Traffic air pollution and risk of death from ovarian cancer in Taiwan: fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as a proxy marker.

The relationship between mortality attributed to ovarian cancer and exposure to ambient air pollutants was examined using an ecological design. The study areas consisted of 61 municipalities in Taiwan. Air quality data for recorded concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from study municipalities for 2006-2009 were obtained as a marker of traffic emissions. These were used as a proxy for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) exposure. Age-standardized mortality rates for ovarian cancer were calculated for the study municipalities for the years 1999-2008. A weighted multiple regression model was employed to calculate the adjusted risk ratio (RR) in relation to PM2.5 levels. After adjusting for urbanization level and fertility rate, the adjusted RR values (95% confidence interval [CI]) for ovarian cancer were 1.2 (1.02-1.41) for the municipalities with PM2.5 levels between 30.48 µg/m3 and 39.41 µg/m3 and 1.2 (1.03-1.39) for the municipalities with PM2.5 levels between 39.48 µg/m3 and 51.1 µg/m3, compared to the municipalities with PM2.5 levels less than 30.39 µg/m3. Results showed that individuals who resided in municipalities with higher levels of PM2.5, a proxy measure of PAH, were at an increased risk of death from ovarian cancer compared to those subjects living in municipalities with the lowest PM2.5. The findings of this study warrant further investigation into the role of exposure to air pollutants in the etiology of ovarian cancer development.

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in a general population in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in a general population in Taiwan. METHODS: A validated symptom questionnaire, the Chinese GERD questionnaire, was utilized to determine the prevalence of GERD within a community in Taiwan. A cut-off value for GERD diagnosis was a total score ≥ 12. Additionally, demographic data, including sex, age, body mass index, and consumption of tobacco and alcohol, were recorded, and a logistic regression analysis was conducted to search the independent risk factors for the development of GERD in a general population. RESULTS: In total, 1238 residents were recruited for this study. The monthly frequencies of heartburn, epigastric acidic discomfort, and acid regurgitation were 4.4%, 3.7%, and 2.9%, respectively. The GERD prevalence was 25% in the community. The multivariate analysis showed that female sex and age of 40-49 years and 50-59 years were independent risk factors related to the development of GERD, with odd ratios of 1.71, 3.65, and 2.41, respectively (95% confidence intervals: 1.26-2.34, 1.62-8.21, and 1.11-2.54, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: GERD has become a common disorder in the general population in Taiwan. Female sex and age of 40-49 years and 50-59 years are risk factors for the development of GERD within a community.

Effect of class-based lifestyle intervention on the management of childhood obesity.

OBJECTIVES: Childhood obesity is prevalent in southern Taiwan and lifestyle interventions for the management of childhood obesity are challenging. How to overcome the barriers of implementation programs is crucial. We offered lunchtime education and integrated it into education programs. Finally, we evaluated whether such an intervention could change unhealthy behaviors and reduce obesity tendency among elementary students. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study, conducted at an elementary school from September 2015 to July 2018. We distributed a lifestyle questionnaire to assess the students' dietary habits and physical activities before our intervention. We offered class-based interactive nutrition programs and record the behavior and weight change each semester. The body mass index (BMI) of the students were obtained each semester, and they were categorized as underweight, normal, overweight, and obese according to the age-specific BMI. RESULTS: In total, 279 students were followed for 3 consecutive years. The most prevalent unhealthy dietary habit was the consumption of sweetened beverages in approximately 76% of the students. At the end of the study, the percentage of normal weight increased and the overall percentage of overweight/obesity decreased in both groups. At the end of the study, the BMI-time curve became flatter than that of Kaohsiung (regional) city and approached the national standard. It indicates that the increase in average BMI was effectively delayed with our intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Lunchtime education is an innovative way to provide class-based education programs in school that yielded behavior changes and are effective approaches for delaying childhood obesity.