Body Mass Deficit Research Articles

Frequency of under- and overweight among children and adolescents during the economic transition in Poland

The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity, using International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria, in four cohorts of children and adolescents living in Poland in different economic eras: communist economy (1977/1978), crisis of the 1980s (1987/1988), political and economic transformation (1992/1994) and the free market economy (2002/2004). Analysis was conducted on a database including 10,934 records for children of the age 7–18 years. In Poland, in the last 26 years of economic and political transformations, the epidemic of obesity was not noticed but the growing incidence of children and adolescents with body mass deficit was observed (p<0.0001) (20.2% of girls in 2002/2004 vs. 11.0% in 1977/1978 and 12.1% of boys in 2002/2004 vs. 7.2% in 1977/1978). Lower parental education and a higher number of children in a family resulted in a higher prevalence of underweight (odds ratio [OR] fluctuated from 1.26 to 1.63). The social effects of the political transformation in Poland significantly affected families with low socio-economic status (SES), and especially more eco-sensitive boys. This result is opposite to the trends observed in Western countries and makes an important contribution to the current knowledge of the course of further changes in weight-to-height ratio at a global scale.

Uwarunkowania środowiskowe a stan odżywienia dzieci i młodzieży województwa podlaskiego

IntroductionChildren nutritional status results from both inherited genetic predispositions and environmental factors, such as biogeographic and social and economic ones. AimThe aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of environmental factors on children and adolescents nutritional status in the Podlasie Province. Material and methodsThe study was carried out on 592 children, aged 1–14, living in the urban and rural regions of the Podlasie Province. Questionnaires and anthropometric measurements with BMI were performed. ResultsBody mass deficit was observed in 24.2% of the examined children while overweight and obesity – in 12.5%. The highest percentage of body mass deficit (32.2%) was in the youngest children (1–3 years of age) and it decreased with the age. Body mass deifcit was also stated in families with lack of money for the rent (30.7%) and for food (32.5%). The percentage of children with overweight and obesity was comparable in all age groups and was approximately 12%. The lowest, 7.0%, was in large families. ConclusionsNutritional status of the examined children was conditioned by the family status, the number of children in the family and financial deficit. The highest percentage of under nutritional children was observed in families with lack of money for the rent and food.

Central and Peripheral Fatigue during Passive and Exercise-Induced Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia was induced during prolonged exercise (ExH) and passive heating (PaH) to isolate the influence of exercise on neuromuscular function during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) of the quadriceps under heat stress. The influence of cardiovascular strain in limiting endurance performance in the heat was also examined. On separate days, eight males cycled to exhaustion at 60% maximal oxygen uptake or were immersed in a water bath (∼41°C) until rectal temperature (Tre) increased to 39.5°C. The ExH and PaH interventions were performed in ambient conditions of 38°C and 60% relative humidity with Tre reaching 39.8°C during exercise. Before (control) and after each intervention, voluntary activation and force production capacity were evaluated by superimposing an electrically stimulated tetanus during a 45-s MVC. Force production decreased immediately after PaH and ExH compared with control, with the magnitude of decline being more pronounced after ExH (P < 0.01). Mean voluntary activation was also significantly depressed after both interventions (P < 0.01 vs control). However, the extent of decline in voluntary activation was maintained at ∼90% during both PaH and ExH MVC. This decline accounted for 41.5% (PaH) and 33.1% (ExH) of the decrease in force production. In addition, exhaustion coincided with a marked increase in HR (∼96% of maximum) and a decline in stroke volume (25%) and mean arterial pressure (10%) (P < 0.05). The loss of force production capacity during hyperthermia originated from central and peripheral fatigue factors, with the combination of heat stress and previous contractile activity exacerbating the rate of decline. Thus, the observed significant rise in thermal strain in ExH and PaH impaired neuromuscular function and was associated with an exercise performance limiting increase in cardiovascular strain.

Dehydration during whole‐body heat stress contributes to subsequent reductions in lower‐body negative pressure (LBNP) tolerance

This study tested the hypothesis that dehydration, which accompanies heat stress, further compromises the maintenance of blood pressure during a simulated hemorrhagic challenge via LBNP. Seven individuals (34±9 y; 77±4 kg) underwent heat stress on two separate days (randomized), one with and one without intravenous (IV) infusion of Lactated Ringers solution sufficient to replace sweat loss. Hemorrhage was simulated via progressive LBNP to pre-syncope after core body (intestinal) temperature was raised ~1.4°C using a water perfused suit. LBNP tolerance was quantified with a cumulative stress index (CSI). Blood samples were obtained at normothermia and just prior to LBNP to estimate changes in plasma volume during heat stress. Body core temperature increases and sweat losses (~1.7% body mass deficit) were similar (P>0.05) between trials. IV infusion (1.3±0.5 L) prevented the reduction in plasma volume that occurred during the dehydration trial (IV infusion trial: +3.1±7.1%; dehydration trial: −6.5±5.5%, P=0.01). LBNP tolerance during the dehydration trial (407±126 CSI units) was lower compared to the IV trial (641±64 CSI units, P<0.01). These data indicate that dehydration during heat stress reduces an individual's tolerance to a subsequent hemorrhagic challenge, therefore, increasing the likelihood of syncope. Supported by NIH Grant HL061388

Enhancement of Efficacy of Tuberculosis Drugs With Immunoxel (Dzherelo™) in HIV-Infected Patients With Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Immunoxel (Dzherelo) is an oral, herbal immunomodulator used in Ukraine for adjunct therapy of infectious and autoimmune diseases. Antiretroviral drug-naive, tuberculosis (TB)/HIV coinfected patients with active pulmonary TB were divided into two arms, A (n = 20) and B (n = 20), to receive first-line anti-TB therapy (ATT) or ATT + Dzherelo, respectively. As a result, three (16%) versus 12 (67%; p = 0.003) patients had Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture conversion, with time to negative culture of 6 and 4 months in arms A and B, respectively. In the ATT-alone arm, the healing of pulmonary cavitations was observed in 25% of patients at weeks 24-28, while 60% of individuals in arm B healed at 16-18 weeks (p = 0.025). The TB lesions, on chest x-ray, had cleared in 46 and 84%, with time-to-clearance of 24-28 and 16-18 weeks in arms A and B, respectively. In the ATT-alone arm, the bodyweight at baseline was 64 +/- 6.3 kg, with 13 cachexic patients who had an average weight deficit of -5.2 +/- 1.7 kg. At the end of 6 months of follow-up, they have lost an additional 0.6 kg (-5.8 +/- 2.4). The study entry-level weight in arm B was 52 +/- 5.7 kg, with 12 individuals who had a body mass deficit of -8.5 +/- 2.7 kg. The immunotherapeutic intervention increased bodyweight by an average of 5.8 +/- 2.6 kg above baseline (p < 0.0001). The inclusion of Dzherelo into the ATT regimen decreased the incidence of new opportunistic infections (OI) with three episodes of OI versus 12 in arm A (p = 0.003). These findings indicate that Dzherelo contributes positively to the clinical efficacy of TB drugs.

Circulatory Strain And Hydration Status Of Cyclists Competing In Le Tour De Langkawi

PURPOSE: To investigate the circulatory strain and hydration status of cyclists in Le Tour de Langkawi - a 10-day cycling tour event covering a total distance of ∼1,150 km in Malaysia. METHODS: Six male elite cyclists (age 24.5 ± 5.7 yr; mass 61.6 ± 4.7 kg; stature 1.68 ± 0.04 m, VO2max 66.6 ± 3.8 mL.kg-1.min-1; HRmax 185 ± 4 bpm) gave their informed consent to take part in the study. Prior to the tour, VO2max and HRmax were determined via an incremental cycling test to volitional fatigue on a cycle ergometer. Before the start of each stage body mass was measured and a HR monitor was strapped to each cyclist. At the end of each race stage the cyclists were reweighed and total body mass loss was used as an indicator of dehydration. The HR data was analyzed to determine the relative percentage of HRmax (% HRmax) sustained throughout the tour. Five different % HRmax were defined as follow: Recovery (<60% HRmax), Easy (60-69% HRmax), Moderate (70-79% HRmax), Hard (80-89% HRmax), Intense (>90% HRmax). The ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded during each day of the tour. RESULTS: The final stage of the race was cancelled due to heavy rain. Cyclists maintained a mean HR of 148 bpm over the 9 days duration of the event, although there was a considerable range of HR response throughout the tour. A total of 8.7 hours (31.6%) of the time racing in the tour was classified as "Hard" to "Intense" in terms of the HR response (>80% HRmax). Body mass of cyclists was significantly (P < 0.01) lower at the end of each race stage with an observed mean stage body mass loss of 1.6 ± 0.6 kg. In addition, total body mass loss was correlated to the distance of each stage (P < 0.05). Mean maximum daily ambient temperature and relative humidity for the tour was 37.2 ± 3.8 °C and 60.9 ± 20.1% rh. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a significant mean 2.6% body mass deficit across all stages of the tour. Most of this loss can be attributed to the thermal stress of the hot-humid environment and associated sweat production. Increasing dehydration coupled with periods of intense physical effort contributed to a high mean heart rate of 80% HRmax despite the cooling effect of airflow and availability of fluid. Part of this elevated HR response may be attributed to the well documented cardiovascular drift that is associated with prolonged exercise in hot conditions.

An integrated physiological and performance profile of professional tennis

Objective: To describe the physiological responses to tournament tennis in relation to prevailing environmental conditions, match notation, and skills that underpin performance. Design: 14 male professional tennis players (mean (SD)...

Investigations on the Association of D‐lactate Blood Concentrations with the Outcome of Therapy of Acidosis, and with Posture and Demeanour in Young Calves with Diarrhoea

The objective of this prospective study was to elucidate whether amounts of bicarbonate needed for correction of acidosis and normalization of clinical signs are influenced by blood D-lactate concentrations in calves with diarrhoea. In 73 calves up to 3 weeks old with acute diarrhoea and base excess values below -10 mmol/l correction of acidosis was carried out within 3.5-h by intravenous administration of an amount of sodium bicarbonate which was calculated using the formula: HCO (mmol) = body mass (kg) x base deficit (mmol/l) x 0.6 (l/kg). Clinical signs, venous base excess, and plasma D-lactate concentrations were monitored immediately following admission, following correction of acidosis at 4 h and 24 h after admission. The base excess and plasma D-lactate concentrations throughout the study were -17.8 +/- 4.0, -0.4 +/- 0.4, -3.0 +/- 5.5 mmol/l (base excess), and 10.0 +/- 4.9, 9.8 +/- 4.8, 5.4 +/- 3.4 mmol/l (D-lactate) for the three times of examination. Metabolic acidosis was not corrected in more than half of the calves (n = 43) by the calculated amount of bicarbonate, whereas the risk of failure to correct acidosis increases with D-lactate concentrations. The study shows that calves with elevated D-lactate concentrations do not need additional specific therapy, as D-lactate concentrations regularly fall following correction of acidosis and restitution of body fluid volume, for reasons that remain unclear. However, calves with distinct changes in posture and demeanour need higher doses of bicarbonate than calculated with the factor of 0.6 in the formula mentioned above probably because of D-hyperlactataemia.

Anovulation in eumenorrheic, nonobese adolescent girls born small for gestational age: insulin sensitization induces ovulation, increases lean body mass, and reduces abdominal fat excess, dyslipidemia, and subclinical hyperandrogenism.

Adolescent girls born small for gestational age (SGA) are at risk for anovulation, hyperinsulinism, subclinical hyperandrogenism, dyslipidemia, and central adiposity. Hyperinsulinemic insulin resistance has been proposed as a key pathogenetic factor underpinning these associations. We have tested this hypothesis in an intervention study by assessing the effects of insulin sensitization (metformin treatment, 850 mg/d for 3 months) in eumenorrheic, nonobese, anovulatory SGA adolescents [n = 13; mean birth weight, 2.3 kg; age, 15 yr; body mass index (BMI), 20.5 kg/m(2); >or=3 yr post-menarche] who were in a steady state (over approximately 6 months) for BMI, hyperinsulinism, subclinical hyperandrogenism, and dyslipidemia, and who presented a deficit of lean body mass and an excess of (truncal and abdominal) fat mass. Metformin treatment was accompanied by a drop in fasting insulin and serum androgens and by a less atherogenic lipid profile (all P <or= 0.01). After 3 months on metformin, all identified aberrations in body composition were attenuated, the most marked changes (P < 0.0001) being a reduction of the excess in abdominal fat and of the deficit in lean body mass; BMI remained unaltered. Finally, 6 of 13 girls became ovulatory after about 6 wk on metformin, and 9 of 13 (69%) ovulated within 11 wk on metformin. In conclusion, these observations corroborate the notion that anovulation, an excess of abdominal fat mass, and a deficit of lean mass in nonobese SGA adolescents are essentially underpinned by hyperinsulinemic insulin resistance, and that sensitization to insulin is an effective approach to correct these abnormalities and, conceivably, to prevent them.

Lean Body Mass Deficit in Girls with Rett Syndrome Is Not Associated with Altered Urea Production and Salvage

Lean Body Mass Deficit in Girls with Rett Syndrome Is Not Associated with Altered Urea Production and Salvage

Physical performance and metabolic recovery among lean, healthy men following a prolonged energy deficit.

Previous studies have demonstrated that full recovery from weight loss may take months or years. The present investigation examined short-term recovery (5 wks "post") of physical performance (muscular strength, muscular power, vertical jump), body composition, metabolic hormones (testosterone, luteinizing hormone, sex hormone binding globulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, thyroid binding globulin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone) and metabolic markers (transferrin, ferritin, prealbumin, glycerol, nonesterified fatty acids, high-density lipoproteins, and lactate) in 10 healthy young men after an 8-week Army course with an energy deficit (1000 kcal/d) and loss of body mass (-12%). Subjects ate ad libitum after the course ended ("post"). Body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; strength from a simulated power clean, power from body mass and jump height, and metabolic hormones were measured in morning-fasted blood by radioimmunoassay. With the exception of transferrin and glycerol, all study parameters were significantly (p<.05) altered by the training course. At 5 weeks post fat-free mass along with all physical performance measures returned to initial levels; however, fat mass had significantly (p<.05) increased over initial levels. Also, with the exception of lactate, all measured hormones and markers were close to initial levels and within normal ranges. Reported complications during recovery included sleep irregularities, diarrhea, loss of motivation and feelings of fatigue. While the long range effect of this energy deprivation experience is uncertain, these data do suggest that severe weight loss does not result in lasting alterations of the contractile and metabolic properties of skeletal muscle in young, lean, healthy men.

Changes in plasma volume during hypohydration and rehydration in subjects from the tropics

Plasma volume (PV) at different levels of hypohydration was determined using radio-iodinated serum albumin-125 in 28 heat acclimated male volunteers in hot dry condition in a climatic chamber. The heat acclimated subjects were hypohydrated to varying degrees i.e. 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% body mass deficit by moderate work in hot conditions in a climatic chamber maintained at 45 degrees C dry bulb temperature and 30% relative humidity. A rehydration study was carried out in only those subjects who were hypohydrated to 3% and 4% body mass and they were brought back to a 2% level of hypohydration by giving a calculated amount of water. A significant decrease in PV was observed at 3% and 4% hypohydration only. The magnitude of the decrease was the same in both the groups and not related to the level of hypohydration. With partial rehydration in the 3% hypohydrated group PV was restored fully, while in the 4% hypohydrated group restoration was incomplete, indicating that at this hypohydration level some of the replenished water that entered in plasma may have moved to the intracellular compartment which may have contributed more at 4% hypohydration. It is suggested that with higher levels of thermal hypohydration significant reduction in the intracellular compartment may result in accentuated physiological strain during work in the heat.

Effects of mother's smoking on their infants' body composition as determined by total body potassium.

It has been suggested that the lower birth weight of newborn infants of mothers who smoke is due mainly to a deficit of lean body mass (LBM). We tested this hypothesis by measuring total body potassium, thus deriving the LBM and fat mass, of newborn infants of mothers who smoked (I-SM; n = 32) or did not smoke (I-NSM; n = 46). Mothers who smoked were significantly younger than nonsmoking ones (25.4 and 28.9 yr, respectively) and with less years of education, but were similar in other parameters examined. The 78 infants, all singleton, were studied within 1 to 3 days of birth. The I-SM had significantly reduced birth weight, length, and head circumference but there was no difference in skinfold thickness. We measured total body potassium with a whole-body counter specially made for use with infants. Mean absolute total body potassium was significantly greater in the I-NSM, but the concentration in relation to weight was not different. Assuming 1 kg LBM to contain 52.1 mmol potassium, the mean LBM was 3028 g in the I-NSM and 2739 in the I-SM; mean fat mass was similar in both groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed an independent negative effect of mother's smoking on birth weight and LBM. This unequal reduction in LBM indicates a complex effect of smoking, probably mediated by alterations in protein synthesis and adipocyte metabolism. It may relate to the higher morbidity rates in infants of mothers who smoke.

Altered body composition and muscle protein degradation in nutritionally growth-retarded children with cystic fibrosis

To investigate nutritional growth retardation and the adaptive response to malnutrition in cystic fibrosis (CF), body composition and muscle protein catabolism were studied in nine malnourished CF children and eight healthy controls by anthropometry, measurement of whole body potassium, urinary creatinine excretion, creatinine height index, and urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion, an index of myofibrillar protein catabolism. CF children had a significant deficit of body mass (p less than 0.001), derived from both the body fat and the fat-free compartments, including a deficit in muscle mass (p less than 0.005). A deficit of muscle mass in CF was also reflected by a lower creatinine height index (mean +/- 1 SEM = 0.66 +/- 0.04 in CF, versus 0.85 +/- 0.5 in controls, p less than 0.02). Urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion was elevated in CF children and the mean (+/- 1 SEM) rate of muscle protein catabolism was 0.82 +/- 0.06 versus 0.53 +/- 0.04 kg-1 24 h-1 in CF and controls, respectively (p less than 0.01). 3-Methylhistidine excretion rates did not correlate with severity of disease as assessed by clinical score. We conclude that nutritional growth retardation in CF is characterized by a protein energy deficit resembling that of protein-energy malnutrition, but that in contrast to the normal adaptive response to protein-energy malnutrition, muscle protein catabolism is markedly increased. These data may have important implications regarding the clinical course and prognosis of CF and the design of optimal therapy.