Weight Categories Research Articles

Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Adequacy in Powerlifters.

Leonhardt, TPM, Chilibeck, PD, Ko, J, and Zello, GA. Nutrition knowledge and dietary adequacy in powerlifters. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-Athletes competing in weight categories (e.g., powerlifters) often restrict food intake approaching competition, which may be detrimental to health and performance. Our purpose was to assess the effect of nutrition knowledge, sex, and time (off-season versus precompetition, when athletes often cut weight) on dietary adequacy in powerlifters. Twenty-three powerlifters (10 females; 30.7 ± 11.2 years) completed questionnaires to assess nutrition knowledge and dietary adequacy. Athletes with higher nutrition knowledge consumed more fruits and nuts and less vitamin B2, B3 across all time points (p < 0.05) and a greater number (73%) were above the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin D compared with athletes with lower nutrition knowledge (50%) (p < 0.05). Male powerlifters with higher nutrition knowledge consumed less alcohol and vitamin A than male powerlifters with lower nutrition knowledge (p < 0.05). Female powerlifters with higher nutrition knowledge consumed less sugar and beverage calories than female powerlifters with lower nutrition knowledge (p < 0.05). Intake of alcohol and carbohydrate decreased, and meat calories increased from off-season to precompetition (p < 0.05). Male powerlifters increased B-vitamins, whereas female powerlifters decreased B-vitamin and sugar consumption approaching competition (p < 0.05). Male powerlifters increased water consumption versus female powerlifters approaching competition (sex × time, p < 0.05). There was no effect of nutrition knowledge on dietary changes approaching competition. Nutrition knowledge, sex, and competitive season affect dietary intake of powerlifters. A higher nutrition knowledge predicts a higher intake of some foods and nutrients important for health and performance. Female powerlifters should pay close attention to the intake of B-vitamins and water before competitions when many are trying to cut weight.

Comparative analysis of rice bran and sesame protein hydrolysates in inhibiting foodborne pathogens: efficacy against Escherichia coliO157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes

SummaryThis study explores the antibacterial potential of hydrolysates derived from rice bran protein (RBP) and sesame protein (SP) against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes. RBP and SP were hydrolysed by protease from Bacillus licheniformis (labelled as RBPH‐B and SPH‐B) and α‐chymotrypsin (denoted as RBPH‐C and SPH‐C), and subsequently fractionated into four molecular weight (MW) categories: F1 (&gt;100 kDa), F2 (10–100 kDa), F3 (1–10 kDa), and F4 (&lt;1 kDa). The antibacterial activities of these hydrolysates and their fractions were systematically evaluated. The results indicated that RBPH‐B and RBPH‐C, along with their fractions, exhibited notable efficacy against L. monocytogenes. Conversely, both SPH‐B, SPH‐C, and their fractions showed pronounced antibacterial activities against both pathogens. Notably, lower MW fractions (SPH‐B, SPH‐B‐F2, and SPH‐B‐F3) demonstrated superior antibacterial properties, effectively reducing bacterial populations to below detection limits (≥6 log CFU mL−1) at a concentration of 100 mg mL−1. Further analysis revealed that SPH‐B‐F3 markedly reduced the reaction time required to inhibit or eliminate E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes, with comparable times of 6 and 4 h, respectively. These findings highlight the potential application of specific SPH‐B fractions as antibacterial agents in the food industry.

Reference Intervals of Mass Coefficients and Absolute Weights of Mini Pigs’ Organs

Introduction. Measurement of weights and calculation of mass coefficients of the laboratory animals’ internal organs are the integral stages of toxicological research. However, the absence of the correct intra-laboratory reference intervals corresponding to the normal values established for the animal population of a research laboratory could hinder the analysis of the mass coefficient changes in the experiment. For example, the data on weights and mass coefficients of mini pigs’ organs is being an issue due to its insufficient availability in the open sources. At the same time, in the literature there is a lot of such kind of data referring to the industrial pig breeds. Due to the wide use of the mini pigs in the pre-clinical research and because in the pig species taxonomy they are considered to be a weight category representing the pigs with reduced mass of the body with similar morphology of the organs and body systems, we have set an objective to determine and calculate the reference intervals of mass coefficients of internal organs relative to the mass of the body and brain, as well as the absolute weights of mini pigs’ internal organs and compare the results with the data on mini and industrial pig breeds in the literature sources.Materials and Methods. The data on 29 males and 29 females of the Vietnamese lop-bellied mini pig breed aged 6 months and older, who used to be in control groups of the various experiments held at JSC “SPA “House of Pharmacy” (Leningrad region) in the period from January 2018 to March 2024, was used to calculate the reference intervals. The statistical analysis was peRussian Federationormed using Microsoft Excel and Reference Value Advisor v2.1 software in compliance with the CLSI guidelines. Calculation of the reference intervals for all parameters was carried out by a robust method, the compliance with the normal distribution law was determined by Anderson–Darling test, in case of abnormal distribution of data, calculation of the reference interval was carried out with the Box–Cox transformation.Results. The data on the absolute weights of organs and their coefficients relative to the body and brain masses were presented in the form of the lower and upper reference limits and confidence intervals for each of the limit. The reference intervals of masses of organs across all parameters in males and females had similar limits, the most comparable values were found for the heart and brain parameters. The calculated interval of the heart absolute weight in males was 28.3–253 g, that of the brain was 46.5–93.7 g; in females these intervals were 42.9–279 g and 55.5–81.8 g respectively. Upon comparing the obtained data with the literature sources, it was found that the majority of the absolute weights of all measured mini pigs’ organs had fitted in the limits of the reference values, whereas the masses of the lungs and liver were at the lower limit or below the calculated intervals. The values of the absolute weights of most of the organs of the industrial pig breeds were higher than that of mini pigs, which was due to the difference in the body size and mass of the studied animal breeds. When comparing the mass coefficients of organs in relation to the body mass, it was found that the coefficients of most organs of the industrial breeds and mini pigs, on the contrary, were within the calculated reference intervals or slightly exceeded them.Discussion and conclusion. The calculated reference intervals of the mass coefficients of some organs in relation to the body mass, as well as the absolute weights of the spleen in mini pigs are comparable with the data available in literature for the industrial meat pig breeds. At the same time, the data available in the literature sources on the absolute weights of organs and their mass coefficients relative to the body mass of mini pigs, in most cases, have fitted into the calculated intervals. To increase the prognostic value of the obtained reference intervals, the analysis of a larger size sample is necessary.

Diarrhea outpatient and inpatient utilization and cost accumulation among children under five by birth weight category in Indonesia: an analysis of BPJS Kesehatan sample data

Diarrhea outpatient and inpatient utilization and cost accumulation among children under five by birth weight category in Indonesia: an analysis of BPJS Kesehatan sample data

Determining the Type of Charolais Cows by Chaid Analysis

Factors influencing diagonal body length of Charolais cows (n=311) were analysed by the CHAID (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detector) method and are presented in this paper. CHAID algorithm groups the dependent variables (Y) so that the variance within groups is as low as possible and the variance between groups is as high as possible. The hierarchy of explanatory variables in this study was shown by the order of live weight, height at withers and age of the cows. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd nodus were formed by the live weight, according to the following categories: ≤600 kg, 600-645 kg, &gt;645 kg. Diagonal body length increased parallel with the live weight categories. The 158 cows forming the first nodus were divided into two separate groups by the program, based on height at withers: 4th nodus (n=50, ≤ 128 cm); 5th nodus (n=108, &gt;128 cm). Finally, the 5th nodus was separated – according to the age – into two groups in the last phase of the analysis: 6th nodus (n=53, ≤ 5.35 age, 172 cm); 7th nodus (n=55, &gt; 5.35 age, 177 cm). Grouping individuals within the population would help to identify cow types, therefore CHAID analysis may be a possible useful method in beef cattle breeding.

Tracking changes in weight status in primary school children in Birmingham: an analysis of the National Child Measurement Programme – a retrospective cohort study

One-in-four 4–5 years and more than one-in-three 10–11 years have excess weight in England.AimTo identify characteristics associated with (1) having overweight, obesity and severe obesity at 11 years and (2)...

Predicting postpartum hemorrhage in women undergoing planned cesarean section: A multicenter retrospective cohort study in Japan.

Given Japan's unique social background, it is critical to understand the current risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) to effectively manage the condition, especially among specific groups. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the current risk factors for PPH during planned cesarean section (CS) in Japan. This multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted in two tertiary maternal-fetal medicine units in Fukushima, Japan and included 1,069 women who underwent planned CS between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2022. Risk factors for PPH (of > 1000 g and > 1500 g) were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis, considering variables such as maternal age, parity, assisted reproductive technology (ART) pregnancy, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), uterine myoma, placenta previa, gestational age at delivery, birth weight categories, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to predict estimated blood loss during planned CS. ART pregnancy, a pre-pregnancy BMI of 25.0-29.9 kg/m2, and uterine myoma increased PPH risk at various levels. Maternal smoking increased the risk of >1500 g PPH (adjusted odds ratio: 3.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-8.20). Multivariate linear analysis showed that advanced maternal age (B: 83 g; 95% CI: 27-139 g), ART pregnancy (B: 239 g; 95% CI: 121-357 g), pre-pregnancy BMI of 25.0-29.9 kg/m2 (B: 74 g; 95% CI: 22-167 g), uterine myoma (B: 151 g; 95% CI: 47-256 g), smoking (B: 107 g; 95% CI: 13-200 g), and birth weight > 3,500 g (B: 203 g; 95% CI: 67-338 g) were associated with blood loss during planned CS. Considering a patient's clinical characteristic may help predict bleeding in planned CSs and help improve patient safety.

The impact of obesity on chronic oedema/lymphoedema of the leg – an international multicenter cross-sectional study (LIMPRINT)

Background/ObjectivesObesity and chronic oedema/lymphoedema are two distinct but related conditions, rarely investigated together. The aim was to study the impact of increased weight on chronic oedema and related factors.Subjects/MethodsA cross-sectional study, 38 centers, nine countries. Patients with clinically confirmed chronic oedema/lymphoedema of the leg were included. Weight category was estimated as: normal weight (BMI 20–30), class I-II obesity (BMI 30–40), or class III obesity (BMI > 40). Factors were tested for an association with increased weight, using a multivariable model.ResultsA total of 7397 patients were included; 43% with normal weight, 36% class I-II obesity and 21% class III obesity. Increased weight was associated with more advanced stages of chronic oedema (ISL stage III; the most advanced form); affecting 14% in normal weight, 18% class I-II obesity and 39% class III obesity (p < 0.001). Ten factors were independently associated with increased weight: diabetes (OR 2.4), secondary lymphoedema (OR 2.7), cellulitis/erysipelas within 12 months (OR 1.2), bilateral lymphoedema (OR 3.6), compression therapy (OR 2.1), increased swelling duration (1–2 years OR 1.3, 2–5 years OR 2.5, 5–10 years OR 3.6, >10 years OR 3.5) decreased mobility (walking with aid OR 1.9, being chair bound OR 1.2) and age (reference<45 years; 45–64 years OR 1.5, 75–84 years OR 0.6, 85+ years OR 0.2). Increased weight was associated with a lower presentation of peripheral arterial disease (OR 0.7) and poorer chronic oedema control (OR 0.8). Patients with obesity had lower function, appearance and more severe symptoms (LYMQOL) and lower quality of life (EuroQol).ConclusionsObesity negatively impacts chronic oedema, leading to more advanced stages. Achieving good control of swelling with compression is more difficult in these patients. Increased awareness of chronic oedema/lymphoedema as a complication of obesity is important for early detection and for developing effective strategies to prevent and manage them.

Impact of compensatory growth on survival in newborn kittens.

In the feline species, the mortality of live-born kittens over the first 2 months of life is around 10%. Although some losses are inevitable, progress in veterinary medicine and improved knowledge of feline neonatalogy should make it possible to reduce them to a lower level. The objectives of this study were: (i) to describe early growth in kittens, and (ii) to assess whether low birth weight kittens develop compensatory growth during the first week of life and if so, whether compensatory growth is associated with increased chances of survival. Using data collected from 5,504 kittens born in 193 different French catteries, five growth rates were calculated to reflect the growth of kittens during the first week after birth. Low birth weight kittens had higher growth rates than normal birth weight kittens. In addition, low birth weight kittens whose early growth was in the lowest 25% had a significantly higher 0-2 months mortality rate than all the other groups. Weight loss (or lack of weight gain) between birth and Day 2 was identified as a risk factor for 0-2 months mortality whatever the birth weight category. Finally, critical early growth thresholds were determined separately for low and normal birth weight kittens. These figures could help caregivers to validate the adequacy or inadequacy of kitten early growth. They will be able to quickly identify and provide appropriate care for the kittens whose growth is deemed insufficient in order to improve their chances of survival.

Development of Movement and Postural Patterns in Full-Term Infants Who Are at Low Risk in Belgium, India, Norway, and the United States.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influences on motor development in infants who are at low risk from Belgium, India, Norway, and the United States using the General Movement Assessment at 10-16weeks postterm age. This was a cross-sectional study of prospectively enrolled full-term infants at low risk (n = 186). Certified General Movement Assessment observers rated the fidgety movements, quality of the movement patterns, age-adequacy of the movement repertoire, postural patterns, movement character, and overall Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R). Scores were evaluated for associations with sex, birth weight category, gestational age, postterm age at video, and country. The majority of infants had normal fidgety movements (179/186, 96.2%). This did not vary by sex, birth weight, gestational age, postterm age at video, or country. All infants showed normal>atypical movement patterns. Variability was seen for age adequacy (optimal: 137/183, 74.9%), postural patterns (normal>atypical: 164/183, 89.6%), and smooth/ fluent movement character (138/183, 75.4%). Gestational age and postterm age at video were associated with atypical postural patterns, but in multivariable regression, only younger postterm age retained significance (OR = 2.94, 95% CI = 1.05-8.24). Lack of age adequacy was associated with postterm age (OR = 13.15, 95% CI = 4.36-39.72) and country (compared with Norway; Belgium OR = 3.38 95% CI = 12.4-9.22; India OR = 3.16, 95% CI = 1.01-9.87; United States not significant). Infants from India also showed lower rates of an optimal MOS-R (25-28) than infants from Norway. The normality and temporal organization of fidgety movements did not differ by sex, birth weight, postterm age, or country, suggesting that the fidgety movements are free of cultural and environmental influences. The majority of full-term infants who were healthy in this cohort showed normal scores for all aspects of motor development tested using the MOS-R. Differences in age adequacy and MOS-R by country warrant investigation with larger cohorts and longitudinal follow-up. Understanding variations in typical motor development is essential to interpreting patterns of movement and posture in infants at risk for atypical development. Using the framework of Prechtl's General Movement Assessment, this study showed that the development of movement and posture in healthy infants was affected by age and country of birth, but the development of the fidgety movements appeared to be free of these influences. Local norms may be needed to interpret the Motor Optimality Score-Revised in all populations, but further research on this topic is needed.

Diet Quality of Midwest Adolescents and Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Overweight/Obesity Differs by Diagnosis but Not by Weight Category

BackgroundPoor diet may contribute to high rates of overweight/obesity (OW/OB) in adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs). ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine diet quality as assessed by Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) scores in adolescents and young adults with IDs and OW/OB and to compare diet quality by ID diagnosis and weight. DesignThree-day image-assisted food records from baseline assessments in an 18-month weight-loss trial for adolescents and young adults with IDs and OW/OB were used to calculate HEI-2015 scores, which were compared between ID diagnoses and weight categories. Participants/settingA total of 102 adolescents and young adults (aged 13-21 years) with IDs (48 with Down syndrome, 40 with autism, and 14 with other/unspecified IDs) and OW/OB at a Midwestern academic medical center completed valid food records from November 2015 to November 2019. Main outcome measuresOutcome measures included HEI-2015 scores, energy intake (kcal/d), macronutrient intake as percentage of energy, energy intake per kilogram body weight, and grams protein per kilogram body weight. Statistical analyses performedDifferences in HEI-2015 scores and additional dietary measures by weight category and ID diagnosis were examined with analysis of variance or Kruskal–Wallis tests. ResultsParticipants with Down syndrome (DS) had a significantly higher mean ± SD HEI-2015 score (53.9 ± 8.4) compared with participants with autism (49.1 ± 9.6; P = .047). Compared with those with autism, participants with DS had a higher percentage of energy from protein, higher energy intake per kilogram body weight, and higher grams of protein intake per kilogram body weight. For HEI-2015 components, participants with DS had higher scores than participants with autism for total fruits, whole fruits, total vegetables, greens and beans, and total protein foods, but lower scores for sodium. Diet quality was not observed to differ by weight classification. ConclusionsAdolescents and young adults with autism had lower overall diet quality scores compared with those with DS. Diet quality was not found to be related to OW/OB. Understanding dietary differences by ID diagnosis may inform intervention strategies.

Exploring the Multifaceted Influences on Childhood Nutritional Status: A Study Conducted in South Punjab, Pakistan.

Introduction The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) in Pakistan is a rising concern affecting school-going children, marked by coexisting under- and over-nutrition within the same population. Key influences include shifts in dietary habits, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle changes due to rapid urbanization. With a focus on Multan, Pakistan, the study seeks to assess the proportion of underweight and overweight students while identifying the risk factors and sociodemographic characteristics associated with this incidence. The aim is to guide future health interventions addressing this multidimensional health challenge. Materials and methods This study, adopting a descriptive cross-sectional research design, collected data from female teenage students through interviews and anthropometric measurements. A total of 300 participants were randomly selected from a comprehensive school list representing diverse urban and rural settings. Participants' weight and height were measured to calculate their body mass index (BMI), categorizing them into underweight, normal weight, and overweight groups. The relevant risk factors were collected through an interview questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States), with the results stratified according to socioeconomic, dietary, and psychosocial factors and compared across different weight categories. Results The study collected data from 300 students, revealing a correlation between socioeconomic status, dietary habits, and BMI. Parental occupation significantly affected nutritional status, with children of laborers primarily falling within normal and underweight categories. Dietary habits like frequency of fast food and milk or dairy consumption showed notable associations with nutritional status. Psychosocial factors such as peer or teacher comments about weight and outdoor sports participation also influenced the students' nutritional status. However, factors like family income, video game hours, and the presence of pets at home did not show significant associations with nutritional status. Conclusions The study illustrates a multi-faceted association between socioeconomic status, dietary habits, and BMI among schoolchildren in Multan, Pakistan, emphasizing the need for comprehensive interventions.

Weight bias internalization and its association with psychological distress and weight-related factors among youths in university, Thailand.

Weight bias internalization (WBI) is associated with poor weight-related health and psychological health problems in adults. However, less is known about WBI in Thai youths, and its associated factors are scarce. This study aimed to assess the association between psychological, weight-related factors, and WBI among Thai youths. A cross-sectional design was conducted on 1185 university youths from three universities in northeastern, Thailand from January to June 2023, with multistage sampling methods. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to explore factors that influence WBI. Most of the youth were female; with the average body mass index (BMI) was 23.3 ± 3.2 kg/m2. More than half (n = 628; 52.9%) of them reported a high level of WBI that was present across the weight spectrum. Approximately 41.4% (n = 490) reported being dissatisfied with their body image, and 50.6% (n = 600) had peers with obesity. WBI was positively related to depressive symptoms, perceived stress, the experience of weight stigma, BMI, and body image dissatisfaction. Conversely, it was negatively related to self-esteem and peers with obesity. WBI is influenced by several psychological and weight-related factors. Additionally, youths across body weight categories could be vulnerable to high WBI. Hence, consideration of these potential factors could be useful in designing targeted interventions to reduce WBI.

Features of the manifestation of strength and speed-strength abilities of elite armwrestlers of different weight categories

Features of the manifestation of strength and speed-strength abilities of elite armwrestlers of different weight categories

Heavy metals concentrations of traditional herbs consumed in Northwestern zone of Nigeria and associated health risks on humans

Herbal drugs have gained much popularity as alternative medicine among residents of the northern part of Nigeria, taking advantage of abundant medicinal plants in the region. This study therefore investigated the levels of some selected heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in five identified herbal drugs sold in Andaza town, Kiyawa local Government area of Jigawa State. Preparation of the samples was done using a wet digestion method with HNO3 and HCl as digestion acids and the metals were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The health risk assessment (HRA) for adults and children was done by using the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI) and target cancer risk (TCR). The concentrations of heavy metals on dry weight (dw) basis in this study fell within the range (mg/kg dw, mean±SD)): Cd (0.156-0.312, 0.221±0.065), Hg (8.58-16.7, 12.7±3.78), Ni (0.960-2.74, 1.67±0.698), Zn (4.26-10.1, 6.17±2.34) and Pb (0.876-1.91). Pb was not detected in two out of the five samples and therefore the mean±SD of Pb was not computed. A comparison of the results with the World Health Organisation (WHO) maximum permissible limit showed that Hg levels were far above the permissible limit in all the samples; two samples had Cd values above the maximum limit. The concentrations of Ni, Zn and Pb in all the samples were within the recommended levels of WHO. Results of HRA showed that THQ were less than 1 in the analyzed metals except for Hg with relatively high values in both adults (70 kg body weight) and children (24 kg body weight) categories and this may pose a potential health risk to consumers. Results of the percentage non-carcinogenic risk (NCR) of each metal showed that Hg contributed more than 95% to HI (the overall NCR) in each sample. TCR of Pb indicates moderate to high cancer risk whereas, that of CD showed high to very high cancer risk if the samples are consumed for a long period of time. It is therefore important that consumption of these medicines should be monitored and regulated in order for consumers to avoid future health challenges.

Association of Body Mass Index with Pain Perception, Anxiety, Depression, and Disability in Fibromyalgia Patients

Background: A disorder of uncertain origin, Fibromyalgia (FM) is accompanied by pervasive pain, tiredness, disturbed sleep, and cognitive deficit. It has been related to depression, manic-depressive illness, and chronic fatigue. FM is negatively affected by obesity on both clinical and biological parameters. Methods: A total of n=150 FM patients (132 Female and 18 Male) were included in the study. Initially, informed consent and demographic data were gathered from the participants. Afterwards, each patient's Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and classified into average weight, overweight, and obese categories. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was used to quantify the intensity of pain, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) was used to determine the participants’ anxiety levels, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) was used to examine their depression levels, and Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) was used to measure their functional status. All these questionnaires were self-administered by the participants. Results: In the NPRS, HAM-A, HAM-D, and HAQ-DI categories, no significant differences were found (p&gt;0.05). However, between the BMI level and anxiety, a weak positive correlation was detected (r=0.195, p=0.017). BMI levels were not statistically significantly correlated with pain, depression, or disability (r=0.011, p=0.0897; r=0.048, p=0.562; r=0.072, p=0.383). Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that there is no significant association of pain perception, anxiety, depression and disability with increasing BMI among FM patients except for a weak positive correlation with anxiety. Keywords: Body Mass Index, Fibromyalgia, Pain, Obesity.

Impact of planned delivery mode on neonatal outcomes and costs in twin pregnancies in Kenya

BackgroundTwin pregnancies are associated with higher risks of adverse neonatal outcomes compared to singleton pregnancies. The choice of delivery mode, when twin A presents cephalic, remains a subject of debate. In low- and middle-income countries, where healthcare resources are limited, the decision on the mode of delivery is even more critical. ObjectiveTo evaluate the neonatal outcomes and the hospital costs of planned vaginal delivery compared to cesarean section (CS) in twin pregnancies with twin A presenting cephalic at Tenwek Hospital, Kenya. Study DesignThis retrospective cohort study analyzed data from all twin deliveries at Tenwek Hospital, Kenya from, April 1, 2017, to March 30, 2023. Maternal data, mode of delivery, and neonatal data were collected from delivery logs, electronic health records, and neonatal records. Neonatal outcomes were a composite of either Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration score less than seven at 5 minutes, neonatal intensive care unit admission, resuscitation, birth trauma, or neonatal complications, including death before discharge from the hospital. A logistic regression model was created to assess the impact of the planned mode of delivery on neonatal outcomes, controlling for antenatal care clinic visits, noncephalic presentation of twin B, and birth weight category. ResultsThe study included 177 twin deliveries: 129 (72.9%) were planned as vaginal deliveries and 48 (27.1%) were planned for CS. Among the planned vaginal deliveries, 66 (51.2%) experienced adverse outcomes, compared to 14 (29.2%) in the CS group (P=.009). Logistic regression showed that the odds of adverse outcomes were 0.35 times lower in the CS group compared to the planned vaginal delivery group (95% CI: 0.15–0.83; P=.017). The average total hospital costs for planned vaginal delivery were 104,608 Kenya Shillings (standard deviation 111,761) compared to 100,708 Kenya Shillings (standard deviation 75,468) for CS (P=.82). ConclusionPlanned cesarean deliveries in twin pregnancies with twin A presenting cephalic at Tenwek Hospital were associated with fewer adverse neonatal outcomes compared to planned vaginal deliveries. There was no significant difference in hospital costs. These findings raise the question of the safest mode of delivery for patients in a resource-constrained setting.

Body Size Perceptions Associated with Body Mass Index and Weight Loss Intentions Among Two Immigrant Populations.

The rates of obesity among immigrant populations within the USA rise with increasing duration of residency. The aims of this study were to examine weight self-perception and body image discrepancy within a large community sample of Hispanic and Somali predominantly immigrant adults. Utilizing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to collect survey data from a sample of adults who self-identified as Hispanic, Latino, or Somali in Southeast Minnesota. Correlations among actual body mass index (BMI), perceived weight category, and perceived body size were assessed with Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Associations of weight loss intentions with actual BMI, perceived weight category, perceived body size, and body image discrepancy were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric tests. A total of 1256 adults completed the survey and biometric measurements (610 Hispanic, 646 Somali); 81% (457) and 50% (328) had a BMI in the overweight or obese category in the Hispanic and Somali cohorts, respectively. Among participants with a BMI of > 25, more participants reported a perceived body size that was overweight or obese than a perceived weight category that was in the overweight or obese category (79% vs. 48%, p = < 0.0001). Body image discrepancy, but not actual BMI, was associated with weight loss intentions for both groups. Perceived body size and perceived weight category were associated with weight loss intentions for Hispanic participants only. Perceived body size is a more accurate self-report proxy of BMI-defined weight status compared with the perceived weight category among Hispanic and Somali immigrant groups. Body image discrepancy may be more predictive of weight loss intentions than actual BMI.

Association of osteoporosis with sarcopenia and its components among community-dwelling older Chinese adults with different obesity levels: A cross-sectional study.

We aimed to investigate whether sarcopenia and its components are associated with osteoporosis in community-dwelling older Chinese adults with different obesity levels. This cross-sectional study included 1938 participants (42.1% male) with a mean age of 72.1 ± 5.9 years. The categorization of individuals into various weight categories was based on the Working Group on Obesity in China's criteria, utilizing the body mass index (BMI) as follows: underweight, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2; normal weight, 18.5 ≤ BMI < 24 kg/m2; overweight, 24 ≤ BMI < 28 kg/m2; and obesity, BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2. In this research, the osteoporosis definition put forth by the World Health Organization (bone mineral density T-score less than or equal to -2.5 as assessed by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)). Sarcopenia was defined according to the diagnostic criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. The prevalence of osteoporosis was highest in the underweight group and gradually decreased with increasing BMI (Underweight: 55.81% vs Normal weight: 45.33% vs Overweight: 33.69% vs Obesity: 22.39). Sarcopenia was associated with elevated odds of osteoporosis in normal-weight subjects independent of potential covariates (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.22-2.35, P = .002). In normal-weight participants, a higher appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) was associated with a reduced risk of osteoporosis (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.42-0.74, P < .001). In this study, we found that the prevalence of osteoporosis was highest in the underweight group and gradually decreased with increasing BMI. Sarcopenia, body fat percentage, and ASMI were associated with elevated odds of osteoporosis in normal-weight subjects independent of potential covariates, and higher percent body fat (PBF) was associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis in overweight people, and no such association was found in other weight groups. Different amounts of adipose tissue and muscle mass may alter bone biology. Further longitudinal follow-up studies are required to more accurately assess the risk of osteoporosis and sarcopenia in different weight populations. This cross-sectional study found that the prevalence of osteoporosis was highest in the underweight group and gradually decreased with increasing BMI. Sarcopenia was associated with elevated odds of osteoporosis in normal-weight subjects independent of potential covariates.

The effect of body weight on the knee joint biomechanics based on subject-specific finite element-musculoskeletal approach

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and obesity are major public health concerns that are closely intertwined. This intimate relationship was documented by considering obesity as the most significant preventable risk factor associated with knee OA. To date, however, the effects of obesity on the knee joint's passive-active structure and cartilage loading have been inconclusive. Hence, this study investigates the intricate relationship between obesity and knee OA, centering on the biomechanical changes in knee joint active and passive reactions during the stance phase of gait. Using a subject-specific musculoskeletal and finite element approach, muscle forces, ligament stresses, and articular cartilage contact stresses were analyzed among 60 individuals with different body mass indices (BMI) classified under healthy weight, overweight, and obese categories. Our predicted results showed that obesity significantly influenced knee joint mechanical reaction, increasing muscle activations, ligament loading, and articular cartilage contact stresses, particularly during key instances of the gait cycle—first and second peak loading instances. The study underscores the critical role of excessive body weight in exacerbating knee joint stress distribution and cartilage damage. Hence, the insights gained provide a valuable biomechanical perspective on the interaction between body weight and knee joint health, offering a clinical utility in assessing the risks associated with obesity and knee OA.