Overweight Adults Research Articles

A four-week dietary intervention with mycoprotein-containing food products reduces serum cholesterol concentrations in community-dwelling, overweight adults: A randomised controlled trial

BackgroundSubstituting dietary meat and fish for mycoprotein, a fungal-derived food source rich in protein and fibre, decreases circulating cholesterol concentrations in laboratory-controlled studies. However, whether these findings can be translated to a home-based setting, and to decrease cholesterol concentrations in overweight and hypercholesterolemic individuals, remains to be established. ObjectiveWe investigated whether a remotely-delivered, home-based dietary intervention of mycoprotein-containing food products would affect various circulating cholesterol moieties and other markers of cardio-metabolic health in overweight (BMI >27.5 kg·m-2) and hypercholesterolaemic (>5.0 mmol·L-1) adults. MethodsSeventy-two participants were randomized into a controlled, parallel-group trial conducted in a free-living setting, in which they received home deliveries of either meat/fish control products (CON; n=39; BMI 33±1 kg·m-2; 13 males, 26 females) or mycoprotein-containing food products (MYC; n=33; BMI 32±1 kg·m-2; 13 males, 20 females) for 4 weeks. Fingertip blood samples were collected and sent via postal service before and after the dietary intervention period and analysed for concentrations of serum lipids, blood glucose and c-peptide. ResultsSerum total cholesterol concentrations were unchanged throughout the intervention in CON, but decreased by 5±2% in MYC (from 5.4±0.2 to 5.1±0.2 mmol·L-1; P<0.05). Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were also unchanged in CON, but decreased in MYC by 10±3% and 6±2% (both by 0.3±0.1 mmol·L-1; P<0.05). Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and free triglyceride concentrations were unaffected in CON or MYC. Post-intervention, MYC displayed lower mean blood glucose (3.7±0.2 versus 4.3±0.2 mmol·L-1) and c-peptide (779±76 vs. 1064±86 pmol·L-1) concentrations (P<0.05) vs. CON. ConclusionsWe show that a home-based dietary intervention of mycoprotein-containing food products effectively lowers circulating cholesterol concentrations in overweight, hypercholesterolemic adults. This demonstrates that mycoprotein consumption is a feasible and ecologically valid dietary strategy to improve markers of cardio-metabolic health in an at-risk population under free living conditions. Clinical trial registrationNCT04773483 (https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04773483)

Dietary intake and visceral adiposity in older adults: The Multiethnic Cohort Adiposity Phenotype study.

There are established links between the accumulation of body fat as visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and the risk of developing obesity-associated metabolic disease. Previous studies have suggested that levels of intake of specific foods and nutrients are associated with VAT accumulation after accounting for total energy intake. This study assessed associations between a priori selected dietary factors on VAT quantified using abdominal magnetic resonance imaging. The cross-sectional Multiethnic Cohort Adiposity Phenotype Study included n=395 White, n=274 Black, n=269 Native Hawaiian, n=425 Japanese American and n=358 Latino participants (mean age=69years±3 SD). Participants were enrolled stratified on sex, race, ethnicity and body mass index. General linear models were used to estimate the mean VAT area (cm2) for participants categorized into quartiles based on their dietary intake of selected foods/nutrients adjusting for age, sex, racial and ethnic groups, the total percentage fat from whole-body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and total energy. There were significant inverse associations with VAT for dietary intake of total vegetables, total fruits (including juice), cereals, whole grains, calcium, copper and dietary fiber (p-trend ≤0.04). Positive trends were observed for VAT for participants who reported higher intake of potatoes, total fat and saturated fatty acids (SFA) (p-trend ≤0.02). Foods/nutrients that met the multiple testing significance threshold were total fruits, whole grains, copper, dietary fiber and SFA intake. These results highlight foods and nutrients including SFA, total fruit, whole grains, fiber and copper as potential candidates for future research to inform dietary guidelines for the prevention of chronic disease among older adults.

The Interrelationship of Eating Behaviors in Overweight and Obese Adults

Objective: Nutrition is a complex behavior influenced by both homeostatic and non-homeostatic processes. Emotional and environmental triggers can affect non-homeostatic processes, leading to hedonistic, emotional, and night eating. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hedonistic eating, emotional eating, and night eating syndrome in overweight and obese adults. Materials and Methods: A total of 562 overweight and obese adults participated in the study. The data were collected using a general information and anthropometric measurements form, the Hedonistic Eating Scale (HES), the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ), and the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ). Results: Results showed that 8.2% of participants had emotional eating syndrome, and 25.6% had night eating syndrome. Obese participants were found to have higher rates of emotional eating and night eating syndrome than overweight participants. There were positive correlations between EEQ with HES (r=0.468, p

The Relation of Salivary Constituents (Urea, Calcium and Phosphorous) to Root Caries among Overweight and Obese Adults Aged 55-65 Year-Old at Textile Factory in Mosul City

The purpose of this study was to disclose the relationship of salivary urea, calcium and phosphorous levels with root caries occurrence among overweight and obese adults aged 55-65 year-old at Textile Factory in Mosul City. All subjects aged 55-65 year-old (thirty five subjects) at Textile factory in Mosul city who fitted the study criteria took part in the current study. Weight status was determined by using the Body Mass Index (BMI). Root caries was recorded according to the criteria of WHO (1997). Unstimulated whole saliva was collected then salivary samples were subjected for biochemical analysis. Salivary urea, calcium, and phosphorous were determined colorimetrically by using the spectrophotometer. Results revealed that salivary urea and phosphorous levels were higher among obese and overweight subjects than non-obese with highly significant difference. Also calcium level was significantly elevated among obese compared with non-obese. Sound root surface value was higher among obese than non-obese and overweight subjects with significant difference. On the other hand overweight and obese subjects revealed lower decayed root surface value than non-obese though statistical difference was not significant. As a conclusion obese subjects with good general health might experience reduced root caries severity that might partly be due to changes in salivary constituents. Therefore future studies should address which factors specific to obese might be protective against root caries. Also there is a need for further studies with larger sample size and another sample distribution that include underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese to get more precise and clear results.

Separate and combined associations of obesity and handgrip strength with cognitive function in older adults: A national cross-sectional study in China

ABSTRACT This study examined the separate and combined associations of obesity and handgrip strength with cognitive function in older adults. In total 4,839 older adults were included in this cross-sectional study, and their body mass index (BMI) and handgrip strength were measured. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. Three individual categories were created for BMI (normal weight: 18.5≤ BMI < 24.0 kg/m2 overweight: 24.0≤ BMI < 28.0 kg/m2 and obesity: BMI ≥ 28.0 kg/m2 and handgrip strength (low, normal, and high tertiles), and then these categories were pooled together. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the individual and combined associations of obesity and handgrip strength with cognitive function. Results indicated that overweight adults had a lower rate of lower cognitive function than normal weight adults. There was an inverse association between handgrip strength and cognitive function. Participants with overweight and high handgrip strength had a lower likelihood of lower cognitive function compared to those with normal weight and normal handgrip strength. The findings suggested that overweight or high handgrip strength was associated with lower odds of cognitive decline. Moreover, the concurrence of overweight and high handgrip strength had an additive effect on cognitive function in older adults.

The relationship between hedonic hunger and self-stigmatisation in terms of weight and self-esteem in adult people living with obesity.

This study aimed to determine the factors influencing the hedonic hunger status of overweight adults and to examine the relationship between hedonic hunger, self-stigmatisation and self-esteem in terms of weight. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 353 people living with obesity who applied to the Endocrine and Internal Medicine Clinic in Samsun, Turkey, between June and October 2022. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Power of Food Scale (PFS), Weight Self-Stigmatisation Questionnaire (WSSQ) and Self-Liking/Self-Competence Scale (SLSC) through face-to-face survey method. About 53.3% of the participants were ≥45 years old, 80.5% were married and 69.1% had previously followed weight loss diet. It was found that those who were aged <45 years, single, those who perceived themselves as overweight, those who had used weight loss diets before and those whose waist-hip ratio were normal had higher hedonic hunger scores (p < 0.05). A negative and significant correlation was found between PSF-Tr general dimension scores and SLSC general dimension, whereas a significant and positive correlation was observed between PSF-Tr general dimension scores and WSSQ general dimension (p < 0.05). As hedonic hunger increased in adults with overweight, self-esteem decreased, and self-stigmatisation in terms of weight increased. Effective interventions are needed to cope with the hedonic hunger that contributes to obesity and to prevent the stigma and low self-esteem experienced by people living with obesity because of their excess weight.

Food portion sizes: trends and drivers in an obesogenic environment.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults has increased worldwide. A strong environmental factor contributing to the obesity epidemic is food portion size (PS). This review evaluates the current evidence linking food PS to obesity, examines the effects of PS on energy intake (EI), and discusses the drivers of food PS selection. The leading causes of the rise in PS include globalisation, intensive farming methods, the impact of World War II, due to shortage of staple foods, and the notion of 'waste not, want not'. Large PS of energy-dense foods may stimulate overconsumption, leading to high EI levels. However, the studies have not shown a cause-and-effect relationship, due to confounding factors. Important mechanisms explaining the attractiveness of larger PS leading to higher EI levels are value for money, portion distortion, labels on food packaging, and tableware. Consumers depend on external rather than internal PS cues to guide consumption, irrespective of satiety levels. Further research is recommended on food consumption patterns to inform policymakers and provide information and insights about changes in diet.

The use of internet-based smartphone apps consistently improved consumers' healthy eating behaviors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Digital tools, such as mobile apps and the Internet, are being increasingly used to promote healthy eating habits. However, there has been inconsistent reporting on the effectiveness of smartphones and web-based apps in influencing dietary behaviors. Moreover, previous reviews have been limited in scope, either by focusing on a specific population group or by being outdated. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to investigate the impacts of smartphone- and web-based dietary interventions on promoting healthy eating behaviors worldwide. A systematic literature search of randomized controlled trials was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Global Health, Informit, Web of Science, and CINAHL (EBSCO). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to prepare the entire document. EndNote (version 20) was used for reference management. The risk of bias in the articles was assessed using the "Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0)" by the Cochrane Collaboration. Narrative synthesis, using text and tables, was used to present the results. The study was registered in PROSPERO under protocol number CRD42023464315. This review analyzed a total of 39 articles, which consisted of 25 smartphone-based apps and 14 web-based apps. The studies involved a total of 14,966 participants. Out of the 25 studies, 13 (52%) showed that offline-capable smartphone apps are successful in promoting healthier eating habits. The impact of smartphone apps on healthy adults has been inconsistently reported. However, studies have shown their effectiveness in chronically ill patients. Likewise, internet-based mobile apps, such as social media or nutrition-specific apps, have been found to effectively promote healthy eating behaviors. These findings were consistent across 14 studies, which included healthy adults, overweight or obese adults, chronically ill patients, and pregnant mothers. Overall, the findings suggest that smartphone apps contribute to improving healthy eating behaviors. Both nutrition-specific and social media-based mobile apps consistently prove effective in promoting long-term healthy eating habits. Therefore, policymakers in the food system should consider harnessing the potential of internet-based mobile apps and social media platforms to foster sustainable healthy eating behaviors.

Protein Restriction in Metabolic Health: Lessons from Rodent Models.

Consumption of protein-rich diets and supplements has been increasingly advocated by individuals seeking to optimize metabolic health and mitigate the effects of aging. Protein intake is postulated to support muscle mass retention and enhance longevity, underscoring its perceived benefits in age-related metabolic regulation. However, emerging evidence presents a paradox; while moderate protein consumption contributes to health maintenance, an excessive intake is associated with an elevated risk of chronic diseases, notably obesity and diabetes. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that reducing the ratio of protein intake to macronutrients improves metabolic parameters and extends lifespan. The aim of this study is to review the current evidence concerning the metabolic effects of protein-restricted diets and their potential mechanisms. Utilizing rodent models, investigations have revealed that protein-restricted diets exert a notable influence over food intake and energy consumption, ultimately leading to body weight loss, depending on the degree of dietary protein restriction. These phenotypic alterations are primarily mediated by the FGF21 signaling pathway, whose activation is likely regulated by ATF4 and the circadian clock. The evidence suggests that protein-restricted diets as an alternative approach to calorie-restricted regimes, particularly in overweight or obese adults. However, more research is needed to determine the optimal level of restriction, duration, and long-term effects of such interventions.

Unveiling the links between physical activity, self-identity, social anxiety, and emotional eating among overweight and obese young adults.

Emotional eating not only contributes to physical obesity but also leads to the experience of guilt and shame, exacerbating emotional problems. Increasing physical activity, adopting a balanced diet, and seeking psychological support help improve emotional eating issues in overweight or obese young adults, enhancing overall mental and physical well-being. This study investigates the correlation between physical activity, self-identity, social anxiety, and emotional eating among 373 overweight and obese college students aged 18-26 in central China. By utilizing AMOS v.26, a structural equation model was constructed to examine the hypotheses. The findings reveal that physical activity significantly influences self-identity and social anxiety, which, in turn, significantly impact emotional eating. Moreover, self-identity and social anxiety serve as mediators in the relationship between physical activity and emotional eating. These results emphasize the role of physical activity in mitigating emotional eating among young individuals struggling with overweight and obesity. Consequently, the government and relevant agencies are urged to address the issue of obesity among young adults and provide support for their engagement in physical activity.

Effect of high in comparison to low dairy intake intervention on markers of bone and cartilage remodeling and phosphate metabolism in healthy adults with overweight.

In the ageing population, issues with bone and joint health are highly prevalent. Both beneficial and potential risks of dairy products on bone and joint health are reported in epidemiological studies. Furthermore, the phosphorus (P) load from dairy could potentially lead to unfavorable changes in P metabolism. To investigate the effect of dairy intake on markers of bone and joint metabolism and P metabolism in an intervention study with high and low dairy intake. In a post hoc analysis of a randomized cross-over trial with overweight adults, the effect of a standardized high dairy intake [HDI (5-6 dairy portions per day) versus low dairy intake (LDI, ≤ 1 dairy portion/day)] for 6weeks on markers of bone and joint health was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and electrochemiluminescence immunoassays. Markers indicative for cartilage breakdown, including urinary CTX-II, serum COMP and 4-hydroxyproline, and markers indicative for bone remodeling, such as serum CTX-I, PTH, 25(OH)D, osteocalcin, P1NP and FGF23, were investigated using linear mixed models. Furthermore, changes in P metabolism, including the main phosphate-regulating hormone FGF23 were explored. This study was completed by 46 adults (57% female, age 59 ± 4 years, BMI 28 ± 2kg/m2). Following HDI, markers such as urinary CTX-II excretion, COMP, 25(OH)D, PTH and CTX-I were significantly lower after HDI, as compared to LDI. For example, CTX-II excretion was 1688ng/24h at HDI, while it was 2050ng/24h at LDI (p < 0.001). Concurrently, P intake was higher at HDI than at LDI (2090 vs 1313mg/day, p < 0.001). While plasma P levels did not differ (1.03 vs 1.04mmol/L in LDI, p = 0.36), urinary P excretion was higher at HDI than at LDI (31 vs 28mmol/L, p = 0.04). FGF23 levels tended to be higher at HDI than at LDI (76.3 vs. 72.9 RU/mL, p = 0.07). HDI, as compared to LDI, reduced markers that are indicative for joint and bone resorption and bone turnover. No changes in P metabolism were observed. This trial was registered at https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NTR4899 as NTR4899.

Growth of singletons born after frozen embryo transfer until early adulthood: a Finnish register study.

Are there growth differences between singleton children born after frozen embryo transfer (FET), fresh embryo transfer (ET), and natural conception (NC)? Adolescent boys born after FET have a higher mean proportion and increased odds of overweight compared to those born after fresh ET. Children born after FET have higher mean birthweights and an increased risk of large-for-gestational-age compared to those born after fresh ET and even NC. This raises questions about possible growth differences later in childhood. Previous studies on child growth after FET report partly conflicting results and lack long-term data until adolescence. This was a cohort study based on national population-based registers, the Finnish Medical Birth Register and the Register of Primary Health Care visits, including singletons born after FET (n = 1825), fresh ET (n = 2933), and NC (n = 31 136) in Finland between the years 1995 and 2006. The proportions of overweight (i.e. age- and sex-adjusted ISO-BMI for children ≥ 25) were compared between the groups. Odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of overweight were calculated. Adjustments were made for birth year, preterm birth, maternal age, parity, and socioeconomic status. Mean heights, weights, and BMIs were compared between the groups each year between the ages of 7 and 18. FET boys had a higher mean proportion of overweight (28%) compared to fresh ET (22%, P < 0.001) and NC (26%, P = 0.014) boys. For all ages combined, the aOR of overweight was increased (1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.27) for FET boys compared to fresh ET boys. For girls, the mean proportions of overweight were 18%, 19%, and 22% for those born after FET, fresh ET, and NC, respectively (P = 0.169 for FET vs fresh ET, P < 0.001 for FET vs NC). For all ages combined, FET girls had a decreased aOR of overweight (0.89, 95% CI 0.80-0.99) compared to NC girls. Growth measurements were available for 6.9% to 30.6% of FET boys and for 4.7% to 29.4% of FET girls at different ages. Unfortunately, we were not able to adjust for parental anthropometric characteristics. The growth data were not available for the whole cohort, and the proportion of children with available measurements was limited at the start and end of the follow-up. During the study period, mainly cleavage stage embryos were transferred, and slow freezing was used for ART. The risk of overweight among FET boys warrants further research. Future studies should aim to investigate the mechanisms that explain this sex-specific finding and combine growth data with long-term health data to explore the possible risks of overweight and cardiometabolic disease in adulthood. Funding was obtained from the Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation, the Alma and K.A. Snellman Foundation (personal grants to A.M.T.), and the Finnish Government Research Funding. The funding sources were not involved in the planning or execution of the study. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. N/A.

Relationship between the level of physical activity and body mass index to blood pressure among overweight and obese young adults in the Northern Emirates city: A cross-sectional study.

Obesity affects both adults and children all over the world and it is a major causative factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, different types of cancer, and even death. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of PA and BMI to the risk of developing high BP among overweight and obese young adults. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Thumbay Medi-city Northern Emirates, Ajman, UAE. Participants enrolled in the study under the convenient sampling method and inclusion criteria: young overweight and obese individuals, male and female, aged between 18 to 30 years. Approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (CoHS, GMU (IRB-COHS-STD-110-JUNE-2023). The blood pressure and body mass index were clinically measured using standard tools whereas the GPAQ questionnaire was used to determine the level of physical activity of all participants. Out of 206 participants, 139 were overweight and 67 were obese. Further, 89 were found to have high normal BP, 93 normal BP, and 24 were found to have optimal blood pressure. The mean GPA scores were 322.8±62.28 in overweight individuals and 301.17±49.05 in obese individuals. Furthermore, among overweight and obese participants there is a weak correlation between PA & BMI (r = 0.06, p = 0.88) and (r = 0.15, p = 0.44) and the BP and BMI (r = 0.18, p = 1.02) and (r = 0.16, p = 0.90) were found. Although PA, BMI, and BP are assumed to be related variables leading to various non-communicable diseases the present study showed a weak correlation between the level of PA and BMI to the risk of developing BP among overweight and obese young adults in the Northern Emirates.

Impact of cycling and walking on adiposity and healthcare costs among adults: longitudinal study.

Leisure-time physical activity seems relevant to prevent the development of chronic diseases and obesity. However, not much is known about the economic burden of these healthy behaviors, mainly in longitudinal designs. This study aimed to analyze the impact of walking and cycling on leisure-time on adiposity and healthcare costs among adults. This longitudinal study was conducted at a medium-size Brazilian city and included 198 participants with no missing data attended in the Brazilian Unified National Health System. Cycling and walking were assessed by a questionnaire with a face-to-face interview at four time-points (baseline, 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month). Healthcare costs were assessed using medical records. Adiposity markers included waist circumference and body fatness. Over the follow-up period, participants who were more engaged in cycling presented lower body fatness (p-value = 0.028) and healthcare costs (p-value = 0.038). However, in the multivariate model, the impact of cycling on costs was not significant (p-value = 0.507) due to the impact of number of chronic diseases (p-value = 0.001). Cycling on leisure-time is inversely related to adiposity in adults, whereas its role on preventing chronic diseases seems the main pathway linking it to cost mitigation.

Sociodemographic characteristics associated with underweight and overweight in adults aged 50 years and over (ELSI-Brasil): differences between sexes

The objective were to describe the prevalence of underweight and overweight, assessed by body mass index (BMI), stratified by sex and age group, and to analyze the sociodemographic characteristics associated with BMI in older women and men. This is a cross-sectional analysis of 8,974 participants aged ≥ 50 years from the baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brasil, 2015-2016). BMI was classified as underweight, eutrophy, and overweight according to the participant's age. A multinomial logistic regression model was used, considering the sociodemographic characteristics of women and men. The results showed a higher prevalence of overweight in women compared to men (64.1% vs. 57.3%). In both sexes, the prevalence of underweight was higher in the longest-lived individuals, while overweight was lower. In women, the chance of underweight was higher than the chance of eutrophy in those who were single/widowed/divorced (OR = 1.95; 95%CI: 1.42-2.66) and in those living in rural areas (OR = 1.58; 95%CI: 1.01-2.49), while the chance of being overweight was lower than the chance of being eutrophy in those living in rural areas (OR = 0.78; 95%CI: 0.62-0.97) and in all geographic macro-regions related to the South Region. For men, the chance of being overweight was lower than the chance of being eutrophy among single/widowed/divorced individuals (OR = 0.58; 95%CI: 0.48-0.69). The richest had a lower chance of being underweight (OR = 0.59; 95%CI: 0.38-0.90), as well as a higher chance of being overweight (OR = 1.52; 95%CI: 1.20-1.92). In conclusion, the sociodemographic characteristics associated with BMI differed between the sexes.

Helpful to Live Healthier? Intermittent Hypoxic/Ischemic Training Benefits Vascular Homeostasis and Lipid Metabolism with Activating SIRT1 Pathways in Overweight/Obese Individuals

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate whether and how normobaric intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) or remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) plus normoxic training (RNT) has a synergistic protective effect on lipid metabolism and vascular function compared with normoxic training (NT) in overweight or obese adults. Methods: A total of 37 overweight or obese adults (36.03 ± 10.48 years) were randomly assigned to 3 groups: NT group (exercise intervention in normoxia), IHT group (exercise intervention in normobaric hypoxic chamber), and RNT group (exercise intervention in normoxia + RIPC twice daily). All participants carried out the same 1-h exercise intervention for a total of 4 weeks, 5 days per week. Physical fitness parameters were evaluated at pre- and postexercise intervention. Results: After training, all three groups had a significantly decreased body mass index (p < 0.05). The IHT group had reduced body fat percentage, visceral fat mass (p < 0.05), blood pressure (p < 0.01), left ankle-brachial index (ABI), maximal heart rate (HRmax) (p < 0.05), expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) (p < 0.01) and increased expression of SIRT1 (p < 0.05), VEGF (p < 0.01). The RNT group had lowered waist-to-hip ratio, visceral fat mass, blood pressure (p < 0.05), and HRmax (p < 0.01). Conclusion: IHT could effectively reduce visceral fat mass and improve vascular elasticity in overweight or obese individuals than pure NT with the activation of SIRT1-related pathways. And RNT also produced similar benefits on body composition and vascular function, which were weaker than those of IHT but stronger than NT. Given the convenience and economy of RNT, both intermittent hypoxic and ischemic training have the potential to be successful health promotion strategies for the overweight/obese population.

Effects of different HIIT protocols on exercise performance, metabolic adaptation, and fat loss in middle-aged and older adults with overweight.

Introduction: There is evidence that aging and obesity are associated with increased oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) may be superior to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity benefits. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine which HIIT prescriptions will be more effective in reducing fat accumulation, inflammation, and improving metabolic adaptation and exercise performance in middle-aged and older overweight adults. Methods: Thirty-six middle-aged with overweight adults were divided into one of three groups: 1. L-HIIT group: the long-interval HIIT group (4 × 4 min Exercise/4 min Rest), 2. M-HIIT group: the medium-interval HIIT group (8 × 2 min Exercise/2 min Rest), 3. Control group: no exercise training intervention. All groups underwent the training stage for eight weeks (three sessions per week), followed by a detraining stage of four weeks in order to investigate the effects induced by different HIIT interventions on inflammation, metabolic adaptation, anti-fatigue and exercise performance, and fat loss Results: There was a significant physiological response in the change rate of heart rate (HR) after an acute L-HIIT session compared with an acute M-HIIT session (ΔHR: ↑49.66±16.09% vs ↑33.22±14.37%, p=0.02); furthermore, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased significantly following a single L-HIIT session. After an eight-week training stage, the L-HIIT and M-HIIT groups exhibited a significant increase in aerobic capacity (ΔVO2peak), with values of +27.93±16.79% (p<0.001) and +18.39±8.12% (p<0.001), respectively, in comparison to the control group. Furthermore, in the L-HIIT group, the anaerobic power of relative mean power (RMP) exhibited a significant increase (p=0.019). However, following a four-week detraining stage, the adiponectin concentration remained 1.78 times higher in the L-HIIT group than in the control group (p=0.033). The results of blood sugar, blood lipids, body composition, and inflammatory markers did not indicate any improved it did not indicate any improvements from the two different HIIT protocols. Conclusions: The results indicate that an eight-week L-HIIT or M-HIIT intervention (three sessions per week, 32 minutes per session) may be an effective approach for improving aerobic capacity. It can be posited that L-HIIT may be a more advantageous mode than M-HIIT for enhancing anaerobic power, adipokine levels, and improving blood pressure in an aged and overweight population due to the induced physiological responses.

Catch-up growth and overweight adults in the offspring of young gecko mothers resembling low birth weight infants.

Endothermic and ectothermic amniotes differ in the timing of reproductive onset, with reptiles initiating reproduction before reaching final body size. Long-term consequences of maternal effect for early reptile offspring are poorly explored. We conducted growth experiments to compare the growth of offspring produced by young and older females of gecko Paroedura picta. Young, not fully grown females lay smaller eggs leading to production of smaller offspring. These offspring undergo accelerated growth and ultimately reach a comparable sex-specific final body length as do offspring of older females. Final body length is thus canalized with respect to the maternal effect on egg size. Notably, the offspring of young mothers have a tendency towards larger body mass. Ontogeny of the offspring of young females shares similarities with that of mammalian offspring with low birth weight or early malnutrition, exhibiting catch-up growth and a predisposition to obesity. We highlight the important consequences of early reproduction for offspring in animals that initiate reproduction prior to reaching final body size. Both life-history models and conservation practices should take into account that female lizards might produce the most fit offspring only between reaching their final body length and the onset of reproductive senescence.

Comparison of Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome and Five Obesity- and Lipid-Linked Indicators for Predicting Metabolic Syndrome Among Normal-Weight and Overweight Adults.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an increasingly prevalent issue in China's public health landscape. Few studies have investigated the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in overweight people. We proposed to analyze and contrast the occurrence of MetS in normal-weight and overweight individuals and identify potential indicators for forecasting MetS in adults in Zhejiang Province. This cohort study included 359 adults aged 40-65 years and followed up for five years in Zhejiang Province. The study assessed the predictive capabilities of five indicators linked to obesity and lipid levels, namely body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), triglyceride-glucose index (TyGi), and their combined indices (TyG-BMI, TyG-WHtR). The evaluation was done employing the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve (AUC). DeLong test was applied to compare area under different ROC curves.We evaluated the relationships between five variables and MetS using multivariate logistic regression. In normal-weight individuals, the five-year cumulative incidence of MetS was 21.85%, but in overweight people, it was 60.33%. After adjusting for confounding factors, BMI, WHtR, TyGi, TyG-BMI, and TyG-WHtR were independently linked to MetS in normal-weight individuals, while BMI, TyGi, TyG-BMI, and TyG-WHtR were independently linked to MetS in overweight individuals. In normal-weight individuals, the WHtR (AUC=0.738 and optimal threshold value =0.469) and TyG-WHtR (AUC=0.731 and optimal threshold value =4.121) had the larger AUC, which was significantly greater than that of the different three indicators. The TyG-BMI (AUC=0.769 and optimal threshold value = 211.099) was the best predictor of MetS in overweight individuals. The five-year cumulative incidence of MetS in overweight people was approximately triple that of normal-weight people in Zhejiang Province. In the overweight population, the TyG-BMI performed better than the other indices in predicting MetS. WHtR and TyG-WHtR outperformed BMI, TyGi, and TyG-BMI in anticipating MetS in a normal-weight population.

An examination of the impact of unmelted, melted, and deconstructed cheese on lipid metabolism: a 6-week randomised trial.

Background: Evidence suggests cheese has a favourable or neutral effect on cardiometabolic health, compared to butter. To date, studies have only considered the cheese matrix in its unmelted form, while the effect of melted cheese remains unknown. Objective: To test the effect of 6-week daily consumption of ∼40 g dairy fat, eaten in either as unmelted cheese, melted cheese, or in a fully deconstructed form, on markers of metabolic health in overweight adults aged ≥50 years of age. Design: A 6-week randomised parallel intervention, where 162 participants (43.3% male) received ∼40 g of dairy fat per day, in 1 of 3 treatments: (A) 120 g full-fat Irish grass-fed cheddar cheese, eaten in unmelted form (n 58); (B) 120 g full-fat Irish grass-fed cheddar cheese eaten in melted form (n 53); or (C) the equivalent components; butter (49 g), calcium caseinate powder (30 g), and Ca supplement (CaCO3; 500 mg) (n 51). Results: There was no difference in weight, fasting glucose, or insulin between the groups post-intervention. Melted cheese, compared to unmelted cheese, increased total cholesterol (0.23 ± 0.79 mmol L-1vs. 0.02 ± 0.67 mmol L-1, P = 0.008) and triglyceride concentrations (0.17 ± 0.39 mmol L-1vs. 0.00 ± 0.42 mmol L-1, P = 0.016). Melted cheese increased total cholesterol concentrations by 0.20 ± 0.15 mmol L-1 and triglyceride concentrations by 0.17 ± 0.08 mmol L-1 compared to unmelted cheese. No significant differences were observed between the cheese forms for change in HDL, LDL or VLDL cholesterol. Conclusion: Compared to unmelted cheese, melted cheese was found to increase total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in middle-aged, overweight adults with no effect on weight or glycaemic control.