Heart phospholipid content and fatty acid composition in the rat after feeding different lipid supplemented diets.

The heart phospholipid content and fatty acid composition were examined in adult rats after four weeks of feeding lipid-supplemented diets (20 g % w/w) containing sunflower oil-lard (1:1) mixture (SL group) or margarine (M group). Our results showed a decreased cardiolipin content and distribution in both experimental groups and an increased lysophosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylcholine content and distribution in the SL group with a tendency to lower phosphatidylcholine/phospatidylethanolamine ratio in both experimental groups. In the SL group, the content of saturated fatty acids was higher and that of monounsaturated fatty acids was lower than in the control group. The M group showed inverse results. The content of saturated fatty acids was lower and that of monounsaturated was higher than in the control group. Polyunsaturated n-6 fatty acids were decreased in both experimental groups and n-3 fatty acids were increased in the M group. Feeding lipid-supplemented diets reduced n-6/n-3 and 20:4/22:6 ratios in the M group. The polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio was lower in the SL and higher in indicating the M group than in the control group. Our results are in agreement with the other reports indicating that the heart is sensitive to diet-induced lipid alterations.

Evaluation of the nutritional status and tumor characteristics in premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer patients.

Evaluation of the nutritional status, fat tissue distribution, and tumor characteristics was carried out in patients with primary breast cancer. The patients were classified into two groups according to their menopause: premenopausal and postmenopausal. Breast cancer prevalence was considerably higher in postmenopausal patients (61%). The patients' nutritional status was shown through the body mass index. Based on this indicator, the patients were characterized as nonobese and obese. In the premenopausal group, there was no significant difference between these categories, whereas the number of obese patients was significantly higher (80%) in the postmenopausal group. The analysis of tumor parameters as related to menopause and body size did not yield any significant differences. However, the estrogen receptor content was significantly higher in postmenopausal patients (p < 0.0001). Distribution of fat tissue of the android type was higher in obese postmenopausal women than in premenopausal ones (77%). The investigation showed that the breast cancer incidence odds are 3.5 times higher in obese postmenopausal than in premenopausal patients.

[Health implications of obesity]. / Zdravstvene implikacije gojaznosti.

The high prevalence of obesity in our society makes obesity a major and increasing health hazard. Extensive observations pointed out a connection of obesity with a variety of illnesses. The evidence shows that obesity is a major contributor to the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, gallstone disease, osteoarthritis and hyperuricaemia in the general population. Obesity also appears to be a contributor to cancers of the colon, prostate and rectum in men and breast, ovary, uterus and biliary tract in women. Hormonal abnormalities tend to occur in both obese men and women. Obese women have menstrual irregularities more often than nonobese. Obese persons tend to have reduced pulmonary function compared with nonobese. Although there are many unresolved issues, weight control is necessary for avoiding and reducing health implications of obesity. More information is required for controlling obesity and its consequences, prior to recommending a dietary advice and treatment.

[Child obesity: assessment and follow-up]. / Procena i pracenje gojaznosti u decjoj populaciji

The aim of the study of 1083 children (aged 7-11) was to determine a minimum of somatometric parameters sufficient for a realistic assessment and follow-up of obesity in this population. In other words, we wanted to make the most rational choice of parameters necessary for correct application of the "statistical" definition of obesity. To estimate obesity in children, we used parameters such as body height, body weight, skinfold thickness measured at five points as well as the indices - relative body weight and body mass index. We then examined which of the indices that have been used had a greater correlation with the sum of skinfold thicknesses. Research results have shown that in order to estimate child obesity for epidemiological purposes, it is sufficient to determine only body height, body weight and body mass index. These parameters are also sufficient for the purpose of planning and realization of programs for the prevention of obesity.

[Criteria for the classification of obesity]. / Merila za procenu stepena gojaznosti.

Obesity is defined as a condition of increased adipose tissue mass. Although it is quite clear that many health complications are associated with severe obesity, it is very difficult to measure adipose tissue and precise quantification of the amount needed to increase risk to health. The cutoff between normality and obesity is still the subject of debate. For now, the body mass index (BMI) is used as index of obesity, but the curves describing the relationship with morbidity and mortality are U or J-shapes. As the definition of obesity for medical purpose should take into account the risk for associated diseases, it is very difficult to establish the bordelines for obesity with BMI as basis. In this paper the authors also pointed out the recent recognition that the distribution of fat may be a more important risk factor than the total adipose tissue mass. The waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR) is recommended as an index of fat distribution, especially abdominally located. The relationship between disease risk and WHR is linear or exponential, what means that it is easier to establish borderlines of medical significance with WHR as baseline. It can be concluded that definition of obesity for medical purposes should take into account the risk for NIDDM, CVD and some carcinomas. Therefore, WHR should be included in the combination with BMI as it has higher discriminative power for diseases and mortality rate.

[Dietetic-hygienic measures in the control of arterial hypertension in obese females]. / Dijetetsko-higijenske mere u suzbijanju arterijske hipertenzije gojaznih osoba zenskog pola.

Since the evidence to data suggest that some obese person respond well to non-pharmacological measures, the aim of this study was to examine the extent of body weight reduction necessary to reduce blood pressure to normal values. A group of 250 obese women with hypertension (blood pressure measurements over 160/95) and an overweight of at least 20 per cent excess of ideal weight was included in the study. The patients were advised to take well balanced low-calorie (about 1000 kcal/day) diet containing 66 g proteins, 140 g carbohydrates, 13 g fat and 0.5 g salt. They were advised to increase daily physical activities. Low-calorie diets were used to decrease body weight in groups of patients with changed of unchanged antihypertensive drug therapy, also. Decrease in body weight resulted in significant decrease in blood pressure; over two-thirds of complaint patients achieve normal blood pressure with a loss of only 5-10 per cent of their weight excess even if at this point they were still overweight. In the group receiving no drug therapy 78 per cent reached normal blood pressure, 76 per cent in the patients whose antihypertensive treatment had to be modified during the study and 63 per cent in the group receiving unchanged drug therapy. It was concluded that weight reduction program (diet and physical activity) can be a possible approach to treat hypertension without drugs and patients can attain normotension long before achieving the ideal weight.

Effects of reducing diet and increased leisure time physical activity on hypertension associated with obesity.

The study examined the effects of energy restriction and increased leisure time physical activity on the body mass, body fat, and blood pressure. A group of moderately obese women (120-160% of ideal body mass) referred to the Dietetic Unit as out-patients, were assigned to a reducing diet and increased activities. The diet provided an average of 4.18 MJ (bout 1000 kcalories), with a reduced salt intake of 0.5 g per day, enriched with cellulose and supplemented by trace elements and vitamins. Increased leisure time activities consisted in one-hour walking a day at the least and ten-minute light gymnastics. The average reduction in the blood pressure obtained in the study was 19 mmHg systolic and 10 mmHg diastolic in the non-exercising group. The exercised subjects had a greater reduction in the systolic (23 mmHg) and diastolic (11 mmHg) blood pressures. The significant correlation was not found between the body mass loss and the blood pressure decrease. It was observed that the normal blood pressure was achieved in about two thirds of the patients when they had lost 9 to 132 percent of their body mass, indicating that the achievement of a desirable body mass is not essential for the sizeable reduction in the blood pressure. Although this study demonstrates that a combined nutritional-physical activity intervention program may be effective in reducing a high blood pressure, it does not show a distinction between the body mass loss and physical activity as mediating factors.