Higher BF Research Articles

Prevalence of Masked Obesity Associated with Lifestyle-Related Habits, Dietary Habits, and Energy Metabolism in Japanese Young Women

We investigated the prevalence of Masked Obesity (MO) and the correlations between MO and lifestylerelated habits (e.g., exercise habits, dieting habits), dietary habits, energy metabolism, and seasons. The subjects were 131 young Japanese college students. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance method and Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) was measured by an indirect calorimeter. Subjects with a BMI in the normal range (n=110) were divided into the MO (percentage of body fat to Body Weight [BF]≥30%) and control (C) (BF<30%) groups. Dietary energy and nutrient intakes were calculated from weighed dietary records. A questionnaire on lifestyle habits was obtained individually from the subjects. The percentage of MO was 32% of subjects within normal BMI. The prevalence of MO was the highest in winter, probably due to accumulation of body fat as an adaptation to cold. The MO group had low Fat-Free Mass (FFM) and high BF. RMR of the MO group was significantly lower than that of the C group. The MO group tended to have poor exercise habits, more dieting (restricting calorie intake) experiences and consumed a diet with less vegetables and beans. We concluded that the prevalence of MO was 32%; it was the highest in winter for subjects who had high fat and low FFM. This fact may be due to poor exercise, more dieting experiences and insufficient intake of vegetables and beans. Furthermore, this accumulation of body fat may be partly due to low RMR.

Obesity measures in the Kiribati population: a need to reclassify body mass index cut-points

BackgroundObesity is a public health problem in Micronesia. The objective of the study was to assess obesity, the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BF%) among adults, and determine the appropriate BMI cut-points in Kiribati.MethodsA cross-sectional study was undertaken among 483 adults randomly selected from South Tarawa (ST) and Butaritari (BT). Weight, height, BF% and physical activity level (PAL) was measured using standard methods. Linear and quadratic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between BF% and BMI whilst controlling for age and gender. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses were used to assess whether for the Kiribati population alternative BMI cut-off points for obesity are needed.ResultsApproximately 75% of participants were obese using standard BMI and BF% cut-offs, with the highest prevalence observed in South Tarawa. BF% was significantly (p < 0.001) and positively associated with age (males, r = 0.78; females, r = 0.67; p < 0.001) and BMI. Based on ROC-curve analyses the BMI cut-offs for predicting high BF% among I-Kiribati people were 24.5 kg/m2 for males and 32.9 kg/m2 for females.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the majority of adults in Kiribati were either obese or overweight and had high BF%. We suggest that ethnic-specific BMI cut-points to define obesity for the population of Kiribati may be more appropriate than the currently used international cut-points.

Association of Lifestyle and Body Composition on Risk Factors of Cardiometabolic Diseases and Biomarkers in Female Adolescents.

Background Female adolescents are considered a risk group for cardiometabolic disease due to their lifestyle (LS). Objective To evaluate the association between LS classes and body composition groups with cardiometabolic disease risk factors and pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in female adolescents. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out with female adolescents aged 14 to 19 years, from Viçosa-MG, Brazil. Latent class analysis assessed LS classes. Kinanthropometric measurements were taken together with the body fat percentage (BF%), being analyzed by the Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) equipment. Blood pressure and biochemical parameters were analyzed in the Health Division of the Federal University of Viçosa. The pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers were analyzed using Luminex technology. Associations with biomarkers were estimated by multiple linear regression. Results 405 female adolescents were evaluated. The majority, 82.57%, 72.90%, and 65.31%, were classified as inactive by the number of steps, with high screen and cell phone time, respectively. Furthermore, 41.55% did meet the minimum of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and 54.69% had high values of BF% (DEXA). The “Sedentary & Inactive LS” class together with the high levels of weight and BF% were associated with increased levels of blood pressure, lipid profile, and uric acid. It was also found that “Inactive & Sedentary LS”, high BF%, insulin resistance, and ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein were associated with the concentrations of proinflammatory biomarkers of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and leptin. Conclusion We concluded that female adolescents with overweight/obese and high BF% presented higher values of anthropometric indicators, levels of blood pressure, concentration of uric acid and hs-CRP, and lower concentration of HDL. Inactive and Sedentary lifestyle of these girls, along with excess body fat, insulin resistance, and higher concentrations of hs-CRP were associated with the higher concentration proinflammatory markers.

Relationships Between Sport Nutrition Knowledge, Body Composition And Body Weight Goal In Female Soccer Players.

Sport nutrition knowledge may impact the quality of an athlete’s dietary intake. It is currently unknown how sport nutrition knowledge (SNK) influences body composition and what factors may contribute to an athlete’s body weight goal. PURPOSE: To examine relationships between SNK and body composition and identify predictors of body weight goal in female collegiate soccer players. METHODS: Twenty-six Division III female soccer athletes (height: 1.61 ± 0.30 m; body mass: 66.7 ± 7.5 kg; fat-free mass: 50.3 ± 6.5 kg; body fat %: 25.6 ± 5.1%) participated in the current study. All players had body composition assessed using air displacement plethysmography and completed a validated questionnaire designed to assess sport nutrition knowledge. Athletes were also asked questions about perceived dietary requirements and body weight goal. Pearson correlation coefficients were assessed to examine relationships between SNK and body fat percentage (BF %), fat-free mass, fat-mass, body mass (BM), body mass index (BMI), and perceived dietary requirements. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify predictors of body weight goal. Paired sample t-tests were used to compare differences between calculated and perceived dietary needs. RESULTS: The mean number of questions answered correctly on the SNK questionnaire was 44.5 ± 11.2 %. An inverse relationship was observed between BF % and SNK (r = -0.391; p=0.044). Body mass, BMI and BF % were all significant predictors of body weight goal (p<0.05). For every 1% increase in BF % and 1 kg increase in BM, athletes were 1.3 times more likely to want to lose weight. For every 1 unit increase in BMI, athletes were 2.7 times more likely to want to lose weight. All players significantly underestimated daily energy (-578 ± 104.9 kcal/d, p<0.001) and carbohydrate (-283.7 ± 141.8 g/d, p<0.001) requirements when compared to their calculated required daily intakes. CONCLUSIONS: Division III female collegiate soccer players have a low sport nutrition knowledge base which was associated with a higher BF %. Players who had a higher BM, BF % and BMI were more likely to have weight loss as a body weight goal. Players also significantly underestimated their energy and carbohydrate requirements based on the demands of their sport. Players could likely benefit from a sport nutrition education intervention.

Bean Consumption Accounts for Differences in Body Fat and Waist Circumference: A Cross-Sectional Study of 246 Women.

Beans and other legumes have multiple nutritional qualities that reduce the risk of many diseases. However, the link between legume intake and obesity remains unclear. Therefore, the present study was designed to examine the association between bean intake, body fat percentage (BF%), and waist circumference, in 246 women. BF% was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bean intake was assessed using the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire and indexed using total cups of bean-based food items and also factor scores derived from a factor analysis showing adherence to a bean-based dietary pattern. Bean consumption was expressed as cups per 1000 kilocalories. R\\egression results showed that the relationship between bean intake (total cups) and BF% was inverse and linear (F = 7.4, P=0.0069). Moreover, with bean consumption being divided into tertiles, there were mean differences across groups in BF% (F = 7.4, P=0.0008) and waist circumference (F = 4.2, P=0.0164). Specifically, women who consumed moderate or high amounts of beans had less body fat and smaller waists than those with low intakes. Similarly, using tertiles to categorize participants based on adherence to a bean-based dietary pattern, developed using factor analysis, those with low adherence had higher BF% (F = 7.9, P=0.0005) and larger waists (F = 4.5, P=0.0118) than their counterparts. The associations remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders. In conclusion, beans and other legumes seem to have dietary qualities that may be beneficial in the battle against obesity.

P1694PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF BODY COMPOSITION ON GRAFT FUNCTIONING IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

Abstract Background and Aims Post-transplant weight gain and particularly visceral fat gain has been linked to the development of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the effect of obesity on graft function after kidney transplantation has recently become a subject of interest. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with the kidney function in kidney transplant patients. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study that enrolled 80 kidney transplant patients aged 23–75 years (mean age 46.7 ± 11.5 years, 60% males). Anthropometric measurements of weight, height, waist, and hip circumferences in addition to skinfold thickness were obtained. BH% was calculated using a 4-site skinfold thickness method calculated through the Jackson-Pollock equation with a Harpenden caliper, utilizing a BF% cutoff of 35% for women and 25% for men to define obesity. Results The calculated BMI in our study group was 32.7±8.7 kg/m2, a mean BF% of 29.9±8.5% and a mean WHR of 0.9±0.1 Statistically significant difference in GFR, BMI, WHR and BF% were observed between males and females (r=0.455, p=0.02; r=0.412, p=0.016; r=0.437, p=0.022; r=0.348, p=0.011), respectively. After adjustment for age, gender, donor group, donor age and years of dialysis before transplantation, higher levels of all obesity measures were related to lower eGFR: BMI per 1 SD (β coefficient −3.883, 95% confidence interval [CI] −5,422 to −3,132), WHR (β coefficient −4.443, 95% CI −6.201 to −3.772), and BF% (β coefficient −3.722, 95% CI −4.332 to −3.461). The combination of higher BF% (BF% &amp;gt;33 kg/m2) and central obesity (WHR &amp;gt;0.85 for women, &amp;gt;0.90 for men) was associated with the lowest eGFR compared with that in lean subjects. Conclusion The combination of high BF% and WHR may be an important risk factor for lower GFR in a kidney transplant recipient.

Infant Appetite Traits and Early Infant Feeding Practices in Low-Income Hispanic Families

Abstract Objectives This study examined the association of infant appetite traits and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), BF intensity, early introduction of complementary foods/liquids and 100% fruit juice consumption among Hispanic infants during the first year of life. Methods This study is a cross-sectional analysis of data collected from the “Starting Early Program" randomized controlled obesity prevention trial of low-income, Hispanic mother-child pairs (n = 533). Four infant appetite traits including Food Responsiveness (FR), Enjoyment of Food (EF), Satiety Responsiveness (SR), and Slowness in Eating (SE) were assessed using the Baby Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Each appetite trait was based on a 5-point Likert frequency scale. Infant feeding measures were collected using 24-hour recall methodology and survey based on the Infant Feeding Practices Study II. Linear and logistic regressions assessed the associations between appetite traits and infant feeding practices, specifically 1) EBF, 2) BF intensity (% of daily milk consumption that is breast milk), 3) early introduction to complementary foods/liquids defined as receiving prior to infant age 4 months, and 4) Any 100% fruit juice consumption at age 10 months. Results Of the 473 children with both appetite and infant feeding measures, 48% were male with mean birth weight of 3.4 kg. After adjusting for confounders, infants with higher SE scores had higher odds of EBF duration (≥3 months) (OR = 1.7, P &amp;lt; 0.001), and higher odds of having medium (20% ≤ score ≤ 80%) and high (&amp;gt;80%) BF intensity (OR = 1.8, P = 0.002; OR = 2.5, P &amp;lt; 0.001), compared to infants with lower SE scores. Infants with higher SE and SR were less likely to receive early complementary foods/liquids (OR = 0.59, P = 0.026; OR = 0.51, P = 0.009). Infants with higher EF were more likely to consume any 100% fruit juice at age 10 months (OR = 1.7, P = 0.047). The other appetite traits were not significantly related to infant feeding measures. Conclusions Higher SE was associated with greater EBF and BF intensity. Infants with higher SE and SR were less likely to have early introduction to complementary foods/liquids. Infants with higher EF were more likely to have juice at 10 months. Appetite traits are associated with potentially obesogenic feeding practices and may represent a target for early life infant feeding interventions. Funding Sources USDA AFRI.

Improved outcomes after radiotherapy for prostate cancer: Anticoagulation, antiplatelet therapy, and platelet count as key factors in disease progression.

BackgroundSeveral studies have suggested that antiplatelet (AP) or anticoagulant (AC) therapy may improve outcome in men with prostate cancer. We evaluated the effects of AP/AC therapy and tested the hypothesis that platelet count may also be associated with outcomes.MethodsA total of 482 patients received primary radiotherapy (median dose 72 Gy) for nonmetastatic prostate cancer; 49% received androgen deprivation therapy. NCCN risk was low/intermediate/high risk in 39%/39%/22%. AP/AC therapy and platelet counts were analyzed with respect to freedom from biochemical failure (FFBF, nadir+2), distant metastasis (FFDM), and cause specific survival (CSS).ResultsAfter a median follow‐up of 103 months, 10‐year FFBF, FFDM, and CSS were 77%, 92%, and 96%, respectively. The 10‐year cumulative incidence of BF and DM (with death as a competing event) was 19% and 7.0%, respectively. The 32% of men on AP/AC therapy had a lower incidence of 10‐year BF (P = .016) and a trend toward a lower incidence of DM (P = .084) and CSS (P = .091). In the entire cohort, lowest platelet quartile (platelet count <187) was associated with higher 10‐year BF (31% vs 16%, P = .0042) but not DM (9.4% vs 5.2%, P = .22) nor CSS (P = .76) compared with those patients with platelet count ≥187. AP/AC therapy was associated with a larger absolute reduction in BF for men with lowest platelet quartile (10‐year BF of 21% vs 38%, P = .092) vs platelet ≥187 (10‐year BF of 10% vs 18%, P = .053). Lowest platelet quartile remained associated with higher BF and DM on multivariable analysis controlling for risk category, WBC, and Hg.ConclusionAP/AC was associated with improved FFBF. Low platelet count was associated with inferior FFBF and FFDM after prostate radiotherapy. This association was tempered when antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy was administered.

Daily Coffee and Green Tea Consumption Is Inversely Associated with Body Mass Index, Body Fat Percentage, and Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in Middle-Aged Japanese Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to investigate the links between coffee (CF)/green tea (GT) consumption and body composition/cardiovascular parameters in middle-aged Japanese women. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 232 Japanese women aged 40–65 years who had been referred to the menopause clinic of Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital between November 2007 and August 2017. Body composition, cardiovascular parameters, and CF/GT consumption frequency were evaluated on their initial visits, using a body composition analyzer, vascular screening system, and brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire, respectively. We investigated the associations between variables using multivariate logistic regression. After adjustment for age, menopausal status, and other factors, daily CF consumption was inversely associated with high body mass index (BMI) (adjusted odds ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.14–0.96) and body fat percentage (BF%) (0.33; 0.14–0.82), and daily GT consumption with high BF% (0.36; 0.14–0.96). Daily CF + GT consumption was also inversely associated with high BMI (0.15; 0.05–0.50) and BF% (0.30; 0.12–0.74). In pre- and perimenopausal women, daily CF + GT consumption was inversely associated with high cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) (0.05; 0.003–0.743). In conclusion, daily CF/GT consumption was inversely associated with high BMI, BF%, and CAVI in middle-aged Japanese women.

Unbound bilirubin measurements in term and late-preterm infants

Background Hyperbilirubinemia occurs in over 80% of newborns, and severe bilirubin toxicity can lead to neurological dysfunction and death. Unbound bilirubin (Bf) levels predict the risk of neurodevelopmental handicap, although total serum bilirubin (TSB) is used to manage care. Objective To measure Bf levels in healthy infants, its relationship to TSB, and its response to phototherapy. We hypothesize unexpectedly high Bf levels, poor correlation with TSB and unpredictable response to phototherapy. Design/methods Healthy infants were studied with simultaneous TSB and Bf measurements. The clinical data recorded included ethnicity, gender, birth weight, gestational age, and mode of delivery, Apgar scores, breast/formula feeds, and phototherapy. Results One hundred thirty-two infants (3248.9 ± 509.2g, GA 38.7 ± 1.4 weeks), at mean age of the initial sample of 28.5 ± 15.6 h, had a TSB of 7.9 ± 2.7 mg/dl, and a Bf of 5.2 ± 3.2 nM. The correlation between Bf and TSB was significant but not between Bf and TSB for TSB >12 mg/dl. Bf >11nm were in 22.7% and >17 nM in 3.8% of infants. Post-phototherapy TSB and Bf levels were similar to those before treatment. Conclusions The relationship between TSB and Bf in healthy infants is complex, with the inability of one to predict the other’s level in infants with elevated TSB. The mechanism of bilirubin-related neurotoxicity suggests that the management of jaundice in healthy infants requires Bf measurements. Management of jaundice with TSB may result in more infants exposed to phototherapy. However, unexpected elevations of Bf occur in an apparently healthy population.

Influence of benzene exposure, fat content, and their interactions on erythroid-related hematologic parameters in petrochemical workers: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundUbiquitously distributed benzene is a known hematotoxin. Increasing evidence has suggested that erythroid-related hematologic parameters may be sensitive to benzene exposure. Fat content, which is also closely associated with erythroid-related hematologic parameters, may affect the distribution and/or metabolism of benzene, and eventually benzene-induced toxicity.MethodsTo explore the influence of benzene exposure, fat content, and their interactions on erythroid-related hematologic parameters, we recruited 1669 petrochemical workers and measured their urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA) concentration and erythroid-related hematological parameters. Indices for fat content included body fat percentage (BF%), plasma total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG), and occurrence of fatty liver.ResultsThe dose-response curve revealed U-shaped nonlinear relationships of SPMA with hematocrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (P-overall < 0.001, and P-nonlinear < 0.015), as well as positive linear associations and r-shaped nonlinear relationships of continuous fat content indices with erythroid-related hematological parameters (P-overall ≤0.005). We also observed modification effects of fat content on the associations between benzene exposure and erythroid-related hematological parameters, with workers of lower or higher BF% and TG more sensitive to benzene-induced elevation of MCHC (Pinteraction = 0.021) and benzene-induced decrease of HCT (Pinteraction = 0.050), respectively. We also found that some erythroid-related hematologic parameters differed between subgroups of workers with different SPMA levels and fat content combination.ConclusionsOur study suggested that benzene exposure, fat content, and their interactions may affect erythroid-related hematological parameters in petrochemical workers in a complex manner that are worthy of further investigation.

A dysfunctional family environment and a high body fat percentage negatively affect telomere length in Mexican boys aged 8-10years.

The aim of this study was to determine whether a direct relationship existed between absolute telomere length (aTL), obesity and familial functionality in a group of Mexican children. We recruited 134 children (52% boys) aged 8-10years during regular primary care check-ups in 2016 and evaluated physical activity (PA), feeding practices, anthropometrics, body fat percentage (BF%) and family dysfunction. Optimised quantitative PCR determined aTL from genomic deoxyribonucleic acid isolated from saliva samples. Boys with a healthy BF% showed a higher aTL than their high BF% counterparts (P<.01). aTL was higher in children who performed PA than their sedentary counterparts (P<.05). Alarmingly, 90% of the children belonged to dysfunctional families and a dysfunctional family was correlated with a higher BF% (r=-.57). Negative correlations between the BF% and aTL (r=-.1765) and the BF% and time dedicated to PA (r=-.031) were observed in boys. On the contrary, we found a positive correlation between the aTL and weekly PA (r=.1938). These correlations were not observed in girls. Telomere shortening was associated with a high BF% in boys, but not girls. Dysfunctional families were also a key factor. School PA programmes should be mandatory.

The Association of Body Mass Index, Body Fat Percentage, and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients: A 3.5-Year Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: High body mass index (BMI) in hemodialysis (HD) patients is associated with better survival. However, BMI measures do not differentiate between lean body mass and fat. In this study, we used BMI and body fat percentage (BF%) together to assess the mortality risk in HD patients. METHODS: In this follow-up cohort study, 147 patients on maintenance HD were enrolled and followed from February 2009 to August 2012. These patients were stratified according to their median BMI and BF% into four groups (Group 1: low BMI and low BF%; Group 2: low BMI and high BF%; Group 3: high BMI and low BF%; Group 4: high BMI and high BF%). All-cause mortality among these four groups was studied by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The median BMI and BF% of these 147 patients were 22.5 kg/m^2 and 27.5 %, respectively. The cumulative rate of death was the highest in Group 2 (38.9%). Although the initial survival analysis did not reach the level of significance (P = 0.15 by log-rank test), further analysis showed that patients with low BMI and high BF% had a significantly worse survival than the other patients (P = 0.02 by log-rank test). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the mortality risk was significantly higher in Group 2 (adjusted hazard ratio, 6.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.46-28.79; P = 0.01) as compared to Group 4 (reference group). There was no significant difference between Group 1, Group 3, and Group 4 in terms of mortality risk, whereas age and BF% were found to be significant risk factors in the multivariate Cox model. Further analysis also identified female, old age, and BMI ＞ 22.5 kg/m^2 as risks for the development of high-fat percentage. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that low BMI with high BF% is a significant predictor of mortality in HD patients. Therefore, it is important to early identify these high-risk patients and intervene in the underlying conditions to reduce mortality.

Child-related and parental predictors for thelarche in a general population of girls: the PANIC study.

Obesity has been associated with earlier thelarche, whereas other predictors for it remain unclear. We studied child-related and parental predictors for earlier thelarche in 195 girls aged 6-8 years followed up for 2 years. A physician evaluated breast development by inspection and palpation. Body fat percentage (BF%) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, diet by food records, and physical activity and sedentary time by body movement and heart rate monitors. Parental education, smoking, and alcohol consumption and household income were assessed by questionnaires. Gestational age, birth weight, and maternal prepregnancy BMI were obtained from hospital registers. Predictors for thelarche were examined using logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and follow-up time. The incidence of thelarche during 2 years increased by 11% (OR 1.11, CI 1.06-1.17, p < 0.001) for 1 unit increase in baseline BF%. Girls with a smoking parent had a 2.64 (95% CI 1.21-5.77, p = 0.015) times higher incidence of thelarche than other girls. The associations of lower parental education and higher maternal prepregnancy BMI with the higher incidence of thelarche were largely explained by BF%. Other possible predictors were not associated with thelarche. Higher BF% and exposure to tobacco smoke are independent predictors for earlier thelarche.

Body composition of New Zealand European and Pacific women is associated with lower dietary fibre intake and gut microbiota diversity

AbstractDiet is considered one of the key drivers of the world-wide obesity epidemic, and the gut microbiota may play a role in this multifaceted disease due to their mutualistic relationship. This study investigated relationships between habitual dietary intake of New Zealand European and Pacific women and their gut microbiota and body fat content. Pacific (44%) and NZ European (NZE; 56%) women (n = 287) aged 18–45 years were recruited based on body mass index (normal versus obese) and stratified as low (&lt; 35%) or high (≥ 35%) body fat percentage (BF%). Dietary intake was assessed with a 5-day estimated food record and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, which were used to calculate habitual dietary intake using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method. BF% was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Fasting blood samples were analysed for markers of insulin sensitivity. The DNA from faecal samples was analysed following shotgun sequencing. There were no significant differences in BF% between Pacific and NZE women (p = 0.498). Significant differences in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were observed between Pacific (3.4 [2.3, 5.9]) and NZE (2.1 [1.5, 3.1], p ≤ 0.001) women, and between; low-BF% (1.9 [1.3, 2.7]) and high-BF% (3.4 [2.5, 5.9], p ≤ 0.001) groups. The highest (27.6g/d [24.9, 30.6]) compared to the lowest tertile (16g/d [13.3, 17.6]) of habitual total dietary fibre (DF) intake was associated with a significantly lower HOMA-IR (2.1 [1.3, 3.1] versus 3.3 [2.1, 5.3] p ≤ 0.001) respectively. Higher DF intake was also associated with significantly lower BF% (β -0.35, p ≤ 0.001), and this relationship became stronger when considering the intake of other macronutrients (β -0.47, p ≤ 0.001). Alpha diversity; observed taxonomic units (OTU's; rs = -0.15, p = 0.011), Pielou's evenness (rs = -0.20, p = 0.001), and Shannon index (rs = -0.22, p ≤ 0.001), were all negatively correlated with BF%. In contrast BF% was positively correlated with the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio (rs = 0.26, p ≤ 0.001). HOMA-IR index was significantly higher in Pacific and women in the higher BF% group, indicating an increased metabolic disease risk. Higher habitual DF intake was associated with lower BF% and HOMA-IR, suggesting a potential metabolically protective effect. The positive effects of higher DF intake may be associated with microbiota diversity, as higher BF% was associated with reduced alpha diversity and an increased Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio. Further analysis will explore which foods contributed to the higher DF intake, and associations with body composition, microbiota and biomarkers of metabolic health.

Abundance of Gut Microbiota, Concentration of Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Inflammatory Markers Associated with Elevated Body Fat, Overweight, and Obesity in Female Adolescents.

Background and Aims Overweight is ever more prevalent in the pediatric population, and this cardiometabolic factor can be associated with inflammatory markers, gut microbiota composition, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations. The aim of this study is to evaluate to what extent the abundance of gut microbiota phyla, SCFA concentrations, and inflammatory markers are associated with elevated body fat percentage (BF%), overweight, and obesity in female adolescents. Methods An experimental and comparative study was conducted with 96 girls 14 to 19 years old. They were divided into 3 groups: G1—eutrophic (EUT) and adequate BF%; G2—EUT and high BF%; and G3—overweight (OW) or obese (OB) and high BF%. Waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WtHR), and neck circumference (NC) were analyzed as indicators of central visceral adiposity. The BF% was evaluated by DEXA equipment. A food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate the main types of food consumed in a week. The abundance of the Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria phyla was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the SFCA concentrations (acetic, butyric, and propionic) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The inflammatory markers leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were assessed. Results Female adolescents in groups G2 and G3 had greater central visceral adiposity and leptin concentration than those in group G1. No association was found between gut microbiota phyla abundance and SFCA concentrations in any of the groups. WC and frequency of consumption of oily and fatty foods were associated with Firmicutes abundance and SFCA concentrations. Girls with high WC also had the greatest leptin (p < 0.001) and hs-CRP (p = 0.035) concentrations. Conclusions Inflammatory markers showed association with increased BMI and high BF% in female adolescents. The abundance of Firmicutes was associated with WC and NC, but not with BMI classification or BF%. Specifically, WC and the consumption of oils and fats showed correlation with SCFA concentrations. Different anthropometric indicators, such as NC and WC, should be incorporated into the clinical evaluation of the nutritional status of individuals in the adolescent population.

Association of obesity measures and multimorbidity in Pakistan: findings from the IMPACT study

ObjectiveObesity is a major factor leading to multimorbidity. However, the relative importance of obesity measures, including body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%) and visceral fat (VF), in relation to multimorbidity has not been extensively studied in Asia. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the relation of these measures of obesity with multimorbidity in a representative community sample in Pakistan. Study designThis is a community-based cross-sectional study. MethodsThis study was conducted among residents of Gulshan town, Karachi, Pakistan. Data on healthy individuals and individuals with chronic conditions were recorded. All self-reported chronic conditions were further assessed by physical examination, medical history of the participants and laboratory findings. Multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses of BMI, BF% and VF as predictors of obesity were used to examine the association with multimorbidity. ResultsA total of 1500 participants (738 men and 762 women) were recruited, with a median age of 54.5 years. Multivariate logistic regression showed a significant association of BMI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.81, P-value 0.049) and BF% (OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.50–3.45, P-value <0.001) with multimorbidity. However, the ROC analysis for BMI, BF% and VF showed very similar results, even when the analysis was stratified by gender. In this exploratory analysis, increasing age and female gender were significantly associated with multimorbidity compared with their counterparts. ConclusionsAdult populations with high BF% levels carry a higher risk of multimorbidity than those with high BMI scores. In a population with differing metabolic characteristics, BMI might be less precise than direct adiposity measurements. Additional studies are needed to confirm the potential use of measuring the anatomical location and metabolic characteristics of lean and fat mass to identify risk of diseases.

Metabolic Impact of Body Fat Percentage Independent of Body Mass Index in Women with Obesity Remission After Gastric Bypass

Background/ObjectiveBody mass index (BMI) is central when evaluating treatment effect after gastric bypass. The metabolic impact of BMI-independent differences in body fat percentage (BF%) after gastric bypass is not fully understood. We compared metabolic and adipose tissue characteristics in women with high versus low BF% independent of BMI after obesity remission following gastric bypass.Subjects/MethodsA cohort of 215 women was included at baseline. A total of 166 women were re-examined 2 years after gastric bypass, whereof 130 had obesity remission (BMI < 30 kg/m2). Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, and lipids were measured. Total and regional body fat mass was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (M value). Adipocyte size and number were determined.ResultsOf the 130 women with obesity remission, 64 had BF% ≥ 35 and 65 < 35. Independent of BMI, high BF% were associated with higher HOMA-IR (P = 0.021), lower M value (P = 0.0046), higher triglycerides (P = 0.013), higher visceral/total and android/gynoid fat mass ratios (P = 0.0032 and 0.0003 respectively), and larger subcutaneous fat cell volume (P < 0.0001) 2 years after gastric bypass. No differences in anthropometric measures, glucose, blood pressure, or fat cell number were observed.ConclusionsIndependent of BMI, patients with higher BF% displayed lower insulin sensitivity, higher triglyceride levels, central fat distribution, and larger subcutaneous adipocytes 2 years after gastric bypass. Thus, determination of BF% provides additional information of metabolic characteristics at follow-up of non-obese patients after gastric bypass.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Physical Activity, and Insulin Resistance in Children.

Few studies have investigated the independent and joint associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body fat percentage (BF%) with insulin resistance in children. We investigated the independent and combined associations of CRF and BF% with fasting glycemia and insulin resistance and their interactions with physical activity (PA) and sedentary time among 452 children age 6 to 8 yr. We assessed CRF with a maximal cycle ergometer exercise test and used allometrically scaled maximal power output (Wmax) for lean body mass (LM) and body mass (BM) as measures of CRF. The BF% and LM were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, fasting glycemia by fasting plasma glucose, and insulin resistance by fasting serum insulin and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). The PA energy expenditure, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and sedentary time were assessed by combined movement and heart rate sensor. Wmax/LM was not associated with glucose (β = 0.065, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.031 to 0.161), insulin (β = -0.079, 95% CI = -0.172 to 0.015), or HOMA-IR (β = -0.065, 95% CI = -0.161 to 0.030). Wmax/BM was inversely associated with insulin (β = -0.289, 95% CI = -0.377 to -0.200) and HOMA-IR (β = -0.269, 95% CI = -0.359 to -0.180). The BF% was directly associated with insulin (β = 0.409, 95% CI = 0.325 to 0.494) and HOMA-IR (β = 0.390, 95% CI = 0.304 to 0.475). Higher Wmax/BM, but not Wmax/LM, was associated with lower insulin and HOMA-IR in children with higher BF%. Children with higher BF% and who had lower levels of MVPA or higher levels of sedentary time had the highest insulin and HOMA-IR. Children with higher BF% together with less MVPA or higher levels of sedentary time had the highest insulin and HOMA-IR. Cardiorespiratory fitness appropriately controlled for body size and composition using LM was not related to insulin resistance among children.

Biochar e esterco bovino aumentam a eficiência no uso de água da alface

O biochar vem sendo recomendado para melhorar propriedades físicas, químicas e biológicas do solo e a produtividade das culturas. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de biochar e esterco bovino na produtividade, evapotranspiração (ET) e eficiência no uso de água (EUA) da alface. Um experimento em casa de vegetação foi realizado utilizando-se dois tipos de biochar e esterco bovino, no delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. Os tratamentos foram quatro tipos de adubação: esterco+biochar de borra de café (E+BBC); esterco+biochar de casca de café (E+BCC); biochar de borra de café (BBC) e biochar de casca de café (BCC). Foram avaliadas a biomassa fresca (BF), o número de folhas (NF), a ET e a EUA da alface. Verificou-se que o tratamento E+BBC proporcionou maior BF. Não se verificou efeito dos tratamentos no NF da alface. Maiores perdas de água (ET) foram observadas nos tratamentos que tinham biochar de borra de café (BBC e E+BBC). Os tratamentos com esterco, independentemente do tipo de biochar, foram os que apresentaram as maiores EUA. Recomenda-se o uso de biochar mais esterco bovino para reduzir a ET e aumentar a produtividade e EUA da alface.