Mid-thigh Skinfold Thickness Research Articles

Placental Insulin/IGF-1 Signaling, PGC-1α, and Inflammatory Pathways Are Associated With Metabolic Outcomes at 4-6 Years of Age: The ECHO Healthy Start Cohort.

An adverse intrauterine environment is associated with the future risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Changes in placental function may underpin the intrauterine origins of adult disease, but longitudinal studies linking placental function with childhood outcomes are rare. Here, we determined the abundance and phosphorylation of protein intermediates involved in insulin signaling, inflammation, cortisol metabolism, protein glycosylation, and mitochondrial biogenesis in placental villus samples from healthy mothers from the Healthy Start cohort. Using MANOVA, we tested the association between placental proteins and offspring adiposity (fat mass percentage) at birth (n = 109) and infancy (4-6 months, n = 104), and adiposity, skinfold thickness, triglycerides, and insulin in children (4-6 years, n = 66). Placental IGF-1 receptor protein was positively associated with serum triglycerides in children. GSK3β phosphorylation at serine 9, a readout of insulin and growth factor signaling, and the ratio of phosphorylated to total JNK2 were both positively associated with midthigh skinfold thickness in children. Moreover, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator (PGC)-1α abundance was positively associated with insulin in children. In conclusion, placental insulin/IGF-1 signaling, PGC-1α, and inflammation pathways were positively associated with metabolic outcomes in 4- to 6-year-old children, identifying a novel link between placental function and long-term metabolic outcomes.

Prenatal Exposure to Ambient Air Pollutants and Infant Growth Among Hispanics from Southern California

Background: Prior epidemiological and animal work has linked in utero exposure to ambient air pollutants (AAP) with accelerated postnatal weight gain. The objective of this study was to examine relationships between prenatal residential AAP exposure with infant growth.Methods: Residential exposure to AAP (particulate matter <2.5 and 10 microns in aerodynamic diameter [PM2.5, PM10]; nitrogen dioxide [NO2]; ozone [O3]; oxidative capacity [Ox: redox-weighted oxidative potential of O3 and NO2]) was modeled for 123 participants from the longitudinal Mother’s Milk Study, an ongoing cohort of Hispanic mother-infant dyads from Southern California. Multivariate linear regression was performed to examine the relationships between prenatal AAP exposure and changes in infant growth, skinfold measures, and predicted body fat and lean mass (calculated using infant demographics, anthropometrics, and EchoMRI from a subset) from 1-to-6 months of life. Models adjusted for maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, socioeconomic status, infant age, sex, and breastfeeding frequency. Sex interactions were tested, and effects are reported for each standard deviation increase in exposure.Results: Higher NO2 was associated with a greater increase in infant weight (β=0.14, p=0.03), predicted lean mass (β=0.05, p=0.01), and midthigh skinfold thickness (β=0.84, p=0.03). PM10 and PM2.5 were positively associated with change in umbilical circumference (β=0.84, p=0.001 and β=0.56, p=0.04, respectively) and suprailiac skinfold thickness (β=0.38, p=0.02 and β=0.34, p=0.04, respectively). Lastly, Ox (pinteractions<0.02) was positively associated with change in umbilical circumference among females (β=1.23, p=0.001), but not males (β=-0.08, p=0.84) and was inversely associated with infant length change (β=-0.57, p=0.02) among males, but not females (β=0.17, p=0.48).Conclusion: Prenatal AAP exposure was associated with increased weight gain and anthropometric measures from 1-to-6 months of life. Sex-specific associations suggest differential consequences of in utero oxidative stress. These results indicate that prenatal AAP exposure may alter infant growth, which has potential to increase childhood obesity risk.

Anthropometric changes in adolescents with anorexia nervosa in response to resistance training

The follow-up of anthropometric percentiles such as triceps and mid-thigh skinfold thickness (TSF, MTSF), mid-upper arm and mid-thigh circumferences (MUAC, MTC), and arm and mid-thigh muscle areas (AMA, MTMA) after a resistance training might allow for detecting nutritional progress of fat and muscular tissue during the treatment of anorexia nervosa restricting (AN-R) type patients. A total of 44 AN-R patients were randomized for control (CG 13.0±0.6years) and intervention (IG 12.7±0.7years) groups after hospitalization. The intervention group underwent a resistance training program of 8weeks following the guidelines for healthy adolescents (3days/week; 70% of 6 RM). All measurements were obtained prior to starting the program (PRE) and after 8weeks of training (POST) in both groups. TSF, MTSF, MUAC, and MTC were measured, and AMA and MTMA were calculated. Data were matched with percentile tables for general population. Changes were assessed using statistical tests for categorical data. The distribution of percentile categories within the groups did not differ statistically after 8weeks (p>0.05). After training, 73% of the patients were at the same percentile interval of MUAC, 18% higher and 9% lower, while 30% of CG was at lower percentile categories. Further, 54% of the IG patients remained at the same percentile interval of MTC after training, and 36% higher, while 20% were at lower categories in the CG. The AMA increased (32%) after training or remained at the same interval (59%) in the IG, while the IG showed greater frequency of percentile decreases (45%). Anthropometric measurements could be useful for assessing muscle status in AN-R patients during the treatment process. However, exact standard deviation scores should be used instead of percentile categories to increase the sensitivity to changes in TSF, MTSF, MUAC, MTC or AMA.

Comparação da composição corporal, desempenho aeróbio e anaeróbio entre ciclistas e triatletas competitivos

The aim of this study was to compare anthropometric characteristics and aerobic and anaerobic fitness between competitive cyclists and triathletes. The sample consisted of 11cyclists and 12 triathletes with experience in competitions. The tests were performed on two different days, with an interval of 48 h between sessions. On the first day,the athletes were submitted to anthropometric assessment (body mass, height,and skinfold thickness) and a maximal incremental test to determine maximal oxygen uptake, maximum power, maximum heart rate, maximum lactate, and the first (LL1) and second lactate threshold (LL2). The Wingate test was conducted on the second day to determine peak power, average power, and fatigue index. There were significant difference (p < 0.05), with medium effect size (0.80- 1.5), in mid-thigh skinfold thickness (15.2 ± 6.3 and 10.5 ± 4.8 mm), power at LL1 (195.0 ± 30.9 and 162.7 ± 28.3 W), power at LL2 (247.6 ± 25.0 and 219.7± 37.9 W), and fatigue index (47.2 ± 13.0 and 60.1 ± 16.4%) between cyclists and triathletes, respectively. The other variables did not differ between groups. Anthropometric characteristics are similar in triathletes and cyclists. However, cyclists present higher power outputs at the lactate thresholds (LL1 and LL2) and lower fatigue indexes.

Effect of Race Distance on Muscle Oxygenation in Short-Track Speed Skating

Previous work identified an asymmetry in tissue desaturation changes in the left and right quadriceps muscles during on-ice skating at maximal speed in males. The effect of changing race distance on the magnitude of desaturation or leg asymmetry is unknown. Six elite male skaters (age = 23 ± 1.8 yr, height = 1.8 ± 0.1 m, mass = 80.1 ± 5.7 kg, midthigh skinfold thickness = 7 ± 2 mm) and four elite female skaters (age = 21 ± 4 yr, height = 1.6 ± 0.1 m, mass = 65.2 ± 4.3 kg, midthigh skinfold thickness = 10 ± 1 mm) were studied. Subjects completed time trials over three race distances. Blood lactate concentration and O2 uptake measurements were combined with near-infrared spectroscopy measures of muscle oxygenation (TSI) and blood volume (tHb) in the right and left vastus lateralis. Neither race distance nor gender had a significant effect on the magnitude of maximal muscle desaturation (ΔTSI(max)). Pattern of local changes in tHb during individual laps was dependent upon subtle differences in skating technique used for the different race distances. Linear regression analysis revealed asymmetry between the right and left leg desaturation in males during the final stages of each race distance, but not in females. At all race distances, local muscle desaturation reached maximal values much more quickly than global VO(2peak). The use of wearable near-infrared spectroscopy devices enabled measurement of muscle oxygenation during competitive race simulation, thus providing unique insight into the effects of velocity and technique changes on local muscle oxygenation. This may have implications for training and race pacing in speed skating.

Massage Improves Growth Quality by Decreasing Body Fat Deposition in Male Preterm Infants

To assess the effect of massage on weight gain and body fat deposition in preterm infants. Preterm infants (29-32 weeks) were randomized to the massage group (n=22, 12 girls, 10 boys) or the control group (n=22, 12 girls, 10 boys). Treatment was masked with massage or control care administered twice-daily by licensed massage therapists (6 d/wk for 4 weeks). Body weight, length, Ponderal Index (PI), body circumferences, and skinfold thickness (triceps, mid-thigh, and subscapular [SSF]) were measured. Circulating insulin-like growth factor I, leptin, and adiponectin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Daily dietary intake was collected. Energy and protein intake as well as increase in weight, length, and body circumferences were similar. Male infants in the massage group had smaller PI, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-thigh skinfold thickness, and SSF and increases over time compared with control male infants (P<.05). Female infants in the massage group had larger SSF increases than control female infants (P<.05). Circulating adiponectin increased over time in control group male infants (group×time×sex interaction, P<.01) and was correlated to PI (r=0.39, P<.01). Twice-daily massage did not promote greater weight gain in preterm infants. Massage did, however, limit body fat deposition in male preterm infants. Massage decreased circulating adiponectin over time in male infants with higher adiponectin concentrations associated with increased body fat. These findings suggest that massage may improve body fat deposition and, in turn, growth quality of preterm infants in a sex-specific manner.

Asymmetry of Quadriceps Muscle Oxygenation during Elite Short-Track Speed Skating

It has been suggested that, because of the low sitting position in short-track speed skating, muscle blood flow is restricted, leading to decreases in tissue oxygenation. Therefore, wearable wireless-enabled near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology was used to monitor changes in quadriceps muscle blood volume and oxygenation during a 500-m race simulation in short-track speed skaters. Six elite skaters, all of Olympic standard (age = 23 ± 1.8 yr, height = 1.8 ± 0.1 m, mass = 80.1 ± 5.7 kg, midthigh skinfold thickness = 7 ± 2 mm), were studied. Subjects completed a 500-m race simulation time trial (TT). Whole-body oxygen consumption was simultaneously measured with muscle oxygenation in right and left vastus lateralis as measured by NIRS. Mean time for race completion was 44.8 ± 0.4 s. VO2 peaked 20 s into the race. In contrast, muscle tissue oxygen saturation (TSI%) decreased and plateaued after 8 s. Linear regression analysis showed that right leg TSI% remained constant throughout the rest of the TT (slope value = 0.01), whereas left leg TSI% increased steadily (slope value = 0.16), leading to a significant asymmetry (P < 0.05) in the final lap. Total muscle blood volume decreased equally in both legs at the start of the simulation. However, during subsequent laps, there was a strong asymmetry during cornering; when skaters traveled solely on the right leg, there was a decrease in its muscle blood volume, whereas an increase was seen in the left leg. NIRS was shown to be a viable tool for wireless monitoring of muscle oxygenation. The asymmetry in muscle desaturation observed on the two legs in short-track speed skating has implications for training and performance.

Ultrasonography and Anthropometry for Measuring Regional Body Fat in HIV-Infected Patients

To evaluate ultrasonography and anthropometry for the measurement of regional body fat in HIV infected patients. In a cross-sectional study, 61 patients receiving antiretroviral therapy underwent ultrasonography and anthropometry for measuring body fat at abdominal, peripheral and facial levels. Reproducibility and accuracy of the measurements at the different compartments were determined using quantitative computed tomography (CT) and clinical evaluation of lipodystrophy as reference standard. Intraabdominal and subcutaneous abdominal fat assessed by ultrasonography correlated with visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat quantified by CT (r=0.74, P<0.001, and r=0.84, P<0.001, respectively). Ultrasound-determined subcutaneous fat at mid-thigh level correlated with adipose tissue area measured by CT (r = 0.84, P<0.001). Waist-to-hip ratio (r=0.69, P<0.001), suprailiac skinfold (r=0.78, P<0.001) and mid-thigh skinfold thickness (r=0.83, P<0.001) were also significantly correlated with visceral abdominal fat, subcutaneous abdominal fat, and with subcutaneous leg fat quantified by CT, respectively. Poorer correlations were found between ultrasonographic and anthropometric assessments of facial fat, and adipose tissue measured by CT (r=0.15, P=0.25, and r=0.58; P<0.001; respectively). Reproducibility was higher for anthropometry than for ultrasonography in most body regions. The highest variability was observed for ultrasonographic assessment of facial fat (median inter-observer coefficient of variation, 32.10%). Using the clinical diagnosis of lipodystrophy as reference, the best accuracy was observed for ultrasound-determined intraabdominal fat, waist-to-hip ratio and subcutaneous crural fat measured by ultrasonography. Ultrasonography and anthropometry are fairly accurate and reproducible methods for the evaluation of intraabdominal and peripheral fat. Its role for assessing facial fat seems to be more limited.

Menstrual status and bone mineral density among female athletes

The present study investigated the relationship between menstrual status and bone mineral density (BMD). Sixty-three elite female athletes competing at the regional level participated. Self-reported menstrual status, stress during the past 6 months, dietary intake of calcium, blood samples for hormonal study, mid-thigh skinfold thickness, triceps, iliac crest, spine and femoral neck BMD were determined. It was found that more than half of the athletes were eumenorrheic while almost half were menstrually dysfunctional. The bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and the femoral neck were within normal ranges. Menstrual dysfunction in female athletes was related to a low BMD at the lumbar spine but not at the femoral neck. Delayed menarche and menstrual dysfunction during the first 2 years after menarche were related to current menstrual dysfunction, but low percent body fat was not related to menstrual dysfunction. This study suggests that exercise in elite female athletes might be an underlying cause of menstrual dysfunction and that there is a relationship between lumbar spine BMD and menstrual dysfunction. The assessment of menstrual history and percent body fat could be used as a screening tool for menstrual dysfunction.