Family-related obesity risk factors and dietary behaviours in high-risk populations : associations with child weight development

Background Obesity rates in Swedish children are currently not increasing, however socioeconomic disparities are widening. Many children become obese as early as their preschool years. Hereditary and environmental family-related risk factors are the dominating determinants of child obesity, with parental obesity as the most important. Prevention is a high priority, and increased knowledge on risk factors specifically in high-risk populations is of vital importance for the development of efficient preventive interventions. Aims The primary aim was to analyse the impact of parental adiposity and parental educational level on child relative weight from infancy to adolescence, in high-risk populations. Further, to assess the associations between infant relative weight and early life factors, infant dietary intake, infant eating behaviours and parental food intake. Also, to validate a questionnaire measuring obesity-related eating behaviours in Swedish preschool children. Finally, the aim was to validate the dietary intake in infants and parents using a biomarker for fat intake. Material and methods Four child-parent populations were studied: 231 obese children followed longitudinally, from the Swedish National Childhood Obesity Centre in Stockholm (Study I); 197 (Study II) and 193 (Study IV) one-year old infants in high- and low-risk families (determined by parental weight status), participating in Early STOPP (Stockholm Obesity Prevention Project) and recruited from child healthcare in Stockholm County; 174 children 1-6 years old recruited from kindergartens in Stockholm (Study III). Study I: Associations between severity of obesity at age 7 and 15, age at onset of obesity and parental BMI were analysed in obese children, using data from BORIS, the Swedish quality registry for childhood obesity. Study II: Infant relative weight at 3, 6 and 12 months and rapid weight gain 0-6 months were analysed in relation to parental adiposity, parental educational level and early life factors. Study III: A factorial validation of the Swedish translation of an eating behaviour questionnaire (CEBQ) was performed on children 1-6 years old, and associations with child age, gender, relative weight and parental weight status were explored. Study IV: Infant dietary intake, infant eating behaviours and parental food intake were compared between high- and low-risk families. Associations between child and parental diet quality as well as between child weight, dietary intake and eating behaviours were assessed. The reported intake of fat from selected foods was correlated with the fatty acid composition in plasma. Results Study I: Maternal BMI was associated with degree of obesity at age 7, and both parents’ BMI was associated with degree of obesity at age 15. The relationships were stronger in adolescence. High parental educational level was associated with a lower degree of obesity in adolescence. Parental BMI was not associated with obesity onset. Study II: Child relative weight during the first year was associated with parental education but not with parental adiposity. Birth weight was the most important predictor of growth during the first year. Study III: The factor analysis of CEBQ revealed a seven-factor solution with good reliability. Several eating behaviour factors varied by child age. Study IV: Dietary intake and eating behaviours at age one did not differ between high- and low risk infants, but parents in high-risk families had a higher intake of obesogenic foods. Infant and paternal intake of vegetables and fish were related, but no parent-child associations were found for obesogenic foods. Relative weight at age one was associated with obesity-related eating behaviours but not with dietary intake. Overall, fat from selected foods correlated with the corresponding fatty acids in plasma, indicating satisfactory validity of reported dietary habits. Conclusions Parental adiposity and educational level are both important independent determinants of child weight development and degree of obesity, and can be used to identify children at high risk of obesity. However the timing of their influence differs. Parental adiposity does not affect the relative weight of infants, nor the obesity onset, but the impact of both maternal and paternal BMI becomes stronger with child age and affects the degree of obesity later in childhood and in adolescence. Low parental educational level is associated with higher infant weight as early as their first year, and a protective effect of high educational level may be long-term. Infant relative weight is also independently associated with birth weight and eating behaviours, but not with dietary intake, which is not influenced by parental adiposity or parental obesogenic food intake as early as at age one. This thesis indicates that preventive efforts targeting clearly identified high-risk families should be initiated as early as in infancy

Förvaltning av vilt i naturreservat med avseende på rekreation och naturvärden

Examensarbetet behandlar frågor om hur viltbeståndet av rådjur, räv och vildsvin i naturreservatet Herrevadskloster och hur dessa påverkar områdets landskapskaraktär, biodiversitet och rekreationsvärden. En viltinventering på rådjur har utförts på området och jämförts med tidigare utförd inventering från 2011, för att se hur rådjurspopulationen har förändrats. Inventeringen visade att rådjursstammen har minskat i området. Minskning av Rådjursbeståndet i naturreservatet har minskat med 8,5 % i antalet djur. En möjlig orsak till att rådjursstammen har minskat kan bero på att rävstammen har ökat och därigenom tagit fler kid. Rådjursbestånd fluktuerar årligen i antal, dock pekar de senaste årens viltolyckor i kommunen på en stadig ökning i antalet. Detta kan förklaras utav de senaste årens milda vintrar som har varit gynnsamma för allt vilt då de ger en god tillgång på föda. Vildsvinsbeståndets närvaro i området är påtagligt då det under inventering kunde konstateras att cirka 16% av all betesmark var uppbökad. Detta kan medföra att rådjuren förändrar sitt rörelsemönster och söker sig till skogsmarker. Arbetet omfattar även de viltåtgärder som bidrar till att värna om biologisk mångfald i naturreservatet. Sådana åtgärder är exempelvis att skapa större våtmarksområden, få fram brynzoner och hålla en välmående rävstam. Detta gör att viltförvaltningen underlättas i ett naturområde där jakten är förbjuden. Åtgärderna är till för att skapa ett friskt viltbestånd men också för att minimera de skador som rådjur kan ha på naturen. Utifrån de rekreations- och naturvärden som kan påverkas av en stor rådjursstam har en ekologisk bärförmåga för rådjur föreslagits för naturreservatet. Denna bärkapacitet grundas utifrån forskning från SLU och utav en rapport från ett naturreservat i USA. Den bärkapacitet som föreslagits är ett maxantal på 100 rådjur/ 1000 ha för att undvika en negativ inverkan på miljön. De skador som observerats är att föryngring försvåras av lövskog och försening av den naturliga successionen. Rapporten har resulterat i en förvaltningsplan för rådjuren i Herrevadskloster som ett komplement till områdets skötselplan

Att vara medkännande med sig själv och andra -En kvalitativ studie om vad arbetet med (själv)medkänsla tillför psykologen som yrkesperson och privatperson.

Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur psykologer som arbetar med (själv)medkänsla definierar och förstår begreppet (själv)medkänsla och hur de upplever nyttan av detta arbete som yrkespersoner och privatpersoner. Sju psykologer intervjuades och datamaterialet analyserades med Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), vilket gav sex huvudteman: Att vara medkännande med sig själv; Common humanity; Effekter hos patienter; Självomhändertagande strategi; Lättare att hantera påfrestningar; Integrerad i personligheten. Resultatet gav stöd för att arbetet med (själv)medkänsla var till stor nytta för samtliga psykologer så väl i yrkeslivet som i privatlivet. Resultatet diskuterades i relation till teorin. Psykologerna gav uttryck för förbättrade terapiresultat, även hos patienter som tidigare inte blivit tillräckligt hjälpta av terapi. Arbetet sågs även som en självomhändertagande strategi, då det upplevdes ha bidragit till förbättrad stresshantering och minskat risken för utmattning och utbrändhet. Psykologernas beskrivningar av hur de såg på (själv)medkänsla var relativt samstämmiga, även om det framkom viss variation i (själv)medkänslans betydelse för dem personligen. Samtliga psykologer underströk vikten av egen erfarenhet av att använda sig av kunskaper och förhållningssätt utifrån metoden som användes i patientarbetet. Flera psykologer gav uttryck för att arbetet med (själv)medkänsla hade inneburit stora positiva förändringar för dem, såväl som yrkesperson som privatperson.The aim of this study was to investigate how psychologists working with (self)compassion defined and understood the concept of (self)compassion and how they experienced the benefits both as professionals and as private individuals. Seven psychologists were interviewed and the data analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), yielding six main themes: Being compassionate with yourself; Common humanity; Effects in patients; Selfcare strategy; Facilitated stress handling; Integration into one´s personality. The results indicated that the methods used were of great benefit for all seven psychologists in professional as well as in private life. Results were discussed in relation to the theory. After adopting (self)compassion strategies, the psychologists expressed improved therapy results, even in clients who earlier had not been sufficiently helped by therapy. The methods were also deemed a selfcare strategy by the psychologists, through creating improved stress management and reducing the risk for fatigue and burnout. Although there were some personal variations, the psychologists’ descriptions of their views of (self)compassion were relatively consistent. All psychologists emphasized the importance of personal experience when working with (self)compassion. Several of the psychologists expressed views that (self)compassion had brought about major positive changes in their lives, both as professionals and private individuals

Obesity related eating behaviour patterns in Swedish preschool children and association with age, gender, relative weight and parental weight - factorial validation of the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) is a multi-dimensional, parent-reported questionnaire measuring children's eating behaviours related to obesity risk, i.e. 'enjoyment of food', 'food responsiveness', 'slowness in eating' and 'satiety responsiveness'. It has not previously been validated in a Swedish population, neither on children under the age of 2 years. In the present study we examined the factor structure and the reliability of the Swedish version of the CEBQ, for use in an obesity intervention programme targeting preschool children 1-6 years. Further, the associations between eating behaviours and children's age, gender and relative weight (BMI SDS) and parental weight were investigated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Parents to 174 children aged 1-6 years (50% girls, mean age 3.8 years), recruited from five kindergartens in Stockholm, completed the Swedish version of the CEBQ. Data on children's weight and height, parental weight, height and educational level was collected. Children's relative weight was calculated for a subpopulation (mean BMI SDS -0.4, n = 47). Factorial validation (Principal Component Analysis) on all CEBQ items was performed. Differences in eating behaviours by age, gender and parental weight were examined. Correlations between eating behaviours and the child's BMI SDS were analysed controlling for age, gender, parental weight and education in linear regression analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The factor analysis revealed a seven factor solution with good psychometric properties, similar to the original structure. The behaviour scales 'overeating'/'food responsiveness', 'enjoyment of food' and 'emotional undereating' decreased with age and 'food fussiness' increased with age. Eating behaviours did not differ between girls and boys. The children's relative weight was not related to any of the eating behaviours when controlling for age, gender, parental weight and education, and only associated with parental weight status.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results support the use of the CEBQ as a psychometric instrument for assessing children's eating behaviours in Swedish children aged 1-6 years. Measuring obesity related eating behaviours in longitudinal and interventional studies would offer opportunities for studying causal effects of eating behaviours in the development of obesity in children.</p

Eating behaviour patterns in Chinese children aged 12-18 months and association with relative weight - factorial validation of the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Eating behaviours have been suggested relating to obesity development. The Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) is a parent-report measure constructed to assess multiple dimensions of eating behavior for children. This study aimed to test the validity of the Chinese version of Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) in Chinese children aged 12-18 months. We examined factor structure and the reliability of the Chinese version of the CEBQ, the associations between children's eating behaviours and children's weight (BMI SDS) were assessed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>219 questionnaires were filled out by the caregivers, approached in community health care centers in two cities in China. BMI of each child was calculated and converted to BMI SDS. Factor validation (Principal Component Analysis, exploratory factor analysis) on all CEBQ items was performed and gender difference in eating behaviours was examined. Correlations between eating behaviours and the child's BMI SDS were analyzed by linear regression analysis controlling for gender, parental combined weight, and education.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The factor analysis revealed a seven-factor solution, with factor 'food responsiveness' (FR) split into two. 'Satiety responsiveness' (SR) and 'Enjoyment of food' (EF) factors were not detected. Interestingly, boys scored higher than girls in the FR scales, whereas girls had a higher score in 'food fussiness' (FF) scale.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We conclude that although a valuable psychometric instrument, CEBQ might be affected by age and cultural differences. Therefore, adjusting it in order to fit the Chinese population was suggested. We did not find an association between eating behaviours and children's BMI SDS, when it was controlled for gender and parental weight.</p

FTO Obesity Variant Circuitry and Adipocyte Browning in Humans

Background Genomewide association studies can be used to identify disease-relevant genomic regions, but interpretation of the data is challenging. The FTO region harbors the strongest genetic association with obesity, yet the mechanistic basis of this association remains elusive. Methods We examined epigenomic data, allelic activity, motif conservation, regulator expression, and gene coexpression patterns, with the aim of dissecting the regulatory circuitry and mechanistic basis of the association between the FTO region and obesity. We validated our predictions with the use of directed perturbations in samples from patients and from mice and with endogenous CRISPR–Cas9 genome editing in samples from patients. Results Our data indicate that the FTO allele associated with obesity represses mitochondrial thermogenesis in adipocyte precursor cells in a tissue-autonomous manner. The rs1421085 T-to-C single-nucleotide variant disrupts a conserved motif for the ARID5B repressor, which leads to derepression of a potent preadipocyte enhancer and a doubling of IRX3 and IRX5 expression during early adipocyte differentiation. This results in a cell-autonomous developmental shift from energy-dissipating beige (brite) adipocytes to energy-storing white adipocytes, with a reduction in mitochondrial thermogenesis by a factor of 5, as well as an increase in lipid storage. Inhibition of Irx3 in adipose tissue in mice reduced body weight and increased energy dissipation without a change in physical activity or appetite. Knockdown of IRX3 or IRX5 in primary adipocytes from participants with the risk allele restored thermogenesis, increasing it by a factor of 7, and overexpression of these genes had the opposite effect in adipocytes from nonrisk-allele carriers. Repair of the ARID5B motif by CRISPR–Cas9 editing of rs1421085 in primary adipocytes from a patient with the risk allele restored IRX3 and IRX5 repression, activated browning expression programs, and restored thermogenesis, increasing it by a factor of 7. Conclusions Our results point to a pathway for adipocyte thermogenesis regulation involving ARID5B, rs1421085, IRX3, and IRX5, which, when manipulated, had pronounced pro-obesity and anti-obesity effects. (Funded by the German Research Center for Environmental Health and others.)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01HG004037)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01GM113708)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01HG008155)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (RC1HG005334

PGH1, the Precursor for the Anti-Inflammatory Prostaglandins of the 1-series, Is a Potent Activator of the Pro-Inflammatory Receptor CRTH2/DP2

Prostaglandin H1 (PGH1) is the cyclo-oxygenase metabolite of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and the precursor for the 1-series of prostaglandins which are often viewed as “anti-inflammatory”. Herein we present evidence that PGH1 is a potent activator of the pro-inflammatory PGD2 receptor CRTH2, an attractive therapeutic target to treat allergic diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis. Non-invasive, real time dynamic mass redistribution analysis of living human CRTH2 transfectants and Ca2+ flux studies reveal that PGH1 activates CRTH2 as PGH2, PGD2 or PGD1 do. The PGH1 precursor DGLA and the other PGH1 metabolites did not display such effect. PGH1 specifically internalizes CRTH2 in stable CRTH2 transfectants as assessed by antibody feeding assays. Physiological relevance of CRTH2 ligation by PGH1 is demonstrated in several primary human hematopoietic lineages, which endogenously express CRTH2: PGH1 mediates migration of and Ca2+ flux in Th2 lymphocytes, shape change of eosinophils, and their adhesion to human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells under physiological flow conditions. All these effects are abrogated in the presence of the CRTH2 specific antagonist TM30089. Together, our results identify PGH1 as an important lipid intermediate and novel CRTH2 agonist which may trigger CRTH2 activation in vivo in the absence of functional prostaglandin D synthase

Sīrat ˁAntar; Från dåtid till nutid – formgranskande perspektiv på ett arabiskt folkepos

Sirat Antar är ett arabiskt folkepos med fästen långt tillbaka i tiden. Detta epos har berättats under åtminstone flera hundra år, och dess innehåll berör stora delar av den arabiska historien, ända tillbaka till förislamisk tid. I dagens samhälle är berättelsen fortfarande välkänd och populär, och utifrån personliga samtal under resor jag gjort i Mellanöstern vågar jag påstå att de allra flesta känner till den hjältemodige Antara och hans förälskelse i Abla. Berättelsen filmatiserades i en egyptisk produktion år 1960 och filmen Antar the black Prince – Antara bin Shaddad finns fortfarande att köpa i butiker och marknadsstånd. Den omfattande berättelsen har även blivit en 40 avsnitt lång musalsal, ett slags såpopera, som periodvis fortfarande visas på arabisk TV. I denna uppsats ska jag undersöka Sirat Antar ur ett formelteoretiskt och formbundenhetsperspektiv. Jag ska försöka utreda om det finns återkommande element eller formler i berättelsen och dessas eventuella funktioner. Forskning om muntliga berättelser från andra delar av världen visar på att vissa grepp är fundamentala för muntlig epik. Därför är det intressant att se om epikens formulae även gäller ett arabiskt epos, eller om det finns andra tillämpade medel. Eftersom Sirat Antar fortfarande kan betraktas som en levande del av folkkulturen är min ansats att komma närmre ett svar på hur den har överförts och bevarats in i modern tid