Relationship between dietary factors and bisphenol a exposure: the second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS 2012–2014)

Abstract Background This study was aimed at finding out the exposure level of bisphenol A (BPA), a well-known endocrine disruptor, in relation to dietary factors using a data representing the Korean general population. Methods This study was performed on 5402 adults aged 19 years and older based on the Second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS 2012–2014). The data analyzed urinary BPA concentration in relation to socio-demographic variables, health behavior-related variables, and dietary factor-related variables. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated through a logistic regression analysis after dividing the participants into high BPA exposure group and low BPA exposure group based on the top 75 percentile concentration. The logistic regression analysis was carried out considering the appropriate sample weight, stratification, and clustering of the second KoNEHS sample design. Results The group drinking bottled water at home and the group using zip-top bags/plastic bags showed significantly higher urinary BPA concentration in female. OR tends to increase as the intake frequency of frozen food increased and OR of frozen food consumption of more than once a week was 1.48 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–2.24) for male and the group drinking bottled water showed significantly higher OR of 1.45 (95% CI 1.06–2.17) after adjusting the related factors for female. Conclusions BPA levels were high in female using bottled water and in male consuming frozen food, and therefore bottled water and frozen food need to be avoided to reduce BPA levels

Association Between Computerized Reaction Time, Short Physical Performance Battery and Berg Balance Scale in the Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Background : Falls, in older adults, can worsen physical functioning and lead to serious complications. Thus, as a means of preventive intervention, this high-risk group should be screened. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether reaction time is clinically applicable as a fall risk assessment tool. Methods : The study participants were community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older, who scored 24 or more in the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, and did not have difficulty with communication and comprehension. To investigate the relationship between hand reaction time and fall risk, we used items from a recently developed computerized apparatus, which includes 2 fall risk assessment tools: the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results : Reaction time was negatively correlated with the total SPPB (r=-0.314, p<0.001) and BBS scores (r=-0.164, p<0.001); the scores were higher when reaction times were lower. Multiple linear regression analyses also showed that the total SPPB (β=-0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.26 to -0.02) and BBS scores (β=-0.14; 95% CI, -0.26 to -0.02) significantly increased as the reaction time decreased. Conclusion : Reaction time was significantly correlated with the SPPB and BBS, confirming the possibility of its use in tools for fall risk assessment