Effect of aerobic exercise on the atherogenic index of plasma in middle-aged Chinese men with various body weights.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between aerobic exercise and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) in middle-aged Chinese men stratified by body weight. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, which recruited 26,701 middle-aged Chinese men undergoing health examinations in our hospital from 1st January 2014 to 30th June 2015 was performed, and the associations between body weight and AIP, and aerobic exercise and AIP were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean AIP levels were -0.016±0.305, 0.138±0.3171 and 0.211±0.3243 in normal weight, overweight and obese subjects, respectively, and appeared to rise with body weight. Significantly higher AIP levels were observed in subjects with a weekly aerobic exercise period ≥90min than in those with a weekly aerobic exercise period <90min, and the mean AIP levels were -0.038±0.3015, 0.117±0.3182 and 0.192±0.3209, and were 0.003±0.3067, 0.156±0.3149 and 0.225±0.3263 in normal weight, overweight and obese men with a weekly aerobic exercise period ≥90min and <90min, respectively. In addition, aerobic exercise significantly reduced AIP after adjustment for age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose and uric acid. CONCLUSIONS: Lowering body weight and/or increasing aerobic exercise time may reduce AIP, and lowering body weight results in a greater reduction in AIP than aerobic exercise. Weight control combined with increased aerobic exercise time may cause a synergistic effect on the reduction of AIP.

Prevalence and determinants of idiopathic scoliosis in primary school children in Beitang district, Wuxi, China.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis in children aged 6-13 years and the corresponding predictors in China, based on a representative sample from Beitang District, Wuxi. METHODS: A total of 11,024 primary school students aged 6-13 years were enrolled. Students who had an angle of trunk inclination (ATI) ≥ 5° (determined by the forward bending test (FBT) combined with a scoliometer) were referred to our clinic for X-ray examination. Their diagnosis was confirmed by Cobb angles of ≥ 10°. Data reflecting demographics (e.g. age, sex, etc.) and clinical characteristics (i.e. Cobb angle) were collected. RESULTS:  Approximately 2.6% of the children were screened positive (determined by ATI). Four boys and 7 girls had a definite positive diagnosis, suggesting an idiopathic scoliosis prevalence of 0.22%. The mean Cobb angle of those diagnosed was 13.2 ± 5.9°. The highest prevalence was found in girls aged 12-13 years. Predictors identified in weighted and unweighted bivariate logistic regression were being female, use of single-shoulder bags, and more time using a computer. CONCLUSION:  A relatively low overall prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis was found in primary school children of Beitang District, Wuxi, China. In future screening more attention should be paid to females, those who use single-shoulder bags, and those who spend more time using a computer.