Soluble P-selectin as an inflammatory mediator potentially influencing endothelial activation in people living with HIV in sub-rural areas of Limpopo, South Africa.

Objectives: There is a growing need to understand the potential role of soluble platelet selectin (sP-selectin) in sustained endothelial activation through increased levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular adhesion-1 (sVCAM-1) in people living with HIV (PLWH) on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving PLWH on HAART (n = 55), in comparison to PLWH not on treatment (HAART-naïve) (n = 29), and (iii) HIV negative controls (n = 48) from the Mankweng area in the Limpopo province, South Africa. We quantified serum levels of sP-selectin, together with sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1.

The extent of outdoor food and beverage advertising surrounding primary and secondary schools in poorly resourced townships in Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: The targeted marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to vulnerable populations, particularly children and adolescents in lower-income communities, is pervasive and coincides with increased non-communicable disease (NCD) rates. This study examined the extent of food and beverage advertising surrounding schools in three townships in Cape Town, South Africa: Gugulethu, Nyanga, and Kensington.

Methodology: Trained fieldworkers used web-based surveys on smartphones to capture all observable outdoor food and beverage advertisements in the three townships.

Metabolic Syndrome and Its Component Factors Among Corporate Company Employees in Kampala Uganda.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of metabolic dysregulations indicative of increased cardiometabolic risk is on the rise in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS and its components, among corporate employees in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken among 408 adults who were employees from seven corporate companies in Kampala, using the WHO STEPwise NCD screening approach.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and associated risk factors among people living with HIV in a rural population of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Background: Limited evidence informs on the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people living with HIV (PLWH) in South Africa. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of CKD and its associated risk factors among PLWH within the rural province of Limpopo, South Africa.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 143 participants, subdivided into groups of PLWH ( = 103) and individuals without HIV ( = 43).

Obesity, beverage consumption and sleep patterns in rural African women in relation to advertising of these beverages.

Background: The burden of obesity-related, non-communicable diseases in South Africa is persistent, with poor and black South African women particularly vulnerable. The purpose of the present study was to determine relationships between obesity, physical activity, sleep patterns and beverage consumption among black South African women in a rural village in the Limpopo province.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 rural-dwelling African women.

Endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases in people living with HIV on specific highly active antiretroviral therapy regimen: A systematic review of clinical studies.

Despite the improved efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in viral suppression, emerging evidence indicates an increased burden of noncommunicable diseases in people living with HIV (PLWH). Immune activation and persistently elevated levels of inflammation have been associated with endothelial dysfunction in PLWH, likely contributing to the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Here, electronic search databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct were used to retrieve scientific evidence reporting on any association between markers of endothelial function and CVD-related outcomes in PLWH on HAART.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein among people living with HIV on highly active antiretroviral therapy: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

The pathological consequences of inflammation persist in people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH), regardless of the positive outcomes of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The current systematic review and meta-analysis aims to understand and explore the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and other cardiovascular disease (CVD)-risk factors including lipid profiles among PLWH on HAART. Major electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to retrieve relevant global literature reporting on hs-CRP levels in PLWH on HAART.

Mapping of food environment policies in Zambia: a qualitative document analysis.

Background: The food environment in which people exercise food choices significantly impacts their dietary patterns. Policies that limit the availability, affordability, and access to unhealthy food while increasing that of healthier alternatives help build healthy food environments, which are required to address the double burden of malnutrition. This study aimed to assess the availability of food environment policies in Zambia.

A Systematic Review on Cardiometabolic Risks and Perinatal Outcomes among Pregnant Women Living with HIV in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens have been shown to cause metabolic changes in people living with HIV (PLWH), predisposing them to cardiometabolic disease (CVMD). However, such evidence is less established in pregnant women living with HIV (pWLWH) on ART. Pregnancy-induced cardiometabolic risks (CMR) can predispose to unfavourable pregnancy outcomes and further persist in the postpartum period, resolve, and recur in subsequent pregnancies, or emerge as newly diagnosed chronic diseases of ageing.

Nutrition policy reforms to address the double burden of malnutrition in Zambia: a prospective policy analysis.

The evolution of nutrition patterns in Zambia has resulted in the coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition in the same population, the double burden of malnutrition. While Zambia has strong policies addressing undernutrition and stunting, these do not adequately address food environment drivers of the double burden of malnutrition and the adolescent age group and hence the need for nutrition policy reforms. We conducted a theory-based qualitative prospective policy analysis involving in-depth interviews with nutrition policy stakeholders and policy document review to examine the feasibility of introducing nutrition policy options that address the double burden of malnutrition among adolescents to identify barriers and facilitators to such policy reforms.

Self-Management of Diabetes and Associated Factors among Patients Seeking Chronic Care in Tshwane, South Africa: A Facility-Based Study.

The burden of diabetes continues to increase in South Africa and a significant number of diabetes patients present at public primary healthcare facilities with uncontrolled glucose. We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study to determine the diabetes self-management practices and associated factors among out-patients in Tshwane, South Africa. An adapted validated questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemography, diabetes knowledge, and summaries of diabetes self-management activities measured in the previous seven days, and over the last eight weeks.

The Association between Plant-Based Diets and Dietary Patterns with Cardiometabolic Risk in a Sample of Commercial Taxi Drivers in South Africa.

The consumption of unhealthy foods and a sedentary lifestyle predispose individuals to non-communicable diseases. This study investigated the distribution and the association of plant-based diets (PBDs) and dietary patterns in relation to the cardiometabolic risks in commercial taxi drivers. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among males (≥19 years) who consumed street foods sold by vendors in the Cape Metropole.

Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and the risk of metabolic syndrome in taxi drivers: A focus on street food.

Background: In South Africa, similar to other populous countries, the taxi industry is an important form of transportation that contributes to the country's development. As a result, minibus taxi driving is an occupation characterized by strenuous activities such as long hours of driving, limited rest, and challenges related to securing passengers, among several others. Consequently, to combat stress, some commercial drivers resort to smoking, overeating unhealthy food sold at transportation interchange areas (i.

Meals on Wheels: Promoting Food and Nutrition Security among Older Persons in Cape Town, South Africa.

Food insecurity (FI) prevails in Sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, in South Africa, although many people, including the elderly, are vulnerable to FI, little is known about the experiences of older persons (OPs) with FI and the interventions thereof. In South Africa, Meals on Wheels Community Service (MOWCS) provides readymade home meal deliveries for OPs through 209 branches across the country.

Association between Macronutrient and Fatty Acid Consumption and Metabolic Syndrome: A South African Taxi Driver Survey.

We aimed to examine the association between macronutrient and fatty acid intake and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in South African male mini-bus taxi drivers. One hundred and eighty-five ( = 185) male taxi drivers, aged 20 years and older, who operate in the Cape Town metropole, South Africa, were included. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) algorithm was used to define MetS.

Nurturing children's development through healthy eating and active living: Time for policies to support effective interventions in the context of responsive emotional support and early learning.

Fostering the growth, development, health, and wellbeing of children is a global priority. The early childhood period presents a critical window to influence lifelong trajectories, however urgent multisectoral action is needed to ensure that families are adequately supported to nurture their children's growth and development. With a shared vision to give every child the best start in life, thus helping them reach their full developmental potential, we have formed the International Healthy Eating Active Living Matters (HEALing Matters) Alliance.

Consumption of Plant Foods and Its Association with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Profile in South Africans at High-Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

We assessed the distribution and association of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors by plant foods consumption in individuals at high-risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional study utilized baseline data of 693 participants in the South African Diabetes Prevention Programme. Participants underwent a physical examination, biochemical analysis, and dietary assessment using a single non-quantified 24-h recall.

Determinants of dietary patterns in school going adolescents in Urban Zambia.

Background: Understanding dietary patterns in a population is critical for decision making. This study aimed to identify the prevailing dietary patterns and their associated individual and school environment factors among school going adolescents in Lusaka, Zambia.

Method: A cross-sectional study involving 404 Grade 10 pupils from 10 secondary schools in Lusaka district was conducted.

Anthropometric indices and cut-off points for screening of metabolic syndrome among South African taxi drivers.

Background: Detecting the early onset of metabolic syndrome (MetS) allows for quick intervention which may slow progression to a variety of health consequences, hence, determining the best measurement to detect MetS is essential.

Aim: This research aimed at examining the MetS predictive power of anthropometric indices, such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), percentage body fat (%BF), conicity index (CI), and Clínica Universidad de Navarra-body adiposity estimator (CUN-BAE) to determine the cut-off points to identify male South African taxi drivers with MetS.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 185 male taxi drivers.

Diet Therapy and Public Health.

A major threat to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage continues to be malnutrition [...

School Food Environment in Urban Zambia: A Qualitative Analysis of Drivers of Adolescent Food Choices and Their Policy Implications.

Identifying context specific points for reforming policy to promote healthier food environments and consumer behavior in critical life stages like adolescence is crucial in addressing the double burden of malnutrition. Using a qualitative study design, we conducted 20 focus group discussions with grade 10 pupils from ten secondary schools in Lusaka. Turner's framework which conceptualizes the food environment into two domains-the external domain (availability, pricing, vendor and product properties, and marketing and regulation of food) and the internal domain (accessibility, affordability, convenience, and desirability of food)-was used to guide thematic data analysis and results interpretation.

Comparison of the Ability of Anthropometric Indices to Predict the Risk of Diabetes Mellitus in South African Males: SANHANES-1.

This study aimed to assess the sensitivity of body mass index (BMI) to predict the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) and whether waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip (WHR) and waist-to-height (WHtR) ratios are better predictors of the risk of DM than BMI in South African men aged 20 years and older. Data from the first South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) were used. Overall, 1405 men who had valid HbA1c outcomes were included.

Exploring Factors Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Compliance Behaviour in Cape Town, South Africa.

Complete patient adherence to treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR) is critical to limit vision loss. There is a dearth of evidence regarding the reasons why South African patients referred for suspected vision-threatening DR stay compliant to or default their treatment. The current study sought to explore factors associated with treatment compliance among patients living with diabetes who have been referred for suspected vision-threatening DR in the Northern/Tygerberg sub-Structure (NTSS) public health care system of Cape Town, South Africa.