Fat Mass Values Research Articles

Comparison of Certain Physical and Performance Parameters of Young Football Players Based on Positions

This study, which included 50 young amateur male footballers aged between 16 and 18, aims to compare certain physical and performance parameters of young football players based on positions. Based on their positions, the footballers were divided into two groups as “central” and “wing” positioned players. The body composition, anaerobic power, speed and flexibility values have been determined using field tests. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22 statistics program. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to determine the normality distribution of the data. The independent t-test was used because of the normal distribution of the data. Confidence interval for statistical processes was considered to be p < 0.05. The average values and comparison results obtained from the physical parameters of the central and wing players have showed that there is a statistically significant difference between central and wing players in terms of height (cm), body weight (kg), fat mass (kg) and lean mass (kg) parameters (p < 0.05), whereas there is no statistically significant difference in age (years) and fat rate (%) parameters (p > 0.05). The average values and comparison results obtained from the physical parameters of the central and wing players have showed that there is a statistically significant difference between central and wing players in terms of vertical jump (cm), 30-m sprint (s) and anaerobic power (kgm/sec) parameters (p < 0.05), whereas there is no statistically significant difference in 10-m sprint (s) and flexibility (cm) parameters (p > 0.05). The results of this study showed that, in terms of physical parameters, the height, body weight, fat mass and lean mass values of the central players were statistically higher than the wing players. In terms of performance parameters, the vertical jump and 30-m sprint performance of the wing players were found to be statistically better than the central players, while the anaerobic power values of the central players were found to be statistically higher than the wing players.

Low serum TSH levels are associated with low values of fat-free mass and body cell mass in the elderly

Previous studies on the association between thyroid function and body composition are conflicting and showed strong differences across age groups. Our aim was to clarify age-specific associations of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels with markers of body composition including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM) and body cell mass (BCM). We used data from two independent population-based cohorts within the framework of the Study of Health in Pomerania. The study population included 5656 individuals aged 20 to 90 years. Markers of body composition were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Serum TSH levels were significantly positively associated with BMI (β = 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06 to 0.27), waist circumference (β = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.62) and FM (β = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.52), but not with FFM and BCM. Interaction analysis revealed positive associations of serum TSH levels with BMI, waist circumference, FM, FFM and BCM in individuals older than 60 years, while no such associations were observed in younger individuals. We demonstrated that lower serum TSH levels were accompanied with lower values of BMI, waist circumference, FM, FFM, and BCM in the elderly, while no such associations were observed in younger individuals.

An Inverse Relation between Hyperglycemia and Skeletal Muscle Mass Predicted by Using a Machine Learning Approach in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Large Cohorts.

Background: Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and fat mass (FM) are essentially required for health and quality of life in older adults. Objective: To generate the best SMM and FM prediction models using machine learning models incorporating socioeconomic, lifestyle, and biochemical parameters and the urban hospital-based Ansan/Ansung cohort, and to determine relations between SMM and FM and metabolic syndrome and its components in this cohort. Methods: SMM and FM data measured using an Inbody 4.0 unit in 90% of Ansan/Ansung cohort participants were used to train seven machine learning algorithms. The ten most essential predictors from 1411 variables were selected by: (1) Manually filtering out 48 variables, (2) generating best models by random grid mode in a training set, and (3) comparing the accuracy of the models in a test set. The seven trained models’ accuracy was evaluated using mean-square errors (MSE), mean absolute errors (MAE), and R² values in 10% of the test set. SMM and FM of the 31,025 participants in the Ansan/Ansung cohort were predicted using the best prediction models (XGBoost for SMM and artificial neural network for FM). Metabolic syndrome and its components were compared between four groups categorized by 50 percentiles of predicted SMM and FM values in the cohort. Results: The best prediction models for SMM and FM were constructed using XGBoost (R2 = 0.82) and artificial neural network (ANN; R2 = 0.89) algorithms, respectively; both models had a low MSE. Serum platelet concentrations and GFR were identified as new biomarkers of SMM, and serum platelet and bilirubin concentrations were found to predict FM. Predicted SMM and FM values were significantly and positively correlated with grip strength (r = 0.726) and BMI (r = 0.915, p < 0.05), respectively. Grip strengths in the high-SMM groups of both genders were significantly higher than in low-SMM groups (p < 0.05), and blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c in high-FM groups were higher than in low-FM groups for both genders (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The models generated by XGBoost and ANN algorithms exhibited good accuracy for estimating SMM and FM, respectively. The prediction models take into account the actual clinical use since they included a small number of required features, and the features can be obtained in outpatients. SMM and FM predicted using the two models well represented the risk of low SMM and high fat in a clinical setting.

Effects of anthropometric parameters on bone mineral density in women: from perimenopause to old age

Aim To analyze the influence of body components on bone mineral density (BMD) in women from perimenopause to old age. Material and Methods A total of 117 women were allocated into three groups according to the reproductive stage (STRAW): perimenopausal (PEM, N = 28, mean age 44.8 ± 3.6), early postmenopausal (EPM, N = 36, mean age 51.4 ± 2.8) and late postmenopausal (LPM, N = 53; mean age 64.0 ± 1.7). Total body mass, body mass index (BMI), lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), fat percentage (FP) and BMD at the lumbar spine (lBMD) and femoral neck (fBMD) were assessed. Results BMI, FM, LM and BMD values decreased from PEM to LPM. The total effect of FM on fBMD and lBMD was of 42% and 8% for PEM, 28% and 33% for EMP and 9% and 1% for LPM respectively. Additionally, the total effect of LM on fBMD and lBMD was 48% and 3% for PEM, 54% and 53% for EMP and 9% and 11% for LPM women respectively. Conclusion BMI, LM, and FM decreased with aging. All these components had great influence on both fBMD and lBMD in EMP women. Conversely, in PEM these parameters only had influence on femoral BMD, but not on lumbar spine. These data suggests that LM is the most important component in BMD for women older than 50 years old, particularly in the hip.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANAEROBIC POWER, REACTION TIME AND BODY COMPOSITION PARAMETERS OF YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS

The anaerobic activities is frequently used in soccer including high intensity actions. The aim of this study was to examine relationships between anaerobic power, reaction times and body composition parameters of young soccer players. The twenty-seven amateur young soccer players (Age: 13.81±0.48 years, height: 166.74±6.16 cm, weight: 55.17±5.40 kg) were involved in study voluntarily. The Wingate anaerobic power test parameters (minimum power, mean power, peak power, fatigue index), dominant and non-dominant hand visual and auditory reaction times and body composition parameters (lean body mass, body fat mass and body fat percent) were examined. The statistical relationships among explored variables were determined by correlation analyze technique. The relationship between parameters was examined by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. According to the results, it was found that lean body mass, anaerobic capacity and mean power parameters had a statistical positive correlations (p&lt;0.05). Also, it was found that body fat percent and body fat mass values had a negative correlation with minimum power values (p&lt;0.05). There was no significant correlation between visual and auditory reaction time values with body composition and anaerobic power parameters. Consequently, it could be said that the relationship between lean body mass and body fat percent with some anaerobic power parameters could be arisen from similar mechanisms affecting related parameters. Also, it can be concluded that the reaction time parameter is not closely related to the body composition and anaerobic power parameters, as it is closer related to neural mechanisms than physical mechanisms.

Prognostic impact of muscle and fat mass in patients with heart failure.

BackgroundCachexia, characterized by loss of muscle with or without loss of fat mass, is a poor prognostic factor in patients with heart failure (HF). However, there is limited investigation on the prognostic impact of muscle and fat mass separately in HF. We hypothesized that muscle and fat mass have different effects on the prognosis of HF.MethodsThis was an observational cohort study of 418 patients (59% were men) admitted with a diagnosis of HF (71 ± 13 years [mean ± standard deviation]), with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 39 ± 16%, including 31.3%, 14.8%, and 53.8% of patients with preserved LVEF (LVEF ≥ 50%), mid‐range LVEF (40–50%), and reduced (<40%) LVEF, respectively. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry was performed with the patients in the stable state after decongestion therapy.ResultsThe mean body mass index of patients was 22.1 ± 4.6 kg/m2, and the mean appendicular skeletal mass (ASM) index was 6.88 ± 1.23 kg/m2 in men and 5.59 ± 0.92 in women; 54.1% of the patients showed reduced muscle mass defined by the international cut‐off value (7.0 kg/m2 for men and 5.4 for women). The mean fat mass was 20.4 ± 7.2% in men and 27.2 ± 8.6% in women. During a median follow‐up of 37 months, 92 (22.0%) of 418 patients with HF died (1 and 3 year mortality: 8.4% and 17.3%, respectively). Lower values of both skeletal muscle and fat mass were independently associated with increased risk of mortality adjusted for age, sex, haemoglobin, New York Heart Association functional class, and height squared (hazard ratio with 95% confidence interval of 0.825 [0.747–0.908] per 1 kg increase of ASM, P < 0.001, and 0.954 [0.916–0.993] per 1 kg increase of fat mass, P = 0.018, respectively).ConclusionsMore than half of the patients with HF showed reduced muscle mass. Lower values of both muscle and fat mass were associated with higher mortality in HF.

Association Between Body Fat Distribution Assessed by Different Techniques and Body Image Perception in HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents

Purposeverify whether there is difference in body fat values assessed by different methods according to the body image perception of HIV-infected children and adolescents. Design and methodsThis is a cross-sectional study with 65 HIV-infected children and adolescents (aged 8–15 years). Total fat mass, trunk fat mass, arm fat mass and leg fat mass were obtained through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Anthropometric variables were measured according to international standardization. Body image was assessed using a scale of body silhouettes. Bone age covariates were assessed using carpal wrist X-rays and physical activity by accelerometers. Information regarding viral load and use of combined antiretroviral therapy was obtained from medical records. In males, no significant difference in body fat values and body image categories was observed. ResultsIn the model with covariates, girls who desired to reduce body weight had higher BMI (18.96 kg / m2 ± 2.47, R2 adj: 0.613), total fat mass (14.25 kg ± 1.37, R2 adj: 0.589), trunk fat mass (6.50 kg ± 0.66, R2 adj: 0.611) and leg fat mass values (6.01Kg ± 0.57, R2 adj: 0.503) in comparison to girls who were satisfied and to those who desired to increase body weight. ConclusionsHIV + girls who desired to reduce body weight had greater amount of BMI, total fat mass, trunk fat mass and leg fat mass compared to those who were satisfied and those who desired to increase body weight. Practice implicationsThese data can be used to assist in the process of coping and accepting body image.

Accuracy and reliability of the InBody 270 multi-frequency body composition analyser in 10-12-year-old children.

The aim of this study was at examining the validity and reliability of a marketed bioimpedance (BIA) scale for body composition assessment, in children engaged in an educational football project (FIFA 11 for Health). One-hundred and twenty-seven children (70 boys and 57 girls; age 10.7±0.5 years, body mass 41.2±9.0 kg, Body mass index 18.5±3.3 kg·m-2 and stature 149±7 cm) were evaluated for total body mass, lean body mass, muscle mass, using BIA (InBody 270, Biospace, California, USA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA, Lunar Prodigy, GE Medical Systems, Madison, Wisconsin, USA), at baseline conditions. Data analyses were carried out separately for girls and boys. Nearly perfect associations (r = 0.97−0.99) and excellent absolute (TEM = 0.04−1.9%) and relative (ICC = 0.98−1.00) inter-device reliability were found between DEXA and BIA variables. Fat and lean body mass bias (p < .0001) were practically relevant both for the boys (2.56 and 11.22 kg, respectively) and the girls (2.33 and 10.49 kg, respectively). Muscle mass and body fat were underestimated and overestimated, respectively, for the boys and girls. InBody 270 is a valid BIA system for estimating body composition with an excellent inter-device relative and absolute reliability. However, the remarkable measurements bias of BIA fat and muscle mass values discourage its use for clinical prescription. The BIA body composition biases were sex dependent.

Model Development for Fat Mass Assessment Using Near-Infrared Reflectance in South African Infants and Young Children Aged 3-24 Months.

Undernutrition in infants and young children is a major problem leading to millions of deaths every year. The objective of this study was to provide a new model for body composition assessment using near-infrared reflectance (NIR) to help correctly identify low body fat in infants and young children. Eligibility included infants and young children from 3–24 months of age. Fat mass values were collected from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), deuterium dilution (DD) and skin fold thickness (SFT) measurements, which were then compared to NIR predicted values. Anthropometric measures were also obtained. We developed a model using NIR to predict fat mass and validated it against a multi compartment model. One hundred and sixty-four infants and young children were included. The evaluation of the NIR model against the multi compartment reference method achieved an r value of 0.885, 0.904, and 0.818 for age groups 3–24 months (all subjects), 0–6 months, and 7–24 months, respectively. Compared with conventional methods such as SFT, body mass index and anthropometry, performance was best with NIR. NIR offers an affordable and portable way to measure fat mass in South African infants for growth monitoring in low-middle income settings.

Youth’s Physical Activity and Fitness from a Rural Environment of an Azores Island

This study aimed to characterize and compare physical activity (PA) and fitness levels by sex in 109 students of a rural environment. The participants were between 15 and 20 years old, from the Santa Maria High School in the Azores’ Santa Maria island. PA levels were assessed by International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)-short form. The physical fitness was evaluated by the Fitnessgram battery tests. The sample of this study were physically active, 67.9% were classified with high and moderate PA levels. Regarding the sex comparisons, no significant differences between PA levels were founded. However, males presented higher values of vigorous physical activity, whereas females spent more time in moderate activity, such as walking. Moreover, females had more time in sitting positions during the week and weekend. Regarding the physical fitness levels, males presented significantly higher performances in the upper strength (p &lt; 0.001) and aerobic capacity tests (p &lt; 0.001), whereas females showed higher values in the sit and reach test (p &lt; 0.001), in the trunk lift test (p &lt; 0.005), and in the fat mass values (p &lt; 0.001). It seems reasonable to assume that there is a sociodemographic influence on the PA and physical fitness levels in our sample. We may speculate that rural life provides more opportunities for youth for being physically active than urban life. No differences were founded between sexes for physical activity. However, differences were found between sex for strength, flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition. That might be explained by the biological differences and the type of physical activity habits that each sex use to have in rural environmental.

Effects of Caloric Restriction Diet on Arterial Hypertension and Endothelial Dysfunction.

The most common manifestation of cardiovascular (CV) diseases is the presence of arterial hypertension (AH), which impacts on endothelial dysfunction. CV risk is associated with high values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and depends on the presence of risk factors, both modifiable and not modifiable, such as overweight, obesity, physical exercise, smoking, age, family history, and gender. The main target organs affected by AH are the heart, brain, vessels, kidneys, and eye retina. AH onset can be counteracted or delayed by adopting a proper diet, characterized by a low saturated fat and sodium intake, a high fruit and vegetable intake, a moderate alcohol consumption, and achieving and maintaining over time the ideal body weight. In this review, we analyzed how a new nutritional approach, named caloric restriction diet (CRD), can provide a significant reduction in blood pressure values and an improvement of the endothelial dysfunction. In fact, CRD is able to counteract aging and delay the onset of CV and neurodegenerative diseases through the reduction of body fat mass, systolic and diastolic values, free radicals production, and oxidative stress. Currently, there are few studies on CRD effects in the long term, and it would be advisable to perform observational studies with longer follow-up.

Changes in body composition in unilateral vestibular hypofunction: relationships between bioelectrical impedance analysis and neuro-otological parameters.

Experimental works have indicated the potential of the vestibular system to affect body composition to be mediated by its extensive connections to brainstem nuclei involved in regulating metabolism and feeding behavior. The aim of this study was to evaluate-by means of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-the body composition in a group of chronic UVH normal-weighted patients when compared with an equally balanced group of healthy participants, serving as a control group (CG). Forty-six chronic UVH and 60 CG participants underwent otoneurological (including video Head Impulse Test [vHIT] and static posturography testing [SPT]), BIA measurements and self-report (SRM) andperformance measures (PM). Beyond significant (p < 0.001) changes in SPT variables (surface and length) and SRM/PM (including Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Dynamic Gait Index and Activity Balance Confidence scales), UVH participants demonstrated significant (p < 0.001) higher values of fat mass and visceral fat and lower values of muscle mass (p = 0.004), when compared to CG. Significant correlations were found in UVH participants between otoneurological and BIA measurements. These study findings represent the first clinical in-field attempt at depicting, with the use of BIA parameters, changes in body composition related to chronic UVH. Since such alterations in metabolic parameters could be considered both the consequences and/or the cause of vestibular-related quality of life deficit, BIA parameters could be considered as cheap, easy to use, noninvasive assessments in case of chronic UVH.

Measurement of body mass by bioelectrical impedance analysis and computed tomography in cancer patients with malnutrition - a cross-sectional observational study.

Malnutrition and cachexia affects the majority of cancer patients and significantly worsens their quality of life and prognosis. However, the diagnostic criteria of malnutrition and cachexia remain a topic under constant debate. To overcome this hurdle, diagnostic tools to objectively detect and quantify the loss of muscle and fat mass are needed. Computed tomography (CT)-based measurement is currently considered the golden standard. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an economical, non-invasive tool but it is seen controversial in patients with cancer and malnutrition because of possible estimation errors.BIA and CT-based analysis of body mass compartments were performed 172 times in 118 cancer patients, within the nutrition program of our institution. Prevalence of malnutrition was determined according to the global leadership initiative on malnutrition criteria. Data obtained for muscle and fat mass from both BIA and CT were correlated using Pearson's ρ. All analyses were performed with an explorative significance level of 5%.45.7% of the cohort were classified as “malnourished.” No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups regarding demographic data. Median body mass index, Karnofsky performance status, and nutritional risk score were lower in the malnourished group. Values for muscle and fat mass by BIA and CT were significantly lower in malnourished patients. Correlation of the measured parameters were highly significant between CT-based and BIA measurement. In the overall cohort, correlation of measured muscle mass values by CT and BIA was significant with Pearson's ρ = 0.794 (P < .01). Looking at patients without malnutrition only, Pearson's ρ was 0.754 (P < .01). The correlation of measured fat mass values was equally significant, with Pearson's ρ of 0.748 (P < .01) in the overall cohort and 0.771 (P < .01) in patients with malnutrition.To our knowledge, this is the first study comparing BIA to CT-based body mass analysis in a large cohort of cancer patients with malnutrition. The results suggest that BIA is a valid diagnostic tool for the assessment of muscle and fat mass, even in patients with malnutrition, and could be implemented for the early detection and short-term follow-up of malnutrition and cachexia.

The Effect of Replacing Sitting With Standing on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of replacing sitting with standing on cardiovascular risk factors tested in clinical trials.MethodsWe searched databases from inception up to August 28, 2019, for studies examining the effect of replacing sitting with standing on fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and lipid levels; blood pressure; body fat mass; weight; and waist circumference in healthy adults. Differences in mean ± SD values were used for pooling the data and calculating the mean differences and CIs.ResultsThe search found 3507 abstracts. Nine clinical trials (8 randomized and 1 nonrandomized) with 877 (64.4% [n=565] women) participants met all inclusion criteria. The mean ± SD age was 45.34±5.41 years; mean follow-up was 3.81 months, and mean difference in standing time between the intervention and control groups was 1.33 hours per day. The follow-up fasting blood glucose and body fat mass values were slightly but significantly lower than baseline records in the intervention groups compared with control groups (−2.53; 95% CI, −4.27 to −0.79 mg/dL; and −0.75; 95% CI, −0.91 to −0.59 kg). The analysis for fasting insulin levels, lipid levels, blood pressure, weight, and waist circumference revealed no significant differences.ConclusionReplacing sitting with standing can result in very small but statistically significant decreases in fasting blood glucose levels and body fat mass with no significant effect on lipid levels, blood pressure, weight, and waist circumference. Replacing sitting with standing can be used as an adjunctive intervention to decrease the burden of cardiovascular risk factors but cannot be used as an alternative to physical activity to decrease sedentary time.

Muscle strength and body fat percentage in children and adolescents from the Maule region, Chile.

To analyze the association between relative handgrip strength (RHGS) and fat mass (FM) after controlling for the potential effect of maturity status. Both male and female children and adolescents aged ≥ 7.5 to ≤ 15.49 years were studied. RHGS was assessed using a hydraulic hand dynamometer. FM percentage was established using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Age and sex differences in RHGS levels between normal weight and obese participants were studied with an analysis of covariance. A covariate was years from peak height velocity (maturity status). The association between RHGS and FM levels was analyzed using a partial correlation and controlling for age at peak height velocity. A total of 1685 students (731 girls and 954 boys) participated. Four age groups were established (7.5-9.4 years, 9.5-11.4 years, 11.5- 13.4 years, and 13.5-15.4 years). RHGS increased with age in both males and females. FM values were high in all age groups. No differences were observed in groups 3 and 4 among girls or in group 4 among boys. Participants classified as normal weight showed a significantly higher RHGS than their obese peers. A negative association was noted between RHGS and FM. RHGS was shown to be negatively associated with FM after controlling for the effect of maturity status.

Uric acid alterations by consumption of gluten-free bakery products in relation to cardiovascular and metabolic syndrome risk factors.

Serum uric acid (UA) levels are one of the determinants of the cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome but none of criteria for that syndrome include serum UA. Consumption of bakery products (with or without gluten) is associated with an increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity and hyperuricemia frequently occurs in subjects with overweight and obesity. The aim of the study was to find out how 6-weeks consumption of gluten-free bakery products can affect risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, and especially uric acid levels. The group was composed of 27 female volunteers consuming gluten-free bakery products during 6-week period. The biochemical parameters levels were measured by Biolis 24i Premium, the anthropometric parameters by InBody 720 and blood pressure by OMRON Microlife. We found a non-significant increase in total cholesterol and decrease in triglycerides, in the case of LDL cholesterol a significant reduction in values and increase of HDL cholesterol. Glucose level increased significantly, but uric acid has not changed significantly. We found the highest total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL concentrations in the third UA quartile. The highest glucose concentrations were found in the lower UA quartiles, while the lowest in the highest quartiles. Linear increases in UA concentrations were not observed in any of the parameters. Evaluation of the anthropometric parameters showed that while values of BMI, VFA, fat mass and waist circumference were the highest at the beginning of the study in the second quartile, after intervention the highest values were shifted to the third quartile. Due to the consumption of gluten-free bakery products the risk values of the monitored parameters shifted to higher UA quartiles.

Body composition with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry: from basics to new tools.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in nowadays considered one of the most versatile imaging techniques for the evaluation of metabolic bone disorders such as osteoporosis, sarcopenia and obesity. The advantages of DXA over other imaging techniques are the very low radiation dose, its accuracy and simplicity of use. In addition, fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) values by DXA shows very good accuracy compared to that of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In this review we will explain the technical working principles of body composition with DXA, together with the possible limitations and pitfalls that should be avoided in daily routine to produce high-quality DXA examinations. We will also cover the current clinical practical application of whole body DXA values, with particular emphasis on the use of LM indices in the diagnostic workup of reduced muscle mass, sarcopenia and osteosarcopenic obesity according to the most recent guidelines. The possible use of adipose indices will be considered, such as the fat mass index (FMI) or the android/gynoid ratio, as well as lipodystrophy indices and the evaluation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Whenever available, we will provide possible cut-off diagnostic values for each of these LM and FM indices, according to current literature and guidelines.

Effect of tactile/kinesthetic massage therapy on growth and body composition of preterm infants.

Massage therapy (MT) improves growth parameters in preterm infants. The growth of lean mass rather than fat mass has been associated with better long-term outcomes. We aimed to study the effect of tactile/kinesthetic MT on growth and body composition parameters in preterm infants. Preterm (< 32weeks gestation) infants were randomly assigned at corrected gestational age of 35weeks to receive 3 consecutive, 15-min, sessions of MT over 5days or routine care. Primary outcome was mean daily weight gain. Secondary outcomes included anthropometric measurements and body composition parameters assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. Out of 218 infants screened, 86 were eligible and 60 infants (30 in each group) were recruited after parental consent. MT was associated with significant increase in daily weight gain [19.3 (10-34.3) versus 6.2 (2.5-18.4)g/day, p = 0.01] and growth velocity [12.5 (6-21) versus 3.6 (1.6-12.6)g/kg/d, p = 0.01] compared with routine care. Infants on MT showed significant increase in total body mass, fat mass (total/legs), lean mass (total/arms/legs/trunk), and bone mineral density (arms/legs/trunk) values compared with routine care group. In conclusions, MT improves growth quality as evident by increased total and regional lean masses, increased bone mineral density, and peripheral rather than central fat distribution. What is known on this subject? • Massage therapy (MT) for preterm infants leads to achievement of faster independent oral feeding, increased weight gain, less stress, less response to pain, less occurrence of sepsis, and shorter hospital stay. • Growth of lean mass rather than fat mass has been associated with better long-term outcomes. What this study adds? • Tactile/kinesthetic massage therapy in preterm infant is associated with improved growth parameters and anthropometric measures. • Tactile/kinesthetic massage therapy increased total body mass, fat mass (total/legs), lean mass (total/arms/legs/trunk), and bone mineral density (arms/legs/trunk) values.

Obesity-Related Parameters Are Associated with Blood Pressure in Palestinian Children

Hypertension has been established as a common health condition in young people. Most studies have focused on the impact of body mass index (BMI), but the relationships between body composition parameters and blood pressure in Palestinian children has not previously been investigated. We aimed to analyze the prevalence of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure/hypertension and investigate the associations among obesity-related parameters, including anthropometric and body composition markers and blood pressure levels in a population of 971 Palestinian school children (50% girls; mean age 10.3 ± 1.1 years). Anthropometric measurements including height, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were assessed. A body composition analyzer was used to measure body weight, fat mass, and fat-free mass. Blood pressure including systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured using a Dinamap vital signs monitor. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 25.3% in the girls and 23.1% in the boys. 26.3% of the children had elevated systolic blood pressure, or systolic hypertension; whereas 23.4% had elevated diastolic blood pressure, or diastolic hypertension. All obesity-related variables, with the exception of WHR and WHtR, showed statistical differences among the normotension, elevated blood pressure and hypertension groups for systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). Children with elevated blood pressure or hypertension had significantly higher weight, BMI, WC, HC, fat mass, and fat-free mass values compared to participants with normotension, supporting the direct association between obesity and hypertension in this population. Weight-reduction interventions are essential for reducing the prevalence of childhood hypertension in Palestinian children.

Changes in weight, body composition and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a cohort of menopausal women residing in Mallorca

Objective: to assess eating habits, lifestyle, body composition and prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in menopausal women evaluated according to body mass index. Methods: cross-sectional study (2011-2018) in a cohort of menopausal women residing in Mallorca (n = 555) classified according to body mass index (BMI) : < 27.0, 27.0-29.9 and ≥ 30 kg/m2. Eating habits, toxic and lifestyle, history of breastfeeding and obesity (in childhood, time of evolution and family history) were evaluated. A body composition analysis was performed by electrical bioimpedance and fasting blood was taken for the following parameters: glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. Results: the prevalence of overweight grade II was 26.8% and of obesity 46.5%. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 41.4%. The family history of obesity, childhood obesity and the time of evolution (≥ 15 years with obesity) were higher in obese women. The practice of regular physical activity was low (63% of women with null and 33% scarce physical activity). Obese women had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (55.8%) and higher values of BMI, abdominal circumference, fat mass, visceral fat, abdominal obesity, blood pressure, glucose and triglycerides in blood, but lower values of HDL-c. Conclusions: the studied menopausal women reflect inadequate dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle and a high prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. The factors associated with this prevalence are family history of obesity, childhood obesity, time of evolution of obesity, sedentary lifestyle, abdominal obesity and visceral location of fat.