Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults in Constantine

In Algeria, as in all countries in the developing world, obesity has become more and more common in adults, suggesting a worsening of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes for these generations. This study aims to assess the prevalence of obesity by anthropometry in adults in the city of Constantine over the year 2010-2011, and to explore its relationship with certain determining factors. A cross-sectional study with cluster sampling and stratification on sex allowed us to estimate the frequency of all categories of BMI. For this purpose, 320 adults living in Constantine were interviewed. In 2011, the prevalence of obesity was 35.84%. Women are more affected by obesity than men （40.83% vs. 22.08%）. The prevalence of abdominal obesity, according to IDF, was 81.0% for women vs. 56.2% for men; according to NCEP ATP III, it was 64.3% in women vs. 35.9% in men. Obesity is more common in families of low socioeconomic status. Similarly, level of education and obesity are inversely correlated. People who have a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to be obese than those who are physically active. Obesity is a serious condition that results in significant health care costs. There is a need to undertake epidemiological surveillance in childhood. Urgent preventive actions are required. Promotion of a healthy balanced diet and physical exercise is a priority in the prevention of obesity.

Study of A1298C MTHFR Gene Polymorphism as a Risk Factor for Neural Tube Defects in the Eastern Algerian Population

Background: As C677T mutation, A1298C mutation in methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene results in a decreased MTHFR activity but to a less extent, it is known as a risk factor of predisposition to human neural tube defects (NTDs), in some populations. Our objective was therefore to study, for the first time in Algerian population, if A1298C polymorphism confers risk for the occurrence of this abnormality. We have examined the distribution of the genotype and the allele frequencies of A1298C mutation, and also their influence on plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentration. Patients and Methods: We studied this polymorphism in 38 mothers of NTD cases and 67 control individuals of an eastern Algerian population. The mutation was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR/RFLP). Plasma homocysteine concentration was analyzed using an automated chemiluminescence method. Results: No signi?cant association could be observed between allele and genotypes frequencies of A1298C MTHFR gene polymorphism and NTDs risk. However, we could observe that A1298C polymorphism affects homocysteine metabolism in mothers of NTD cases leading to homocysteine concentration values higher in AA genotype and lower in AC/CC genotypes (15.29 ± 11.8 μmol/l vs. 8.63 ± 3.83 μmol/l, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Data indicate that A1298C MTHFR gene polymorphism might be a risk factor by affecting homocysteine metabolism in mothers of Algerian children with NTDs.