Pediatric Behavioral Epidemiology Xinguang (Jim) Chen, MD, PhD Pediatric Prevention Research Center
Behavior, Morbidity and Mortality Rates of disease morbidity and premature mortality reflect people's behavioral practices (Healthy People 2010). Substance use: Tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs HIV risk behaviors: Sexual risk, needle sharing, Physical activity: Overweight/obesity, mental health Eating behavior: Nutrition and metabolic syndrome
Why Epidemiology? To grasp a fuller picture of an issue (including, tobacco exposure, asthma, obesity, leukemia, etc) To detect disease etiology at various levels, ranging from molecular, genetic, to behavioral, environmental & social To take measures for health promotion and disease prevention at group levels (e.g., tobacco control campaigns, vaccination programs, etc) To understand mechanisms involved in behavioral change (e.g., dynamic progression), disease spreading and disease prevention (e.g., Herd immunity) via modeling analysis.
Geographic Distribution of Obese Children 3-5 Years Old from Low Income Families Data source: CDC Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System (PedNSS)
Trends in the Prevalence of Obesity ( BMI>95 th Percentile ) in Pre-School Children (2-5 Years Old) Data source: CDC Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System (PedNSS)
Trends in the Prevalence of Obesity (BMI≥30) among US Adults (20-39 Years Old) Created using data from: Flegal et al, JAMA, 2010, 303 (3): Original data: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
Changes in Smoking Behavior During Pregnancy Among Smoking Mothers (N=160) Data source : Chen & Woodcroft, 2009, Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 11(3):
Polymorphic CYP2A6 and Changes in Maternal Smoking Behavior During Pregnancy Data source : Chen & Woodcroft, 2009, Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 11(3):
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