Two-decade trends and factors associated with overweight and obesity among young adults in Nepal

Background

Young adults are vulnerable to obesity due to different life stresses and challenges, leading to risks of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Studies on the long-term trends of overweight and obesity, especially among young people in Nepal are scanty. The problems among this productive age group should be checked and prevented at the earliest. The study aimed to assess more than two decades of trends from 1996 to 2019 of overweight and obesity among Nepalese young adults (18-29 years) and the socio-demographic factors associated with it.

Methods

We utilized data from the nationwide Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) survey. These surveys adopted multistage stratified cluster sampling techniques and used house-to-house structured interviews for data collection. We assessed the prevalence of overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2) in 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2019 among 18,714 young adults in total, and evaluated the associated socio-demographic factors from the 2016 survey, using logistic regression model.

Results

The preliminary study findings showed that from 1996 to 2019, overweight in women increased from 1.5% to 17.0%, and obesity from 0.1% to 3.4%. For men, overweight rose from 14.4% to 16.6%, and obesity from 1.3% to 2.5% from 2012 to 2019. Higher age was associated with higher odds of overweight and obesity compared to a younger age. Men were less likely to have overweight (AOR: 0.68, CI: 0.53-0.88) and obesity (AOR: 0.42, CI: 0.23-0.78) compared to women. Moreover, urban residents had higher odds of having obesity (AOR: 2.35, CI: 1.25-4.44) compared to rural residents.

Conclusions

Overweight and obesity have rising trends among young adults in Nepal. Older age, female and urban residence were associated with higher odds of overweight and obesity. Therefore, the interventions targeted to the risk groups can help in curbing the increasing obesity trends in Nepal.

Key messages

• The information on trends and the factors associated with overweight and obesity may help to identify needs and opportunities to halt the rising obesity trend and prevent risk factors.

• The study findings can guide in formulating a national strategy to combat overweight and obesity among Nepalese youths.

Baseline characteristics of participants in the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program: a cluster randomized controlled trial of lifestyle intervention in Asian Indians

AIMS

To describe the baseline characteristics of participants in the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program.

METHODS

The Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program is a cluster randomized controlled trial of lifestyle intervention for prevention of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in India. Participants in the study were those aged 30-60 years who had an Indian Diabetes Risk Score ≥ 60 and who were without Type 2 diabetes on oral glucose tolerance test. Data on demographic, lifestyle, clinical and biochemical characteristics were collected using standardized tools.

RESULTS

A total of 2586 individuals were screened with the Indian Diabetes Risk Score, of these 1529 people (59.1%) had a score ≥ 60, of whom 1209 (79.1%) underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. A total of 202 individuals (16.7%) had undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes and were excluded, and the remaining 1007 individuals were enrolled in the trial (control arm, n = 507; intervention arm, n = 500). The mean participant age was 46.0 ± 7.5 years, and 47.2% were women. The mean Indian Diabetes Risk Score was 67.1 ± 8.4. More than two-thirds (69.0%) had prediabetes and 31.0% had normal glucose tolerance. The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors was high, including current tobacco use (34.4% in men), current alcohol use (39.3% in men), no leisure time exercise (98.0%), no daily intake of fruit and vegetables (78.7%), family history of diabetes (47.9%), overweight or obesity (68.5%), hypertension (22.3%) and dyslipidemia (85.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

The Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program recruited participants using a diabetes risk score. A large proportion of the participants had prediabetes and there were high rates of cardiometabolic risk factors. The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of lifestyle intervention in a population selected on the basis of a diabetes risk score.

Cardiovascular risk outcome and program evaluation of a cluster randomised controlled trial of a community-based, lay peer led program for people with diabetes

Background

The 2013 Global Burden of Disease Study demonstrated the increasing burden of diabetes and the challenge it poses to the health systems of all countries. The chronic and complex nature of diabetes requires active self-management by patients in addition to clinical management in order to achieve optimal glycaemic control and appropriate use of available clinical services. This study is an evaluation of a “real world” peer support program aimed at improving the control and management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Australia.

Methods

The trial used a randomised cluster design with a peer support intervention and routine care control arms and 12-month follow up. Participants in both arms received a standardised session of self-management education at baseline. The intervention program comprised monthly community-based group meetings over 12 months led by trained peer supporters and active encouragement to use primary health care and other community resources and supports related to diabetes. Clinical, behavioural and other measures were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome was the predicted 5 year cardiovascular disease risk using the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) Risk Equation at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included clinical measures, quality of life, measures of support, psychosocial functioning and lifestyle measures.

Results

Eleven of 12 planned groups were successfully implemented in the intervention arm. Both the usual care and the intervention arms demonstrated a small reduction in 5 year UKPDS risk and the mean values for biochemical and anthropometric outcomes were close to target at 12 months. There were some small positive changes in self-management behaviours.

Conclusions

The positive changes in self-management behaviours among intervention participants were not sufficient to reduce cardiovascular risk, possibly because approximately half of the study participants already had quite well controlled T2DM at baseline. Future research needs to address how to enhance community based programs so that they reach and benefit those most in need of resources and supports to improve metabolic control and associated clinical outcomes.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12609000469213. Registered 16 June 2009.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3538-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Two distinct groups of non-attenders in an organized mammography screening program

OBJECTIVE

To find out reasons for non-attendance and to study subgroup differences of the non-attenders in an organized mammography screening program.

DESIGN

Prospective for background and psychosocial factors, retrospective for reasons of non-attendance.

SETTING

Finnish screening based on personal first round invitations, with 89% attendance rate.

PARTICIPANTS

Four hundred thirty six women with both pre-screening response to socioeconomic and psychosocial measures, and post-screening response reporting reasons of non-attendance.

MAIN RESULTS

Most common single reason for non-attendance was previous recent mammogram (53%), but also reasons related to practical obstacles, worry and fear, knowledge and attitudes, and organization of screening were mentioned. Two distinct groups of non-attenders were found based on the reasons for non-attendance. Those who did not attend because a mammogram taken elsewhere (ELSE, n = 233) were urban, well-to-do women, who took care of their health by own initiation and felt more susceptible to breast cancer, and also expected mammogram to be painful. Other (real) non-attenders (REAL, n = 155) were less compliant with health recommendations and services, more socially isolated, depressed and anxious than ELSE. Level of depression among REAL was clearly higher (10.80) than the mean value (7.91, SD = 7.28) of the age group, and was also slightly above the cut-off score of 10 indicating mild or moderate depression. Trait anxiety was also markedly higher (40.18) than that of the same age group (37.76, SD = 8.95).

CONCLUSIONS

Further research should clarify determinants and consequences of depression and anxiety among real non-attenders. Knowledge gaps and attitudinal barriers among non-attenders require more targeted campaigns.

Depressive symptoms in middle-aged women are more strongly associated with physical health and social support than with socioeconomic factors

The association of socioeconomic factors, health-related factors, and social support with depressive symptoms has been extensively studied. However, most epidemiological studies have focused on a few factors such as marital status, social class, and employment. In this study of middle-aged women we analyzed both univariate and multivariate associations of socioeconomic factors, perceived physical health factors, and social support with self-rated depressive symptoms measured with the Beck Depression Inventory. A nationwide sample (n = 1851) of Finnish women aged 48-50 years was analyzed. Socioeconomic, health-related, and social support factors were all measured with single items. All variables, except level of urbanization, were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in univariate analyses. Multivariate associations were examined with standard multiple regression analyses in three stages: first with the socioeconomic factors, then with socioeconomic and health factors, and finally entering the social support factors into the regression model. In the first model, being either on a sick leave or at home as working status, being divorced, and having low income reached significance. In the second model, being divorced and having poor perceived physical health were the most powerful among the five significant variables. In the last model, explaining 32% of the variance, the most powerful predictors of depressive symptoms were perceived current physical health, satisfaction with received social support, and quality of intimate relationships. For the prevention or intervention of depressive symptoms among middle-aged women in the population subjects with concurrent subjective or objective health problems and poor social support seem to comprise a particularly important target group.

Women's satisfaction with information at breast biopsy in breast cancer screening

Information needs, satisfaction with information and information sources of women referred for surgical biopsy in mammography screening were explored. Forty-five Finnish women (23 benign and 22 malignant finding) replied to a mailed questionnaire containing fixed-choice and open-ended questions 10 weeks after biopsy. Information was regarded an important form of support. In response to fixed-choice questions the women expressed a general satisfaction with the information received at the hospital, but answers to open questions revealed shortcomings in the ways of being informed. The results underscored the active role of the staff in giving information, in matching the information to women's needs and abilities at the time and in encouraging patients to express their concerns. Up to the point of diagnosis the needs of women with benign and malignant finding were similar. Regardless of diagnosis the women should be provided with reassuring information throughout and after the examination period.

Information and communication in the context of a clinical trial

The aim of this study was to determine the communicative needs of the patients in the context of being invited to participate in a clinical trial. A questionnaire was sent to 299 patients with breast cancer randomised in a trial of adjuvant therapy. It was returned by 261 (87%) of them. Ninety-one per cent (231/255) of the patients regarded the information provided as easy or quite easy to understand. However, the method of treatment allocation was unclear to most patients: 51% (128/251) thought that the doctor had chosen the treatment while only 23% (57/251) knew that they had been randomised. Younger and better educated patients had a better understanding. For 55% (125/226) of the patients written information had been helpful in decision making. This correlated highly with the education of the patient. Sixty-eight per cent (174/255) of the patients thought that they had enough time for decision-making. Less educated patients and older patients had needed more time. Eighty-seven per cent (218/251) were happy with their decision to participate. While most patients are satisfied with the information received, there is a poor understanding of how treatment is allocated. Information should be modified for older and less-educated patients. The needs of the patients when offered participation in a clinical trial are clear information, enough time to consider the options and psychological support.

Psychosocial predictors of first attendance for organised mammography screening

OBJECTIVE

To study psychosocial predictors of attendance at an organised breast cancer screening programme.

SETTING

Finnish screening programme based on personal first round invitations in 1992-94, and with 90% attendance rate.

METHODS

Attenders (n = 946) belonged to a 10% random sample (n = 1680 women, age 50, response rate 64%) of the target population (n = 16,886), non-attenders (n = 641, 38%) came from the whole target population. Predictors were measured one month before the screening invitation. Measures included items for social and behavioural factors, Breast Cancer Susceptibility Scale, Illness Attitude Scale, Health Locus of Control Scale, Anxiety Inventory, and Depression Inventory. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to predict attendance.

RESULTS

Those most likely to attend were working, middle income, and averagely educated women, who had not had a mass mammogram recently, but who regularly visited gynaecologists, attended for Pap smear screening, practised breast self examination, and who did not smoke. Low confidence in their own capabilities in breast cancer prevention, overoptimism about the sensitivity of mammography, and perception of breast cancer risk as moderate were also predictive of attendance. Expectation of pain at mammography was predictive of non-attendance.

CONCLUSION

Mammography screening organised as a public health service was well accepted. A recent mammogram, high reliance on self control of breast cancer, and an expectation of pain at mammography deterred attendance at screening. Further information about these factors and health information on screening are needed.