The association between physical activity and overweight and obesity in a population of children at high and low altitudes in Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between overweight and obesity and physical activity in Saudi children born and permanently domiciled at high and low altitudes in Southwestern Saudi Arabia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 145 healthy Saudi children aged 10-15 years who were born and lived permanently at high altitude (3000-3100 m) and 154 healthy Saudi children of comparable age who were born and lived permanently at a relatively low altitude (500 m) was conducted. For each subject selected, body weight and body height were measured using an Avery beam weighing scale and a stadiometer, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the equation BMI = (weight [kg]/height [m(2)]). Physical activity scores were determined using International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form-A. Resting radial pulse rate (beat/minutes) was determined clinically. RESULTS: Physical activity was significantly and inversely associated with overweight and obesity in boys at both high (χ(2) = 15.8, P< 0.001) and low (χ(2) = 14.7, P< 0.001) altitudes, but there was no clear trend for girls at either altitude. The lack of association between physical activity and overweight and obesity in girls was attributed to the low and homogeneous level of physical activity. CONCLUSION: Physical activity should be encouraged as a strategy for weight reduction in the overweight and the obese and the prevention of overweight and obesity in Saudi children at high and low altitudes.

Concentrations of free vascular endothelial growth factor in the maternal and foetal circulations during pregnancy: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the concentrations of free plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the maternal and foetal circulations of normal term pregnancies. METHODS: Free plasma VEGF was measured from plasma of umbilical cord and maternal blood by ELISA for each of 20 normal pregnancies delivering at term at an altitude of 3100 m. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to test for correlation between values and clinical maternal and neonatal data. Student's 't' test was used to test for differences between samples from male and female neonates. RESULTS: Free plasma VEGF was undetectable from maternal samples, but it was detectable in the cord blood (mean, 560.3775 pg/ml, median, 145.84 pg/ml, range, 22.56-2653.5). No differences were found between neonates sex, and no correlation was found with clinical maternal and neonatal data. CONCLUSION: Circulating VEGF is usually bound to the soluble form of its receptor 1 (sFlt-1). High levels of sFlt-1 are secreted by the syncytiotrophoblast during pregnancy, and so free plasma VEGF is undetectable in the maternal circulation. In contrast, our findings are the first to show free plasma VEGF in the umbilical circulation. We speculate that this free VEGF may promote angiogenesis in the foetus and placenta. Our data imply that sFlt-1 is not present in the cord blood, and that secretion by the syncytiotrophoblast is polarised to its apical surface. Further investigations are required to test this hypothesis.

The prevalence of abdominal obesity and its associated risk factors in married, non-pregnant women born and living in high altitude, southwestern, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of abdominal obesity and it's associated risk factors in a married, non-pregnant, high altitude female population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted from January to March 2003, with 438 currently married non-pregnant women aged 18-60 years, born and permanent residents in and around Abha, southwestern heights, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire describing the demographic, social, reproductive, physical activity, and educational status was completed. The subjects were measured by weight, height, and waist circumference (WC). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated for each woman (BMI=weight [Kg]/height [m2]). Abdominal obesity was defined as WC>88cm, and total obesity as BMI > or =30 according to the World Health Organization criteria. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of abdominal obesity was 41.1%. The prevalence was positively and significantly associated with age, total obesity, and parity (p=0.0001 for all), negatively and significantly with educational level (p=0.0001), and negatively and insignificantly with strenuous physical activity (p=0.9). Results of multiple logistic analyses showed that age, total obesity, and educational level were independent risk factors for abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted the high prevalence of abdominal obesity and showed that in addition to total obesity, intra-abdominal fat deposition is influenced by other lifestyle and reproductive factors. Community health education programs, which provide information on the high prevalence of abdominal obesity and its risk factor to all women, will be certainly justifiable, and prevention strategies should be implemented accordingly.

The effect of age, obesity and parity on blood pressure and hypertension in non-pregnant married women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of age, body mass index (BMI) and parity on systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BPs) and hypertension. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective study of 441 non-pregnant married women ranging in age from 15-60 years. For each woman selected, a detailed questionnaire dealing with sociodemographic profile including reproductive data was completed. Systolic and 5(th) phase diastolic BPs were measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Body weight and height were measured using an Avery Beam weighing scale and a stadiometer respectively. RESULTS: In this study sample, the overall prevalence of hypertension was 4.3%. Statistical analysis showed that age and BMI were positively and significantly associated with BPs (p<0.0001 for systolic BP & <0.002 for diastolic BP and p<0.0001 for systolic BP & <0.005 for diastolic BP respectively) and positively and significantly (p<0.0001 & <0.003 respectively) associated with an increase in the risk of hypertension (Odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.53 (1.1-1.2) and 1.11 (1.04-1.19) respectively) while parity was negatively and insignificantly associated with BPs (p<0.4 and <0.1 for systolic and diastolic BPs respectively) and negatively and insignificantly (P<0.1) associated with an increase in the risk of hypertension (Odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 0.87 (0.74-1.03). CONCLUSION: Age and BMI were significant contributors to BPs and hypertension rather than parity. The negative association between parity and hypertension, although insignificant, implies that nulliparity rather than multiparity imposed an important effect on hypertension.