Obesity-related Variables Research Articles

Elevated levels of 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodG in individuals with severe mental illness – An autopsy-based study

Elevated systemic oxidative stress levels of 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodG have been reported in individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). As no previous studies have addressed the link between local levels of 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodG in the central nervous system (CNS), measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urinary systemic levels, we employed autopsy-based material to elucidate this aspect. Additionally, we investigated the impact of 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodG levels on the prevalence of somatic co-morbidities.Based on post mortem samples from deceased individuals with SMI (N = 107), we found significantly elevated urinary levels of both 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodG compared to mentally healthy living controls. While we found an association between urinary and CSF 8-oxodG levels (r = 0.50, P < 0.001), a similar correlation was not evident for 8-oxoGuo (r = 0.15, P = 0.16). Additionally, the two r-values were significantly different (P < 0.001). Neither marker in urine or CSF was associated with obesity-related variables, metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes. The post mortem interval did not affect the results, but the agonal phase seemingly introduced bias.This study provided novel insights into the cellular oxidative stress levels in individuals with SMI. We demonstrated that increased oxidative stress locally and systemically is correlated and is a clear phenomenon in SMI. Although post mortem measurements contain some weaknesses, our study indicates DNA as the main site of oxidative stress modifications in the CNS in SMI. This may provide novel opportunities for treatment modalities. Additionally, our study demonstrated the applicability of post mortem material investigating systemic and local 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodG levels.

The Association between Sleep Duration and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration with Obesity in an Elderly Korean Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Studies have recently reported an association between sleep duration and obesity in some individuals. Vitamin D deficiency is common in elderly populations and is also associated with obesity. In this study, the combined interaction effect of vitamin D levels and sleep duration on obesity-related variables was analyzed in 3757 individuals from an elderly Korean population using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Significant differences were observed in the interaction effect of the vitamin D levels and sleep duration on obesity-related variables, including BMI (p = 0.004) and the risk of obesity (p < 0.001). Using vitamin D sufficient status and proper sleep duration as a reference, subjects with sufficient vitamin D did not differ in their risk of obesity regardless of their sleep duration. However, the risk of obesity tended to increase with short sleep duration rather than proper sleep duration among subjects who were vitamin D insufficient odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) = 1.293 (1.10–1.657) for proper sleep duration vs. 1.374 (1.066–1.770) for short sleep duration). Only the participants in the vitamin D deficient population who consumed less protein showed an increasing trend in the risk of obesity according to the sleep duration (OR (95% CI) = 1.645 (1.155–2.344) for proper sleep duration and 1.668 (1.156–2.406) for short sleep duration).

Social Support for Exercise as a Predictor of Weight and Physical Activity Status Among Puerto Rican and Mexican Men: Results From the Latino Men's Health Initiative.

Social support is an important factor in increasing positive health outcomes and positive health behaviors across a variety of disease states including obesity. However, research examining the relationship between social support for exercise and weight and physical activity status, particularly among Latino men, is lacking. This paper examined whether social support for exercise predicted weight and physical activity status and whether the direction of these relationships differ as a function of Hispanic/Latino background (Puerto Rican/Mexican). Participants were 203 men who participated in a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study addressing culture- and obesity-related variables. Both family participation social support and family rewards and punishment social support predicted higher weight status (p < .005 and p < .05, respectively). Friend participation social support did not predict weight status. The direction of the relationship between weight status and family participation social support, family rewards and punishment social support, and friend participation social support did not significantly differ as a function of Hispanic/Latino background. The direction of the relationship between physical activity status and family participation social support, family rewards and punishment social support, and friend participation social support did not significantly differ as a function of Hispanic/Latino background. Findings suggest that increased social support for exercise from family members may be focused on those who need it most—overweight and obese participants. Additional research is needed to explore sociocultural factors that may promote social support, physical activity, and weight loss and maintenance in Puerto Rican and Mexican men.

Associations between Self-Reported Sleep Quality and Duration and Dietary Consumptions, Psychological Symptoms, and Obesity in Korean Adults.

Sleep pattern disruptions have been reported to be associated with an increased risk of obesity. This study was performed to investigate the association between sleep quality and sleep duration with dietary consumption, psychological factors, and obesity in Korean adults. A total of 288 Korean men and women who visited a public health center were included in this study. Data on general characteristics, health-related habits, psychological symptoms, dietary intake, and sleep patterns (including quality and duration) were collected using self-report questionnaires. Approximately half of the included Korean adults experienced sleep of low quality and short duration. Subjects who reported short sleep durations had a significantly higher weight (P=0.015), body mass index (P<0.001), and prevalence of obesity (P=0.012) than those reporting proper sleep durations. After adjustment for covariates, subjects reporting short sleep durations consumed more dietary carbohydrates (P=0.043) and higher levels of perceived stress (P=0.001), depression (P=0.001), and anxiety (P<0.001) than subjects reporting proper sleep durations. However, obesity-related variables, dietary intake and psychosocial symptoms did not differ significantly by reported sleep quality. The results of this study demonstrated that sleep duration but not sleep quality was associated with dietary macronutrient intake and psychological symptoms, which might affect obesity.

규칙적인 걷기 운동이 과체중 남성 노인의 혈중 Irisin 및 FGF-21 농도에 미치는 영향

This study was performed to investigate the effect of regular walking exercise on plasma irisin and FGF-21 concentration, obesity related variables, and body composition in overweight old men. Ten older men ( 65 yrs) were divided into two groups, CON (control, BMI 18-25 kg/㎡) and OWT (overweight, BM I 25kg/㎡) group. Both groups performed walking exercise at the intensity of 70% HRmax for 12 weeks. Target heart rate during walking exercise was monitored using polar heart checker. Plasma irisin and FGF-21 concentration, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, glucose, and insulin were analyzed before and after the exercise training. Regular walking exercise significantly increases in plasma irisin concentration in both CON(p=.016) and OWT(p=.038) groups. However, serum FGF-21 concentration was significantly lower in OWT group than that of CON group before(p=.017) and after(p=.001) the walking training, but reamin unchanged after the walking training in both groups(p.05). In addition, blood glucose level was significantly reduced in both groups(p=.041, p=.013) after walking exercise training. HDL-C concentration has markedly increased in both groups(p=.015, p=.049) after walking exercise training. Therefore, we suggest that regular walking exercise training may has an important role in white fat browning by the increased irisin concentration, and have a positive effect on glucose and lipid metabolism in both normal and overweight older men.

An overview of assessment methodology for obesity-related variables in infants at risk.

The first 2 years of a child's life are a particularly critical time period for obesity prevention. An increasing amount of research across the world is aimed at understanding factors that impact early childhood obesity and developing interventions that target these factors effectively. With this growing interest, new and interdisciplinary research teams are developing to meet this research need. Due to rapid growth velocity during this phase of the lifespan, typical assessments used in older populations may not be valid or applicable in infants, and investigators need to be aware of the pros and cons of specific methodological strategies. This paper provides an overview of methodology available to assess obesity-related factors in the areas of anthropometry and body composition, nutrient intake, and energy expenditure in infants aged 0-2 years. Gold standard measures for body composition, such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or other imaging techniques, are costly, require highly trained personnel, and are limited for research application. Nutrient intake methodology primarily includes surveys and questionnaires completed via parent proxy report. In terms of energy expenditure, methods of calorimetry are expensive and may not differentiate between different activities. Questionnaires or physical activity sensors offer another way of energy expenditure assessment. However, questionnaires have a certain recall bias, while the sensors require further validation. Overall, in addition to understanding the pros and cons of each assessment tool, researchers should take into consideration the experience of the interdisciplinary team of investigators, as well as the cost and availability of measures at their institution.

Sources of variability in childhood obesity indicators and related behaviors.

The purpose of this study was to describe sources of variability in obesity-related variables in 6,022 children aged 9–11 y from 12 countries. The study design involved recruitment of students, nested within schools, which were nested within study sites. Height, weight and waist circumference (WC) were measured and BMI was calculated; sleep duration and total and in-school moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time were measured by accelerometry; and diet scores were obtained by questionnaire. Variance in most variables was largely explained at the student level: BMI (91.9%), WC (93.5%), sleep (75.3%), MVPA (72.5%), sedentary time (76.9%), healthy diet score (88.3%), unhealthy diet score (66.2%), with the exception of in-school MVPA (53.8%) and in-school sedentary time (25.1%). Variance explained at the school level ranged from 3.3% for BMI to 29.8% for in-school MVPA, and variance explained at the site level ranged from 3.2% for WC to 54.2% for in-school sedentary time. In general, more variance was explained at the school and site levels for behaviors than for anthropometric traits. Given the variance in obesity-related behaviors in primary school children explained at school and site levels, interventions that target policy and environmental changes may enhance obesity intervention efforts.

Impact of the Polymorphism Near MC4R (rs17782313) on Obesity- and Metabolic-Related Traits in Women Participating in an Aerobic Training Program.

The C/T polymorphism (rs17782313) mapped 188 kb downstream of the melanocortin-4 receptor gene (MC4R) shows a strong relationship with an increased body mass index (BMI) and the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, the information on polymorphism’s potential modifying effect on obesity- and metabolic-related traits achieved through training is still unknown. Therefore, we decided to check if selected body measurements observed in physically active participants would be modulated by the genotype. The genotype distribution was examined in a group of 201 Polish women measured for chosen traits before and after the completion of a 12 week moderate-intensive aerobic training program. A statistically significant relationship between the glucose level and the genotype was identified (p = 0.046). Participants with CC and CT genotypes had a higher glucose level during the entire study period compared with the TT genotype. However, our results did not confirm the relationship between the C allele and an increased BMI or other obesity-related traits. Additionally, we did not observe a near MC4R C/T polymorphism x physical activity interaction. However, our results revealed that majority of obesity-related variables changed significantly during the 12 week training program. The effect sizes (d) of these changes ranged from small to medium (d = 0.11-0.80), whereas the largest effect (d = 0.80; i.e. medium) was reported for the fat mass content (FM). We found a relationship between the near MC4R C/T polymorphism and an increased glucose level, and it is thus a candidate to influence type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, after the 12 week training program, participants with the C (risk) allele with fasting hyperglycemia had a normal glucose level. Although, this change was not statistically significant, it shows an important trend which needs further investigation.

Metabolic syndrome and visceral fat in women with cardiovascular risk factor

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in women after menopause, since after this stage there are profound metabolic and hormonal changes which favor the development of metabolic syndrome. An increase in the percentage of visceral fat may be related to the onset of this syndrome. To establish the relationship between visceral fat and parameters of the metabolic syndrome and to determine the optimal cut-off point for the variables related to obesity in women with a cardiovascular risk factor. Cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in two urban health centers in Spain. We evaluated 320 women aged 45 to 60 years with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and/or dyslipidemia. Age, estrogenic activity, visceral fat and body fat measured through a bioimpedance device, body mass index, abdominal perimeter, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, glucose and the presence or absence of syndrome metabolic were considered. There is a significant correlation between visceral fat and all metabolic syndrome defining parameters (p < 0.05). The optimum cut-offs for obesity-related variables were visceral fat (8 kg), abdominal perimeter (93.5 cm), body mass index (26.9 kg/m2 ) and total body fat (24.3 kg). Menopausal women showed more visceral fat. An association between visceral fat and the parameters that define the metabolic syndrome is observed. It would be advisable to perform a more complex research to study the utility of visceral fat as a possible screening parameter in the metabolic syndrome.

Cultural Variables Underlying Obesity in Latino Men: Design, Rationale and Participant Characteristics from the Latino Men's Health Initiative.

Overweight and obesity are associated with significant health problems and rates of obesity are high among Latino men. This paper describes the design, rationale and participant characteristics of the key demographic variables assessed in an NIH-funded study (R21-CA143636) addressing culture and several obesity-related variables (diet, physical activity, and body image) among Mexican and Puerto Rican men using a community-based participatory research framework. Participants completed objective measures (height, weight, body fat, hip, waist), a health and culture interview, a diet questionnaire, and used an accelerometer to measure their level of physical activity. A total of 203 participants completed the measures and the health and culture interview and 193 completed all study components. Puerto Ricans were older than Mexicans (p < .0001) and there were significant differences in marital status (p < .05), country of birth (p < .05), smoking (p < .05) and work status (p < .001). There were no significant differences in religion, education, health insurance, Body Mass Index, body fat, hip and waist measurements, and the language preference of the interview. Results have implications for the development of a future intervention that incorporates the role of cultural factors into a community participatory obesity intervention for Latino men.

The Risk of Being Obese According to Short Sleep Duration Is Modulated after Menopause in Korean Women.

We previously reported that women with short sleep duration consumed more dietary carbohydrate and showed an increased risk for obesity compared to those who slept adequately, but not for men. Using a cross-sectional study of 17,841 Korean women, we investigated the influence of sleep duration on obesity-related variables and consumption of dietary carbohydrate-rich foods in relation to menopausal status. Premenopausal women with short sleep duration had significantly greater body weight (p = 0.007), body mass index (p = 0.003), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (p = 0.028 and p = 0.024, respectively), prevalence of obesity (p < 0.016), and consumption of more carbohydrate-rich foods such as staple foods (p = 0.026) and simple sugar-rich foods (p = 0.044) than those with adequate sleep duration after adjustment for covariates. Premenopausal women with short sleep duration were more obese by 1.171 times compared to subjects adequate sleep duration (95% confidence interval = 1.030–1.330). However, obesity-related variables, dietary consumption, and odds of being obese did not differ according to sleep duration for postmenopausal women. The findings suggest that the increased risk for obesity and consumption of dietary carbohydrate-rich foods with short sleep duration appeared to disappear after menopause in Korean women.

Associations between abdominal and general obesity and diabetic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study and a prospective study

BackgroundCompared with general obesity, abdominal obesity has been shown to be more closely correlated to chronic diabetic complications such as cardiovascular disease and diabetic retinopathy. The association between obesity and diabetic kidney disease is unclear. We did two independent studies, one cross-sectional study and one 5 year prospective study, to investigate the association of general and abdominal obesity with diabetic kidney disease. MethodsIn the cross-sectional study in a hospital in Chongqing, China, body composition was assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 1016 patients with type 2 diabetes. Variables measured to define general obesity were BMI, total body fat percentage, and fat-mass index (ratio of fat mass to height squared). Abdominal obesity variables were waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and visceral adipose tissue. Diabetic kidney disease was defined as chronic kidney disease stage 3–5 (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 mL/min per 1·73 m2). In the prospective study, 279 patients with type 2 diabetes without diabetic kidney disease at baseline were followed up for 5 years after initial assessment in a community centre. BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and waist-to-hip ratio were used as indicators of obesity type in the prospective study. Obesity-related variables were split into low, median, and high tertiles and patients were stratified by values accordingly for both studies. Ethical approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Informed consent was provided by all participants. Multivariate logistic analysis was done to determine whether parameters of obesity could be risk factors for diabetic kidney disease and adjustments made for confounding factors. The odds ratios (ORs) of general obesity parameters and abdominal obesity parameters were calculated, with reference to the lowest tertile of those parameters; OR was 1. FindingsIn the cross-sectional study, 470 patients had stage 1 chronic kidney disease, 374 patients had stage 2 disease, and 172 patients had stages 3–5 disease. Participants with higher BMI (24·67 kg/m2 [SD 3·33] in those with stage 1 chronic kidney disease vs 24·78 kg/m2 [3·14] in those with stage 2 chronic kidney disease vs 25·40 kg/m2 [3·18] in those with stages 3–5 chronic kidney disease; p=0·040), total body fat percentage (29·21% [6·17] vs 29·57% [6·16] vs 30·74% [6·18]; p=0·024), fat-mass index (7·31 kg/m2 [2·21] vs 7·43 kg/m2 [2·21] vs 7·89 kg/m2 [2·14]; p=0·014), waist circumference (92·71 cm [9·31] vs 93·98 cm [9·08] vs 95·52 cm [8·88]; p=0·047), waist-to-height ratio (0·57 [IQR 0·54–0·61] vs 0·58 [0·55–0·62] vs 0·61 [0·56–0·65]; p<0·0001), and visceral adipose tissue (117·59 cm2 [43·34] vs 121·67 cm2 [43·10] vs 133·31 cm2 [45·01]; p=0·0022) were more likely to have a lower eGFR, compared with those with lower values. Logistic regression analyses showed that variables of general obesity were associated with a risk of diabetic kidney disease (in the median vs high tertiles, for BMI ptrend=0·0371; for total body fat percentage ptrend=0·044; for fat-mass index ptrend=0·0053). However, there was no correlation when visceral adipose tissue was adjusted (in the median vs high tertiles, for BMI ptrend=0·18; for total body fat percentage ptrend=0·66; for fat-mass index ptrend=0·26). In the prospective study, 41 patients developed diabetic kidney disease after 6 years follow-up. No association was noted between BMI and risk of diabetic kidney disease or in the crude or adjusted models (in the crude model 1·11 [0·49–2·50] in the median tertile vs 1·10 [0·48–2·47] in the high tertile, p=0·81; in the waist-to-height ratio-adjusted model 0·43 [0·26–1·18] vs 0·76 [0·32–1·80], p=0·24; in the multivariable model 0·44 [0·13–5·54] vs 1·33 [0·25–6·97], p=0·40). Abdominal obesity variables were associated with risk of diabetic kidney disease after adjustment for BMI (for waist circumference 1·39 [1·10–8·03] in the median tertile vs 2·59 [1·45–9·31] in the high tertile, p=0·022; for waist-to-hip ratio 2·63 [0·71–5·79] vs 5·16 [1·38–9·31], p=0·015; for waist-to-height ratio 3·35 [0·86–7·08] vs 5·96 [1·51–13·06], p=0·03). The associations between the risk of diabetic kidney disease and waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio were the same after adjustment for other confounders. InterpretationAbdominal obesity is more closely associated with the risk of diabetic kidney disease than general obesity in China. FundingNational Key Clinical Specialties Construction Program of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and The Fundamental Science and Advanced Technology Research of Chongqing.

자율신경 활성도와 비만 여성 침치료 효과의 상관성 연구

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the effects of acupuncture treatment and heart rate variability (HRV) in pre-menopausal obese women. Methods Thirty-seven obese women who met the inclusion criteria were recruited. To estimate the effects of acupuncture, obesity indices, such as body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and the waist-hip ratio (WHR), were measured before and after the treatment. The HRV test was conducted before treatment and analyzed using the frequency domain method. Results The lnLF/HF ratio (natural logarithm of low frequency power/high frequency power ratio of the HRV value) before treatments was negatively correlated with differences in WC, HC, and WHR during treatment. The correlation coefficients between the lnLF/HF ratio and the differences in WC, HC, and WHR were r=-0.459 (p<0.01), r=-0.327 (p<0.05), and r=-0.339 (p<0.05) respectively. Conclusions As the baseline ratio of sympathetic activity to parasympathetic activity decreases, WC, HC, and WHR reduction significantly increased during treatment. Further study is needed to uncover the relationship between obesity-related variables and the autonomic nervous system to predict the effect of acupuncture.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Associated with Elevated High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels Independent of Obesity: Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) has been recognized as a common health problem, and increasing obesity rates have led to further remarkable increases in the prevalence of OSA, along with more prominent cardiovascular morbidities. Though previous studies have reported an independent relationship between elevated high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels and OSA, the issue remains controversial owing to inadequate consideration of obesity and various confounding factors. So far, few population based studies of association between OSA and hsCRP levels have been published. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate whether OSA is associated with increased hsCRP levels independent of obesity in a large population-based study. A total of 1,835 subjects (968 men and 867 women) were selected from a larger cohort of the ongoing Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). Overnight polysomnography was performed on each participant. All participants underwent anthropometric measurements and biochemical analyses, including analysis of lipid profiles and hsCRP levels. Based on anthropometric data, body mass index (BMI) and waist hip ratio (WHR) were calculated and fat mass (FM) were measured by means of multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Mild OSA and moderate to severe OSA were defined by an AHI >5 and ≥15, respectively. The population was sub-divided into 3 groups based on the tertile cut-points for the distribution of hsCRP levels. The percentage of participants in the highest tertile of hsCRP increased dose-dependently according to the severity of OSA. After adjustment for potential confounders and obesity-related variables (BMI, WHR, and body fat) in a multiple logistic model, participants with moderate to severe OSA had 1.73-, 2.01-, and 1.61-fold greater risks of being in the highest tertile of hsCRP levels than participants with non-OSA, respectively. Interaction between obesity (BMI ≥25kg/m2) and the presence of moderate-to-severe OSA was significant on the middle tertile levels of hsCRP (OR = 2.4), but not on the highest tertile, compared to the lowest tertile. OSA is independently associated with elevated hsCRP levels and may reflect an increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity. However, we found that OSA and obesity interactively contribute to individuals with general levels of hsCRP (<1.01 mg/dl). The short-term and long-term effects of elevated hsCRP levels on cardiovascular risk in the context of OSA remain to be defined in future studies.

Association study between near-MC4R variants and obesity-related variables in Portuguese young adults

The aim of this study was to investigate in a population sample of Portuguese young adults i) the association of near-MC4R variants with obesity measures; and ii) the presence of mutations in MC4R coding region contributing to severe obesity. Polymorphisms rs17782313, rs12970134 and rs9944545 were genotyped in 544 subjects (225 males, 319 females; mean age 20.7years) by TaqMan assay. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated (kg/m2) and percentage of body fat (%FAT) was measured using bioimpedance analysis. The coding region of MC4R gene was examined in nine severe obese subjects (BMI>35kg/m2) by Sanger sequencing. Linear regression showed no associations between variants rs17782313, rs12970134 and rs9944545 and BMI (P=0.459, P=0.691 and P=0.611, respectively) or %FAT (P=0.853, P=0.678 and P=0.434, respectively). The logistic regression, in the additive model, revealed no statistically significant interactions with overweight/obesity for any SNP (P=0.717, P=0.771 and P=0.417, respectively). Also, haplotype analysis revealed no significant associations testing for BMI, %FAT or the obesity status. Genomic DNA sequencing of the MC4R coding region revealed no variations explaining the severely obese phenotype. As main conclusion, this study in young Portuguese adults does not replicate previous findings evidencing the association of near-MC4R polymorphisms with human obesity. Nevertheless, the obtained data is in accordance with several studies reporting no such associations.

The lactase -13910C>T polymorphism (rs4988235) is associated with overweight/obesity and obesity-related variables in a population sample of Portuguese young adults.

Several studies reported associations of the lactase gene (LCT) polymorphism -13910C>T (rs4988235) with obesity-related variables and obesity in adults. This study aimed to replicate previously reported associations in a population sample of Portuguese young adults. We genotyped 447 subjects from central and northern regions of Portugal (mean age 20.81±4.24 years) for the lactase variant -13910C>T (rs4988235), using TaqMan probes. Anthropometric variables (weight, height and body fat) were measured using standardized procedures and body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) was calculated. Frequency of genotypes was 35.8% CC (lactase nonpersistent, LNP), 48.1% CT and 16.1% TT, consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P=1). The frequency for the minor -13910 T allele was 0.402. Assuming a dominance model for the lactase persistence (LP) minor T-allele, linear regression models showed statistically significant associations between the LP genotype CT/TT and BMI, fat mass and weight (β=1.114, P=0.003; β=1.309, P=0.007 and β=2.67, P=0.021, respectively) after adjustment for age and sex. In concordance, logistic regression showed significant association between LP genotype CT/TT and overweight/obesity (OR=1.77; CI 1.08-2.92; P=0.023), as well as with high fat percentage ranges (OR=1.58; CI 1.01-2.46; P=0.041), when adjusting for age and sex. No significant interaction was obtained between the LCT polymorphism and physical activity for BMI (Pint=0.454) or FAT % (Pint=0.421). In the Portuguese sample of young adults, the lactase -13910C>T polymorphism revealed significant associations with the obesity-related anthropometric variables BMI, fat mass and weight, and previously observed associations with the obesity risk were also confirmed.

The Association Between Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity-Related Outcomes, and ADHD in Adults With Comorbid Affective Disorders

Objective: ADHD may predispose to obesity, a metabolic syndrome component. Affective disorders are also associated with MetSyn and ADHD. This study examined whether ADHD confers any added risk of MetSyn and obesity-related associations in a large sample with varying stages of affective disorders. Method: Participants included 2,303 adults from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. Three groups were compared (controls, those with depressive/anxiety disorders without ADHD; and those with depressive/anxiety disorders and ADHD) for presence of MetSyn risk factors, body mass index, and waist–hip ratio. ADHD symptoms were identified by using a T-score > 65 (Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale). Results: Multivariable analyses were additionally adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle, health factors, and affective disorders. Analyses showed no significant association between MetSyn, obesity-related variables, and comorbid ADHD. High Inattention and Hyperactivity/Impulsivity symptoms were not associated with MetSyn. Conclusion: This study did not confirm that MetSyn and obesity-related parameters are increased in comorbid ADHD.

Timing of food intake is associated with weight loss evolution in severe obese patients after bariatric surgery

Recent research has demonstrated a relationship between the timing of food intake and weight loss in humans. However, whether the meal timing can be associated with weight loss in patients treated with bariatric surgery is unknown. To evaluate the role of food-timing in the evolution of weight loss in a sample of 270 patients that underwent bariatric surgery with a follow-up of 6 years. Participants (79% women; age [mean±SD]: 52±11 years; BMI: 46.5±6.0kg/m2) were classified according their weight loss response patterns after bariatric surgery: good weight-loss-responders (67.8%), primarily poor weight-loss-responders (10.8%) or secondarily poor weight-loss-responders (21.4%). Then, they were grouped in early-eaters and late-eaters, according to the timing of the main meal (before or after 15:00h). Obesity and biochemical parameters, energy and macronutrients intake, energy expenditure, sleep duration, and chronotype were studied. The percentage of late eaters (after 15:00h) was significantly higher in the primarily poor weight-loss-responders (∼70%) than in both secondarily poor weight-loss-responders (∼42%) and good weight-loss-responders (∼37%) (p=0.011). Consistently, primarily poor weight-loss-responders had lunch later as compared to good and secondarily poor weight-loss-responders (p=0.034). Age, gender and type of surgery were not determining. Surprisingly, obesity-related variables, biochemical parameters, pre-surgical total energy expenditure, sleep duration, chronotype, calorie intake and macronutrients distribution, were similar among groups. Weight loss effectiveness after bariatric surgery is related to the timing of the main meal. Our preliminary results suggest that the timing of food intake is important for weight regulation and that eating at the right time may be a relevant factor to consider in weight loss therapy even after bariatric surgery.

Different Craniofacial Characteristics Predict Upper Airway Collapsibility in Japanese-Brazilian and White Men.

OSA pathogenesis is complex and may vary according to ethnicity. The anatomic component predisposing to OSA is the result of the interaction between bony structure and upper airway soft tissues and can be assessed using passive critical closing pressure (Pcrit). We hypothesized that Japanese-Brazilians and whites present different predictors of upper airway collapsibility, suggesting different causal pathways to developing OSA in these two groups. Male Japanese-Brazilians (n = 39) and whites (n = 39) matched for age and OSA severity were evaluated by full polysomnography, Pcrit, and upper airway and abdomen CT scans for determination of upper airway anatomy and abdominal fat, respectively. Pcrit was similar between the Japanese-Brazilians and the whites (-1.0 ± 3.3 cm H2O vs -0.4 ± 3.1 cm H2O, P = .325). The Japanese-Brazilians presented smaller upper airway bony dimensions (cranial base, maxillary, and mandibular lengths), whereas the whites presented larger upper airway soft tissue (tongue length and volume) and a greater imbalance between tongue and mandible (tongue/mandibular volume ratio). The cranial base angle was associated with Pcrit only among the Japanese-Brazilians (r = -0.535, P < .01). The tongue/mandibular volume ratio was associated with Pcrit only among the whites (r = 0.460, P < .01). Obesity-related variables (visceral fat, BMI, and neck and waist circumferences) showed a similar correlation with Pcrit in the Japanese-Brazilians and the whites. Japanese-Brazilians and whites present different predictors of upper airway collapsibility. Although craniofacial bony restriction influenced Pcrit only in the Japanese-Brazilians, an anatomic imbalance between tongue and mandible volume influenced Pcrit among the whites. These findings may have therapeutic implications regarding how to improve the anatomic predisposition to OSA across ethnicities.

Effects of Physical Activity on Trace Elements and Depression Related Biomarkers in Children and Adolescents.

Not much is known about the role of physical activity (PA), obesity related variables, and trace elements as potential risk factors affecting neurotransmitters in schoolchildren with depression. Our objective was to investigate the effect of physical activity (PA) on depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. Also, we aimed to study the association of demographic variables, serum levels of Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), serotonin, and salivary cortisol with depression in this population. One hundred and fifty school children (90 boys and 60 girls) aged 7-18years were recruited for this study. All participants were evaluated for depression using CDI-score analysis. Their physical activity levels were checked using pre-validated questionnaires. The serum levels of Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), cortisol, and serotonin were estimated using atomic absorption, and immunoassay techniques. About 48.7% of the study population had depressive symptoms (CDI-score; ≥13), and were classified into mild, moderate, and severe categories. Older children, especially girls, had higher levels of depression. Participants with moderate and severe depression had significantly lower physical activity, serotonin, and zinc levels, Zn/Cu ratios, and significantly higher copper and cortisol levels. Physically active boys showed significantly lower depressive CDI-scores and improvement in cortisol, serotonin, Cu, and Zn concentrations compared to girls of sedentary life style. CDI- scores correlated positively with BMI, cortisol and Cu, and negatively with PA, serotonin and Zn concentrations. BMI, cortisol, serotonin, Cu and Zn, could explain about 59.3-79% of the depressive symptoms among schoolchildren, according to stepwise regression analysis. This was especially true in especially older girls. PA and an adequate balance in Zn and Cu levels, plays a positive role in improving CDI-depressive score, BMI, serotonin and cortisol levels among schoolchildren.