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We investigated long-term changes in weight and skinfold thicknesses in German schoolchildren. In 2006, anthropometric measures were collected after a standardized protocol among 1079 children within the Ulm Research on Metabolism, Exercise and Lifestyle in children (URMEL-ICE) study. Data were compared with historical data (1975-1976). In URMEL-ICE, prevalence of overweight (IOTF criteria) was 16.5% (boys) and 17.3% (girls) and of obesity 3.5 and 3.6%, respectively. Compared with historical data the number of children above the 90th percentile, 975/76 increased statistically significantly for weight (approximately 150% both sexes), for subscapular (boys 288%, girls 206%) and triceps skinfold thickness (boys 460%, girls 413%). Statistically significant increases above the 50th percentile, 975/76 were found: weight 36 and 26%, subscapular 43 and 60% and triceps skinfold thickness 63 and 69% for boys and girls, respectively. Body fat among 6- to 9-year-old children increased dramatically within 30 years. Moreover, our data suggest substantial changes in body composition among normal-weight children towards an increased body fat mass. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2009) 63, 1440-1443; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2009.86; published online 19 August 2009 Keywords: overweight; skinfold thickness; URMEL-ICE; children; secular trend, Introduction The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased during the past decades in many countries (Ebbeling et al., 2002). Body mass index is routinely measured, but it is an imperfect [...]

In a random sample of children (aged 9-11 years; n = 5629), who were studied according to the ISAAC phase II protocol, heterozygosity of the [α.sub.1] antitrypsin ([α.sub.1]-AT) Pi genotypes [...]

Objectives: To examine if the occurrence of different cancers was increased among rubber workers, as the highest known exposures of humans to nitrosamines have occurred in the rubber industry.Methods: A cohort of 8933 rubber workers (hired after 1 January 1950, still active or retired on 1 January 1981 and employed for at least 1 year in one of five study factories) was followed up for mortality from 1 January 1981 to 31 December 1991. Work histories were reconstructed with routinely documented cost centre codes, which allowed identification by employment in specific work areas. For each cost centre code time and factory specific, semi-quantitative exposures to nitrosamines (three levels: low, medium, high) and other compounds were estimated by industrial hygienists. Rate ratios for medium (RRm) and high (RRh) exposures and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated with Cox's proportional hazards models with the low exposure as reference.Results: Exposure to nitrosamines was significantly associated with an increased mortality from cancers of the oesophagus (13 deaths: RRm 1.7, 95% CI 0.3 to 10.3; RRh 7.3, 95% CI 1.9 to 27.8) and of the oral cavity and pharynx (17 deaths: RRm 0.8, 95% CI 0.2 to 4.1; RRh 3.9, 95% CI 1.4 to 11.1). A non-significant trend of increasing mortality with exposure to higher concentrations of nitrosamines was found for mortality from cancer of the prostate (26 deaths: RRm 1.4, 95% CI 0.5 to 3.8; RRh 2.2, 95% CI 0.9 to 5.6), and the brain (six deaths: RRm 3.9, 95% CI 0.3 to 42.6; RRh 6.0, 95% CI 0.6 to 57.6). No association was found between exposure to nitrosamines and cancer of the stomach (RRm 0.8, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.8; RRh 1.2, 95% CI 0.5 to 2.5) or lung (RRm 1.0, 95% CI 0.6 to 1.5; RRh 1.0, 95% CI 0.7 to 1.6).Conclusions: Exposure to high concentrations of nitrosamines is associated with increased mortality from cancers of the oesophagus, oral cavity, and pharynx, but not with increased mortality from cancers of the stomach or lung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determines the mortality from non-respiratory cancers by work area among active and retired male workers of the German rubber industry. Cohort of workers; Work areas in which increase in mortality was found; Types of cancer; Conclusion that mortality from cancer of several sites was associated with specific work areas.

Objectives: To determine the cancer specific mortality by work area among active and retired male workers in the German rubber industry.Methods: A cohort of 11,663 male German workers was followed up for mortality from 1 January 1981 to 31 December 1991. Cohort members were classified as active (n = 7536) or retired (n = 4127) as of 1 January 1981 and had been employed for at least one year in one of five study plants producing tyres or technical rubber goods. Work histories were reconstructed with routinely documented "cost centre codes" which were classified into six categories: I preparation of materials; II production of technical rubber goods; III production of tyres; IV storage and dispatch; V maintenance; and VI others. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) adjusted for age and calendar year and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), stratified by work area (employment in respective work area for at least one year) and time related variables (year of hire, lagged years of employment in work area), were calculated from national reference rates.Results: SMRs for laryngeal cancer were highest in work area I (SMR 253; 95% CI 93 to 551) and were significant among workers who were employed for > 10 years in this work area (SMR 330; 95% CI 107 to 779). Increased mortality rates from lung cancer were identified in work areas I (SMR 162; 95% CI 129 to 202), II (SMR 134; 95% CI 109 to 163), and V (SMR 131; 95% CI 102 to 167). Mortality from pleural cancer was increased in all six work areas, and significant excesses were found in work areas I (SMR 448; 95% CI 122 to 1146), II (SMR 505; 95% CI 202 to 1040), and V (SMR 554; 95% CI 179 to 1290).Conclusion: A causal relation between the excess of pleural cancer and exposure to asbestos among rubber workers is plausible and likely. In this study, the pattern of excess of lung cancer parallels the pattern of excess of pleural cancer. This points to asbestos as one risk factor for the excess deaths from lung cancer among rubber workers. The study provides further evidence for an increased mortality from laryngeal cancer among workers in the rubber industry, particularly in work area I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]