Urinary Incontinence in Competitive Women Powerlifters: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background Urinary incontinence (UI) can negatively affect a woman’s quality of life, participation in sport and athletic performance. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of UI in competitive women powerlifters; identify possible risk factors and activities likely to provoke UI; and establish self-care practices. Methods This international cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey completed by 480 competitive women powerlifters aged between 20 and 71 years. The Incontinence Severity Index (ISI) was used to determine the severity of UI. Results We found that 43.9% of women had experienced UI within the three months prior to this study. The deadlift was the most likely, and the bench-press the least likely exercise to provoke UI. ISI scores were positively correlated with parity (τ = 0.227, p < 0.001), age (τ = 0.179, p < 0.001), competition total (τ = 0.105, p = 0.002) and body mass index score (τ = 0.089, p = 0.009). There was no significant correlation between ISI and years strength training (τ = − 0.052, p = 0.147) or years powerlifting (τ = 0.041, p = 0.275). There was a negative correlation between ISI score with having a pelvic floor assessment (η = 0.197), and the ability to correctly perform pelvic floor exercises (η = 0.172). Conclusion The prevalence of UI in this cohort was at the upper limit experienced by women in the general population. Women who had undergone a pelvic floor examination or were confident in correctly performing pelvic floor exercises experienced less severe UI.

Obesity and Stroke: Does the Paradox Apply for Stroke?

Historically, obesity has been identified as one of the most important risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases including stroke; however, a theory called “The Obesity Paradox” has been recently considered. The paradoxical theory is that obese or overweight patients (according to body mass index score) can have better outcomes compared to leaner or malnourished patients. The paradox was initially discovered in patients with heart failure. The purpose of this manuscript was to investigate whether this paradox also applies to stroke patients, according to information available in the current literature.

Role of Nutrition therapy during COVID 19

Nutrition is a vital element of health. More decisively, nutrition is part of the treatment routine for acute and chronic diseases and applies mainly to conditions for which an etiologic treatment has not yet been discovered. Ebola virus outbreak Western Africa in the 2014–2016 proved that immediate supportive care significantly reduces case mortality rates [1]. This may relate as well to the current COVID-19 pandemic that is disturbing the world. Emerging evidence shows that COVID-19 is associated with negative outcomes in older, comorbid, and hypoalbuminemia patients. These features are not specific to the Chinese residents because they have been testified also in North American patients with COVID-19. When measured together, the emerging literature on patients with COVID-19 indirectly highlights the applicability of nutrition in possibly determining their outcomes. Older age and the presence of comorbid conditions are almost consistently associated with impaired nutritional status and sarcopenia, independently of body mass index. Fascinatingly, a high body mass index score appears to be related to a poor prognosis in comorbid patients with COVID-19, which further points to a possible role of sarcopenic obesity in influencing the outcome [2].

Prevalence and correlates of low self-reported physical health status among prisoners in New South Wales, Australia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence and predictors of low self-reported physical health status among NSW prison inmates. Design/methodology/approach Cross-sectional random sample of 1,098 adult male and female prisoners, interviewed as part of the 2015 Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network Patient Health Survey. Findings Almost a quarter of participants had “low self-reported physical health status”. Independent predictors of “low health status” were having been in out of home care before the age of 16 years, being illiterate, smoking 20 or more cigarettes a day, not eating more than one serve of fruit a day, not being physically active in the 12 months before incarceration, higher body mass index score and low self-reported mental health status. Many of these predictors are modifiable risk factors for chronic disease, which could be targeted during incarceration. Originality/value This paper demonstrates the utility of a using a single item measure of self-reported physical health status among Australian prisoners, and helps to characterise those prisoners in greatest need of intervention for issues relating to their health.

Culturally based health assumptions in Sub-Saharan African immigrants: Body mass index predicting self-reported health status

This study examined whether Sub-Saharan African adult immigrants maintained cultural preferences for curvier/higher body size post-migration to the United States. Linear and multiple regression analyses were utilized to discern the predicting effects of Sub-Saharan African immigrants’ body mass index score on their self-reported health status at two post-migration data collection points. The initial assessment reveals that Sub-Saharan African immigrants’ overweight body mass index score predicted better self-reported health status. Four to six years later, higher body mass index score predicted a better self-reported health status and lower dietary acculturation moderated the predicting effect of body mass index on self-reported health status. Limitations of the study and implications for research and practice are explored.

Beyond-brand effect of television food advertisements on food choice in children: the effects of weight status

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of television food advertising on children’s food intake, specifically whether childhood obesity is related to a greater susceptibility to food promotion.DesignThe study was a within-subject, counterbalanced design. The children were tested on two occasions separated by two weeks. One condition involved the children viewing food advertisements followed by a cartoon, in the other condition the children viewed non-food adverts followed by the same cartoon. Following the cartoon, their food intake and choice was assessed in a standard paradigm.SettingThe study was conducted in Liverpool, UK.SubjectsFifty-nine children (32 male, 27 female) aged 9–11 years were recruited from a UK school to participate in the study. Thirty-three children were normal-weight (NW), 15 overweight (OW) and 11 obese (OB).ResultsExposure to food adverts produced substantial and significant increases in energy intake in all children (P < 0·001). The increase in intake was largest in the obese children (P = 0·04). All children increased their consumption of high-fat and/or sweet energy-dense snacks in response to the adverts (P < 0·001). In the food advert condition, total intake and the intake of these specific snack items correlated with the children’s modified age- and gender-specific body mass index score.ConclusionsThese data suggest that obese and overweight children are indeed more responsive to food promotion, which specifically stimulates the intake of energy-dense snacks.