Association between high sensitivity C-reactive protein and dietary intake in Vietnamese young women

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a strong independent predictor of future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We evaluated the relationship between hsCRP and dietary intake in apparently healthy young women living in southern Vietnam. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Serum hsCRP was measured and dietary intake data were obtained using the 1-day 24-hour recall method in women (n = 956; mean age, 25.0 +/- 5.7 years) who participated in the International Collaboration Study for the Construction of Asian Cohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) in 2011. RESULTS: Women in the high risk group (> 3 mg/L) consumed fewer fruits and vegetables, total plant food, potassium, and folate than those in the low risk group (< 1 mg/L). A multiple regression analysis after adjusting for covariates revealed a significant negative association between hsCRP and fruit and vegetable consumption. A logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) of having a high hsCRP level in women with the highest quartiles of consumption of fruits and vegetables [OR, 0.391; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.190-0.807], potassium [OR, 0.425; 95% CI, 0.192-0.939] and folate [OR, 0.490; 95% CI, 0.249-0.964] were significantly lower than those in the lowest quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, in young Vietnamese women, an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables might be beneficial for serum hsCRP, a risk factor for future CVD events.

Relationship between food and nutrient intake and the risk of hypertriglyceridemia in Vietnamese women residing in Bavi: the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES)

The purpose of this study is to investigate the proportion and associated risk factors of hypertriglyceridemia in rural Vietnamese women. Research data were collected as part of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). A cross-sectional study of 957 Vietnamese women in their 20 to 30s was conducted in rural areas of Bavi, Vietnam. Subjects were classified as hypertriglyceridemic (serum TG > or = 150 mg/dL). Demographic, socio-economic details, anthropometric measurements, and blood profiles were recorded. The proportion of hypertriglyceridemic subjects was 22.0%, and the mean age of hypertriglyceridemics subjects was older than that of normo-triglyceridemic subjects (p < 0.05). In hypertriglyceridemic subjects, height, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were significantly lower, compared to subjects with normo-triglyceridemia, while weight, body mass index, waist hip ratio, body fat %, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, and atherogenic index were higher, compared to those with normo-triglyceridemia. Intake of cereal and cereal products, total plant food, and cereal/potato fiber in subjects with hypertriglyceridemia was significantly higher, compared to normo-triglyceridemic subjects. Hypertriglyceridemic subjects had a significantly lower intake of animal calcium and retinol than normo-triglyceridemic subjects. Significant positive relationships were observed between the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and consumption of total plant food [OR (95% CI) for the highest tertile, compared to the lowest: 1.764 (1.131-2.750); p for trend = 0.008] and crude fiber [OR (95% CI) for the highest tertile compared to the lowest: 1.651 (1.092-2.497); p for trend = 0.027]. In addition, a significant inverse relationship was observed between the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and cholesterol intake [OR (95% CI) for the highest tertile, compared to the lowest: 0.601 (0.400-0.901); p for trend = 0.012]. These findings may provide basic data for use by policymakers and dieticians in future development of nutrition and health programs to encourage healthier eating habits, and to prevent hypertriglyceridemia advancing cardiovascular disease in rural Vietnamese women.

A Comparative Study on the Postpartum Depression of Vietnamese Marriage Immigrant Women and Korean Women / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine postpartum depression of Vietnamese married immigrant women and Korean women, and to identify factors that affect postpartum depression. METHODS: Subjects of one hundred and thirty-five women who had delivered a baby within 3 years were part of the study. Of these women, sixty were Vietnamese married immigrant women and sixty -seven were Korean women living in Gangwon Province. Kim's (2005) Korean version of Cox's (1987) EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) was used to evaluate postpartum depression. The reliability of the entire subjects was Cronbach's alpha=.677, Vietnamese women .743, and Korean women .654. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups in demographic data and obstetric history. There were significant differences in EPDS (t=-0.236, p=.814) of the type of household between the two groups. Korean women experienced more depression in the items of EPDS 1,2,5, and Vietnamese women experienced more depression in the items of EPDS 7, 8, and 10 when comparing item by item. The influencing factors of EPDS in entire subjects were marriage type, satisfaction of relationship with the husband and other household extended family members, and emotional experience during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Postpartum depression has occurred regardless of ethnicity, therefore prevention programs targeted at depression, and family support programs should be developed for all childbearing women.