measured weight and height, weight self-perception, and presence of depression (Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire). Using World Health Organisation’s (WHO) age and gender body mass index (BMI) standardisations, participants were classified into four perceptual groups: PG1 healthy/perceived healthy; PG2 overweight/perceived overweight; PG3 healthy/perceived overweight; and PG4 overweight/perceived healthy. Logistic regression analyses explored relationships between these groups and symptoms of depression. Results: Data on adolescents ( n = 339) aged 9–14. PG1 contained 63% of participants, PG2 18%, PG3 4% and PG4 14%. Across the cohort, 32% were overweight and 13% had symptoms of depression. PG2 (overweight/perceived overweight) were more likely to experience symptoms of depression than PG1 (healthy/perceived healthy; Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 3.1, 95% CI 1.5–6.7). Females in PG3 (healthy/perceived overweight) were more likely to experience symptoms of depression (38%) than males (14%) and females in PG1 (10%, AOR 5.4, 95% CI 1.1–28.2). Conclusions: Results suggest that perceptions of being overweight may be a greater predictor for symptoms of depression than actual weight. This has public health implications for youth mental health screening and illness prevention.