Physical Activity Trajectories among Persons of Turkish Descent Living in Germany—A Cohort Study

Physical activity (PA) behavior is increasingly described as trajectories taking changes over a longer period into account. Little is known, however, about predictors of those trajectories among migrant populations. Therefore, the aim of the present cohort study was to describe changes of PA over six years and to explore migration-related and other predictors for different PA trajectories in adults of Turkish descent living in Berlin. At baseline (2011/2012) and after six years, sociodemographics, health behavior, and medical information were assessed. Four PA trajectories were defined using data of weekly PA from baseline and follow-up: “inactive”, “decreasing”, “increasing”, and “stable active”. Multivariable regression analyses were performed in order to determine predictors for the “stable active” trajectory, and results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). In this analysis, 197 people (60.9% women, mean age ± standard deviation 49.9 ± 12.8 years) were included. A total of 77.7% were first-generation migrants, and 50.5% had Turkish citizenship. The four PA trajectories differed regarding citizenship, preferred questionnaire language, and marital status. “Stable active” trajectory membership was predicted by educational level (high vs. low: aOR 4.20, 95%CI [1.10; 16.00]), citizenship (German or dual vs. Turkish only: 3.60 [1.20; 10.86]), preferred questionnaire language (German vs. Turkish: 3.35 [1.05; 10.66]), and BMI (overweight vs. normal weight: 0.28 [0.08; 0.99]). In our study, migration-related factors only partially predicted trajectory membership, however, persons with citizenship of their country of origin and/or with poor language skills should be particularly considered when planning PA prevention programs.

Download Full-text

Own migration experience is not a risk factor for incident cardiovascular disease – a cohort study

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.733 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

L Krist ◽

C Dornquast ◽

T Reinhold ◽

S Solak ◽

M Durak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

First Generation ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Public Health Research ◽

Self Report ◽

Migration Experience ◽

Multivariable Regression ◽

Ischaemic Attack ◽

First Generation Migrants

Abstract Background Studies have shown differences regarding prevalence and incidence of chronic diseases among first (own migration experience) compared to second (born in host country) generation migrants. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among persons of Turkish descent with and without migration experience living in Berlin, Germany. Methods In 2012-2013, Berliners with a Turkish migration background were recruited, examined, and contacted again 5 years later via postal mail. Incidence of diagnosed CVD (myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, intermittent claudicatio or transient ischaemic attack) was assessed via self-report. Incidence of any CVD is presented as number and percentages. Associations between the incidence of any CVD and having an own migration experience were investigated with uni- and multivariable regression analyses. Results are presented as odds ratios with a 95%-confidence interval (OR, 95%-CI). Results Data of 234 persons of Turkish descent (62.8% women) with a mean age±standard deviation of 44±12.4 years were included in the analyses. Out of these, 79.9% were first generation migrants. First compared to second generation participants differed regarding CVD incidence (any CVD 16.6% vs. 4.3%, respectively; p = 0.03), socio-demographic, and lifestyle factors. After adjusting for these factors, multivariable analysis showed that only BMI (OR 1.12 per BMI point, 95%CI [1.02;1.24], and having a diagnosis of dyslipidemia (OR 4.0, 95%CI [1.45;12.05]), were independently associated with CVD incidence. Conclusions In a cohort study with Berliners of Turkish descent, CVD incidence was associated with increasing BMI and dyslipidemia, but not with own migration experience. Future migration-related public health research needs to focus on the prevention of harmful health behaviours to avoid the progression of overweight/obesity and dyslipidemia. Key messages CVD incidence is higher in persons with migration experience compared to those without. Migration experience is not associated with CVD incidence after adjusting for confounders (e.g. age, BMI).

Download Full-text

Worldwide association of lifestyle related factors and COVID-19 mortality

10.1101/2021.08.14.21257136 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jingzhou Wang ◽

Toshiro Sato ◽

Atsushi Sakuraba

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Cumulative Effect ◽

Global Scale ◽

Related Factors ◽

Individual Country ◽

Obesity And Diabetes ◽

Insufficient Physical Activity ◽

Multivariable Regression ◽

Using Data

AbstractBackgroundSeveral lifestyle related factors such as obesity and diabetes have been identified as risk factors for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality. The objective of this study was to examine the global association between lifestyle related factors and COVID-19 mortality using data from each individual country.MethodsThe association between prevalence of seven lifestyle related factors (overweight, insufficient physical activity, smoking, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and age over 65) and COVID-19 mortality was assessed by linear and multivariable regression among 186 countries. The cumulative effect of lifestyle related factors on COVID-19 mortality was assessed by dividing countries into four categories according to the number of lifestyle related factors in the upper half range and comparing the mean mortality between groups.ResultsIn linear regression, COVID-19 mortality was significantly associated with overweight, insufficient physical activity, hyperlipidemia, and age ≥65. In multivariable regression, overweight and age ≥65 demonstrated significant association with COVID-19 mortality (P = 0.0039, 0.0094). Countries with more risk factors demonstrated greater COVID-19 mortality (P for trend <0.001).ConclusionLifestyle related factors, especially overweight and elderly population, were associated with increased COVID-19 mortality on a global scale. Global effort to reduce burden of lifestyle related factors along with protection and vaccination of these susceptible groups may help reduce COVID-19 mortality.

Download Full-text

Inflammatory Bowel Disease in migrant populations – a narrative review

Current Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1389450121666201119142045 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Manuela Estevinho ◽

Diogo José M. Lopes ◽

Miguel Torre Souto ◽

Fernando Magro

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽

Bowel Disease ◽

Disease Burden ◽

First Generation ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Migrant Populations ◽

Age At Migration ◽

Inflammatory Bowel ◽

First Generation Migrants ◽

Socio Economic Factors

Background: The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) continues to rise worldwide and despite the advances on pharmacotherapy, the etiopathogenesis of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) remains underexplained. In this context, the migratory waves of the last decades created a challenging setting to analyze the evolution of IBD prevalence and to infer its triggering factors. Objective: Our study aimed to overview the literature regarding IBD prevalence and phenotype in first- and secondgeneration migrants. Methods: A non-systematic review was performed following electronic (PubMed and Web of Science) and manual searches on relevant topics. Results: Overall, first-generation migrants tend to maintain the IBD risk of the native country. On the following generation, the risk tends to converge to that of the destination country. Earlier age at migration modulates IBD risk, suggesting that the degree of exposure to environmental and socio-economic factors can be decisive for disease progression. In general, CD needs more time to reach a disease burden similar to that of the host country, indicating that UC may be more affected by nongenetic factors and genetic-nongenetic interactions. Conclusion: IBD phenotypes and natural history vary in migrants and according to ethnicity; however, the trends are not consensual among cohorts. Further studies are warranted to analyze the effect of environmental risk factors in different ethnic groups, providing background to move towards identification of at-risk individuals, prevention and earlier diagnosis of IBD.

Download Full-text

Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Migrant Populations: Should we look Even Further Back?

Current Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1389450122666210203193817 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

Author(s):

Gionata Fiorino ◽

Maria Manuela Estevinho ◽

Diogo José M. Lopes ◽

Filippo Chersi ◽

Mariangela Allocca ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽

Bowel Disease ◽

First Generation ◽

Migrant Populations ◽

Migration History ◽

Age At Migration ◽

Inflammatory Bowel ◽

First Generation Migrants ◽

First And Second Generation ◽

Socio Economic Factors

Background: The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) continues to rise worldwide. Despite the advances on pharmacotherapy, the etiopathogenesis of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) remains underexplained. The migratory waves are a challenging setting to analyze the evolution of IBD prevalence and to infer its triggering factors. Objective: Our study aimed to overview the literature regarding IBD prevalence and phenotype in first- and second-generation migrants Also, we aimed to summarize the migration history and to draw a possible correlation with IBD distribution. Methods: A non-systematic review was performed following electronic (PubMed and Web of Science) and manual searches on relevant topics. Results: Overall, first-generation migrants tend to maintain the IBD risk of the native country. On the following generation, the risk tends to converge to that of the destination country. Earlier age at migration modulates IBD risk, suggesting that the degree of exposure to environmental and socio-economic factors can be decisive for disease progression. In general, CD needs more time to reach a disease burden similar to that of the host country, indicating that UC may be more affected by nongenetic factors and genetic-nongenetic interactions. Conclusion: IBD phenotypes and natural history vary in migrants and according to ethnicity; however, the trends are not consensual among cohorts. Further studies are warranted to analyze the effect of genetic background and environmental risk factors in different ethnic groups, providing evidence to move towards the identification of at-risk individuals, prevention and earlier diagnosis of IBD.

Download Full-text

Association between Body Mass Index and Short-Term Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis: A Real-World Study

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/5781913 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shan Lin ◽

Shanhui Ge ◽

Wanmei He ◽

Mian Zeng

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Critically Ill ◽

Body Mass ◽

Critically Ill Patients ◽

Medical Information ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Male Patients ◽

Using Data

Background. Obesity is now recognized as one of the major public health threats, especially for patients with a critical illness. However, studies regarding whether and how body mass index (BMI) affects clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis are still scarce and controversial. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of BMI on critically ill patients with sepsis. Materials and Methods. We performed this study using data from the Medical Information Center for Intensive Care III database. A multivariate Cox regression model was used to assess the independent association of BMI with the primary outcome. Results. A total of 7,967 patients were enrolled in this study. Firstly, we found that the 28-day mortality was reduced by 22% ( HR = 0.78 , 95% CI 0.69–0.88) and 13% ( HR = 0.87 , 95% CI 0.78–0.98) for obese and overweight compared to normal weight, respectively. Subsequently, a U-shaped association of BMI with 28-day mortality was observed in sepsis patients, with the lowest 28-day mortality at the BMI range of 30–40 kg/m2. Finally, significant interactions were observed only for sex ( P = 0.0071 ). Male patients with a BMI of 25-30 kg/m2 ( HR = 0.74 , 95% CI 0.63–0.86) and 30-40 kg/m2 ( HR = 0.63 , 95% CI 0.53–0.76) had a significantly lower risk of 28-day mortality. Conclusions. A U-shaped association of BMI with 28-day mortality in critically ill sepsis patients was found, with the lowest 28-day mortality at a BMI range of 30–40 kg/m2. Notably, male patients were protected by a higher BMI more effectively than female patients as males had a significantly lower mortality risk.

Download Full-text

Associations between Neighborhood Walkability, Physical Activity, and Chronic Disease in Nova Scotian Adults: An Atlantic PATH Cohort Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17228643 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (22) ◽

pp. 8643

Author(s):

Melanie R. Keats ◽

Yunsong Cui ◽

Vanessa DeClercq ◽

Scott A. Grandy ◽

Ellen Sweeney ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Chronic Disease ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Chronic Respiratory Disease ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neighborhood Walkability ◽

History Of ◽

Using Data

Background: While neighborhood walkability has been shown to positively influence health behaviors, less is known about its impact on chronic disease. Our aim was to examine the association between walkability and self-reported physical activity in relation to chronic health conditions in an Atlantic Canadian population. Methods: Using data from the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health, a prospective cohort study, we employed both a cross-sectional and a prospective analytical approach to investigate associations of walkability and physical activity with five prevalent chronic diseases and multimorbidity. Results: The cross-sectional data show that participants with the lowest neighborhood walkability were more likely to have reported a pre-existing history of cancer and depression and least likely to report chronic respiratory conditions. Participants with low physical activity were more likely to have a pre-existing history of diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and multimorbidity. Follow-up analyses showed no significant associations between walkability and chronic disease incidence. Low levels of physical activity were significantly associated with diabetes, cancer and multimorbidity. Conclusions: Our data provides evidence for the health protective benefits of higher levels of physical activity, and a reduction in prevalence of some chronic diseases in more walkable communities.

Download Full-text

Household transmission of seasonal coronavirus infections: Results from the Flu Watch cohort study

Wellcome Open Research ◽

10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16055.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 145 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sarah Beale ◽

Dan Lewer ◽

Robert W. Aldridge ◽

Anne M. Johnson ◽

Maria Zambon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Index Case ◽

Transmission Risk ◽

Related Factors ◽

Household Transmission ◽

Clinical Onset ◽

Using Data ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact ◽

Index Cases

Background: In the context of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, understanding household transmission of seasonal coronaviruses may inform pandemic control. We aimed to investigate what proportion of seasonal coronavirus transmission occurred within households, measure the risk of transmission in households, and describe the impact of household-related factors of risk of transmission. Methods: Using data from three winter seasons of the UK Flu Watch cohort study, we measured the proportion of symptomatic infections acquired outside and within the home, the household transmission risk and the household secondary attack risk for PCR-confirmed seasonal coronaviruses. We present transmission risk stratified by demographic features of households. Results: We estimated that the proportion of cases acquired outside the home, weighted by age and region, was 90.7% (95% CI 84.6- 94.5, n=173/195) and within the home was 9.3% (5.5-15.4, 22/195). Following a symptomatic coronavirus index case, 14.9% (9.8 - 22.1, 20/134) of households experienced symptomatic transmission to at least one other household member. Onward transmission risk ranged from 11.90% (4.84-26.36, 5/42) to 19.44% (9.21-36.49, 7/36) by strain. The overall household secondary attack risk for symptomatic cases was 8.00% (5.31-11.88, 22/275), ranging across strains from 5.10 (2.11-11.84, 5/98) to 10.14 (4.82- 20.11, 7/69). Median clinical onset serial interval was 7 days (IQR= 6-9.5). Households including older adults, 3+ children, current smokers, contacts with chronic health conditions, and those in relatively deprived areas had the highest transmission risks. Child index cases and male index cases demonstrated the highest transmission risks. Conclusion: Most seasonal coronaviruses appear to be acquired outside the household, with relatively modest risk of onward transmission within households. Transmission risk following an index case appears to vary by demographic household features, with potential overlap between those demonstrating the highest point estimates for seasonal coronavirus transmission risk and COVID-19 susceptibility and poor illness outcomes.

Download Full-text

Socio-demographic Determinants of Low Physical Activity in Peruvian Adults: Results of a Population-based Survey Performed in 2017-2018

Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.3961/jpmph.21.418 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 54 (6) ◽

pp. 461-470

Author(s):

Akram Hernández-Vásquez ◽

Rodrigo Vargas-Fernández

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Urban Area ◽

Short Form ◽

Population Based ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Migrant Populations ◽

Using Data ◽

And Migration ◽

Adjusted Model ◽

Prevalence Ratios

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of low physical activity (PA) in Peruvian adults and to identify associated factors.Methods: An analytical study was performed using data from the 2017-2018 Nutritional Food Surveillance by Life Stages survey. The outcome variable was low PA (yes or no), assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form. Prevalence ratios were estimated as a measure of association.Results: Among the 1045 persons included in the analysis, the age-standardized prevalence of low PA was 61.9%. The adjusted model showed that being female and migrating from a rural to an urban area in the last 5 years were associated with a higher probability of having low PA than males and individuals who had not migrated, while residing in rural highlands and jungle areas was associated with a reduced probability of having low PA compared to people residing in other geographic domains.Conclusions: Being a female and migration from a rural to an urban area in the last 5 years were associated with a higher likelihood of having low PA. Therefore, promotion and prevention strategies related to PA are required, especially in the female and migrant populations.

Download Full-text

What role does timing play in migrants’ transition to marriage? A comparison between endogamous and exogamous marriages

Zeitschrift für Familienforschung ◽

10.3224/zff.v31i3.05 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (3-2019) ◽

Author(s):

Giuseppe Gabrielli ◽

Elisa Barbiano di Belgiojoso ◽

Laura Terzera ◽

Anna Paterno

Keyword(s):

First Generation ◽

Economic Stability ◽

General Picture ◽

The Social ◽

Timing Of Migration ◽

Decision Making Processes ◽

First Generation Migrants ◽

Using Data ◽

And Migration ◽

Transition To Marriage

Couple formation and migration are the result of interrelated decision-making processes in the life cycle. Using data from the “Social Condition and Integration of Foreign Citizens (SCIF)” survey, conducted in Italy in 2011-2012 by Istat, we aim to investigate how the timing of migration events affects the type and timing of marriages in the destination country. Time-related models investigate the competing-risk transitions to endogamous and exogamous marriages with Italian spouses. Obtained results provide evidence of the complexity of today’s migrations, and they indicate the coexistence of various patterns among first-generation migrants in Italy, characterised by a plurality of origins, with different projects and behavioural models. The “interrelation of events” hypothesis explains the transitions to both endogamous and exogamous marriages among women, while men usually spend more time finding a partner and achieving economic stability. Despite this general picture, our analysis shows different and original pathways shaping transitions to marriage by reason of migration and considering a number of demographic and migratory characteristics.

Download Full-text

Polymorphisms in the mTOR-PI3K-Akt pathway, energy balance-related exposures and colorectal cancer risk in the Netherlands Cohort Study

BioData Mining ◽

10.1186/s13040-021-00286-3 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Colinda C.J.M. Simons ◽

Leo J. Schouten ◽

Roger W.L. Godschalk ◽

Frederik-Jan van Schooten ◽

Monika Stoll ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Colon Cancer ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Risk Scores ◽

Akt Pathway ◽

Related Factors ◽

Men And Women ◽

Polygenic Risk

Abstract Background The mTOR-PI3K-Akt pathway influences cell metabolism and (malignant) cell growth. We generated sex-specific polygenic risk scores capturing natural variation in 7 out of 10 top-ranked genes in this pathway. We studied the scores directly and in interaction with energy balance-related factors (body mass index (BMI), trouser/skirt size, height, physical activity, and early life energy restriction) in relation to colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in the Netherlands Cohort Study (NLCS) (n=120,852). The NLCS has a case-cohort design and 20.3 years of follow-up. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire on diet and cancer in 1986 when 55–69 years old. ~75% of the cohort returned toenail clippings used for DNA isolation and genotyping (n subcohort=3,793, n cases=3,464). To generate the scores, the dataset was split in two and risk alleles were defined and weighted based on sex-specific associations with CRC risk in the other dataset half, because there were no SNPs in the top-ranked genes associated with CRC risk in previous genome-wide association studies at a significance level p<1*10−5. Results Cox regression analyses showed positive associations between the sex-specific polygenic risk scores and colon but not rectal cancer risk in men and women, with hazard ratios for continuously modeled scores close to 1.10. There was no modifying effect observed of the scores on associations between the energy balance-related factors and CRC risk. However, BMI (in men), non-occupational physical activity (in women), and height (in men and women) were associated with the risk of CRC, in particular (proximal and distal) colon cancer, in the direction as expected in the lower tertiles of the sex-specific polygenic risk scores. Conclusions Current data suggest that the mTOR-PI3K-Akt pathway may be involved in colon cancer development. This study thereby sheds more light on colon cancer etiology through use of genetic variation in the mTOR-PI3K-Akt pathway.

Download Full-text