News by year

Excess abdominal fat is associated with heart attack

A large waist-hip ratio is a more important risk factor for heart attacks than weight, especially for younger to middle-aged women.

Infant growth affected by exposure to environmental pollutants

Even though the levels of two environmental pollutants have declined over the last 20 years, they may still have adverse effects on children’s development.

Childhood obesity unevenly distributed in Norway

Overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity are distributed unevenly among children in Norway. Maternal education level, parental marital status and where the child lives play a role.

Antidepressant use in pregnancy associated with anxiety symptoms in 3-year-olds

Three-year-old siblings exposed to antidepressants in pregnancy show increased anxiety symptoms compared to their unexposed siblings.

Pandemic vaccination did not increase risk of foetal death

Pregnant women vaccinated against pandemic influenza were not at increased risk of experiencing foetal death. However, pregnant women who contracted influenza had an increased risk of foetal death.

Children in formal child care have better language skills

Fewer children who attend regular formal centre- and family-based child care at 1.5 years and 3 years of age were late talkers compared with children who are looked after at home.

Link between weight gain in first year of life and risk of type 1 diabetes

The risk of type 1 diabetes seems to be higher among children with high weight gain during their first year, according to a new Norwegian-Danish study from the NIPH.

Can environmental contaminants cause lower sperm count?

The amount of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) that mothers had in their blood during pregnancy was correlated with their sons' semen quality at 20 years old.

Social anxiety is highly heritable but is affected by environment

Genes play a crucial role over time although environmental factors matter most in the short term, according to a major study into social anxiety and avoidant personality disorders.

More overweight children in families with divorced parents

Among children with divorced parents, there is a 50 per cent larger proportion with overweight or obesity compared with children with married parents, according to figures from the Child Growth Study.

Nordic twin study highlights familial cancer risk

Having a twin with cancer is associated with a higher risk of the co-twin developing cancer, although not necessarily of the same type.

Centre-based child care: Long hours do not cause aggression and disobedience

Spending many hours in centre-based child care does not lead to more aggression and disobedience in children, according to a2013 study using data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Stud

Suicide in apparently well-functioning young men

Suicide among young men is a major public health concern in many countries, despite great efforts to find effective prevention strategies.

Norwegian disease burden report launched