Lower Percent Body Fat Research Articles

Effects of Physical Activity Level, Strength, Balance, and Body Composition on Perceived Health in Healthy Adults

Background: Nowadays, not only is a high, long life expectancy desired, but also longevity with quality. Quality of life in adulthood is a multidimensional construct related to the perception of one’s own health, psychological and socio-emotional factors, functionality for daily activities, and body composition. Objective: This study evaluates the effects of physical activity level (PAL), strength, balance, and body composition on perceived health in healthy adults. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study with consecutive, non-probabilistic inclusion of cases was conducted. Body fat percentage (BFP) was measured by DXA. Physical activity level was assessed using accelerometry. The strength index (S_Index) was estimated using dynamometry. Postural control was assessed through posturography. The composite equilibrium score from the Sensory Organization Test (SOT_CES) was conducted to measure postural stability under various sensory conditions using dynamic posturography. Perceived health was calculated using the SF36 questionnaire, which detects health states, both positive and negative. A linear regression model was generated between each domain of SF36 with SOT_CES, BFP, PAL, and S_Index. Results: A total of 64 males with a mean age of 55 ± 5 years and a mean body mass index of 27 ± 4 kg/m2 were recruited. Results showed a negative correlation between physical function (ß = −0.7; t = −3.163; p = 0.003; R2 = 23.7%) and general health (ß = −0.227; t = −3.425; p = 0.001; R2 = 17.4%) with BFP. Also, it showed a negative correlation between physical function (ß = 0.047; t = −2.643; p = 0.011; R2 = 17.5%) and general health (ß = 0.016; t = −3.044; p = 0.004; R2 = 14.6%) with S_Index. On the other hand, no relation was observed between SF36 and SOT_CES. Finally, only the emotional role showed a positive correlation (ß = −0.02; t = −2.629; p = 0.011; R2 = 23.1%) with PAL. Conclusion: A lower BFP and higher S_Index are associated with increased physical function and general health. Also, the higher the PAL, the greater the emotional health. On the other hand, no relation was observed between SF36 and the balance detected from SOT_CES.

Body composition differences in older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Research on body composition and fat distribution in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has presented conflicting findings. Compare body composition and anthropometric measurements in older adults with and without AD. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following Cochrane guidelines and PRISMA standards. MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, LILACS, WPRIM, and the Spanish Bibliographic Index of Health Sciences were searched up to September 2024, considering observational studies that compared body composition between AD groups and controls. Outcomes included body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI), impedance, resistance, and reactance. The methodological quality and level of evidence were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute scale and GRADE, respectively. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to calculate mean differences (MD). Fourteen studies involving 2761 older adults were included. Older adult women with AD showed a lower body fat percentage (p < 0.01; MD = -5.07) and BMI (p = 0.05; MD = -1.28) compared to controls. Older adult men with AD had higher impedance (p = 0.01; MD = 2.05), resistance (p = 0.02; MD = 45.10), and lower reactance (p = 0.03; MD = -2.05) compared to controls. No significant differences in body fat percentage or BMI were found between older adults with and without AD, regardless of gender. Women with AD showed lower body fat percentage and BMI, while men with AD had higher impedance, resistance, and lower reactance. These factors should be included in geriatric assessments for AD patients, though further research is needed to understand their link to cognitive outcomes in AD.

Screening assessment of psycho-emotional state and cardiometabolic risk factors in combatants and civilians during the war in Ukraine

Objective — to conduct the screening assessment of symptoms of psycho‑emotional disorders (post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), general anxiety, perceived stress) and their relationships with metabolic disorders and body composition indicators in combatants and civilians during the war in Ukraine. Materials and methods. 21 combatants with the duration of participation in active hostilities up to 6 months and 20 civilians of the comparison group who permanently resided in Kharkiv and the unoccupied part of Kharkiv region since the beginning of the war were examined. The study included men aged 25 to 55 years without cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Questionnaires were surveyed using the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist Scale‑5 (PCL‑5), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD‑7), and the Perceived Stress Scale 10 (PSS‑10). The body mass index was determined, visceral fat level, percentage of total body fat mass, and muscle mass were measured by bioimpedance. The levels of lipids, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin were determined, and the triglyceride‑glucose index (TyG) was calculated. Results. Combatants’ PCL‑5 severity scores were only numerically higher than civilians’, and the GAD‑7 severity score was higher (p=0.028). Perceived stress in civilians corresponded to the low level, in combatants — to the moderate level. The PSS‑10 scale scores in combatants was significantly higher than in the comparison group (p=0.018). Among combatants the proportion of individuals with signs of probable PTSD (33.33%) was significantly higher than in civilians (5.00%, p=0.022). Compared to the civilians among the combatants there were also significantly more individuals with moderate and severe general anxiety (28.6% versus 5.0%, respectively, p=0.045). The combatants had higher systolic blood pressure, lower body fat percentage and greater skeletal muscle percentage than the civilians. Metabolic changes in military personnel were characterized by elevated triglyceride levels and lower glycemic indices in comparison to the civilians. In the cоmbatants the assessed severity of PTSD symptoms and perceived stress level were positively correlated with skeletal muscle mass. There were negative correlations between the general anxiety level and fasting glucose, and between the perceived stress level and body fat mass. In the civilians, the severity of symptoms of probable PTSD was positively correlated with body mass index, body fat and visceral fat accumulation, and the triglyceride‑glucose index. The increase in general anxiety and perceived stress levels were associated with the increase in glycemic indices. In addition, the level of general anxiety was inversely correlated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusions. In the conditions of ongoing war, the higher proportion of individuals with signs of probable PTSD were found among combatants than among civilians. Compared with civilians, military personnel had higher levels of general anxiety and perceived stress. In civilians, the increase in psycho‑emotional disorders was associated with adverse changes in metabolic parameters and body composition, while in military personnel the accumulation of stressful experiences was correlated with the increase in skeletal muscle mass, the decrease in fat body mass and in glycemia levels.

Associations of Body Mass Index and Percent Body Fat with Osteoporosis, Sarcopenia, and Osteosarcopenia: A Retrospective Study Based on Postmenopausal Women in China.

Background/Objectives: Alterations in the body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (PBF) have been considered to be related to aging-induced changes in bone and muscle. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of the BMI and PBF with osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and osteosarcopenia in postmenopausal women. Methods: A total of 342 participants who underwent musculoskeletal function assessments at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2015 and December 2022 were retrospectively screened. The diagnosis of osteoporosis was based on the WHO criteria, and sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the 2019 consensus of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Results: The BMI was positively correlated with the musculoskeletal function assessment parameters (bone mineral density, relative skeletal muscle index, and grip strength) and identified as an independent protective factor for sarcopenia alone (OR = 0.592, 95% CI: 0.455-0.769) or osteosarcopenia (OR = 0.411, 95% CI: 0.319-0.529), with a moderate diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.682) for the former and a high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.823) for the latter. However, the PBF was negatively correlated with the relative skeletal muscle index and identified as a risk factor for osteosarcopenia (OR = 1.404, 95% CI: 1.007-1.959), with a moderate diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.613). Conclusions: A higher BMI and lower PBF were associated with a lower prevalence of osteosarcopenia in postmenopausal women. Further research is required to elucidate the independent effects of the BMI and PBF on bone health.

Dietary antioxidant capacity is inversely associated with F2- isoprostane and body fat percentage in elite soccer referees

Background Dietary antioxidant Capacity (DaC) has been used as a tool for predicting plasma and dietary antioxidant concentrations. However, the DaC association with oxidative stress (OS) and body composition parameters is an unexplored area, mainly in physically active individuals. Given the potential for increased OS in physically active individuals, it becomes crucial to investigate this association. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between DaC, OS biomarkers, and body composition in healthy and physically active individuals. Methods This Cross-sectional study included 20 male soccer referees. Body composition measurements (body mass, fat mass, lean mass, and waist circumference), OS biomarkers (F2-isoprostane, total antioxidant state, total oxidative status, reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase), and DaC were evaluated. Linear regression models were used to determine the association between DaC and the dependent variables. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), CAAE 82584318.0.0000.0121, and file no. 2.572.301. Results DaC was inversely associated with F2-isoprostane (p = 0.044), GPx activity (p = 0.048), and body fat percentage (p = 0.025). Conclusions Increased DaC in physically active individuals may bring benefits related to biomarkers of OS, such as decreasing F2-isoprostane and increasing GPx activity. The increase in DaC also showed an improvement in body composition, demonstrated by the lower percentage of body fat in the study subjects.

Obesity as an influencing factor for the occurrence of caffeine-induced effects in women.

Individuals with a higher body fat percentage may have higher serum levels of caffeine and its metabolites and process caffeine more slowly than individuals with a lower body fat percentage, so the aim of this study is to compare the occurrence of positive and negative effects of caffeine in nonobese and obese women. One hundred and sixty women were included in the study. Body fat was determined using the mBCA 515 SECA analyzer. Participants were divided into 4 groups: nonobese caffeine, nonobese placebo, obese caffeine and obese placebo. Caffeine groups received 6mg/kg body weight caffeine. Placebo groups received identical starch-filled capsules. One hour after ingestion and within 24h, participants completed a caffeine-induced effect questionnaire. Caffeine intake showed statistically significant differences compared to placebo for neutral (p≤0.014; Cramér's V=0.27; 27% increase), negative (p≤0.002; Cramér's V=0.34; 34% increase), and positive effects (p≤0.015; Cramér's V=0.27; 27% increase). Further analysis revealed significant associations with increased urine output (p≤0.014; Cramér's V=0.27; 27% increase), vigor/activeness (p≤0.009; Cramér's V=0.29; 29% increase), and headache (p≤0.033; Cramér's V=0.24; 24% increase) 1h post-ingestion. No significant effects were observed in the placebo group. There was no statistically significant placebo effect. Obese and nonobese women show different responses to caffeine 60min after ingesting 6mg/kg body weight. Obese women are more likely to report adverse effects, including increased urine output, heightened vigor/activeness, and headaches, compared to nonobese women. ANZCTR12622000823774; June 10, 2022.

Nutritional knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in rugby league; influences of age, body composition and ancestry.

Rugby league is a physically demanding sport that necessitates considerable nutritional intake, focusing on quality and type, in order to optimize training and competition demands. However, rugby league athletes are reported to have inadequate nutrition intake to match these demands. Some factors that may determine an athlete's nutrition intake have been reported in other sports, including (but not limited to, knowledge, time, cooking skills, food costs, income, belief in the importance of nutrition, body composition goals, and family/cultural support). However, these potential factors are relatively unexplored in rugby league, where a range of personal (age, body composition) or social (ancestry) influences could affect nutritional intake. Further exploration of these factors is warranted to understand the knowledge, attitudes and behavior underlying rugby league athletes' nutritional intake that can provide practitioners with a more detailed understanding of how to approach nutrition behaviors and attitudes in rugby league athletes. The primary aim was to describe the nutrition behaviors and knowledge of rugby league athletes. A secondary aim was to compare nutrition knowledge and behavior based on age, body composition and self-identified ancestry. Fifty professional rugby league athletes anonymously completed a seventy-six-question online survey. The survey consisted of three sections : 1) sports nutrition knowledge, 2) attitudes toward nutrition on performance , and 3) nutrition behaviors. All participants completed the online survey without assistance using their own personal device, with data entered via REDCap during pre-season. Nutrition knowledge was compared based on age (years), body composition (body fat percentage (%)) and ancestral groups (Pasifika, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) and Anglo- European).Pearson correlation was used for the relationship between nutrition knowledge, age and body composition. An Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine nutrition knowledge differences between ancestral groups with age and body composition as covariates. Attitudes and behaviors were compared based on age groups (<20, 20-24 and >25 y), ancestry and body composition. Attitudes and behaviors were analyzed by Pearson correlation for body composition, one-way ANOVA for age groups and ANCOVA for ancestry with covariates age and body composition. Overall athletes' nutrition knowledge score was reported as 40 ± 12% (overall rating "poor"). Nutritional behaviors were significant for body composition, as those with lower body fat percentage had higher intakes of vegetables and dairy products (p = 0.046, p = 0.009), and ate more in the afternoon (lunch p = 0.048, afternoon snack p = 0.036). For ancestry, after adjustment for both age and body composition, Pasifika athletes were more inclined to miss breakfast and lunch compared to their Anglo-European (p = 0.037, p = 0.012) and ATSI (p = 0.022, p = 0.006) counterparts and ate more fruit than Anglo-Europeans (p = 0.006, p = 0.016). After adjustment for body composition, ATSI athletes also viewed the impact of nutrition on mental health and well-being significantly lower than Pasifika (p = 0.044). These findings suggest differences exist within rugby league athletes based on ancestral backgrounds and body composition for nutrition attitudes, behaviors and knowledge. Such outcomes could be used when designing nutrition education interventions, with consideration given to these factors to optimize long-term positive behavior change.

The impact of high-intensity interval training on insulin sensitivity and quality of life in women with overweight polycystic ovary syndrome

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, characterized by menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Insulin resistance is central to its pathophysiology, contributing to metabolic disturbances and increased cardiometabolic risks. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has emerged as a promising intervention to improve metabolic health. Objective This study aimed to investigate the specific effects of HIIT on insulin sensitivity, body composition, metabolic profile, and quality of life in women with overweight PCOS. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 107 female patients with overweight PCOS who were divided into two groups: the Regular Interval Training Group (n = 54) and the HIIT Group (n = 53). Baseline data, including insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, body composition, metabolic profile, and quality of life, were measured and compared between the two groups. Results The HIIT Group demonstrated significantly improved insulin sensitivity, reduced fasting glucose levels, lower HOMA-IR index, lower body fat percentage, decreased waist and hip circumferences, improved favorable changes in metabolic profile, and significant improvements in quality of life compared to the Regular Interval Training Group. These findings suggest that HIIT led to beneficial outcomes across various metabolic and clinical parameters in women with overweight PCOS. Conclusion The findings of this study highlight the potential of personalized exercise prescriptions, such as HIIT, in optimizing health outcomes in women with overweight PCOS. The observed improvements in insulin sensitivity, body composition, metabolic profile, and quality of life underscore the promising role of HIIT in addressing the multifaceted implications of PCOS and its associated metabolic and reproductive implications.

STUDIES OF ASTHMA CONTROL IN PATIENTS WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME

Every day, a practitioner is faced with the problem of patient comorbidity. Bronchial asthma is a common problem, as is metabolic syndrome. Due to the increase in allergic diseases and lifestyle changes, patients may have a combination of metabolic syndrome and bronchial asthma. This combination has been shown to aggravate the course of asthma. Therefore, we wanted to confirm or refute this with our study. The study design included 94 patients with a diagnosis of asthma. A comparative analysis of the spirographic study data revealed that patients with asthma + MetS had statistically significant differences (p&lt;0.05). The analysis of anthropometric data revealed that patients with the highest BMI and body weight had a significantly more severe course of asthma (p&lt;0,05), which is consistent with the data of available world studies [24, 25], and a positive correlation was found between BMI, percentage of body fat and lower percentage of body fat in patients with severe asthma (ρ=0,89, ρ=0,90, ρ=0,87; r=0,88, r=0,91, r=0,90, respectively). The data obtained indicate the need for individual management of patients with comorbidities, including MetS and asthma, to prevent severe asthma, which is associated with inadequate asthma control and poor quality of life.

Corporal Filler HD, a Minimally Invasive Technique for Male Body Contouring: A Pilot Study.

The perception of body image is highly influenced by culture and society. Lean, more muscular, and strong bodies are usually pursued by men. Body aesthetics procedures have become popular, and minimally invasive procedures have been used to achieve body image satisfaction. This article describes a technique that utilizes hyaluronic acid filler to enhance muscular contours in the abdominal and pectoral regions. The procedure involves injecting hyaluronic acid filler at a level anterior to the pectoralis major and rectus abdominis muscles through marked entry points, creating an illusion of light and shadow that accentuates muscle definition. Additionally, the iliac region can be addressed to enhance the oblique muscles. The results are illustrated with pre- and postprocedure images, demonstrating a significant aesthetic improvement, high patient satisfaction, and absence of serious adverse events. This minimally invasive technique is suitable for patients with a low body fat percentage and a desire to enhance muscle definition, providing immediate results with no downtime. Although the scientific literature on filler applications in the thoracoabdominal region is limited, this study demonstrates that precision in minimally invasive procedures can yield highly satisfactory outcomes.

Body fat or muscle underneath body mass index in heart failure patients: characteristics and prognostic values

Abstract Background Body Mass Index (BMI) has been recognized as a prognosticator for heart failure (HF) in that higher BMI relates to lower mortality. However, limited data are available whether body composition underneath BMI would further differentiate patients with a better or worse outcome, especially in those with lower or normal BMI. Purpose To investigate the characteristics of body fat and body muscle in HF patient groups with different BMI, and their impact on prognosis. Methods Between July 2021 and July 2022, hospitalized HF patients who were suitable for the examination underwent body composition analysis by using bioelectrical analyses (BIA) in the stable state after decongestion therapy and before discharge. Percentage of body fat (PBF) and percentage of body muscle (PBM) were calculated by dividing the mass of body fat, or body muscle, respectively. Patients were divided into underweight (&amp;lt;18.5kg/m2), normal weight (20-24.9 kg/m2), overweight/obese (≥25kg/m2) based on BMI, who were followed for 180 days for all-cause death. Results 127 consecutive patients with obtained data were finally enrolled (60±15 years, 70% males), including 20 (15.75%) underweight, 75 (59.06%) normal weight, and 32 (25.19%) overweight/obese. As shown in Table 1, As shown in Table 1, the body fat mass and muscle mass varied with BMI, though they showed a different rate of change. Compared with patients with normal weight, the fat and muscle mass in those overweight/obese was 81.8% and 12.4% higher; whereas it was 39.2%, and 23.1% lower in those underweight, respectively. As results, the overweight/obesity group had a higher PBF, but a lower percentage of PBM. Consequently, the overweight/obesity group had a higher PBF, a lower PBM and a decreased muscle mass/fat mass ratio (MFR); conversely, the underweight group had a lower PBF, a higher PBM and an increased MFR. During 180-day follow-up, 17 (13.4%) died for all cause. By Cox regression analysis, MFR independently predict all-cause death (HR, 1.273, 95% CI: 1.056-1.534, p=0.011) after adjusted for age, BMI, ejection fraction and NT-proBNP. Of note, in patients with normal weight, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested the capability of MFR (AUC=0.780, p=0.003) as well as its superiority over BMI in association with all-cause mortality (Figure 1). Conclusions The change of body fat or muscle mass with BMI displayed a different rate in HF patients, so that the MFR was higher in underweight but lower in overweight/obese when compared to normal weight group. Apart from BMI, MFR emerged as a predictor of mortality, in particular in patients with normal weight.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Sleep, but not Physical Activity, are Associated with Functional Connectivity in Older Adults.

Aging results in changes in resting state functional connectivity within key networks associated with cognition. Cardiovascular function, physical activity, sleep, and body composition may influence these age-related changes in the brain. Better understanding these associations may help clarify mechanisms related to brain aging and guide interventional strategies to reduce these changes. In a large (n = 398) sample of healthy community dwelling older adults that were part of a larger interventional trial, we conducted cross sectional analyses of baseline data to examine the relationships between several modifiable behaviors and resting state functional connectivity within networks associated with cognition and emotional regulation. Additionally, maximal aerobic capacity, physical activity, quality of sleep, and body composition were assessed. Associations were explored both through correlation and best vs. worst group comparisons. Greater cardiovascular fitness, but not larger quantity of daily physical activity, was associated with greater functional connectivity within the Default Mode (p = 0.008 r = 0.142) and Salience Networks (p = 0.005, r = 0.152). Better sleep (greater efficiency and fewer nighttime awakenings) was also associated with greater functional connectivity within multiple networks including the Default Mode, Executive Control, and Salience Networks. When the population was split into quartiles, the highest body fat group displayed higher functional connectivity in the Dorsal Attentional Network compared to the lowest body fat percentage (p = 0.011; 95% CI - 0.0172 to - 0.0023). These findings confirm and expand on previous work indicating that, in older adults, higher levels of cardiovascular fitness and better sleep quality, but not greater quantity of physical activity, total sleep time, or lower body fat percentage are associated with increased functional connectivity within key resting state networks.

Body composition in a pediatric population with type-1 diabetes – The importance of planned physical exercise

Objective and methodsThis study aimed to assess the body composition of pediatric patients with type-1 diabetes (T1D) in a Portuguese pediatric endocrinology/diabetic clinic, using the InBody 570 bioimpedance system. Preschool children (<6 years) and those recently diagnosed (<6 months) were excluded. ResultsThe study included 78 patients (53% female). Median age at assessment was 14 years, with 81% pubertal children. Eighty-seven percent were using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), 25% with an automated closed-loop model. Median HbA1c was 7.3%. Most had an adequate body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (62%) and 48% engaged in regular physical exercise (PE) outside of school. Median percentage body fat (PBF) was 21.5% and was abnormal in 48%, with median visceral adiposity of 4. Despite adequate BMI, 11% had excessive PBF. PBF was significantly associated with visceral fat (r=0.79; P<0.001), female gender (P<0.001) and PE performed out of school (P=0.005). PE was associated with lower PBF (P=0.005), lower visceral fat (P=0.002), and higher muscle-to-fat ratio (P=0.006). ConclusionEngaging in physical exercise out of school correlated significantly with improved body composition, characterized by reduced PBF and diminished visceral adiposity. Considering the known benefits of physical exercise for metabolic and glycemic control, this study highlights the importance of promoting regular physical exercise in T1D patients.

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.

Association between thermogenic brown fat and genes under positive natural selection in circumpolar populations

BackgroundAdaptation to cold was essential for human migration across Eurasia. Non-shivering thermogenesis through brown adipose tissue (BAT) participates in cold adaptation because some genes involved in the differentiation and function of BAT exhibit signatures of positive natural selection in populations at high latitudes. Whether these genes are associated with the inter-individual variability in BAT thermogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the potential associations between BAT activity and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate gene regions in East Asian populations.MethodsBAT activity induced by mild cold exposure was measured in 399 healthy Japanese men and women using fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). The capacity for cold-induced thermogenesis and fat oxidation was measured in 56 men. Association analyses with physiological traits were performed for 11 SNPs at six loci (LEPR, ANGPTL8, PLA2G2A, PLIN1, TBX15-WARS2, and FADS1) reported to be under positive natural selection. Associations found in the FDG-PET/CT population were further validated in 84 healthy East Asian men and women, in whom BAT activity was measured using infrared thermography. Associations between the SNP genotypes and BAT activity or other related traits were tested using multiple logistic and linear regression models.ResultsOf the 11 putative adaptive alleles of the six genes, two intronic SNPs in LEPR (rs1022981 and rs12405556) tended to be associated with higher BAT activity. However, these did not survive multiple test comparisons. Associations with lower body fat percentage, plasma triglyceride, insulin, and HOMA-IR levels were observed in the FDG-PET/CT population (P < 0.05). Other loci, including TBX15-WARS2, which is speculated to mediate cold adaptation in Greenland Inuits, did not show significant differences in BAT thermogenesis.ConclusionsOur results suggest a marginal but significant association between LEPR SNPs. However, robust supporting evidence was not established for the involvement of other loci under positive natural selection in cold adaptation through BAT thermogenesis in East Asian adults. Given the pleiotropic function of these genes, factors other than cold adaptation through BAT thermogenesis, such as diet adaptation, may contribute to positive natural selection at these loci.

The Impact of Body Composition and Physical Fitness on Parasympathetic Reactivation in Firefighters

Objective: Firefighting involves aerobic and anaerobic physical activities that cause heart rates to rise from submaximal to above maximal levels. These varying demands can occur with each call firefighters respond to during their shift, imposing both acute and cumulative cardiovascular loads. Heart rate is commonly used to measure cardiovascular responses during disasters, emergencies, firefighting, and firefighting simulations. There is substantial evidence suggesting that heart rate recovery (HRR) parameters are associated with body composition and aerobic fitness. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to determine the relationship between body composition, physical fitness, and HRR parameters in firefighters. Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among firefighters working in a metropolitan municipality. Using the G-Power 3.1 program, seventy-four firefighters (age = 32.61 ± 8.9 years, height = 1.76 ± 0.6 cm, weight = 83.9 ± 13 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and body fat percentage (BFP) were recorded for each subject. To determine aerobic fitness (VO2max), each participant performed a submaximal exercise test on a treadmill. HRR was calculated as the difference between peak heart rates post-exercise (HRmax) and heart rates at the first and second minutes of the recovery phase, recorded as HRR1 and HRR2, respectively. Results: The mean VO2max and BMI of the participants were 48.32 ± 9.18 ml/kg/min and 27.10 ± 3.49 kg/m², respectively. No significant relationship was found between the HRR1 and HRR2 parameters and the variables of BMI, WC, and BFP in firefighters (p&amp;gt;0.05). However, positive significant relationships were detected between HRR1 and HRR2 and VO2max (p&amp;lt;0.05). A statistically significant negative relationship was found between VO2max and the variables of BMI, WC, BFP, and weight (p&amp;lt;0.05). These findings indicate that higher aerobic capacity is associated with better heart rate recovery and lower body fat percentage. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that cardiovascular autonomic function is significantly related to maximum aerobic fitness. However, no measure of body composition appears to affect the overall HRR response of the firefighters. This research provides important insights into how the aerobic capacity of firefighters affects their heart rate recovery responses. These findings offer a crucial foundation for improving the physical fitness levels and maintaining the cardiovascular health of firefighters.

Associations of Wearable Ring Measured Sleep, Sedentary Time, and Physical Activity With Cardiometabolic Health: A Compositional Data Analysis Approach.

Movement behaviors within the 24-h day, including physical activity (PA), sedentary time, and sleep, are associated with cardiometabolic health. We aimed to determine the association between 24-h movement composition and cardiometabolic health while accounting for sleep efficiency. Altogether, 1134 participants from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 study, free from prior cardiovascular disease, provided at least 4 days of 24-h activity and sleep efficiency measured with a wearable ring. Participants' body composition was assessed with bioimpedance, blood pressure, and waist circumference were measured, and lipids and glucose were analyzed from a fasting blood sample. Linear regression models for cardiometabolic outcomes were created with 24-h movement composition and covariates, including sleep efficiency and behavioral and socioeconomic factors. Isotemporal time reallocations were used to demonstrate the dose-dependent associations between time use and outcomes. Beneficial associations with the outcomes were detected when sedentary time was reallocated to light PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), or sleep. For example, substituting 30 min of sedentary time with MVPA was associated with 7.2% (95% CI from -9.8% to -4.5%) lower visceral fat area, 4.9% (95% CI from -6.5% to -3.3%) lower body fat percentage, 1.6% (95% CI from -2.3% to -0.9%) smaller waist circumference, and 2.4% (95% CI from 1.2% to 3.5%) higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol after accounting for gender, marital status, education level, employment, smoking, alcohol consumption, and sleep efficiency. Substituting sedentary time with sleep or light PA showed beneficial but smaller differences in adiposity measures and HDL cholesterol. Limiting sedentary time should be encouraged in adulthood.

Anthropometric Physical Fitness Measurements of Medalist and Non-Medalist Athletes in Self-Defense Sports in Aqaba, Jordan

Introduction: This study investigates the anthropometric physical fitness measurements of athletes in self-defense sports, including karate, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and taekwondo, in Aqaba, Jordan. The objective is to identify physical attributes that contribute to success in these sports. The research compares various anthropometric factors—such as height, weight, BMI, body fat percentage, muscle mass, and flexibility—between athletes who have won medals and those who have not. Understanding these differences could highlight the significance of certain physical characteristics in achieving success in self-defense sports. Methodology: The study assessed the anthropometric characteristics of athletes participating in self-defense sports in Aqaba, Jordan. Two groups were compared: medalists (gold, silver, or bronze at national or international levels) and non-medalists. Data collected included height (cm), weight (kg), BMI, body fat percentage (%), muscle mass (kg), and flexibility (measured via the sit-and-reach test). Results: The study revealed significant differences in certain anthropometric measures between medalists and non-medalists. Medalists displayed higher muscle mass and lower body fat percentages compared to non-medalists. They also demonstrated greater flexibility, as shown by better sit-and-reach test scores. No significant differences were found in height, weight, or BMI between the two groups. Discussion: The findings underscore the importance of specific anthropometric measures in achieving success in self-defense sports. Medal-winning athletes had advantageous body composition characteristics, such as increased muscle mass and decreased body fat, which likely contribute to better strength-to-weight ratios and agility. Enhanced flexibility among successful athletes suggests improved range of motion and reduced injury risk, crucial for performance in dynamic combat sports. These insights highlight the need for targeted strength and conditioning programs tailored to the physical demands of self-defense sports. Conclusion: This study provides valuable information on the physical characteristics of successful and less successful athletes in self-defense sports in Aqaba, Jordan. Key factors such as muscle mass, body fat percentage, and flexibility were found to influence athletic success. Coaches and athletes can use this data to develop personalized training programs aimed at improving performance and achieving competitive success in self-defense sports.

Association of body composition indicators with colorectal cancer: a hospital-based case-control study

PurposeColorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy that affects adults worldwide, causing a high disease burden. Few studies have examined the relationship between body composition (BC) measures and the prevalence of CRC. Our purpose was to investigate the relationship between pertinent BC indicators and CRC.MethodsBioelectrical impedance analysis, laboratory test results, face-to-face questionnaire investigation, and nutritional risk assessment (Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment) were used in this case-control study. Bioelectrical impedance analysis in the case group was performed prior to antitumor therapy/surgery.ResultsFrom June 2018 to January 2019, a total of 303 cases and 286 controls were included. The results showed that low body fat percentage (BFP) and high visceral adiposity index (VAI) groups had a higher risk of developing CRC in comparison to the normal BFP and normal VAI groups. The risk of CRC decreased with the increase of BFP. The group with a normal BC had a lower risk of developing CRC compared to those with a greater VAI and a lower BFP, as indicated by the results of the pairwise and total combinations of VAI, fat-free mass index (FFMI), and BFP. Additionally, FFMI and VAI had positive correlations with prealbumin, serum albumin, and nutritional risk scores.ConclusionLow BFP and high VAI are associated with higher CRC risk. FFMI and VAI are positively correlated with prealbumin, serum albumin, and nutritional risk scores in CRC patients.

A STUDY OF ASSOCIATION AMONG BODY COMPOSITION AND KHAT CHEWING AMONG THE EMPLOYEES OF UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SANA’A, YEMEN

Catha edulis (khat) is a plant grown commonly in the Republic of Yemen. The leaves of small khat are chewed by the people for its stimulant action. Association between body composition, khat chewing is little known. We recruited 300 individuals 19-70 years of age from University of Science and Technology, Sana’a, Yemen. Demographic, body composition and physical activity data were collected using structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements devices. Muscle mass (kg), body fat (kg), visceral fat (kg), waist circumference (cm) and body Mass index (kg/m2) were estimated. Participants in habit of khat chewing were 170 (56.7%) of Chewer and 130 (43.3%) of non-chewer. Participants’ mean ± SD of age was 38.7±9 years, 217 (72.3%) and 83 (27.7%) were males and females, respectively. Including 40 (13.3%) smokers and 260 (86.7%) non-smokers. Whereas 151 (88.8%) of the men and 19 (11.2%) of the women take khat, including 39 (22.9%) academics and 131 (77.1%) non-academics. In addition, 46 (27.1%) have low activity and 105 (61.8%) %) had moderate activity and 19 (11.2%) had high activity. Participants in daily khat chewing were 77 (45.3%) while 14 (8.2%), 43 (25.3%), 36 (21.2%) were 4-6 times/week, 2-3 times/week and Once/week, respectively. Participants spent an average of 4.5±2 hours per day in khat chewing sessions, with 52.9% spending 1-4 hours, 43.5% spending 5-8 hours, and 3.5% spending more than 8 hours. The majority of khat chewers reported spending around 2000 Yemeni Riyals (Y.R.) per day on khat. In terms of the impact on meal schedules, 38.8%. Khat chewers had higher muscle mass (33±6), lower body fat percentages (27.8±9), higher levels of visceral fat (9.3±4), larger waist circumferences (88.4±10) and slightly higher BMI values (25.9±4) compared with non-chewers were muscle mass (29.9±7), body fat percentages (31±12 levels of visceral fat (7.8±4), waist circumferences (82.6±11) and BMI values (24.9±4). In addition to, males khat chewers had higher muscle mass, higher visceral fat levels and higher waist circumferences values in compared with females where were muscle mass, visceral fat levels and waist circumferences low. There is no significant association between khat chewers’ status and excess body fat.