Increased Body Fat Percentage Research Articles

The Association of Muscular Strength and Treadmill-Based Walking Economy in Older Men and Women.

Ageing is linearly associated with increased body fat percentage (BF%) and decreased muscular strength, which may lead to lower force production and decreased physical function (PF) in older adults (age 60+ yrs.). The magnitude at which age-related decrements affect energy expenditure associated with walking economy (WE) is not well understood. A better understanding of the relationship between BF%, lower body muscular strength (LBMS), and PF, and the degree to which these variables are related to WE is important for the clinical exercise approach with older adults. PURPOSE: To determine the association of BF%, LBMS, and PF on WE in older adults when walking at three separate treadmill speeds. METHODS: Twenty-three older adults (12 men, 11 women; age 70 ± 6 yrs.) were recruited to participate. Session 1 included screening, protocol familiarization, and body composition assessment measure (BodPod®). During sessions 2 and 3, participants performed either a treadmill walking (TMW) protocol (three separate 6-minute TMW bouts at set speeds of 0.45, 0.89, and 1.34 m·sec-1) or a LBMS measure (1RM Leg Press) and PF test battery (SPPB). Session, walking speed, and strength/functional testing order was counter-balanced and WE was calculated as an index (kcal·min-1[BULLET OPERATOR]W-1). Steady state oxygen uptake was used to calculate energy expenditure for all TMW bouts. A linear mixed effects model was used to determine associations between BF%, LBMS, and PF on WE at the three TMW bouts. An a priori alpha of p ≤ 0.05 was set for statistical significance. RESULTS: Twenty-one older adults (11 men, 10 women; age 70 ± 6 yrs.) completed the study. There were no significant correlations for BF% (r1 = 0.19, p1 = 0.41), LBMS (r1 = -0.07, p1 = 0.78), and PF (r1 = 0.14, p1 = 0.55) on WE at the 0.45 m·sec-1 speed. Correlations were also not significant on WE at the 0.89 m·sec-1 speed [BF% (r2 = -0.22, p2 = 0.34), LBMS (r2 = 0.01, p2 = 0.96), and PF (r2 = 0.18, p2 = 0.44)] and the 1.34 m·sec-1 speed [BF% (r3 = 0.09, p3 = 0.71), LBMS (r3 = 0.14, p3 = 0.54), and PF (r3 = -0.26, p3 = 0.25)]. CONCLUSION: BF%, LBMS, and PF may not be associated with age-related decrements in WE with older adults during treadmill walking. Future research is needed to better determine the interactions of these variables on WE in older adults.

Association Between Anthropometric Characteristics And Aerobic Capacity In Firefighters

Firefighting is a physically demanding profession with high requirements for aerobic capacity (VO2max). However, this population has a high rate of obesity, consistent with the general population. Previous research in general populations has identified a relationship between VO2max and anthropometrics, specifically the impact of body weight and lean body mass. Moreover, research suggests an association between increased percent body fat (%BF) and decreased aerobic and strength measures in similar tactical populations such as military. However, this relationship has not been thoroughly examined in firefighters. PURPOSE: To determine the association between anthropometric characteristics and VO2max of firefighters. METHODS: Eighteen healthy firefighters (Age= 39.9 ± 11.0 years; Body Mass Index (BMI)= 28.0 ± 3.4kg/ m2; %BF= 27.1 ± 8.7%; Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR)= 0.88 ± 0.04; VO2max= 41.2 ± 7.5ml/kg/min) completed measurements of anthropometry (height, weight, bioelectrical impedance analysis, waist and hip circumferences) and a treadmill graded exercise test (GXT) to determineVO2max utilizing open circuit spirometry. Normality was assessed, and Pearson correlation and Spearman coefficients were used when appropriate to determine the associations between VO2max and anthropometric characteristics (BMI, %BF, WHR). RESULTS: Data revealed a significant moderate correlation (r= -0.636; p= 0.005) between %BF and VO2max, indicating that higher levels of body composition are related to lower VO2max. No relationship was found between BMI and VO2max (r= 0.05; p= 0.845), and the association between WHR and VO2max approached significance (r=-0.462; p=0.053). CONCLUSION: Results of the current investigation suggest %BF may be associated with maximal aerobic capacity. Additionally, data revealed no significant relationship between BMI and VO2max, suggesting that total body weight may not have a significant impact on aerobic capacity. Future research should continue to investigate the effects that maintaining an ideal body composition have on work performance and injury risk, including the negative effects of obesity on thermoregulation in job specific tasks for firefighters.

Maternal high fat diet induces early cardiac hypertrophy and alters cardiac metabolism in Sprague Dawley rat offspring

Background and AimMaternal high fat diets (mHFD) have been associated with an increased offspring cardiovascular risk. Recently we found that the class IIa HDAC-MEF2 pathway regulates gene programs controlling fatty acid oxidation in striated muscle. This same pathway controls hypertrophic responses in the heart. We hypothesized that mHFD is associated with activation of signal controlling class II a HDAC activity and activation of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and cardiac hypertrophy in offspring. Methods and ResultsFemale Sprague Dawley rats were fed either normal fat diet (12%) or high fat diet (43%) three weeks prior to mating, remaining on diets until study completion. Hearts of postnatal day 1 (PN1) and PN10 pups were collected. Bioenergetics and respiration analyses were performed in neonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes (NVCM). In offspring exposed to mHFD, body weight was increased at PN10 accompanied by increased body fat percentage and blood glucose. Heart weight and heart weight to body weight ratio were increased at PN1 and PN10, and were associated with elevated signalling through the AMPK-class IIa HDAC-MEF2 axis. The expression of the MEF2-regulated hypertrophic markers ANP and BNP were increased as were expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation. However this was only accompanied by an increased protein expression of fatty acid oxidation enzymes at PN10. NVCM isolated from these pups exhibited increased glycolysis and an impaired substrate flexibility. ConclusionCombined, these results suggest that mHFD induces signalling and transcriptional events indicative of reprogrammed cardiac metabolism and of cardiac hypertrophy in Sprague Dawley rat offspring.

Paternal high-fat diet enhances offspring whole-body insulin sensitivity and skeletal muscle insulin signaling early in life.

Evidence suggests that paternal diet can predispose offspring to metabolic dysfunction. Despite this knowledge, little is known regarding the effects of paternal high‐fat feeding on offspring insulin sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to investigate for the first time the effects of paternal high‐fat feeding on whole‐body and skeletal muscle insulin action in young and adult offspring. At 4 weeks of age, founder C57BL6/N males (F0) were fed a high‐fat diet or control diet for 12 weeks and then bred with females on a control diet. Offspring (F1) were euthanized at 6 weeks, 6 months, or 12 months and insulin‐stimulated insulin signaling was measured ex vivo in isolated soleus muscle. At 6 weeks of age, paternal high fat offspring (HFO) had enhanced whole‐body insulin sensitivity (35%, P < 0.05), as well as, increased insulin‐stimulated skeletal muscle phosphorylation of Akt threonine 308 (70%, P < 0.05) and AS160 threonine 642 (80%, P < 0.05) compared to paternal control fed offspring (CFO), despite both offspring groups consuming standard chow. At 6 months of age, HFO had increased percent body fat compared to CFO (74%, P < 0.005) and whole‐body and skeletal muscle insulin signaling normalized to CFO. Body fat was inversely related with insulin signaling in HFO, but not CFO. These findings suggest that paternal high‐fat feeding contributes to enhanced whole‐body and skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in HFO early in life; however, these benefits are lost by early adulthood, potentially due to premature increases in body fat.

Meal habits and anthropometric indicators in adolescents from public and private schools of the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro

ABSTRACT Objective To describe meal consumption habits and assess their associations with anthropometric indicators. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 1,749 elementary and high school students from public and private schools in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (mean age=15.3 years), who were selected for the baseline of the Longitudinal Study for Nutritional Assessment of Adolescents. Meal habits and meals consumed in the company of parents were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The consumption of the main meals was categorized as regular (daily) or irregular (≤6 times a week). The meal consumption profile was considered either satisfactory (breakfast, lunch, and dinner consumed on a daily basis) or unsatisfactory. Body Mass Index, waist-to-height ratio, and body fat percentage were calculated. The association between meal consumption habits and anthropometric indicators was estimated using multivariate logistic regression models, adjusted for age and sex and stratified according to the type of school. Results Regular lunch consumption was more frequent among private schools students, who also had higher frequency of eating dinner irregularly. Among students from private schools, the unsatisfactory meal consumption profile and irregular meal habits were associated with being overweight, having a high waist-to-height ratio, and increased body fat percentage. Among students from public schools, it was observed association between being overweight with irregular breakfast habits. Conclusion In adolescents, the association between meal habits and weight status may be modulated by socioeconomic condition.

Summer Weight Gain and Fitness Loss: Causes and Potential Solutions.

Over the past 3 decades, public health professionals have worked to stem the rising childhood obesity epidemic. Despite the field's best efforts, no progress has been made in reducing child obesity. One reason for this failure may be that obesity prevention and treatment efforts have predominately been delivered during the 9-month school year. However, recent evidence suggests that the summer, not the school year, is when unhealthy changes in body composition (ie, accelerated increases in percent body fat) and fitness losses occur. This unhealthy change in body composition and fitness loss during the summer could be explained by the "Structured Days Hypothesis," which posits that children engage in a greater number of unhealthy obesogenic behaviors on unstructured days when compared with structured days. Furthermore, the summer may be contributing to a widening "health gap" between children from low-income and middle- to upper-income families. During summer, fewer opportunities exist for children from low-income households to access healthy structured programs that do not require fees for participation. Moving forward, public health professionals should prioritize efforts to mitigate unhealthy changes in body composition and fitness loss during the summer by identifying ways to provide access to structured programming during this timeframe for children from low-income households.

Effects of Conventional and Virtual Reality Cardiovascular Rehabilitation in Body Composition and Functional Capacity of Patients with Heart Diseases: Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Background: Virtual reality is an alternative therapeutic resource to be inserted into cardiovascular rehabilitation, stimulating the practice of physical activity through man-machine interaction. Objective: To compare the effects of conventional and virtual reality cardiac rehabilitation on body composition and functional capacity in patients with heart disease. Methods: Randomized clinical trial with 27 cardiac patients divided into conventional rehabilitation group (CRG) and virtual reality rehabilitation group (VRG). They underwent a rehabilitation program with 60-minute training sessions twice a week for eight weeks. The VRG training consisted of exercises from the Xbox 360® with Kinect(tm), using YourShape(tm) and Dance Central 3(tm) games. The CRG used conventional treadmills for aerobic exercise and free weights for resistance exercise. Bioimpedance and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were evaluated at baseline and after training. For main outcome analysis, Student t and Mann Whitney tests were used with a 5% significance level. Results: The VRG showed a significant increase in body fat percentage and fat weight when compared to the CRG, and a smaller amount of total water. There was a significant improvement in functional capacity evidenced by the increase in the distance covered in the 6MWT (54.00 m and 32.25 m in the CRG and VRG, respectively), but the gains did not differ between the groups. Conclusion: The two rehabilitation modalities had no effect on the body composition of the groups. In addition, the improvement in functional capacity was similar in both groups.

A cross-sectional study of anthropometric parameters in normotensive offsprings of hypertensive parents

Background: Globally, hypertension is a major disease burden affecting nearly 1 billion people. India in 2000 had 41.5 million people with hypertension which is estimated to increase by another 5 million by the year 2025. Association of high blood pressure (BP) among siblings as well as between parents and children has been shown by various studies establishing hereditary nature of hypertension. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to measure and correlate the anthropometric parameters of normotensive offsprings of hypertensive parents (HTP) and normotensive offsprings of normotensive parents. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 200 healthy subjects in the age group of 18–20 years after the approval of the ethical committee of the institute. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, fat percentage, and BP were measured with standard technique and analyzed using Chi-square test. Results: About 71.4% of males and 45.5% of females of HTP showed increased BMI (P = 0.002**). 57.1% of males and 56.4% of females of HTP showed increased body fat percentage (P = 0.01*). 50% of males and 41.8% of females of HTP showed increased WC (P = 0.000***). 21.4% of males and 10.9% of females of HTP showed increased diastolic BP (P = 0.04*). Conclusion: Offsprings of HTP should be considered as a special group. Health professionals who deal with patients with cardiovascular diseases should utilize every opportunity to involve the families concerned in screening, follow–up, and health education.

Association between changes in body fat and disease progression after breast cancer surgery is moderated by menopausal status

BackgroundObesity is linked to poor disease outcomes in breast cancer patients. However, this link was mostly based on body weight or BMI rather than body-fat. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body-fat gain and disease progression in Taiwanese women after breast cancer surgery and how this relationship is influenced by menopausal status.MethodsBody fat percentage was measured 1 day before and 6 months after surgery in 131 women with stages 0–III breast cancer. Disease outcomes (metastasis and death) were assessed by chart review and telephone contact 7 to 8 years after diagnosis. These data were analyzed by multivariate Cox proportional hazard model analysis.ResultsThe percentage of women with over 5% gain in body-fat was 56% for premenopausal and 42% for postmenopausal. Rates of distant metastasis and all-cause mortality were 17.6 and 9.9%, respectively over the follow-up period. Distant metastases were predicted in postmenopausal but not premenopausal women with breast cancer by increased body fat percentage (HR = 1.3, p = 0.035), after controlling other potential covariates, including disease severity, estrogen receptor expression, progesterone receptors expression, age, and exercise habit before diagnosis. Survival was not significantly associated with body-fat percentage gains.ConclusionsOur results suggest that increased body fat percentage 6 months after breast surgery is an important predictor of distant metastasis in postmenopausal Taiwanese women with breast cancer. Clinicians may need to measure patients’ body fat periodically. Our findings should be validated in studies with a longer follow-up time.

A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs 18 Deficiency Leads to Visceral Adiposity and Associated Metabolic Syndrome in Mice

Visceral adiposity is of greater risk than obesity in s.c. adipose tissue for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, but it is associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs) are a family of secreted zinc-dependent metalloproteinases that play crucial roles in development and various diseases because of their ECM remodeling activity. ADAMTS18 is an orphan ADAMTS whose function and substrate remain unclear. Herein, we showed that Adamts18 mRNA was abundantly expressed in visceral (gonadal) white adipose tissue (vWAT) during the early stage of development after birth. Adamts18 knockout (KO) mice showed increased body fat percentage and larger adipocyte size in vWAT relative to wild-type littermates. These findings may be partly attributed to ECM remodeling, especially increased expression of laminin 1 and adipokine thrombospondin 1 in vWAT. Attenuated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 activity, along with increased expression of adipocyte-specific transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β, and marker gene Fabp4, was detected in vWAT of Adamts18 KO mice. Furthermore, Adamts18 KO mice showed early metabolic syndrome, including hyperlipidemia, blood glucose metabolic disorder, and hypertension. ADAMTS18 deficiency promotes atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. These results indicate a novel function of ADAMTS18 in vWAT development and associated metabolic disorders.

Significant relationships between a simple marker of redox balance and lifestyle behaviours; Relevance to the Framingham risk score.

Oxidative stress has been closely linked to the progressive cell damage associated with emerging non-communicable disease (NCDs). Early detection of these biochemical abnormalities before irreversible cell damage occurs may therefore be useful in identifying disease risk at an individual level. In order to test this hypothesis, this study assessed the relationship between a simple measure of redox status and lifestyle risk factors for NCDs, and the population-based risk score of Framingham. In a cross-sectional study design, 100 apparently healthy middle-aged males (n = 48) and females (n = 52) were asked to complete a comprehensive lifestyle assessment questionnaire, followed by body fat percentage and blood pressure measurements, and blood collection. The ratio of plasma total antioxidant capacity to hydroperoxide (TAC/HPX) was used as an index of redox balance. One-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to analyse the association between TAC/HPX, lifestyle components and other plasma biomarkers. The TAC/HPX ratio was higher in males compared to females (t96 = 2.34, P = 0.021). TAC/HPX was also lower in participants with poor sleep quality (t93 = 2.39, P = 0.019), with high sleep apnoea risk (t62.2 = 3.32, P = 0.002), with high caffeine (F(2, 93) = 3.97, P = 0.022) and red meat intake (F(2, 93) = 5.55, P = 0.005). These associations were independent of gender. Furthermore, the TAC/HPX ratio decreased with increasing body fat percentage (F(2, 95) = 4.74, P = 0.011) and depression score (t94 = 2.38, P = 0.019), though these associations were dependent on gender. Importantly, a negative association was observed between TAC/HPX levels and the Framingham risk score in both males (r(45) = -0.39, P = 0.008) and females (r(50) = -0.33, P = 0.019) that was independent of other Framingham risk score components. Findings from this study suggests that a relatively simple measure of redox balance such as the TAC/HPX ratio may be a sensitive indicator of redox stress, and may therefore serve as a useful biomarker for assessing an individual’s specific NCD risk linked to unhealthy lifestyle practices.

Gene-by-Activity Interactions on Obesity Traits of 6-Year-Old New Zealand European Children: A Children of SCOPE Study.

The decline of physical activity in children is considered an important determinant to explain the rising rates of obesity. However, this risk may be augmented in children who are genetically susceptible to increased weight gain. We hypothesized that a sedentary lifestyle and moderate activity will interact with genetic loci, resulting in differential effects in relation to obesity risk. We recruited 643 European children born to participants in the New Zealand-based Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) study. Seventy gene variants were evaluated by the Sequenom assay. Interaction analyses were performed between the genetic variants and the activity type derived from actigraphy, in relation to percentage body fat. We found a statistically significant association between increased proportions of sedentary activity with increased percentage body fat scores (P = .012). The OLFM4-9568856 (P = .01) and GNPDA2-rs10938397 (P = .044) gene variants showed genotype differences with proportions of sedentary activity. Similarly, the OLFM4-9568856 (P = .021), CLOCK-rs4864548 (P = .029), and LEPR-1045895 (P = .047) showed genotype differences with proportions of moderate activity. We found evidence for unadjusted gene-by-activity interactions of SPACA3/SPRASA-rs16967845, PFKP-rs6602024, and SH2B1-rs7498665 on percentage body fat scores. These findings indicate a differential effect of physical activity in relation to obesity risk, suggesting that children genetically predisposed to increased weight gain may benefit from higher levels of moderate activity.

Association between supraclavicular brown adipose tissue composition at birth and adiposity gain from birth to 6 months of age.

BackgroundBrown Adipose Tissue (BAT) is associated with higher energy expenditure and lower adiposity in adults. However, the relationship between BAT composition and adiposity in early life is unknown. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that brown fat composition at birth is prospectively associated with adiposity gain during the first six months of postnatal life.MethodsN=35 healthy infants were followed prospectively from intrauterine life and birth through 6 months age. Dixon MRI scans were conducted during the neonatal period to characterize supraclavicular BAT composition. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to assess total body composition was performed within the first month of life and at 6 months age.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounding factors, a more brown-like composition (smaller fat fraction) of the supraclavicular BAT depot was associated with a smaller increase in percent body fat over the first six months of postnatal life.ConclusionsA more brown-like BAT composition at birth appears to be protective against excess adiposity gain in early life. Newborn BAT tissue may constitute a target for prevention strategies against the subsequent development of obesity.

Relationship Between Body Fat And Selected Gait Parameters

Over the years obesity has become a widespread pandemic that has affected many people. Obese persons experience difficulty ambulating and conducting daily activities. While body mass indexing is typically used to identify obese individuals percent body fat was preferred for this study because body mass index presents as an inaccurate obesity classification (Shah, 2012). It has been proposed that as percent body fat increases joint mechanics of the hip,knee, and ankle will increase as well on all three planes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to show the correlation between body percent fat and lower extremity joint mechanics. METHODS: 54 participants (24 male, 30 female; Height:170.9±9.2 cm, Weight: 74.4±18.8 kg) were fit with reflective markers on the bony landmarks of the lower extremity and asked to walk across Bertec force plates (Bertec, Inc, Columbus, OH) a total of 10 times. Kinematic data were collected and normalized to body weight and collected with Vicon Nexus 2.4 (Vicon, Inc., Oxford, UK) and processed through Visual 3D software (C-Motion, Inc., Germantown, MD). Body composition was measured using a Bod Pod (CosmedUSE, Inc., Chicago, IL). Data were analyzed using a Pearson correlation coefficients (α=0.05). RESULTS: The data revealed a significant relationship between percent body fat and stride width (r2 = 0.368) as well as peak ankle plantarflexion moment (r2=0.373) (p=0.032 and p=0.005 respectively). No other significant relationships were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this data, step width and peak plantar flexor moments were increased with increased body fat percentage, suggesting that persons with a larger percent body fat require more force to propel themselves forward to toe off. Strengthening plantar flexors, or reducing body fat percentage, may allow those with high percent body fat to ambulate and perform other daily tasks efficiently. Further research is needed to examine non-normalized data to show practical effects. Additionally, the current study used primarily active individuals, a comparison to sedentary individuals is needed.

Exercise Effects on Fecal pH During A Period of Excess Dietary Fat and Sugar Consumption

BackgroundShort chain fatty acids (SCFA), a product of microbial fermentation, have been observed in higher quantities in obese individuals compared to lean counterparts. Despite links between excess caloric consumption and adiposity, data are limited on whether fecal pH correlates with changes in body fat during periods of excess fat and sugar consumption and how exercise influences these relationships.PurposeThe goal of this study was to assess whether changes in fecal pH (a proxy for SCFA production) correlated with changes in measures of adiposity during a fat‐sugar supplemented diet and exercise intervention.MethodsTwelve otherwise healthy overweight/obese males (aged 18–50 years; BMI = 29.6±3.6 kg/m2; percent body fat = 31.9±5.1%) consumed 12 donuts/wk for 4 weeks which contributed an excess energy intake of 14,554 kcal. Participants were randomized to 3 groups: moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT), high‐intensity interval training (HIIT), and no exercise (Control). Body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (% fat) were assessed pre‐ and post‐intervention by Seca stadiometer‐scale and DEXA respectively. Baseline and 4‐week fecal samples were obtained from participants and fecal pH measured using a digital pH meter. Spearman correlations were used to assess correlations between changes in fecal pH, BMI and % fat. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to evaluate differences in fecal pH between groups.ResultsMean fecal pH at baseline was 6.52±0.33. Median (IQR) changes in pH for control, HIIT and MICT groups (0.22 (−0.33, 0.39), 0.22 (−0.80, 0.55), −0.33 (−0.70, −0.08), respectively) did not differ significantly (p=0.375). Although mean % fat did not change significantly in any group, the change in fecal pH across all groups during the intervention was positively correlated with the change in % fat (r=0.69, p=0.013). No correlation was observed between changes in fecal pH and BMI (r=−0.44, p=0.155).ConclusionsFindings from this study suggest that an increase in fecal pH was associated with an increase in percent body fat. These positive changes in adiposity during a period of increased fat and sugar intake suggest that further work is needed to understand the role of gut microbes and SCFA concentrations on body composition over time. Further, these findings suggest a need to understand how different exercise modalities mediate associations between gut SCFA production and changes in body fat. Finally, fecal pH as a proxy for SCFA production in the colon may be a risk marker for weight change during periods of fat‐sugar overfeeding.

Chronic transgenerational vitamin B12 deficiency of severe and moderate magnitudes modulates adiposity-probable underlying mechanisms.

We have demonstrated previously that severe but not moderate vitamin B12 deficiency altered body composition and induced adiposity in female C57BL/6 mice. This study aims to elucidate the effects of chronic transgenerational dietary vitamin B12 restriction on body composition and various biochemical parameters in the F1 generation offspring of our mouse models of severe and moderate vitamin B12 deficiency established earlier. Female weanling C57BL/6 mice received, ad libitum, for 4 weeks a (i) control diet, (ii) vitamin B12-restricted diet with pectin as dietary fiber (severely deficient diet), or (iii) vitamin B12-restricted diet with cellulose as dietary fiber (moderately deficient diet) and then mated with control males. The offspring of control and severely deficient dams continued on the respective diets of their mothers. Few moderately deficient dams were rehabilitated to control diet from parturition and their pups were weaned to control diet. Also, some offspring born to moderately B12 deficient dams were weaned to control diet, while others continued on the same diet as their mothers. Various parameters were determined in the F1 offspring after 12 and 36 weeks of feeding. The results indicate that both severe and moderate maternal vitamin B12 restrictions were associated with accelerated catch-up growth, increased body fat percentage, visceral adiposity, dyslipidemia, fasting hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in the F1 offspring. Inflammation, increased glucocorticoid and oxidative stress and poor antioxidant defence probably underlie these adverse effects. Rehabilitation from parturition but not weaning was beneficial in delaying the onset of the adverse outcomes in the offspring. © 2016 BioFactors, 43(3):400-414, 2017.

Can using exergames improve physical fitness? A 12-week randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo examine whether playing exergames improves physical fitness in young adults; and whether such an improvement depends on their previous participation in other forms of exercise. Design, setting, and participantsThis study was a randomized controlled trial, which enrolled 117 college students from January to April 2014, who were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 55) or a control group (n = 62). Among them, 113 (96.6%) completed participation in this study. InterventionThe 12-week exergame program included the use of exergames for 30 min, three times a week, and an examination of physical fitness before and after the program. ResultsExergames improved normalized diastolic blood pressure, sit-up tests and 3-min step tests, but increased body fat percentage. In addition to the main effects, for participants who had previously engaged in other forms of exercise of 120 min or more per week, playing exergames improved performance in normalized diastolic blood pressure, sit-up tests, push-ups, and 3-min step tests. For participants previously engaging in other forms of exercise of less than 120 min per week, playing exergames improved performance in sit-up tests, and response time. ConclusionsUsing exergames may improve physical fitness among young adults.

Total body fat, abdominal fat, body fat distribution and surrogate markers for health related to adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (FABP4) in children.

The aim of the study was to assess possible relationships between adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (FABP4) and total body fat (TBF), abdominal fat, body fat distribution, aerobic fitness, blood pressure, cardiac dimensions and the increase in body fat over 2 years in a community sample of children. A cross-sectional study was used in a community sample of 170 (92 boys and 78 girls) children aged 8-11 years. TBF and abdominal fat (AFM) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). TBF was also expressed as percentage of total body mass (BF%), and body fat distribution was calculated as AFM/TBF. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2PEAK) was assessed by indirect calorimetry during a maximal exercise test and scaled to body mass. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and pulse pressure (PP) were measured. Echocardiography was performed. Left atrial (LA) size was measured, and left ventricular mass (LVM) was calculated. A follow-up DXA scan was available in 152 children (84 boys and 68 girls). Frozen serum samples were analyzed for FABP4. Partial correlations, with adjustment for sex, between FABP4 vs. ln TBF, ln BF%, ln AFM, AFM/TBF and VO2PEAK were (r=0.69, 0.68, 0.69, 0.49 and -0.39, p<0.05 for all). Moreover, SBP, PP, LVM and LA were also weakly correlated with FABP4 (r=0.23, 0.22, 0.28 and 0.21, p<0.05 for all). Correlations between FABP4 vs. increase in TBF and AFM over 2 years were 0.29 and 0.26, p<0.05, for both. (Increase in percent body fat or change in fat distribution were not correlated.) Conclusions: Findings from this community-based cohort of young children show that increased body fat and abdominal fat, more abdominal body fat distribution, low fitness, more LVM and increased LA, increased SBP and PP were all associated with increased levels of FABP4. Increase in TBF and abdominal fat over 2 years were also associated with increased levels of FABP4.

Accelerometer data treatment for adolescents: Fitting a piece of the puzzle.

This study aimed to assess the differences in participant retention and associations between physical activity and key variables when a range of accelerometer data inclusion criteria are employed. Data were drawn from 204 adolescents of Pacific Island heritage (survey, body composition, 7-day accelerometry) and their parents (date of birth, socioeconomic status) between October 2014 and February 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand. Data wear time criteria for inclusion were as follows: A) > = 10 h/weekday or > = 8 h weekend day, > = 5 days (at least one weekend day); B) > = 10 h/weekday or > = 8 h weekend day, > = 4 days; C) > = 7 h/day, > = 3 days; D) > = 10 h/day, > = 1 day. Overall, 49%, 62%, 88%, and 96% of participants met the criteria, respectively. Adjusted odds of meeting each criterion were examined using a multivariable logistic regression model. Almost 50% of participants were excluded by the most stringent inclusion criteria. Increased body fat percentage and proportion of time in moderate-to-vigorous activity were associated with decreased odds of meeting Criterions A and B. This research contributes to a growing understanding of the impact of differing accelerometer reduction approaches to sample retention and bias in adolescent physical activity research.

Occupational differences for nutrient intake and physical-activity levels in young and middle-aged men.

Physical demands may vary between white collar and blue collar occupations when evaluating specific physiological differences such as one's weight, body mass index and body fat percentage. To explore nutritional, anthropometric, and physical-activity differences between young and middle-aged WC and BC workers. Ninety-one male participants aged 19-64 that were either WC and/or BC workers completed a 3-day food recall, modified Baecke Questionnaire, and had their height, weight, body mass index and body fat percentage measured. Participants were classified as: young-white-collar, young-blue-collar, middle-white-collar or middle-blue-collar workers. No nutritional differences within ages or between occupations were reported. Body mass index and body fat percentage were lower for young vs. middle-aged workers. Lastly, physical-activity at work was higher for young and middle-aged Blue collar workers, while White collar workers participated in more physical activity outside of work. The present findings suggest that the observed increases in body fat percentage and body mass index with age, are independent of occupation.