Hypertension Among Asian Americans: Associations With Measures of Acculturation

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoxiao Lu ◽  
Hwa Sim ◽  
Hee-Soon Juon ◽  
Sunmin Lee

 We examined the association between multiple measures of acculturation and objectively measured hypertension among three Asian American groups. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 584 Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese adults. Acculturation was measured by years in the U.S., English fluency, and self-rated identity. Hypertension prevalence was 29.1%. Individuals who self-rated as “bicultural/westernized” were less likely to have hypertension as compared to those who self-rated as “Very Asian”. In the subgroup analysis, significant association between acculturation as measured by self-rated identity and hypertension was only observed among Chinese participants. Future research can benefit by acknowledging the multidimensional effects of acculturation on hypertension.

2021 ◽  
pp. 003151252110284
Author(s):  
João Paulo de Aguiar Greca ◽  
Thomas Korff ◽  
Jennifer Ryan

Our aim in this study was to investigate the relationships between physical activity (PA), pain, and injury among children. Secondarily, we examined whether these relationships differed between children with normal versus excessive weight or obesity. This was a cross-sectional study of 102 children (57 girls) aged 8–12 years old. We assessed the prevalence of moderate and vigorous PA using accelerometry over a seven-day period. We examined the associations between moderate PA, vigorous PA, pain presence, and injury presence using generalized estimating equations with a logit link and binomial distribution. We adjusted the obtained models for potential confounders and explored the moderating effect of weight status. We found no association between moderate PA and pain, but time spent in vigorous PA was associated with pain. Neither moderate or vigorous PA were associated with injury, and there was no moderating effect of weight status in these relationships. In summary, we found that objectively measured vigorous PA is associated with pain among 8–12 year old children. While these results should be replicated in longitudinal studies, they suggest that an association between vigorous PA and pain should be considered when developing PA interventions for children.


Author(s):  
Ruth D Neill ◽  
Carolyn Blair ◽  
Paul Best ◽  
Emily McGlinchey ◽  
Cherie Armour

Abstract Aim As individuals adjust to new ‘norms’ and ways of living during the COVID-19 lockdown, there is a continuing need for up-to-date information and guidance. Evidence suggests that frequent media exposure is related to a higher prevalence of mental health problems, especially anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to determine whether COVID-19 related media consumption is associated with changes in mental health outcomes. Methods This paper presents baseline data from the COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing Study. The cross-sectional study data was collected using an online survey following the Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), with some other basic information collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the influence of socio-demographic and media specific factors on anxiety and depression. Results The study suggested that media usage is statistically significantly associated with anxiety and depression on the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scales with excessive media exposure related to higher anxiety and depression scores. Conclusion This study indicated that higher media consumption was associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. Worldwide it should be acknowledged that excessive media consumption, particularly social media relating to COVID-19, can have an effect on mental health. However, as this was a cross-sectional study we cannot infer any directionality as we cannot infer cause and effect; therefore, future research involving longitudinal data collection and analyses of variables over time is warranted.


Author(s):  
Rosália Páscoa ◽  
Andreia Teixeira ◽  
Micaela Gregório ◽  
Rosa Carvalho ◽  
Carlos Martins

Lifestyle interventions are recognized as essential in the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases. Previous studies have shown that Portuguese patients tend to give more importance to diagnostic and laboratory tests than to lifestyle measures, and seem unaware that behavioral risks are the main modifiable risk factors. The study aimed to analyze patients’ perspectives about lifestyle behaviors and health in the context of family medicine in Portugal. A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Portugal (the mainland). A total of 900 Portuguese patients aged ≥20 years, representative of the population, were surveyed using face-to-face questionnaires. Participants were selected by the random route method. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were performed to evaluate differences between the personal beliefs and the personal behavior self-assessment, as well as between the level of importance given to the family doctor to address health behaviors and the reported approach implemented by the family doctor, and its association with bio-demographic variables. The results indicate that the vast majority of this Portuguese cohort has informed beliefs regarding lifestyle behaviors, tends to overestimate their own behavior self-assessment, and strongly agrees that it is important that their family doctor asks/advises on these lifestyle behaviors, although the proportion of those who totally agree that their family doctor usually does this is significantly lower. Differences concerning bio-demographic variables were found. Future research directions should focus on the politics, economics, and policy aspects that may have an impact in this area. It will also be important to understand more broadly the relationships between lifestyle behaviors and clinical, physical, and sociodemographic variables.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauliina Husu ◽  
Jaana Suni ◽  
Henri Vähä-Ypyä ◽  
Harri Sievänen ◽  
Kari Tokola ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Pone Simo ◽  
Valirie Ndip Agbor ◽  
Jean Jacques Noubiap ◽  
Orlin Pagnol Nana ◽  
Pride Swiri-Muya Nkosu ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a surge in the burden of hypertension, and rural communities seem to be increasingly affected by the epidemic. Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension, its associated factors, as well as its awareness, treatment, and control rates in rural communities of the Baham Health District (BHD), Cameroon.Design: A community-based cross-sectional study.Setting: Participants from five health areas in the BHD were recruited from August to October 2018.Participants: Consenting participants aged 18 years or older were included. Results: We included 526 participants in this study. The median age of the participants was 53.0 (IQR = 35 – 65) years and 67.1% were female. The prevalence of hypertension was 40.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 36.7 – 45.1) were hypertensive with no gender disparity. The overall age-standardised prevalence of hypertension was 23.9% (95% CI = 20.3 – 27.5). Five-year increase in age (adjusted odd’s ratio [AOR] = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.23 – 1.44), family history of hypertension (AOR = 2.22; 95% CI = 1.37 – 3.60), and obesity were associated with higher odds of hypertension (AOR = 2.57; 95% CI = 1.40 – 4.69).The rates of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension were 37.2% (95% CI = 31.0 – 43.9), 20.9% (95% CI = 16.0 – 26.9), and 22.2% (95% CI = 15.2 – 46.5), respectively.Conclusion: The high hypertension prevalence in this rural community is associated with contrastingly low awareness, treatment, and control rates. Age, family history of hypertension, and obesity are the major drivers of hypertension in this community. Veracious policies are needed to improve awareness, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control of hypertension in this rural community.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e042669
Author(s):  
Justyna Wyszyńska ◽  
Piotr Matłosz ◽  
Muhammad Asif ◽  
Agnieszka Szybisty ◽  
Paweł Lenik ◽  
...  

ObjectiveAssociations between self-reported sleep duration and obesity indices in children are well recognised; however, there are no studies on associations between objectively measured other sleep parameters and physical activity with body composition in preschoolers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the associations between sleep parameters and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with body composition indices in preschoolers using objective measures.DesignA cross-sectional study.ParticipantsThe study group consisted of 676 children aged 5–6 years, who were enrolled in kindergartens in the 2017/2018 school year.Outcome measuresSleep parameters and MVPA were measured using accelerometers for 7 days. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to estimate body composition.ResultsSleep duration and sleep efficiency were inversely associated with body fat percentage (BFP) (β=−0.013 and β from –0.311 to −0.359, respectively) and body mass index (BMI) (β from −0.005 to −0.006 and from −0.105 to –0.121, respectively), and directly associated with fat-free mass (FFM) (β from 0.010 to 0.011 and from 0.245 to 0.271, respectively) and muscle mass (β from 0.012 to 0.012 and from 0.277 to 0.307, respectively) in unadjusted and adjusted models. BFP was inversely associated with MVPA and positively associated with number of awakenings and sleep periods. Number of sleep periods was inversely associated with FFM, and positively with BMI and muscle mass. Correlation matrix indicated significant correlation between BFP, FFM and muscle mass with sleep duration, sleep efficiency, number of sleep periods and MVPA.ConclusionsPeriodic assessment of sleep parameters and MVPA in relation to body composition in preschool children may be considered, especially in those who are at risk for obesity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 205520761988098
Author(s):  
Renae L Smith-Ray ◽  
Nima Nikzad ◽  
Tanya Singh ◽  
Jenny Z Jiang ◽  
Michael S Taitel ◽  
...  

Objective Many American adults are insufficiently active. Digital health programs are designed to motivate this population to engage in regular physical activity and often rely on wearable devices and apps to objectively measure physical activity for a large number of participants. The purpose of this epidemiological study was to analyze the rates of physical activity among participants in a digital health program. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study of participants enrolled in a digital health program between January 2014 and December 2016. All activity data were objectively collected through wearable devices. Results Participants ( n =  241,013) were on average 39.7 years old and 65.7% were female. Participants walked on average 3.72 miles per day. Overall, 5.3% and 21.8% of participants were being treated with diabetes and cardiovascular medications respectively, but these rates varied across young, middle and older adults. Participants of all ages being treated with cardiovascular and/or diabetes medications walked significantly less than those not being treated for these conditions. Conclusion The feasibility of using a large database containing data from consumer-grade activity trackers was demonstrated through this epidemiological study of physical activity rates across age and condition status of participants. The approach and findings described may inform future research as the information age brings about new opportunities to manage and study massive amounts of data generated by connected devices.


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