ABSTRACT
Background: University students are considered a vulnerable group due to their adoption of unhealthy diets and lifestyles. Aim: To determine the main risk factors associated with low level of physical activity and excess body weight in university students. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 358 university students from Talca, (53% female). Sociodemographic, academic, health, lifestyle, nutritional status, physical activity and sedentary behavior variables were analyzed by logistic regression. Results: Men were more likely to present excess body weight than women (Odds ratio (OR): 2.16 [95% CI: 1.17-4.01], p = 0.01). Similarly, those with low level of physical activity (OR: 2.13 [95% CI: 1.10-414], p = 0.03), musculoskeletal injuries (OR: 2.43 [95% CI: 1.09-6.34], p = 0.05) and smokers (OR: 2.09 [95% CI: 1.05-4.14], p = 0.04) were more likely to have excess body weight. Individuals with excess body weight (OR: 2.94 [95% CI: 1.31-6.61], p < 0.01), high sedentary behaviors (OR: 2.01 [95% CI: 1.04-4.55], p = 0.04), those who spent more than 7 hours per week studying (OR: 2.11 [95% CI: 1.06-4.66], p = 0.04), and those with presence of musculoskeletal injuries (OR: 1.49 [95% CI: 1.06- 3.66], p = 0.04) were more likely to be physically inactive. In addition, men were 73% less likely to have low physical activity levels compared to women (OR: 0.27 [95% CI: 0.11-0.56], p < 0.01). Conclusions: University students have several modifiable risk factors associated with low levels of physical activity and excess weight. Healthy lifestyles promotion should modify these risk behaviors.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Young Adult , Students/statistics & numerical data , Exercise , Overweight/physiopathology , Overweight/epidemiology , Socioeconomic Factors , Universities , Chile/epidemiology , Sex Factors , Nutritional Status , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Risk Factors , Sedentary Behavior , Motor Activity , ObesityABSTRACT
Background: Although cardiovascular risk factors are associated with an impaired cognitive function, the impact of diabetes on cognitive function in Chilean adults is unknown. Aim: To investigate the association of diabetes or family history of the disease with cognitive impairment in older adults. Materials and Methods: Data from the 2009-2010 Chilean National Health Survey including 1,384 participants aged ≥ 60 years were included in this study. A score below 13 points for the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was considered an indication of cognitive impairment. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between MMSE, diabetes and family history of the disease. Results: Cognitive impairment increased with age (Odds ratio (OR): 1.83 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.53; 2.19], p < 0.01, per 5 years increment in age). This trend was greater in individuals with diabetes (OR: 2.37 [95% CI: 1.68; 3.35], p < 0.01) compared to those without the disease. A similar trend was identified among individuals with a family history of diabetes compared to those without. Conclusions: Older adults with diabetes are more susceptible to develop cognitive impairment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Diabetes Complications/genetics , Diabetes Mellitus/genetics , Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology , Chile , Risk Factors , Health Surveys , Educational StatusABSTRACT
Background: Numerous studies have identified the role of Fat-mass-associated-gene (FTO) in the development of obesity. Aim: To investigate the association of FTO gene with adiposity markers in Chilean adults. Material and Methods: 409 participants were included in this cross-sectional study. The association between FTO (rs9939609) genotype and adiposity markers was determined using linear regression analyses. Adiposity markers included were: body weight, body mass index, fat mass, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip ratio. Results: A fully adjusted model showed a significant association between FTO genotype and body weight (2.16 kg per each extra copy of the risk allele [95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.45 to 3.87], p = 0.014), body mass index (0.61 kg.m-2 [95% CI: 0.12 to 1.20], p = 0.050) and fat mass (1.14% [95% CI: 0.39 to 1.89], p = 0.010). The greater magnitude of association was found between the FTO gene and fat mass when the outcomes were standardized to z-score. Conclusions: This study confirms an association between the FTO gene and adiposity markers in Chilean adults, which is independent of major confounding factors.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Adiposity/genetics , Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO/genetics , Genotype , Obesity/genetics , Reference Values , Socioeconomic Factors , Genetic Markers , Linear Models , Chile/ethnology , Anthropometry , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Cross-Sectional Studies , Risk Factors , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Alleles , Adiposity/ethnology , Life Style , Obesity/ethnologyABSTRACT
Background: Physical inactivity is an important cardiovascular risk factor. Aim: To investigate the association of physical inactivity with obesity, metabolic markers, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and metabolic syndrome in Chilean adults. Material and Methods: Participants from the National Health Survey 2009-10 (n = 5,157) were included in this study. Body mass index, waist circumference, metabolic markers (blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and lipid profile) were the outcomes. Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome were determined using international criteria. Physical activity levels were determined using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and physical inactivity was defined as < 600 METs/minutes/week. Results: Compared to their physically active peers, inactive men and women had a higher odds ratio (OR) for obesity (OR: 1.77 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.29-2.42], p < 0.01 and 1.25 [95% CI: 102-1.54], p < 0.035, respectively), diabetes (OR: 2.47 [1.80-3.38], p < 0.01 and 1.72 [1.35-2.19], p = 0.002, respectively) and hypertension (OR: 1.66 [1.31-2.09], p < 0.01 and 1.83 [1.54-2.18] respectively. An association of physical inactivity with central obesity and metabolic syndrome was observed only in men (OR: 1.92 [1.42- 2.58], p < 0.01 and 1.74 [1.23-2.47], p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: Not meeting the physical activity recommendations is associated with obesity, diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome, which are important cardiovascular risk factors.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Biomarkers/blood , Metabolic Syndrome/epidemiology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology , Sedentary Behavior , Hypertension/epidemiology , Obesity/epidemiology , Blood Glucose , Body Mass Index , Chile/epidemiology , Population Surveillance , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Metabolic Syndrome/diagnosis , Metabolic Syndrome/etiology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/diagnosis , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/etiology , Waist Circumference , Hypertension/diagnosis , Hypertension/etiology , Obesity/diagnosis , Obesity/etiologyABSTRACT
Background: Obesity and sedentary behavior are risk factors acting independently in the development of type 2 diabetes. Aim: To investigate whether the association between diabetes and obesity is modified by the levels of sitting time (ST) in the Chilean population. Material and Methods: We included 4,611 participants from the cross-sectional 2009-2010 Chilean National Health Survey in this study. Diabetes was determined as fasting glucose levels ≥126 mg/dl. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured using standardized protocols. Sitting time was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The association among diabetes, obesity and ST was determined using logistic regression. Results: The odds for diabetes increased by 3.1-fold in people with high levels of ST and obesity in comparison to those with low levels of ST and normal BMI (Odds ratio (OR): 4.17 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.87 to 6.05], P < 0.01). The odds for diabetes increased by 2.7- fold in highly sedentary subjects with central obesity (OR: 3.73 [95% IC: 2.61 to 5.33], P < 0.01) in comparison to those with low levels of ST and normal WC. Conclusions: Elevated levels of sitting time and obesity are associated with a higher odds of developing diabetes.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Young Adult , Posture , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/etiology , Sedentary Behavior , Obesity/complications , Time Factors , Exercise , Body Mass Index , Logistic Models , Odds Ratio , Chile , Cohort Studies , Waist Circumference , Self ReportABSTRACT
Background: Sedentary behaviors are one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Aim: To identify factors associated with high sedentary behaviors in the Chilean population. Material and Methods: We included 5,040 participants from the Chilean National Health Survey 2009-2010. Physical activity level and sedentary behavior (sitting time) were measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ v2). Highly sedentary behaviors were determined as > 4 hours per day of sitting time. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of highly sedentary behavior. Results: Forty seven percent of the study population reported spending more than 4 hours per day sitting. The prevalence was higher in women. The main factors associated with high sedentary behavior were: high income levels (Odds ratio (OR):1.91 [95% Confidence intervals (CI:1.61-2.27]); being woman (OR:1.39 [95% CI:1.24-1.56]): having central obesity (OR:1.15 [95% CI:1.02-1.30]), being physically inactive (OR:2.35 [95% CI:2.06-2.68]), and living in an urban area (OR:1.92 [95% CI:1.63-2.26]). Other factors associates with high sedentary behavior were: being smoker, having a television set, computer and private car at their homes. Participants reporting a poor self-reported health and wellbeing and those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome were more likely to be highly sedentary. Conclusions: The main factors associated with high levels of sedentary behavior are socio-demographic issues, lifestyles and health status.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Exercise , Sedentary Behavior , Motor Activity , Socioeconomic Factors , Urban Population , Body Mass Index , Chile , Sex Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Risk Factors , Health SurveysABSTRACT
Background Physical inactivity and obesity are major risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Aim To investigate whether if the association between obesity and diabetes is modified by levels of physical activity in the Chilean population. Material and Methods Cross-sectional study including 4,712 participants from the 2009-2010 National Health Survey. Diabetes was determined when participants referred having the disease or had a fasting glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl. Physical activity level was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The association between diabetes, obesity and physical activity was determined using logistic regression analysis. Results Compare to active and normal weight subjects (reference group), the risk for T2D was higher in active individuals with overweight (Odds ratio (OR): 2.85 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.76- 4.61] p < 0.01). The risk among inactive but normal weight participants (OR: 2.12 [95% CI: 1.49- 3.01], p < 0.01) was of lower magnitude and was even higher among inactive and overweight individuals (OR: 3.22 [95% CI: 2.10 - 4.93], p < 0.01). Similar results were found for obesity and central obesity. Conclusions Individuals who are physically inactive and have a high adiposity level have an increased risk for T2D compared to active individuals with normal BMI.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Exercise/physiology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/etiology , Adiposity/physiology , Obesity/complications , Socioeconomic Factors , Body Mass Index , Cross-Sectional Studies , Risk Factors , Health Surveys , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/physiopathology , Sedentary Behavior , Obesity/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Background: High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease, affecting 27% of the Chilean population in 2010. Aim: To determine the risk factors associated with the development of hypertension. Material and Methods: Analysis of the database of the 2009-2010 National Health Survey in which 4,901 participants were included. Socio-demographic factors, physical activity, eating habits, well-being and comorbidities were analyzed. Results: Women had a lower risk of developing hypertension than men (Odds ratio (OR): 0.69, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.59-0.81, p < 0.01). In both men and women, the risk is greater over the age of 25 years (OR: 2.90, 95% CI: 1.55-5.43, p < 0.01). The risk is greater in subjects who were overweight (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.31-1.98, p < 0.01), obese (OR: 3.18, 95% CI: 2.56-3.95, p < 0.01), or had central obesity (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.85-2.72, p < 0.01). Subjects with a family history of hypertension and diabetes also have a higher risk. Conclusions: Identifying the risk factors associated with hypertension allows public health policies to be tailored to its prevention.
Subject(s)
Hypertension/etiology , Socioeconomic Factors , Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects , Smoking/adverse effects , Case-Control Studies , Chile/epidemiology , Sex Factors , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Health Surveys , Age Factors , Sodium Chloride, Dietary/adverse effects , Sex Distribution , Age Distribution , Risk Assessment , Sedentary Behavior , Hypertension/epidemiology , Obesity/complicationsABSTRACT
Background: Chile has one of the highest obesity rates in Latin America. However, the factors that could explain this high prevalence of obesity are unknown. Aim: To determine the main risk factors for the development of obesity in Chile. Material and Methods: We included 1,398 obese and 1,478 normal weight participants of the National Health Survey 2009-2010. The risk factors considered were socioeconomic variables, diet, physical activity, comorbidities and general wellbeing. Results: The main factors associated with a higher risk of being obese were age, high salt consumption and high alcohol intake. Education, income and living in rural settings were protective for women and risk factors for men. The probability of being obese increases in women that sleep less than seven hours per day or have a poor health. Sedentariness and lack of physical activity were risk factors among men. Conclusions: The identification of these risk factors may help to implement public health interventions to tackle obesity in Chile.