Increased Body Mass Index Research Articles

Age-related Arterial Stiffening is Associated with A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and Lean Body Mass Index -A Retrospective Cohort Study in Healthy Japanese Population.

Several anthropometric indices reflecting cardiometabolic risks have been developed, but the relationship of body composition with arterial stiffness remains unclear. We aimed to determine the interaction between age-related anthropometric changes and progression of arterial stiffness. This research analyzed cross-sectional data (N=13,672) and 4-year longitudinal data (N=5,118) obtained from a healthy Japanese population without metabolic disorders. The relationship of age with anthropometric indices comprising estimated lean body mass index (eLBMI), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and a body shape index (ABSI) was examined. The mediating effects of the indices on the association between age and arterial stiffness assessed by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) was analyzed. Unlike BMI and WC, ABSI (Rs=0.284) and CAVI (Rs=0.733) showed a positive linear relationship with aging in stratified analyses. Especially in the middle-older age groups, eLBMI showed a declining trend with aging. An increase in ABSI was associated with a decrease in eLBMI, whereas increase in BMI or WC was related to increased eLBMI. In cross-sectional analyses, age was associated with CAVI, partially mediated by ABSI or eLBMI after adjusting confounders. Baseline CAVI correlated negatively with 4-year change in (Δ)eLBMI (Rs=-0.120 in men, -0.161 in women). ΔCAVI correlated negatively with ΔeLBMI (Rs=-0.031). ABSI is a modifiable index that well reflects age-related changes in arterial stiffness and body composition including lean body mass. Since arterial stiffening may cause skeletal muscle loss, potentially creating a vicious cycle, prioritizing CAVI and anthropometric indices in clinical practice may be a useful strategy.

Age-stratified association between preconception body mass index and risk of macrosomia at delivery

Objective: To investigate the impact of preconception body mass index (BMI) on neonatal birth weight and the risk of macrosomia in pregnant women across various age groups. Methods: A cohort study was conducted, selecting pregnant women who underwent their initial prenatal assessment at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from September 1st, 2018 to March 31st, 2020. Relevant data were collected from the hospital's electronic medical record system. Logistic regression nested cubic spline was used to analyze the nonlinear association between preconception BMI and neonatal birth weight. Binary logistic regression was also employed to assess the association between preconception BMI and macrosomia risk. Results: (1) A total of 13 015 pregnant women were examined, revealing an incidence of macrosomia of 6.33% (824/13 015). The preconception BMI of pregnant women in the macrosomia group was significantly higher than that in the non-macrosomia group [(23.1±3.4) vs (21.6±3.1) kg/m2], and the age was significantly higher than that in the non-macrosomia group [(32.1±3.6) vs (31.7±3.7) years], the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (2) Preconception BMI was positively correlated with neonatal birth weight. Pregnant women with preconception BMI of 15.0 kg/m2, 20.0 kg/m2, and 25.0 kg/m2 had decreased birth weight of 121 g (95%CI: 35-183 g) and increased birth weights of 78 g (95%CI: 54-102 g) and 182 g (95%CI: 151-213 g), respectively, compared to those with a preconception BMI of 18.0 kg/m2. (3) For each 1.0 kg/m2 increase in preconception BMI, the risk of macrosomia increased by 14% (OR=1.14, 95%CI: 1.11-1.16; P<0.001). When stratified by age, it was observed that elevated preconception BMI significantly increased the incidence of macrosomia in women aged 27-38 years. Among them, the risk of delivering macrosomia among 37 years old pregnant women was most affected by preconception BMI (OR=1.33, 95%CI: 1.17-1.51; P<0.001). (4) The stability and sensitivity analysis results showed that the preconception BMI of pregnant women with a preconception BMI of 18.0-<25.0 kg/m2 had a significant impact on the risk of macrosomia (OR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.17-1.29; P<0.001), while the preconception BMI of other preconception BMI stratification pregnant women had no significant impact on the risk of macrosomia (all P>0.05). Hypertension disorders in pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus and abnormal blood lipid during pregnancy were not the mediators associated with preconception BMI and macrosomia. After excluding three factors respectively, the impact of preconception BMI on the risk of macrosomia was the same as before (OR=1.14, 95%CI: 1.11-1.16; P<0.001). Conclusions: Preconception BMI is linked to neonatal birth weight and the risk of macrosomia, which is influenced by the pregnant woman's age. Both factors should be considered when evaluating the risk of macrosomia in clinical practice.

Association between individual occupational noise exposure and overweight/obesity among automotive manufacturing workers in South China

BackgroundOccupational noise has been associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. However, limited evidence exists regarding its association with obesity. We aim to investigate the effect of occupational noise exposure on the risk of overweight/obesity among workers, providing scientific evidence for the prevention and management of overweight/obesity in the occupational population.MethodsThis study included 3427 participants from two factories in Guangzhou, China. Individual occupational noise exposure levels were assessed using cumulative noise exposure (CNE). Body mass index (BMI) data were obtained from physical examinations. Linear and logistic regression models, restricted cubic spline, as well as subgroup analyses, were used to explore the association.ResultsIn continuous models, each 1 dB-year increase in CNE was significantly associated with a 0.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.00, 0.05) kg/m² increase in BMI. In categorical models, higher CNE levels were significantly associated with BMI (β = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.92) and overweight/obesity (odd ratio (OR) = 1.57, 95%CI: 1.21, 2.04). Restricted cubic splines (RCS) analysis demonstrated a linear dose-response relationship between CNE and overweight/obesity (Pfor overall=0.013, Pfor non-linear=0.175). Additionally, shift and night work were identified as critical moderating factors, with a stronger association observed among workers engaged in shift and night work.ConclusionOccupational noise exposure is positively associated with overweight/obesity, particularly among those engaged in shift and night work. Thus, enhancing noise source management and promoting awareness among workers for prevention are imperative.

NLRP3 is a BMI-independent mediator of stable COPD

PurposeThe inflammatory response in animal models of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is activated by the NLR-family-pyrin-domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway, which is also known to play a role in obesity-related inflammation. The NLRP3/caspase-1/interleukin (IL)-1β pathway might be involved in the progression of COPD with increasing body mass index. To our knowledge, no previous studies have explored the role of NLRP3 inflammasome markers in linking COPD and obesity. Here, we aim to investigate this potential connection by examining levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-17A and to provide additional data on the expression of these molecules in relation to smoking status and COPD severity.MethodsA case‒control study was conducted between July 2020 and March 2023. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated, and total RNA was extracted for real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis to measure the expression levels of inflammasome molecules.Results29 subjects who were diagnosed with stable COPD and 32 controls were included in the data analysis. NLRP3 and IL-17A but not caspase-1 or IL-1β expression was significantly greater in the COPD group than in the control group. We detected a significant increase in NLRP3 levels in the smoker COPD group (p = 0.009) and nonsmoker COPD group (p = 0.045) compared with those in the nonsmoker control group. There was no significant correlation between BMI and the inflammasome markers.ConclusionAs proinflammatory biomarkers, NLRP3 and IL-17A are prominent in stable COPD patients. Smoking may trigger NLRP3-mediated inflammation in stable COPD patients. The expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome molecules did not differ in terms of disease severity or BMI.Graphical

Factors associated with individual-level changes in BMI as a result of COVID-19 in the general- and migrant-origin populations in Finland.

There is limited information on changes in body mass index (BMI) due to the COVID-19 pandemic among persons of migrant origin. The aim of the present study was to examine factors associated with changes in BMI among the general- and migrant-origin populations in Finland. Longitudinal data to explore individual-level changes in self-reported BMI among migrant-origin persons (N = 3313) were obtained from the FinMonik Survey conducted in 2018 and the MigCOVID Survey conducted 2020-2021. Data for the general population reference group were obtained from the FinHealth 2017 Study conducted 2017-2018 and its follow-up conducted in 2020 (N = 2982). Logistic regression was applied to examine whether age, sex, education, economic activity, length of residence in Finland, language skills, smoking, alcohol usage, sleep, physical activity, snacking, and fruit and vegetable consumption were associated with an increase or decrease in BMI. A change in BMI was defined as a 5% or greater increase or decrease. Twenty-seven per cent of the migrant-origin population experienced an increase in BMI, while 14% had a decrease in BMI. These results corresponded to figures observed among the general population in Finland (27% and 14%). Persons of migrant origin who were other than students or employed faced greater odds of an increase in BMI of at least 5% (OR = 1.71). In the general population, an increase in BMI of at least 5% had greater odds of occurring among women (OR = 1.61), those who were other than students or employed (OR = 1.68), those who increased their alcohol intake (OR = 1.64), those who increased their snacking (OR = 1.40) and decreased their fruit and vegetable intake (OR = 1.85). Most examined factors applied differently to general- and migrant-origin populations and by migrant-origin group. These differences must be considered when planning future public health promotion efforts, particularly those during crisis situations.

Overweight and Obese Children Aged 6-17 Years in China Had Lower Level of Hydration Status: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aims of this study were to explore the differences in total body water and hydration status among Chinese children aged 6-17 years. A cross-sectional study was implemented among children aged 6-17 years in China. The total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW), and extracellular water (ECW) were determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The participants were divided according to age-age 6-8 years, age 9-11 years, age 12-14 years, age 15-17 years-and body mass index (BMI) of China-underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese groups. The differences of variables of groups were compared using analysis of variance, Student's t-test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Significance levels were set at 0.05 (p < 0.05). A total of 59,643 participants (30,103 males and 29,540 females) completed the study. As children became older, the TBW, ICW, ECW, ICW/TBW, and TBW/FFM (TBW to fat free mass ratio) increased simultaneously (all p < 0.05); concurrently, the ECW/TBW decreased with age (all p < 0.05). Boys had higher TBW, ICW, ECW, ICW/TBW, TBW/BW, and TBW/FFM than those of girls at each age (all p < 0.05). For all BMI groups, increases in TBW, ICW, ECW were observed from the underweight group to the obese group, both in boys and girls (all p < 0.001). For the increase in BMI in all age groups, the values of TBW made a significantly lower percentage compared to BW. The higher BMI groups showed higher levels of TBW/FFM, both in girls and boys (all p < 0.001). The body water contents of children aged 6-17 years varied according to their age, sex, and BMI. Overweight and obese individuals may have inferior hydration status compared to those with normal weight.

Effect of multi-level upper airway surgery on obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Obesity is a major risk factor in Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is a prevalent disease that leads to significant morbidity. Multi-level Sleep Surgery (MLS) is a method of treatment for patients who cannot tolerate continuous positive airway pressure. Obesity has previously been identified as a risk factor that may decrease the success rate of MLS. The purpose of our study is to assess the success rates of MLS in obese patients. A retrospective cohort study in 109 adults that underwent MLS in our institution. All the participants completed pre-operative and post-operative level 1 polysomnography. They were divided into four groups as per their body mass index (BMI): Normal (BMI < 25), overweight (25-30), obese (30-35), morbid obese (> 35) and the variables were compared. We measured the surgical success as defined by Sher Criteria (AHI drop > 50% from preoperative baseline and AHI < 20) and cure rates (AHI < 5). The average BMI was 30.9 pre-op and 30.4 post-op. The mean AHI was 29.8 pre-op and decreased to 10.1 (p < 0.001) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale from 12.9 to 4.8 (p < 0.001). There were 13, 31, 43, and 22 patients in normal, overweight, obese and morbidly obese groups, respectively. The surgical success rate as defined by Sher's criteria was 84%, 84%, 72%, and 77% in the respective groups, with no statistical difference (p = 0.662). Moreover, the cure rate was 77%, 45%, 44%, and 45%, with no statistical difference (p = 0.192). The AHI reduction was 9.93, 19.73, 21.1 and 22.8 in the respective groups. A linear regression analysis revealed no significant difference in assessing the surgical success and cure rates as BMI increases. Data regarding MLS success rates on obese patients is scarce. The current study demonstrates that MLS can offer positive outcomes for this population. However, further studies are warranted to investigate this relationship.

Association Between BMI and Neurocognitive Functions Among Middle-aged Obese Adults: Preliminary Findings Using Machine-learning (ML)-based Approach.

Studies suggest that obesity predisposes individuals to developing cognitive dysfunction and an increased risk of dementia, but the nature of the relationship remains largely unexplored for better prognostic predictors. This study, the first of its kind in Indian participants with obesity, was intended to explore the use of quantification of different neurocognitive indices with increasing body mass index (BMI) among middle-aged participants with obesity. Additionally, machine-learning models were used to analyse the predictive performance of BMI for different cognitive functions. In the cross-sectional analytical study, a total of 137 (n = 137) participants were included. Out of the total, 107 healthy obese (BMI = 23.0-30.0 kg m-2; age between 36 and 55 years of both genders) were recruited from the out-patient department of the Department of Endocrinology and General Medicine, and 30 participants were recruited as the control group, between March 2023 to February 2024. The participants underwent neuropsychological assessments, including mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Significant (p < .05) differences were observed for neurocognitive functions for the obese group versus the control group. According to the correlation heatmaps, BMI was significantly (p < .05) negatively associated with BDNF. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a substantial (p < .05) decline in BDNF with a change in BMI, accenting its significant impact on cognitive ageing. Additionally, consistent decreasing trends were observed across the MoCA and MMSE, confirming the robustness of the findings across diverse analytical methodologies. Furthermore, the linear regression model and super vector machine model contributed additional evidence to the consistency of the trends in cognitive decline linked to BMI variations. The preliminary results of the present study support that increased BMI is an important physiological indicator that influences neurocognition and neuroplasticity in individuals with obesity.

Body mass index trajectories from birth to adolescence and associated factors in the PARIS cohort.

Development of body mass index (BMI) trajectories is essential for understanding childhood overweight, a public health concern. This study aimed to identify BMI trajectories from birth to adolescence and examine associated factors in the Pollution and Asthma Risk: an Infant Study (PARIS) birth cohort. Data on height, weight, birth parameters, lifestyle, parental weight status and stress were collected via questionnaires and health check-ups. BMI z-score (BMIz) trajectories were developed using group-based trajectory modelling on anthropometric data collected at least six times. Associated factors were investigated in multivariable multinomial logistic regression models, adjusted for confounders. Five BMIz trajectories were identified in 540 adolescents. The early high stable BMI trajectory grouped participants who reached overweight status in early childhood. Four trajectories remained within the normal weight status: low stable BMI, continuous decrease BMI, continuous increase BMI, and early increase and slight decrease BMI trajectories. Compared with low stable BMI, high BMI trajectories were associated with higher parental weight status, early rebound age, excessive TV watching, lower food avoidance score, stressful events in early life and parent-child relationship stress. High BMI trajectories shared several modifiable factors, emphasising the need for multifactorial interventions to tackle the childhood overweight epidemic.

Effects of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption on Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference Among Adolescents in Erbil City, Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study Using 24-h Dietary Recall

(1) Background: Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major source of added sugars and have been linked to adverse health outcomes, including obesity and metabolic disorders. The global rise in adolescents who are overweight and obese presents critical public health challenges. Although there is a growing focus on SSB consumption globally, data on sugar and SSB intake in Iraq, particularly in the Kurdistan region, remain scarce. This study aims to assess SSB consumption and its association with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference among adolescents in Erbil, Iraq, contributing to efforts to address obesity in this population. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study included 379 intermediate school students aged 11 to 16 years from Erbil, Iraq. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire to gather information on sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity levels, sedentary behaviors, and sleep duration. Weight and height were measured, and age- and sex-adjusted BMI z-scores were calculated. Waist circumference was measured twice, with the average value recorded. Dietary data were obtained using two non-consecutive 24 h recalls (one on a school day and one on a weekend day), and the average daily SSB consumption was calculated. Multiple regression modeling was used to evaluate the associations between SSB consumption, BMI, and waist circumference, adjusting for potential confounders. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26, with statistical significance set at 5%. (3) Results: The mean daily intake of SSBs was 686.71 ± 197.50 milliliters (mL), with males consuming significantly more (719.8 ± 185.9) than females (658.0 ± 185.3) (p = 0.001). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 41.7%. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant positive association between BMI and SSB consumption, sedentary behavior, and total caloric intake (p &lt; 0.001), while age was negatively associated with BMI. The consumption of SSBs was strongly associated with BMI, with each additional milliliter of SSB intake associated with a 0.002 unit increase in BMI (t-value = 12.498, p &lt; 0.001). Waist circumference was significantly positively associated with SSB consumption, total caloric intake, and sedentary behavior (p &lt; 0.001), while age (p &lt; 0.001) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (p = 0.005) were negatively associated with waist circumference. For each additional milliliter of SSB consumed, waist circumference increased by 0.028 units (t-value = 12.498, p &lt; 0.001). (4) Conclusions: High levels of SSB consumption were observed among adolescents in Erbil, particularly among males. Significant associations were found between SSB intake, overweight/obesity, and waist circumference. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted public health interventions and further investigation into the factors driving SSB consumption in this population.

Change in Metabolic Markers and the Risk of Skin Cancer: Results from the Lifelines Cohort Study in the Netherlands.

Skin-cancers are the most common cancers in Caucasians, and their incidence is rising. Although metabolic and anthropometric markers play a role in cancer development, the relationship of metabolic and anthropometric changes with skin-cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to examine possible associations between these changes and the risk of skin-cancer. Participants without prior skin-cancer history from the Northern-Netherlands representative of the general population were included. Histopathology data were obtained from the Dutch Nationwide Pathology-Database. Adjusted-Cox-regression analyzed associations between metabolic changes and time to pathology-confirmed skin-cancer incidence over a 7-year follow-up, assessing overall skin-cancer risk and subtypes, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin-cancer. Out of 97,106 participants, 4,195 (4.3%) developed skin-cancer. Body-mass-index (BMI) decrease and increase were both associated with lower skin-cancer risk: adjusted-hazard-ratios(aHR) of 0.88(0.80-0.98) and 0.78(0.72-0.86), respectively. Triglyceride and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)decreases were also associated with lower risk: aHR: 0.89(0.80-0.98) and 0.89(0.83-0.98), respectively. Increase in HbA1c was associated with higher risk in individuals under 45 years at baseline: aHR: 1.21(1.01-1.45). Subtype-analysis showed an increase in BMI was associated with lower melanoma risk: aHR: 0.72(0.58-0.91). Changes in BMI and decrease in triglycerides and WHR are related to lower skin-cancer risk, whereas increase in HbA1c may elevate risk in individuals younger than 45 at baseline. These findings highlight the importance of non-sunlight-related risk factors for skin-cancer prevention and the need for further research into underlying mechanisms. This study contributes to the broader understanding of how metabolic health impacts skin-cancer development, offering potential avenues for targeted prevention strategies.

Association between different obesity metrics and risk of inguinal hernia.

Obesity is closely associated with a lower risk of inguinal hernia, but the association between different obesity metrics and the risk of inguinal hernia is still unclear. In our study, we categorized obesity measurement indicators into three groups based on the difficulty of measurement: (1) indicators easily available, such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR); (2) indicators accessible with moderate difficulty, such as body fat percentage and body fat mass; (3) indicators difficultly accessible, such as the volume of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to investigate the causal relationship between various adiposity measures and the risk of inguinal hernia in both European ancestry and East Asians. We identified a total of 17,096 patients with inguinal hernia in the FinnGen cohort and 1664 cases in the Japan Biobank cohort. For European ancestry, MR analysis reported a significant causal association between one standard deviation increase of BMI, WC, HC, body fat percentage, and body fat mass and the lower risk of inguinal hernia, rather than WHR, VAT, and SAT. After the adjustment of BMI, increased WC is still causally associated with a lower risk of inguinal hernia (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.33-0.80; P < 0.01). Among East Asians, only body fat mass is causally associated with a reduced risk of inguinal hernia, rather than BMI, WC, and HC. Obesity is causally associated with a relatively lower risk of inguinal hernia. The association between different obesity measures and the risk of inguinal hernia has ethnic specificity. These findings help us deepen our understanding of the intrinsic causal relationship between fat distribution and the risk of inguinal hernias at the genetic level.

The Dose-Dependent Effect of Obesity on Adverse Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in a Hispanic Population.

To evaluate the frequency of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with maternal obesity in a Hispanic population. We hypothesized that obesity confers a dose-dependent risk associated with these outcomes. This was a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies delivered between 24 and 42 weeks gestation at an urban county hospital between 2013 and 2021. Body mass index (BMI) at first prenatal visit was used as a proxy for pre-pregnancy weight. Patients were excluded if their first trimester BMI was not available. Trends in adverse outcomes across increasing obesity classes were assessed. During the study period, 58,497 patients delivered a singleton infant, of which 12,365 (21.1%), 5429 (9.3%), and 3482 (6.0%) were in class I, II, and III obesity, respectively. Compared with non-obese patients, more obese patients were more likely to be younger and nulliparous with a higher incidence of hypertension and pregestational diabetes. Higher BMI was associated with a significant dose-dependent increase in cesarean delivery (27% for non-obese, 34% for class I, 39% for class II, and 46% for class III obesity); severe preeclampsia (8% in non-obese and 19% for class III obesity); and gestational diabetes (5% in non-obese and 15% in class III obesity). There were significant trends in increasing morbidity for infants born to patients with correspondingly higher obesity classes. Some of these adverse outcomes included respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal intensive care unit admission, fetal anomalies, and sepsis (all p < 0.001). Increasing body mass index is associated with a significant dose-dependent increase in multiple adverse perinatal outcomes in a Hispanic population. Associated adverse maternal outcomes include severe preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean delivery. Infants born to patients with correspondingly higher BMI class have significantly increased associated morbidity. Often, only higher BMI classes are significantly associated with these adverse outcomes.

Assessing the Risks and Cultural Relativity of Diabetes in Black Individuals of African Caribbean Ancestry (ACB) Aged 18-39 Years in Toronto.

Context: Diabetes rates are high in Black and some other ethnic communities, often leading to more severe complications. We conducted a study to identify the prevalence and risk of diabetes among African Caribbean Black (ACB) individuals aged 18-39 and to assess the sensitivity of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) compared to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to diagnose diabetes. Methods: In this mixed-methods study, maximum variation sampling was used to recruit 272 ACB participants from fourteen African and five Caribbean countries from Toronto. Participants' height, weight, waist circumference, HbA1c, OGTT, demographic, and behavioural data were collected. SPSS was used to analyze the quantitative data. This study used descriptive statistics for frequency distribution and cross-tabulation while inferential statistics (regression, ANOVA, factor analysis, etc.) were used for relational analysis. Because of the small sample size, qualitative data were analyzed manually using the charting technique. Results: This study found that 1.5% of participants had diabetes, 9.2% had prediabetes, and 44.9% were at risk of developing diabetes. The mean value of HbA1c, FBS, and 2hPG was 5.5%, 4.8 mmol/L, and 5.7 mmol/L, respectively. The mean BMI was 28.2 kg/m2, and the waist circumference was 85.8 cm. This study found a correlation between glucose intolerance and increasing body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Dietary habits, physical inactivity, and mental health challenges were risk factors among the participants. HbA1c was found to be a more sensitive and culturally acceptable screening measure than OGTT in diagnosing diabetes. Conclusions: ACB individuals are at high risk of having diabetes, requiring culturally tailored peer-based health promotion strategies to reduce diabetes prevalence and risk. HbA1c is a culturally acceptable and statistically more capable measure than OGTT in identifying individuals with prediabetes. Further longitudinal research is needed.

Development and External Validation of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Cutaneous Abscess Prediction Score-2 (HSCAPS-2): A Clinical Decision Support Tool for Diagnosis of Hidradenitis Suppurativa over Cutaneous Abscess.

Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) experience a 10-year diagnosis delay, on average. Accordingly, time to diagnosis represents one of the greatest unmet needs in HS, which to date has not been adequately addressed. A general lack of awareness about HS in the medical community and a notable heterogeneity in clinical presentation, which is most often confused with cutaneous abscess (CA), forms the basis of poor disease recognition and diagnosis delay. Our objective was to develop and validate a prediction model for diagnosis of HS versus site-specific cutaneous abscess (CA). We performed a cross-sectional study in which the model was developed using a large clinical database and externally validated using a sample of clinical records at Penn State Health. Prediction model discrimination and calibration were evaluated using the c-statistic, calibration intercept/slope, and a flexible calibration curve. Variable selection identified 15 predictors, 7 of which remained after model simplification. The following characteristics were predictive of HS relative to site-specific CA: female sex, increasing age up to 44 years, African American race, race other than White or African American, increasing body mass index, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and acne. The c-statistics of the 7-variable model in validation was 0.77 (95% CI 0.73-0.80). Calibration intercept and slope were 0.29 (95% CI 0.14, 0.43) and 1.09 (95% CI 0.90, 1.28). Clinical characteristics can predict diagnosis of HS over CA in practice without reliance on a specialty-specific examination to identify disease and potentially reduce diagnosis delay.

The Impact of Coenzyme Q10 on Cognitive Dysfunction, Antioxidant Defense, Cholinergic Activity, and Hippocampal Neuronal Damage in Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Obesity

Background: Obesity, a rising global health issue, is linked to numerous disorders, including cognitive impairment. Objectives: This study investigates the effects of coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) on cognitive performance, antioxidant defense, cholinergic activity, and hippocampal neuron damage in rats rendered obese by monosodium glutamate (MSG) exposure. Methods: Forty-eight neonatal male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups: Control, MSG, MSG + Q10-10, and MSG + Q10-20. Monosodium glutamate (4 g/kg BW) was administered subcutaneously into the cervical region from postnatal day (PND) 2 to PND 10. Coenzyme Q10 (10 mg/kg BW and 20 mg/kg BW) was administered intraperitoneally from PND 30 to PND 42. At the end of the treatment period, working memory and avoidance learning tests were conducted. Anthropometric data were collected, followed by evaluations of hippocampal catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The density of apoptotic/dark neurons (DN) in the CA₁ and CA₃ regions of the hippocampus was also assessed. Results: Monosodium glutamate treatment increased Body Mass Index (BMI) and Lee Index, impaired working memory and avoidance learning, and reduced CAT, SOD, and GPx activities. Additionally, MSG exposure led to elevated MDA levels, increased AChE activity, and higher DN density in the CA₁ and CA₃ hippocampal regions. Treatment with Co-Q10 resulted in a decrease in BMI, enhanced memory and learning, noteworthy increases in CAT, SOD, and GPx activities in the hippocampus, and reductions in MDA levels, AChE activity, and DN density in the CA₁ and CA₃ regions. Conclusions: Coenzyme Q10 mitigates hippocampal neuronal damage and improves cognitive function in MSG-induced obesity, primarily through its antioxidant and AChE inhibitory properties.

The Association of Persistent Hyperuricemia With Liver Function and the Management of Uric Acid Levels: Insights From a Three-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

The association of long-term hyperuricemia with liver function remains less well understood. This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the relationship between hyperuricemia and liver function as well as other metabolic and cardiovascular parameters. We enrolled 375 participants with hyperuricemia and 599 normouricemic controls. Participants were followed up for 3 years, and data on liver indicators, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and liver ultrasonography were collected. Additionally, we assessed other parameters, such as renal function, lipid profile, blood pressure, fasting blood-glucose (FBG), and body mass index (BMI). The highest prevalence of hyperuricemia was observed in the 20-29 age groups for the participants. Among the comorbidities of patients with hyperuricemia, the proportion of dyslipidemia is the highest (58.13%), followed by fatty liver (50.13%) and liver function impairment (33.07%). During the three-year follow-up period, compared to the baseline, patients with persistent hyperuricemia showed significant increases in BMI, triglycerides, total cholesterol, AST, and ALT levels (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, patients with improved hyperuricemia for 2 years exhibited significant decreases in FBG, total cholesterol, serum creatinine (p < 0.05), along with a significant increase in eGFR (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that levels of uric acid were positively correlated with ALT, FBG, and triglycerides in persistent hyperuricemia (p < 0.05). Hyperuricemia shows a notable trend of younger age onset. Persistent hyperuricemia, correlated with elevated ALT levels, indicates an increasing risk of liver damage that should be concerned about. Effective management of hyperuricemia could improve metabolic disorders and renal dysfunction.

Association of Body Mass Index with Echocardiographic Parameters and Incidence of Left Atrial Thrombus or Spontaneous Echo Contrast in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This article focuses on the effect of body mass index (BMI) on cardiac structure and function in cases with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Only a few articles have investigated the relationship between BMI and the incidence of left atrial thrombus (LAT) or spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in cases with NVAF. This single-center retrospective study was conducted at The First People's Hospital of Changzhou. A total of 282 patients who were diagnosed with NVAF and planned to undergo radiofrequency ablation from 2019 to 2022 were enrolled in this study. None of the patients received standardized anticoagulant therapy. The patients were divided into a normal weight group, an overweight group, and an obesity group based on their BMI. The differences in echocardiographic parameters and LAT/SEC incidences among the three groups were compared, and regression analysis was applied to determine the correlation between BMI and the occurrence rates of LAT/SEC. The generalized additive model (GAM) was used to clarify the dose-response association between BMI and LAT/SEC. Left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), interventricular septal thickness (IVST), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), right atrial diameter (RAD), and the incidences of LAT/SEC were statistically different among the three groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that BMI was related to the incidences of LAT/SEC. For each 1-unit increase in BMI, the odds of LAT/SEC increased by 12% (odds ratio (OR): 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.24). A threshold nonlinear relationship was found using the GAM between BMI and the risk of LAT/SEC. BMI significantly affects multiple echocardiographic parameters in patients with NVAF, and BMI is an independent risk factor for LAT/SEC in cases with NVAF.

Evaluation of some biochemical changes and associated metabolic syndrome among pregnant women in Enugu Southeast of Nigeria

Objective: Metabolic syndrome is a global health problem which involves a cluster of conditions that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Pregnancy induces significant physiological, hormonal and metabolic changes in a woman. The complex of metabolic and hormonal disorders is a risk factor for clinical manifestations of cardiovascular diseases, nephropathy and retinopathy. This study assessed some biochemical changes and associated metabolic syndrome among pregnant women in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: A total of one hundred and thirty apparently healthy women consisting of seventy pregnant women as test group and sixty non-pregnant women as control group were recruited for this cross sectional study. Anthropometric parameters waist circumference (WC), height, weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Five milliliters of fasting blood samples were collected and used for the determination of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipid profile (TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C) using enzymatic colorimetric methods. Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) prevalence was estimated using the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: The results showed a significant (P&lt; 0.05) increase in BMI, WC, SBP, DBP, TG, VLDL-C and a decrease in HDL-C of pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women. Using the NCEP-ATP III criteria, it was found that about twenty-eight (40%) pregnant women had metabolic syndrome and only two (3.33%) non-pregnant woman had metabolic syndrome while the IDF criteria, presented about thirty (42.9%) pregnant women and ten (16.7%) non-pregnant women with metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: This study concludes that pregnancy predisposes women to higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

The Relationship Between The Weekly Soft Drinks Consumption and Body Mass Index Among Adolescents

Soft drink consumption rate among adolescents was the highest and it is accompanied by an increase in the incidence of obesity. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the frequency and volume of weekly soft drink consumption and body mass index among adolescents. This cross-sectional study involved 78 senior high school students in Palembang. The frequency of soft and energy drink consumption is assessed every week. The body mass index (BMI) was measured by standardized anthropometry. Data was then analyzed computerized with a level of significance of P &lt;0.05. Spearman test results show that there was a significant positive correlation between the frequency and volume of weekly consumption of soft drinks and BMI among adolescents (p &lt; 0.001, r = 0.517; p &lt; 0.001, r = 0.568, respectively). Increased consumption of soft drinks among adolescents will be associated with increased body mass index which leads to overweight and obesity.