Self-perceived risk for diabetes among non-diabetic adolescents with overweight/obesity: Findings from NHANES.

AIMS: The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among adolescents in the United States continues to rise, following the trajectory of the obesity epidemic which posits not only a substantial health burden to our society, but also a significant threat to the wellbeing of America's youth. While a number of studies have explored the perception of the risk for developing diabetes in the adult population in the United States, this data is minimal for the adolescent population. In this study, we examined the self-perceived risk of diabetes among adolescents with overweight/obesity. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 808 non-diabetic U.S. adolescents overweight or obese, ages 12-19, who completed a physical exam and in-home interview during the 2011-2014 National Heath and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES). RESULTS: Of adolescents with obesity, African Americans (aOR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.51) and Hispanic Americans (aOR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.90) were significantly less likely to perceive themselves as being at risk for developing diabetes/prediabetes compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. Additionally, individuals with overweight (aOR 13.1, 95% CI: 4.54, 37.5) and obesity (aOR 3.40, 95% CI: 1.71, 6.74) who had been informed by their physician that they were at risk for diabetes, were significantly more likely to perceive themselves to be at risk for diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Significant racial differences exist in the self-perceived risk for diabetes among U.S. adolescents with overweight and obesity. Further investigation focused on preventing the development of diabetes among at-risk adolescents who do not comprehend their risk, i.e. through more effective healthcare communication, is warranted.

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and obesity in SNAP-eligible children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Low-income individuals who are eligible for nutrition assistance have been shown to consume a larger portion of their daily calories from beverages with added sugar. We examined the association between Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation and self-reported sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption as well as the association between self-reported consumption of SSBs and overweight/obesity in low-income children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of 1455 SNAP-eligible U.S. children, ages 2-17, who completed a questionnaire and physical examination during the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). RESULTS: SNAP-eligible children who received SNAP in the last month were more likely to drink soda in the last month [76.0% (2.2)] than those who did not receive benefits [70.5% (2.8)]. These children were also more likely to drink fruit drinks [74.8% (1.6) vs. 69.3% (3.1)]. Among youth in households receiving SNAP benefits, soda consumption in the past month was associated with a greater risk of obesity, particularly Hispanic youth [OR=1.93 (1.07, 3.50), p=0.0314] aged 2-5 [OR=2.71 (1.29, 5.69), p=0.0114]. Additionally, among youth in households receiving SNAP benefits, male children who consumed sugar-sweetened fruit drinks in the past month were significantly more likely to be overweight [3.13 (1.12, 8.73), p=0.0315] as compared to male peers who did not consume any sugar sweetened fruit drinks. CONCLUSION: Among youth, SNAP recipients drink more SSBs than their eligible non-recipient peers. Our results indicate that certain populations of children receiving SNAP benefits and consuming SSBs are more likely to be overweight or obese when compared to their peers who receive SNAP benefits but do not consume SSBs.

Blood Donation Rates in the United States 1999-2016: From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

BACKGROUND: Although there have been analyses on the qualities associated with individuals who chose to repeatedly donate blood, there is little known about national blood donation rates in the United States. To address this lack of information, this article uses data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) to assess changes in the national rates of blood donation among adults aged 20 years and older. METHODS: Data was collected from 49,512 US adults aged 20 years and older who were surveyed from 1999 to 2016 through the NHANES. Individuals selected for inclusion in NHANES underwent an in-home interview, where they were asked whether or not they participated in blood donation in the past 12 months. Data were analyzed with SAS and Wald-chi square tests were used to assess trends in recent blood donations. RESULTS: The overall recent blood donation rate has hovered around 6% since 1999, with no significant change during that time period. Over the last 2 decades, the percentage of individuals aged 20 to 29 years with a recent blood donation has increased significantly. During the same time period, the percentage of individuals aged 30 to 39 years and individuals with a 4-year college degree or greater with a recent blood donation decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Although the national blood donation rate has not changed significantly, significant changes in donation rates have occurred among a number of US subpopulations.

Characteristics among adult patients with diabetes who received a foot exam by a health care provider in the past year: An analysis of NHANES 2011-2016.

INTRODUCTION: According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), patients with diabetes should receive annual foot exams from a HCP to identify and reduce risk factors for ulcers and other complications. Little is known regarding factors that may increase or decrease the likelihood of having an annual foot examination by a health care provider (HCP). METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of 1830 patients age 20 years and older with a previous diagnosis of diabetes. Patients selected for inclusion in NHANES receive an in-home interview and then undergo a comprehensive physical at a CDC mobile examination center. The adjusted odds ratios for a patient having received a foot exam from a HCP in the past year were conducted using appropriate weighting variables assessed with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Both Hispanic Americans with diabetes [aOR 0.62 (0.47, 0.82)] and Asian Americans with diabetes [aOR 0.65 (0.44, 0.97)] were significantly less likely to have had a foot exam by a HCP in the last year, when compared to non-Hispanic White Americans. CONCLUSIONS: Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans with diabetes were significantly less likely to have had a foot exam by a HCP in the last year.

Differences in HbA1C% screening among U.S. adults diagnosed with diabetes: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

AIMS: To assess differences in HbA1C% screening by health care providers (HCP's) in U.S. adults with previously diagnosed diabetes using nationally representative survey data collected during the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of 1725 adults from the 2011-2016 NHANES. Logistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratios for having received HbA1C% screening from a health care provider in the past year for the entire population, as well as separately based on an individual's self-reported health insurance status. RESULTS: Individuals with health insurance, a history of hypertension, a history of high cholesterol, a higher frequency of visits to a health care provider, and those surveyed during the 2015-2016 NHANES were all significantly more likely to have been screened for HbA1C% in the past year. When compared to Non-Hispanic Whites however, both Hispanic Americans (aOR 0.38 (95% CI, 0.25-0.60) and African Americans (aOR 0.53 (95% CI, 0.32-0.87) with health insurance were significantly less likely to have been screened for HbA1C% in the past year. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that despite having health insurance, people of color who have diabetes are significantly less likely to have their HbA1C% monitored by a health care provider.