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Background: Although prenatal iron-containing supplements have been associated with lower anemia prevalence in later pregnancy, few trials have examined the effect of supplements on the anemia status of post-partum women and their infants. Objective: We compared the effects of folic acid alone (FA), iron-folic acid (IFA) and multiple micronutrients (MMN) when provided to pregnant women with no or mild anemia on the hemoglobin levels of post-partum women and their infants at 6 and 12 months of age. We also examined the potential modifying effect of maternal hemoglobin concentration at enrollment. Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in China; 18,775 nulliparous women with a hemoglobin concentration > 100 g/L were randomly assigned to receive daily FA (400 μg); IFA (FA, Fe 30 mg), or MMN (FA, Fe and 13 micronutrients) from before 20 gestational weeks until delivery. Results: Compared with daily prenatal FA, supplementation with IFA or MMN did not affect the prevalence of anemia at 4–6 weeks post-partum (27.2%, 26.8%, and 26.3%, respectively). At 6 months of age, the anemia prevalence in infants was 6.9%, 6.7%, and 6.7%, respectively. Findings were similar at 12 months of age. Among both post-partum women and infants, findings were similar across all levels of hemoglobin at enrollment. Conclusions: Compared to FA alone, prenatal IFA and MMN provided to women with no or mild anemia did not affect anemia in women post-partum or their infants regardless of baseline maternal hemoglobin concentration at enrollment.

Background/Objectives:: In 2009, the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan launched a national Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCN) program which included point-of-use fortification of foods with micronutrient powders (MNP) containing iron, vitamin A, and other micronutrients. Caretakers of children aged 6–23 months were given 30 sachets of MNP every 2 months. Micronutrient surveys were conducted in 2009 and 2013. The objective of the study was to compare the prevalence of anemia and deficiencies of iron and vitamin A among children aged 6–29 months prior to the MNP program (2009) with those after full implementation (2013). Subjects/Methods:: Cross-sectional national surveys were conducted in 2009 (n= 666) and 2013 (n= 2150). Capillary blood samples were collected to measure hemoglobin, iron (ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor [sTfR]) and vitamin A (retinol binding protein [RBP]) status, and inflammation status (C-reactive protein [CRP] and α-1-acid glycoprotein [AGP]). Ferritin, sTfR, and RBP were adjusted for inflammation; hemoglobin was adjusted for altitude. Results:: The prevalence of anemia was non-significantly lower in 2013 compared to 2009 (32.7% vs. 39.0%, p= 0.076). Prevalence of inflammation-adjusted iron deficiency (54.8% vs. 74.2%, p<0.001) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA, 25.5% vs. 35.1%, p= 0.003) were lower and the prevalence of inflammation-adjusted vitamin A deficiency was higher (4.3% vs. 2.0%, p= 0.013) in 2013 compared to 2009. Conclusions:: Four years after the initiation of a national Infant and Young Child Nutrition program including the introduction of point-of-use fortification with MNP, the prevalence of iron deficiency and IDA is lower, but the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency is higher.

BACKGROUND Beyond perinatal folic acid supplementation, the need for additional prenatal prophylaxis of iron with or without other micronutrients remains unclear. We aim to investigate the maternal and infant health effects of iron plus folic acid and multiple micronutrient supplements vs folic acid alone when provided to pregnant women with no or mild anemia. METHODS In this randomized double-blind controlled trial, 18 775 nulliparous pregnant women with mild or no anemia were enrolled from 5 counties of northern China from May 2006 through April 2009. Women were randomly assigned to daily folic acid (400 μg) (control), folic acid–iron (30 mg), or folic acid, iron, and 13 additional vitamins and minerals provided before 20 weeks gestation to delivery. Primary outcome was perinatal mortality. Secondary outcomes included neonatal and infant mortality, preterm delivery, birth weight, birth length, gestational duration, and maternal hemoglobin concentration and anemia. RESULTS A total of 92.7% of women consumed 80% to 100% of supplements as instructed. On average, women consumed 177 supplements. Compared with daily prenatal folic acid, supplementation with iron–folic acid with or without other micronutrients did not affect the rate of perinatal mortality (8.8, 8.7, and 8.3, respectively) per 1000 births, and relative risks (RRs) were 1.00 (95% CI, 0.68-1.46; P = .99) and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.64-1.39; P = .76), respectively. Risk of other adverse maternal and infant outcomes also did not differ, except that RRs for third-trimester maternal anemia were 0.72 (95% CI, 0.63-0.83; P < .001) and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.62-0.82; P < .001), respectively. CONCLUSION Prenatal iron–folic acid and other micronutrient supplements provided to Chinese women with no or mild anemia prevented later pregnancy anemia beyond any benefit conferred by folic acid alone but did not affect perinatal mortality or other infant outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00133744

AbstractObjective: To examine the prevalence and association of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) with trying to lose weight and with weight loss practices (eating fewer calories, physical activity, and both) among overweight and obese U.S. adults ≥ 20 years of age.Research Methods and Procedures: This study used data from the 2001 to 2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a continuous annual survey of the civilian non-institutionalized U.S. population. This analysis included those ≥ 20 years of age with BMI ≥ 25 (n = 2578) who responded to four standard HRQOL measures that assessed general health status and recent physical health, mental health, and activity limitation.Results: Among obese men, but not women, there were significant increasing linear trends in the adjusted prevalence of trying to lose weight as physically unhealthy and activity limitation days increased. Regardless of BMI or HRQOL, reducing calories was a common weight loss practice (66% to 86%). Except for recent activity limitation, respondents with BMI ≥ 35 did not generally differ by HRQOL level in the attainment of recommended physical activity either alone or in combination with reduced calories, whereas those in the BMI 25 to 34.9 groups often differed significantly by HRQOL level. Specifically, increased unhealthy or activity limitation days were associated with reduced prevalence of attained physical activity.Discussion: Our findings indicate an association between trying to lose weight and a greater number of unhealthy days reported by obese men, suggesting that these men may be influenced by traditional clinical weight-loss counseling that is prompted by weight and comorbidity, whereas women had a high prevalence of trying to lose weight irrespective of weight and HRQOL. Assessment of HRQOL, especially measures that evaluate physical domains, could provide subjective information to assist with weight counseling.

AbstractCompared with younger adults, older people experience additional health, social, and environmental conditions that affect their dietary intake. To identify those additional dimensions and examine them in association with fruit and vegetable intake, data of 4,622 participants in NHANES III (1988–1994), ages 60 years and over, were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression modeling. Results showed that participants at highest risk of consuming fruits and vegetables in the lowest quartile were those socially isolated, with missing pairs of posterior teeth, with poor self-reported health and those who were obese. To prevent downward spiraling health, barriers must be addressed in intervention programs.

AbstractObjectives: The prevalence of childhood overweight in the United States has markedly increased over the last 30 years. We examined differences in the secular trends for BMI, weight, and height among white, black, and Mexican-American children.Research Methods and Procedures: Analyses were based on nationally representative data collected from 2 to 17 year olds in four examinations (1971–1974 through 1999–2002).Results: Overall, black children experienced much larger secular increases in BMI, weight, and height than did white children. For example, over the 30-year period, the prevalence of overweight increased ∼3-fold (4% to 13%) among 6- to 11-year-old white children but 5-fold (4% to 20%) among black children. In most sex-age groups, Mexican-American children experienced increases in BMI and overweight that were between those experienced by blacks and whites. Race/ethnicity differences were less marked among 2 to 5 year olds, and in this age group, white children experienced the largest increase in overweight (from 4% to 9%). In 1999–2002, the prevalence of extreme BMI levels (≥99th percentile) reached 6% to 7% among black girls and Mexican-American boys.Discussion: Because of the strong tracking of childhood BMI levels into adulthood, it is likely that the secular increases in childhood overweight will greatly increase the burden of adult disease. The further development of obesity interventions in different racial/ethnic groups should be emphasized.

Objective: The possibility that there are racial differences in the patterns of BMI (kilograms per meter squared) change throughout life has not been examined. For example, the high prevalence of obesity among black women could result from a higher prevalence of obesity among black girls or because normal‐weight black girls experience larger BMI increases in adolescence or adulthood than do their white counterparts. Therefore, we examined the tracking of childhood BMI into adulthood in a biracial (36% black) sample. Research Methods and Procedures: Five‐ to 14‐year‐old children (2392) were followed for (mean) 17 years. Childhood overweight was defined as BMI ≥ 95th percentile, and adult obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Results: The tracking of childhood BMI differed between whites and blacks. Among overweight children, 65% of white girls vs. 84% of black girls became obese adults, and predictive values among boys were 71% (whites) vs. 82% (blacks). These racial differences reflected contrasting patterns in the rate of BMI change. Although the initial BMI of black children was not higher than that of white children, BMI increases with age were larger among black girls and overweight black boys than among their white counterparts. In contrast, relatively thin (BMI < 50th percentile) white boys were more likely to become overweight adults than were their black counterparts. Discussion: These findings emphasize the black/white differences in BMI changes with age. Because of the adult health consequences of childhood‐onset obesity, early prevention should be given additional emphasis.

Objective. The authors examined vitamin/supplement (V/S) use and its relationship to sociodemographics, health behaviors, and health conditions among adults in 13 states.Methods. This investigation used 2001 data from a cross-sectional study of non-institutionalized adults aged ⩾18 years, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.Results. Of 45,415 respondents with complete data (18,723 males and 26,692 females), 56.5% (n=5,652) reported current V/S use. After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education, the authors found a statistically significant association between V/S use and positive health risk behavior (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.46; p<0.001). Also, V/S use was found to increase with age (p<0.001). No association was found between V/S use and the absence of specific chronic disease conditions (adjusted OR=0.93; p=0.052).Conclusions. People who used V/S in the states surveyed were more likely to demonstrate positive health risk behaviors than those who did not report V/S use. Thus it appears that individuals who are most likely to use V/S are least likely to need V/S. It is crucial that individuals report quantity and frequency of V/S use when providing medical or diet histories to health care providers.

Objective: To examine the prevalence and correlates of trying to lose weight among U.S. adults, describe weight loss strategies, and assess attainment of recommendations for weight control (eating fewer calories and physical activity). Research Methods and Procedures: This study used the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a state‐based telephone survey of adults ≥18 years of age (N= 184, 450) conducted in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in 2000. Results: The prevalence of trying to lose weight was 46% (women) and 33% (men). Women reported trying to lose weight at a lower BMI than did men; 60% of overweight women were trying to lose weight, but men did not reach this level until they were obese. Adults who had a routine physician checkup in the previous year and reported medical advice to lose weight vs. checkup and no medical advice to lose weight had a higher prevalence of trying to lose weight (81% women and 77% men vs. 41% women and 28% men, respectively). The odds of trying to lose weight increased as years of education increased. Among respondents who were trying to lose weight, ∼19% of women and 22% of men reported using fewer calories and ≥150 min/wk leisure‐time physical activity. Discussion: A higher percentage of women than men were trying to lose weight; both sexes used similar weight loss strategies. Education and medical advice to lose weight were strongly associated with trying to lose weight. Most persons trying to lose weight were not using minimum recommended weight loss strategies.

Objective:To examine the variation in the prevalences of obesity and type 2 diabetes in weight loss counseling by health providers and in other potential obesity‐related determinants in 100 metropolitan statistical areas in the United States. Research Methods and Procedures:We performed a cross‐sectional study using data from the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the largest telephone survey of health behaviors in the United States, of age‐adjusted prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes, intake of ≥five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, participation in 150 minutes of leisure‐time physical activity per week, receipt of weight management advice, and reports of trying to lose or maintain weight among men and women more than 18 years old. Results:The age‐adjusted prevalence of obesity ranged from 13.1% to 30.0% and that of type 2 diabetes from 3.3% to 9.2%. Among participants who had visited a physician for a routine checkup in the previous 12 months, 13.1% to 27.1% of all participants recalled receiving advice from a health professional about their weight, and 11.7% to 34.6% of overweight or obese participants recalled receiving advice to maintain or lose weight. Discussion:Significant differences in the prevalence of obesity and self‐reported type 2 diabetes and in medical practice patterns regarding weight management advice exist among metropolitan statistical areas. These results suggest important opportunities to investigate reasons for these variations that could potentially be used to mitigate the current epidemic of obesity and to identify areas where obesity and diabetes prevention efforts may need to be targeted.

Objective. The authors describe an outbreak of beriberi in a detention center in Taiwan and examine risk factors for illness.Methods. A survey was conducted among a sample of 176 randomly selected detainees. A menu-assisted dietary recall method was used to obtain diet information from nine hospitalized detainees. A probable case patient was defined as an individual who had at least two of the following characteristics: leg edema, weakness of the extremities, poor appetite, and dyspnea. Possible case patients were those who had only one of these characteristics.Results. Of the 176 survey respondents, 19% were classified as probable case patients and 40% as possible case patients. The mortality rate based on probable cases was 1.1%. Body Mass Index (BMI) was negatively associated with illness (p<0.0001), and length of stay in the detention center was independently positively associated with illness (p<0.05). The average intake of dietary thiamine among the nine hospitalized case patients who completed three-day dietary recall surveys was 0.49±0.1 mg/day. After thiamine administration, all symptoms and signs of beriberi resolved.Conclusion. This outbreak is a reminder of the importance of ensuring adequate diets for poor, institutionalized, or refugee populations who are unable to supplement their diets.

Objective:To describe weight‐control practices and receipt of weight‐loss advice among obese people with asthma. Research Methods and Procedures:We analyzed data from the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Results:Among 13,953 participants with current asthma, 27.3% had a body mass index of ≥30 kg/m2. Overall, 48.1% of participants with asthma reported trying to lose weight (64.1% among overweight or obese participants and 72.9% among obese participants). Among participants with asthma who were trying to lose or maintain weight, 74.7% reported trying to reduce their energy and/or fat intake, and 57.8% reported using physical activity. Approximately 29.7% were using the recommended combination of energy and/or fat intake reduction and physical activity of ≥150 min/wk. During the 12 months before the interview, 16.2% of overweight and 44.9% of obese participants with asthma reported receiving advice to lose weight. Among obese participants receiving weight‐loss advice, 82.9% reported trying to lose weight compared to 63.8% of participants who did not receive such advice. Discussion:Health professionals can play an important role in educating their patients with asthma about the importance of weight control and assisting their overweight and obese patients in setting appropriate weight goals and helping them achieve those goals.

Background.Assessing the diets of children presents unique methodological challenges. Validity and reliability studies of recalls, records, food frequency questionnaires (FFQs), diet histories, and observations among children were reviewed.

• OBJECTIVE. —To determine if there were trends in underweight, short stature, and obesity among 1- through 5-yearold Mescalero (NM) Apache Indian children from 1968 through 1988. DESIGN. —Cross-sectional review of hospital clinic charts for five cohorts. SETTING. —General pediatric outpatient clinic at the Mescalero Indian Health Service Hospital. Participants.—Sixty-nine patients aged 1 through 5 years in 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, or 1988 for whom weight and height were recorded during a well-child visit that occurred in the respective year. SELECTION PROCEDURES. —Approximately half the charts were screened for eligibility through systematic sampling for all years except 1988; for 1988 all available charts were screened for eligibility for the study. INTERVENTIONS. —None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS. —We found trends of decreasing prevalence of both underweight (defined as weight-forheight below the fifth percentile) and short stature (defined as height-for-age below the fifth percentile) based on the Centers for Disease Control/World Health Organization growth reference. We found no secular trends in obesity (weight-forheight above the 95th percentile), although the prevalences throughout the 21-year period were as much as two to four times higher than expected when compared with the Centers for Disease Control/World Health Organization reference. There has been an upward shift in both weight-for-height and height-for-age distributions since 1968, indicating that Mescalero children today are, on average, heavier and taller. CONCLUSIONS. —Underweight and short stature decreased among Mescalero preschool children from 1968 through 1988, suggesting nutritional improvements. However, given the current high prevalence of obesity, it is recommended that surveillance of nutritional status be continued and appropriate interventions be developed to treat and prevent obesity in this population.(AJDC. 1992;146:1194-1198)

• The prevalence of obesity among native American children ranks with the highest in the United States. However, little is known about associated risk factors for obesity among these children. We conducted a medical record review of 261 preschool children enrolled in the Mescalero Apache tribe to determine the prevalence of obesity and associated risk factors. The prevalence of obesity (weight for height >95th percentile) in this population was 19.5%. The prevalence of obesity (body mass index >95th percentile) in their mothers was 23%. Children with obese mothers were more than twice as likely to be obese than children of nonobese mothers. Children with a high birth weight were three times as likely to be obese as children of low or normal birth weight. The high prevalence of obesity may be due to both life-style and dietary patterns on the reservation. Family-based interventions are needed to prevent obesity and its long-term consequences in this population.(AJDC. 1991;145:1262-1265)

To document the serological response, 21 seronegative rubella vaccinees (hemagglutination inhibition [HI] titer &lt;10) were revaccinated with RA 27/3 rubella vaccine. All demonstrated an anamnestic response. Although RA 27/3 vaccine was an effective booster, antibody boost was not maintained in some persons. Of 15 persons tested, 24 to 27 months after revaccination, six had a significant HI antibody drop (fourfold or greater); only one had lost all detectable HI antibody. Although all 21 study participants were initially HI seronegative by rubella HI testing, 16 (76.2%) possessed neutralization and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibodies before revaccination. As more persons with vaccine-induced immunity join the adult population pool, more sensitive test methods may be needed to assess serological status accurately.(JAMA 1984;251:1974-1977)

Understanding the associations between fruit and vegetable intake and other health behaviors is important for properly interpreting the rapidly growing number of studies that link low intakes of fruits and vegetables to the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. To examine the association between fruit and vegetable intake and behavioral risk factors for chronic diseases, we analyzed data from a population-based behavioral risk factor survey. Data were collected in 1990 from 21,892 adults in 16 states by a random-digit-dial telephone survey. Respondents answered questions about behaviors related to chronic disease risk, including their frequency of intake of fruits and vegetables, using a six-item questionnaire. Consumption of fruits and vegetables was lowest among those who also reported that they were sedentary, heavy smokers, heavy drinkers, or had never had their blood cholesterol checked. Because fruit and vegetable intake covaries with several other chronic disease risk factors, it is important to account for possible confounding between fruit and vegetable intake and other behaviors in etiologic studies of the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Past weight or patterns of weight change may be more important to chronic disease risk than current weight. Self-reports, however, are often the only source of information about past body weight. To date, very few studies have examined factors affecting the validity of self-reported past body weight. We examined the validity of self-reported past body weights of 1,931 U.S. adults who were participants in the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1971–1975) and were interviewed again in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (1982–1984). We compared the body weight measured during the initial examination (1971–1975) with the recalled 1971–1975 body weight reported during the follow-up interview (1982–1984). Recalled past weight was strongly correlated with previously measured weight (r 0.73 for men, and r 0.74 for women). Men overestimated their past body weight, whereas women underestimated their past weight. Although 39 of men and 41 of women estimated their past weight within 5 pounds, approximately 17 of women and 10 of men underestimated their past weight more than 15 pounds. Accuracy of reporting was influenced by sex, race, current body mass index, and the amount of weight gained over the 10 years following the initial examination. These factors should be considered when using recalled weight in epidemiologic studies.

Although there are extensive antismoking efforts in the United States, smoking is a largely ignored health issue in Taiwan. In fact, tobacco advertising has increased dramatically since U.S. tobacco was first imported in 1987. We compared estimates of smoking prevalence of 83,281 Americans and 5,023 persons in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1986-1988. Among men, current smoking prevalence was higher in Taipei (49%) than in the United States (29%). In contrast, former smoking prevalence among men was substantially lower in Taipei (5%) than in the United States (32%). Young adults and those with lower and middle education levels had the highest smoking prevalence in both surveys. Among women, the current smoking prevalence was only 8% in Taipei, compared to 25% in the United States. The former smoking prevalence among Taipei women (1%) was also lower than among U.S. women (18%). Our findings indicate the need for expanding antismoking efforts in Taiwan, especially among men and among persons with lower and middle education levels.

Nutrition surveillance systems serve to provide state- and locality-specific data that are useful for the management of public health nutrition programs. Current systems, such as the Pediatric and Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance Systems coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), collect program-based data focused on nutrition problems in infants, children, and pregnant women. These systems provide highly useful information, but also present significant methodological challenges relating to representativeness, quality control, and indicator sensitivity/specificity. As the importance of nutritional risk factors for chronic disease is increasingly recognized, the concept of nutrition surveillance must be expanded beyond maternal and child nutrition to include nutrition-related behaviors and risk factors in adolescents and adults. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), coordinated by CDC, collects telephone survey data that include information on nutrition-related issues such as overweight, weight-loss practices, and cholesterol screening. In addition, a school-based surveillance system is being established by CDC in coordination with state education agencies to assess adolescent health behaviors, including nutrition. The operation of these nutrition surveillance systems presents significant methodological issues that must be considered in interpreting and using the data for public health purposes.

Serdula M K (Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, USA), Joesoef M R, Curtis AC, Kobayashi G and Wiebenga H. Rubella seroepidemiology in Hawaii. International Journal of Epidemio-logy 1982, 11: 31–38. To determine rubella susceptibility levels 10 years after the introduction of the rubella vaccine in Hawaii, a largescale serosurvey was conducted in conjunction with a campaign to raise the immunity levels of adolescent and adult women. Each woman tested for rubella antibody was asked her age, ethnic group, migration history, number of siblings, vaccination history, and the occupation of the head of the household. In the period from September 1977 through June 1979, serum specimens acceptable for analysis were collected from 3 852 women; 23.8% were susceptible (haemagglutination inhibition antibody titre <8) to rubella. A statistical analysis by fitting log-linear models revealed that rubella vaccination history, birthplace, ethnic group, number of siblings and island of residence appear to be factors related to rubella susceptibility. Although caution must be used in comparing this survey with previous surveys, the relatively low rubella susceptibility rate found in this survey may represent a true decrease in rubella susceptibility due to the rubella vaccination programme.