Twelve-year trends in the prevalence and risk factors of diabetes and prediabetes in Turkish adults

There is concern about an emerging diabetes epidemic in Turkey. We aimed to determine the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetes and their 12-year trends and to identify risk factors for diabetes in the adult Turkish population. A cross-sectional, population-based survey, ‘TURDEP-II’ included 26,499 randomly sampled adults aged ≥ 20 years (response rate: 87 %). Fasting glucose and biochemical parameters were measured in all; then a OGTT was performed to identify diabetes and prediabetes in eligible participants. The prevalence of diabetes was 16.5 % (new 7.5 %), translating to 6.5 million adults with diabetes in Turkey. It was higher in women than men (p = 0.008). The age-standardized prevalence to the TURDEP-I population (performed in 1997–98) was 13.7 % (if same diagnostic definition was applied diabetes prevalence is calculated 11.4 %). The prevalence of isolated-IFG and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and combined prediabetes was 14.7, 7.9, and 8.2 %, respectively; and that of obesity 36 % and hypertension 31.4 %. Compared to TURDEP-I; the rate of increase for diabetes: 90 %, IGT: 106 %, obesity: 40 % and central obesity: 35 %, but hypertension decreased by 11 % during the last 12 years. In women age, waist, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, low education, and living environment; in men age, BMI, and hypertension were independently associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes. In women current smoking, and in men being single were associated with a reduced risk. These results from one of the largest nationally representative surveys carried out so far show that diabetes has rapidly become a major public health challenge in Turkey. The figures are alarming and underscore the urgent need for national programs to prevent diabetes, to manage the illness and thus prevent complications. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10654-013-9771-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Determinants of physical activity level of people living in rural areas according to the transtheoretical model: regression and path analysis

Introduction: This study investigates the relationship between the physical activities of adults living in rural areas and each component of the Transtheoretical Model. Methods: This descriptive and relational study was conducted with 315 individuals at a rural clinic in Turkey. Data were collected using tools for evaluating the Transtheoretical Model, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis, multiple regression analysis, and path analysis were used in statistical analyses. Results: Of the individuals living in rural areas, 59.1% were inactive, and 42.4% of the individuals were in the precontemplation stage. The mean exercise self-efficacy score was low, and pros subdimension of decisional balance was at an insufficient level. According to path analysis, perceived self-efficacy and stage of change for exercise were the variables that had a significant effect on physical activity (the metabolic equivalent of task score). Conclusion: The Transtheoretical Model is a strategic approach to improving exercise behavior in rural areas, and the prerequisites of health promotion such as enhancing education, income, and opportunities will contribute to the popularization of exercise

The comparatively examination on some bio-ecological properties of two scot pine forests on Koyulhisar, Sivas

Scots pine forest properties will help us in obtaining information about how to use the forests within the system and about their capacity, as well as learning their bio-ecological features. Such information will support the knowledge about their protection and use conditions. This study aims to reveal the bio-ecological characteristics of the Igdırdag and Sisorta scots pine forests in Koyulhisar. Also, to compare two scots pine forests in terms of their characteristics. Five stations were determined in each forest. The geographic position was determined with GPS and 15 scots pines were randomly selected for each station. The age, the bark thickness, the tree height and the diameter were measured. The amount of accumulated litter on the soil surface and the physical properties of soil were also determined in the laboratory. Sisorta scots pine forest had higher elevation and lower slope, and also, scots pine tree in Sisorta has larger diamter. In terms of soil properties, the soil of Igdırdag scots pine forest had higher lime content than Sisorta scots pine forest. Aspect of each station in two forests is different from each other. The two forests had similar properties for scots pine properties except diameter. Similarly, soil properties except lime content show homogeneity. Aspect and slope of each station could be cause those differences. The more researcher stated that shading aspect is positively effect on site index for different species. In conclusion, Koyulhisar scots pine forests is healty. The increasing human population has a negative impact on the forest and the establishment of new forests is unavoidable

Dietary Habits Contributing to the Cancer Prevention Among Health College Students in Turkey

This descriptive study was made to evaluate the dietary habits contributing to cancer prevention of 319 health college students. Data collection form included questions about demographic characteristics and 33 statements which evaluate dietary habits contributing to cancer prevention. Among the students, 56.1% consumed fast food outside the home/dormitory twice a week or more and 47% never exercised. Moreover, 63.9% of the students reported that their dietary habits changed negatively and 69% stated that their fruit and vegetable consumption decreased after starting the health college. The students mostly paid attention to preserving food and water consumption while they paid least attention to maintaining healthy weight and whole grain consumption. Female students, those who paid attention to the amount and calorie of the food they consumed, students who did not consume fast food, and students who exercised twice a week or three times a week had better dietary habits contributing to cancer prevention (p<0.05). According to these results we recommend that interventions which will reduce fast food consumption and increase fruit and vegetable consumption and exercising in university students should be implemented. For this purpose, appropriate conditions for preparing and preserving healthy food should be provided as well as increasing the frequency of vegetable containing meals and providing fruits and salads in every meal at school cafeterias