Prevalence and Covariates of Obesity in Lebanon: Findings from the First Epidemiological Study

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and examine associated covariates in the Lebanese population. Research Methods and Procedures: A cross‐sectional survey of a representative sample of 2104 individuals, 3 years of age and older. Anthropometric measurements and dietary assessments were conducted following standard methods and techniques. Overweight and obesity (classes I to III) were defined according to internationally standardized criteria for classification of BMI. Results: For children 3 to 19 years of age, prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were higher overall for boys than girls (22.5% vs. 16.1% and 7.5% vs. 3.2%, respectively). For adult men and women (age ≥ 20 years), the prevalence of overweight was 57.7% and 49.4%, respectively. In contrast, obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) was higher overall among women (18.8%) than men (14.3%), a trend that became more evident with increasing obesity class. BMI, percentage of body fat, and waist circumference increased to middle age and declined thereafter. Whereas lack of exercise associated significantly with obesity among children, obesity in older adults was more prevalent among the least educated, nonsmokers, and those reporting a family history of obesity. Discussion: The results from this national population‐based study in Lebanon show high prevalence rates of overweight and obesity comparable with those observed in developed countries such as the United States. While further studies are needed to examine the underlying social and cultural factors associated with lifestyle and nutritional habits, now is the time to institute multicomponent interventions promoting physical activity and weight control nationwide.     

鄂西北武当山区野生植物资源调查及开发对策

新阶段推进农业结构战略性调整 ,增加农民收入 ,山区的亮点在于发挥比较优势 ,开发特色资源。本文运用市场经济价值法则 ,对武当山区的野生资源进行了初步调查和分类 ,并提出了科学开发的对策     

重庆市武隆县和彭水县交界处白颊黑叶猴种群初步调查

1998年4月至2001年12月,对重庆市武隆县和彭水县交界处的白颊黑叶猴种群进行了4次调查。结果表明,该交界处有4个黑叶猴家族群栖息,其中数量最多的1群曾达到17－18只个体,最少的1群为5只左右,目前调查统计到的个体总数量约40－45只。以常绿阔叶树为主的“斑块状”天然阔叶林地是黑叶猴栖息地生境的主要特征。影响武隆县和彭水县黑叶猴种群数量和分布区缩减的主要原因是：人类频繁活动、栖息地破碎化和生境条件的变化,很大可能还有生殖隔离的影响。     

狶科化石一新种在内蒙古上始新统的发现

记述了在我国内蒙古沙拉木仑地区晚始新世乌兰戈楚组中发现的科化石———内蒙古短面 (新种 ) (Brachyhyopsneimongolensissp .nov .)。新种的主要特征是 :下颌骨深 ,前臼齿部分更缩短 ,下缘明显斜向前上方 ,颊齿主尖高锐 ,脊形 ,上臼齿梯形 ,已形成原脊 ,原尖位置靠后 ,M3具次尖 ,后齿带弱。研究表明Eoentelodon和Brachyhyops在下颌骨具骨质突起的刍形 ,前部缩短 ,下颌骨联合达p3,p3与p4彼此紧靠 ,下臼齿的下前尖与下后尖明显分开 ,以及上颊齿的形态上都很接近。Eoentelodon为Brachyhyops的后出同物异名     

BMI and Metabolic Disorders in South Korean Adults: 1998 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey

Objective: The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and metabolic disorders and their relationship with BMI were studied in South Korean adults. The appropriate BMI categories for overweight and obesity for Koreans were evaluated. Research Methods and Procedures: The 1998 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was the first such survey, to our knowledge, conducted on a cross‐sectional and nationally representative population. The survey provided data on body weight; height; fasting serum glucose; triacylglycerol; total, low‐density lipoprotein, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol; blood pressure; and various other questions that were incorporated into this study. A total of 39, 060 persons over the age of 1 year from 12, 283 households participated in the Health and Nutrition Interview Survey. Of these, 10, 876 people over the age of 10 years old participated in the Health Examination. We analyzed data from 7962 adults over the age of 20 years old. Results: The overweight (BMI, ≥25.0 to <30.0) and obesity (BMI, ≥30) rates were low among Korean adults: 23.4% and 1.7% in men and 24.9% and 3.2% in women, respectively. However, the prevalences of diabetes, hypertension, and abnormal concentrations of serum triacylglycerol and total, low‐density lipoprotein, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were high at 10.5%, 27.1%, 29.0%, 34.5%, 28.4%, and 37.4%, respectively. These disorders were age dependent, and, in general, there was a strong linear relationship between BMI and the disorders. The relative risk of disorders doubled at a BMI of 23.0 to 24.0 and tripled at a BMI of 26.0, compared with a baseline BMI of 18.5 to 22.0. Discussion: High rates of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were noted in middle‐aged and elderly Koreans even at relatively low BMI. It might be appropriate to lower the BMI classification from the current ≥25.0 for overweight and ≥30.0 for obesity for this group of Koreans.     

Estimating bird species richness: How should repeat surveys be organized in time?

Abstract Estimates of species richness for a given area require that repeat surveys be taken, so that the statistical robustness of the estimate can be assessed. But how should these repeat surveys be organized in time? Here we present a case study of Australian woodland birds, surveyed using the ‘active timed area search’ method, which has become the standard unit for the Australian Bird Atlas, a continental‐scale bird survey. To date, there has been no assessment of how estimates of species richness derived from this method are affected by the temporal organization of the repeat surveys. For instance, can conducting the repeat surveys in sequence on the same day effectively capture richness, or will additional species be obtained by repeating the surveys on different days within a season? If so, does the spacing of the repeat visits throughout the season have an effect? To answer these questions, we surveyed woodland birds in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia, during late spring–summer 1999–2000, and compared the performance of two different temporal configurations of repeat visits to sites: (i) six repeat surveys performed on the same day; and (ii) three repeat surveys on different days. For both, we calculated the average number of species actually sighted and also estimated total species richness. The data supported our hypothesis that the same‐day surveys would yield fewer species and underestimate total species richness. The different‐day repeats captured significantly more species per unit of survey effort, and yielded a higher richness estimate. However, the timespan over which different‐day surveys were conducted within a season did not have a significant influence on species richness estimates, evincing a qualitative advantage to surveying on different days, regardless of the spacing of repeat visits. These results may be of assistance to conservation managers when planning cost‐efficient monitoring regimes.     

Testa and seed appendage morphology in Aeschynanthus (Gesneriaceae): phytogeographical patterns and taxonomic implications

The current sectional classification of the genus Aeschynanthus Jack, essentially based on seed morphology, presents some problems of species placement. A comparative SEM survey of seed and seed appendages was undertaken in order to assess the value of this classification. Seeds of 99 taxa (that is about two‐thirds of the estimated total) were examined and found to fall into two types, A and B. Type A has spiral testa cell orientation, papillae formed from a single cell and short smooth appendages. Type B is recognized by the straight orientation of the testa cells, combined with the presence of papillae formed from the raised ends of two adjacent cells on the long hair‐like appendages and usually on the testa. Only six of the investigated species did not fall into either category. Three have straight testa cell orientation combined with single‐cell papillae and short smooth appendages; the papillae and appendage characters place them in type A. Three have spiral testa cell orientation and short smooth appendages but the testa cells have slightly raised ends; these are also placed in Type A. The three subtypes in Type A are equivalent to the sections Haplotrichium s.s., Microtrichium and Aeschynanthus, but the divisions are less clear than those within Type B. However, other morphological characters support sectional separation. Type B subdivides into three: two subtypes equivalent to sections Polytrichium and Diplotrichium, and a third encompassing section Xanthanthos together with part of the current sect. Haplotrichium, and here referred to as sect. X. There is sufficient morphological correlation with seed type to make the sectional position of many species clear without recourse to seed, particularly in sects Polytrichium, Diplotrichium, Haplotrichium S.S. and Aeschynanthus. There is strong correlation between seed type and geographical distribution. Sects. Microtrichium and Aeschynanthus, with Type A seed, are essentially Malesian. Groups with Type B seed are largely confined to mainland south and south‐east Asia, except for sect. Polytrichium which is more widespread, possibly due to the greater effectiveness of a coma of hairs in wind dispersal. It is suggested that Type A seed, probably sect. Microtrichium, is the least determined and Type B sect. Polytrichium the most derived seed type. Based on these findings a revised key to the sections is provided.     

Quality of Life after Lap‐Band Placement: Influence of Time,Weight Loss,and Comorbidities

Objective: To assess the quality of life (QOL) in severely obese subjects before and after Lap‐Band gastric restrictive surgery and identify factors that may influence change. Research Methods and Procedures: All patients, over a 3‐year period, attending for preoperative assessment (n = 459) or annual review after surgery (n = 641) have completed the Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) health survey. Eight domain and physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores were calculated. Scores were analyzed in groups based on time after surgery and compared with community normal (CN) values. Paired preoperative and 1‐year scores (n = 218) data were used to find predictors of QOL change. Results: All preoperative mean scores (n = 459) were lower than CN values, with greater impairment in the PCS (36.8 ± 9.5 vs. CN: 51.3 ± 8.3, p < 0.001) than in the MCS (45.7 ± 8.2 vs. CN: 48.8 ± 9.5, p < 0.001) scores. After 1 year, scores were closer to CN scores (PCS: 52.4 ± 8.2 and MCS: 48.4 ± 7.7), and these remained closer for 4 years. Preoperative obesity comorbidity, especially physical disability, was the best predictor of poor preoperative SF‐36 scores and of improvement in scores at 1 year. The percentage of excess weight loss at 1 year (46 ± 16%) was of little predictive value of improved QOL. Discussion: Severely obese subjects have poor health‐related QOL as measured by the SF‐36 health survey. Lap‐Band surgery for this group has provided a dramatic and sustained improvement in all measures of the SF‐36. Improvement is greater in those with greater preoperative disability, and the extent of weight loss is not a good predictor of improved QOL.