scholarly journals Insufficient Vitamin C Levels among Adults in the United States: Results from the NHANES Surveys, 2003–2006

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3910
Author(s):  
Jennifer Crook ◽  
Ann Horgas ◽  
Saun-Joo Yoon ◽  
Oliver Grundmann ◽  
Versie Johnson-Mallard
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Mexican Americans ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
The United States ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Key Factor

Vitamin C, well-established in immune function and a key factor in epigenetic inflammatory modifications, is only obtained through consistent dietary intake. Identifying individuals at risk for Vitamin C insufficiency may guide prevention and treatment, however, national surveillance has not been evaluated in the United States since 2006. A descriptive, cross-sectional secondary analysis was performed utilizing data from the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) assessing non-institutionalized adults. Five categories of plasma Vitamin C were delineated: deficiency (<11 μmol/L), hypovitaminosis (11–23 μmol/L), inadequate (23–49 μmol/L), adequate (50–69 μmol/L), and saturating (≥70 μmol/L). Results indicated 41.8% of the population possessed insufficient levels (deficiency, hypovitaminosis, and inadequate) of Vitamin C. Males, adults aged 20–59, Black and Mexican Americans, smokers, individuals with increased BMI, middle and high poverty to income ratio and food insecurity were significantly associated with insufficient Vitamin C plasma levels. Plasma Vitamin C levels reveal a large proportion of the population still at risk for inflammatory driven disease with little to no symptoms of Vitamin C hypovitaminosis. Recognition and regulation of the health impact of Vitamin C support the goal of Nutrition and Healthy Eating as part of the Healthy People 2030.

scholarly journals Trends in Vitamin C Consumption in the United States: 1999–2018

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 420
Author(s):  
Mary Brauchla ◽  
Mark J. Dekker ◽  
Colin D. Rehm
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Fruit Juice ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dietary Recall ◽  
Health And Nutrition

Low intakes of fruits and vegetables have resulted in suboptimal intakes of several micronutrients, including vitamin C. This cross-sectional study used data from 84,902 children/adults (≥1 y) who completed a 24-h dietary recall as part of the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2018). Mean vitamin C intakes from foods/beverages were calculated as were trends in major food/beverage sources of vitamin C. Percentages below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) were estimated. Overall, mean vitamin C consumption declined by 23% (97–75 mg/d; p-value for trend < 0.001). 100% fruit juice was the leading source of vitamin C (25.6% of total or 21.7mg/d), but this declined by 48% (25–13 mg/d; p-value for trend < 0.001). Whole fruit increased among children/adolescents (+75.8%;10–17 mg/d; p-value for trend < 0.001), but not adults, while the vegetable contribution was generally unchanged. The proportion of the population below the EAR increased by 23.8% on a relative scale or 9 percentage points on an absolute scale (38.3–47.4%). Declines in vitamin C intake is driven largely by decreases in fruit juice coupled with modest increases in whole fruit. Due to associations between vitamin C intake and numerous health outcomes these trends warrant careful monitoring moving forward.

scholarly journals Ever Use of E-Cigarettes Among Adults in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sociodemographic Factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 004695801986447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sericea Stallings-Smith ◽  
Taylor Ballantyne
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
High School ◽  
Mexican Americans ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nationally Representative

E-cigarette use among adolescents is well-documented, but less is known about adult users of e-cigarettes. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between sociodemographic factors and e-cigarette use in a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States. Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for years 2015-2016 were analyzed to assess e-cigarette use among 5989 adults aged ≥18 years. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine associations between the sociodemographic exposures of age, sex, race, marital status, education level, employment status, and poverty-income ratio and the outcome of e-cigarette use. The weighted prevalence of ever use of e-cigarettes was 20%. Compared with adults aged ≥55 years, odds of e-cigarette use were 4.77 times (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.63-6.27) higher among ages 18 to 34 years and 2.16 times (95% CI = 1.49-3.14) higher among ages 35 to 54 years. Higher odds of e-cigarette use were observed among widowed/divorced/separated participants compared with those who were married/living with a partner, among participants with less than high school (odds ratio [OR] = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.08-2.00) or high school/general educational development (GED) education (OR=1.41; 95% CI = 1.12-1.77) compared with those with college degrees/some college, and among those with incomes below the poverty level (OR=1.31; 95% CI = 1.01-1.69) compared with above the poverty level. For non-smokers of conventional cigarettes, higher odds of e-cigarette use were observed among males compared with females, Mexican Americans/Other Hispanics compared with non-Hispanic whites, and non-working participants compared with those who were working. Overall findings indicate that individuals who are widowed/divorced/separated, individuals with lower education, and with incomes below the poverty level are likely to report ever use of e-cigarettes. As increasing evidence demonstrates negative health consequences, e-cigarette initiation may ultimately contribute to additional smoking-related health inequalities even among non-smokers of conventional cigarettes.

scholarly journals Accompaniment to healthcare visits: the impact of sensory impairment

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas S. Reed ◽  
Lama Assi ◽  
Emily Pedersen ◽  
Yasmeen Alshabasy ◽  
Ashley Deemer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Sensory Impairment ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Dual Sensory Impairment

Abstract Background Millions of older adults in the United States experience hearing, vision, and dual sensory impairment (concurring hearing and vision impairment) yet little research exists on their needs in interactions with the healthcare system. This piece aims to determine the use of accompaniment in healthcare interactions by persons with sensory impairment. Methods These cross-sectional analyses included data from the 2015 Medicare Current Beneficiaries Survey and survey weighting provided by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Adjusted odds of reporting accompaniment to healthcare visits and given reasons for accompaniment among United States Medicare beneficiaries with self-reported sensory impairment (hearing, vision, and dual sensory impairment) were examined. Results After excluding observations with missing data, 10,748 Medicare beneficiaries remained representing a 46 million total weighted nationally representative sample, of which 88.9% reported no sensory impairment, 5.52% reported hearing impairment, 3.56% reported vision impairment, and 0.93% reported dual sensory impairment. Those with vision impairment and dual sensory impairment had 2.139 (95% confidence interval [CI] =1.605–2.850) and 2.703 (CI = 1.549–4.718) times the odds of reporting accompaniment to healthcare visits relative to those without sensory impairment. A secondary analysis suggests communication needs as the primary reason for accompaniment among persons with hearing loss, while those with vision impairment were more likely to indicate transportation needs. Conclusions Healthcare accompaniment is common for persons with sensory loss and healthcare systems should consider accommodations for and leveraging accompaniment to improve healthcare for persons with sensory impairments. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, as hospitals limit visitors to reduce the spread of infection, arrangements should be made to ensure that the communication and transportation needs of those with sensory impairment are not neglected.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among female adults in the United States: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly R Petersen ◽  
Eshan U Patel ◽  
M Kate Grabowski ◽  
Charlotte A Gaydos ◽  
Thomas C Quinn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
National Health ◽  
Mexican Americans ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Nutrition

Abstract Background Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common nationally notifiable sexually transmitted infectious disease in the United States; however, the seroprevalence of C. trachomatis infection is unknown. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1725 females aged 18-39 years who provided serum and urine samples in the 2013-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Presence of anti-C. trachomatis Pgp3 IgG was determined using both an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and multiplex bead array (MBA). Weighted seroprevalence estimates were calculated. Correlates of seroprevalence were examined by multivariable Poisson regression. Results In 2013-2016, overall seroprevalence of C. trachomatis Pgp3 IgG was 30.0%(95%CI=25.5%-35.0%) as measured by ELISA and 29.4%(95%CI=25.8%-33.0%) as measured by the MBA assay. Overall agreement between tests was 87.1%(1503/1725). There was a high positive agreement by the MBA assay with current detection of chlamydia in urine (86%[36/42]), a past-year diagnosis of chlamydia (82%[27/33]), and a history of treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease (61%[37/61]). Seroprevalence of C. trachomatis Pgp3 IgG, as measured by MBA, was significantly higher among non-Hispanic Blacks (68.0%; aPR=2.7[95%CI=2.3-3.3]), Mexican Americans (30.9%; aPR=1.5[95% CI=1.2-1.9]), and other Hispanics (35.0%; aPR=1.9[95%CI=1.4-2.5]) as compared to non-Hispanic Whites (21.4%). Seroprevalence was also associated with a higher lifetime number of sexual partners and a younger age at sexual debut. Conclusion Both the ELISA and MBA serologic assays revealed a high prevalence of antibodies to C. trachomatis Pgp3 in young adult females in the U.S. household population. There were major racial/ethnic disparities in exposure to C. trachomatis, with increased vulnerability among non-Hispanic Blacks.

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Symptom Reporting and Symptom Clusters in Heart Failure

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 372-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jumin Park ◽  
Mary E. Johantgen
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Symptom Clusters ◽  
Symptom Reporting ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Cultural Comparison ◽  
Heart Failure Questionnaire

An understanding of symptoms in heart failure (HF) among different cultural groups has become increasingly important. The purpose of this study was to compare symptom reporting and symptom clusters in HF patients between a Western (the United States) and an Eastern Asian sample (China and Taiwan). A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional observational study was conducted. The data were obtained from a matched HF patient sample from the United States and China/Taiwan ( N = 240 in each). Eight selective items related to HF symptoms from the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire were analyzed. Compared with the U.S. sample, HF patients from China/Taiwan reported a lower level of symptom distress. Analysis of two different regional groups did not result in the same number of clusters using latent class approach: the United States (four classes) and China/Taiwan (three classes). The study demonstrated that symptom reporting and identification of symptom clusters might be influenced by cultural factors.

scholarly journals Functional Limitations and Disability in Persons Living with HIV in South Africa and United States: Similarities and Differences

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 232595821985055 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Kietrys ◽  
Hellen Myezwa ◽  
Mary Lou Galantino ◽  
James Scott Parrott ◽  
Tracy Davis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Muscle Pain ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Living With Hiv

Persons living with HIV (PLHIV) may experience disability. We compared disability among PLHIV in the United States and South Africa and investigated associations with health and demographic characteristics. Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data using medical records and questionnaires including the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DAS) 2.0 12-item version (range: 0-36, with higher scores indicative of more severe disability). Between-country differences for the presence of disability were assessed with logistic regression and differences in severity using multiple regression. Eighty-six percent of US participants reported disability, compared to 51.3% in South Africa. The mean WHO-DAS score was higher in the United States (12.09 ± 6.96) compared to South Africa (8.3 ± 6.27). Participants with muscle pain, depression, or more years since HIV diagnosis were more likely to report disability. Being female or depressed was associated with more severity. Being adherent to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and employed were associated with less severity. Because muscle pain and depression were predictive factors for disability, treatment of those problems may help mitigate disability in PLHIV.

A Silenced Population

Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 433-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Gryglewicz ◽  
Melanie Bozzay ◽  
Brittany Arthur-Jordon ◽  
Gabriela D. Romero ◽  
Melissa Witmeier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
At Risk Youth ◽  
Peer Relationship ◽  
Student Records ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Method Student

Abstract. Background: Given challenges that exceed the normal developmental requirements of adolescence, deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) youth are believed to be at elevated risk for engaging in suicide-related behavior (SRB). Unfortunately, little is known about the mechanisms that put these youth potentially at risk. Aims: To determine whether peer relationship difficulties are related to increased risk of SRB in DHH youth. Method: Student records (n = 74) were retrieved from an accredited educational center for deaf and blind students in the United States. Results: Peer relationship difficulties were found to be significantly associated with engagement in SRB but not when accounting for depressive symptomatology. Limitations: The restricted sample limits generalizability. Conclusions regarding risk causation cannot be made due to the cross-sectional nature of the study. Conclusion: These results suggest the need for future research that examines the mechanisms of the relationship between peer relationship difficulties, depression, and suicide risk in DHH youth and potential preventive interventions to ameliorate the risks for these at-risk youth.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document