Diana Vondrová

Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) in Slovak population: application in a clinical sample

The purpose of this study is to provide new data on body composition in the Slovak population, particularly impedance vector components according to sex and age, relevant for bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in a clinical sample. The reference sample consisted of 1543 apparently healthy individuals (1007 females and 536 males), aged from 18 to 92 years and of 60 patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) (26 females and 34 males), aged from 40 to 81 years. Bioelectrical parameters of resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) were measured with a monofrequency analyser (BIA 101). BIVA was used to analyse tissue electric properties in control subjects and patients with PD. The mean vector position differed significantly between PD patients and healthy controls in males of age subgroups 60–69 years and 70–79 years, respectively. These results were conterminous with significant Hotelling’s T2-test; 60–69 y T2=7.8, P=0.024 and 70–79 y T2=7.6, P=0.026. In the RXc-score graph three patients had values outside the 95% ellipse. Altered tissue electric properties were present in 23.5% of males and 15.4% of females. Distribution of impedance vector components in different age categories of healthy Slovak subjects are relevant to comparative population studies and to clinical practice.

The impact of selected environmental, behavioral and psychosocial factors on schoolchildren’s somatic and mental health

Abstract Children develop rapidly and many exogenous determinants of health significantly affect their somatic and mental development. There is a subjective perception of cognitive load associated with the educational process. The aim of the study is to assess individual environmental, behavioral and psychosocial factors influencing physical health and to investigate the amount of mental load in children. We investigated 87 schoolchildren (47 girls and 40 boys) aged 10–12 years, who were attending primary school in Bratislava. To assess values of selected factors we used a questionnaire form and personality characteristics were estimated by standardized psycho-diagnostic and IQ tests [range of classic fear, social-situation anxiety and jitters [skala Klasickeho strachu a Socialno-situacnej (in Slovak)] (KSAT), Eyesenck Personality Questionnaire for children (EPQ), Raven’s IQ test]. Self-reported perception of mental load was assessed by questionnaire of subjective feelings and states (SFS). Children’s body parameters were assessed using anthropometric measurements [height, weight, chest, abdominal and hip girth, Rohrer’s index (RI), body mass index (BMI)] and a body fat measurement method (skinfold thickness). The results confirmed a significant relationship between higher parameters of overweight and obesity and irregular breakfast eating (p<0.05), absence of family dining (p<0.05), exposure to tobacco smoke in the family environment (p<0.01) and mother’s level of education (p<0.05). Almost 60% of children reported high mental effort and cognitive load associated with the educational process. We note a close relationship between the higher mental load and the score of neuroticism (p<0.01). The physical and mental health of schoolchildren is significantly affected by exogenous factors. Therefore, in terms of protection and promotion of children’s health, it is important to evaluate and monitor environmental risk factors and to form their healthy habits.

Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke in Relation to Behavioral, Emotional, Social and Health Indicators of Slovak School Children

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure has been shown in general as a major environmental risk factor and deserves attention in vulnerable population groups. The aim of the project is to analyze the relationships among the ETS and behavior and health in 6−15-year-old children in Slovakia. The status of physical and mental health of children in relation to exposure to tobacco smoke was examined in a representative group of 1478 school children. The methods used, included anonymous questionnaires filled in by parents, Columbia Impairment Scale (CIS), Behavior Problem Index (BPI) and anthropometry. The prevalence of ETS exposure is the highest in the capital (27%) and southern cities. A significant association was found between ETS and age, socio-economic status, incompleteness of the family, level of mother’s education and a higher prevalence of respiratory diseases (26.7%). The relationships of ETS with emotional (CIS scores ≥ 16) and behavioral functions (BPI score ≥ 14) were significant in children exposed to mother’s or father’s smoking at home. In the multivariate analysis these associations were not significant; the factors such as income and completeness of the family were dominant. The results showed mostly the predominant impact of social factors on the physical and mental health status of Slovak school children.

The Analysis of Selected Malocclusion Risk Factors: A Pilot Study

Objective: To analyse selected malocclusion risk factors, their exposure time and overall malocclusion risk scores. Material and Methods: The self-prepared questionnaires were collected at dental practitioners’ waiting rooms from 6/2014 to 12/2015. The study group consisted of patients treated by dental braces (n=82; 15.5±4.4 years) and the control group consisted of other patients not treated by dental braces (n=45; 17.6±4.7 years). Data were processed by the statistical program SPSS using descriptive statistics. To verify the hypothesis wad used two sample t-test to compare the average exposure scores and the exposure time between the two groups. To determine associations between categorical variables was used Chi-square test. Statistical significance was set at p-value <0.05. Results: Our results confirmed longer exposure times in all studied malocclusion risk factors, in the case of pacifier sucking the difference was significant (p=0.001). The longest exposure time was found in mouth breathing in the study group (12.2±6.5 years). The lip sucking/chewing cannot be confirmed as a malocclusion risk factor. The study group had higher level of an overall mean risk score (19.8±11.5) compared the control group (16.1±12.1), although not significant. It can be concluded that non-nutritive sucking habits and/or mouth breathing could have damaging effect to normal teeth development. Conclusion: Malocclusions could be preventable, thus we recommend setting up educational programs for dentists and paediatricians as well as for parents focusing on the improvement of oral health knowledge.

Prevalencia nadváhy a obezity u adolescentov a jej asociácia s kardiometabolickými rizikovými faktormi a životným štýlom

V sucasnosti celosvetovo sledujeme narast prevalencie obezity ako jedneho z rizikových faktorov kardiovaskularnych chorob nielen v dospelej populacii, ale už aj u deti a mladistvých. V praci prezentujeme prevalenciu nadvahy a obezity v subore 2 629 adolescentov (45,8 % chlapcov) vo veku 14-18 rokov a porovnanie vybraných kardiometabolických markerov v skupine s normalnou hmotnosťou a v skupine s nadvahou/obezitou so zreteľom na telesnu zdatnosť a vybrane faktory životneho stýlu. Uskutocnili sme zakladne antropometricke vysetrenie zamerane na nadvahu/obezitu, celkovu telesnu zdatnosť sme hodnotili pomocou Ruffierovho testu. Z venoznej krvi sa vysetril kompletný lipidový profil, hladina glykemie, C-reaktivny protein a homocystein, z vysetrených parametrov sme vypocitali hladinu LDL-cholesterolu a aterogenny index plazmy (log TAG/HDL-cholesterol). Merali sme krvný tlak a pokojovu pulzovu frekvenciu, objektivne vysetrenie doplnilo vyplnenie obsiahleho dotaznika, kde sme sa zamerali najma na vybrane charakteristiky životneho stýlu. V pasme nadvahy/obezity bolo 30,7 % chlapcov (13,1 % obeznych) a 22,9 % dievcat (7,9 % obeznych). Adolescenti s nadvahou/obezitou mali s výnimkou glykemie a hladiny homocysteinu vsetky biochemicke ukazovatele významne horsie, mali významne vyssie priemerne hodnoty krvneho tlaku, rýchlejsiu pokojovu pulzovu frekvenciu (chlapci významne) a horsie ukazovatele telesnej zdatnosti; metabolický syndrom sme zistili u 5,5 % adolescentov s nadvahou/obezitou. V skupine s normalnou hmotnosťou pozorujeme v stravovacom režime castejsiu a pravidelnejsiu konzumaciu jednotlivých denných jedal, významne vyssi priemerný pocet jedal denne, nevýznamne dlhsie trvanie týždennej telesnej aktivity, kratsi cas venovaný sledovaniu TV a u chlapcov dlhsie trvanie spanku. Výsledky potvrdili horsi kardiovaskularny rizikový profil a výskyt metabolickeho syndromu v skupine s nadvahou/obezitou už v adolescentnom veku a potrebu intenzivnej primarnej prevencie a intervencie zameranu najma na prevenciu obezity už od najmladsich vekových skupin.