Obesity prevalence in a cohort of women in early pregnancy from a neighbourhood perspective

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The evidence of an association between neighbourhood deprivation and overweight is established for different populations. However no previous studies on neighbourhood variations in obesity in pregnant women were found. In this study we aimed to determine whether obesity during early pregnancy varied by neighbourhood economic status.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A register based study on 94,323 primiparous pregnant women in 586 Swedish neighbourhoods during the years 19922001. Multilevel technique was used to regress obesity prevalence on socioeconomic individual-level variables and the neighbourhood economic status. Five hundred and eighty-six neighbourhoods in the three major cities of Sweden, Stockholm, Göteborg and Malmö, during 19922001, were included. The majority of neighbourhoods had a population of 4 00010 000 inhabitants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seven per cent of the variation in obesity prevalence was at the neighbourhood level and the odds of being obese were almost doubled in poor areas.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings supports a community approach in the prevention of obesity in general and thus also in pregnant women.</p

The elite cross-country skier : Clinical and sports related functional tests, dance training, injuries and self-related health

The general aim of this thesis was to study cross-country skiers regarding the effect of dance training on joint mobility and muscle flexibility of the spine, hip and ankle and on speed and agility. Another aim was to perform test-retests of joint mobility and muscle flexibility of the hip and of sports related functional tests. A further aim was to compare high school students with age matched cross-country skiers concerning physical health, activity and location for possible symptoms/injuries. Finally, the aim was to study back pain regarding influence on skiing in high school cross-country skiers. Athletes aged 11 years (8 boys, 3 girls) completed four different test sessions for two sports related functional tests, emphasising speed and agility, the slalom-test and the hurdle-test. No significant differences were found between testing sessions for either the slalom-test (p=0.99) or the hurdle-test (p=0.96). Healthy athletic volunteers (5 males, 5 females) on average 30±16 years performed four joint motion and muscle flexibility tests at three times with one day intervals. The results using intra class correlation coefficients showed the following values 0.99 (knee flexion with hip extended), 0.88 (hip extension with knee extended), 0.93 (hip flexion with knee extended), and 0.53 (a combination of abduction and external rotation of the hip). Subsequently, three out of the four tests showed a good reliability. A group of young (aged 12-15 years) cross-country skiers (n=10) performed dance training during 8 months. Another aged matched group of cross-country skiers (n=10) served as a reference group. Before, during and after the intervention period joint mobility and muscle flexibility of the spine, hip and ankle as well as sports related functional tests were performed in all skiers from both groups. The results showed improvements in speed, agility and range of motion of the spine in most of the studied parameters. A group of elite cross-country skiers (aged 19±3.9 years) either performed additional preseason dance training for 3 months (n=16) or served as a reference group (n=10). Before and after the intervention period joint mobility and muscle flexibility of the spine, hip and ankle and sports related functional tests were performed in all skiers. Prior to dance training the intervention group showed a slight impairment of range of motion of the spine and the relationship between kyphosis of the thoracic and lordosis of the lumbar spine compared with the reference group. After dance training these parameters were improved and a tendency towards a positive effect on back pain was also found. Using a questionnaire cross-country skiers from ski high schools (n=120) were found to be considerably more physical active in as well other sports as skiing when compared with age matched ordinary high school students (n=993). In comparison with controls a higher number of ski high school students described themselves to be physically healthy. Half of the cross-country ski students complained of back problems, mainly low back pain, while skiing and above all during diagonal skiing

Using bilateral functional and anthropometric tests to define symmetry in cross-country skiers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the symmetry of anthropometry and muscle function in cross-country skiers and their association to vertical jumping power. Twenty cross-country skiers were recruited (21.7 ± 3.8 yrs, 180.6 ± 7.6 cm, 73.2 ± 7.6 kg). Anthropometric data was obtained using an iDXA scan. VO2max was determined using the diagonal stride technique on a ski treadmill. Bilateral functional tests for the upper and lower body were the handgrip and standing heel-rise tests. Vertical jump height and power were assessed with a counter movement jump. Percent asymmetry was calculated using a symmetry index and four absolute symmetry index levels. At a group level the upper body was more asymmetrical with regard to lean muscle mass (p = 0.022, d = 0.17) and functional strength (p = 0.019, d = 0.51) than the lower body. At an individual level the expected frequencies for absolute symmetry level indexes showed the largest deviation from zero for the heel-rise test (χ2 = 16.97, p = 0.001), while the leg lean mass deviated the least (χ2 = 0.42, p = 0.517). No relationships were observed between absolute symmetry level indexes of the lower body and counter movement jump performance (p &gt; 0.05). As a group the skiers display a more asymmetrical upper body than lower body regarding muscle mass and strength. Interestingly at the individual level, despite symmetrical lean leg muscle mass the heel-rise test showed the largest asymmetry. This finding indicates a mismatch in muscle function for the lower body

Symptoms of eating disorders and low energy availability in recreational active female runners

Objectives This retrospective, cross-sectional study aimed to investigate symptoms of eating disorders (EDs) and low energy availability (LEA) among recreational female runners.Methods Females (18–39 years) (n=89) participating in running group sessions organised by running clubs and companies were recruited via social media and completed an anonymous online survey compromising the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q). An EDE-Q global score ≥2.3 and a LEAF-Q total score ≥8 (in combination with an injury score≥2 and/or menstruation dysfunction score≥4) were used to categorise subjects as having symptoms of EDs and LEA, respectively.Results Among the subjects fulfilling the age criteria (n=85), 18% (n=15) had symptoms of EDs and 19% (n=16) had symptoms of LEA. Of those with symptoms of EDs, 13% (n=2) had concomitant symptoms of LEA. The higher the EDE-Q dietary restraint score, the higher the gastrointestinal problem score (r=0.23, p=0.04), otherwise no other associations were found between EDE-Q global or subscale scores and LEAF-Q scores.Conclusion Our results indicate that symptoms of EDs and LEA are frequent among adult females at all athletic levels, including the recreational level. Hence, to prevent the negative health consequences of EDs and LEA, preventative initiatives are also needed in recreational running communities

Epidemiology of hip and groin injuries in Swedish male first football league

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the incidence, pattern, and burden of hip/groin injuries in Swedish professional male football players over five consecutive seasons. Methods: Injury history from 16 football teams in the Swedish male first football league was evaluated during five consecutive seasons. The team’s medical staff recorded team exposure and time-loss injuries prospectively between 2012 and 2016. Results: In total, 467 time-loss injuries located in the hip/groin area were recorded among 1,687 professional male football players, with an overall incidence and burden of 0.82/1,000 h and 15.6/1,000 h, respectively. There appeared to be an increased risk of hip/groin injuries during the last two seasons (2015–2016); however, the difference was not statistically significant (n.s). Recurrent injury rate was relatively low (14%), and overuse injuries accounted for the majority of injuries and absence days. Muscle injuries were the main injury type, while kicking and sprinting/running were the primary causes of injury. Goalkeepers had the lowest percentage of injuries and absence days. Conclusion: Hip/groin injuries are a substantial problem in football, but does not seem to be an increasing phenomenon in the Swedish male first football league. Index and overuse injuries accounted for the majority of injuries and absence days. Thus, the focus should be on preventing hip/groin injuries to lower the injury rate. These new findings should be taken into consideration when designing and implementing preventive training interventions. Level of evidence: II.

Back to work : evaluation of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program with emphasis on mental symptoms; A two-year follow up

Background: The aim of this investigation was to analyze temporal changes in anxiety, depression, and stress in patients with musculoskeletal pain for a period of up to 2 years after a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program, in relation to sick-listing (registered with The Swedish Social Insurance Agency [Forsakringskassan] for sickness benefit). Methods: Ten persons with full-time sick leave (absence from work for medical reasons) (group 1) and 49 with part-time or no sick leave (group 2) at the end of the 2-year study period participated. It was shown in a previous study that group 1 had higher pain rating and higher subjective physical disability than group 2, with little or no improvement during and after rehabilitation. In the present study, all participants were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and a self-rated stress test. Results: Participants with full-time sick leave during the study period (group 1) showed improved stress levels but no change in anxiety and depression levels. Anxiety, depression, and stress changed more favorably in participants with part-time or no sick leave than in those with full-time sick leave. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that investigation and appropriate treatment of psychological symptoms, including anxiety and depression, are important in multidisciplinary rehabilitation of patients with musculoskeletal disorder