Proportion Of Body Fat Research Articles

Call to Action: Cardiovascular Disease in Asian Americans

In 2009, President Obama signed an Executive Order calling for strategies to improve the health of Asian Americans and to seek data on the health disparities in Asian American subgroups.1 Data on Asian American subgroups are scarce and many health disparities remain unknown. The purpose of this Advisory is to highlight the gaps in existing research on cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Asian Americans, and to serve as a call to action on behalf of the American Heart Association to address these areas of need. Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the United States, representing 25% of all foreign-born people in the United States.2 They are projected to reach nearly 34 million by 2050.3 Several major Federal surveys (eg, the American Community Survey, the National Health Interview Survey, and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey) only recently started to classify Asian Americans into 7 subgroups: Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Other Asian. The first six of these subgroups together constitute >90% of Asian Americans in the United States.4 Although some data are available on Asian subgroups from these major federal surveys, in general, these data are not available for public use because of the privacy concerns resulting from the small sample sizes within subgroups. This situation limits their utility for health-related research. Because health surveys and questionnaires almost universally combine persons of Asian ancestry into a single group, the heterogeneity within this classification is masked. Socioeconomic and cultural factors have been found to be associated with CVD and its risk factors, which is why it is important to understand these differences among Asian subgroups. The Table shows the number of persons in each group based on the most recent US Census data available (American Community Survey, 2008), with the recognition that …

Body composition in childhood inflammatory bowel disease

Little is known about the impact of disease and treatment on the pattern of growth in children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Significant deficits in height and weight in children with Crohn's disease have been reported but changes in fat and fat free mass are less well defined. This study aims to describe the height, weight and body composition of a cohort of children with IBD. Height, weight, skinfold thicknesses and bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed. Disease activity was assessed with clinical scoring systems. 55 children, median age 13.7 years (range 6.5-17.7) were studied. Median (25th, 75th percentile) Standard Deviation Score for BMI, Height and Weight were - 0.3 (- 0.97, 0.65), - 0.56 (- 1.42, 0.06), - 0.62 (- 1.43, 0.19). In Crohn's disease, using multiple regression analysis disease activity measured by PCDAI was significantly inversely related to fat free mass (β - 0.2, 95% CI -0.17, -0.03, p 0.005). Children with IBD were both under and overweight. Nutritional deficits were more common in Crohn's disease. Fat free mass was related to disease activity in children with Crohn's disease regardless of changes in weight. Weight or BMI may mask deficits in lean tissue in the presence of normal or increased proportions of body fat.

Effectiveness of Aquatic Exercise for Obese Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

To design an aquatic exercise (AQE) and land-based exercise (LBE) program to enhance knee function and reduce body fat in patients with obesity and knee osteoarthritis and to investigate the effectiveness of AQE and LBE on body fat, functional fitness, and functional status. Outpatient clinic at a Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Obese patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited from patients who visited the rehabilitation, orthopedic surgery, and geriatric outpatient clinics at the hospital. Study participants were limited to those who met the following criteria: body mass index more than 25 kg/m(2), abdominal circumference more than 90 cm (men) or 85 cm (women), clinically diagnosed osteoarthritis with Kellgren-Lawrence scale 2 or higher on radiographic studies, and independent ambulation state. Participants were randomly allocated into 3 groups: AQE (n = 26), LBE (n = 25), and the control group (n = 24). Exercise interventions were conducted 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Body fat analysis, brief pain inventory, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities' osteoarthritis index, Short Form-36 questionnaire, and knee isokinetic tests were evaluated to assess changes in body fat composition, pain, physical function, and quality of life before and after the exercise program. Although no significant difference was found in general characteristics among the 3 groups before exercise, body fat proportion in the AQE group decreased significantly (mean +/- SD, from 34.4 +/- 4.7 to 33.3 +/- 4.7; P = .031) after intervention. The body mass index was slightly reduced after intervention, but it was not statistically significant. The AQE group showed significant improvements in pain, disability, and quality of life. Notably, the change in pain interference in the AQE group (mean +/- SD, from 25.8 +/- 15.1 to 18.8 +/- 13.1; P = .009) was greater than that of the LBE group. Both exercise groups showed significant improvements in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities' osteoarthritis index disability compared with the control group. AQE had an advantage in controlling the interference with activity because of pain. AQE may be an effective tool for patients with obesity who have difficulties with active exercise due to knee osteoarthritis.

Optimal cutoff values of waist circumference and the discriminatory performance of other anthropometric indices to detect the clustering of cardiovascular risk factors for metabolic syndrome in Japanese men and women

To evaluate the pertinent cutoffs of waist circumference (WC) and the discriminatory performance of other anthropometric indices to detect clustering cardiovascular risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Japan, where the current WC cutoffs for MetS (85cm for men and 90cm for women) remain controversial. We analyzed the baseline data from 844 subjects (330 men and 514 women) aged 40-69years who participated in a cohort study in Saga city, Japan, between November 2005 and December 2007. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to find an appropriate cutoff (defined as the point nearest to the upper left corner of the ROC curve) of each anthropometric index for the presence of multiple risk factors among dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia [which was defined as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels at and above 5.2, 5.5, or 5.8%, values approximately corresponding to fasting plasma glucose levels of 100, 110, and 120mg/dL, respectively]. The optimal WC cutoff was 88cm (sensitivity 60%, specificity 70%) for men and 82cm (sensitivity 78%, specificity 62%) for women; changing the HbA1c cutoff affected the results in women only (~85cm). For the currently defined WC cutoffs in Japan, specificity was low (53-57%) in men, whereas sensitivity was very low (32-42%) in women. Body mass index, proportion of body fat, waist-to-height ratio, and waist-to-hip ratio showed area under the curve values similar to that of WC. The current Japanese criteria of WC for MetS may be low for men and too high and insensitive for women in our study population. Other anthropometric indices such as waist-to-height ratio did not confer an improved discriminatory performance compared with WC.

Circulating Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein Characteristics Resulting from Fatty Liver in an Insulin Resistance Rat Model

The close association between nonalcoholic fatty liver and insulin resistance is now widely recognized. While the former is characterized by excessive intrahepatic triglyceride accumulation, the latter induces overproduction of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles. It has not been well elucidated whether these apparently opposite mechanisms impact on VLDL characteristics or not. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the VLDL secretion and features resulting from insulin resistance and fatty liver in rats fed a sucrose-rich diet (SRD, i.e. addition of sucrose to drinking water during 12 weeks). No differences in calorie intake were observed in comparison to controls. Both groups showed similar weight gains throughout the treatment period. However, SRD rats showed an increased proportion of body fat as assessed by X-ray absorptiometry, increased visceral obesity, liver weight and fat accumulation in the liver (p < 0.04). Histological study revealed moderate micro- and macrovesicular steatosis. Fasting insulin, triglyceride and free fatty acid (FFA) levels increased while VLDLs decreased in SRD rats (p < 0.05). The chemical composition of VLDLs of SRD rats showed a higher percentage of triglycerides, and the VLDL triglyceride/protein ratio, an estimator of lipoprotein size, suggests that VLDL particles of SRD rats are larger than those of controls (p < 0.0005). FFA levels correlated with VLDL triglycerides (r = 0.49, p = 0.03) and liver fat content correlated with plasma triglycerides (r = 0.65), VLDL triglycerides (r = 0.55) and triglyceride/protein ratio (r = 0.52, p < 0.02). The VLDL secretion rate assay showed an increase in SRD rats (p < 0.02), confirming an overproduction despite liver fat accumulation. Our findings are consistent with an insulin resistance development model in which hepatic lipid content would constitute an important determinant of a triglyceride-rich, large-particle VLDL secretion; both features would increase its atherogenic potential.

Weight Reducing and Metabolic Effects of Topiramate in Patients with Migraine – an Observational Study

Topiramate is an anticonvulsant agent effective in the prophylaxis of migraine, which also induces weight reduction by an unknown mechanism. We investigated the effect of topiramate on metabolic and endocrine parameters in patients with migraine independently of any intention to lose body weight. Six patients (26-61 years old, body mass indices [BMI] 20.9-32.1 kg/m(2)) with migraine were treated with an average dose of 100 mg topiramate/day over a period of 20 weeks. The following parameters were measured every 4-8 weeks: BMI, body fat proportion, waist and hip circumference, HOMA insulin resistance, fasting serum-/plasma concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, ghrelin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cortisol, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Profound metabolic changes were observed for the whole treatment period. Compared with the baseline value, 20 weeks of treatment reduced the BMI by 7.2+/-1.4%, body fat proportion by 11.6+/-3.6%, waist circumference by 4.2+/-1.2%, leptin by 39.2+/-6.5% and HOMA insulin resistance by 37.3+/-5%, while adiponectin was increased by 69.9+/-17.3% (P<0.05, respectively). VEGF concentrations increased during the week 2-4 by 177.4+/-39.4% (P<0.05) followed by a continuous decrease. There were trends for a reduction in ghrelin concentration, whereas cortisol, interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha values were unchanged. In summary, in this small sample of migraine patients topiramate treatment was associated with increased insulin sensitivity, increased adiponectin concentration and a reduction of body fat in all treated patients. The role of increased VEGF concentrations prior to these metabolic changes is not clear and might, hypothetically, involve a centrally mediated effect of topiramate on body weight regulation.

Body fat distribution has no effect on serum visfatin levels in healthy female subjects

Obesity is the presence of either abnormal absolute amount or relative proportion of body fat. Contrary to gluteal obesity, visceral obesity is associated with different metabolic alterations including insulin resistance (IR). A relatively new adipocytokine visfatin is shown to be expressed predominantly in visceral fat and exhibit insulin-mimicking effects in rodents. It is still unclear whether serum visfatin levels are associated with increased total or visceral fat mass in humans. The aim of our study was to investigate the relation between visfatin and obesity parameters namely body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WaC) and IR in healthy female subjects. Eighty one female subjects 20 years of age, having no diagnosis of glucose intolerance or diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia were chosen. The patients were divided into four groups according to their BMI and WaC values. Serum visfatin and HOMA-IR levels did not differ among groups. No correlation was detected between serum visfatin levels and obesity and metabolic parameters. In conclusion, we demonstrated that body fat distribution did not affect serum visfatin levels in healthy female subjects. Further studies are needed to clarify the exact factors influencing and determining serum visfatin levels and its clinical reflections.

Leptin as a surrogate indicator of body fat in the American black bear

We investigated the potential use of leptin as a wildlife management tool to monitor adiposity in American black bears (Ursus americanus). Body mass (BM), body condition index (BCI), serum leptin concentration, and percent of body fat were measured in semi-free ranging (SFR) adult male (South Dakota, Oct 2003–Jun 2004) and free-ranging (FR) adult females (Colorado and Wyoming, 1997–99) in fall, winter, spring, and summer. These variables were analyzed by simple and multiple linear regression models to determine their relative value as predictors of body fat proportion over a wide range of adiposity (7.5–48% of total BM). Log-transformed serum leptin concentration (ln leptin) was the most consistent single surrogate predictor of percent body fat when compared with BM and BCI. For both SFR and FR cohorts, ln leptin was strongly predictive of percent body fat within the range of adiposity between 7.5–35%. Moreover, the best predictors of body fat were multiple regression models that included ln leptin in both SFR males (AICc = 75.97, ω = 0.61) and FR females (AICc = 85.07, ω = 0.54). Therefore, serum leptin markedly improves the resolution and accuracy of common field estimates of body condition in black bears. Because it is strongly associated with and predictive of bioelectrical impedance assay (BIA) estimation of body fat, further investigation of serum leptin as a predictor of adiposity is warranted.

Association of body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio with mortality in the Scottish Health Surveys

Obesity is a major health challenge of the 21st century. Simple anthropometric measurements, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR), are utilised in epidemiological studies...

Effectiveness of prevention programmes for obesity and chronic diseases among immigrants to developed countries – a systematic review

To determine whether interventions tailored specifically to particular immigrant groups from developing to developed countries decrease the risk of obesity and obesity-related diseases. Databases searched were MEDLINE (1966-September 2008), CINAHL (1982-September 2008) and PsychINFO (1960-September 2008), as well as Sociological Abstracts, PsychARTICLES, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge and Google Scholar. Studies were included if they were randomised control trials, 'quasi-randomised' trials or controlled before-and-after studies. Due to the heterogeneity of study characteristics only a narrative synthesis was undertaken, describing the target population, type and reported impact of the intervention and the effect size. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Ten out of thirteen (77 %) studies focused on diabetes, seven (70 %) of which showed significant improvement in addressing diabetes-related behaviours and glycaemic control. The effect on diabetes was greater in culturally tailored and facilitated interventions that encompassed multiple strategies. Six out of the thirteen studies (46 %) incorporated anthropometric data, physical activity and healthy eating as ways to minimise weight gain and diabetes-related outcomes. Of the six interventions that included anthropometric data, only two (33 %) reported improvement in BMI Z-scores, total skinfold thickness or proportion of body fat. Only one in three (33 %) of the studies that included cardiovascular risk factors reported improvement in diastolic blood pressure after adjusting for baseline characteristics. All studies, except four, were of poor quality (small sample size, poor internal consistency of scale, not controlling for baseline characteristics). Due to the small number of studies included in the present review, the findings that culturally tailored and facilitated interventions produce better outcomes than generalised interventions, and that intervention content is more important than the duration or venue, require further investigation.

Body composition and estrous cyclicity responses of heifers of distinct body conditions to energy restriction and repletion1

Twenty Simmental x Angus, half-sibling, postpubertal heifers (initial BW of 443 +/- 9 kg) were allotted randomly to 2 treatments to evaluate if initial BCS affects how heifers respond to energy restriction and repletion. Dependent variables of interest were changes in BW, BCS, and reproductive status [determined by concentrations of serum progesterone (P(4))]. Empty body composition (EBC) was calculated using equations based on BCS. During a preliminary feeding period, diets were formulated so that each heifer in the designated treatment would reach a BCS of 5 (moderate condition; MOD) or a BCS of 7 (heavy condition; FAT). Once each heifer had reached the desired BCS, diets were formulated to supply 30% of NE(m) requirements until each heifer became anestrous (serum concentrations of P(4) < 1 ng/mL; restriction period). After anestrus, heifers were fed a high energy diet (1.43 Mcal/kg of DM) until estrous cycles resumed (serum concentrations of P(4) > 1 ng/mL; repletion period). Body weight, BCS, and EBC were determined on d 1 of each period, on d 43 of restriction, and d 44 of repletion, and when heifers were confirmed to have resumed estrous cycles (2 normal estrous cycles determined by P(4) > 1 ng/mL). Regression of BCS on BW determined individual BCS at anestrus and estrus. After 43 d of restriction, FAT condition heifers were heavier (P < 0.001), had greater BCS (P < 0.001), and had a greater proportion of empty body fat (P < 0.001). Heifers in FAT condition remained cyclic longer (P < 0.001) than those in MOD condition (148 vs. 61 d). In contrast, at the onset of anestrus, BW (P = 0.15), BCS (P = 0.54), and empty body fat were similar (P = 0.54) between treatments. At 44 d of repletion, BW (P = 0.46), BCS (P = 0.41), and empty body fat (P = 0.41) were similar between treatments. Heifers in both treatments recommenced estrous activity after similar (P = 0.43) number of days (54 d) of energy repletion, but near onset of estrous cycles, heifers in FAT condition were heavier (P = 0.002) and had greater BCS (P = 0.03) and empty body fat (P = 0.01) than those in MOD condition. Initial BCS influenced days to anestrus, but not BCS or EBC at onset of anestrus. Initial BCS had no effect on days to recommencement of estrous cycles, but did influence the degree of fatness required to resume estrous cycles.

Hyperandrogenism May Explain Reproductive Dysfunction in Olympic Athletes

Female athletes are known to be at risk for reproductive dysfunction and osteopenia because of energy deficiency. Although endocrine balance and an optimal body composition are essential for top elite performance, these parameters have not yet been explored fully in Olympic sportswomen. The objective of this study, therefore, was to characterize the menstrual status, body composition, and endocrine balance in female Olympic athletes participating in different disciplines. Ninety Swedish female Olympic athletes underwent a gynecologic examination that included vaginal examination by ultrasound and determination of body composition. In addition, blood samples were collected for the analysis of reproductive hormones and biomarkers of energy availability. Of all the athletes, 47% were using hormonal contraception (HC). Menstrual dysfunction (MD) was common (27%) among those not using HC and, particularly, in endurance athletes. However, the proportion of body fat and biomarkers of energy availability were within the normal ranges and none exhibited osteopenia. On the contrary, bone mineral density was generally high, particularly in the power athletes. The most common diagnosis associated with MD was polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and not hypothalamic inhibition because of energy deficiency. Female Olympic athletes participating in different sports were found to have an anabolic body composition and biomarkers of energy availability within the normal ranges. Most cases of menstrual disturbances observed were due to PCOS. These findings challenge the contemporary concept that reproductive dysfunction in sportswomen is typically a consequence of chronic energy deficiency.

Association between Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Body Mass Index, Proportion of Body Fat and Body Fat Distribution in Mexican Adolescents

Background/Aims: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the relationships between sweetened beverage (SB) consumption and the following indicators of overweight/fatness among Mexican adolescents: body mass index, body composition and body fat distribution. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from adolescents participating in the baseline assessment of the Health Workers Cohort Study. Information on sociodemographic conditions, sexual maturation, dietary patterns and physical activity was collected via self-administered questionnaires. SB consumption was evaluated through a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measures were assessed with standardized procedures. The associations of interest were evaluated by means of multivariate regression and logistic regression models. Results: A total of 1,055 adolescents, 10–19 years old (mean age 14.5 ± 2.5 years), were evaluated. The overweight/obesity prevalence was 31.6% among girls and 31.9% among boys. We found that for each additional SB serving consumed daily, the subject’s body mass index increased by on average 0.33 (p < 0.001). Subjects consuming 3 daily servings of SB face a 2.1 times greater risk of proportionally excess body fat than those who consume less than 1 SB a day. Conclusions: Our data support the hypothesis that the consumption of SB increases the risk of overweight and/or obesity and encourages excess body fat and central obesity in Mexican adolescents.

Higher Proportion of Body Fat Is Related to Lower Bone Mineral Content in Postmenopausal Women

Higher Proportion of Body Fat Is Related to Lower Bone Mineral Content in Postmenopausal Women

BMI-related errors in the measurement of obesity

Body mass index (BMI) has various deficiencies as a measure of obesity, especially when the BMI measure is based on self-reported height and weight. BMI is an indirect measure of body fat compared with more direct approaches such as bioelectrical impedance. Moreover, BMI does not necessarily reflect the changes that occur with age. The proportion of body fat increases with age, whereas muscle mass decreases, but corresponding changes in height, weight and BMI may not reflect changes in body fat and muscle mass. Both the sensitivity and specificity of BMI have been shown to be poor. Additionally, the relation between BMI and percentage of body fat is not linear and differs for men and women. The consequences of the errors in the measurement of obesity with BMI depend on whether they are differential or nondifferential. Differential misclassification, a potentially greater problem in case-control and cross-sectional studies than in prospective cohort studies, can produce a bias toward or away from the null. Nondifferential misclassification produces a bias toward the null for a dichotomous exposure; for measures of exposure that are not dichotomous, the bias may be away from the null. In short, the use of BMI as a measure of obesity can introduce misclassification problems that may result in important bias in estimating the effects related to obesity.

A Controlled Pharmacogenetic Trial of Sibutramine on Weight Loss and Body Composition in Obese or Overweight Adults

Weight loss in response to sibutramine is highly variable. We assessed the association of specific markers of polymorphisms of candidate alpha2A adrenoreceptor, 5-HT transporter, and GNbeta3 genes and weight loss with sibutramine. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, pharmacogenetic study of behavioral therapy and sibutramine (10 or 15 mg daily) or placebo for 12 weeks in 181 overweight or obese participants. We measured body weight, body mass index, body composition, gastric emptying, and genetic variation (alpha2A C1291G, 5-HTTLPR, and GNbeta3 C825T genotypes). Analysis of covariance was used to assess treatment effects on and associations of the specific markers of candidate genes with weight loss and body composition. Sibutramine, 10 and 15 mg, caused weight loss (P = .009); there was a statistically significant gene by dose interaction for GNbeta3 genotype. For each candidate gene, significant treatment effects at 12 weeks were observed (P < .017) for all specific genotype variants (Delta weight loss in the 2 sibutramine doses vs placebo): alpha2A CC (Delta, approximately 5 kg), GNbeta3 TC/TT (Delta, approximately 6 kg), and 5-HTTLPR LS/SS (Delta, approximately 4.5 kg). Gene pairs resulted in significantly greater sibutramine treatment effects on weight (both P < .002): in participants with 5-HTTLPR LS/SS with GNbeta3 TC/TT; Delta, approximately 6 kg and those with alpha2A CC with GNbeta3 TC/TT; Delta, approximately 8 kg; however, effects were not synergistic. Treatment with sibutramine also resulted in significantly greater reduction of body fat for specific alpha2A CC and GNbeta3 TC/TT genotype variants individually (both P < .02). Patient selection based on candidate genes may enhance response to multidimensional sibutramine and behavioral therapy for obesity.

Mice lacking angiotensin-converting enzyme have increased energy expenditure, with reduced fat mass and improved glucose clearance

In addition to its role in the storage of fat, adipose tissue acts as an endocrine organ, and it contains a functional renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a key role in the RAS by converting angiotensin I to the bioactive peptide angiotensin II (Ang II). In the present study, the effect of targeting the RAS in body energy homeostasis and glucose tolerance was determined in homozygous mice in which the gene for ACE had been deleted (ACE(-/-)) and compared with wild-type littermates. Compared with wild-type littermates, ACE(-/-) mice had lower body weight and a lower proportion of body fat, especially in the abdomen. ACE(-/-) mice had greater fed-state total energy expenditure (TEE) and resting energy expenditure (REE) than wild-type littermates. There were pronounced increases in gene expression of enzymes related to lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation (lipoprotein lipase, carnitine palmitoyl transferase, long-chain acetyl CoA dehydrogenase) in the liver of ACE(-/-) mice and also lower plasma leptin. In contrast, no differences were detected in daily food intake, activity, fed-state plasma lipids, or proportion of fat excreted in fecal matter. In conclusion, the reduction in ACE activity is associated with a decreased accumulation of body fat, especially in abdominal fat depots. The decreased body fat in ACE(-/-) mice is independent of food intake and appears to be due to a high energy expenditure related to increased metabolism of fatty acids in the liver, with the additional effect of increased glucose tolerance.

The epidemiology of obesity: the size of the problem

The epidemic of obesity took off from about 1980 and in almost all countries has been rising inexorably ever since. Only in 1997 did WHO accept that this was a major public health problem and, even then, there was no accepted method for monitoring the problem in children. It was soon evident, however, that the optimum population body mass index is about 21 and this is particularly true in Asia and Latin America where the populations are very prone to developing abdominal obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. These features are now being increasingly linked to epigenetic programming of gene expression and body composition in utero and early childhood, both in terms of fat/lean tissue ratios and also in terms of organ size and metabolic pathway regulation. New Indian evidence suggests that insulin resistance at birth seems linked to low birth weight and a higher proportion of body fat with selective B12 deficiency and abnormalities of one carbon pool metabolism potentially responsible and affecting 75% of Indians and many populations in the developing world. Biologically there are also adaptive biological mechanisms which limit weight loss after weight gain and thereby in part account for the continuing epidemic despite the widespread desire to slim. Logically, the burden of disease induced by inappropriate diets and widespread physical inactivity can be addressed by increasing physical activity (PA), but simply advocating more leisure time activity is unrealistic. Substantial changes in urban planning and diet are needed to counter the removal of any every day need for PA and the decades of misdirected food policies which with free market forces have induced our current 'toxic environment'. Counteracting this requires unusual policy initiatives.

Thyroid Function and Body Weight Programming by Neonatal Hyperthyroidism in Rats - The Role of Leptin and Deiodinase Activities

Several authors have shown that secondary hypothyroidism was programed by neonatal thyroxine (T4) treatment. However, the associated changes of body weight (BW) were less studied, especially those related to the body fat proportion. Here, we have evaluated the effect of neonatal thyroxine treatment on BW, fat proportion, serum leptin, and thyroid function of 60-day-old rats. Wistar rats were treated with thyroxine (50 microg/100 g BW, ip) (T) or saline (S), during the first 10 days of life. BW, nose-rump length (NRL), and food consumption were monitored for 60 days, when the animals were sacrificed. Thyroid function was evaluated by thyroid radioiodine uptake (RAIU), serum T3, T4, TSH, and liver mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (mGPD) and type 1 and 2 deiodinases (D1 and D2) activities, which are thyroid hormone-dependent enzymes. T animals showed lower food intake, BW and NRL, but higher total fat mass (+33%) and serum leptin (+46%). They also showed lower serum T3 (-23%), T4 (-32%), TSH (-36%), RAIU (-29%) and mGPD activity (-22%). Hypothalamic and pituitary D2 activities were higher (+24% and 1.4 fold, respectively), while brown adipose tissue (BAT) D2 and skeletal muscle D1 activities were lower (-30% and -62%, respectively). Thus, neonatal hyperthyroidism programs for a higher fat proportion and hyperleptinemia, which can explain the lower food intake. The TH-dependent enzymes activities changed accordingly, except for the decrease in BAT D2, which may be due the role played by the hyperleptinemia. Finally, the decrease in peripheral deiodination may contribute to a lower me-tabolic rate that may increase the adiposity.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition from birth reduces body weight and body fat in Sprague–Dawley rats

In vitro studies have demonstrated that angiotensin II (ANG II) induces adipocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on body weight, adiposity and blood pressure in Sprague–Dawley rats. From birth half of the animals ( n = 15) were given water to drink, while the remainder were administered perindopril in their drinking water (2 mg/kg/day). Food intake, water intake and body weight were measured weekly. Blood pressure was measured by tail cuff plethysmography at 11-weeks. Body fat content and distribution were assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 12 weeks. Animals administered with perindopril had a body fat proportion that was half that of controls. This was consistent with, but disproportionately greater than the observed differences in food intake and body weight. Perindopril treatment completely removed hypertension. We conclude that the chronic inhibition of ANG II synthesis from birth specifically reduces the development of adiposity in the rat.