Inverse association between diabetes and altitude: a cross-sectional study in the adult population of the United States.

ObjectiveTo determine whether geographical elevation is inversely associated with diabetes, while adjusting for multiple risk factors.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional analysis of publicly available online data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2009. Final dataset included 285,196 US adult subjects. Odds ratios were obtained from multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression analysis.ResultsAmong US adults (≥20 years old), the odds ratio for diabetes was 1.00 between 0 and 499 m of altitude (reference), 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.90-1.01) between 500 and 1,499 m, and 0.88 (0.81-0.96) between 1,500 and 3,500 m, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, ethnicity, self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption, self-reported physical activity, current smoking status, level of education, income, health status, employment status, and county-level information on migration rate, urbanization, and latitude. The inverse association between altitude and diabetes in the US was found among men [0.84 (0.76-0.94)], but not women [1.09 (0.97-1.22)].ConclusionsAmong US adults, living at high altitude (1,500-3,500 m) is associated with lower odds of having diabetes than living between 0 and 499 m, while adjusting for multiple risk factors. Our findings suggest that geographical elevation may be an important factor linked to diabetes

Examining motivational correlates of mental toughness in Spanish athletes

Based on Self Determination and Achievement Goal theories, in this study we tested the relationship between perceptions of coaches’ in- terpersonal styles, athlete’s goal orientations, mental toughness (MT) and future intention of sport practice, as well as self-perception of achievement in sport in a sample of 155 athletes (82 men and 73 women) with a mean age of 22.64 + 3.91 years, from 13 teams who completed a questionnaire with the variables of interest for the study. Results revealed that athlete’s perceptions of autonomy supportive interpersonal style positively predic- ted task orientation, while athlete’s perceptions of controlling interpersonal style positively predicted ego orientation. Additionally, task orientation and self-perception of achievement in sport positively predicted MT, which in turn predicted future intention of sport practice. Results emphasize the importance of having coaches promoting autonomy supportive atmosphe- res to facilitate the development of MT in athletes. Based on Self Determination and Achievement Goal theories, in this study we tested the relationship between perceptions of coaches’ in- terpersonal styles, athlete’s goal orientations, mental toughness (MT) and future intention of sport practice, as well as self-perception of achievement in sport in a sample of 155 athletes (82 men and 73 women) with a mean age of 22.64 + 3.91 years, from 13 teams who completed a questionnaire with the variables of interest for the study. Results revealed that athlete’s perceptions of autonomy supportive interpersonal style positively predic- ted task orientation, while athlete’s perceptions of controlling interpersonal style positively predicted ego orientation. Additionally, task orientation and self-perception of achievement in sport positively predicted MT, which in turn predicted future intention of sport practice. Results emphasize the importance of having coaches promoting autonomy supportive atmosphe- res to facilitate the development of MT in athletes.

Online Gaming: Impact on the Academic Performance and Social Behavior of the Students in Polytechnic University of the Philippines Laboratory High School

This study was conducted to assess and find out the impact of on-line gaming on the academic performance and social behavior of the students in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Laboratory High School. Furthermore, this study sought answers on the significant relationship between playing on-line games and academic performance and to social behavior of the students. The study revealed that boys are more of a player compared to girls who often play games that require three or more players like League of Legends, Clash of Clans, Crossfire and many more to mention. It is also stated that those who play online games are around 14-15 years old who are believed to be in the Grade 8 level. These students who often play games have an average weekly allowance of 101 pesos to 500 pesos. Playing online games do not affect their grades badly for they know how to limit themselves. They know that they need to control themselves in order to function well in their class that is why they only play games during vacation and weekends with a lot of time compared when they have classes. Even though they play online games; they know how to socialize well and they can perform very well when it comes to academic performance. However, it is inevitable not to play even for half an hour especially when they are accustomed to it. Therefore, it is just a matter of discipline. Keywords: On-line Gaming, Social Behavior, Curriculum, Academic Performance

Comparing Strategies to Prevent Stroke and Ischemic Heart Disease in the Tunisian Population: Markov Modeling Approach Using a Comprehensive Sensitivity Analysis Algorithm.

Background. Mathematical models offer the potential to analyze and compare the effectiveness of very different interventions to prevent future cardiovascular disease. We developed a comprehensive Markov model to assess the impact of three interventions to reduce ischemic heart diseases (IHD) and stroke deaths: (i) improved medical treatments in acute phase, (ii) secondary prevention by increasing the uptake of statins, (iii) primary prevention using health promotion to reduce dietary salt consumption. Methods. We developed and validated a Markov model for the Tunisian population aged 35–94 years old over a 20-year time horizon. We compared the impact of specific treatments for stroke, lifestyle, and primary prevention on both IHD and stroke deaths. We then undertook extensive sensitivity analyses using both a probabilistic multivariate approach and simple linear regression (metamodeling). Results. The model forecast a dramatic mortality rise, with 111,134 IHD and stroke deaths (95% CI 106567 to 115048) predicted in 2025 in Tunisia. The salt reduction offered the potentially most powerful preventive intervention that might reduce IHD and stroke deaths by 27% (−30240 [−30580 to −29900]) compared with 1% for medical strategies and 3% for secondary prevention. The metamodeling highlighted that the initial development of a minor stroke substantially increased the subsequent probability of a fatal stroke or IHD death. Conclusions. The primary prevention of cardiovascular disease via a reduction in dietary salt consumption appeared much more effective than secondary or tertiary prevention approaches. Our simple but comprehensive model offers a potentially attractive methodological approach that might now be extended and replicated in other contexts and populations