This study examines the feasibility of developing correction factors to adjust self-reported measures of body mass index (BMI) to more closely approximate measured values.Data are from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey (subsample 2), in which respondents were asked to report their height and weight, and were subsequently measured. Regression analyses were used to determine which socio-demographic and health characteristics were associated with the discrepancies between self-reported and measured values. The sample was then split into two groups. In the first, self-reported BMI and the predictors of the discrepancies were regressed on measured BMI. Correction equations were generated using all predictor variables that were significant at the p < 0.05 level. These correction equations were then tested in the second group to derive estimates of sensitivity, specificity and obesity prevalence. Logistic regression was used to examine relationships between self-reported, measured and corrected BMI and obesity-related health conditions.Corrected estimates provide more accurate measures of obesity prevalence, mean BMI and sensitivity levels (percentage correctly classified). In almost all cases, associations between BMI and health conditions are more accurate when based on corrected versus self-reported values.
In North America, folic acid fortification and supplementation policies have improved folate status and reduced the incidence of poor birth outcomes. This research aimed to compare RBC folate (RBF) concentrations in two nationally representative surveys: the 2007–2008 US NHANES and the 2007–2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). RBF was assessed in participants aged 6 to 79 years and in a subset of women of childbearing age (WCBA). Two different folate assay methods were employed— microbiologic assay (NHANES) and Immulite 2000 immunoassay (CHMS)—necessitating the application of a conversion equation to adjust the CHMS RBF data. T‐tests were used to examine country differences. RBF concentrations ≥906 nmol/L (considered optimal for neural tube defect risk reduction) were explored with a multiple logistic regression model. Median Canadian RBF (adjusted) were lower than those of Americans (988 nmol/L and 1106 nmol/L, respectively), but unadjusted Canadian median RBF values were higher (1248 nmol/L). Canadian WCBA (adjusted RBF) were less likely than American WCBA to have RBF ≥906 nmol/L (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.37, 0.92), though Canadian WCBA with unadjusted RBF values were more likely to achieve this cut‐off than American WCBA (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.03, 3.49). Harmonization of folate measurement procedures in future surveillance efforts would support comparisons and inform policy directions. Grant Funding Source : Canadian Institutes for Health Research Fellowship (180375) to C.K.C and Operating Grant (218776) to M.S.T, D.L.O and C.K.C.
This study examined the relationships between children’s reported levels of physical activity, body-mass index, self-esteem, and reading and mathematics scores, while controlling for sex, family structure, and socioeconomic status. The data were collected from the full population of Grade 6 students ( N = 6,923) in New Brunswick (NB), Canada in 1996, as part of the Elementary School Climate Study, and the NB Department of Education’s Grade 6 Assessment. Physical activity had a negative relationship with body-mass index. Physical activity had a positive relationship with self-esteem, and a trivial negative relationship with academic achievement. The analysis revealed that both females and males who were more physically active had considerably higher levels of self-esteem. The study suggests that the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement is weak. For some children, physical activity may be indirectly related to enhanced academic performance by improving physical health and self-esteem.
Summary Obesity is a rapidly increasing public health problem, with surveillance most often based on self‐reported values of height and weight. We conducted a systematic review to determine what empirical evidence exists regarding the agreement between objective (measured) and subjective (reported) measures in assessing height, weight and body mass index (BMI). Five electronic databases were searched to identify observational and experimental studies on adult populations over the age of 18. Searching identified 64 citations that met the eligibility criteria and examined the relationship between self‐reported and directly measured height or weight. Overall, the data show trends of under‐reporting for weight and BMI and over‐reporting for height, although the degree of the trend varies for men and women and the characteristics of the population being examined. Standard deviations were large indicating that there is a great deal of individual variability in reporting of results. Combining the results quantitatively was not possible because of the poor reporting of outcomes of interest. Accurate estimation of these variables is important as data from population studies such as those included in this review are often used to generate regional and national estimates of overweight and obesity and are in turn used by decision makers to allocate resources and set priorities in health.
(From the Introduction) Metal music means everything to me. It has been the main focus of my life since the age of thirteen. What first drew me to Metal still excites me about it today; guitar riffs. The sheer power of Marshall amplifiers gives me the same thrill it did when I first experienced Metal. My best friend gave me a CD by the band Megadeth called “Rust in Peace”. The opening riff of this album still gives me chills. From that moment on I knew I wanted to know more about Metal; everything from seminal albums, to its history. I am still learning more about the music, which presently involves piecing together Canada’s Metal music history. Why Canadian Metal? I’ve never felt attached to other aspects of Canadian culture, and so Metal music is my opportunity to do so. When I began my undergraduate degree at Queens university, I started a radio show called “Metal on Metal”. “Metal on Metal” is dedicated to all sub-genres of Metal. I noticed that the more I did the show, the more Canadian Metal I was playing. For me, working in community radio gave me a voice, and a confidence that made me feel comfortable expressing my view point on a variety of issues, and being comfortable with public speaking. I felt a need to document as much Canadian Metal history as I could. As such, one of my biggest motivations for this project has been the desire to capture and tell the stories of some of my favorite Canadian bands. So far, during the course of this project, two Toronto bands have disbanded; Dead Mouth and Teethmarks. It was important to visually document the music. These bands are important to me, and an integral part of Canada’s musical identity because they represent a whole cultural movement. The most important thing for me, however, is to showcase the music’s importance on a larger cultural scale; how it contributes and enhances Canadian culture. Before analysing the the film itself, I feel the title should be explained. Heavy Metal Thunder was the first time the phrase “Heavy Metal” was first said by the group Steppenwolf, a Canadian rock band. The song “Born to be Wild”, a biker anthem from the 1960’s about counterculture, has been argued to be the first Metal song ever. I felt this was important because it ties Canada’s roots back to the origins of Metal itself. In it reference to the process of purifying and perfecting physical objects, the title also incorporates the alchemical aspects in my film. By defining the technical terms necessary when critiquing music, this paper will give the reader insider knowledge of Metal music. I will then examine the areas of research, by conducting a literature review of scholarly texts, and assessing the documentary relevance intandem with a Metal documentary review. I will then discuss the central themes of my film Heavy Metal Thunder, and break down the methodology in making this film. Finally, I will situate each Metal sub-genre as it stands in Canada.
Women experience significant changes in endocrine function during aging. Decreasing levels of anabolic hormones may be associated with musculoskeletal atrophy and decrease in function that is observed in older women and, as a result, there has been an increase in the use of pharmacological hormone therapies. It is difficult to distinguish, however, between physiological changes that are truly age related and those that are associated with lifestyle factors such as physical activity participation. Some research has shown that circulating levels of anabolic hormones such as DHEA(S) and IGF-I in older women are related to physical activity, muscle function, and aerobic power. Exercise-intervention studies have generally shown that increasing age blunts the acute hormonal response to exercise, although this might be explained by a lower exercise intensity in older women. There have been relatively few studies that examine hormonal adaptations to exercise training. Physical activity might have an effect on hormone action as a result of changes in protein carriers and receptors, and future research needs to clarify the effect of age and exercise on these other components of the endocrine system. The value and safety of hormone supplements must be examined, especially when used in combination with an exercise program.
