BackgroundThis study examines whether young never smokers in Scotland, UK, who have tried an e-cigarette are more likely than those who have not, to try a cigarette during the following year.MethodsProspective cohort survey conducted in four high schools in Scotland, UK during February/March 2015 (n=3807) with follow-up 1 year later. All pupils (age 11–18) were surveyed. Response rates were high in both years (87% in 2015) and 2680/3807 (70.4%) of the original cohort completed the follow-up survey. Analysis was restricted to baseline ‘never smokers’ (n=3001/3807), 2125 of whom were available to follow-up (70.8%).ResultsAt baseline, 183 of 2125 (8.6%) never smokers had tried an e-cigarette and 1942 had not. Of the young people who had not tried an e-cigarette at baseline, 249 (12.8%) went on to try smoking a cigarette by follow-up. This compares with 74 (40.4%) of those who had tried an e-cigarette at baseline. This effect remained significant in a logistic regression model adjusted for smoking susceptibility, having friends who smoke, family members’ smoking status, age, sex, family affluence score, ethnic group and school (adjusted OR 2.42 (95% CI 1.63 to 3.60)). There was a significant interaction between e-cigarette use and smoking susceptibility and between e-cigarette use and smoking within the friendship group.ConclusionsYoung never smokers are more likely to experiment with cigarettes if they have tried an e-cigarette. Causality cannot be inferred, but continued close monitoring of e-cigarette use in young people is warranted.

This study shows that a pragmatic lifestyle intervention is feasible and can have a positive impact on health behaviours and other key outcomes in men with prostate cancer receiving ADT.

Background/Objectives: Despite repeated public commitments and availability of various forms of iron supplements, rates of anaemia in developing countries remain high. A major reason for this lack of success has been poor adherence. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of daily and flexible administration of micronutrient Sprinkles on adherence, acceptability and haematological status among young children in rural Bangladesh. Subjects/Methods: A sample of 362 children (haemoglobin (Hb)X70 g l À1 ) aged 6-24 months were cluster-randomized to receive 60 sachets of Sprinkles either (i) daily over 2 months; (ii) flexibly over 3 months; or (iii) flexibly over 4 months. With a flexible regimen, mothers/caregivers decided how frequently to use Sprinkles without exceeding one sachet per day. Adherence was assessed monthly by counting the number of sachets used and acceptability was evaluated through focus group discussions. Haemoglobin was measured at baseline, at the end of each intervention period and 6 months post-intervention. Results: Mean percent adherence was significantly higher in the flexible-4-month group (98%) compared to the flexible-3-month (93%) and daily-2-month (88%) groups (Po0.01). Most mothers found flexible administration to be more acceptable than daily due to perceived benefits of use. Hb at the end of intervention was significantly higher in the flexible-4-month group compared to the daily group (P ¼ 0.03). Anaemia prevalence decreased by 65% in the flexible-4-month group compared to 54% in the flexible-3-month and 51% in the daily-2-month groups. Percent of cured children who maintained a non-anaemic status 6 months post-intervention was significantly higher in the flexible-4-month (82%) and flexible-3-month (80%) groups than the daily-2-month (53%) group (Po0.05). Conclusions: The adherence, acceptability and haematological response to flexible administration over 4 months were found preferable to daily.

General rights Copyright for the publications made accessible via the Queen's University Belfast Research Portal is retained by the author(s) and / or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing these publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Abstract Introduction The use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in the treatment of prostate cancer is associated with changes in body composition including increased fat and decreased lean mass. Limited information exists regarding the rate and extent of these changes. This systematic review was conducted to determine the effects of ADT on body composition in prostate cancer patients. Methods Literature searches were conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science for studies until January 2009. Only longitudinal studies that examined ADT and body composition in prostate cancer patients were included. Data were extracted on body weight, BMI, percentage of fat mass and lean body mass. Results Sixteen studies (14 cohorts and 2 RCTs) met the inclusion criteria. Pooled data, calculated according to a random effects model, showed that ADT increased % body fat by on average 7.7% (95% CI 4.3, 11.2, from seven studies, P<0.0001) and decreased % lean body mass by on average −2.8% (95% CI −3.6, −2.0, from six studies, P<0.0001) but for both there was marked heterogeneity between studies (I2=99% I2=73%, respectively). Similarly, body weight (2.1%, P<0.0001 from nine studies) and BMI (2.2%, P< 0.0001, from eight studies) increased significantly. More extensive changes were seen with longer duration of treatment. Conclusions Substantial increases in fat and declines in lean mass were observed in prostate cancer patients treated with ADT. Lifestyle changes or suitable interventions to minimize the effect of ADT on body composition need to be investigated. Implications for cancer survivors Prostate cancer survivors should be made aware of the side effect of treatment on body composition and further work is required to determine what interventions can minimize the impact of ADT on body composition and therefore what evidence based advice they should be provided with. In general, though recommendation of a healthy diet and moderate exercise is reasonable.

Background.