The Role of Self-Regulation in the Effect of Self-Tracking of Physical Activity and Weight on BMI

Self-tracking of health may have positive effects on lifestyle behavior and weight loss; however, not much is known about the role of psychological processes in this effect. The purpose of this study was to assess to what extent a change in self-regulation capabilities can explain weight loss after 4 and 12 months of self-tracking physical activity and weight. An explorative cohort study was conducted with measurements at baseline (T0), 4 months (T1), and 12 months (T2). Healthy adult volunteers (N = 80) were included and provided with a digital weight scale and an activity tracker. Personal characteristics as well as the intention to change weight and physical activity were measured at T0. Self-regulation capabilities (goal orientation, self-direction, decision making, and impulse control) were measured with the Self-Regulation Questionnaire at T0, T1, and T2, together with body weight. At T0, all four dimensions of self-regulation were negatively related to BMI (p <.01). At T1, weight significantly declined compared to T0 (− 2.0 kg/− 0.64 kg/m2, p <.001). At T2, this weight loss was maintained (− 1.8 kg/− 0.57 kg/m2, p <.01). At T1, intention to lose weight, self-weighing frequency, and an increase in goal orientation explained weight loss. At T2, an increase in decision making explained weight loss. Incremental self-regulation capabilities may explain weight loss after engaging in self-tracking of physical activity and weight. Future research should focus on exploring effective ways to further enhance self-regulation when using self-tracking technology and to assess the impact of different types of self-regulation stimuli on weight loss

Patient attitudes towards faecal sampling for gut microbiome studies and clinical care reveal positive engagement and room for improvement

Faecal sample collection is crucial for gut microbiome research and its clinical applications. However, while patients and healthy volunteers are routinely asked to provide stool samples, their attitudes towards sampling remain largely unknown. Here, we investigate the attitudes of 780 Dutch patients, including participants in a large Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) gut microbiome cohort and population controls, in order to identify barriers to sample collection and provide recommendations for gut microbiome researchers and clinicians. We sent questionnaires to 660 IBD patients and 112 patients with other disorders who had previously been approached to participate in gut microbiome studies. We also conducted 478 brief interviews with participants in our general population cohort who had collected stool samples. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using R. 97.4% of respondents reported that they had willingly participated in stool sample collection for gut microbiome research, and most respondents (82.9%) and interviewees (95.6%) indicated willingness to participate again, with their motivations for participating being mainly altruistic (57.0%). Responses indicated that storing stool samples in the home freezer for a prolonged time was the main barrier to participation (52.6%), but clear explanations of the sampling procedures and their purpose increased participant willingness to collect and freeze samples (P = 0.046, P = 0.003). To account for participant concerns, gut microbiome researchers establishing cohorts and clinicians trying new faecal tests should provide clear instructions, explain the rationale behind their protocol, consider providing a small freezer and inform patients about study outcomes. By assessing the attitudes, motives and barriers surrounding participation in faecal sample collection, we provide important information that will contribute to the success of gut microbiome research and its near-future clinical applications

Early imaging biomarkers of lung cancer, COPD and coronary artery disease in the general population:rationale and design of the ImaLife (Imaging in Lifelines) Study

Lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and coronary artery disease (CAD) are expected to cause most deaths by 2050. State-of-the-art computed tomography (CT) allows early detection of lung cancer and simultaneous evaluation of imaging biomarkers for the early stages of COPD, based on pulmonary density and bronchial wall thickness, and of CAD, based on the coronary artery calcium score (CACS), at low radiation dose. To determine cut-off values for positive tests for elevated risk and presence of disease is one of the major tasks before considering implementation of CT screening in a general population. The ImaLife (Imaging in Lifelines) study, embedded in the Lifelines study, is designed to establish the reference values of the imaging biomarkers for the big three diseases in a well-defined general population aged 45 years and older. In total, 12,000 participants will undergo CACS and chest acquisitions with latest CT technology. The estimated percentage of individuals with lung nodules needing further workup is around 1-2%. Given the around 10% prevalence of COPD and CAD in the general population, the expected number of COPD and CAD is around 1000 each. So far, nearly 4000 participants have been included. The ImaLife study will allow differentiation between normal aging of the pulmonary and cardiovascular system and early stages of the big three diseases based on low-dose CT imaging. This information can be finally integrated into personalized precision health strategies in the general population

Lifelines DEEP Food intake

Daily nutrient intake (energy(kcal), energy (kJ), total protein (g), plant protein (g), animal protein (g), total fat (g), total carbohydrates (g), total alcohol (g), total protein (en%), plant protein (en%), animal protein (en%), total fat (en%), total carbohydrates (en%), total alcohol (en%),) Lifelines DEEP participants,Number of donors: 1450

Prevalence and Accuracy of Information on CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP2C9 Related Substrate and Inhibitor Co-Prescriptions in the General Population: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study as Part of the PharmLines Initiative

Background Drug-drug interaction (DDI) is one of the main contributors to adverse drug reactions and therefore, it is important to study its frequency in the population. We aimed to investigate frequency and concordance on CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP2C9 (CYP2D6/2C19/2C9)-mediated potential DDIs at the Lifelines cohort and linked data from the pharmacy database IADB.nl. Methods As part of the University of Groningen PharmLines Initiative, data were collected on CYP2D6/2C19/2C9-related substrate/inhibitors from entry questionnaires of Lifelines participants and linked information from the pharmacy database IADB.nl. CYP2D6/2C19/2C9 related co-prescriptions were divided based on the type of drugs i.e. chronically used medication (CM) or occasionally used medication (OM). This resulted in the combination of two chronically used drugs (CM-CM), chronically and occasionally used medication (CM-OM), and two occasionally used drugs (OM-OM). To measure the agreement level, cohen's kappa statistics and test characteristics were used. Results were stratified by time window, gender, and age. Results Among 80,837 medicine users in the Lifelines, about 1-2 per hundred participants were exposed to a CYP2D6/2C19/2C9-mediated potential DDI. Overall, the overlapping time window of three months produced the highest mean kappa values between the databases i.e. 0.545 (95% CI:0.544-0.545), 0.512 (95% CI:0.511-0.512), and 0.374 (95% CI:0.373-0.375), respectively. CM-CM had a better level of agreement (good) than CM-OM (fair to moderate) and OM-OM combination (poor to moderate). The influence of gender on concordance values was different for different CYPs. Among older persons, agreement levels were higher than for the younger population. Conclusions CYP2D6/2C19/2C9-mediated potential DDIs were frequent and concordance of data varied by time window, type of combination, sex and age. Subsequent studies should rather use a combination of self-reported and pharmacy database information

Cohort Profile:LifeLines, a three-generation cohort study and biobank

The LifeLines Cohort Study is a large population-based cohort study and biobank that was established as a resource for research on complex interactions between environmental, phenotypic and genomic factors in the development of chronic diseases and healthy ageing. Between 2006 and 2013, inhabitants of the northern part of The Netherlands and their families were invited to participate, thereby contributing to a three-generation design. Participants visited one of the LifeLines research sites for a physical examination, including lung function, ECG and cognition tests, and completed extensive questionnaires. Baseline data were collected for 167 729 participants, aged from 6 months to 93 years. Follow-up visits are scheduled every 5 years, and in between participants receive follow-up questionnaires. Linkage is being established with medical registries and environmental data. LifeLines contains information on biochemistry, medical history, psychosocial characteristics, lifestyle and more. Genomic data are available including genome-wide genetic data of 15 638 participants. Fasting blood and 24-h urine samples are processed on the day of collection and stored at -80 degrees C in a fully automated storage facility. The aim of LifeLines is to be a resource for the national and international scientific community. Requests for data and biomaterials can be submitted to the LifeLines Research Office [[email protected]]

Reliqious, cultural and social cognitive correlates of alcohol use among Turks and Moroccans in the Netherlands

Item does not contain fulltextThis study examined religious, cultural and social cognitive predictors of alcohol use among second-generation Turks and Moroccans in The Netherlands. Data were obtained from an experimental study in which 189 Turks and 166 Moroccans responded to a mailed questionnaire and 111 Turks and 116 Moroccans responded to a face-to-face interview. Logistic and linear regression models examined religious, cultural and social cognitive correlates of alcohol use, adjusting for data collection mode and relevant sociodemographic factors. Additional regression models examined interaction effects with ethnicity. Both religious (practising Islam and having traditional religious beliefs) and cultural factors (not feeling accepted in Dutch society) were related to drinking. However, data seem to indicate that social cognitive factors i.e. the influence of family members and Turkish/Moroccan friends (both their drinking behaviour and their opinions about alcohol use) and alcohol expectancies were more important in predicting alcohol use among second-generation Turks and Moroccans