Obesity in Brazilian Adolescents, From Research to Translational Research
In 2008 to 2009, the prevalence of obesity among Brazilian adolescents ranged from 5% in the north and northeast regions to 10% in the south and southeast regions. Results were reported from the Brazilian Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA). This massive survey, aimed at estimating the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, sampled approximately 75 000 participants studying in capitals and large regions within the country. Something noteworthy about this multi-institutional collaboration is its evolution from research to translational research aimed at formulating strategies for preventing obesity and its long term consequences.
Citation: Bloch KV, Cardoso MA, Sichieri R. Study of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adolescents (ERICA): results and potentiality. Rev Saúde Pública. 2016;50(suppl 1):2s.
Rising Human Leptospirosis in Malaysia (1925–2012)
Leptospirosis is an endemic disease in Malaysia; however, new evidence suggests that the number of cases has risen dramatically from 248 cases in 2004 to 3604 in 2012. A new literature review on leptospirosis in Malaysia and other Asia-Pacific countries explains that this growing prevalence is attributable to risk factors such as occupation, recreational water activities (both accounted for more than 60% of the cases reported), and reservoirs such as rodents. Future research should focus on the identification of local serovars for the development of new effective vaccines.
Citation: Benacer D, Thong KL, Verasahib KB, et al. Human leptospirosis in Malaysia: reviewing the challenges after 8 decades (1925–2012). Asia Pac J Public Health. 2016;28(4):290–302.
Unsafe Regulations for “Energy Shots”
“Energy shots” and energy drinks not only have similar caffeine contents, but also share similar associations with sudden cardiac arrest and seizures. Despite this, Canadian health authorities regulate energy shots less than energy drinks because of their lower volume and consumers’ perception. According to authorities, energy drinks are “not consumed or perceived as food,” which is one of the requirements for increasing their regulation. But according to an online survey, 78.8% of consumers aged 12 to 24 years consume energy shots and energy drinks. Thus, are energy shots being mainly regulated according to their volume?
Citation: Hammond D, Reid JL. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck…: energy “shots” should be regulated as energy drinks in Canada. Can J Public Health. 2016;107(1):E133–E135 .
Encouraging HIV Worldwide Trends 1990–2013
A new interactive data visualization tool, based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013, provides trends in HIV incidence, mortality, and prevalence between 1990 and 2013, by country, gender, and age. Trends are encouraging. New HIV infections decreased 2.7% annually between 1997 and 2013, and HIV-related deaths declined 3.1% annually between 2005 and 2013. The tool can be used to get information on the countries with the highest HIV rates in a specific year (e.g., South Africa and Botswana in 2013), HIV infection, and related death rates by region, gender, and age groups. The tool can be accessed at: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/multimediaplayer.aspx?interactiveID=11757140.
Citation: Leach-Kemon K, Shepard D, O’Rourke K, VanderZanden A. HIV worldwide 1990–2013. JAMA. 2015;314(15):1552