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Purpose: To examine, via cross-sectional analysis, the dose−response association between physical activity and cognitive function in Chinese subjects. Methods: A total of 27,651 participants aged 50 to 85 years were recruited from 2003 to 2008. Information on potential confounders, including demographic and anthropometric characteristics, socioeconomic position, lifestyle, and disease history, was collected by standardized interview and procedures. Cognitive function was assessed by the delayed 10-word recall test (DWRT). Results: When the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used, we found that most of the participants were classified as physically active (53.1%), with 42.4% moderately active and 4.5% physically inactive. Significant dose−response relations across quintiles of metabolic equivalent value (METs) with DWRT score in participants with or without good self-rated health were found (all p for trend <.001). In participants with poor self-rated heath, compared with the first quintile of METs, those in the fifth quintile (highest METs) had a significantly reduced risk for mild cognitive impairment by 28% (adjusted odds ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.58−0.89, p < .01; p for trend = .006). After additional adjustment for depression, we found that the association between physical activity and DWRT score remained significant. Conclusions: A significant dose−response relationship between physical activity and cognitive function was found, and the association was more pronounced in participants with poor self-rated health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We sought to determine the association of hip circumference with risk of type 2 diabetes in a relatively lean population. Methods: The relationship between hip circumference for a given waist circumference or BMI and risk of type 2 diabetes was investigated in 56,100 men and 68,273 women, aged 40 to 74, from the Shanghai Men’s Health Study and the Shanghai Women’s Health Study. Cox analyses were used. Results: Over an average of 4.0 years and 7.8 years of follow-up of the men and women, respectively, 2754 new diabetes cases (955 males; 1799 females) were documented. After adjustment for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and other potential confounders, the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for type 2 diabetes in quintiles 2 to 5 compared with the first quintile of hip circumference were 0.95 (95% CI, 0.76–1.18), 0.72 (95% CI, 0.57–0.91), 0.83 (95% CI, 0.67–1.04), 0.78 (95% CI, 0.63–0.97), respectively, among men and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.72–0.96), 0.74 (95% CI, 0.64–0.86), 0.72 (95% CI, 0.62–0.84), and 0.65 (95% CI, 0.56–0.75) among women. This relationship was stronger for men and women with a BMI less than or equal to the median (23.6 kg/m2 for each gender; interaction p-value = .04 for men and .01 for women). Conclusions: A greater hip circumference for a given waist circumference and BMI is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To compare the mortality risk of smoking and overall occupational exposure in Guangzhou, China.METHODS: Baseline data on smoking and occupational exposure of 82159 workers aged 30+ were retrieved from medical records established in 1988—92. Vital status and causes of death were followed through 1998.RESULTS: During follow-up 1584 workers had died. Adjusted relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for ever-smoking in men was 1.23 (1.07–1.41) for total deaths, 1.43 (1.17–1.74) for all cancer, 3.77 (2.31–6.14) for lung cancer and 2.54 (1.09–5.92) for stomach cancer (all showing significant linear trends with amount and duration of smoking). The RR in women of 1.10 (0.59–2.06) for total deaths and 1.60 (0.65–3.92) for all cancer were positive but not significant. No significant excess mortality risk was observed for occupational exposure in each gender. In both genders combined, the RR for total deaths was 1.23 (1.08–1.40) for smoking and 1.07 (0.96–1.19) for occupational exposure. If the relationships were causal, 12% of all deaths could be attributed to smoking but only 3% to occupational exposure.CONCLUSION: Smoking was more predictive of premature deaths than overall occupational exposures in middle aged workers. Smoking cessation should be a top priority in occupational health practice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]