Increase In BMI Research Articles

Reduced Physical Activity and Increased Weight Status in Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lifestyles of children and adolescents because of the restrictions imposed to contain the infection. This systematic review examined the possible reduction in children’s and adolescents’ physical activity and changes in their BMI and weight status. Methods: A systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42024589208) of English-language studies published up to 1 October 2024 in individuals with a mean age between 6 and 18 years that investigated physical activity data before and during or after the pandemic and focused on their BMI and weight status according to age, sex, and country making use of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, identified 1040 possible articles. Results: Following the PRISMA statement, 26 articles with a whole set of 138,737 children and adolescents were enclosed in the review. The majority of included articles were of moderate quality, as determined by the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale adapted for observational studies. The studies found a decrease in PA, an increase in sedentary activities during/after the lockdown, and an increase in BMI and prevalence of overweight and obesity, especially in males and 8–11-year-olds. Conclusions: The interruption or restriction of outdoor physical activities and sports during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a more sedentary lifestyle among children and adolescents, contributing to an overall increase in BMI and obesity, with alarming implications for related health risks and other noncommunicable diseases. Therefore, the adverse effects of restrictive measures should be assessed when implementing public health strategies during pandemics.

Body mass index changes and predictors among adults living with HIV/AIDS who are on anti-retroviral therapy at Chiro General Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia: a facility-based retrospective cohort study

BackgroundHuman immunodeficiency virus continues to be a major global public health issue. Body mass index is a general indicator of nutritional status and has emerged as a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality among adult PLHIV initiating antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings. However, there is a dearth of information regarding longitudinal changes in body mass index and its predictors among adult PLHIV in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. This study aimed to assess body mass index changes and their predictors among adults living with HIV/AIDS who were receiving on antiretroviral therapy at Chiro General Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia from August 15, 2023 to September 30, 2023.MethodsA Facility-based retrospective cohort study was implemented among 1049 randomly selected charts of adults living with HIV/AIDS. The data were collected by reviewing charts of clients and antiretroviral therapy registers. The data were entered into Epi data statistical software version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of the patients. A linear mixed effect model was used to identify the predictors of body mass index change. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsGenerally, in this study patients presented a linear increase in the mean BMI from 19 kg/m2 baseline to 21.2 kg/m2 at the 5th year of follow up. Moreover, the following variables were identified as independent predictors of BMI change: age (β = 0.58, 95% CI; 0.043, 0.072), marital status (β = -0.275, 95% CI: -0.457,-0.093 ), advanced WHO stage (β = -0.496, 95% CI: -0.548, -0.443 ), CD4 count (β = 0.001, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.001), duration of antiretroviral therapy (β = 0.005, 95% CI: 0.001,0.009), time of follow up (β = 0.205, 95% CI: 0.198,0.212), no ART shift (β = -0.844, 95% CI: -1.135, -0.552), no CPT (β = 0.591, 95% CI: 0.365,0.817), urban residence (β = 0.767, 95% CI:0.401,1.132) and good adherence to ART (β = 0.975, CI:0.302, 1.649).ConclusionThere was a significant improvement in the mean BMI over time and a reduction in the rate of undernutrition during the follow-up period.

The association between metabolomic profiles of lifestyle and the latent phase of incident chronic kidney disease in the UK Population

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health challenge associated with lifestyle factors such as diet, alcohol, BMI, smoking, sleep, and physical activity. Metabolomics, especially nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), offers insights into metabolic profiles’ role in diseases, but more research is needed on its connection to CKD and lifestyle factors. Therefore, we utilized the latest metabolomics data from the UK Biobank to explore the relationship between plasma metabolites and lifestyle factors, as well as to investigate the associations between various factors, including lifestyle-related metabolites, and the latent phase of CKD onset. The study enrolled approximately 500,000 participants from the UK Biobank (UKB) between 2006 and 2010, excluding 447,163 individuals with missing data for any metabolite in the NMR metabolomics, any biomarker in the blood chemistry (including eGFR, albumin, or cystatin C), any factor required for constructing the lifestyle score, or a baseline diagnosis of CKD. Lifestyle scores (LS) were calculated based on several factors, including diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, BMI, physical activity, and sleep. Each healthy lifestyle component contributed to the overall score, which ranged from 0 to 6. A total of 249 biological metabolites covering multiple categories were determined by the NMR Metabolomics Platform. Random forest algorithms and LASSO regression were employed to identify lifestyle-related metabolites. Subsequently, accelerated failure time models(AFT) were used to assess the relationship between multiple factors, including traditional CKD-related biomarkers (such as eGFR, cystatin C, and albumin) and lifestyle-related metabolites, with the latent phase of incident CKD. Finally, we performed Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis on the significant variables identified in the AFT model. Over a mean follow-up period of 13.86 years, 2,279 incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases were diagnosed. Among the 249 metabolites analyzed, 15 were identified as lifestyle-related, primarily lipid metabolites. Notably, among these metabolites, each 1 mmol/L increase in triglycerides in large LDL particles accelerated the onset of CKD by 24%. Diabetes, hypertension, and smoking were associated with a 56.6%, 31.5% and 22.3% faster onset of CKD, respectively. Additionally, each unit increase in age, BMI, TDI, and cystatin C was linked to a 3.2%, 1.4%, 1.6% and 32.3% faster onset of CKD. In contrast, higher levels of albumin and eGFR slowed the onset of CKD, reducing the speed of progression by 3.0% and 3.9% per unit increase, respectively. Nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics offers new insights into renal health, though further validation studies are needed in the future.

Photoplethysmography in assessment of skin microcirculation in pregnant women with gestational arterial hypertension

Introduction. One of the urgent problems of modern obstetrics is gestational arterial hypertension (GAH), which entails a whole range of complications for both mother and fetus. In this regard, it is necessary to search for economically accessible, informative and safe methods for early diagnosis of uteroplacental blood flow disorders in pregnant women.The aim of the study was to investigate the features of peripheral and uteroplacental blood flow in pregnant women with GAH, to assess the state of the vascular wall of pregnant women using photoplethysmography and to determine its association with uteroplacental blood flow disorders. Materials and methods. A total of 78 patients with 22 to 40 weeks of pregnancy, divided into two groups, were clinically examined: the first group (n=42) were pregnant women with GAH, the second group the control group (n=36) consisted of patients with physiological course of gestation. The study included assessment of the objective clinical status of the pregnant woman, recording and contour analysis of photoplethysmograms, ultrasound examination of the uteroplacental and fetoplacental blood flow, and statistical processing of the results.Results. When comparing the anthropometric characteristics of the studied groups, an increase in BMI was found in the group of pregnant women with GAG (p<0.05). Contour analysis of photoplethysmography (PPG) data showed an increase in the augmentation index in pregnant women with GAG by 73.47 % (p=0.054), an increase in central arterial pressure by 3.6 % (p<0.05). Changes in peripheral hemodynamics in pregnant women with hypertensive disorder were associated with impaired fetoplacental blood flow (rxy = 0.52-0.86, p < 0.05), which was accompanied by lower fetal biometry parameters (p<0.05).Conclusion. Hemodynamic disturbances in the mother-placenta-fetus system correlate with changes in the parameters of peripheral circulation, which allows us to consider the additional use of the photoplethysmography method as promising in terms of early diagnostics and prevention of perinatal complications in mother and fetus.

Longitudinal analysis of anthropometric measures over 5 years in patients with Friedreich ataxia in the EFACTS natural history study.

Friedreich ataxia is a rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by frataxin deficiency. Both underweight and overweight occur in mitochondrial disorders, each with adverse health outcomes. We investigated the longitudinal evolution of anthropometric abnormalities in Friedreich ataxia and the hypothesis that both weight loss and weight gain are associated with faster disease progression. Participants were drawn from the European Friedreich's Ataxia Consortium for Translational Studies (EFACTS). Age- and sex-specific BMI and height scores were calculated using the KIGGS-BMI percentiles for children. Height correction was applied for scoliosis. Longitudinal data were analysed using linear mixed effects models and incremental standard deviation scores and growth mixture models identified subclasses with varying BMI trajectories. Five hundred and forty-three adults and fifty-nine children were assessed for up to 5 years. In children, severe underweight (26%), underweight (7%), severe short stature (16%) and short stature (23%) were common. The corrected BMI percentile was stable in children, although 48% had negative incremental BMI scores over 1 year and 63% over 3 years versus 10%/year in a normal reference cohort. Overweight was common in adults (19%), with a slight increase in BMI over time. Longer GAA repeat size was linked to lower BMI in adults. Weight trajectory was not associated with ataxia progression in adults. Significant anthropometric abnormalities were identified, with underweight and short stature prevalent in children and overweight in adults. These findings highlight the need for regular nutritional monitoring and interventions to manage underweight in children and promote healthy weight in adults.

The Role of Metabolic Syndrome in Psoriasis Treatment Response: A One-Year Comparative Analysis of PASI Progression.

Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological condition with systemic implications, especially with metabolic syndrome (MS). This study evaluated the vicious cycle where obesity and MS exacerbate systemic inflammation that complicates the efficacy of psoriasis therapies by examining the PASI score over a one-year period. Patients were classified into two subgroups: those with psoriasis alone (PSO) and those with both psoriasis and metabolic syndrome (PSO-MS). A total of 150 patients, half of whom also concomitantly presented with metabolic syndrome, received biologic therapies comprising anti-IL-17, anti-IL-23, and anti-TNF-a, or methotrexate, with PASI scores assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. All treatments showed significant reductions in PASI; however, patients with PSO showed more marked reductions in PASI score than those in the PSO-MS group. Anti-IL-17 treatments produced the greatest sustained long-term improvements, whereas anti-IL-23 produced prompt early improvements. Increases in BMI and leptin concentrations were associated with a modest rate of reduction in PASI score, underlining the impact of obesity and metabolic dysfunction on treatment efficacy. This study highlights the importance of managing comorbidities such as MS in the treatment of psoriasis, as the interplay between systemic inflammation and metabolic health further complicates therapeutic outcomes.

Internalizing Psychiatric Comorbidities Among Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a multifactorial psychiatric disorder classified among eating and feeding disorders and frequently associated with psychiatric comorbidities, particularly among adolescents. The main objective of the study was evaluating the psychiatric comorbidities associated with AN, analyzing how these conditions influence each other, triggering challenges in clinical management. The study was conducted at the Child Neuropsychiatry Unit Clinic at Vanvitelli University and involved 60 AN inpatients. Retrospective data collection was obtained through analysis of several psychodiagnostic tests. The EAT-26 (Eating Attitude Test) was administered to assess the presence of dysfunctional eating behaviors, while the BUT (Body Uneasiness Test) was used to identify potential signs of body dysmorphic disorder. The SCARED (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders) and CDI (Children’s Depression Inventory) were employed to investigate the presence of anxious and depressive symptoms. The WISC-IV (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition) was used to measure intellectual quotient and exclude the presence of intellectual disability. In addition, BMI at discharge of patients was evaluated as an outcome measure for treatment. Results highlight a significant relationship between AN and psychiatric comorbidities, providing important insights for a deeper understanding of the psychiatric dynamics associated with AN. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between the scores of the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and the Body Uneasiness Test (BUT) (r=0.730; p<0.001), suggesting that subjects with dysfunctional eating behaviors tend to exhibit high dissatisfaction with their body image. A moderate correlation between the EAT and the SCARED (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders) (r=0.505; p<0.001) indicates that eating disorders are associated with elevated anxiety levels, while the EAT showed a moderate correlation with the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) (r=0.411; p=0.001), suggesting a relationship between dysfunctional eating behaviors and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the data show a significant increase in BMI during hospitalization, highlighting the importance of targeted therapeutic interventions. These findings contribute to enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the management of patients with AN.

Risk Factors Related to Resting Metabolic Rate-Related DNAJC6 Gene Variation in Children with Overweight/Obesity: 3-Year Panel Study.

Over a three-year follow-up period, 63.3% of original students participated. Changes in the variables (anthropometrics, blood biochemistry, and dietary intakes) were analyzed and compared between those without obesity (non-OB) and with obesity (OB) classified at the study endpoint. The average MAF of nine SNPs (D-1 to D-IX) was defined as 18.1%. The OB group showed greater increases in RMR, BMI, WC, and SBP, while the non-OB group had significantly greater increases in HDL and intakes of nutrients (e.g., total calories, vitamins B2, C, folate, A, retinol, iron, and zinc). Increased RMR, BMI, BW, and RMR/BW changes were observed with mutant allele of D-I SNP, which was also associated with a higher prevalence of obesity. Greater increases in animal fat intake, including saturated fatty acids and retinol, were noted in the minor alleles of D-VI, D-VII, D-VIII, and D-IX SNPs compared to those of the major alleles. The odds ratio for BMI risk was significantly higher in the mutant alleles of D-I (rs17127601), D-VII (rs1334880), and D-VIII (rs7354899) compared to the wild type, with increases of 2.59 times (CI; 1.068-6.274), 1.86 times (CI; 1.012-3.422), and 1.85 times (CI; 1.008-3.416), respectively. RMR was a mild risk factor in minors of the D-1, D-VII, and D-VIII; however, a higher RMR/BW ratio significantly correlated with decreased BMI risk, and this effect was found in only the major alleles of D-I, D-VII, and D-VIII SNPs, not in the minor alleles. High retinol intake appeared to reduce obesity risk in the minor alleles of the D-I, D-VII, and D-VIII SNPs, even though intake of animal fats and retinol remained higher among minors over the three years. These findings suggest that the RMR/BW ratio and dietary fat/retinol intake should be considered in DNACJ6-gene-based precision medicine approaches for pediatric obesity prevention, particularly for boys.

Household Income Moderates Longitudinal Relations Between Neighborhood Child Opportunity Index and BMI Growth.

Background: To examine longitudinal associations of early neighborhood Child Opportunity Index 2.0 (COI) with children's BMI trajectories and identify whether household economic resources moderate relations of COI in infancy/toddlerhood and the preschool years to longitudinal BMI growth between 2 and 12 years. Methods: Family data (n = 1091) were drawn from the Family Life Project, a longitudinal study of families residing in rural high-poverty areas. Neighborhood COI was obtained for each developmental period: infancy/toddlerhood (2-15 months) and the preschool years (2-5 years). BMIs were created from anthropometrics collected at six time points. Results: Higher neighborhood COIs during the infancy/toddlerhood (β = -0.0130, p < 0.01) and preschool years (β = -0.0093, p < 0.05) were associated with lower BMI at 5 years of age; although the latter became nonsignificant after adjusting for infancy/toddlerhood COI. Both household income and time spent in poverty moderated associations of infancy/toddlerhood exposure to neighborhood COI with BMI change. Among children residing in not poor households, higher neighborhood level child opportunity was associated with a slower increase in BMI from 2 to 12 years (β = -0.0369, p < 0.05), and a lower BMI at 12 years (β = -0.0395, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Neighborhood COI during the infant and toddler years is longitudinally associated with child growth, and long-term associations are evident among children residing in not poor households. Future work is needed to better understand how family and neighborhood-level resources interact to influence obesity risk, particularly for those at high risk.

The Relationship of Limitations in Daily Living Activities and Other Health-Related Factors with Early Retirement.

The deterioration in health and functionality in older ages, in addition to biological changes, is affected by physical changes. Therefore, early retirement may become an inevitable choice. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between limitations in daily living activities, mobility, and other health factors with early retirement in workers aged 50-67 in the 4th wave of the SHARE study in Europe. In this prospective cohort study, the working status was examined in 4 waves. The frequency of early retirement was 16.1%; it was higher in male and low-educated people. Those with poor self-perceived health and those with more chronic diseases retired earlier. The frequency of early retirement was 16.0% for those who had no difficulty in basic daily living activities, 22.4% for those who had difficulties (p 0.019), and those who had limitations retired earlier (RR 1.50). Early retirement was higher in those with two or more chronic diseases compared to those without (RR 1.26) and was higher in those who consumed alcohol 5days a week than those who didn't (RR 1.34). A 1-unit increase in BMI increased the risk by 1.02 times. It has been clearly revealed how important basic activities are for early retirement. This new finding is a gain for the literature and will provide new insights intervention studies. Those who had difficulty in instrumental activities and mobility retired early more often, but this wasn't statistically significant. Our findings will contribute to increasing workplace protective approaches, and maintaining a healthy working force for years.

BMI trajectory of 8,155,894 Japanese adults from exhaustive health checkup data: the contributions of age-related changes in height and weight.

This study aimed to clarify the trajectory of BMI alongside age-related changes in height and weight among Japanese adults. Data from annual health checkups between 2015 and 2020 by the Japan Health Insurance Association were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 4,777,891 men and 3,378,003 women (age 35-69 years) were stratified into 14 subgroups based on sex and 5-year age categories. We used linear mixed-effects model to estimate values for each outcome, with six-time points (2015-2020) as the independent variable. Mean BMI changes were positive across all subgroups, indicating a trend of increasing BMI (men, 0.02 to 0.14 kg/m2/year; women, 0.05 to 0.16 kg/m2/year). In younger subgroups, the changed were relatively large, with the weight transitions mirroring those of BMI. However, the mean changes were negative (men, -0.06 kg/year; women, -0.01 kg/year) in the oldest subgroups. Height reduction increased with age across subgroups (men, -0.14 to -0.03 cm/year; women, -0.18 to -0.01 cm/year). In conclusion, BMI tended to increase with age in both sexes across all age groups of Japanese adults. The increase in BMI appeared to be influenced by weight gain in young to middle age, whereas height reduction influenced increased BMI in older age groups.

Circulating lipocalin-2 across the adult lifespan.

Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), a hormone produced by adipocytes, osteoblasts, and renal tubular cells, is implicated in age-related diseases, including cardio-metabolic disease. To understand the role LCN2 may play in pathological states, we first need to elucidate the relationship between circulating LCN2 with indices of cardio-metabolic health during "normal" aging. This study examined the relationship between serum levels of LCN2, age, and cardio-metabolic measures across the adult lifespan in males and females. We conducted a pooled cohort analysis including 124 community-dwelling males (n = 52) and females (n = 72) (age 20-87yr, median BMI 25.92 [23.04, 29.81] kg/m2). Serum LCN2 was analyzed using a two-step chemiluminescent microparticle monoclonal immunoassay. The relationship between LCN2 and age was evaluated by linear regression and cubic spline. Simple linear regressions were performed to investigate the relationship between LCN2 and the following variables: BMI, VO2peak, serum glucose, and body composition (DXA). For every 1yr increase in age, LCN2 levels were 0.26mg/L higher (P= .007, 95% CI [0.07, 0.45]). Each 1 unit increase in BMI (kg/m2) was associated with 0.88mg/L higher LCN2 levels (P= .027, [0.10, 1.66]) and each 1 unit increase in VO2peak (mL/kg/min) was associated with 0.38mg/L lower LCN2 (p= .003, [-0.63, -0.13]).There was no significant relationship between LCN2 and sex, glucose levels or body composition (all p> .05). LCN2 increased linearly across the adult lifespan while it decreased as fitness level increased. Future research should build on these findings to determine whether LCN2 can be used as a biomarker for chronic disease and if exercise can mitigate age-related disease associated with LCN2 changes.

The phytoestrogen genistein improves hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive impairment and decreases neuroinflammation in an animal model of metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is the medical term for the combination of at least three of the following factors: obesity, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and hypertension. The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is an accepted animal model for the study of human MS that reveals all the features of the syndrome when fed high-fat, high-carbohydrate diets. The intake of high-fat diets in rats has been shown to produce brain neuropathology. In humans, MS increases the risk of cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. Genistein (GEN) is a phytoestrogen found in soy that lacks feminizing and carcinogenic effects and was found to have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in many pathological conditions. Considering that multiple data support that natural phytoestrogens may be therapeutic options for CNS maladies, we aim to elucidate if these properties also apply to a rat model of MS. Thus, GEN effects on neuroinflammation, neurogenesis, and cognition were evaluated in SHR eating a fat/carbohydrate-enriched diet. To characterize the neuropathology and cognitive dysfunction of MS we fed SHR with a high-fat diet (4520 kcal/kg) along with a 20% sucrose solution to drink. MS rats displayed a significant increase in body weight, BMI and obesity indexes along with an increased in fasting glucose levels, glucose intolerance, high blood pressure, and high blood triglyceride levels. MS rats were injected with GEN during 2 weeks a dose of 10 mg/kg. We found that MS rats showed a decreased number of DCX+ neural progenitors in the dentate gyrus and treatment with GEN increased this parameter. Expression of GFAP was increased in the DG and CA1 areas of the hippocampus and treatment decreased astrogliosis in all of them. We measured the expression of IBA1+ microglia in the same regions and classified microglia according to their morphology: we found that MS rats presented an increased proportion of the hypertrophied phenotype and GEN produced a shift in microglial phenotypes toward a ramified type. Furthermore, colocalization of IBA1 with the proinflammatory marker TNFα showed increased proportion of proinflammatory microglia in MS and a reduction with GEN treatment. On the other hand, colocalization with the anti-inflammatory marker Arg1 showed that MS has decreased proportion of anti-inflammatory microglia and GEN treatment increased this parameter. Cognitive dysfunction was evaluated in rats with MS using a battery of behavioral tests that assessed hippocampus-dependent spatial and working memory, such as the novel object recognition test (NOR), the novel object location test (NOL), and the free-movement pattern Y-maze (FMP-YMAZE) and the d-YMAZE. In all of them, MS performed poorly and GEN was able to improve cognitive impairments. These results indicate that GEN was able to exert neuroprotective actions increasing neurogenesis and improving cognitive impairments while decreasing astrogliosis, microgliosis, and neuroinflammatory environment in MS rats. Together, these results open an interesting possibility for proposing this phytoestrogen as a neuroprotective therapy for MS.

Increased BMI Velocity is Associated with Elevated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Scores in Adolescents with Obesity.

Existing studies that have demonstrated a positive association between obesity and depression have been among adults, did not utilize the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), or were conducted in a homogenous patient population. In this retrospective longitudinal cohort study of patients >11 and <18 years old with obesity in one health system we analyzed associations between change in BMI between two BMI measurements and PHQ-9 scores using chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. We used PHQ-9 scores dichotomized at </≥5 as the outcome in logistic regression models to calculate the adjusted odds of having a higher PHQ-9 score for each increase in BMI per month. One-unit higher BMI change per month was associated with 2.52 times higher odds of PHQ-9 score over 5 (95% CI: 1.57-4.05) after adjusting for sex, baseline BMI, age, race, ethnicity, language, and insurance. BMI changes are associated with an increased risk of higher PHQ-9 scores. Close attention to depression screening in this population may be an important addition to other routine screening in pediatric patients with obesity.

АКУШЕРСКИЕ И ПЕРИНАТАЛЬНЫЕ ОСЛОЖНЕНИЯ У ЖЕНЩИН С ГЕСТАЦИОННЫМ САХАРНЫМ ДИАБЕТОМ, СКОРРЕКТИРОВАННЫЕ ПО ПРЕГРАВИДАРНОМУ ИНДЕКСУ МАССЫ ТЕЛА

The analysis of obstetric and perinatal complications was carried out in 92 pregnant women with an established diagnosis of GSD and in 312 pregnant women without disorders of carbohydrate and fat metabolism. The chances of developing obstetric (hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, preeclampsia, fetoplacental disorders, polyhydramnios) and perinatal complications (fetal macrosomia, disproportionate development of newborns, the need for respiratory support and medical care in the early neonatal period) in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus increase with an increase in pregravidar BMI

Impact of Altitude Variation and Lifestyle variables on the Sperm Parameters among Indian Population residing in Northeast India particularly North Bengal and surrounding areas: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Several lifestyle factors have been proven to have a significant impact on male fertility; however, the effects of geographic location, such as continuous living at high altitudes, on fertility in the male population of India have not yet been identified. The purpose of this study is to ascertain how lifestyle variables coupled with altitude impacts the quantity and quality of sperm in male Indian inhabitants who have been long term residents from the northeastern region of India, specifically hailing from North Bengal and the surrounding areas. Materials &amp; Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 243 male participants were divided into two groups: the High-altitude group (HAG, n=105) and the Low-altitude group (LAG, n=138). Participants' demographic information was gathered using a set questionnaire, the laboratory semen analysis was done in compliance with WHO-2021 recommendations. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.0 from SPSS Inc. in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Results: On semen analysis, HAG showed significant negative correlation on all parameters. The analytical findings indicated that 11.9% of the total patients had oligozoospermia, of which 19.8% belonged to the HAG and 6.16% to the LAG. Among lifestyle variables, increase in BMI and age showed a significant difference on the overall parameters (p&lt;.05), smoking showed a negative impact on all parameters (p&lt;.01) with a strongly negative corelation with sperm count, motility and progressiveness, and alcohol and occupation had no significant difference only on the sperm volume (p&gt;.05), with urbanization showing no significant difference on all parameters (p&gt;.05). Conclusions: Sperm count, motility, and progressiveness have all been found to be severely negatively impacted by high altitude, whereas sperm volume has been found to be less negatively impacted. Additionally, it was shown that the three lifestyle factors that had the greatest detrimental effects on sperm quality were smoking, obesity, and advancing age, followed by sedentary employment and alcohol use, while urbanization had no discernible effect. Keywords: altitude, male fertility, semen analysis.

Comparison of MRI head motion indicators in 40,969 subjects informs neuroimaging study design

Head motion during MRI compromises image quality for clinical assessments and research. Active motion reduction strategies are effective but rarely applied due to uncertainty in their value for a given study. The ability to anticipate motion based on group characteristics would aid effective neuroimaging study design. This study compared putative motion indicators for their association to fMRI head motion in a large UK Biobank cohort (n = 40,969, aged 54.9 ± 7.5 years, 53% male). Body Mass Index (BMI; βadj = .050, p < .001) and ethnicity (βadj = 0.068, p < 0.001) were the strongest indicators of head motion. A ten-point increase in BMI, which is the difference between “healthy” and “obese”, corresponded to a 51% increase in motion. Findings were similar in a subgroup with no lifetime diagnoses (n = 6858). Motion was not significantly increased in individuals with psychiatric disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, or diabetes. The hypertension subgroup exhibited significantly increased motion (p = 0.048). Cognitive task performance (t = 110.83, p < 0.001) and prior scan experience (t = 7.16, p < 0.001) were associated with increased head motion. Our results inform decision making for implementation of motion reduction strategies in MRI. BMI outweighs other motion indicators, while blood pressure, age, smoking and caffeine consumption are relatively less influential. Disease diagnosis alone is not a good indicator of MRI head motion.

A Study of Body Composition as a Predictor of Muscle Quality and Endurance- A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The alarming rise in sarcopenic obesity is compromising the quality of life for millions, underscoring the urgent need to unravel the factors contributing to muscle decline. Sarcopenic obesity, characterized by the concurrent loss of muscle mass and accumulation of excess fat, is a growing public health concern. This condition, often exacerbated by aging and poor lifestyle, negatively impacts muscle quality and contributes to a multitude of comorbidities. Previous research has demonstrated a significant association between obesity and reduced muscle strength compared to non-obese individuals, hindering activities of daily living such as stair climbing and walking. This study aims to investigate the predictive role of body composition on muscle quality and endurance. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 385 healthy male and female subjects aged between 18-67 years. The staff and students of JMMC and RI were selected for the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, after obtaining the Institutional Ethical Clearance. Handgrip strength (HGS) and endurance (HE) was measured using handgrip dynamometer while body composition was assessed using Omron body fat analyser. Comparisons were done between age and gender. Statistical analysis was done using Independent T test, One-Way ANOVA and Mann Whitney test on SPSS version 20.Results: As age advances, there is statistically significant increase in BMI and BFP (body fat percentage) in both the genders. Increase in BMI and BFP is more pronounced in females with significant decrease in muscle mass percentage and HGS. Females had significant decline in endurance in all age groups (p&lt;0.001).Conclusion: As the BMI and BFP increase with age, the muscle quality deteriorates. Females have more adiposity, poor muscle strength and endurance even though BMI remains same in both genders. To identify the early onset of decrease in muscle quality and endurance, a combination of parameters like BMI, BFP, HGS and HE should form a part of routine clinical screening.

Evaluation of predisposing factors in patients with ingrown toenails: a prospective, case-control study.

Ingrown toenails (IGTN) are a prevalent, debilitating nail disorder that occurs when the edge of the nail plate grows abnormally to penetrate the periungual dermis. Multiple risk factors have been identified in the etiology. In this study, we aimed to investigate the risk factors that predispose patients to IGTN. This prospective, case-control study consisted of 130 patients with IGTN and 130 age- and sex-matched controls. The sociodemographic data, clinical features, and predisposing factors were questioned. Multivariate logistic regression (Enter and Forward: LR) analysis was applied to determine the risk factors related to IGTN. The IGTN group comprised 63 (48.5%) females and 67 (51.5%) males with a median age of 31 (IQR = 28.25) years. The most common type of IGTN in the study group was distal-lateral ingrowing in 115 (88.5%) patients. The median duration of IGTN was 5.5 (IQR = 10) months. In the multivariate regression analyses, the presence of improper nail trimming (OR: 7.063; 95% CI: 3.604-13.843), presence of hyperhidrosis (OR: 2.648; 95% CI: 1.198-5.853), poor foot hygiene (OR: 4.873; 95% CI: 2.271-10.456), presence of foot/toe deformity (OR: 5.413; 95% CI: 1.508-19.427), presence of increased curvature of the nails (OR: 2.588; 95% CI: 1.024-6.543), presence of onychomycosis (OR: 3.506; 95% CI: 1.267-9.705), increase in BMI (OR: 1.126; 95% CI: 1.038-1.221) were found to be the predisposing factors that increased the risk of IGTN. Improper nail trimming, hyperhidrosis, poor foot hygiene, onychomycosis, increased curvature of the nails, foot/toe deformity and increase in BMI were found to contribute significantly to the etiopathogenesis of the disease. Considering that most of these risk factors were modifiable, informing the public about risk factors will reduce the frequency of IGTN, and modifying risk factors in patients will enable rapid control of the disease and reduce recurrences.

Gastric ultrasound performance time and difficulty: a prospective observational study.

Point-of-care gastric ultrasound is an emerging tool in peri-operative practice. However, data on the technical challenges of gastric ultrasound, which are essential for optimised training, remain scarce. We analysed gastric ultrasound examinations performed after basic training to identify factors associated with difficulty. This was an analysis of data from a prospective observational study evaluating the potential impact of routine pre-operative gastric ultrasound on peri-operative management in adult patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery at a single centre. Before initiation, physicians received extensive structured training with at least 30 supervised gastric sonograms before independent practice. We then used regression models to identify factors associated with deviation from a predefined sonography algorithm, performance time and scan difficulty. Seventy-three trained physicians performed 2003 ultrasound scans. Median (IQR [range]) performance time was 5 (4-6 [1-20]) min, which was achieved after 20-27 scans following structured training. Patient characteristics associated with more difficult and longer duration scans were: increase in BMI per 5 kg.m-2 (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.57 (1.35-1.83), p < 0.001 for difficulty and percentage change coefficient (95%CI) 1.03 (1.02-1.05), p < 0.001 for duration); and male sex (odds ratio (95%CI) 3.31 (2.28-4.88), p < 0.001 for difficulty and percentage change coefficient (95%CI) 1.08 (1.04-1.12), p < 0.001, for duration). Trauma surgery (odds ratio (95%CI) 3.26 (1.88-5.68), p < 0.001), ASA physical status of 3 or 4 (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.86 (1.21-2.88), p = 0.0049) and emergency surgery (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.86 (1.20-2.89), p = 0.006) were associated with deviation from the predefined sonography algorithm. Approximately 50 scans are required to achieve a baseline performance of 5 min per gastric ultrasound. Future training programmes should focus on patients with obesity, male sex, higher ASA physical status and trauma.