Although the global prevalence of both the overweight and obese is on the rise, there are variations among regions or countries, and sexes. Approximately half or more than half of the population are overweight/obese defined as body mass index ≥25 kg/m2in the Americas (61.1%), Europe (54.8%), and Eastern Mediterranean (46.0%) according to the World Health Organization, while a much lower prevalence is observed in Africa (26.9%), South-East Asia (13.7%), and the Western Pacific (25.4%). Females are more likely to be overweight/obese in the Eastern Mediterranean, Africa, South-East Asia and the majority of countries in the Americas and Western Pacific but not in the most of the countries in Europe. These region-sex-ethnicity differences in prevalence may be a clue to the causes of the obesity epidemic. Epidemiological studies done in the USA, Europe, and Asia found that higher BMI was significantly associated with increased incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and ischemic stroke, but the association with hemorrhagic stroke incidence was not always consistent. The association of BMI with CAD and ischemic stroke was generally independent of known mediators, which would indicate the importance of controlling or preventing overweight/obesity for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. (Circ J 2014; 78: 2807–2818)

Background: Evidence suggests non-specific benefits of the tuberculosis vaccine bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) against non-related infections. Recent studies propose such protection may extend to the novel COVID-19 as well. This is a contested hypothesis. Methods: Our ecological study confronts this hypothesis. We examine the effects of BCG vaccination on countries’ COVID-19 (a) cases and deaths (per million) and (b) exponential growth factors over specific periods of the pandemic. Since the BCG vaccine was derived from Mycobacterium bovis, a bacterium causing tuberculosis in cattle, having suffered from tuberculosis also may exert a non-specific protection against the COVID-19 as well. Along with BCG vaccination, we test the effect of the prevalence of tuberculosis. We employ multiple regression and principal component analysis (PCA) to control for potentially confounding variables ( n = 16). Results: BCG vaccination policy and incidence of tuberculosis is associated with a reduction in both COVID-19 cases and deaths, and the effects of these two variables are additive (≈ 5% to 15% of total unique variance explained). The study of exponential growth factors in the initial stages of the pandemic further shows that BCG vaccination exerts a significant effect (up to 35% of unique variance explained). Conclusions: Overall, these findings corroborate the hypothesis that BCG vaccination and exposure to tuberculosis may induce a non-specific protection against the novel SARS-CoV-2 infection, even after accounting for a large number of confounding influences. However, given the potential public-health benefits, our results indicate that the hypothesis deserves further attention and should not be hastily dismissed.

The Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0) is used for assessing food addiction (FA). Our study aimed at validating its Japanese version (J-YFAS 2.0). The subjects included 731 undergraduate students. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated the root-mean-square error of approximation, comparative fit index, Tucker–Lewis index, and standardized root-mean-square residual were 0.065, 0.904, 0.880, and 0.048, respectively, for a one-factor structure model. Kuder–Richardson α was 0.78. Prevalence of the J-YFAS 2.0-diagnosed mild, moderate, and severe FA was 1.1%, 1.2%, and 1.0%, respectively. High uncontrolled eating and emotional eating scores of the 18-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ R-18) (p < 0.001), a high Kessler Psychological Distress Scale score (p < 0.001), frequent desire to overeat (p = 0.007), and frequent snacking (p = 0.003) were associated with the J-YFAS 2.0-diagnosed FA presence. The scores demonstrated significant correlations with the J-YFAS 2.0-diagnosed FA symptom count (p < 0.01). The highest attained body mass index was associated with the J-YFAS 2.0-diagnosed FA symptom count (p = 0.026). The TFEQ R-18 cognitive restraint score was associated with the J-YFAS 2.0-diagnosed FA presence (p < 0.05) and symptom count (p < 0.001), but not with the J-YFAS 2.0-diagnosed FA severity. Like the YFAS 2.0 in other languages, the J-YFAS 2.0 has a one-factor structure and adequate convergent validity and reliability.

Aim: Care for people with schizophrenia is shifting the locus from long‐stay mental hospitals to nonspecialized community‐based settings. Knowledge on the care is not a sole property of psychiatric specialists. Community healthcare workers who do not specialize in psychiatry are recommended to learn more about schizophrenia. This review aimed to summarize recent findings on subjective well‐being and physical, psychiatric, and social comorbidities in individuals with schizophrenia.Methods: A literature review was conducted. We retrieved findings from existing systematic reviews and meta‐analyses as our preferred method. When data were not available, we referred to other types of studies.Results: As per our review, individuals with schizophrenia demonstrated poor subjective well‐being, happiness, and life satisfaction despite individual differences. Pharmacotherapy caused weight gain and constipation, whereas race and hospitalization might affect weight reduction. Individuals with schizophrenia demonstrated poor oral health, a high prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, and unique eating behaviors. Depression, sleep disorders, smoking, and alcohol and drug consumption were frequently found in the individuals. Research findings regarding problematic internet and smartphone use and stress perception were limited. Low health literacy and neglect of preventable behaviors were frequently seen in individuals with schizophrenia. They tended to be less educated, poor, unemployed, unmarried/unattached, and had poor social cognition, resulting in little social support and a small social network.Conclusion: Retrieving recent data, we confirmed that individuals with schizophrenia had poor subjective well‐being and suffer from various physical, psychiatric, and social comorbidities.