Differential effects on fitness are hypothesized to contribute to the opposing health effects of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and occupational physical activity (OPA). As such, this study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of fitness with LTPA and OPA. This study…
Whether greater leisure time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with less bone mineral density (BMD) loss during the menopause transition (MT) remains an open question. We hypothesized that: 1) larger increases in LTPA from pre-/early perimenopause (period 1) to late…
In this 28-year prospective study of 455 women (mean age: 26 years), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was associated with a 2.6-fold elevated risk of gestational diabetes (GDM). However, hyperandrogenism or oligomenorrhea in the absence of PCOS was not associated with GDM.
Optimizing cardiovascular fitness is a prevention strategy against premature death and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Since this evidence has largely been established in older populations, the importance of cardiorespiratory fitness during earlier periods of adulthood remains unclear. To examine the…
Many questionnaires ascertain physical activity (PA) frequency, duration, and intensity to benchmark achievement of PA recommendations. However, most scoring algorithms utilize absolute intensity estimates when exertion may be influenced by age or health characteristics. This study quantified PA estimates with…
This study aimed to describe maximal and submaximal cardiorespiratory fitness from early adulthood to midlife and examine differences in maximal fitness at age 20 yr and changes in fitness overtime by subcategories of sociodemographic, behavioral, and health-related factors. Data include…
Steps per day is a meaningful metric for physical activity promotion in clinical and population settings. To guide promotion strategies of step goals, it is important to understand the association of steps with clinical end points, including mortality. To estimate…
Depression affects many aspects of health and may be attenuated through increases in physical activity. While bidirectional associations between physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms have been examined, few studies have examined these associations using both self-reported and accelerometer-estimated measures.…
To determine the cross-sectional associations of accelerometer-measured time spent in physical activity intensity categories (sedentary, low and high light intensity, or moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) with physical performance outcomes [stair climb ascent, 40 foot walk test, and…
Cardiovascular risk and functional burden, or the accumulation of cardiovascular risk factors coupled with functional decline, may be an important risk state analogy to multimorbidity. We investigated prospective associations of sedentary time (ST), light intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate…
Examine the association between trajectories of self-reported insomnia symptoms and sleep duration over 13 years with objective physical function. We utilized data from 1,627 Study of Women's Health Across the Nation participants, aged 61.9 ± 2.7 years at the end…
Cardiovascular risk factors in midlife have been linked to late life risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The relation of vascular risk factors on cognitive decline within midlife has been less studied. Using data from the Study of…
Moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) is associated with favorable self-rated mental and physical health. Conversely, poor self-rated health in these domains could precede unfavorable shifts in activity. We evaluated bidirectional associations of accelerometer-estimated time spent in stationary behavior (SB), light…
Objective: Physical activity (PA) may slow aging-related declines in physical functioning (PF), but the relationship of PA and falls is not well understood. This study examined the association of PA and PF with falls. Methods: The Study of Women's Health…
The objective was to examine bidirectional associations of accelerometer estimated sedentary time and physical activity with reported knee symptoms. Participants were 2,034 adults (mean age 45.3 ± 3.6 years, 58.7% female) from CARDIA. Generalized estimating equations for logistic regression and linear mixed regression…
Physical activity (PA) has the potential to attenuate cardiovascular disease risk in midlife women through multiple pathways, including improving lipid profiles. Longitudinal patterns of PA and blood lipid levels have not been studied in midlife women. Our study identified trajectories…
Background To determine if accelerometer measured sedentary behavior (SED), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) in midlife is prospectively associated with cognitive function. Methods and Results Participants were 1970 adults enrolled in the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk…
Low muscle is associated with an increased risk of chemotherapy-related dose limiting toxicities (DLT) in cancer patients. Resistance training (RT) improves muscle mass; however, the effects of RT on preventing DLTs and dose reductions in colon cancer patients has not…
Current evidence supports the adoption of healthy diet and physical activity (PA) behaviors in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), given the positive effects of those behaviors on physical well-being. An improved understanding of the associations between diet and PA…
Evaluate degree to which racial/ethnic differences in physical performance are mediated by sociodemographic, health, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. Physical performance was evaluated using a decile score derived from grip strength, timed 4 m walk, and timed repeat chair stand in…
Body composition strongly influences physical function in older adults. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) differentiates fat mass from skeletal muscle mass, and may be more useful than body mass index (BMI) for classifying women on their likelihood of physical function impairment.…
We evaluated the associations between accelerometer-estimated physical activity (PA) intensity and heart rate variability (HRV) and examined mediation of these associations by glycemic control indices and other cardiovascular disease risk factors. Data were from 1668 participants (X[Combining Overline]age = 45.9…
Leukocyte telomere length, a marker of immune system function, is sensitive to exposures such as psychosocial stressors and health-maintaining behaviors. Past research has determined that stress experienced in adulthood is associated with shorter telomere length, but is limited to mostly…
The Menopause Strategies: Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health clinical trials network was funded by the National Institutes of Health to find new ways to alleviate the most common, bothersome menopausal symptoms by designing and conducting multiple concurrent clinical…
To examine physical activity (PA) patterns from pre- to post-diagnosis, and compare these changes to women without breast cancer. To determine pre-diagnosis predictors of PA change, post-diagnosis, in breast cancer survivors (BCS). Data were from 2314 Study of Women's Health…
Background: Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is common and has been shown to be associated with increased long-term maternal weight. However, less is known on whether there is a cumulative effect of excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) over multiple pregnancies.…
Physical activity (PA) intensity is expressed as either absolute or relative intensity. Absolute intensity refers to the energy required to perform an activity. Relative intensity refers to a level of effort that takes into account how hard an individual is…
We evaluated the associations between accelerometer-estimated physical activity (PA) intensity and heart rate variability (HRV) and examined mediation of these associations by glycemic control indices and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Data were from 1,668 participants (X[Combining Overline]age=45.9±3.5 years,…
Concomitant excessive alcohol consumption and benzodiazepine use is associated with adverse health outcomes. We examined associations of unhealthy alcohol use and other patient characteristics with benzodiazepine use. A cross-sectional analysis of 2,089,525 Kaiser Permanente of Northern California outpatients screened for…
To estimate risks of incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) and stage 2 and greater hypertension associated with self-reported and accelerometer-determined moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) separately and adjusted for each other. The sample included 2291 black and white men and women,…
Although higher sedentary behavior (SB) with low light intensity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) are thought to increase risk for obesity, other data suggest excess weight may precede these behaviors in the causal pathway. We aimed to investigate…
We investigated cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of neighborhood environment characteristics with accelerometer-measured sedentary time (SED), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). Participants were 2120 men and women in the year 20 (2005-2006) and year 30 CARDIA…
The relation between the menopause transition (MT) and changes in body composition or weight remains uncertain. We hypothesized that, independent of chronological aging, the MT would have a detrimental influence on body composition. Participants were from the longitudinal Study of…
Many genetic loci affect circulating lipid levels, but it remains unknown whether lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, modify these genetic effects. To identify lipid loci interacting with physical activity, we performed genome-wide analyses of circulating HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol,…
Background Isotemporal substitution examines the effect on health outcomes of replacing sedentary time with light-intensity physical activity or moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity; however, existing studies are limited by cross-sectional study designs. Methods and Results Participants were 1922 adults from the…
To examine the relationships between age at menarche, antral follicle count (AFC), and body mass index (BMI) in a multi-ethnic population of women. Community-based, cross-sectional study. Academic setting. A total of 245 African American women and 273 European American women,…
Background Measures of subclinical atherosclerosis are predictors of future cardiovascular outcomes as well as of physical and cognitive functioning. The menopausal transition is associated with accelerated progression of atherosclerosis in women. The prospective association between a healthy lifestyle during the…
Single-method assessment of physical activity (PA) has limitations. The utility and cross-validation of a composite PA score that includes reported and accelerometer-derived PA data has not been evaluated. Participants attending the Year 20 exam were randomly assigned to the derivation…
Determine associations of cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate recovery (HRR) following a maximal exercise test performed years preceding pregnancy with odds of preterm birth (PTB;
To describe 10-year changes in accelerometer-determined physical activity (PA) and sedentary time in a midlife cohort, within and by race/sex groups. Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults participants (n = 962) who wore the accelerometer with valid wear (≥4…
This study aimed to examine the comparability of the ActiGraph 7164 and wGT3X-BT wear time, count-based estimates, and average time per day in physical activity of different intensities. We studied 87 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) participants…
While poor performance during a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) predicts cardiovascular events and premature mortality, the potential clinical importance of non-participation in a GXT, either for medical or non-medical reasons, is currently unknown. Data are from 4086 and 3547…
The purpose of this study was to examine the importance of midlife physical activity on physical functioning in later life. Data are from 1771 Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) participants, aged 42-52 (46.4±2.7) years at baseline (1996-97).…
Higher sedentary time (ST) and lower moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) have each been associated with greater adiposity, but most studies are cross-sectional and measure ST and MVPA by self-report. This study evaluated associations between objective ST and MVPA…
To evaluate the ability of concentration of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), and concentration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to predict the onset of menopause. The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA) Women's Study was…
To assess the association of regular, unsupervised sports and exercise during pregnancy, by intensity level, with glycaemic control in women with gestational diabetes (GDM). Prospective cohort study of 971 women who, shortly after being diagnosed with GDM, completed a Pregnancy Physical…
This study aimed to examine the prospective association between healthy lifestyle behaviors and objectively measured physical function in midlife women. Participants included 1769 racially/ethnically diverse women, ages 56-68 yr, from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation cohort. Physical…
To examine the day-to-day, bidirectional associations of accelerometer-derived sedentary behavior and physical activity (PA) with reported time in bed in a large cohort of older women. Data are from 10086 Women's Health Study participants (aged 71.6 years; SD, 5.7) who…
To investigate whether the impact of postdiagnosis exercise on breast cancer outcomes in women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer differs on the basis of tumor clinicopathologic and molecular features. Using a prospective design, 6,211 patients with early-stage breast cancer from…
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death among women with nonmetastatic breast cancer. Whether exercise is associated with reductions in CVD risk in patients with breast cancer with an elevated CVD risk phenotype is not known. Using a…
Effective, practical, nonpharmacologic therapies are needed to treat menopause-related insomnia symptoms in primary and women's specialty care settings. To evaluate the efficacy of telephone-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) vs menopause education control (MEC). A single-site, randomized clinical trial…
Objectives To estimate the associations of moderate and vigorous intensity exercise during pregnancy with the rate of gestational weight gain (GWG) from gestational diabetes (GDM) diagnosis to delivery, overall and stratified by prepregnancy overweight/obesity. Methods Prospective cohort study with physical…
Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects the integration of the parasympathetic nervous system with the rest of the body. Studies on the effects of yoga and exercise on HRV have been mixed but suggest that exercise increases HRV. We conducted a…
Physical functioning may be an important pre-clinical marker of chronic disease, used as a tool to identify patients at risk for future cardiometabolic abnormalities. This study evaluated if self-reported physical functioning was associated with the development of cardiometabolic abnormalities or…
To identify loci associated with abdominal fat and replicate prior findings, we performed genome-wide association (GWA) studies of abdominal fat traits: subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT); visceral adipose tissue (VAT); total adipose tissue (TAT) and visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio…
Studies have reported associations between long-term air pollution exposures and cardiovascular mortality. The biological mechanisms connecting them remain uncertain. We examined associations of fine particles (PM2.5) and ozone with serum markers of cardiovascular disease risk in a cohort of midlife…
Research has suggested that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is involved in the experience of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) during menopause. We examined the relationship of VMS intensity and heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of ANS function. Women (n =…
Lactation improves glucose metabolism, but its role in preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) after gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains uncertain. To evaluate lactation and the 2-year incidence of DM after GDM pregnancy. Prospective, observational cohort of women with recent…
In the present study, we compared changes in risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) before and after natural menopause (NM), hysterectomy with at least 1 ovary conserved (HOC), or hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy (HBSO). Data were obtained from women 18-30…
For optimal health benefits, moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) is recommended in sustained bouts lasting ?10 min. However, short spurts of MVPA lasting
Few studies have examined the longitudinal associations of fitness or changes in fitness on the risk of developing dyslipidemias. This study examined the associations of (1) baseline fitness with 25-year dyslipidemia incidence and (2) 20-year fitness change on dyslipidemia development…
Prolonged sedentary time (ST) might be contributing to the diabetes epidemic, but most studies have been cross-sectional and few have objectively measured ST. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cross-sectional and 5-year longitudinal relationships between ST and metabolic…
To describe the effects of six interventions for menopausal vasomotor symptoms relative to control in a pooled analysis, facilitating translation of the results for clinicians and symptomatic women. The Menopause Strategies: Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health network tested…
AMH is associated with menopausal timing in several studies. In contrast to prior studies that were restricted to women with regular cycles, our objective was to examine this association in women with either regular or irregular menstrual cycles. CARDIA is…
This study aims to evaluate the effects of low-dose estradiol (E2) or venlafaxine on menopause-related quality of life and associated symptoms in healthy perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with hot flashes. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of low-dose oral 17?-E2 0.5…
Fitness decline, high body mass index (BMI), and insulin resistance (IR) are associated with worsening cardiometabolic risk factors prospectively; modification of the fitness change effect by BMI and IR remains unknown. Participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young…
Physical performance measures have been shown to predict mortality and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) mainly in elderly populations. We evaluated whether physical performance measures are associated with vascular health indices (carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), adventitial diameter (cAD) and carotid plaque)…
The relation of physical activity (PA) and positive mood has been the focus of considerable research, which were primarily cross-sectional. This study was done to evaluate the relation between PA and high depressive symptoms across time and to examine whether…
To characterize the time course, duration of improvement, and clinical predictors of placebo response in treatment of menopausal hot flashes. Data were pooled from two trials conducted in the Menopausal Strategies: Finding Lasting Answers to Symptoms and Health network, providing…
Although the health benefits of physical activity are well established, the prevalence of midlife women accumulating sufficient physical activity to meet current physical activity guidelines is strikingly low, as shown in United States (U.S.) based surveillance systems that utilize either…
To describe self-reported menopausal symptom priorities and their association with demographics and other symptoms among participants in an intervention trial for vasomotor symptoms (VMS). Cross-sectional study embedded in the MsFLASH 02 trial, a three-by-two factorial design of yoga vs. exercise…
To study the independent associations of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and its 2 components, hyperandrogenism and anovulation, with coronary artery calcification (CAC) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT). At the year 20 of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young…
To identify psychosocial factors associated with sedentary behavior, we tested whether perceived discrimination is associated with sedentary behavior. Black and white men and women (N = 3270) from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study reported experiences…
The objective of this study is to determine whether summary estimates of a self-report physical activity questionnaire that does not specifically assess frequency or duration (the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) physical activity history (PAH)) differs from…
Several cohort studies report associations between chronic exposure to ambient fine particles (PM2.5) and cardiovascular mortality. Uncertainty exists about biological mechanisms responsible for this observation, but systemic inflammation has been postulated. In addition, the subgroups susceptible to inflammation have not…
Estrogen therapy is the gold standard treatment for hot flashes and night sweats, but some women are unable or unwilling to use it because of associated risks. The serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine hydrochloride is used widely as a nonhormonal treatment.…
To investigate whether greater cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with better cognitive function 25 years later. We studied 2,747 participants in the community-based Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study of black and white men and women aged 18…
This study aims to determine the efficacy of yoga in alleviating vasomotor symptoms (VMS) frequency and bother. This study was a three-by-two factorial, randomized controlled trial. Eligible women were randomized to yoga (n = 107), exercise (n = 106), or…
This study aims to determine the efficacy and tolerability of omega-3 fatty acids in reducing vasomotor symptoms (VMS) frequency and bother in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. This study was a 12-week, three-by-two factorial, randomized controlled trial. Eligible women were randomized…
This study aims to determine the efficacy of exercise training for alleviating vasomotor and other menopausal symptoms. Late perimenopausal and postmenopausal sedentary women with frequent vasomotor symptoms (VMS) participated in a randomized controlled trial conducted in three sites: 106 women…
The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of 3 nonhormonal therapies for the improvement of menopause-related quality of life in women with vasomotor symptoms. We conducted a 12-week 3 × 2 randomized, controlled, factorial design trial. Peri-…
Lack of regular physical activity is highly prevalent in U.S. adults and significantly increases mortality risk. To examine the clinical impact of a newly implemented program ("Exercise as a Vital Sign" [EVS]) designed to systematically ascertain patient-reported exercise levels at…
Women with gestational diabetes (GDM) are at high risk of developing diabetes later in life. After a GDM diagnosis, women receive prenatal care to control their blood glucose levels via diet, physical activity and medications. Continuing such lifestyle skills into…
Due to the public health burden of age-related declines in physical functioning, it is important to identify targets for intervention for the prevention of functional decline. We prospectively examined whether higher levels of inflammatory and hemostatic markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein…
Although the benefits of physical activity for risk of coronary heart disease are well established, less is known about its effects on heart failure (HF). The risk of prolonged sedentary behavior on HF is unknown. The study cohort included 82…
Our objective was to examine associations of physical activity in different life domains with peak femoral neck strength relative to load in adult women. Greater physical activity in each of the domains of sport, active living, home, and work was…
This report describes the Menopausal Strategies: Finding Lasting Answers to Symptoms and Health network and methodological issues addressed in designing and implementing vasomotor symptom trials. Established in response to a National Institutes of Health request for applications, the network was…
Few studies have investigated the association between overall diet and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). We aimed to investigate associations of food groups, a diet-quality score, and dietary patterns with CRF in black and white adults. We included 2632 participants aged 38-50…
To examine relationships between different physical activity (PA) domains and sleep, and the influence of consistent PA on sleep, in midlife women. Cross-sectional. Community-based. 339 women in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Sleep Study (52.1 ± 2.1…
The timing of menopause is associated with multiple chronic diseases. Tools that predict this milestone have relevance for clinical and research purposes. Among infertile women, a positive relationship exists between antral follicle count (AFC) and response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation,…
This study examined progression and improvement of physical functioning limitations during the mid-life and whether race-ethnicity, economic strain, or body mass index were associated with these changes. Women from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation with one or…
Despite established relationships between physical activity (PA) or physical fitness (fitness) and metabolic risk, the prospective association is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine whether metabolic risk in young adults is associated with 20-year PA…
Behavioral strategies are recommended for menopausal symptoms, but little evidence exists regarding efficacy. Describe design and methodology of a randomized controlled 3 by 2 factorial trial of yoga, exercise and omega-3 fatty acids. Women from three geographic areas with a…
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether greater childhood adversity relates to younger menarcheal age; whether younger menarcheal age relates to increased CVD risk; and whether greater childhood adversity relates to increased CVD risk, directly or indirectly (mediated by menarcheal age). METHODS: Among…
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of escitalopram 10-20 mg/day on menopause-related quality of life and pain in healthy menopausal women with hot flashes. STUDY DESIGN: A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of escitalopram 10-20mg/day vs. identical placebo was conducted among 205…
Oocyte loss has a significant impact on fertility and somatic health. Yet, we know little about factors that impact this process. We sought to identify genetic variants associated with ovarian reserve (oocyte number as measured by antral follicle count, AFC).…
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine psychological factors in relation to antral follicle count (AFC), a marker of ovarian reserve, in a multiethnic sample of 683 premenopausal women in the Ovarian Aging (OVA) Study. METHODS: In cross-sectional…
PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to describe the face and discriminant validity of an exercise vital sign (EVS) for use in an outpatient electronic medical record. METHODS: Eligible patients were 1,793,385 adults 18 yr and older who were…
CONTEXT: Emerging research suggests links between menopausal hot flashes and cardiovascular disease risk. The mechanisms underlying these associations are unclear, due to the incomplete understanding of the physiology of hot flashes. OBJECTIVE AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We examined the associations…
CONTEXT: Individuals with metabolically healthy or benign obesity vs. unhealthy or at risk obesity have been distinguished; however, the predisposing factors for developing these phenotypes are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to examine pubertal timing marked by menarcheal age…
CONTEXT: Whether menopause-related changes in sex steroids account for midlife weight gain in women or whether weight drives changes in sex steroids remains unanswered. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to characterize the potential reciprocal nature of the associations…
BACKGROUND: Life history models suggest that biological preparation for current versus longer term reproduction is favored in environments of adversity. In this context, we present a model of reproductive aging in which environmental adversity is proposed to increase the number…
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) among approximately 40,000 community-dwelling men aged 45 years and older in the California Men's Health Study (CMHS) cohort. METHODS: All participants completed an extensive questionnaire at baseline (2002-2003) and were…
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of escitalopram on insomnia symptoms and subjective sleep quality in healthy perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with hot flashes. METHODS: A randomized, blinded, multicenter, placebo-controlled parallel-group 8-week trial with 205…
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of breastfeeding during the postpartum oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on maternal blood glucose and insulin among women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Participants were enrolled in the Study of Women, Infant Feeding, and…
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate monitors for assessing vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in laboratory and ambulatory settings before use in the Menopause Strategies Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health network clinical trials testing VMS therapies. METHODS:…
OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between vasomotor symptoms and lipids over 8 years, controlling for other cardiovascular risk factors, estradiol, and follicle-stimulating hormone. METHODS: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation participants (N=3,201), aged 42-52 years at entry, completed interviews on…
PURPOSE: Physical activity (PA) diaries reduce the recall error inherent in self-reported PA but are burdensome. The purpose of this study was to compare a cell phone-based diary with a paper diary and examine the reliability and validity of the…
BACKGROUND: The ovarian reserve (number and quality of oocytes) is correlated with reproductive potential as well as somatic health, and is likely to have multiple genetic and environmental determinants. Several reproductive hormones are closely linked with the oocyte pool and…
INTRODUCTION: Slow HR recovery (HRR) from a graded exercise treadmill test (GXT) is a marker of impaired parasympathetic reactivation that is associated with elevated mortality. Our objective was to test whether demographic, behavioral, or CHD risk factors during young adulthood…
OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between breastfeeding intensity in relation to maternal blood glucose and insulin and glucose intolerance based on the postpartum 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results at 6-9 weeks after a pregnancy with gestational diabetes…
OBJECTIVES: To examine potential weight-related disparities in receipt of preventive screening exams and to compare several quality indicators and health behaviors among overweight/obese men and healthy-weight men enrolled in 2 large managed care plans. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis nested within…
CONTEXT: Numerous instruments to measure self-reported physical activity (PA) exist, but there is little guidance for determining the most appropriate choice. OBJECTIVE: To provide a systematic framework for researchers and practitioners to select a self-reported PA instrument. PROCESS: The framework…
CONTEXT: Advances in device-based measures have led researchers to question the value of reported measures of physical activity or sedentary behavior. The premise of the WORKSHOP ON MEASUREMENT OF ACTIVE AND SEDENTARY BEHAVIORS: CLOSING THE GAPS IN SELF-REPORT METHODS, held…
OBJECTIVE: To identify markers of ovarian age that best match the pattern of oocyte loss seen in histology specimens. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University. PATIENT(S): Caucasian women (n = 252) aged 25-45 years. INTERVENTION(S): none. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The relationship…
The 2008 Physical Activity (PA) Guidelines recommend engaging in at least 2.5 h (10 MET-hours/week) of moderate intensity PA per week (defined as 4 METs) to reduce risk of morbidity and mortality. This analysis was conducted to investigate whether this…
Lower extremity fat mass (LEFM) has been shown to be favorably associated with glucose metabolism. However, it is not clear whether this relationship is similar across varying levels of obesity. We hypothesized that lower amounts of LEFM is associated with…
OBJECTIVE: Emerging research suggests links between menopausal hot flashes and cardiovascular risk. The mechanisms underlying these associations are unclear due, in part, to the incomplete understanding of the physiology of hot flashes. We aimed to examine the longitudinal associations between…
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with an increase in breast cancer risk. In our study, we evaluated whether the MetS was associated with an increase in percent mammographic density (MD), a breast cancer risk factor. We used linear regression…
The benefits of regular physical activity are well established, but evidence for a protective effect against the adverse health consequences accompanying the menopausal transition is limited. This article reviews that evidence, concluding that more physical activity is generally associated with…
BACKGROUND: The assessment of fat mass and fat-free mass in relation to the symptom-limited maximal exercise duration (Max(dur)) of a treadmill test allows for insight into the association of body composition with treadmill performance potential. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the complex…
The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from seven candidate genes, including genotype-by-baseline fitness and genotype-by-baseline body mass index (BMI) interactions, with incident hypertension over 20 years was investigated in 2663 participants (1301 blacks, 1362 whites) of the Coronary Artery…
Although studies have shown that physically active breast cancer survivors have lower all-cause mortality, the association between change in physical activity from before to after diagnosis and mortality is not clear. We examined associations among pre- and postdiagnosis physical activity,…
BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic-endocrine disorder in women and is associated with a number of metabolic morbidities. We examined the association of PCOS and its components with socioeconomic status (SES) over the life course to explore…
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to characterize the backgrounds of women who have repeat abortions. STUDY DESIGN: In a cross-sectional study of 259 women (mean age, 35.2 +/- 5.6 years), the relation between adverse experiences in childhood and…
CONTEXT: Concerns regarding the risks associated with estrogen and progesterone to manage menopausal symptoms have resulted in its declining use and increased interest in nonhormonal treatments with demonstrated efficacy for hot flashes. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and tolerability of…
To estimate whether women aged 20-32 years who fulfilled National Institutes of Health criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) would be at higher risk for subsequent development of incident diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, and to estimate whether normal-weight women with…
BACKGROUND: Women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 years after delivery. Evidence that lactation duration influences incident type 2 diabetes after GDM pregnancy is based on one retrospective…
BACKGROUND: It is not known whether the genes involved with endurance performance during young adulthood are also involved with changes in performance. We examined the associations of gene variants with symptom-limited exercise test duration at baseline and decrease in duration…
INTRODUCTION: The age-specific prevalence of polycystic ovaries (PCO), as defined by the Rotterdam criteria, among normal ovulatory women, has not yet been reported. It is also uncertain whether these women differ from their peers in the hormonal or metabolic profile.…
OBJECTIVE: To examine the conventional wisdom that declines in antral follicle count accelerate after approximately 37 years of age, which has influenced clinical decision making. We critically examine evidence for this sudden acceleration. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Academic setting. PATIENT(S):…
BACKGROUND: The long-term prognostic role of functional limitations among women with breast cancer is poorly understood. METHODS: We studied a cohort of 2202 women with breast cancer at two sites in the United States, who provided complete information on body…
CONTEXT: The role of endogenous androgens and SHBG in the development of cardiovascular disease in young adult women is unclear. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to study the prospective association of serum androgens and SHBG with subclinical coronary and carotid disease…
PURPOSE: To estimate the association of age with maximal HR (MHR). METHODS: Data were obtained from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Participants were black and white men and women aged 18-30 yr in 1985-1986 (year…
Fitness and physical activity are each inversely associated with the development of hypertension. We tested whether fitness and physical activity were independently associated with the 20-year incidence of hypertension in 4618 men and women. Hypertension was determined in participants who…
One potential mechanism by which physical activity may protect against breast cancer is by decreasing mammographic density. Percent mammographic density, the proportion of dense breast tissue area to total breast area, declines with age and is a strong risk factor…
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether adolescent obesity is associated with difficulties in becoming pregnant later in life. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a longitudinal cohort. SETTING: Multiethnic, community-based observational study of U.S. women. PATIENT(S): Three thousand one hundred fifty-four…
OBJECTIVES: To better understand how obesity and low levels of physical activity (PA) contribute to racial health disparities, we examined the association of PA domains (work, home life, and leisure) with indicators of socioeconomic status and markers of obesity in…
OBJECTIVES: This prospective study examined whether changes in traditional and novel coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors are greater within a year of the final menstrual period (FMP), relative to changes that occur before or after that interval, in a…
INTRODUCTION: The burden of erectile dysfunction (ED) among different racial and ethnic groups is unclear, in part, because prior studies have not included all four major racial and ethnic groups in the same population-based sample. AIM: To determine the prevalence…
BACKGROUND: Dietary glycemic load (GL) and glycemic index (GI), indicators of the postprandial glucose and insulin response to carbohydrate composition of diet, have been suggested as independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, current knowledge about the distribution,…
OBJECTIVE: To examine factors associated with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in the multiethnic California Men's Health Study. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-Sectional analysis nested within a cohort of male health plan members (n = 55,278). METHODS: We extracted laboratory serum PSA values…
OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether menopause transition stage is independently associated with the development of incontinence symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal analysis, using discrete proportional hazards models, of women who were continent at baseline in the Study of Women's Health…
BACKGROUND: Building on known associations between active commuting and reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, this study examines active transit to neighborhood amenities and differences between walking and cycling for transportation. METHODS: Year-20 data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in…
Although most women report vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats) during midlife, their etiology and risk factors are incompletely understood. Body fat is positively associated with vasomotor symptoms cross-sectionally, but the longitudinal relation between changes in body fat and vasomotor…
BACKGROUND: Numerous modifiable factors have been associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, including the chronic use of NSAIDs. Thus, it is biologically plausible that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), therapeutic agents that also possess anti-inflammatory effects, are also associated…
BACKGROUND: There is little research on the association of lifestyle exercise, such as active commuting (walking or biking to work), with obesity, fitness, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 2364 participants enrolled in the Coronary…
OBJECTIVE: To test the association of fitness changes over 7 and 20 years on the development of diabetes in middle age. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Fitness was determined based on the duration of a maximal graded exercise treadmill test (Balke…
CONTEXT: Healthy diets and regular physical activity confer many health benefits, but the prevalence of these behaviors is relatively low. BACKGROUND: Cost-effective strategies are needed to increase healthy eating and physical activity in the population. DESIGN: An RCT, conducted in…
Few studies have prospectively examined lipid changes across the menopause transition or in relation to menopausal changes in endogenous hormones. The relative independent contributions of menopause and age to lipid changes are unclear. Lipid changes were examined in relation to…
High percent mammographic breast density is strongly associated with increased breast cancer risk. Though body mass index (BMI) is positively associated with risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, BMI is negatively associated with percent breast density in cross-sectional studies. Few longitudinal…
PURPOSE: To determine whether respondents share researchers' understandings of concepts and questions frequently used in the assessment of usual physical activity (PA) behavior. METHODS: As part of On the Move, a study aimed at reducing measurement error in self-reported physical…
OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the cross-sectional association between race and hysterectomy prevalence in a population-based cohort of US women and investigated participant characteristics associated with racial differences. METHODS: The cohort consisted of 1863 Black and White women in the Coronary Artery…
INTRODUCTION: Identifying modifiable factors that reduce the risk of recurrence and improve survival in breast cancer survivors is a pressing concern. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of physical activity following diagnosis and treatment with the…
BACKGROUND: This study was done to determine whether physical activity at baseline is independently associated with musculoskeletal pain and fulfilling one's physical role over 3 subsequent years. METHODS: Our research involved a 3-year longitudinal study of over 2400 community-dwelling, midlife…
BACKGROUND: Although walking is the most popular leisure-time activity for adults, few long-term, longitudinal studies have examined the association between walking, an affordable and accessible form of physical activity, and weight gain. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the association…
BACKGROUND: Diabetes disproportionately affects Latinos. However, examining Latinos as one group obscures important intra-group differences. This study examined how generational status, duration of US residence, and language preference are associated with diabetes prevalence and to what extent these explain the…
Many epidemiologic studies include symptom checklists assessing recall of symptoms over a specified time period. Little research exists regarding the congruence of short-term symptom recall with daily self-reporting. The authors assessed the sensitivity and specificity of retrospective reporting of vasomotor…
OBJECTIVE: We examined the association between body mass index (BMI) around the time of diagnosis, weight change post-diagnosis, and breast cancer prognosis in a prospective cohort study of 1,692 breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Pre-diagnosis weight, weight at study entry, and…
OBJECTIVE: To determine racial differences in self-reported infertility and in risk factors for infertility in a cohort of black and white women. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of data from the longitudinal Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study,…
Factors influencing gestational weight gain are incompletely understood, particularly among Hispanic women. We assessed medical, sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychosocial predictors of overall gestational weight gain, as well as gains below, within, or above the range recommended by the Institute of…
OBJECTIVE: Studies in predominantly non-Hispanic white populations have suggested that physical activity during pregnancy is associated with a reduced risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). There are few such studies in Hispanic women, a group at increased risk for GDM.…
BACKGROUND: Body mass index (BMI) is directly related to testosterone (total T and free T) and inversely to SHBG cross-sectionally, but little is known about how changes in body fat and androgen markers affect each other over time. METHODS: Participants…
BACKGROUND: Limited data exist regarding the ethnic differences in C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, an inflammatory marker associated with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We hypothesized that known CVD risk factors, including anthropometric characteristics, would explain much of the observed ethnic…
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether childbearing is associated with increased visceral adiposity and whether the increase is proportionally larger than other depots. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: This prospective study examined changes in adiposity assessed via computed tomography (CT) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry…
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the menopausal transition is associated with worsening of urinary incontinence symptoms over 6 years in midlife women. METHODS: We analyzed data from 2,415 women who reported monthly or more incontinence in self-administered questionnaires at baseline and…
PURPOSE: Physical activity (PA) is one of few modifiable breast cancer risk factors. There have been few studies of the relation between PA and mammographic density, especially in multiethnic populations. METHODS: In a cohort of pre- and early perimenopausal women…
It has long been hypothesized that increased adiposity would be associated with decreased vasomotor symptoms during menopause because of conversion of androgens to estrogens in body fat. However, recent thermoregulatory models have postulated that increased adipose tissue would be associated…
BACKGROUND: Cost-effective interventions to improve diet and physical activity are a public health priority. Alive! is an email-based intervention to increase physical activity, reduce saturated and trans fats and added sugars, and increase fruit and vegetable consumption. It was shown…
OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether use of complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies during the menopause transition varied by ethnicity. DESIGN: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation is a prospective cohort study following a group of 3,302 women from…
Statins have known anticarcinogenic effects, however, evidence for long-term statin use as effective chemoprevention for prostate cancer is inconsistent. We examined the association between statin use and risk of prostate cancer among 69,047 eligible participants in the California Men's Health…
OBJECTIVES: To compare mammographic density among premenopausal and early perimenopausal women from four racial/ethnic groups and to examine density and acculturation among Japanese and Chinese women. DESIGN: The study included 391 white, 60 African American, 171 Japanese, and 179 Chinese…
BACKGROUND: Bone mineral density and mammographic breast density are each associated with markers of lifetime estrogen exposure. The association between mammographic breast density and bone mineral density in early perimenopausal women is unknown. METHODS: We analyzed data from a cohort…
BACKGROUND: As the majority of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer have no known risk factors, regular screening is strongly recommended. The authors examined factors associated with screening sigmoidoscopy use among participants in the California Men's Health Study (CMHS). METHODS: The…
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationships of race/ethnicity, menopausal status, health characteristics, and symptoms with use of 21 types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in midlife women. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, multiple logistic regression analyses of 2,118 women completing the sixth annual…
OBJECTIVES: National data indicate that Latina women are less active than non-Latina white women and are at higher risk of gestational diabetes and subsequent type 2 diabetes. Physical activity may reduce risk of maternal disorders of pregnancy, but sparse data…
PURPOSE: Single-variable analyses have associated physical activity, diet, and obesity with survival after breast cancer. This report investigates interactions among these variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed of 1,490 women diagnosed and treated for early-stage breast cancer…
AIMS: We sought to determine if the frequency of reported physical or emotional premenstrual symptoms (PMSx) was associated with (1) dietary intake of phytoestrogens, fiber, fat, or calcium, (2) consumption of alcohol or caffeine, (3) active or passive smoke exposure…
OBJECTIVE: The association between physical activity or cardiovascular fitness and chronic disease risk in men might be mediated, in part, through androgens. Limited data exists on the potential associations of activity or fitness with serum hormones. We examined the associations…
BACKGROUND: By one estimate, 60% of women experiencing the menopause transition perceive that they have memory problems, but most studies that have used cognitive function tests have not substantiated a relation between menopause stage and cognitive performance. We sought to…
PURPOSE: To examine whether weight gain after diagnosis of breast cancer affects the risk of breast cancer recurrence. PATIENT AND METHODS: Patients included 3215 women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer (Stage I >1 cm., II, and IIIA) who were…
OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether vasomotor symptom reporting or patterns of change in symptom reporting over the perimenopausal transition among women enrolled in a national study differed according to race/ethnicity. We also sought to determine whether racial/ethnic differences were explained by…
OBJECTIVES: Although risk factors for indoor falls among older individuals have been well studied, little is known about the etiology of outdoor falls. We examined risk factors for outdoor falls among middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: We analyzed data on…
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between food frequency questionnaire estimated isoflavone intakes and cognitive performance. DESIGN: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), is a multiethnic, community based, longitudinal study of women aged 42 to 52 years at…
PURPOSE: Participation in physical activity during pregnancy may reduce the risk of maternal and fetal disorders. However, few studies have validated physical activity questionnaires for use during pregnancy, a time characterized by different patterns of activity than nonpregnancy. Therefore, the…
BACKGROUND: We established a male, multiethnic cohort primarily to study prostate cancer etiology and secondarily to study the etiologies of other cancer and non-cancer conditions. METHODS/DESIGN: Eligible participants were 45-to-69 year old males who were members of a large, prepaid…
Physical activity and body composition were examined with respect to variation in functional limitation over a 6-year period (four surveys conducted between 1994 and 2000) based on a cohort of 1,655 community-dwelling older women and men living in Sonoma, California.…
BACKGROUND: The few prior studies of urinary symptoms in the workplace have been small investigations of women in specific occupations (e.g. nursing) or industries (e.g. pottery manufacture). In this study, the aims were to describe the prevalence, management and impact…
OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of urinary incontinence during exercise in women, estimate whether exercise intensity is related to leakage severity, and report women's assessments of incontinence as a barrier to exercise. METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed to 5,130 women aged…
PURPOSE: Hormonal changes associated with menopause, chronological aging, and lifestyle, specifically physical activity, may all influence the changes in body composition and fat distribution experienced by midlife women. This cross-sectional study examined those relations in a representative sample of 248…
The Life After Cancer Epidemiology (LACE) Study, a cohort of 2321 early stage breast cancer survivors, was established in 2000 to examine how modifiable behavioral risk factors affect quality of life and long-term survival. Women were recruited primarily from the…
PURPOSE: Autonomic nervous system function may be a mechanism by which frequent physical activity is associated with better coronary heart disease outcomes. In a diverse, population-based sample, we tested whether physical activity participation was associated with higher parasympathetic function. METHODS:…
BACKGROUND: Overall rates of obesity have increased dramatically in the United States, yet African American women remain disproportionately represented among the overweight and obese. The excess weight observed in African American women is primarily considered a result of low socioeconomic…
OBJECTIVE: Women beginning the transition to menopause now have access to complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) that were not universally available in the past. Little is known about the association between CAM use and the use of conventional health care…
OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate whether childbearing leads to development of overweight in women and to evaluate the role of other known risk factors. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A prospective, multicenter observational study, the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults…
A case-control study undertaken among members of five Northern California Kaiser Permanente medical centers sought to identify risk factors for foot fractures among persons aged 45 years and older. Foot fracture cases (n=920) and frequency matched controls (n=2366) were interviewed…
Controversy exists regarding the extent to which age, menopausal status, and/or lifestyle behaviors account for the increased weight, fat mass, and central adiposity experienced by midlife women. To address this question, the authors longitudinally examined the relations of aging, menopausal…
This case-control study of proximal humerus fracture included 448 incident female and male cases and 2,023 controls aged 45 years or older identified in five Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers in 1996-2001. Data were collected by using an interviewer-administered…
BACKGROUND: Study of the influence of physical activity and body composition in the context of the disablement process requires analytic techniques that can address time-dependent confounding related to exposures for the occurrence of functional limitation and disability. METHODS: We applied…
OBJECTIVES: To determine the self-selected exercise intensity of older adults who report that they walk briskly for exercise. An additional aim of the study was to assess the contribution of self-reported physical activity to self-selected exercise intensity. DESIGN: Observational. SETTING:…
PURPOSE: To study the relations between four domains of physical activity-sport, home, work, and active living-and bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: Baseline data from African-American (N = 544), Caucasian (N= 1044), Chinese (N= 230), and Japanese (N= 239) participants, aged…
Relations between physical activity and prospectively collected menstrual cycle characteristics were examined in two large cohorts. One cohort consisted of women employed in the semiconductor industry in 1989 who participated in a prospective study of reproductive outcomes (n = 367).…
To understand how body composition relates to functional impairment, the authors examined cross-sectional associations of absolute and relative measures of fat and lean mass with physical performance and self-reported functional limitation. The sample consisted of a community-based cohort of 1,655…
OBJECTIVE: To describe severity of emotional and physical symptoms in a large diverse sample; to examine demographic, health status, and behavioral correlates of symptom severity; and to describe use of medications and alternative remedies for premenstrual symptoms. METHODS: A total…
Isoflavones are naturally occurring selective estrogen receptor modulators, with potential bone protective effects. To study the relation between soy isoflavone intake and bone mineral density (BMD), the authors analyzed baseline data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation,…
This study compared responses from 13,621 African-American, Chinese, Hispanic, Japanese, and White women to a single, global physical activity question. Respondents aged 40-55 years were randomly selected from seven geographic locations in the United States for the 1996-1997 cross-sectional survey…
PURPOSE: The Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (KPAS) was evaluated for test-retest reliability and comparison with direct and indirect measures of physical activity (PA) in 50 women (ages 20-60 yr) with a broad range of physical activity (PA) habits. METHODS: The…
CONTEXT: Calcium deposits in coronary and extracoronary arterial beds may indicate the extent of atherosclerosis. However, the incremental predictive value of vascular calcification, beyond traditional coronary risk factors, is not clearly established. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors for aortic arch…
BACKGROUND: Demographic and psychosocial correlates of activity in domains other than recreational activity have not been well characterized and may be particularly relevant for health promotion efforts aimed at women. METHODS: Cross-sectional relationships between recreational, occupational, and household/caregiving physical activity…
The validity of the Tecumseh Occupational Activity Questionnaire (TOQ) and a modified Seven Day Recall (SDR) was measured in 46 healthy women, ages 20-60 years (mean +/- SD, 39.4 +/- 11.8). Occupational data were compared with direct (7-day occupational activity…
A case-control study design was used to examine whether habitual physical activity prior to the final menstrual period (FMP) was associated with reduced risk of vasomotor and other symptoms during the perimenopausal period. Both cases and controls were identified through…
PURPOSE: To relate seven year changes in physical fitness and physical activity in the young adult population to changes in the plasma lipid profile and to examine the influence of weight change on those relationships. METHODS: The participants in this…
PURPOSE: Most studies of physical fitness change have been relatively small, not population-based, and lacking in women and nonwhites. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the 7-yr change in physical fitness in a biracial (black and white) population…
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