BackgroundNot all obese subjects have an adverse metabolic profile predisposing them to developing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. The BioSHaRE-EU Healthy Obese Project aims to gain insights into the consequences of (healthy) obesity using data on risk factors and phenotypes across several large-scale cohort studies. Aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) in ten participating studies.MethodsTen different cohorts in seven countries were combined, using data transformed into a harmonized format. All participants were of European origin, with age 18–80 years. They had participated in a clinical examination for anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Blood samples had been drawn for analysis of lipids and glucose. Presence of MetS was assessed in those with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) based on the 2001 NCEP ATP III criteria, as well as an adapted set of less strict criteria. MHO was defined as obesity, having none of the MetS components, and no previous diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.ResultsData for 163,517 individuals were available; 17% were obese (11,465 men and 16,612 women). The prevalence of obesity varied from 11.6% in the Italian CHRIS cohort to 26.3% in the German KORA cohort. The age-standardized percentage of obese subjects with MetS ranged in women from 24% in CHRIS to 65% in the Finnish Health2000 cohort, and in men from 43% in CHRIS to 78% in the Finnish DILGOM cohort, with elevated blood pressure the most frequently occurring factor contributing to the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. The age-standardized prevalence of MHO varied in women from 7% in Health2000 to 28% in NCDS, and in men from 2% in DILGOM to 19% in CHRIS. MHO was more prevalent in women than in men, and decreased with age in both sexes.ConclusionsThrough a rigorous harmonization process, the BioSHaRE-EU consortium was able to compare key characteristics defining the metabolically healthy obese phenotype across ten cohort studies. There is considerable variability in the prevalence of healthy obesity across the different European populations studied, even when unified criteria were used to classify this phenotype.

This population-based study suggests gender-dependent associations between cultural participation and perceived health, anxiety, depression and satisfaction with life. The results support hypotheses on the effect of cultural activities in health promotion and healthcare, but further longitudinal and experimental studies are warranted to establish a reliable cause-effect relationship.

The results from the present study show that overweight, smoking, or low physical activity are independently and in combination associated with recurrent headache among adolescents. The associations observed and the additive effect of these negative lifestyle factors on the prevalence of recurrent headache indicates possible targets for preventive measures.

Background: To create and find accurate and reliable instruments for the measurement of physical activity has been a challenge in epidemiological studies. We investigated the reliability and validity of two different physical activity questionnaires in 71 adolescents aged 13-18 years; the WHO, Health Behaviour in Schoolchildren (HBSC) questionnaire, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, short version).

Exhaled nitric oxide is a potential marker of lower airway inflammation. Allergic rhinitis is associated with asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.To determine whether or not nasal and exhaled NO concentrations are increased in allergic rhinitis and to assess the relation between hyperresponsiveness and exhaled NO, 46 rhinitic and 12 control subjects, all nonasthmatic nonsmokers without upper respiratory tract infection, were randomly selected from a large-scale epidemiological survey in Central Norway. All were investigated with flow±volume spirometry, methacholine provocation test, allergy testing and measurement of nasal and exhaled NO concentration in the nonpollen season. Eighteen rhinitic subjects completed an identical follow-up investigation during the following pollen season.Exhaled NO was significantly elevated in allergic rhinitis in the nonpollen season, especially in perennially sensitized subjects, as compared with controls (p=0.01), and increased further in the pollen season (p=0.04), mainly due to a two-fold increase in those with seasonal sensitization. Nasal NO was not significantly different from controls in the nonpollen season and did not increase significantly in the pollen season. Exhaled NO was increased in hyperresponsive subjects, and decreased significantly after methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction, suggesting that NO production occurs in the peripheral airways.In allergic rhinitis, an increase in exhaled nitric oxide on allergen exposure, particularly in hyperresponsive subjects, may be suggestive of airway inflammation and an increased risk for developing asthma. Eur Respir J 1999; 13: 301±306. Previous studies have shown that a significant proportion of those with allergic rhinitis without bronchial symptoms have a bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine [1± 3]. Moreover, this responsiveness seems to increase during the allergen season [3]. Thus, there seems to be a link between the existence and the severity of allergic rhinitis and the degree of responsiveness in the lower airways. The reason for this is not clear. Nasal obstruction resulting in mouth breathing, with impaired filtration and conditioning of the inspired air and increased inhalation of aeroallergens might be a cause. Another hypothesis is that inflammatory mediators may be aspirated from the inflammatory area in the nose into the lower airways, thereby causing a more widespread inflammation. Topical intranasal corticosteroid treatment reduces the release of inflammatory mediators [4], and beclomethasone dipropionate 400 mg daily is more effective in preventing the seasonal increase in bronchial responsiveness when administered topically by intranasal inhalation than by oral inhalation [5]. A third explanation which must be considered is the possible presence of a nasobronchial reflex. Nasal stimulation with methacholine increases airway resistance in the nose, as well as in the lower airways [6]. Other evidence suggestive of this reflex is the increase in bronchial responsiveness to methacho...

The Young-HUNT Study is the adolescent part (13-19 years) of HUNT, the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, Norway. Three cross-sectional surveys have been conducted: Young-HUNT1 (1995-97), Young-HUNT2 (2000-01) and Young-HUNT3 (2006-08). Major public health issues, including somatic and mental health, quality of life and health behaviours are covered. Young-HUNT was performed in schools visited by trained nurses. Data collection included self-reported questionnaires, structured interviews, clinical measurements and, in Young-HUNT3, buccal smears. The total response rates varied from 90% to 83% and the Young-HUNT database includes 17 820 teenagers. Some Young-HUNT1 participants constitute the baseline for two follow-up studies: a 4-year follow-up through adolescence to Young-HUNT2 and an 11-year follow-up into young adulthood to the adult HUNT3. Longitudinal data are also obtained by linkage of data from Young-HUNT to different national health registers. Linkage to family registers allows the possibility of studying genetic and environmental interactions through generations. Presently 20 PhD students are working with the data, 11 Young-HUNT based PhD theses have been completed and more than 50 scientific papers published.

Some reports indicate that the obesity epidemic may be slowing down or halting. We followed body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in a large adult population in Norway (n = 90 000) from 1984–1986 (HUNT1) through 1995–1997 (HUNT2) to 2006–2008 (HUNT3) to study whether this is occurring in Norway. Height and weight were measured with standardized and identical methods in all three surveys; WC was also measured in HUNT2 and HUNT3. In the three surveys, mean BMI increased from 25.3 to 26.5 and 27.5 kg m−2 in men and from 25.1 to 26.2 and 26.9 kg m−2 in women. Increase in prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg m−2) was greater in men (from 7.7 to 14.4 and 22.1%) compared with women (from 13.3 to 18.3 and 23.1%). In contrast, women had a greater increase in abdominal obesity (WC ≥ 102 cm for men and WC ≥ 88 cm for women). There was a continuous shift in the distribution curve of BMI and WC to the right, demonstrating that the increase in body weight was occurring in all weight groups, but the increase of obesity was greatest in the youngest age groups. Our data showed no signs of a halt in the increase of obesity in this representative Norwegian population.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse changes in body weight and height, and the changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Design: Prospective population based study with 11-year follow-up. Subjects: Norwegian men (n ¼ 21565) and women (n ¼ 24337) aged 20 years or more who participated in two health surveys, the first in 1984-1986 and the other in 1995-1997. Measurements: Height and weight were measured by using standardised procedures at both surveys, and we computed body mass index (BMI) as weight in kilo divided by the squared value of height in meters. Results: Participants who were younger than 50 years at the first survey showed a large increase in body weight, and men and women aged 20-29 years increased their weight with an average of 7.9 kg and 7.3 kg, respectively. Contradictory, participants who were 70 years or older had on average a weight loss. The prevalence of overweight (BMI ¼ 25.0-29.9 kg/m 2 ) and obesity (BMIX30 kg/m 2 ) increased between the surveys, especially in the youngest age groups. Overall, the proportion classified as obese increased from 6.7 to 15.5% among men and from 11.0 to 21.0% among women. Some of this increase was due to a reduction in height, which was most pronounced in the oldest age groups. Conclusion: During approximately 10 years, body weight increased in all age groups below 70 years, and the prevalence of overweight and obese persons was approximately 20% higher at the second survey compared with the first survey.