Social and Economic Challenges of Implementing Sustainable Materials on Buildings in Kuwait

Many factors affect attaining the required credits for LEED materials and Many factors affect attaining the required credits for LEED materials and resources (MR) section. There are disadvantages in obtaining credits and LEED certifying an existing building in Kuwait to become a sustainable green building. LEED is still relatively new in Kuwait and the Gulf region, therefore, when certifying an existing governmental building, difficultly is faced with obtaining complete building owners, building upper management and occupant cooperation. This raises challenges when requiring cooperation from building occupants and cleaning staff for the solid waste management credits which require dedication to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and incinerating facilities. The mindset of the contractor and subcontractor has to change to gain full understanding and cooperation in the waste management of construction materials when constructing new buildings and performing facility alterations on site. The selection of sustainable materials is more challenging as many materials are not available in Kuwait and the surrounding Gulf countries. Transportation from aboard should be decreased as much as possible to reduce cost as well as decreasing negative environmental impacts. Green certified materials are more expensive, therefore decision maker have to be willing to pay the extra cost. This paper discusses the challenges faced by KISR team as a consultancy body to certify an existing building according to LEED rating system from the material and resources aspect. It discusses the acceptance of the building owners, building upper management and the building occupants to this change and their understanding and cooperation. Many materials for MR credits 2 and 3 were found difficult to be obtained in Kuwait and the surrounding gulf region. Some materials were found to be available in the resources (MR) section. There are disadvantages in obtaining credits and LEED certifying an existing building in Kuwait to become a sustainable green building. LEED is still relatively new in Kuwait and the Gulf region, therefore, when certifying an existing governmental building, difficultly is faced with obtaining complete building owners, building upper management and occupant cooperation. This raises challenges when requiring cooperation from building occupants and cleaning staff for the solid waste management credits which require dedication to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and incinerating facilities. The mindset of the contractor and subcontractor has to change to gain full understanding and cooperation in the waste management of construction materials when constructing new buildings and performing facility alterations on site. The selection of sustainable materials is more challenging as many materials are not available in Kuwait and the surrounding Gulf countries. Transportation from aboard should be decreased as much as possible to reduce cost as well as decreasing negative environmental impacts. Green certified materials are more expensive, therefore decision maker have to be willing to pay the extra cost. This paper discusses the challenges faced by KISR team as a consultancy body to certify an existing building according to LEED rating system from the material and resources aspect. It discusses the acceptance of the building owners, building upper management and the building occupants to this change and their understanding and cooperation. Many materials for MR credits 2 and 3 were found difficult to be obtained in Kuwait and the surrounding gulf region. Some materials were found to be available in th

Maternal body mass index and country of birth in relation to the adverse outcomes of large for gestational age and gestational diabetes mellitus in a retrospective cohort of Australian pregnant women

Abstract Background The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in Australia has been rising in line with the increased incidence of maternal overweight and obesity. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus, high body mass index or both are at an elevated risk of birthing a large for gestational age infant. The aim was to explore the relationship between country of birth, maternal body mass index with large for gestational age, and gestational diabetes mellitus. In addition to provide additional information for clinicians when making a risk assessment for large for gestational age babies. Method A retrospective cohort study of 27,814 women residing in Australia but born in other countries, who gave birth to a singleton infant between 2008 and 2017 was undertaken. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between the aforementioned variables. Results A significantly higher proportion of large for gestational age infants was born to overweight and obese women compared to those who were classified as underweight and healthy weight. Asian-born women residing in Australia, with a body mass index of ≥40 kg/m2, had an adjusted odds ratio of 9.926 (3.859–25.535) for birthing a large for gestational age infant. Conversely, Australian-born women with a body mass index of ≥40 kg/m2 had an adjusted odds ratio of 2.661 (2.256–3.139) for the same outcome. Women born in Australia were at high risk of birthing a large for gestational age infant in the presence of insulin-requiring gestational diabetes mellitus, but this risk was not significant for those with the diet-controlled type. Asian-born women did not present an elevated risk of birthing a large for gestational age infant, in either the diet controlled, or insulin requiring gestational diabetes mellitus groups. Conclusions Women who are overweight or obese, and considering a pregnancy, are encouraged to seek culturally appropriate nutrition and weight management advice during the periconception period to reduce their risk of adverse outcomes

Maternal body mass index and country of birth in relation to the adverse outcomes of large for gestational age and gestational diabetes mellitus in a retrospective cohort of Australian pregnant women

Abstract Background The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in Australia has been rising in line with the increased incidence of maternal overweight and obesity. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus, high body mass index or both are at an elevated risk of birthing a large for gestational age infant. The aim was to explore the relationship between country of birth, maternal body mass index with large for gestational age, and gestational diabetes mellitus. In addition to provide additional information for clinicians when making a risk assessment for large for gestational age babies. Method A retrospective cohort study of 27,814 women residing in Australia but born in other countries, who gave birth to a singleton infant between 2008 and 2017 was undertaken. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between the aforementioned variables. Results A significantly higher proportion of large for gestational age infants was born to overweight and obese women compared to those who were classified as underweight and healthy weight. Asian-born women residing in Australia, with a body mass index of ≥40 kg/m2, had an adjusted odds ratio of 9.926 (3.859–25.535) for birthing a large for gestational age infant. Conversely, Australian-born women with a body mass index of ≥40 kg/m2 had an adjusted odds ratio of 2.661 (2.256–3.139) for the same outcome. Women born in Australia were at high risk of birthing a large for gestational age infant in the presence of insulin-requiring gestational diabetes mellitus, but this risk was not significant for those with the diet-controlled type. Asian-born women did not present an elevated risk of birthing a large for gestational age infant, in either the diet controlled, or insulin requiring gestational diabetes mellitus groups. Conclusions Women who are overweight or obese, and considering a pregnancy, are encouraged to seek culturally appropriate nutrition and weight management advice during the periconception period to reduce their risk of adverse outcomes. </jats:sec