Anthropological and clinical characteristics in adolescent women with dysmenorrhea

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in female adolescents and the influence of anthropological characteristics and lifestyle factors on menstrual pain. Two hundred and ninety seven girls from several elementary and secondary schools were interviewed about the presence of the menstrual pain, their age, height and weight, menarcheal age, menstrual cycles quality, smoking and sexual activity. There were 164 (55%) subjects with and one hundred and thirty three (45%) without dysmenorrhea. The adolescents with dysmenorrhea answered the questions about missing activities and taking pills for pain. No difference was observed between the girls with and the girls without dysmenorrhea in their chronological age, height, weight, menarcheal age, menstrual cycles quality, cigarette smoking and sexual activity. In the group of dysmenorrheic adolescents there was infrequent missing activities and bedrest, but missing school was observed in 22 percent and taking pills for pain was observed in 96 percent of the subjects. Young girls who experienced menstrual pain are good candidates for a prophylactic therapy, such as hormonal contraception. A replication of this study is needed for public health services in the future to improve the quality of life of the dysmenorrheic young women.     

Pain sensations to the cold pressor test in normally menstruating women: comparison with men and relation to menstrual phase and serum sex steroid levels

The role of gonadal hormones on pain sensations was investigated in normally menstruating women (n = 16) using the cold pressor test. Tolerance time, pain threshold, and pain intensity were examined once a week during a 4-wk period, and serum concentrations of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone were determined at each test session, which were classified into the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, early luteal phase, and late luteal phase, as determined by the first day of menses and the actual hormone levels recorded. A group of men (n = 10) of the same age interval was examined for comparison. The data show that pain threshold was reduced during the late luteal phase compared with the late follicular phase, and hormone analyses showed significant positive correlation between the progesterone concentration and lowered pain threshold and increasing pain intensity. Hormone analysis also showed an interaction between S-estradiol and S-progesterone on pain intensity, demonstrating that the increased perceived pain intensity that was associated with high progesterone concentrations was significantly reduced with increasing levels of estradiol. While no statistically significant sex differences in pain measurements were found, women displayed much more pronounced, and statistically significant, session-to-session effects than men, with increased pain threshold and decreased pain intensity with each test session. Hence, these data suggest that the changes in the serum concentration of gonadal hormones that occur during the menstrual cycle influence pain sensations elicited by noxious tonic cold stimulation and show that adaptation to the cold pressor test may be sex dependent.     

Weight-Related Attitudes and Behaviors of Women Who Diet to Lose Weight: A Comparison of Black Dieters and White Dieters

Obesity is a significant health problem among black women in the United States. Black women are two to three times more likely than white women to be obese. The present study sought to examine race differences in attitudes and beliefs about dieting, motivations underlying dieting efforts, and actual dieting strategies and behaviors. To achieve this aim, a subset of female survey respondents (n = 324) was drawn from a pool of more than 20,000 subscribers to Consumer Reports. All survey respondents had made at least one dieting effort within 3 years of the time of the study. For this study, we used all black female respondents (n = 162) and a matched sample (i.e., matched on age, educational attainment, and personal income) of white women (n = 162). Black women did weigh significantly more than Caucasian women, therefore, BMI was used as a covariate in all subsequent analyses. Black and white women were significantly different in a number of domains. Compared to white women, black women experienced less social pressure about their weight, initiated dieting later in life, and were significantly less likely to diet at each developmental milestone. However, the two groups of women did not differ in reasons for undertaking their most recent dieting efforts, or in the types of weight loss strategies they had employed. Nor were there differences between the black and white women in methods for coping responses with dietary relapse or in rates of disordered eating. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for both treatment and prevention of obesity in black women.     

Unhealthy body perception among Turkish youths: socioeconomic status and social comparisons

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of socioeconomic status (SES) and social comparisons on body perception, and to identify their relationship to unhealthy behaviours and changing body structures, by assessing body perception in youths. A questionnaire was administered to 640 university students. The topics covered included SES, body definitions, behaviours related to body weight (such as exercise, dieting, starving, using diet foods, drug use, and bingeing and purging) and a social comparison scale. The prevalence of heavy exercise (42.9%) among male students was significantly higher in the low-income group (p < 0.01), whereas it was significantly higher (61.7%) among female students in the high-income group (p < 0.001). Behaviours such as dieting and starving for more than 24 hours were more common among female students in the high-income group (p < 0.01). The average social comparison scores were significantly lower among students with a higher body mass index. The social attractiveness subscale scores were significantly lower (p < 0.05) among students with unhealthy body definitions. The components of attractivity showed a clear correlation among students with unhealthy body definitions. As well as the increasing prevalence of obesity in developing countries, unnecessary body-measurement controls and "ideal" body images are affecting the behaviour of youths. Gender is related to most of these behaviours. Understanding the relationship between social comparisons and body appearance in adolescent females and males can be facilitated by examining certain features of attractiveness.     

Association of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene Val66Met Polymorphism with Primary Dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM), the most prevalent menstrual cycle-related problem in women of reproductive age, is associated with negative moods. Whether the menstrual pain and negative moods have a genetic basis remains unknown. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a key role in the production of central sensitization and contributes to chronic pain conditions. BDNF has also been implicated in stress-related mood disorders. We screened and genotyped the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) in 99 Taiwanese (Asian) PDMs (20–30 years old) and 101 age-matched healthy female controls. We found that there was a significantly higher frequency of the Met allele of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in the PDM group. Furthermore, BDNF Met/Met homozygosity had a significantly stronger association with PDM compared with Val carrier status. Subsequent behavioral/hormonal assessments of sub-groups (PDMs = 78, controls = 81; eligible for longitudinal multimodal neuroimaging battery studies) revealed that the BDNF Met/Met homozygous PDMs exhibited a higher menstrual pain score (sensory dimension) and a more anxious mood than the Val carrier PDMs during the menstrual phase. Although preliminary, our study suggests that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with PDM in Taiwanese (Asian) people, and BDNF Met/Met homozygosity may be associated with an increased risk of PDM. Our data also suggest the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism as a possible regulator of menstrual pain and pain-related emotions in PDM. Absence of thermal hypersensitivity may connote an ethnic attribution. The presentation of our findings calls for further genetic and neuroscientific investigations of PDM.     

Effect of oral contraceptives and some psychological factors on the menstrual experience

This study attempts to clarify the etiology of menstrual distress by using objective measures of menstration, enlightened statistical treatment and standardized measures of psychological factors. In addition to observing the traditionally associated psychological factors, measures of health locus of control, preventive health behavior and menstrual socialization (e,g., age at menarche) are included in order to assess the relevance of attitudes towards health. 57 women (mean age=23.5 years), 1/2 of whom (29) used an oral contraceptive, completed Moos' menstrual distress questionnaire at each of the 3 menstrual phases. In addition they kept menstrual diary cards for 50 days, recording days on which menstrual blood loss occurred. During an intermenstrual phase, they completed a general information questionnaire with questions on menstrual socialization and demographic variables; Eysenck's personality inventory; the multidimensional health locus of control scale; the Bem sex role inventory; and a measure of preventive health behavior. Analyses investigating the effects of pill use and psychological factors on the incidence and intensity of menstrual distress found few significant associations between these measures, especially when symptom changes over the menstrual cycle were the dependent variables. The results generally support the notion that menstruation is a negative event for most women (2/3 of the sample). Neuroticism was found to correlate with all the premenstrual MDQ scores except the positive aspect of increased arousal, with negative affect at both menstrual and intermenstrual phases, with menstrual pain and with intermenstrual concentration. The regression analyses indicate that changes in symptoms of menstrual distress over the menstrual cycle are not well predicted by the measures investigated in this study. Of the few significant associations noted, most are explicable in common sense terms. The more objective approach adopted in this study gives little support for a psychological etiology of distres. However, it also queries the appropriateness of a physiological explanation because of the limited differences found between pill users and nonusers. The inability of locus of control scores, menstrual socialization measures and a preventive health behavior measure to contribute to the definition of a woman at risk, suggests that distress is not related to an individual's general health concepts nor perceived control. 1 aspect not investigated in this study and a topic for future research is the role of a woman's expectations on her experience.     

Influence of type of mechanical loading, menstrual status, and training season on bone density in young women athletes

Bone mineral density (BMD) variables were compared in 2 groups of women Division I collegiate athletes-gymnasts (GYM) and cross-country runners (CC)-during the preseason and during the competitive season. An osteogenic advantage may exist in women athletes involved in impact loading (gymnastics) over those women in active loading sports like long-distance running. The effects of menstrual status and the time of the training season on BMD also were examined. Dietary intake, menstrual status, BMD, and serum estradiol levels were measured during the preseason and during the competitive season in 26 women athletes (18-22 years of age). GYM had significantly higher BMD (p < 0.05) at all sites for both the pre- and posttests compared to CC. Neither group experienced a significant change (p > 0.05) in BMD between trials for any site; however, CC showed slight decreases at all BMD sites from baseline to the posttest. GYM had a higher prevalence of self-reported menstrual cycle disturbances than CC. No significant difference (p > 0.05) in BMD was found between the eumenorrheic and menstrual dysfunction groups (oligo/amenorrheic). In conclusion, the gymnasts had significantly higher (p < 0.05) BMD than the runners, suggesting BMD is influenced by the type of mechanical loading. Menstrual status did not significantly affect BMD in these women athletes. Cross-country runners were determined to be at greater risk than the gymnasts for low bone mass; thus, it is recommended that these athletes include more high-impact activities in their training regimen to optimize their bone health.     

Dieting Frequency in Obese Patients With Binge Eating Disorder: Behavioral and Metabolic Correlates

This study examined the clinical significance of self‐reported frequency of time spent dieting in obese patients with binge eating disorder (BED). A total of 207 treatment‐seeking obese BED patients (57 men and 150 women) were dichotomized by dieting frequency and gender and compared on a number of historical, psychological, and metabolic variables. Frequent dieters reported significantly earlier age of onset for binge eating, dieting, and obesity, more episodes of weight cycling, greater weight suppression, and greater eating disorder pathology than infrequent dieters; no differences, however, emerged on current binge eating frequency or psychological distress. Among women but not among men, frequent dieters had consistently lower chances of abnormalities in total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and the total/HDL cholesterol ratio while infrequent dieters had greater chances of abnormalities on these variables. Dietary restraint was inversely correlated with abnormalities in triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and the total/HDL cholesterol ratio but was unrelated to low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. In summary, frequent dieters of both genders had greater lifetime and current eating and weight concerns, and in women, decreased chance of metabolic abnormalities than infrequent dieters. Our findings suggest that frequent dieting attempts, particularly in women, are associated with greater eating disorder pathology but may have a beneficial effect on metabolic functioning and cardiovascular disease risk independent of actual weight status. These findings may have implications for clinical advice provided to obese BED patients.     

月经周期对女性睡眠-觉醒和静息-活动的影响

目前有关月经周期对睡眠影响的研究结果并不一致,而对月经周期中昼夜睡眠-觉醒及静息-活动节律尚缺乏系统性的研究.本研究旨在观察正常育龄期女性月经周期中睡眠-觉醒及静息-活动昼夜节律的变化.我们采用静息-活动监测仪(actigraphy)和睡眠日志,调查了12个自然生活状态下健康育龄期妇女在月经周期不同阶段,即行经期、围排卵期、黄体早期及黄体晚期中睡眠与活动节律的变化.结果显示,睡眠-觉醒节律参数在四期之间无统计学显著差异;而静息-活动节律方面,所有受试女性静息-活动节律的平均日周期长度为(24.01±0.29)h,并且四期之间无显著性差异.行经期日间稳定系数(interdaily stability,IS)比黄体早期显著增加(P＜0.05).黄体早期日间活动开始时间明显较黄体晚期提前(P＜0.05);黄体早期的活动峰值时相比围排卵期显著提前(P＜0.05).月经周期可以影响静息-活动昼夜节律时相.而总体静息-活动数量与质量未发生显著变化;健康育龄期妇女在月经周期的各阶段中睡眠-觉醒节律亦无明显变异.     

Time Trends in Population Prevalence of Eating Disorder Behaviors and Their Relationship to Quality of Life

Objective

To examine temporal trends in the burden of eating disorder (ED) features, as estimated by the composite of their prevalence and impact upon quality of life (QoL) over a period of 10 years.

Methodology

Representative samples of 3010 participants in 1998 and 3034 participants in 2008 from the South Australian adult population were assessed for endorsement of ED features (objective binge eating, extreme dieting, and purging were assessed in both years; subjective binge eating and extreme weight/shape concerns were also assessed in 2008) and QoL using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36).

Principal Findings

From 1998 to 2008 significant increases in the prevalence of objective binge eating (2.7% to 4.9%, p<0.01) and extreme dieting (1.5% to 3.3%, p<0.01), but not purging, were observed. Lower scores on the SF-36 were significantly associated with endorsement of any of these behaviors in both 1998 and 2008 (all p<0.001). No significant difference was observed in the effect of the endorsement of these ED behaviors on QoL between 1998 and 2008 (all p>0.05). Multiple linear regressions found that in 1998 only objective binge eating significantly predicted scores on the mental health summary scale of the SF-36; however, in 2008 extreme weight/shape concerns, extreme dieting, and subjective binge eating were also significant predictors. Objective binge eating and extreme dieting were significant predictors of scores on the physical health summary scale of the SF-36 in both 1998 and 2008.

Conclusions and Significance

The prevalence of ED behaviors increased between 1998 and 2008, while their impact on QoL remained stable. This suggests an overall increase in the burden of disordered eating from 1998 to 2008. Given that binge eating and extreme dieting predict impairment in QoL, the necessity of interventions to prevent both under- and over-eating is reinforced.     

Curative Effects of Two New Endometrial Ablation Procedures Using Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation for the Treatment of Severe Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Severe Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (SAUB) is a common gynecological disorder. The clinical characteristics include disordered menstrual cycle and massive bleeding that can cause anemia or secondary infection. Current treatment mainly relies on drug therapy or surgical removal of the uterus, each having its significant disadvantages. How to preserve the uterus, reduce the pain from surgery, and achieve better treatment effects have been well known but remaining as unresolved issues. This study aims at evaluating two types of radiofrequency (RF) thermocoagulation procedures for the treatment of SAUB: the RF-A procedure group included 25 SAUB patients ≥45 years of age treated for amenorrhea; the RF-B procedure group included 51 patients at <45 years of age treated for the control of excessive bleeding. Post-treatment ratings of menstrual satisfaction and pre-/post-treatment menstrual scores—pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC)—and hemoglobin levels were collected; and the mean length of follow-up was 72 months. Also, 38 SAUB patients treated with standard drug regimens served as a control group. The results of the study showed that following RF treatment, the average long-term patient menstrual satisfaction was greater than 92 %. In both the RF groups, PBAC scores and hemoglobin levels were significantly improved from baseline (p < .05). Compared with the control group, PBAC scores and hemoglobin levels were also significantly better for the RF groups at 6–24-month post-operation. Patients experienced no hysterectomy in association with the RF procedures. In conclusion, this pilot study suggests that the novel RF procedures are both safe and effective in treating patients with SAUB. Further investigation is necessary to evaluate their application in broader clinical indication.     

Effects of menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use on calf venous compliance

Numerous studies have shown that the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone have multiple effects on the vasculature. Thus our goal was to investigate the effects of estrogen and progesterone on calf venous compliance by looking for cyclic changes during the early follicular, ovulatory, and midluteal phases of the menstrual cycle and during high and low hormone phases of oral contraceptive use. Additionally, we wanted to compare the venous compliance of normally menstruating women, oral contraceptive users, and men. We studied eight normally menstruating women (23 +/- 1 yr of age) during the early follicular, ovulatory, and midluteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Nine triphasic oral contraceptive users (21 +/- 1 yr of age) were studied during weeks of high and low hormone concentrations. Eight men (23 +/- 1 yr of age) were studied twice within 2-4 wk. With the use of venous occlusion plethysmography with mercury in-Silastic strain gauges, lower limb venous compliance was measured by inflating a venous collection cuff that was placed on the thigh to 60 mmHg for 8 min and then reducing the pressure to 0 mmHg at a rate of 1 mmHg/s. Venous compliance was calculated as the derivative of the pressure-volume curves. There were no differences between early follicular, ovulatory, and midluteal phases of the menstrual cycle or between high and low hormone phases of oral contraceptive use (P > 0.05). Male venous compliance was significantly greater than in normally menstruating women (P < 0.001) and oral contraceptive users (P < 0.002). These data support a sex difference but also suggest that venous compliance does not change with menstrual cycle phase or during the course of oral contraceptive use.     

Seasonal studies of the biology of Achtheres percarum in perch, Perca fluviatilis, from four Finnish lakes over a 3-year period

Achtheres percarum infection on the gills of perch Perca fluviatilis was studied from four lakes in central Finland in monthly or bimonthly samples of fish during a 3-year period. The highest prevalence and intensity of infection (30%, 0.7 copepods/fish) were found in the oligotrophic, unpolluted Lake Peurunka and the lowest (6%, 0.1 copepods/fish) in the eutrophic and polluted Lake Vatia. According to hierarchical loglinear models the prevalence of A. percarum infection was related to the lake, but not to the year. However, when logit models were constructed such that two 'seasons' ('cold' and 'warm' periods) were included, it was apparent that the year also influenced the prevalence of A. percarum , but only during the 'warm' period of the year. Achtheres percarum had an age dependent relationship only in Lake Peurunka, where the infection increased with increasing age of the fish. Some developmental stages of A. percarum parasitizing the gills of perch are described. Data on the seasonal occurrence of A. percarum developmental stages are given and it is suggested that at least two generations are produced annually.     

Asymmetry and the menstrual cycle in women

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is small random deviations from perfect bilateral symmetry that are thought to accumulate during development. FA is therefore a measure of one component of fitness, that is, developmental stability. This work is not concerned with permanent between-individual differences in asymmetries but rather with temporary within-individual changes in asymmetry that are related to the menstrual cycle (cyclical asymmetry, CA). We present evidence from studies of non-sexually selected traits (ear and digit size) and a sexually selected trait (breast size) that, in characters made up wholly or in part of soft tissue, CA varies across the menstrual cycle in women. It is highest at the beginning and end of the cycle, when women are generally infertile, and low in mid-cycle, when fertility is highest. Furthermore in mid-cycle there is an indication of a transitory (24-hour) increase in CA followed by a substantial decrease, which may indicate ovulation. Temporal changes in CA could therefore be used by males to indicate a female's position in the cycle. We discuss these findings in relation to (1) our understanding of the evolution of human mating systems, (2) the practical implications of these data in the treatment of infertility and to facilitate contraception, and (3) their relevance to exercise and dieting as a means to minimize across-cycle increases in asymmetry.     

Social jetlag and menstrual symptoms among female university students

Menstrual symptoms may have a significant impact on women’s lives. Many women experience menses-related health problems, such as menstrual pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and premenstrual syndrome, during their reproductively fertile years. Circadian misalignment in shift workers has been reported to contribute to menstrual cycle irregularity and/or painful menstruation. However, the relationship between social jetlag (SJL) and menstrual symptoms/menstrual cycle has not been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to elucidate this relationship among female university students. One-hundred and fifty female university students (mean [SD]: 18.8 [0.71]-years old) completed self-reported questionnaires consisting of menstrual symptoms and menstrual cycle, sleep quality and sleep habits, quality of life, and demographic variables. The average menstrual cycle was 32.0 [5.4] days. The percentage of students who showed menstrual cycle irregularity, having less than 25 days or more than 39 days of menstrual cycle during the previous four menstrual cycles, was 60.6%. SJL, the difference between mid-sleep time on free days and mid-sleep time on school days, was categorized into small (absolute SJL < 1 h) or large (≥1 h). Overall, 78.0% of participants had SJL ≥ 1 h. Among the menstrual symptoms, pain, behavioral change, and water retention subscale scores were significantly higher in the SJL ≥ 1 h group than in the SJL < 1 h group. However, no significant differences were found in concentration, autonomic reaction, or negative affect subscale scores between the two groups. The menstrual cycle was 31.2 [5.5] days in the SJL < 1 h group and 32.2 [5.4] days in the SJL ≥ 1 h group, without significant difference. Logistic regression analysis showed that more than 1 h of SJL was a significant associated factor with severe menstrual symptom, independently of sleep duration and late chronotype. This study indicated that SJL was a significant factor associated with severe menstrual symptoms, suggesting the possibilities of association between circadian system and reproductive function among humans.     

Effect of ibuprofen on menstrual blood prostaglandin levels in dysmenorrheic women

In a randomized crossover study 15 dysmenorrheic women were treated during two consecutive menstrual periods, once with the potent prostaglandin-synthesis inhibitor: ibuprofen and once with an identical looking placebo. Each patient was medicated for 12 hours during the first day of her menstrual flow and was subsequently fitted with a cervical cup for the collection of menstrual blood during three hours. In these samples the concentrations of prostaglandin (PG)F and PGE were measured by radioimmunoassay.The patients receiving placebo had high PGF levels 135 ± 27 ng/ml (Mean ± S.E.) which were significantly reduced by Ibuprofen to 24 ± 5 ng/ml (P<0.001). The PGE concentrations decreased from 5 ± 1 ng/ml to 2 ± 1 ng/ml (P<0.05). Ibuprofen also reduced the menstrual pain significantly (P<0.001). These results substantiate the earlier conclusion that a causal relationship exists between effective treatment with PG-synthesis inhibitors and decrease in menstrual blood PG levels, intrauterine pressure and dysmenorrheic pain.     

Hepatitis C virus screening trends: A 2016 update of the National Health Interview Survey

Background50% of liver cancer is caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). Baby boomers are at increased risk and are recommended for one-time HCV screening. However, <13% of baby boomers were screened in 2015.Materials and methodsWe are updating a previous study using 2013–2015 NHIS data to examine HCV screening prevalence by birth cohort, with 2016 data. We used logistic regression to evaluate whether HCV screening prevalence changed over time, stratified by birth cohort.Results and discussionThe sample consisted of 132,742 participants from 2013–2016. Screening increased in baby boomers from 11.9 to 14.1%. Odds of HCV screening for baby boomers was significantly associated with age, gender, race/ethnicity, and other variables and increased significantly with each subsequent year (aOR = 1.21, aOR = 1.33, aOR = 1.42, consecutively). While HCV screening is increasing over time, there is still room for improvement and future interventions should focus on increasing HCV screening among groups demonstrating significantly lower screening prevalence.     

Mathematically Derived Body Volume and Risk of Musculoskeletal Pain among Housewives in North India

Background

Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 demonstrates the impact of musculoskeletal diseases as the second greatest cause of disability globally in all regions of the world. The study was conducted to determine the role of mathematically derived body volume (BV), body volume index (BVI), body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA) and body fat % (BF %) on musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among housewives in National Capital Region (NCR).

Methods

A cross sectional study was undertaken among 495 housewives from Gurgaon and New Okhla Industrial Development Area (NOIDA) in National Capital Region (NCR), New Delhi, India. The study includes questionnaire survey, clinical examination and body composition monitoring among housewives.

Results

A significantly higher BMI, BVI, BV and BSA were observed in subjects with MSP as compared to those who had no MSP. This was also true for subjects with pain in knee for BMI category for overweight. Subjects with pain in limbs had significantly high BMI and BVI as compared to subjects with no MSP. A significant positive correlation of age with BMI, BVI, BV and BSA was observed among subjects having no MSP denoting a direct relationship of age and these body factors.

Conclusions

The prevalence of MSP among housewives is associated with increasing age, BMI and BVI. This can possibly be used for formulating a strategy for prevention of MSP.     

Comparison of Attitudes and Behaviors Related to Nutrition,Body Size,Dieting, and Hunger in Russian,Black-American,and White-American Adolescents

Attitudes and behaviors related to nutrition are known to differ between white-American and black-American adolescents, however, little is known about teenagers from Russia. We hypothesized that, compared with white-American or black-American teenagers, Russian teenagers would prefer a larger body size, be less likely to diet, and be less concerned about being overweight. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 196 students in Moscow, 326 white-American, and 239 black-American adolescents who attended school in North Carolina (mean age = 16). Ideal body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured height and the response to the question, “What do you consider to be your ideal weight?” Mean ideal BMI was higher in black-American boys (25.1) and girls (21.4) than in white-American boys (22.1) and girls (19.2), and Russian boys (21.8) and girls (19.1). After controlling for BMI, black-American girls were less than half as likely to report dieting compared with white-American girls. There were no significant differences among white-American girls and Russian girls, and there were no ethnic differences between boys in the prevalence of dieting. White-American girls and black-American girls were much more likely to identify being overweight as an important nutritional concern than were Russian girls (odds ratios >10), and there were no ethnic differences among boys. We conclude that preferences for body size, the prevalence of dieting, and concerns about being overweight were similar in Russian and white-American teens, with the exception of Russian teenaged girls who were less likely than American girls to identify being overweight as an important concern. Overall, weight-related attitudes and behaviors in Russian teenagers were more similar to those of white-American teenagers than those of black-American teenagers.     

Obesity and pain are associated in the United States

Recent small-scale studies have shown a positive association between central obesity and self-reported pain levels. This study attempts to replicate the finding in a survey of over 1,000,000 individuals in the United States. The Gallup Organization conducted a proprietary survey between 2008 through 2010 where 1,062,271 randomly selected individuals in the United States participated in a telephone interview. Survey questions included height and weight, from which BMI was computed, questions about pain conditions in the past year, and a question about pain experience yesterday. Only 36.8% [corrected] of the sample was classified as Low-Normal BMI, 38.6 [corrected] were classified as Overweight, and the remainder was in the three categories of Obese. BMI and pain yesterday were reliably associated when demographic variables were controlled: the overweight group reported 20% higher rates of pain than Low-Normal group, 68% higher for Obese I group, 136% higher for Obese II group, and 254% higher for Obese III group. The association held for both men and women and it became stronger in older age groups. Controlling the associations for other pain-related medical conditions substantially reduced the associations, but they remained substantial for the Obese groups. We conclude that BMI and daily pain are positively correlated in the United States: people who are obese are considerably more prone to having daily pain. The association is robust and holds after controlling for several pain conditions and across gender and age. The increasing BMI-pain association with older ages suggests a developmental process that, along with metabolic hypotheses, calls out for investigation.