Malnutrition in Relation with Dietary, Geographical, and Socioeconomic Factors among Older Chinese.

OBJECTIVE: Nutrition is closely related to the health of the elderly population. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive picture of the nutrition status of elderly Chinese and its related dietary, geographical, and socioeconomic factors. METHODS: A total of 13,987 ≥ 60-year-old persons from the 2010-2013 Chinese National Nutrition and Health Survey were included to evaluate various aspects of malnutrition, including underweight, overweight or obesity, and micronutrient inadequacy. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of obesity, overweight, and underweight was 12.4%, 34.8%, and 5.7%, respectively, with disparities both geographically and socioeconomically. The prevalence of underweight was higher among the older old (≥ 75 years), rural residents and those with low income, with low education status, and residing in undeveloped West areas. More than 75% of the elderly do not meet the Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamins A, B 1, B 2, and E, folate, calcium, selenium, potassium, biotin, and choline, with the prevalence of inadequate intake increasing with age for most nutrients. At the population level, the mean intakes of numerous food groups did not meet the recommendations by the Chinese Dietary Guideline. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity epidemic, inadequacy of micronutrient intake, and high prevalence of underweight and anemia in susceptible older people are the major nutrition challenges for the rapidly aging population in China.

Association between Chinese Famine Exposure and the Risk of Overweight/Obesity and Abdominal Obesity in Laterlife: A Cross-sectional Study.

This study aimed to examine the association between famine exposure in different stages of life and the risk of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity in laterlife. A total of 12,458 participants were categorized into non-exposure and four direct exposures, including fetal, childhood, adolescence, and adult exposure. Only risk of being overweight or obesity in adolescence exposure [odds ratio ( OR), 1.45; 95% confidence interval ( CI), 1.08-1.94] was significantly higher than in non-exposure. Childhood ( OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.05-1.54) and adolescence ( OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.15-2.05) exposures had significantly an increased risk of abdominal obesity compared with non-exposure. Additionally, different famine severity exposures had different influences on the development of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity. Famine exposure in adolescence, which was a behavior formative period, can increase the risk of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity in adulthood, specifically in famine severely affect area.

Association of Red Meat Usual Intake with Serum Ferritin and the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Adults: A Longitudinal Study from the China Health and Nutrition Survey.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the association of red meat usual intake with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and explore the contribution of red meat usual intake to serum ferritin. METHODS: Based on the data from the longitudinal China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), 2,797 healthy adults aged 18-75 years without hypertension, diabetes, and MetS were selected in 2009 as subjects and follow-up studies were carried out till 2015. We used the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method to estimate the usual intake of foods. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the association between red meat usual intake and the risk of MetS. Quantile regression analysis was used to study the relationship between red meat consumption and serum ferritin levels. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, red meat, and fresh red meat were positively associated with the risk of MetS ( RR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.05-1.90 and RR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.02-1.85, respectively). These relationships showed increasing trend ( P < 0.05). The level of serum ferritin increased significantly with the number of MetS components ( P < 0.05). The quantile regression analysis showed that red meat and fresh red meat usual intake had a significant positive association with serum ferritin levels across the entire conditional serum ferritin distribution ( P < 0.05). Processed red meat did not exhibit a similar association. CONCLUSION: Higher red meat usual intake was associated with an increased risk of MetS and elevated serum ferritin levels.

The Rural-Urban Difference in BMI and Anemia among Children and Adolescents.

There is growing concern over the double burden of over- and under-nutrition in individuals, especially in children and adolescents, which could dwarf their growth and development. This study aims to explore the rural-urban difference in BMI and anemia among children and adolescents. A stratified cluster sampling technique was employed. Dietary data were collected through interviews, and anthropometric values were measured. There were 1534 children and adolescents who participated in this study, including 775 male and 759 female participants. The prevalence of obesity among children living in a city, township and rural area was 10.3%, 8.5% and 5.5%, and that among adolescents was 1.4%, 2.9% and 2.8%. The prevalence of anemia among children and living in a city, township and rural area was 4.3%, 2.5% and 4.5%, while that among adolescents was 6.1%, 3.7% and 11.3%, respectively, with significant difference (χ² = 10.824, p = 0.004). The prevalence of being overweight, obesity and anemia was significant when comparing children with adolescents (χ² = 37.861, p = 0.000; χ² = 19.832, p = 0.000; χ² = 8.611, p = 0.003). Findings of this study indicate the double burden of malnutrition in Zhejiang province, characterized by a high prevalence of being overweight, obesity and anemia among children and a high prevalence of anemia among adolescents living in townships.

Comparison of Undernutrition Prevalence of Children under 5 Years in China between 2002 and 2013.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the undernutrition status of children under 5-year in China, and study the trend between 2002 and 2013). METHODS: The study was based on two national surveys. Undernutrition was determined against WHO's 2006 growth standards. The prevalence in 2013 and 2002 was weighted by China sixth National Population Census (2010). The relationship between undernutrition and gender/age groups/different areas use weighted logistic regression. RESULTS: The results indicated the overall prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting of Chinese children under 5-year was 8.1%, 2.4%, and 1.9% in 2013, respectively. The prevalence of stunting was higher for children aged 12-47 month, while underweight was higher for children aged 48-59 month. The prevalence of undernutrition was higher in rural areas than in urban areas, especially in poor rural areas. There was a decline of stunting, underweight, and wasting between 2002 and 2013 among the children, with greater reduction in rural areas than in urban areas. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of undernutrition of children under 5-year remains high in rural areas especially in poor rural areas in China. It is urgent to take action to control undernutrition in the vulnerable areas and subgroups.

Negative Association of Domestic Activity and Active Commuting with Metabolic Syndrome in a Chinese Population Aged 35-64 Years.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the associations of physical activity domains with metabolic syndrome among a middle-aged Chinese population. METHODS: In all, 3326 professional adults aged 35-64 years from Beijing and Zhejiang province were recruited with a cluster random sampling method. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was modified, and the recommended Asia-Pacific cut-offs of waist circumstance were introduced into the criteria for metabolic syndrome from the Adult Treatment Panel III. A binary logistic regression model was applied to examine the association of all physical activity domains with the risk of the syndrome. RESULTS: Participants who engaged in domestic activity for ⋜1176 MET-min/week had a 41.6% less chance of having metabolic syndrome [odds ratio (OR), 0.584; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.480-0.710] than those without this activity. In adjusted models, adults who actively commuted for ⋜33 MET-min/week but <528 MET-min/week had a 25% less chance of having the syndrome (OR, 0.750; 95% CI, 0.582-0.966) than those who did not. No interaction was detected between the two domains of activity and the syndrome. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the independently negative association of traffic and house activity with the prevalence of the syndrome in this sample with a generally low level of moderate activity.

Dietary Patterns Associated Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Adults.

Dietary pattern has been revealed to be associated with metabolic syndrome. However, the association was not well documented in Chinese due to the complexity of Chinese foods. We mainly assessed the dietary patterns and examined their effects on metabolic syndrome among Chinese adults. Four dietary patterns including 'Refined Grains & Vegetables' Pattern, 'Dairy & Eggs' Pattern, 'Organ Meat & Poultry' Pattern, and 'Coarse Grains & Beans' Pattern were extracted. 'Dairy & Eggs' Pattern was associated with a decreased odds of metabolic syndrome in women, and 'Coarse Grains & Beans' Pattern was associated with a decreased odds of hypertension in men. These results provided a scientific basis for future research and dietary guideline perfection.

[Single-chain human anti-EGFR antibody/truncated protamine fusion protein carrying Hsp47 siRNA can induce apoptosis of human hepatic stellate cells].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a single-chain human anti-EGFR antibody (scFv) and truncated protamine (tP) fusion protein, ScFv/tP, carrying small interfering (si)RNA directed against the heat shock protein Hsp47, a collagen-binding glycoprotein, in order to evaluate the role Hsp47 in apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells. METHODS: A single chain of the human variable fragment was obtained by phage display and fused with the tP gene and with or without (negative control) the Hsp47 siRNA sequences. Following expression and purification of the scFv/tP fusion protein and the scFv/tPHsp47 siRNA fusion protein, internalization capabilities were tested in isolated human hepatic stellate cells and the QSG-7701 human hepatocyte cells with visualization by immunofluorescent staining. The DNA binding ability of the fusion proteins were verified by gel shift assay.Following ScFv/tP-Hsp47 siRNA fusion protein transfection into the human hepatic stellate cells, the levels of Hsp47 mRNA and protein expression were tested by RT-PCR and Western blotting; in addition, effects of siRNA-mediated silencing of Hsp47 on cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by the cell counting kit (CCK)-8, flow cytometry and Western blot detection of the apoptosis marker poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). RESULTS: Indirect immunofluorescence revealed that the ScFv/tP fusion proteins were internalized into human hepatic stellate cells but not into the QSG-7701 cells.The ScFv/tP-Hsp47 siRNA fusion protein caused reduced expression of Hsp47 mRNA and protein expression in the human hepatic stellate cells, as well as increased the cells' apoptosis remarkably. CONCLUSION: The ScFv/tP fusion protein can be used as a transfection reagent to deliver Hsp47 siRNA into hepatic stellate cells and to mediate apoptosis via blockade of Hsp47 expression.