Normal Body Mass Index Subjects Research Articles

Relationship of Body Mass Index (BMI) with the Incidence of Inguinal Hernia

The inguinal wall hernia is the communal hernia of the abdominal wall. It is a communal disorder that affects both males and females from the past long duration. Objective: To assess the incidence of unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia with low body mass index (BMI) and normal BMI subjects. Methods: This study was performed in the Surgical unit 1 of Khairpur Medical College and civil Hospital Khairpur Mirs for one-year duration from July 2021 to June 2022. Using an appropriate non-probability sampling technique, this cross-sectional study was held at the surgical unit-1 of Khairpur Medical College and civil Hospital Khairpur Mirs. A total of 90 patients, 80 men and 10 women, were selected for the study. Inclusion criteria were defined as patients over 35 years of age with clinical signs such as reducible swelling in the groin area and clinical signs such as overweight and weight lifting. Results: A total of 90 individuals were identified as having an inguinal hernia; their mean age was 26.18± 18.20 years old, and they have 62.78 ± 4.75 inches height. 65.85 ± 5.19 was the patients mean weight and 22.35 ± 3.26 kg/m2 was the mean BMI. BMI was low in 18 (20%) cases and normal in 72 (80%). Conclusion: According to our analysis, a significant number of inguinal hernias on either the right or left side had normal BMIs.

Keap1 Gene Variants (rs11085735) and Lipid Profile in Obese Individuals From Kurdistan, Iraq

Background: Obesity is defined as excessive fat accumulation in the adipose tissue and peripheral organs. The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) is involved in cellular protection in obesity. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to detect the association of Keap1 rs11085735 variants with the risk of obesity in relation to anthropometric parameters and lipid profile in a population from the Kurdistan of Iraq. Methods: A total of 265 volunteers (134 females and 131 males) were randomly selected. According to the body mass index (BMI), individuals were divided into subjects with normal BMI (131 healthy individuals) and obese subjects (134 obese volunteers). Anthropometry and lipid profile parameters were measured in these volunteers and Keap1 rs11085735 variants were identified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by digestion with HinfI restriction enzyme. Results: Triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) serum levels were significantly higher (P<0.001) in the obese group compared to the control group. The serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly lower (P=0.02) in the obese individuals than in the controls. Moreover, the waist, hip, and wrist circumferences and the waist to hip ratio in obese individuals were significantly higher than in controls (P<0.001). The frequency of Keap1 AA genotype was 1.5% in the obese group and 0% in the controls (P=0.36). The frequency of A allele was 4.9% and 3.1% in obese subjects and controls, respectively (P=0.28). Considering all individuals, carriers of AA genotype of Keap1 had significantly higher BMI and waist and hip circumferences compared to the carriers of AC and CC genotypes. Conclusion: The present study found abnormal lipid profile among obese individuals compared to individuals with normal BMI. Our findings indicated that the presence of Keap1 polymorphism influenced the anthropometric parameters, and the carriers of AA genotype of Keap1 had significantly higher BMI and waist and hip circumferences compared to the carriers of AC and CC genotypes.

Association between Obesity and Length of COVID-19 Hospitalization: Unexpected Insights from the American Heart Association National COVID-19 Registry.

BackgroundThe mechanism for possible association between obesity and poor clinical outcomes from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains unclear.MethodsWe analyzed 22,915 adult COVID-19 patients hospitalized from March 2020 to April 2021 to non-intensive care using the American Heart Association National COVID Registry. A multivariable Poisson model adjusted for age, sex, medical history, admission respiratory status, hospitalization characteristics, and laboratory findings was used to calculate length of stay (LOS) as a function of body mass index (BMI). We similarly analyzed 5,327 patients admitted to intensive care for comparison.ResultsRelative to normal BMI subjects, overweight, class I obese, and class II obese patients had approximately half-day reductions in LOS (–0.469 days, P<0.01; –0.480 days, P<0.01; –0.578 days, P<0.01, respectively).ConclusionThe model identified a dose-dependent, inverse relationship between BMI category and LOS for COVID-19, which was not seen when the model was applied to critically ill patients.

Correlation between adipocyte fatty acid binding protein and glucose dysregulation is closely associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome: A cohort of Han Chinese population from Yunnan plateau.

The present study investigated the correlation of plasma A-FABP with glucose dysregulation under different body mass index (BMI) and metabolic states in a Han Chinese population from Yunnan plateau. We cross-sectionally analyzed data from the China Multi Ethnic Cohort, Yunnan province. Participants were divided into two groups. Group A contained 297 obese individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Group B contained 326 age-, sex-, and region-matched normal BMI subjects without MetS. Glucose dysregulation was defined as elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (FPG ≥ 5.6 mmol/L or current use of oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin). Circulating A-FABP were assayed by ELISA method. Binary and multiple regression analyses were preformed to evaluate the correlation between A-FABP and glucose dysregulation. Plasma A-FABP level was significantly higher in group A compared with group B (p < 0.001). Plasma A-FABP level correlated positively with elevated FPG in group A (r=0.120, p=0.039), but negatively with elevated FPG in group B (r=-0.115, p=0.039). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that A-FABP was an independent predictor for elevated FPG in group A (β, 0.028; 95% CI, 1.001-1.056; p < 0.05), but not in group B (β, -0.008; 95% CI, 0.882-1.117; p > 0.05). In this study, A-FABP was an independent risk factor for glucose dysregulation in obese individuals with MetS living in the Yunnan plateau, but not for those without obesity and MetS.

Mathematical and Experimental Analysis of Body Temperature Fluctuations During Weight Change

Human body temperature fluctuates in proportion to the balance between metabolic heat production and heat dissipation and needs to remain nearly constant as a requirement for normal physiology. The biology of temperature homeostasis is well‐understood, and a low resting body temperature has been linked to increased longevity in humans and other organisms. Substantial weight loss in rodents, as result of underfeeding, leads, for instance, to a significant drop in mortality that occurs in parallel to a reduction in rectal temperature. The effects of weight gain or obesity on resting temperature are, however, not understood; and for the most part are controversial, e.g., obesity increases mortality, yet some lines of research argue that a low body temperature underlies its pathophysiology. The present work uses mathematical modeling and analytical methods to investigate the effects of body weight fluctuations on temperature. The latter methodology leads to a simple equation that estimates the whole‐body heat transfer coefficient (hc). Computational simulations, on the other hand, predict two possible scenarios: 1. Resting temperature is an increasing function of body mass if hc is unaltered by weight change; 2. If body temperature is insensitive to weight change, then hc will change in the same direction as body weight. Experimental measurements validate the first case and show that obesity leads, in men and women, to a significant increment in resting temperature relative to normal body mass index subjects. This analysis also shows that hc is a decreasing power function of the temperature gradient, i.e., the difference between the body temperature and the external temperature. Our data indicates, overall, that another mechanism by which obesity increases human mortality is by producing a persistent increment in body temperature. To our knowledge, we are the first to identify such adverse obesity effect.

Physical Activity Level and Cardiovascular Risks of Hospital Employees: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Private Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To assess physical activity at work of hospital employees in order to identify association between physical activity at work and risks for cardiovascular diseases MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 3,383 employees of a private hospital in Thailand in 2017, 12 percent were randomly selected based on a ten percent sample size with two percent compensation to represent eight strata of job types. After screening and exclusion, 301 subjects remained in the study. Each subject was asked to fill in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and was assessed for body fat composition using an Inbody Bio-electric Impedance Analysis (BIA) R20 model at the initiation. Each subject was equipped with an activity tracker device “Feelfit” for five days during work hours to estimate Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) and MET minutes per person per work week. Relevant laboratory data were extracted from annual health checkup database for the assessment of cardiovascular risk factors. Statistical analysis was conducted using STATA version 15. RESULT: The majority (85.4%) of 301 subjects were female and a little more than half (53.5%) were older than 35 years. Data from Feelfit showed 257/301 (85.4%) employees had sufficient (i.e. 600 or more MET minutes per week) physical activity (PA) at work. Operational or clinical employees were 9.8 times more likely to have adequate PA (OR 9.8, 95%CI 4.3 to 22.4). Associations between adequate PA and Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference were in a different direction. Subjects with high BMI (&gt;23 Kg/sq.m.) were more likely to have adequate PA at work (OR 3.3, 95%CI 1.0, 10.5), while those with abnormal waist circumference were less likely to have adequate PA at work (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.2, 2.5). Around one-third of our subjects had “normal BMI obesity”, i.e. 54 (34.6%) of 156 normal BMI subjects had high body fat composition. Laboratory findings were inconclusive to demonstrate association with adequate PA. CONCLUSION: Although most hospital employees had adequate physical activity at work, one-third of subjects still had high fat composition regardless of normal BMI. Back office subjects were almost ten times less likely to have sufficient PA at work, suggesting urgent interventions for them. Relationship between impulsivity and PA was inconclusive, suggesting a larger study with greater sample size.

Role of body mass index and blood pressure on intraocular pressure in elderly population

To identify the role of body mass index (BMI) and Blood pressure (BP) on Intraocular pressure (IOP) in elder population. Totally 50 elderly individuals without any systemic diseases were included and IOP was measured by tonometer. Total subjects divided into 3 groups based on BMI as: Group1 with BMI≥25 and Group 2 with BMI ≤ 30. Mean and standard deviation of IOP, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were statistically analysed.Out of a total of 50 Subjects, 23 (46%) subjects had normal weight, 15(30%) subjects were overweight and 10 (20%) subjects were obese. Mean age of 56.5 ± 9.5 and 56.2 ± 9.4 years in male and females (p=145). Mean BMI of 25.8 ± 3.9 and 26.4 ± 4.2 kg/m in male and females. SBP of 135.8 ± 20.4 and 128.4 ± 21.5 mmHg in male and female (p=0.02). Mean DBP of 78.5 ± 10.5 and 81.4 ± 10.5 mmHg in male and female (p=0.04). Mean CCT of right eye was 515.5 ± 31.2 and 510.2 ± 28.8 μm in male and females respectively (p=0.03). Mean IOP of right eye was 15.6 ± 2.2 and 14.9 ± 2 mm Hg in male and females respectively (p=0.25). Mean CCT of left eye was 520.4 ± 27.5 and 515.2 ± 28.5 μm in male and females respectively (p=0.03). Mean IOP of left eye was 15.1 ± 2.2 and 14.9 ± 2.1 mm Hg in male and females respectively (p=0.12). The mean IOP of right eye is highest in the overweight and obese age groups. The mean SBP is highest in the overweight and obese age groups. The mean DBP is highest in the overweight and obese age group. Hence, increase in BMI results in non-significant increase in IOP and BP as age increases in normal BMI subjects. For obese Subjects, there was positive correlation between the BMI, age, IOP, SBP and DBP. Increase in BMI resulted in increase in IOP, increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure respectively with increase in age.Results showed positive correlation relationship between BMI and intra-ocular pressure, BMI and blood pressure and BMI and age in obese population. It indicate that subjects with higher BMI have lower ocular blood flow. Results suggest that IOP increases with increasing age and increasing BMI. Periodic checking of IOP in elderly and overweight individuals can play an important role in reducing the morbidity due to glaucoma.

Obesity alters the in vivo mechanical response and biochemical properties of cartilage as measured by MRI

BackgroundObesity is a primary risk factor for the development of knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, there remains a lack of in vivo data on the influence of obesity on knee cartilage mechanics and composition. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between obesity and tibiofemoral cartilage properties.MethodsMagnetic resonance images (3T) of cartilage geometry (double-echo steady-state) and T1rho relaxation of the knee were obtained in healthy subjects with a normal (n = 8) or high (n = 7) body mass index (BMI) before and immediately after treadmill walking. Subjects had no history of lower limb injury or surgery. Bone and cartilage surfaces were segmented and three-dimensional models were created to measure cartilage thickness and strain. T1rho relaxation times were measured before exercise in both the tibial and femoral cartilage in order to characterize biochemical composition. Body fat composition was also measured.ResultsSubjects with a high BMI exhibited significantly increased tibiofemoral cartilage strain and T1rho relaxation times (P <0.05). Tibial pre-exercise cartilage thickness was also affected by BMI (P <0.05). Correlational analyses revealed that pre-exercise tibial cartilage thickness decreased with increasing BMI (R2 = 0.43, P <0.01) and body fat percentage (R2 = 0.58, P <0.01). Tibial and femoral cartilage strain increased with increasing BMI (R2 = 0.45, P <0.01; R2 = 0.51, P <0.01, respectively) and increasing body fat percentage (R2 = 0.40, P <0.05; R2 = 0.38, P <0.05, respectively). Additionally, tibial T1rho was positively correlated with BMI (R2 = 0.39, P <0.05) and body fat percentage (R2 = 0.47, P <0.01).ConclusionsStrains and T1rho relaxation times in the tibiofemoral cartilage were increased in high BMI subjects compared with normal BMI subjects. Additionally, pre-exercise tibial cartilage thickness decreased with obesity. Reduced proteoglycan content may be indicative of pre-symptomatic osteoarthritic degeneration, resulting in reduced cartilage thickness and increased deformation of cartilage in response to loading.

Association between Percentage of Body Fat in Normal Body Mass Index Subjects and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Iraqi Population: Case Control Study

Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus development. For measurement of obesity, defined as an excess in fat of the body, body mass index (BMI) is usually used, but this measure underestimates obesity prevalence. We performed a case control study including 558 known diabetic subjects who were on oral hypoglycemic drugs and 2175 matched control group. BMI and body fat percent were determined by bioelectrical impedance (In-body 370). Age, Gender and body mass index show no significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). Odds ratio for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus among high percentage body fat was 2.72 (95%CI 2.21-3.35), so we conclude that excess body fat even with normal body mass index had about 2.7 times risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus development.

Proteomic Analysis, Immune Dysregulation, and Pathway Interconnections with Obesity.

Proteomic studies can offer information on hundreds to thousands of proteins and potentially provide researchers with a comprehensive understanding of signaling response during stress and disease. Large data sets, such as those obtained in high-dimensional proteomic studies, can be leveraged for pathway analysis to discover or describe the biological implications of clinical disease states. Obesity is a worldwide epidemic that is considered a risk factor for numerous other diseases. We performed analysis on plasma proteomic data from 3 separate sample sets of postmenopausal women to identify the pathways that are altered in subjects with a high body mass index (BMI) compared to normal BMI. We found many pathways consistently and significantly associated with inflammation dysregulated in plasma from obese/overweight subjects compared to plasma from normal BMI subjects. These pathways indicate alterations of soluble inflammatory regulators, cellular stress, and metabolic dysregulation. Our results highlight the importance of high-dimensional pathway analysis in complex diseases as well as provide information on the interconnections between pathways that are dysregulated with obesity. Specifically, overlap of obesity related pathways with those activated during cancer and infection could help describe why obesity is a risk factor for disease and help devise treatment options that mitigate its effect.

Impact of obesity on the pharmacokinetics of levonorgestrel-based emergency contraception: single and double dosing

ObjectiveTo determine if differences exist in the pharmacokinetics (PK) of levonorgestrel-based emergency contraception (LNG-EC) in obese and normal body mass index (BMI) users and test whether doubling the dose of LNG-EC in obese women increases total and free (active) LNG serum concentrations. Study designHealthy, reproductive-age women with obese and normal BMIs received 1.5mg LNG orally (ECx1) and then in a subsequent menstrual cycle, the obese group also received 3mg LNG (ECx2). Dosing occurred during the follicular phase. Total and free LNG PK parameters were obtained via serum samples through an indwelling catheter at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5h. The primary outcome was the difference in total and free LNG concentration maximum (Cmax) between ECx1 and ECx2 in the obese group. ResultsA total of 10 women enrolled and completed the study (normal BMI=5, median 22.8kg/m2, range 20.8–23.7; obese BMI=5, 39.5kg/m2, range 35.9–46.7). The total LNG Cmax for obese subjects following ECx1 (5.57±2.48ng/mL) was significantly lower than the level observed in normal BMI women (10.30±2.47, p=.027). Notably, ECx2 increased the Cmax significantly (10.52±2.76, p=.002); approximating the level in normal BMI subjects receiving ECx1. Free LNG Cmax followed a similar pattern. ConclusionObesity adversely impacts both the total and free Cmax levels of LNG EC and this likely explains its lack of efficacy in obese women. Doubling the dose appears to correct the obesity-related PK changes but additional research is needed to determine if this also improves EC effectiveness in obese women. ImplicationsThis study demonstrates that obesity interferes with the pharmacokinetics of LNG EC, and that doubling the dose may be an effective strategy to improve its efficacy in obese women.

Echocardiographic Left Atrial and Ventricular Structural Changes in Nigerian Obese Hypertensive Patients seen in Clinical Practice

Objective: The objective was to investigate the structural changes in the left atrium (LA) and left ventricle (LV) of obese hypertensive patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 381 hypertensive subjects were divided into normal weight, overweight, and obese groups based on their body mass index (BMI). Clinical information and echocardiographic measurements of LA and LV were compared in the three groups. Results: Mean age was 52.4 ± 13.3 years (male:female ratio of 1.3:1). LA size was signifi cantly higher in obese hypertensives (4.4 ± 0.6 cm) compared with overweight (3.8 ± 0.7 cm) and normal weight hypertensives (3.4 ± 0.6 cm). Majority of the obese hypertensives (80.5%) had various degrees of LA abnormalities when compared with overweight (31.1%) and normal BMI subjects (18.3%). The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was 29.1%, 22.6%, and 13.9% in the obese, overweight, and normal BMI subjects, respectively. Concentric LV geometry was found in the majority of the obese subjects (79.6%). Conclusion: There are signifi cant differences in the prevalence and severity of abnormalities of LA as well as the degree and prevalence of LVH in obese hypertensive patients compared with the non-obese counterparts. Concentric LV geometry is the dominant phenotypes seen the obese patients. Key words: Hypertension, left atrium, left ventricular hypertrophy, obesity.

Relationship of Body Mass Index with Lipid Profile among Teaching Staff at the Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Sana'a

Background: Obesity is a global disease; however there is a few documents about obesity, while there is no published data about the association of body mass index (BMI) with lipid profile among Yemeni people.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the association of BMI with lipid profile among teaching staff in the Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Sana'a city, Yemen.Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted in the Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Sana'a, 103 teaching staff aged 21-59 years (49 men and 54 women) were recruited in this study. The weight, height, waist and blood pressure of subjects were measured and BMI was calculated. The plasma lipid profile; Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured. Informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results: The BMI was positively correlated with TG, waist, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.025; <0.001; 0.002; 0.002, respectively). This association was pronounced among women subjects than men particularly, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P= 0.012 and 0.008, respectively). The mean of waist, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of overweight, and obese subjects were higher than normal, (P = <0.001; 0.006; 0.009, respectively).Conclusion: BMI was positively correlated with cardiovascular risk factors; TG, waist, and blood pressure, thus overweight and obese are more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases than normal BMI subjects.

Interactions of several single nucleotide polymorphisms and high body mass index on serum lipid traits

The interactions between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and high body mass index (BMI) on serum lipid profiles are limited. This study was undertaken to detect the interactions of 10 SNPs and high BMI on serum lipid traits in an isolated population. A total of 978 normal BMI (< 24 kg/m2) and 751 high BMI (≥ 24 kg/m2) subjects of Bai Ku Yao were randomly selected from our previous stratified randomized cluster samples. Genotypes of rs2066715, rs1044925, low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) Ava||, rs2070895, rs2000813, rs1801133, rs3757354, rs505151, rs2016520, and rs5888 SNPs were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis, and then confirmed by direct sequencing. The interactions were detected by factorial design covariance analysis. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of rs2070895 and rs505151 were different between normal and high BMI subjects, the genotypic frequency of rs2000813 and allelic frequency of rs3757354 were also different between normal and high BMI subjects (P < 0.01). The levels of total cholesterol (TC), apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 (rs2066715); TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), ApoA1, ApoB, and ApoA1/ApoB (rs2070895); triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and ApoA1 (rs2000813); TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, ApoA1, and ApoB (rs1801133); HDL-C and ApoA1 (rs3757354) in normal BMI subjects were different among the genotypes (P < 0.01). The levels of LDL-C, ApoB, and ApoA1/ApoB (rs2066715); HDL-C, ApoA1, ApoB, and ApoA1/ApoB (rs2070895); TC, HDL-C, ApoA1, and ApoB (rs2000813); TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, ApoA1, and ApoB (rs1801133); TC, TG, and ApoB (rs3757354); TG (rs505151); TG and ApoA1 and ApoB (rs2016520); and TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, ApoA1, and ApoB (rs5888) in high BMI subjects were also different among the genotypes (P < 0.01). The SNPs of rs2066715 (LDL-C and ApoA1/ApoB); rs2070895 (TC, LDL-C, ApoA1, and ApoB); rs2000813 (ApoB); rs1801133 (TC, TG, and LDL-C); rs3757354 (TC and TG); rs505151 (TG, HDL-C, ApoB, and ApoA1/ApoB); rs2016520 (TG and ApoA1/ApoB); and rs5888 (TG, ApoA1, and ApoB) interacted with high BMI to influence serum lipid levels (P < 0.01). The differences in serum lipid levels between normal and high BMI subjects might partly result from different interactions of several SNPs and high BMI.

Role of Waist Measures in Characterizing the Lipid and Blood Pressure Assessment of Adolescents Classified by Body Mass Index

To determine if the interaction of waist circumference percentile and waist to height ratio(WHtR) with body mass index (BMI) may serve to provide further risk specification in the lipid and blood pressure assessment of adolescents beyond BMI classification. Population-based, cross-sectional study. Data collected during the 2009-2010 academic school year. Geographically and administratively defined Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada. Data collected in school, during subjects’ mandatory physical education class. Part of the Heart Niagara Inc Healthy Heart Schools’ Program. Entire population of grade 9 (14- and 15-year-old) students in the Niagara Region, Ontario.Four thousand eight hundred eighty-four students enrolled in grade 9 during the study period, of which 4104 participated (51% male) and 3248 (79%) had complete data. Nonfasting lipid values and blood pressure categories in subjects categorized based on BMI/waist circumference percentile and BMI/WHtR. The associations between blood pressure, lipid profile, and measures of adiposity (BMI alone, BMI/waist circumference percentile, and BMI/WHtR) were statistically significant but had a limited strength and were not statistically significant from each other. For overweight and obese subjects, increased WHtR categories were associated with worsened lipid profile and increased odds of hypertension both relative to subjects with both normal BMI and normal WHtR and subjects with normal WHtR within each BMI category. Waist measures should be included in the screening and assessment of overweight and obese adolescents.

Surface electromyography (EMG) assessment of biceps brachii muscles between the endplate region and distal tendon insertion on normal body mass index subjects and varying muscle contractions

Surface electromyography (EMG) assessment of biceps brachii muscles between the endplate region and distal tendon insertion on normal body mass index subjects and varying muscle contractions

High Adiponectin Concentrations Are Associated with the Metabolically Healthy Obese Phenotype

In the ob/ob mice, keeping adiponectin concentrations in the physiological range (through overexpression of this gene in the adipose tissue) results in expansion of fat mass and protection against metabolic co-morbidities. The aim of the study was to test in humans whether plasma adiponectin levels, similar to those found in lean subjects, are associated with the metabolically healthy obese phenotype. A cross-sectional analysis was performed of a cohort of obese and nonobese subjects aged 18-70 yr. A medical history was taken, and glucose, plasma lipids, and total adiponectin were measured. We studied 189 men and 527 women. The majority were obese (n = 470, 65.6%). The metabolically healthy obese phenotype was found in 38 men and 133 women. This is defined as a body mass index (BMI) above 30 kg/m(2) plus high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of at least 40 mg/dl in the absence of type 2 diabetes and arterial hypertension. Twenty percent of the cases with a BMI above 40 kg/m(2) had adiponectin concentrations above the median value of normal BMI subjects. Adiponectin levels above 12.49 mg/liter in obese women (odds ratio, 3.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.95-4.67; P < 0.001) and above 8.07 mg/liter in obese men (odds ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-4.06; P = 0.01) increased the probability of being metabolically healthy. The association remained significant (beta, 0.673 +/- 0.205, P < 0.001) in a logistic regression model (r(2) = 0.25, P < 0.001) after controlling for the confounding effect of age, insulin, and waist circumference. Certain obese individuals have adiponectin levels similar to those found in normal BMI subjects; this is associated with the metabolically healthy obese phenotype.

Correlates of Leisure-Time Physical Activity Differ by Body-Mass-Index Status in Brazilian Adults

The objective of this study was to evaluate physical activity (PA) levels in adults and their association with sex, age, and education level across categories of body mass index (BMI). We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study including 3100 individuals age >20 years living in Pelotas, Brazil. PA was assessed using the leisure-time section of the long International Physical Activity Questionnaire. "No PA" was defined as zero minutes of activity/ week; "insufficient PA" was defined as <150 minutes of activity/week; "high PA" was defined as > or =500 minutes of activity/week. BMI was categorized into normal (<25 kg/m2), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2), and obesity (>or =30 kg/m2). The prevalence of insufficient PA was 71.6% among normal BMI subjects, 71.3% among overweight individuals, and 73.7% among obese ones (P = .67). No PA and high PA were also not associated with BMI. The associations between sex, age, and education level and PA levels tended to be stronger among normal-weight individuals compared with overweight and obese individuals. Among the obese, most associations were not significant. Among normal-weight individuals, higher PA levels were observed in men, young adults, and those with higher education. Variables associated with leisure-time PA differed between normalweight, overweight, and obese individuals. Studies on PA correlates might benefit from stratifying by BMI.

Correlation of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms with body mass index

Background/Aim:To find a correlation between symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and body mass index (BMI).Materials and Methods:A total of 603 patients who presented at Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital and Surgimed Hospital Lahore with symptoms of GERD, were included and interviewed according to a validated GERD questionnaire. It included questions regarding GERD symptoms and their severity/frequency. Symptoms were defined: “frequent” if occurred daily; “occasional,” if weekly; and “severe,” if they were sufficiently intense to change lifestyle. Height and weight were also recorded and their BMI calculated. We used logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between the presence of each specific GI symptom and BMI. The odds ratios (OR) for a given specific symptom and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed from the coefficients in logistic regression models.Results:The prevalence of obesity was 25.3%, while 38.1% were overweight. There was an increase in reporting of GI symptoms in obese individuals compared to those with normal BMI who were taken as reference group. Frequent nausea, vomiting, early satiety, epigastric pain, heart burn, regurgitation, postprandial fullness, and dysphagia were present in 10.4, 5.6, 8.9, 17.2, 10.2, 22.1, 23.5, and 21.7%, respectively, of obese subjects compared to 7.9, 1.2, 6.5, 3.5, 4.4, 11.4, 17.1, and 16.6% of normal BMI subjects. BMI showed a positive relationship with frequent vomiting (P = 0.02), epigastric pain (P = 0.03), regurgitation of food (P = 0.02), heart burn (P = 0.002), and postprandial fullness (0.01).Conclusion:The majority of GERD symptoms have a greater likelihood of occurring with increasing BMI.

Height and body mass index in young adulthood and risk of schizophrenia: a longitudinal study of 1 347 520 Swedish men

Measures of body size reflect genetic and environmental influences on growth and energy balance. Associations between such measures and risk of schizophrenia have been inconsistent. This is a population-based cohort study of 1 347 520 men born in Sweden from 1952 to 1982, with height and body mass index (BMI) data available from conscription records. The Swedish National Hospital Discharge Register was used to identify subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia from 1970 to 2000. Subjects with lower BMI and shorter height had an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. Underweight subjects had an approximately 30% increase in risk compared with normal BMI subjects (adjusted HR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.20-1.42). Tall subjects had an approximately 15% reduction in risk compared with short subjects (adjusted HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.80-0.92). Both height and BMI in early adulthood are strongly and inversely associated with risk of schizophrenia. We discuss these findings in relation to possible genetic and nutritional causal mechanisms.