Estimation of the predictive effect of body mass index-percentile on skeletal maturation in a Nigerian population

Aim: To determine the predicting effect of BMI-index percentile on the skeletal maturation of Nigerian children. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study. This study was conducted in a tertiary health care facility in North-Central Nigeria. Participants were children between the ages of 5-17 years consisting of 44 males and 30 females who presented in the child dental clinic over a period of eight months were recruited for the study. Skeletal maturation was assessed using the middle phalanx of the third finger (MP3), while the standard WHO growth chart specific for age (2-20 years) and sex was used for grading BMI-percentile. The unpaired t-test was used to compare mean chronological age of the various stages of MP3 according to sex. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the predictive effect of age, sex, and BMI percentile on pubertal growth spurt. Results: The BMI- percentile did not show a significant correlation with the pubertal growth spurt (r=0.089, p=0.448). Sex (p=0.004) and chronological age had significant (p<0.001) predictive effect on the skeletal maturation, unlike the BMI-percentile. A onepercentile increase in the BMI- percentile decreases the likelihood of healthy children to be in the peak-pubertal by 1.504 when compared to obese children (p=0.305. Conclusion: This study showed that BMI-percentile is a weak predictor of skeletal maturation. However, obese children had a tendency towards advanced skeletal maturation than healthy participants. It is therefore suggested that orthodontists should consider early implementation of jaw modification treatments among obese children.

Body mass index, blood pressure, and cognitive impairment among type 2 diabetic patients in a primary care setting, North-Central Nigeria

The long-term effects of certain clinical factors on cognition cannot be overemphasized. The morbidity of Cognitive Impairment (CI) in patients with type 2 diabetes has been found to increase when associated with some clinical factors. The main objective of this study was to determine the relationship between CI and Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as CI and Blood Pressure (BP), among type 2 diabetic patients attending the primary care unit of a tertiary hospital. It was a descriptive hospital-based crosssectional study. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) before the commencement of the study. Data was collected from 274 adult type 2 diabetic patients attending the Family Medicine clinics of the hospital, from March through May 2017. Interviewer-administered structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to obtain information from the respondents. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to assess CI among respondents. The BMI and BP of participants were obtained following standard procedure. Data was collated and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21 (SPSS- 21). The elderly constituted a higher proportion of participants 55.4%. Respondents were mainly females (70.8%), married (78.8%), and educated (78.1%). The clinical factor that had a statistically significant association with CI was the BMI of participants with a chi-square value (χ2) of 11.139 and a p-value of 0.048. Blood pressure had no statistically significant association with CI (χ2 of 5.181 and p-value of 0.159). CI is common in our clinics with a prevalence of 27% seen in this study. BMI had a statistically significant association with CI while BP was not. Hence, maintaining a normal weight may help in controlling CI. Physicians in primary care should routinely screen type 2 diabetic patients for CI as well as control risk factors for it.

Presentation and character for adult patients with diabetes in Libya

Diabetes is a global issue, the diabetes epidemic is expected to continue, and the burden of diabetes causes catastrophic expenditure for healthcare system. The current study aimed to determine the presentation, the clinical feature and cardio-vascular risk factors in patients with diabetes. A retrospective observational study had been conducted in out-patients department at Almustaqpal Almosherq Centre during September, 2013 till September, 2020, the total number of attended out-patients department were 1 024, 820 patients who were selected for this study. A special perform was completed for every patient, which included details about patient's demographics, points in clinical history, relevant investigations and clinical examinations were recorded. The study reported that out of 820 patients, 66% (n = 538) was female and their age range was between 14 - 87 years with a mean age of 56.53 ± 13.49 years, 96% (n = 791) were clinically diagnosed as type II diabetes, 07% of the patients were diagnosed as pre-diabetes, the duration of diabetes ranged from newly diagnosed to more than 10 years, with 46% (n = 379) of the studied population were more than 10 years diabetes duration, 70% (581) were presented with classical symptoms of diabetes. Initial treatment for diabetes also different in the studied sample, were absent of anti-diabetic medications in 30% (n = 248) of the patients, they refused to start glucose lowering drugs, 34.6% (n = 284) of them have morbid obesity (body mass index is more than 40), 80% (n = 662) have high HBA1c (more than 8 g%), 40.3% (n = 240/596) were uncontrolled hypertension on anti-hypertension drugs, 95.6% (n = 682/713) were controlled on treatment of lipid lowering drugs. This study showing the presentation of diabetes were the common, type II diabetes, at age group between 41 - 66 years about 65%, female sex, with high body mass index, high glycated hemglobulin and uncontrolled hypertension. There is concern that diabetic patients were occurring at a high frequency in younger adults, where longer duration of illness could increase the risk of developing more complications in later life. The rate of coexist cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity) in Libyan patients with diabetes is highlighted.

Baseline anthropometric measurements and obesity among students in Sagamu, Ogun State, southwest, Nigeria

Objectives: This study was designed to determine the anthropometric characteristics and prevalence of obesity among secondary and undergraduate students in Sagamu. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved a selection of 260 students aged 10 to 33 years in Sagamu using a convenience sampling method. The weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences of each subject were measured. The body mass index was then calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 and p-values< 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The age ranges were 1o to 17 years (Secondary school (SS) students) and 14 to 33 years (undergraduate students). There were 130 students in each group, comprising 52.7% males and 47.4% females. Underweight was commoner among the SS students (20.8% versus 6.2%). Most of the subjects were of normal weight 52.3% in SS and 68.5% in undergraduates. Only 3.1% of SS students were obese compared to 4.6% of undergraduate students. The mean BMI of SS students (22.2± 0.39 versus 23.24±0.34) was statistically lower (p=0.019). The mean waist circumference of SS students (66.92±0.44 versus 74.64±0.67) was also statistically lower (p=0.000). The mean BMI of SS students was higher in females than in male subjects (23.14±0.62 versus 20.86±0.42). The mean waist and hip circumferences and BMI were lower in female subjects for both study groups. Conclusions: The mean BMI and hip circumferences were higher in female subjects while the mean waist circumferences were lower in females than males in both study groups.

Body mass index and blood pressure correlate in nursery school children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Introduction: Blood pressure (BP) is a vital indicator of health in children and adults. The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and BP is well established in children; and BMI has been shown to maintain an independent relationship with BP even after controlling for many other variables that characterize individuals. High BMI significantly increases the risk of hypertension. Epidemiological studies in various countries have been conducted to determine the relationship between BP and BMI in children; similar comparative studies are lacking in Nigeria, thus necessitating this study.Aim: To determine the relationship between BMI and BP in nursery pupils in Port Harcourt.Methods: Multi-staged sampling technique was used to select 710 nursery pupils from 13 schools. Biodata was obtained using a selfadministered (parent) questionnaire. Height and weight measurement were taken, and BMI calculated. BP was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer; and relevant data analysis done.Result: There were 710 pupils 365 (51.4%) males and 345(48.6%) females. Mean systolic BP was 93.2 ± 10.6mmHg (70­130 mmHg); while mean diastolic BP was 58.8 ± 8.0mmHg(40 ­ 88.7 mmHg). Mean BMI was 15.0 ± 1.8 kg/m2(9.1 - 25.5 kg/m2). There is a positive linear relationship between systolic and diastolic BP and BMI (correlation coefficient r = 0.03). Obese pupils had significantly higher BP rates (25%) (X2= 15.35, p =0.002). BMI and height were significant predictors of diastolic BP (p<0.001).Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between BMI and BP; and high BMI is an important predictor of high BP in nursery pupils in Nigeria

Relationship between renal dimensions using ultrasonography and body mass index in apparently healthy school children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Renal size is an important parameter in evaluation and management of a child with kidney disease. Establishing the normal limits of renal sizes standardized against somatometric parameters will be a useful tool in detecting probable renal diseases in children.Aim: To determine renal sizes in relation to body mass index (BMI) in apparently healthy primary school children in Port Harcourt.Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional and multi-staged study involving 450 children aged 6-12 years. Renal ultrasonography was carried out using a portable DP 1100 PLUS real time ultrasound machine fitted with 3.5MHz probe. The length, width and anteroposterior diameter of the kidneys were measured, and renal volume calculated. The BMI percentile for age and sex were obtained. The renal sizes were correlated with somatometric parameters and regression equations derived.Results: The mean renal length and volume percentiles increased from 77.7 ± 5.6 and 49.2 ± 13.7 at 6years to 85.9 ± 5.9 and 60.4 ± 18.4 at 12years respectively. There were no significant differences in the length and volume between the right and left kidneys, and dimensions of the kidneys were not statistically different in males and females. There was a significant positive correlation between BMI and renal dimensions. The renal length and volume increased at a rate of 1.372mm and 1.951cm3 per year and at a rate of 0.067mm and 0.176cm3 per one percentile increase in BMI respectively. The regression model derived for predicting renal length in mm =65.731 + (1.372 Age X) + (0.067 BMI percentile X) while that for renal volume in cm3 =26.386 + (1.951 Age X) + (0.176 BMI percentile X), (Where X is the independent variables: age in years and BMI in percentile).Conclusion: BMI has a significant positive linear relationship with renal dimensions. This study has provided prediction models for deriving renal length and volume from subject's BMI and age

Diagnostic accuracy of tri-ponderal mass index and body mass index in estimating overweight and obesity in South African children

Background: Prevalence of obesity in youths has drastically increased in both industrialised and non-industrialised countries, and this transition resulted in an increased prevalence of chronic diseases. Aim: The study aimed to comparatively examine prevalence of overweight and obesity status based on tri-ponderal mass index and body mass index in estimating body fat levels in South African children. Setting: The study was conducted in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 1361 (boys: n = 678; girls: n = 683) children aged 9­13 years was undertaken. The children's age and sex-related measurements of body weight, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, triceps skinfold, subscapular skinfolds and sum of skinfold were taken using the International Society for Advancement of Kinanthropometry protocol. TMI and BMI calculations classified children according to weight and age categories. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlations and multiple linear regression analyses were set at ≤ 0.05. Results: Obesity classifications on TMI and BMI among children were as follows: Boys: 7.3%, 2.6%; 2.2%, 0.7%; Girls: 4.0%, 1.0%; 1.8%, 0.6%. Body weight, WHtR, WHpR, TSKF, SSKF and Σ SKF significantly correlated with TMI (r = 0.40, p < 0.001; r = 0.73, p < 0.001; r = -0.09, p < 0.001; r = 0.50, p < 0.001; r = 0.51, p < 0.001 and r = 0.52, p< 0.001) and BMI (r = 0.81, p < 0.001; r = 0.59, p < 0.001; r = -0.22, p < 0.001; r = 0.63, p < 0.001; r = 0.67, p < 0.001 and r = 0.66, p < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that body weight, WHtR, WHpR, TSKF, SSKF and Σ SKF accounted for 65% and 85% of variance in children's TMI (R 2 = 0.647, F[6 1354] = 413.977, p < 0.001) and BMI (R 2 = 0.851, F[6 1354] = 1288.218, p< 0.001). Conclusion: TMI revealed strikingly higher incidence of overweight and obesity in South African boys and girls than BMI. Future studies are needed to clarify sensitivity of TMI over BMI in quantifying obesity prevalence in children and adolescents

Comparison of operative 'difficulty' with post-operative sequelae in lower third molar surgery

Background: The outcome of studies on the effect of patients' factors, dental factors and operative factors on postoperative sequelae following surgical extraction of lower third molar have been unequivocal. Objective: To determine the effect of surgical difficulty (using Pederson's scale), Body Mass Index (BMI) and operative time on the extent of post-operative pain, swelling and trismus following third molar surgery. Methods: The study was a prospective analytical study of the effect of surgical difficulty, BMI, age and operative time ­ Total Intervention Time (TIT) - on the extent of post-operative pain, swelling and trismus. Eighty-four subjects with surgical extraction of impacted lower third molar were studied. All the subjects had a standard Peri-apical radiograph through which the difficulty index was calculated for all third molars using the Pederson scale. Anthropometric vertical and horizontal facial measurements and pain measurement were taken pre-operatively and post-operatively on days 1, 3, 5 and 7. Results: Of the 84 subjects, 16 (19%) were males, while 68 (81%) were females in the ratio of 1:4.2. BMI showed a positive correlation with all the three variables and was significant for swelling on the post-operative days assessed while TIT showed a negative correlation with most of the variables and was significant for trismus. Conclusion: This study showed that age and operative time might have an inverse relationship with the common post-operative complications after lower third molar surgery and BMI might influence the extent of these complications

Body Mass Index to Predict Pre-diabetes

Background: Early detection of the risk of pre-diabetes can lessen the likelihood of the development of diabetes mellitus. Various studies have shown a significant correlation between obesity and the incidence of pre-diabetes and diabetes. However, none of the studies has presented the value of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) as parameters for diagnosing pre-diabetes or diabetes. This study aimed to estimate the value of FPG and the OGTT to predict pre-diabetes based on body mass index (BMI). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kembaran sub district, Banyumas Regency, Indonesia. The research sample consisted of 231 apparently healthy respondents (not showing any clinical symptoms of diabetes) who were underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese in terms of their BMI, and the sample was selected through random sampling. All samples were measured for BMI, FPG, and OGTT. Data were then analyzed with linear regression. Results: From 231 subjects, 133 (57.5%) were considered as normal, while 90 (39.0%) were diagnosed with pre-diabetes. We were unable to predict eight (3.5%) subjects. There was a positive correlation between BMI, FPG and the OGTT (FPG: r0.543; p<0.01; FPG prediction: 56.800+2.232*BMI), (OGTT: r0.462; p<0.01; OGTT prediction: 85.231+2.202*BMI). Conclusions and recommendation: BMI can be utilized as the prediction of pre-diabetic occurrence; a person the apparently healthy but has a BMI ≥ 25kg/m2 is considered to have pre-diabetes

Correlation of optic nerve sheath diameter with height, weight, body mass index and age

Abstract: The study was conducted to determine the relationship or association between optic nerve sheath diameter and age, weight, sex, height, and Body mass index (BMI) in children of the South West Nigeria extraction. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 2-14-year-old children of the selected school in a suburban town in Southwest Nigeria. Approval was obtained from the institutional Human Research Ethics Research Committee, and consent was obtained from parents of the children. Where indicated, assent was obtained from the children. A pediatric ophthalmologist ascertained the normalcy of the eyes with visual acuity, refraction and fundoscopy. Height and weight were measured according to standard protocol and BMI was calculated from weight and height. The scanning was done by a radiologist with 4-12MHz Linear transducer on a gently closed upper eyelid with a B-mode ultrasound machine (Clear Vue 550 Phillips Model). No sedation was involved. The mean ONSD for the right eye was 0.54±0.07cm (5.4mm), while the left eye was 0.56±0.07cm (5.6mm). The optic nerve sheath diameter was longer in the left eye for all subjects, and this may be due to the fact that females have shorter diameter in the right eyes. ONSD did not correlate with height, weight and BMI. The mean ONSD is affected by sex in the right eye. This may be indicative of a relatively lower intraocular pressure in the right eyes of the girls. Therefore, in the use of the optic nerve sheath diameter as surrogate for intraocular pressure, it is preferable to use the left eye in which there is no sex difference

Induction of anaesthesia with propofol according to the adjusted ideal body mass in obese and non-obese patients: an observational study

Background: Obesity changes body composition including fat free mass (FFM), regarded as the "pharmacologically active mass". Scaling drug doses to obese patients by total body mass (TBM) results in overdose. We aimed to determine the success rate of inducing anaesthesia in normal, overweight and obese patients with propofol, using an adjusted body mass scalar (ABM), which embodies the increased FFM of obese patients. Methods: Ninety-six patients were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI): normal, overweight and obese. Propofol 2 mg/kg ABM was administered according to the equation: ABM = IBM + 0.4(TBM ­ IBM), where IBM = ideal body mass. Induction success was assessed clinically and by electroencephalographic spectral entropy. Results: The groups were similar regarding gender, age, height and IBM. One patient was morbidly obese (BMI = 44). State entropy (SE) decreased to < 60 in 33/33, 28/29 and 33/34 patients in the normal-weight, overweight and obese groups respectively, an overall success rate of 97.5% (95% confidence interval 92.7% to 99.4%). Median lowest achieved SE values and median times that SE remained < 60 did not differ between groups, however the individual values ranged widely in allthree groups. Induction failed in the two patients whose SE did not decrease to < 60 (one overweight and one obese). Conclusions: The ABM-based propofol induction dose has a high success rate in normal, overweight and obese patients. Further studies are required to determine the feasibility among morbidly obese patients

Validation of age-based body mass estimation methods in toddlers and pre-school children

Background: Body mass is commonly used to determine medication dosages and equipment size. In emergency situations (including cases necessitating surgery) weighing paediatric patients can be impractical. Clinicians may use any of several body mass estimation techniques to surmount this obstacle. This study's aim was to compare the actual body mass of children with estimated mass as predicted by several commonly used estimation methods. Methods: This diagnostic cross-sectional study recorded data from patients between one and five years of age in the Tshwane district. Measurement procedures were standardised to ensure consistency. Results: The relationship between anthropometric and demographic variables were determined and applied to different estimation models to assess the models' applicability to the Tshwane district population. The APLS (Advanced Paediatric Life Support) formula (Body mass (kg) = (Age + 4) × 2) proved the most appropriate. This formula gave a mean underestimation of 0.51 kg. Age proved to be the variable with the strongest correlation to body mass. A formula was developed specifically for the selected population, adding mid upper arm circumference as a second variable. This formula is more complex and offers only a marginal improvement in accuracy of weight estimation. Conclusion: The APLS formula is a reasonable tool to use when estimating the body mass in children between one and five years old in the Tshwane district population. It is a well-known and simple formula, making it well suited to this purpose

Nutritional knowledge, dietary habits and nutritional status of diabetic patients attending teaching hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria

This study assessed the nutritional knowledge, dietary habits and nutritional status of adult diabetic patients attending teaching hospitals in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult diabetic patients attending the out-patient clinics of the two Teaching Hospitals in Lagos. Respondents were recruited from the clinics consecutively until the desired sample size (342) was obtained. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Dietary habits were assessed using food frequency questionnaire and BMI was assessed following standard procedure and compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS (Version 20). Chi-square and fisher's exact probability test were used to determine the association between variables. The level of significance was set at p-value less than 5%. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 59.6 + 13.0 years. Only 125 (37%) of the respondents had good nutritional knowledge. Majority ate three meals every day, 237 (69.3%) and have had dietary counseling, 255 (74.6%). More than half of the respondents, 202 (59.1%) skipped meals, 80 (23.4%) consumed alcohol while only 42 (12.3%) ate fruits and vegetables daily. The commonest food consumed was processed cereals. Majority of the respondents were overweight or obese (74%). Obesity was associated with being female and not having dietary counseling.Conclusion: Nutritional knowledge and dietary habits were poor while overweight and obesity were high. Dietary counseling will be necessary to improve the dietary pattern and nutritional status of the diabetic patients

Nutritional knowledge, dietary habits and nutritional status of diabetic patients attending teaching hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: This study assessed the nutritional knowledge, dietary habits and nutritional status of adult diabetic patients attending teaching hospitals in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult diabetic patients attending the out-patient clinics of the two Teaching Hospitals in Lagos. Respondents were recruited from the clinics consecutively until the desired sample size (342) was obtained. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Dietary habits were assessed using food frequency questionnaire and BMI was assessed following standard procedure and compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS (Version 20). Chi-square and fisher's exact probability test were used to determine the association between variables. The level of significance was set at p-value less than 5%. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 59.6 + 13.0 years. Only 125 (37%) of the respondents had good nutritional knowledge. Majority ate three meals every day, 237 (69.3%) and have had dietary counseling, 255 (74.6%). More than half of the respondents, 202 (59.1%) skipped meals, 80 (23.4%) consumed alcohol while only 42 (12.3%) ate fruits and vegetables daily. The commonest food consumed was processed cereals. Majority of the respondents were overweight or obese (74%). Obesity was associated with being female and not having dietary counseling. Conclusion: Nutritional knowledge and dietary habits were poor while overweight and obesity were high. Dietary counseling will be necessary to improve the dietary pattern and nutritional status of the diabetic patients

Obesity and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

The prevalence of obesity is rising worldwide including Sub-Saharan Africa just as the incidence of breast cancer is rising in same region with increasing morbidity and mortality. Obesity or overweight has been identified as a risk factor for breast cancer and both have been associated with poor outcome of breast cancer treatment. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of obesity /overweight on clinical response to Adriamycin Cyclophosphamide-Paclitaxel (AC-P) regimen neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer. A prospective observational of 39 female patients with breast cancer. A prospective observational study of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with palpable breast lumps on neoadjuvant chemotherapy of AC-P regime. Age of the patients, tumour size, stage, estrogen, progestogen and HER2 receptor status were noted. Height measured in metres and weight measured in Kilograms were recorded and Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated .Tumour size measured at presentation, then after first, third, sixth and eighth doses to determine response as defined by the UICC method such as complete clinical response, partial clinical response, stable disease and progressive disease. BMI was then categorized into Normal weight 25kg/m2 and Overweight 25-30kg/m2 and Obese 30kg/m2. 43.6% were obese, 33.3% were overweight and 23.1% were normal weight. Thirty percent of overweight /obese patients had complete clinical response 2 compared with 77% of low/normal weight patients and this was statistically significant (X2 =6.53, p 0.015). 76.7% of the overweight/obese were premenopausal compared with 23.3% who were post menopausal, and this is statistically significant.(X2 =5.84, p 0.024). Obesity/ overweight is associated with poorer clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the cohort of patients studied

Skinfold thickness in normoglycemic offspring of patients with t2dm on graded exercise

It is uncertain if exercise can influence the occurrence of T2DM in offspring of diabetic parents. Therefore this study was designed to assess the effect of exercise on skinfold thickness of offspring of T2DM parents compared with those of non-diabetic parents. This study involved convenience sampling of 50 offspring of T2DM parents attending University College Hospital, Ibadan and 50 offspring of nondiabetic parents who were undergraduate students of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Participants were randomly assigned into four groups using convenience sampling method: 25 Normal-weight Offspring of Non-Diabetic Parents (NONDP), 25 Normal-weight Offspring of Diabetic Parents (NODP), 25 Overweight Offspring of Non-Diabetic Parents (OONDP) and 25 Overweight Offspring of Diabetic Parents (OODP). Each participant followed a protocol of graded exercise using the "Tummy trimmer" everyday spending 30-45 minutes daily for 24 weeks. 4 sites of skinfold thickness (supra-iliac, Biceps, Triceps and sub-scapula) were measured by skinfold caliper. Weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) were estimated using standard methods at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 18 weeks and 24 weeks, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic and repeated ANOVA with p-value at n less than 0.05. The results indicate that compared to baseline, there were reductions at the four sites of skinfold thickness measurements (supra-iliac, Biceps, Triceps and sub-scapular). At supra-iliac site, skinfold thickness in NONDPreductions was from 7.16 mm ± 2.02 to 6.60 mm ± 4.40. The reduction trend for supra-iliac, Biceps, triceps and subscapular skinfold sites in NONDP were 0.56 mm, 0.79 mm, 1.66 mm and 0.19 mm respectively. While the reduction trend for supra-iliac, Biceps, triceps and subscapular skinfold sites in OODP were 0.56 mm, 1.10 mm, 2.06 mm and 1.52 mm respectively. At subscapular site, the average skinfold thickness reduction trend was 0.19 mm in control group 1.53 mm in test group. Thus, graded exercise reduced skinfold thickness in all the groups. The clinical importance of this in prevention of DM among offspring of diabetic parents is quite promising

Differences between bone mineral density, lean and fat mass of HIV-positive and HIV-negative black women

Objectives: To investigate the differences between bone mineral density (BMD), lean and fat mass of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-) positive and HIV-negative black women and to investigate factors associated with low BMD. Methods: Case-control study of black women (n= 565) aged 29­65 years from Potchefstroom, North West province, South Africa, based on secondary analysis of data. Total BMD, left femur neck of the hip (LFN BMD), spine BMD, total fat, fat-free tissue mass and percentage body fat (%BF) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: HIV-negative women had significantly higher median BMD, %BF, appendicular skeletal mass (ASM), ASM index, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference than HIV-positive women. When the groups were matched for age and BMI, only spine BMD was marginally lower in HIV-positive women. In the total group, age, smoking and HIV status were associated with lower BMD, while calcium intake was positively associated with BMD. Similar variables were associated with BMD in HIV-negative women, while age and educational status were associated with BMD in HIV-positive women. Conclusion: Low BMD was more common among HIV-positive than HIV-negative women. Older HIV-positive women with low educational status are particularly at risk

Prevalence and predictors of low back pain in a Southern Nigerian hospital

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal disease in adults. The data on LBP from Sub-Saharan Africa are inadequate. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and analyze the predictors of LBP among hospital staff in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Materials and Methods: The study participants were recruited using an opt-in approach, with the aim of including representative numbers from each professional cadre. Each participant gave formal consent. Ethical clearance was obtained. Results: Five hundred and sixty-three participants with the mean age of 36.0 ± 8.3 years and 62% female were interviewed. The point prevalence of LBP was 234 (42% [95% confidence interval [CI]: 37%­45%]). Profession was a significant predictor of LBP (P = 0.001) ­ nurses (53% [95% CI 43%­63%]), administrative officers (49% [95% CI 40%­59%]), engineers (50% [95% CI 24%­76%]), and health information staff (50% [95% CI 26%­75%]) had the highest prevalence. In univariate regression, female gender, increasing age, body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, and frequently adopting a bending posture, were significantly associated with LBP, while in multivariate regression, only the female gender was a significant predictor. Conclusion: The pattern of both the professions at risk, due to the well-known mechanisms of poor ergonomics, and the marked risk for the female gender, in the hospital setting, suggest underresourced work and societal environments as the underlying factors-more research is needed

Socio-demographic determinants of body mass index among school children in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Background: African specific studies on the factors associated with the growth pattern of children are needed to guide evidence and develop effective population-based interventions that can be tailored to the unique African context. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-economic correlates of body mass index (BMI) of primary and secondary school children in Ebonyi State, which is situated in south-eastern Nigeria. Methodology: This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study that utilised clustering and stratified sampling techniques to select 1000 learners from primary and secondary schools located in Abakaliki local government area. Apart from a questionnaire, a Mettler weighing scale was also used for data collection. A generalised linear model was used to test the association between the participants' socio-demographic characteristics and their BMI.Result: BMI was positively related to female gender but negatively related to age and level of education. The mode of cooking, who the participants live with and how they get to school also predicted changes in BMI. Other variables like mother's occupation and family's mode of transport were also associated with BMI changes while father's level of education, mother's level of education, father's occupation and the type of residence did not have any statistical relationship with BMI. Conclusion: The present study shows that the BMI of school children is influenced by the socio-demographic characteristics surrounding them. Therefore, efforts should be made to improve the socio-economic standing of families in this community

Serum levels of selected trace metals and their association with body mass index and c-reactive protein in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Oredo Local Government Area, Benin City

Background: Diabetes is a major worldwide health problem, characterized by chronic hyper glycaemia resulting from diverse aetiologies. It is associated with increased metabolic processes and oxidative stress. There is accumulating evidence that the metabolism of several trace elements is altered in type 2 diabetic patients. To determine serum levels of copper, manganese, selenium and chromium in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, and their association with body mass index and C Reactive protein. Methods: Forty six type 2 diabetic subjects, both male and female, in the age range 38 to 83 years and 23 age matched controls were involved in the study. Fasting plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin, trace elements (copper, chromium selenium, manganese), body mass index, C Reactive protein levels were determined. Results: Fasting plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin, , C reactive protein levels were significantly elevated in the diabetics (7.9 ± 0.4 mmol/L, 8.3 ± 2.2, 155.4 ± 29.9mg/L) than in the controls (4.5 ± 1.1mmol/L, 4.5 ± 1.0%, , 10.3 ± 2mg/L) P<0.05. There was no statistically significant difference between the body mass index in the diabetics (27.6 ± 2 2 5.8 kg/m ) and the controls ( 23.2 ± 1.0 kg/m ) p > 0.05. The mean serum levels of manganese and selenium were significantly lower in the diabetic subjects (122.3 ± 44.7 ?mol L, 244.9 ± 15.8?mol /L) than in the controls (170.9 ± 39.4 ?mol /L, 353.4 ± 10.9 ?mol /L) respectively P<0.05. Mean serum copper and chromium levels were significantly higher in the diabetic subjects (242.5 ±68.0 mmol, 9 ± 1.2?mol/L) than in the controls (198.3 ± 22.0 ?mol /L, 0.0 ?mol/L) p < 0.05. Serum copper showed a significant positive correlation with body mass index, r = 0.440, p <0.05, and showed a weak positive correlation with C Reactive protein which was not significant.Serum chromium, showed a non significant positive correlation with body mass index and C Reactive protein. Conclusion:Decreased serum levels of selenium and manganeese in type 2 diabetes mellitus may be suggestive of the possible roles deficiency of these micronutrients play in aietio pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The significantly elevated serum copper levels and its positive correlation with body mass index, is suggestive that elevated copper levels may play a role in aietio pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the mechanism by which it does this could be multiple