Relationship between changes in late-life blood pressure and the risk of frailty and mortality among older population in China: a cohort study based on CLHLS.

The evidence regarding the effects of blood pressure changes on older individuals remains inconclusive, and the impact of frailty throughout the life course is not known. We investigated the associations of different change patterns of blood pressure during 3-year intervals with frailty and mortality. Participants included 7335 persons from 2008 to 2014 of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Change in blood pressure was calculated as the difference between follow-up and baseline. Frailty was evaluated using a 40-item frailty index. Mortality status was ascertained up to December 31, 2014. The mean age of participants was 82.6 ± 10.7 years. The optimal blood pressure level (SBP, 130-150 mmHg; DBP, 70-90 mmHg) was associated with the lowest risk of frailty while decreasing follow-up SBP and DBP were significantly correlated with frailty. Lower baseline blood pressure levels (SBP < 130 mmHg; DBP < 70 mmHg) were associated with decreased mortality risk when participants increased their blood pressure to optimal levels during follow-up SBP and DBP (0.78, 0.63-0.98), compared to maintaining a steady low SBP (< 130 mmHg) and DBP (< 70 mmHg). For those with DBP around 70-90 mmHg, decreasing follow-up DBP (< 70 mmHg) was associated with higher mortality (1.23, 1.07-1.42) compared to maintaining stable follow-up DBP (70-90 mmHg). These results remain significant after adjusting for frailty. Optimal blood pressure levels were associated with the lowest risk of frailty. The association between lower blood pressure and increased mortality risk persisted even after accounting for frailty. We used a nationally representative longitudinal cohort study by using 2008-2014 of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity in China. Change in blood pressure was calculated as the difference between follow-up and baseline. We investigated the associations of different change patterns of blood pressure during 3-year intervals with frailty and mortality.

Association of macronutrient consumption quality, food source and timing with depression among US adults: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests that meal timing may influence dietary choices and mental health. Thus, this study examined the association between macronutrient consumption quality, food source, meal timing, and depression prevalence in Americans. METHODS: 23,313 National Health and Nutrition Survey participants from 2007 to 2016 were included in this cross-sectional study. Macronutrient intake was calculated for all day, dinner, and breakfast and subtypes into 4 classes. Based on the Patient Health Questionnaire, depression was defined as a 9-item score ≥ 10 on the PHQ-9. The correlation between macronutrients and depression prevalence was estimated with multivariable logistic regression models and isocaloric substitution effects. RESULTS: Low-quality carbohydrates (OR = 1.54, 95 % CI: 1.11, 2.12) were positively linked to depression compared with the lowest quartile, after adjusting for age and other covariates. In contrast, total high-quality carbohydrate (OR = 0.52, 95 % CI: 0.40, 0.66), total animal protein (OR = 0.60, 95 % CI: 0.45, 0.80), and total vegetable protein (OR = 0.61, 95 % CI: 0.43, 0.85) were negatively associated with depression was negatively associated. Replacing low-quality carbohydrates with high-quality carbohydrates throughout the day reduced the risk of depression by approximately 15 %. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional data. CONCLUSION: All in all, diet plays a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of depression. Especially in terms of macronutrient intake, high-quality, moderate intake can reduce the risk of depression. However, different subtypes of macronutrient consumption may have different effects on depression, so it becomes crucial to carefully consider the selection and combination of macronutrients.

Associations of the magnesium depletion score and magnesium intake with diabetes among US adults: an analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018.

Objectives: The magnesium depletion score (MDS) is considered more reliable than traditional approaches for predicting magnesium deficiency in humans. We explored the associations of MDS and dietary magnesium intake with diabetes. Methods: We obtained data from 18,853 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018. Using multivariate regression and stratified analysis, we investigated the relationships of both MDS and magnesium intake with diabetes. To compute prevalence ratios (PRs), we employed modified Poisson or log-binomial regression. We characterized the nonlinear association between magnesium intake and diabetes using restricted cubic spline analysis. Results: Participants with MDS ≥2 exhibited a PR of 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19 to 1.34) for diabetes. Per-SD increase in dietary magnesium intake was associated with a lower prevalence of diabetes (PR=0.91; 95% CI, 0.87 to 0.96). Subgroup analyses revealed a positive association between MDS ≥2 and diabetes across all levels of dietary magnesium intake, including the lowest (PR=1.35; 95% CI, 1.18 to 1.55), middle (PR=1.23; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.35), and highest tertiles (PR=1.25; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.37; pinteraction<0.001). Per-SD increase in magnesium intake was associated with lower diabetes prevalence in participants with MDS <2 (PR=0.92; 95% CI, 0.87 to 0.98) and those with MDS ≥2 (PR=0.91; 95% CI, 0.84 to 0.98; pinteraction=0.030). Conclusion: MDS is associated with diabetes, particularly among individuals with low magnesium intake. Adequate dietary magnesium intake may reduce diabetes risk, especially in those with high MDS.

Experimental study on the influence of longitudinal slope on airflow-dust migration behavior after tunnel blasting.

In this paper, a 1:21 model experiment was conducted to discuss the dust diffusion efficiency and liner trolley obstruction effect inside the tunnel at - 9% to 9%, the effect of different initial dust concentrations on dust diffusion and liner trolley obstruction effect at 6% slope, and the effect of different return air velocity on dust diffusion at 6% slope, the reliability of the results is verified by computational fluid dynamics simulations. The results show that as the slope of the tunnel changes from 0 to - 9%, the average dust diffusion time decreases by 3.7% at the working face and the dust concentration difference between the front and rear of the trolley is improved by 2.7%. When the slope of the tunnel changes from 0 to - 9%, the average dust diffusion time increases by 7.2% at the working face and the dust concentration difference between the front and rear of the trolley is improved by 17.9%. With each 100 mg/m3 increase in the initial dust concentration, the dust diffusion time at the working face and the tunnel exit increases by 9.15% and 8.17% on average, and the lining trolley obstruction time increases by 23.33 s on average. The dust diffusion times take an average reduction rate of 15.7%, with the increase of return air velocity. The recommended return air velocity is greater than 1 m/s for large slope tunnels. When the slope changes from 0° to 9°, the hindrance rate of slope on dust diffusion is 2.88462%, 8.65385%, and 16.34615% respectively. Dust diffusion efficiency will be reduced as the tunnel slope changes from 0° to 9°, The growth rate of slope on dust diffusion is - 0.96154%, - 2.88462%, and - 6.73077% respectively.

Depression status and insulin resistance in adults with obesity: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Insulin resistance (IR) frequently co-occurs with depression, but inconsistent associations between IR and depression have been reported, and less is known about the association in obesity, a major risk factor for both IR and depression. Thus the association between depression status and IR in a nationally representative sample of the US adults with obesity was evaluated. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 3507 adults with obesity from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2016. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used, where IR was defined as a HOMA-IR value greater than its 75th percentile. The Patient Health Questionnaire 9 was used to assess the depression status. Multivariate logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the association between depression status and IR. RESULTS: The cut-off value of HOMA-IR in adults with obesity was 5.5, and the prevalence of IR was 26.3% in men, 19.8% in women. The association of depression status with IR depended upon gender (P for depression status by gender interaction = 0.04). Depression status was positively associated with IR in women (P = 0.01), where the ORs (95% CIs) for the risk of IR in the mild, moderate, severe depression status were 1.79 (1.21-2.64), 1.95 (1.10-3.45), and 2.21 (1.04-4.71), respectively (P for trend = 0.002). No association was found in men (P = 0.91). CONCLUSION: Positive association between IR and depression status was identified in women with obesity, where the risk of IR increased with the level of depression status, while no association was found in men with obesity.

Quantile regression analysis of the association between parental rearing and interpersonal sensitivity in Chinese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Parental rearing is well documented as an important influencing factor of interpersonal sensitivity (IS). However, little research has focused on the extent by which various aspects of parental rearing in fluence IS. This study aimed to analyze the effects of parental rearing on IS, using quantile regression. We analyzed the extent of the influence of parental rearing on IS by quantile regression to provide definitive evidence on the family education of adolescents with IS problems. METHODS: The multiple cross-sectional studies were conducted among 3345 adolescents from Harbin, China, in 1999, 2006, 2009 and 2016. Furthermore, a multistage sampling method (stratified random cluster) was used to select participants. IS was assessed using a subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revision. Perceived parental rearing was assessed using the Egna Minnen av. Barndoms Uppfostran. The ordinary least squares (OLS) linear regression was used to determine the average effect of parental rearing on IS. The quantile regression was conducted to examine the established associations and to further explain the association. RESULTS: Paternal emotional warmth was found to be associated with IS across the quantile, especially after the 0.6 quantiles; however, this association was not found for maternal emotional warmth. Paternal punishment was associated with IS at the 0.22-0.27 and 0.60 quantile; however, maternal punishment had no significant effect on IS. QR method found that paternal overinvolvement was associated with IS at the 0.48-0.65 quantiles, but paternal overprotection was associated with IS across the quantile; however, maternal overinvolvement and overprotection was positively correlated with IS at the 0.07-0.95 quantiles. The correlation between paternal rejection and IS was found at the 0.40-0.75 and > 0.90 quantiles; maternal rejection was associated with IS within the 0.05-0.92 quantiles. CONCLUSIONS: Parental rearing practices predict different magnitudes of IS at varying levels. This study provides suggestions for parents to assess purposefully and systematically, intervene, and ameliorate adolescent IS problems. We also highlight the role of paternal rearing in children's IS problems, providing new ideas for family education.

Parental rearing and personality traits as predictors for adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

We aim to determine the correlation between parental rearing, personality traits, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in different quantiles. In particular, we created an intermediary effect model in which parental rearing affects OCD through personality traits. All predictors were measured at the time of the survey, comprising parental rearing (paternal rearing and maternal rearing), demographics (grade and gender), and personality traits (neuroticism, extroversion, and psychoticism). These results suggest that (a) paternal emotional warmth was negatively correlated with OCD at the 0.40-0.80 quantile, while maternal emotional warmth was positively correlated with the OCD at the 0.45-0.69 quantile. (b) The correlation between negative parental rearing and OCD ranged from the 0.67 to 0.95 quantile for paternal punishment, 0.14-0.82 quantile for paternal overprotection, 0.05-0.36 and >0.50 quantile for maternal over-intervention and overprotection, and 0.08-0.88 quantile for maternal rejection. (c) Extroversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism were not only associated with OCD in a particular quantile but also mediated between parental rearing (namely parental emotional warmth, paternal punishment, paternal overprotection, maternal rejection, maternal over-intervention, and overprotection) and OCD. These findings provide targets for early interventions of OCD to improve the form of family education and personality traits and warrant validation.

Association between childhood neglect and the autonomic nerves disorder in students of sixth graders / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore prevalence of childhood neglect and autonomic nervous function, and its association in sixth graders students in Harbin, and to provide clues to improve physical and mental health of children and adolescents.@*Methods@#Cluster sampling method was used to select 1 259 students from grade 6 in 5 schools in two districts of Harbin, and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) and TOHO University Medical Index (TMI) were filled in.@*Results@#The total rate of childhood neglect was 45.7%, of which the rate of emotional neglect and physical neglect were 18.8%, 40.8%. The rate of autonomic nerves disorder was 47.2%. The rate of autonomic nerves disorder in students suffered from neglect, emotional neglect, physical neglect are higher than those without any of neglect(χ2=50.52, 32.02, 43.61, P<0.01), and with the increase of the degree of neglect, the rate of autonomic nervous disorder were gradually increasing(χ2=47.99, 47.07, 49.24, P<0.01). After controlled for gender, neglect, emotional neglect, physical neglect were positively associated with autonomic nerves disorder(OR=1.53-2.34, P<0.05), and the odd ratio for autonomic nerves disorder among those with mild-to-moderate,moderate-to-severe and extremely servere neglect was 1.37, 1.83, 5.10 compared to those with none or mild neglect.@*Conclusion@#Childhood neglect is closely related to adolescent the autonomic nerves disorder in sixth graders students in Harbin. Moreover, the more serious the childhood neglect is, the higher the detection rate of autonomic nerves disorder is. In order to improve the physical and mental health of children and adolescents, it is necessary to pay attention to childhood neglect and early assessment of their autonomic function.

Analysis of correlation between childhood abuse and adolescent psychological capital / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand current situation and relations of childhood abuse and psychological capital, providing scientific basis for adolescent mental health promotion.@*Methods@#Stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 1 894 students from junior high schools and senior high schools in Harbin. Questionnaire survey was conducted by using Childhood Trauma QuestionnaireShort Form (CTQ-SF) and Positive Psychological Capital (PPQ).@*Results@#The total rate of childhood abuse among adolescents in the region was 98.3%. In addition to emotional abuse, scores of other dimensions of childhood abuse were higher for boys than for girls(P<0.01). Childhood abuse in rural area was higher than those in urban area except physical abuse(P<0.05). High psychological capital was observed among participants with boys higher in selfefficacy and resilience than that of girls(P<0.05). Psychological capital in urban students was higher than rural students(P<0.05). Except for the negative correlation between sexual abuse and resilience, all other dimensions of childhood abuse were negatively correlated with four dimensions of psychological capital. Stepwise regression analysis showed that emotional abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect was negatively correlated with all dimensions of psychological capital(P<0.01); Sexual abuse showed negative association with selfefficacy and optimism(P<0.01).@*Conclusion@#Childhood abuse is closely related to psychological capital among adolescents in Harbin, suggesting exposure to childhood abuse might confer detrimental effects on psychological capital development.

Epidemiological study of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections in Northeastern China and the beneficial effect of the vaccination strategy for hepatitis B: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Viral hepatitis, mainly hepatitis B and C, is a serious public health problem worldwide. In China, the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains high, while that of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is controversial. This study investigated the epidemiology of HBV and HCV infections and assessed the beneficial effect of the vaccination strategy for hepatitis B in Northeastern China. METHODS: From June 2016 to August 2016, 6541 residents of Changchun in Northeastern China were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics as well as HBV and HCV serological test results were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Among all study participants, 3.8% and 0.36% tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV, respectively. The HBsAg- and anti-HCV-positive rates were significantly higher in male participants (4.58% and 0.43%) than in female individuals (3.0% and 0.33%). Notably, among all age groups, the lowest rate of HBsAg positivity (0.2%) was found in children born after the implementation of the vaccination strategy for hepatitis B. Conversely, participants aged 40-49 years had significantly greater positive rates of HBsAg (5.9%) compared with those of other age groups. Furthermore, the highest rates of anti-HCV positivity (1.1%) were observed in participants aged 50-59 years. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of HBsAg-positivity declined significantly following successful implementation of the policy on hepatitis B vaccination, indicating a beneficial impact on the control of HBV infection. However, only a slight decrease was observed in the anti-HCV-positivity rate, identifying an area in need of improvement within viral hepatitis prevention and control programs in China.

Classified status of smoking and quitting has different associations with dyslipidemia in residents in northeast China.

BACKGROUND: Various smoking status and high prevalence of dyslipidemia in residents exist in northeast China. However, associations of dyslipidemia with smoking status remain unclear. METHODS: A total of 17,114 participants selected by a multistage stratified cluster random sampling design were enrolled from a cross-sectional study conducted in northeast China. Associations of dyslipidemia with smoking/quitting status (smoking amount, smoking duration, and quitting duration) were investigated using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Prevalence (39.2%) of dyslipidemia existed in residents in northeast China. Smoking amount was associated with dyslipidemia (1-10 cigarettes daily: OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.08-1.32; 11-20 cigarettes daily: OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.16-1.42; and over 20 cigarettes daily: OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.25-1.83). Smoking duration was associated with dyslipidemia risk (6-10 years: OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.51-2.03; 11-15 years: OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.51-2.26; and ≥15 years: OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02-1.23). Quitting duration (1-5 years) was associated with dyslipidemia (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.07-1.48); however, we found no statistically significant associations between dyslipidemia and quitting duration (over 6 years). CONCLUSIONS: Dyslipidemia risk is positively associated with smoking/quitting status. Smoking amount and smoking duration may co-determine dyslipidemia risk, and quitting duration (>6 years) is necessary for reducing dyslipidemia risk.

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF IMPAIRED FASTING GLUCOSE AMONG ADULTS IN NORTHEAST CHINA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) among adults in northeast China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jilin Province in 2012. Questionnaires were used to collect information about demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and health status from 15,540 residents. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured in the morning after at least 12 hours of fasting, and χ2 tests were performed to compare differences between subjects with and without IFG. Logistic regression was carried out to identify factors influencing IFG occurrence. RESULTS: There were significant differences in demographic characteristics (age, sex, education, and marriage status), lifestyle factors (smoking, drinking, physical activity, and average sleep duration), and health status (hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and BMI category) between subjects with IFG and without IFG ( P<.05). IFG risk was significantly associated with sex, age, education (senior high school and college), marriage status (single), drinking, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and BMI category (all P<.05). CONCLUSION: In adults in northeast China, risk factors of IFG are sex, age, education (senior high school and college), drinking, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and BMI category; however, the protective factor of IFG is marriage status (single). ABBREVIATIONS: BMI = body mass index; CI = confidence interval; FBG = fasting blood glucose; IFG = impaired fasting glucose; OR = odds ratio; T2DM = type 2 diabetes.

The dose-response analysis between BMI and common chronic diseases in northeast China.

High body mass index (BMI) predisposes to several chronic diseases, but a large-scale systematic and detailed study of dose-response relationship between BMI and chronic diseases has not been reported previously. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between BMI and 3 chronic diseases (hypertension, dyslipidemia and MetS) in northeast China. A sample of 16412 participants aged 18~79 years old were included in Jilin province in 2012. The lambda-mu-sigma (LMS) method was applied to examine the trend of BMI by age, and the restricted cubic splines were used to investigate the non-linear associations (dose-response curve) between BMI and chronic diseases. It was pointed out that BMI increased rapidly when young, then kept steady in middle age, and finally declined slowly in old age, and accordingly age was divided into 3 segments, which were different by gender. The odds ratios (ORs) of BMI for the chronic diseases increased relatively slowly when young, then increased dramatically in middle-age and old population, especially for men. Further, the ORs of BMI among non-smokers were lower than those among smokers, and the same trend was shown to be more apparent among drinkers and non-drinkers. The risk of BMI for common chronic diseases increased dramatically in middle-aged, especially for men with drinking and smoking habits.

Feasibility of anthropometric indices to identify dyslipidemia among adults in Jilin Province: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors have a strong association with obesity. Anthropometric indices have been widely used to evaluate obesity in clinical and epidemiological studies. We aim to investigate association between serum lipid levels and different anthropometric indices. METHODS: Our study included 17,554 participants. We mainly investigated area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves and optimal operating points (OOPs) between the anthropometric indices and serum lipid levels or categories of abnormal serum lipid indices. RESULTS: For predicting one/two categories of abnormal serum lipid indices among the anthropometric indices, AUROC value of WC was the highest in men (0.718), and AUROC values of BRI and WHtR were the highest in women (0.700 and 0.700) (all P < 0.001); OOP of WC was 82.450 in men; OOPs of BRI and WHtR were 3.435 and 0.504 in women. For predicting three/more categories of abnormal serum lipid indices among the anthropometric indices, AUROC value of WC was the highest in men (0.806), and AUROC values of BRI and WHtR were the highest in women (0.783 and 0.783) (all P < 0.001); OOP of WC was 84.150 in men; OOPs of BRI and WHtR were 3.926 and 0.529 in women. CONCLUSIONS: WC was a good predictor for one/two or three/more categories of abnormal serum lipid indices in men. However, BRI and WHtR were good predictors for one/two or three/more categories of abnormal serum lipid indices in women. ABSI showed the weakest predictive power.

Socioeconomic status and prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases in Chinese women: a structural equation modelling approach.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of socioeconomic status (SES) in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and offer theoretical evidence for the prevention and control of NCDs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey and structural equation modelling. SETTING: Nationwide, China. PARTICIPANTS: Female participants in the 2008 National Health Services Survey in China who were 15 years and older. RESULTS: SES factors were associated with the increased risk of NCDs in Chinese women. Education was identified as the most important factor with a protective role (factor loading=-0.115) for NCDs. Income mainly affected NCDs directly, whereas occupation mainly affected NCDs indirectly. The effects of SES on NCDs were more significant than that of smoking. Medical insurance, smoking and self-reported health played a mediating role in the correlations between those SES factors and NCDs. CONCLUSIONS: In China, socioeconomic disparities associated with the prevalence of NCDs exist among women. Educational and social interventions are needed to mitigate their negative consequences on health outcomes in Chinese women.

Gender differences in general mental health, smoking, drinking and chronic diseases in older adults in Jilin province, China.

There is little information on gender differences in general mental health, smoking, drinking and chronic diseases in Chinese elderly. We examined the gender differences in general mental health, smoking, drinking and a number of chronic diseases in a large Chinese old population. Multistage stratified cluster sampling was used in this cross-sectional study. A total of 4115 people (2198 women; 1917 men) aged between 60 and 79 years were included and their general mental health, smoking, drinking and chronic diseases were recorded with standardized assessment tools. Multivariate analyses revealed that women were less likely to be current smokers and frequent drinkers, but had higher prevalence of poor mental health compared with their male counterparts. In addition, the prevalence rate of chronic diseases and multi-morbidities were higher in women than that in men (both p values <0.05). Health professionals and policy makers need to pay special attention to the common chronic diseases and poor mental health in older women and higher prevalence of smoking and drinking in men.

Optimal cut-off of obesity indices to predict cardiovascular disease risk factors and metabolic syndrome among adults in Northeast China.

BACKGROUND: CVD risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes) and MetS are closely related to obesity. The selection of an optimal cut-off for various obesity indices is particularly important to predict CVD risk factors and MetS. METHODS: Sixteen thousand seven hundred sixty-six participants aged 18-79 were recruited in Jilin Province in 2012. Five obesity indices, including BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR and BAI were investigated. ROC analyses were used to evaluate the predictive ability and determine the optimal cut-off values of the obesity indices for CVD risk factors and MetS. RESULTS: BMI had the highest adjusted ORs, and the adjusted ORs for hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and MetS were 1.19 (95 % CI, 1.17 to 1.20), 1.20 (95 % CI, 1.19 to 1.22), 1.12 (95 % CI, 1.10 to 1.13), and 1.40 (95 % CI, 1.38 to 1.41), respectively. However, BMI did not always have the largest adjusted AUROC. In general, the young age group (18 ~ 44) had higher ORs and AUROCs for CVD risk factors and MetS than those of the other age groups. In addition, the optimal cut-off values for WC and WHR in males were relatively higher than those in females, whereas the BAI in males was comparatively lower than that in females. CONCLUSIONS: The appropriate obesity index, with the corresponding optimal cut-off values, should be selected in different research studies and populations. Generally, the obesity indices and their optimal cut-off values are: BMI (24 kg/m2), WC (male: 85 cm; female: 80 cm), WHR (male: 0.88; female: 0.85), WHtR (0.50), and BAI (male: 25 cm; female: 30 cm). Moreover, WC is superior to other obesity indices in predicting CVD risk factors and MetS in males, whereas, WHtR is superior to other obesity indices in predicting CVD risk factors and MetS in females.

Menopausal Age and Chronic Diseases in Elderly Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Northeast China.

Many factors affect menopausal age, and early or late onset of menopause may be associated with many chronic health problems. However, limited data are available regarding this phenomenon in the Northeast China population. For this study, 2011 elderly women were selected as a sample from participants in a cross-sectional survey performed using stratified, clustered multistage, and random sampling methods. Early menopause was more prevalent in subjects born from 1943 to 1947 (OR = 1.708, 95% CI = 1.205, 2.420) and 1933 to 1937 (OR = 2.445, 95% CI: 1.525, 3.921) and in physical laborers (OR = 1.413, 95% CI = 1.021, 1.957). Women with less than nine years of education (OR = 0.515, 95% CI: 0.327, 0.812) and who were current smokers (OR = 0.577, 95% CI: 0.347, 0.959) were less likely to have late menopause. BMIs between 25 and 30 (OR = 1.565, 95% CI: 1.152, 2.125) and greater than 30 (OR = 2.440, 95% CI: 1.482, 4.016) were associated with later menopausal age. Late menopause was positively associated with diabetes (OR = 1.611, 95% CI: 1.142, 2.274) but protective against chronic gastroenteritis/peptic ulcers (OR = 0.533, 95% CI: 0.333, 0.855). Results showed that (1) Being born in an earlier year, having a lower education, and engaging in physical labor were associated with an earlier menopausal age, while a higher BMI was associated with a later menopausal age; and that (2) menopausal age was associated with diabetes and gastroenteritis in elderly women living in Northeast China.

Poor mental health status and its associations with demographic characteristics and chronic diseases in Chinese elderly.

OBJECTIVE: Although poor mental health is associated with significant personal and societal burden, it is rarely reported in older Chinese populations. This study examined the mental health status of a large representative sample of Chinese elderly in relation to socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and chronic diseases. METHODS: Multistage stratified cluster sampling was used in this cross-sectional study. A total of 4115 people aged between 60 and 79 years were selected and interviewed with standardized assessment tools. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to measure general mental health with the total score of ≥4 as the threshold for poor mental health status. RESULTS: The adjusted percentage of poor mental health status in the whole sample was 23.8 %; 18.5 % in men and 28.9 % in women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender, widowed/separated marital status, rural abode, low income, poor diet, lack of physical exercise, and multi-morbidity were independently associated with poor mental health. The percentage of poor mental health status was significantly higher in patients with anemia, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cataract/glaucoma, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, nasopharyngitis, chronic gastroenteritis/peptic ulcer, liver diseases, cholecystitis/gallstone, arthritis, or chronic low back pain. CONCLUSION: Given the high rate of poor mental health status among older Chinese population, policy makers and health professionals in China should address the mental health burden of its aging population.

Comparison of the Combined Obesity Indices to Predict Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors and Metabolic Syndrome in Northeast China.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes) and metabolic syndrome (MetS), and it may be flawed that most studies only use one obesity index to predict these risk factors. Therefore, our study aims to compare the various combined obesity indices systematically, and to find the optimal combined obesity indices to predict CVD risk factors and MetS. METHODS: A total of 16,766 participants aged 18-79 years old were recruited in Jilin Province in 2012. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curves and multiple logistic regressions were used to evaluate the predictive capacity of the combined obesity indices for CVD risk factors and MetS. RESULTS: The adjusted area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) with two combined obesity indices had been improved up to 19.45%, compared with one single obesity index. In addition, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were the optimal combinations, where the AUROC (95% confidence interval (CI)) for hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and MetS in males were 0.730 (0.718, 0.740), 0.694 (0.682, 0.706), 0.725 (0.709, 0.742) and 0.820 (0.810, 0.830), and in females were 0.790 (0.780, 0.799), 0.727 (0.717, 0.738), 0.746 (0.731, 0.761) and 0.828 (0.820, 0.837), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The more abnormal obesity indices that one has the higher the risk for CVD risk factors and MetS, especially in males. In addition, the combined obesity indices have better predictions than one obesity index, where BMI and WC are the optimal combinations.