Lifestyle Clusters and Cardiometabolic Risks in Adolescents: A Chinese School-Based Study Using a Latent Class Analysis Approach

Background: Unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors are associated with a higher prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases and higher mortality in adults. However, there remains some uncertainty about the magnitude of the associations between lifestyle behaviors and cardiovascular factors in adolescents.Methods: We conducted a school-based cross-sectional study of 895 Chinese adolescents aged 15–19 years. They participated in a questionnaire survey, physical examination, and blood sample collection. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify heterogeneous subgroups of lifestyle behaviors. A set of 12 latent class indicators, which reflected lifestyle behaviors including dietary habits, physical activity, sleep duration, screen time, and pressure perception, were included in the analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether the derived classes were related to a cardiometabolic risk.Results: In total, 13.7 and 5.6% of the participants were overweight and obese, respectively, and 8.4 and 14.1% reported having pre-hypertension and hypertension, respectively. A two-class model provided the best fit with a healthy lifestyle pattern (65.8%) and a sub-healthy lifestyle pattern (34.2%). There were more female participants with a healthy lifestyle (56.2 vs. 43.8%), whereas there were more males with a sub-healthy lifestyle (45.4 vs. 54.6%), (all P = 0.002). Increased risk of cardiometabolic abnormality (BMI categories, blood pressure and lipids) was not significant across lifestyle patterns, except for waist circumference (70.5 vs 69.1 cm, P = 0.044). There was no significant difference in physical activity and intake of fruit and vegetable between the two patterns.Conclusion: Primary prevention based on lifestyle modification should target patterns of behaviors at high risk in adolescents. Due to the complex effect of lifestyle clusters on cardiometabolic risks, well-designed and prospective studies in adolescents are needed in the future.

Depression analysis of voice samples using machine learning

Depression is seen as an emerging mental challenge in the lives of various people. Nowadays it is also becoming one of the major reasons for mental disability across the world. Depression has manifested itself as a silent killer and according to statistics it has affected more than 300 million people in United States of America majorly affecting individuals in the age group of 15 to 44 yrs. According to a study by World Health Organization, the effects of depression have been dangerous in life, it is seen causing threatening diseases like cancer, diabetic issues or even heart disease. However, the problem that mainly is associated with the disease of depression is that it is not treated as a disease. Where the common understanding of the word “Disease” is any medical ailment that require doctor’s attention or quick medical response, depression on the other hand, even after qualifying as a disease is hidden in societal barriers to appear for a proper treatment. People whose lifestyle pattern has been intruded by depression either do not avail proper medical attention or are too shy to appear in the masses for proper attention on their physical as well as condition. Our motivation here is to investigate through the phenomenon of depression and predict whether an individual is having symptoms of depression by accessing his/her voice sample. In order to establish a link between depression and voice features, we obtain a large data set and then train a model accordingly by applying machine learning methods on it. This model when given a voice sample can now predict, whether a particular subject is depressed or not, to a nearby accurate measure.

DETERMINING RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN GUT MICROBIOTA, AGE, GENDER AND LIFESTYLE PATTERN AS A PREDICTOR FOR BMI USING LOGMPIE DATA

We use the ‘Relative Abundance Table’ and ‘LogMPIE Study Metadata’ from the “Landscape of Gut Microbiome - Pan-India Exploration”, or LogMPIE dataset to find out the relative importance of human gut microbiota abundance (specifically genus), age, gender, and lifestyle pattern as a predictor for BMI (Body Mass Index). The LogMPIE data is taken from 1004 subjects and 993 unique microorganisms are reported along with BMI, age, and physical activity. We use Random Forest Regressor to find out the relative importance of the above-mentioned features (microorganism genus abundance, age, gender, and lifestyle pattern) in predicting the BMI of a subject. The objective here is not the prediction of BMI using the features but to find out the relative importance of these features as much as these affect the BMI.

Impact of Lockdown on Dietary and Lifestyle Pattern of Adolescents

Background of the Study: As the Corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic is still ongoing; it has created profound impact socially, physically and emotionally on families across the globe. With confinement laws and regulations still being enforced, healthcare system is deteriorating, Economics are setting down and school closer are being extended. Unfortunately, this also led to increase vulnerability of food insecurity especially among the urban poor and increased risk of overweight and obesity in higher income classes [2]. The lock down restrictions is leading to severe repercussions on individuals; daily routine and lifestyle behaviour including food access and consumption, outdoor activities, travel, school related functions, and access to many forms of leisure and exercise [3]. Particularly alarming are the implication of the lockdown on irregular eating habits, excessive snacking, lack of physical activity, high calorie intake and increased risk of obesity [4]. The aim of this study was to assess changes in lifestyle behaviour of adolescents during the country-wide lockdown. Materials & Methods: A descriptive study design was adopted. Snowball sampling technique was used to gather data from 108 adolescents in between the age group of 11 years to 19 years. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for the collection of data from the participants through an online survey. Results: Finding reveals that 26.85% of adolescents had good impact (Healthy dietary pattern), 51.85% had average impact (Moderate changes) and 21.29% had poor impact (Drastic changes) on dietary pattern. Related to lifestyle pattern results also revealed that 39.81% of adolescents had good impact (Healthy lifestyle), 51.85% had average impact ((Moderate changes)) and none of them had poor impact (Drastic changes) on lifestyle pattern. Conclusion: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has become a major public health concern and has changed the daily lives of citizens across the globe. Healthy eating and good life style pattern are key for health and well-being, especially when the immune system is challenged. The present study revealed a substantial increase in unhealthy dietary and lifestyle pattern among adolescents during COVID-19 lockdown.

Aspects of the Biology and Ethnobotany of Parasitic Angiosperm Species In Nigeria

Parasitic plants continue to gain research attention due to their remarkable lifestyle pattern that clearly cites them as a typical example of a biological oddity. They have defiled the basic characteristics of plants to become dependent on other plants for existence. Aside from their unique heterotrophic mode of feeding, host range and preference, seed germination clues, distribution patterns vary across different parasitic plants, which has partly ensured their presence in virtually every plant community. Among the above-listed factors, host range and preference, in particular, appears to be a major significant factor that shapes their distribution around the world, enabling certain species to thrive in various microclimates. The Nigerian environment has heterogeneous vegetation, traversing mangroves, rainforest, savannah vegetation, and its home to host parasitic plant species, including endemic, natives, and exotic ones. The present chapter gathered and synthesized available information regarding parasitic plants in Nigeria, particularly their biology and the host species supporting their population. Aside from the devastating menace some parasitic plants are known for, this report recognizes their ethnobotanical relevance. Thereby stimulating research interest in these highly specialized plant groups.

Memahami Kaitan Gaya Hidup dengan Kanker: Sebagai Langkah Awal Pencegahan Kanker

Background: Until now, cancer has become one of the main problem topics in the world of health. The incidence of this cancer is expected to continue to increase. One of the main risk factors that increase the risk of cancer is an unhealthy lifestyle in the form of alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, smoking, and lack of physical activity. Objectives: This article provides an understanding of each unhealthy lifestyle pattern for the occurrence of cancer. Methods: The writing of this article uses the literature review method. Information is taken from e-book sources, websites, and search engines. Discussion: The initial process of cancer stems from genetic damage. If this genetic damage cannot be repaired, it can progress to cancer. Each pattern of unhealthy lifestyles has its own mechanism in triggering cancer. Conclusion: An unhealthy lifestyle can increase the risk of cancer. Keywords: cancer, life style, risk factor Latar belakang: Sampai saat ini penyakit kanker menjadi salah satu topik permasalahan utama di dunia kesehatan. Kejadian kanker ini diperkirakan akan terus mengalami peningkatan. Salah satu faktor risiko utama yang meningkatkan risiko terjadinya kanker adalah gaya hidup tidak sehat berupa konsumsi alkohol, diet tidak sehat, merokok, dan kurang aktivitas fisik. Tujuan: Artikel ini menjabarkan pemahaman mengenai masing-masing pola gaya hidup yang tidak sehat terhadap terjadinya kanker. Metode: Penulisan artikel ini menggunakan metode literature review. Informasi diambil dari sumber e-book, website, dan search engine. Pembahasan: Proses awal tercetusnya kanker bermula dari adanya kerusakan genetik. Apabila kerusakan genetik ini tidak dapat diperbaiki dapat berkembang menuju kanker. Setiap pola gaya hidup yang tidak sehat memiliki mekanismenya masing-masing dalam mencetuskan kanker. Kesimpulan: Gaya hidup tidak sehat dapat meningkatkan risiko terjadinya kanker. Kata Kunci: faktor risiko, gaya hidup, kanker

Evaluation of irritable bowel syndrome prevalence in medical students

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder and requires early diagnosis due to its negative impacts on the quality of life. According to the lifestyle pattern of medical students, IBS has a significant prevalence in these individuals. Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with IBS in medical students. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study has been conducted on 100 medical students studying at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2019-2020. The Rome IV diagnostic criteria were administered to diagnose IBS and individuals were divided into four groups of constipation-dominant (IBS-C), diarrhea-dominant (IBS-D), mixed type (IBS-M) and unspecified (IBS-U). The association of studying grade, gender and residence with IBS was evaluated. Results: The mean age of the students was 23.2±4.8 years, including 68 (68%) women. According to Rome -IV criteria, 24 (24%) ones were diagnosed with IBS. The IBS cases were dominantly in IBS-C group (54.16%). IBS was not associated with gender (P=0.498), educational grade (P=0.661) and type of residence (P=0.562) in the studied medical students. Conclusion: According to the present study, the prevalence of IBS was 24% among medical students, which was higher among women. Most patients had IBS-C, but IBS did not show a statistically significant relationship with gender, educational grade and type of residence.

Hubungan Merokok terhadap Kejadian Hipertensi Di Kabupaten Pidie Jaya

Lifestyle is one of the factor than can influence healthy living behavior. Hypertension is one of the non communicable diseases caused by lifestyle pattern, where hypertension is one of the disease than can trigger other diseases such as heart disease and stroke. The prevalence of hypertension in Aceh reached 27,8 percent in 2018 and the prevalence of hypertension in Pidie Jaya reached 23,4 percent in the same year. This study aims to determine the relation of smoking on the incident of hypertension in Kabupaten Pidie Jaya. This type of study was quantitative with analytic, research using crosssectional design. The sample are 270 samples obtained using multistage random sampling by combining three sampling techniques in stages. The instrument in this study was questionnaire. Data obtained in this study were analyzed by univariate and bivariate using simple logistic regression tests. The results showed that there were influences of smoking (p =0,002), long time smoking (p = 0.358) number of cigarattes (p=0,931) on the incidence of hypertension. Meanwhile there is no relation of kind of coffee (p=0,876). Health officer must active give health education and active establishing cooperation with community components as an effort to reduce the incidence of hypertension through campaigns against the danger of smoking.

A Study on Body Composition, Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Levels Among Bengali Hindu and Santals Using Cultural Consonance Model

We examined how the perception/beliefs towards lifestyle and the actual lifestyle are related to body composition, blood pressure and blood sugar levels among Santals and Hindu caste populations using the cultural consonance model. The study involved 210 individuals (109 Bengali Hindu and 101 Santals), aged 18–50 years living in the city of Howrah, West Bengal, India. Principal component analyses were performed to extract the components from the variables used in perception towards lifestyle. Multiple linear regression analyses and multivariate analysis of covariance were used to understand association of body composition, blood pressure and blood sugar levels with both the perception towards and actual lifestyle and ethnicity, respectively. Results showed that there is a difference between perception towards and actual pattern of lifestyle among the members of two ethnic groups, indicating low cultural consonance. However, both the variables were associated with body composition, blood pressure and blood sugar levels, but not ethnicity, after removing the effects of socio-demographic and lifestyle variables. We conclude that shared knowledge and perception towards healthy lifestyle among individuals, perhaps encoded in own culture, often fail to get translated in actual lifestyle pattern and eventually affect physical health.