Obesity Reduction Research Articles

Yoga in women with abdominal obesity – Do lifestyle factors mediate the effect? Secondary analysis of a RCT

IntroductionThe reduction of obesity is an important challenge for health policy. Although dietary interventions are widely available, patient adherence is usually low. A promising alternative is yoga. We hypothesized that weight reduction through yoga is mediated by aspects related to eating habits as well as physical aspects. MethodsThis is an exploratory secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of yoga to waiting list in women with abdominal obesity. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were assessed as outcomes; physical exercise habits, physical activity habits at leisure time, physical activity habits at work time, daily fruit and vegetable intake, nutrition self-efficacy, and physical self-efficacy were captured as mediators. Measures were assessed at weeks 0 and 12. The original trial was conducted between April and August 2015. The secondary analysis was performed December 2019. ResultsForty patients were randomized to the 12 weekly yoga sessions (48.5 ± 7.9 years) and 20 patients to the waitlist group (46.4 ± 8.9 years). Physical exercise habits fully mediated the effect of yoga on BMI (B=−0.26;CI[−.56;−.07]). Daily fruit and vegetable intake partially mediated the effect of yoga on BMI (B=−0.13;CI[−.38;−.01]). No further mediation effects were found. ConclusionsYoga supports people with overweight in eating healthier and increasing their physical activity which in turn leads to a reduced BMI. Yoga’s effects on waist circumference seem to be due to other mechanisms.

DISTRIBUTIONAL EFFECTS OF EDUCATION ON HEALTH.

This paper studies distributional effects of education on health. In 1972, England, Scotland, and Wales raised their minimum school-leaving age from 15 to 16 for students born after 9/1/1957. Using a regression discontinuity design and objective health measures for 129,000 individuals, we find that education reduced body size and increased blood pressure in middle age. The reduction in body size was concentrated at the upper tail of the distribution with an 8 percentage point reduction in obesity. The increase in blood pressure was concentrated at the lower tail of the distribution with no effect on stage 2 hypertension.

Intergenerational Educational Attainment and Cardiometabolic Health in Latino Individuals Living in the United States.

This study aimed to estimate the association between cycles of poverty, measured by intergenerational educational attainment (IEA), and the burden of obesity and metabolic dysfunction among Hispanic/Latino individuals in the United States. This is a cross-sectional study utilizing data from 392 adults linked to 286 biologic parents from the Niños Lifestyle and Diabetes Study and the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging. The educational attainment of parents and offspring was dichotomized in order to categorize IEA. Outcomes included obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Model-based standardization with population weights was used to compare obesity and MetS across generations, and Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios by IEA. A higher prevalence of obesity and MetS was observed in offspring (54% and 69%, respectively) compared with their parents (48% and 42%, respectively). Compared with stable-low IEA, any category with high offspring education was associated with lower obesity and MetS prevalence. The upwardly mobile group saw the greatest benefit; they were 38% (95% CI: 10%-57%) and 46% (95% CI: 21%-63%) less likely to have obesity or MetS. IEA strongly patterns cardiometabolic health among Hispanic/Latino individuals living in the United States, suggesting that promotion of higher education is associated with reductions in obesity and MetS, potentially benefitting future generations of this population.

671-P: Liraglutide Possibly Prevents Progression of Dementia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the usefulness of liraglutide in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes to prevent progression of dementia. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 31 outpatients with 65 years of age or older, who have been treated with liraglutide for 6 years (Group G; 12 males/19 females, 73.1 ± 8.6 years-old, HbA1c 7.5 ± 0.4%, 9 patients with cerebrovascular diseases, 8 patients with cardiovascular diseases, 16 patients with insulin therapy). Daily dose of liraglutide was 0.9 mg except 2 patients (0.6 mg). We examined Voxel-based Specific Regional Analysis System for Alzheimer’s Disease (VSRAD) on MRI, max-IMT measured by carotid artery ultrasonography, visceral fat area, concentrations of HbA1c and FPG, serum levels of CRP, HDL/LDL cholesterol, and TG, both before and after the treatment. Age, HbA1c, and VSRAD values-matched 16 patients who were treated with linagliptin were analyzed as a control (Group D). Results: After 6 years, VSRAD was significantly deteriorated in Group D (1.06±0.98→1.39±1.05 (p<0.01)) but not in Group G (1.28±0.80→1.39±1.1 (NS)). Max IMT and visceral fat are was significantly improved in Group G (2.41±1.50→2.09±0.84 (p<0.05), 141.1±57.2→127.2±52.9 (p<0.01)), but not in group D (2.04±1.01→1.99±0.68 (NS), 102.4±66.5→106.6±62.7cm2 (NS)). CRP was decreased in Group G (0.12±0.11→0.09±0.12mg/dl (p<0.01)). HbA1c (7.5±0.4 → 7.0±0.5 vs. 7.3±0.3 → 6.8±0.4%), FPG (137±19 → 121±11 vs. 129±12→110±15mg/dl), were significantly improved in both groups (p<0.01). No hypoglycemia requiring medical intervention was observed. Only TG in Group G (167±53→147±34mg/dl (p <0.01)) was improved in lipid parameters. During the 6 years, antidementia drugs were prescribed for 2 patients in both groups. A stroke event was found in a patient of Group D. Conclusion: Liraglutide possibly prevent progression of dementia. The reduction of visceral obesity may contribute to this beneficial effect through anti-arteriosclerosis. Disclosure M. Yoshida: None. A. Yoshida: None. E. Oh: None. N. Yamamoto: None. E. Sasaki: None. S. Yoshida: None. N. Ohsawa: None. M. Sugino: None. I. Koyama: None.

Decreased Muscle-to-Fat Mass Ratio Is Associated with Low Muscular Fitness and High Alanine Aminotransferase in Children and Adolescent Boys in Organized Sports Clubs.

Decreased muscle-to-fat mass ratio (MFR) is associated with pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and may reduce muscular fitness. Regular exercise in sports clubs has not led to reductions in obesity in children and adolescents; they may have decreased MFR. Decreased MFR could cause reduced muscular fitness, which may put them at risk for NAFLD development. We investigated whether MFR is related to muscular fitness and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), to determine whether MFR could be used to screen for NAFLD in children and adolescent boys belonging to sports clubs. Altogether, 113 participants (aged 7–17 years) who underwent body composition, laboratory, and muscular fitness measurements during a medical checkup were divided into tertiles according to their MFR. Lower extremity muscular fitness values were significantly decreased in the lowest MFR tertile (p < 0.001); conversely, serum ALT levels were significantly increased (p < 0.01). Decreased MFR significantly increased the risk of elevated ALT, which requires screening for NAFLD, after adjusting for age, obesity, muscular fitness parameters, and metabolic risk factors (odds ratio = 8.53, 95% confidence interval = 1.60–45.6, p = 0.012). Physical fitness and body composition assessments, focusing on MFR, can be useful in improving performance and screening for NAFLD in children and adolescents exercising in sports clubs.

Feasibility of commercial breadmaking using chickpea as an ingredient: Functional properties and potential health benefits.

The use of pulses, such as chickpea, has become more relevant in baking as they exhibit potential health benefits such as reduction of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and prevention of colon cancer. It is also a good source of highly bioavailable protein at a low cost. This allows companies to develop new innovative products that meet the demand for nutritional value-added baked goods. Further understanding of the baking properties and rheology of chickpea flours will allow the baking industry to overcome processing and quality challenges related to the effects caused by the addition of non-gluten-forming ingredients. Therefore, the objective of this review was to summarize the rheological properties of baking formulations using chickpea as an ingredient in order to produce quality products while preserving the nutritional aspects of this legume. It also covers health benefits linked to chickpea-specific compounds.

Efficacy and acceptability of noninvasive brain stimulation interventions for weight reduction in obesity: a pilot network meta-analysis.

Obesity has recently been recognized as a neurocognitive disorder involving circuits associated with the reward system and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has been proposed as a strategy for the management of obesity. However, the results have been inconclusive. The aim of the current network meta-analysis (NMA) was to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of different NIBS modalities for weight reduction in participants with obesity. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining NIBS interventions in patients with obesity were analyzed using the frequentist model of NMA. The coprimary outcome was change in body mass index (BMI) and acceptability, which was calculated using the dropout rate. Overall, the current NMA, consisting of eight RCTs, revealed that the high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the left DLPFC was ranked to be associated with the second-largest decrease in BMI and the largest decrease in total energy intake and craving severity, whereas the high-frequency deep TMS over bilateral DLPFC and the insula was ranked to be associated with the largest decrease in BMI. This pilot study provided a "signal" for the design of more methodologically robust and larger RCTs based on the findings of the potentially beneficial effect on weight reduction in participants with obesity by different NIBS interventions.

Engklek Game and Its Benefits for Early Children’s Development

This research aims to describe the engklek game and its benefits for early children's development. The applied research method is a qualitative methodology with human data and non-human data sources. The data was collected by the interview, observation, and document analysis. Meanwhile, the data analysis was done by using Mile and Huberman interactive analysis model through data reduction, display, and conclusion. The findings showed that the engklek game developed in Boyolali municipality had two types of the engklek game. They are an airplane engklek and a mountain engklek. The game could be played by both males and females with 2-5 persons. It is usually played in the morning or the afternoon in the yard. Engklek games could be used to stimulate the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and linguistic development of children. The physical skill consists of rough and fine motoric development, obesity reduction and leg muscle strengthening. The cognitive skill consists of geometry concept, calculation, estimation, problem-solving learning, and interpersonal quotient improvement. Social skill consists of socializing and honesty. The emotional skill consists of children's training to not be sloppy and stress reduction. Meanwhile, the linguistics skill consists of the word - sentence management skill and contextual language usage.

Supervised Obesity Reduction Trial for AF ablation patients: results from the SORT-AF trial.

AimsWeight management seems to be beneficial for obese atrial fibrillation (AF) patients; however, randomized data are sparse. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the influence of weight reduction on AF ablation outcomes.Methods and resultsSORT-AF is an investigator-sponsored, prospective, randomized, multicentre, and clinical trial. Patients with symptomatic AF (paroxysmal or persistent) and body mass index (BMI) 30–40 kg/m2 underwent AF ablation and were randomized to either weight-reduction (group 1) or usual care (group 2), after sleep–apnoea–screening and loop recorder (ILR) implantation. The primary endpoint was defined as AF burden between 3 and 12 months after AF ablation. Overall, 133 patients (60 ± 10 years, 57% persistent AF) were randomized to group 1 (n = 67) and group 2 (n = 66), respectively. Complications after AF-ablation were rare (one stroke and no tamponade). The intervention led to a significant reduction of BMI (34.9 ± 2.6–33.4 ± 3.6) in group 1 compared to a stable BMI in group 2 (P < 0.001). Atrial fibrillation burden after ablation decreased significantly (P < 0.001), with no significant difference regarding the primary endpoint between the groups (P = 0.815, odds ratio: 1.143, confidence interval: 0.369–3.613). Further analyses showed a significant correlation between BMI and AF recurrence for patients with persistent AF compared with paroxysmal AF patients (P = 0.032).ConclusionThe SORT-AF study shows that AF ablation is safe and successful in obese patients using continuous monitoring via ILR. Although the primary endpoint of AF burden after ablation did not differ between the two groups, the effects of weight loss and improvement of exercise activity were beneficial for obese patients with persistent AF demonstrating the relevance of life-style management as an important adjunct to AF ablation in this setting.Trial registration numberNCT02064114.

Prevalence and Social and Built Environmental Determinants of Maternal Prepregnancy Obesity in 68 Major Metropolitan Cities of the United States, 2013-2016.

Objective Maternal prepregnancy obesity is related to increased maternal morbidity and mortality and poor birth outcomes. However, prevalence and risk factors for prepregnancy obesity in US cities are not known. This study examines the prevalence and social and environmental determinants of maternal prepregnancy obesity (BMI ≥30), overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25), and severe obesity (BMI ≥40) in the 68 largest metropolitan cities of the United States. Methods We fitted logistic and Poisson regression models to the 2013–2016 national vital statistics birth cohort data (N = 3,083,600) to derive unadjusted and adjusted city differentials in maternal obesity and to determine social and environmental determinants. Results Considerable disparities existed across cities, with the prevalence of prepregnancy obesity ranging from 10.4% in San Francisco to 36.6% in Detroit. Approximately 63.0% of mothers in Detroit were overweight or obese before pregnancy, compared with 29.2% of mothers in San Francisco. Severe obesity ranged from 1.4% in San Francisco to 8.5% in Cleveland. Women in Anchorage, Buffalo, Cleveland, Fresno, Indianapolis, Louisville, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Sacramento, St Paul, Toledo, Tulsa, and Wichita had >2 times higher adjusted odds of prepregnancy obesity compared to those in San Francisco. Race/ethnicity, maternal age, parity, marital status, nativity/immigrant status, and maternal education were important individual-level risk factors and accounted for 63%, 39%, and 72% of the city disparities in prepregnancy obesity, overweight/obesity, and severe obesity, respectively. Area deprivation, violent crime rates, physical inactivity rates, public transport use, and access to parkland and green spaces remained significant predictors of prepregnancy obesity even after controlling for individual-level covariates. Conclusions Substantial disparities in maternal prepregnancy obesity among the major US cities remain despite risk-factor adjustment, with women in several Southern and Midwestern cities experiencing high risks of obesity. Sound urban policies are needed to promote healthier lifestyles and favorable social and built environments for obesity reduction and improved maternal health.

The Role of Bifidobacteria in Predictive and Preventive Medicine: A Focus on Eczema and Hypercholesterolemia

Bifidobacteria colonize the human gastrointestinal tract early on in life, their interaction with the host starting soon after birth. The health benefits are strain specific and could be due to the produced polysaccharides. The consumption of probiotics may prevent obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema or atopic dermatitis, and asthma. Non-replicative strains of Bifidobacterium longum (NCC3001 and NCC2705) promote the differentiation of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs), inducing a high expression of differentiation markers (keratin —KRT1—, and transglutaminase —TGM1—) and pro-regeneration markers (cathepsins), including β-defensin-1, which plays an important role in modulating the cutaneous immune response. Strains belonging to the genera Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus can increase tight-junction proteins in NHEKs and enhance barrier function. Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli may be used as prophylactic or therapeutic agents towards enteric pathogens, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, lactose intolerance, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, colorectal cancer, cholesterol reduction, and control of obesity and metabolic disorders. Bifidobacterium bifidum showed an in vitro capability of lowering cholesterol levels thanks to its absorption into the bacterial membrane. Several strains of the species Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, L. casei, and L. gasseri led to a reduced amount of serum cholesterol due to their ability to assimilate cholesterol (in vitro). Lactococcus lactis KF147 and Lactobacillus plantarum Lp81 have also been shown to reduce cholesterol levels by 12%. Clarifying the specific health mechanisms of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains in preventing high-cost pathologies could be useful for delineating effective guidelines for the treatment of infants and adults.

Better Diet Quality in the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act and WIC Package Reduced Childhood Obesity.

* Abbreviations: HEI 2010 — : Healthy Eating Index 2010 HHFKA — : Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act WIC — : Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children The reductions in the prevalence of childhood obesity achieved by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) and the changes in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food package have not been widely recognized. Both the HHFKA and the regulatory updates to the WIC package substantially changed the quality of the foods provided. Both changes improved diets and led to reductions in the prevalence of obesity in the most vulnerable youth served by these programs. The HHFKA was passed by Congress in 2010, and its implementation was required in schools by 2012. In the Act, Congress set age-appropriate caloric ranges, required that at least 51% of grains be whole grains, required students to take at least one-half cup serving of fruits or vegetables with every school breakfast or lunch, and required that schools offer 1 cup of flavored or unflavored fat-free milk or 1% milk. Despite concerns, the changes were not associated with an increase in plate waste.1 In several studies, researchers have confirmed an increase in the quality of school meals and in improved consumption. For example, dietary quality was assessed before and after implementation of the new HHFKA standards by using the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI 2010) and food consumption data from the nationally representative NHANES.2 The HEI 2010 score reflected the degree to which dietary intake was consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The HEI 2010 scores among students aged 5 to 18 years were stratified by low-income, low-middle–income, and middle-high–income students and compared to those among non–school lunch participants in the same income categories. The HEI 2010 scores increased from 42.7 to 54.6 among school lunch participants compared to a decrease from 34.8 to 34.1 among nonparticipants. The differences in comparison with non–school lunch participants were 12.6, … Address correspondence to William H. Dietz, MD, PhD, Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 214 11th St NE, Washington, DC 20002. E-mail: dietzwcd4{at}gmail.com

Finger Citron Extract Ameliorates Glycolipid Metabolism and Inflammation by Regulating GLP-1 Secretion via TGR5 Receptors in Obese Rats.

Finger citron (FC) is one of many traditional Chinese herbs that have been used to treat obesity. The aim of this study was to elucidate the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of FC on obese rats. Rats were fed with a high-fat diet as a model of obesity and treated with FC at three different dosages for 6 weeks. Pathology in liver tissue was observed. Glucose levels, lipids levels, and inflammatory indicators in serum were evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, the expression of G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) pathway genes in rat colon tissue was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis (RT-PCR). Our result revealed that FC alleviates obesity by reducing body weight (BW) and waist circumference, managing inflammation and improving glycolipid metabolism, liver function, and liver lipid peroxidation in vivo. In addition, the mechanism of FC on obesity is possibly the stimulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion by activating the TGR5 pathway in intestinal endocrine cells. Our studies highlight the obesity reduction effects of FC and one of the mechanisms may be the activation of the TGR5 pathway in intestinal endocrine cells.

Chronic everolimus treatment of high-fat diet mice leads to a reduction in obesity but impaired glucose tolerance.

Everolimus, which inhibits mTOR kinase activity and is clinically used in graft rejection treatment, may have a two‐sided influence on metabolic syndrome; its role in obesity and hyperglycemic in animals and humans, however, has been explored insufficiently. This study further determined how continual everolimus treatment affects glucose homeostasis and body weight control in C57BL6/J mice with obesity. An obesity mouse model was developed by administering a high‐fat diet (HFD) to C57BL6/J mice over 12 weeks. The experimental group, while continuing their HFD consumption, were administered everolimus daily for 8 weeks. Metabolic parameters, glucose tolerance, fatty liver score, endocrine profile, insulin sensitivity index (ISI), insulin resistance (IR) index, and Akt phosphorylation, GLUT4, TNF‐α, and IL‐1 levels were measured in vivo. Compared with the control group, the everolimus group gained less body weight and had smaller adipocytes and lower fat pad weight; triglyceride (serum and hepatic), patatin‐like phospholipase domain‐containing 3, and fatty acid synthase levels; fatty liver scores; and glucose tolerance test values—all despite consuming more food. However, the everolimus group exhibited decreased ISI and muscle Akt phosphorylation and GLUT4 expression as well as impaired glucose tolerance and serum TNF‐α and IL‐1β levels—even when insulin levels were high. In conclusion, continual everolimus treatment may lead to diabetes with glucose intolerance and IR.

Conceptualizing Responsibility in Food Research and Innovation to Promote Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems

Responsibility is crucial to governance and key to achieving legitimacy within complex systems, yet there is limited attention to how it should be conceptualized within the context of food research and innovation (R&amp;amp;I). Understanding how diverse stakeholders in food R&amp;amp;I conceptualize responsibility is vital because it shapes the way problems are identified, goals are set and solutions are put in place. We report on empirical research with diverse stakeholders across Europe to understand and map the dimensions of responsibility for food R&amp;amp;I to support healthy and sustainable food systems. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 stakeholders working in R&amp;amp;I in the cutting-edge domains of: cultured meat as a substitute for livestock meat; new crop breeding of potatoes; and a new approach to obesity reduction that focuses on weight acceptance. Drawing from the empirical evidence collected, we developed a classification system that reflects various conceptualizations of stakeholders' responsibility for food R&amp;amp;I to support healthy and sustainable food systems. Our thematic analysis revealed four overlapping rationales of responsibility—accountability, impact, reflexivity, and responsiveness, and characterized them in terms of: who the researcher is responsible to; whether the assessments of responsibility focus on R&amp;amp;I processes or impact; whether responsibility implies societal engagement; and how responsibility is assessed—retrospectively or prospectively. The article provides a basis for systematic application of these criteria to the specific instances of food R&amp;amp;I governance and for future joint decisions, about the ways to allocate responsibilities.

The Effect of Balsamic Vinegar Dressing on Protein and Carbohydrate Digestibility is Dependent on the Food Matrix.

The balsamic vinegar of Modena (BVM), a food specialty under the European Protected Geographical Indication system, is made from grape must blended with wine vinegar exclusively in the Italian province of Modena or Reggio Emilia. Vinegar is associated to an improved digestive function and glycemic response to carbohydrate-rich meals, appetite stimulation, and reduction of hyperlipidemia and obesity. Although many of these effects are attributed to the high concentration of bioactive molecules, the modulation of digestive enzymes activity could have a role. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BVM on the digestibility and component release of three foods that are often seasoned with this dressing but have different composition: Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Bresaola (cured meat), and boiled potatoes. BVM modulated the protein digestion of protein-rich foods (cheese and cured meat) in a matrix-dependent manner, and the BVM effect was mainly related to the inhibition of pepsin in the gastric phase. In the starch-rich food (boiled potatoes), the most impressive effect of BVM was the lower release of anomeric and total carbohydrates, which was consistent with the observed reduction of pancreatic amylase activity. The present investigation shed a new light on the impact of BVM on the digestion process.

Risk factors for chronic liver disease in population of Central India: a case-control study from rural India

BackgroundChronic liver disease (CLD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in today’s world. Common risk factors for CLD are alcohol, chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), malnutrition, toxins, and some tropical infections. This case-control study was carried out to determine the risk factors of domestic CLD in a resource-constrained setting in central rural India. A hospital-based matched case-control study was carried out among eligible CLD cases from November 2015 to October 2017. A total of 200 cases and 200 age- and gender-matched community controls were selected using consecutive sampling from tertiary care hospitals from central rural India. Information on socio-demographic, etiological was collected through using a pretested structured questionnaire after obtaining informed written consent. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to find the risk factors associated with CLD.ResultsThe median age of study participant was 58.5 years among the cases. There were 75% male and remaining 25% were female in each case and control group. On multivariate analysis, we found less education, poor socioeconomic status, diabetes mellitus, increased body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption, and tobacco chewing were significant risk factors for CLD in comparison to controls. However, amount of alcohol, smoking, and occupation were not found to be statistically significant association with CLD.ConclusionsThe findings showed that in patients with CLD when compared to controls, high alcohol intake, diabetes mellitus, tobacco chewing, central obesity, low education, and low-income group are significant risk factors in our rural population. An initiative needs to be taken to reduce alcohol, and tobacco chewing habits at various levels through awareness campaigns, strict control, and legislation to limit further abuse. Control of blood glucose and reduction of obesity may be important in preventing CLD in our rural community.

Risk of the occurrence of occupational diseases associated with somatic pathology

Introduction. Recent academic studies in the clinic of occupational medicine demonstrate a significant prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic pathology associated with occupational activity. Objective. to analyze the role of somatic pathology in occurrence of occupational diseases in aluminum, refractory and asbestos-processing production workers in order to identify the directions of preventive measures. Material and methods. The results of the examination of aluminum, refractory and asbestos-processing production workers under the periodic medical check-up and in the clinic were analyzed. Results. According to the periodic medical check-up, only 5.57% of refractory workers, 1.5% of aluminum workers, and 22.7% of asbestos-processing workers were not diagnosed with somatic diseases. Most frequently, workers of the surveyed enterprises reported overweight (up to 68%). lipid storage disease was more likely to occur in the refractory industry (46%), carbohydrate metabolism - in the aluminum industry (22.3%) and asbestos-processing industry (22.6%). In cases with obesity, chronic gastritis, type 2 diabetes, decreased glomerular filtration rate, hyperuricemia, arterial hypertension, and CHD. A considerable influence of somatic pathology on the period of the development of occupational diseases’ has been identified. In patients average work experience before the development of asbestos is reduced from 6 to 12.7 years. In patients with high-grade arterial hypertension, left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy, IHD, overweight and obesity reduction in the average work experience before the development of occupational fluorosis was observed from 3.9 to 6 years. A reduction in the average work experience before the development of silicosis from 10.8 to 13 years was observed in women, as well as in the presence of high-grade arterial hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia and a decrease in blood hemoglobin. Conclusion. The significant impact of somatic pathology on the terms of the occurrence of occupational diseases in workers of aluminum, asbestos-processing and refractory industries was determined.

Impact of Weight Reduction Measures on Obesity Reduction - The Case of Canada

Obesity, and its related comorbidities, has become a pressing global health concern. This study follows an integrated approach of evaluating the health-related cost savings associated with the reduction of obesity incidence in Canada. A combination of meta-analysis and simulation using measured nationwide Body Mass Index data revealed that a reduction in calorie intake could lead to a 5% to 10% weight loss, which could result in a nontrivial health-related average savings of CAD$ 1.93 billion. This can be potentially achieved through the implementation and promotion of health-claims on low-calorie diets. Stronger economic policies such as the introduction of subsidies on healthy foods and taxes on high calorie diets could potentially lead to socially optimal calorie consumption. A combination of initiatives and regulatory policy options are also discussed, which could stimulate prosperity by reducing the obesity epidemic. Keywords: obesity, prevalence, meta-analysis, cost of illness approach, health-claims, regulatory policies

The effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy vs hand massage on serum lipids in overweight and obese women

BackgroundThe purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and hand massage therapy (HMT) on serum lipids and body composition in Korean women. Materials and methodsWe randomly classified 60 participants into overweight and obese groups. Subjects received ESWT and HMT twice a week for six weeks (a total of 12 sessions). ResultsBody weight and body mass index decreased significantly in obese women from both groups. Waist circumference significantly declined in obese women and overweight women in both treatment groups (p < 0.001). Body fat significantly decreased in the ESWT group of obese women (p < 0.01), while a significant reduction in abdominal obesity was noted only in the HMT group of overweight women (p < 0.01) and the ESWT group of obese women (p < 0.01). There was a significant decrease in triglycerides in the ESWT group of obese women (p < 0.01). ConclusionsThese results suggest that ESWT and HMT could be helpful for the management of people with excess abdominal fat and obesity. Moreover, ESWT is more effective than HMT for improving abdominal obesity and triglyceride levels in obese women as compared to overweight women.