scholarly journals Food insecurity as a driver of obesity in humans: The insurance hypothesis

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Nettle ◽  
Clare Andrews ◽  
Melissa Bateson
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Insurance Hypothesis ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Access To Food

AbstractIntegrative explanations of why obesity is more prevalent in some sectors of the human population than others are lacking. Here, we outline and evaluate one candidate explanation, the insurance hypothesis (IH). The IH is rooted in adaptive evolutionary thinking: The function of storing fat is to provide a buffer against shortfall in the food supply. Thus, individuals should store more fat when they receive cues that access to food is uncertain. Applied to humans, this implies that an important proximate driver of obesity should be food insecurity rather than food abundance per se. We integrate several distinct lines of theory and evidence that bear on this hypothesis. We present a theoretical model that shows it is optimal to store more fat when food access is uncertain, and we review the experimental literature from non-human animals showing that fat reserves increase when access to food is restricted. We provide a meta-analysis of 125 epidemiological studies of the association between perceived food insecurity and high body weight in humans. There is a robust positive association, but it is restricted to adult women in high-income countries. We explore why this could be in light of the IH and our theoretical model. We conclude that although the IH alone cannot explain the distribution of obesity in the human population, it may represent a very important component of a pluralistic explanation. We also discuss insights it may offer into the developmental origins of obesity, dieting-induced weight gain, and anorexia nervosa.

Predicting human adiposity – sometimes – with food insecurity: Broaden the model for better accuracy

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Hill ◽  
Randi P. Proffitt Leyva ◽  
Danielle J. DelPriore
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
High Income ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Insurance Hypothesis ◽  
Target Article

AbstractThe target article explores the role of food insecurity as a contemporary risk factor for human overweight and obesity. The authors provide conditional support for the insurance hypothesis among adult women from high-income countries. We consider the potential contribution of additional factors in producing variation in adiposity patterns between species and across human contexts.

The life history model of the insurance hypothesis

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin-Bin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Life History ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Adult Men ◽  
Insurance Hypothesis

AbstractNettle et al.’s explanation based on the insurance hypothesis applies only to the association between food insecurity and body weight among adult women, but not to the results about there being no such associations among adult men and children. These results may be best understood when the insurance hypothesis is integrated with the life history model.

scholarly journals Dietary Intake of Meat Cooking-Related Mutagens (HCAs) and Risk of Colorectal Adenoma and Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Chiavarini ◽  
Gaia Bertarelli ◽  
Liliana Minelli ◽  
Roberto Fabiani
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Colorectal Adenoma ◽  
Mutagenic Activity ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Effect Model ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Meat Cooking

Several evidences suggest that the positive association between meat intake and colorectal adenoma (CRA) and cancer (CRC) risk is mediated by mutagenic compounds generated during cooking at high temperature. A number of epidemiological studies have estimated the effect of meat-related mutagens intake on CRC/CRA risk with contradictory and sometime inconsistent results. A literature search was carried out (PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus) to identify articles reporting the relationship between the intake of meat-related mutagens (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine: PhIP, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxaline: MeIQx, 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxaline: DiMeIQx, benzo(a) pyrene: (B(a)P) and “meat derived mutagenic activity”: MDM) and CRC/CRA risk. A random-effect model was used to calculate the risk association. Thirty-nine studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Polled CRA risk (15229 cases) was significantly increased by intake of PhIP (OR=1.20; 95%CI:1.13,1.28; p<0.001), MeIQx (OR=1.14; 95%CI:1.05,1.23; p=0.001), DiMeIQx (OR=1.13; 95%CI:1.05,1.21; p=0.001), B(a)P (OR=1.10; 95%CI:1.02,1.19; p=0.017) and MDM (OR=1.17; 95%CI:1.07,1.28; p=0.001). A linear and curvilinear trend was observed in dose-response meta-analisis between CRA risk in association with PhIP and MDM, MeIQx, respectively. CRC risk (21344 cases) was increased by uptake of MeIQx (OR=1.14; 95%CI:1.04,1.25; p=0.004), DiMeIQx (OR=1.12; 95%CI:1.02,1.22; p=0.014) and MDM (OR=1.12; 95%CI:1.06,1.19; p<0.001). No publication bias could be detected whereas heterogeneity was in some cases rather high. Mutagenic compounds formed during cooking of meat at high temperature may be responsible of its carcinogenicity.

scholarly journals Serum Uric Acid Increases Risk of Cancer Incidence and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shushan Yan ◽  
Pengjun Zhang ◽  
Wei Xu ◽  
Yuqing Liu ◽  
Bin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Total Cancer ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

SUA is a potent antioxidant and thus may play a protective role against cancer. Many epidemiological studies have investigated this hypothesis but provided inconsistent and inconclusive findings. We aimed to precisely elucidate the association between SUA levels and cancer by pooling all available publications. Totally, 5 independent studies with 456,053 subjects and 12 with 632,472 subjects were identified after a comprehensive literature screening from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. The pooled RRs showed that individuals with high SUA levels were at an increased risk of total cancer incidence (RR=1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.05,P=0.007). Positive association between high SUA levels and total cancer incidence was observed in males but not females (for men:RR=1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.08,P=0.002; for women,RR=1.01, 95% CI 0.98–1.04,P=0.512). Besides, high SUA levels were associated with an elevated risk of total cancer mortality (RR=1.17, 95% CI 1.04–1.32,P=0.010), particularly in females (RR=1.25, 95% CI 1.07–1.45,P=0.004). The study suggests that high SUA levels increase the risk of total cancer incidence and mortality. The data do not support the hypothesis of a protective role of SUA in cancer.

scholarly journals Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated with Increased Breast Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruchi Bhandari ◽  
George A. Kelley ◽  
Tara A. Hartley ◽  
Ian R. H. Rockett
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Breast Cancer Risk ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Adult Females

Background. Although individual metabolic risk factors are reported to be associated with breast cancer risk, controversy surrounds risk of breast cancer from metabolic syndrome (MS). We report the first systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between MS and breast cancer risk in all adult females.Methods. Studies were retrieved by searching four electronic reference databases [PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science, and ProQuest through June 30, 2012] and cross-referencing retrieved articles. Eligible for inclusion were longitudinal studies reporting associations between MS and breast cancer risk among females aged 18 years and older. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each study and pooled using random-effects models. Publication bias was assessed quantitatively (Trim and Fill) and qualitatively (funnel plots). Heterogeneity was examined usingQandI2statistics.Results. Representing nine independent cohorts and 97,277 adult females, eight studies met the inclusion criteria. A modest, positive association was observed between MS and breast cancer risk (RR: 1.47, 95% CI, 1.15–1.87;z=3.13;p=0.002;Q=26.28,p=0.001;I2=69.55%). No publication bias was observed.Conclusions. MS is associated with increased breast cancer risk in adult women.

scholarly journals Association between Greenspace and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Zhao ◽  
◽  
WenWen Bao ◽  
BoYi Yang ◽  
JingHong Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Review Question ◽  
Possible Cause

Review question / Objective: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Urban environment as an possible cause of hypertension has received great attention. We aimed to systematically review the associations between greenspace and blood pressure (BP) levels/hypertension and use a meta-analysis to quantify the effects of greenspace on BP levels/hypertension. Condition being studied: Many epidemiological studies have assessed associations of greenspace with blood pressure levels and/or the prevalence of hypertension, whereas the results was inconsistent with some studies showing positive association but the others reporting null or negative associations. Systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize data quantitatively across studies based on the primary outcome.

scholarly journals Relationship between Surgery under General Anesthesia and the Development of Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Je Jin Lee ◽  
Geun Joo Choi ◽  
Hyun Kang ◽  
Chong Wha Baek ◽  
Yong Hun Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Anesthesia ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Effect Model ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Subgroup Analyses

Objective. To investigate the association between exposure to general anesthesia and the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia by reviewing and integrating the evidence from epidemiological studies published to date. Methods. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar to identify all relevant articles up to April 2018 reporting the risk of AD/dementia following exposure to general anesthesia and finally updated in February 2020. We included patients older than 60 or 65 years who had not been diagnosed with dementia or AD before the study period. The overall pooled effect size (ES) was evaluated with a random-effect model. Subgroup analyses were conducted and possibility of publication bias was assessed. Results. A total of 23 studies with 412253 patients were included in our analysis. A statistically significant positive association between exposure to general anesthesia and the occurrence of AD was detected in the overall analysis (pooled ES=1.11, 95%confidence interval=1.07–1.15), but with substantial heterogeneity (pχ2<0.001, I2=79.4). Although the overall analysis revealed a significant association, the results of the subgroup analyses were inconsistent, and the possibility of publication bias was detected. Conclusions. This meta-analysis demonstrated a significant positive association between general anesthesia and AD. However, considering other results, our meta-analysis must be interpreted with caution. Particularly, it should be considered that it was nearly impossible to discriminate the influence of general anesthesia from the effect of surgery itself on the development of AD. Further, large-scale studies devised to reduce the risk of bias are needed to elucidate the evidence of association between general anesthesia and AD. Trial registration. PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews CRD42017073790.

scholarly journals Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and obesity in children’s meta-analyses: reaching wrong answers for right questions.

2018 ◽  
pp. 474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariela Nissensohn ◽  
Daniel Fuentes Lugo ◽  
Lluis Serra-Majem
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Diet And Lifestyle ◽  
Scientific Tool

Background: Recent studies assert that sugar-containing drinks may play a key role in the etiology of obesity. However, scientific reviews show contradictory results. Whether there is just association or clear causation still is a matter of debate. It is also subject to discussion whether the quality/adequacy of the different studies may influence their outcome. Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the most recent scientific evidence focused on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and child obesity and to further analyze the adequacy of the meta-analyses in terms of their results, with special emphasis in the methodology, clarity and transparence of their procedures. Methods: Only meta-analyses of randomized control trial studies were selected. The search was performed on PubMed and Cochrane Website until January, 2016. Adherence to PRISMA was assessed. Results: Six meta-analyses were included. All of them showed some degree of evidence of heterogeneity in theirs pool estimates. Two of them showed a positive association between SSB and obesity but the other four found no association. The adherence to the PRISMA criteria was higher in two of the meta-analyses that showed opposite conclusions regarding the association or non-association of SSB and obesity in children. Thus, there is no relation between the adequacy of the meta-analyses to the PRISMA criteria and the results obtained. Conclusion:The use of meta-analysis as a scientific tool still demand more polishing, agreement and spread out use by researchers. SSB are being accused of being a main cause of the existing obesity, but this subject requires a broader approach that includes a thorough analysis of diet and lifestyle and a stronger body of scientific evidence based on data from epidemiological studies conducted in different populations.  

scholarly journals Food insecurity and anaemia risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 3067-3079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajjad Moradi ◽  
Hana Arghavani ◽  
Amos Issah ◽  
Hamed Mohammadi ◽  
Khadijeh Mirzaei
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Nutritional Support ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Insecure Households ◽  
Risk Ratios

AbstractObjectiveIncreasing evidence has suggested an association between food insecurity and the risk of anaemia. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to examine the associations between food insecurity and anaemia risk.SettingPertinent studies were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE databases up to August 2017. Data were available from nineteen studies; seventeen studies were cross-sectional and two studies were longitudinal. Risk ratios of 95993 individual participants from twelve different countries in these studies were pooled for the meta-analysis.ResultsThe results showed that there was an overall positive relationship between food insecurity and anaemia risk (OR=1·27; 95 % CI 1·13, 1·40). Similar results were observed for Fe-deficiency anaemia (OR=1·45; 95 % CI 1·04, 1·86). These results revealed that food insecurity at two levels, including mild food insecurity (OR=1·15; 95 % CI 1·00, 1·31) and moderate food insecurity (OR=1·36; 95 % CI 1·23, 1·48), increased the risk of anaemia. In addition, it was found that age had an impact on the associations between food insecurity and anaemia risk (OR=1·22; 95 % CI 1·09, 1·36). Age subgroup analysis indicated that food insecurity significantly increased the risk of anaemia among infants/toddlers (OR=1·17; 95 % CI 1·05, 1·29) and adult women (OR=1·35; 95 % CI 1·16, 1·54).ConclusionsIt seems that infants, toddlers and adult women in food-insecure households are at a higher risk of anaemia. To prevent anaemia in food-insecure households, these age groups may require more nutritional support.

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