Factors Affecting Body Weight Research Articles

Genetic and nongenetic factors affecting body weight in Nili Ravi buffaloes

Live body weight of Nili Ravi buffaloes was studied to investigate the effect of certain environmental sources of variation such as herd, lactation number, lactation stage, season of recording and age of buffaloe at the time of recording alongwith appraisal of genetic parameters of body weight including heritabilities, genetic correlation and phenotypic correlation of body weight with mik yield. Five milking herds belonging to Nili Ravi buffaloe breed in Punjab were utilized in this study. Data recorded during 2010 to 2012 included 839 observations. Estimation of genetic parameters were carried out by Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) procedure through ASREML set of coputer program. Least square mean for body weight was found as 523.13±81.63 with a coefficient of variation of 15.60%. Herd, stage of lactation, lactation number, recording season and buffalo’s age at the time of recording significantly affected live body weight. Univariate analysis of body weight indicated that heritability estimate for body weight was 0.33±0.07. Phenotypic correlations of body weight with milk yield in 305 days and milk yield on day of recording were found as 0.071±0.034 and 0.090±0.053 while genetic correlations were found as 0.16±0.00 and 0.20±0.00, respectively. High heritability and positive genetic correlation of body weight with milk yield suggested that body weight should be included in selection program for improved milk yield in Nili Ravi buffaloes.

Indirect Calorimetry to Assess Energy Balance in Mice: Measurement and Data Analysis.

Understanding the factors affecting body weight regulation requires careful measurement of food intake and metabolic rates. Modern indirect calorimetry systems are designed to record these features. Here, we describe our approach for reproducible analysis of energy balance experiments performed using indirect calorimetry. CalR, a free online web tool, calculates both instantaneous and cumulative totals for metabolic variables including food intake, energy expenditure, and energy balance making it an excellent start for analyzing energy balance experiments. Energy balance may be one of the most important metrics that CalR calculates as it provides a clear picture of metabolic trends resulting from experimental interventions. Because of the complexity of indirect calorimetry devices and the frequency of mechanical breakdowns, we place a heavy emphasis on the importance of data refinement and visualization. Plots representing energy intake or energy expenditure versus body mass or physical activity can help to identify a malfunctioning apparatus. We also introduce a critical visualization of experimental quality control: a plot of the change in energy balance versus the change in body mass, which simultaneously represents many of the essential components of indirect calorimetry. These analyses and data visualizations allow the investigator to make inferences about experimental quality control and the validity of experimental results.

Comparison of nonlinear growth models and factors affecting body weight at different ages in Toy Poodles

Limited information is available to evaluate optimal growth in Toy Poodles. This work aimed at comparing three growth curves, proposing centile charts and developing a model to estimate the adult body weight (BW) in Toy Poodles. A total of 65 puppies (male = 30, female = 35) born in the same breeding centre were used. BW at birth and, weekly BW, for 53 weeks, BW of parents, litter size, type of management, daily activity and neutering were recorded. Forty-six puppies were sold, and their data were reported by the new owners. Three growth curves (i.e. Hawthorne, Brody and Gompertz) were constructed and compared; Linear Mixed Models including demographic characteristics and management habits were built. The BW at birth was 154 ± 35 g and adult BW was 3208 ± 860 g. Based on the goodness-of-fit and accuracy indices, Gompertz was the best growth model and was selected to plot centile curves based on sex. Toy Poodles achieved 50% of their adult weight at 11–12 weeks, with an overall growth rate of 11.8%. Adult BW was affected by birth BW (p < .01), sex (p < .05) and mother’s BW (p < .01) and their effects varied depending on the age. Extrinsic factors, including litter size, type of management and daily activity were less significant, probably due to the standardised and high-level management of these Toy Poodles. These new and applicable tools for monitoring the growth and predicting adult BW could be useful for veterinarians, breeders and owners for early diagnosis of poor health and welfare. Subject classification codes: companion animals sections Highlights Performance of three logistic models for describing the growth curve in Italian Toy Poodles were compared Based on the goodness of fit and accuracy indices, Gompertz was the best growth model The centile growth curves were constructed for males and females using the Gompertz Adult body weight (BW) was mainly affected by the sex and birth BW, and less by BW of the parents and litter size Monitoring BW of puppies may be useful to enhance their health and welfare

Growth of beef cattle as prediction for meat production: A review

Growth of beef cattle as prediction for meat production: A review

Association of oral health with body weight: a prospective study in community-dwelling older adults.

To prevent involuntary weight loss in older people, the knowledge about factors affecting body weight (BW) is essential. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the longitudinal associations of multiple oral health aspects with BW in community-dwelling older adults. This analysis is based on prospective data with a 10-year follow-up of 657 Dutch community-dwelling older adults (age 66.4 ± 5.8 years, 54% female) from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Participants' characteristics, BW, and 12 oral health variables (teeth, dentures, nine oral problems, self-rated oral health) were assessed in 2005/07 and 2015/16. The association between oral health and BW was analyzed by mixed models and adjusted for demographic, socio-economic, smoking, health, and functional aspects considering data of both assessments. Mean BW was 79.1 ± 13.3 kg at baseline (B) and 77.6 ± 13.8 kg at follow-up (FU). At baseline, 29.6% of the participants reported being edentulous (FU:34.4%) and 55.8% to wear dentures (FU:62.3%). Dental pain while chewing was the oral problem with the lowest (B:5.2%, FU:6.6%) and xerostomia with the highest prevalence at both examinations (B:24.3%, FU:30.0%). Most participants rated their oral status as healthy (B:65.2%, FU:66.9%). Neither edentulism and denture use nor oral problems showed a longitudinal association with BW. In contrast, self-rated oral health was associated with BW (b = 0.724, SE = 0.296, p = 0.015) after adjusting for multiple confounders. In community-dwelling older adults self-rated oral health may indicate changes in body weight in the long term. Therefore, this simple measure could serve to identify a risk for weight loss and to initiate oral interventions in clinical practice.

Factors Affecting Body Image Discordance Amongst Korean Adults Aged 19-39 Years.

ObjectivesThis study was designed to investigate factors affecting the discordance between body image and body mass index amongst Korean adults aged 19–39 years.MethodsData (N = 59,361) from the 2014 Korean Community Health Survey was analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis.ResultsTo examine the factors affecting body image discordance as observed in 43.1% of participants, the group was subdivided into underestimation and overestimation. There were 36.0% of participants that were body image discordant underestimators and 7.1% were overestimators. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the underestimators tended to be men, graduated from high school, married, current/ex-smokers, ex-drinkers, had between 5 to 9 hours sleep (inclusive), had fair to good self-rated health, and demonstrated healthy weight control behavior, relative to the reference group. In comparison, overestimators tended to be in the 19–29 year group and had signs of depression. The OR of individuals who were men, married, and had healthy weight control behavior was significantly lower in the overestimators group.ConclusionThese findings show that tailored interventions to promote accurate body awareness should be based on the type of body image discordance. In addition, it is necessary to develop and implement a program of body image improvement that considers the factors affecting body weight discordance.

Comparison of Body Mass Index with Type 1 Diabetes in 15-30 Years Onset Age among the Chronological Periods of Onset and Investigation of the Clinical Factors Affecting Body Weight Change

Comparison of Body Mass Index with Type 1 Diabetes in 15-30 Years Onset Age among the Chronological Periods of Onset and Investigation of the Clinical Factors Affecting Body Weight Change

Growth modeling and factors affecting growth traits in Madras red Sheep

Sheep rearing is an important livelihood for a large number of small and marginal farmers in India. Growth is a trait of interest in domestic animals. Information about growth model parameters is very useful for selection studies. In this paper, the growth of Madras Red sheep, a native breed of Tamil Nadu state in India, is studied through nonlinear growth models using data on average monthly body weight measurements of 1424 sheep from birth to 2 years of age born during 1996 to 2010. Sex of lamb, dam weight at lambing and year of birth were the significant non-genetic factors affecting body weight at birth, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th month. The birth weight and 9th month weight showed significant difference between the seasons. Average daily weight gain showed significant difference between sex of lamb, season of birth and year of birth while it showed significant difference between dam weight at lambing only for the period 3-6 months. Brody’s growth model described the average monthly growth remarkably well in males and females suggesting its usefulness in growth monitoring of Madras Red sheep.

Correlation of growth-related traits and their effects on body weight of the mud crab (Scylla paramamosain)

In this study, we analyzed the correlation of 20 growth-related traits and their effects on body weight of Scylla paramamosain. The correlation coefficients in all trait pairs were significantly high, ranging from 0.551 to 0.999. Among 19 X-Y pairs, the correlation coefficient between traits X1 and Y was the highest, whereas that between X13 and Y was the lowest. Path analysis indicated that only two traits (X1 and X14) can significantly affect body weight (Y) directly, with the path coefficients being 0.800 and 0.198, respectively. The determination coefficients (di) of traits X1 and X14 to body weight were 0.640 and 0.039, respectively, and the total di was 0.965, indicating that both traits were the key factors affecting body weight. Moreover, traits X1 and X14 were confirmed to be significantly related to body weight. Finally, a best-fit linear regression equation was constructed as Y = 4.192X1 + 2.242X14 - 169.737.

Factors affecting body weight loss during commercial long haul transport of cattle in North America1

The objective of the present study was to identify and quantify several factors affecting shrink in cattle during commercial long-haul transport (≥400 km; n = 6,152 journeys). Surveys were designed and delivered to transport carriers to collect relevant information regarding the characteristics of animals, time of loading, origin and destination, and loaded weight before and after transport. In contrast to fat cattle, feeder cattle exhibited greater shrink (4.9 vs. 7.9 ± 0.2% of BW, respectively; P < 0.01), and experienced longer total transport durations (12.4 vs. 14.9 ± 0.99, respectively; P < 0.01) due to border crossing protocols which require mandatory animal inspection. Shrink was greater (P < 0.001) for feeder cattle loaded at ranches/farms and feed yards compared with those loaded at auction markets. Cattle loaded during the afternoon and evening shrank more than those loaded during the night and morning (P < 0.05). Shrinkage was less in cattle transported by truck drivers having 6 or more years of experience hauling livestock compared with those with 5 yr or less (P < 0.05). Shrink increased with both midpoint ambient temperature (% of BW/°C; P < 0.001) and time on truck (% of BW/h; P < 0.001). Temperature and time on truck had a multiplicative effect on each other because shrink increased most rapidly in cattle transported for both longer durations and at higher ambient temperatures (P < 0.001). The rate of shrink over time (% of BW/h) was greatest in cull cattle, intermediate in calves and feeder cattle, and slowest in fat cattle (P < 0.05) but such differences disappeared when the effects of place of origin, loading time, and experience of truck drivers were included in the model. Cull cattle, calves and feeder cattle appear to be more affected by transport compared with fat cattle going to slaughter because of greater shrink. Several factors should be considered when developing guidelines to reduce cattle transport stress and shrink including type of cattle, ambient temperature, transport duration, driving quality, and time and origin of loading.

Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting body weight in Tellicherry goats

Data on 566 Tellicherry goats, recorded between 1988 and 2007 were used to study the effect of non-genetic factors on body weight and daily gain from birth to 12 months of age. The least-squares means for body weight at birth and at 12 months of age were 2.17 ± 0.03 and 18.78 ± 0.44 kg, respectively. The pre- and post-weaning average daily weight gains were 72.41 ± 1.68 and 37.46 ± 1.49 g, respectively, and the associated growth efficiencies were 3.11 ± 0.08 and 1.34 ± 0.05, respectively. Significant differences associated with the year of kidding were observed in body weight, weight gain and efficiency in weight gain at different stages of growth. Growth rate of kids born between December and February was relatively slower than those born in other months and this can result from seasonal changes and suggests that it is necessary to plan the kidding season rationally by controlling the oestrus and mating time. The kids born as twin had lower birth weight and slower early growth rate than those born as single but had a higher post-weaning growth rate. The heritabilities of different traits were moderate to high, except for birth weight, which was of low heritability. The phenotypic and genetic correlations among the different body weights were positive and low to high in magnitude.

Investigation into the nutritional status, dietary intake and smoking habits of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Weight loss and reduced fat-free mass are prevalent amongst patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the causes of this weight loss are not clear. The aims of this study are to investigate the factors affecting body weight and dietary intake in a group of outpatients with COPD, and to investigate any differences between adequately nourished and malnourished patients. In 103 stable outpatients, nutritional status was assessed using Body Mass Index (BMI) and upper arm anthropometry. Lung function, smoking status, exercise tolerance, dietary intake, dietary problems and health-related quality of life were assessed. Patients were classed as either adequately nourished or malnourished. Twenty-three per cent of subjects were classed as malnourished. The malnourished subjects had lower lung function measurements, suffered more dietary problems and had lower nutritional intake compared with the adequately nourished subjects. They also had poorer fatigue scores. In linear regression analysis, the factors that had the most effect on BMI were a low transfer factor, presence of early satiety, and being a current smoker. Important differences were found between adequately nourished and malnourished subjects. These differences move us closer to understanding how best to screen and treat this group of patients.

Combating obesity: challenges and choices.

Combating obesity: challenges and choices.

Factors Affecting Body Weight of Aardi Goat Kids in Saudi Arabia

Al-Shaikh, M.A. and Mogawer, H.H. 2001. Factors affecting body weight of Aardi goat kids in Saudi Arabia. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 233–238. To study the effects of dam weight, litter size and kid sex on birth weight and weight gain from birth to weaning, 31 male and 3G female Aardi goat, kids, from 40 dams were reared under identical conditions. Weight gains at 3, 6 and 10 weeks of age were higher in kids born to heavy than to medium or light weight dams and there was a strong correlation between dam's weight and weight gain in respective kids (r=0.41). Litter size significantly affected birth weights, but neither weight nor average daily weight gain were affected during subsequent intervals. Male kids consistently had higher body weights and daily weight gain than female ones. Correlation coefficient between birth weight and weaning weight was 0.41, which could be used as an indicator to heavy weaning weight.

Postoperative pancreatic exocrine function influences body weight maintenance after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy

Background: Most patients who undergo pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) are able to gain their weight postoperatively. However, sometimes patients experience a lack of weight gain even at long term after PPPD. The aim of this study was to examine factors influencing a body weight change after PPPD. Methods: In 34 Japanese patients with PPPD, 28 clinical parameters were assessed as possible factors affecting body weight maintenance at long term (1 year) after the operation by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Univariate analysis showed that long operation time ( P = 0.02), extended retroperitoneal lymph node dissection ( P = 0.0005), intraoperative radiotherapy ( P = 0.02), adjuvant postoperative chemotherapy ( P = 0.02), histopathological diagnosis of pancreatic cancer ( P = 0.02), postoperative ulceration ( P = 0.007), and insufficient postoperative pancreatic exocrine function ( P = 0.002) were significantly related with the lack of weight gain at long term after PPPD. Multivariate analysis regarding the seven profound factors revealed that the insufficient postoperative pancreatic exocrine function significantly affected the lack of weight gain after PPPD. The use of ordinary amount of pancreatic exocrine enzymes did not influence the weight gain after PPPD ( P = 0.23). Conclusions: In patients refractory to an ordinary amount of medicine, a large dosage of enzymes may be necessary to gain weight after PPPD.

Factors Affecting Body Weight, Scrotal Circumference Hip Height and their Relationships with Birth Weighl Preweaning and Postweaning Gains in Young Bulls

Morsy, N.H.A., Hassan, H.A., Makarechian, M. and El-Feel, F.M.R. 1998. Factors affecting body weight, scrotal circumference, hip height and their relationships with birth weight, preweaning and postweaning gains in young bulls. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 13: 81–92. Records of 125 bulls from two synthetic breed groups; Beef Synthetic (SYX, n = 64) and Dairy Synthetic (DSX, n = 61) fed two levels of energy (high concentrate, 85% grain or low concentrate, 55% grain) throughout 140-d feedlot test period were used in this study. The records were analysed by stepwise regression analysis to study the relative influence of birth weight (BW), preweaning daily gain (PWG) und postweaning daily gain (POG) on final body weight (WT), scrotal circumference (SC) and hip height (HHT) at the end of feedlot test. In addition the effects of the level of energy and breed group on the above relationships were investigated The data were analyzed by the general linear model to study the fixed effects of energy level, breed group and their interactions on final WT, SC and HHT. The results indicated that POG had the maximum associations with final WT and SC, while PWG had the highest association with HHT. The combination of PWG and POG provided the best prediction equations for final WT and SC. BW had the lowest associations with SC, HHT and final WT. The level of energy did not affect the regression coefficients of final WT, SC and HHT on BW, PWG and POG. The effects of breed group on the regression coefficients were not significant except for the regression of HHT on PWG. The level of energy in feedlot diet was a significant (P<0.01) source of variation for the growth measurements of WT, SC, HHT and their changes in feedlot test. Breed group did not have any significant influence on the growth measurements. The results indicated that in general final feedlot weight and testicular size could be predicted fairly accurately from the growth measurements of bulls from birth to yearling regardless of the level of energy and breed group effects on these relationships.

Factors Affecting Body Weight and Its Association with Milk Production Traits in Finnish Ayrshire and Friesian Cows

Abstract Data from the Finnish milk recording system consisting of records for the first three parities from a total of 66 554 Ayrshire and 9664 Friesian cows were analysed using REML methodology and sire model. Factors with statistically significant effects on body weight were: year, age and season of calving and lactation stage. The influence of the random herd effect was also evident. Within-herd herit-abilities for body weight in the first three parities were from 0.29 to 0.41 in Ayrshires and from 0.21 to 0.34 in Friesians. Genetic correlations between body weight and 305-day milk, fat and protein yields varied from +0.09 to +0.34 in the Ayrshire data and from -0.06 to +0.28 in the Friesian. Phenotypic correlations were slightly larger and positive in both breeds. Genetic correlations between body weight and fat and protein percentages were negative and phenotypic correlations were near zero.

Performances de croissance des agneaux de la race Iranienne, à queue grasse Mehraban et facteurs influençant leur poids

Une étude des facteurs affectant le poids dans la race Mehraban en Iran a été effectuée de 1984 à 1989. Le poids de naissance, le poids au sevrage (à 90 jours) et le gain moyen quotidien avant sevrage de 973 moutons ont été analysés. Tous les caractères étudiés étaient affectés significativement par l'année de naissance, le sexe, le type de naissance et l'âge de la mère. Les agneaux nés de brebis âgées de 4 à 5 ans avaient le poids le plus élevé à la naissance, pendant la croissance et au sevrage tandis que les agnelles avaient les agneaux les plus légers. Le sexe avait un effet hautement significatif sur le poids avant sevrage en faveur des mâles. Les agneaux nés simples étaient dans tous les cas plus lourds que les agneaux doubles. L'année de naissance avait aussi un effet significatif sur tous les caractères étudiés tandis que le mois de naissance n'avait aucun effet. Le poids au sevrage et le gain avant sevrage étaient associés de façon positive et significative avec le poids de naissance.

Factors affecting body weight of East African and Galla goats

A total of 617, 1009, 1180, 1644 and 2865 records of body weights of Galla and East African does at 2, 3, 4 5, and ⩾ 6 years of age, respectively, were analyzed by least-squares methods. Breed and sex of fetus had no significant effects on body weight of dam, but breed of doe, year, type of birth, season and pregnancy status were significant ( P < 0.05). Does averaged 1.0 to 2.0 kg heavier in the cooler, dry season than in the rainy, warm season. Galla does were approximately 15% heavier at all ages than East African does. Mature weights averaged 31 kg for East African and 35 kg for Galla. Weight increase due to fetal growth and other pregnancy effects was 6.2 kg (21%) for East African and 6.0 kg (18%) for GAlla. Weight loss during lactation was −0.6 kg (2%) for East AFrican and −1.9 kg (6%) for Galla. Multiplicative adjustment factors for pregnancy and lactation effects were developed for both breeds. Factors differed for the two breeds, for different age groups and were sufficiently large to warrant adjustment for these effects in analyses of body weights. The factors reported may serve as a guide for adjusting body weights of does of other breeds under other conditions if more appropriate values are lacking. In general, these results show that important errors and biases may occur in estimates of average doe body weights if pregnancy and lactation effects are not taken into account.

Factors affecting body weight and growth rate of Awassi lambs

SummaryAn experiment was carried out to study the effect of early weaning on body weight and growth rate of Awassi lambs raised at Abu-Ghurib Experiment Station, Baghdad, Iraq. Sex, type of birth and weaning age significantly influenced the body weight and growth rate of lambs at all the ages studied. Dam's age and weight at lambing, however, did not affect the growth rate of the lambs. The average body weights of lambs at 4 and 6 months of age were 23·8±0·28 and 32·3 ± 0·36 kg. The average daily gain in weight up to 120 and 180 days of age was 162·3 ±2·57 and 153·7 ±1·94 g/day respectively. Males were heavier than females and singles were heavier than twins at all the ages. Lambs weaned at 60 days of age were heavier and had a faster growth rate than those weaned at 90 or 120 days of age. Males born to 2-year-old dams grew fastest while the females born to them had the lowest body weights and growth rate.