Tag: Josh Snodgrass

The Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Components and their Association with HbA1c in Tunisia

Presenter: Adriana Wisniewski – Human Physiology, Multidisciplinary Science

Faculty Mentor(s): Josh Snodgrass, Alicia DeLouize

Session: (In-Person) Oral Panel—Healthy Considerations

The prevalence of diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is rapidly increasing worldwide. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by a combination of metabolic components (e.g., abdominal obesity and elevated blood pressure) that are risk factors for NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Anthropometric, biomarker, and sociodemographic data were collected from a nationally representative sample of individuals 15 years and older (n = 7444) as part of the Tunisian Health Examination Survey, a collaboration between the World Health Organization and the Tunisian Ministry of Health. Examining both diabetic and nondiabetic groups, we hypothesize that: 1) there will be positive associations between HbA1c levels and individual components of MetS, and 2) there will be positive associations between HbA1c levels and the cumulative number of MetS components. Results showed that both diabetic women and men had positive associations between HbA1c and triglyceride levels and between HbA1c and systolic blood pressure(SBP). Nondiabetic women and men had positive associations between HbA1c and LDL cholesterol levels and HbA1c and triglyceride levels. Nondiabetic men also had a negative association between HbA1c and HDL cholesterol levels. These findings highlight the different MetS components and metabolic risk factors that are associated with increasing HbA1c levels in Tunisian diabetic and nondiabetic populations.

Caregiving and Depression: Moderating Effects of Social Cohesion among SAGE Individuals

Presenter: Zag McDowall – Psychology

Faculty Mentor(s): Alicia DeLouize, Josh Snodgrass

Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation

Caregiving for children, people with disabilities, and the elderly is essential for society as a whole. These responsibilities disproportionately fall upon women, especially low-income women. Support, whether from other family members, the community, or the government is often minimal, and their labor is largely undervalued. The high demand on caregivers can impact mental health, and, for individuals where providing care is a larger time commitment, engaging in buffering activities related to social connection may be challenging. Analyzing the relationship between burden of care, social support, and income on depression in caregivers provides a better understanding of how these factors contribute to or mitigate the burden of care. With data collected from the World Health Organization’s Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE) in Mexico, India, Russia, China, Ghana, and South Africa, we performed a three-way ANOVA. For women in South Africa, the number of hours caregiving and social cohesion were not associated with depression. We hope that further research will elucidate the characteristics that link caregiving with depression in some communities.

The benefits of intergenerational family support on post-partum depression in the Tunisian Health Examination Survey

Presenter: Ava Hearn − Neuroscience

Faculty Mentor(s): Josh Snodgrass, Alicia DeLouize

Session: (In-Person) Oral Panel—Healthy Considerations

Postpartum depression (PPD) is considered the most common maternal morbidity in many parts of the world, yet while maternal health is increasingly prioritized in global health initiatives, the factors leading to the development of PPD are not fully understood. Lack of social support has been cited as one of the most important contributors to postpartum depression, but social support outside of partner relationships has not been widely investigated. Given trends in global aging and the increased presence of tri-generational families worldwide, it is important to examine whether the presence of co-residential grandparents influences the health and well-being of new mothers. Although this relationship has been the focus of recent interest in wealthy nations, research has yet to explore the impact of grandparent support in low- and middle-income countries. The present study uses sociodemographic and health data from the Tunisian Health Examination Survey to look at how family structures in this northern African setting affect postpartum depression. We hypothesized that postpartum depression would be lower with the presence of co-residential grandparents. It was found that new mothers living in a multigenerational household (M = 0.00) had less depression than those that did not live in a multigenerational household.

Anemia and Socioeconomic Status Among Older Adults in the Study on Global AGEing (SAGE)

Presenter: Georgia Greenblum − Anthropology

Faculty Mentor(s): Josh Snodgrass, Alicia DeLouize

Session: (In-Person) Oral Panel—Healthy Considerations

Research on anemia has primarily focused on young children and pregnant women, yet anemia also raises considerable health concerns for older adults. Anemia can often be easily identified and treated, yet it affects large populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The older adult population is rapidly growing in LMICs; therefore, not only is this population understudied but the impact of anemia within this population will become a larger global issue. Documenting anemia rates and identifying associated factors in different countries will help public health officials more effectively target this disorder.

Hemoglobin levels and survey data from 14,659 adults 50 years and older in South Africa, China, and Mexico were obtained from Wave 1 of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE). Data were analyzed to describe anemia rates and to test relationships between anemia, age, and socioeconomic status (SES).

For Mexico, China, and South Africa the rates of anemia in older adults were found to be 24%, 28%, and 91%, respectively. An association between lower wealth and higher prevalence of anemia was present only for two groups: men in Mexico and women in China. Each year of age after 50 was associated with a 2% higher prevalence of anemia among women in Mexico and China, a 3% higher prevalence for men in China, and a 6% higher prevalence for men in Mexico.

These results highlight the global burden of anemia in older adults.

Global Biomarker Implementation in the WHO’s World Health Survey Plus

Presenter(s): Madeleine Getz — Anthropology

Co-Presenter(s): Micah Warner-Carey, Rosa Taylor

Faculty Mentor(s): Josh Snodgrass, Alicia DeLouize

Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation

The Global Health Biomarker Laboratory (GHBL) is collaborating with the World Health Organization to plan and implement the World Health Survey Plus (WHS+). The WHS+ is an expansion on the original World Health Survey, a project conducted during 2002-2004 in 69 countries with over 3,000 participants. The WHS+ is a flexible and comprehensive data collection system that provides countries with the ability to monitor progress towards health goals and obtains high-quality, nationally representative data on health, social, economic, and policy topics. This project aims to fill data gaps globally and improve health equity within and between countries. By developing protocols, training videos, and technical expertise on point-of-care biomarker implementation, the GHBL is at the forefront of implementing new point-of-care technologies (POCT); the WHS+ biomarkers are hemoglobin as an indicator of anemia, HbA1C and glucose as indicators of diabetes risk, and lipids as indicators of hypolipidemia and cardiovascular risk. Additionally, the survey is collecting anthropometrics, blood pressure, pulse, hand grip strength, walking speed, and cognitive function as direct measures of health. We are currently in the early stages of methods development and implementation; the WHS+ has the potential not only to help countries provide more equitable and sustainable healthcare and promote country-specific care-seeking behaviors, but also to further our global knowledge of healthcare and disease.

Accessibility of Reproductive and Maternal Healthcare Among Female Identifying in Tunisia

Presenter: Audrey Chandler − Human Physiology

Faculty Mentor(s): Alicia DeLouize, Josh Snodgrass

(In-Person) Poster Presentation

Due to the sensitivity of the topic, research on abortion rights is minimal. The Tunisian Health Examination Survey worked to incorporate questions regarding reproductive healthcare access, to determine the relationship between abortion access and socioeconomic status. This study looked to analyze potential inequalities within Tunisian reproductive healthcare for female identifying individuals, especially those seeking elective abortion. Participants completed the Tunisian Health Examination Survey (THES) which consisted of self-reported answers to yes or no, multiple choice, and short answer questions discussing socioeconomic status, marital status, and communication efficiency with health care providers. Our goal was to enable the discussion regarding the sensitive topic of abortions and reproductive healthcare to bring attention to the limitations of accessibility from socioeconomic status.

When Reaching for the Stars is Not Enough: Addressing the Misalignment of Postsecondary Expectations and Preparation of High School Students from Low-Socioeconomic Backgrounds

Presenter: Eryn Block

Mentor: Josh Snodgrass

PM Session Oral Presentation

Panel Name: A4 Identity and Progress

Location: Rogue Room

Time: 1:15pm – 2:15pm

The vast majority of US high school seniors expect to graduate from college but only a small portion of these students will meet this expectation. Thus, there is a significant misalignment between students’ postsecondary preparation, expectations and attainment. Further, the expectations of low socioeconomic status (SES) students and high SES students are almost identical, but low SES students are much less likely to attain a college degree. This thesis describes a qualitative study of semi-structured interviews with low SES high school students in Eugene, Oregon that examines the underlying reasons for this misalignment. The study identifies examples of cultural and social capital that are linked with college preparedness. These examples include a student’s ability to identify barriers to postsecondary education, quality information, and college culture and vocabulary. Using case studies, this thesis illustrates that a mentor-like figure may help students overcome obstacles. As a result, Cross-age Peer Mentor Programs, in which a college-going mentor is matched with a high school mentee, may act as a partial solution to the postsecondary expectation-preparation misalignment. College students have valuable, first-hand perspectives of the college experience and can share cultural and social capital with their mentees. In conclusion, few students are likely to attend a traditional university, but all students should be prepared for success in their postsecondary endeavors.

The Indigenous Siberian Health and Adaptation Project: Seasonal Variation in Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders among the Yakut (Sakha) of Siberia

Presenter : Vimal Balu

Mentor : Josh Snodgrass

Major : Biology, Anthropology

Northern populations physiologically adapt to extreme cold by upregularing basal metabolic rate. The thyroid appears central to this adaptation. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolic responses to chronic cold among indigenous Arctic populations. However, it is un- clear whether this adaptation among circumpolar groups predisposes them to autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITDs). This study ad- dresses this question by examining correlates of seasonal variation in anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) concentrations among the Yakut of Siberia. Anthropometric and biomarker data were obtained on two occasions (Summer 2009 and Winter 2011) on a sample of Yakut men (n=52) and women (n=88) (≥18 years old). TPOAb levels are higher in summer than winter in both men (P<0.01) and women (P<0.05). Women have significantly higher TPOAb levels than men (P=0.05), and are more likely to have an AITD (28% of women versus 4% of men; TPOAb >30 IU/mL). TPOAb concentrations are associated with several anthropometric dimensions among men (negative trends with weight [P=0.08]). Finally, changes in TPOAb showed a positive trend association with change in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH; P=0.06) among men, but among women change in TPOAb was negatively associated with change in HDL cholesterol and showed a positive trend with change in triglycerides (P=0.1) and hemoglobin (P=0.08). This study documented impor- tant sex differences in AITD risk among the Yakut, and an unexpected drop in TPOAb levels between summer and winter.

The Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE): Depression and Body Composition Among Aging Populations

Presenter: William Olson

Mentor: Josh Snodgrass

Poster: 26

Major: Biology

Previous research has documented complex associations between depression and body composition; in some studies, depression increases risk for being underweight, while in other studies it has been linked to obesity. However, the links between depression and body composition remain relatively unexplored among older adults and, additionally, no studies have systematically examined this relationship in non-Western countries. We used Wave 1 data from WHO’s Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE), a longitudinal study of nationally representative samples of older adults (>50 years old) in six middle income countries (China(nM=6024 nF=6803 n=12827), Ghana(nM=2237 nF=2050 n=4287), India(nM=3302 nF=3255 n=6557), Mexico(nM=869 nF=1330 n=2199), Russian Federation(nM=81 nF=267 n=348), and South Africa(nM=1551 nF=2103 n=3654)), to examine relationships among body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and depression (based on a symptom-based algorithm). Results indicate substantial differences in depression prevalence by sex and country, ranging from 1.6% (men in China) to 22.9% (women in Mexico). Variation by sex and country was also evident in prevalence of obesity (from 4.3% among Indian men to 52.7% in South African women) and underweight (0.5% in Mexican women to 40.3% in Indian men). Multiple regression analyses were used with weighted population samples to examine the relationship between body composition measures and depression classification while controlling for key covariates such as age, smoking, drinking, marital status, and income. Among older South African women, depression was positively associated with BMI (P=0.003). Otherwise, the lack of a significant relationship between depression and body composition variables in the individual SAGE countries suggests that depression is not a major driver of body composition among older adults.

Physical activity, Functional Abilities, and Health: Results of a WHO SAGE Sub-study Among Older Adults in an Urban Setting in India.

Presenter: Tyler Barrett

Mentor: Josh Snodgrass

Poster: 2

Major: Anthropology and Media Studies

Recent research in Western settings suggests that decreased physical activity in old age is detrimental to health, yet few studies have examined the relationships among physical activity, functional abilities, and health among older adults in non-Western settings. This study examines associations among measures of physical activity using seven consecutive days of ActiGraph GT3X accelerometry (total daily energy expenditure [TDEE; kcal/day], physical activity level [PAL], daily average activity count [AC], and activity energy expenditure [AEE; kcal/day]), physical function (grip strength, timed walk, daily average sit time, and average sleep time), and self-reported health conditions (diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and depression) among 127 older adult women and 71 older adult men in an urban setting in India as part of a sub-study of the WHO’s Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE).

Findings among women (controlled for age) include a significant negative correlation between PAL and walking speed (p<0.05) and a significant positive correlation between AC and grip strength (p<0.01). Women diagnosed with hypertension had significantly lower PAL (p<0.05) and AC (p<0.05) than women without hypertension. Surprisingly, physical activity was not significantly associated with functional or health measures for men. This study documented relationships among physical activity, function, and health among older women, thereby further suggesting the use of physical activity intervention as a means for prolonging functional abilities and reducing chronic disease burden in older ages.

Support: NIH NIA Interagency Agreement YA1323-08-CN-0020; and grant NIH R01-AG034479