Actual Body Mass Index Research Articles

Excess Body Mass Index-Years, a Measure of Degree and Duration of Excess Weight, and Risk for Incident Diabetes

To evaluate the relation between excess body mass index (BMI)-years, a measure of the degree to which an individual's BMI (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) exceeds the reference BMI and the duration for which he or she carries excess BMI, and incident diabetes. Longitudinal analysis. United States of America. A total of 8157 adolescents and young adults aged 14 to 21 years at the start of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 with self-reported measures of height, weight, and diabetes status (type unspecified) from 1981 through 2006. Excess BMI-years, which were calculated by subtracting the [corrected] reference BMI (25.0 for adults or 85th percentile for adolescents) from the actual BMI [corrected] for each study year and cumulating excess BMI for the study duration. We conducted logistic regression models to predict presumed type 2 diabetes (after excluding presumed type 1 diabetes) as a function of age, sex, race, excess BMI-years, and specific interactions. A higher level of excess BMI-years was associated with an increased risk of diabetes. For example, on average, white men aged 40 years with 200 excess BMI-years had 2.94 times (95% confidence interval, 2.36-3.67) higher odds of developing diabetes compared with men of the same age and race with 100 excess BMI-years. For a given level of excess BMI-years, younger compared with older and Hispanic and black compared with white individuals had higher risk of developing diabetes. Our study is limited by use of self-reported data without specification of diabetes type. Because younger compared with older individuals have a higher risk of self-reported diabetes for a given level of excess BMI-years and cumulative exposure to excess BMI is increasing among younger US birth cohorts, public health interventions should target younger adults.

Influence of social factors on weight-related behaviors according to gender in the French adult population

Although the prevalence of obesity is higher in low socioeconomic position (SEP), the relationship between SEP and body mass index (BMI) differs according to gender. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between BMI and SEP according to gender and explore the weight-related behaviors. In a cross-sectional survey, 1646 French adults were weighed and answered a questionnaire about eating behavior (DEBQ), SEP markers, ideal weight perception, physical activity and smoking. Our study showed that BMI was inversely correlated with SEP score in women only, independently of other BMI-associated factors (age, restrained eating, smoking status, TV viewing and physical activity). The SEP gradient was the same in both genders for some weight-related behaviors, such as restrained eating, physical activity and TV viewing, but differs for others, such as smoking and weight consciousness. There was an interaction between the SEP score and the actual BMI on the ideal BMI in women only, thus the difference in ideal body weight according to SEP is mainly due to difference in obese women. Our study concluded that gender differences in the relationship between BMI and SEP could be mainly due to the subjects’ perception of weight appropriateness and their weight-related behaviors.

Weight status misperception among Mexican young adults

Individuals who misperceive their body size are at risk for eating disorders, unhealthy weight control practices, and obesity-related diseases. This study assessed the prevalence and demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial correlates of agreement between perceived (self-reported) and actual (measured) body mass index categories in a sample of Mexican college applicants aged 18–20 years ( N = 3622; 52% female). Under two thirds (63.1%) accurately reported their weight status categories. Reporting accuracy was lower among overweight and obese participants. In multivariate analyses, overestimating was associated with female gender, younger age, lower level of parent education, and more hours of daily TV viewing; underestimating was associated with male gender and older age. In within-gender analyses, overestimating was associated with hours of TV among men and underestimating was positively associated with depressive symptoms among women. This study adds to a growing international literature on body weight status misperception among adolescents and young adults.

Body mass index percentiles for Turkish children aged 0–84 months

Background: Reference body mass index (BMI) percentiles are needed to follow secular changes in Turkish children aged 0–84 months. Obesity prevalence in this age group is also not well documented.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine BMI percentiles and the prevalences of overweight and obesity in Turkish children aged 0–84 months. The authors also tried to compare actual BMI status with World Health Organization (WHO) standards.Subjects and methods: This study used data from the Anthropometry of Turkish Children aged 0–6 years (ATCA-06) study. This cross-sectional study, conducted from September 2009 to May 2010 in Kayseri, Turkey, included 2683 children (1359 girls, 1324 boys) aged 0–84 months. Centile curves were constructed using the LMS method.Results: It was found that BMI percentiles of Turkish children were higher than WHO standards in early childhood. The overweight and obesity prevalences were identical in both genders, 10.0% and 4.9%, respectively.Conclusion: This study provides both BMI reference values and prevalence figures for overweight and obesity in children aged 0–84 months, residing in Kayseri city, in Turkey. It is believed that these data can be of use in following secular changes as well as for comparisons with international standards.

P2-387 Health professionals are not systematic in obesity detection and measurement

Healthcare providers (HCPs) should identify overweight and obesity for surveillance and intervention purposes. This study aimed (a) to assess the ability of HCPs to estimate body mass index (BMI) by...

Underestimation of weight and its associated factors among overweight and obese adults in Pakistan: a cross sectional study.

BackgroundWeight loss is known to decrease the health risks associated with being overweight and obese. Awareness of overweight status is an important determinant of weight loss attempts and may have more of an impact on one's decision to lose weight than objective weight status. We therefore investigated the perception of weight among adults attending primary care clinics in Karachi, Pakistan, and compared it to their weight categories based on BMI (Body Mass Index), focusing on the underestimation of weight in overweight and obese individuals. We also explored the factors associated with underestimation of weight in these individuals.MethodsThis was a cross sectional study conducted on 493 adults presenting to the three primary care clinics affiliated with a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. We conducted face to face interviews to gather data on a pre-coded questionnaire. The questionnaire included detail on demographics, presence of comorbid conditions, and questions regarding weight assessment. We measured height and weight of the participants and calculated the BMI. The BMI was categorized into normal weight, overweight and obese based on the revised definitions for Asian populations. Perception about weight was determined by asking the study participants the following question: Do you consider yourself to be a) thin b) just right c) overweight d) obese. We compared the responses with the categorized BMI. To identify factors associated with underestimation of weight, we used simple and multiple logistic regression to calculate crude odds Ratios (OR) and adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals.ResultsOverall 45.8% (n = 226) of the study participants were obese and 18% (n = 89) were overweight. There was poor agreement between self perception and actual BMI (Kappa = 0.24, SE = 0.027, p < 0.001). Among obese participants a large proportion (73%) did not perceive themselves as obese, although half (n = 102) of them thought they may be overweight. Among the overweight participants, half (n = 41) of them didn't recognize themselves as overweight. Factors associated with misperception of weight in overweight and obese participants were age ≥ 40 years (AOR = 3.4; 95% CI: 1.8-6.4), male gender (AOR = 2.97; 95% CI: 1.6-5.5), being happy with ones' weight (AOR = 6.4; 95% CI: 3.4-12.1), and not knowing one's ideal weight (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.10-5.47).ConclusionIn this cross sectional survey, we observed marked discordance between the actual and perceived weight. Underestimation of individual weight was more common in older participants (≥ 40 years), men, participants happy with their weight and participants not aware of their ideal weight. Accurate perception of one's actual weight is critical for individuals to be receptive to public health messages about weight maintenance or weight loss goals. Therefore educating people about their correct weight, healthy weights and prevention of weight gain are important steps towards addressing the issue of obesity in Pakistan.

Comparison of self-perceived weight and desired weight versus actual body mass index among adolescents in Jamaica

To compare self-perceived body size, desired body size, and actual body mass index (BMI) among adolescents in Jamaica, and to discuss the implications of these perceptions for chronic disease prevention. A total of 276 Jamaican adolescents 14-19 years of age, randomly selected from grades 9-12 at 10 high schools participated in the study, which was conducted in October 2007. The perceived and desired BMI were measured using a silhouette of body figures representing nine BMI categories for males and females; these were compared to participants' actual BMI. Mean age was 15.6 ± 1.2 years. Actual BMI values classified 24.6% of the participants as underweight; 39.9% as normal; 14.5% as overweight; and 21% as obese. There were significant differences between participants' actual and perceived BMI (P < 0.01), actual and desired BMI (P < 0.01), and perceived and desired BMI (P < 0.01). Gender was significantly different for actual (P < 0.05), perceived, and desired BMI (P < 0.01). Females had significantly higher actual mean BMI than males (P < 0.05). Adolescent males perceived themselves as having a higher BMI and a desired higher BMI than females. There were no differences among ethnicity, age, place of residence, and socioeconomic status on the actual, perceived, and desired BMI in this study population (P > 0.05). Females had higher actual BMI and lower perceived BMI than males. Jamaican adolescents, irrespective of ethnicity, age, place of residence, and socioeconomic status, had similar BMI. Interventions are needed to improve knowledge of a healthy body weight and the relationships among body weight, lifestyle choices, and the implications of excess body weight on chronic diseases.

The accuracy of mid upper arm circumference as an estimate of body mass index in healthy female adults

Equations developed by Powell-Tuck and Hennessy in 2003(1) allow an estimate of body mass index (BMI) to be determined from mid upper arm circumference (MUAC). These equations are widely used in clinical practice when an individual's BMI cannot be calculated from measured height and weight. Anecdotal reports also suggest that estimated BMI derived from these equations is being used along with height to estimate the weight of some individuals who cannot be weighed, which in turn is used to calculate nutritional requirements. Secondary analysis of data for individuals who participated in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (aged 65 years or over) suggests that there is a substantial variability in BMI predicted from an individual MUAC(2). However there appears to be a lack of such data in younger adults. Therefore a pilot study aimed at assessing the accuracy of BMI estimated using the Powell-Tuck and Hennessy equations and the subsequent accuracy of estimated weight, within a younger healthy female adult population was undertaken. Subjects who volunteered had their age recorded, and actual height, weight and MUAC measured. From this data actual BMI, estimated BMI and estimated weight were calculated. The relationship between actual BMI and MUAC, actual BMI and estimated BMI were explored using pearsons correlation. The accuracy of estimated BMI with actual BMI and estimated weight with actual weight were determined using Bland-Altman limits of agreement. 29 subjects volunteered with a mean age of 26.1 years (standard deviation (SD) 10.2 years) and a mean actual BMI of 23.1 Kg/m2 (SD 4.3 Kg/m2). A strong positive (r=0.912), statistically significant (p<0.001) correlation between actual BMI and MUAC was identified, as was a strong positive correlation between actual BMI and estimated BMI (r=0.896). Bland-Altman analysis revealed a mean difference of −0.08 Kg/m2 for estimated BMI versus actual BMI and a mean difference of −0.16 Kg for estimated weight versus actual weight. However the 95% confidence intervals for estimated BMI versus actual BMI were −5.64 Kg/m2 to 4.10 Kg/m2 and −13.23 Kg to 12.91 Kg for estimated weight versus actual weight. The results demonstrate a strong positive relationship between BMI and MUAC, and between actual BMI and estimated BMI. However they also demonstrated that at an individual level both estimated BMI and estimated weight could be significantly over or under the actual value, to a level that could affect clinical practice by altering BMI classification and/or calculated nutritional requirements. Although further work is required to determine the accuracy of Powell-Tuck and Hennessy equations in other populations and to potentially derive more accurate equations, practitioners should be aware of the potential inaccuracies of using the Powell-Tuck and Hennessy equations to estimate an individual's BMI or to derive an individual estimation of weight.

Body Mass Index adjustment for sitting height for better assessment of obesity risks in Maltese women

This study is aimed to assess the influence of body shape on Body Mass Index (BMI) estimations by determining the Sitting Height to Standing height ratio. The study population included 291 non-pregnant premenopausal Maltese women aged 20-54 years. These women were assessed using the following anthropometric measurements: Body weight (Kg), standing height (cm) and sitting height (cm). The Sitting-to-Standing Height (SH/S) ratio, the observed BMI (oBMI) based on the standing height, and the SH/S ratio-corrected BMI (cBMI) were calculated. The SPSS package version 18.0 was used for statistical calculations. The average SH/S ratio of the Maltese premenopausal women is 0.44. The mean oBMI is 25.06, while the mean cBMI is 34.49 (P value < 0.001). Applying the linear regression prediction model with either oBMI or cBMI as dependent variables and the SH/S ratio as independent variable proved that the sitting height is a significant predictor of both oBMI and cBMI (P value < 0.00001). The results suggest that the cohort of this study tend to have long legs relative to torso-length (low SH/S ratio). Thus, the oBMI will underestimate the actual BMI value. The correction of BMI for the sitting height in Maltese population will more correctly identify individuals at greater risk for chronic diseases.

Cross-cultural study: Risk factors for dietary restraint in Mexican and German men

Dietary restraint is, together with other risk factors, part of an integrative etiological theory that contemplates direct and mediational mechanisms by which risk factors (ideal and actual figures, body dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness and body mass index) might work together to promote dieting and risky eating behaviors. To gain a better understanding of the risk factors associated with dieting, it was proposed to identify similarities and differences between Mexican and German cultures, and to develop structural models by comparing the interrelations of dieting risk factors. The sample (N = 221) was formed of medical and nursing male students, who completed a survey assessing these risk factors. There were 73 Mexicans and 148 Germans. The mean age of the total sample was M = 20.8 years (SD = 0.71). It was found that Mexican men displayed a higher body mass (t (177) = -4.2 p= .000) and were more dissatisfied with their body (t (184)=-2.9, p=.004), and also showed higher restrictive dieting (t (190) = 2.2, p= .03) than German men did. The hypothesized role of the body dissatisfaction factor was confirmed in both Mexican and German models, body dissatisfaction showed a direct link with dieting (body dissatisfaction predicts dieting), as well as a mediate one between body mass and dieting, and between ideal figure and dieting (dieting is indirectly predicted by body mass or by ideal figure through body dissatisfaction). The relevance of this study is increased by the fact that it is a cross-cultural study, involving Mexican and German samples.

Relationships of Body Image, Body Stress and Eating Attitude, and Dietary Quality in Middle School Girls Based on Their BMI

This study investigated the body image, body stress, eating attitude, and dietary quality in middle school girls. Questionnaires were administered to one hundred fifty seven middle school girls in Seoul area. The subjects were categorized into the five groups according to their body mass index (BMI); 1) severely under-weight (BMI ), 2) under-weight (16.5 BMI ), 3) normal weight (18.5 BM I ), 4) overweight (23.0 BMI ), and 5) obese (BMI 25 ). 7.0%, 14.6%, 58.9%, 10.2%, and 10.2% of the subjects were classified as severely under-weight, under-weight, normal weight, overweight and obese groups, respectively. Regardless of the BMI, the subjects had disturbed body image, body stress, and poor eating attitude. The actual BMIs of the normal weight, overweight and obese subjects were significantly different from their desired BMI and perceived BMI, representing these subjects dissatisfied their body shape. Almost all subjects tried to lose their body weight even in the severely under-weight and under-weight groups. There were significant correlations of BMI with body image disturbance (p

Semi-recumbent position and body mass percentiles: effects on intra-abdominal pressure measurements in critically ill children

Patient position and body mass index (BMI) affect intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measured by the intra-vesical method in adults. We sought to determine effects of patient position and BMI on IAP in children because accurate measurement and interpretation of IAP are important for patient management. Seventy-seven mechanically ventilated children (<18 years) admitted to a PICU were prospectively studied. IAP was taken with the head of the bed at 0 degrees and 30 degrees every 6 h over a 24-h period. Statistical methods included descriptives, univariate statistics to identify potential confounding variables and multivariable analysis to assess the impact of position on IAP after adjusting for the significant covariates. Seventy-seven patients had 290-paired IAP measurements. Mean IAP at 30 degrees was 10.6 +/- 4.0 compared to 8.4 +/- 4.0 at 0 degrees , which was significantly higher (p = 0.026) even after adjusting for age, gender and length. There was no correlation between IAP and actual BMI or BMI percentiles. Patient position should be considered when interpreting IAP. BMI did not influence IAP measurements in children.

Iron supplementation and gestational diabetes in midpregnancy

Iron supplementation in pregnancy seems beneficial for neonatal/maternal outcomes, but it was associated with diabetes and hypertension in the general population. We investigated the association between iron supplementation during midpregnancy and metabolic/hypertensive abnormalities in 500 consecutive gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 500 normoglycemic women. Iron-supplement users (n = 212/1000) showed significantly higher values of prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), actual BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, Homeostasis-Model-Assessment-Insulin-Resistance, and lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol than nonusers. The prevalence of GDM (70.8% vs 44.4%), hypertension (25.9% vs 9.8%), metabolic syndrome (25.9% vs 10.4%) was significantly higher in the former with a 2- to 3-fold-increased risk at multiple regression analyses. Most glucose values of the oral glucose tolerance test were significantly higher in iron supplemented women, both in GDM and normoglycemic individuals. Iron supplementation is associated with glucose impairment and hypertension in midpregnancy; its potential harmful effects might be carefully debated regarding its effectiveness.

Construção e fidedignidade teste-reteste de escalas de silhuetas brasileiras para adultos e crianças

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver escalas de silhuetas para crianças e adultos brasileiros de ambos os sexos e iniciar a avaliação de suas qualidades psicométricas. Foram fotografados adultos e crianças com Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) previamente conhecidos, desenhadas as silhuetas e construídas as escalas por computação gráfica. Para avaliação da fidedignidade, procedeu-se ao teste-reteste com intervalo de um mês. As escalas foram aplicadas e reaplicadas a 90 adultos (18 a 60 anos) e 69 crianças (7 a 12 anos). As escalas apresentaram coeficientes de correlação entre teste e reteste positivos e significativos para o IMC real e IMC percebido como atual por adultos (r=0,84; p&lt;0,01) e crianças (r=0,61, p&lt;0,01). Concluiu-se que as escalas desenvolvidas constituem instrumentos apropriados à aplicação clínica e epidemiológica para avaliar a percepção da imagem corporal de crianças e adultos brasileiros.

Body Mass Index (BMI) in women booking for antenatal care: Comparison between selfreported and digital measurements

Objective We set out to compare measurement of Body Mass Index (BMI) with selfreporting in women early in pregnancy. Study design We studied 100 women booking for antenatal care in the first trimester with a normal ongoing pregnancy. Selfreported maternal weight and height were recorded and the Body Mass Index was calculated. Afterwards maternal weight and height were digitally measured and actual BMI was calculated. Results If selfreporting is used for BMI classification, we found that 22% of women were classified incorrectly when BMI was measured. 12% of the women who were classified as having a normal selfreported BMI were overweight and 5% classified as overweight were obese. Similar findings have been reported outside pregnancy. Conclusions These findings have implications for clinical practice, and for research studies exploring the relationship between maternal adiposity and pregnancy complications.

Leptin in first trimester pregnancy serum: no reduction associated with small-for-gestational-age infants

Leptin is an adipocytokine that is also synthesized by the placenta. Leptin and its receptor, which is also expressed by the placenta, are believed to play an auto- and paracrine role in trophoblast invasion and placental development. The leptin concentration in first trimester maternal serum and its relation to fetal growth disturbances were examined in this study. The study is a case-control study with 36 small-for-gestational-age (SGA) (<5th percentile) pregnancies and 108 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) (> or =5th percentile) pregnancies. The groups were matched by maternal age, gestational age and body mass index (BMI). All were non-smokers. Leptin was measured in maternal serum in weeks 8-13 and was normalized for BMI with concentrations expressed as multiples of the median for the actual BMI. It was found that maternal serum leptin increased strongly (r = 0.7, P < 10(-4))with maternal BMI. There was no significant difference in maternal serum leptin concentrations between SGA and AGA pregnancies. In conclusion, SGA pregnancies are not associated with a lower maternal serum leptin concentration in first trimester. The maternal serum leptin concentration is largely determined by maternal BMI. Variation in the leptin concentration in maternal serum in first trimester does not seem to be associated with impaired fetal growth.

Persistent Correlation of Ghrelin Plasma Levels with Body Mass Index Both in Stable Weight Conditions and during Gastric-bypass-induced Weight Loss

Studies done on serial changes in plasma ghrelin levels after gastric bypass (GBP) have yielded contrasting results since decreased, unchanged, or increased levels have been reported in the literature. This study investigates whether or not GBP has an inhibitory effect on fasting ghrelin levels independently of weight loss. Fasting ghrelin levels were measured in 115 stable body weight females, classified as normal body weight (NW; body mass index (BMI)<25 kg/m2), overweight (OW; BMI 25-30 kg/m2), and obese subjects, divided in three subgroups with increasing BMI (BMI 30-40 kg/m2; BMI 40-50 kg/m2; BMI>50 kg/m2). Each obese subgroup showed significantly lower ghrelin levels as compared to both NW (p<0.0001) and OW subjects (p<0.05 or 0.005); however, no significant differences were observed within the three obese subgroups. Forty-nine obese patients underwent a GBP. Plasma ghrelin, measured at 3, 6, and 12 months after GBP, significantly increased from the sixth month on (p<0.0001). When patients were classified, at each postoperative time point, according to their actual BMI, ghrelin was significantly (p=0.0002) related to postoperative BMI and not significantly different from ghrelin measured in stable body weight conditions. Fasting ghrelin displays an inversely significant correlation with BMI in both stable body weight conditions and after GBP. No evidence was found that GBP had an effect on fasting ghrelin levels, independent of weight loss.

An outbreak of body weight dissatisfaction associated with self-perceived BMI and dieting among female pharmacy students

Some reports indicate that in various groups of society living in the highly developed countries a body weight perception and weight satisfaction tend to be inappropriate when compared with body mass index (BMI) calculated from estimated actual weight and height. Thus in present studies a relationship between body weight perceptions, measured actual BMI, gender, and dieting practices in a sample population of pharmacy students in Poland were examined to verify hypothesis that their incorrect self-perception would provoke occasional, seasonal and permanent eating disorders. Height and weight data of 178 pharmacy students (mean age 22.6 ± 2.4 years) in Bydgoszcz, Poland, were collected and validated by completed self-reported questionnaire assessing their self-perceived body weight, desired body weight and past/current dieting practices. Only 34.4% of female and 37.1% of male pharmacy students was satisfied with their current body weight. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in estimated BMI status (χ 2 = 28.5; p = 0.0001), desired body weight (χ 2 = 15.6; p = 0.0004) and past dieting (χ 2 = 7.6; p = 0.0050) by gender. In the male sub-group of students ( n = 27) unclear association (χ 2 = 6.1; p = 0.046) between measured actual BMI status and self-perceived body weight have been presented. Moreover, in male students a significant relationship (χ 2 = 4.9; p = 0.0261) between actual BMI status and both past as well as current weight control behavior in the form of dieting practices was exhibited. In case of a sub-group of female students ( n = 151) a diffuse association of actual BMI and self-perception of their body weight (χ 2 = 69.5; p = 0.0001) was obtained. However, a close relation (χ 2 = 16.9; p = 0.0007) between actual BMI and only past dieting practices was observed in females. Furthermore, in this last sub-group of students the significant relationship (χ 2 = 53.9; p = 0.0001) between measured actual BMI and desired body weight was also demonstrated. The study showed an evidence of distorted self-perception of body weight in both sub-groups of considered pharmacy students. There was a tendency to overestimate of body weight in female students, and to underestimate in male students. These results suggest common dissatisfaction of body weight, especially among females, who were more often engaged in dieting, despite not being overweight or obese according to measured actual BMI status.

Anaesthesia and morbid obesity

The prevalence of morbid obesity is increasing in the UK. Recent UK government statistics suggest that 20% of adults are obese and 1% morbidly obese. Anaesthesia and surgery may entail considerable risk for obese patients. Obesity is a multi-system disorder, particularly involving the respiratory and cardiovascular systems; therefore, a multidisciplinary approach is required. This article presents a broad overview of the pathophysiological and practical considerations for anaesthetizing such patients for major (non-bariatric) surgery. A body mass index (BMI) of .35 kg m with associated comorbidity, or .40 kg m without significant comorbidity, is considered to be morbidly obese; .55 kg m is considered super-morbidly obese (Table 1). However, morbidity and mortality increase sharply when BMI is .30 kg m, particularly in smokers, and risk is proportional to duration of obesity. For a given BMI, men are at higher risk of cardiovascular complications than women. Obesity is described classically as conforming to an android or gynaecoid fat distribution (‘apples and pears’). Both the actual BMI of a particular patient and the distribution of fat are important considerations. The gynaecoid fat distribution characteristically involves more fat distributed in peripheral, sites (arms, legs, and buttocks). An android fat distribution involves more central fat (intraperitoneal fat, including involvement of the liver and omentum). Specific definitions have been proposed based on the waist-to-hip ratio. A value .0.8 in women or 1.0 in men is typical of the android distribution. Although the android distribution predominates in males and is associated with a higher risk of morbidity, either distribution can occur in each gender. Weight loss reduces risk for both groups. Obese people have greater energy expenditure than lean individuals, and this is balanced by increased caloric intake. Basal metabolic rate is ‘normal’ in obese individuals when corrected for body surface area. However, with increasing weight, body surface area increases and hence absolute basal metabolic rate values are higher than in lean individuals. Consequently, there is a greater absolute oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.

Variação de peso, grau de escolaridade, saneamento básico, etilismo, tabagismo e hábito alimentar pregresso em pacientes com cancêr de estômago

About 35% of the cancer patients are involved in factors coming from the diet and others like alcohol, smoking, sunlight, chemical agents and infections caused by virus. The stomach cancer is the second cause of cancer in the world with 9.9 % of all diagnosis and about 12.1 % of death cases. Evaluate the body weight, educational achievement, basic sanitation, smoking, alcoholism and eating habit among patients with gastric cancer and a control group. Seventy patients with gastric cancer were paired with 70 subjects without cancer. Data on the weight and height, educational attainment, basic sanitation, smoking, alcoholism and eating habits of the patients were collected from the clinical records and from interviews. Forty two patients were men, the mean age were 60 years old. The actual weight and body mass index of the patients were smaller when compared to the controls. Within the group of patients with gastric cancer, 21 never attended school, and for those who attended, 55% did not finish the elementary school. Among the patient group, 32.9% of them lived in housing with basic sanitation and 37.1% with electricity, against 68.6% of the controls, and 58.6% of the patients lived in rural area, against only 7.1% of the controls. Among the test group, 65.7% of the patients were smokers, whereas in the control group, 44.3% were smokers. In addition, there was also difference in the duration of smoking habit. Alcoholism was also more frequent in the cancer group (44% vs 19%). Food rich in salt, condiments, nitrates, saturated fat, complex carbohydrates, refined sugar and fried salted food had been more used by gastric cancer patients. The patients with gastric cancer presented with: less weight, low quality of life as indicated by lower or no access to basic sanitation, electricity and schooling, lived predominantly in rural area, high incidence of alcohol intake and higher intake of high fat foods and industrialized foods.