Academic Achievements, Satisfaction with Studies and Risky Behaviours among First-Year Students of Kaunas (Lithuania) Universities, 2000–2017

Risky behaviours are prevalent among university students and may affect academic achievements. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between academic achievements, satisfaction with studies and risky behaviours among first-year students of Kaunas (Lithuania) universities. Three cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2000, 2010, and 2017. The self-administered questionnaires were filled in during lectures and assessed frequency and amount of alcohol consumption, drinking problems (CAGE test), smoking and drug use frequency, and academic achievements. The associations between risky behaviours and academic achievements were analysed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Altogether 3325 students (1341 men and 1984 women) aged 20.0 (1.5) years participated in the survey. The proportion of students who consumed alcohol at least once a week and drank 11 or more standard alcoholic units (SAU) a week decreased. Every fifth student reported a drinking problem. Daily smoking prevalence declined, and drug use increased among male students. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that frequent alcohol consumption and problem drinking were associated with low importance of good grades. Students who rated their academic performance below average and were dissatisfied with studies were more likely to consume ≥11 SAU a week. Daily smoking was more common among students who reported low importance of good grades and academic performance below average. A higher prevalence of drug use was found only in male students who declared low importance of good grades. Health promoting interventions at the individual and student community level are required to reduce the prevalence of substance use and improve the academic achievements of students

Associations of MC4R, LEP, and LEPR Polymorphisms with Obesity-Related Parameters in Childhood and Adulthood

MC4R, LEP, and LEPR genes are involved in the hypothalamic leptin-melanocortin regulation pathway, which is important for energy homeostasis. Our study aimed to evaluate the associations between the MC4R rs17782313, LEP rs7799039, and LEPR rs1137101 polymorphisms with obesity-related parameters in childhood and adulthood. The data were obtained from the Kaunas Cardiovascular Risk Cohort study, which started in 1977 with 1082 participants aged 12–13 years. In 2012–2014, the follow-up survey was carried out. Genotype analysis of all respondents (n = 509) aged 48–49 years was performed for the gene polymorphisms using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Anthropometric measurements were performed in childhood and adulthood. In childhood, only skinfold thicknesses were associated with gene variants being the lowest in children with MC4R TT genotype and LEP AG genotype. In adulthood, odds of obesity and metabolic syndrome was higher in MC4R CT/CC genotype than TT genotype carriers (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.2–2.8 and OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.4, respectively). In men, physical activity attenuated the effect of the MC4R rs17782313 on obesity. The LEP GG genotype was associated with higher BMI, waist circumference, and visceral fat level only in men. No associations of the LEPR rs1137101 polymorphisms with anthropometric measurements and leptin level were found. In conclusion, the associations of the MC4R and LEP gene polymorphisms with obesity-related parameters strengthened with age

Physical, behavioural and genetic predictors of adult hypertension: the findings of the Kaunas Cardiovascular Risk Cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The roots of adult hypertension go back to childhood. This study aimed to examine the independent effects of physical, behavioural and genetic factors identified in childhood and mid-adulthood for prediction of adult hypertension. METHODS: The study subjects were participants of the Kaunas Cardiovascular Risk Cohort study started in 1977 (n = 1082, age 12-13 years). In 2012, a total of 507 individuals (63.9% of eligible sample) participated in the 35-year follow-up survey. Health examination involved measurements of blood pressure (BP), anthropometric parameters, and interview about health behaviours. Subjects were genotyped for AGT (M235T), ACE (I/D, rs4340), ADM (rs7129220), and CACNB2 (rs12258967) genes polymorphisms. A genetic risk score was calculated as the sum of the number of risk alleles at each of four single nucleotide polymorphisms. RESULTS: AGT TT genotype male carriers had the highest mean values of systolic BP in childhood. In females, ADM genotype AA was associated with the highest values of systolic and diastolic BP, while CACNB2 genotype CC carriers had the highest values of diastolic BP in childhood. Systolic and diastolic BP in childhood, gain in BMI from childhood to adulthood, and risky alcohol consumption predicted hypertension in middle-aged men. In women, genetic risk score together with diastolic BP in childhood and gain in BMI were significant predictors of adult hypertension. The comparison of four nested logistic regression models showed that the prediction of hypertension improved significantly after the addition of BMI gain. Genetic risk score had a relatively weak effect on the improvement of the model performance in women. CONCLUSIONS: BP in childhood and the gain in BMI from childhood to adulthood were significant predictors of adult hypertension in both genders. Genetic risk score in women and risky alcohol consumption in men were independently related with the risk of adult hypertension

Characteristics of hypertensive and non-hypertensive adults.

<p>*Mean and standard deviation; ** median and interquartile range.</p><p>Abbreviations: BP – blood pressure; BMI – body mass index.</p><p>Characteristics of hypertensive and non-hypertensive adults.</p

Characteristics of the study population in childhood and adulthood.

<p>*Mean and standard deviation; **median and interquartile range.</p><p>Abbreviations: BP –blood pressure; BMI – body mass index.</p><p>Characteristics of the study population in childhood and adulthood.</p

Means (SD) of systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 12–13 years old boys and girls according to body weight and genotypes.

<p>*Statistically significant difference using Student t test or analysis of variance with Bonfferoni correction.</p><p>Abbreviations: SD – standard deviation; BP – blood pressure; AGT – angiotensinogen; ACE - angiotensin converting enzyme; ADM - adrenomedullin; CACNB2 - beta-2 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channel.</p><p>Means (SD) of systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 12–13 years old boys and girls according to body weight and genotypes.</p

Prevalence (%) of the <i>AGT, ACE, ADM, CACNB2</i> genotypes and allele frequency in the study population.

<p>*P = 0.048 between men and women, using χ² test.</p><p>Abbreviations: AGT – angiotensinogen; ACE - angiotensin converting enzyme; ADM - adrenomedullin; CACNB2 - beta-2 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channel.</p><p>Prevalence (%) of the <i>AGT, ACE, ADM, CACNB2</i> genotypes and allele frequency in the study population.</p