Percent Lean Body Mass Research Articles

Increased Resting Metabolic Rate in Girls with Rett Syndrome Compared to Girls with Developmental Disabilities

The aim of this study was to determine the body composition and resting metabolic rate (RMR) of girls with Rett syndrome (RS) (n=15) and to compare them with an equally handicapped group of girls with developmental disabilities (DD) (n=13). Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis and RMR - the amount of energy expended while at rest - by indirect calorimetry. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), BMI percentiles and food intake were all measured and calculated by standardized procedures. Feeding time, ambulatory status and ability to self-feed were also assessed. Due to the sampling, there were no significant differences in age, height, weight, BMI, BMI percentiles and ambulatory status. Significant differences between groups were found for lower percentage lean body mass (LBM) (64.2±14.6 vs. 84.4±24.6) and higher absolute and relative fat mass (FM) in RS. RMR values adjusted for LBM were significantly higher in the group of girls with RS (approximately 160 kcal/day), indicating that higher energy expenditure is a component of increased risk of severely low body weight.

Long‐Term Effects of Dimethandrolone 17β‐Undecanoate and 11β‐Methyl‐19‐Nortestosterone 17β‐Dodecylcarbonate on Body Composition, Bone Mineral Density, Serum Gonadotropins, and Androgenic/Anabolic Activity in Castrated Male Rats

The potent androgens dimethandrolone 17β-undecanoate (DMAU) and 11β-methyl-19-nortestosterone 17β-dodecylcarbonate (11β-MNTDC) are in development for androgen replacement therapy and hormonal contraception in men. They can be delivered either orally or as long-acting injectables. In the current study, their long-term effects on body composition (percentage lean and fat mass); bone mineral density (BMD); serum gonadotropin levels; and weights of the prostate, seminal vesicles, and levator ani muscle were assessed. Four-week-old male rats were sham-operated (intact) or castrated (Cx) and treated subcutaneously for 16 weeks postsurgery with vehicle (Cx, intact), DMAU, or 11β-MNTDC every 4 weeks; testosterone enanthate (TE) every 2 weeks; or a testosterone (T) implant. There were significant differences in body weights over time with a general trend of intact = Cx + T = Cx + TE > Cx + 11β-MNTDC > Cx > Cx + DMAU. At week 18, rats were evaluated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry using the whole-body function of the Hologic software. The percentage lean body mass and BMD were lower (P < .05) in Cx rats than intact rats but equivalent in all groups of androgen-treated Cx rats and intact rats (P > .05). The highest percentage body fat was observed in Cx rats. Only DMAU- and 11β-MNTDC-treated rats had lower percentage body fat compared with Cx rats (P < .05). Prostate, seminal vesicles, and levator ani muscle weights, corrected for final body weight, were decreased (P < .05) in Cx compared with intact rats and increased to varying extents in androgen-treated Cx rats compared with Cx rats (P < .05). The most marked increases were observed in the DMAU-treated rats in which prostate and seminal vesicle weights/kg body weight were 2.4 to 2.7 times those of intact rats, and levator ani muscle weights were increased approximately 1.5-fold. Blood was collected from the tail vein at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16 for measurement of serum levels of androgens and at necropsy at week 18 for measurement of serum gonadotropins. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were greatly elevated in Cx rats at week 18 and suppressed to levels comparable to those in intact rats by DMAU, 11β-MNTDC, and T implants (P > .05). Collectively, our data indicate that androgen replacement with DMAU or 11β-MNTDC in Cx rats resulted in favorable changes in body composition and maintenance of BMD comparable to those of T.

Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation of Acupoints Changes Body Composition and Heart Rate Variability in Postmenopausal Women with Obesity

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulations (TEAS) on body composition and heart rate variability (HRV) in postmenopausal women with obesity. In this prospective study, 49 postmenopausal women were recruited in Taiwan. Body composition was used as a screening test for obesity (percentage body fat > 30%, waist circumference > 80 cm). The experimental group (n = 24) received TEAS treatment 30 min twice per week for 12 weeks at the Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) acupoints. The control group (n = 25) did not receive any intervention. The study of HRV was analyzed by time (standard deviation of the normal-to-normal (NN) intervals (SDNN) and square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD) indices) and frequency domain methods. Power spectral components were obtained at low (LF) and high (HF) frequencies. Body composition and HRV values were measured at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. A total of 40 subjects completed this study. Waist circumference and percentage body fat in the experimental group (n = 20) were significantly less than those of the control group (n = 20) at the 8th and 12th weeks (all P < .05). Additionally, at the same time points, percentage lean body mass in the experimental group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P < .05). SDNN values increased significantly at the 4th and 8th weeks when compared with the control group (all P < .05). At 12 weeks, SDNN value was not significantly different from that of the control group (P = .105). TEAS treatment improves body composition, and has a transient effect on the HRV in postmenopausal women with obesity.

224: Obesity programs neonatal metabolic syndrome

Greater than 65% of US adults are overweight or obese representing an obesity epidemic. Offspring born to mothers with a high body mass index or in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes show increased obesity and diabetes risk in later life. As the prevalence of obesity among pregnant women continues to rise, increasing number of children are exposed to an 'obese intrauterine environment' during development. We thus investigated whether exposure to maternal obesity in prenatal and postnatal period programs the risk of obesity in the offspring. Rats were fed a high fat diet (HF; 60% k/cal) from 3 weeks of age, mated at 11 weeks, and maintained on a HF diet throughout pregnancy and lactation. A control group was fed laboratory chow (10% k/cal). At 1 day of age, litter size was standardized and blood collected from excess pups. All offspring were nursed by their own dams. At 3 weeks of age, male offspring underwent DEXA scan and were fasted overnight for blood samples. Pregnant HF dams were significantly heavier than controls at conception (301±9 vs 233±8 g). At birth, HF newborns had similar body weights as the Controls (7.4±0.2 vs 7.3±0.1 g) though decreased plasma leptin levels (2.1±0.5 vs 4.9±0.9 ng/ml). At 3 weeks of age, HF offspring exhibited accelerated growth, resulting in significantly increased body weight (175±4 vs 146±3 g) and percent body fat (12.6±1.2 vs 6.4±1.0 %) with decreased percent lean body mass (85.5±1.3 vs 91.6±1.0 %). Additionally, HF offspring exhibited increased fasting blood glucose (131±6 vs 96±7 mg/dl), and plasma leptin (3.9±0.5 vs 1.3±0.2 ng/ml) and triglyceride (103±12 vs 68±8 mg/dl) levels. Despite no differences in body weights at birth, offspring of obese dams exhibit remarkably increased body weight, adiposity and metabolic abnormalities. Thus, maternal obesity during critical periods of development may increase the susceptibility of the offspring to metabolic syndrome early in life.

Hand grip strength: An assessment criteria of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in Indian collegiate computer users

The purpose of this study was two-fold: first, to evaluate the anthropometric profile of Indian computer students and, second, to search the correlation of hand grip strength with other anthropometric characteristics studied. Methods: Fourteen anthropometric characteristics; viz. height, sitting height, weight, BMI, knee height, thigh height, leg length, bi-trochantric diameter, waist and hip circumferences, percent body fat, percent lean body mass, hand grip strength (right dominant) and back strength were measured on purposively selected 208 Indian computer students (108 males,100 females) ages 18–25 years (mean 21.67 years, ± 1.61) collected from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India. An adequate number of non-computer users (n = 208, 108 males,100 females, mean age 21.72 years, ± 1.69) were also collected as controls from the same location for comparison. Results: One way ANOVA showed significant differences among the groups (p ≤ .001 - .000) in the variables studied, except the hip circumference, in computer students and controls. In Indian computer students, significant positive correlations (p≤ .05 - .01) were found in hand grip strength and height, sitting height, leg length, back strength (in both sexes), knee height (females only), weight, BMI, bi-trochantric diameter, waist circumference, hip circumference, % body fat and % lean body mass (males only). Conclusion: Despite the higher BMI status, Indian computer students had both lower handgrip strength and back strength than their control counterparts, possibly linked to their poor physical activity in work stations.

Evaluation of body composition and cartilage biomarkers in large-breed dogs fed two foods designed for growth

To evaluate cartilage and bone biomarkers and body composition in growing large-breed dogs consuming a diet designed for growth. 43 large-breed 2 month-old-puppies. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 2 foods until 18 months of age. Dogs were evaluated at 2, 5, 12, and 18 months of age via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), CBC, serum biochemical profile, and concentrations or activities of taurine, vitamin E, fatty acids, glutathione peroxidase, C-propeptide of type II collagen (CPII), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), carboxy-terminal cross-linked fragment of type II collagen (CTXII), bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin, ghrelin, and growth hormone. Blood components largely reflected the composition of the foods. Dogs fed the food with a higher concentration of protein, calcium, n-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants had a lower percentage of body fat and greater percentage of lean body mass at 5, 12, and 18 months of age, and higher CPII:CTXII ratio and lower COMP at 18 months of age. The BAP activity, osteocalcin concentration, and CTXII concentration declined with age, whereas COMP concentration and CPII concentration were similar at all time points for both foods. The BAP activity, osteocalcin concentration, and CTXII concentration were greater during growth than at 18 months of age. The food that was proportionately higher in protein, calcium, n-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants increased lean body mass and may have positively affected cartilage turnover as maturity was attained. Whether the rate of cartilage turnover during growth affects development of orthopedic disease or arthritis in adulthood has yet to be determined.

Initial high peritoneal transport status is not a predictor of mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients

Objective: Initial high peritoneal permeability in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients was previously thought to be a poor prognostic factor. We aimed to study the factors that determine the initial transport status and prognosis in PD patients. Methods: This was an observation cohort study that enrolled 551 fresh uremic patients who commenced PD in a single PD center from January 1994 to December 2004. Patients with different initial peritoneal transport status were analyzed and determinants of the initial peritoneal transport status were evaluated. All patients were followed up to investigate the risks of mortality. Results: At the start of PD, only age and sex were determinants of the initial peritoneal transport status upon multiple linear regression analysis. The average duration of the study follow-up was 45.4 ± 29.4 months. In the follow-up, a regression toward mean of transport status was found. About 107 patients died during the observation period. Cox-multivariate analysis revealed only age (RR = 1.06, p < 0.001), comorbidity index (RR = 2.31, p < 0.001), serum albumin (RR = 0.58, p = 0.008), and percentage of lean body mass (RR = 0.97, p = 0.008) to be independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion: We observed that the initial peritoneal transport status is not a determinant factor of long-term mortality. The reason may be due to a consequence of regression toward mean of the transport status. Whether the observed longitudinal regression-to-mean phenomenon change represent any physiologic relevance is hard to define. Further studies on the underlying mechanisms are needed.

Biological Risk Indicators for Non-specific Low Back Pain in Young Adults of Amritsar, Punjab, India

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and correlate the various biological risk indicators of non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) in young adults. The study was based on a total of 100 purposively selected young adults (50 males and 50 females) aged 18 - 25 years with non-specific low back pain and 100 matched controls (50 males and 50 females) asymptomatic with no history of low back pain taken from Amritsar, Punjab, India. To solve the purpose, some anthropometric measurements, viz. height, weight, BMI, four skinfold measurements, (i.e. biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac), back strength, flexibility measure and abdominal muscle endurance were taken on each subject. Results indicated statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in abdominal muscle endurance (t= 2.58) between NSLBP boys and controls and in weight (t=3.22), biceps skinfold (t=3.04), height (t=2.67), triceps skinfold (t=2.83), subscapular skinfold (t=2.32) and in percent lean body mass (t= 2.80) between NSLBP girls and controls. Both in boys and girls with non-specific low back pain, back strength has positively significant correlations (p<0.05) with height (r=0.487 and 0.360 respectively), weight (r=0.495 and 0.213 respectively), BMI (r=0.299 and 0.461 respectively) and flexibility measure (r=0.386 and 0.388 respectively) and negatively significant correlation (r=- 0.417 only in NSLBP girls) with percent body fat.

Differences in bone health and bone biomarkers between exercising male protein supplement users and non-users

Title: Differences in bone health and bone biomarkers between exercising male protein supplement users, and non-users. By R. Warner and L. Doyle, Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science, Waterford Institute of Technology Background: Increasing protein intake through protein supplements is a growing practice amongst exercising individuals. However there are varying reports in terms of the detrimental(1) and beneficial(2) effects of protein on bone. The effect of high level protein supplementation on bone health in exercising individuals is relatively unexplored. Aim: To investigate the effect of variations in protein intake on bone health and bone biomarkers in exercising males. Subjects and Methods: 50 non-supplement users (25.9 ± 5.1y) and 52 supplement users (25.4 ± 4.9y) were recruited. The average length of time for supplement use was 33 months. All subjects completed a food diary for 3 days which was analyzed using Comp EatTM. Net endogenous acid production (NEAP) was calculated by the method described by Remer et al. (2003). Protein content of supplements consumed was obtained from product labels. Effect of exercise on bone health was calculated using osteogenic index (OI). Bone health (bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) and percent lean body mass (LBM) was measured using dual energy xray absorbtiometry (DEXA). Serum samples were analyzed for osetocalcin (S-OC) and crosslaps (S-CTx) using commercially available ELISA kits. Urine was measured for pH using a digital urine analyzer with urinary calcium (U-Ca) and creatinine (U-Cr) levels being measured spectrophotoemetrically. Independent samples t-test or Mann Whitney U test (depending on data normality) were used to test for any differences between supplement users and non-users. Results: There were no significant differences in potential confounders of BMI, OI or percent LBM (P > 0.05) between users and non-users. Protein intake, NEAP and sulphur content of the diet was significantly greater in users than non-users. There were no significant differences in BMD, BMC, urine pH or calcium, serum osteocalcin or crosslaps between users and non-users. This study demonstrates protein supplementation of 33 months duration has no effect on bone health in exercising males. (1)Abelow et al. (1992) (2) Promislow et al. (2002)

Percentage lean body mass is lower with a higher dietary acid–base load in women aged 18–79 years

Percentage lean body mass is lower with a higher dietary acid–base load in women aged 18–79 years

An Association of Body Composition Components with the Menopausal Status of Patients with Low Back Pain in Tarn Taran, Punjab, India

The present study deals with the association of menopausal status of 146 patients (74 pre- and 72 post- menopausal women) with low back pain aged 35-55 years residing in and around Tarn Taran, Punjab, India, and their body composition components, viz. percent body fat and percent lean body mass. The results indicate strong association of percent body fat with all the ten pain measuring variables, viz. pain intensity (r=0.668), personal care (r=0.519), lifting (r=0.620), walking (r=0.648), sitting (r= 0.515), standing (r=0.471), sleeping (r= 0.533), sex life (r= 0.255), social life (r=0.664) and travelling (0.583) in post-menopausal patients with low back pain.

Anthropometric, metabolic, psychosocial and dietary factors associated with dropout in overweight and obese postmenopausal women engaged in a 6-month weight loss programme: a MONET study

The objective of the present study was to examine anthropometric, metabolic, psychosocial and dietary factors associated with dropout in a 6-month weight loss intervention aimed at reducing body weight by 10 %. The study sample included 137 sedentary, overweight and obese postmenopausal women, participating in a weight loss intervention that consisted of either energy restriction (ER) or ER with resistance training (ER+RT). Anthropometric (BMI, percent lean body mass, percent fat mass, visceral adipose tissue and waist circumference), metabolic (total energy expenditure, RMR, insulin sensitivity and fasting plasma levels of leptin and ghrelin), psychosocial (body esteem, self-esteem, stress, dietary restraint, disinhibition, hunger, quality of life, self-efficacy, perceived benefits for controlling weight and perceived risk) and dietary (3-d food record) variables were measured. Thirty subjects out of 137 dropped out of the weight loss programme (22 %), with no significant differences in dropout rates between those in the ER and the ER+RT groups. Overall, amount of weight loss was significantly lower in dropouts than in completers ( - 1.7 (sd 3.5) v. - 5.6 (sd 4.3) kg, P < 0.05); weekly weight loss during the first 4 weeks was also significantly lower. Dropouts consumed fewer fruit servings than completers (1.7 (sd 1.1) v. 2.7 (sd 1.53), P < 0.05) and had higher insulin sensitivity levels (12.6 (sd 3.8) v. 11.1 (sd 2.8) mg glucose/min per kg fat-free mass, P < 0.05). The present results suggest that the rate of weight loss during the first weeks of an intervention plays an important role in the completion of the programme. Thus, participants with low rates of initial weight loss should be monitored intensely to undertake corrective measures to increase the likelihood of completion.

Higher C-Reactive Protein and Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Levels Are Associated With Poor Physical Function and Disability: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of a Cohort of Late Middle-Aged African Americans

This cohort of "late middle-aged" African Americans has an excess of disability. We aimed to determine associations of circulating cytokine receptors (sTNFR1, sTNFR2, and sIL-6R) and C-reactive protein (CRP) with disability, physical function, and body composition. Stratified sampling of two socioeconomically diverse strata of St Louis, Missouri, occurred in 2000-2001. Inclusion criteria were self-reported black or African American race, born 1936-1950 inclusive, and Mini-Mental State Examination score of 16 or greater. In-home evaluations of handgrip strength, lean body mass percentage (LBM%), physical performance, upper and lower body functional limitations (UBFLs and LBFLs), and basic and instrumental activities of daily living (BADLs and IADLs) were collected. Of the 998 participants, 368 had blood sampled at baseline. Serum was stored and assayed in 2006. Absolute risks were LBFLs of 2 or more, 46%; UBFLs of 1 or more, 23.5%; BADLs of 2 or more, 20.6%; and IADLs of 2 or more, 22.5%. Independent of age, sex, and underlying comorbid conditions, higher CRP and sTNFR were associated with poorer physical performance (beta = -1.462, p < .001 and beta = -0.618, p = .003), UBFLs (odds ratio [OR] 2.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-4.64 and OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.96-2.02), LBFLs (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.19-4.45 and OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.26-2.91), BADLs (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.03-5.96 and OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.11-2.46), and IADLs (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.03-4.41 and OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.99-2.08). Higher CRP (beta = -3.251, p <.001), sIL-6R (beta = -6.152, p = .013), and lower adiponectin (beta = 2.947, p = .052) were associated with lower LBM%. Higher CRP and sTNFR are independently associated with disability and physical dysfunction. Higher sIL-6R, CRP, and lower adiponectin associate with lower LBM%.

Anthropometric Characteristics and Delayed Growth in Young Artistic Gymnasts

This article addresses the problem of whether high-impact artistic gymnastics training could cause delayed growth in young male and female athletes, as is believed to be the case in professional dancers. The main anthropometric characteristics of young gymnasts were measured, and the differences between gymnasts, swimmers, and nonathletes were examined. Twenty competitive gymnasts, 20 competitive swimmers, and 20 nonathletes, aged 10 to 12 yrs old, volunteered to participate in this study. Testing took place in a training field and the equipment consisted of portable anthropometric instruments. Measurements concerned body mass, stature, segment lengths (arm, forearm, trunk, thigh, and calf), body breadths (biacromical, biiliac, wrist, and ankle), circumferences (arm and thigh), and skinfold thicknesses (arm, thigh, and calf). Triceps and calf skinfold thicknesses were used to estimate the body fat percentage (%BF). The lean body mass percentage (%LBM) and the LBM/BF ratio were also evaluated. Moreover, cross-sectional areas of the arm (CSAarm) and thigh (CSAthigh) were calculated, taking into consideration the limb's circumference and four circumferential skinfolds. The results showed that, generally, young male and female gymnasts had smaller body dimensions in some anthropometric characteristics compared to swimmers and nonathletes. This mainly focused on body weight, arm and calf lengths, biiliac/biacromial breadths ratio, skinfold thicknesses, and %BF. However, gymnasts had higher %LBM, LBM/BF ratio, and CSAarm. No significant differences were found in the rest of body dimensions and composition. Although young male and female gymnasts appeared to have some lower anthropometric characteristics compared to the other two groups, it has not clearly demonstrated a delay in their somatic growth and skeletal development.

Effects of chromium on body composition and weight loss.

Chromium is an essential nutrient involved in the regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Normal dietary intake of chromium in humans and farm animals is often suboptimal. In addition to its effects on glucose, insulin, and lipid metabolism, chromium has been reported to increase lean body mass and decrease percentage body fat, which may lead to weight loss in humans. The effects of chromium on body composition are controversial but are supported by animal studies, which increase their validity. A subject's response to chromium depends on his or her chromium status, diet consumed, type and amount of supplemental chromium, and study duration. There have been no confirmed negative effects of chromium in nutritional studies. Chromium is only a small part of the puzzle in the control of weight loss and body composition, and its effects, if present, will be small compared with those of exercise and a well-balanced diet.

Correlation trends for bone mineral density in Mexican women: evidence of familiar predisposition

Genetic factors determine bone mineral density (BMD) and peak bone density between 20 and 30 years of age, as well as bone mineral loss after menopause. BMD is a predictor of fractures due to osteoporosis and the impact of genetic factors on osteoporosis. The variation in BMD for each individual is determined by an underlying genetic structure, common genetic effects, particularly with respect to compact bones as compared to those that are primarily trabecular. This article presents the correlation of BMD by anatomical site among different samples of Mexican grandmothers, mothers and granddaughters of mixed race. The present analysis was performed of healthy employees and their healthy relatives from three different health and academic institutions: the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social and the Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, both located in Cuernavaca, Morelos, as well as the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México. We selected family-related female participants in order to obtain pairs of mothers and daughters and, whenever possible, grandmother-mother-daughter groups. We were able to match 591 mother-daughter pairs for analysis. Additionally, we were able to include grandmothers to create grandmother-mother-daughter triads for further analysis. Bone density measurements were performed of the non-dominant proximal femur, the lumbar spine (L1-L4) and the whole body using a dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) Lunar DPX NT instrument. This study included 591 granddaughters, 591 mothers and 69 grandmothers; mean ages were 20, 47 and 72 years old, respectively. A close relationship existed with respect to body mass index (BMI) between mothers and grandmothers (27.9 vs. 27.3). The largest proportion of body fat mass was observed in the group of mothers (28.5%), but was also high in grandmothers (25.7%) and granddaughters (21.1%). The percentage of lean body mass was similar among the three family groups. The correlation of BMD between mothers and grandmothers was greatest for subtotal BMD (0.44) and was very high for the hips (0.39). Using predictive models for hip BMD among grandmothers, mothers and grandchildren, we observed that hip BMD of grandmothers is a predictor of BMD in mothers, with a beta of 0.46 (p 0.001, CI95% 0.19-0.73); (R(2): 0.41). A predictor of BMD of the lumbar spine in grandchildren is BMD of the lumbar spine in mothers (beta 0.30 CI95% 0.07-0.53). The results obtained in this study suggest that daughters whose mothers have a low BMD for their age will tend to develop the same condition. This indicates the importance of monitoring for girls and adolescent females whose mothers have problems related to osteopenia or osteoporosis. It will therefore be necessary to conduct studies to identify the most significant genes and specific anatomical sites among our population for the purpose of establishing the polymorphic variants for high-risk in the Mexican population.

Relationship of Obesity with Lumbar Range of Motion in School going Children of Amritsar, Punjab, India.

The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between obesity and lumbar range of motion in 300 randomly selected normal, healthy school going children (150 boys and 150 girls) aged 6-15 years of Amritsar, Punjab, India. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, percent lean body mass, lumbar flexion, lumbar extension and lumbar lateral flexion were measured on all the subjects following the standard techniques. The findings of the study indicate highly significant negative correlations both in boys and girls, between BMI and lumbar flexion (r= - 0.528 and - 0.393 respectively), lumbar extension (r= - 0.339 and -0.471 respectively) and lumbar lateral flexion (r= - 0.421 and -0.318 respectively), between percent body fat and lumbar flexion (r= - 0.393 and -0.247 respectively), lumbar extension (r= - 0.221 and -0.413 respectively) and with lumbar lateral flexion (r= - 0.340 in boys only). It could be concluded that obesity in terms of BMI and percent body fat has some strong association with lumbar range of motion in the studied samples.

Relationship between anthropometric measures and body composition among Muslim females of West Bengal, India

The human body composition is assessed to determine percent body fat (PBF), fat mass (FM), and lean body mass or fat free mass (FFM). The topological distribution of body fat has been the subject of many studies in the world and India. To the best of our knowledge the present paper is the first report on the body composition in terms of PBF and FM, and their relationship with anthropometric measures in Muslim females in India. The present study examines anthropometric measurements and their relationship with the body composition among Muslim females of West Bengal, India. A cross-sectional study of 100 female, Muslim students of Howrah and Kolkata was undertaken to compare the relationships of biceps and triceps skinfold, waist, hip and upper arm circumference, waist hip ratio and conicity index with their body composition variables (PBF and FM). All anthropometric measures displayed significant (p < 0.05) correlation with body composition measures. The triceps skinfold, however, demonstrated a significant correlation with PBF (r = 0.90) and FM (r = 0.93). The greatest amount of variation of PBF (81.3 %) and FM (89.2 %) was explained by the triceps skinfold. In addition, a considerable amount of variation of PBF (72.8 %) and FM (86.0 %) was explained by the mid upper arm circumference. In conclusion, the present study displays a tendency of regional adiposity in the upper arm, triceps skinfold and mid upper arm circumference are much more strongly associated with body fat.

Metabolic changes during gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist therapy for prostate cancer

In men with prostate cancer, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists increase fat mass, decrease insulin sensitivity, and increase triglycerides, features that are shared with metabolic syndrome. To the authors' knowledge, however, less is known regarding the effects of GnRH agonists on other attributes of the metabolic syndrome. In an open-label prospective study, 26 men with recurrent or locally advanced prostate cancer were treated with leuprolide for 12 months. Outcomes included changes in blood pressure, body composition, lipids, adipocytokines, and C-reactive protein. The mean weight, body mass index, and waist circumference increased significantly from baseline to Month 12 (P < .001 for each comparison). Fat mass increased by 11.2% +/- 1.5% (P < .001) and the percentage lean body mass decreased by 3.6% +/- 0.5% (P < .001). The total abdominal fat area increased by 16.5% +/- 2.6% (P < .001), with the accumulation of subcutaneous fat accounting for 94% of the observed increase. The waist-to-hip ratio and blood pressure did not change significantly. Serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations increased significantly (P = .002). Serum adiponectin levels increased by 36.4 +/- 5.9% from baseline to Month 3 and remained significantly elevated through Month 12 (P < .001). Resistin and C-reactive protein levels did not change significantly. The term metabolic syndrome does not appear to adequately describe the effects of GnRH agonists in men with prostate cancer. In contrast to the metabolic syndrome, GnRH agonists increase subcutaneous fat mass, HDL cholesterol, and adiponectin, and do not alter the waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, or C-reactive protein level.

Alkaline diets favor lean tissue mass in older adults

Background: Maintaining muscle mass while aging is important to prevent falls and fractures. Metabolic acidosis promotes muscle wasting, and the net acid load from diets that are rich in net acid–producing protein and cereal grains relative to their content of net alkali–producing fruit and vegetables may therefore contribute to a reduction in lean tissue mass in older adults.Objective: We aimed to determine whether there was an association of 24-h urinary potassium and an index of fruit and vegetable content of the diet with the percentage lean body mass (%LBM) or change in %LBM in older subjects.Design: Subjects were 384 men and women ≥65 y old who participated in a 3-y trial comparing calcium and vitamin D with placebo. Potassium was measured in 24-h urine collections at baseline. The %LBM, defined as total body nonfat, nonbone tissue weight ÷ weight × 100, was measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and at 3 y. Physical activity, height, and weight were assessed at baseline and at 3 y.Results: At baseline, the mean urinary potassium excretion was 67.0 ± 21.1 mmol/d. Urinary potassium (mmol/d) was significantly positively associated with %LBM at baseline (β = 0.033, P = 0.006; adjusted for sex, weight, and nitrogen excretion) but not with 3-y change in %LBM. Over the 3-y study, %LBM increased by 2.6 ± 3.6%.Conclusion: Higher intake of foods rich in potassium, such as fruit and vegetables, may favor the preservation of muscle mass in older men and women.