Obesity in Young Adulthood: The Role of Physical Activity Level, Musculoskeletal Pain, and Psychological Distress in Adolescence (The HUNT-Study)

Effects of genetic polymorphisms in body mass index according to dietary exposure to bisphenols and parabens

A growing body of evidence supports that more than 900 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as bisphenols and parabens, are important contributors to the development of obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the way in which fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) rs9939609 and leptin receptor (LEPR) rs9436303 variants contribute to variability in body mass index (BMI) according to estimated dietary exposure of bisphenols and parabens. This cross-sectional study included 101 Spanish participants (16-24 years). SNP genotyping assays were performed through quantitative PCRs (qPCRs) using Taqman® probes. Dietary exposure to bisphenols and parabens was calculated from food frequency questionnaire and chemical determination in food samples by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system. Linear regression models were conducted to address the association of genetic variants and BMI according to levels of bisphenols/parabens exposure. Risk G allele of LEPR rs9436303 was significantly positively associated with BMI (exp (β) = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04-1.38, p = 0.011). In participants highly exposed to bisphenols, the LEPR rs9436303 G allele was related to a significant increased BMI (exp (β) = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.03-1.57, p = 0.024). A more relevant trend was observed with high exposure to parabens (exp (β) = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.08-1.63, p = 0.009). We provide the first evidence that interaction between LEPR polymorphism and dietary intake of bisphenols and parabens may be responsible for an increased BMI, suggesting a potential effect in obesity. Moreover, we proposed LEPR rs9436303 as a genetic marker of susceptibility to excess weight induced by exposure.

Risk factors and risk profiles for neck pain in young adults: Prospective analyses from adolescence to young adulthood-The North-Trøndelag Health Study

The objective was to investigate risk factors and risk profiles associated with neck pain in young adults using longitudinal data from the North-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT). Risk factors were collected from adolescents (13-19 years of age), and neck pain was measured 11 years later. The sample was divided into two: Sample I included all participants (n = 1433), and Sample II (n = 832) included only participants who reported no neck/shoulder pain in adolescence. In multiple regression analyses in Sample I, female sex (OR = 1.9, 95% CI [1.3-2.9]), low physical activity level (OR = 1.6, 95% CI [1.0-2.5]), loneliness (OR = 2.0, 95% CI [1.2-3.5]), headache/migraine (OR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.2-2.6]), back pain (OR = 1.5, 95% CI [1.0-2.4]) and neck/shoulder pain (OR = 2.0, 95% [CI 1.3-3.0]) were associated with neck pain at the 11-year follow-up. Those with a risk profile including all these risk factors had the highest probability of neck pain of 67% in girls and 50% in boys. In Sample II, multiple regression analyses revealed that female sex (OR = 2.2, 95% CI [1.3-3.7]) and perceived low family income (OR = 2.4, 95% CI [1.1-5.1]) were associated with neck pain at the 11-year follow-up. Girls and boys with a perceived low family income had a 29% and 17% higher probability of neck pain than adolescents with a perceived high family income. The risk profiles in both samples showed that co-occurrence of risk factors, such as headache/migraine, neck/shoulder pain, back pain, low physical activity level, loneliness, and perceived low family income cumulatively increased the probability of neck pain in young adulthood. These results underline the importance of taking a broad perspective when studying, treating, and preventing neck pain in adolescents.

Association between Physical Activity and Mood States of Children and Adolescents in Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Epidemic

The COVID-19 epidemic adversely affects the lifestyle of people. This study aimed to examine the impacts of social isolation on physical activity (PA) levels and mood states of children and adolescents and to explore the correlation between them during the COVID-19 epidemic. A total of 9979 children and adolescents (11.63 ± 1.23 years old) from Yan’an, China volunteered to participate in this study and completed online questionnaires. PA and mood states were measured by International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and Profile of Mood States (POMS), respectively. The results showed that the mean of students’ moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was 23.19 min per day. The total mood disturbance in the moderate and high-level PA groups were significantly lower than those in the low-level PA group (p < 0.05). Additionally, boys and girls had significant differences in PA levels (p < 0.01), and the PA levels of students in different grades were also significantly different (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, boys’ mood states were worse than girls’. The Grade 4 in primary schools had the worst mood states while Grade 5 had the best mood states. The results suggested that the MVPA of students has dropped badly, compared with the results of previous studies investigated in normal times. In addition, the PA level had a significantly positive impact on the mood states of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 epidemic. Sex and grades were factors which affected the PA levels and mood states. This study can help policymakers and healthcare professionals understand PA and mood states of Chinese children and adolescents during the epidemic. We should pay attention to the changes in PA levels and mood states of children and adolescents.