Obesity In Early Adulthood Research Articles

Prospective associations between peer teasing in childhood and young men’s obesity

Being teased and otherwise victimised by peers during childhood increases risk for obesity. However, few prospective studies have considered whether risk extends to adulthood. We tested whether being teased in childhood predicted higher body mass index (BMI) and increased odds of obesity in early adulthood in a community sample of American males. Boys (n=206) were classified as victims of peer teasing or non-victims (n=55 and 151, respectively) based on mother, father, and teacher reports at ages 10-12 years. BMI was assessed at ages 24 or 32 years for 203 of the participants. Family income, parent and child depressive symptoms, child antisocial behaviour, and childhood BMI were assessed at ages 10-13 years and served as control variables. In unadjusted comparisons, childhood victims did not differ significantly from non-victims on BMI (mean [SD]=27.49 [4.53] and 26.97 [4.60], respectively) or rates of obesity (42% and 31%, respectively) in early adulthood. In adjusted models, no group differences emerged for BMI (β [95% confidence interval (CI)]=.02 [-.09 to .13], p=.77) or obesity (odds ratio [95% CI]=1.58 [.67-3.71], p=.30). Peer victimization has been associated with immediate and long-term maladjustment outcomes that are in some cases life threatening. However, our null results do not support that peer victimization significantly increases long-term risk for obesity, and findings are consistent with two other long-term prospective studies of this issue.

Effects of physical condition and body composition on cancer risk in a nationwide cohort of 31,158 men from Finland.

1565 Background: Regular physical activity seems to protect men from colorectal cancer and possibly also from prostate cancer. In the case of other cancers the evidence is adding up, and physical activity seems to have a small protective effect to its incidence. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of physical condition (PC) in early adulthood on cancer incidence later in life. Methods: We collected data on general health, anthropometry and PC for 31,158 Finnish men born in 1958 from the time of their military service between the ages of 17 and 30 years. Using linkage with the Finnish Cancer Registry, all men were followed-up for cancer incidence up to 2014. Results: Overweight and obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2) were associated with an increased overall cancer risk [hazard ratio (HR): 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89-1.30] when compared to those with BMI < 25 kg/m2. Those with normal weight but bad PC had an increased risk of all cancers combined as compared to those with normal weight and good PC (HR 1.18, 95% CI: 1.01-1.38), which further increased in those who were also overweight (HR 1.30, 95% CI: 1.01-1.69). We noticed an increased overall cancer risk in men in who entered service with minor health problems (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.19-1.80), when compared to those that were completely healthy. This was especially observed for advanced prostate cancer (HR: 3.35, 95% CI: 1.14-9.90). Increased HRs, yet statistically insignificant, were also seen for colorectal and other obesity-related cancers. Conclusions: Good PC at young age seems to protect men from cancer later in life. Early adulthood obesity, when combined with bad PC, seems to further increase cancer risk.

Overweight and Obesity in Children under 5 Years: Surveillance Opportunities and Challenges for the WHO European Region.

Many children who have overweight or obesity before puberty can develop obesity in early adulthood, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The preschool years (ages 0-5) represents a point of opportunity for children to be active, develop healthy eating habits, and maintain healthy growth. Surveillance of childhood overweight and obesity in this age group can help inform future policies and interventions. To review and report available prevalence data in WHO European Region Member States and determine how many countries can accurately report on rates of overweight and obesity in children under 5 years. We conducted a rapid review of studies reporting on overweight and obesity prevalence in children ages 0-5 in the WHO European region member states from 1998 to 2015. Currently, 35 of the 53 member states have data providing prevalence rates for overweight and obesity for children under 5 years. There was little consistency in study methods, impacting comparability across countries. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children under 5 years ranges from 1 to 28.6% across member states. Although measuring overweight and obesity in this age group may be challenging, there is an opportunity to leverage existing surveillance resources in the WHO European Region.

Early obesity and risk of cholangiocarcinoma in the United States.

239 Background: In the United States, the incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has been increasing over the last few decades. Despite the public health problem of obesity and the increasing incidence of ICC, the relationship between early adulthood obesity and ICC has never been examined in the American population. Methods: At the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center we conducted a case-control study aimed at examining relationship between ICC and history of obesity after controlling for the potential confounding of several risk factors. Cases were patients with pathologically confirmed diagnosis of ICC. Controls were healthy subjects recruited from spouses of patients at MD Anderson who had cancers other than liver or gastrointestinal. Each case was frequency matched to 4 controls by age (± 5 years), sex, and race. Case patients and controls were interviewed for risk factors of liver cancer. A self-reported weight and body size pictogram at ages 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 was obtained from each participant. In 2016 we recruited 63 newly diagnosed patients with ICC who were compared to 252 healthy controls. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30.0. Results: There was a significant 3 fold increase in ICC risk for obese individuals compared to those with normal weight. The estimated odds ratio (OR), 95%; confidence interval (CI) was 3.3 (1.3-9.1); P = .02. Obesity at the mid-20s, mid-30s, and mid- 40s was significantly associated with ICC risk; the estimated OR (95% CI) was 7.3 (2.8-19.7), 7 (2.4-20.9), and 4.8 (2-11.4), respectively. In addition, viral hepatitis, heavy alcohol use ( > 40 ml ethanol/day), and family history of cancer were significantly associated with ICC. Underlying radiological, pathological, or clinical evidence of steatosis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis was significantly observed in 25% ICC patients with early obesity. Conclusions: We concluded that early adulthood obesity is a significant risk factor for ICC in USA where underlying fatty liver diseases can be a significant factor for ICC progression. Integration of obesity with other ICC risk factors into a risk model may lead to identify high-risk individuals. Future collaboration with other US institutions is highly warranted to highlight the mechanism of obesity-induced ICC.

Higher blood pressure and lower cardiac vagal activity in obese young individuals in supine and seated position

Obesity triggers alterations in hemodynamic and autonomic control. There are few studies that investigate the effects of overweight and obesity in early adulthood on hemodynamic and autonomic variables. The aim of this study was to determine whether overweight and obesity in young individuals cause alterations in hemodynamic parameters and heart rate variability (HRV) in supine and seated position, and to correlate these variables with anthropometric features. Measurements were performed in 40 young untrained male study participants. The subjects were eutrophic (22.8 ± 0.3 kg/m2, N = 19), overweight (27.0 ± 0.5 kg/m2, N = 10), and obese (33.5 ± 0.8 kg/m2, N = 11). After 5 min in supine and seated position, the R-R intervals and blood pressure (BP) were recorded. The systolic blood pressure were higher in overweight (supine, 122.9 ± 2.3 mmHg) and obese (supine, 123.9 ± 2.2; seated, 121.7 ± 2.3 mmHg) individuals compared to eutrophic individuals (supine, 111.8 ± 1.64; seated, 111.3 ± 1.8 mmHg) (p ⩽ 0.05). Obese subjects exhibited lower HRV (SD1, RMSSD, pNN50) compared to eutrophic individuals when seated. In obese subjects, the heart rate (HR) increased and HRV decreased (p ≤ 0.05) when seated versus supine position. The body mass, body mass index (BMI), and waist and abdominal circumferences correlated positively with BP (r = 0.40-0.64, p ≤ 0.05), while the BMI, waist circumference, BP, and HR were negatively correlated (r = -0.32 -0.62, p ≤ 0.05) with HRV (pNN50 and HF) in both body positions. BMI, waist circumference, BP and HR correlated negat- ively with additional HRV indices (SD1, SD2, RMSSD, TP, and LF) when seated. Obese and overweight individuals presented higher SBP, and obese individuals had lower HRV and cardiac vagal activity, associated with anthropometric variables. The monitoring of HRV in obese subjects in seated position allows improved prognosis of metabolic consequences to cardiac autonomic control.

25-year weight gain in a racially balanced sample of U.S. adults: The CARDIA study.

To examine 25-year trends in weight gain, partitioned by time-related and aging-related changes, during early and middle adulthood. Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA), a prospective, non-nationally representative cohort study conducted at four urban field centers that began in 1985 to 1986 with 5,109 Black (B) and White (W) men (M) and women (W) aged 18 to 30 years, has followed participants for 25 years (aged 43-55 years in 2010-2011). Time-related and aging-related components of weight change were estimated to construct longitudinal models of linear and nonlinear trends. There were nonlinear trends in time-related weight gain in W, with larger weight gains early that attenuated at subsequent exams. Time-related trends were linear in M. There were nonlinear trends in aging-related weight gain in BM, BW, and WM, with the greatest weight gains at younger ages. Aging-related trends were linear in WW. Participants with overweight or obesity in early adulthood had greater attenuation of aging-related weight gain during middle adulthood. These findings partially support recent surveys indicating slower increases in obesity prevalence in recent years. Findings further suggest that aging-related weight gain is greatest in the 20s and may begin attenuating as early as the mid-30s among some groups.

Relationship between body weight status in early adulthood and body weight change to middle age and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in middle aged Chinese people

To explore the relationship between early adulthood weight status and body weight changes from early adulthood to middle age and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level. Data were obtained from China Multicenter Collaborative Study of Cardiovascular Epidemiology Study, which was conducted in 1998, 15 participants population samples aged from 35-59 years old from 12 provinces were selected by random cluster sampling. Approximately 1 000 men and women in each sample population were surveyed for cardiovascular disease risk factors, body weight at age 25 from all participants were also obtained. Body mass index (BMI) at the age of 25 years was calculated with the weight at 25 years and the height measured during the survey, participants were divided into underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m(2), n=1 331), normal-weight (18.5 kg/m(2)≤BMI <24 kg/m(2), n=10 400), overweight (24 kg/m(2)≤BMI<28 kg/m(2), n=2 019) and obesity (BMI≥28 kg/m(2), n=133) groups. Weight change was defined as the difference between the body weight at the age of 25 and at the survey and was grouped into<-7.5 kg (n=903), -7.5--2.6 kg (n=1 883), -2.5-2.5 kg (n=2 573), 2.6-7.5 kg (n=2 786), 7.6-12.5 kg (n=2 674) and>12.5 kg (n=3 064). The association of body weight status in early adulthood and body weight change from early adulthood to middle age with HDL-C level was examined by logistic regression model. The prevalence of low HDL-C in underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity groups at age of 25 years were 10.7%(143/1 331), 15.5%(1 612/10 400), 16.3%(330/2 019) and 24.8%(33/133), respectively(P for trend <0.01). The prevalence of low HDL-C for adult weight change were 8.8%(79/903), 8.0%(151/1 883), 10.5%(269/2 573), 13.4%(373/2 786), 19.1%(511/2 674), and 24.0%(735/3 064)(P for trend <0.01)for weight change of <-7.5 kg, -7.5--2.6 kg, -2.5-2.5 kg, 2.6-7.5 kg, 7.6-12.5 kg and>12.5 kg, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression showed that overweight and obesity at age of 25 years and subsequent weight gain till middle age were positively correlated with low HDL-C after adjusted other risk factors(all P for trend <0.01). Overweight and obesity in early adulthood and significant adult weight gain from early adulthood to middle age were both independently associated with marked increases in the risk of low HDL-C in middle-aged Chinese men and women. Thus, body weight control at early adulthood could be a key strategy to reduce the incidence of low HDL-C at middle-aged population.

Relations of body weight status in early adulthood and weight changes until middle age with hypertension in the Chinese population.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult participants from the China Multicenter Collaborative Study of Cardiovascular Epidemiology to explore the relationship between early adulthood weight status, body weight change from age 25 to middle age and hypertension in the Chinese population. Self-reported weight was used to calculate the body mass index (BMI) at age 25. The association between BMI at age 25, subsequent weight change and hypertension was examined using a logistic regression model. Of the 14 635 study participants sampled in 1998, 3525 were diagnosed with hypertension. After adjusting for age, sex and other potential confounding factors, both the BMI at age 25 and weight gain were positively associated with the risk of hypertension (P for trend <0.001). Weight loss could more effectively reduce the risk of hypertension for participants with a higher BMI (BMI⩾24 kg m-2) at age 25 than for those who experienced a weight change of -2.5-2.5 kg. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for a weight change of -7.5 to -2.6 kg were 0.63 (0.46-0.86); for a weight change of <-7.5 kg, these statistics were 0.45 (0.32-0.63). For participants who had a lower BMI (18.5-20.9 kg m-2) at age 25, the OR and 95% CI were 0.86 (0.58-1.26) for a weight change of -7.5 to -2.6 kg and 0.95 (0.44-2.05) for a weight change of <-7.5 kg. Being overweight and obesity in early adulthood and adult weight gain were both independently associated with marked increase in the risk of hypertension in middle-aged men and women. Weight loss may be a protective factor against hypertension for people who were overweight or obese in early adulthood.

Obesity and Multiple Sclerosis: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

BackgroundObservational studies have reported an association between obesity, as measured by elevated body mass index (BMI), in early adulthood and risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, bias potentially introduced by confounding and reverse causation may have influenced these findings. Therefore, we elected to perform Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to evaluate whether genetically increased BMI is associated with an increased risk of MS.Methods and FindingsEmploying a two-sample MR approach, we used summary statistics from the Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits (GIANT) consortium and the International MS Genetics Consortium (IMSGC), the largest genome-wide association studies for BMI and MS, respectively (GIANT: n = 322,105; IMSGC: n = 14,498 cases and 24,091 controls). Seventy single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genome-wide significant (p < 5 x 10−8) for BMI in GIANT (n = 322,105) and were investigated for their association with MS risk in the IMSGC. The effect of each SNP on MS was weighted by its effect on BMI, and estimates were pooled to provide a summary measure for the effect of increased BMI upon risk of MS. Our results suggest that increased BMI influences MS susceptibility, where a 1 standard deviation increase in genetically determined BMI (kg/m2) increased odds of MS by 41% (odds ratio [OR]: 1.41, 95% CI 1.20–1.66, p = 2.7 x 10−5, I2 = 0%, 95% CI 0–29). Sensitivity analyses, including MR-Egger regression, and the weighted median approach provided no evidence of pleiotropic effects. The main study limitations are that, while these sensitivity analyses reduce the possibility that pleiotropy influenced our results, residual pleiotropy is difficult to exclude entirely.ConclusionGenetically elevated BMI is associated with risk of MS, providing evidence for a causal role for obesity in MS etiology. While obesity has been associated with many late-life outcomes, these findings suggest an important consequence of childhood and/or early adulthood obesity.

Obesity in early adulthood predicts knee pain and walking difficulties among men: A life course study.

Few studies have addressed the role of obesity in young adulthood in knee problems later in life. We assessed the associations of overweight/obesity with knee pain and functional limitations of the knee across the life course. Military health records from 1967 to 2000 (baseline) were searched for 18- to 50-year-old Finnish men (n=1913) who participated in the Health 2000 Study (follow-up). Visits to health care were followed during service. Height and weight were measured at baseline and follow-up and waist circumference at follow-up. Weight was inquired at follow-up for ages of 20, 30, 40 and 50years, if applicable. Life course body mass index (BMI) was calculated. One-month knee pain and functional limitations (walking difficulties and limping) due to knee problems were enquired with interview at follow-up. Cox regression model, logistic regression and trajectory analysis were applied. Body mass index at the age of 20 increased the risk of unilateral knee pain by 38% and functional limitations by 27% for one standard deviation increment of BMI, respectively. One-unit increment of Z-score of life course BMI increased knee pain by 32%. Development of severe obesity during the follow-up increased the risk of knee pain by 80% and functional limitations by 93%. The effect of obesity on functional limitations was partly mediated by traumatic knee problems during military service. Reducing overweight already in adolescence and avoiding further weight gain during life course may prevent knee pain and associated disability. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD?: BMI at the age of 20 increases the likelihood of knee pain and functional limitations of the knee later in life. Development of severe obesity in adulthood increases the risk of knee pain by 80% and functional limitations by more than 90%. Both general and abdominal obesity are associated with knee pain, associations being stronger for general obesity.

Relationship between body weight status in early adulthood and body weight change at middle age in adults and type 2 diabetes mellitus

To explore the relationship between weight status in early adulthood and body weight change at middle age in adults and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The data of 14 population samples from China Multicenter Collaborative Study of Cardiovascular Epidemiology conducted in 1998 were used. Approximately 1 000 men and women in each sample were surveyed for cardiovascular disease risk factors, including body weight at age 25 years. The body mass index (BMI) at the age 25 years was calculated. The association between body weight in early adulthood and body weight change at middle age and T2DM was examined by using logistic regression model. The incidence of T2DM in low weight group (BMI<18.5 kg/m(2)), normal weight group (BMI: 18.5-23.9 kg/m(2)), overweight group (BMI: 24.0-27.9 kg/m(2)) and obese group (BMI:≥28.0 kg/m(2)) at 25 years old were 2.4%(30/1263), 2.8%(266/9562), 4.0%(70/1739) and 6.4% (7/110), respectively (P value for trend<0.01). The incidence of T2DM for adults with weight change <-7.5 kg, -7.5--2.6 kg, -2.5-2.5 kg, 2.6-7.5 kg, 7.6-12.5 kg and >12.5 kg at middle age were 2.5% (18/712), 1.3%(21/1629), 2.1%(48/2330), 2.3%(59/2585), 3.7%(94/2518), and 4.6% (133/2900) respectively. (P value for trend <0.01), Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that overweight and obesity at age 25 years and subsequent weight gain were positively correlated with T2DM after adjusted other risk factors (all P values for trend <0.01). Overweight and obesity in early adulthood and weight gain at middle age were both independently associated with the increased risk of T2DM in middle-aged men and women.

Obesity and excess weight in early adulthood and high risks of arsenic-related cancer in later life

BackgroundElevated body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases. Inflammation or oxidative stress induced by high BMI may explain some of these effects. Millions of people drink arsenic-contaminated water worldwide, and ingested arsenic has also been associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer. ObjectivesTo assess the unique situation of people living in northern Chile exposed to high arsenic concentrations in drinking water and investigate interactions between arsenic and BMI, and associations with lung and bladder cancer risks. MethodsInformation on self-reported body mass index (BMI) at various life stages, smoking, diet, and lifetime arsenic exposure was collected from 532 cancer cases and 634 population-based controls. ResultsIn subjects with BMIs <90th percentile in early adulthood (27.7 and 28.6kg/m2 in males and females, respectively), odds ratios (OR) for lung and bladder cancer combined for arsenic concentrations of <100, 100–800 and >800µg/L were 1.00, 1.64 (95% CI, 1.19–2.27), and 3.12 (2.30–4.22). In subjects with BMIs ≥90th percentile in early adulthood, the corresponding ORs were higher: 1.00, 1.84 (0.75–4.52), and 9.37 (2.88–30.53), respectively (synergy index=4.05, 95% CI, 1.27–12.88). Arsenic-related cancer ORs >20 were seen in those with elevated BMIs in both early adulthood and in later life. Adjustments for smoking, diet, and other factors had little impact. ConclusionThese findings provide novel preliminary evidence supporting the notion that environmentally-related cancer risks may be markedly increased in people with elevated BMIs, especially in those with an elevated BMI in early-life.

Airway Obstruction Worsens in Young Adults with Asthma Who Become Obese

Few studies have examined how developing obesity in early adulthood affects the course of asthma. We analyzed lung function and asthma impairment and risk among nonobese children with asthma, comparing those who were obese in young adulthood with those who remained nonobese. We carried out the post hoc analysis of 771 subjects with mild to moderate asthma who were not obese (pediatric definition, body mass index [BMI] < 95th percentile) when enrolled in the Childhood Asthma Management Program at ages 5-12 years. The subjects were then followed to age 20 years or more. For visits at ages 20 years or more, spirometry values as percent predicted and recent asthma symptom scores and prednisone exposure were compared between 579 subjects who were nonobese at all visits and 151 who were obese (adult definition of BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) on at least 1 visit (median number of visits when obese = 4, IQR 2-7). Compared with participants who were nonobese (BMI 23.4 ± 2.6 kg/m(2)), those who became obese (BMI 31.5 ± 3.8 kg/m(2)) had significant decreases in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) (P < .0003) and FEV1 (P = .001), without differences in FVC (P = .15) during visits at ages 20 years or more. For each unit increase of BMI, FEV1 percent predicted decreased by 0.29 (P = .0009). The relationship between BMI and lung function was not confounded by sex or BMI at baseline. Asthma impairment (symptom scores) and risk (prednisone use) did not differ between the 2 groups. Becoming obese in early adulthood was associated with increased airway obstruction, without impact on asthma impairment or risk.

INFLUENCE OF REPRODUCTIVE FACTORS, BREASTFEEDING AND OBESITY ON THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER IN MEXICAN WOMEN

Breast cancer (BC) is considered a global public health problem, and is the most frequently type diagnosed in Mexican women. Therefore, it is important to study the risk factors associated to this neoplasia in order to establish prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hormonal contraceptives and hormone therapy (HT) use and period of use, breastfeeding practice, abdominal obesity and weight gain in adulthood, on the risk of BC in adult women from Northwest Mexico. This was a case-control study that included 162 women (81 cases and 81 controls). A sociodemographic and health questionnaire, and a survey history of body weight were applied to participants. Measurements of body weight, height and waist circumference were performed. To assess the association between BC risk and exposing factors, a multivariate logistic regression model was used. Average age of cases and controls were 51.8 ± 11.7 and 51.4 ± 11.3 years, respectively. No significant association was found between the use and period of use of hormonal contraceptives and HT with the risk of BC. The practice of breastfeeding (OR=0.34, 95%CI: 0.12- 0.92) and the time of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.42-0.97; crude) were protective against the risk of BC. Abdominal obesity (OR=0.93, 95%CI: 0.90-0.97) and weight gain in early adulthood (OR=0.90, 95%CI: 0.85-0.95) were inversely associated to the risk of BC. In conclusion, the practice of breastfeeding may help prevent BC in Mexican women.

Obesity Early in Adulthood Increases Risk but Does Not Affect Outcomes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Despite the significant association between obesity and several cancers, it has been difficult to establish an association between obesity and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with HCC often have ascites, making it a challenge to determine body mass index (BMI) accurately, and many factors contribute to the development of HCC. We performed a case-control study to investigate whether obesity early in adulthood affects risk, age of onset, or outcomes of patients with HCC. We interviewed 622 patients newly diagnosed with HCC from January 2004 through December 2013, along with 660 healthy controls (frequency-matched by age and sex) to determine weights, heights, and body sizes (self-reported) at various ages before HCC development or enrollment as controls. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the independent effects of early obesity on risk for HCC and patient outcomes, respectively. BMI was calculated, and patients with a BMI of 30 kg/m(2) or greater were considered obese. Obesity in early adulthood (age, mid-20s to mid-40s) is a significant risk factor for HCC. The estimated odds ratios were 2.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-4.4), 2.3 (95% CI, 1.2-4.4), and 3.6 (95% CI, 1.5-8.9) for the entire population, for men, and for women, respectively. Each unit increase in BMI at early adulthood was associated with a 3.89-month decrease in age at HCC diagnosis (P < .001). Moreover, there was a synergistic interaction between obesity and hepatitis virus infection. However, we found no effect of obesity on the overall survival of patients with HCC. Early adulthood obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing HCC at a young age in the absence of major HCC risk factors, with no effect on outcomes of patients with HCC.

Gender and Age - Dependent effect of type 1 diabetes on obesity and altered body composition in young adults.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of age and gender on the prevalence of overweight and obesity, body composition and fatty tissue distribution in young adults with type 1 diabetes. 197 patients with type 1 diabetes aged 20-40 years participated in the study. The control group consisted of 138 healthy adults. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured. Analysis of body mass composition was performed using the bioimpedance. Study groups were stratified into cohorts aged <30 and 30+ years. Overweight and obesity were diagnosed in 35.5% and 13.2% of diabetic patients and in 26.1% and 7.3% of the control group, respectively (p=0.016). In the whole study group, advanced age (OR=1.10; p<0.001) and diabetes mellitus (OR=2.25; p=0.001) predisposed patients to excess body weight. Women had a lower prevalence of overweight and obesity, but a trend toward excessive body mass was observed in diabetic females (OR=1.18; p=0.181). Diabetic females more often had abdominal obesity than control females (mean difference - 19.2%; p=0.020). Higher total body fat mass was found in the diabetic group (p=0.037). Diabetic females had a higher amount of absolute (p<0.001) and relative body fat mass (p=0.002), fat free mass (p=0.007), relative arm (p=0.007), leg (0<0.001) and trunk (p-=0.006) fat mass than control females. Diabetic males showed only higher relative fat mass of the lower limbs compared to control males (p=0.018). Patients with type 1 diabetes develop overweight and obesity in early adulthood more frequently than the general population and are characterized by higher body fat mass. Gender-related differences in body weight and composition in young type 1 diabetic adults were found.

Body composition and behaviour in adult rats are influenced by maternal diet, maternal age and high-fat feeding.

Fetal exposure to maternal undernutrition has lifelong consequences for physiological and metabolic function. Maternal low-protein diet is associated with an age-related phenotype in rats, characterised by a period of resistance to development of obesity in early adulthood, giving way to an obesity-prone, insulin-resistant state in later adulthood. Offspring of rats fed a control (18 % casein) or low-protein (9 % casein; LP) diet in pregnancy were challenged with a high-fat diet at 9 months of age. To assess whether other maternal factors modulated the programming effects of nutrition, offspring were studied from young (2-4 months old) and older (6-9 months old) mothers. Weight gain with a high-fat diet was attenuated in male offspring of older mothers fed LP (interaction of maternal age and diet; P=0·011) and adipose tissue deposition was lower with LP feeding in both males and females (P<0·05). Although the resistance to weight gain and adiposity was partially explained by lower energy intake in offspring of LP mothers (P<0·001 males only), it was apparent that energy expenditure must be influenced by maternal diet and age. Assessment of locomotor activity indicated that energy expenditure associated with physical activity was unlikely to explain resistance to weight gain, but showed that offspring of older mothers were more anxious than those of younger mothers, with more rearing observed in a novel environment and on the elevated plus-maze. The data showed that in addition to maternal undernutrition, greater maternal age may influence development and long-term body composition in the rat.

Life cycle development of obesity and its determinants in six European countries

This paper empirically examines the effect of parents’ and individuals’ own socioeconomic status on overweight and obesity, and investigates how this effect changes over the life cycle. The impact of individuals’ health behaviours on their obesity status later in life is also studied.We use data from Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, the Netherlands and the U.K. in which 4595 individuals aged 50–65 are surveyed and where individuals’ height and weight at different ages (25, 35, 45 and current age) are available. We perform “repeated cross-sections” analyses as well as dynamic probit analyses of the individuals’ obesity histories. We contribute to the literature by examining the role of a variety of obesity determinants over the whole life cycle, not only over a certain portion of individuals’ lives.Key findings are: (i) parents’ socioeconomic status predicts obesity in early adulthood whereas the individual's own socioeconomic status as adult is more important in explaining obesity at later stages of the life cycle, (ii) changes in obesity status are associated with changes in health behaviours, (iii) obesity in late adulthood is strongly and positively correlated with overweight and obesity in younger ages, and (iv) cross-country differences in obesity and overweight largely remain after controlling for parental and childhood factors and individuals’ health behaviours.

Obesity and epithelial ovarian cancer survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundStudies on the association between obesity and ovarian cancer survival have had conflicting results. We reviewed and quantitatively summarized the existing evidence, exploring potentially important sources of variability, such as the timing of body mass index (BMI) assessment, BMI cut points, references used in multivariate analysis, and ovarian cancer stage.MethodsEligible studies were searched using MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, relevant bibliographies were manually reviewed for additional studies. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) from individual studies were pooled using a random effects model.Results17 cohort studies of 929 screened articles were included in the final analysis. Obesity in early adulthood and obesity 5 years before ovarian cancer diagnosis were associated with poor patient survival (early adulthood: pooled HR 1.67; 95% CI 1.29-2.16; 5 years prediagnosis: pooled HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.03-1.76). However, the results for obesity at diagnosis depended on whether BMI was analyzed as a categorical or continuous variable. Analysis of obesity with BMI as a categorical variable did not affect ovarian cancer prognosis (pooled HR 1.07; 95% CI 0.95-1.21); obesity with BMI as a continuous variable showed slightly poorer survival with each incremental increase in BMI (pooled HR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01-1.04).ConclusionsObesity 5 years before ovarian cancer diagnosis and obesity at a young age were associated with poor prognosis. The association between obesity at diagnosis and survival of ovarian cancer patients still remains equivocal. BMI at diagnosis cannot be a prognostic factor for the survival of ovarian cancer patients. Further well-designed studies are needed to elucidate the variety effect of obesity on the survival of ovarian cancer patients.

Maternal tobacco smoke increased visceral adiposity and serum corticosterone levels in adult male rat offspring.

Maternal tobacco smoke (MTS) predisposes human and rat offspring to visceral obesity in early adulthood. Glucocorticoid excess also causes visceral obesity. We hypothesized that in utero MTS would increase visceral adiposity and alter the glucocorticoid pathway in young adult rats. We developed a novel model of in utero MTS exposure in pregnant rats by exposing them to cigarette smoke from E11.5 to term. Neonatal rats were cross-fostered to control dams and weaned to standard rat chow through young adulthood (postnatal day 60). We demonstrated increased visceral adiposity (193%)*, increased visceral adipose 11-β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 mRNA (204%)*, increased serum corticosterone (147%)*, and no change in glucocorticoid receptor protein in adult male MTS rat offspring. Female rats exposed to MTS in utero demonstrated no change in visceral or subcutaneous adiposity, decreased serum corticosterone (60%)*, and decreased adipose glucocorticoid receptor protein (66%)*. *P < 0.05. We conclude that in utero MTS exposure increased visceral adiposity and altered in the glucocorticoid pathway in a sex-specific manner. We speculate that in utero MTS exposure programs adipose dysfunction in adult male rat offspring via alteration in the glucocorticoid pathway.