Study of Sunbathing in Children: The Preliminary Evaluation of a Prevention Program

Multiple studies have provided evidence for an association between reduced sun exposure and increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), an association likely to be mediated, at least in part, by the vitamin D hormonal pathway. Herein, we examine whether the vitamin D receptor ( VDR), an integral component of this pathway, influences MS risk in a population-based sample where winter sun exposure in early childhood has been found to be an important determinant of MS risk. Three polymorphisms within the VDR gene were genotyped in 136 MS cases and 235 controls, and associations with MS and past sun exposure were examined by logistic regression. No significant univariate associations between the polymorphisms, rs11574010 ( Cdx-2A > G), rs10735810 ( Fok1T > C), or rs731236 ( Taq1C > T) and MS risk were observed. However, a significant interaction was observed between winter sun exposure during childhood, genotype at rs11574010, and MS risk ( P = 0.012), with the ‘G’ allele conferring an increased risk of MS in the low sun exposure group (≤2 h/day). No significant interactions were observed for either rs10735810 or rs731236, after stratification by sun exposure. These data provide support for the involvement of the VDR gene in determining MS risk, an interaction likely to be dependent on past sun exposure.

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The Genes and Genetics of Malignant Melanoma

Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1177/120347540200600307 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 229-235 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Peter Gibbs ◽

Benjamin M. R. Brady ◽

William A. Robinson

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Population Based ◽

Uv Exposure ◽

Molecular Defect ◽

Clinical Variables ◽

Red Hair ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of ◽

Self Examination

Background: Population-based studies have identified several clinical variables associated with an increased risk of developing cutaneous melanoma that include phenotype, amount of and response to sun exposure, and family history. However, these observations are of limited relevance to clinical practice as the risk associated with each factor is individually modest and the characteristics of these variables lack precision when applied to a particular individual. Objective: To review the literature regarding recent advances made in the understanding of the genes and genetics of clinical variables associated with an increased risk of melanoma. Conclusion: Variants of the MC1R (melanocortin-1 receptor) have been identified as major determinants of high-risk phenotypes, such as red hair and pale skin, and the ability to tan in response to UV exposure. Several studies also suggest that such variants may increase melanoma risk independent of their contribution to phenotype. A strong genetic basis for both nevus density and size has been demonstrated and the link between nevi and the development of MM has become better defined. Finally, germline defects in several genes involved in cell cycle regulation, namely, p16 and CDK4, have been demonstrated in many familial melanoma kindreds. This progress has introduced the prospect of genetic testing as a means of identifying a limited number of high-risk individuals who can be targeted with regular screening and education regarding UV exposure and skin self-examination. Ultimately, through rational genetic therapy targeted to correcting the underlying molecular defect, altering the natural history of melanoma development may be possible.

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Utility of the waist-to-height ratio as an instrument to measure parental perception of body weight in children and its use in a population-based survey of children

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012002972 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 274-280 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Smita Nambiar ◽

Helen Truby ◽

Ian Hughes ◽

Peter SW Davies

Keyword(s):

Primary Schools ◽

Body Shape ◽

Population Based ◽

Parental Perception ◽

Central Adiposity ◽

Height Ratio ◽

Overweight Status ◽

Parents And Children ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Waist To Height Ratio

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate which anthropometric measure of overweight status, BMI or waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), is most closely associated with parents’ perception of their child's overweight status.DesignThe sensitivity and specificity of parental perception against child-specific BMI and WHtR definitions of overweight were tested.SettingPrimary schools in Queensland, Australia.SubjectsBoys and girls aged 9·00–11·99 years (n 1431).ResultsOf the 138 boys and 202 girls who were classified as overweight according to BMI, only 27·5 % (boys) and 22·7 % (girls) were also perceived as overweight by their parents. Using WHtR, 206 boys and 333 girls were classified as overweight, of whom only 21·9 % and 13·8 %, respectively, were perceived as overweight. Perception of overweight was underestimated in approximately 15 % of boys and 21 % of girls when compared with BMI. Underestimation was higher when compared with WHtR: 25 % (boys) and 39 % (girls). Overweight prevalence was significantly lower according to perception than according to BMI or WHtR. Mother's education level was significantly associated with accurate perception of overweight status (P < 0·001).ConclusionsThe sensitivity of parental perception of child overweight was higher when BMI was used. However, emphasis needs to be placed on using WHtR as an actual measure of overweight because high central adiposity is associated with increased risk of CVD. The combined use of WHtR, body-shape images rather than word responses regarding perception and public health messages that educate parents and children about body shape and associated health risks may be the best combination in improving parents’ perception of their child's overweight status.

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Shedding light on the link between early life sun exposure and risk of multiple sclerosis: results from the EnvIMS Study

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dyy269 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 1073-1082 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sandra Magalhaes ◽

Maura Pugliatti ◽

Trond Riise ◽

Kjell-Morten Myhr ◽

Antonio Ciampi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Latent Class ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Sun Protection ◽

Population Based ◽

Accumulation Model ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Analytical Strategies ◽

Increasing Risk ◽

Control Study

Abstract Background Lower levels of sun exposure in childhood have been suggested to be associated with increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this paper we extend previous work, using two novel analytical strategies. Methods Data collected in the Environmental risk factors In MS (EnvIMS) study, a case-control study with MS cases and population-based controls from Canada, Italy and Norway, were used. Participants reported on sun exposure behaviours for 5-year age intervals from birth; we focused on the first three age intervals (≤15 years). We compared two life course epidemiology conceptual models, the critical period and the accumulation model. We also used latent class analysis to estimate MS risk for different latent sun exposure behaviour groups. Results The analyses included 2251 cases and 4028 controls. The accumulation model was found to be the best model, which demonstrated a nearly 50% increased risk of MS comparing lowest reported summer sun exposure with highest [risk ratio (RR) = 1.47 (1.24, 1.74)]. The latent sun exposure behaviour group, characterized by low sun exposure during summer and winter and high sun protection use, had the highest risk of MS; a 76% increased risk as compared with the group with high sun exposure and low sun protection use [RR = 1.76 (1.27, 2.46)]. Conclusions Our analyses provide novel insights into the link between sun exposure and MS. We demonstrate that more time indoors during childhood and early adolescence is linked with MS risk, and that sun protection behaviours in those who spend most time indoors may play a key role in increasing risk.

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Low fish consumption is associated with a small increased risk of MS

Neurology Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation ◽

10.1212/nxi.0000000000000717 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. e717

Author(s):

Anna Karin Hedström ◽

Tomas Olsson ◽

Ingrid Kockum ◽

Jan Hillert ◽

Lars Alfredsson

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Fish Consumption ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Potential Effect ◽

Population Based ◽

Mediation Effect ◽

Case Control Studies ◽

Fatty Fish ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Increased Risk

ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the influence of lean and fatty fish consumption on MS risk and to what extent a potential effect may be mediated by vitamin D. We also studied the interplay between fish consumption, sun exposure, DRB1*15:01, and A*02:01.MethodsWe used 2 population-based case-control studies (6,914 cases and 6,590 controls). Subjects with different fish consumption habits were compared regarding MS risk by calculating ORs with 95% CIs using logistic regression models. The mediation effect of vitamin D on the relationship between fish consumption and MS risk was assessed. Potential interactions between fish consumption, sun exposure, and MS-associated HLA genes were assessed on the additive scale.ResultsIrrespective of sun exposure habits, low fish consumption, including both lean and fatty fish, was associated with increased MS risk (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.4) and interacted with the DRB1*15:01 allele (AP 0.3, p < 0.0001). The mediation analysis did not support vitamin D as a mediator of the association between fish consumption and MS risk. There was no interaction between fish consumption and sun exposure habits with regard to MS risk.ConclusionsLow fish consumption and low sun exposure seem to be separate risk factors for MS. Our findings suggest that fish consumption predominantly influences MS risk by other means than by effecting vitamin D status, which is of relevance for prevention, in particular for those with a genetic susceptibility to MS.

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Cancer risks in a population-based study of 70,570 agricultural workers: results from the Canadian census health and Environment cohort (CanCHEC)

10.32920/ryerson.14638539.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Linda Kachuri ◽

M. Anne Harris ◽

Jill S. MacLeod ◽

Michael Tjepkema ◽

Paul A. Peters ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Proportional Hazards ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Population Based ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Agricultural Workers ◽

Lip Cancer ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Liver Cancers ◽

Statistics Canada ◽

Hematopoietic Cancers

Background Agricultural workers may be exposed to potential carcinogens including pesticides, sensitizing agents and solar radiation. Previous studies indicate increased risks of hematopoietic cancers and decreased risks at other sites, possibly due to differences in lifestyle or risk behaviours. We present findings from CanCHEC (Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohort), the largest national population-based cohort of agricultural workers. Methods Statistics Canada created the cohort using deterministic and probabilistic linkage of the 1991 Canadian Long Form Census to National Cancer Registry records for 1992–2010. Self-reported occupations were coded using the Standard Occupational Classification (1991) system. Analyses were restricted to employed persons aged 25–74 years at baseline (N = 2,051,315), with follow-up until December 31, 2010. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were modeled using Cox proportional hazards for all workers in agricultural occupations (n = 70,570; 70.8% male), stratified by sex, and adjusted for age at cohort entry, province of residence, and highest level of education. Results A total of 9515 incident cancer cases (7295 in males) occurred in agricultural workers. Among men, increased risks were observed for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.00–1.21), prostate (HR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.06–1.16), melanoma (HR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.02–1.31), and lip cancer (HR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.70–2.70). Decreased risks in males were observed for lung, larynx, and liver cancers. Among female agricultural workers there was an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.07–1.72). Increased risks of melanoma (HR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.17–2.73), leukemia (HR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.24–3.25) and multiple myeloma (HR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.16–4.37) were observed in a subset of female crop farmers. Conclusions Exposure to pesticides may have contributed to increased risks of hematopoietic cancers, while increased risks of lip cancer and melanoma may be attributed to sun exposure. The array of decreased risks suggests reduced smoking and alcohol consumption in this occupational group compared to the general population.

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Cancer risks in a population-based study of 70,570 agricultural workers: results from the Canadian census health and Environment cohort (CanCHEC)

10.32920/ryerson.14638539 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Linda Kachuri ◽

M. Anne Harris ◽

Jill S. MacLeod ◽

Michael Tjepkema ◽

Paul A. Peters ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Proportional Hazards ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Population Based ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Agricultural Workers ◽

Lip Cancer ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Liver Cancers ◽

Statistics Canada ◽

Hematopoietic Cancers

Background Agricultural workers may be exposed to potential carcinogens including pesticides, sensitizing agents and solar radiation. Previous studies indicate increased risks of hematopoietic cancers and decreased risks at other sites, possibly due to differences in lifestyle or risk behaviours. We present findings from CanCHEC (Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohort), the largest national population-based cohort of agricultural workers. Methods Statistics Canada created the cohort using deterministic and probabilistic linkage of the 1991 Canadian Long Form Census to National Cancer Registry records for 1992–2010. Self-reported occupations were coded using the Standard Occupational Classification (1991) system. Analyses were restricted to employed persons aged 25–74 years at baseline (N = 2,051,315), with follow-up until December 31, 2010. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were modeled using Cox proportional hazards for all workers in agricultural occupations (n = 70,570; 70.8% male), stratified by sex, and adjusted for age at cohort entry, province of residence, and highest level of education. Results A total of 9515 incident cancer cases (7295 in males) occurred in agricultural workers. Among men, increased risks were observed for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.00–1.21), prostate (HR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.06–1.16), melanoma (HR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.02–1.31), and lip cancer (HR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.70–2.70). Decreased risks in males were observed for lung, larynx, and liver cancers. Among female agricultural workers there was an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.07–1.72). Increased risks of melanoma (HR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.17–2.73), leukemia (HR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.24–3.25) and multiple myeloma (HR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.16–4.37) were observed in a subset of female crop farmers. Conclusions Exposure to pesticides may have contributed to increased risks of hematopoietic cancers, while increased risks of lip cancer and melanoma may be attributed to sun exposure. The array of decreased risks suggests reduced smoking and alcohol consumption in this occupational group compared to the general population.

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Smoking during pregnancy reduces vitamin D levels in a Finnish birth register cohort

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980018003932 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (7) ◽

pp. 1273-1277 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A Inkeri Lokki ◽

Jenni Heikkinen-Eloranta ◽

Hanna Öhman ◽

Seppo Heinonen ◽

Heljä-Marja Surcel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

First Trimester ◽

Population Based ◽

Control Group ◽

Skeletal Health ◽

Smoking During Pregnancy ◽

Hydroxyvitamin D ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Vitamin D Levels

AbstractObjectiveMaternal vitamin D level in pregnancy may have implications for both the mother and fetus. Deficiency of vitamin D has been linked to several pregnancy complications and fetal skeletal health. Smoking has been associated with reduced serum level of the vitamin D metabolite, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D).DesignA nested case–control study within the Finnish Maternity Cohort, a population-based cohort which includes first-trimester sera from 98 % of pregnancies in Finland since 1987. The selection consisted of women with uncomplicated pregnancies. We studied serum concentration of 25(OH)D in 313 non-smoking and forty-six self-reported smoking pregnant women.SettingWe hypothesize that pregnant smokers may have an increased risk of low 25(OH)D levels especially during winter months.ParticipantsA control group from an unpublished pregnancy complication study consisting of 359 uncomplicated pregnancies. Individuals who reported that they do not smoke were considered ‘non-smokers’ (n 313) and those who reported continued smoking after the first trimester of pregnancy were considered ‘smokers’ (n 46).ResultsSmokers had significantly lower levels of 25(OH)D irrespective of sampling time (P<0·0001). Furthermore, during the low sun-exposure season, only 14 % of smokers met the guideline level of 40 nmol/l for serum 25(OH)D in comparison with 31 % of non-smokers.ConclusionsExpectant mothers who smoke have an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency during low sun-exposure months in northern regions. Further studies are needed to assess the associated risks for maternal and fetal health as well as possible long-term implications for the infant.

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