2023

Clustering of metabolic and behavioural risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among the adult population in South and Southeast Asia: findings from WHO STEPS data

2026-02-18T06:15:27Z

Clustering of metabolic and behavioural risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among the adult population in South and Southeast Asia: findings from WHO STEPS data Biswas, Tuhin Background The aim of this study is to assess the current status of metabolic and behavioural risk factors for car- diovascular diseases among the adult population in South and Southeast Asia using World Health Organization (WHO) STEPS data. Methods We used WHO STEPS surveys data in ten South and Southeast Asian countries. Weighted mean estimates of prevalence of five metabolic risk factors and four behavioural risk factors were calculated by country and overall region. We used random-effects meta-analysis to generate country and regional pooled estimates of metabolic and behavioural risk factors, using the DerSimonian and Laird inverse-variance method. Finding Around 48,434 participants aged 18–69 years were included in this study. Overall 32.00% (95% CI: 31.15–32.36) of individuals in the pooled sample had one metabolic risk factor, 22.10% (95% CI: 21.73–22.47) had two, and 12.38% had three or more (95% CI: 9.09–14.00). Twenty-four percent (95% CI: 20.00–29.00) of individuals in the pooled sample had only one behavioural risk factor, 49.00% (95% CI: 42.00–56.00) had two, and 22.00% had three or more (95% CI: 16.00–29.00). Risk of high three or more metabolic risk factors was higher among women, those of older age, and those with a higher education. Interpretation The existence of multiple metabolic and behavioural risk factors among the South and Southeast Asian population demand appropriate prevention strategies to halt the progress of non-communicable disease burden within the region. Funding Not applicable.

The myth and reality of familial resemblance in dietary intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis on the resemblance of dietary intake among parent and offspring

2026-02-18T06:14:57Z

The myth and reality of familial resemblance in dietary intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis on the resemblance of dietary intake among parent and offspring Biswas, Tuhin Background There is a strong societal belief that parents are role models for their child’s dietary behaviours in early life that may persist throughout the life course. Evidence has shown inconclusive dietary resemblance in parent-child (PC) pairs. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine dietary resemblance between parent and children. Methods We systematically searched for studies on PC dietary resemblance, via six electronic databases (PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycNet, CINAHL, and Web of Science) and other grey sources of literature between 1980 and 2020. We performed quality effect meta-analysis model on transformed correlation coefficients (z) to examine the resemblance in dietary intakes including nutrient intakes, food group intakes and whole diet. Finally, the Fisher’s transformed coefficient (z) was used for meta-regression analysis to identify potential moderators. Heterogeneity and inconsistency were examined using the Q and I2 statistic. The study is registered on PROSPERO, CRD42019150741. Findings A total of 61 studies met the inclusion criteria for systematic review, 45 were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analyses showed weak to moderate PC dietary intake associations for energy: (r: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.22), fat (% energy): (r: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.29), protein (% energy): (r: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.27), carbohydrate (% energy): (r: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.29), fruits and vegetable (g/d): (r: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.32), confectionary food (g/d): (r: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.23), and whole diet (r: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.42). Dietary intakes associations by study characteristics, including population, study year, dietary assessment method, person reporting dietary intake, quality of the study, and study design were highly variable, but associations were similar between PC pairs. Interpretation The resemblance among parent-child pairs was weak to moderate for most aspects of dietary intakes. These findings challenge the social myth that parental dietary intake behaviour shapes their child’s dietary intake.

Time trends, projections, and spatial distribution of low birthweight in Australia, 2009–2030: Evidence from the National Perinatal Data Collection

2026-02-18T06:14:56Z

Time trends, projections, and spatial distribution of low birthweight in Australia, 2009–2030: Evidence from the National Perinatal Data Collection Nazim Uddin, Sayed Mohammad Introduction: Infants with low birthweight (LBW, birthweight <2500 g) have increased in many high-resource countries over the past two decades. This study aimed to investigate the time trends, projections, and spatial distribution of LBW in Australia, 2009–2030. Methods: We used standard aggregate data on 3 346 808 births from 2009 to 2019 from Australia's National Perinatal Data Collection. Bayesian linear regression model was used to estimate the trends in the prevalence of LBW in Australia. Results: Wefound that the prevalence of LBW was 6.18% in 2009, which has in- creased to 6.64% in 2019 (average annual rate of change, AARC = +0.76%). If the national trend remains the same, the projected prevalence of LBW in Australia will increase to 7.34% (95% uncertainty interval, UI = 6.99, 7.68) in 2030. Observing AARC across different subpopulations, the trend of LBW was stable among Indigenous mothers, whereas it increased among non-Indigenous moth- ers (AARC = +0.81%). There is also an increase among the most disadvantaged mothers (AARC = +1.08%), birthing people in either of two extreme age groups (AARC = +1.99% and +1.53% for <20 years and≥40 years, respectively), and mothers who smoked during pregnancy (AARC = +1.52%). Spatiotemporal maps showed that some of the Statistical Area level 3 (SA3) in Northern Territory and Queensland had consistently higher prevalence for LBW than the national aver- age from 2014 to 2019. Conclusion: Overall, the prevalence of LBW has increased in Australia during 2009–2019; however, the trends vary across different subpopulations. If trends persist, Australia will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target of a 30% reduction in LBW by 2030. Centering and supporting the most vulnerable subpopulations is vital to progress the SDGs and improves perinatal and infant health in Australia.

Adverse childhood experiences, the risk of pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2026-02-18T06:15:10Z

Adverse childhood experiences, the risk of pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis Biswas, Tuhin Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have a profound negative impact on health. However, the strength of the association between ACEs and pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes is not well quantified or understood. Objective To conduct a systematic review and meta- analysis of the association between ACEs and risk of pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Search strategy A comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ClinicalTrials. gov and Google scholar up to July 2022. Data collection and analysis Two reviewers independently conducted the screening and quality appraisal using a validated tool. Meta-analysis using the quality-effects model on the reported odds ratio (OR) was conducted. Heterogeneity and inconsistency were examined using the I2 statistics. Results 32 studies from 1508 met a priori inclusion criteria for systematic review, with 21 included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analyses showed that exposure to ACEs increased the risk of pregnancy complications (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.57) and adverse pregnancy outcomes (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.47). In sub-group analysis, maternal ACEs were associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.74), antenatal depression (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.20), low offspring birth weight (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.47), and preterm delivery (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.71). Conclusion The results suggest that exposure to ACEs increases the risk of pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Preventive strategies, screening and trauma-informed care need to be examined to improve maternal and child health.