High Rates Of Obesity Research Articles

Reimagining Urban Spaces: Green Spaces, Obesity, and Health Resilience in an Era of Extreme Heat.

Record-breaking heat waves intensified by climate change pose both environmental and health threats, necessitating a balance between urban sustainability and well-being. Extreme heat and limited green space access are drivers of obesity prevalence, with decreased proximity to green spaces correlating with higher rates of obesity in nearby communities. In contrast, access to such green spaces fosters physical activity, well-being, and community cohesion, especially crucial in marginalized communities facing health disparities due to historical policies like redlining and underinvestment in social gathering spaces. Despite challenges, green space investment offers healthcare savings and environmental gains, necessitating a shift in perception towards viewing green spaces as essential for urban living. As heat waves persist, integrating health and sustainability in urban planning is paramount. Health and medical communities must play an active role in advocating for equitable access to urban green spaces, as they possess influential positions to address climate-related health disparities through localized advocacy.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on outcomes of cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: a national cohort study.

The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with significant disruptions to healthcare provision globally and in Aotearoa New Zealand. It remains unclear how this disruption affected the surgical management of acute cholecystitis and whether there are ongoing impacts. We conducted a secondary analysis of two multicentre cohort studies (CHOLECOVID and CHOLENZ) on patients who underwent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Participants were categorized into pre-pandemic (September-November 2019), pandemic (March-May 2020), and late-pandemic (August-October 2021) phases. Baseline demographics, clinical management, and 30-day postoperative complications were assessed between phases. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the impact of timing of operation on rates of hospital readmission and postoperative complications. 517 participants were included, of whom 85 (16%) were in the pre-pandemic-phase, 52 (10%) were in the pandemic phase, and 380 (73%) were in the late-pandemic phase. Pandemic and late-pandemic phase participants were more comorbid and had higher rates of obesity and deranged blood results than pre-pandemic. After multivariable adjustment, there were no differences in rates of hospital readmission or postoperative complications at 30-day follow-up across phases. The COVID-19 pandemic had minimal impacts on the provision of cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, patients managed during the COVID-19 pandemic were more comorbid and had higher rates of obesity and elevated inflammatory markers.

Connected Community Classification (C3): Development, Validation, and Geospatial Application for Population Health Promotion and Equity.

Social determinants of health (SDOH) impact population health. Leveraging community-level strengths related to SDOH through a social infrastructure perspective can optimize health behaviors and health outcomes to promote health equity. Our aims were to develop, validate, and apply the Connected Community Classification (C3) as comprehensive community-level measure of protective SDOH and structural factors in the Four Corners states region of the United States. C3 was developed using an iterative principal component analysis of publicly available data mapped to 5 SDOH domains. Regional clustering of C3 by zip code tabulation area (ZCTA) was identified using spatial autocorrelation methods. In adjusted spatial autoregressive models, we analyzed the association of C3 with high-risk health behaviors and chronic disease prevalence using publicly available data for population-level estimates of fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, obesity, smoking, alcohol use, coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes, and cancer. C3 was found to be reliable and valid; a C3 value of 10 indicates communities with greater connection (high), while a value of 1 indicates communities with greater separation (low) to social infrastructure. Lower connection, as measured by C3, was significantly inversely associated with lower fruit and vegetable intake, lower physical activity, and higher rates of obesity, smoking, CHD, diabetes, and cancer. C3 was significantly positively associated with heavy alcohol use. These findings demonstrate that communities connected to social infrastructure have better population health outcomes. C3 captures protective community attributes and can be used in future applications to assist health researchers, practitioners, nonprofits, and policymakers to advance social connection and health equity in geographically diverse underserved regions.

Abstract A022: Detecting cardiovascular disease risk in early-stage endometrial cancer survivors: preliminary evidence of pulse wave velocity and social vulnerability index

Abstract BACKGROUND: Endometrial cancer survivors (ECS) experience high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) likely due to lifestyle and social-environmental factors, including high obesity rates up to 60%. Early detection of CVD is crucial in order to intervene; however, strategies to identify ECS most at risk for CVD are currently lacking. The gold-standard methodology to non-invasively measure CVD is pulse wave velocity (PWV), and one way to identify social-environmental susceptibility is the Centers for Disease Control social vulnerability index (SVI). PURPOSE: Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate (1) CVD risk in stage 1 ECS using PWV and (2) the social-environmental influence on CVD risk using SVI. METHODS: Stage 1 ECS who were 1-12 months post-treatment, with a BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2, age 50-80 years, and English speaking were recruited in the gynecology-oncology clinic. Oscillometric PWV was measured in a supine position via Mobil-O-Graph. Body composition [body fat percentage (%)] was measured via Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. Participant zip code was used to determine SVI of their county of residence. SVI is defined as low-medium (0.00-0.49), medium-high (0.50-0.69), and high (0.70-1.00). Linear regression was used to compare PWV and SVI. RESULTS: Seventeen ECS (65% White, 25% Black, 5% Asian, 5% American Indian, 64 ± 7 years old, 6 ± 4 months post-treatment, 44 ± 6% body fat) participated in the study. Participants resided in counties with low-medium (18%), medium-high (24%), and high (58%) SVI and PWV was measured as 8.2 ± 0.8 m/s, 9.1 ± 0.8 m/s, and 9.7 ± 1.0 m/s respectively. The overall regression was not statistically significant (R=0.38, R2=0.14, F=1.15, p=0.34). DISCUSSION: Overall, PWV was elevated in ECS residing in counties with medium-high and high SVI categories compared to normative data. PWV can be used to non-invasively measure CVD risk in clinic in early-stage ECS. Despite failing to reach statistical significance, a 1.0 m/s change is considered to be a clinically meaningful difference in PWV. Therefore, ECS residing in counties with high SVI may be at greater CVD risk compared to those living in less vulnerable communities. Further research is needed, including a larger sample size, to identify successful interventions to reduce CVD in ECS most at risk. Citation Format: Lauren C. Bates-Fraser, Victoria Bae-Jump, Lee Stoner, Erik D. Hanson. Detecting cardiovascular disease risk in early-stage endometrial cancer survivors: preliminary evidence of pulse wave velocity and social vulnerability index [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Endometrial Cancer: Transforming Care through Science; 2023 Nov 16-18; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2024;30(5_Suppl):Abstract nr A022.

Development Program of Basic Physical Movement Skills for Early Childhood in Guangzhou City, China

Background and Aim: The data highlights the persistent issue of high obesity rates among young children, aged 3-6, despite economic development and improved living standards. The overall physical fitness of children in this age group is deemed suboptimal, impacting their health, learning efficiency, and social adaptability. Recognizing early childhood as a critical phase for physical and mental development, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council emphasize the importance of physical education in the compulsory education stage. The recommended teaching model involves imparting health knowledge and basic motor skills, with an evolving focus on specialized motor skills. The study aims to investigate means and curriculum arrangements for physical fitness and skill exercises, intervening in basic motor skills to promote a holistic approach to physical and mental development in young children, ultimately contributing to the sustainable advancement of physical education. Materials and Methods: In this paper, using the methods of literature review, experimental method, expert interview method, observation method, and questionnaire survey method, an eight-week intervention experiment was carried out on 30, 5-6-year-old children, and the classroom teaching content was arranged in the way of physical fitness and basic motor skills integration. Results: The results of the two-month intervention experiment were as follows: the development of physical fitness and basic motor skills was better than that of the pre-intervention experiment; in terms of physical fitness: boys improved better than girls in standing long jump, 10-metre run, and throwing a tennis ball; girls improved better than boys in flexibility; and the development of coordination and balance was comparable between boys and girls. Regarding basic motor skills: boys outperformed girls in mobility skills; girls outperformed boys in biomechanical skills. Conclusion: In conclusion, the two-month intervention experiment exhibited positive overall outcomes in physical fitness and basic motor skills development, with distinct gender-specific variations. Boys showed superior progress in activities emphasizing strength and speed, while girls excelled in flexibility. Coordination and balance improvements were comparable between genders. The findings emphasize the importance of tailored approaches in physical education interventions to address diverse aspects of children's development.

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and its main determinants in a sample of Italian adults: results from the ARIANNA cross-sectional survey.

Over the last years, many Mediterranean countries, including Italy, have witnessed a shift away from the Mediterranean Diet, thus contributing to the high rates of overweight and obesity. The survey "Adherence to Mediterranean Diet in Italy (ARIANNA)" aimed to evaluate the Adherence to Mediterranean Diet (AMD) and its main determinants in the Italian population. This study started on March 2023 and was addressed to adults aged ≥17 years, born and resident in Italy, proficient in Italian. Data are collected electronically through a voluntary, anonymous and self-administered questionnaire on the project website. Univariate and then multivariate logistic regressions were performed to evaluate associations between AMD and demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, health status, and lifestyle. On a total of 3,732 completed questionnaires, the 87.70% of the respondents was female and the 71.28% was 17-40 years old. The 83.82% of the respondents had medium AMD, 11.33% low and only 4.85% high. The multivariate analysis revealed that being male (p < 0.001), aged >40 years (p < 0.05), workers (p ≤ 0.001), and unemployed (p < 0.05), determined the probability of having a lower AMD. Vegans and vegetarian's diets positively contributed to a higher AMD (p < 0.001). These results highlighted a medium AMD in the Italian adult participants and suggested the necessity to implement tailored public health intervention strategies to improve food habits.

High Prevalence of Cardiometabolic Risks and Health Needs Among Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Treatment: A Cross-sectional Study.

Many studies have indicated that inadequate health-related behavior is associated with the progression of cancer and cardiometabolic disorders. Because patients with hepatocellular carcinoma may adopt inadequate health behaviors, they are at risk for cancer recurrence, mortality, cardiometabolic disease progression, and worse quality of life. To explore the prevalence of cardiometabolic risks and health-promoting behaviors associated with quality of life among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after treatment. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to August 2022. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire, and cardiometabolic information was recorded from medical charts. In total, 115 patients with liver cancer after treatment were enrolled; 73% were male. The mean age was 67.7 years, and high prevalence rates of central obesity (72.2%) and metabolic syndrome (47%) were noted. Inadequate exercise, oral hygiene, and cigarette smoking were common. The health-promoting score was significantly associated with exercise, the number of remaining teeth, and metabolic syndrome, which correlated with quality of life, including positive functional and negative symptoms dimensions. The findings demonstrated a high prevalence of cardiometabolic risks and inadequate health-related behaviors among patients with liver cancer after treatment. This study highlights the need for healthcare providers to help patients increase health literacy for preventing cardiometabolic risks at outpatient clinics. Findings from this study can be used to advise healthcare providers to educate patients with liver cancer during and after treatment on improving their health-promoting behaviors.

Sleep Microbiome: Insights into Probiotics and Sleep Health

Introduction&#x0D; The World Health Organization (WHO) defines probiotics as "live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host." A number of scientific reports show that their effects extend beyond the immune and gastrointestinal systems, and that poor sleep quality and insomnia are an increasingly important social problem. Studies indicate that 30-50% of adults experience sleep problems. Sleep deficiencies are associated with higher rates of obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, mental health disorders and increased risk of death. One promising way to help treat sleep problems is through the use of probiotics. Interaction through the gut-brain axis suggests that altering the gut microbiota may become a useful tool for improving sleep quality.&#x0D; Aim of the study&#x0D; The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effectiveness of probiotics in improving sleep quality and treating insomnia.&#x0D; Materials and Methodology&#x0D; PubMed and Google Scholar databases were analyzed. Articles were searched in English using the following keywords: probiotics; sleep quality.&#x0D; Results &#x0D; Probiotics resulted in a favorable cumulative effect on sleep quality as measured by the PSQI global questionnaire and a statistically significant positive effect on at least one of the components characterizing sleep quality (i.e., sleep latency, sleep length, sleep disturbance, daytime sleepiness). They allow to maintain a high percentage of slow-wave sleep, despite stressors, and indirectly affect sleep quality in athletes by reducing muscle soreness.&#x0D; Conclusion&#x0D; The results of studies to date indicate that probiotics are an effective, safe and clinically sound adjunctive method for improving sleep quality and treating insomnia. However, these studies are at an early stage and require further efforts using larger research groups.

Intensive glycaemic targets in overweight and obese individuals with gestational diabetes mellitus: clinical trial protocol for the iGDM study

IntroductionThe prevalence of both obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has increased, and each is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes including fetal overgrowth, neonatal morbidity, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and...

Maintaining an active lifestyle from adolescence to adulthood might alleviate the adverse association of preterm birth with cardiometabolic health

AimsWe aimed to determine whether physical activity attenuates preterm birth's adverse effects on adult cardiometabolic health. MethodsThis retrospective study utilized data from the Add Health Study, a prospective cohort conducted in the United States. During Wave V (mean age: 37 years; 60.7% women; mean body mass index: 29 kg/m2; mean waist circumference: 95 cm), we evaluated cardiometabolic risk factors and preterm birth status (i.e., born <37 weeks). Self-reported physical activity data was collected through questionnaires during Waves I (ages 12–19) and Wave V. An "active lifestyle" was defined by adherence to recommendations during both waves, spanning from adolescence to adulthood. ResultsThe sample, comprising 3320 individuals, with 9.5% being preterm, included 7.6% who remained physically active throughout both adolescence and adulthood. Preterm-born individuals who were inactive had higher rates of obesity (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–1.84), abdominal obesity (IRR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.11–1.92), hyperlipidemia (IRR 3.50, 95% CI 1.94–4.29), type 2 diabetes (IRR = 2.37, 95% CI 1.12–5.01), and metabolic syndrome (IRR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.17–5.80) compared to active term-born individuals. Maintaining an active lifestyle appeared to decrease the risk of obesity and hyperlipidemia in adults born preterm (p > 0.05). ConclusionsWhile preterm birth is associated with an elevated risk of adult cardiometabolic risk, maintaining an active lifestyle appeared to slightly mitigate the risk of obesity and hyperlipidemia in adults born preterm.

Environmental and social barriers to active school transport in the Colombian Caribbean region

Introduction: Lack of physical activity and high obesity rates in children and adolescents are major public health concerns. Active school transport is a strategy that can contribute to achieving recommended physical activity levels. Objective: To determine the relationship between the use of active school transport by children from the Colombian Caribbean region and their parents’ perception of barriers to active school transport. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in 2019 with data from 3 067 primary school children from the Colombian Caribbean region. Data were obtained by administering an ad hoc questionnaire (questions on how children commuted to school and about their academic and sociodemographic characteristics) and the Active School Transport Barriers scale to the parents or legal guardians of the children. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed in which Odds ratios (OR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated to determine the relationship between the modality of transportation to school (active/passive) and the barriers to active school transport perceived by the students’ parents. Results: A total of 51.3% of the schoolchildren actively transported to school. Factors such as considering that the roads are not appealing (OR=1.64; 95%CI: 1.39-1.94), that there are dangerous road crossings on the route (OR=1.29; 95%CI: 1.1-1.54), that the distance between home and school is very long (OR=1.83; 95%CI: 1.5-2.1), and that the traffic on the route is heavy, (OR=1.5; 95%CI: 1.2-1.8) increased the probability of passive transportation (i.e., using motor vehicles). Conclusion: In the present study, long distances between home and school, aesthetics of roads, heavy traffic on the route, and insecurity of road crossings, among others, were identified as barriers to the use of active school transport.

A Perspective from an Occupational Medicine Clinic in Turkey: Which Work-related Diseases Do Older Workers Most Frequently Suffer From?

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the general health status and work-related diseases of older workers based on data from an occupational medicine outpatient clinic in a university hospital.&#x0D; &#x0D; Material and Methods: This descriptive study analyzed data of 526 workers aged 45-64 who visited the clinic between 2015-2020.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: The median patient age was 48 (45-76). Of the patients, 48.1% were smokers, and 73.4% had a BMI of 25 and above. Most of the workers (79.3%) were employed in the industry sector, and none was in the agricultural sector. A total of 291 (55.3%) patients had at least one chronic disease. Of the workers, 328 (62.4%) were diagnosed with at least one work-related disease.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion: The high rates of smoking and obesity found in this study highlight the need for health promotion activities in the workplace. Regular chronic disease follow-ups should be included in workplace health surveillance to ensure early detection and appropriate management. The absence of referrals from the agricultural sector underscores the need to improve access to occupational health services for older workers in this sector. It is essential to review workplace measures pertaining to work-related diseases to protect the health of older workers.

PATIENTS WITH CROHN'S DISEASE AFFECTED BY NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE HAVE A GREATER RISK OF MORTALITY AND WORSE CLINICAL OUTCOMES

Abstract Crohn's disease (CD) has a high prevalence rate and it affects millions of patients worldwide. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is an emerging disease predisposing to adverse outcomes. There is limited evidence of clinical outcomes of NAFLD in patients with CD. We sought to investigate this population. METHODS: We queried NIS 2017-2020 for adults hospitalized with CD &amp; NAFLD. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Secondary outcomes were cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, GIB, intubation, LOS &amp; total hospital charge. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to estimate clinical outcomes. RESULTS: There were 792409 hospitalizations with CD and 26229 (3.3%) had NAFLD. NAFLD &amp; non-NAFLD cohorts had a mean age of 57.8 vs. 52.5 yrs (P&amp;lt;0.05); males 46.17 % vs 42.1% (P&amp;lt;0.05); Caucasians 82.42 % vs 77.1% (P&amp;lt;0.05); Heart failure 16.47% vs 10% (P&amp;lt;0.05); Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) 4% vs 2%; Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) 33.6% vs 16.1 (P&amp;lt;0.05)%; obesity 14.7% vs 12.8 % (P&amp;lt;0.05); Dyslipidemia 22.2% vs 22.2% (P=0.89); anemia 23.8% vs 20.1 (P&amp;lt;0.05)%; Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) 4.5 % vs 2.6% (P&amp;lt;0.05); stroke 1.2% vs 1.1 (P=0.49)%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The CD with NAFLD cohort showed significantly higher mortality, worse clinical outcomes &amp; resource utilization (Table 1). They were older, had more males, and Caucasians, and had higher rates of obesity, HF, PH, AKI, anemia, and ACS. NAFLD is associated with greater risk for MACE, GIB, &amp; ICU care. NALFD is an important risk factor among patients with CD that predicts adverse outcomes.

Obesity rates and its various impact to adults over the age of 18 in the United States

Obesity has become a global public health problem, which will negatively affect individual health along with the social economy, but there are fewer effective ways to control obesity and useful methods to prevent obesity from occurring. A data set about obesity rate was used as the basic data set, and the average obesity rate and BMI for each group were calculated using formulas of descriptive statistics. Then the results were shown through figures using the method of correlation analysis. Also, in addition, for a more comprehensive understanding of the differences between different regions, the study of Ward et al was also referred. Through analysis, obesity rates of adults in different age group in the U.S has a tendency of rising in recent years. There are also differences in obesity rates by various circumstances. In addition, there is a correlation between genetic factors, family environment, social impact, and obesity rates. And a high obesity rate will have bad effects on both adults in the society and the society itself. Obesity causes various impacts on adults over the age of 18 in America. And more usable and effective ways of dealing with obesity should be created.

Dietary trends and obesity in Saudi Arabia.

Dietary habits in Saudi Arabia have been shifting toward the Western diet, which is high in fat, salt, and sugar, leading to a high obesity rate. Different dietary strategies such as the Ketogenic Diet (KD), Intermittent Fasting (IF), Gluten Free Diet (GFD), and Calorie Restriction Diet (CRD) have shown an influential role in weight loss. This study aimed to compare trending diets and correlate different types of diet with obesity and lifestyle among adults in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was performed on Saudis and non-Saudis over 18 years old. We used convenience sampling, an online questionnaire distributed via social media channels, including WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Twitter. SPSS 28 software was applied for data analysis. The chi-square test was used to determine associations between different variables. Statistical significance was considered at a value of p less than 0.05. Most participants were females residing in the Eastern and Central regions of Saudi Arabia. Although most do not follow any dietary plan, they exhibited acceptable exercise and lifestyle. The minority of the study population followed different types of diet plans, such as KD, IF, and GFD. The purpose of most of the participants who have used these strategies was for weight loss but failed to sustain the dietary plan for more than 1 month. Obesity remains a challenging issue in Saudi Arabia. Adherence to dietary regimes could help in controlling obesity. Increasing the awareness of the benefits of each dietary plan for health, choosing the appropriate one, and sustaining a balanced nutrition pattern.

A first look at childhood abuse in women with obstructive sleep apnea

Study objectivesWomen who experienced childhood sexual abuse have higher rates of obesity, a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We assessed if prior childhood sexual abuse was more common in women with OSA vs. those in the control group, with possible mediation by obesity.MethodsIn a secondary analysis of a larger project, we studied 21 women with OSA (age mean ± SD 59 ± 12 years, body mass index [BMI] 33 ± 8 kg/m2, respiratory event index [REI] 25 ± 16 events/hour, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS] score 8 ± 5) and 21 women without OSA (age 53 ± 9 years, BMI 25 ± 5 kg/m2, REI [in 7/21 women] 1 ± 1 events/hour, and ESS score, 5 ± 3). We evaluated four categories of trauma (general, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse) with the Early Trauma Inventory Self-Report–Short Form (ETISR-SF). We assessed group differences in trauma scores with independent samples t-tests and multiple regressions. Parametric Sobel tests were used to model BMI as a mediator for individual trauma scores predicting OSA in women.ResultsEarly childhood sexual abuse reported on the ETISR-SF was 2.4 times more common in women with vs. without OSA (p = 0.02 for group difference). Other trauma scores were not significantly different between women with and without OSA. However, BMI was a significant mediator (p = 0.02) in predicting OSA in women who experienced childhood physical abuse.ConclusionChildhood sexual abuse was more common in women with vs. without OSA. BMI was a mediator for OSA of childhood physical but not sexual abuse. This preliminary hypothesis-generating study suggests that there may be physiological impacts of childhood trauma in women that predispose them to OSA.

Impact of Aging and a High-Fat Diet on Adipose-Tissue-Derived Extracellular Vesicle miRNA Profiles in Mice.

Middle-aged adults have the highest obesity rates, leading to significant health complications in later years. Obesity triggers the release of altered molecules, including extracellular vesicles (EVs) from excess adipose tissue (AT), contributing to various health complications. In this study, we assessed the effects of age and a high-fat diet on AT-derived EV miRNA profiles to understand their potential roles in aging and obesity. C57BL/6 male mice were subjected to a normal chow diet (NCD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for either 10-12 weeks (young mice, n = 10) or 50-61 weeks (middle-aged mice, n = 12). After evaluating metabolic characteristics, peri-gonadal white AT was isolated and cultured to obtain EVs. AT-derived EV miRNAs were profiled using a NanoString miRNA panel (n = 599). Middle-aged mice exhibited obesity regardless of diet. Young mice fed an HFD showed similar metabolic traits to middle-aged mice. In the NCD group, 131 differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) emerged in middle-aged mice compared to young mice, including miR-21, miR-148a, and miR-29a, associated with cancer, neuro/psychological disorders, and reproductive diseases. In the HFD group, 55 DE-miRNAs were revealed in middle-aged mice compared to young mice. These miRNAs were associated with significantly suppressed IGF1R activity. This study demonstrates the potential significant impact of miRNAs of AT EVs on aging- and obesity-related diseases.

Occupational stress and body composition of hospital workers: a follow-up study.

This study sought to analyze the influence of occupational stress on the body composition of hospital workers after one year of follow-up. This prospective cohort study included 218 workers from one of the leading private hospitals in the municipality of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Recôncavo da Bahia region, Northeast Brazil. Body composition was analyzed by proxy (Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference) and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. The primary exposure adopted in the present study was the perception of occupational stress, assessed with the adapted and reduced version of the Job Content Questionnaire evaluating demand and control dimensions. The covariates were work characteristics; biological characteristics; sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis. At the first stage of the study, we identified that 55.96% (n = 122) of workers had high work demand and 25.22% (n = 55) had low control. Among those who had high demand and low control at the beginning of the study, the majority were women, non-white, with low educational and income levels, sleeping less than 7 h/day. After 12 months of follow-up, the median value for demand continued as 13 (IQR: 5-25) and for control, it increased to 16 (IQR: 9-23). In this second moment of the study, 62.38% (n = 136) of workers showed high demand and 45.87% (n = 100) low control. The characteristics of workers with high demand and low control were similar to those of the first moment. The results indicate that high demand and low control at work are risk factors for changes in body mass index, fat mass and fat-free mass in hospital workers. This study shows the importance and need for clinical and epidemiological assessments regarding the body composition of professionals working in hospitals, since high rates of overweight and obesity are triggers of chronic health problems such as dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases, among others. Therefore, managers must promote adequate working conditions and understand the need for periodic body composition assessments.

Voluntary wheel running access produces opposite effects in male and female rats on both palatable diet consumption and associated ventral striatal opioid- and dopamine-related gene expression.

The relationship between physical activity levels and feeding behaviors has been a focus of preclinical research for decades, yet this interaction has only recently been explored for potential sex differences. The aim of the present study was to isolate sex-dependent effects of voluntary wheel running (RUN) vs. sedentary locked wheel (SED) home cage conditions on palatability-driven feeding behavior using a 2-diet choice task between standard chow and a high-fat diet. The sex-dependent effects of physical activity on feeding behavior were examined following a within-subject novel reversal design of physical activity conditions (i.e., RUN > SED > RUN), to assess temporal sensitivity of the interaction. Following the final 2 weeks of reestablished and sustained RUN vs. SED conditions in separate groups of both males and females, reward-related opioid and dopamine gene expression within the nucleus accumbens (Acb) brain region were analyzed. Results demonstrated that the initial RUN > SED transition led to sex-dependent effects of SED condition, as males increased, and females decreased their high fat consumption, compared to their respective high fat consumption during previous RUN condition phase. Following reintroduction to the RUN condition, males decreased, and females increased their high fat consumption, compared to their separate SED control group. Last, sex-dependent shifts in ventral striatal opioid- and dopamine-related gene expression were observed to parallel the behavioral effects. The major findings of the study reveal that SED and RUN home cage conditions shift palatability-driven feeding in the opposite direction for males and females, these effects are sensitive to reversal, and these sex-dependent feeding behaviors track sex-dependent changes to critical reward-related gene expression patterns in the Acb. Considering the present high rates of sedentary behavior and obesity, furthering our understanding of the interaction between physical activity (or lack thereof) and feeding behavior should be a priority, especially in the context of these divergent sex-dependent outcomes.

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Lebanon: association with inflammatory and infectious clinical markers

BackgroundDiabetes is a growing health concern in the Middle East, particularly in countries with high rates of obesity and unhealthy lifestyles. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Lebanon and its association with clinical markers of inflammation and infection.MethodsThis cross-sectional study examined retrospectively the medical laboratory record of 4093 patients from all Lebanese regions. Prevalence of T2D and its association with age, gender, calcium, vitamin D (VitD), neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (NLR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined. The prevalence of infection in a subpopulation of 712 patients tested from blood, body fluid, sputum, swab, tissue, and urine samples and its etiology was also assessed.ResultsOverall, 17% (n = 690) of our participants had T2D, and the mean HbA1c was 5.9% ± 1.2. Age, gender, triglycerides, NLR, and calcemia were significantly associated with T2D. The prevalence of infections in a subgroup of 712 patients was 11.1% (n = 79). Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) were the most common cause of infection, with the highest prevalence in the pre-diabetic group. Serum CRP level was significantly higher in the diabetic group than the pre-diabetic and control groups. Diabetic patients also presented a significantly higher percentage of NLR > 3 compared to the pre-diabetic and control groups.ConclusionThe prevalence of T2D is increasing in the Lebanese population compared to prior reports. These results should be considered to guide effective public health preventive strategies.