Obese Male Adolescents Research Articles

Metabolic dysfunction is associated with alterations in gut microbiota in obese adolescents

Abstract The gut microbiota (MB) has been implicated in adult metabolic dysfunction given evidence of dysbiosis in obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between metabolic disease, inflammation and the gut microbiota in children. We characterized the gut MB and immunometabolic profile of a cohort of obese, non-diabetic adolescents (MI4D) using high throughput fecal DNA sequencing with absolute bacterial quantitation. In the absence of antibiotics, we observed multi-log differences in fecal biomass correlated with stool water content and MB composition. Moreover, fecal bacterial biomass was associated with metabolic measures including serum triglycerides and insulin resistance in a sex-dependent manner. Mass cytometry demonstrated no significant associations of major immune cell subsets to fecal biomass or metabolic markers. In contrast, there were male-specific associations between serum markers of systemic inflammation and neutrophil activity with fecal biomass and waist circumference. Given the infiltration of visceral adipose tissue by myeloid cells in metabolic inflammation, our findings suggest that lower fecal biomass is associated with elevated systemic inflammation, especially in obese adolescent males. This study expands the understanding of sex-specific mechanism driving metabolic dysfunction in obese youth and suggests that gut MB alterations contribute to their metabolic and inflammatory dysregulation before diabetes diagnosis.

The adaptation of glucose levels to high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity training methods in obese male adolescents

This study aimed to show the effectiveness of high-intensity training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity training (MIT) on glucose levels in obese adolescents. This research was a true experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design. Treatment in the form of HIIT and MIT was given to the sample for four weeks. While the control group was not given any treatment. The Glucose Oxsidase – Peroxidase Aminoantypirin (GOD PAP) reagent tested glucose levels using a venous sugar blood test. The treatment was conducted at the Bung Hatta Ngawi Sports Center, East Java, Indonesia. This study used 45 obese male adolescents with type 1 body mass index of 25-29 kg/m2. Forty-five samples were divided into three groups, including 15 MIT groups, 15 HIIT groups, and 15 controls. The data analysis test used ANOVA using SPSS V.26 with a significance of 0.05. The results showed that there was a significant difference in glucose levels before and after the treatment (p=0.000). HIIT was better than MIT, with a pre and post-test difference of 33.35 (HIIT) and 23.20 (MIT) respectively. HIIT with a maximum intensity of 80% was the right choice as an alternative treatment for obesity during a pandemic. The results of the study can be concluded that HIIT was more effective in influencing glucose levels in obese adolescents than MIT.

Interaction between adolescent sleep rhythms and gender in an obese population.

The obesity rate of adolescents is gradually increasing, which seriously affects their mental health, and sleep plays an important role in adolescent obesity. To investigate the relationship between sleep rhythm and obesity among adolescents and further explores the interactive effect of sleep rhythm and gender on adolescent obesity, providing a theoretical basis for developing interventions for adolescent obesity. Research data source Tianjin Mental Health Promotion Program for Students. From April to June 2022, this study selected 14201 students from 13 middle schools in a certain district of Tianjin as the research subject using the convenient cluster sampling method. Among these students, 13374 accepted and completed the survey, with an effective rate of 94.2%.The demographic data and basic information of adolescents, such as height and weight, were collected through a general situation questionnaire. The sleep rhythm of adolescents was evaluated using the reduced version of the morningness-eveningness questionnaire. A total of 13374 participants (6629 females, accounting for 49.56%; the average age is 15.21 ± 1.433 years) were analyzed. Among them, the survey showed that 2942 adolescent were obesity, accounting for 22% and 2104 adolescent were overweight, accounting for 15.7%. Among them, 1692 male adolescents are obese, with an obesity rate of 25.1%, higher than 18.9% of female adolescents. There is a statistically significant difference between the three groups (χ2 = 231.522, P < 0.000). The obesity group has the smallest age (14.94 ± 1.442 years), and there is a statistical difference in age among the three groups (F = 69.996, P < 0.000).Obesity rates are higher among individuals who are not-only-child, have residential experience within six months, have family economic poverty, and have evening-type sleep (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis shows a correlation between sleep rhythm and adolescent obesity. Evening-type sleep rhythm can increase the risk of obesity in male adolescents [1.250 (1.067-1.468)], but the effect on female obesity is not remarkable. Further logistic regression analysis in the overall population demonstrates that the interaction between evening-type sleep rhythm and the male gender poses a risk of adolescent obesity [1.122 (1.043-1.208)]. Among adolescents, the incidence of obesity in males is higher than in females. Evening-type sleep rhythm plays an important role in male obesity but has no significant effect on female obesity. Progressive analysis suggests an interactive effect of sleep rhythm and gender on adolescent obesity, and the combination of evening-type sleep and the male gender promotes the development of adolescent obesity. In formulating precautions against adolescent obesity, obesity in male adolescents with evening-type sleep should be a critical concern.

Relationship Between Central Obesity and The Risk of Hypertension in Obesity Adolescents

The increasing prevalence of central obesity in adolescents is accompanied by an increase in risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The study aims to analyze the relationship between central obesity and the risk of hypertension in obese adolescents, including both male and female subjects. This study was undertaken to provide opportunities for further exploration of the relationship between central obesity and hypertension in adolescents. The study was a retrospective observational study that utilized medical record data from a previous research project entitled "Polimorfisme Gen Adiponectin ADIPOQ +45 T&gt;G, ADIPOQ – 11377 C&gt;G dengan Kadar Adiponektin Pada Remaja Obesitas dan Resiko Sindrom Metabolik." This data was obtained from research conducted on obese adolescents aged 13-18 years in junior and senior high schools in Surabaya and Sidoarjo who met the criteria. The sample comprised 140 obese adolescents, who were then categorized into two groups: those without central obesity and those with central obesity. Statistical data were analyzed using SPSS with the Chi Square test. There is a very strong and significant relationship between central obesity and the risk of hypertension in obese adolescents (p = 0.000; r = 0.373); central obesity and the risk of hypertension in obese male adolescents (p = 0.001; r = 0.587); and central obesity and the risk of hypertension in obese female adolescents (p = 0.003; r = 0.300). The study found a significant relationship between central obesity and hypertension risk in obese adolescents. Adolescents with central obesity were 3.6 times more likely to develop hypertension than those without. Male adolescents with central obesity were 6.5 times more likely to develop hypertension than those without. Female adolescents with central obesity were 2.9 times more likely to develop hypertension

Long- and Short-Term High-Intensity Interval Training on Lipid Profile and Cardiovascular Disorders in Obese Male Adolescents.

This study investigated the effects of short-term and long-term periods (8 and 16 weeks) of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiovascular components, blood lipids, and 6-min walking test performance in obese young boys (age = 16.2 ± 0.7) with >34% body fat. The participants were split into two groups: severe obesity (SOG; n = 17) and moderate obesity (MOG; n = 16). All participants performed on a cycle ergometer for 16 weeks (3 times per week) of HIIT at 100% peak power output at the ventilatory threshold and recovered at 50% of peak power. Except for BMI, both groups improved all body composition measures after 16 weeks, with a higher percentage of change (Δ) in SOG. The 6-min walking test increased in both groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, cardiovascular variables, blood lactate concentration at rest and after 5-min post-exercise, blood lipids, and insulin concentrations improved significantly in both groups. After 16 weeks, MOG significantly improved in HRpeak, blood glucose concentration, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE), but the percentage of change (Δ) was higher in SOG for all the other variables. SOG showed a higher (Δ) waist-to-hip ratio, maximum heart rate, resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, blood lactate at 5-min post-exercise, and triglyceride concentrations after 8 and 16 weeks of training. In conclusion, a long-term HIIT program appears to be an appropriate training approach for obese boys with extra body fat. However, considering the RPE values, short-duration training sessions should be planned.

Effectiveness of Conditioning Program on Cardio-respiratory Fitness and Self-concept of Obese Adolescent Male

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic, with prevalence rates doubling over the last 15-20 years, and India has the second highest number of obese children in the world, with 14.4 million. Considering the importance of obesity, the problem has been stated as – the ‘Effect of conditioning program on cardiorespiratory fitness and self-concept of obese Adolescent males.’ The main objective of this study was- to observe the effect of 12 weekly conditioning training programs on Cardio-respiratory fitness and Self-concept of obese Adolescent males. A total of 40 obese adolescent males were selected, and their ages ranged between 15 to 17 years. The 12-minute Cooper test and standardized six-dimensional self-concept questionnaire of Prof Raj Kumar Saraswat were considered criterion measures. The BMI was used to classify the subjects into two equal groups (i.e.-Con-1and Exe-1), pair sample designing was developed, and the initial information was collected; then 12-week conditioning program was given to the Experimental group. After 12 weeks of training, the post-test information was collected from both the Control and Experimental group, and the descriptive statistical procedure ANCOVA method was applied to get better results. The following conclusions were drawn –This study showed a significant effect on cardio-respiratory fitness and Self-concept of Obese adolescent males.

Effect of acute exercise on 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (12,13-diHOME) levels in obese male adolescents.

12,13-Dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (12,13-diHOME) is a lipokine secreted from brown adipose tissue, and it has positive effects on dyslipidemia. Acute exercise has been shown to lead to an increase in its secretion. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship of 12,13-diHOME with obesity, exercise and dyslipidaemia for the first time in the adolescent age group. Prospective study. Twenty-eight male adolescents with obesity and the same number of age-matched healthy normal-weight male controls. Fasting serum glucose, insulin, lipid and 12,13-diHOME levels were measured. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed in all subjects using a stress test treadmill. Peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) and anaerobic threshold heart rate (ATHR) were measured. Adolescents with obesity had lower 12,13-diHOME levels than normal-weight adolescents both before and after acute exercise (p = .025 and p = .019, respectively), and after acute exercise, 12,13-diHOME levels significantly increased in both groups (p = .001 for both). 12,13-diHOME levels negatively correlated with triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and positively correlated with HDL-C. Also, peak VO2 and ATHR levels showed positive correlation with 12,13-diHOME levels. 12,13-diHOME levels were found to be lower in adolescents with obesity than normal-weight adolescents and increased with acute exercise. Also, the close relationship of this molecule with dyslipidaemia in addition to that with obesity suggests that it has an important role in the pathophysiology of these disorders. Further molecular studies will further elucidate the role of 12,13-diHOME in obesity and dyslipidaemia.

High-Intensity Interval Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction Improves Vascular Function in Obese Male Adolescents

Study purpose. Obesity, a chronic metabolic disease is on the rise among children and adolescents and is a leading cause of mortality in adults worldwide. It is imperative to prevent obesity in children to lower the risk of adult obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Considering the effectiveness of exercise program, high-intensity interval exercise with blood flow restriction (HIIE-BFR) may have potential beneficial effects on the vascular functions of obese individuals. This study aimed to compare the acute effects of supramaximal high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE-SUPRA) and HIIE-BFR on the vascular function in obese adolescents. Materials and methods. The subjects were adolescent males aged 13 to 15. The crossover study was divided into two trials. The first trial was a pilot study involving five obese adolescent males whose heart rates were evaluated under four conditions of exercise: 1) HIIE-SUPRA at 170% (VO₂peak), 2) HIIE-BFR at 85% VO₂peak with 40% arterial occlusion pressure (AOP), 3) 60% AOP, and 4) 80% AOP. The second trial was conducted on ten obese adolescent males who performed HIIE-SUPRA and HIIE-BFR exercises separately, each for at least three days. Data collection was done to analyze the vascular function parameters before and after exercising (immediately, 10 min, 30 min, and 60 min after). Results. The results of the first trial showed that the mean heart rate of HIIE-BFR at 40% AOP was similar to that of HIIE-SUPRA (p&gt;0.05). In the second trial, both types of exercises showed similar outcomes, with increased flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), while brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) decreased after exercise as compared to the baseline values (before exercise) (p&lt;0.05). However, HIIE-BFR at 40% AOP demonstrated a lower rate of perceived exertion (RPE) as compared to HIIE-SUPRA (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions. HIIE-BFR at 40% AOP was effective in regulating the RPE and acutely increasing the vascular function after exercise in obese adolescents, similar to HIIE-SUPRA.

Deleterious effects of COVID-2019 Lockdown on health responses in adolescents with obesity: longitudinal study

This longitudinal and observational study investigated the consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown on health-related physical fitness and biochemical responses in 16 overweight or obese male adolescents (aged 12.6±1.8 years). The anthropometry, body composition, physical fitness tests, and measures of blood biomarkers (fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-c], triglycerides [TG], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) were evaluated before and after 8 months of lockdown. The results showed increased body weight, fat-free mass, and waist and hip circumference (p

Biochemical Status of Obese Male Adolescents of Different Ethnicity: Discriminant Analysis in the Identification of the Most Informative Indicators.

Parameters of the lipid metabolism and lipid peroxidation-antioxidant defense system in male adolescents with obesity, representatives of European and Mongoloid ethnicity were evaluated. Discriminant analysis revealed the most informative biochemical parameters for obese male adolescents: glutathione-S-transferase, VLDL cholesterol, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, and SOD activity for obese male Caucasian adolescents and glutathione-S-transferase, VLDL cholesterol, α-tocopherol, and glutathione peroxidase for Mongoloids obese male adolescents. The use of discriminant analysis allows implementing a differentiated ethnicity-oriented approach to prescribing antioxidant drugs in the complex therapy of obesity.

Obstructive sleep apnea and amyloid-β42 in adolescents: The results of a pilot study

Background. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic condition characterized by repetitive collapse of the upper airway during sleep leading to intermittent hypoxia, excessive arousals and disrupt of sleep homeostasis. OSA is associated with obesity as well as pathological dynamics of cerebral beta-amyloid and dementia.The aim. Comparative assessment of the plasma beta-amyloid 42 levels in adolescents, depending on the presence or absence of OSA and obesity.Materials and methods. Seventy-four obese and non-obese male adolescents were included in the study. All participants underwent polysomnography to verify OSA and measure sleep parameters, and venipuncture for the assessment of betaamyloid 42 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results. After polysomnography all adolescents have been divided into four study groups: OSA obese (group 1; n = 28); non-OSA obese (group 2; n = 20); OSA non-obese (group 3; n = 11), and non-OSA non-obese (group 4 – control; n = 15). OSA obese adolescents had significant elevations in beta-amyloid 42 plasma levels compared with participants from three other groups (р = 0.007, p = 0.047 and p = 0.0002, correspondingly). Compared to both OSA non-obese adolescents and the control group, non-OSA obese patients had similar beta-amyloid 42 blood concentrations (p = 0.167 and p = 0.155, correspondingly). However, patients from the group 3 showed significantly higher beta-amyloid 42 plasma levels than controls (p = 0.004).Conclusions. Thus, OSA, accompanied by intermittent nocturnal hypoxia, and particularly OSA and obesity comorbidity, in adolescents is associated with increased beta-amyloid 42 circulating concentrations, which has a major role in pathogenesis of dementia. Beta-amyloid 42 plasma level may be recommended for use as early biomarker of cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases, but future researches are needed.

High prevalence of subnormal testosterone in obese adolescent males: reversal with bariatric surgery.

Obesity in adolescent males is associated with the lowering of total and free testosterone concentrations. Weight loss may increase testosterone concentrations. We evaluated the changes in sex hormones following bariatric surgery in 34 males (age range: 14.6-19.8 years) with obesity. These participants were part of a prospective multicenter study, Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery. The participants were followed up for 5 years after surgery. Total testosterone, total estradiol, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, sex hormone-binding globulin, C-reactive protein, insulin and glucose were measured at baseline, 6 months and annually thereafter. Free testosterone, free estradiol and HOMA2-IR were calculated. Study participants lost one-third of their body weight after bariatric surgery, with maximum weight loss achieved at 24 months for most participants. Free testosterone increased from 0.17 (95% CI: 0.13 to 0.20) at baseline to 0.34 (95% CI: 0.30 to 0.38) and 0.27 nmol/L (95% CI: 0.23 to 0.32) at 2 and 5 years (P < 0.001 for both), respectively. Total testosterone increased from 6.7 (95% CI: 4.7 to 8.8) at baseline to 17.6 (95% CI: 15.3 to 19.9) and 13.8 (95% CI: 11.0 to 16.5) nmol/L at 2 and 5 years (P < 0.001), respectively. Prior to surgery, 73% of the participants had subnormal free testosterone (<0.23 nmol/L). After 2 and 5 years, only 20 and 33%, respectively, had subnormal free testosterone concentrations. Weight regain was related to a fall in free testosterone concentrations. Bariatric surgery led to a robust increase in testosterone concentrations in adolescent males with severe obesity. Participants who regained weight had a decline in their testosterone concentrations.

Trends of Overweight and Obesity in Male Adolescents: Prevalence, Socioeconomic Status, and Impact on Cardiovascular Risk in a Central European Country

BackgroundObesity is one of the most important health-related problems of the twenty-first century. Data on its prevalence in Austria remain scarce. Aim of this study was to determine current trends of overweight and obesity, associated comorbidities and socioeconomic status in all 18-year-old male Austrian citizens, and its potential impact on the demand for bariatric surgery in the future.MethodsData from compulsory military conscription examinations in all 18-year-old males from 2003 to 2018 were obtained from the Federal ministry of Defense’s database. Measurements of height, weight, and subsequent body mass index (BMI) calculations in 874, 220 adolescents were subdivided into yearly cohorts. Comorbidities, educational status, and nicotine abuse were evaluated.ResultsMean BMI increased from 22.0 ± 3.95 kg/m2 in 2003 to 22.8 ± 4.69 kg/m2 in 2018 (p < 0.001). Overweight and obesity °I–III increased from 15.3%, 4.2%, 1.2%, and 0.4% (2003) to 20.4%, 7.1%, 2.5%, and 0.8% (2018), respectively. Cardiovascular risk, reflected by the waist-to-height ratio, increased significantly over time (p < 0.0001). Additionally, data showed a significant association of nicotine abuse in overweight or obese adolescents (p < 0.0001). Significantly less adolescents with obesity graduated from high school (p < 0.0001). Overall, 25.7% of adolescents with obesity were considered ineligible for military service.ConclusionsBMI and cardiovascular risk steadily increased over the last 15 years in Austrian male adolescents. A significant shift from normal weight to overweight was observed, while higher obesity classes doubled over this observational period. This study also revealed a significant association of BMI and lower educational status.Graphical Trends of overweight and obesity in male adolescents: prevalence, socio-economic status and impact on cardiovascular risk in a central European country

Effect of Circuit Weight Training in C-Reactive Protein level of Obese Male Children

Background: In the adolescent phase is a period of growth and development that requires more energy and nutrients, resulting in lifestyle changes that can lead to obesity. Circuit weight training (CWT) is a circuit training that aims to increase muscle strength and muscle endurance. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is an indicator of systemic inflammation and increases in obesity. Case: This study aimed to analyze the effect in obese male adolescents at SMAN 4 Surabaya. Subjects were 13 male adolescent age 14-18 years old, students of SMAN 4 Surabaya and obesity condition. Study subjects were intervened CWT 3 times in a week for 8 weeks. This study was conducted without calorie restriction. Analysis of the effect of CWT in CRP levels. Paired t test showed a significant CWT on CRP levels (p=0.00). Effect Size CWT very strong to CRP. Conclusion: CWT 3 times in a week for 8 weeks in obese male adolescents without calorie restriction can reduce CRP levels.

The Difference of Lipid Profile Pre and Post Endurance Exercise in Obese Male Adolescents

Obesity among adolescents has short-term and long-term consequences in terms of physical and psychosocial development. In adolescence obesity often causes serious complications such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, dysglycemia, fatty liver, psychosocial complications. Dyslipidemia in obesity is closely related to the occurrence of atherosclerosis which often leads to coronary heart disease (CHD) and vascular disorders. Dyslipidemia is indicated by an increase in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), or triglycerides (TG), or a decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL). Boys have a higher visceral fat ratio than girls. Physical exercise without dietary restrictions has been shown to improve blood lipid profiles and reduce fat mass. Endurance exercise increases fat oxidation during submaximal exercise. Zumba has been shown to reduce fat mass and improve aerobic fitness. To analyze the effect of endurance exercise with Zumba fitness 3x/week for 8 weeks on the lipid profile of obese male adolescents at senior high school Surabaya. This study was conducted from July 2020 to August 2020. The research subjects were 12 teenage boys aged 14-18 years at senior high school Surabaya, with obesity nutritional status p>95 according to CDC 2000. Research subjects were given an endurance exercise intervention with Zumba fitness 3 times a week for 8 weeks, light-moderate intensity 30-60 minutes. The volume of exercise is gradually increased by starting with an increase in duration and then the intensity of the exercise includes whole body movement with a combination of aerobics and dance. This study was conducted without calorie restriction. Pre- and post-exercise assessment of lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL). TG, HDL, and total cholesterol before and after exercise had no significant difference which is TG = 0.106, HDL = 0.259 and total cholesterol = 0.188. Pre- and post-exercise LDL data had a significant difference with a significance value of 0.014 for LDL. In this study, there was a 6.8% decrease in TG; decreased LDL 4.9%; increase in HDL 12.49%; and a 3.6% reduction in total cholesterol. Endurance exercise with zumba fitness 3 times in a week for 8 weeks in obese male adolescents without calorie restriction, can improve LDL lipid profile, but does not improve TG, HDL and total cholesterol.

Randomized Controlled Study of Factors Influencing Body Composition and Exercise Quality of Male Adolescents Aged 13–15 Years Based onCross-Lagged Models: Obesity Level, Salivary Testosterone, and Exercise Combined with Caloric Restriction Intervention

Background: Obesity is a worldwide health problem with many disadvantages for children and adolescents, especially for the sexual development of boys. Exercise and caloric restriction are effective in improving obesity; however, the factors influencing these improvements should be studied in detail. We conducted a randomized controlled study of factors affecting changes in body composition and physical capacity in males aged 13–15 years. Methods: Subjects were divided into three groups based on body fat percentage (BFP), and randomly divided into control and intervention groups. The experimental conditions of this study were based on an exercise camp with a 12-week closed training period. The intervention group received a combination of aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, and caloric restriction. All subjects were uniformly housed and had a standard time for diet and rest, whereas the control group performed their coursework during the exercise intervention time and had no dietary restrictions. The subjects were tested for body composition and physical capacity before and after the intervention. Results: The effect of exercise training and energy-restricted diets on fat loss and physical capacity was limited to relatively lower extremity explosive strength and cardiorespiratory endurance, with a significant effect on body composition. Fat mass reduction was influenced by obesity with a high level of individual variability, with higher levels of obesity resulting in greater reductions in fat mass. The reduction in BFP was not affected by the level of obesity, and there was a mild causal relationship with salivary testosterone (ST) in the intervention group but not in the control group. ST was predictive of future BFP in exercisers; individuals with high ST had a greater reduction in BFP under conditions of prolonged exercise and caloric restriction. Conclusions: More obese male adolescents can obtain greater fat mass reduction with the intervention, but fat-free mass and exercise quality are minimally affected by the level of obesity. Adolescent males with higher ST ground tend to gain improvements in body composition, and ST can be predictive of future BFP but needs to be in the context of an exercise intervention.

Effect of Arginine Supplementation and High Intensity Training on Appetite Hormones and Body Composition of Obese Boys

Background: There is little information about the effects of high intensity aerobic exercise training (HIT) and L-arginine supplementation on appetite-regulating hormones among obese male adolescents. We aimed to determine the effect of eight weeks of HIT and L-arginine supplementation on appetite-regulating hormones and body composition indices in obese adolescent boys. Methods: Twenty obese adolescents were randomly divided into two groups of HIT and placebo (P-HIT, n=10) and HIT with supplementation of L-arginine (A-HIT, n=10). The HIT protocol was treadmill running with ventilation threshold (VT) intensity and training sessions were isoenergetic and energy consumption were set to 350 kcal per session for each participant, which were evaluated indirectly by calorimetry. The A-HIT group received 3 g of L-arginine per day for 8 weeks. Before the interventions and 48 hours after the last exercise session, anthropometric indices and levels of appetite-regulating hormones were measured. Results: There was no significant changes between the groups with respect to leptin, agouti, and PYY3-36 peptide levels. There were significant changes in weight reduction between the groups (P≤0.05). However, body max index (BMI) and percent body fat (PBF) changes were not significant in between groups (P≥0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that co-supplementation of L-arginine with HIT training had no further effects on appetite regulatory hormones and body composition of obese male adolescents.

Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Obesity among Male Adolescents at Abha City, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

The objective was to study depression, anxiety, stress, and obesity among male adolescents in Abha City, southwestern Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 398 male students. Standard methods for measuring body weight and height were applied. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. The Arabic version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to detect common mental disorders. Results of the study showed that only 69 (17.3%) adolescents had normal body weight, 176 (44.2%) had overweight, and 153 (38.4%) were obese. The present study showed that obese male adolescents had more stress, anxiety, and depression (44.4%, 73.2%, and 65.7%, respectively) than normal weights. The study showed that obesity was a significant risk factor for anxiety (aOR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.01-3.27) and depression (aOR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.06-3.40). In conclusion, there is an urgent need for depression and anxiety screening and treatment programs among adolescents to prevent adolescent obesity. It should be hand in hand with nutritional and exercise-based interventions as an essential tool in preventing teenage obesity.

Gender difference in secular trends of body height in Chinese Han adolescents aged 18 years, 1985-2014

Objective: To analyze the gender difference in secular trends of body height in Chinese Han adolescents aged 18 years from 1985 to 2014. Methods: Data were extracted from 1985, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2014 Chinese National Surveys in Students' Constitution and Health. A total of 124 099 Chinese Han adolescents aged 18 years were included in the analysis. ANOVA test was used to compare the body height between different subgroups stratified by gender and the mean difference and ratio in body height were calculated. Quantile regression model was used to assess the association between body height and gender over time in the adolescents stratified by region or area. Results: The mean body height of adolescents aged 18 years increased significantly from 1985 to 2014 with the rate of 1.3 cm/decade in male adolescents and 0.8 cm/decade in female adolescents, and the highest increment occurred from 1995 to 2005 in both groups. Male adolescents were taller than female adolescents at each subgroup (P<0.05). Gender difference in body height increased from 11.1 cm in 1985 to 12.6 cm in 2014 and ratio remained to be 1.07-1.08. The body height was taller in adolescents in urban area than in rural area (P<0.05) and in northeastern China than in other regions (P<0.05) in both male and female adolescents. The body height of obese male adolescents had been taller since 2000 and the body height of obese female adolescents had been taller since 2010 than other groups. When adjusted for urban-rural areas, region, socioeconomic status and nutritional status, the body height increased over time at P5, P25, P50, P75 and P95 in both male and female adolescents, and the increments of gender difference in body height at different percentile ranged from 0.45 cm/decade to 0.57 cm/decade. When stratified by region, the gender difference in body height showed similar trend with total sample except P5 and P95 in northeastern China, the difference of increments were not significant. Conclusions: From 1985 to 2014, the gender difference in body height of Chinese Han adolescents aged 18 years increased, and male adolescents showed greater increase than female adolescents. Moreover, the adolescents in northeastern and eastern China had larger increment in body height. It is necessary to paid more attention to the adolescents in central and western China to promote their physical development.

Acute respiratory muscle unloading improves time‑to‑exhaustion during moderate and heavy‑intensity cycling in obese adolescent males

Acute respiratory muscle unloading improves time‑to‑exhaustion during moderate and heavy‑intensity cycling in obese adolescent males