Measures Of Body Fat Research Articles

Association of body round index with chronic kidney disease: a population-based cross-sectional study from NHANES 1999-2018.

Complex nexuses between obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been reported. Nevertheless, the link between the body roundness index (BRI), an indicator utilized to measure body fat distribution, and CKD risk has been unexplored. We utilized publicly available data from ten survey cycles (1999-2018) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the United States. We examined the association between BRI and CKD risk using multivariable logistic regression, subgroup analysis, interaction tests, and smooth curve fitting. The study ultimately involved 41,953 participants, 3,123 (7.44%) of whom had CKD. Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for covariates, identified high BRI levels in quartile 4 as a risk factor for CKD (OR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.12-1.50, P = 0.0005). This association remained consistent across subgroups (P for interaction > 0.05). Smoothed curve fitting exhibited a roughly linear positive correlation between BRI and CKD. According to our study, BRI was related to CKD in a roughly linear way, suggesting a novel indicator for improving prevention and treatment for the CKD population. Nevertheless, additional research is needed to identify the association.

Criterion Validity of Screening Tools and Field-Based Tests for Health-Related Physical Fitness in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BackgroundMonitoring health-related physical fitness (HRPF) may benefit proactive Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) management. However, knowledge regarding HRPF in patients with IBD is limited and gold standard tests are impractical for widespread use, necessitating simpler methods.AimThis study evaluated the criterion validity of screening tools and field-based tests compared to gold standard tests for HRPF in patients with IBD.MethodsAdult patients with IBD completed screening tools, field-based tests, and gold standard tests for HRPF. Criterion validity was examined through (intraclass) correlation coefficients and Bland–Altman plots. Predictive capacity of the screening tools was examined with receiver operating curve analysis.ResultsAmong 53 included patients, screening tools demonstrated poor-to-moderate validity compared to the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) for cardiorespiratory fitness. Very strong correlations were found for four-site skinfold thickness and multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis (BIA) with deuterium oxide dilution for body fat percentage (ICC = 0.90, ICC = 0.93), and between the steep ramp test and CPET (r = 0.95) for cardiorespiratory fitness. The steep ramp test also correlated strongly with isokinetic quadriceps (r > 0.75) and hamstring (r > 0.74) strength. Hand-held dynamometry and the sit-to-stand test showed strong correlations with hamstring strength (r > 0.80, r > 0.76). Negligible correlations were found for field-based tests compared to isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring endurance.ConclusionsFour-site skinfold thickness and BIA showed good agreement with the gold standard for body fat measurement. The steep ramp test demonstrated strong correlations with the gold standard tests for cardiorespiratory fitness and quadriceps and hamstring strength, while hand-held dynamometry and the sit-to-stand test showed strong correlations with hamstring strength.

An Evaluation of the Mindless to Mindful (M2M) Intervention on Exercise Self-Regulation and Fat Mass Loss: A Case Study.

To evaluate the impact of the Mindless to Mindful intervention on fat mass loss in adults. This was a single-group case study. A fitness center delivered by certified fitness professionals. 222 adults who participated in M2M as a team or as individuals, and 195 completed the entire intervention (attrition rate = 12.16%). M2M was an 8-week behavior change intervention with tailored coaching, group moderate-to-vigorous exercise (MVE) and self-regulation techniques. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Jackson-Pollock 4-site body fat measure, brief self-control scale, self-compassion scale, and a daily exercise log. Paired sample t-tests were used to determine differences within groups and a one-way ANOVA was used to determine the differences between groups (P-value <.05). Participants engaged in an average of 4.88h (SD = 2.04) of MVE per week. There was a significant decrease in fat mass (M = £7.65; P < .001) and increase in self-control (t = 6.248, P < .001, d = .300) and self-compassion (t = 4.314, P < .001, d = .165). Self-monitoring, group exercise, and individualized coaching can promote self-regulation and fat mass loss.

Agreement between equation-derived body fat estimator and bioelectrical impedance analysis for body fat measurement in middle-aged southern Indians.

Excess body fat (BF) contributes to metabolic syndrome (MetS). The Clínica Universidad de Navarra-Body Adiposity Estimator (CUN-BAE) is an equation-derived body fat estimator proposed to assess BF. However, its efficiency compared to the standard method is unknown. We aimed to compare the efficacy of CUN-BAE with the standard method in estimating BF in southern Indians. We included 351 subjects, with 166 MetS patients and 185 non-MetS subjects. BF was obtained from the standard bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method and measured by CUN-BAE in the same subjects. We compared the efficacy of CUN-BAE in estimating BF with that of BIA via Bland-Altman plots, intraclass correlation coefficients, concordance correlation coefficients and the kappa index. The mean body fat percentage (BF%) values measured by BIA and CUN-BAE in all the subjects were 28.91 ± 8.94 and 29.22 ± 8.63, respectively. We observed significant absolute agreement between CUN-BAE and BIA for BF%. BIA and CUN-BAE showed good reproducibility for BF%. CUN-BAE had accuracy comparable to BIA for detecting MetS using BF%. Our findings indicate that CUN-BAE provides precise BF estimates similar to the BIA method, making it suitable for routine clinical practice when access to BF measurement devices is limited.

Acute Effects of High-intensity Circuit Training Using Body Weight on Body Composition Indices in Sedentary Collegiate Females

High-intensity circuit training (HICT) has become increasingly popular for enhancing health and fitness. However, limited research exists on the effects of high-intensity circuit training using body weight (HICTBW) on body composition in sedentary young adults. This study aimed to explore the impact of a 4-week HICTBW program on body composition in sedentary collegiate females. A randomized controlled trial design was employed. Twenty sedentary collegiate females were randomly assigned to either a training group (n=10), which participated in a 4-week HICTBW program, or a control group (n=10), which did not engage in any training. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (r = 0.642 to 0.78), measuring body fat percentage, fat mass, muscle mass, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index (BMI). Repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare between and within groups. Although no significant differences in body composition variables were observed between pre- and post-training (p&amp;gt;0.05), slight positive changes were noted in all measured parameters. The lack of significant findings may be attributed to the short duration and frequency of the intervention. Future studies with extended training periods are recommended to better understand the potential impact of HICTBW on body composition in sedentary collegiate females. This research highlights the need for more comprehensive studies to validate the effectiveness of HICTBW in improving body composition among this population.

Design and Development of a Body Fat Percentage Measurement System Using the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) Foot-to-Foot Method

A person's nutritional status is ideally determined based on a body composition assessment, which differentiates the fat mass and fat-free mass in a human body. Fat and fat-free mass can be calculated using a non-invasive method called bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). In this research, a body fat measurement system was designed using the BIA foot-to-foot method, which is also equipped with the automatic body mass and height measurements system using a load cell sensor and a ToF VL53L1X sensor. The BIA method is designed to flow a 0.4mA current with a frequency of 50kHz into the body using four electrodes through the object’s feet. Other parameters required in this system, such as age and gender, will be entered using the keypad. The computing and data processing process uses an Arduino Nano microcontroller and is displayed on the LCD. The system that has been designed is then compared with a similar measuring instrument, Mi Scale Body Composition 2. The results obtained in this study are: the average error value for measuring body weight is 0.43kg; the average error for measuring height is 1.13cm; the average error in measuring BMI is 0.32 kg/m2; and the average error in measuring body fat percentage is 3.25%.

DXA-Measured Abdominal Adipose Depots and Structural Brain Integrity in Postmenopausal Women.

This study extends prior research from the MRI substudy of the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS-MRI) linking BMI to reduced brain atrophy and ischemic lesion load by examining DXA-based measurements of total body fat, total abdominal adipose tissue (TAT), abdominal visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue, gynoid fat, and overall leg fat. The analytic sample consisted of 61 postmenopausal women (baseline mean age 69.5 [3.6]) enrolled in WHIMS-MRI who had undergone DXA scans. DXA scans were completed at years 0, 3, and 6, and MRI scans were conducted ~8 years after baseline. Adjusted linear regression models were used to analyze the association between adiposity averaged across the 3-time points and volumes of brain regions previously linked to dementia. Higher levels of total body fat, TAT, VAT, SAT, gynoid, and overall leg fat were associated with larger hippocampal volume (β 0.02 [95% CI, 0.004-0.04]; 0.11 [0.02-0.21]; 0.26 [0.04-0.47]; 0.18 [0.03-0.33]; 0.18 [0.05-0.30]; 0.07 [0.009-0.12], respectively). No other significant associations were observed. Higher levels of adiposity were positively associated with hippocampal volume. Additional research with larger sample sizes is needed to ascertain the significance of this association.

Predicting and comparing the long-term impact of lifestyle interventions on individuals with eating disorders in active population: a machine learning evaluation.

This study aims to evaluate and predict the long-term effectiveness of five lifestyle interventions for individuals with eating disorders using machine learning techniques. This study, conducted at Dr. Irandoust's Health Center at Qazvin from August 2021 to August 2023, aimed to evaluate the effects of five lifestyle interventions on individuals with eating disorders, initially diagnosed using The Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (EDDS). The interventions were: (1) Counseling, exercise, and dietary regime, (2) Aerobic exercises with dietary regime, (3) Walking and dietary regime, (4) Exercise with a flexible diet, and (5) Exercises through online programs and applications. Out of 955 enrolled participants, 706 completed the study, which measured Body Fat Percentage (BFP), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol (CHO), Weight, and Triglycerides (TG) at baseline, during, and at the end of the intervention. Random Forest and Gradient Boosting Regressors, following feature engineering, were used to analyze the data, focusing on the interventions' long-term effectiveness on health outcomes related to eating disorders. Feature engineering with Random Forest and Gradient Boosting Regressors, respectively, reached an accuracy of 85 and 89%, then 89 and 90% after dataset balancing. The interventions were ranked based on predicted effectiveness: counseling with exercise and dietary regime, aerobic exercises with dietary regime, walking with dietary regime, exercise with a flexible diet, and exercises through online programs. The results show that Machine Learning (ML) models effectively predicted the long-term effectiveness of lifestyle interventions. The current study suggests a significant potential for tailored health strategies. This emphasizes the most effective interventions for individuals with eating disorders. According to the results, it can also be suggested to expand demographics and geographic locations of participants, longer study duration, exploring advanced machine learning techniques, and including psychological and social adherence factors. Ultimately, these results can guide healthcare providers and policymakers in creating targeted lifestyle intervention strategies, emphasizing personalized health plans, and leveraging machine learning for predictive healthcare solutions.

Association between relative fat mass and periodontitis: results from NHANES 2009–2014

Relative fat mass (RFM) is a novel indicator for measuring body fat. This cross-section study aims to explore the association between RFM and periodontitis and to investigate possible effect modifiers in U.S. adults based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009–2014. The category of periodontitis was defined by the CDC/AAP. Mean clinical attachment loss and mean pocket probing depth (PPD) were calculated. The RFM formula is: 64 − (20 × height/WC) + (12 × sex), with sex coded as 1 for female and 0 for male. Natural cubic spline and weighted multivariable regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between RFM and periodontal status. Subgroup and interaction analyses were also employed to assess the moderating roles of age, gender, and race. A total of 10,307 participants were included in our study. Compared to the lowest quartiles, individuals in the highest quartiles of RFM levels were more likely to have moderate/severe periodontitis (ORQ4vs1 = 1.64, 95% CI 1.30–2.06) and had a higher mean PPD (βQ4vs1 = 0.15, 95% CI 0.09–0.22). This association was particularly stronger in populations under the age of 60, with significant interactions. Taken together, RFM is positively associated with periodontitis, particularly in those under 60 years old.

The Role of Glucose, Insulin and Body Fat in Assessment of Bone Mineral Density and Trabecular Bone Score in Women with Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea.

Background: For years, bone mineral density (BMD) has played a key role in assessing bone health, but the trabecular bone score (TBS) is emerging as an equivalent measure. However, BMD alone may not fully measure bone quality or predict osteoporosis risk. To evaluate the usefulness of TBS and BMD in estimating the risk of bone fracture in young women with FHA, this study examined the association between metabolic parameters and bone quality, which was measured using TBS and BMD. Methods: We analyzed the association of metabolic factors with tests assessing bone quality-TBS and BMD. Patients were checked for BMI, measured body fat, and determined serum glucose levels and insulin levels in a 75g glucose load test. Spearman correlation analysis was used. Results: Significant positive correlations were found between BMD and age (p < 0.001) and body fat (p < 0.001), as well as between TBS values and BMI (p < 0.001) and TBS and percent body fat (p < 0.001). Of the variables analyzed in the multivariate analysis, the only independent predictor of higher bone mineral density in the lumbar spine was found to be higher values of the trabecular bone index in the same segment (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The use of TBS provides a simple tool for estimating the risk of bone damage. Ultimately, early screening, diagnosis and treatment of patients with FHA may help prevent osteoporosis and fragility fractures in the long term.

Body composition of extreme performers in the US Marine Corps

BackgroundThe creation of highly muscled and strong fighters is a recurring theme in human performance enhancement concepts. Physical readiness standards, intended to prevent obesity in the military, produce contradictory objectives,...

A Comparative Study of Mental Health, Body Composition, and Physical Activity in American vs Romanian College Students After COVID-19 Lockdown

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdown restrictions forced college students to spend less time on campuses and more time indoors at home, increasing their sedentary behaviors. We aimed to better understand trends among assumed decreased physical activity levels, increased mental health symptoms, and increased poor nutritional habits. The results will serve healthcare clinicians in developing targeted interventions for improving overall health in college students. Methods: American college students (n = 90) and Romanian college students (n = 85) were assessed for current self-reported levels of physical activity, mental health symptoms, and body composition values in the post-COVID-19 lockdown era. Results: All participants (N =185; 100 females) reported being highly active (82.3%) and experiencing a current level of heightened depressive and anxious symptomatology (58.2%). Differences were seen between the measured body fat percentages (BF) and skeletal muscle masses (SKMM) of the American (BF: males 26.66 12.24%, females 32.88 10.13%) and Romanian (BF: males 11.76 6.68%, females 18.07 9.30%) college students. Despite these differences, all participants collectively displayed a positive relationship between depressive and anxious symptomatology and BF (R = 0.23; p = 0.0018) and a negative relationship between depressive and anxious symptomatology and SKMM (R = - 0.15; p = 0.04). Conclusions: Although cultural differences may help to explain the found differences among body fat percentages and skeletal muscle masses, both groups of college students did similarly struggle with symptoms of depression and anxiety. The post-lockdown coping mechanisms embraced by both groups of college students have not been fully effective in improving their mental health.

Urinary Equol and Equol-Predicting Microbial Genera Are Favorably Associated with Body Fat Measures among Chinese Adults

BackgroundMany studies have investigated the intake of dietary isoflavones in relation to obesity risk, whereas the association using objective biomarkers of isoflavones, particularly equol (a gut-derived metabolite of daidzein with greater bioavailability than other isoflavones) has been less studied. In addition, the associations between equol and gut microbiota profile at the population level remain to be fully characterized. ObjectivesWe aimed to identify equol-predicting microbial species and to investigate the associations of equol-predicting microbial species and urinary excretion of isoflavones including glycitein, genistein, daidzein, and equol with diverse obesity markers in free living-individuals. MethodsIn this 1-y longitudinal study of 754 community-dwelling adults, urinary isoflavones, fecal microbiota, height, weight, and circumferences of waist and hip were measured at baseline and again after 1 y. Liver fat [indicated by the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP)] and other body composition were also measured after 1 y. Linear models and linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the associations for single measure and repeated measures, respectively. ResultsAmong 305 participants (median age: 50 y, IQR, 37–59 y) including 138 males and 167 females, higher urinary excretion of equol was associated with lower CAP (β = −0.013, P < 0.001) and body fat mass (β= −0.014, P = 0.046). No association was found between any other urinary isoflavones and obesity markers (all P > 0.05). We identified 21 bacterial genera whose relative abundance were positively associated with urinary equol concentrations (all Pfalsediscovery rate < 0.05), and constructed an equol-predicting microbial score to reflect the overall equol-producing potential of host gut microbiota. This score was inversely associated with CAP (β = −0.040, P = 0.011). ConclusionsHigh urinary equol concentrations and equol-predicting microbial species could be favorably associated with liver fat and other obesity markers.

Relating gut microbiome composition and life history metrics for pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in the Red Desert, Wyoming.

Host microbial communities (hereafter, the 'microbiome') are recognized as an important aspect of host health and are gaining attention as a useful biomarker to understand the ecology and demographics of wildlife populations. Several studies indicate that the microbiome may contribute to the adaptive capacity of animals to changing environments associated with increasing habitat fragmentation and rapid climate change. To this end, we investigated the gut microbiome of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), an iconic species in an environment that is undergoing both climatic and anthropogenic change. The bacterial composition of the pronghorn gut microbiome has yet to be described in the literature, and thus our study provides important baseline information about this species. We used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of fecal samples to characterize the gut microbiome of pronghorn-a facultative sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) specialist in many regions where they occur in western North America. We collected fecal pellets from 159 captured female pronghorn from four herds in the Red Desert of Wyoming during winters of 2013 and 2014. We found small, but significant differences in diversity of the gut microbiome relative to study area, capture period, and body fat measurements. In addition, we found a difference in gut microbiome composition in pronghorn across two regions separated by Interstate 80. Results indicated that the fecal microbiome may be a potential biomarker for the spatial ecology of free-ranging ungulates. The core gut microbiome of these animals-including bacteria in the phyla Firmicutes (now Bacillota) and Bacteroidota-remained relatively stable across populations and biological metrics. These findings provide a baseline for the gut microbiome of pronghorn that could potentially be used as a target in monitoring health and population structure of pronghorn relative to habitat fragmentation, climate change, and management practices.

Usefulness of Body Fat and Visceral Fat Determined by Bioimpedanciometry versus Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference in Predicting Elevated Values of Different Risk Scales for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Obesity constitutes a public health problem worldwide and causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (MALFD), the leading cause of liver disease in developed countries, which progresses to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. MAFLD is associated with obesity and can be evaluated by validated formulas to assess MAFLD risk using different parameters such as the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). However, these parameters do not accurately measure body fat. As MAFLD is strongly associated with obesity, we hypothesize that measuring body and visceral fat by electrical bioimpedance is an efficient method to predict the risk of MAFLD. The objective of our work was to demonstrate that electrical bioimpedance is a more efficient method than the BMI or WC to predict an elevated risk of MAFLD. A cross-sectional, descriptive study involving 8590 Spanish workers in the Balearic Islands was carried out. The study's sample of employees was drawn from those who underwent occupational medicine examinations between January 2019 and December 2020. Five MAFLD risk scales were determined for evaluating very high levels of body fat and visceral fat. The determination of body and visceral fat was performed using bioimpedanciometry. Student's t-test was employed to ascertain the mean and standard deviation of quantitative data. The chi-square test was used to find prevalences for qualitative variables, while ROC curves were used to define the cut-off points for body and visceral fat. The calculations included the area under the curve (AUC), the cut-off points along with their Youden index, sensitivity, and specificity. Correlation and concordance between the various scales were determined using Pearson's correlation index and Cohen's kappa, respectively. As both total body fat and visceral fat increase, the risk of MAFLD increases with a statistically significant result (p < 0.001), presenting a higher risk in men. The areas under the curve (AUC) of the five scales that assess overweight and obesity to determine the occurrence of high values of the different MAFLD risk scales were very high, most of them exceeding 0.9. These AUC values were higher for visceral and body fat than for the BMI or waist circumference. FLD-high presented the best results in men and women with the AUC at around 0.97, both for visceral fat and total body fat, with a high Youden index in all cases (women body fat = 0.830, visceral fat = 0.892; men body fat = 0.780, visceral fat = 0.881). In our study, all the overweight and obesity scales show a very good association with the scales assessing the risk of MAFLD. These values are higher for visceral and body fat than for waist circumference and the BMI. Both visceral fat and body fat are better associated than the BMI and waist circumference with MAFLD risk scales.

Dietary and circulating branched chain amino acids are unfavorably associated with body fat measures among Chinese adults

Animal studies showed a detrimental effect of dietary branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) on metabolic health, while epidemiological evidence on dietary BCAAs and obesity is limited and inconclusive. We hypothesized that high dietary and circulating BCAAs are unfavorably associated with obesity in community-dwelling adults. We evaluated the 1-year longitudinal associations of dietary BCAA intake and circulating BCAAs with body fat measures. Body weight, height, and circumferences of the waist (WC) and hip (HC) were measured at baseline and again after 1-year. Body composition and liver fat [indicated by controlled attenuation parameter (CAP)] were also assessed after 1-year. Serum BCAA concentrations at baseline were quantified by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Diet was collected using 4 quarterly 3-day recalls during the 1-year. The correlation coefficients between dietary and serum BCAAs were 0.12 (P = .035) for total dietary BCAAs, and ranged from -0.02 (soy foods, P = .749) to 0.18 (poultry, P = .001). Total dietary BCAA intake was associated with increase in body weight (β = 0.044, P = .022) and body mass index (BMI, β = 0.047, P = .043). BCAAs from animal foods were associated with increase in HC, while BCAAs from soy foods were associated with weight gain and higher CAP (all P < .05). Serum BCAAs were associated with higher WC, HC, BMI, body fat mass, visceral fat level, and CAP (all P < .05). These results support that dietary and circulating BCAAs are positively associated with the risk of obesity. More cohort studies with validated dietary assessment tools and long-term follow-up among diverse populations are needed to confirm our findings.

Body Composition and Energy Expenditure in Youth With Spina Bifida: Protocol for a Multisite, Cross-Sectional Study.

Obesity prevalence in youth with spina bifida is higher than in their typically developing peers. Obesity is associated with lifelong medical, psychological, and economic burdens. Successful prevention or treatment of obesity in individuals with spina bifida is compromised by (1) the lack of valid and reliable methods to identify body fat in a clinical setting and (2) limited data on energy expenditure that are necessary to provide daily caloric recommendations. The objectives of this study will be to develop 2 algorithms for use in youth with spina bifida in a clinical setting, one to model body fat and one to predict total daily energy expenditure. In addition, physical activity and dietary intake will be described for the sample. This multisite, prospective, national clinical study will enroll 232 youth with myelomeningocele aged 5 to 18 years (stratified by age and mobility). Participants will be enrolled for 1 week. Data obtained include 4 measures of body composition, up to 5 height measures, a ramped activity protocol, and a nutrition and physical activity screener. Participants will wear an accelerometer for the week. On the final study day, 2 samples of urine or saliva, which complete the doubly labeled water protocol, will be obtained. The analysis will include descriptive statistics, Bland-Altman plots, concordance correlation, and regression analysis. The study received extramural federal funding in July 2019. Data collection was initiated in March 2020. As of April 2024, a total of 143 (female participants: n=76, 53.1%; male participants: n=67, 46.9%) out of 232 participants have been enrolled. Data collection is expected to continue throughout 2024. A no-cost extension until November 2025 will be requested for data analysis and dissemination of findings. This study furthers previous pilot work that confirmed the acceptability and feasibility of obtaining alternate height, body composition, and energy expenditure measures. The findings from this study will enhance screening, prevention, and treatment of abnormal weight status by facilitating the accurate identification of youths' weight status category and recommendations of daily caloric needs for this population that is at higher risk of obesity. Furthermore, the findings have the potential to impact outcomes for youth diagnosed with disabilities other than spina bifida who experience similar challenges related to alterations in body composition or fat distribution or measurement challenges secondary to mobility issues or musculoskeletal problems. DERR1-10.2196/52779.

The transgenerational transmission of physical attractiveness perceptions: Role of parents' physical activity and nutrition habits in modelling body-focused health attitudes and body shape perception in five-year-old offspring

Introduction: Observing parents’ body-focused behaviours during middle childhood is one of the initial ways in which children model their perceptions of pro-health attitudes and their connection to physical attractiveness. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between parents' health behaviours, their appearance, and the perceptions of adult body types (skinny, medium, obese) by their five-year-old children. Moreover, the role of gender in the above relationship for both children and parents was also examined. Materials and methods: This study participants were 680 families with five-year-old children (330 girls). Participation was limited to the moth-er-father-child triad. The Beauty and Health Scale, Healthy Behaviour Inventory, Inventory of Physical Activity Objectives, and a body composition analyser were used to measure body fat percentage. Results: Assessment of pictures of male silhouettes by five-year-old girls revealed the perception that men who exercise do not lose weight but maintain a healthy, attractive appearance. However, they believed that women should actively lose weight to achieve an attractive figure. Interestingly, women were more likely to be perceived as overweight, despite engaging in physical activity. Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of integrating health education and physical activity interventions into family-oriented disease prevention programmes aimed at cultivating positive health behaviours in children as well as parents.

The Effect of the Lacticaseibacillus paracasei BEPC22 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BELP53 Combination (BN-202M) on Body Fat Percentage Loss in Overweight Individuals: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

BN-202M is derived from humans and consists of two strains, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei BEPC22 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BELP53. Body fat reduction effect and safety of BN-202M were assessed in overweight participants. A total of 150 participants were randomly assigned to the BN-202M and placebo groups at a 1:1 ratio. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to objectively measure body fat. After 12 weeks of oral administration, the body fat percentage (-0.10 ± 1.32% vs. 0.48 ± 1.10%; p = 0.009) and body fat mass (-0.24 ± 1.19 kg vs. 0.23 ± 1.05 kg; p = 0.023) of the BN-202M group decreased significantly compared to those of the placebo group. The body weight (-0.58 kg, p = 0.004) and body mass index (BMI; -0.23, p = 0.003) was found to decrease significantly at 12 weeks in the BN-202M group, but not in the placebo group. Metabolome analysis revealed that β-alanine, 3-aminoisobutyric acid, glutamic acid, and octopamine decreased in the weight-decreased BN-202M post-intake group. In the gut microbiota analysis, Akkermansia showed a statistically significant increase in the BN-202M group post-intake compared to the placebo group. No serious adverse events were observed in either group. These results suggest that BN-202M is safe and effective for reducing body fat and weight.

Relationship between body mass index and fat mass percentage among adolescents from Constantine (Algeria)

Several references based on body mass index (BMI) have been used in Algeria to define adolescent obesity. No studies have been published to assess the diagnostic accuracy of these references. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and Algerian national data based on BMI to detect excess fat in adolescents. A cross sectional study of 257 adolescents aged 16-19 was conducted in Constantine, Algeria. The BMI was calculated from weight and height measurements. The body fat percentage (BF%) was estimated by impedancemetry (BIA). The IOTF and Algerian national data were evaluated for their sensitivity and specificity to detect excess body fat. The BF% thresholds used to define true positives were 25% for boys and 30% for girls. Body mass index was significantly associated with BF% in the whole population (r=0.759). Obesity is more common in girls (p&lt;0.01), regardless of the reference used. The percentage of obesity among adolescents according to the IOTF, Algerian data and BF% was 5.84%, 5.45% and 20.62%, respectively. The obesity rate estimated by BF% was significantly higher (p&lt;0.00001). Sensitivity of the evaluated criteria, IOTF and Algerian data, was high for males (83.3% and 100%, respectively) and low for females (19.2% for both IOTF and Algerian data). Specificity of the two criteria was high for both sexes (100%). Specificity was higher than sensitivity; therefore, the ability of BMI to detect non-obese adolescents was higher than its ability to identify obese adolescents. As BMI is an index of body weight rather than body fat, it can be a source of error. Local data and international references gave the same percentages of obesity. Body mass index is a very specific but less sensitive method to assess increased body adiposity in adolescents. It fails to identify excessive adiposity in a significant percentage of female teenagers. It seems necessary to measure body fat in addition to BMI in adolescent girls. Therefore, it is important to consider body fat mass when determining obesity in order to predict the consequences of obesity, which are mainly due to an increase in fat mass in the body. Key words: Adolescent, Obesity, BMI, Fat mass rate, IOTF, Impedancemetry, Algeria