American Journal of Non-Communicable Diseases

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Volume 2, Issue 2 (2025)Read More

Featured Content

Original Research Article

5 December 2025

Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with body fat and cardiovascular risk factors in a Uruguayan population cohort: a cross-sectional analysis

Paula Moliterno, Carmen Marino Donangelo, Luciana Borgarello, Alicia Olascoaga, Matias Pécora, José Boggia

Objective: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels reflect the body's vitamin D nutritional status and have been related to cardiovascular risk factors. We investigated the association between 25(OH)D concentration and metabolic and functional cardiovascular risk factors in a cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from an adult population cohort in Uruguay (Genotype-Phenotype and Environment of Hypertension Study—GEFA-HT-UY). Methods: Study in 220 participants (60.9% women; 47.8±17.1years). Serum 25(OH)D was determined by chemiluminescence. Body fat was assessed by electrical bioimpedance analysis. Blood samples and blood pressure were obtained by standardized procedures. Multivariable linear regression models were used to study the association between serum 25(OH)D levels, body fat localization and cardiovascular risk, adjusted for seasonality, sex, age, smoking status and physical activity. Results and Conclusions: The mean 25(OH)D concentration was 24.4±12.1 ng/mL; 41.4% of participants had serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL, of whom 30.8% showed serum 25(OH)D < 12 ng/mL. Serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL was more prevalent in women than men (48.5% vs 30.2%, p=0.007). Higher body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, fat mass index, body fat percentage, and rates of obesity and hypertension were observed in those with serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL. The odds of serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL increased with obesity (OR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.01–3.72) and hypertension (OR=2.49, 95% CI: 1.16–5.34) (p≤0.050); among women, the odds of having 25(OH)D levels below 20 ng/mL increased almost fourfold in those with abdominal obesity compared to those with normal abdominal fat. Gynoid fat correlated with lower 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL risk. In conclusion, 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL was highly prevalent, especially in women. 25 (OH)D levels were inversely associated with total adiposity, abdominal fat, systolic blood pressure and TG/HDLc ratio, and positively associated with increased gynoid or femoral-gluteal fat.

Review

5 December 2025

Association Between Marijuana Use and Suicidality in US High-Schoolers: A Scoping Review

Abhinav Balu, Raphael Crespo, Ryan Romero, Noël Barengo

Objective: Suicide is a leading cause of death for U.S. adolescents, while cannabis is the most used illicit substance. With changing legalization and perceptions of harm, this review aimed to organize and overview the evidence on the association between cannabis use and suicidality (ideation, planning, and attempts) among U.S. high school students. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases was conducted to identify relevant studies. This scoping review allowed an analysis of the findings of 37 articles. The article consisted of cross-sectional surveys, prospective cohort studies, and meta-analyses, that examined the link between cannabis use and suicidality in U.S. high-school-aged populations. Results: The evidence consistently shows that cannabis use is associated with a significantly elevated risk for suicidality. Meta-analyses reported that cannabis users had more than double the odds of a suicide attempt and a 1.5-to-2.0-fold increased odds of suicidal ideation compared to non-users. This association remained significant even after statistically controlling for depression. Stronger associations were identified among females, adolescents engaging in polysubstance use, and those using cannabis at school. Conclusions: The convergence of findings establishes cannabis use as a consistent correlate and potential independent risk factor for adolescent suicidality. These findings underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies for at-risk youth and highlight the importance of future longitudinal research to further clarify the causal pathways and inform effective public health interventions.

Current Articles

Editorial1 December 2025

Advancing Knowledge, Collaboration, and Impact—Highlights from the FIU 2025 Diabetes Awareness Day

Noel Barengo

The FIU 2025 Diabetes Awareness Day brought together students, researchers, clinicians, and community partners for a dynamic celebration of scientific inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and shared commitment to reducing the burden of diabetes. This supplement presents the 28 research abstracts showcased during the event—an impressive reflection of the emerging scholarship at Florida International University and the collective drive to advance diabetes prevention, management, and population health. The event opened with student exhibits, setting the tone for a day grounded in innovation and curiosity. These exhibits highlighted the diverse ways in which future researchers and health professionals are addressing metabolic diseases—from novel dietary and behavioral interventions to community-engaged approaches and technology-enabled solutions. Their contributions underscore the growing role of student-led research in shaping the next frontier of diabetes science. In his welcome remarks, Dr. Andrés Gil emphasized the university’s expanding research infrastructure and its commitment to supporting work at the intersection of biomedical discovery, public health, and translational science. His message resonated throughout the event: that diabetes is not only a biological condition, but a societal challenge requiring evidence-based, cross-sector solutions. This idea was further developed in the keynote lecture delivered by Dr. Elisabetta Patorno, whose presentation on real-world evidence for decision-making in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic treatment offered a compelling look at how large-scale data can inform clinical practice and policy. Her insights highlighted the essential role of pharmacoepidemiology and real-world data in understanding treatment effectiveness, improving care pathways, and tailoring interventions for populations at highest risk. The panel discussion—“Beyond the Scale: How GLP-1s and Whole-Person Strategies Transform Obesity Treatment and Diabetes Prevention”—brought together an interdisciplinary group of experts including Dr. Amalia Landa-Galindez, Dr. Cristina Palacios, and Dr. Pia Henfridsson, moderated by Dr. Noël C. Barengo. Their dialogue illuminated the rapidly evolving landscape of obesity and diabetes care, particularly the integration of GLP-1 receptor agonists with lifestyle modification, nutrition, behavioral health, and equity-focused approaches. The conversation highlighted a crucial theme reflected across many of the abstracts in this supplement: that effective diabetes prevention must embrace a whole-person, culturally informed perspective. At the heart of the event were the student poster presentations, moderated by Dr. Anuradha Godavarty. The abstracts published here represent a rich spectrum of methodological approaches and thematic areas, including health disparities, dietary patterns, physical activity, metabolic risk factors, digital health, health education, and clinical outcomes research. Together, these works demonstrate the strength of FIU’s research training environment and the motivation of its students to confront one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges. This supplement not only documents the scientific contributions presented at the FIU 2025 Diabetes Awareness Day but also celebrates the collaborative spirit that defines our academic community. As we look toward the future, the insights generated at this event—and captured within these pages—will continue to inspire innovation, partnership, and progress in the fight against diabetes.

Most Popular Articles

Original Research Article

4 November 2022

Snack Intake Among College Students with Overweight/Obesity and its Association with Gender, Income, Stress, and Availability of Snacks During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mohammed Baghdadi, Lukkamol Prapkree, Rianna Uddin, Jafar Ajaj Jaafar, Niliarys Sifre, Gabriel Corea, Jordan Faith, Jacqueline Hernandez, Cristina Palacios

Abstract: Objective. To assess the determinants of snack intake among college students with overweight/obesity during COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that younger and male students, those from minority background, those experiencing higher stress levels, and those with higher accessibility/availability of unhealthy snacks would snack more frequently or consume more unhealthy snack choices. Methods. This was a secondary analysis of the baseline data obtained from the Snackability trial, a trial testing the efficacy of a smartphone application for improving the quality of snack intake in US college students with overweight/obesity. Participants completed a survey on socio-demographics, stress levels, and snack patterns at the baseline visit (n=298). Analyses included correlation, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis, and logistic regressions. Results. Most students were females 81.9%, 40.9% were whites, and 55.7% had a household income

Original Research Article

19 March 2024

Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Healthcare Disparities in Florida

Kayla Haydon, Catarina Jim, Joel Mantilla, Noel Barengo

Objective Healthcare disparities disproportionately affect underserved and marginalized communities due to social determinants of health (SDoH), contributing to significant differences in health outcomes and life expectancy within different communities in Florida. This observational study aimed to understand the impact of SDoH, such as race/ethnicity, income level, and education attainment on healthcare access in Florida. Methods Self-reported data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were pooled to evaluate disparities in healthcare access by race/ethnicity, income, and education level in Florida. Results Health status and healthcare access vary based on characteristics related to SDoH, including race/ethnicity, income level, and educational attainment. Health status and healthcare access increased with income and education attainment. There were no significant disparities in health status and healthcare access among racial and ethnic groups. Conclusion While race and ethnicity were not significant predictors of health status nor healthcare access, income level and education were positively correlated which may be related to policy including Florida's lack of Medicaid expansion or population characteristics such as health-seeking behaviors. Understanding the prevalence of healthcare disparities based on SDoH can inform and support the implementation of evidence-based strategies for improving the accessibility and affordability of culturally competent care for underserved populations.

Conference Proceedings

9 November 2024

Caracterización del consumo de suplementos nutricionales, actividad física y frecuencia de dismorfia muscular en usuarios de un gimnasio de la ciudad de Asunción de diciembre del 2022 a febrero del 2023.

Rodrigo Burgos, Esteban Martinez, Jimena Vache, Rossmary Acuña

Objetivo: identificar las características del consumo de suplementos nutricionales, actividad física y la frecuencia de Dismorfia Muscular en usuarios de un gimnasio de la ciudad de Asunción. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal. La muestra estuvo conformada por 72 participantes, tanto hombres como mujeres, a los cuales se les aplicó una encuesta virtual con preguntas abiertas y cerradas para obtener información sobre datos sociodemográficos, actividad física y consumo de suplementos, además se aplicó el cuestionario Escala de Satisfacción Muscular para determinar la frecuencia de Dismorfia Muscular en la población. Trabajo aprobado por el Comité de ética de la Facultad (Código: 922/2022). Resultados: El 40,28% de los encuestados consume algún suplemento y de ellos los más consumidos fueron las proteínas (23,38%). Se encontró que además del entrenamiento con pesas, el 33,67% realizaba actividades en la sala de cardio (Cinta, bicicleta, escaladora, elíptica). La frecuencia de Dismorfia Muscular en la población estudiada fue de 19,44%. Conclusiones: Alrededor de la mitad de la muestra estudiada consume suplementos nutricionales, mientras que 2 de cada 10 presenta Dismorfia Muscular. No se encontró asociación entre el consumo de suplementos nutricionales y la frecuencia de Dismorfia muscular en usuarios de gimnasios.

Editorial

5 November 2024

XXI Conferencia Internacional AMNET: Nutrición y Salud Planetaria

Paula Diaz

Este suplemento presenta los resúmenes presentados en la XXI Conferencia Internacional de AMNET "Nutrición y Salud Planetaria: Enfoques Integrados para la Prevención de las Enfermedades Crónicas", cual se llevó a cabo en Lima, Perú, los días 11 y 12 de octubre, con el apoyo de la Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL).

Original Research Article

18 November 2024

Efecto del Ejercicio Físico en la Asociación entre las Horas de Sueño y el Infarto de Miocardio

Patricio Miranda, Ana Murillo

Introducción: El dormir menos se asocia con el desarrollo de infarto de miocardio (IM). Aunque existe investigación sobre la asociación entre horas de sueño e IM, aún se desconoce si la actividad física tendrá un efecto sobre la asociación entre estas variables. Objetivos: Valorar el efecto de la actividad física en la asociación entre horas de sueño e infarto de miocardio en adultos de EE. UU del 2018. Métodos: Estudio transversal, usando datos del BRFSS 2018 (N=437,436). Se incluyeron estadounidenses ≥18 años. La variable independiente fue horas de sueño y la variable dependiente IM. El modificador del efecto fue actividad física. Las covariables fueron edad, sexo, raza, fumar tabaco, índice de masa corporal y salud mental. Se aplicó un modelo de regresión logística ajustado y no ajustado, calculando los odds ratio (OR) e intervalos de confianza (IC) 95%. Resultados: El análisis se estratificó según actividad física. Comparado con un valor de referencia de duración del sueño de 7-8h, los OR (IC 95%) en individuos que si realizan ejercicio fueron 1.62 (1.52-1.72), 1.07 (1.02-1.13) y 1.46 (1.37-1.56) para duraciones de sueño de ≤5h, 6h y ≥9h. Mientras que, si no la realizan fueron 1.62 (1.51-1.74), 1.17 (1.10-1.25) y 1.27 (1.18-1.37) para duraciones de sueño de ≤5h, 6h y ≥9h. Conclusiones: La actividad física tiene efecto modificador en duraciones de sueño de 6h y ≥9h. Los resultados dan apertura a estudios que muestren causalidad entre sueño e IM y sobre la fisiopatología del sueño prolongado (≥9 h) como causante de ECV.

Conference Proceedings

6 November 2024

Un Puente Digital: Comparación de la Comprensibilidad y Accesibilidad de Sitios Web sobre Apoplejía en Español e Inglés

Karla Santoyo, Raghuram Reddy, Brendar Lohmar, Christian Rivera, Amalia Landa-Galindez

Objetivo: El estudio va a evaluar legibilidad y disponibilidad de artículos académicos en el sitio web en ingles comparado con español sobre accidentes cerebrovasculares. Métodos: En el estudio descriptivo se generaron los 25 primeros resultados de búsqueda de Google sobre “stroke” y “apoplejía”, respectivamente. La legibilidad de los sitios web en inglés y español se analizó utilizando Readable.com y SpanishReadability.com, respectivamente. Las fuentes en línea se clasificaron como agencia gubernamental, institución, clínica/hospital privado y otros. Las puntuaciones medias de legibilidad se compararon utilizando una prueba t independiente. La disponibilidad de artículos accesibles fue mediante Google Académico. Resultados: Las fuentes de información sobre accidentes cerebrovasculares difirieron por idioma: inglés (gobierno, 32%) y español (otros, 36% incluyendo Wikipedia). La puntuación media de legibilidad basada en el nivel de grado de FORCAST fue ligeramente superior para los artículos en inglés (10,24) que los de español (10,14), pero la diferencia no fue estadísticamente significativa (p = 0,74). En cuanto a los artículos académicos accesibles, hubo 3,760,000 que usaban la palabra clave "stroke" y 6,390 con "apoplejía". Conclusiones: Los materiales educativos en línea sobre accidentes cerebrovasculares son demasiado complicada. Simplificarla y usar gráficos mejora la comprensión. Las diferencias en la información sobre accidentes cerebrovasculares entre inglés y español muestran la falta de recursos en español.