Proportion Of Body Fat Research Articles

The Relationship between Endogenous Androgens and Body Fat Distribution in Early and Late Postmenopausal Women

ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between endogenous androgens and body fat distribution in early and late postmenopausal women.Materials and MethodsWe enrolled postmenopausal women consisting of an early group (≤5 years since menopause, n = 105) and a late group (≥10 years since menopause, n = 107). Each group was subdivided into normal weight (BMI <24 kg/m2) group, overweight and obese (BMI ≥24 kg/m2) group. Fasting total testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels were measured. Body fat distribution was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).ResultsLate postmenopausal women had a higher proportion of body fat than early postmenopausal women. The body fat of the overweight and obese women had a greater tendency to accumulate in the abdomen compared with the normal weight women both in early and late postmenopausal groups. The overweight and obese women had a higher free testosterone (FT) than the normal weight women in early postmenopausal women (P<0.05). In late postmenopausal women, the overweight and obese women had higher DHEA-S levels than normal weight women (P<0.05). No direct relationship was observed between the T levels and body fat distribution both in early and late postmenopausal groups (P>0.05).The FT in early postmenopausal women and the DHEA-S levels in late postmenopausal women correlated positively with the trunk/leg fat ratio (T/L) and the proportion of android fat whereas correlated negatively with the proportion of gynoid fat in the partial correlation and multiple linear regression analyses (all P<0.05).ConclusionsSerum T levels do not correlate directly with body fat distribution, the FT in early postmenopausal women and DHEA-S levels in late postmenopausal women correlate positively with abdominal fat accumulation.

Evaluation of the Body Adiposity Index in a Caucasian Population: The Hordaland Health Study

In this study, we compared the relationships of body mass index (BMI) and body adiposity index (BAI) with body fat percentage (BF%) in a Caucasian, European population. BF% was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in a population-based cross-sectional study of 5,193 middle-aged (47-49 years) and elderly (71-74 years) men and women from the Hordaland Health Study in western Norway from 1997 to 1999. In the total population, the correlation between BAI and BF% was stronger (r = 0.78) than the correlation between BMI and BF% (r = 0.56) with similar results in the middle-aged and elderly groups. However, in men and women separately, BMI was a better correlate of BF% (for men, r = 0.76; for women, r = 0.81) than was BAI (for men, r = 0.57; for women, r = 0.72). BMI was also a better correlate of BF% than was BAI assessed by partial correlations adjusted for sex (for BMI-BF%, r = 0.79; for BAI-BF%, r = 0.67). Bland-Altman plots and BF%-stratified analyses showed that BAI tended to overestimate BF% in lean subjects and to underestimate it in those with higher proportions of body fat, but that it predicted BF% well for those whose BMI was in a normal range. At the individual level and in population studies adjusted for sex, BMI outperforms BAI as a predictor of BF%.

Total 25-OH Vitamin D Concentrations in Chinese, Malays and Indians

Total 25-OH Vitamin D Concentrations in Chinese, Malays and Indians

Cross-Sectional Study of Possible Association between Rapid Eating and High Body Fat Rates among Female Japanese College Students

The incidence of excessive body fat among young Japanese females with a normal BMI, which is referred to as normal weight obesity (NWO), has recently increased. Some studies have associated eating rates with BMI. However, an association between body fat rate and dietary habits has not been proven. We compared differences in dietary habits between 72 female Japanese junior college students with normal (<30%; normal body fat ratio, NFR) and high (≥ 30%; excessive body fat ratio, EFR) proportions of body fat. Energy and the intake of many nutrients and foods did not significantly differ between the two groups, but the EFR group consumed significantly less saturated fatty acid, sugar and confectionery. Eating rapidly was significantly associated with body fat ratios. Our findings suggest that eating rapidly increases body fat ratios.

The Healthy Lifestyles Programme (HeLP), a novel school-based intervention to prevent obesity in school children: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundOver the last three decades there has been a substantial increase in the proportion of children who are overweight or obese. The Healthy Lifestyles Programme (HeLP) is a novel school-based intervention, using highly interactive and creative delivery methods to prevent obesity in children.Methods/DesignWe describe a cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of HeLP. The intervention has been developed using intervention mapping (involving extensive stakeholder involvement) and has been guided by the Information, Motivation, Behavioural Skills model. HeLP includes creating a receptive environment, drama activities, goal setting and reinforcement activities and runs over three school terms. Piloting showed that 9 to 10 year olds were the most receptive and participative. This study aims to recruit 1,300 children from 32 schools (over half of which will have ≥19% of pupils eligible for free school meals) from the southwest of England. Participating schools will be randomised to intervention or control groups with baseline measures taken prior to randomisation. The primary outcome is change in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) at 24 months post baseline. Secondary outcomes include, waist circumference and percent body fat SDS and proportion of children classified as overweight or obese at 18 and 24 months and objectively measured physical activity and food intake at 18 months. Between-group comparisons will be made using random effects regression analysis taking into account the hierarchical nature of the study design. An economic evaluation will estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness of HeLP, compared to control, from the perspective of the National Health Service (NHS)/third party payer. An in-depth process evaluation will provide insight into how HeLP works, and whether there is any differential uptake or engagement with the programme.DiscussionThe results of the trial will provide evidence on the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the Healthy Lifestyles Programme in affecting the weight status of children.Trial registrationISRCTN15811706

Changes in Body Composition Predict Homocysteine Changes and Hyperhomocysteinemia in Korea

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death in Korea. Hyperhomocysteinemia confers an independent risk for CVD comparable to the risk of smoking and hyperlipidemia. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of cardiovascular risk factors and body composition change on homocysteine (Hcy) levels in Korean men and women. The association between body composition and Hcy levels was investigated in a 2-yr prospective cohort study of 2,590 Koreans (mean age 45.5±9.6 yr). There were 293 cases of hyperhomocysteinemia (>14 µM/L) at follow-up. Increases in total body fat proportion and decreases in lean body mass (LBM) were significantly associated with increases in Hcy concentration after controlling for confounding factors. Further adjustments for behavioral factors showed that decreases in LBM were associated with Hcy increase. Decrease in LBM also predicted hyperhomocysteinemia at follow-up, after controlling for confounding factors. There was no significant association between change in body mass index (BMI) and Hcy concentrations over time. Hcy changes over time were related to change in LBM and body fat content, whereas BMI or weight change did not predict change in Hcy levels. Changes in ratio of LBM to total fat mass may contribute to hyperhomocysteinemia.

English

The effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy has significantly improved life expectancy of HIV-infected individuals. Global campaigns and awareness programmes have led to substantial drop in the rate of new infections. Consequently, the proportion of ageing HIV-infected individuals continues to increase. HIV-associated and age-related comorbidity necessitates polypharmacy in ageing individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The risk of drug-drug interaction increases with the number of administered drugs. Age-related changes in the body physiology are known to influence pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of administered drugs. These changes include reduction in blood flow to major organs, decline in metabolic activities, body mass shrinking and changes in body water and fat proportion. These factors contribute to the perceived and reported higher incidence of drug-drug interaction in this population. The current paper reviews the reported incidence of drug-drug interactions in ageing HIV-infected individuals, providing relative mechanisms and possible factors responsible in comparison to younger population. Health professionals should be aware of the drug interaction risks involved in the management of HIV/AIDS in the ageing population; be able to anticipate them based on concomitant medications and manage them as necessary. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Drug-drug interaction, drug metabolism, drugs, ageing, HIV/AIDS, cytochrome P450.

Fetal Liver Blood Flow Distribution: Role in Human Developmental Strategy to Prioritize Fat Deposition versus Brain Development

Among primates, human neonates have the largest brains but also the highest proportion of body fat. If placental nutrient supply is limited, the fetus faces a dilemma: should resources be allocated to brain growth, or to fat deposition for use as a potential postnatal energy reserve? We hypothesised that resolving this dilemma operates at the level of umbilical blood distribution entering the fetal liver. In 381 uncomplicated pregnancies in third trimester, we measured blood flow perfusing the fetal liver, or bypassing it via the ductus venosus to supply the brain and heart using ultrasound techniques. Across the range of fetal growth and independent of the mother's adiposity and parity, greater liver blood flow was associated with greater offspring fat mass measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, both in the infant at birth (r = 0.43, P<0.001) and at age 4 years (r = 0.16, P = 0.02). In contrast, smaller placentas less able to meet fetal demand for essential nutrients were associated with a brain-sparing flow pattern (r = 0.17, p = 0.02). This flow pattern was also associated with a higher degree of shunting through ductus venosus (P = 0.04). We propose that humans evolved a developmental strategy to prioritize nutrient allocation for prenatal fat deposition when the supply of conditionally essential nutrients requiring hepatic inter-conversion is limited, switching resource allocation to favour the brain if the supply of essential nutrients is limited. Facilitated placental transfer mechanisms for glucose and other nutrients evolved in environments less affluent than those now prevalent in developed populations, and we propose that in circumstances of maternal adiposity and nutrient excess these mechanisms now also lead to prenatal fat deposition. Prenatal developmental influences play important roles in the human propensity to deposit fat.

Relación entre la circunferencia del cuello y el diagnóstico de hipertensión arterial en el Registro Nacional de Hipertensión Arterial (RENATA)

Background Hypertension (HT) is associated with a greater proportion of body fat. Neck circumference might provide additional clinical information to other measurements of body fat. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the relationship between abdominal and neck obesity and hypertension. Methods In the RENATA study, 4006 adults from seven cities (Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Tucuman, Mendoza, Resistencia, Corrientes and Neuquen) were randomly selected. Neck and waist circumferences were measured in 3987 subjects. Abdominal obesity (AO) was defined following the ATP III recommendations and neck obesity (NO) was considered as the upper tertile of neck circumference (.35 cm in women and .41 cm in men). Hypertension was defined as average blood pressure measurements .140 and/or 90 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive drug therapy. Results In patients with normal abdominal adipose tissue, the prevalence of HT was 20.3% with normal neck circumference vs. 38.8% with NO, while in subjects with AO, the prevalence of HT was 43.7% with normal neck circumference vs. 57.4% with NO (chi square, p <0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that, for each standard deviation of neck circumference, the risk of HT adjusted for age and gender was greater in the absence than in the presence of AO (67% vs. 17%; p <0.001). Conclusion The prevalence of HT was greater in subjects with obesity in both regions of the body. The association between neck circumference and the prevalence of HT was greater in subjects with normal waist circumference.

Relationship between oral health, diabetes management and sleep apnea

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between tooth loss, toothbrushing behaviour, diabetes type 2 (DM2), obesity and sleep apnea among diabetics. DM2 patients (n = 165) in Istanbul, Turkey, were randomly selected from the outpatient clinics of two hospitals. Baseline clinical measurements (HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), body mass index (BMI), body-fat proportion, tooth loss) and self-administered questionnaires (toothbrushing, gingival bleeding, sleep apnea) provided data for factor and principal component analysis with Varimax rotation. Univariate statistics and chi-square tests were derived. Mean maxillary tooth loss (4.49 ± 3.69 teeth) was higher than in the mandible (3.43 ± 3.12 teeth, p< 0.001). Favourable HDL was measured among most patients (77%); other favourable clinical measures occurred only in a minority of participants (HbA1c, 28%; fasting blood glucose, 17%; LDL, 30%). Twice daily toothbrushing was reported by 33% (17%) for healthy BMI; 37% when healthy body-fat proportions. There was risk of sleep apnea in 37 %. The higher number of lost teeth in the maxilla was linked with obesity and sleep apnea. Non-daily toothbrushers were more likely to have high LDL and low HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of sleep apnea. When "at least occasionally" bleeding on toothbrushing occurred, higher HbA1c levels and sleep apnea were more likely. Oral care with early diagnosis and monitoring of glycaemic level can help prevent complications of DM2. Dentists may play a key role in better managing and diagnosing sleep apnea early by referring the patients with severe tooth loss and periodontal disease for general medical examination.

Effects of topiramate use on body composition and resting metabolic rate in migraine patients

Topiramate is an anticonvulsant agent effective in the prophylaxis of migraine, which also induces weight reduction by an unknown mechanism. We investigated the effect of topiramate on resting metabolic rate, anthropometric measurements, and body composition in patients with migraine independently from any intention to lose body weight. Forty patients (18-71 years old) with migraine were treated with 100 mg of topiramate/day over a period of 3 months. Anthropometric measurements, body fat proportions and resting metabolic rates of these patients were measured before and after treatment. At the end of 3 months, we detected mean 0.8 kg reduction in body weight and 0.3 kg/m(2) reduction in body mass index (BMI). Waist circumference decreased significantly (p = 0.01). Body fat ratio decreased (p = 0.016). Abdominal skinfold measurements decreased after treatment (p = 0.048); however, no difference was found in other regions (p > 0.05). We did not find a significant difference in resting metabolic rate (p > 0.05).These TPM-treated patients lost weight and had reduction in their mean BMI. It was seen that patients lost weight from body fat tissue and central area. We saw that TPM'S weight-reducing effect was independent from resting metaobolic rate. The weight-reducing effect of TPM may result from changes on the hypothalamus.

Sex differences in lipid metabolism and metabolic disease risk

The ability of nutrients to regulate specific metabolic pathways is often overshadowed by their role in basic sustenance. Consequently, the mechanisms whereby these nutrients protect against or promote a variety of acquired metabolic syndromes remains poorly understood. Premenopausal women are generally protected from the adverse effects of obesity despite having a greater proportion of body fat than men. Menopause is often associated with a transformation in body fat morphology and a gradual increase in the susceptibility to metabolic complications, eventually reaching the point where women and men are at equal risk. These phenomena are not explained solely by changes in food preference or nutrient intake suggesting an important role for the sex hormones in regulating the metabolic fate of nutrients and protecting against metabolic disease pathophysiology. Here, we discuss how differences in the acquisition, trafficking, and subceullular metabolism of fats and other lipid soluble nutrients in major organ systems can create overt sex-specific phenotypes, modulate metabolic disease risk, and contribute to the rise in obesity in the modern sedentary climate. Identifying the molecular mechanisms underpinning sex differences in fat metabolism requires the unravelling of the interactions among sex chromosome effects, the hormonal milieu, and diet composition. Understanding the mechanisms that give rise to sex differences in metabolism will help to rationalize treatment strategies for the management of sex-specific metabolic disease risk factors.

Relationship between neck circumference and hypertension in the National Hypertension Registry (the RENATA study)

Background Hypertension (HT) is associated with a greater proportion of body fat. Neck circumference might provide additional clinical information to other measurements of body fat. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the relationship between abdominal and neck obesity and hypertension. Methods In the RENATA study, 4006 adults from seven cities (Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Tucuman, Mendoza, Resistencia, Corrientes and Neuquen) were randomly selected. Neck and waist circumferences were measured in 3987 subjects. Abdominal obesity (AO) was defined following the ATP III recommendations and neck obesity (NO) was considered as the upper tertile of neck circumference ( ³ 35 cm in women and ³ 41 cm in men). Hypertension was defined as average blood pressure measurements ³ 140 and/or 90 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive drug therapy. Results In patients with normal abdominal adipose tissue, the prevalence of HT was 20.3% with normal neck circumference vs . 38.8% with NO, while in subjects with AO, the prevalence of HT was 43.7% with normal neck circumference vs . 57.4% with NO (chi square, p <0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that, for each standard deviation of neck circumference, the risk of HT adjusted for age and gender was greater in the absence than in the presence of AO (67% vs . 17%; p <0.001). Conclusions The prevalence of HT was greater in subjects with obesity in both regions of the body. The association between neck circumference and the prevalence of HT was greater in subjects with normal waist circumference.

Fluorescence-based fixative and vital staining of lipid droplets in Caenorhabditis elegans reveal fat stores using microscopy and flow cytometry approaches

The proportions of body fat and fat-free mass are determining factors of adiposity-associated diseases. Work in Caenorhabditis elegans has revealed evolutionarily conserved pathways of fat metabolism. Nevertheless, analysis of body composition and fat distribution in the nematodes has only been partially unraveled because of methodological difficulties. We characterized metabolic C. elegans mutants by using novel and feasible BODIPY 493/503-based fat staining and flow cytometry approaches. Fixative as well as vital BODIPY staining procedures visualize major fat stores, preserve native lipid droplet morphology, and allow quantification of fat content per body volume of individual worms. Colocalization studies using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, and imaging of lysosome-related organelles as well as biochemical measurement confirm our approaches. We found that the fat-to-volume ratio of dietary restriction, TGF-β, and germline mutants are specific for each strain. In contrast, the proportion of fat-free mass is constant between the mutants, although their volumes differ by a factor of 3. Our approaches enable sensitive, accurate, and high-throughput assessment of adiposity in large C. elegans populations at a single-worm level.

Dietary Patterns Are Associated with Different Indexes of Adiposity and Obesity in an Urban Mexican Population1,2

Our objective was to evaluate the relationships between dietary patterns and obesity, abdominal obesity, and high body fat proportion (measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; >25% in men and >35% in women) in an urban Mexican population. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis with the baseline data from 6070 men and women aged 20–70 y participating in the Health Workers Cohort Study, including information on participants' socio-demographic status and physical activity collected via self-administered questionnaires. Dietary intake was evaluated using a 116-item FFQ. Anthropometric measures were obtained using standardized procedures. We used factor analysis to identify 3 major dietary patterns: prudent, Westernized, and high animal protein/fat. We found that participants in the highest quintile of the prudent pattern were less likely to have high-body fat proportion (OR, 0.82; 95% CI: 0.70–0.98) and that participants in the highest quintile of the Westernized pattern had greater odds for obesity (OR, 1.46; 95% CI: 1.23–1.73), abdominal obesity (OR, 1.64; 95% CI: 1.37–1.96), and high-body fat proportion (OR, 1.17; 95% CI: 1.01–1.35). Additionally, participants in the upper quintile of the high-animal protein/-fat pattern had greater odds of being obese (OR, 1.23; 95% CI: 1.06–1.42). These results indicate that the dietary patterns of Mexican adults are associated with different levels of adiposity and obesity. Further prospective studies are required to confirm these associations.

Electrocardiogram in Athletes

Changes in the resting electrocardiogram(ECG) as a result of training are common and can cause difficulties for the differential diagnosis. Recently updated guidelines from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) differentiate between common, training-related and rare, potentially pathological changes (1). These new international recommendations were omitted from the article on the pre-participation examination for leisure time physical activity (2), presumably because they were not yet available at the time the manuscript was accepted. I wish to add them at this point. The following changes on ECG are classed as training-related in the absence of other distinctive features: sinus bradycardia, 1st degree atrioventricular block, incomplete right bundle block, early repolarization, isolated increased QRS voltages (increased Sokolow-Lyon index). These changes may occur in up to 80% of athletes. The prevalence is highest in endurance athletes with physiological remodeling of the heart, but the changes may also be found in other athletes and are notably more common in men than in women, and in black people than in white (Caucasian) people (3, 4). Isolated increased QRS voltages are responsible for 60% of training-related changes in athletes (4). In addition to cardiac adaptations, athletes often have favorable conditions for ECG leads owing to a lower proportion of body fat. Early repolarization of at least 0.1 mV, mostly located in the precordial leads (V2)V3–V4, is also common. In athletes of Afro-Caribbean origin, these ST elevations may be followed by negative T waves (3). As far as AV blocks are concerned, I would, by contrast to the authors, be very reticent to classify a 3rd degree AV block in elite athletes as normal (Box 3). I am not familiar with any such findings in athletes who are proven to be healthy. It is to be expected that the current ESC recommendations will notably lower the rate of false positive findings on athletes’ ECGs.

Body composition of healthy Spanish children

This paper shows the distribution of the body compartments, and the age and gender related changes in Spanish children. Subjects and Methods: A total of 231 healthy children from Madrid (Spain) were recruited and divided into 3 groups according to age (birth-5, 6-10, 11-15y). Body compartments (fat mass, lean mass and bone mass) measures were obtained from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. Total and regional body compositions were evaluated. Results: There were gender differences for TBFM (total body fat mass) in 11 - 15 year age group and for TLBM (total lean body mass) in all age groups except for the 6 - 10 year age group. TBMC (total bone mineral content) shows significant gender differences form birth. Conclusions: Contrary to boys, girls showed from early infancy a smaller proportion of muscle mass and a higher proportion of body fat (from the age of 10), with fat deposits being mostly peripheral. Bone mass and muscle mass values were higher in boys.

Sex Differences in Energy Metabolism Need to Be Considered with Lifestyle Modifications in Humans

Women have a higher proportion of body fat compared to men. However, women consume fewer kilojoules per kilogram lean mass and burn fat more preferentially during exercise compared with men. During gestation, women store even greater amounts of fat that cannot be solely attributed to increased energy intake. These observations suggest that the relationship between kilojoules consumed and kilojoules utilised is different in men and women. The reason for these sex differences in energy metabolism is not known; however, it may relate to sex steroids, differences in insulin resistance, or metabolic effects of other hormones such as leptin. When considering lifestyle modifications, sex differences in energy metabolism should be considered. Moreover, elucidating the regulatory role of hormones in energy homeostasis is important for understanding the pathogenesis of obesity and perhaps in the future may lead to ways to reduce body fat with less energy restriction.

Accuracy of a digital skinfold system for measuring skinfold thickness and estimating body fat

The use of skinfold thickness measurements to evaluate the distribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue and to predict body fat has recognised advantages. However, the different types of skinfold calliper available present limitations that make them unattractive and perhaps less used in daily practice. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy and functionality of a new digital skinfold system, the Liposoft 2008+Adipsmeter V0 (LA), for measuring skinfold thickness and determining body fat proportion (%BF). Skinfold thickness measurements made by the LA were compared with those obtained with a Harpenden (H) calliper from two samples of adults (n 45) and older adults (n 56) in a university-based cross-sectional study. A comparison was also conducted between estimated %BF from skinfolds and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bland and Altman plots show that skinfolds measured by the LA and H calliper are in high agreement, with a mean difference of 0·3 (95% CI -3·1, 3·4) mm. In regard to the %BF estimated from LA and H skinfolds measurement, the LA produced a similar approximation to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry %BF, with a mean difference of 0·2 (95% CI -0·8, 1·2) %, compared with %BF obtained with the H calliper. The LA system is an accurate instrumentation and represents an innovation in the evaluation of skinfold thickness and body composition based on anthropometric measurement.

Evaluation of the body proportions among All-India Inter-Collegiate basketball players

Body size, shape and proportionality have been discovered to impose constraints upon capacity for optimal performance in sports. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the body proportions of...