Anthropometric Markers Research Articles (Page 1)

Hypothesis: The concurrent implementation of time restricted eating (TRE) and a Mindfulness intervention yields superior outcomes in cardiovascular disease risk markers and stress response when compared with each intervention individually and control. Methods: We conducted an 8-week randomized controlled parallel arm pilot study evaluating TRE ( ad libitum eating between 12-8pm) and Mindfulness (“Mindfulness for Beginners” from Calm.com®) among young adults (18-39 years old) with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 and ≤ 49.9 kg/m 2 ) and a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) ≥14 indicating moderate to severe perceived stress. Individuals were randomized to the following: TRE; Mindfulness; TRE&Mindfulness; or Control. We explored changes in body weight, body composition, cardiovascular disease risk markers and stress. Results: Forty-three participants were randomized. Participants in the TRE group lost a mean -0.38 (95% CI -2.49, 1.73) kg; Mindfulness group lost a mean -2.10 (95% CI -5.21,1.02) kg; TRE&Mindfulness group lost mean -1.89 (95% CI -4.32, 0.55) kg; and Control group lost a mean of -0.0.9 (95% CI -1.15,0.98) kg from baseline to post-intervention. The Mindfulness group showed the largest decrease in body fat mass (-2.20; 95% CI -4.64, 0.23 kg) while the TRE&Mindfulness group demonstrated the largest decrease in visceral fat mass (-315.4; 95% CI -965.13, 334.33 g). For cardiovascular disease risk markers, the TRE&Mindfulness group presented the largest decrease in diastolic blood pressure (-3.20; 95% CI -8.77, 2.37 mmHg) and a statistically significant decrease in heart rate (-1.93; 95% CI -3.70, -0.16 beats/min). For estimated heart rate variability (Root Mean Square of Successive Differences - RMSSD), all intervention arms demonstrated an increase in RMSSD, which is indicative of increased cardiac vagal tone, with the Mindfulness arm presenting the highest mean change from baseline (mean 7.61; 95% CI -1.5, 16.71 milliseconds). PSS scores decreased significantly within all arms except for Control. There was a statistically significant decrease in high sensitivity C-reactive protein from baseline to post-intervention in the TRE arm only (-1.58; 95% CI: -3.08, -0.09 mg/L). Conclusion: Results from this pilot study indicated a potential positive combined effect of TRE&Mindfulness for improving anthropometric and cardiovascular disease risk markers measures among young adults with obesity and moderate to severe perceived stress compared to either intervention alone.

Does weight loss from a hypocaloric dietary intervention improve antral follicle dynamics in women with PCOS? During a 3-month hypocaloric dietary intervention, women with PCOS who experienced clinically meaningful weight loss showed more organized antral follicle development including fewer recruitment events, but no change in the overall frequency of selection, dominance, or ovulation. There is a spectrum of disordered antral follicle development in women with PCOS including excessive follicle recruitment and turnover, decreased frequency of selection and dominance, and failure of ovulation. Lifestyle intervention aimed at weight loss is recommended to improve metabolic health in women with PCOS yet benefits on ovarian follicle development and ovulation are unclear. This was a prospective, single-arm lifestyle intervention study conducted over 4months including a 1-month baseline assessment period and 3-month hypocaloric dietary intervention. Twenty women were allocated to the intervention with 0% attrition. Females, ages 18-38 years, with PCOS and obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) underwent every-other-day transvaginal ultrasonography and venipuncture at an academic clinical research unit for 4 months. The number and size of all follicles were evaluated at each study visit, with individual growth profiles plotted retrospectively for follicles that grew to at least 7 mm. Gonadotropin and ovarian steroid hormone concentrations were measured every-other-day. Reproductive, anthropometric, and metabolic status markers were assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Hypocaloric dietary intervention resulted in an average weight loss of 8 ± 3% with significant reductions in all anthropometric markers assessed including BMI, waist circumference, total percent fat, and trunk fat mass (all P < 0.05). Of the glucoregulatory and cardiovascular risk markers assessed, only diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.040) and 2-h insulin concentrations following a glucose challenge (P = 0.029) were decreased post-intervention. Antral follicle development appeared more cyclic following the intervention with the frequency of recruitment (P = 0.043), and number of follicles recruited per cohort (P < 0.0001), decreasing with weight loss. By contrast, the frequency of selection, dominance, and ovulation did not change with weight loss (all P < 0.05). When ovulation occurred during the intervention, the size at selection for ovulatory follicles decreased with weight loss (P < 0.0001), whereas maximum luteal progesterone levels increased with weight loss (P = 0.036). Participants (35%) who responded to the intervention with a shortened inter-menstrual interval had lower baseline trunk fat mass (P = 0.048), fasting insulin (P = 0.022), and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (P = 0.017) compared to non-responders. The duration of the intervention may not have been sufficient to capture an impact of weight loss on ovulatory cyclicity. Analyses were limited to the antral stages of follicle development and any impact of hypocaloric dietary intervention on pre-antral folliculogenesis was not evaluated. The small study sample limits statistical power and generalizability of the findings. Short-term hypocaloric dietary intervention did not consistently improve ovulation frequency in women with PCOS despite clinically meaningful weight loss. Counseling related to the benefits of short-term hypocaloric dietary intervention on reproductive health outcomes should be tempered as improvements in ovulation are likely only in those with a more favorable metabolic profile at the onset. Improvements in the early stages of antral follicle development with weight loss suggest potential for longer dietary interventions to improve ovulatory cyclicity in women with PCOS. This research was supported by funds from the President's Council of Cornell Women, United States Department of Agriculture (Grant No. 8106), and National Institutes of Health (R01-HD0937848, R56-HD089962). F.E.C., B.Y.J., and H.V.B. were supported by doctoral training awards from the National Institutes of Health (5 T32-HD087137, T32-DK007158) and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Grant No. 146182), respectively. The authors have no competing interests. NCT01785719.

Association between 2D:4D digit ratios and metabolic markers and hormonal parameters in children with premature adrenarche: A cross-sectional study from Türkiye.

Background: “Cardiometabolic risk,” in simple terms, refers to the higher chances of developing Type 2 DM, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular events in an adult. Obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia are the major contributing factors for this risk. The risk increases two to threefold with long-term stress, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle. Objectives: Doctors, all over the world in general and in Bangladesh in particular, lead very stressful lives due to their immense professional pressure. Most of them succumb to unhealthy lifestyles while trying to cope with the academic and work-life burden. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the Anthropometric marker Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and the Biochemical marker Triglyceride-to-High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio as predictors of cardiometabolic risk among Bangladeshi doctors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 doctors of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), aged 30−50 years, from March 2019 to February 2020, selected through purposive sampling. Anthropometric measurements (waist circumference and height, both in cm) of the study subjects were recorded in preformed data sheets. Then their fasting serum Triglyceride &amp; fasting serum HDL-C concentrations were estimated. All the data were then entered and processed by SPSS. Results: Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predictive value, and Negative Predictive value of WHtR, as a diagnostic marker, were 88.1%, 23.2%, 53.9% and 66.7% respectively. Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predictive value, and Negative Predictive value of TG/HDL-C ratio, as a diagnostic marker, were 72.3%, 75.8%, 53.9% and 66.7% respectively. According to the cut-off value of WHtR, 85.6% of the study subjects were found to have cardiometabolic risk. Cardiometabolic risk was present in 51.5% of the male study subjects and 32% of the female study subjects, based on the cut-off value of WHtR. According to the cut-off value of the TG/HDL-C ratio, 63.5% of the study subjects were found to have cardiometabolic risk. Cardiometabolic risk was present in 66.3% of the male study subjects and 57.5% of the female study subjects, based on the cut-off value of the TG/HDL-C ratio. Conclusion: The Biochemical marker (TG/HDL-C ratio) was found to be a better predictor than the Anthropometric marker (WHtR) in predicting cardiometabolic risk among Bangladeshi doctors. [J Assoc Clin Endocrinol Diabetol Bangladesh, 2025;4(Suppl 1): S35]

Background: Prediabetes is often overlooked in young adults, although early insulin resistance and metabolic abnormalities can accelerate the onset of type 2 diabetes. Ethnic and environmental differences necessitate population-specific data to guide preventive strategies. Aims: To compare insulin indices, anthropometric markers, and metabolic profiles between young adults with prediabetes and normoglycemia. Method: This cross-sectional study included 58 participants with prediabetes and 143 with normoglycemia, aged 18–34 years, recruited from the Young Diabetes Clinic at Bangladesh Medical University (September 2023–February 2024). Prediabetes was defined by the ADA OGTT criteria. Anthropometric measurements, lipid profiles, fasting insulin, C-peptide, and insulin indices (HOMA-IR, HOMA-β) were assessed. Statistical comparisons were made between prediabetic and normoglycemic groups. Results: Prediabetes was associated with older age, male sex, and smoking (p&lt;0.05 for all). Obesity was more prevalent in prediabetes, with higher mean BMI (25.9 vs. 23.3 kg/m²), central obesity (72.4% vs. 52.4%), and abnormal waist–height ratio (91.4% vs. 77.6%) in comparison to normoglycemic (p&lt;0.05 for all). Prediabetic participants had higher mean systolic (112 vs. 106 mm Hg) and diastolic (78 vs. 74 mm Hg) blood pressure, increased triglycerides (168 vs. 111 mg/dL), and elevated TG/HDL ratio (4.1 vs. 2.6) (p&lt;0.05 for all). Fasting insulin (18.3 vs. 10.3 μIU/mL) and C-peptide (3.6 vs. 2.3 ng/mL) were significantly higher, with increased HOMA-IR (3.4 vs. 2.1) (p&lt;0.05 for all). However, although reduced in prediabetes, HOMA-β (117 vs. 140) was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Young Bangladeshi adults with prediabetes demonstrate early-onset obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance, underscoring a trajectory toward type 2 diabetes. Early identification and lifestyle interventions are critical to mitigate this emerging threat. [J Assoc Clin Endocrinol Diabetol Bangladesh, 2025;4(Suppl 1): S50]

Background: Vitamin D supplementation may influence oxidative stress, but evidence in populations following specific dietary patterns is limited. Methods: In this non-randomized, two-group exploratory study, 50 Orthodox nuns received vitamin D supplementation (2000 IU/day orally) for 16 weeks, whereas 50 age-matched women following time-restricted eating (TRE) served as controls receiving no supplementation. Anthropometric parameters, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and oxidative stress markers—total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances—were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Results: At baseline, both groups were comparable in anthropometric and oxidative stress markers, except for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], which was lower in the intervention group. Following supplementation, serum 25(OH)D increased from 15.77 ± 5.21 to 31.24 ± 7.87 ng/mL (p = 0.031) in Orthodox nuns. No significant changes were observed for TAC (0.93 ± 0.11 to 0.97 ± 0.09, p = 0.081) and GSH (6.01 ± 1.55 to 5.81 ± 1.41, p = 0.069), whereas TBARS decreased significantly (7.32 ± 1.31 to 6.94 ± 1.21, p = 0.041). No significant changes were observed in controls under TRE. Changes (Δ) in all variables represented the post–pre difference over the 16-week period. Pearson correlations showed no significant associations between Δ25(OH)D and ΔTAC (r = −0.244, p = 0.346), ΔGSH (r = 0.110, p = 0.675), or ΔTBARS (r = −0.116, p = 0.657). In multivariable regression adjusted for age, weight, body fat percentage, and baseline 25(OH)D, Δ25(OH)D was not an independent predictor of oxidative stress marker changes; however, weight (β = 0.08, p = 0.011) and body fat percentage (β = −0.13, p = 0.014) were associated with reductions in TBARS. Conclusions: In conclusion, sixteen weeks of vitamin D supplementation in women adhering to Orthodox fasting produced no consistent improvements in oxidative stress markers. While a small reduction in TBARS was observed, this effect was modest and appeared indirect, being more closely associated with decreases in body weight and fat mass than with vitamin D status itself. Taken together, our findings indicate an overall neutral impact of vitamin D on redox balance, suggesting that any antioxidant benefit is likely secondary to metabolic or adiposity-related changes.

The role of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and the development of complications is well established; however, the impact of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist semaglutide on IGFBPs has not been previously investigated. We aimed to examine the effects of semaglutide and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor sitagliptin therapy on serum levels of IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-rp1, and to analyze their associations with anthropometric variables and markers of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. In this prospective study, we enrolled 34 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on metformin monotherapy and 31 age-, sex- and BMI-matched controls. Among the patients, 18 received semaglutide, and 16 were treated with sitagliptin. Anthropometric and laboratory assessments were performed at baseline, 26 and 52 weeks. IGFBP levels were measured using ELISA. Both semaglutide and sitagliptin treatment significantly increased IGFBP-1 levels. IGFBP-3 levels were significantly decreased following sitagliptin therapy. No significant change in IGFBP-rp1 levels was observed with either treatment. Based on multiple regression analysis, the best predictors of IGFBP-1 were insulin and hsCRP, while the best predictor of IGFBP-3 was LDL-C level. Our findings suggest that semaglutide and sitagliptin may exert favorable effects on the GH/IGF-1 axis, potentially contributing to their beneficial metabolic outcomes in patients with T2DM.

Abstract Background Neck circumference (NC) was proposed as promising marker to assess body fat distribution and cardiometabolic risk. Objectives We aimed to assess associations of NC with anthropometric traits, cardiometabolic risk markers and self-reported cardiometabolic diseases. Methods NC was measured in a subsample (5,865 participants) of the German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie, NAKO), study region Kiel. Linear and logistic regression models were applied to assess associations of NC with anthropometric and cardiometabolic risk markers and self-reported cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes, heart failure, gout, and a composite endpoint ‘clinical CVD’ (combining history of angina pectoris, stroke, myocardial infarction, and peripheral artery disease). Models were adjusted for sex and age, cardiovascular risk factors (systolic blood pressure, diabetes, LDL-cholesterol, use of lipid-lowering and antihypertensive medication, smoking status), and BMI. Results Mean NC values (± SD) were 39.5±3.0 in men and 33.6±2.7 cm in women. NC was positively associated with anthropometric traits, visceral adipose tissue [cm] (β=1.45 [95% confidence interval 0.88; 2.02]), systolic (β=0.37 [0.19; 0.56]) and diastolic (β=0.17 [0.05; 0.29]) blood pressure, HbA1c (β=0.02 [0.01; 0.02]), non-fasting glucose (β=0.57 [0.31; 0.83]), and inversely associated with HDL-cholesterol (β=-0.73 [-0.91; -0.54]). Furthermore, NC showed associations with diabetes (OR=1.08 [1.02; 1.15]), heart failure (OR=1.12 [1.02; 1.23]) and gout (OR=1.09 [1.01; 1.17]). Association with ‘clinical CVD’ did not remain statistically significant after BMI adjustment. Conclusions NC was associated with several cardiometabolic risk factors, including glycemic and lipid traits and self-reported cardiometabolic diseases. These observations suggest that NC may be a useful surrogate marker for cardiometabolic risk.

Being born small-for-gestational-age (SGA), is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic disease in adulthood. We studied the influence of birth size on hepatocellular lipid (HCL) concentrations in prepubertal children. A total of 195 prepubertal Caucasian children (4.4-9.7 years) were studied in three cohorts. Twenty-one children were born small-for-gestational-age (SGA), 132 were appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA), and 42 were large-for-gestational-age (LGA). The outcomes were body fat by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), liver fat MRI and MR spectroscopy (MRS), anthropometric measurements at examination, and biochemical markers of metabolism and inflammation. MRS revealed higher HCL in SGA children, as determined from the methylene (-CH2-) resonance (p = 0.02). The high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level was also significantly higher in the SGA group than in the AGA (p = 0.01) or LGA groups (p = 0.002). The HCL concentrations were correlated with hs-CRP values in the whole cohort (R = 0.51, p = 0.03), independently of traditional anthropometric markers. Other laboratory parameters were not associated with HCL. Our study shows a link between SGA status, elevated hs-CRP, and elevated MRS-detectable HCL. MRS may thus be important in identifying prepubertal children at risk for metabolic sequelae. Prepubertal children born small-for-gestational-age (SGA), although still shorter and leaner than their peers, exhibit elevated liver triglyceride concentrations on proton MR spectroscopy associated with elevated hs-CRP levels. Elevated hs-CRP and liver triglyceride concentrations can be early indicators of pathological metabolic changes associated with later cardiometabolic abnormalities.

Objective of the study – to identify metabolic and anthropometric predictors of cardiovascular risk in women with infertility in the context of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to assess the impact of metabolic syndrome (MS) on the severity of metabolic disturbances.Material and Methods: A total of 120 reproductive-age women were examined: main group – PCOS+MetS (n=46), comparison group – PCOS without MetS (n=44), and control group – tubal factor infertility (n=30). Anthropometric parameters (BMI, waist and hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio), blood pressure, and laboratory markers (fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profile including total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, and atherogenic index) were assessed. Statistical analysis evaluated significant differences between groups.Results: Women with PCOS+MS had significantly higher insulin (18.6±6.2 μIU/mL), HOMA-IR (4.8±1.9), fasting glucose (5.9±0.8 mmol/L), systolic (129.9±8.7 mmHg) and diastolic BP (85.4±5.1 mmHg), waist circumference (98.3±12.8 cm), and atherogenic index (5.89±2.22) compared to PCOS without MS and controls (p&lt;0.05). The PCOS without MS group had intermediate values, significantly differing from controls, indicating that metabolic status influences cardiometabolic risk. Conclusions: The coexistence of PCOS and MS is associated with insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, and elevated blood pressure, creating a high cardiovascular risk. Assessment of anthropometric and laboratory markers enables timely identification of high-risk patients, optimizing infertility management and preventing metabolic and cardiovascular complications.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major global health concern, associated with both microvascular and macrovascular complications. Early identification of individuals at risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes progression is crucial for preventing long-term complications and improving patient outcomes. We investigated the association between neck circumference (NC) and hyperglycemia in non-diabetic individuals and in patients with uncontrolled DM, using data from the nationally representative Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2019–2021. Uncontrolled DM was defined as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥ 7.0%, while hyperglycemia in non-diabetic individuals was defined as fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL or HbA1c ≥ 6.5%. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between NC and glycemic outcomes. NC was independently associated with hyperglycemia in non-diabetic individuals (Model 1: odds ratio (OR): 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–1.13; Model 2: OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.05–1.13) and patients with uncontrolled DM (Model 1: OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.03–1.17; Model 2: OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.04–1.18) after adjusting for potential confounders. This study demonstrates that NC is a significant risk factor for hyperglycemia in the general population and for individuals with uncontrolled DM. NC may serve as a simple, non-invasive anthropometric marker to help identify individuals at elevated risk for poor glycemic control.

Objective: Depression is a common and disabling condition in older adults. Identifying simple, non-invasive predictors of depression risk is essential for early intervention. The Weight-Adjusted Waist Index (WWI), a novel anthropometric marker of central adiposity, may be associated with depressive symptoms in older populations. This study aims to investigate the association between WWI and depressive symptoms in adults aged 65 years and older. Material and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 150 patients aged ≥65 years attending a geriatrics outpatient clinic. Sociodemographic, functional, cognitive, nutritional, and anthropometric data were collected. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Yesevage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), with scores ≥5 indicating depression. WWI was calculated as waist circumference (cm) divided by the square root of weight (kg). Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with depressive symptoms. Results: Depressive symptoms were present in 53 participants (35.3%). Patients with depressive symptoms had significantly higher WWI values (11.68 ± 0.73 vs. 11.28 ± 0.66, p

Prenatal hormonal signature (2D:4D) and dental maturation in childhood: a prospective study.

Background. Gallstone disease is a prevalent hepatobiliary disorder, with a particularly high incidence in postmenopausal women. Hormonal, dietary, oxidative, and inflammatory pathways contribute to its pathogenesis. Objective. To evaluate the influence of menopause on anthropometric measures, lipid and glucose metabolism, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress indicators in women with gallstones compared with healthy controls. Methods. This observational study included 180 women divided into four groups: premenopausal with gall­stones (n = 50), postmenopausal with gallstones (n = 50), healthy premenopausal (n = 40), and healthy post­menopausal (n = 40). Anthropometric, metabolic, inflammatory, oxidative and hormonal parameters were assessed. Results. Metabolically the FBG and lipid profile increased in all patients, LDL elevated in post menopause, while HDL was reduced in premenopausal patients. Inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, PCT) were elevated in all gallstone patients. Oxidative stress marker MDA was also increased, especially in premenopause patient. Estradiol levels declining as expected postmenopause. γ-GT, resistin, insulin, and GLP-1 were elevated in gallstone patients, while CCK decreased in premenopausal patients. Conclusion. Gallstone disease is associated with increased adiposity, dyslipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress. Menopause-related hormonal changes, particularly the decline in estrogen, appears to exacerbate these factors. These findings highlight the importance of anthropometric and inflammatory markers for risk assessment across menopausal stages.

Arm circumference as a marker of muscle mass: cutoff values from NHANES 1999-2006.

Background: Malnutrition is common in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients and often remains underdiagnosed. While body composition, functional status, and anthropometric measures can support nutritional assessment, their associations with nutritional status are not fully established in this population. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of various measures for assessing malnutrition in chronic HD patients, using the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) as the reference standard. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved chronic HD patients, stratified by nutritional status using the SGA. Data collection consisted of clinical interviews, anthropometric and functional measurements, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and biochemical analyses. Statistical analysis included Spearman’s correlation, logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with area under the curve (AUC) to assess predictive accuracy, standardized effect sizes to show the magnitude of differences, and kappa statistics to evaluate concordance between variables. Results: This study included 103 chronic HD patients. Malnutrition was diagnosed in 50.5% of patients based on the SGA. Phase angle (PA) was the strongest single predictor of malnutrition (AUC = 0.79; specificity 0.88; sensitivity 0.58). PA ≤ 5.1° was significantly associated with higher malnutrition risk (OR: 10.23; 95% CI: 3.93–30.61; p < 0.001). Handgrip strength (HGS) also demonstrated good diagnostic value (AUC = 0.71; specificity 0.84; sensitivity 0.59). A multivariable model incorporating eight parameters—gender, post-dialysis ECW/ICW ratio, post-dialysis lean and fat mass, serum albumin, normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR), arm circumference (AC), and HGS—achieved an AUC of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.81–0.95) and pseudo-R2 of 0.46, demonstrating improved predictive performance. Conclusions: An integrated panel of anthropometric, bioimpedance, functional, and biochemical markers provides superior diagnostic accuracy compared to individual predictors, supporting a holistic diagnostic approach in HD patients.

Cardiovascular protective properties of berries have been reported in numerous studies. Berries and their bioactive compounds may also be effective for improving body composition and anthropometric indices. This systematic review and meta-analysis were aimed to investigate the effect of berries on anthropometric markers. A systematic search for studies published before June 2024 was conducted in 4 electronic databases-PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar-to find randomized controlled trials that used berries or their extract as the intervention. Data from 42 intervention arms from 38 studies were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant decrease in body mass index (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -0.13 [95% CI, -0.22 to -0.04]; P = .004) and in body fat percentage (WMD = -0.50 [95% CI, -0.77 to -0.23]; P = .000) and body fat mass (WMD = -0.67 [95% CI, -1.19 to -0.16]; P = .010). No significant changes were observed in weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, or fat-free mass. The results indicate the potential of berries to improve body mass index and body fat percentage; however, due to limited data, more well-designed studies are recommended. PROSPERO registration No. CRD42024556011.

Prediction of hand grip strength using anthropometric indicators among older adults: Evidence from LASI data.

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome increases the risk of developing chronic health issues, particularly those related to the heart and glucose metabolism. Neck circumference (NC) has emerged as a simple and effective anthropometric marker reflecting upper-body adiposity, with strong associations to insulin resistance and visceral fat distribution.Materials and methodsA total of 160 people participated in this cross-sectional study, 80 of whom had metabolic syndrome and the remaining 80 of whom were age-matched controls. Participants were recruited from the Medicine and Allied Departments at M.S. Ramaiah Hospital. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed based on commonly accepted clinical criteria. Participants underwent clinical evaluation, anthropometric assessments, as well as laboratory tests such as fasting blood sugar (FBS) and lipid profile. NC was measured and analyzed for its correlation with various cardiometabolic risk factors.ResultsThe mean NC was much greater in the case group compared to controls. NC was strongly positively correlated with triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, dimensions of the waist and hips, blood pressure, FBS, total cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001). Gender-specific neck circumference thresholds for predicting metabolic syndrome were determined by the Youden index; these thresholds were 36.76 cm for males and 34.75 cm for females, with both showing good specificity.ConclusionNC is significantly connected to the elements of metabolic syndrome. As a low-cost and easy-to-measure parameter, NC shows potential as a practical metabolic syndrome screening tool, especially in resource-limited settings.

Introduction: Diabetes, and sarcopenia frequently co-occur and adversely affect muscular strength, body composition, and functional performance in adults. Identifying anthropometric markers that effectively distinguish individuals with and without these conditions is crucial for early screening and intervention. Methods: We compared diabetic and non-diabetic groups on physical attributes—handgrip strength, calf circumference (CC), and six-meter walk test (6MWT). We evaluated anthropometric indices, including waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and weight-adjusted waist index (WWI), using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC) and Youden’s J statistic. Results: We found WWI showed the highest discriminative ability with an AUC of 0.745 (95% CI: 0.630–0.859) and the highest Youden Index (0.445), indicating the best overall balance between sensitivity and specificity. WHtR demonstrated the highest sensitivity (0.806), while WHR achieved the highest specificity (0.977) and the best positive predictive value (PPV = 0.857). WWI also provided the highest negative predictive value (NPV = 0.767). Collectively, these findings highlight WWI as the strongest overall predictor, with WHtR and WHR showing complementary strengths in sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Conclusion: Establishing simple, cost-effective anthropometric cutoffs for sarcopenia in Indian diabetics may facilitate early diagnosis in routine clinical and community settings, enabling timely intervention and improved outcomes. WWI may be considered to be included in clinical and public health screening programs targeting individuals at risk for diabetes, sarcopenia related functional decline.