Low Fat Research Articles

Association of dietary habits with general and abdominal obesity in Korean children and adolescents: cluster analysis of nationwide population survey data.

Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern, but few studies have investigated dietary factors specifically related to obesity and abdominal obesity in children and adolescents. Herein, we aimed to identify the dietary factors affecting childhood obesity in Korean children and adolescents. Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES) VIII were analyzed using K-means clustering analysis to identify distinct clusters based on nine variables related to dietary habit, nutritional status, and nutritional education. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between incident obesity risk and the different clusters. We enrolled 2,290 participants aged 6-18 years, and separated them into two distinct clusters; Healthy and Unhealthy Dietary Habit Groups, clusters 1 and 2, respectively. Cluster 1 was characterized by a lower obesity prevalence, healthier dietary habits (regular breakfast consumption; fruit and vegetable, reduced total energy, and lower protein and fat intakes), and greater nutritional education than Cluster 2. After adjusting for confounders, compared with Cluster 1, Cluster 2 demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence (OR [95% CI]) of both general and abdominal obesity (1.49 [1.05-2.13], p=0.027 and 1.43 [1.09-1.88], p=0.009). Maintaining optimal dietary quality and patterns are crucial to prevent childhood obesity. Further research is warranted to explore specific dietary interventions tailored to different clusters to effectively address childhood obesity.

Ketone Body Metabolism is Not Required for Improvement of Heart Failure by Ketogenic Diet in Mice.

Failing hearts increasingly metabolize ketone bodies, and enhancing ketosis improves heart failure (HF) remodeling. Circulating ketones are elevated by fasting/starvation, which is mimicked with a high-fat, low-carbohydrate "ketogenic diet" (KD). While speculated that KD improves HF through increased ketone oxidation, some evidence suggests KD paradoxically downregulates cardiac ketone oxidation despite increased ketone delivery. We sought to clarify the significance of cardiac ketone metabolism during KD in HF. Mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction with apical myocardial infarction (TAC-MI) and fed either low-fat (LF) control or KD. Cardiac-specific mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 2 (csMPC2-/-) mice were used as a second model of heart failure. In both mice, feeding a KD improved HF, determined by echocardiography, heart weights, and gene expression analyses. Although KD increases plasma ketone bodies, gene expression for ketone metabolic genes is decreased in the hearts of KD-fed mice. Cardiac-specific β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase 1 (csBDH1-/-), the first enzyme in ketone catabolism, mice were also studied and crossed with the csMPC2-/- mice to create double knockout (DKO) mice. These mice were aged to 16 weeks and switched to LF or KD, and KD was able to completely normalize the hearts of both csMPC2-/- and DKO mice, suggesting that ketone metabolism is unnecessary for improving heart failure with ketogenic diet. These studies were then repeated, and mice injected with U-13C-β-hydroxybutyrate to evaluate ketone metabolism. KD feeding significantly decreased the enrichment of the TCA cycle from ketone body carbons, as did the BDH1-deletion in DKO mice. Gene expression and respirometry suggests that KD instead increases cardiac fat oxidation. In conclusion, these results suggest that ketogenic diet decreases cardiac ketone metabolism and does not require ketone metabolism to improve heart failure.

Faba Beans as a Sustainable Source of Protein

Abstract The growing demand for plant-based proteins and growing consumer awareness of the medicinal and health advantages of alternative proteins have prompted the nutrition and food industries to explore novel sources of protein. Faba beans represent a nutrient dense source of protein with low fat content with concomitant benefit of having low cost, accessibility, and environmentally sustainable and confer several health benefits. The presence of many antinutritional compounds in raw faba beans limits their applicability in a variety of culinary applications. Another limiting factor is the “beany flavor” commonly encountered in products derived from faba beans. Several processing techniques such as boiling, germination, and enzymatic treatment can easily be applied at domestic and industrial levels to lower certain allergens’ concentrations to enhance the applicability of faba bean in distinct food systems and guaranteeing consumer safety. However, careful consideration must be taken into account to minimize the loss of valuable nutrients such as minerals and vitamins during processing. It is anticipated that more research in this field will close the information gap regarding the nutritional and health benefits of faba bean seeds and expand their use in many different types of applications. Information © The Author 2024

A flavonoid-rich diet is associated with lower risk and improved imaging biomarkers of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundMechanistic studies and short-term randomized trials suggest higher intakes of dietary flavonoids may protect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). ObjectivesWe aimed to perform the first population-based study with long-term follow-up on flavonoid consumption, incident NAFLD, and validated NAFLD biomarkers. MethodsIn a prospective study, we assessed the associations between flavonoid intake based on ≥2 24-h dietary assessments and NAFLD risk among 121,064 adults aged 40–69 y by multivariable Cox regression analyses. We further assessed the associations between flavonoid intake and magnetic resonance imaging-derived liver fat (a subset of n = 11,435) and liver-corrected T1 values (cT1; a subset of n = 9570), a marker of steatosis, more sensitive to inflammatory pathology. ResultsOver 10 y of follow-up, 1081 cases of NAFLD were identified. Participants in the highest quartile (Q4) of the flavodiet score reflecting the consumption of foods high in flavonoids, had a 19% lower risk of NAFLD compared to the lowest quartile (Q1) [hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.81 (0.67, 0.97), P-trend = 0.02)]. Moreover, participants in the Q4 of the flavodiet score had lower liver fat and cT1 values than those in Q1 (liver fat: relative difference Q1 compared with Q4: –5.28%, P-trend = <0.001; cT1: relative difference Q1 compared with Q4: –1.73%, P-trend = <0.001). When compared to low intakes, high intakes of apples and tea were associated with lower NAFLD risk [apples: HR (95% CI): 0.78 (0.67, 0.92), P-trend = <0.01; tea: HR (95% CI): 0.86 (0.72, 1.02), P-trend = 0.03)]. Additionally, when compared to low intakes, high apple, tea, and dark chocolate intakes were significantly associated with lower liver fat values, whereas high tea and red pepper intakes were significantly associated with lower cT1 values. ConclusionsThe consumption of flavonoid-rich foods was associated with a reduced risk of NAFLD among middle-aged adults.

Human milk lactoferrin and lysozyme concentrations vary in response to a dietary intervention

It is known that human milk (HM)11Human milk. antimicrobial protein composition varies during lactation. However, the impact of maternal diet on these antimicrobial proteins, particularly lactoferrin and lysozyme remains unknown. In addition, it is unclear whether daily, circadian, and between breast variations exist for lactoferrin and lysozyme concentrations. We investigated the impact of a low sugar, low fat, high fibre dietary intervention on HM lysozyme and lactoferrin concentrations. HM was sampled across a 3-week period; daily, at different times of day, and from both breasts to measure the level of intraindividual variation. The intervention significantly reduced maternal sugar, total fat, and saturated fat intake. HM lactoferrin concentration declined significantly over the course of the intervention however the effect size was relatively small. In addition, lactoferrin and lysozyme concentrations were variable over time, and differed significantly within and across the day but not between breasts.

Knowledge and Opinions About Sustainable Nutrition and the Factors Associated With Sustainable and Healthy Eating Behaviors in Adults

Introduction.The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and opinions about sustainable nutrition and the factors associated with sustainable and healthy eating behaviors among individuals aged 18 to 65 years. Methods. An online cross-sectional survey-based study included analysis of demographic and anthropometric characteristics, participants’ knowledge and opinions about sustainable nutrition, and their scores on the Sustainable and Healthy Eating Behaviors (SHEB) Scale. The snowball sampling method was used. Results. The study included 3,037 adults with a mean age of 25.62 ± 9.66 years. Participants scored highest on the factors of healthy and balanced nutrition and low fat, and lowest on the factors of local food and reducing meat consumption. The SHEB Scale scores for women (4.04 ± 1.12) were higher compared to men (3.83 ± 1.21) (p &lt; 0.001). A significant association was identified between age and SHEB Scale scores (OR=1.01, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), with no association observed with body mass index. Women were more likely to display sustainable and healthy eating behaviors compared to men (OR=1.45 95% CI 1.23-1.71), as were married participants compared to single participants (OR=1.87 95% CI 1.54-2.27). Conclusions. The results of this study indicate that sustainable nutrition is not well understood among adults. Advancing age, female gender, and being married were found to be associated with higher scores on the SHEB Scale.

Evidence for a constitutive cost of host resistance on body fat growth in ewe lambs from lines selected for resistance or susceptibility to experimental infections with Haemonchus contortus

Although benefits of selection for host resistance to gastro-intestinal nematodes have long been recognized, its costs on production traits remain unclear. A main difficulty when studying those costs is to disentangle genetic effects due to selection from plastic responses induced by infection. Putative costs of host resistance have been extensively investigated in growing sheep. However, while most of those studies have relied on live weight to assess body growth, more comprehensive assessments accounting for body composition are advocated to detect trade-offs. In this study we used 90 female lambs from lines divergently selected on resistance to Haemonchus contortus that we experimentally infected (n = 60) or not (n = 30) under controlled conditions. As those conditions were defined to enable uninfected lambs to fully express their growth potential, we sought to precisely identify the effects of selection for host resistance on health traits and on growth traits. We assessed muscular and fat growth based on repeated measurements with dorsal ultrasonography for all lambs on farm, and with whole-body computed tomography (CT) scans for a subgroup of 18 infected lambs. Lambs achieved a high growth rate, including infected ones despite their high worm burden (confirmed at necropsy in the subgroup). As expected, lambs from the resistant (R) line were less infected than those from the susceptible (S) line. However, the clear pathogenic effects observed on muscular growth and voluntary feed intake were similar between lines. In contrast, a line difference in body fat was supported both by dorsal and volumetric CT measurements. Specifically, lower fat in the R line compared with the S line was observed equally in infected and uninfected groups, thus providing evidence for a constitutive cost of host resistance. Although this cost is not necessarily disadvantageous in nutrient-rich environments exposing animals to excess fat deposition, its consequences in nutrient-scarce environments may be important to promote sustainable breeding strategies for host resistance.

Abstract P387: Survival trajectories of the patients with malignant hypertension in the Rice Diet Program

Malignant hypertension (MH), severe arterial hypertension accompanied by retinal hemorrhage (Class III), papilledema (Class IV), or both was untreatable in 1942. Walter Kempner treated MH patients with a very low sodium (~200 mg/day), protein (~5% of calories), and fat (~5% of calories) diet with success in some patients. The scope and efficacy of this “Rice” Diet (RD) was not clear. We analyzed data from 563 non-diabetic MH patients treated from 1942-1988. The cohort, mostly male (69.4%) with a median age 51 years and median BMI 24.01 provided several interesting findings. First, the number of MH patients increased until the early 1950s, but then declined sharply by 1955, before effective pharmacotherapy was available. This sudden MH “disappearance” seems real, but is unexplained by therapy or other known events. Second, 341 MH patients showed that median survival more that doubled with RD treatment compared to untreated MH patients described by Keith-Wagner-Barker (KWB) in 1939. Third, the RD-diet survival benefit began after ~90-100 days into treatment. During the first ~90-100 RD days, survival closely tracks that of untreated MH patients described by KWB; thereafter, survival curves diverged substantially (e.g., calculated half-time survival for Class IV increased from 163.5 to 815.5 days, Figure ). Fourth, serial retinal photographs of 359 MH patients, showed that of 343 with initial hemorrhage, 36 of 177 patients surviving at 1 year (20%) still had hemorrhage; of 146 with initial papilledema, only 1 of 76 patients surviving at 1 year (1%) still had papilledema. Fifth, survival curves of MH patients with only hemorrhage or only papilledema were similar; however, survival was markedly shorter in those with both hemorrhage and papilledema, implying that the deleterious effects of vascular and neuropathic changes are independent of one another and additive. Remaining questions concern: why did MH “suddenly” disappear; how does RD impact vaculopathy; what factors impact survival trajectories.

Is There a Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Eating Disorder Symptoms in Professional Male Fashion Models?

This study is the first to examine the utility of body mass index (BMI) as an indicator of eating disorder (ED) pathology and fitness for employment for professional male fashion models. We assessed the relationship between experimenter-measured BMI, muscle mass, body fat percentage, and ED severity (EDE-Q score) in male models and nonmodels. Except for higher eating concern, the two groups displayed similar EDE-Q scores after controlling for age. Models relative to nonmodels endorsed significantly greater frequency of compulsive exercise and self-induced vomiting as a means of controlling shape or weight. BMI was a poor indicator of body fat percentage in models. Lower BMI in models, and higher BMI in nonmodels, was associated with higher EDE-Q scores. Interestingly, all the male models with clinically significant EDE-Q scores (≥4.0) had >18.5 experimenter-measured BMI. Higher muscle mass in models, and lower muscle mass in nonmodels, was associated with higher EDE-Q scores. Inversely, lower percentage body fat in models, and higher percentage body fat in nonmodels, was associated with higher EDE-Q scores. BMI, muscle mass, and percentage body fat were associated with ED tendencies in male models and nonmodels. Findings also suggest males with clinical ED symptoms would be overlooked if only low BMI (<18.5) was considered. These results may guide the development of more effective mandates to safeguard models' wellbeing, and men generally.

ACE2 Knockout Mice Are Resistant to High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in an Age-Dependent Manner.

Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) presents pleiotropic actions. It hydrolyzes angiotensin I (AngI) and angiotensin II (AngII) into angiotensin-(1-9) (Ang-(1-9)) and angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)), respectively, as well as participates in tryptophan uptake in the gut and in COVID-19 infection. Our aim was to investigate the metabolic effect of ACE2 deletion in young adults and elderly mice under conditions of high calorie intake. Male C57Bl/6 (WT) and ACE2-deficient (ACE2-/y) mice were analyzed at the age of 6 and 12 months under standard diet (StD) and high-fat diet (HFD). Under StD, ACE2-/y showed lower body weight and fat depots, improved glucose tolerance, enhanced insulin sensitivity, higher adiponectin, and lower leptin levels compared to WT. This difference was even more pronounced after HFD in 6-month-old mice, but, interestingly, it was blunted at the age of 12 months. ACE2-/y presented a decrease in adipocyte diameter and lipolysis, which reflected in the upregulation of lipid metabolism in white adipose tissue through the increased expression of genes involved in lipid regulation. Under HFD, both food intake and total energy expenditure were decreased in 6-month-old ACE2-/y mice, accompanied by an increase in liquid intake, compared to WT mice, fed either StD or HFD. Thus, ACE2-/y mice are less susceptible to HFD-induced obesity in an age-dependent manner, as well as represent an excellent animal model of human lipodystrophy and a tool to investigate new treatments.

Impact of fat content on lumbar spine DWI performance: A sex-based comparative study

PurposeSex-based differences in lumbar spine's fat content in adults are minimal, but significant variations exist in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) signal characteristics. This study aimed to investigate fat content’s impact on DWI performance in lumbar spine and potential sex differences. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on upper abdominal MRI examinations in asymptomatic adult. The lumbar 1 vertebral apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and fat fraction were measured. Using DWI images (b = 800 s/mm2), the lumbar 1 vertebral signal was categorized into high and iso-low signal groups. A univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of fat fraction on DWI performance. Finally, the participants were divided into three groups to analyze sex differences in the effect of fat content on DWI performance. Results202 subjects, 99 men were included. Fat content significantly influenced lumbar spine DWI signal in both sexes (p < 0.05). The effect on ADC values was significant only in women (p < 0.001). Women demonstrated a significantly higher proportion of high DWI signal than men in the low (p = 0.002) and middle (p = 0.012) fat content groups. Additionally, women had higher ADC values in the low fat group (p = 0.004) but lower values in the high fat group (p = 0.004). ConclusionFat content significantly impacts the DWI signal of lumbar spine, with a slight sex difference observed. These sex differences suggest that DWI signals may provide valuable information about the bone marrow beyond fat content.

EVOLVING MASCULINITY: A STUDY OF BODY POSITIVITY IN MEN

If we are to understand why it is so rare and what the future holds, the topic of body positivity in males has evolved into a complex one that requires discussion. Men frequently encounter irrational expectations that result in body dissatisfaction and a low sense of self- worth in todays society, when media representations of the ideal male form and gender stereotypes predominate. The medias depiction of the ideal male body, which is characterized by muscular proportions and low body fat, is a major reason man are not positive about their bodies. These restrictive rules put pressure on men to conform, which can cause body dissatisfaction and a decrease in self- esteem. Furthermore, the traditional gender roles of men and women indicate the idea that men should be portrayed as strong, stoic, and emotionally controlled, which discourages open conversations about body image issues and the need for assistance. The psychological and mental toll it takes on a person can cause various issues in men, both physically and mentally. It may be caused by constant pressure to meet these standards. Feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction can also be a contributing factor. It can lead to chronic problems in life. The most important part of maintaining a healthy state of mind is managing these body image concerns. In men, theres a lot of ways to support positive body image. Through education and awareness programs, these programs challenge harmful beauty norms and promote positive body image. Resources and workshops to help men reject outdated ideas and accepting body positivity need to be provided by schools, organizations, and communities. Its critical that we dismantle obstacles when it comes to mens body image. The secret to building an environment where guys can talk about their issues and receive assistance without fear of judgment is to have open dialogues about topics like how they feel about their bodies and mental health. Social media can also be a useful tool for promoting campaigns that celebrate the diversity of peoples bodies and for sharing fascinating tales that people can relate to.

An Analysis of Body Composition and Physical status of middle aged Women

Background: Body composition and physical status are essential indicators of overall health, especially in middle-aged women. This group often undergoes significant physiological changes due to aging, hormonal shifts, and lifestyle factors, affecting their body composition, including fat mass, lean muscle mass, and bone density. Methodology: A total of 100 women from Varanasi city, comprising both employed individuals and housewives, participated in this study. These women were divided into two groups, each consisting of 100 subjects aged between 35 and 50 years. The selected variables for body composition analysis included total body fat, fat-free mass, bone mass, muscle mass, body mass index, and physical status. Results: The t-test for Equality of Means revealed a significant difference between the groups, t(198) = 1.660, with p-values indicating substantial differences in total body fat (p &lt; .001), fat-free mass (p &lt; .001), bone mass (p &lt; .000), muscle mass (p &lt; .001), and body mass index (p &lt; .001). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in physical activity levels, t(198) = 11.714, p &lt; .001). Conclusion: The study found a considerable difference in body composition parameters between employed women and housewives. Employed women exhibited lower total body fat and BMI, and higher muscle mass, fat-free mass, and bone mass compared to housewives. This suggests that employed women, likely due to more structured schedules and better access to physical exercise, maintain a healthier body composition.

Effect of Differences in Protein Levels and Length of Fermentation Time on Physicochemical Characteristics of Caspian Sea Yoghurt Green Tea

Caspian sea inoculum has been widely used for yogurt production, but it is rarely used in making green tea powder (GTP) yoghurt using milk with different protein content. This study aims to determine the changes in the characteristics of GTP yoghurt with Caspian sea inoculum using low fat UHT milk (SLF) or full cream UHT milk (SFC) during the fermentation period at 0 and 16 hours. The results showed that use of different types of UHT milk affected physicochemical characteristics. Fermentation for 16 hours caused a decrease in the pH of the sample to pH 4.3-4.4, but it was negatively correlated with an increase in the acidity. In addition, fermentation resulted increase the value of L* (brightness). The SLF sample has a greener color than the SFC sample. The viscosity of GTP yoghurt increased significantly at 16 hours in SFC and SLF samples. After 16 hours fermentation, the TPC became 4.15 mg GAE/g and 4.45 mg GAE/g with IC50 values ​​of 37.51 g/mL and 23.95 g/mL in SLF and SFC samples. The high protein content in UHT milk affected the high acidity, viscosity, and syneresis values ​​resulting a decrease in the TPC of GTP yoghurt.

Determining the influence of plant-based proteins on the characteristics of dairy ice cream

This paper investigates the functional and technological properties of proteins in the composition of dairy ice cream. The object of the research was the technology of ice cream with plant-based proteins. The problem to be solved was the improvement of physical-chemical and rheological characteristics of mixtures and ice cream with a low fat content by using moisture-binding structuring proteins of plant origin. It was established that pea protein concentrate has the highest foaming properties. Oat protein concentrate shows a moderate ability to form and stabilize foams, while soy protein isolate does not reveal this function at all. The presence of plant-based proteins in all ice cream mixtures increases their nominal viscosity, but the highest thixotropy is observed for the concentrate of pea (56.5–61.0 %) and oat (54.8–57.2 %) proteins. They form food systems with a pronounced coagulation structure, which are capable of self-repair of bonds during the maturation of mixtures for 8 hours. Soy protein isolate reduces the thixotropic ability of ice cream mixtures, which limits the expediency of its use. The defined physical-chemical indicators of ice cream make it possible to justify the rational content of proteins in the composition of ice cream, which is 1–2 % for pea protein concentrate and 1 % for oat protein concentrate. Data on the rheological behavior of ice cream mixtures do not always coincide with previously established patterns, which is due to the difference in chemical composition between the studied food systems, as well as methods of their preparation and use. The results of this work could be used in the technology of low-fat ice cream, as well as in compositions for new types of ice cream enriched with protein

Effect of probiotic administration in adult atopic dermatitis patients

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disease characterized by abnormal skin barrier function and heightened immunologic sensitization. Its incidence has surged recently, with approximately 60% of cases diagnosed within the first year of life. AD can persist or recur, significantly deteriorating the quality of life due to persistent itching and sleep disturbances. Individuals with AD are at increased risk of developing other atopic disorders like asthma and allergic rhinitis. Various dietary approaches, including low carbohydrate, calorie, and fat diets, have been associated with enhanced quality of life by regulating immune responses. Probiotics have been used as adjuvant therapy in allergic conditions, though their effectiveness varies due to the complex nature of allergies. Method: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. MeSH terms, advanced search strategies, and predefined eligibility criteria were employed to identify relevant studies. Duplicate studies were excluded, and critical assessment tools and levels of evidence were defined per Oxford Center for Evidence-based Medicine standards. Results: One systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the PICO and eligibility criteria. The meta-analysis demonstrated that probiotics significantly decreased AD severity in adults, enhancing their overall quality of life. Other meta-analyses and systematic reviews supported that probiotics reduce clinical severity and improve life quality in adult AD patients. Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation is a viable option to improve the quality of life for adult AD patients, offering potential therapeutic benefits in managing this condition.

Enzymatic synthesis of structured lipids rich in α‐linolenic acid: impacts of triacylglycerol profile on physicochemical characteristics

SummaryMedium‐ and long‐chain triacylglycerols rich in α‐linolenic acid (ALA‐MLCT) are a kind of functional structural lipids that provide ω‐3 fatty acid and faster energy supply to human body. To improve the functional and nutritional properties of vegetable oils, we proposed an effective strategy for the synthesis of ALA‐MLCT by enzymatic interesterification of coconut oil and flaxseed oil. Lipase UM1 exhibited the highest interesterification activity compared with commercial Lipozyme RM IM, Lipozyme TL IM and Novozym 435. MLCT (76.59%) and ALA‐MLCT (45.03%) were obtained under the optimum reaction conditions: substrate molar ratio (coconut oil/flaxseed oil) 1:1, temperature 40 °C, Lipase UM1 loading 25 U g‑1. Furthermore, we identified 14 characteristic triacylglycerols molecules between enzymatic interesterification and physical blend by orthogonal partial least squares‐discrimination analysis (OPLS‐DA) model. The content of triunsaturated type triacylglycerols in enzymatic interesterification product (11.29%) was lower than that of physical blend (36.25%). Enzymatic interesterification product had lower solid fat content and 2.44 times oxidative stability than physical blend. These findings provide an effective strategy for the synthesis of functional ALA‐MLCT and advance the understanding of the relationship between triacylglycerols composition and physicochemical characteristics.

Longitudinal Relationships of Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Muscular Fitness with Body Fatness in Preschoolers.

There is still insufficient knowledge about the potential benefits of physical activity and fitness or the adverse impact of sedentary behaviours on body composition at preschool age. Therefore, we aimed to study the relationships of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time (ST), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and muscular fitness (MF) with body fat percentage (BF%) in boys and girls. Participants were investigated twice: in the final year of kindergarten, when the boys' median age was 7 years and the girls' median age was 6 years (p = 0.240), and again in the first grade of school. MVPA and ST were measured with an accelerometer, BF% was derived from skinfold thicknesses, CRF was measured with a 20 m shuttle run test, and MF was represented by the mean z-scores from standing long jump and relative upper-limb strength. In girls, higher ST (β = 0.587, p = 0.021) and lower MF (β = -0.231, p = 0.009) at preschool age were related to higher BF% in the first grade of school after adjustment for confounders. MVPA and CRF in preschool children were unrelated to BF% in school among boys and girls. In conclusion, sitting less and having greater muscular fitness at preschool age appear to be beneficial for lower body fatness in the first grade among girls, but not in boys. MVPA and CRF at preschool age are unrelated to body fatness at school age in boys and girls. Our results indicate that girls may especially benefit from decreasing sedentary behaviours and increasing upper- and lower-limb muscular strength at preschool age for a healthy weight profile in the first grade of school.

Fat burning capacity in a mixed macronutrient meal protocol does not reflect metabolic flexibility in women who are overweight or obese.

Metabolic flexibility, the ability to switch from glucose to fat as a fuel source, is considered a marker of metabolic health. Higher fat oxidation is often associated with greater flexibility and insulin sensitivity, while lower fat oxidation is linked to metabolic inflexibility and insulin resistance. However, our study challenges the universal validity of this relationship, uncovering a more nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between fuel source switching and fat oxidation, especially in the presence of insulin resistance. In an 8-week controlled feeding intervention, overweight to obese women with insulin resistance (as defined by McAuley's index) were randomized to consume either a diet based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 (DGA) or a 'Typical' American Diet (TAD), n = 22 each. Participants were given a high-fat mixed macronutrient challenge test (MMCT) (60% fat, 28% carbohydrates, and 12% protein) at weeks 0, 2, and 8. Plasma lipids, metabolome, and lipidome were measured at 0, 0.5, 3, and 6h postprandial (PP); substrate oxidation measures were also recorded at 0,1 3, and 6h PP. Metabolic flexibility was evaluated as the change in fat oxidation from fasting to PP. Mixed model and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the effect of diet on these outcomes, and to identify variables of interest to metabolic flexibility. Intervention diets (DGA and TAD) did not differentially affect substrate oxidation or metabolic flexibility, and equivalence tests indicated that groups could be combined for subsequent analyses. Participants were classified into three groups based on the % of consumed MMCT fat was oxidized in the 6h post meal period at weeks 0, 2 and 8. Low fat burners (LB, n = 6, burned <30% of fat in MMCT) and high fat burners (HB, n = 7, burned > 40% of fat in MMCT) at all weeks. Compared to LB, HB group had higher fat mass, total mass, lean mass, BMI, lower HDLc and lower RER (p < 0.05), but not different % body fat or % lean mass. During week 0, at 1h PP, LB had an increase in % fat oxidation change from 0h compared to HB (p<0.05), suggesting higher metabolic flexibility. This difference disappeared later in the PP phase, and we did not detect this beyond week 0. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA (regular and repeated measures (sPLSDA)) models identified that LB group, in the late PP phase, was associated with higher rates of disappearance of acylcarnitines (AC) and lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC) from plasma (Q2: 0.20, R2X: 0.177, R2Y: 0.716). In women with insulin resistance, a high fat burning capacity does not imply high metabolic flexibility, and not all women with insulin resistance are metabolically inflexible. LPCs and ACs are promising biomarkers of metabolic flexibility.

Comparative evaluation of nutritional quality and flavor characteristics for Micropterus salmoides muscle in different aquaculture systems

To investigate the nutritional quality and flavor characteristics of Micropterus salmoides muscle cultivated in the pond (P), in-pond raceway (IPRS), and industrial aquaponics (ARAS) systems, we comprehensively analyzed texture properties, nutrient compositions, and volatile compounds. Our results revealed firmer flesh in P-cultured fish due to greater hardness and mastication. ARAS fish exhibited lower crude fat but higher crude protein and muscle glycogen. Notably, recirculating aquaculture significantly elevated total amino acids, minerals, and ΣPUFA/ΣSFA ratio, enhancing nutritional value. Pyrazine,2-methoxy-3-(2-methylpropyl)-, and β-Ionone were identified as key flavor compounds. Volatile metabolites in all systems were dominated by woody, herbal, and sweet aroma profiles, with ARAS achieving the highest odor activity value, suggesting improved overall flavor. This study underscores the pivotal role of recirculating aquaculture in enhancing Micropterus salmoides quality, positioning it as a new quality productive force.