Objectives: To estimate the frequency of Metabolic Syndrome (MS in Myanmar obese children and to determine the risk factors associated with MS in obese children comparing with normal weight children. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the risk factors for metabolic syndrome between normal and obese children by using the pediatric definition for metabolic syndrome [International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 2007]. Twenty-three obese children (BMI, ≥ 97th percentile) and 23 normal weight children (BMI, < 85th percentile) aged 5-12 years were included in the study. Blood pressure, body weight, height, waist circumference (WC), fasting triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and glucose concentrations were determined. Results: Based on the IDF pediatric criteria, 9 obese children (39.1%) had metabolic syndrome while no normal weight child had metabolic syndrome. Ten (43.5%) normal weight children and 3 (13.0%) obese children had at least one risk factor for the metabolic syndrome. Central obesity (WC ³ 90th percentile for age and sex), the most common risk factor, was observed in 25 children (54.4% of the total population). Conclusion This study highlights the need for early recognition of risk factors for metabolic syndrome in all children to halt the progression of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in later life.
Metabolic Syndrome ; Risk Factors

There has been significant magnitude of problems of diabetes in Myanmar, according to the estimates of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the recent National Survey on the prevalence of diabetes. There has been a wide gap of equity between the urban and rural healthcare delivery for diabetes. Myanmar Diabetes Care Model (MMDCM) aims to deliver equitable diabetes care throughout the country, to stem the tide of rising burden of diabetes and also to facilitate to achieve the targets of the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs (2013-2020). It is aimed to deliver standard of care for diabetes through the health system strengthening at all level. MMDCM was developed based on the available health system, resources and the country's need. Implementation for the model was also discussed.

【Objective】  To study the effects of soil environment on the growth, yield, and quality of Sharen (Amomi Fructus) under different planting patterns. 【Methods】  Soil physical and chemical indices and enzyme activities in four periods including early flowering (March), full flowering (June), fruit ripening (September), and late fruit picking (December), were measured under three planting patterns including natural forest, greenhouse, and rubber forest in Xishuangbanna, China. The changes in soil indices during the growth periods of Sharen (Amomi Fructus) under different planting patterns were analyzed, and the differences in plant growth, yield, and quality under different planting patterns were explored. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between soil indices and Sharen (Amomi Fructus) growth, yield, and quality. Principal component analysis was used to investigate the effects of soil environment under different planting patterns on Sharen (Amomi Fructus) growth, yield, and quality. 【Results】  The soil moisture, available potassium content, and urease activity of the three planting patterns of Sharen (Amomi Fructus) increased initially and decreased afterwards throughout the year; pH and organic matter content showed little change in the whole year. Exchangeable manganese content and acid phosphatase activity gradually increased throughout the year. Hydrolyzed nitrogen content, exchangeable calcium content, available zinc content, protease activity, and sucrase activity decreased initially and increased afterwards throughout the year. Exchangeable magnesium content, available iron content, and catalase activity decreased annually. Total nitrogen content, total phosphorus content, and available phosphorus content fluctuated throughout the year. The total potassium content under natural forest and greenhouse planting decreased throughout the year, while the total potassium content under rubber forest showed an upward trend all year round. The organic matter content, total nitrogen content, total potassium content, available potassium content, available zinc content, urease activity, acid phosphatase activity, and catalase activity under greenhouse were significantly lower than those under natural and rubber forests (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that plant growth, yield, and quality of Sharen (Amomi Fructus) were significantly correlated with soil organic matter, total nitrogen, hydrolyzed nitrogen, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, total potassium, available potassium, exchangeable manganese, exchangeable magnesium, exchangeable calcium, available zinc, urease, acid phosphatase, and invertase (P <  0.05). The results of the principal component analysis indicated that the soil environment of Sharen (Amomi Fructus) under natural forest was the best, followed by rubber forest and greenhouse. The order of its advantages and disadvantages is consistent with the growth index of Sharen (Amomi Fructus), but contrary to the yield of Sharen (Amomi Fructus), indicating that the soil environment directly affects the growth index and nutritional components of plants. 【Conclusion】  Different planting patterns of Sharen (Amomi Fructus) have different soil nutrient content, and the change rules in the growths period are not similar, with some differences. Soil indices have impacts on plant growth, yield, and quality of Sharen (Amomi Fructus). Soil ecological environment is positively correlated with the growth characteristics of Sharen (Amomi Fructus) plants, but has no direct correlation with yield and quality.