Sum Of Skinfolds Research Articles

Physical Fitness of Police Academy Cadets: Baseline Characteristics and Changes During a 16-Week Academy.

Crawley, AA, Sherman, RA, Crawley, WR, and Cosio-Lima, LM. Physical fitness of police academy cadets: baseline characteristics and changes during a 16-week academy. J Strength Cond Res 30(5): 1416–1424, 2016—Police academies traditionally emphasize the importance of being physically fit. The purpose of this research was to determine cadet baseline physical fitness characteristics and assess effectiveness of a 16-week training program. Sixty-eight cadets (61 men, 7 women) volunteered to have baseline physical fitness characteristics assessed, and 55 cadets (49 men, 6 women) completed further testing at weeks 8 and 16. The testing comprised hand grip (strength), arm crank (upper-body power), 30 seconds Wingate (lower body power), sum of skinfolds and percentage body fat (body composition), 40-yard dash (sprint speed), 1 repetition maximum bench press (strength), T-test (agility), and sit-and-reach (flexibility). In addition, cadets completed standardized state testing (push-ups, sit-ups, vertical jump, and half-mile shuttle run). The training program consisted of 1 hour sessions, 3 d·wk−1, including aerobic, plyometrics, body weight, and resistance exercise. Significant changes were found in agility (p < 0.01), upper-body and lower-body peak power (p ≤ 0.05), sit-ups (p < 0.01), push-ups (p ≤ 0.05) across the first 8 weeks, and in agility (p ≤ 0.05), lower-body peak power (p ≤ 0.05), sit-ups (p < 0.01), push-ups (p ≤ 0.05), half-mile shuttle run (p < 0.01) across the full 16 weeks. However, none of the variables showed significant change across the second half of the program (weeks 8–16). A number of individual parameters of physical fitness showed evidence of improvement in the first 8 weeks, whereas none of the variables showed significant improvement in the second 8 weeks. This suggests modifications could be made to increase overall effectiveness of cadet physical training specifically after the 8-week mark.

Perímetro abdominal: evidências para a predição da gordura corporal subcutânea em meninos escolares

Introdução: O diagnóstico de sobrepeso e obesidade pode ser realizado pela antropometria, por facilidade de execução e baixo custo. Considerando a preocupação com a característica de distribuição de gordura, novas estratégias poderiam ser desenvolvidas para a avaliação da composição corporal partindo de medidas antropométricas. Objetivos: Verificar a correlação do Perímetro Abdominal (PAB) e Perímetro da Cintura (PC) em separado, com o somatório de duas dobras cutâneas (DC), triciptal e subescapular; e incluir o perímetro com os maiores valores de correlação em uma equação de regressão para estimativa do somatório de DC. Métodos: Amostra composta por 1.729 meninos (9 e 14 anos), a avaliação da morfologia corporal foi realizada por medidas antropométricas simples e compostas. Foi utilizada uma correlação de Spearman para determinar a associação entre os PAB e PC com as DC. Foi feita uma análise de regressão linear múltipla com o PAB e idade para estimar o somatório de DC. Resultados: A seguinte equação foi gerada: Somatório de DC = 1,16397 (PAB) – 1,414922 (Idade) – 36,33021 (R=0,83). O valor da área sob a curva ROC (AUC) foi de 83% para identificar corretamente indivíduos abaixo ou acima do percentil 85 do somatório de DC. Conclusões: A PAB em conjunto com a idade, se torna um bom preditor da gordura corporal, caracterizada como o somatório de DC, em crianças e adolescentes do sexo masculino.

Objectively measured physical activity levels and sedentary time in 7-9-year-old Estonian schoolchildren: independent associations with body composition parameters.

BackgroundSufficient daily physical activity (PA) is necessary for physical, social and mental health benefits during growth. Most of the available data on children is based on subjective reports, while only limited data on objective PA and sedentary levels is available for primary school children. Increased PA is also an important health indicator of body composition parameters, especially body adiposity indices. The aim of the present study was to determine objectively the amount of daily PA levels at different intensities and sedentary time in normal-weight (NW) and overweight (OW) 7–9-year-old boys and girls, and to find associations between objectively measured PA levels and sedentary time with different body composition values.MethodsTwo hundred and seventy eight (142 boys and 136 girls) primary school children aged 7.9 ± 0.7 years participated in this study. Objective PA intensity and sedentary levels were measured over 7 days by accelerometry. Indices of total fat mass (body fat %, sum of skinfolds), fat distribution (waist-to-height ratio) and muscular component (fat free mass [FFM]) were calculated from measured anthropometric parameters.ResultsThere were no differences (p > 0.05) in PA intensity levels and sedentary time between boys and girls as well as between NW and OW children. About 11 % of children met the current guidelines of at least 60 min per day of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Sedentary time was positively and negatively associated (p < 0.05) with all body fat and FFM values, respectively. Moderate and vigorous PA along with MVPA were negatively and positively associated (p < 0.05) with all body fat and FFM indices, respectively.ConclusionsThe results of present study showed that about 11 % of primary school children were engaged in PA of at least 60 min of MVPA daily. While MVPA is negatively associated with fat mass indices and positively associated with FFM regardless of different confounders, sedentary time is negatively related to FFM and positively with fat mass values after adjusting for several confounders. These results suggest that higher MVPA level and lower sedentary time level are important in maintaining and developing healthy body composition in primary school children during growth.

Is It Useful And Practical To Assess Body Fat In Sick Infants Using Skinfolds?

Sick infants have increased risk of undernutrition, but often also have unusual body proportions, making anthropometry unreliable in detecting low fat stores. Thus body composition (BC) assessment methods may be needed to identify undernutrition reliably. BC methods are often costly, impractical for clinical use and tend not to have reference data for infants. Skinfolds (SF) are cheap and portable and well established in adults, but little used in infants. The WHO growth chart project published standards for subscapular (SS) and triceps (TC) skinfolds from age 3 months to 5 years in 2007. We aimed to assess the practicality of measuring SF in hospitalised infants and the relative predictive validity of different references and thresholds to detect nutritional risk, in two settings with different prevalence of undernutrition.MethodsAs part of a study of nutritional screening project (iNEWS) infants were studied at admission to two tertiary children's hospitals in Glasgow, UK (aged 0–12 months) and Tabriz, Iran (1–12 months). Oversampling was used to recruit infants likely to be at higher risk of undernutrition. Four researchers recruited in the UK and one in Iran. Paediatric Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA) was undertaken to determine malnutrition risk and TC and SS skinfolds were measured using Holtain calipers. Measurements were converted into Z scores relative to the WHO 2006 standard. The WHO SF standard only starts at 3 months, so a reference for sum of skinfolds (SSF) for ages 0–12 months was modeled from the UK cohort SF data, using the LMS method. As the lower limit for SF in the UK cohort showed little variation up to age 12 months, we also used a SSF 5th centile threshold of 10mm.ResultsIn the UK 195 infants and in Iran 179 were measured at mean (SD) age 4.8 (3.4) and 5.4 (2.9) months. Measuring SF proved practical and acceptable. In Iran 30% infants were at high SGNA nutritional risk, compared to 14% in UK. WHO z scores could be calculated for 236 infants age 3m+, while 369 had iPYMS z scores and SSF. Mean SF z scores varied strongly with nutrition risk in Iran, but only weakly in the UK; only one UK high nutrition risk infant actually had low fat stores (Table). In Iran SSF &lt;10mm had a 67% sensitivity for high nutrition risk and specificity of 89% with a positive predictive value of 72%.ConclusionsThe iPYMS reference gave similar results to WHO, but so did a raw sum of skinfolds threshold of 10mm, suggesting that this could be used clinically as a simple threshold for undernutrition in children aged under one year. Measuring skinfolds might be more reliable than conventional screening to identify truly malnourished children in countries with a low background prevalence of undernutrition.Support or Funding InformationData collection in the UK was part funded by Organix Foundation SF z scores and proportion with low SF, using different analytical methods, broken down by country and malnutrition risk SGNA UK Iran Mean(SD) Low High p* Low High p* SF z score (WHO) 0.33 (1.1) −0.95 (1.0) 0.008 −0.85 (1.0) −3.00 (1.1) &lt;0.001 SSF z score (UK) 0.23 (0.9) −0.76 (0.8) &lt;0.001 −0.78 (0.8) −2.46 (0.7) &lt;0.001 Mean SF &lt;‐2z (WHO) 33% (2) 17% (1) 0.049 5.6% (3) 61% (33) &lt;0.001 SSFz &lt;‐2 (UK) 40% (2) 20% (1) 0.190 3.8% (2) 73% (38) &lt;0.001 SSF &lt;10mm 29% (2) 14% (1) 0.072 8.0% (4) 72% (36) &lt;0.001 χ2 ANOVA

How should undernutrition be diagnosed in Nigerian hospitalised infants aged under six months?

It is often assumed that breast fed infants aged under 6 months are at low risk for undernutrition, but where there is non‐exclusivity or underlying medical problems the risk is high. Because of extremely high energy requirements this rapidly impacts on weight gain, causing wasting and weight faltering (WF).Common screening methods for undernutrition have largely not been standardised or validated for very young infants, in particular for skin folds. The WHO growth chart project published standards for subscapular and triceps skin folds in 2007, but only from age 3 months to 5 years.ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of undernutrition in hospitalised infants aged 0.5–6 months, defined as either WF or low fat stores and then to assess the utility of different screening methods to identify these infants.MethodsNorms for weight gain were established using retrospective weights of 411 healthy infants age &lt; 6 months attending a large well baby clinic in Eunugu, Nigeria; the lower 5th percentile for weight gain conditional on birth weight was defined as WF. Skin folds measured in 195 UK hospitalised infants 0–1 years with very low rates of undernutrition were used to identify the lower 5th percentile for sum of skin folds (10mm) (SSF). A sample of infants age 2 weeks to &lt; 6 months admitted to the teaching hospital in Eunugu were studied. Measures of weight, length, mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) and triceps and subscapular skin folds were taken.ResultsOf the 125 hospitalised infants, 86 (69%) were admitted for infectious causes and only 6 (5%) because of undernutrition. Low SSF were found in 41 (33%). Birth weight was known in 105 infants, from these 25 (24%) had WF and a total of 45 (36%) had WF or low SSF, or both. Low MUAC showed high sensitivity to identify WF and/or low fat stores, but at a cost of more children being mislabelled. Low weight for age also showed high sensitivity, particularly for WF, but with a higher positive predictive value (PPV) and thus fewer children being mislabelled. Low WFH showed both low sensitivity and low PPV.ConclusionsIn hospitalised infants under six months a MUAC &lt;11 cm is a reasonably effective screening threshold for identification of undernutrition, but low weight is more specific, while low WFH would miss over half the undernourished infants.Support or Funding InformationIfeyinwa Ezeofor was supported by a Ford Foundation Scholarship Sensitivity and positive predictive value of different screening measures to predict undernutrition, as defined by WF and/or low fat or measure or low fat or WF individually. Screening Measure To predict WF and/or low fat Low fat (SSF) Low CWG (WF) Prevalence Sensitivity PPV Sensitivity PPV Sensitivity PPV MUAC &lt;11cm 36% (45) 73% 73% 73% 67% 80% 51% WFHZ &lt;‐2 25% (30) 49% 67% 46% 57% 65% 51% WAZ &lt;‐2SD 29% (36) 69% 86% 66% 75% 92% 77%

Which Anthropometric Measure Best Correlates with Neonatal Fat Mass at Birth?

Objective Body composition provides additional information than weight alone. There is currently no accepted anthropometric measure of adiposity in infants, yet weight and length data allow calculations of a wide array of indices. The study objective was to identify the anthropometric index which best correlates with neonatal adiposity, by examining the associations between neonatal fat mass and several anthropometric indices of newborn infants. Study Design The sum of skinfolds (SSF), birth weight, and birth length were measured in 94 healthy infants (58% males) born at term to healthy mothers. Several anthropometric indices were calculated, and their relationship with SSF was assessed using linear regression adjusting for gestational age and sex. Results SSF at birth was significantly higher in females compared with males (20.7 ± 3.3 vs. 18.8 ± 4.1 mm, p = 0.019). Birth weight, birth weight-for-gestational-age percentile, birth weight percentile, and weight/length ratio had the highest associations with SSF, yet R (2) values were very low, ranging from 16 to 18%. Body mass index (BMI), BMI percentile, ponderal index, and the symmetry index had even lower associations. Conclusion No anthropometric measure can confidently assess fat mass in infants at birth, in accordance with previous research. When body composition data are needed, they should be directly measured.

Gordura corporal e perfil lipídico de gêmeos monozigóticos discordantes para resistência à insulina

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n6p690 The study investigated alterations in body fat and metabolic profile of adolescent monozygotic twins, resulting from discordance for insulin resistance, adjusted for physical activity, physical fitness and heredity. Thirty-eight pairs of monozygotic twins were assessed for anthropometric measurements to estimate body fat. Physical fitness was estimated with treadmill test and use of ergospirometer. Daily physical activity was estimated from the daily count of steps measured by a pedometer during 3 days. Fasting blood samples were used to determine blood glucose, insulin, lipid parameters. The Homa-IR and HOMA-β indexes were calculated. Twins with measures higher than 2.5 were considered insulin resistant. When both brothers were below or above cutoffs, the pair was allocated to the concordant group. When one brother was insulin resistant and the other was not, the pair was allocated in the discordant group. Twins were compared using paired test. In the discordant group, it was observed that insulin-resistant twins had higher birth weight values, bodyweight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, body fat (sum of skinfolds), Homa-β index and lower HDL compared to their corresponding pair. Insulin-resistant twins showed higher values in anthropometry and body composition, as well as in the glycemia and insulin index and lower HDL. These events may have been unchained by metabolic alterations possibly originating from gestational stage, however, modulated by body composition.

Gordura corporal e perfil lipídico de gêmeos monozigóticos discordantes para resistência à insulina

The study investigated alterations in body fat and metabolic profile of adolescent monozygotic twins, resulting from discordance for insulin resistance, adjusted for physical activity, physical fitness and heredity. Thirty-eight pairs of monozygotic twins were assessed for anthropometric measurements to estimate body fat. Physical fitness was estimated with treadmill test and use of ergospirometer. Daily physical activity was estimated from the daily count of steps measured by a pedometer during 3 days. Fasting blood samples were used to determine blood glucose, insulin, lipid parameters. The Homa-IR and HOMA-β indexes were calculated. Twins with measures higher than 2.5 were considered insulin resistant. When both brothers were below or above cutoffs, the pair was allocated to the concordant group. When one brother was insulin resistant and the other was not, the pair was allocated in the discordant group. Twins were compared using paired test. In the discordant group, it was observed that insulin-resistant twins had higher birth weight values, bodyweight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, body fat (sum of skinfolds), Homa-β index and lower HDL compared to their corresponding pair. Insulin-resistant twins showed higher values in anthropometry and body composition, as well as in the glycemia and insulin index and lower HDL. These events may have been unchained by metabolic alterations possibly originating from gestational stage, however, modulated by body composition.

Can short-term high-intensity intermittent training reduce adiposity?

To compare the effects of 6 weeks of high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) and moderate intensity continuous exercise (MICT-control group) on body composition, hunger and food intake. Twenty-three previously untrained women (28.43 ± 12.53 years) were randomly assigned to a HIIT (n = 11) or MICT group (n = 12). The HIIT group performed 15 1-min bouts at 90 % of maximum heart rate (HRmax) interspersed by 30-s active recovery (60 % HRmax). The MICT group performed a continuous exercise at 70 % HRmax equalizing the training load method proposed by Edwards (1993) to a similar value achieved by the HIIT group. Training for both groups was performed three times per week for 6 weeks. All subjects performed the Astrand cycloergometer test to estimate maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) 1 week before and after the training period, as well as body composition, which was estimated through circumferences and skinfold thicknesses. For all training sessions heart rate, visual scale of hunger and internal load were recorded. In the first and last week of training subjects were asked to record a 24-h food diary for 3 days. Both training induced significant pre- to post-decreases for fat mass, fat percentage, waist circumference and sum of seven skinfolds. However, only the sum of skinfolds differed between protocols with a higher mean percentage change for HIIT compared to the MICT. As expected, estimated VO2max increased in both groups. There were no differences for hunger, energy intake and body mass. HIIT resulted in a greater fat loss compared to moderate continuous aerobic training.

Composição corporal e perfil somatotípico de atletas da seleção brasileira de futebol de 5

The aim of this study was to determine the profiles somatotype and body composition of athletes of Brazilian 5‐a‐side football team. This study involved 23 male athletes. Were all submitted to anthropometric measurements and then were carried the calculations of body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), Skinfolds sum (Σ9DC) and somatotype. It was observed that goalkeepers differ significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in body mass, BF% and Σ9DC for other positions. The goalkeepers showed profile endomorph‐mesomorph, the defender mesomorph‐ balanced, while the winger and pivot, endo‐mesomorph. Concluded that the goalkeepers were significant differences in BF% when compared to other positions and showed significant differences in somatotype compared to other positions, the same was observed in defenders when compared with pivots.

Differences in Body Build in Children of Different Ethnic Groups and their Impact on the Prevalence of Stunting, Thinness, Overweight, and Obesity.

The prevalence of stunting, thinness, overweight, and obesity among children differs by ethnicity. It is not known whether differences in body build across the ethnic groups influence the interpretation of nutritional parameters. To explore the differences in body build across the 5 main ethnic groups in Malaysia and to determine whether differences in body build have an impact on the interpretation of nutrition indicators. A total of 3227 children aged 2.0 to 12.9 years who participated in the South East Asian Nutrition Surveys (SEANUTS) in Malaysia were included in this analysis. Body weight, height, sitting height, wrist and knee breadths, and biceps and subscapular skinfolds were measured, and relative leg length, slenderness index, and sum of skinfolds were calculated. Z scores for height-for-age (HAZ) and body mass index-for-age (BAZ) were calculated using the World Health Organization (WHO) 2007 growth standards. Differences in relative leg length and slenderness across the ethnic groups were correlated with HAZ and BAZ. Correction for differences in body build did, in some ethnic groups, have significant impact on the prevalence of stunting, thinness, overweight, and obesity, and the pattern of prevalence across ethnic groups changed. At the population level, corrections for body build had only minor and mostly nonsignificant effects on prevalence, but at an individual level, corrections for body build placed a substantial number of children in different height or weight categories. Whether these misclassifications warrant additional assessment of body build in clinical practice will need further investigation.

Subcutaneous fat mass in infancy and cardiovascular risk factors at school-age: The generation R study.

To examine the associations of infant subcutaneous fat with cardiovascular risk factors at school-age. In a population-based prospective cohort study among 808 children, total subcutaneous fat (sum of biceps, triceps, suprailiacal, and subscapular skinfold thicknesses) and central-to-total subcutaneous fat ratio (sum of suprailiacal and subscapular skinfold thicknesses/total subcutaneous fat) at 1.5 and 24 months were estimated. At 6 years, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin levels were measured. Infant subcutaneous fat measures were not associated with childhood blood pressure, triglycerides, or insulin levels. A 1-standard-deviation score (SDS) higher total subcutaneous fat at 1.5 months was, independently of body mass index, associated with lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels at 6 years. In contrast, a 1-SDS higher total subcutaneous fat at 24 months was associated with higher total-cholesterol [difference 0.13 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03, 0.23) SDS] and LDL-cholesterol levels [difference 0.12 (95% CI 0.02, 0.21) SDS] at 6 years. There were no associations of central-to-total subcutaneous fat ratio with childhood cholesterol levels. These results suggest that infant total subcutaneous fat is weakly associated with cholesterol levels at school-age. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term cardiometabolic consequences of infant body fat.

Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, Skinfold Thickness, and Waist Circumference for Assessing Body Composition in Ambulant and Non-Ambulant Wheelchair Games Players.

Field-based assessments provide a cost–effective and accessible alternative to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for practitioners determining body composition in athletic populations. It remains unclear how the range of physical impairments classifiable in wheelchair sports may affect the utility of field-based body composition techniques. The present study assessed body composition using DXA in 14 wheelchair games players who were either wheelchair dependent (non-walkers; n = 7) or relied on a wheelchair for sports participation only (walkers; n = 7). Anthropometric measurements were used to predict body fat percentage with existing regression equations established for able-bodied persons by Sloan and Weir, Durnin and Womersley, Lean et al, Gallagher et al, and Pongchaiyakul et al. In addition, linear regression analysis was performed to calculate the association between body fat percentage and BMI, waist circumference, sum of 6 skinfold thickness and sum of 8 skinfold thickness. Results showed that non-walkers had significantly lower total lean tissue mass (46.2 ± 6.6 kg vs. 59.4 ± 8.2 kg, P = 0.006) and total body mass (65.8 ± 4.2 kg vs. 79.4 ± 14.9 kg; P = 0.05) than walkers. Body fat percentage calculated from most existing regression equations was significantly lower than that from DXA, by 2 to 9% in walkers and 8 to 14% in non-walkers. Of the anthropometric measurements, the sum of 8 skinfold thickness had the lowest standard error of estimation in predicting body fat content. In conclusion, existing anthropometric equations developed in able-bodied populations substantially underestimated body fat content in wheelchair athletes, particularly non-walkers. Impairment specific equations may be needed in wheelchair athletes.

The effects of a reformer Pilates program on body composition and morphological characteristics in active women after a detraining period

ABSTRACTThe aim of this quasi-experimental pilot study was to explore the effects of a reformer Pilates program on the anthropometry, body composition, and somatotype of active adult women after a short non-exercise period. Twenty-eight women (mean age: 40.21 ± standard deviation of 8.12 years old) with one to three years of reformer Pilates experience participated in the study. The women participated in a reformer Pilates program for 16 weeks (one hour, twice per week) after 4 weeks of detraining (summer holidays) in 2012. The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry full profile was assessed before and after the intervention program. Significant decreases (p ≤ 0.05) from pre- to post-program were observed for triceps, iliac crest, supraspinale, abdominal, front thigh and medial calf skinfold thicknesses, six and eight skinfold thickness sums, forearm and ankle girths, waist/hip ratio, endomorphy, and fat mass. Significant increases (p ≤ .05) were observed for corrected arm, corrected calf girths, and muscle mass. Generally, women showed a mesomorphic endomorph (endomorphy predominant) and mesomorph–endomorph (endomorphy and mesomorphy predominant) in the pre- and posttests, respectively. In conclusion, the practice of reformer Pilates was associated with healthy changes in anthropometric parameters, body composition, and somatotype in Pilates-experienced women after 4 weeks of no physical exercise.

Interrelationships between BMI, skinfold thicknesses, percent body fat, and cardiovascular disease risk factors among U.S. children and adolescents.

BackgroundAlthough the estimation of body fatness by Slaughter skinfold thickness equations (PBFSlaughter) has been widely used, the accuracy of this method is uncertain. We have previously examined the interrelationships among the body mass index (BMI), PBFSlaughter, percent body fat from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (PBFDXA) and CVD risk factor levels among children who were examined in the Bogalusa Heart Study and in the Pediatric Rosetta Body Composition Project. The current analyses examine these associations among 7599 8- to 19-year-olds who participated in the (U.S.) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2004.MethodsWe analyzed (1) the agreement between (1) estimates of percent body fat calculated from the Slaughter skinfold thickness equations and from DXA, and (2) the relation of lipid, lipoprotein, and blood pressure levels to BMI, PBFSlaughter and PBFDXA.ResultsPBFSlaughter was highly correlated (r ~ 0.85) with PBFDXA. However, among children with a relatively low skinfold thicknesses sum (triceps + subscapular), PBFSlaughter underestimated PBFDXA by 8 to 9 percentage points. In contrast, PBFSlaughter overestimated PBFDXA by 10 points among boys with a skinfold thickness sum ≥ 50 mm. After adjustment for sex and age, lipid levels were related similarly to the body mass index, PBFDXA and PBFSlaughter. There were, however, small differences in associations with blood pressure levels: systolic blood pressure was more strongly associated with body mass index, but diastolic blood pressure was more strongly associated with percent body fat.ConclusionsThe Slaughter equations yield biased estimates of body fatness. In general, lipid and blood pressure levels are related similarly to levels of BMI (following adjustment for sex and age), PBFSlaughter, and PBFDXA.

Association between anthropometric indices and cardiometabolic risk factors in pre-school children.

BackgroundThe world health organization (WHO) and the Identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants- study (IDEFICS), released anthropometric reference values obtained from normal body weight children. This study examined the relationship between WHO [body mass index (BMI) and triceps- and subscapular-skinfolds], and IDEFICS (waist circumference, waist to height ratio and fat mass index) anthropometric indices with cardiometabolic risk factors in pre-school children ranging from normal body weight to obesity.MethodsA cross-sectional study with 232 children (aged 4.1 ± 0.05 years) was performed. Anthropometric measurements were collected and BMI, waist circumference, waist to height ratio, triceps- and subscapular-skinfolds sum and fat mass index were calculated. Fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model analysis insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), blood lipids and apolipoprotein (Apo) B-100 (Apo B) and Apo A-I were determined. Pearson’s correlation coefficient, multiple regression analysis and the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were run.Results51 % (n = 73) of the boys and 52 % (n = 47) of the girls were of normal body weight, 49 % (n = 69) of the boys and 48 % (n = 43) of the girls were overweight or obese. Anthropometric indices correlated (p < 0.001) with insulin: [BMI (r = 0.514), waist circumference (r = 0.524), waist to height ratio (r = 0.304), triceps- and subscapular-skinfolds sum (r = 0.514) and fat mass index (r = 0.500)], and HOMA-IR: [BMI (r = 0.509), waist circumference (r = 0.521), waist to height ratio (r = 0.296), triceps- and subscapular-skinfolds sum (r = 0.483) and fat mass index (r = 0.492)]. Similar results were obtained after adjusting by age and sex. The areas under the curve (AUC) to identify children with insulin resistance were significant (p < 0.001) and similar among anthropometric indices (AUC > 0.68 to AUC < 0.76).ConclusionsWHO and IDEFICS anthropometric indices correlated similarly with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. The diagnostic accuracy of the anthropometric indices as a proxy to identify children with insulin resistance was similar. These data do not support the use of waist circumference, waist to height ratio, triceps- and subscapular- skinfolds sum or fat mass index, instead of the BMI as a proxy to identify pre-school children with insulin resistance, the most frequent alteration found in children ranging from normal body weight to obesity.

A Systematic Review of the Effects of Exercise Interventions on Body Composition in HIV+ Adults.

Over the years, physical activity and exercise have been used to positively impact the health and quality of life of persons infected with HIV and, more recently, has been associated with a spectrum of body composition changes. The aim of this review was to examine the effects of various exercise interventions on body composition in HIV positive adults, using a search strategy of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs). A systematic review was performed by five independent reviewers using a predetermined protocol adapted from previous research for assessing the articles for inclusion, the extracted data, and methodological quality. Eight RCTs involving 430 (26% female) HIV positive adults performing exercise a minimum of thrice weekly for at least six weeks were finally selected: Four were progressive resistance training (PRT) studies, three were aerobic training (AT) studies, and one involved yoga. In the PRT studies, there were significant increases in three anthropometric measures, namely, body mass, sum of skinfolds and sum of limb girths. In the AT studies, significant decreases were found in seven anthropometric measures, namely, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, body mass, triceps skinfold, waist circumference and sum of skinfolds. With yoga, the changes were non-significant. Exercise contributes to improved body composition and, when applied safely, appears to be beneficial for adults living with HIV/AIDS. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the relatively few RCTs published to date. Future studies would benefit from increased attention to sample size, female participants, participant follow-up, complete statistical analysis and intention-to-treat analysis.

Do low levels of physical activity in female adolescents cause overweight and obesity? Objectively measured physical activity levels of periurban and rural adolescents

The increase in obesity levels in South African adolescents is attributed to an energy imbalance such that physical inactivity is causally related to adiposity. However, in some settings obesity occurs in spite of high physical activity levels. To examine objectively measured physical activity levels of rural black female and male adolescents from periurban to rural settings in relation to weight status, and specifically the direction and strength of the associations. Seven-day accelerometry-derived pedometry data (step counts and activity energy expenditure) were collected for 178 adolescents (85 females, 93 males; age 13.7 - 18.0 years) living in six demographic surveillance site villages. Anthropometric measures were body mass index (kg/m2), waist circumference (cm) and sum of skinfolds (mm). Weight status was determined using international growth standards for stunting, underweight (UW), normal weight (NW), overweight (OW) and obesity (OB). Females had greater adiposity and lower 7-day average step counts and activity energy expenditure, and achieved fewer days at ≥10 000 steps and more days at &lt;5 000 steps (p&lt;0.05). The age and gender-weighted prevalences for female/male stunting, UW-NW, OW-OB, &lt;5 000 steps/day and ≥12 500 steps/day were 12.4%/20.7%, 74.3%/99.1%, 25.8%/0.9%, 12.3%/0.9% and 50%/64.9%, respectively (females v. males, p&lt;0.05). In multivariate models (weighted and adjusting for age, gender, village, season), step counts and activity energy expenditure were positively related to adiposity measures (p&lt;0.05). Both UW-NW and OW-OB periurban to rural adolescents were active to highly active on most days of the week. Physical activity was directly associated with adiposity measures.

Association between hyperglycaemia and adverse perinatal outcomes in south Asian and white British women: analysis of data from the Born in Bradford cohort

SummaryBackgroundDiagnosis of gestational diabetes predicts risk of infants who are large for gestational age (LGA) and with high adiposity, which in turn aims to predict a future risk of obesity in the offspring. South Asian women have higher risk of gestational diabetes, lower risk of LGA, and on average give birth to infants with greater adiposity than do white European women. Whether the same diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes should apply to both groups of women is unclear. We aimed to assess the association between maternal glucose and adverse perinatal outcomes to ascertain whether thresholds used to diagnose gestational diabetes should differ between south Asian and white British women. We also aimed to assess whether ethnic origin affected prevalence of gestational diabetes irrespective of criteria used.MethodsWe used data (including results of a 26–28 week gestation oral glucose tolerance test) of women from the Born in Bradford study, a prospective study that recruited women attending the antenatal clinic at the Bradford Royal Infirmary, UK, between 2007 and 2011 and who intended to give birth to their infant in that hospital. We studied the association between fasting and 2 h post-load glucose and three primary outcomes (LGA [defined as birthweight >90th percentile for gestational age], high infant adiposity [sum of skinfolds >90th percentile for gestational age], and caesarean section). We calculated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for a 1 SD increase in fasting and post-load glucose. We established fasting and post-load glucose thresholds that equated to an OR of 1·75 for LGA and high infant adiposity in each group of women to identify ethnic-specific criteria for diagnosis of gestational diabetes.FindingsOf 13 773 pregnancies, 3420 were excluded from analyses. Of 10 353 eligible pregnancies, 4088 women were white British, 5408 were south Asian, and 857 were of other ethnic origin. The adjusted ORs of LGA per 1 SD fasting glucose were 1·22 (95% CI 1·08–1·38) in white British women and 1·43 (1·23–1·67) in south Asian women (pinteraction with ethnicity = 0·39). Results for high infant adiposity were 1·35 (1·23–1·49) and 1·35 (1·18–1·54; pinteraction with ethnicity=0·98), and for caesarean section they were 1·06 (0·97–1·16) and 1·11 (1·02–1·20; pinteraction with ethnicity=0·47). Associations between post-load glucose and the three primary outcomes were weaker than for fasting glucose. A fasting glucose concentration of 5·4 mmol/L or a 2 h post-load level of 7·5 mmol/L identified white British women with 75% or higher relative risk of LGA or high infant adiposity; in south Asian women, the cutoffs were 5·2 mmol/L or 7·2 mml/L; in the whole cohort, the cutoffs were 5·3 mmol/L or 7·5 mml/L. The prevalence of gestational diabetes in our cohort ranged from 1·2% to 8·7% in white British women and 4% to 24% in south Asian women using six different criteria. Compared with the application of our whole-cohort criteria, use of our ethnic-specific criteria increased the prevalence of gestational diabetes in south Asian women from 17·4% (95% CI 16·4–18·4) to 24·2% (23·1–25·3).InterpretationOur data support the use of lower fasting and post-load glucose thresholds to diagnose gestational diabetes in south Asian than white British women. They also suggest that diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes recommended by UK NICE might underestimate the prevalence of gestational diabetes compared with our criteria or those recommended by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups and WHO, especially in south Asian women.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research.

AVALIAÇÃO ANTROPOMÉTRICA DE IDOSOS ATENDIDOS NO AMBULATÓRIO DE NUTRIÇÃO DO CENTRO DE REFERÊNCIA EM ASSISTÊNCIA À SAÚDE DO IDOSO DA UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL FLUMINENSE, NO MUNICÍPIO DE NITERÓI-RJ

Objective: To describe the body and anthropometric compositionof the elderly assisted in the Nutrition Clinic of the ReferenceHealthcare Center for the Elderly, Universidade Federal Fluminense,Niteroi city, Brazil. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional studywith 52 subjects aged 60 years or older treated at the nutritionclinic. Anthropometric measurements were performed accordingto the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancementof Kineanthropometry considering the following variables: bodyweight, height, biceps, triceps, subscapular, supra-iliac skinfoldthicknesses, body fat percentage based on the sum of the fourskinfolds, waist circumference and arm circumference. Statisticalanalyzes were performed using Graph Pad Instat® software,version 3.1, considering p <0.05 as significant value. Results:There was prevalence of overweight (43.5% of the sample),adequacy of the arm circumference, arm muscle circumferenceand triceps skinfold. Most women (67.6%) had high risk forcardiovascular disease according to waist circumference. Therewas high percentage of body fat in both sexes (89.2% and 66.7%in female and male, respectively). Conclusion: We observedthe presence of inadequacies of the nutritional status of thepopulation under study according to anthropometric parameters- body mass index, waist circumference, and percent of body fatbased on the skinfold sum. DOI: 10.12957/demetra.2015.15949