Importance Of Body Mass Index Research Articles

Body mass index and benign breast surgeries: A survey of plastic surgeons’ knowledge and attitudes

BackgroundThe academic literature has not arrived at a consensus on the importance of body mass index (BMI) as an indicator of surgical feasibility and risk. This study evaluates board-certified plastic surgeons' and trainees' knowledge, experiences, and concerns around performing benign breast surgeries in high-BMI patients. MethodsAn online survey instrument was developed and shared with plastic surgeons and plastic surgery trainees from December 2021 to January 2022. ResultsThere were 30 respondents (18 from Israel, 11 from the United States, and 1 from Turkey). For respondents who had BMI guidelines for performing benign breast surgeries, the median maximum BMI was 35 for all procedures. Most respondents supported or strongly supported their BMI guidelines.The majority of respondents indicated that they tended to have less training and experience in performing benign breast surgeries on high-BMI patients compared to those with BMI <30. Most respondents indicated that they were less satisfied with the results of these procedures on high-BMI patients compared to those with BMI <30. The median post-operation recovery time was indicated to be similar for high-BMI patients compared to those with BMI <30 across all procedures; however, the postoperative complication rate was indicated as higher. ConclusionsRespondents indicated that the risks of complication, more frequent need for surgical revisions, and unsatisfactory outcomes were their greatest concerns when conducting chest surgeries among high-BMI patients. Given that most surgeons practice in settings where high-BMI patients are excluded from procedure access, further research is needed to assess the extent to which these concerns reflect actual outcome differences.

Nutritional behavior and motives of college students for the choice of traditional food in the Republic of Serbia

The aim of this study was to investigate the eating behavior of college students and the reasons for consuming traditional food and to compare the motives for choosing traditional food with the research conducted in 6 European countries. This research was conducted using anonymous online questionnaires. The majority of surveyed students are physically active (75%) and live with their families (57.0%), which can have a positive impact on their diet and a lower level of consumption of “fast-food” (17.5%). Respondents have bad habits in terms of consuming cigarettes (65.0%), alcohol (73.0%) and energy drinks (75.0%). Most students consume all regular meals (73.0%). Based on the Body Mass Index (BMI) of respondents, they belong to the categories: underweight (12%), normal weight (34%), pre-weight (17%), obese (37%); however, 55.0% believed to have “ideal weight”. The reasons for choose particular food are: it is not genetically modified, it tastes good, it is nutritious, it makes them happy, it was produced/packaged in an environmentally friendly and ethical way, while the price of food is not important. Connection with family (81%) and food being tasty (54%) are the main reasons for consuming traditional food. When buying traditional food, respondents (59%) generally do not check the declaration on the product. These results indicate the need to educate students about the harmfulness of cigarettes, alcoholic and energy drinks, the importance of BMI and declaration on the product. Comparing obtained results with the results in 6 European countries it can be noticed that the answers of the respondents in Serbia were the most similar to those obtained in Poland.

The Predictive Importance of Body Mass Index on Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Breast Cancer

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in Turkish patients with local and locally advanced breast cancer. Methods: The pathological responses for the breast and axilla were assessed according to the Miller-Payne grading (MPG) system. Tumors were grouped into molecular phenotypes and classified as response rates according to the MPG system after the completion of NACT. A 90% or greater reduction in tumor cellularity was considered a good response to treatment. Additionally, patients were grouped according to BMI into <25 (group A) and ≥25 (group B). Results: In total, 647 Turkish women with breast cancer were included in the study. In the univariate analysis, age, menopause status, tumor diameter, stage, histological grade, Ki-67, estrogen receptor (ER) status, progesterone receptor (PR) status, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, and BMI were assessed to determine which of these factors were associated with a ≥90% response rate. Stage, HER2 positivity, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC; ER-negative, PR-negative, and HER2-negative breast cancer), grade, Ki-67 levels, and BMI were found to be the statistically significant factors for a ≥90% response rate. In the multivariate analysis, grade III disease, HER2 positivity, and TNBC were found to be the factors associated with a high pathological response. Meanwhile, hormone receptor (HR) positivity and a higher BMI were associated with a decreased pathological response in patients receiving NACT for breast cancer. Conclusion: Our results show that a high BMI and HR positivity are associated with a poor response to NACT in Turkish patients with breast cancer. The findings presented in this study may guide novel studies to examine the NACT response in obese patients with and without insulin resistance.

Heart failure-type symptom scores in chronic kidney disease: The importance of body mass index.

This analysis sought to determine factors (including adiposity-related factors) most associated with HF-type symptoms (fatigue, shortness of breath, and edema) in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Symptom burden impairs quality of life in CKD, especially symptoms that overlap with HF. These symptoms are common regardless of clinical HF diagnosis, and may be affected by subtle cardiac dysfunction, kidney dysfunction, and other factors. We used machine learning to investigate cross-sectional relationships of clinical variables with symptom scores in a CKD cohort. Participants in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) with a baseline modified Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score were included, regardless of prior HF diagnosis. The primary outcome was Overall Summary Score as a continuous measure. Predictors were 99 clinical variables representing demographic, cardiac, kidney and other health dimensions. A correlation filter was applied. Random forest regression models were fitted. Variable importance scores and adjusted predicted outcomes are presented. The cohort included 3426 individuals, 10.3% with prior HF diagnosis. BMI was the most important factor, with BMI 24.3 kg/m2 associated with the least symptoms. Symptoms worsened with higher or lower BMIs, with a potentially clinically relevant 5 point score decline at 35.7 kg/m2 and a 1-point decline at the threshold for low BMI, 18.5 kg/m2. The most important cardiac and kidney factors were heart rate and eGFR, the 4th and 5th most important variables, respectively. Results were similar for secondary analyses. In a CKD cohort, BMI was the most important feature for explaining HF-type symptoms regardless of clinical HF diagnosis, identifying an important focus for symptom directed investigations.

A Moderated Mediation Model of Perceived Effect of Fitspiration Images on Self: The Influence of Media Literacy and BMI.

The present study investigated the relationship between internal locus of control and the perceived impact of Instagram fitspiration images on the self with media literacy as the mediating role in this relationship. This study also examined the importance of body mass index (BMI) as a moderating factor in the mediated model, where higher BMIs could weaken the relationship between internal locus of control and the perceived effect of fitspiration images mediated through media literacy. A sample of 321 Malaysian university students who were fitspiration viewers filled out a self-report questionnaire assessing internal locus of control, media literacy, perceived effect of fitspiration images on self, body satisfaction and BMI. The data analysis was performed using SPSS PROCESS macro. Results show that internal locus of control is negatively associated with the perceived impact of fitspiration images on self, mediated by media literacy. However, BMI moderates the mediated relationship such that the negative relationship between internal locus of control and the perceived effect of fitspiration images through media literacy does not exert an effect on those with high BMI. These results accentuate the value of incorporating a potential mediator and moderator into the direct relationship between internal locus of control and perceived effect of media ideals on self to provide an enhanced understanding of this process and offer practical insights about the protective role of media literacy and negative effects of high BMI.

Childhood body mass index is associated with the risk of adult hematologic malignancies in men-The best Gothenburg cohort.

Hematologic malignancies are common and the incidence is increasing. Adult obesity has been associated with hematologic malignancies (HM), but the importance of body mass index (BMI) in childhood and during puberty has not been evaluated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relative contribution of BMI and height in childhood and during puberty for the risk of adult HM. 37 669 men born in 1946 to 1961 who had weight and height measured at 8 (childhood) and 20 (young adult age) years of age available from the BMI Epidemiology Study were included in the study. Pubertal BMI change was calculated as BMI at 20 years of age minus BMI at 8 years of age. Information on HM was retrieved from Swedish registers (459 cases of HM). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by Cox regressions. Childhood BMI (HR 1.11 per SD increase [95% CI 1.02-1.23]), but not pubertal BMI change, was associated with hematologic malignancies in a linear manner. Childhood BMI was, independent of childhood height, associated with the diagnostic entities Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HR 1.14 [95% CI 1.00-1.30]) and its largest subgroup diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (HR 1.31 [95% CI 1.03-1.67]). Childhood height was associated with multiple myeloma (HR 1.30 [95% CI 1.04-1.64]) independent of childhood BMI. We conclude that childhood but not puberty is the critical developmental period regarding future risk of HM and we suggest that elevated childhood BMI is a determinant of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

SUN-PO022: The Importance of Body Mass Index in the Outcome of Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

SUN-PO022: The Importance of Body Mass Index in the Outcome of Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Influence, Significance and Importance of Body Mass Index in Scientific Research and Various Fields of Science

Influence, Significance and Importance of Body Mass Index in Scientific Research and Various Fields of Science

Effect of Physical Activity on Self-Concept: Theoretical Model on the Mediation of Body Image and Physical Self-Concept in Adolescents.

Objective: The aim of this research was to study the mediation of body dissatisfaction, physical self-concept, and body mass index (BMI) on the relationship between physical activity and self-concept in adolescents.Materials and Methods: A sample of 652 Spanish students between 12 and 17 years participated in a cross-sectional study. Physical self-concept and general self-concept were assessed with the Physical Self-Concept Questionnaire (CAF), body dissatisfaction with the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), and physical activity was estimated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). BMI was utilized as a measurement of body composition. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the results.Results: The resulting models showed good fit indexes. Final model for all participants explained the 17% of the variance of body dissatisfaction, 57% of physical self-concept, and 60% of general self-concept. Physical activity had a positive and indirect effect on self-concept (β = 0.29, p < 0.01) and direct effects on body dissatisfaction (β = −0.26, p < 0.01) and physical self-concept (β = 0.20, p < 0.01). BMI had a direct effect on body dissatisfaction (β = 0.31, p < 0.01) and on physical self-concept (β = −0.10, p < 0.01) and an indirect effect on general self-concept (β = −0.24, p < 0.01). However, it was only associated with physical activity in males, playing a mediating role between physical activity and body dissatisfaction.Conclusion: Physical activity can help individuals to achieve a positive self-concept and promote psychological well-being in adolescents through the improvement of physical perceptions and body satisfaction. The importance of BMI, body dissatisfaction, and physical self-concept on the configuration of the self-concept is also emphasized. Educational policymakers and Physical Education teachers should implement strategies to promote physical activity in the schools and provide a Quality Physical Education programs to increase physical activity during adolescence.

Relationship between the body mass indices and gender belonging and the severity of received damages in combined body injuries.

On the clinical material of 107 patients with combined body injury there was found the typical peculiarities of the damage depending on the value of the body mass index (BMI) and gender. The obtained results showed that in the general structure of polytrauma men dominate. The severity of their injuries is directly proportional to the BMI increase. The importance of BMI is less significant in women, as under the conditions of the same mechanisms of injury they received milder injuries.

The Short Physical Performance Battery is a discriminative tool for identifying low quality of life in gynecological postmenopausal cancer survivor

Adverse events due to cancer treatment (changes in weight, reduced muscle capacity and mobility) hinder the quality of life (QoL) of cancer survivors. Nevertheless, the identification of discriminative predictors of QoL in post-menopausal women (PW) survivors of gynecological cancer (PW-SGC) has been ignored. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of muscle capacity, mobility and body mass index (BMI) on the deterioration of QoL in PW (n = 35; 62.1 ± 8.2 years) and PW-SGC (n = 51; 60.8 ± 11.4 years). Methods: The QoL questionnaire (SF-36), anthropometrical evaluation (BMI), hand-held dynamometry (HHD) and short physical performance battery (SPPB) were applied in all volunteers. Results: The participants had overweight, low SF-36 scores and normal HHD, and no significant differences were found between both groups, however the SPPB score was higher in the PW group (p &lt; 0.001). Linear regression analyses for QoL indicated the BMI (beta = -0.27) and the SPPB (beta = 0.57) were the strongest and most significant predictors in PW and PW-SGC, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) for the SPPB score was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.57-0.87; P = 0.015) in the PW-SGC group and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.47-0.75; P = 0.181) in PW. Conclusion: The present study showed that the importance of BMI and mobility (SPPB) for QoL differ between PW and PW-SGC. For PW-SGC, the strongest independent predictor of QoL was mobility (SPPB), whereas BMI was the strongest contributor in PW. Moreover, the SPPB test is a discriminative predictor (or assessment tool) for identifying the low quality of life in postmenopausal women survivors of gynecological cancer.

Adult height and glucose tolerance: a re-appraisal of the importance of body mass index.

To study both the association between adult height and glucose regulation based on findings from a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, and the combined effect of height and adiposity on glucose values. We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study among apparently healthy people with high cardiovascular risk living in south-western Finland. The study included 2659 participants aged 45-70 years, who had at least one cardiovascular risk factor but no previously diagnosed diabetes or manifested cardiovascular disease. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed in all participants. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. The participants were divided into five height groups based on normal distribution. For further analysis of the association between height and glucose concentrations the participants were divided into four BMI groups (<25.0 kg/m2 ; 25-29.9 kg/m2 ; 30-34.9 kg/m2 ; ≥35 kg/m2 ). Data were analysed using age-adjusted linear regression models. Height was inversely associated with 2-h plasma glucose, but not with fasting plasma glucose concentration. No gender difference was observed. The 2-h plasma glucose values increased with an increase in BMI, so that height was inversely associated with 2-h plasma glucose in the three lowest BMI groups, but not in the highest BMI group (P=0.33). Taller people had lower 2-h plasma glucose concentrations than shorter people, up to a BMI of 35 kg/m2 . Adjustment for height and BMI is needed for accurate interpretation of oral glucose tolerance tests.

Loss of muscle mass in elderly with hip fracture: importance of Body Mass Index and functional capacity. Prospective observational study: PREFISSARC study

Loss of muscle mass in elderly with hip fracture: importance of Body Mass Index and functional capacity. Prospective observational study: PREFISSARC study

Abstract P1-07-06: Weight gain during pre- and postmenopausal years results in earlier onset of breast cancer. The Tromsø cohort study

Abstract Background: Obesity is both an independent risk factor, and a prognostic factor of postmenopausal breast cancer. In contrast, the association between premenopausal obesity/leanness, and subsequent weight gain and breast cancer outcomes, is still unclear. Furthermore, the association between adult weight gain, weight and age at diagnosis, and tumor characteristics is less studied. Methods: During 1979-2007, a total of 18 990 women, aged 18-87 years, answered questionnaires and underwent clinical examination at a total of five repeated health surveys (attendance rate 68-82%). Height and weight were measured at each survey, and before surgery, among those women diagnosed with breast cancer during follow-up. Careful review of the respective medical records, including histopathological workup, was performed. Multivariate Cox Proportional Hazard models were used to study the importance of Body Mass Index (BMI kg/m2) and weight change on breast cancer risk, and to evaluate variation in breast tumor characteristics. Results: During a median follow-up of 23.3 years, 579 women with invasive breast cancer were identified, and the cases were histologically verified. These breast cancer cases had a mean age at diagnosis of 56.3 years, and mean BMI at diagnosis of 25.3 kg/m2. Most (67 %) of the breast cancer patients had estrogen receptor (ER) positive tumors, 48 % had progesterone receptor (PgR) positive tumors, and 41 % had lymph node positive disease. We divided all participating women in three groups of weight change (&amp;lt; 5kg, 5-15 kg, &amp;gt;15 kg). When we compared women with less than 5 kg weight gain, to women with weight gain 5-15 kg, and to women with weight gain above &amp;gt;15kg, we observed a RR of 1.43 (95% CI 1.07-1.90) and a RR of 1.86 (95% CI 1.30-2.68), respectively, for postmenopausal breast cancer. We divided women by quartiles of BMI (kg/m2) at entry, and observed that women in the lowest quartile of BMI (≤ 21.45 kg/m2), who had a subsequent weight gain &amp;gt;15 kg, had a RR of 2.40 (95% CI 1.07-5.38) for postmenopausal breast cancer compared to women with the same BMI at entry, but who remained stabile in weight. We observed a 6 year difference in age at diagnosis for women diagnosed with breast cancer, who at study entry were in the same BMI group (&amp;lt; 25kg/m2), but subsequently either experienced a large weight gain (&amp;gt;15 kg), or remained stabile in weight (59.5 years vs. 64.4 years, p=0.007). Furthermore, we observed a 15 year difference in age at diagnosis for women diagnosed with breast cancer, who at study entry were in the same BMI group (≥ 25kg m2), but subsequently either experienced a large weight gain (&amp;gt; 15 kg), or remained stabile in weight (60.3 years vs. 74.9 years, p=0.007). Conclusion: Avoiding large weight gain during pre- and postmenopausal years may both protect against, and delay onset of postmenopausal breast cancer. Our findings support the importance of weight gain as a modifiable lifestyle factor for early onset of breast cancer. Citation Format: Lofterød T, Frydenberg H, Flote VG, Risberg T, Eggen AE, McTiernan A, Mortensen E, Wist EA, Akslen LA, Reitan JB, Wilsgaard T, Thune I. Weight gain during pre- and postmenopausal years results in earlier onset of breast cancer. The Tromsø cohort study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-07-06.

Impact of classical risk factors of type 2 diabetes among Asian Indian, Chinese and Japanese populations

AimsThis review investigated the population impact of major modifiable type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk factors, with special focus on native Asian Indians, to estimate population attributable risks (PARs) and compare them with estimates from Chinese and Japanese populations. MethodsInformation was obtained on risk factors in 21,041 Asian Indian, 17,774 Chinese and 17,986 Japanese populations from multiple, large, cross-sectional studies (the DECODA project) of T2D. Crude and adjusted PARs were estimated for the major T2D risk factors. ResultsAge had the highest crude and adjusted PARs among Asian Indians and Chinese in contrast to waist–hip ratio among Japanese. After adjusting for age, the PAR for body mass index (BMI) in Asian Indians (41.4% [95% CI: 37.2%; 45.4%]) was second only to triglycerides (46.4% [95% CI: 39.5%; 52.8%]) compared with 35.8% [95% CI: 29.9%; 41.4%] in Japanese and 38.4% [95% CI: 33.5%; 43.2%] in Chinese people. The PAR for BMI adjusted for age, LDL and triglycerides (39.7% [95% CI: 31.6%; 47.2%]) was higher than for any other factor in Asian Indians, and was much higher than in the Chinese (16.8% [95% CI: 3.0%; 30.9%]) and Japanese (30.4% [95% CI: 17.5%; 42.2%]) populations. ConclusionThis review provides estimates of the association between major risk factors and prevalences of T2D among Asian populations by examining their PARs from large population-based samples. From a public-health point of view, the importance of BMI in Asian Indians is especially highlighted in comparison to the other Asian populations. Given these results and other recent findings on the causality link between BMI and T2D, it can be postulated that obesity may be involved in the aetiology of T2D through interaction with ethnic-specific genetic factors, although ethnicity itself is not a direct risk factor for T2D as people of all ethnic backgrounds develop diabetes.

Adjusting to motherhood. The importance of BMI in predicting maternal well-being, eating behaviour and feeding practice within a cross cultural setting

Maternal body mass index (BMI) is associated with negative body image and restrained eating which are experienced differently across cultures. The present study aimed to: 1) examine if self-esteem, eating behaviours and body satisfaction changed from early pregnancy to 2–6 months after giving birth; 2) explore changes according to country (Israel vs. UK) and BMI; and 3) determine any relationship between these measurements and infant feeding. Participants completed questionnaires assessing self-esteem, body image and eating/feeding behaviours. Multilevel linear modelling was used to account for change and to assess the independent impact of BMI on outcomes. Seventy-three women and infants participated in the study in early pregnancy and again 16 (9) weeks following birth. Women gained 1.5 kg (range −12 + 23) and UK mothers reported significantly greater body dissatisfaction, but self-esteem and eating behaviours remained stable. BMI was the main predictor of self-esteem, eating behaviours and body satisfaction. Mothers’ perceptions of infant's eating did not vary according to BMI or country; however, heavier mothers reported feeding their infants according to a schedule. The first months after giving birth are a key time to assess adjustment to motherhood but later assessments are necessary in order to track changes beyond the early period post-pregnancy.

Prognostic importance of body mass index in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction at mid-term follow-up

E-mail: kmardiakova@gmail.com Aim: To assess the prognostic importance of the body mass index (BMI) in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) in a prospective study compared to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF). Patients and Methods: The study included a total of 109 patients (69 male, mean age 71±11 years) admitted to Medical wards for heart failure within one year's period (20102011). The follow-up was 24 months. The patients were divided into two groups based on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF); HFPEF with LVEF more than 40% (n=64) and HFREF with LVEF less than 40% (n=45). We analyzed cutoff points 18.5, 25, 30, 35 for BMI according to BMI classification (underweight, normal, overweight, moderately obese, severely obese). Cumulative endpoint was all-cause mortality or acute myocardial infarction or stroke. Data were analyzed using the JMP9 statistical program. Unless otherwise specified, the data are presented as means. Proπireni saaeetak / Extended abstract

Influence of Body Mass Index, Perceived Media Pressure, and Peer Criticism/Teasing on Adolescent Girls’ Body Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction and Clothing-Related Behaviors

The present study investigated the relative importance of Body Mass Index (BMI), perceived media pressure, and peer criticism/teasing for body satisfaction/dissatisfaction of female adolescents and their clothing-related behaviors. This study also examined the influence of body satisfaction/dissatisfaction on clothing-related behaviors. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 320 high school girls living in a southeastern part of the United States. The data analysis consisted of exploratory factor analysis, hierarchical regression analysis, and bivariate and multiple regression analyses. When examining the relative importance of the three variables on adolescent girls' body satisfaction, BMI was found to be the least important factor. When entered into the regression equation alone, BMI was found to be a significant determinant of body satisfaction/dissatisfaction. However, when it was entered into the regression equation with perceived media pressure and peer criticism/teasing, BMI was not a significant factor. The results showed that perceived media pressure and peer criticism/teasing have significant negative influences on adolescent girls' body satisfaction. The results further indicated that perceived pressure from media affects both self-enhancing and body-concealing clothing-related behaviors. The results also revealed that peer criticism/teasing is a critical determinant of Body-Concealing Behavior. BMI, however, do not demonstrate significant influence on either self-enhancing or body-concealing behaviors. A significant positive relationship was found between body satisfaction and self-enhancing behaviors, whereas a significant negative relationship was found between body satisfaction and body-concealing behaviors.

The Prevalence of Wheezing and its Association with Body Mass Index and Abdominal Obesity in Children

Objective. To evaluate the relative importance of body mass index (BMI) and abdominal obesity in the prevalence of wheezing in Brazilian children. Materials and methods. This is a cross-sectional study of male and female students, 6–12 years old, from the public elementary schools of São Francisco do Conde, Bahia, Northeast Brazil. Reports of wheezing in the past 12 months were collected using a questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Program (ISAAC) phase III, adapted to Portuguese. Anthropometric, demographic, and socioeconomic information was collected. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations of interest. Results. Of the children surveyed, 10.6% reported wheezing. Excess weight was observed in 16.2%, 10.5%, and 7.9% of the sample, measured by BMI, waist circumference (WC), and the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), respectively. The percentage of patients with wheezing attributable to BMI ≥ 85th percentile (8.2%) slightly exceeded those identified with abdominal obesity, WC ≥ 80th percentile (7.3%) and WHtR > 0.5 (7.1%). Conclusion. The results suggest that an excess of fat deposits, either in the abdominal region or elsewhere in the body, increased the risk of wheezing. Since obesity is an important public health problem worldwide, control of this problem may partially reduce the occurrence of wheezing in youth.

Attractiveness of women’s body: body mass index, waist–hip ratio, and their relative importance

Body mass index and waist–hip ratio are related to human health and both play a role in mate choice. However, previous research is inconsistent as to what body mass index and waist–hip ratio values are preferred in women and what the relative importance of body mass index and waist–hip ratio for attractiveness is. Here, we made several methodological refinements to obtain reliable estimations. Participants (Poles) indicated the most attractive woman from a set of digitally manipulated high-quality silhouettes varying orthogonally in body mass index and waist–hip ratio and viewed from behind to exclude effects of the breast size. Then, each participant chose the more attractive silhouette from pairs in which one figure deviated from his/her ideal in body mass index and the other in waist–hip ratio. Both sexes preferred underweight women (body mass index = 17.3) with accentuated waist (waist–hip ratio = 0.66 for female and 0.70 for male judges). These represent preferences for unhealthy body mass and healthy body shape. Furthermore, body mass index proved twice as important for attractiveness as waist–hip ratio, even though literature data indicate that waist–hip ratio is at least as important for health as body mass index. We discuss the obtained pattern of preferences from the perspective of evolutionary psychology.