A holistic measurement model of movement competency in children.

Different countries have different methods for assessing movement competence in children; however, it is unclear whether the test batteries that are used measure the same aspects of movement competence. The aim of this paper was to (1) investigate whether the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2) and Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder (KTK) measure the same aspects of children's movement competence and (2) examine the factorial structure of the TGMD-2 and KTK in a sample of Australian children. A total of 158 children participated (M age = 9.5; SD = 2.2). First, confirmatory factor analysis examined the independent factorial structure of the KTK and TGMD-2. Second, it was investigated whether locomotor, object control and body coordination loaded on the latent variable Movement Competency. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an adequate fit for both the KTK and TGMD-2. An adequate fit was also achieved for the final model. In this model, locomotor (r = .86), object control (r = .71) and body coordination (r = .52) loaded on movement competence. Findings support our hypothesis that the TGMD-2 and KTK measure discrete aspects of movement competence. Future researchers and practitioners should consider using a wider range of test batteries to assess movement competence.

Nutrient intake and risk of subtypes of esophageal and gastric cancer.

Incidence rates for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia have been rising rapidly. We examined nutrient intake as a risk factor for esophageal and gastric cancers in a population-based case-control study in Connecticut, New Jersey, and western Washington state. Interviews were completed for cases with histologically confirmed esophageal adenocarcinoma (n = 282), adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia (n = 255), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (n = 206), and noncardia gastric adenocarcinoma (n = 352), along with population controls (n = 687). Associations between nutrient intake and risk of cancer were estimated by adjusted odds ratios (ORs), comparing the 75th versus the 25th percentile of intake. The following nutrients were significantly inversely associated with risk of all four tumor types: fiber, beta-carotene, folate, and vitamins C and B6. In contrast, dietary cholesterol, animal protein, and vitamin B12 were significantly positively associated with risk of all four tumor types. Dietary fat [OR, 2.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.27-3.76] was significantly associated with risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma only. Dietary nitrite (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.26-2.16) was associated with noncardia gastric cancer only. Vitamin C supplement use was associated with a significantly lower risk for noncardia gastric cancer (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.41-0.88). Higher intake of nutrients found primarily in plant-based foods was associated with a reduced risk of adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and gastric cardia, whereas higher intake of nutrients found primarily in foods of animal origin was associated with an increased risk.

Diet and nasopharyngeal cancer in a low-risk population.

Asian studies have reported that risk of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is increased in individuals who frequently consume salted fish, which contains high levels of N-nitroso compounds. As part of a collaborative, population-based, case-control study in the U.S., where the annual incidence of the disease is low, we investigated whether dietary intake of preformed nitrosamines or nitrosamine precursors, or of antioxidants including vitamin C and carotenoids, was associated with altered risk of NPC overall, or of specific histologic subtypes of disease. Cases (n = 133) identified at 5 population-based cancer registries and controls (n = 212) identified through random digit dialing completed a telephone interview and self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Dietary exposures were expressed as quartiles of intake, and odds ratios (ORs) calculated using the lowest quartile of intake as the reference category. Risk of non-keratinizing and undifferentiated tumors of the nasopharynx was increased in frequent consumers of preserved meats, which contain high levels of added nitrites. ORs in the 2nd, 3rd and highest quartile were 1.99, 4.35 and 4.59, although 95% confidence intervals did not exclude 1.0. Risk of differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, but not other histologic types, was significantly reduced in individuals with vitamin C intake above the lowest quartile (ORs 0.30, 0.33 and 0.30 in the 2nd, 3rd and highest quartiles, respectively). This association was markedly stronger among non-smokers and former smokers than among current smokers. Finally, individuals who reported consuming supplemental vitamins were at an approximately 50% reduced risk of NPC. Our results indicate that future studies should consider the effects of dietary risk factors on the risk of specific histologic subsets of NPC, and not assume that the disease is etiologically homogeneous.

Diet and the risk of pancreatic cancer in men.

To examine the relation between diet and pancreatic cancer, we conducted a population-based case-control study in western Washington. Cases (n = 148) were married men, aged 20-74 years, who were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer from July 1982 to June 1986. Controls (n = 188), identified by random digit dialing, were frequency matched to the cases by 5-year age groups. Wives responded as surrogates for both cases and controls. Wives were interviewed by telephone, and they completed a mailed, self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Results indicated that pancreatic cancer risk increased with increasing protein intake. The increased risk for heavy consumers of protein was largely confined to individuals aged 65 years and above. In that group, the odds ratio for those in the highest quartile of protein intake, relative to the lowest, was 6.0 (95% confidence interval 1.7-20.6). No association was found between pancreatic cancer risk and the intake of total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, omega-3 fatty acids, or vitamins A and C. There was an unexpected inverse association between calcium intake and pancreatic cancer risk in these data. These findings are discussed in relation to possible etiologic mechanisms that they suggest.

Risk of pancreatic cancer in relation to medical history and the use of tobacco, alcohol and coffee.

A population-based case-control study was conducted to examine the relationship between certain medical conditions, the use of tobacco, alcohol and coffee, and the incidence of pancreatic cancer. Cases (N = 148) were married men ages 20 through 74 years diagnosed with pancreatic cancer from July 1982 through June 1986. Controls (N = 188) were identified by random digit dialing. Wives, responding as surrogates for both cases and controls, were interviewed by telephone and completed, alone, a food frequency questionnaire. The risk of pancreatic cancer was increased in individuals with a history of diabetes or pancreatitis, and decreased in those with a history of tonsillectomy. Individuals who had ever smoked cigarettes were at elevated risk of disease. This excess risk was confined to current smokers, in whom the odds ratio was 3.2 (95% CI 1.8-5.7); the risk among former smokers resembled that in those who had never smoked. There was no excess risk of pancreatic cancer among those who had ever used other forms of tobacco, including pipe tobacco, cigars and chewing tobacco. After adjustment for demographic and dietary characteristics, there was no association between pancreatic cancer risk and the intake of coffee, beer, red wine, hard liquor or all alcohol combined; a slight reduction in risk was seen among those consuming white wine daily.