The role of weight- and appearance-related discrimination on eating disorder symptoms among adolescents and emerging adults

Background Eating disorder symptoms (EDs) have been discussed as a prominent problem among late adolescent girls with serious health risks and long-term consequences. However, there is a lack of population-based evidence on EDs comprising the age range from early adolescence to emerging adulthood as well as considering both females and males equally. Additionally, the differential role of a comprehensive set of several relevant risk factors and particularly weight- and appearance-related discrimination warrants further attention. Thus, we aimed to contribute to a better understanding of sex- and age-related differences in associations between discrimination experience and other relevant personal risk factors (body image, social media use, self-efficacy, social support) with EDs. Furthermore, we were interested in the exploration of underlying mechanisms enhancing the risk of EDs by taking discrimination experience into account. Methods Based on a logistic regression model, we investigated associations between weight- and appearance-related discrimination and EDs while controlling for other relevant personal risk factors in a subsample of N = 8504 adolescents and emerging adults (54.4% female, mean age = 20.71 years, SD = 4.32 years) drawn from a German representative health survey (KiGGS Wave 2). In a second step, we investigated the mediating role of discrimination experience between the other risk factors and EDs with the help of a path model. Results While controlling for other relevant personal risk factors, weight- and appearance-related discrimination was significantly related to EDs. Whereas the risk of EDs was significantly enhanced in males and emerging adults frequently experiencing weight-related discrimination, adolescents showed a higher risk of EDs when experiencing appearance-related discrimination. Moreover, discrimination experience partly explained the associations between body image dissatisfaction, low self-efficacy, high media use and ED symptoms. Conclusions The results highlight weight- and appearance-related discrimination as one central factor to be considered in the pathogeneses of EDs and underpin the need for discrimination prevention as well as the promotion of adaptive coping with discrimination experience to reduce the risk of developing ED symptoms. Males and emerging adults need particular attention when facing weight-related discrimination whereas risk constellations and EDs particularly affecting females need further investigation.

Cumulative Risks from Stressor Exposures and Personal Risk Factors in the Workplace: Examples from a Scoping Review

Protecting worker and public health involves an understanding of multiple determinants, including exposures to biological, chemical, or physical agents or stressors in combination with other determinants including type of employment, health status, and individual behaviors. This has been illustrated during the COVID-19 pandemic by increased exposure and health risks for essential workers and those with pre-existing conditions, and mask-wearing behavior. Health risk assessment practices for environmental and occupational health typically do not incorporate multiple stressors in combination with personal risk factors. While conceptual developments in cumulative risk assessment to inform a more holistic approach to these real-life conditions have progressed, gaps remain, and practical methods and applications are rare. This scoping review characterizes existing evidence of combined stressor exposures and personal factors and risk to foster methods for occupational cumulative risk assessment. The review found examples from many workplaces, such as manufacturing, offices, and health care; exposures to chemical, physical, and psychosocial stressors combined with modifiable and unmodifiable determinants of health; and outcomes including respiratory function and disease, cancers, cardio-metabolic diseases, and hearing loss, as well as increased fertility, menstrual dysfunction and worsened mental health. To protect workers, workplace exposures and modifiable and unmodifiable characteristics should be considered in risk assessment and management. Data on combination exposures can improve assessments and risk estimates and inform protective exposure limits and management strategies.

Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a generalized bone disease characterized by diminished bone strength with an increased risk of fractures. Osteoporosis is a major health concern, both because of the risk of potentially serious fractures and because its prevalence is increasing as the population ages. The treatment of the disease is complex and includes adherence to a particular diet, medications (hormone replacement therapy, calcium, vitamin D, etc.), kinesitherapy, physiotherapy and orthotics. To reduce osteoporosis, it is necessary to avoid the risk of fractures, to do regular physical activities, to eat bone-healthy foods, to lead a proper lifestyle with the avoidance of negative habits and to maintain a healthy weight. A person also needs to have knowledge of personal risk factors and to consult a doctor if medical treatment is to be applied. The classic therapeutic approach is with antiresorptive anti-osteoporosis agents. A promising therapeutic trend is the study of compounds with low toxicity and potential properties to influence the pathogenetic mechanisms of disease and oxidative stress, such as phytoestrogens and hormone replacement therapy, at the same time. The aim of the article is to familiarize the audience with the preventive measures and therapies applied to the treatment of osteoporosis.

The Association of Residential Altitude on the Molecular Profile and Survival of Melanoma: Results of an Interreg Study

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) incidence is rising worldwide and is the primary cause of death from skin disease in the Western world. Personal risk factors linked to environmental ultraviolet radiation (UVR) are well-known etiological factors contributing to its development. Nevertheless, UVR can contribute to the development of CM in different patterns and to varying degrees. The present study aimed at investigating whether altitude of residence can contribute to the development of specific types of CM and/or influence its progression. To this aim, 306 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues from primary CM diagnosed in different geographical areas were submitted to B-RAF proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) and N-RAS proto-oncogene GTPase (NRAS) mutational status detection and mRNA and miRNA profiling by qPCR. Genes were chosen for their functions in specific processes, such as immune response (CD2, PDL1, or CD274) and pigmentation (MITF, TYRP1, and TRPM1). Furthermore, four microRNAs, namely miR-150-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-204-5p, and miR-211-5p, were included in the profiling. Our results highlight differences in the gene expression profile of primary CM with respect to the geographical area and the altitude of residence. Melanoma-specific survival was influenced by the gene expression of mRNA and miRNAs and varied with the altitude of patients’ residence. In detail, TYRP1 and miR-204-5p were highly expressed in patients living at higher altitudes, unlike miR-150-5p, miR-155-5p, and miR-211-5p. Since miRNAs are highly regulated by reactive oxygen species, it is possible that different regulatory mechanisms characterize CMs at different altitudes due to the different environment and UVR intensity.

Vaccination and Vaccine Effectiveness: A Commentary of Special Issue Editors

The Special Issue “Vaccination and Vaccine Effectiveness”, published in the journal Vaccines, has the main aim to increase international literature data on vaccine effectiveness and safety and on vaccination strategies in order to reduce vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccination coverage rates. The main topics included in the call for papers were vaccines administered to infants, adolescents, adults, elderly people, at-risk populations (due to comorbidities and personal risk factors) and healthcare workers and strategies adopted to promote vaccination adherence among these categories. This Special Issue started from the assumption that, despite vaccination being universally recognized as one of the best strategies to increase duration and quality of life during the last centuries, vaccination coverage rates are often under the levels recommended to reduce circulation and to extinguish vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccine hesitancy involves at least 15% of the general population, and healthcare workers also sometimes demonstrate doubts on vaccination effectiveness and safety. At the end of the six-month submission period, 16 articles (15 research article and one review) were accepted after the peer-review processes and published online.

P66 Risk factors for chronic widespread pain among older workers: findings from the Health and Employment After Fifty (HEAF) study

Background Incident chronic widespread pain (CWP) is associated with demographic and personal risk factors such as low mood and somatisation. More recently, there has been increased focus on the role of workplace factors on CWP. However, evidence from studies exploring the interaction of demographic, personal risk factors, job activities and psychosocial aspects of work on pain in older workers is limited. We assessed several potential determinants of the onset of CWP among participants in the HEAF study, a prospective UK cohort. Methods A cohort of participants aged 50-64 years were recruited from 24 English general practices in 2013-14 and have been followed-up annually by postal questionnaire. At baseline, information was collected about demographic and employment circumstances, physical workload, psychosocial aspects of work and their general health, mood and well-being. At three years of follow-up, information about pain was also obtained by reporting painful sites on a body mannikin, and CWP was defined according to the ACR criteria. Associations between potential risk factors and the onset of new CWP were explored using logistic regression modelling. Effect estimates were summarised by odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results HEAF recruited a total of 8,134 people aged 50-64 years at baseline. Among the N = 3,909 still at work at three years’ follow-up, N = 3,873 did not report CWP in the first two years of follow-up. The incidence of CWP at three years follow-up was 7.4% (males: 5.7%; females: 8.9%). Multivariate analyses showed that the strongest predictors of the onset of new CWP were: female sex (OR(95% CI): 1.7(1.2-2.3)), reporting that they have low expectations of coping with physical demands of the job (OR (95%CI): 2.1 (1.5-3.0)); somatisation (OR(95%CI): 2.1(1.3-3.2)) and poor self-rated health (OR(95%CI): 2.3(1.7-3.2)). Physical workload and other psychosocial aspects of work were also significantly associated with onset of CWP but with relatively smaller effect sizes (physical workload OR(95%CI): 1.2(1.1-1.3)); lack of appreciation OR (95% CI): 1.6(1.1-2.5)) Conclusion Our results complement previous findings that physical loading at work independently predicts the onset of CWP. However, personal risk factors like self-rated health and work-related expectations demonstrated stronger effects. These findings can inform future interventions for prevention of CWP. Disclosures G. Ntani None. S. D'Angelo None. C. Harris None. C. Linaker None. K. Walker-Bone None.

Deaths in Australia from Work-Related Heat Stress, 2000–2015

The infrequency of deaths from work-related heat stress may be due to self-pacing, whereby workers adjust their work rate in response to thermal discomfort. Thirteen cases attributed after coronial investigation to work-related heat stress were studied to evaluate the causal contribution of environmental and personal risk factors. Meteorological records and coronial records were examined to estimate environmental and metabolic heat loads and to identify any personal risk factors likely to have contributed to death. Seven deaths occurred in workers within one week of hiring, demonstrating not only the importance of acclimatisation but also the likelihood of compromised self-pacing in recently-hired workers. Personal risk factors identified included intercurrent illness, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Four deaths occurred following indoor work, where the probable critical risk parameter was low air velocity. Cerebral and pulmonary oedema were reported in some autopsy reports, and uncal herniation was found in one case. Modified work rates and close supervision are essential in recently-hired workers. The risk of death from raised intracranial pressure suggests the need for specific remediation of cerebral oedema in hyperthermic individuals.

The Risk Factors of Auto-Destructive Behavior in Adolescents

The research features modern domestic and foreign fundamental approaches to self-destructive behavior and suicidal risk. The author adduces the data on the structure of suicidal risk, its affective, cognitive, and behavioral characteristics. The paper also describes the concept of increasing potential risk factors and predicates presented by M. D. Rudd, as well as an analysis of the theory of suicidal barometer developed by K. M. Harris, J. J. Syu, O. D. Lello, Y. L. Chew, C. H. Willcox, and R. H. Ho. It also features situational and personal factors of suicidal risk, both potential and actual. The paper focuses on predictors of the genesis and development of predisposition to auto-destructive behavior in adolescents.The research objective was to study the characteristics of risk factors of autodestructive behavior in adolescents. The sample group included 116 participants, 14–16-year-old students of 9–10 grades. The author described situational and personal risk factors of auto-destructive behavior in adolescents. They revealed a correlation between personal relations with inner circle and neighborhood society, as well as affective, cognitive, and behavioral personality factors of autodestructive risk.