scholarly journals Gender Disparities of Heart Disease and the Association with Smoking and Alcohol Drinking Behavior Among the Middle-Aged and Older Population in the US and China, a Cross-Sectional Study of CHARLS and HRS Data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifei Li ◽  
Yuanan Lu ◽  
Eric L. Hurwitz ◽  
Yanyan Wu
Keyword(s):  
Heart Disease ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Alcohol Drinking ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Disease Etiology ◽  
The Us

Abstract Background Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally with substantial variabilities in mortalities by gender and region. Smoking and alcohol drinking are known modifiable health behaviors associated with heart disease. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of heart disease and to examine the association with smoking and drinking behavior for men and women in the United States (US) and China. Methods This study utilized the Harmonized data from the US Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), which are sister surveys as part of the Gateway to Global Aging Data (https://g2aging.org/). We performed cross-sectional comparisons using the 2016 wave HRS and 2015 wave CHARLS data. Age was categorized into four groups (50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and 80 years or older) and smoking and drinking behavior were combined to neither, smoking only, drinking only and both behaviors. Weighted analyses were conducted to estimate the prevalence and prevalence ratios (PRs) of heart disease accounting for complex survey design. Results The overall prevalence of heart disease was higher in men (24.5%) than in women (20.6%) in the US. In contrast, women had higher prevalence (22.9%) than men (16.1%) in China. The prevalence of heart disease increased by age with increasing gender gap in the US, while in China, the highest prevalence was observed in the 70–79 age group and gender difference were more apparent before 80 years of age. Adjusting for socio-demographic variables and health conditions, smoking only was associated with a higher prevalence of heart disease in both countries and the associations were stronger among women (US: PR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.26 to 1.54; China: PR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.30 to 1.72) than among men (US: PR = 1.20, 95%CI: 1.04 to 1.38; China: PR = 1.37, 95%CI: 0.94 to 1.98). Conclusions Findings from this study will improve present understanding of heart disease etiology and provide essential insights for future prevention, treatment, and control. Better management of smoking behaviors by gender might be beneficial for reducing the burden of heart disease in both countries and worldwide.

scholarly journals Income-based inequalities in self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among adolescents in England and the United States: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun Scholes ◽  
Jennifer S Mindell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
High Income ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Us ◽  
Low Income Households

Objective: Quantify inequalities in self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in England and the United States (US). Design: Population-based cross-sectional study. Participants: 4019 adolescents aged 11-15 years in England (Health Survey for England 2008, 2012, 2015) and 4312 aged 12-17 years in the US (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-16). Main outcome measures: Three aspects of MVPA: (1) doing any, (2) average min/day (MVPA: including those who did none), and (3) average min/day conditional on participation (MVPA-active). Using hurdle models, we quantified inequalities (average marginal effects: AMEs) using the absolute difference in marginal means. Results: In England, adolescents in high-income households were more likely than those in low-income households to have done any formal sports/exercise in the last seven days (boys: 11%; 95% CI: 4% to 17%; girls: 13%; 95% CI: 6% to 20%); girls in high-income households did more than their low-income counterparts (MVPA: 6 min/day, 95% CI: 2 to 9). Girls in low-income households spent more time in informal activities than girls in high-income households (MVPA: 21 min/day; 95% CI: 10 to 33), whilst boys in low-income versus high-income households spent longer in active travel (MVPA: 21 min/week; 95% CI: 8 to 34). In the US, in a typical week, recreational activity was greater among high-income versus low-income households (boys: 15 min/day; 95% CI: 6 to 24 min/day; girls: 19 min/day; 95% CI: 12 to 27). In contrast, adolescents in low-income versus high-income households were more likely to travel actively (boys: 11%; 95% CI: 3% to 19%; girls: 10%; 95% CI: 3% to 17%) and do more. Conclusions: Policy actions and interventions are required to increase MVPA across all income groups in England and the US. Differences in formal sports/exercise (England) and recreational (US) activities suggest that additional efforts are required to reduce inequalities.

scholarly journals Financial ties between leaders of influential US professional medical associations and industry: cross sectional study

BMJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. m1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ray Moynihan ◽  
Loai Albarqouni ◽  
Conrad Nangla ◽  
Adam G Dunn ◽  
Joel Lexchin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Oncology ◽  
American Psychiatric Association ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Associations ◽  
The Us ◽  
American Society ◽  
Financial Relationships

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the nature and extent of financial relationships between leaders of influential professional medical associations in the United States and pharmaceutical and device companies.DesignCross sectional study.SettingProfessional associations for the 10 costliest disease areas in the US according to the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Financial data for association leadership, 2017-19, were obtained from the Open Payments database.Population328 leaders, such as board members, of 10 professional medical associations: American College of Cardiology, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, American Psychiatric Association, Endocrine Society, American College of Rheumatology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Thoracic Society, North American Spine Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and American College of Physicians.Main outcome measuresProportion of leaders with financial ties to industry in the year of leadership, the four years before and the year after board membership, and the nature and extent of these financial relationships.Results235 of 328 leaders (72%) had financial ties to industry. Among 293 leaders who were medical doctors or doctors of osteopathy, 235 (80%) had ties. Total payments for 2017-19 leadership were almost $130m (£103m; €119m), with a median amount for each leader of $31 805 (interquartile range $1157 to $254 272). General payments, including those for consultancy and hospitality, were $24.8m and research payments were $104.6m—predominantly payments to academic institutions with association leaders named as principle investigators. Variation was great among the associations: median amounts varied from $212 for the American Psychiatric Association leaders to $518 000 for the American Society of Clinical Oncology.ConclusionsFinancial relationships between the leaders of influential US professional medical associations and industry are extensive, although with variation among the associations. The quantum of payments raises questions about independence and integrity, adding weight to calls for policy reform.

scholarly journals Youth Single-Sport Specialization in Professional Baseball Players

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 232596712090787
Author(s):  
Patrick S. Buckley ◽  
Michael C. Ciccotti ◽  
Meghan Bishop ◽  
Patrick Kane ◽  
Stephen Selverian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Professional Baseball ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Youth Baseball ◽  
The Us

Background: An increasing number of youth baseball athletes are specializing in playing baseball at younger ages. Purpose: The purpose of our study was to describe the age and prevalence of single-sport specialization in a cohort of current professional baseball athletes. In addition, we sought to understand the trends surrounding single-sport specialization in professional baseball players raised within and outside the United States (US). Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A survey was distributed to male professional baseball athletes via individual team athletic trainers. Athletes were asked if and at what age they had chosen to specialize in playing baseball at the exclusion of other sports, and data were then collected pertaining to this decision. We analyzed the rate and age of specialization, the reasons for specialization, and the athlete’s perception of injuries related to specialization. Results: A total of 1673 professional baseball athletes completed the survey, representing 26 of the 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) organizations. Less than half (44.5%) of professional athletes specialized in playing a single sport during their childhood/adolescence. Those who reported specializing in their youth did so at a mean age of 14.09 ± 2.79 years. MLB players who grew up outside the US specialized at a significantly earlier age than MLB players native to the US (12.30 ± 3.07 vs 14.89 ± 2.24 years, respectively; P < .001). Additionally, MLB players raised in the US recalled a significantly higher incidence of sustaining an injury attributed to specializing in baseball than MLB athletes raised outside the US (27.7% vs 20.6%, respectively; P = .05). Conclusion: This study challenges the current trends toward early youth sport specialization, finding that the majority of professional baseball athletes studied did not specialize as youth and that those who did specialize did so at a mean age of 14 years. With the potential cumulative effects of pitching and overhead throwing on an athlete’s arm, the trend identified in this study toward earlier specialization within baseball is concerning.

scholarly journals Epidemiological Profiles of Foreign-Born and US-Born Hispanic Blood Donors in a Major Metropolitan Area in the United States

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelbert B. James ◽  
Cassandra D. Josephson ◽  
Marta I. Castillejo ◽  
George B. Schreiber ◽  
John D. Roback
Keyword(s):  
Blood Donors ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Rates Of Return ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Major Metropolitan Area ◽  
The Us ◽  
Donated Blood

Background. The explosive growth of Hispanics in the US makes this population a significant and untapped source for blood donation. Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate blood donation behaviors and demographics of foreign-born and US-born Hispanic donors between 2006 and 2009 in metropolitan Atlanta, GA, USA. Bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess factors associated with foreign-born donors. Results. 5,119 foreign-born and 11,841 US-born Hispanics donated blood. Foreign-born Hispanic donors were more likely than US-born donors to be blood group O (57.6% versus 52.0%; P<.001) and more frequent donors (2.2 versus 2.0; P<.001). Cuban-born donors had the highest rates of return donation (63.2%). In contrast, Mexicans, the most prevalent subpopulation among foreign-born Hispanic donors (31.8%), had the lowest rates of return donation (42.0%). Conclusions. The heterogeneity found among Hispanic donors in this study is valuable for the design of recruitment strategies to increase blood donations.

scholarly journals Professional Life Satisfaction Based on Dimensions of Well-being among Firefighters in South Korea and the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongwoo Song ◽  
Haejun Park ◽  
Changhoon Bang ◽  
Sohee Kim ◽  
Jaehong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Job Skills ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Us

Upgrading firefighters’ life satisfaction can enhance their job skills, and contribute to their safety and that of the public. This study’s purpose was to identify general life satisfaction levels and national characteristics, including firefighters’ occupational issues in Korea and the US. The final sample sizes in this cross-sectional study were 1,523 for South Korea and 229 for the US. The findings were based on firefighters’ physical/mental health and satisfaction with occupational problems. To measure their life satisfaction, six dimensions were examined: social, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, and occupational. The average satisfaction score of firefighters was 3.50 in Korea and 4.00 in the US. The US showed high satisfaction in most subitems. However, US firefighters showed low satisfaction in the physical context and Korean firefighters in the occupational context. Multiple regression analysis of the variables affecting firefighters’ life satisfaction showed that the occupational dimension was significant in both Korea and the US, and a similar analysis of demographic characteristics as independent variables showed that differences in satisfaction by gender were important in both countries. For Korea, the key variables were in the working hours section; for the US, in the specialty section. The results of this study should make it easier to identify and focus on the relevant areas of firefighters’ working lives in Korea and the US, thereby improving their life satisfaction.

scholarly journals Professional Life Satisfaction Based on Dimensions of Well-being among Firefighters in South Korea and the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongwoo Song ◽  
Haejun Park ◽  
Changhoon Bang ◽  
Sohee Kim ◽  
Jaehong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Job Skills ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Us

Upgrading firefighters’ life satisfaction can enhance their job skills, and contribute to their safety and that of the public. This study’s purpose was to identify general life satisfaction levels and national characteristics, including firefighters’ occupational issues in Korea and the US. The final sample sizes in this cross-sectional study were 1,523 for South Korea and 229 for the US. The findings were based on firefighters’ physical/mental health and satisfaction with occupational problems. To measure their life satisfaction, six dimensions were examined: social, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, and occupational. The average satisfaction score of firefighters was 3.50 in Korea and 4.00 in the US. The US showed high satisfaction in most subitems. However, US firefighters showed low satisfaction in the physical context and Korean firefighters in the occupational context. Multiple regression analysis of the variables affecting firefighters’ life satisfaction showed that the occupational dimension was significant in both Korea and the US, and a similar analysis of demographic characteristics as independent variables showed that differences in satisfaction by gender were important in both countries. For Korea, the key variables were in the working hours section; for the US, in the specialty section. The results of this study should make it easier to identify and focus on the relevant areas of firefighters’ working lives in Korea and the US, thereby improving their life satisfaction.

scholarly journals The Public’s Perception of the Severity and Global Impact at the Start of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Crowdsourcing-Based Cross-Sectional Analysis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orr Shauly ◽  
Gregory Stone ◽  
Daniel Gould
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Amazon Mechanical Turk ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Us ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Sectional Analysis

BACKGROUND COVID-19 is a rapidly developing threat to most people in the United States and abroad. The behaviors of the public are important to understand, as they may have a tremendous impact on the course of this novel coronavirus pandemic. OBJECTIVE This study intends to assess the US population’s perception and knowledge of the virus as a threat and the behaviors of the general population in response. METHODS A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with random volunteers recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk, an internet crowdsourcing service, on March 24, 2020. RESULTS A total of 969 participants met the inclusion criteria. It was found that the perceived severity of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly differed between age groups (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) and men and women (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). A majority of study participants were actively adhering to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. CONCLUSIONS Though many participants identified COVID-19 as a threat, many failed to place themselves appropriately in the correct categories with respect to risk. This may indicate a need for additional public education for appropriately defining the risk of this novel pandemic.

scholarly journals Protein intake trends and conformity with the Dietary Reference Intakes in the United States: analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2014

2018 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire E Berryman ◽  
Harris R Lieberman ◽  
Victor L Fulgoni ◽  
Stefan M Pasiakos
Keyword(s):  
Total Energy ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Ideal Body Weight ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Dietary Reference Intakes ◽  
The Us

ABSTRACT Background Systematic analysis of dietary protein intake may identify demographic groups within the American population that are not meeting the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Objective This cross-sectional study analyzed protein intake trends (2001–2014) and evaluated recent conformity to the DRIs (2011–2014) according to age, sex, and race or ethnicity in the US population. Design Protein intakes and trends during 2-y cycles of NHANES 2001–2014 (n = 57,980; ≥2 y old) were calculated as absolute (grams per day) and relative [grams per kilogram of ideal body weight (IBW) per day] intakes and as a percentage of total energy. Sex and race or ethnicity [Asian, Hispanic, non-Hispanic black (NHB), and non-Hispanic white (NHW)] differences were determined for protein intake and percentage of the population below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Recommended Dietary Allowance, and above and below the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR). Results Usual protein intakes (mean ± SE) averaged from 55.3 ± 0.9 (children aged 2–3 y) to 88.2 ± 1.1 g/d (adults aged 19–30 y). Protein comprised 14–16% of total energy intakes. Relative protein intakes averaged from 1.10 ± 0.01 (adults aged ≥71 y) to 3.63 ± 0.07 g · kg IBW–1 · d–1 (children aged 2–3 y), and were above the EAR in all demographic groups. Asian and Hispanic populations aged >19 y consumed more relative protein (1.32 ± 0.02 and 1.32 ± 0.02 g · kg IBW–1 · d–1, respectively) than did NHB and NHW (1.18 ± 0.01 g · kg IBW–1 · d–1). Relative protein intakes did not differ by race or ethnicity in the 2–18 y population. Adolescent (aged 14–18 y) females and older (aged ≥71 y) NHB men had the largest population percentages below the EAR (11% and 13%, respectively); <1% of any demographic group had intakes above the AMDR. Conclusions The majority of the US population exceeds minimum recommendations for protein intake. Protein intake remains well below the upper end of the AMDR, indicating that protein intake, as a percentage of energy intake, is not excessive in the American diet. This trial was registered at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN76534484.

New Pathways From Short Sleep to Obesity? Associations Between Short Sleep and “Secondary” Eating and Drinking Behavior

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel S. Tajeu ◽  
Bisakha Sen
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Predictor Variable ◽  
Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Obesity Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
American Time Use Survey ◽  
Short Sleep

Purpose. The association between short sleep and obesity risk is well established. However, we explore a new pathway between short sleep and obesity: whether short sleep is linked to more time spent in secondary eating or drinking, that is, eating or drinking (beverages other than water, such as sugar-sweetened beverages) while primarily engaged in another activity, such as television watching. Design. This pooled cross-sectional study uses data from the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) from 2006 to 2008. Setting. The study takes place in the United States. Subjects. Subjects are 28,150 adults (55.8% female) aged 21 to 65 who were surveyed in the ATUS. Measures. Outcomes are time spent on (1) secondary eating and drinking and (2) primary eating and drinking. Our main predictor variable is sleep duration. Analysis. Controlling for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, we estimate multivariate regression-analysis models for the full sample, as well as by weekday/weekend status, race, and gender subgroups. Results. In multivariate models, compared to respondents reporting normal sleep, short sleep was associated with additional 8.7 (SE = 2.1) minutes per day of secondary eating (p < .01) and additional 28.6 (SE = 4.2) and 31.28 (SE = 5.0) minutes per day of secondary drinking on weekdays and weekends, respectively (p < .01). Conclusions. We find that short sleep is associated with more time spent in secondary eating and, in particular, secondary drinking. This potentially suggests a pathway from short sleep to increased caloric intake in the form of beverages and distracted eating and thus potential increased obesity risk, although more research is needed.

scholarly journals The Association of E-cigarette Flavors With Satisfaction, Enjoyment, and Trying to Quit or Stay Abstinent From Smoking Among Regular Adult Vapers From Canada and the United States: Findings From the 2018 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 1831-1841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Gravely ◽  
K Michael Cummings ◽  
David Hammond ◽  
Eric Lindblom ◽  
Danielle M Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Quit Attempt ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Us ◽  
Former Smokers

Abstract Aims This study examined whether nontobacco flavors are more commonly used by vapers (e-cigarette users) compared with tobacco flavor, described which flavors are most popular, and tested whether flavors are associated with: vaping satisfaction relative to smoking, level of enjoyment with vaping, reasons for using e-cigarettes, and making an attempt to quit smoking by smokers. Methods This cross-sectional study included 1603 adults from Canada and the United States who vaped at least weekly, and were either current smokers (concurrent users) or former smokers (exclusive vapers). Respondents were categorized into one of seven flavors they used most in the last month: tobacco, tobacco–menthol, unflavored, or one of the nontobacco flavors: menthol/mint, fruit, candy, or “other” (eg, coffee). Results Vapers use a wide range of flavors, with 63.1% using a nontobacco flavor. The most common flavor categories were fruit (29.4%) and tobacco (28.7%), followed by mint/menthol (14.4%) and candy (13.5%). Vapers using candy (41.0%, p &lt; .0001) or fruit flavors (26.0%, p = .01) found vaping more satisfying (compared with smoking) than vapers using tobacco flavor (15.5%) and rated vaping as very/extremely enjoyable (fruit: 50.9%; candy: 60.9%) than those using tobacco flavor (39.4%). Among concurrent users, those using fruit (74.6%, p = .04) or candy flavors (81.1%, p = .003) were more likely than tobacco flavor users (63.5%) to vape in order to quit smoking. Flavor category was not associated with the likelihood of a quit attempt (p = .46). Among exclusive vapers, tobacco and nontobacco flavors were popular; however, those using tobacco (99.0%) were more likely than those using candy (72.8%, p = .002) or unflavored (42.5%, p = .005) to vape in order to stay quit. Conclusions A majority of regular vapers in Canada and the US use nontobacco flavors. Greater satisfaction and enjoyment with vaping are higher among fruit and candy flavor users. While it does not appear that certain flavors are associated with a greater propensity to attempt to quit smoking among concurrent users, nontobacco flavors are popular among former smokers who are exclusively vaping. Future research should determine the likely impact of flavor bans on those who are vaping to quit smoking or to stay quit. Implications Recent concerns about the attractiveness of e-cigarette flavors among youth have resulted in flavor restrictions in some jurisdictions of the United States and Canada. However, little is known about the possible consequences for current and former smokers if they no longer have access to their preferred flavors. This study shows that a variety of nontobacco flavors, especially fruit, are popular among adult vapers, particularly among those who have quit smoking and are now exclusively vaping. Limiting access to flavors may therefore reduce the appeal of e-cigarettes among adults who are trying to quit smoking or stay quit.

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