Waist Circumference Above 80 cm Predicts Increased Systolic Blood Pressure in Healthy Young Adult Women

Abstract Background: Among anthropometric measures for assessing adiposity-related risk, waist circumference (WC) is simple and fast to perform. Cut-off values for WC proposed by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the Adult Treatment Panel III of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP-ATP III) are categorized by gender and are not age-specific. Objective: To analyze the association between WC and cardiometabolic risk factors in adult women. Methods: A total of 164 healthy adult women were grouped by WC according to IDF and NCEP-ATP III cutoff values. Continuous variables were described as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range). The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess the normality of data. Variables were analyzed by unpaired Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The correlation of WC categories with systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and triglycerides were examined by Spearman's rho correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Increased WC showed a significant correlation with SBP, DBP, glucose, HDL-c, and triglycerides. In bivariate linear regression, approximately 63.0 % of the variability of SBP (≥ 130 mmHg) among the age group 20-40 years was predicted by increased WC according to both criteria. Conclusion: A WC above 80 cm in women aged 20-40 years strongly predicted variability in SBP, calling attention to the importance of measuring WC for the monitoring and prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in women in this age group.

Nutritional Status, Lifestyle and Lipid Profile in Vegetarians

Abstract Background: Vegetarian diets have been linked to reduced risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases, since they positively modulate biochemical parameters, particularly those related with glycemic control and lipemia, and considered as potential strategy for weight control. Objective: To compare the nutritional status, lifestyle and lipid profile of adult vegetarians with omnivores in a sample of individuals in the city of São Paulo. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Anthropometric, biochemical and lifestyle variables were compared between vegetarians and omnivores. A significance level of 5% was considered for all analyses. Results: Vegetarians were more likely to practice physical activity (64.3% vs 42.5%, p = 0.056) and consuming dietary supplements (48.1% vs 20.5%, p = 0.012). There was no statistically significant difference for the variables: age, sex, triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein between the two groups. Vegetarians had significantly lower weight [60.8 kg (56.7 - 69.4) vs 71.1 kg (58.0 - 75.4), p = 0.038], BMI [22.4 kg/m2 (20.9 - 23.8) vs 24.6 kg/m2 (21.7 - 26.1), p = 0.001], and waist circumference [(81.8 ± 8.2 vs 87.8 ± 10.9 cm, p = 0.003)], and higher high-density lipoprotein (54.88 ± 14.44 vs 47.30 ± 12.27 mg /dL p = 0.008) than omnivores. Conclusion: Compared with omnivores, vegetarians had a better nutritional status, with lower BMI and waist circumference, significantly higher levels of plasma lipoprotein high-density, and healthier lifestyle.

Uso de medidas autorreferidas de peso e altura na determinação do estado nutricional de trabalhadores / Use of self-reported weight and height for determining workers' nutritional status

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o uso de medidas autorreferidas de peso e altura na avaliação do estado nutricional de trabalhadores de um frigorífico do Sul do Brasil. Métodos Foi conduzido um estudo transversal, com 902 trabalhadores com idade entre 18 e 50 anos. As variáveis so-ciodemográficas, assim como peso e altura autorreferidos foram obtidos por um questionário pré-testado e padronizado. Posteriormente, foram aferidos peso e altura, calculado o índice de massa corporal e classificado o estado nutricional. Foi utilizada a estatística de Bland-Altman para determinar as diferenças médias e os limites de concordância entre medidas autorreferidas e aferidas. O percentual de concordância na classificação do estado nutricional foi avaliado de acordo com o sexo, idade e escolaridade dos trabalhadores. Resultados A diferença média da altura autorreferida, em relação à aferida, foi de 0,55 cm (limite inferior; limite superior: -7,41; 6,29) (p<0,001) e o do índice de massa corporal foi - 0,14 (limite inferior; limite superior: -2,72; 2,99) (p=0,005). Com relação ao diagnóstico nutricional, o excesso de peso foi subestimado em 12,4% entre as mulheres, 9,6% entre os mais velhos (³32 anos) e 7,2% entre os menos escolarizados. Conclusão A utilização de medidas autorreferidas para avaliação do estado nutricional em trabalhadores deve ser realizada com atenção, principalmente em indivíduos cujos relatos têm a tendência ao erro, como mulheres e trabalhadores com maior idade e menor escolaridade.

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the use of self-reported weight and height for determining the nutritional status of workers from a poultry-processing plant in Southern Brazil. Methods This cross-sectional study included 902 workers aged 18-50 years. Sociodemographic variables, weight, and height were collected by a pretested and standardized questionnaire. Body mass index was then calculated for nutritional status classification. The Bland-Altman plot measured the difference and the limits of agreement between the self-reported and measured weights, heights, and body mass indices. The percentage of agreement in nutritional status classification was evaluated by workers' sex, age, and education level. Results The mean differences between the self-reported and measured heights and body mass indices were 0.55 cm (lower-b; upper-b: -7.41; 6.29) (p<0.001); and -0.14 kg/m2 (lower-b; upper-b: -2.72; 2.99) (p=0.005), respectively. Excess weight was underestimated in 12.4% of the women, 7.2% of the workers with low education level, and 9.6% of the older workers (³32 years old). Conclusion Self-reported measures should be used carefully for evaluating nutritional status in workers, mainly in subjects who tend to misreport, such as women, older workers, and workers with lower education level.

Association of neck circumference with waist circumference and body mass index in the elderly and its value in diagnosing obesity / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the association between the neck circumference and central obesity in the elderly.Methods The neck circumference(NC),height,weight,waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference(HC) of 2820 subjects aged over 60 years were detected from some communities in Nanchang.All subjects were divided into different groups,according to the two different obesity indicators of WC and BMI.The relationship between NC and obesity was analyzed.A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted using the Enter method.An R()C curve analysis was employed to judge the tangent point of NC in central obesity.Results The height,weight and BMI were reduced along with age (all P＜0.05),and the waist hip ratio(WHR) was increased along with age(P＜0.01) in the elderly.The NC was decreased along with age in males(P＜0.01),and the WC was increased along with age in females(Pt＜0.01).The NC was longer in males than in females [(36.5±3.0) cm vs.(32.6±2.4) cm,P＜0.01].The NC was increased along with body weight,WC and BMI in the elderly:with each 1 kg increase in body weight,the NC was increased by 0.079 cm in males and 0.139 cm in females;with each 1cm increase in WC,the NC increased by 0.073 cm in males and 0.040 cm in females;with each 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI,the NC increased by 0.121 cm in males and 0.065 cm in females;with 1 year increase in age,the NC was decreased by 0.033 cm in males(all P＜0.05).when obesity was diagnosed according to both BMI and NC,the NC was longer in the obesity group than in the control group,(P ＜ 0.01).The area under receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve of NC for diagnosing central obesity showed that the area was 0.802 and 0.743 in males and females,and the optimal cut-off value of NC was 36.85 cm and 31.75 cm in males and females,respectively.Conclusions NC is increased along with the increases of body weight,WC and BMI in the elderly.NC is significantly associated with central obesity.NC is more predictive of the central obesity when the value ＞36.85 cm in males and ＞31.75 cm in females.

Photographs for anthropometric measurements of the breast region. Are there limitations?

PURPOSE: To determine the limitations of the photographs used to obtain the anthropometric measurements of the breast region. METHODS: Five women, between the ages of 18 to 60 years, were evaluated. Photographs of the frontal and left and right profile views of their breasts were taken. Based on the current literature, the most commonly used anthropometric and anatomic landmarks for breast measurement were marked in their different positions. The different points were used to evaluate if the direct anthropometry was possible in a standardized way and determine how the points and the positions can to be used in any breast measurements. RESULTS: There were some limitations to the use of defining points of the breast fold, as well as of its lower portion and lateral extension positions in both profiles. CONCLUSION: The defining points of the breast fold and the profile photographs have some limitations and we suggested how the points and positions can be used for breasts measurements. .

Medidas auto-referidas são válidas para avaliação do estado nutricional na população brasileira? / Are self-reported measures valid for the assessment of nutritional status in the brazilian population?

As medidas auto-referidas têm sido amplamente utilizadas para avaliar oestado nutricional em estudos epidemiológicos. Este ponto de vista teve o propósito de tecer considerações sobre a validade do uso das medidas de massa corporal e estatura referidas, para a avaliação do estado nutricional em crianças, adolescentes, adultos e idosos no Brasil. As evidências disponíveis sugerem que: a) em crianças, a utilização de medidas auto-referidas não é recomendada, devido à inexistênciade estudos nacionais; b) em adolescentes, essas medidas devem ser utilizadas com cautela, visto que o único estudo realizado no país foi restrito a uma amostra local e pode não representar a realidade das demais regiões; c) em adultos, o uso desse método pode ser considerado uma alternativa viável para avaliar e monitorar o estado nutricional, em situações nas quais não é possível a medida direta dessas informações; d) em idosos, ainda não é possível recomendar a utilização das medidasauto-referidas por dois motivos: 1) os estudos não foram conduzidos especificamente com indivíduos acima de 60 anos; 2) esse grupo etário tende a estimar com menor acurácia essas medidas.

Self-reported measures have been widely used for the assessment of nutritional status in epidemiological studies. This paper discusses aspects regarding the validity of self-reported measures of body weight and height for the assessment of nutritional status in Brazilian children, adolescents, adults and elderly subjects. The available evidence suggests that: a) in children, the use of self-reported measures is not recommended because of the lack of Brazilian studies; b) in adolescents, these measures should be used withcaution since the only study carried out in Brazil was restricted to a local sample and may not represent the situation in other regions; c) in adults, this method can be considered a viable alternative for assessing and monitoring nutritional status in situations in which these data cannot be measured directly; d) in the elderly, the use of self-reported measures cannot yet be recommended for two reasons: first, studies specifically including subjects older than 60 years have not been conducted and, second, this age group tends to estimate these measures less accurately.

Crecimiento físico y corpulencia en niños y jóvenes nadadores venezolanos / Physical growth of children and young venezuelan swimmers

El entrenamiento sistemático y sus repercusiones en el crecimiento, desarrollo y maduración de los jóvenes nadadores es un tema sujeto a controversias. Analizar el crecimiento físico y la composición corporal en un grupo de nadadores de la selección del estado Miranda, con la finalidad de caracterizar su perfil biológico por edad, género y categorías de maduración y se comparan los resultados con los valores de la población de referencia nacional. Muestra de 178 nadadores (114 masculinos y 64 femeninas) del Estado Miranda, Venezuela, 2004. Para las variables antropométricas, se siguieron los lineamientos establecidos por la Sociedad Internacional para el Avance de la Kinantropometrìa. Se utilizó auto evaluación con la Escalera de Maduración Sexual y se agruparon según la clasificación de Nicoletti en: prepúber: G1/GM1 (n=40), púber inicial: G2-G3/GM2-GM3 (n=95), púber avanzado: G4-G5/GM4-GM5 (n=43). Análisis descriptivo por edad, género y categorías de maduración sexual y se aplicó correlación de Pearson y prueba “t” para comparar con los valores de referencia nacional. Las nadadoras presentaron valores mayores en muslo, pliegues de tríceps y subescapular, sumatoria pliegues, área grasa y distribución periférica. El Índice de masa corporal correlacionó con el peso (r=0,7-0,9), sumatoria de pliegues (r=0,6-0,9) y área muscular (r=0,5-0,9) en ambos sexos y en todas las edades. Los nadadores (as) fueron más altos y corpulentos que la referencia nacional (p<0,05) en talla, talla sentada, peso, circunferencia de brazo y muslo y diámetro biacromial. Los nadadores exhibieron mayor desarrollo físico y corpulencia, pero menos grasa corporal que la población de referencia, diferencias que se reducen con el avance del crecimiento y al nivelar por maduración.

To analyze physical growth and body composition of 178 Venezuelan swimmers (114 males, 64 females) from Miranda State, Venezuela. The aim was to depict a biological profile by age and sex, as well as to compare this group, against national reference anthropometric values. Analysis included descriptive statistics by age, sex and different stages of biological maturity status. Anthropometric procedures employed adhere to the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry guidelines. Tanner’s stages of sexual maturation: genitalia (G) in boys and breast (B) development in girls, were used to subdivide the sample into the three categories determined by Nicoletti: prepuberty (G1/B1), initial puberty (G2-G3/B2-B3) and advanced puberty (G4-G5/GM4-GM5). Comparisons were established by means of t tests and Pearson correlation. Female swimmers (p<0.5) showed grater values on thigh, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, sum of skinfolds, fat area and moreperipheral distribution than their male counterparts. Results showed body mass index as independent of height, but weight (r=0.7-0.9)and sum of skinfolds (r=0.6-0.9) highlighted a positive correlation in both sexes and at all ages. Male and female swimmers were similar in height, sitting height and weight, but differences (p<0.05) were found from 16 years on, that favor male athletes; 17 cm in height; 6.9 cm sitting height and 12.2 kg for weight, as well as biacromial and biliocristal diameters, arm circumference and arm muscular area (p<0.01). Male and female swimmers showed higher values (p<0.05) compared with national reference measures in height, sitting height, weight, arm and thigh circumferences and biacromial breadth. Swimmers in general during growth exhibited grater values in physical development and corpulence, but less body fat compared against national references. Differences diminished at the end of growth and when maturity status is taken into account.