ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Sarcopenia is explained as age-related reduction in muscle mass and performance. Some of the most important risk factors for sarcopenia include age, malnutrition, and sedentary life style. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of food intake and physical activity with body composition, muscle strength and muscle function in post -menopausal women
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 190 women aged 40-60 years were recruited from the staff working in Iran University of Medical Sciences. Variables consisting of muscle strength and muscle function, anthropometric indices, dietary intakes, and physical activity were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21
Results: There was a positive association between physical activity and handgrip strength [P=0.01], calorie intake and muscle function, protein intake and fat free mass percentage, total fat intake and fat mass percentage [in all associations, P<0.001]. In addition, a negative association was observed between carbohydrate intake and muscle function, as well as total fat intake and fat free mass percentage [in both associations, P<0.001]. There was not a significant relationship between the other variables [P>0.05]
Conclusions: It seems in this middle-aged women group, mild fat and carbohydrate restriction combined with mild or moderate physical activity may lead to reduction in fat mass, increased fat free mass, and improvement in muscle strength and muscle function
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is an autoimmune disease that inflammatory mediators has an important role in its pathogenesis and leads to bone and joints destruction. This inflammatory status can be effected by different factors such as genetic, dietary intakes and hormonal factors. However, the influence of anthropometric on the severity of RA and inflammatory markers is still debatable
Material and Methods: The current study was done on a group of patients with documented RA who were under regular visit in our university hospital outpatients clinic from the start until the end of 2012. Based on DAS-28 criteria disease activity was assessed by a rheumatology specialist. Anthropometric measurements included body mass index [BMI], Waist to hip ratio [WHR],Waist to Height Ratio [WHtR] all were measured serum levels of highly sensetive cpp IL-6 and MMP-3, were measured in fasting serum samples
Results: There was a Positive correlation between obesity [body mass index and waist to height ratio] and disease activity score and serum levels of hsCRP [P <0.05]. There was no significant correlation between obesity with serum levels of MMP-3 and IL-6 [P > 0.05]
Conclusion: Present study indicates a significant direct correlation between obesity and disease activity and systemic inflammation marker [hscRP]. In RA thus, control of weight could be a very important strategy for maintenance remission in rheumatoid arthritis