32 research outputs found
Recommended from our members
Correlates of vitamin supplement use in the United States: data from the California Teachers Study cohort.
OBJECTIVE:To describe factors associated with vitamin supplement use in a large cohort of adult women. METHODS:California teachers and administrators (n = 133,479) completed a questionnaire on lifestyle factors and medical history. Specific supplement users regularly used at least one specific vitamin supplement in the past year; multivitamin users regularly used a multivitamin; and multivitamin and specific supplement users took a multivitamin and one or more specific supplements. Associations between supplement use and other variables were quantified using means, cross-tabulations, and age-adjusted prevalence odds ratios. RESULTS:Multivitamin and specific supplement users tended to be older and Caucasian. Compared to non-users, they were also leaner (odds ratio [OR] for BMI > or = 30 kg/m2 = 0.6 for specific supplement users with or without multivitamins, and OR = 0.7 for multivitamin only users), and were less likely to be current smokers (OR for current smoking = 0.8 for multivitamin plus specific supplement users, OR = 0.9 for specific supplement only users, and OR = 0.7 for multivitamin only users). Specific supplement users (with or without multivitamins) were more likely to use cancer screening tests, eat fruits and vegetables, and exercise than were multivitamin only users or non-users. CONCLUSIONS:A variety of demographic, dietary, and health-related factors were associated with different categories of supplement use
Recommended from our members
Recent diet and breast cancer risk: the California Teachers Study (USA).
ObjectiveThe impact, if any, on breast cancer risk of modifying adult dietary intake is an area of much interest. We take the opportunity to address the relationship between recent adult diet and breast cancer risk during the first two years of follow-up of the large California Teachers Study cohort.MethodsOf the 111.526 at-risk cohort members who resided in California and completed a baseline dietary assessment, 711 were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer after joining the cohort and before January 1998. Average daily nutrient intake was computed based on a food-frequency questionnaire assessing usual dietary intake and portion size during the year prior to joining the cohort. Incident breast cancers were identified through the California Cancer Registry and follow-up for death and confirmation of continued California residence utilized a variety of data sources. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate relative hazards.ResultsThe following components of recent dietary intake were not associated with breast cancer risk: energy, fat, fiber, antioxidant vitamins, and phytoestrogens. Only recent average alcohol consumption of 20 or more grams per day (approximately two or more glasses of wine) was associated with increased risk (RR= 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2-2.0 compared to non-drinkers; P(trend) = 0.01 across quintiles).ConclusionWith the exception of alcohol consumption, this study provides no evidence that recent macro- or micronutrient composition of adult diet is likely to have a direct effect on breast cancer risk. Some reduction of alcohol consumption among those consuming more than one drink per day may be beneficial
Meeting report : atmospheric pollution and human reproduction
BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of epidemiologic literature reporting associations between
atmospheric pollutants and reproductive outcomes, particularly birth weight and gestational duration.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of our international workshop were to discuss the current evidence, to
identify the strengths and weaknesses of published epidemiologic studies, and to suggest future
directions for research.
DISCUSSION: Participants identified promising exposure assessment tools, including exposure models
with fine spatial and temporal resolution that take into account time–activity patterns. More
knowledge on factors correlated with exposure to air pollution, such as other environmental pollutants
with similar temporal variations, and assessment of nutritional factors possibly influencing
birth outcomes would help evaluate importance of residual confounding. Participants proposed a
list of points to report in future publications on this topic to facilitate research syntheses. Nested
case–control studies analyzed using two-phase statistical techniques and development of cohorts
with extensive information on pregnancy behaviors and biological samples are promising study
designs. Issues related to the identification of critical exposure windows and potential biological
mechanisms through which air pollutants may lead to intrauterine growth restriction and premature
birth were reviewed.
CONCLUSIONS: To make progress, this research field needs input from toxicology, exposure assessment,
and clinical research, especially to aid in the identification and exposure assessment of feto-toxic
agents in ambient air, in the development of early markers of adverse reproductive outcomes, and of
relevant biological pathways. In particular, additional research using animal models would help better
delineate the biological mechanisms underpinning the associations reported in human studies.Environmental Health (SOEH), School ofMedicine, Faculty ofNon UBCReviewedFacult