Overweight Metabolic Syndrome Research Articles

Beneficial Effects of Pterocarpan-High Soybean Leaf Extract on Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Korean Subjects: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Pterocarpans are known to have antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. However, little is known about the changes in transcriptional profiles in response to a pterocarpan-high soybean leaf extract (PT). Therefore, this study investigated the effects of PT on blood glucose and lipid levels, as well as on the inflammation-related gene expression based on a peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) mRNA sequencing analysis in Korean overweight and obese subjects with mild metabolic syndrome. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups and were administered either placebo (starch, 3 g/day) or PT (2 g/day) for 12 weeks. The PT intervention did not change body weight, body fat percentage and body mass index (BMI). However, PT significantly decreased the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), plasma glucose, free fatty acid, total cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol levels after 12 weeks. Furthermore, PT supplementation significantly lowered the homeostatic index of insulin resistance, as well as the plasma levels of inflammatory markers. Finally, the mRNA sequencing analysis revealed that PT downregulated genes related to immune responses. PT supplementation is beneficial for the improvement of metabolic syndrome by altering the fasting blood and plasma glucose, HbA1c, plasma lipid levels and inflammation-related gene expression in PBMCs.

Sleep quality and metabolic syndrome in overweight or obese children and adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective To assess sleep quality and its association with metabolic syndrome and its components. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2011 to March 2012 at the Childhood Obesity Center, Campina Grande, Paraíba , Brazil, with 135 overweight or obese children and adolescents. Sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Metabolic syndrome diagnosis was based on abdominal circumference, blood pressure, glycemia, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides. The data were treated by the software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22.0 at a significance level of 5%. Results The prevalence of poor sleep quality or sleep disorder according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was 40.7%, and females had higher mean global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score. Metabolic syndrome prevalence was 63.0%. Females also had higher daytime dysfunction. Poor sleep quality was associated with high diastolic blood pressure (OR=2.6; p =0.015) and waist circumference (OR=3.17; p =0.024) after adjusting for sex and age. Conclusion Girls had higher global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, which was associated with daytime dysfunction. Poor sleep quality was a predictor of high diastolic blood pressure in the study sample.

Cardiovascular and Lifestyle Factors Influencing the Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Participants of a Randomised Clinical Trial

BackgroundIdentifying individuals most at risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) and therefore cardiovascular disease (CVD) is informative for disease prevention in the primary healthcare context.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of baseline data on participants in a healthy lifestyle clinical trial (the HealthTrack study). Participants were community volunteers aged 25–54 years with a BMI 25–40kg/m2. Measurements included MetS [1], cardiovascular disease (CVD) [2] and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk [3], weight, % body fat, dietary intake, ankle brachial index (ABI), physical activity, socio‐economic position and psychological profile. Backward stepwise linear regression was used to assess association of lifestyle factors with presence of MetS and linear regression was used to examine the association between MetS and risk of CVD, CHD and ABI. The study is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTRN12614000581662).Results373 participants were included in the analysis with 130 (34.9%) being categorised as having MetS at baseline. The multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the baseline covariates that were significantly and positively associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome were being male (coefficient 0.52, p=0.04), higher BMI (coefficient 1.26, p=0.00) and older age (coefficient 1.08, p=0.00). All other covariates dropped out of the multivariate regression. Data were available on 351 participants for assessment of Framingham risk. Participants with MetS at baseline had a 4.37% increase in CVD risk and were 7.8 times more likely to be at moderate risk of CHD than those without MetS. However MetS was not predictive of peripheral artery disease.ConclusionsBy studying overweight and obese volunteers for a healthy lifestyle intervention trial we confirmed that those most likely to develop MetS are older, overweight males and those with MetS have a higher risk of developing CVD. Primary healthcare preventative programs may need to target this population.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and the California Walnut Commission. The funding bodies were not involved in the analysis and interpretation of data, or writing of the report. Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute facilities were used for conducting the study, including the collection of data.

SPECIFICS OF METABOLIC SYNDROME PATHOPHYSIOLOGY IN WOMEN AT DIFFERENT PHASES OF CLIMACTERIC PERIOD

Aim. To study the specifics of metabolic syndrome (MS) course in women at different stages of climacterics and relationship with body mass and adipose tissue localization pattern. Material and methods. Totally 138 women included during the climacteric period: 1 st group — 52 women in premenopausal period; 2nd group — 86 women in early postmenopause. The age of participants for the 1st group was 49,1 (48,0;51,0) years, 2nd group — 53,9 (50,0;56,0) years. We studied lipid profile, MK and carbohydrate metabolism including C-peptide, IRI and HOMA-IR. The method for the hard phase IEA in blood plasma used to measure SHBG and dihydroepiandrosterin-sulphate (DHEAS). ABPM was performed for 24 hours by oscillometric method. Results. Most women in postmenopausal period had adverse metabolic changes in lipid and carbohydrate metabolisms relevant for MS. Lipid profile disorders in women at menopausal switch were found with the highest levels during early postmenopause. The highest intergroup differences were found by the levels of TG of the blood and relationship of TG to HDL, non-HDL. Also the increase of HOMA-IR marked in women at postmenopause 1,49 (0,80-2,2) and 0,82(0,3-1,4) units, resp., p<0,05). Two types of MS selected — MetONM and MS with overweight with the prevalence of the second type MS in 90,6% of women. The specifics of clinical presentation of MS in overweight is the severity of metabolic and hormonal changes — high levels of TG (2,2±1,7 и 1,65±0,3 mmol/L, p<0,01) and MK (371 ±84,4 и 342±71,8 mcmol/L, p<0,05), HOMA-IR (3,9 (1,8;6,0) и 2,8 (1,7;4,5) units, p<0,05), resp., and decrease of SHBG (387,7 (319,7;517,0) и 623,8 (396,3;720,0) nmol/L, p<0,01); more severe course of AH noted.

Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Limited studies have shown that Coleus forskohlii extract may aid in weight management. This randomized, double blind placebo-controlled clinical study assessed the effects of supplementation with C. forskohlii extract on key markers of obesity and metabolic parameters in overweight and obese individuals. Thirty participants completed the trial and they were randomly assigned to receive either 250 mg of C. forskohlii extract (n = 15) or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. All participants were advised to follow a hypocaloric diet throughout the study. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, and waist to hip ratio, were monitored fortnightly. Dietary intake was assessed at the baseline and weeks 4, 8 and 12. Appetite was assessed using visual analogue scales and blood samples were analyzed for plasma lipids, ghrelin, leptin, glucose and insulin at the baseline and end of the intervention. Significant reductions to waist and hip circumference (p = 0.02; p = 0.01, respectively) were recorded in both experimental and placebo groups after the 12 week intervention. Furthermore, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly increased (p = 0.01) in both groups. The experimental group showed a favorable improvement in insulin concentration and insulin resistance (p = 0.001; 0.01 respectively) compared to the placebo group. These findings suggest that C. forskohlii extract in conjunction with a hypocaloric diet may be useful in the management of metabolic risk factors.

Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Children

Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Children

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese schoolchildren

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese schoolchildren

Pathophysiological characterization of metabolic syndrome in overweight, obese and type 2 diabetic Algerian subjects: interest of adipokines as dysmetabolic biomarkers

The body fat accretion (BFA) is correlated to energy homeostasis and/or hemodynamic dysfunction, being mediated by insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and recently by adipokines. In this study, we investigated the associations between metabolic syndrome markers and the secretion disturbs of leptin, adiponectin and resistin during overweight (OW), obesity (OB) and type 2 diabetes de type 2 (T2DM) stages. The study was undertaken on 240 subjects who were divided in 3 groups: overweight, obese and diabetic groups, according to age, sex and the BMI value. The metabolic syndrome was investigated according to the NCEP/ATPIII criteria. Insulin resistance was assessed by HOMA model. Metabolic parameters were determined on Cobas®. Adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay on human ELISA reader - Biotek ELX 800. The adipokines secretion is influenced by the adipose tissue accretion and insulin resistance state. The BFA in OB and OW subjects is positively correlated to the increase of serum leptin, whereas the serum adiponectin is reduced. The serum adipokines profile is modulated differently between men and women, particularly for leptin. Resistin secretion follows the evolution of leptinemia. It appears that adipokines as major dysmetabolic biomarkers, and can be considered as relevant biological tools in the diagnosis of cardiovascular and T2DM predictive risk in overweight and obese subjects.

Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Adolescents: A Comparison of Two Different Diagnostic Criteria

Background: Due to the lack of consensus on its definition, the metabolic syndrome (MS) in children and adolescents is not formally recognized. However, several researchers have changed the adult criteria for pediatric standards in order to assess the prevalence. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of MS and its components according to two of the currently used definitions in overweight and obese adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 232 adolescents with excess weight from a public school of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Anthropometric, blood pressure, and biochemical variables were assessed. MS was defined using two different diagnostic criteria: the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Results: MS was diagnosed in 40.4 and 24.6% of obese adolescents and 9.4 and 1.9% of overweight adolescents according to the NCEP-ATPIII and IDF criteria, respectively. The degree of agreement, assessed by the κ index, from the definitions adopted in this study was 0.48. Conclusion: The results show a significant difference between the two diagnostic criteria. A higher frequency was found when the NCEP-ATPIII was used, which is of concern given the association of MS with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Relation of Acanthosis Nigricans to Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Women

Insulin resistance appears to be the most likely underlying mechanism in metabolic syndrome. Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is an easily identifiable skin lesion and associated with insulin resistance. We aimed to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and AN in overweight and obese women and the association between AN and anthropometric and metabolic parameters. This study included 250 women [mean age 24±7.05 years; body mass index (BMI) 30.7±9.24 kg/m(2)] who were admitted to our internal medicine and endocrine outpatient clinics because of simple obesity. All the patients were evaluated for AN. We used the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. A total of 46.4% of the subjects were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Patients with metabolic syndrome were older (26.2±7.7 vs. 23.5±6.2 years, P=0.003) and had more increased BMI (34.1±9.8 and 27.8±7.5 kg/m(2), P=0.0001) and higher homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values (3.4±2.1% vs. 2.2±1.5%, p=0.0001) compared to patients without metabolic syndrome. In all, 40% of the all patients had AN. The rate of metabolic syndrome was greater in AN-positive patients (60%) compared to AN-negative patients (37.6%) (P=0.0001). We observed a significant correlation between AN and metabolic syndrome, especially waist circumference, high triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and a significant positive correlation was also found between the AN and BMI, fasting insulin,and HOMA-IR. Our study suggests that AN is a simple and useful finding of physical examination, like waist circumference, for identifying patients who are susceptible to the metabolic syndrome.

Combined Impact of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Visceral Adiposity on Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Adults in Korea

BackgroundObesity, especially visceral obesity, is known to be an important correlate for cardiovascular disease and increased mortality. On the other hand, high cardiorespiratory fitness is suggested to be an effective contributor for reducing this risk. This study was conducted to determine the combined impact of cardiorespiratory fitness and visceral adiposity, otherwise known as fitness and fatness, on metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese adults.MethodsA total of 232 overweight and obese individuals were grouped into four subtypes according to their fitness level. This was measured by recovery heart rate from a step test in addition to visceral adiposity defined as the visceral adipose tissue area to subcutaneous adipose tissue area ratio (VAT/SAT ratio). Associations of fitness and visceral fatness were analyzed in comparison with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.ResultsThe high visceral fat and low fitness group had the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome [Odds Ratio (OR) 5.02; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.85–13.61] compared with the reference group, which was the low visceral adiposity and high fitness group, after adjustments for confounding factors. Viscerally lean but unfit subjects were associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome than more viscerally obese but fit subjects (OR 3.42; 95% CI 1.27–9.19, and OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.01–7.25, respectively).ConclusionsOur study shows that visceral obesity and fitness levels are cumulatively associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in healthy overweight and obese adults. This suggests that cardiorespiratory fitness is a significant modifier in the relation of visceral adiposity to adverse metabolic outcomes in overweight and obese individuals.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with hypertension and metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese youth

Kung-Ting Kao1,∗, Nobia Abidi 2, Sanjeeva Ranasinha2, Justin Brown3, Christine Rodda4, Zoe McCallum5, Margaret Zacharin6, Peter J. Simm7, Matthew Sabin8 1 The Royal Children’s Hospital and Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia 2Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia 3Monash Children’s and Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia 4 Monash Children’s and University of Melbourne, Clayton and Parkville, VIC, Australia 5 The Royal Children’s Hospital and University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia 6 The Royal Children’s Hospital, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia 7 The Royal Children’s Hospital, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Monash Children’s, Parkville and Clayton, VIC, Australia 8 The Royal Children’s Hospital, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, University of Melbourne and Monash University, Parkville and Clayton, VIC, Australia

Comparison of the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Filipino Adolescents Based on Two Definitions

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Sex hormone binding globulin, but not testosterone, is associated with the metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with hyperandrogenism and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Decreased SHBG and elevated testosterone are associated with metabolic syndrome and glucose intolerance in women. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between SHBG and testosterone and metabolic syndrome and glucose intolerance in PCOS. Cross-sectional study in overweight and obese premenopausal non-diabetic women with PCOS (no.=178: no.=55 metabolic syndrome, no.=16 glucose intolerance). Data were analyzed by multiple regression with metabolic syndrome, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) glucose or SHBG as dependent variables and reproductive hormones, insulin resistance, glucose tolerance, lipids or C-reactive protein as independent variables. Metabolic syndrome was independently associated with body mass index [odds ratio (OR) 1.084 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.034-1.170, p=0.015] and SHBG (OR 0.961 95% CI 0.932-0.995, p=0.018). Glucose tolerance was independently associated with OGTT insulin (β=0.418, p<0.001), age (β=0.154, p=0.033) and PRL (β=-0.210, p=0.002). SHBG was independently associated with OGTT insulin (β=-0.216, p=0.014) and PCOS diagnostic criteria (β=0.197, p=0.010). SHBG, but not testosterone, is independently associated with metabolic syndrome in overweight women with PCOS and is associated with insulin resistance and PCOS diagnostic criteria.

Ultrasound Evaluation and Correlates of Fatty Liver Disease: A Population Study in a Mediterranean Area

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of fatty liver-nonalcoholic (NAFL) and alcoholic (AFL)-and its association with metabolic syndrome and its components in a population sample from a Mediterranean area. A sample of 2974 subjects (1679 males, 1295 females, age range 30-89 years) was randomly drawn from the population of a town in southern Italy. The survey visit included a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, a blood sample taken in the morning after overnight fasting, as well as abdominal ultrasound examination to evaluate liver fat with a standardized scoring system. The 2001 National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) definition of the metabolic syndrome was adopted. In this Mediterranean population, where alcohol intake is mostly as wine with meals, NAFL is present in 36.8% of men and 25.7% of women and AFL in 13.8% of men and 5.5% of women. NAFL and AFL are associated with metabolic syndrome and its characteristics, body mass index (BMI), and visceral and subcutaneous fat (in AFL subjects, only in women) measured by ultrasound. Stratifying by BMI and controlling for confounders (age, height, smoking habit, and alcohol consumption), in overweight and obese subjects, liver and visceral fat are associated with the metabolic syndrome both in men and women and subcutaneous fat only in women. In normal weight subjects, only liver fat in men is associated with the metabolic syndrome. Fatty liver is highly prevalent in this Mediterranean population and is associated with metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese men and women as well as in men with normal BMI.

Síndrome metabólico en adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad

Objetivo: Conocer y cuantificar la presencia de síndrome metabólico en una población adolescente que presenta sobrepeso y obesidad. Diseño: Estudio clínico. Lugar: Servicio de Endocrinología. Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo. Participantes: Adolescentes. Intervenciones: Se estudió una muestra de 195 adolescentes comprendidos entre los 10 a 19 años. El criterio de inclusión fue que presentasen sobrepeso u obesidad, de acuerdo al índice de masa corporal (IMC). Para ello, se hizo uso de la población de referencia de Must y col, con los siguientes criterios diagnósticos: de 85 a 95 percentil, sobrepeso; y mayor del 95 percentil, obesos. El peso, la talla y la circunferencia de la cintura (CC) fueron tomados siguiendo las recomendaciones internacionales. El síndrome metabólico fue definido mediante la recomendación de Cook (triglicéridos &amp;gt; 110, colesterol HDL &amp;lt; 40 mg/dL, glicemia &amp;gt; 110 mg/dL y CC &amp;gt; 90 percentil), la presencia de tres o más de estos criterios indicó síndrome metabólico. Principales medidas de resultados: Síndrome metabólico, sobrepeso, obesidad. Resultados: En 8,8% de la muestra estudiada existió la presencia de síndrome metabólico. Los obesos presentaron mayor prevalencia de síndrome metabólico que los con sobrepeso (22,9 y 3%, respectivamente); el género masculino (24,1%) más que el femenino (2,9%). Los de 15 años y más tuvieron un 9,7%, con relación a los menores, 7,4%. Conforme se incrementaba la CC, la presencia de síndrome metabólico fue mayor. Conclusiones: El síndrome metabólico se encuentra presente en la población adolescente, si bien con prevalencias bajas, pero que están íntimamente relacionadas al estado nutricional (sobrepeso y obesidad). La tendencia de estas alteraciones nutricionales es a incrementarse y como consecuencia mucho más adolescentes presentaran el síndrome metabólico, lo que lleva implícito un riesgo para su salud.

Effects of eight weeks of resistance training on the risk factors of metabolic syndrome in overweight /obese women - “A Pilot Study”

BackgroundThe purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of eight weeks of resistance training (RT) on anthropometric, cardiovascular and biochemical risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS), and neuromuscular variables on overweight/obese women.MethodsFourteen middle-aged (33.9 ± 8.6 years) overweight/obese women (body mass index - BMI 29.6 ± 4.1 kg/m2) underwent 24 sessions (3 times/week) of a whole body RT program with 3 sets of 8–12 repetitions maximum (RM). The following variables were evaluated: maximum strength on chest press and frontal lat pull-down; isometric hand-grip strength; biceps brachii (BB) and rectus femoris (RF) muscle thickness, body mass; BMI; body adiposity index (BAI); waist, hip and neck circumferences; visceral fat volume; blood glucose; glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c); insulin; HDL-C and triglycerides.ResultsThere was an increase of chest press (from 52.9 ± 9.7 to 59.8 ± 7.7 kg; P = 0.02) and front lat pull-down (from 51.5 ± 7.5 to 57.6 ± 9.2 kg; P = 0.01) muscle strength, isometric handgrip (P = 0.02) and RF muscle thickness (from 42.2 ± 8.5 to 45.1 ± 7.3 mm; P = 0.02) after the 8 week RT program. There were no statistically significant alterations on plasma glucose, HbA1c, insulin, triglycerides, HDL-C, anthropometric indexes and BB muscle thickness (p > 0.05).ConclusionsA RT program without caloric restriction promotes an increase on muscle thickness and strength, with no effects on risk factors of MetS in overweight/obese women.

A pilot study investigating the effect of Caralluma fimbriata extract on the risk factors of metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese subjects: a randomised controlled clinical trial

Central obesity is a key component of metabolic syndrome and it is often associated with other risk factors such as dyslipidemia, elevated plasma glucose levels and elevated blood pressure (BP). In this pilot study, the effect of Caralluma fimbriata (an edible succulent) extract in combination with controlled dietary intake and physical activity on these risk factors was assessed in overweight and obese Australian subjects. This was a randomised, double blind placebo controlled clinical trial. Forty-three adults aged 29-59 years were recruited. The eligibility criteria included a Body Mass Index (BMI) >25 kg/m(2), or a waist circumference >94 cm (male), >80 cm (female). Thirty-three participants completed the 12-week study at Victoria University Nutritional Therapy Clinic. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups. C. fimbriata extract and placebo were orally administered as 500 mg capsules twice daily (1 g/day) and dietary intake and exercise were monitored weekly. The results of thirty-three participants (experimental group, n = 17; placebo group n = 16) were analysed. The primary outcome measure was the decline in waist circumference. By week 9, the experimental group had lost 5.7 cm, compared to only 2.8 cm loss in the placebo group (Difference: -2.890; 95% CI; -5.802 to 0.023). Post intervention, the experimental group had lost 6.5 cm compared to 2.6 cm loss in the placebo group (Difference: -3.847; 95% CI; -7.466 to 0.228). Waist to hip ratio (WHR) also improved significantly after 12 weeks intervention in the experimental group, with a total reduction of 0.03 being recorded compared to 0.01 increase in the placebo group (Difference: -0.033; 95% CI; -0.064 to -0.002). There was also a significant decline in the palatability (visual appeal, smell, taste) of the test meal and sodium intake in the experimental group at week 12 (p < 0.05). In addition a significant reduction in body weight, BMI, hip circumference, systolic BP, HR, triglyceride levels, total fat and saturated fat intake within both groups was observed following the intervention period (p < 0.05). Supplementation with C. fimbriata extract whilst controlling overall dietary intake and physical activity may potentially play a role in curbing central obesity, the key component of metabolic syndrome. Controlling dietary intake and exercise improved body weight and favourably influenced the metabolic risk profile.

Body composition, dietary composition, and components of metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese adults after a 12-week trial on dietary treatments focused on portion control, energy density, or glycemic index

BackgroundGiven the rise in obesity and associated chronic diseases, it is critical to determine optimal weight management approaches that will also improve dietary composition and chronic disease risk factors. Few studies have examined all these weight, diet, and disease risk variables in subjects participating in recommended multi-disciplinary weight loss programs using different dietary strategies.MethodsThis study compared effects of three dietary approaches to weight loss on body composition, dietary composition and risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS). In a 12-week trial, sedentary but otherwise healthy overweight and obese adults (19 M & 138 F; 38.7 ± 6.7 y; BMI 31.8 ± 2.2) who were attending weekly group sessions for weight loss followed either portion control, low energy density, or low glycemic index diet plans. At baseline and 12 weeks, measures included anthropometrics, body composition, 3-day food diaries, blood pressure, total lipid profile, HOMA, C-reactive protein, and fasting blood glucose and insulin. Data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance.ResultsAll groups significantly reduced body weight and showed significant improvements in body composition (p < 0.001), and components of metabolic syndrome (p < 0.027 to 0.002), although HDL decreased (p < 0.001). Dietary energy, %fat and %saturated fat decreased while protein intake increased significantly (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences among the three groups in any variable related to body composition, dietary composition, or MetS components.ConclusionDifferent dietary approaches based on portion control, low energy density, or low glycemic index produced similar, significant short-term improvements in body composition, diet compositin, and MetS components in overweight and obese adults undergoing weekly weight loss meetings. This may allow for flexibility in options for dietary counseling based on patient preference.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Filipino Adolescents Based on the IDF Definition

Objective. This study determined the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in overweight and obese Filipino adolescents. Methodology. A total of 350 overweight and obese Filipino adolescents (aged 10 to 18 years, 206 males and 144 females) referred to pediatric endocrine clinics in Metro Manila were included. Weight, height, waist and blood pressure were measured and fasting lipid profiles, blood glucose and insulin were determined. MetS is defined as presence of three out of five clinical features: central obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-C level and hypertension. The prevalence of MetS was determined based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition. Results. The overall prevalence of MetS in overweight and obese adolescents was 19%. Among participants, 98% had abdominal adiposity, 25% hypertension, 24% hypertriglyceridemia, 17% low HDL and 12% hyperglycemia; 67% had hyperinsulinemia (>15 uU/ml) and 70% had insulin resistance based on HOMA-IR (≥3). Among those with MetS, 14% had 3 components and 5% had 4 components; the prevalence of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance rose to 79% and 90%, respectively, with high mean levels of serum insulin (31.3 μU/ml) and HOMA-IR (7.7). Conclusion. Overweight and obese adolescents are at risk to develop MetS. The prevalence of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance is high.