scholarly journals Association between early-life exposure to the Great Chinese Famine and poor physical function later in life: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e027450
Author(s):  
Tao Tao ◽  
Lingyan Dai ◽  
JinXiang Ma ◽  
Yusi Li ◽  
Zhuoyuan Guo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Function ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Exposed Group ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Postnatal Exposure ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fetal Period ◽  
Early Life Exposure

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the association between early-life exposure to the Great Chinese Famine (1959–1961) and the prevalence of poor physical function in midlife.DesignA population-based historical prospective study was performed as part of a wider cross-sectional survey. Exposure to famine was defined by birthdate, and participants were divided into non-exposed group, fetal-exposed group and infant-exposed group.Setting and participantsA total of 3595 subjects were enrolled into the study from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2015 based on random selection of households that had at least one member aged 45 years old and older in 28 provinces of mainland China.Main outcome measuresPhysical function status was assessed by a six-item self-report on the Barthel scale which rated basic activities of daily living (BADL).Results743 (20.7%) out of all participants were exposed to the Great Chinese Famine in their fetal periods, while 1550 (43.1%) participants were exposed at the age of an infant. The prevalence of poor physical function in the non-exposed group, fetal period-exposed group and infant period-exposed group were 12.3%, 15.5% and 17.0%, respectively. Among males, after stratification by gender and severity of famine, the prevalence of poor physical function in the fetal period was significantly higher (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.18 to 4.89, p=0.015) than the non-exposed group in severely affected areas, even after adjusting for the number of chronic diseases, place of residence, smoking and alcohol drinking habits, marital status, educational level and body mass index. A similar connection between prenatal and early postnatal exposure to the Great Chinese Famine and the prevalence of poor physical function in midlife, however, was not observed from female adults.ConclusionsMales who were exposed to the Great Chinese Famine (1959–1961) present considerably decreased physical function in their later life.

Early-Life Exposure to the Chinese Famine and Risk of Hyperuricemia in Adult Females in Qingdao

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Yuhan Shao ◽  
Li Liu ◽  
Xiaojing Li ◽  
Jianping Sun ◽  
Xiaomei Huang
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Exposed Group ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Early Life Exposure ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Famine Exposure

Abstract Purpose: We aimed to explore whether exposure to the Chinese famine in early life was associated with hyperuricemia in adulthood. Methods and Results: Two population-based cross-sectional surveys involving randomly selected Chinese adults aged 35–74 years were conducted in Qingdao, China in 2006 and 2009. 9055 subjects from the two surveys were grouped into four birth groups of fetal/infant exposed(born between 1959/1/1 and 1962/12/31), childhood exposed(born between 1950/1/1 and 1958/12/31), adolescence exposed(born between 1942/1/1 and 1949/12/31) and the unexposed(born before 1941 and after 1963). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate the odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of hyperuricemia in different exposed groups. Overall, famine exposure in the fetal/infant period, childhood and adolescence was not associated with adulthood hyperuricemia (all P>0.05). In females, childhood exposed group(OR=1.59, 95%CI:1.25-2.02) and adolescence exposed group(OR=1.74, 95%CI:1.30-2.33) both had higher risks to have hyperuricemia in adult. However, this difference was not found in fetal/infant exposed group. In males, no significant relation was observed in any famine exposed group (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Exposure to famine in childhood and adolescence is associated with an increased risk of hyperuricemia for adulthood of females, but not in males. Adequate nutrition during early life appears to be beneficial to prevent hyperuricemia of adult females.

Social Influences, Social Norms, Social Support, and Smoking Behavior among Adolescent Workers

2001 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 414-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pebbles Fagan ◽  
Marla Eisenberg ◽  
Anne M. Stoddard ◽  
Lindsay Frazier ◽  
Glorian Sorensen
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Social Influences ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Friendship Networks ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Never Smokers

Purpose. To examine the relationships between worksite interpersonal influences and smoking and quitting behavior among adolescent workers. Design. The cross-sectional survey assessed factors influencing tobacco use behavior. Setting. During the fall of 1998, data were collected from 10 grocery stores in Massachusetts that were owned and managed by the same company. Subjects. Eligible participants included 474 working adolescents ages 15 to 18. Eighty-three percent of workers (n = 379) completed the survey. Measures. The self-report questionnaire assessed social influences, social norms, social support, friendship networks, stage of smoking and quitting behavior, employment patterns, and demographic factors. Results. Thirty-five percent of respondents were never smokers, 21% experimental, 5% occasional, 18% regular, and 23% former smokers. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA), results indicate that regular smokers were 30% more likely than experimental or occasional smokers to report coworker encouragement to quit (p = .0002). Compared with regular smokers, never smokers were 15% more likely to report greater nonacceptability of smoking (p = .01). χ2 tests of association revealed no differences in friendship networks by stage of smoking. Conclusions. These data provide evidence for the need to further explore social factors inside and outside the work environment that influence smoking and quitting behavior among working teens. Interpretations of the data are limited because of cross-sectional and self-report data collection methods used in one segment of the retail sector.

scholarly journals Early Origins of Body Mass in Later Life: Examining Childhood Risks and Adult Pathways

2021 ◽  
pp. 002214652110054
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Mustillo ◽  
Miao Li ◽  
Patricia Morton ◽  
Kenneth F. Ferraro
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Early Life Exposure ◽  
Nationally Representative

Prior research reveals that negative early-life experiences play a major role in the development of obesity in later life, but few studies identify mechanisms that alter the lifetime risk of obesity. This study examines the influence of negative childhood experiences on body mass index (BMI) and obesity (BMI ≥30) during older adulthood and the psychosocial and behavioral pathways involved. Using a nationally representative sample, we examine the influence of cumulative misfortune as well as five separate domains of misfortune on BMI and obesity. Results show that four of the five domains are associated with BMI and obesity either directly, indirectly, or both. The influence of cumulative misfortune on the outcomes is mediated by three adult factors: socioeconomic status, depressive symptoms, and physical activity. The mediators identified here provide targets for intervention among older adults to help offset the health risks of excess BMI attributable of early-life exposure to misfortune.

scholarly journals Self-harm among in-school and street-connected adolescents in Ghana: a cross-sectional survey in the Greater Accra region

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e041609
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie ◽  
Farag Shuweihdi ◽  
Mitch Waterman ◽  
Allan House
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Significant Public Health Problem ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Treatment Measures ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Greater Accra Region

ObjectivesTo identify the prevalence, methods, associations and reported reasons for self-harm among in-school and street-connected adolescents in Ghana.DesignA cross-sectional survey. We applied multi-level regression models and model-based cluster analysis to the data.SettingThree contexts in the Greater Accra region were used: second cycle schools, facilities of charity organisations and street census enumeration areas (sleeping places of street-connected adolescents, street corners, quiet spots of restaurants, markets, train and bus stations, and lorry and car parks).ParticipantsA regionally representative sample of 2107 (1723 in-school and 384 street-connected) adolescents aged 13–21 years.Outcome measuresParticipants responded to a structured self-report anonymous questionnaire describing their experience of self-harm and eliciting demographic information and social and personal adversities.ResultsThe lifetime prevalence of self-harm was 20.2% (95% CI 19.0% to 22.0%), 12-month prevalence was 16.6% (95% CI 15.0% to 18.0%) and 1-month prevalence was 3.1% (95% CI 2.0% to 4.0%). Self-injury alone accounted for 54.5% episodes and self-poisoning alone for 16.2% episodes, with more than one method used in 26% of episodes. Self-cutting (38.7%) was the most common form of self-injury, whereas alcohol (39.2%) and medications (27.7%) were the most commonly reported means of self-poisoning. The factors associated with self-harm were interpersonal: conflict with parents (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.87, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.81), physical abuse victimisation (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.47), difficulty in making and keeping friends (aOR=1.24, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.80), sexual abuse victimisation (aOR=1.21, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.87) and conflict between parents (aOR=1.07, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.56).ConclusionsSelf-harm is a significant public health problem among in-school and street-connected adolescents in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Its origins are very largely in social and familial adversity, and therefore prevention and treatment measures need to be focused in these areas.

Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior, Obesity, and Psychological Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Study of Japanese Schoolchildren

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 270-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaori Ishii ◽  
Ai Shibata ◽  
Minoru Adachi ◽  
Yoshiyuki Mano ◽  
Koichiro Oka
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Emotional Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Japanese Children ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Well Being

Background:Sedentary behaviors (SB) are associated with health indicators; however, there are currently very few studies that have examined these associations, especially in conjunction with psychological factors, in children. The current study examined the independent relationship between objectively assessed SB, and indicators of obesity and psychological well-being, among Japanese children.Methods:A total of 967 elementary-school children completed a cross-sectional survey. SB was measured with accelerometers for 7 consecutive days. Psychological well-being data (eg, anxiety and behavior problems) were collected via a self-report questionnaire. To determine the relationship of SB with degree of obesity and psychological well-being, linear regression analyses were conducted to relate the indicators of obesity and psychological well-being on SB, adjusted by gender, grade, percentage of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day, duration spent wearing the accelerometer, and degree of obesity.Results:SB was significantly related to behavioral/emotional problems (β = .280, P = .010, R2 = .015). There was a statistically significant relationship between SB and anxiety (β = .206, P = .059, R2 = .007). No significant association with degree of obesity was found.Conclusions:Excess SB relates higher levels of behavioral/emotional problems and anxiety. These results can inspire the development of interventions that promote well-being and enhance psychological health, by focusing on SB in Japanese children.

scholarly journals Prevalence of depressive symptoms and syndromes in later life in ten European countries

2007 ◽  
Vol 191 (5) ◽  
pp. 393-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erico Castro-Costa ◽  
Michael Dewey ◽  
Robert Stewart ◽  
Sube Banerjee ◽  
Felicia Huppert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Later Life ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Factor Scores ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
Gender Education ◽  
Nationally Representative

BackgroundThe EURO–D, a 12-item self-report questionnaire for depression, was developed with the aim of facilitating cross-cultural research into late-life depression in Europe.AimsTo describe the national variation in depression symptoms and syndrome prevalence across ten European countries.MethodThe EURO–D was administered to cross-sectional nationally representative samples of non-institutionalised persons aged ≥50 years (n = 22 777). The effects of age, gender, education and cognitive functioning on individual symptoms and EURO–D factor scores were estimated. Country-specific depression prevalence rates and mean factor scores were re-estimated, adjusted for these compositional effects.ResultsThe prevalence of all symptoms was higher in the Latin ethno-lingual group of countries, especially symptoms related to motivation. Women scored higher on affective suffering; older people and those with impaired verbal fluency scored higher on motivation.ConclusionsThe prevalence of individual EURO–D symptoms and of probable depression (cut-off score ≥4) varied consistently between countries. Standardising for effects of age, gender, education and cognitive function suggested that these compositional factors did not account for the observed variation.

scholarly journals Psychological contract profiles among permanent and temporary agency workers

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria J Chambel ◽  
Laura Lorente ◽  
Vânia Carvalho ◽  
Isabel Maria Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Temporary Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Permanent Workers ◽  
Temporary Agency Workers

Purpose – Based on the psychological contract (PC) theory, the purpose of this paper is to identify PC profiles, differentiating between permanent and temporary agency workers (TAW). Moreover, the authors analyzed whether different profiles presented different levels of work engagement. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional survey data analysis of 2,867 workers, of whom 1,046 were TAW, was analyzed using latent profile analyses. Findings – Four PC profiles were identified, which differed quantitatively in terms of the overall dimension levels (i.e. balanced, relational and transactional) for PC (i.e. content and fulfillment). ANCOVAs showed that the relational/balanced dominant and transactional dominant profiles presented similar engagement levels for TAW, but for permanent workers the former profile showed higher engagement than the latter. However, for both permanent and TAW the fulfillment profile showed higher engagement than the unfulfillment profile. Research limitations/implications – The cross-sectional design and the reliance on self-report measures are the limitations of this study, although no causality was claimed and method biases were controlled. Practical implications – Actions that increase PC fulfillment positively affect the employment relationship of TAW with the client organization. Originality/value – Few studies have addressed PC typologies. Furthermore, most studies have focussed on temporary workers, but not on TAW and their contract with the client organization. Finally, this study emphasizes the crucial role played by the PC in the levels of work engagement.

Early Life Exposure To Radiation Sensitizes Mice To Later Life Bacterial And Viral Challenges

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl J. Johnston ◽  
Jacob N. Finkelstein ◽  
Casey M. Manning ◽  
Christina Reed ◽  
Eric Hernady ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Early Life Exposure

Degree of consistency of parental dietary and sedentary behavior rules as indicators for overweight

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
E L M Ruiter ◽  
G A J Fransen ◽  
M Kleinjan ◽  
G R M Molleman ◽  
K van der Velden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Sedentary Behaviour ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Dietary Behavior ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Overweight Children ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Latent Class Analyses

Abstract Background To increase our understanding of the effect of parenting on the child’s likelihood of becoming overweight, we attempted to identify typologies based on how consistently parents apply dietary and sedentary behavior rules, and we examined whether these typologies are associated with energy balance-related behaviors in children and/or with the prevalence of overweight children. Methods Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of the Community Health Service in Nijmegen, the Netherlands in which a total of 4,865 parents of children aged 4-12 years participated. Data were collected using validated self-report questionnaires. To identify typologies based on how consistently parents apply dietary and sedentary behavior rules, we performed latent class analyses. We then performed regression analyses to examine the correlation between these typologies and socio-demographic characteristics, dietary and sedentary behaviors, and overweight. Results Latent class analyses revealed the existence of the following four distinct, stable classes/typologies; parents who have: (1) no dietary behavior rules, plus indulgent sedentary behavior rules; (2) indulgent dietary behavior rules, plus no sedentary behavior rules; (3) overall indulgent rules; (4) overall strict rules. Children of parents with overall strict rules (class 4) had significantly healthier dietary and sedentary behaviors compared to the children of parents in the other three classes. Children 8-12 years of age with parents in class 2 were the most likely to be overweight; compared to the children of parents in classes 1, 3, and 4, the parents in class 2 had the lowest level of education and the higher number of Turkish and Moroccan immigrants. Conclusions These results underscore the need for parents to establish strict rules for their children, particularly regarding sedentary behaviour in order to minimize the child’s likelihood of becoming overweight. Key messages The results underscore the need for parents to establish strict rules for their children, particularly regarding sedentary behaviour in order to minimize the child’s likelihood of becoming overweight. These results may contribute to making healthcare professionals aware that children of parents who do not apply sedentary behavior rules are more likely to become overweight.

scholarly journals Hair pulling antecedents in trichotillomania: Their relationship with experiential avoidance

2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-52
Author(s):  
Chad Wetterneck ◽  
R. Sonia Singh ◽  
Douglas W. Woods
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Hair Pulling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Bodily Sensations ◽  
Unwanted Thoughts

In this study, 285 adults who met criteria for trichotillomania (TTM) via self-report completed an online, cross-sectional survey examining antecedent phenomenological experiences pertaining to hair pulling along with measures of TTM severity and experiential avoidance (i.e., avoidance of or escape from unwanted thoughts or feelings). Results showed a heterogeneous depiction of antecedent experiences. Subsequent analyses revealed that certain antecedents were not significantly related to TTM severity but were significantly correlated with higher levels of experiential avoidance. In particular, four of five classes of antecedents (i.e., bodily sensations, physical symptoms, mental anxiety, and general uncomfortableness) were significantly related to greater experiential avoidance. The authors conclude that treatments may need to be designed to address specific private antecedents, and that this may be done through targeting experiential avoidance.

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