Association between adiposity indicators, metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers in a sample of female adolescents

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the association between total and abdominal adiposity with metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers, in female adolescents.Subjects and methods The sample consisted of 53 adolescents aged 13 to 17 years from a public school in Curitiba, Brazil. The adiposity indicators studied were body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), trunk fat mass (TKFM), total fat mass (TFM) and body fat percentage (BF%) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The metabolic and inflammatory parameters studied were systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), leptin, adiponectin and resistin.Results Eighty percent of WC variation, 87% of TKFM and TFM, and 73% of BF% were predicted by BMI variation. There was a significant positive correlation between all indicators of adiposity with SBP, DBP, insulin, HOMA-IR, CRP and leptin. Triglycerides were positively correlated with BMI and WC, and adiponectin correlated negatively with BMI. TNF-α, IL-6, glucose, total cholesterol, and high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not correlate to the studied variables.Conclusion BMI showed a significant association with most of the parameters studied, and WC was slightly better than BMI to predict insulin resistance in this specific population.

Effect of concurrent training on gender-specific biochemical variables and adiposity in obese adolescents

Objective The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effects of a 20-week concurrent training (20 WCT) intervention program on gender-specific body composition and metabolic variables in obese adolescents.Subjects and methods Sample was composed of twenty-five obese adolescents, aged between 12 and 15 (13.4 ± 0.96) years. Fat-free mass (FFM), percentage trunk fat mass (TFM%) and percentage fat mass (%FM) were evaluated through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Measurement of intra-abdominal adiposity (IAAT) was performed using ultrasound. Blood pressure was measured and blood samples analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), triglycerides (TG) and plasma glucose. All participants performed the concurrent training (combination of weight training and aerobic training) three times per week, one hour per day, for 20 weeks. Descriptive analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures were used to compare baseline, 10 week and 20 week moments using the Bonferroni post-hoc test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Significant decrease in TC, LDL-c and TFM% were verified in both genders after the 10 initial weeks of concurrent training.Results A significant increase in height was found in both the male and female groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.047, respectively), after 20 weeks of concurrent training. In addition, several modifications were observed in body composition and metabolic variables, with a significant decrease in BMI (p = 0.002 and p = 0.017), BMI z-score (p = 0.033 and p = 0.004), FM% (p = 0.002 and p = 0.002), TFM% (p = 0.009 and p = 0.018), TC (p = 0.042 and p = 0.001) and LDL-c (p = 0.006 and p = 0.001) in the male and female groups, respectively, after 20 weeks of intervention when compared with baseline.Conclusion Our results identified that concurrent training was an effective intervention for treating metabolic variable and body composition disorders, in both genders, by decreasing adiposity with consequent improvement in BMI and BMI z-scores, and enhancement in lipid profile variables.

A baixa estatura leve está associada ao aumento da pressão arterial em adolescentes com sobrepeso / Mild stunting is associated with higher blood pressure in overweight adolescents / La baja estatura leve está asociada al aumento de la presión arterial en adolescentes con sobrepeso

FUNDAMENTO: Estudos têm demonstrado que a desnutrição pré/pós-natal leva a um maior risco de doenças não transmissíveis, como diabetes, hipertensão e obesidade na idade adulta. OBJETIVO: Determinar se os adolescentes com sobrepeso e desnutrição leve [escores-Z altura/idade (HAZ) na faixa de <-1 a > -2] têm pressão arterial mais elevada do que os indivíduos com sobrepeso e com estatura normal (HAZ > -1). MÉTODOS: Os participantes foram classificados como de baixa estatura leve ou de estatura normal, e estratificados de acordo com os percentis de massa corporal para a idade, como sobrepeso, peso normal ou abaixo do peso. As pressões arteriais sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD) foram determinadas de acordo com as diretrizes e a gordura abdominal foi analisada por absorciometria de dupla emissão de raios-X. RESULTADOS: Indivíduos com baixa estatura leve e sobrepeso apresentaram valores mais elevados da PAD (p = 0,001) do que suas contrapartes de baixo peso (69,75 ± 12,03 e 54,46 ± 11,24 mmHg, respectivamente), mas semelhantes àqueles com IMC normal. Não foram encontradas diferenças nos valores de PAD em indivíduos normais, indivíduos com sobrepeso e com baixo peso entre os grupos de estatura normal. Foi encontrado um aumento na PAS (p = 0,01) entre os indivíduos com baixa estatura leve quando comparados os indivíduos com sobrepreso com suas contrapartes de baixo peso e IMC normal (114,70 ± 15,46, 97,38 ± 10,87 e 104,72 ± 12,24 mmHg, respectivamente). Embora não tenham sido observadas diferenças nas médias de PAS entre os grupos de baixa estatura leve e estatura normal, foi encontrado um intercepto significativo (p = 0,01), revelando maior PAS entre os indivíduos com baixa estatura leve. Houve correlação entre PAS e gordura abdominal (r = 0,42, ρ = 0,02) no grupo com baixa estatura leve. CONCLUSÃO: Indivíduos de baixa estatura leve com sobrepeso apresentaram maior PAS do que os de estatura normal e sobrepeso. Esses achados confirmam que a baixa estatura leve aumenta o risco futuro de hipertensão e essas alterações são evidentes em indivíduos jovens.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that pre/postnatal undernutrition leads to higher risk of non communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity in adulthood. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether overweight adolescents with mild stunting [height-for-age Z scores (HAZ) in the range <-1 to >-2] have higher blood pressure than overweight individuals with normal stature (HAZ >-1). MEHTODS: Participants were classified as mildly stunted or of normal stature, and further stratified according to body mass index-for-age percentiles as overweight, normal or underweight. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DPB) blood pressures were determined according to guidelines, and abdominal fat was analyzed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Mild stunted overweight individuals showed higher DBP values (p=0.001) than their underweight counterparts (69.75 ± 12.03 and 54.46±11.24 mmHg, respectively), but similar to those of normal BMI. No differences were found in DBP values of normal, overweight and underweight individuals among the normal stature groups. An increase in SBP (p=0.01) among mild stunted individuals was found when those with overweight were compared to their underweight and normal BMI counterparts (114.70 ± 15.46, 97.38 ± 10.87 and 104.72 ± 12.24 mmHg, respectively). Although no differences were observed in the means of SBP between mild stunting and normal stature groups, a significant intercept was found (p=0.01), revealing higher SBP among stunted individuals. There was a correlation between SBP and abdominal fat (r=0.42, ρ=0.02) in the stunted group. CONCLUSION: Stunted individuals with overweight showed higher SBP than those of normal stature and overweight. These findings confirm that mild stunting increase the risk of future hypertension and alterations are evident at early age.

FUNDAMENTO: Estudios han demostrado que la desnutrición pre/post-natal lleva a un mayor riesgo de enfermedades no transmisibles, como diabetes, hipertensión y obesidad en la edad adulta. OBJETIVO: Determinar si los adolescentes con sobrepeso y desnutrición leve [escores-Z altura/edad (HAZ) en la franja de <-1 a > -2] tienen presión arterial más elevada que los individuos con sobrepeso y con estatura normal (HAZ > -1). MÉTODOS: Los participantes fueron clasificados como de baja estatura leve o de estatura normal, y estratificados de acuerdo con los percentiles de masa corporal para la edad, como sobrepeso, peso normal o abajo del peso. Las presiones arteriales sistólica (PAS) y diastólica (PAD) fueron determinadas de acuerdo con las directrices y la grasa abdominal fue analizada por absorciometría de doble emisión de rayos-X. RESULTADOS: Individuos con baja estatura leve y sobrepeso presentaron valores más elevados de la PAD (p = 0,001) que sus contrapartes de bajo peso (69,75 ± 12,03 y 54,46 ± 11,24 mmHg, respectivamente), pero semejantes a aquellos con IMC normal. No fueron encontradas diferencias en los valores de PAD en individuos normales, individuos con sobrepeso y con bajo peso entre los grupos de estatura normal. Fue encontrado un aumento en la PAS (p = 0,01) entre los individuos con baja estatura leve cuando fueron comparados los individuos con sobrepreso con sus contrapartes de bajo peso y IMC normal (114,70 ± 15,46, 97,38 ± 10,87 y 104,72 ± 12,24 mmHg, respectivamente). Aunque no hayan sido observadas diferencias en las medias de PAS entre los grupos de baja estatura leve y estatura normal, fue encontrado un intercepto significativo (p = 0,01), revelando mayor PAS entre los individuos con baja estatura leve. Hubo correlación entre PAS y grasa abdominal (r = 0,42, ρ = 0,02) en el grupo con baja estatura leve. CONCLUSIONES: Individuos de baja estatura leve con sobrepeso presentaron mayor PAS que los de estatura normal y sobrepeso. Esos hallazgos confirman que la baja estatura leve aumenta el riesgo futuro de hipertensión y esas alteraciones son evidentes en individuos jóvenes.

Circunferência da cintura e relação cintura/estatura: úteis para identificar risco metabólico em adolescentes do sexo feminino? / Waist and waist-to-height ratio: useful to identify the metabolic risk of female adolescents?

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se a medida da circunferência da cintura e a relação cintura/estatura (RCE) são preditoras de fatores de risco cardiovasculares em adolescentes do sexo feminino. MÉTODOS: Avaliaram-se 113 adolescentes de 14 a 19 anos quanto à antropometria (peso, estatura e circunferência da cintura), parâmetros bioquímicos e clínicos (colesterol total, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglicerídeos, glicemia de jejum, insulina, homeostasis model assessment to assess insulin resistance - HOMA-IR, leptina, homocisteína e pressão arterial). Considerou-se como ponto de corte de obesidade abdominal valores de cintura e RCE>percentil 90. RESULTADOS: As adolescentes com obesidade abdominal apresentaram valores significantemente maiores de triglicerídeos (exceto para a RCE), insulina, HOMA-IR, leptina, pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica; o HDL-C foi mais baixo no grupo com cintura >percentil 90, porém sem significância estatística (p=0,052). CONCLUSÕES: O presente estudo demonstrou que a cintura e a RCE são medidas úteis para identificar adolescentes do sexo feminino com maior risco cardiovascular; contudo, a circunferência da cintura, isoladamente, apresentou melhor desempenho.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the waist circumference and the waist-to-height ratio (WHTR) are predictors of cardiovascular risk factors in female adolescents. METHODS: 113 adolescents aged 14 to 19 years old were assessed according to anthropometric data (weight, height, waist circumference), biochemical and clinical parameters (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglyceride, fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model to assess insulin resistance - HOMA-IR), leptin, homocysteine and blood pressure. The cut points used for identification of abdominal fat were waist and WHTR values >90th percentile. RESULTS: Teenagers with abdominal obesity presented greater values of triglycerides (except for WHTR), insulin, HOMA-IR, leptin and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while the HDL-C was reduced in the group with waist circumference >90th percentile, however without statistical significance (p=0.052). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that waist and WHTR are useful measures to identify female adolescents with a high cardiovascular risk, however the waist circumference presented a better performance.

Associação entre a razão cintura-estatura e hipertensão e síndrome metabólica: estudo de base populacional / Association of waist-stature ratio with hypertension and metabolic syndrome: population-based study

FUNDAMENTO: Hipertensão e síndrome metabólica são fatores de risco cardiovascular associados com o aumento da adiposidade. Em um estudo anterior, a razão cintura-estatura (RCE) foi identificada como o melhor índice de obesidade associado com hipertrofia do ventrículo esquerdo. OBJETIVO: Comparar a capacidade desse índice na identificação da hipertensão e síndrome metabólica com outros índices de obesidade (índice de massa corporal - IMC; circunferência da cintura - CC e razão cintura-quadril - RCQ) através da análise de curvas ROC (receiver operator characteristics). MÉTODOS: 1.655 (45,8 por cento homens) participantes do Projeto MONICA-WHO/Vitória, com idade média de 45 ± 11 anos foram investigados. A prevalência de síndrome metabólica (critérios ATP-III) foi de 32,9 por cento, hipertensão de 42,4 por cento e obesidade de 19,2 por cento. RESULTADOS: Em relação à capacidade de identificar a hipertensão, houve uma superioridade significante da RCE em relação ao IMC e CC (p < 0,05), independentemente do sexo, mas não em relação à RCQ (p > 0,05). Em relação à capacidade de identificar a síndrome metabólica, houve uma superioridade significante da RCE em relação à RCQ em homens (p < 0,001), mas não em relação ao IMC e à CC (p = 0,16 e p = 0,9 respectivamente). Entretanto, em mulheres, a RCE foi significativamente superior em relação à RCQ (p < 0,001) e IMC (p = 0,025), mas não em relação à CC (p = 0,8). Os pontos de corte são 0,52 e 0,53 para hipertensão e 0,53 e 0,54 para síndrome metabólica, para homens e mulheres, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: A obesidade abdominal identificada pela RCE, ao invés da obesidade geral identificada pelo IMC, é o índice mais simples e melhor aplicável, associado à hipertensão e síndrome metabólica, em nossa população.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and metabolic syndrome are cardiovascular risk factors associated with increased adiposity. In a previous study, waist-to-stature ratio (WSR) was identified as the best obesity index associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. OBJECTIVE: In this study we compared the ability of this index to identify hypertension and metabolic syndrome with other obesity indexes (body mass index - BMI; waist circumference - WC; and waist-to-hip ratio - WHR) by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. METHODS: 1,655 (45.8 percent men) participants of the MONICA-WHO/Vitoria Project, mean age 45 ± 11 y were investigated. Metabolic syndrome prevalence (ATP-III criteria) was 32.9 percent, hypertension was 42.4 percent and obesity was 19.2 percent. RESULTS: Regarding the ability to identify hypertension, there was a significant WSR superiority in relation to BMI and WC (p < 0.05) regardless of gender, but WHR (p > 0.05). In relation to the ability to identify metabolic syndrome, there was a significant WSR superiority in relation to WHR in men (p < 0.001), but BMI and WC (p = 0.16 and p = 0.9), respectively. However, in women WSR was significantly superior in relation to WHR (p < 0.001) and BMI (p = 0.025), but WC (p = 0.8). The optimal WSR cutoffs are 0.52 and 0.53 for hypertension and 0.53 and 0.54 for metabolic syndrome, for men and women, respectively. CONCLUSION: Abdominal obesity, identified by WSR as a surrogate, and not overall obesity (BMI as surrogate), is the simplest and best applicable obesity index associated to hypertension and metabolic syndrome in our population.

Obesidade e sua relação com fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares em uma população nipo-brasileira / Obesity and its relationship with cardiovascular risk factors in a Japanese-Brazilian population

OBJETIVO: Descrever associações entre excesso de peso e obesidade abdominal com fatores de risco cardiovascular na população nipo-brasileira de Mombuca, Guatapará, SP. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 131 indivíduos com descendência japonesa (69,2 por cento da primeira e 30,8 por cento da segunda geração), com idade > 20 anos, correspondendo a 66,8 por cento da população residente dessa faixa etária. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionários padronizados e foram realizados exames clínicos e laboratoriais. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de sobrepeso foi de 29,6 por cento entre os homens e de 25,6 por cento entre as mulheres e a de obesidade foi de 46,3 por cento entre os homens e de 39,0 por cento entre as mulheres. Entre os homens a prevalência de obesidade abdominal foi de 55,6 por cento e entre as mulheres de 20,8 por cento. O índice de massa corpórea foi associado independentemente com triglicérides, circunferência abdominal e idade; a pressão arterial sistólica com a circunferência abdominal. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo enfatiza a necessidade de medidas de intervenção para a prevenção da obesidade na população nipo-brasileira de Mombuca.

OBJECTIVE: To describe associations of weight excess and abdominal obesity with cardiovascular risk factors in a Japanese-Brazilian population from Mombuca, Guatapará, SP. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 131 individuals of Japanese ancestry (69.2 percent first and 30.8 percent second generation), aged 20 years or more, corresponding to 66.8 percent of the resident population from this age group. Data were collected through standardized questionnaires and laboratory and physical examinations were performed. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 29.6 percent and 46.3 percent in men and 25.6 percent and 39.0 percent in women, respectively. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 55.6 percent in men and 20.8 percent in women. Body mass index was independently associated with triglycerides, waist circumference and age; systolic blood pressure with waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Data from the present survey highlight the necessity of interventions to prevent obesity in the Japanese-Brazilian population from Mombuca.

Trigliceridemia de jejum e pós-prandial em mulheres: avaliação de co-morbidade, fatores de risco e circunferência abdominal / Fasting and postprandial triglyceridemia in women: comorbid, risk factors and abdominal circumference evaluation

A prevalência da obesidade continua a aumentar. A adiposidade abdominal parece exercer papel crítico no desenvolvimento e na progressão de fatores de risco cardiometabólicos. O estudo procurou avaliar a presenta de co-morbidade, bem como a associação possível entre os valores da circunferência abdominal e a trigliceridemia em jejum e pós-prandial em mulheres.

The prevalence of obesity is growing. Abdominal obesity seems to have a critical role in the development and progression of cardiometabolic risk factors. The objective of the study is to assess the frequency of comorbidities and the possible association betweem abdominal waist and fasting and nonfasting triglycerides.

Desempenho de diferentes valores críticos de índice de massa corporal na identificação de excesso de gordura corporal e obesidade abdominal em adolescentes / Accuracy of different body mass index cutoffs to predict excessive body fat and abdominal obesity in adolescents

OBJETIVO: Analisar a concordância e eficiência de três valores críticos para índice de massa corporal (IMC) na indicação da obesidade abdominal e do excesso de gordura corporal em adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Análise transversal, em que participaram do estudo 807 jovens, de ambos os sexos (entre 11 e 17 anos), e foram aferidos valores de massa corporal, estatura, circunferência de cintura e gordura corporal relativa. A curva ROC analisou a eficiência dos pontos de corte para índice de massa corporal. RESULTADOS: Os três valores críticos analisados apresentaram moderada concordância na indicação da obesidade abdominal (0,54 a 0,66) e elevados valores de sensibilidade (77,4 por cento a 92,8 por cento) e especificidade (75,6 por cento a 91,6 por cento) para a indicação do estado nutricional. A proposta nacional foi mais sensível na indicação de concomitante excesso de gordura corporal e obesidade abdominal (97,8 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: Todos os valores críticos analisados apresentaram desempenho similar na indicação do estado nutricional e da obesidade abdominal, no entanto a proposta nacional foi mais sensível na indicação de indivíduos obesos com elevado risco cardiovascular.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the agreement and accuracy of three body mass index cutoffs in the identification of excessive body fat and abdominal obesity in adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis was carried out for which 807 adolescents of both sexes (11 to 17 years old) were recruited and their body mass, stature, waist circumference and body fat percentage measured. The ROC evaluated the accuracy of the body mass index cutoffs. RESULTS: IThe cutoffs analyzed showed a moderate level of agreement in the indication of abdominal obesity (0.54 to 0.66), and high rates of sensitivity (77.4 percent to 92.8 percent) and specificity (75.6 percent to 91.6 percent) for indication of the nutritional status. Cutoff of Brazilians was more sensitive in the indication of associated excessive body fat and abdominal obesity (97.8 percent). CONCLUSION: All cutoffs analyzed showed similar accuracy in the indication of nutritional status and abdominal obesity, however, the cutoff of Brazilians was more sensitive in the identification of obese individuals with high cardiovascular risk.

Leptin is not associated independently with hypertension in Japanese-Brazilian women

We evaluated the relationship of leptin with hypertension adjusted for body mass index (BMI) and/or waist circumference in a population of Japanese-Brazilian women aged > or = 30 years with centrally distributed adiposity. After excluding diabetic subjects, the study subjects - who participated in a population-based study on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome - showed prevalence rates of obesity (BMI > or = 25 kg/m²) and central adiposity (waist > or = 80 cm) of 32.0 and 37.8 percent, respectively. The hypertensive group (N = 162) was older, had higher BMI (24.9 ± 4.2 vs 23.3 ± 3.4 kg/m², P < 0.001), waist circumference (81.1 ± 10.1 vs 76.3 ± 8.2 cm, P < 0.001) and insulin levels (8.0 ± 6.2 vs 7.1 ± 4.9 æU/mL, P < 0.05) than the normotensive group (N = 322) and showed an unfavorable metabolic profile (higher 2-h plasma glucose, C-reactive protein and non-HDL cholesterol levels). Leptin did not differ between groups (8.2 ± 6.8 vs 7.2 ± 6.6 ng/mL, P = 0.09, for hypertensive vs normotensive, respectively) and its levels correlated significantly with anthropometric variables but not with blood pressure. Logistic regression analysis indicated that age and waist were independently associated with hypertension but not with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance or leptin levels. The lack of an independent association of hypertension with metabolic parameters (2-h glucose, C-reactive protein and non-HDL cholesterol) after adjustment for central adiposity suggested that visceral fat deposition may be the common mediator of the disturbances of the metabolic syndrome. Our data indicate that age and waist are major determinants of hypertension in this population of centrally obese (waist > or = 80 cm) Japanese-Brazilian women, but do not support a role for leptin in the elevation of blood pressure.