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Background: Socio-demographic factors affect the prevalence of overweight, and differences in lifestyle could be the cause. Possible consequences of overweight, such as mental health problems may also vary by socio-demographic factors. The aims of the study were to identify overweight and mental health problems by socio-demographic group and lifestyle and a possible association between overweight and mental health., Material and Methods: A questionnaire survey (UngHUBRO) was conducted among 10th graders in Oslo in 2000 and 2001. The response rate was 88% (N = 7343). Self-reported height and weight were used to determine overweight/obesity according to international standards. The prevalence of overweight/obesity and mental distress by socio-demographic group was calculated, and associations between the two were adjusted for lifestyle (dietary habits, physical activity and inactivity) by logistic regression., Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher among boys (12%) than among girls (7%), and there was an inverse association with the length of parents' education for both genders. The association between overweight/obesity and mental distress was statistically significant for girls. The ethnic differences in overweight/obesity were large, but not statistically significant., Interpretation: The prevalence of overweight varied largely between socio-demographic groups. There was an association between mental distress and overweight among girls and there are marked differences in lifestyle between over- and normal weight adolescents.

We present the results from three surveys conducted in 1988, 1991 and 1994 in Hedmark comparing risk factors for cardiovascular disease among men and women age 40-42 years. The data are compared with the results for persons in the same age group from the counties Vestfold, Rogaland and Nordland, and examined in the same periods. In 1991 the average levels of total cholesterol and infarction risk score were the same in Hedmark and the three other counties, but in 1994 Hedmark compared less favourably. While the mean levels of total cholesterol showed minimal difference between rural and urban municipalities in Hedmark, triglycerides and systolic blood pressure were higher in the rural areas. Adjustment of the results in Hedmark for lower attendance rate among unmarried, divorced and widowed persons in 1991 and 1994 than in 1988 does not affect other risk factors than smoking. We discuss possible explanations of the less favourable results and the implications for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Norway lacks reliable data on the magnitude and development of occupational injuries. Each year about 25,000 occupational injuries and 2,000 occupational diseases are reported to the Labour Inspection. These constitute only one-third of all expected injuries and accidents related to the work environment. The aim of this study was to estimate the magnitude of occupational injuries in Norway causing long-term certification of illness. There was a 35% reduction in the incidence of occupational injuries in Norway from 1990 to 1993. The reduction applies to men and women combined, all age groups and most counties. The distribution of characteristics by age, sex, diagnosis and place of residence corresponds well with previous, limited studies. Injuries, especially fractures, account for approximately 70 per cent of the occupational injuries. Possible explanations for the decrease in incidence could be preventive efforts, a tighter labour market, a change from primary and secondary to tertiary industry, and the overall reduction in long-term certification of illness in Norway from 1990 to 1993.

In 1990, world political leaders decided to make an effort to reduce childhood mortality in developing countries. One of several formulated goals was to reduce childhood mortality by one third compared with the figures for 1990. The child health programmes, which include vaccination, diarrhoeal and respiratory infection programmes, have already managed to reduce the mortality from common childhood diseases significantly. WHO is primarily an organization with technical cooperative aspirations, but still needs all possible available professional and economic support, in order to reduce childhood mortality even further.

Ten district physicians in the county of Finnmark were interviewed in order to focus on physicians' attitudes in cases ending up with a disability pension. The interviews were based on a study of the physicians' five most recent disability pension cases. The study and the interviews disclosed that physicians in Finnmark play an active part in the process leading to a disability pension. They actively encourage their patients to apply for such a pension. The physicians have a marked influence on the assessment of alternatives to a disability pension. Non-medical considerations led to many physicians feeling frustrated when preparing the expert declaration.

This article reports a survey conducted to measured serum cholesterol in pupils aged 13-16 years in a municipality in the county of Finnmark and in a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane. Cholesterol levels were analysed and information was collected by questionnaire on eating habits, smoking habits and occurrence of cardiovascular disease in the family. We did not find any differences between the two communities in respect of cholesterol level, nor any relationship between eating habits and cholesterol level. Pupils with parents and/or grandparents with cardiovascular disease had a significantly higher cholesterol level than pupils with no such disease in their family.