Lower Mean Waist Circumference Research Articles

Association of Tree Nut Consumption with Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Health Outcomes in US Adults: NHANES 2011–2018

BackgroundTree nuts are nutrient dense, and their consumption has been associated with improvements in health outcomes. ObjectiveTo estimate the usual tree nut intake and examine the association between tree nut consumption and cardiometabolic (CM) health outcomes in a nationally representative sample of US adults. MethodsCross-sectional data were analyzed from a sample of 18,150 adults aged ≥ 20y who provided at least one reliable 24-h dietary recall and had complete data for the variables of interest in the NHANES 2011–2018. Tree nut consumers were defined as those consuming ≥ ¼ ounce/d (7.09 g). The National Cancer Institute Method was used to estimate the usual tree nut intake among consumers. Measurement error calibrated regression models were used to assess the association between tree nut consumption and each health outcome of interest. ResultsApproximately 8% of all participants (n = 1238) consumed tree nuts and had a mean ± SE usual intake of 39.5 ± 1.8 g/d. Tree nut consumers were less likely to have obesity (31% vs. 40%, P < 0.001) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (22% vs. 30%, P < 0.001) compared with nonconsumers. Moreover, tree nut consumers had a lower mean waist circumference (WC) (97.1 ± 0.7 vs. 100.5 ± 0.3 cm, P < 0.001) and apolipoprotein B (87.5 ± 1.2 vs. 91.8 ± 0.5 mg/dL, P = 0.004) than nonconsumers. After adjusting models for demographics and lifestyle covariates, the difference in WC between average intake (33.7 g/d) and low threshold intake (7.09/g) of tree nuts was -1.42 ± 0.58 cm (P = 0.005). ConclusionsMost US adults do not consume tree nuts, yet modest consumption was associated with decreased prevalence of cardiovascular disease and CM risk factors and improvement for some health outcome measures.

Neo-Traditional and Industrialized Dietary Patterns Coexist and Are Differentially Associated with Cardiometabolic Health among Adults in Puerto Rico

BackgroundAn increasingly industrialized food system has marginalized local, traditional food cultures in Puerto Rico (PR). Recent efforts to decolonize diets have promoted local food intake; however, how resulting dietary patterns may influence cardiometabolic disease remains unknown. ObjectivesThis study aimed to 1) identify dietary patterns in PR and 2) determine their associations with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components. MethodsData were obtained from participants (30–75 y) in PROSPECT (PR Observational Study of Psychosocial, Environmental, and Chronic Disease Trends; n = 989). Dietary patterns were derived using partial least squares analysis with food frequency questionnaire data, using nutrients associated with local food purchasing (dietary fiber, magnesium, saturated fat) as response variables. MetS was classified using harmonized criteria from clinical and laboratory measures and medication use. Fully adjusted generalized linear models tested associations between tertiles of dietary patterns and MetS. ResultsApproximately half (52%) of the participants were classified with MetS. Four dietary patterns were revealed: conventional (legumes, coffee, and dairy), industrialized starch and meat-centric (red/processed meats, pasta, and starchy roots), industrialized sugar-centric (rice, sugary beverages, and refined grains), and neo-traditional (local plants and seafood). Individuals in the highest (compared with lowest) tertile of the industrialized starch and meat-centric dietary pattern had higher mean waist circumference (102 compared with 99 cm) (P = 0.01), fasting glucose (106 compared with 98 mg/dL) (P = 0.019), and systolic blood pressure (123 compared with 119 mmHg) (P = 0.022). Individuals in the highest (compared with lowest) tertile of the neo-traditional diet were 0.69 (0.49, 0.97) times less likely to have MetS (P = 0.035) and had 4.1 cm lower mean waist circumference (P = 0.002). ConclusionsPromoting a neo-traditional diet and curbing industrialized starch and meat-centric diets may improve cardiometabolic health in PR. Results can guide local food promotion as a healthful, decolonizing approach in island settings.

Do Compression Garments Prevent Subcutaneous Edema After Abdominoplasty?

The main disadvantages of wearing a compression garment following abdominoplasty are the increase in intra-abdominal pressure and risk of venous stasis. On the one hand, the wearing of garments may increase the risk of venous thromboembolism. On the other hand, it may be beneficial in decreasing edema formation after surgery. The authors sought to evaluate the effectiveness of compression garments in reducing subcutaneous edema after abdominoplasty. Thirty-two women aged 19 to 50 years were selected and randomly allocated to either the garment (n = 16) or no-garment (n = 16) group. All patients underwent abdominoplasty and received 10 sessions of manual lymphatic drainage during the postoperative period. Postoperative edema formation was assessed by perimetry and bioimpedance, and seroma formation was assessed by ultrasound. Statistical tests included t test, mixed linear models, analysis of variance with repeated measures, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, which were performed at a significance level α of .05 (P ≤ .05). The no-garment group showed a trend toward lower mean waist circumference at 29 days following abdominoplasty and significantly lower waist circumference after postoperative day 35 compared with the garment group (P < .001). The mean total body water was slightly lower in the no-garment group than in the garment group 7 days after surgery (P = .05). Patients who did not wear a compression garment after abdominoplasty showed less subcutaneous edema formation after 24 days of surgery than those who wore the garment.

Waist circumference centiles for UK South Asian children

ObjectivesTo develop waist circumference (WC) centile curves for UK South Asian children, to make comparisons with published centiles for British, indigenous Indian and Pakistani children, as well as to make...

OP71 Free bus travel for older people and adiposity: an analysis of gait speed and adiposity in the english longitudinal study of ageing

Background Free local bus travel is available to all people over state pension age in England via the older people’s bus pass. Recent calls to means-test the scheme have prompted policy interest in the distribution of holding the bus pass, while previous research has associated the bus pass with health benefits. We will investigate i) the socio-demographic characteristics of holders of the bus pass, ii) use of public transport amongst older people and iii) the relationship between having a bus pass and gait speed and adiposity. Methods We used data on 4650 older people we were certain were eligible for a bus pass (aged ≥62 years) at wave 6 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Gait speed was assessed by a timed 8 feet walk, and measures of adiposity were objectively measured Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference. Analyses adjusted for age, wealth, labour market status, problems with activities of daily living, mobility problems and access to a car. Logistic regression assessed predictors of holding a bus pass and the use of public transport at least once a month. Sex-stratified linear regression models assessed the associations of the bus pass with gait speed and adiposity. Results Overall 86.3% of our sample had a bus pass. Bus pass holders were more likely to be female (89.1% vs. 82.9% of men, p < 0.001), retired (88.8% vs. 73.1% of those in paid work, p < 0.001) and without access to a car (94.9% vs. 85.0% of those with access to a car, p < 0.001). Bus pass holders were more likely to use public transport at least once a month than non-holders (82.2% vs. 33.2%, p < 0.001). In fully adjusted models female bus pass holders had faster gait speed (β = 0.05, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.02 to 0.09), lower mean BMI (–1.19 kg/m2, 95% CI –1.84 to –0.55) and lower mean waist circumference (–3.15 cm, 95% CI –4.69 to –1.61). These associations however, were not evident among men (e.g., –0.05 kg/m2, 95% CI –0.53 to 0.42 for BMI). Conclusion While uptake of the bus pass is high, groups who may otherwise be at risk of social isolation are currently more likely to hold one. Those with a bus pass use public transport more frequently and have faster gait speeds and lower adiposity, in particular women. This points to potential unanticipated health benefits of the policy and should be noted when considering any alterations to the policy of free bus transport for older people.

Dose-dependent positive association between cigarette smoking, abdominal obesity and body fat: cross-sectional data from a population-based survey

BackgroundAlthough smokers tend to have a lower body-mass index than non-smokers, smoking may favour abdominal body fat accumulation. To our knowledge, no population-based studies have assessed the relationship between smoking and body fat composition. We assessed the association between cigarette smoking and waist circumference, body fat, and body-mass index.MethodsHeight, weight, and waist circumference were measured among 6,123 Caucasians (ages 35-75) from a cross-sectional population-based study in Switzerland. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference ≥102 cm for men and ≥88 cm for women. Body fat (percent total body weight) was measured by electrical bioimpedance. Age- and sex-specific body fat cut-offs were used to define excess body fat. Cigarettes smoked per day were assessed by self-administered questionnaire. Age-adjusted means and odds ratios were calculated using linear and logistic regression.ResultsCurrent smokers (29% of men and 24% of women) had lower mean waist circumference, body fat percentage, and body-mass index compared with non-smokers. Age-adjusted mean waist circumference and body fat increased with cigarettes smoked per day among smokers. The association between cigarettes smoked per day and body-mass index was non-significant. Compared with light smokers, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for abdominal obesity in men was 1.28 (0.78-2.10) for moderate smokers and 1.94 (1.15-3.27) for heavy smokers (P = 0.03 for trend), and 1.07 (0.72-1.58) and 2.15 (1.26-3.64) in female moderate and heavy smokers, respectively (P < 0.01 for trend). Compared with light smokers, the OR for excess body fat in men was 1.05 (95% CI: 0.58-1.92) for moderate smokers and 1.15 (0.60-2.20) for heavy smokers (P = 0.75 for trend) and 1.34 (0.89-2.00) and 2.11 (1.25-3.57), respectively in women (P = 0.07 for trend).ConclusionAmong smokers, cigarettes smoked per day were positively associated with central fat accumulation, particularly in women.