Overweight Young Adults Research Articles

Dietary Behaviors and Glucose Metabolism in Young Adults at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes.

Purpose The purpose of the study was to examine the associations between dietary behaviors and glucose metabolism in high-risk young adults to increase the precision of nutrition education to prevent early onset type 2 diabetes (T2D). Method Using a descriptive, cross-sectional study design, 106 overweight or obese sedentary young adults ages 18-29 years from the Atlanta metropolitan area were recruited to screen diabetes risk. Survey questionnaires, anthropometric assessment, blood pressure (BP), and laboratory data were collected in a clinical research unit. The Web-based HOMA2 calculator was used to calculate beta cell function and insulin sensitivity. Results The final sample included 103 participants. There were similar patterns of diet (caloric intake and dietary quality) between African Americans and non-African Americans, whereas African Americans showed hyperinsulinemia compared with non-African Americans. When young adults consumed a good quality diet (appropriate carbohydrate intakes; high fiber, low saturated fat but protein rich diet), their insulin resistance was decreased. There was a marginal interaction effect between insulin sensitivity and beta cell function by race. Systolic BP was higher in African Americans, and total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher in non-African Americans. Conclusion Findings are useful to develop age-specific nutrition guidelines to prevent early onset T2D in high-risk young adults.

A Telehealth Parent-Mediated Mindfulness-Based Health Wellness Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face difficulties in making lifestyle changes because of lack of community and professional awareness and specialist services. Some services, such as for health wellness, are even more difficult for people with IDD to acquire if they live in remote areas or they cannot access specialist services in their community. Telehealth is beginning to be used to fill this service need. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of providing telehealth training to parents on a mindfulness-based health wellness (MBHW) program that they then taught their children to implement. Thirty-two overweight or obese adolescents and young adults were taught a five-component MBHW program, and its effects on their body weight were assessed within a changing criterion design. The intervention included physical exercise, healthy eating and nutrition, mindful eating, mindful response to thoughts of hunger, and a mindfulness practice to control the urge to eat. The 30 participants who successfully completed the whole program had an average weight of 164.2 lb at baseline (pre-intervention), lost an average of 38.27 lb by the end of intervention, and maintained their target weight for four consecutive years at a mean weight of 127.37 lb. On average, they reduced their body mass index (BMI) from a mean of 29.54 at entry into the program to 22.80 by the end of intervention, and maintained their BMI at a mean of 23.03 during the 4-year follow-up. In addition, the participants’ social validity ratings showed great satisfaction with the program in meeting their desired weight goals, and they unanimously indicated that they would recommend the program to their peers. The data suggest that the MBHW program was effective with the participants and further evaluation using a randomized controlled trial appears warranted.

Understanding the determinants of hemoglobin and iron status: adolescent-adult women comparisons in SANHANES-1.

The study compared hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin levels between adolescent and adult women with different body mass indices, dietary intake, and sociodemography. A secondary analysis of data for 3177 South African women ⩾15 years of age who participated in the SANHANES-1 study was undertaken. Abnormal Hb (≤12 g/dL) and serum ferritin (<15 μg/mL) were based on the World Health Organization's criteria for nonpregnant women aged ⩾15 years. Data were analyzed using STATA version 11. Overall, anemia was detected in 740 (23.3%) participants. Of the individuals in the subsample (n = 1123, 15-35 years) who had serum ferritin measured, 6.0% presented with iron depletion (ID) and 10.8% presented with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). The highest prevalences of anemia, ID, and IDA were in 15- to 18-year-olds (11.2%, 8.8%, and 20.2%, respectively). Black young adults (19-24 years) were up to 40 times more likely to present with ID compared with their non-black counterparts. While overweight adolescents were three times more likely to be anemic, overweight and obese young adults, as well as obese older adults (25-35 years), were less likely to be anemic compared with normal-weight women of all age groups. Overconsumption of dietary fat increased ID by up to 54- and 11-fold (adolescents and 25- to 35-year-olds, respectively). In South Africa, anemia is most prevalent in adolescents and black women. Anemia is also an indicator of overconsumption of dietary fat and a marker of socioeconomic disadvantage.

An evidence-based gamified mHealth intervention for overweight young adults with maladaptive eating habits: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is the first-line of treatment for overweight and obesity patients whose problems originate in maladaptive eating habits (e.g., emotional eating). However, in-person CBT is currently difficult to access by large segments of the population. The proposed SIGMA intervention (i.e., the Self-help, Integrated, and Gamified Mobile-phone Application) is a mHealth intervention based on CBT principles. It specifically targets overweight young adults with underlying maladaptive behaviors and cognitions regarding food. The SIGMA app was designed as a serious game and intended to work as a standalone app for weight maintenance or alongside a calorie-restrictive diet for weight loss. It uses a complex and novel scoring system that allows points earned within the game to be supplemented by points earned during outdoor activities with the help of an embedded pedometer.Methods/designThe efficacy of the SIGMA mHealth intervention will be investigated within a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The intervention will be set to last 2 months with a 3-month follow-up. Selected participants will be young overweight adults with non-clinical maladaptive eating habits embodied by food cravings, binge eating, and emotional eating. The primary outcomes will be represented by changes in (1) self-reported maladaptive thoughts related to eating and body weight, (2) self-reported maladaptive eating behaviors in the range of urgent food cravings, emotional eating or binge eating, (3) as well as biased attentional processing of food items as indexed by reaction times. Secondary outcomes will be represented by changes in weight, Body Mass Index, general mood, and physical activity as indexed by the number of steps per day.DiscussionThrough an evidence-based cognitive behavioral approach and a user-friendly game interface, the SIGMA intervention offers a significant contribution to the development of a cost-effective and preventive self-help tool for young overweight adults with maladaptive eating habits.Trial registrationISRCTN, ID: 70907354. Registered on 6 February 2017. The ISRCTN registration is in line with the World Health Organization Trial Registration Data Set. The present paper represents the original version of the protocol. Any changes to the protocol will be communicated to ISRCTN.

Endothelial Function in Healthy Young Individuals Is Associated with Dietary Consumption of Saturated Fat.

Background: A diet rich in fat, in particular saturated fat (SF), may be linked to cardiovascular disease development, possibly due to a detrimental effect of fat on endothelial function (EF).Objective: We aimed to determine whether the habitual SF intake [as a ratio to total fat (the sum of saturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated fat)] might influence endothelial function in young, overweight but otherwise healthy adults.Design: Sixty-nine young adults (49 males, mean age: 23 ± 1 years, mean BMI: 29.1 ± 0.8 kg/m2) were classified into three tertiles according to their habitual SF intake consumption (low SF: <39%, medium SF 39.1–43.7%, and high SF: >43.7% of total fat). Endothelial function was assessed using digital amplitude tonometry.Results: The three groups of individuals were comparable for total energy intake and calories from: fat, protein, and carbohydrates. There was no difference in anthropometric and hemodynamic variables among the groups. Those in the high SF group presented with impaired endothelial function [reactive hyperemia index (RHI): high SF: 1.60 ± 0.08 compared to 2.23 ± 0.16 in the medium SF and 2.12 ± 0.14 in the low SF group, P < 0.01]. Regression analysis, including gender, age, ethnicity, body mass index indicated that the ratio of SF to total fat was an independent predictor of the RHI (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The habitual consumption of a diet high in SF in relation to polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat was strongly associated with impaired endothelial function in young overweight adults, potentially contributing to increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

How Is the Practice of Yoga Related to Weight Status? Population-Based Findings From Project EAT-IV.

Yoga may provide a strategy for healthy weight management in young adults. This study examined prevalence and characteristics of young adults' yoga practice and associations with changes in body mass index. Surveys were completed by 1830 young adults (31.1 ± 1.6y) participating in Project EAT-IV. Cross-sectional and 5-year longitudinal analyses were conducted stratified by initial weight status. Two-thirds (66.5%) of nonoverweight women and 48.9% of overweight women reported ever doing yoga, while 27.2% of nonoverweight women and 16.4% of overweight women practiced regularly (≥30min/wk). Fewer men practiced yoga. Among young adults practicing regularly (n = 294), differences were identified in intensity, type, and location of yoga practice across weight status. Young adults who were overweight and practiced yoga regularly showed a nonsignificant 5-year decrease in their body mass index (-0.60kg/m2; P = .49), whereas those not practicing regularly had significant increases in their body mass index (+1.37kg/m2; P < .01). Frequency of yoga was inversely associated with weight gain among both overweight and nonoverweight young adults practicing yoga regularly. Young adults of different body sizes practice yoga. Yoga was associated with less weight gain over time, particularly in overweight young adults. Practicing yoga on a regular basis may help with weight gain prevention.

High-intensity interval and moderate-intensity continuous training elicit similar enjoyment and adherence levels in overweight and obese adults

Background: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to improve cardiometabolic health during supervised lab-based studies but adherence, enjoyment, and health benefits of HIIT performed independently are yet to be understood. We compared adherence, enjoyment, and cardiometabolic outcomes after 8 weeks of HIIT or moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), matched for energy expenditure, in overweight and obese young adults. Methods: 17 adults were randomized to HIIT or MICT. After completing 12 sessions of supervised training over 3 weeks, participants were asked to independently perform HIIT or MICT for 30 min, 4 times/week for 5 weeks. Cardiometabolic outcomes included cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 peak), lipids, and inflammatory markers. Exercise enjoyment was measured by the validated Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. Results: Exercise adherence (93.4 ± 3.1% vs. 93.1 ± 3.7%, respectively) and mean enjoyment across the intervention (100.1 ± 4.3 vs. 100.3 ± 4.4, respectively) were high, with no differences between HIIT and MICT (p > .05). Similarly, enjoyment levels did not change over time in either group (p > .05). After training, HIIT exhibited a greater decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol than MICT (−0.66 mmol L−1 vs. −0.03 mmol L−1, respectively) and a greater increase in VO2 peak than MICT (p < .05, +2.6 mL kg min−1 vs. +0.4 mL kg min−1, respectively). Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein increased in HIIT (+0.5 pg mL−1 and + 31.4 nmol L−1, respectively) and decreased in MICT (−0.6 pg mL−1 and −6.7 nmol L−1, respectively, p < .05). Conclusions: Our novel findings suggest that HIIT is enjoyable and has high unsupervised adherence rates in overweight and obese adults. However, HIIT may be associated with an increase in inflammation with short-term exercise in this population.

Obesity: Sweetener associated with increased adiposity in young adults.

Many students experience weight gain during their first year of college, which has been attributed to environmental changes, including eating habits and activity patterns. A new study implicates the endogenous metabolite and sugar substitute, erythritol, as a novel physiological marker predictive of vulnerability to increased adiposity.

Every step you take?

Every step you take?

Disparate Body Composition Outcomes for Underwater Weighing, Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, and Two Bioelectrical Impedance Devices in Overweight Young Adults

Introduction: As the prevalence of obesity rises, so does the need for reliable Body Composition (BC) methods. Many methods of BC analysis exist, however validity between methods has been questioned. Uncertainty exists within the scientific literature about which laboratory method and field measurement is applicable for the overweight population to estimate Percent Body Fat (% BF). There is scarce research comparing Hydrostatic Weighing (HW) and Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) with field methods in overweight individuals. The purpose of this study was to compare HW and DXA with Multi-Frequency (MF-BIA) and a Single-Frequency (SFBIA) Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA) device. Methods: Twenty-five overweight and obese adults (BMI 30.1 ± 4.1 kg/ m2, 13 males, 12 females, ages 24.6 ± 4.7y) were randomly assessed by vertical SF-BIA, and supine MF-BIA against DXA and lastly HW. All participants followed standardized pre-testing guidelines for BC assessment. Agreement was assessed using a 2 (group) x 4 (method) RMANOVA and post-hoc t-tests were applied as appropriate. All methods of body composition were used and compared to DXA and HW. You can submit your Manuscripts at: https://symbiosisonlinepublishing.com/submitManuscript.php

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components among overweight and obese Nigerian adolescents and young adults.

The incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), is rapidly increasing in developing countries. However, the epidemiology of MetS is not well reported in the pediatric and young adult population. We determined the prevalence of MetS and its components among overweight and obese Nigerian adolescents and young adults presenting for university admission. A cross-sectional study of overweight and obese adolescents and young adults was performed. Blood pressure readings were taken while participants were seated. Anthropometric measures of waist circumference, weight and height were also taken using standard protocols and the body mass index was computed thereafter. Venous blood for fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol was collected and assayed using standard laboratory methods. Metabolic syndrome was defined by the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. 91 individuals (18 males) aged 18.1 ± 4.85 years were studied. 13 (14.3%) of them had MetS and 11 (84.6%) of these were adolescents. Abdominal obesity was prevalent in 89 (97.8%) participants, hypertension was prevalent in 39 (42.9%) participants and hyperglycaemia was prevalent in 5 (5.5%) participants. Hypertriglyceridaemia was least prevalent in one (1.1%) participant who did not have MetS. All the participants who had hyperglycaemia (5.5%) had MetS. There is a high prevalence of MetS in obese and overweight Nigerian adolescents and young adults with the clustering of two components in half of the population. These findings have profound implications hence there is an urgent need to institute primary and secondary interventions in this population.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and its association with adiposity indices in young adults.

Objective:This study investigated the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and adiposity in young adults.Methods:Data was collected from 133 students of a medical college of Pakistan. The study was conducted on young adults, aged 17-24 years, recruited from Jinnah Medical & Dental College, Karachi, between Aug-Dec, 2015. Queen’s College Step Test was conducted to measure CRF and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) evaluated. Anthropometric measurements (body mass index, body fat, visceral fat, waist circumference) were taken to assess adiposity. Associations of VO2max and adiposity were analyzed.Results:The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 44% overall. The VO2max (ml/kg/min) of males and females was 55.41±9.45 and 39.91±3.14, respectively, the gender difference being highly significant (p<0.001). Quartiles of VO2max showed strong inverse relationship between adiposity and VO2max, obese individuals having low VO2max (1st quartile) and normal weight individuals having high VO2max (4th quartile). VO2max correlated greatest with body fat in males (r = –0.600; p<0.001), and waist circumference in females (r = –0.319; p=0.004).Conclusion:The results indicate low CRF in young females and a strong inverse relationship between fitness levels and adiposity in young adults of both genders. Improving these parameters in our young population may prevent development of chronic non-communicable disease in later life.

VO2 Max and Body Mass in Overweight and Obese Young Adults

VO2 Max and Body Mass in Overweight and Obese Young Adults

Correlation of Adiposity Indices with Electrocardiographic Ventricular Variables and Vascular Stiffness in Young Adults.

Excess adiposity constitute an important public health problem because of the associated increased risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other disorders. Not only the contribution of general measures of adiposity but also central measures of adiposity have been observed. To compare and correlate the central and general adiposity indices with ventricular electrocardiographic variables and vascular stiffness indices in normal, overweight and obese young adults. This was a cross-sectional study. Nearly ninety subjects were enrolled and were divided into 30 normal weight, 30 overweight and 30 obese group based on the BMI classification of WHO for Asian population with their age ranging from 18-25 years. Waist and hip circumferences were measured using stretchable tape. Two novel indices-conicity index and abdominal volume index were calculated using standard formula. ECG and pulse wave were recorded using the Physiopac - Medicaid systems. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 19.0 software. ANOVA test was done to compare the variables among three groups. Pearson's correlation coefficients were applied to establish the correlations between variables. In our study Body Mass Index (BMI) and Conicity Index (CI) was significantly and strongly correlated with the ventricular electrocardiographic variables especially with QRS duration, QTc interval and with vascular stiffness indices. These indices can be used to assess the electrocardiographic abnormalities and vascular stiffness status. Excess adipose tissue in young adults was closely linked to ventricular depolarization and repolarization abnormalities and also to increased vascular stiffness. Adiposity indices in particular (BMI, CI) provide a simple and non invasive approach to assess these abnormalities at the earliest in order to prevent future complications.

Effect of Weight Control Counseling in Overweight and Obese Young Adults

This study was carried out to compare groups with individual counseling to examine essential outcomes in young adults in a community pharmacy. A randomized controlled trial was conducted from June 2011 to February 2012. A total of 112 overweight and obese participants were randomly assigned to receive group counseling (n=52) or individual counseling (n=56). Clinical outcomes included weight, waist circumference and body mass index. Eating behaviors were evaluated by a theory of planned behavior questionnaire. Both groups showed significant clinical outcomes. The theory of planned behavior average sum score significantly increased from baseline in the health dieting behavior and subjective norm in group counseling. In the individual group (P<0.05), the score increased significantly from baseline only for health dieting behavior (P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis, factors associated with eating behaviors were: group counseling (OR=4.03, 95% CI: 1.71-9.51), female (healthy dieting behavior: OR=0.37, 95% CI: normative beliefs: 0.15-0.93) and person who attempted to control weight (OR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.03-0.91). Group counseling was not inferior to individual counseling and the group counseling should be used as first line mode for weight control management in young adults.

Prefrontal cortex-mediated executive function as assessed by Stroop task performance associates with weight loss among overweight and obese adolescents and young adults

People with cognitive deficits or executive dysfunction are often overweight or obese. Several human neuroimaging studies have found that executive function (EF) predicts food intake and weight gain; however, fewer studies have investigated the relationship between EF and weight loss. The Stroop task is a classic measure of EF that is used in many neuroimaging studies. In the present work, functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) data were collected during performance of the Stroop task from a sample of overweight or obese adolescents and young adults (n=31) who participated in a summer fitness and weight loss camp. We assessed the Stroop effect by interference in the reaction time (RT) to visual challenges, and by alterations in levels of oxygenated hemoglobin, as detected by fNIRS. In line with previous studies, we found that the Stroop effect was successfully induced by different visual task conditions among obese/overweight individuals. Moreover, our results reveal that better Stroop task performance is correlated with greater weight loss over a4-weekfitness intervention. Indeed, behavioral data demonstrated that reduced RT interference predicted a greater percentage of weight loss. Moreover, overweight/obese individuals with a greater hemodynamic response in the left ventrolateral and bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex due to the Stroop effect lost more weight during the short-term fitness intervention than participants with lower levels of activation of these neural regions. Overall, our results support a role for prefrontal cortex-mediated EF in influencing food intake and weight loss outcomes in a population of a previously unstudied age.

Effects of 8-week swimming training on carotid arterial stiffness and hemodynamics in young overweight adults.

BackgroundExercise has been found to either reduce or increase arterial stiffness. Land-based exercise modalities have been documented as effective physical therapies to decrease arterial stiffness. However, these land-based exercise modalities may not be suitable for overweight individuals, in terms of risks of joint injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 8-week swimming training and 4-week detraining on carotid arterial stiffness and hemodynamics in young overweight adults.MethodsTwenty young male adults who were overweight were recruited and engaged in 8-week of swimming training and 4-week detraining. Five individuals withdrew due to lack of interest and failure to follow the training protocol. Body Fat Percentage (BFP) and carotid hemodynamic variables were measured on a resting day at the following intervals: baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks after swimming training and 4 weeks after detraining. A repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the differences between baseline and each measurement. When significant differences were detected, Tukey’s test for post hoc comparisons was used.ResultsEight-week swimming training at moderate intensity decreased BFP, including the trunk and four extremities. Additionally, the BFP of the right and left lower extremities continued to decrease in these overweight adults 4 weeks after ceasing training. Carotid arterial stiffness decreased, while there were no significant changes in arterial diameters. Blood flow velocity, flow rate, maximal and mean wall shear stress increased, while systolic blood pressure and peripheral resistance decreased. No significant differences existed in minimal wall shear stress and oscillatory shear stress.ConclusionsEight-week swimming training at moderate intensity exhibited beneficial effects on systolic blood pressure, arterial stiffness and blood supply to the brain in overweight adults. Moreover, maximal and mean wall shear stress increased after training. It is worth noting that these changes in hemodynamics did not last 4 weeks. Therefore, further studies are still warranted to clarify the underlying relationship between improvements in arterial stiffness and alterations in wall shear stress.

Childhood Bullying Victimization and Overweight in Young Adulthood: A Cohort Study.

To test whether bullied children have an elevated risk of being overweight in young adulthood and whether this association is: (1) consistent with a dose-response relationship, namely, its strength increases with the chronicity of victimization; (2) consistent across different measures of overweight; (3) specific to bullying and not explained by co-occurring maltreatment; (4) independent of key potential confounders; and (5) consistent with the temporal sequence of bullying preceding overweight. A representative birth cohort of 2,232 children was followed to age 18 years as part of the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study. Childhood bullying victimization was reported by mothers and children during primary school and early secondary school. At the age-18 follow-up, we assessed a categorical measure of overweight, body mass index, and waist-hip ratio. Indicators of overweight were also collected at ages 10 and 12. Co-twin body mass and birth weight were used to index genetic and fetal liability to overweight, respectively. Bullied children were more likely to be overweight than non-bullied children at age 18, and this association was (1) strongest in chronically bullied children (odds ratio = 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.21-2.35); (2) consistent across measures of overweight (body mass index: b = 1.12; 95% CI = 0.37-1.87; waist-hip ratio: b = 1.76; 95% CI = 0.84-2.69); (3) specific to bullying and not explained by co-occurring maltreatment; (4) independent of child socioeconomic status, food insecurity, mental health, and cognition, and pubertal development; and (5) not present at the time of bullying victimization, and independent of childhood weight and genetic and fetal liability. Childhood bullying victimization predicts overweight in young adulthood.

Anabolic sensitivity of postprandial muscle protein synthesis to the ingestion of a protein-dense food is reduced in overweight and obese young adults

Excess body fat diminishes muscle protein synthesis rates in response to hyperinsulinemic-hyperaminoacidemic clamps. However, muscle protein synthetic responses after the ingestion of a protein-dense food source across a range of body mass indexes (BMIs) have not been compared. We compared the myofibrillar protein synthetic response and underlying nutrient-sensing mechanisms after the ingestion of lean pork between obese, overweight, and healthy-weight adults. Ten healthy-weight [HW; BMI (in kg/m2): 22.7 ± 0.4], 10 overweight (OW; BMI: 27.1 ± 0.5), and 10 obese (OB; BMI: 35.9 ± 1.3) adults received primed continuous l-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine infusions. Blood and muscle biopsy samples were collected before and after the ingestion of 170 g pork (36 g protein and 3 g fat) to assess skeletal muscle anabolic signaling, amino acid transporters [large neutral and small neutral amino acid transporters (LAT1, SNAT2) and CD98], and myofibrillar protein synthesis. At baseline, OW and OB groups showed greater relative amounts of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) protein than the HW group. Pork ingestion increased mTORC1 phosphorylation only in the HW group (P = 0.001). LAT1 and SNAT2 protein content increased during the postprandial period in all groups (time effect, P < 0.05). Basal myofibrillar protein synthetic responses were similar between groups (P = 0.43). However, myofibrillar protein synthetic responses (0-300 min) were greater in the HW group (1.6-fold; P = 0.005) after pork ingestion than in the OW and OB groups. There is a diminished myofibrillar protein synthetic response to the ingestion of protein-dense food in overweight and obese adults compared with healthy-weight controls. These data indicate that impaired postprandial myofibrillar protein synthetic response may be an early defect with increasing fat mass, potentially dependent on altered anabolic signals, that reduces muscle sensitivity to food ingestion. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02613767.

Arterial hemodynamics are impaired at rest and following acute exercise in overweight young men.

Higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with greater cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, in part due to aortic stiffening assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Importantly, greater cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF; VO2peak) decreases CVD risk, and is associated with reductions in aortic stiffness. We tested the hypothesis that young adult overweight (OW, n=17) compared with healthy-weight (HW, n=17) men will have greater resting aortic stiffness, reduced CRF and an impaired post-exercise hemodynamic response. Resting cfPWV was greater in OW versus HW individuals (5.81 ± 0.13 vs 4.81 ± 0.12 m/sec, p<0.05). Relative CRF (VO2peak; mL/kg/min) was lower in OW compared with HW individuals (49.4 ± 1.3 vs 57.6 ± 1.0 mL/kg/min, p<0.05), and was inversely related with cfPWV (p<0.05). However, CRF as absolute VO2peak (L/min) was not different between groups and there was no relation between cfPWV and absolute VO2peak (L/min), indicating reduced relative CRF in OW men is due to greater body mass. Following the maximal treadmill exercise test, cfPWV was greater in OW compared with HW subjects from rest to 60 minutes post-exercise (p<0.05). Compared with HW, OW individuals had higher systolic blood pressure (main effect, p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure was selectively increased for up to 60 minutes following exercise (p<0.05). Overweight individuals had an attenuated post-exercise decrease in mean arterial pressure (p<0.05). Collectively, these results indicate that young, apparently healthy, OW men have greater resting aortic stiffening and an impaired post-exercise hemodynamic response.