Relation of age and sex with carotid intima media thickness in healthy children

Background/aim: To investigate the age- and sex-associated carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) changes in healthy children to determine the age- and sex-specific normal range of values for childhood. Materials and methods: This study examined 91 healthy school-age children aged 7-15 years prospectively. Standardized sonographic cIMT measurements and analyses were performed. Body mass index and blood pressure were obtained, and atherosclerotic risk factors were investigated. Age- and sex-specific cIMT measurements for different age groups were calculated and the relation with sex was investigated. Results: Regarding the total study group, mean cIMT measurements for age groups 7-9, 10-12, and 13-15 years were 4.1 ± 0.5 mm, 4.4 ± 0.6 mm, and 4.6 ± 0.4 mm, respectively. cIMT did not differ between boys and girls in the same age group. Age related analyses showed significant variations among the age groups with positive correlation between cIMT and age. Conclusion: Our results suggest that age-related physiologic thickening of the carotid artery intima-media occurs not only in adults but also in children and that sex is not a factor for cIMT differences in childhood. © TÜBİTAK

Does employment status influence obesity prevalence among females? A comparative study from Ankara, Turkey

Aim: In this study, we aimed to compare the nutritional habits and obesity status of employed and not-employed (i.e. homemakers) women from an urban population in Ankara between April 2 and 17, 2007. Materials and methods: Employed females (107) were amongst Keçiören (a district of Ankara) municipal employees, and homemakers were selected among the residents of the catchment area of a primary health care unit (PHCU) within the same district. The 2 groups (employed and homemakers) were high school and university graduates and were similar to each other in terms of education and age. The World Health Organization defines "overweight" as a BMI equal to or more than 25kg/m2, and "obesity" as a BMI equal to or more than 30 kg/m2. Results: When backward logistic regression model was performed for some selected factors (age, marital status, fast food consumption, smoking status, employment status, and regular breakfast consumption) related to overweight and obesity, there was a positive relationship between age [(P = 0.002; OR(95%CI) 1.112 (1.039-1,190)] and employment status [(P = 0.037; OR(95%CI) 1.873 (1.039-3.379)]. Conclusion: Employment status and age were found to be risk factors for overweight and obesity. Healthy life skills programs are recommended to be promoted giving priority to the influencing factors, such as age and employment status in order to prevent overweight and obesity among women. © TÜBİTAK

Compliance status of product labels to the international code on marketing of breast milk substitutes

The aim of this study was to determine the compliance status of product labels regarding Article 9 of the International Code on Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (the Code) in Denizli province, Turkey. A cross-sectional study design was employed to determine the compliance status. The product labels were obtained from a convenience sample of five supermarkets, one store and 5 pharmacies in the City centre and district of Honaz. Using a data collection form prepared by previously published studies, data were collected between July 26, 2010 and August 06, 2010. Data collection form included 13 criteria. In addition, we checked the boxes for the availability of a Turkish written label. Forty product labels of 7 companies were reached and evaluated. These products consisted of 83.0%of the productsmarketed by these companies in Turkey. Thirty seven (92.5%) of the labels violated Article 9 of the Code in terms of one ormore criteria. Thirty four (85.0%) of the labels had photos or pictures idealizing the use of infant formula. Nine (22.5%) had a photo, a picture or any representation of an infant, and five (12.5%) had text which idealize the use of infant formula or discouraging breastfeeding. Eight (20%) did not state that breastfeeding is the best. Four (10%) had a termsuch as 'similar to breastmilk or human milk'. In conclusion, the majority of the product labels of breast milk substitutes marketed in our country violate the Code. It is appropriate that the Turkish Ministry of Health, medical organizations, companies, and NGOs work more actively to increase awareness of this issue. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012