Association Between Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Sleep Quantity in Pregnant Women

The National Sleep Foundation recommends an average sleep time duration of 7-9 hours per day for adults aged 18-64 years old. Unfortunately, women are prone to encounter sleep disruptions during pregnancy that can prevent them from the recommended amount of sleep. Poor sleep during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for birth complications, including low birth weight and stillbirth. Studies have found that sleeping less and poor sleep quality is associated with lower consumption of fruits and vegetables and good sleep quality/adequate sleep is associated with increased fruit and vegetable consumption. The objective of this study was to determine the association between fruit and vegetable consumption with overall sleep duration among pregnant women. Data from the 2011 and 2012 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used for this study. All women (n=2,951) of childbearing age (18-44 years) who were pregnant and responded to all fruit and vegetable consumption and sleep duration questions were included. Covariates included age, race, education level, exercise, and marital status. Data were analyzed using linear regression. Total daily fruit and vegetable consumption was not found to be associated with sleep duration among pregnant women, controlling for confounders [ë_= -0.03, (-0.07, 0.002)]. Orange and green vegetable consumption were both found to be inversely associated with sleep duration [ë_= -0.19, (-0.38, -0.01) and ë_= -0.20, (-0.33, -0.08) respectively]. An income level of $35,000 or higher was significantly associated with sleep in the total daily fruit and vegetable consumption model [ë_= 0.32 (0.16, 0.49)] when compared to the lower income group. Women who exercised within the past 30 days received approximately 20 minutes of additional sleep compared to those who did not [ë_= 0.32 (0.16, 0.49)]. Age and employment status were found to be significantly associated with sleep duration. Sleep duration in pregnant women was associated with exercise, but not with fruit and vegetable consumption. More descriptive data regarding exercise, diet, sleep quantity, sleep quality and family status may reveal a greater association with sleep duration than observed. Future research should include additional comorbidities such as gestational diabetes, family medical history, Category C sleep aids and other medications as potential confounders

Notice of Retraction and Replacement. Snook et al. Change in percentages of adults with overweight or obesity trying to lose weight, 1988-2014. JAMA. 2017;317(9):971-973

Work published in Journal of the American Medical Association

Association Between Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Sleep Quantity in Pregnant Women

Introduction: To determine the association of fruit and vegetable consumption with overall sleep duration among pregnant women. Methods: Data from the 2011 and 2012 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used. All women (n = 2951) of childbearing age (18–44 years) who were pregnant and responded to all fruit and vegetable consumption and sleep duration questions were included. Covariates included age, race, education level, exercise, and marital status. Data were analyzed using linear and ordinal logistic regression. Results: Total daily fruit and vegetable consumption was not associated with sleep duration among pregnant women, controlling for confounders [β = −0.03, (−0.07, 0.00)]. Orange and green vegetable consumption were both inversely associated with sleep duration [β = −0.19, (−0.38, −0.01) and β = −0.20, (−0.33, −0.08) respectively]. Ordinal logistic regression found that the odds of meeting or exceeding sleep time recommendations increased slightly with each unit increase in total fruit and vegetable consumption [OR = 1.05 (1.003, 1.092)] and for every unit increase in fruit consumption [OR = 1.12 (1.038, 1.208)]. Women who exercised within the past 30 days reported approximately 20 min of additional sleep compared to those who did not [β = 0.32 (0.16, 0.49)]. Age, employment status, and marital status were also independently associated with sleep duration. Discussion: Sleep duration in pregnant women was associated with exercise and other demographic factors, but only mildly associated with fruit and vegetable consumption. Future research should investigate the effects of additional factors including sleep quality, gestational age, family status and other medications as potential confounders

Authors’ Response: Health Benefits/Hazards Associated with Companion Animal-Exposure Might be Endpoint- and Animal-Specific

This response was in regards to comments made in Pet Ownership and the Risk of Dying (Letter to the Editor) by Gillum, R. F. in High Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Prevention

Pet ownership and the risk of dying from lung cancer, findings from an 18 year follow-up of a US national cohort

Purpose In contrast to the popularity of pets, research on the health effects of living with pets, particularly, on the risk of cancer, is minimal and inconclusive. We longitudinally examined relationships between pet ownership and the risk of dying from lung cancer. Methods We analyzed nationally representative data of 13,725 adults aged ≥ 19 who answered the question about pet ownership in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994, as the baseline survey. Vital status was followed through December 31st, 2010. Results About 43% of the study population owned pets, with 20.4% having cats and 4.6% having birds. A total of 213 lung cancer deaths were recorded by the end of 183,094 unweighted person-years of follow-up with a lung-cancer specific death rate of 1.00 per 1000 person-years. After adjustment for cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, body mass index, history of atopic conditions, and serum cotinine, owning a pet (any) was associated with a doubled mortality rate among women for lung cancer [hazard ratio (HR)= 2.31 (1.41–3.79)] over non-owners. This association was largely attributed to having a cat or a bird. The HR was 2.85 (1.62–5.01) for cats, and 2.67 (0.68−10.5) for birds. The HR for dogs was 1.01 (0.57–1.77). No significant patterns of association were observed among men either for any pets or for a subtype of pet. Conclusions Living with a pet, especially, a cat or a bird, was significantly associated with elevated hazard of dying from lung cancer among women. The detrimental effect that pets conferred was not explained by confounding from cigarette smoking or atopic conditions

Pet Ownership and the Risk of Dying from Cardiovascular Disease Among Adults Without Major Chronic Medical Conditions

Introduction: In a recent statement, the American Heart Association stated “There are scant data on pet ownership and survival in people without established cardiovascular disease (CVD)”. This study sought to fill this gap. Methods: We analyzed nationally representative data of 3964 adults aged ≥50 who were free from major physical illnesses. Pet ownership was assessed at baseline between 1988 and 1994. Vital status was followed through December 31st 2006. Results: With dogs being most popular pets owned by 22.0 (standard error 0.34) % of the participants, 34.6 % of the study population owned a pet. Pet ownership was associated with low rates of CVD deaths [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.69 (95 % CI 0.45–1.07)] and stroke [0.54 (0.28–1.01)] at borderline significant levels among women. These associations were adjusted for physical activity and largely attributed to having a cat rather than a dog. Among cat owners, the HR of all CVD deaths was 0.62 (0.36–1.05) and the HR of dying from stroke was 0.22 (0.07–0.68) compared with non-cat owners. The corresponding HRs among dog owners were 0.82 (0.51–1.34) and 0.76 (0.34–1.71) respectively. No similar associations were observed among men. The hazard of dying from hypertension was not associated with pet ownership for both men and women. Conclusions: Owning a cat rather than a dog was significantly associated with a reduced hazard of dying from CVD events, in particular, stroke. The protection pets confer may not be from physical activities, but possibly due to personality of the pet owners or stress-relieving effects of animal companionship

Association between pet ownership and the risk of dying from colorectal cancer: an 18-year follow-up of a national cohort

Background Despite the popularity of pets, research on the relationship between pet ownership and the risk of cancer remains minimal and inconclusive. Aim To longitudinally examine the association between pet ownership and the risk of dying from colorectal cancer. Methods We analyzed the data of a nationally representative cohort of 13,929 adults aged ≥ 19 years who answered the question about pet ownership in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1988–1994. The vital status was followed through 31 December 2010. Results Approximately, 43% of the participants had pets, 26% with dogs, 20% with cats and 5% with birds. By the end of an 18-year follow-up (mean = 15 years), 70 colorectal cancer deaths were recorded. After adjustment for socio-demographic factors, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, body mass index, physical activity, history of atopic conditions and serum cotinine measured at the baseline survey, the hazard ratio (HR) of dying from colorectal cancer associated with having any pets was 2.83 (95% CI = 1.51–5.30) compared with non-pet owners. This association was largely attributed to owning a cat. The HR of dying from colorectal cancer for owning a cat was 2.67 (1.22–5.86). The HR for owning a dog was 0.89 (0.37–2.12). Conclusions Having a cat was significantly associated with an elevated risk of dying from colorectal cancer among the general population. The observed detrimental effects the cats conferred may not be explained by confounding effects from socio-demographics, cigarette smoking, sedentary life or atopic conditions

Association Between Pet Ownership and the Risk of Dying From Colorectal Cancer: An 18-year Follow-up of a National Cohort

Background Despite the popularity of pets, research on the relationship between pet ownership and the risk of cancer remains minimal and inconclusive. Aim To longitudinally examine the association between pet ownership and the risk of dying from colorectal cancer. Methods We analyzed the data of a nationally representative cohort of 13,929 adults aged ≥ 19 years who answered the question about pet ownership in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1988–1994. The vital status was followed through 31 December 2010. Results Approximately, 43% of the participants had pets, 26% with dogs, 20% with cats and 5% with birds. By the end of an 18-year follow-up (mean = 15 years), 70 colorectal cancer deaths were recorded. After adjustment for socio-demographic factors, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, body mass index, physical activity, history of atopic conditions and serum cotinine measured at the baseline survey, the hazard ratio (HR) of dying from colorectal cancer associated with having any pets was 2.83 (95% CI = 1.51–5.30) compared with non-pet owners. This association was largely attributed to owning a cat. The HR of dying from colorectal cancer for owning a cat was 2.67 (1.22–5.86). The HR for owning a dog was 0.89 (0.37–2.12). Conclusions Having a cat was significantly associated with an elevated risk of dying from colorectal cancer among the general population. The observed detrimental effects the cats conferred may not be explained by confounding effects from socio-demographics, cigarette smoking, sedentary life or atopic conditions

Change in Percentages of Adults With Overweight or Obesity Trying to Lose Weight, 1988-2014

Socially acceptable body weight is increasing. If more individuals who are overweight or obese are satisfied with their weight, fewer might be motivated to lose unhealthy weight. This study assessed the trend in the percentage of adults who were overweight or obese and trying to lose weight during 3 periods from 1988 through 2014

Public Health Implications of Social Media Use During Natural Disasters, Environmental Disasters, and Other Environmental Concerns

Social media allows users to share information and communicate interpersonally during natural disasters, environmental disasters, and other environmental concerns. We conducted a scoping review of the literature using the Arksey and O’Malley framework to examine how social media is used during these environmental concerns, determine what the implications are for public health officials, and identify research gaps. Thirty-four articles were retrieved for the review. From these articles, four main questions were answered: How can social media be used to disseminate information to others? How is social media used for data prediction and early warnings? How is social media used for environmental awareness and health promotion? Lastly, how can social media be used as an indicator of public participation in social media during environmental concerns? We found evidence supporting social media as a useful surveillance tool during natural disasters, environmental disasters, and other environmental concerns. Public health officials can use social media to gain insight into public opinions and perceptions. Social media allows public health workers and emergency responders to act more quickly and efficiently during crises. Further research is needed to improve the use of social media during natural disasters, environmental disasters, and other environmental concerns