Epidemiology and Society Health Review (ESHR)

Risk Factors for Obesity: A Systematic Review

Ami Poniasih — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Obesity is excessive fat accumulation due to an imbalance between energy intake and energy use. Between 2010 and 2018, there was an increase in the prevalence of overweight (3.9% annual average) and obesity (8% yearly average) among adults aged over 18. This study aims to overview the factors associated with the incidence of obesity.

Method: This systematic literature review generated the data using electronic sources: Google Scholar and PubMed. Articles were selected using keywords: risk factors, obesity, physical activity, and food intake. The inclusion criteria used were free full text published in Bahasa or English between 2018 and 2023. Exclusion criteria: Literature review articles and full text are not freely available.

Results: The existence of a high-calorie consumption pattern can increase the incidence of obesity, and lack of physical activity can cause the accumulation of body fat, which contributes to obesity. The findings from this study can be used to determine risk factors for obesity.

Conclusion: This systematic literature review article concludes that various factors are associated with obesity, including food intake, physical activity, and smoking.

Anaemia and Caesarean Section in Caucasian Race: Assessment of Risk Factors and Management Strategies

Yaser Khakpour, Mahshid Moradi Heidarlou, Shahram Shukohi, Mahla Akbari — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Anaemia among pregnant women is a significant public health concern, particularly in developing countries, due to its adverse effects on both maternal and fetal health. This study addresses the gap in research regarding anaemia in pregnant women in northern Iran, specifically among those undergoing elective caesarean sections. The objective is to assess the prevalence of anaemia in this population.

Method: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 719 Caucasian pregnant women who were candidates for elective caesarean sections from September 2020 to March 2023. Patient data was collected from hospital electronic records. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin <10.5 g/L in the three months before delivery and under 10 g/L after delivery. The Chi-square test was employed to compare anaemia prevalence across different demographic groups, with a significance level set at p-value < 0.05.

Results: Among the 719 participants, key demographic findings revealed that most had primary education (26.8%), while only 12.4% held university degrees. Most (59.8%) resided in urban areas, with the largest age group being 31-36 (30.5%). Most women (75.2%) reported no history of miscarriage, and 98.2% experienced no bleeding during pregnancy. Notably, 57.7% of women reported no underlying health conditions; however, 9.2% had gestational diabetes, while others had blood disorders, neurological issues, or gastrointestinal problems. The prevalence of anaemia among patients undergoing elective caesarean sections was found to be 10.85%. Anaemia was more prevalent in women aged 25-30 years.

Conclusion: integrating nutritional counselling into routine prenatal care can help address dietary deficiencies before they contribute to anaemia. Moreover, collaboration between healthcare providers and community leaders may foster greater acceptance of health interventions. By tailoring educational programs to local contexts and addressing specific cultural beliefs about nutrition and health, policymakers can create more effective strategies to combat anaemia in pregnant women.

Exclusive Breastfeeding as a Risk Factor for Stunting Among Under-Fives in Urban and Rural Indonesia: A Systematic Review

Rena Anjeli Wibowo, Asep Rustiawan — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Previous research found that children in rural areas have a 1.3 times greater risk of stunting than children in urban areas. Exclusive breastfeeding is one of the risk factors for stunting. The 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) showed that the percentage of exclusive breastfeeding in urban areas was 37.8%, while in rural areas, it was 46.9%. The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of the risk of stunting in toddlers who are not exclusively breastfed in rural and urban areas.

Method: This research used a Meta-Analysis Systematic Review by searching articles in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Garuda that were in Indonesian or English and published between 2019 and 2024. Keywords included stunting, risk factors, exclusive breastfeeding, children under five, rural, and urban. The article search used the PICO framework, while the article quality assessment used the Joanna Bright Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Instrument. The data collected was presented in a PRISMA diagram and analyzed based on Forest Plot graphs using RevMan 5.4.1.

Results: A total of 3,269 articles were identified, and 11 met the criteria. The analysis showed that toddlers not exclusively breastfed had a 3.84 times greater risk of stunting in rural areas and 2.38 times greater for urban regions than exclusively breastfed toddlers.

Conclusion: Children who are not exclusively breastfed in rural areas are at greater risk of stunting than those in urban areas.

From Wealth to Waste: The Environmental Toll of Gold Mining in Ghana

Baba Imoro Musah — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The gold mining industry has been pivotal in driving Ghana's economic expansion and development. This sector has substantially influenced the national economy, generating significant revenue and employment opportunities. Furthermore, the financial resources accrued have enabled investments in critical domains, fostering national progress. This review provides a nuanced examination of the socioeconomic implications of gold mining in Ghana, offering insights to inform policymaking and promote sustainable practices.

Method: Extensive literature reviews were conducted across a wide range of leading academic databases, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Scopus, to thoroughly investigate the relevant research on this topic.

Results: The gold mining industry generates substantial revenue and employment, yet the perceived benefits inadequate compared to its economic output. The sector has failed to consistently improve local livelihoods, with communities reporting a lack of corresponding enhancements in their standard of living. Significant concerns persist regarding environmental degradation, displacement of residents, and inequitable profit distribution. This analysis underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement of environmental regulations and greater accountability and equity within the sector. Furthermore, there is a stark disconnect between the wealth generated by gold mining and the adverse effects on mining communities, which face grave health and socio-economic challenges due to environmental degradation.

Conclusion: This review emphasizes the pressing necessity for implementing sustainable gold mining practices in Ghana to mitigate environmental degradation. Fostering effective collaboration among all stakeholders is pivotal to achieving sustainable mining operations and the equitable distribution of mineral wealth.

Overview of Nutritional Status, Breakfast Habits, and Nutritional Knowledge among University Students

Afaf Syaima, Dewi Yully Wulandari, Intan Gandini, Hoirun Nisa — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Nutrition-related issues can lead to increased morbidity and mortality, with a rising prevalence of malnutrition among young adults. Breakfast habits and nutrition-related knowledge significantly influence an individual's nutritional status. This research aims to describe breakfast habits, nutritional knowledge, and nutritional status among students of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta from 2020 to 2022.

Method: This was a quantitative study that employed a cross-sectional. The study includes 469 students from the Faculty of Health Sciences at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, selected through stratified random sampling based on the year of admission. Data were analyzed using univariate methods to observe the frequency distribution of nutritional status, breakfast habits, and nutrition knowledge among the students.

Results: The findings indicate that a significant proportion of students have underweight nutritional status (30.3%), engage in irregular breakfast habits (56.7%), and consume breakfast after 9:00 AM (44.8%). Additionally, many students do not include staple foods in their breakfast (45.2%) and lack sufficient nutrition knowledge (43.9%).

Conclusion: The study reveals ongoing nutritional challenges among students, including underweight status and obesity. Corresponding with these issues, some students exhibit irregular breakfast habits and delay breakfast until after 9:00 AM. Furthermore, 45.2% of students omit staple foods from their breakfast, and 43.9% possess inadequate nutrition knowledge. Future research should explore the relationship between breakfast habits, nutrition knowledge, and individual nutritional status to provide more comprehensive insights.