Lemia Shaban

Vitamin D status among adolescents in Kuwait: a cross-sectional study

Objectives In Kuwait, as in many Arab states in the Gulf region, there are limited data on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among healthy adolescents. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a nationally representative sample of adolescents and investigate factors associated with vitamin D status. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1416 adolescents aged 11–16 years, who were randomly selected from middle schools in all governorates of Kuwait. Data were collected from parents through self-administered questionnaire and from adolescents through face-to-face interview. Vitamin D was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Logistic regression was used to investigate the independent factors associated with vitamin D status. Results The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 81.21% (95% CI 71.61% to 90.81%), while severe deficiency was 39.48%. Only 3.60% of adolescents were vitamin D-sufficient. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher among girls compared with boys (91.69% vs 70.32%; p<0.001). There was a significant inverse correlation between vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (Spearman correlation=−0.35; p<0.001). In the final model, gender, age, governorate, parental education, body mass index, vitamin D supplement and the number of times adolescents walk to schools per week were all significantly related to vitamin D deficiency. Conclusion High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was noted among adolescents in Kuwait despite the abundant sunshine, which may reflect strong sun avoidance behaviour. Adequate outdoor daytime activities should be encouraged especially for girls. We call for locally tailored guidelines for vitamin D supplement in which girls should have a higher dose compared with boys.

Relationship of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on C-Reactive Protein and Homocysteine in Haitian and African Americans with and without Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3) may be protective of cardiovascular risk factors for vulnerable populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between n-3 with, C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (HCY) in Black minorities with and without type 2 diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 406 participants: Haitian Americans (HA): n=238. African Americans (AA): n=172. Participants were recruited from a randomly generated mailing lists, local diabetes educators, community health practitioners and advertisements from 2008–2010. Sociodemographics and anthropometrics were collected and used to adjust analyses. All dietary variables were collected using the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and used to quantify vitamin components. Blood was collected to measure CVD risk factors (blood lipids, HCY, and CRP). Results: African Americans had higher waist circumferences and C-reactive protein and consumed more calories as compared to Haitian Americans. Omega 3 fatty acid intake per calorie did not differ between these ethnicities, yet African Americans with low n-3 intake were three times more likely to have high C-reactive protein as compared to their counterparts [OR=3. 32 (1. 11, 9. 26) p=0.031]. Although homocysteine did not differ by ethnicity, African Americans with low omega 3 intake (<1 g/day) were four times as likely to have high homocysteine (>12 mg/L) as compared to their counterparts, adjusting for confounders [OR=4.63 (1.59, 12.0) p=0.004]. Consumption of n-3 by diabetes status was not associated with C-reactive protein or homocysteine levels. Conclusions: Consumption of n-3 may be protective of cardiovascular risk factors such as C-reactive protein and homocysteine for certain ethnicities. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.

Do mothers affect daughter’s behaviors? Diet, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors in Kuwaiti mother–daughter dyads

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to evaluate 169 Kuwaiti mother–daughter dyads and their associations with health behaviors for eating healthy, engaging in physical activity, daughters perceived body weight, time spent with computer/video, and time viewing television. Female students aged 10–14 years were selected from private and public schools in the State of Kuwait. Results demonstrated that daughters exhibited similar behaviors to their mothers in their perceived eating behavior, physical activity, computer/video game use, and TV screen time. Future research is essential to determine the role of mothers in effective health behavior intervention strategies for female Kuwaiti adolescents.

Plasma 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Is Not Associated with Either Cognitive Function or Academic Performance in Adolescents

Several observational studies have reported an association between low levels of vitamin D (VD) and poor cognition in adults, but there is a paucity of data on such an association in adolescents. We investigated the association between VD and cognitive function or academic achievement among 1370 adolescents, who were selected from public middle schools in Kuwait, using stratified multistage cluster random sampling with probability proportional to size. Plasma 25-hydroxy VD (25-OH-D) was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). An age-adjusted standard score (ASC), calculated from Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices test, was used to evaluate cognitive function; academic achievements were extracted from the schools’ records. Data on various covariates were collected from the parents through a self-administered questionnaire and from the adolescents using face-to-face interviews. 25-OH-D was weakly correlated positively with ASC (ρ = 0.06; p = 0.04). Univariable linear regression analysis showed an association between 25-OH-D categories and ASC after adjusting for gender, but adjusting for parental education was sufficient to explain this association. Multivariable analysis showed no association between 25-OH-D and ASC after adjusting for potential confounders whether 25-OH-D was fitted as a continuous variable (p = 0.73), a variable that is categorized by acceptable cutoff points (p = 0.48), or categorized into quartiles (p = 0.88). Similarly, 25-OH-D was not associated with academic performance. We conclude that 25-OH-D is associated with neither cognitive function nor academic performance in adolescents.

Plasma 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D is not Associated with Acne Vulgaris

Few studies have investigated the association between Acne vulgaris (AV) and vitamin D level. In this study we aimed to investigate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-VitD) level and AV in a country with plenty of sunshine. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 714 adolescents who were randomly selected from public schools using multistage cluster random sampling with probability proportional to size. 25-OH-VitD levels were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) was used to assess the severity of AV. Data on potential confounders were collected from the parents through a self-administered questionnaire, and from the adolescents using a face-to-face interview. Of 714 participants, 351 (41.16%) were males. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) age was 12.28 (0.81) years. AV was observed in 479 (67.1%) adolescents. There was no significant association between 25-OH-VitD level and clinically assessed AV before or after adjusting for potential confounders. This was consistent whether 25-OH-VitD was fitted as a continuous variable or categorized using acceptable cutoff points or tertiles. In this study vitamin D status was not associated with AV, therefore our data do not support vitamin D supplementation either to treat or to prevent AV.

Corrigendum to “Perceived Body Image, Eating Behavior, and Sedentary Activities and Body Mass Index Categories in Kuwaiti Female Adolescents”

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2016/1092819.].