Handgrip strength asymmetry is associated with slow gait speed and poorer standing balance in older Americans.

INTRODUCTION: Handgrip strength (HGS) asymmetry may help identify the functional asymmetries that contribute to mobility limitations. We sought to determine the associations of HGS asymmetry on gait speed and standing balance in older Americans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analytic sample included 8,396 adults aged ≥65-years for the last wave in which they participated in the 2006-2016 Health and Retirement Study. Participants were categorized into asymmetry groups based on the degree of HGS asymmetry. Persons with gait speed <0.8 meters/second were slow. Balance scores ranged from 0-4 with lower scores representing poorer standing balance. RESULTS: Older Americans with 20.1%-30.0% asymmetry had 1.22 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.42) greater odds for slow gait speed, while those with >30.0% asymmetry had 1.23 (CI: 1.05-1.44) greater odds. Persons with 10.1%-20.0%, 20.1%-30.0%, and >30% asymmetry had 1.09 (CI: 1.07-1.22), 1.23 (CI: 1.07-1.42) and 1.40 (CI: 1.22-1.61) greater odds for poorer static balance, respectively. Those in each individual asymmetry group had greater odds for slow gait speed: 1.14 (CI: 1.03-1.26) for >10.0%, 1.19 (CI: 1.07-1.33) for >20.0%, and 1.16 (CI: 1.01-1.35) for >30.0%. Similar results were observed for poorer balance: 1.20 (CI: 1.09-1.32) for >10.0%, 1.27 (CI: 1.15-1.41) for >20.0%, and 1.31 (CI: 1.16-1.49) for >30.0%. Every 10% asymmetry increase was associated with 1.62 (CI: 1.32-1.99) greater odds for poorer balance. CONCLUSIONS: The bimanual aspects of HGS asymmetry may reflect the bilateral movements required for mobility, and the relationship between upper and lower extremity strength and function may elucidate our findings.

Breakfast habits among European adolescents and their association with sociodemographic factors: the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe breakfast habits at food group level in European adolescents and to investigate the associations between these habits and sociodemographic factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Secondary schools from nine European cities participating in the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study. Breakfast habits were assessed twice using a computer-based 24 h dietary recall. Adolescents who consumed breakfast on at least one recall day were classified as 'breakfast consumers' and adolescents who did not have anything for breakfast on either of the two recall days were considered 'breakfast skippers'. A 'breakfast quality index' to describe breakfast quality was created based on the consumption or non-consumption of cereals/cereal products, dairy products and fruits/vegetables. The sociodemographic factors studied were sex, age, region of Europe, maternal and paternal education, family structure and family affluence. SUBJECTS: Adolescents (n 2672, 53 % girls) aged 12-17 years. RESULTS: The majority of the adolescents reported a breakfast that scored poorly on the breakfast quality index. Older adolescents, adolescents from the southern part of Europe and adolescents from families with low socio-economic status were more likely to consume a low-quality breakfast. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the need to promote the consumption of a high-quality breakfast among adolescents, particularly in older adolescents, adolescents from southern Europe and adolescents from families with low socio-economic status, in order to improve public health.