Body Fat Index Research Articles

Differences between functional movement screen and somatotype to young handball and volleyball players

Introduction. Handball and volleyball are among the world's popular sports, which are played practically in every country at different levels of competition. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in somatotype and morphological characteristics between young handball players and volleyball players as well as the differences in the results of functional body mobility tests between the tested groups. Material and Methods. The research included a sample of 23 female athletes who were divided into two subsamples, as follows. A total of 12 athletes were from the Handball team and a total of 11 athletes were from the Volleyball team. The following anthropometric measurements were conducted: Height and body mass, four skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, supraspinal and calf), breadths (humerus and femur diameters) and girths (arm and calf). Body mass (kg) and body fat (%) of the subjects were measured by the method of bioelectrical impedance (TANITA 545N) with an accuracy of 0.1 kg. Functional Movement Score is a scanning system which includes seven steps (i.e., deep squat, hurdle step, in-line lunge, shoulder mobility, active leg raise, trunk stability push-up, and rotary stability). Results. The results of the study in female handball players recorded a higher percentage of body fat and body mass index compared to female volleyball players (p <.05), while no statistically significant difference was recorded in body weight and height. Analyzing the somatotype of players, it is noticeable that handball players have higher values of endomorphism and mesomorphism, while volleyball players have higher values of ectomorphism. Statistically significant differences were observed in mesomorph and ectomorph (p <.001). In the Functional Movement Screen test, it was noticeable that statistically significant differences were recorded in the two variables (Shoulder mobility and trunk stability push up) in favor of the volleyball players, as well as in the overall standings, while in the other variables no statistically significant difference was recorded. Conclusions. Determining somatotype must occupy the attention of coaches who work with young athletes. Movement-based assessment serves to pinpoint functional deficits (or bio-markers) related to proprioceptive, mobility and stability weaknesses.

Body composition and functional capacity in patients with Crohn's disease using Infliximab

Rationale: the use of anti-TNFα therapy, such as Infliximab (IFX), in patients with Chron's disease (CD) can lead to changes in body composition. Objective: to evaluate the body composition and functional capacity of patients with CD. Method: Cross-sectional study with patients with CD in clinical remission using IFX. For anthropometric evaluation, it was measured: weight, height and waist circumference; functional capacity by the hand grip strength test and body composition by bioelectric impedance. After that, the fat-free mass index and body fat index were calculated. Continouns variables were analyzed by Pearson or Spearman coefficient. For the multiple linear regression model, the time of use of IFX was used as a dependent variable and waist circumference, fat-free mass index, phase angle and handgrip strength were used as independent variables. Results: forty-three patients were evaluated, with an average of 43.1± 13.5 years of age. Of the total, 44.2% were overweight and 44.2% had increased waist circumference, 58.1% were classified with high to very high fat-free mass, 30.2% were below the adequacy parameter for fat-free mass index and 11.6% had reduced functional capacity. Conclusion: overweight, as well as increased waist circumference and body fat, is common in CD patients in clinical remission using Infliximab. Most patients had preserved functional capacity, however there wasn’t association with time of use of IFX.

Association Between Body Fat and Body Mass Index from Incomplete Longitudinal Proportion Data: Findings from the Fels Study

Obesity rates continue to exhibit an upward trajectory, particularly in the US, and is the underlying cause of several comorbidities, including but not limited to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancers. To monitor obesity, body mass index (BMI) and proportion body fat (PBF) are two commonly used measurements. Although BMI and PBF changes over time in an individual’s lifespan and their relationship may also change dynamically, existing work has mostly remained cross-sectional, or separately modeling BMI and PBF. A combined longitudinal assessment is expected to be more effective in unravelling their complex interplay. To mitigate this, we consider Bayesian cross-domain latent growth curve models within a structural equation modeling framework, which simultaneously handles issues such as individually varying time metrics, proportion data, and potential missing not at random data for joint assessment of the longitudinal changes of BMI and PBF. Through simulation studies, we observe that our proposed models and estimation method yielded parameter estimates with small bias and mean squared error in general, however, a mis-specified missing data mechanism may cause inaccurate and inefficient parameter estimates. Furthermore, we demonstrate application of our method to a motivating longitudinal obesity study, controlling for both time-invariant (such as, sex), and time-varying (such as diastolic and systolic blood pressure, biceps skinfold, bioelectrical impedance, and waist circumference) covariates in separate models. Under time-invariance, we observe that the initial BMI level and the rate of change in BMI influenced PBF. However, in presence of time-varying covariates, only the initial BMI level influenced the initial PBF. The added-on selection model estimation indicated that observations with higher PBF values were less likely to be missing.

Association of Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome with Sarcopenia and Systemic Inflammation in Pre-Frail Older Adults.

Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is defined by the presence of slow gait and subjective cognitive decline. It is well recognized as a prodrome for dementia, but the biological mechanism and trajectory for MCR are still lacking. The objective of this study was to explore the association of MCR with body composition, including sarcopenia and systemic inflammation, in pre-frail older adults in a cross-sectional study of 397 pre-frail community-dwelling older adults. Data on demographics, physical function, frailty, cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)), perceived health and depression were collected. Body composition was measured using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Systemic inflammatory biomarkers, such as progranulin, growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the association between MCR, body composition, sarcopenia and systemic inflammatory biomarkers. The prevalence of MCR was 14.9%. They were significantly older and there were more females, depression, functional impairment, lower education, physical activity and MoCA scores. Body fat percentage (BF%), fat mass index, fat to fat free mass ratio (FM/FFM) and sarcopenia prevalence were significantly higher in MCR. Serum GDF-15 and TNF-α levels were highest with progranulin/TNF-α and IL-10/TNF-α ratio lowest in MCR. Compared to healthy patients, MCR was significantly associated with sarcopenia (aOR 2.62; 95% CI 1.46-3.17), BF% (aOR 1.06; 95% CI 1.01-1.12), FMI (aOR 1.16; 95% CI 1.02-1.30) and FM/FFM (aOR 6.38; 95% CI 1.20-33.98). The association of IL-10 to TNF-α ratio (aOR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99) and IL-10 (aOR 2.22, 95% CI 0.05-0.98) with MCR were independent of sarcopenia and BF%. Longitudinal population studies are needed to understand the role of body fat indices and IL-10 in pre-frail older adults with MCR and trajectory to dementia.

Immune cell status, cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition among breast cancer survivors and healthy women: a cross sectional study.

Methods: We examined whether immune cell profiles differ between healthy women (n = 38) and breast cancer survivors (n = 27) within 2years of treatment, and whether any group-differences were influenced by age, cytomegalovirus infection, cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition. Using flow cytometry, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets, including naïve (NA), central memory (CM) and effector cells (EM and EMRA) were identified using CD27/CD45RA. Activation was measured by HLA-DR expression. Stem cell-like memory T cells (TSCMs) were identified using CD95/CD127. B cells, including plasmablasts, memory, immature and naïve cells were identified using CD19/CD27/CD38/CD10. Effector and regulatory Natural Killer cells were identified using CD56/CD16. Results: Compared to healthy women, CD4+ CM were +Δ21% higher among survivors (p = 0.028) and CD8+ NA were -Δ25% lower (p = 0.034). Across CD4+ and CD8+ subsets, the proportion of activated (HLA-DR+) cells was +Δ31% higher among survivors: CD4+ CM (+Δ25%), CD4+ EM (+Δ32%) and CD4+ EMRA (+Δ43%), total CD8+ (+Δ30%), CD8+ EM (+Δ30%) and CD8+ EMRA (+Δ25%) (p < 0.046). The counts of immature B cells, NK cells and CD16+ NK effector cells were higher among survivors (+Δ100%, +Δ108% and +Δ143% respectively, p < 0.04). Subsequent analyses examined whether statistically significant differences in participant characteristics, influenced immunological differences between groups. Compared to healthy women, survivors were older (56 ± 6 y vs. 45 ± 11 y), had lower cardiorespiratory fitness ( mL kg-1 min-1: 28.8 ± 5.0 vs. 36.2 ± 8.5), lower lean mass (42.3 ± 5.0kg vs. 48.4 ± 15.8kg), higher body fat (36.3% ± 5.3% vs. 32.7% ± 6.4%) and higher fat mass index (FMI kg/m2: 9.5 ± 2.2 vs. 8.1 ± 2.7) (all p < 0.033). Analysis of covariance revealed divergent moderating effects of age, CMV serostatus, cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition on the differences in immune cell profiles between groups, depending on the cell type examined. Moreover, across all participants, fat mass index was positively associated with the proportion of HLA-DR+ CD4+ EMRA and CD8+ EM/EMRA T cells (Pearson correlation: r > 0.305, p < 0.019). The association between fat mass index and HLA-DR+ CD8+ EMRA T cells withstood statistical adjustment for all variables, including age, CMV serostatus, lean mass and cardiorespiratory fitness, potentially implicating these cells as contributors to inflammatory/immune-dysfunction in overweight/obesity.

Brain alterations associated with overweight evaluated by body mass index or body fat index in an elderly population: the PROOF study.

Obesity is a complex health issue in which the brain plays a role yet to be determined, especially in the elderly. Indeed, in the ageing population, the balance between fat and lean mass is different; thus, the co-influence between the brain and obesity may differ between the elderly and younger subjects. Our main goal is thus to explore the relationship between the brain and obesity using two different approaches to measure obesity: body mass index (BMI) and an index centred on fat mass, the body fat index (BFI). Among the 1,011 subjects of the PROOF population, 273 subjects aged 75 years underwent 3D magnetic resonance imaging as well as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to assess fat mass. Voxel-based morphometry was used to explore the local differences in brain volume with obesity. Higher BMI and BFI were associated with higher grey matter (GM) volume in the left cerebellum. Higher BMI and BFI were mainly associated with higher white matter volume in the left and right cerebellum and near the right medial orbital gyrus. Higher BMI was also associated with higher GM volume in the brainstem, whereas higher BFI was associated with higher GM volume in the left middle temporal gyrus. No decrease in white matter was associated with BMI or BFI. In the elderly, the relationship between the brain and obesity does not depend on the marker of obesity. Supra-tentorial brain structures seem to be slightly associated with obesity, whereas the cerebellum seems to be one of the key structures related to obesity.

Physical activity and body composition in a Quilombola community in the Tocantins state (Brazil)

The Quilombola population has precarious living conditions and a risk of obesity. In addition, this population has been little studied in the health area, resulting in a gap in scientific evidence and a lack of policies to promote, protect, and restore health in Tocantins state. Objective: This study aimed to describe the Physical Activity Level (PAL) and body composition of a Quilombola community in the Tocantins state, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study. We study 73 individuals between 10 and 81 years old. The instruments used were: Questionnaire on PAL and sedentary behavior and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance. The statistics analysis was performed using Stata software version 11.0. Results: Sedentary individuals were not found. Among children under 13 years old, 47.8% had a low PAL. The body composition, children and adolescents obtained better results 65.3% and 31.6% respectively. Conclusion: The children’s body fat indexes are within the recommendations (but the PAL is not). PAL of adolescents, adults, and the elderly is not sufficient to cause physiological adaptations in changing body fat levels. Although the Quilombola community maintains some cultural habits, complications of modern life regarding health are concerning, as they seem to be reaching these communities, leading to a lifestyle change, as observed in large cities. Keywords: Exercise; Body Composition; Vulnerable; Public Health.

Effect of Visceral Fat Index on Perioperative Efficacy of Laparoscopic Radical Resection for Colorectal Cancer

Purpose: To investigate the effect of visceral fat index (VAI) on perioperative period after radical resection of colorectal cancer, and analyze the relationship between VAI and postoperative complications. At the same time, we also discussed whether the correlation between VAI and complications is superior to body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and other common body fat indicators.&#x0D; Methods: From October 2021 to June 2022, 178 colorectal cancer patients in the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were collected. Various indexes of patients were obtained through preoperative physical examination and blood examination. VAI value was calculated by formula, because of the high triglyceride-waist-circumference phenotype (increased waist circumference and hypertriglyceridemia) and visceral fat index (Vai, assessed according to waist circumference, body mass index, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) , it is considered a cheap and effective marker for visceral (intra-abdominal) obesity and metabolic disorders. and then divided into groups according to dichotomy. Because the visceral index grade was divided into a total of 30 grades, according to grade, into the high VAI value group (VAI grade more than 15 grades) and the low VAI group (no more than 4 grades), with 89 patients in the high VAI group; There were 89 patients in the low VAI group. The relationship between VAI value and postoperative complications of patients was discussed by using statistical methods, and whether it was better than other body fat indexes was further analyzed.&#x0D; Results: 178 patients met the inclusion criteria and were divided into 89 patients in the high VAI group and 89 patients in the low VAI group according to the dichotomy. In patients with high VAI value, the operation time was significantly prolonged (213.01 ± 63.67 vs 190.34 ± 68.69 p=0.02), and the tumor N stage was higher (p=0.04). The results of ROC curve revealed that the area under the curve of VAI value was larger than that of BMI, waist circumference, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein, suggesting that the value of VAI value was higher in diagnosis.&#x0D; Conclusions: The increase of VAI can prolong the operation time of colorectal cancer patients undergoing radical surgery, affect the recovery of the body after surgery, and increase the risk of complications. At the same time, compared with BMI, waist circumference, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein, VAI has a better prediction effect on complications, which can be popularized in clinical work.

Difference of glucose and lipid metabolism abnormalities and body fat between the Chinese and USA teenagers.

Comparing body fat and the effect of body fat on metabolic abnormalities in Chinese and USA teenagers may provide clues for the early prevention and control of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to compare the prevalence of glucose and lipid metabolism abnormalities, body fat amount and distribution, and the effect of body fat on glucose and lipid metabolism in Chinese and US teenagers. We included 5424 Chinese teenagers (48.5% male) from the China Child and Adolescent Cardiovascular Health (CCACH) study and 8704 USA teenagers (55.6% male) from the USA National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Blood lipid, blood glucose, and body fat indicators were obtained using the same standardised measurements. The prevalence of dyslipidaemia in Chinese teenagers was of those in the USA (hypercholesterolaemia = 3.5% vs 7.4%; high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) = 3.6% vs 5.0%; low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) = 9.9% vs 14.3%; hypertriglyceridaemia = 3.7% vs 10.1%) (P < 0.05). However, with the increase in body mass index (BMI), the prevalence of high LDL-C increased more in Chinese than in US teenagers, even exceeding them in the obese group (2.7% in non-overweight to 9.7% in overweight group in China, P < 0.05; 3.5% in non-overweight to 6.5% in the obese group in the USA, P < 0.05). The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose was higher in China than in the USA (28.0% vs 17.5%, P < 0.05). Besides, Chinese adolescents are more likely to accumulate fat in the abdomen, and the per-unit fat increase would bring a higher risk of dyslipidaemia in Chinese boys than in USA boys. Dyslipidaemia was more prevalent in US teenagers than in Chinese teenagers, but with the increase in BMI, the prevalence of high LDL-C increased more in Chinese than in US teenagers. Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was significantly more prevalent in China than in the USA. The unfavoured body fat and higher risk of body fat on metabolic disorders in Chinese teenagers suggest that Chinese teenagers should pay more attention to the adverse effect of body fat on metabolic abnormalities.

Metabolic and vascular effect of a new standardized bergamot phytocomplex: a three-arm, placebocontrolled, double-blind clinical trial.

In addition to healthy lifestyle and balanced diet, nutraceutical supplementation may be useful to maintain overall metabolic wellness. The aim of the present study was to assess the metabolic and vascular effects of a new, highly standardized bergamot phytocomplex supplement in healthy volunteers with the features of metabolic syndrome. We carried out a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, three-arm, parallel-group clinical trial in 90 adult subjects (30 per group) treated for 12 weeks with two different dosages of a highly standardized bergamot phytocomplex (Endoberg by AKHYNEX and Kalita by Giellepi) or placebo. Lipid plasma levels, glycemia, plasma hs-CRP, HOMA-IR, body fat, endothelial reactivity and fatty liver index were assessed at baseline, after 6 weeks and at the end of treatment in all subjects. At the end of treatment, both tested bergamot extract doses were able to significantly improve atherogenic dyslipidemia and insulin sensitivity (p < 0.05) compared to placebo. In the high-dose treated group, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) improved versus placebo (p < 0.05) just after 6 weeks of treatment. After 12 weeks of treatment, TC decreased by 13.2 ±2.1%, LDL-C by 17.7 ±3.2%, non-HDL-C by 17.5 ±3.1%, TG by 16.6 ±3.3%, TG/HDL-C by 22.5 ±4.4%, homeostasis insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) by 12.2 ±2.1%, γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) by 22.2 ±4.6%, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) by 17.9 ±3.4% versus baseline (p < 0.05) and vs. placebo (p < 0.05). Percentage body fat and endothelial reactivity improved versus baseline, but not versus placebo, in the high-dose treatment only (p < 0.05). The tested bergamot phytocomplex was able to significantly improve glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as inflammation, and might represent a novel multi-target approach to control metabolic syndrome.

Farklı vücut kondisyonlarındaki kedilerde karaciğer yağlanmasının ultrasonografik incelemesi ile obezite değerlendirme parametreleri arasındaki ilişkinin belirlenmesi

This study aimed to determine the relationship between ultrasonographic examination of hepatic lipidosis and obesity assessment parameters in cats of different body conditions. For this purpose, 27 cats in different body conditions which have not any systemic health problems were evaluated. Body condition score and body fat index were examined by inspection and palpation; subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness, hepatorenal index and hepatic lipidosis grade by ultrasonography. The relationship between parameters on the basis of all individuals was evaluated. Also, the cats were divided into three groups according to their body conditions, and whether there was any difference between these groups in terms of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness, hepatorenal index and hepatic lipidosis grade were investigated. There was a significant positive correlation between body condition score and body fat index, subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness, hepatic lipidosis grade and hepatorenal index, respectively. Different degrees of hepatic lipidosis were observed in at least some individuals in all body condition groups. There was a significant difference between the different body condition groups in terms of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness, hepatorenal index and hepatic lipidosis grade. This study showed that mild hepatic lipidosis can be seen even in cats with normal body condition; increased body condition and body fat cause an increased risk of hepatic lipidosis in cats; subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness measurement during clinical evaluation and hepatorenal index during ultrasonographic examination can be a use practical and reliable option for prediction and grading of hepatic lipidosis.

Longitudinal Associations of Dietary Sugars and Glycaemic Index with Indices of Glucose Metabolism and Body Fatness during 3-Year Weight Loss Maintenance: A PREVIEW Sub-Study

Background: Dietary sugars are often linked to the development of overweight and type 2 diabetes (T2D) but inconsistencies remain. Objective: We investigated associations of added, free, and total sugars, and glycaemic index (GI) with indices of glucose metabolism (IGM) and indices of body fatness (IBF) during a 3-year weight loss maintenance intervention. Design: The PREVIEW (PREVention of diabetes through lifestyle Intervention and population studies in Europe and around the World) study was a randomised controlled trial designed to test the effects of four diet and physical activity interventions, after an 8-week weight-loss period, on the incidence of T2D. This secondary observational analysis included pooled data assessed at baseline (8), 26, 52, 104 and 156 weeks from 514 participants with overweight/obesity (age 25–70 year; BMI ≥ 25 kg⋅m−2) and with/without prediabetes in centres that provided data on added sugars (Sydney and Helsinki) or free sugars (Nottingham). Linear mixed models with repeated measures were applied for IBF (total body fat, BMI, waist circumference) and for IGM (fasting insulin, HbA1c, fasting glucose, C-peptide). Model A was adjusted for age and intervention centre and Model B additionally adjusted for energy, protein, fibre, and saturated fat. Results: Total sugars were inversely associated with fasting insulin and C-peptide in all centres, and free sugars were inversely associated with fasting glucose and HbA1c (Model B: all p &lt; 0.05). Positive associations were observed between GI and IGM (Model B: fasting insulin, HbA1c, and C-peptide: (all p &lt; 0.01), but not for added sugars. Added sugar was positively associated with body fat percentage and BMI, and GI was associated with waist circumference (Model B: all p &lt; 0.01), while free sugars showed no associations (Model B: p &gt; 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that added sugars and GI were independently associated with 3-y weight regain, but only GI was associated with 3-y changes in glucose metabolism in individuals at high risk of T2D.

Schoolchildren's Lifestyle and Behaviors Relating to Obesity: Collaborative Study in Urban Uganda

Context: Child obesity, one of the major contributors to noncommunicable diseases in developing countries, is rising following drastic economic growth and lifestyle changes. In Uganda, noncommunicable diseases as a cause of death have increased from 15% in 1990 to 35% in 2019.&#x0D; Aim: The study aimed to investigate schoolchildren’s obesity status, lifestyle behaviors, and the factors of obesity in urban Uganda.&#x0D; Methods: The study was conducted with a cross-sectional, descriptive quantitative design. The survey using the researcher-developed questionnaire and physical measurement tools for 330 children aged 9 to 11 years old in 6 elementary schools in urban Uganda in November 2018. The Japanese Red Cross College of Nursing Institutional Review Board approved this study (Approval Number: 2018-066).&#x0D; Results: Obesity status among schoolchildren in urban Uganda was 67.6% normal, 25.2% underweight, 5.4% overweight, and 1.8% obese.&#x0D; Conclusion: Obesity and overweight have not been predominant in this population. However, children's growth must be carefully monitored to prevent future overweight and obesity due to the limited availability of school health services and rapid lifestyle changes. Demographic factors associated with obesity status (waist-hip ratio, body fat, and body mass index) were gender, financial access to food, screen time, sleep time, and sleep hours. Based on this study in Uganda, the researchers expect to develop further collaborative child obesity prevention projects.

Different Diet Energy Levels Alter Body Condition, Glucolipid Metabolism, Fecal Microbiota and Metabolites in Adult Beagle Dogs.

Diet energy is a key component of pet food, but it is usually ignored during pet food development and pet owners also have limited knowledge of its importance. This study aimed to explore the effect of diet energy on the body condition, glucolipid metabolism, fecal microbiota and metabolites of adult beagles and analyze the relation between diet and host and gut microbiota. Eighteen healthy adult neutered male beagles were selected and randomly divided into three groups. Diets were formulated with three metabolizable energy (ME) levels: the low-energy (Le) group consumed a diet of 13.88 MJ/kg ME; the medium-energy (Me) group consumed a diet of 15.04 MJ/kg ME; and the high-energy (He) group consumed a diet of 17.05 MJ/kg ME. Moreover, the protein content of all these three diets was 29%. The experiment lasted 10 weeks, with a two-week acclimation period and an eight-week test phase. Body weight, body condition score (BCS), muscle condition score (MCS) and body fat index (BFI) decreased in the Le group, and the changes in these factors in the Le group were significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). The serum glucose and lipid levels of the Le and He groups changed over time (p < 0.05), but those of the Me group were stable (p > 0.05). The fecal pH of the Le and He groups decreased at the end of the trial (p < 0.05) and we found that the profiles of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids (BAs) changed greatly, especially secondary BAs (p < 0.05). As SCFAs and secondary BAs are metabolites of the gut microbiota, the fecal microbiota was also measured. Fecal 16S rRNA gene sequencing found that the Me group had higher α-diversity indices (p < 0.05). The Me group had notably higher levels of gut probiotics, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bacteroides plebeius and Blautia producta (p < 0.05). The diet-host-fecal microbiota interactions were determined by network analysis, and fecal metabolites may help to determine the best physical condition of dogs, assisting pet food development. Overall, feeding dogs low- or high-energy diets was harmful for glucostasis and promoted the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria in the gut, while a medium-energy diet maintained an ideal body condition. We concluded that dogs that are fed a low-energy diet for an extended period may become lean and lose muscle mass, but diets with low energy levels and 29% protein may not supply enough protein for dogs losing weight.

Postweaning cafeteria diet induces a short-term metabolic disfunction and a differential vulnerability to develop anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors in male but not female rats.

Children and adolescents are high consumers of Western diets (rich in fat and sugars), which is a risk factor for overweight and obesity. Moreover, the presence of anxiety and depression among this population has increased significantly. This study explores in young postweaning rats the association between Western diet consumption and the development of metabolic and behavioral disturbances. At postnatal day (PN) 24,Wistarratsof both sexes were weaned and assigned to a control or cafeteria diet (CAF) group. After short-term exposure, a group of rats was euthanized at PN31 to obtain abdominal fat pads and blood samples. Another group of rats was tested in the open-field test, splash test, anhedonia test, and social play across 11days (PN32-42). The CAF groups exhibited a significantly high level of body fat, serum glucose, triglycerides, leptin, and HOMA index when compared to the control groups. Only CAF males exhibited anxiety-like and depression-like behavior. Present results indicate that postweaning short-term exposure to a CAF diet has immediate detrimental effects on metabolism in both sexes. However, only CAF males showed mood disturbances. This study provides evidence that a CAF diet exerts immediate effects on behavior and metabolism in the postweaning period and that sexes present differential vulnerability.

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity as a risk factor for high body fat mediated by blood pressure

ABSTRACT Background Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is an important clinical indicator of aortic stiffness and a risk predictor of cardiovascular disease and associated with obesity. However, whether body mass index (BMI) is associated with baPWV remains controversial. In our study, body fat-related indicators, including BMI, body fat rate (BFR), body fat volume (BFV), waist circumference (WC) were examined from healthy volunteers. We investigated the correlation of baPWV with these indicators and also assessed whether baPWV has the potential to predict these indicators. Methods A total of 429 healthy participants were enrolled in this study. Body fat indices, blood pressures, baPWV and blood metabolic indices were measured and recorded. The association of baPWV and indices reflecting body fat and blood pressure, as well as mediation effect were analyzed. Results Three different types of baPWV values were significantly correlated. Mean level of baPWV was an independent risk factor for WC, BMI, BFR, and BFV (exp(β) = 1.011, 1.004, 1.010 and 1.009, respectively, P < .001 for all) but not BMR. As for mediation effects, baPWV positively influenced WC (Total effect = 0.011, P < .001), BMI (Total effect = 0.004, P < .001) and BFV (Total effect = 0.009, P < .001) in indirect way mediated by SBP and DBP, while baPWV influenced BFR in both direct (Effect = 0.004, P = .018) and indirect way. Conclusions Levels of baPWV correlated with obesity and is an independent risk factor for WC, BMI, BFR and BFV. Besides, baPWV positively associated with WC, BMI and BFV mainly in indirect way mediated by SBP and DBP, and baPWV associated with BFR in both direct and indirect way.

Lipid-related thiamine deficiency cause mortality of river lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) during pre-spawning fasting

River lampreys (Lampetra fluviatilis) were caught in the fall 2014 on entering the River Perhonjoki for spawning and kept at a hatchery until spawning in late spring 2015 to produce larvae for compensatory stockings. Since the lampreys died massively from early February onwards, they were investigated in March and May to clarify the cause of the deaths. The symptoms in lampreys resembled those of lipid-related thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency of salmonines, called the M74 syndrome in the Baltic Sea area. Because the lipid content of lampreys was known to be high, thiamine concentrations were analyzed in the liver and ovulated unfertilized eggs, and the mass, length, and whole-body lipid content were also measured. The hepatic total thiamine (TotTh) concentration was significantly negatively correlated with the body lipid content and fatness index (mass to length ratio) in both females and males. In females, the hepatic TotTh concentration was less than half that in males, and the most moribund lampreys were the largest and fattiest females. Females that survived until artificial stripping of the eggs were smaller, and their hepatic thiamine concentration was higher, and the fatness index lower, than in females in March. The concentration of free thiamine in the eggs had a stronger positive correlation with the hepatic TotTh concentration than the phosphorylated thiamine derivatives and was also significantly and negatively correlated with the fatness index and mass. It was concluded that increased lipid peroxidation due to the mobilization of polyunsaturated fatty acids from lipids in exogenous vitellogenesis consumed thiamine as an antioxidant during pre-spawning fasting—especially in the fattiest females—and thus caused their death. It is suggested that to ensure compensatory stockings, the largest lampreys could be thiamine-injected at the hatchery to improve their survival until stripping of the eggs and to improve the eggs’ thiamine status.

Identifying effects of genetic obesity exposure on leukocyte telomere length using Mendelian randomization.

Observational studies have shown that obesity is closely associated with leukocyte telomere length (LTL). However, the causal relationship between obesity and LTL remains unclear. This study investigated the causal relationship between obesity and LTL through the Mendelian randomization approach. The genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data of several studies on obesity-related traits with a sample size of more than 600,000 individuals were extracted from the UK Biobank cohort. The summary-level data of LTL-related GWAS (45 6,717 individuals) was obtained from the IEU Open GWAS database. An inverse-variance-weighted (IVW) algorithm was utilized as the primary MR analysis method. Sensitivity analyses were conducted via MR-Egger regression, IVW regression, leave-one-out test, MR-pleiotropy residual sum, and outlier methods. High body mass index was correlated with a short LTL, and the odds ratio (OR) was 0.957 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.942-0.973, p = 1.17E-07). The six body fat indexes (whole body fat mass, right leg fat mass, left leg fat mass, right arm fat mass, left arm fat mass, and trunk fat mass) were consistently inversely associated with LTL. Multiple statistical sensitive analysis approaches showed that the adverse effect of obesity on LTL was steady and dependable. The current study provided robust evidence supporting the causal assumption that genetically caused obesity is negatively associated with LTL. The findings may facilitate the formulation of persistent strategies for maintaining LTL.

PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AND ASSOCIATED RISK PREDICTORS AMONG SCHOOL GOING ADOLESCENTS LIVING IN WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Background: Hypertension or high blood pressure (HBP) is a most common non-communicable disease. Childhood HBP is a major public health problem worldwide as it tracks to adulthood. HBP was associated with obesity. Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of high blood pressure in Indian adolescents and its association with various anthropometric obesity indices. Methods: The study was conducted among school students aged 11-17 years. Blood pressure was measured using digital oscillometric blood pressure monitor. Anthropometric parameters like height, weight, Neck circumference, Waist circumference and Hip circumference were assessed using standard methods. BMI, Neck height ratio and waist height ratio were calculated. Blood pressure status was evaluated on the basis of American Academy of Pediatrics guideline. SBP and/or DBP &gt; 95th percentile in children below 13 years and 130/80 or above in adolescent 13 years or older was considered as high blood pressure. The association between BP and anthropometric parameters were examined. Results: A total 1272 students of class V-XII were participated in this study out of which 56.3% were female and 43.7% were male. 26.8% boys and 13.1% girls were under HBP category. Signicant positive correlation was observed between BP and body fat indices. Overweight and obesity were signicantly associated with risk of hypertension among boys and girls. Central obesity and upper body obesity were also associated with high blood pressure. Conclusion: Prevalence of high blood pressure in adolescent is alarming. Hypertension was signicantly associated with general obesity, abdominal obesity and upper body obesity. Thus screening of risk of high BP should be carried out in adolescents and initiate intervention to control the consequences of it.

Body composition and mortality in a cohort study of Chinese patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

To analyse the characteristics and mortality of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients with different body compositions. In this study, 530 consecutive patients with HCM at West China Hospital were studied from November 2008 to May 2016. An equation based on body mass index (BMI) was used to obtain the Percent body fat (BF) and lean mass index (LMI). Patients were divided into five sex-specific BMI, BF and LMI quintiles. The average BMI, BF and LMI were 23.1 ± 3.2 kg/m2, 28.1 ± 7.3% and 16.5 ± 2.2 kg/m2, respectively. Patients with higher BMI or BF were older and had more symptoms and adverse cardiovascular conditions; those with higher LMI were younger and had less coronary artery disease and lower serum NT-proBNP and creatine. BF correlated positively with resting left ventricular (LV) outflow tract gradient, mitral regurgitation (MR) degree and left atrial diameter but was inversely associated with septal wall thickness (SWT), posterior wall thickness (PWT), LV mass, and E/A ratio; LMI was positively correlated with SWT, LV end diastolic volume and LV mass but was negatively associated with MR degree.48 all-cause deaths occurred during a median follow-up of 33.8 months. Reversed J-shape associations of BMI and LMI with mortality were observed. A lower BMI or LMI was significantly associated with high mortality, especially for low-moderate BMI and LMI. No significant difference in mortality was found across BF quintiles. The associations of BMI, BF and LMI with baseline characteristics and cardiac remodelling are different in HCM patients. In Chinese HCM patients, low BMI and LMI predicted mortality but not BF.