Early menarche and teenager pregnancy as risk factors for morbid obesity among reproductive-age women: A case-control study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate potential risk factors, including non-communicable diseases, for morbid obesity in women between 20 and 49 years of age. METHODS: We performed a case-control study with 110 morbidly obese women and 110 women with adequate weight who were matched by age and with a 1:1 case to control ratio. All women were between 20 to 49 years old and non-menopausal. Possible risk factors were evaluated through a self-report questionnaire assessing socio-demographic, obstetric and gynecological characteristics, presence of non-communicable diseases and habits. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio with respective confidence intervals. RESULTS: Menarche under 12 years old, teenage pregnancy and lower educational level were shown to be risk factors for morbid obesity among women of reproductive age. Incidences of non-communicable diseases (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, liver disease, lung disease, thyroid dysfunction, and joint pain) were increased in women with morbid obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Early menarche, teenage pregnancy and low education level are risk factors for the occurrence of morbid obesity in women of reproductive age. Some non-communicable diseases were already more prevalent in women with morbid obesity even before 50 years of age.

Evaluation of young s knowledgeand behavior about dental fluorosis

AIM: This study has evaluated the knowledge about dental fluorosis and the behavior of young people regarding to the use of Fluor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 313 students from High School of Tabatinga/SP, from 15 to 21 years old have answered a questionnaire with pre-encoded questions in which was approached the variables: gender, age, schooling level, dwelling, water consumption, oral hygiene habits, frequency of consults to the dentist and perception about clinical characteristics of fluorosis. Data obtained were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. RESULTS: There was female prevalence (56.0%). Most of respondents (81.0%) answered brushing the teeth 3 times or more a day. About dentifrice use and quantity on the toothbrush, from 97% who has asserted using them, 58% cover all the bristles; 88% of participants know Fluor; however, regarding to its function or effect on the teeth, 17% and 32%, respectively, have not known how to answer. About water consumption, most of them consume from 1 to 2 liters a day, and the main source is the “faucet” (47%). It was observed that 49% of interviewees have visited the surgeon dentist less than one month ago; 93% have answered that the topic application of Fluor was carried out during the dentist consultation, and 32% have asserted that the application was performed in all the visits. Regarding the surface stains on tooth enamel, 59% have reported that they did not notice them; however, 21% have noticed white stains on the enamel. Regarding to the use of tooth paste in the childhood, 52% have reported that they used to ingest it. CONCLUSION: Young s knowledge about function and effect of Fluor on dental structures were mistaken, once the concept of dental cleaning was prevalent about prevention of caries, and the behavior about fluoridated toothpaste was inappropriate because they use it excessively, and they also asserted its ingestion in the childhood.