Body shape trajectories are associated with birth weight, body mass index and sociodemographic conditions in participants of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil): a multiple correspondence analysis.

BACKGROUND: Evaluating lifelong weight trajectories is challenging due to the high costs of studies that follow individuals from childhood to adulthood. The use of silhouette scales has been a new approach to assess the body shape trajectory across life as a proxy for body weight trajectory. Depending on body shape trajectories, individuals may be more prone to develop diseases in adulthood. Therefore, identifying factors related to them is essential for public health. This study aimed to evaluate body shape trajectories across the lifespan and to verify associations between them, birth weight, body mass index, and sociodemographic conditions in a Brazilian cohort. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis conducted with 14,014 participants of first follow-up data collection of Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). ELSA-Brasil is a multicentric prospective cohort study initiated in 2008 with civil servants of six public institutions in the Northeast, South and Southeast regions of Brazil. We applied a clustering method to longitudinal data to identify body shape trajectories from 5 to 40 years of age and assessed the associations between these trajectories and birth weight, body mass index and sociodemographic conditions (race, education, maternal education and monthly per capita family income) using multiple correspondence analysis. RESULTS: We found five body shape trajectories for women and three for men. Low birth weight was associated with a slight to moderate increase in shape. High birth weight was associated with maintaining large body size in both sexes and markedly increased body shape in women. Higher sociodemographic status and white race were associated with marked increases in body shape in men and maintenance of medium body shape in women. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that variables related to worse lifetime weight status (evaluated by anthropometry), such as presence of obesity, are also associated with worse body shape trajectories, as assessed with silhouette scales. Our results suggest that body shape trajectories are a good indicator of body weight trajectories and may be used when cohort studies are not possible.

Ecomorphology and Morphological Disparity of Caquetaia Kraussii (Perciformes: Cichlidae) in Colombia.

Understanding the interspecific morphological variability of Caquetaia kraussii (Perciformes: Cichlidae) between different localities in its distribution range is becoming essential, as this species constitutes a valuable resource for the economy and subsistence of the local human communities where it is endemic in Colombia and Venezuela. In order to develop efficient farming and handling plans for this species, a deep understanding of the factors and mechanisms generating morphological variability is crucial. This study analyzes the morphological variability of C. kraussii by using geometric morphometrics in four localities distributed between the Dique and North channels, which are part of the Bolívar department in Colombia. Likewise, the effect of environmental variables such as temperature (T°), dissolved oxygen (OD) and pH on morphological variability was analyzed using a partial least squares approach. The results show that environmental stress has an influence on ~10% of the body shape of C. kraussii, whereas ~90% of the body shape is not directly influenced by environmental parameters, suggesting an effect from stress related to sexual dimorphism. Similarly, the analyses show shape variation among localities, mainly between populations of lotic environments and those of lentic environments. This morphological disparity seems to be subject to environmental and sexual stresses in the different localities.

Valor diagnóstico de indicadores antropométricos para sobrepeso y obesidad / Diagnostic value of anthropometric indicators for overweight and obesity

La obesidad se define por un exceso de masa grasa, sin embargo, hay otros indicadores antropométricos que pueden ser útiles para el diagnóstico de sobrepeso u obesidad; Objetivo. Determinar la exactitud diagnóstica del índice de masa corporal (IMC), circunferencia de la cintura (CC) e índice de forma corporal (ABSI) para el diagnóstico de sobrepeso u obesidad en una población adulta del Ecuador. Materiales y métodos. Se desarrolló un estudio observacional de corte transversal en el que participaron 253 sujetos con edades entre 20 y 60 años. Se midió peso, estatura, circunferencia de la cintura y porcentaje de grasa corporal (PGC). Se correlacionó el PGC con IMC, CC y ABSI y se estableció la sensibilidad y especificidad de estos indicadores para el diagnóstico de sobrepeso u obesidad con curvas ROC. Resultados. El PGC fue menor en hombres que en mujeres (30,9 vs 41,87), ABSI y CC fue mayor en hombres que en mujeres (0,079 vs 0,075) y (99,76 vs 91,25) respectivamente. Se encontró una correlación positiva fuerte (≥0,75) entre el PGC e IMC y CC. En la curva ROC, el área bajo la curva más alta se observa para el IMC (0,949), mientras que el área más baja se observa para ABSI (0,395). Conclusión. El IMC es el indicador con mayor precisión diagnóstica de sobrepeso u obesidad. ABSI no sería un indicador útil en el diagnóstico de sobrepeso u obesidad(AU)

Obesity is defined by an excess of fat mass, however, there are other anthropometric indicators that can be useful for the diagnosis of overweight or obesity; Objetive. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and body shape index (ABSI) for the diagnosis of overweight or obesity in an adult population of Ecuador. Materials and methods. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out in which 253 subjects aged between 20 and 60 years participated. Weight, height, waist circumference and percentage body fat (PBF) were measured. The PBF was correlated with BMI, WC and ABSI and the sensitivity and specificity of these indicators were established for the diagnosis of overweight or obesity with ROC curves. Results. The PBF was lower in men than in women (30.09 vs 41.87), ABSI and CC were higher in men than in women (0.079 vs 0.075) and (99.76 vs 91.25) respectively. A strong positive correlation (≥0.75) was found between % body fat and BMI and WC. On the ROC curve, the area under the highest curve is observed for BMI (0.949), while the lowest area is observed for ABSI (0.395). Conclusion. The BMI is the indicator with the highest diagnostic precision of overweight or obesity. ABSI would not be a useful indicator in the diagnosis of overweight or obesity(AU)

Shaped by the Sun: the effect of exposure to sunlight on the evolution of spider bodies.

Body temperature can strongly influence fitness. Some Sun-exposed ectotherms thermoregulate by adjusting body posture according to the Sun's position. In these species, body elongation should reduce the risk of heat stress by allowing the exposure of a smaller body area to sunlight. Therefore, selection should favour more elongated bodies in Sun-exposed than in Sun-protected species. Diurnal orb-web spider species that sit on their webs are more likely to be Sun-exposed, on average, than nocturnal or diurnal shelter-building species. We measured the body elongation of orb-web spiders (Araneae, Araneidae) across 1024 species and classified them as Sun-protected or exposed based on the literature. We found that Sun-exposed species evolved more elongate bodies than Sun-protected ones. Further, we built a model combining traditional heat transfer models with models of thermoregulatory postures in orb-web spiders and meteorological data. The model indicates that body elongation in large orb-web spiders decreases the risk of high body temperatures. Overall, our results suggest that Sun exposure influenced the evolution of body shapes of orb-web spiders.

Beyond Pairwise Interactions: Multispecies Character Displacement in Mexican Freshwater Fish Communities.

Competition has long been recognized as a central force in shaping evolution, particularly through character displacement. Yet research on character displacement is biased, as it has focused almost exclusively on pairs of interacting species while ignoring multispecies interactions. Communities are seldom so simple that only pairs of species interact, and it is not clear whether inferences from pairwise interactions are sufficient to explain patterns of phenotypes in nature. Here, we test for character displacement in a natural system of freshwater fishes in western Mexico that contains up to four congeneric species of the genus Poeciliopsis. We analyzed body shape differences between populations with different numbers of competitors while accounting for confounding environmental variables. Surprisingly, we found evidence for convergent character displacement in populations of P. prolifica, P. viriosa, and P. latidens. We also found that the convergence in body shape was not consistently in the same direction, meaning that when three or more competitors co-occurred, we did not find more extreme body shapes compared with when there were only two competitors. Instead, when three or more competitors co-occurred, body shape was intermediate between the shape found with a pair of species and the shape found with no competitor present. This intermediate shape suggests that evolution in multispecies communities likely occurs in response to several competitors rather than to simple pairwise interactions. Overall, our results suggest that competition among multiple species is more complex than simple pairwise competitive interactions.

Effects of dietary intake patterns from 1 to 4 years on BMI z-score and body shape at age of 6 years: a prospective birth cohort study from Brazil.

PURPOSE: To assess the association between dietary intake patterns from 1 to 4 years and BMI and body shape at age of 6 years. METHODS: This longitudinal study was based on 3374 Brazilian children from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study. We used previously described dietary patterns from 1 to 4 years as the main exposure. We defined body shape using scores for corpulence (a recently described body shape component measured by Photonic Scanner), and trunk and gynoid fat mass percentage from DXA. We run linear regression models to evaluate the associations between dietary patterns from 1 to 4 years and BMI and body shape at 6 years. RESULTS: Several apparent associations between dietary patterns and BMI or body shape were explained by sociodemographic factors. High adherence to snacks (positive loadings to coffee, bread and cookies) at 4 years predicted lower BMI, but higher gynoid fat mass percentage at 6 years, while higher adherence to staple at 2 years (positive loadings to rice and beans) predicted higher trunk fat mass and lower gynoid fat mass. Finally, higher scores on milks at 1 year (positive loading to breast milk) predicted higher gynoid fat mass at 6 years. CONCLUSION: There were inconsistent associations between dietary patterns in infancy and early childhood and BMI and body shape at 6 years. In adjusted analyses, higher adherence to breast milk at 1 year and to snacks at 4 years appeared to be beneficial for body shape, associated with lower BMI, but higher peripheral fat.

ABSI is a poor predictor of insulin resistance in Chinese adults and elderly without diabetes

ABSTRACT Objective: Recently, a new obesity index (A Body Shape Index, ABSI) based on waist circumference (WC) was developed, and high ABSI corresponds to a more central concentration of body volume. It is well known that central obesity is closely linked with insulin resistance (IR). Therefore, our study aimed to examine the discriminatory power of ABSI for IR in Chinese adults and elderly without diabetes. Subjects and methods: In 2007, a cross-sectional study was made. In this study, 570 individuals without diabetes were available for analysis (male: 56.1%, mean age: 62.3 ± 6.5 years). Insulin resistance was assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were determined to identify variables/models that could predict insulin resistance. Results: ABSI was associated with IR, the cut-off points was 0.0785 m11/6kg-2/3 to identifying IR and the area under the ROC (AUC) curve was 0.618 (95%CI: 0.561-0.675), which was not better than body mass index BMI (AUC = 0.753; 95%CI: 0.706-0.801), WC (AUC = 0.749; 95%CI: 0.700-0.797), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG, AUC = 0.752; 95%CI: 0.705-0.799). Furthermore, combination with ABSI could improve the discriminatory power of other variables for IR. The AUC curve increased from 0.753 to 0.771for BMI, 0.749 to 0.754 for WC, 0.752 to 0.769 for FPG, respectively. Conclusions: ABSI is associated with IR in the general Chinese adults and elderly without diabetes, but the discriminatory power for IR is poor. It is recommended that ABSI be used in combination with other variables.

Disentangling the drivers of diversification in an imperiled group of freshwater fishes (Cyprinodontiformes: Goodeidae).

BACKGROUND: One of the most perplexing questions in evolutionary biology is why some lineages diversify into many species, and others do not. In many cases, ecological opportunity has played an important role, leading to diversification along trophic or habitat-based axes. The Goodeidae (Teleostomi: Cyprinodontiformes) are a family of freshwater fishes with two subfamilies: Goodeinae (42 species, viviparous, heterogeneous habitats, Mesa Central of Mexico) and Empetrichthyinae (4 species, oviparous, homogeneous habitats, Great Basin of the United States). These discrepant sets of characteristics and their sister-group relationship make the goodeids amenable to a comparative study of diversification. We gathered lateral body images from more than 1600 specimens of all extant species in the family. Geometric morphometric, and phylogenetic comparative analyses were used to address whether higher species diversity correlates with higher rates of morphological shape evolution and whether there are differences in functional/habitat modules between the two subfamilies. RESULTS: This study recovered a higher rate of overall body shape evolution in the Goodeinae that is nearly double in magnitude compared to the Empetrichthyinae. A modularity test indicated that the Goodeinae displayed elevated rates of morphological evolution in comparison to the Empetrichthyinae when only trunk (locomotor) regions were compared between subfamilies. No significant differences in evolutionary shape rates were recovered when the trophic (head) regions were compared between subfamilies. DISCUSSION: These results support the hypothesis that Mexican goodeids radiated via an ecological opportunity scenario into a wide-array of novel habitats in the island-like Mesa Central as evidenced by their high rate of shape evolution, relative to the Empetrichthyinae. This study quantitatively unraveled the drivers of evolution and eliminated trophic specialization as a driving force within the Goodeidae. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of phylogenetic and morphometric data, and phylogenetic comparative analyses were used to examine body shape rate evolution within the Goodeidae. Results support the hypothesis that species in the subfamily Goodeinae on the central Mexican plateau had a higher rate of body shape evolution relative to its sister subfamily Empetrichthyinae in the Great Basin suggesting that the Goodeinae diversified via an ecological opportunity scenario along habitat, rather than trophic axes.

Dimorfismo sexual e alometria ontogenética em Goyazana castelnaui (Crustacea, Brachyura)

In crustaceans, studies of dimorphism using geometric morphometry approach are particularly appropriate due to the facility and accuracy in the identification of homologous landmarks. The aim of this study was identify the existence of sexual and age dimorphism of freshwater crab Goyazana castelnaui (H. Milne-Edwards, 1853), except for the dimorphism of the pleon, since it is an aspect intrinsic to the Brachyura. Were determined 10 anatomical landmarks for ventral view and 11 for the dorsal view. A covariance matrix was generated, containing factors related to the sexes and age groups of each sex, and the images were considered symmetrical. The canonical variate analysis (CVA) and discriminant analysis (DA) were performed with 999 permutations and as comparisons were made based on the Hotteling test (T²) of the Procrustes distance. In the ventral view no variation was found in the form of juveniles and adults of females and males (p = 0.4548, p = 0.131, respectively) based on the Procrustres distance. In the dorsal view, a separation was observed between the adult females and the other groups, indicating a noticeable modification of the cephalothorax volume for the allocation of the gonads.

Nos crustáceos, os estudos de dimorfismo sexual utilizando morfometria geométrica são particularmente adequados, devido à facilidade e acurácia na identificação dos marcos anatômicos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar a existência de dimorfismo sexual e etário do caranguejo de água doce Goyazana castelnaui (H. Milne-Edwards, 1853), excetuando-se o dimorfismo do pléon, por tratar-se de um aspecto intrínseco aos Brachyura. Foram determinados 10 marcos anatômicos para vista ventral e 11 para a vista dorsal. Foi gerada uma matriz de covariância contendo fatores referentes aos sexos e aos grupos etários de cada sexo, sendo as imagens consideradas simétricas. A Análise de Variáveis Canônicas (CVA) e a análise discriminante (DA) foram realizadas com 999 permutações e as comparações foram feitas com base no teste de Hotteling (T2) da distância de Procrustes. Para a vista ventral não foi encontrada nenhuma variação na forma entre jovens e adultos de fêmeas e machos (p= 0,4548; p= 0,131, respectivamente) com base na distância de Procrustes. Na vista dorsal, foi observada uma separação entre as fêmeas adultas e os demais grupos, indicando uma modificação notória do volume do cefalotórax para alocação das gônadas.

Dimorfismo sexual e alometria ontogenética em Goyazana castelnaui (Crustacea, Brachyura)

ABSTRACT: In crustaceans, studies of dimorphism using geometric morphometry approach are particularly appropriate due to the facility and accuracy in the identification of homologous landmarks. The aim of this study was identify the existence of sexual and age dimorphism of freshwater crab Goyazana castelnaui (H. Milne-Edwards, 1853), except for the dimorphism of the pleon, since it is an aspect intrinsic to the Brachyura. Were determined 10 anatomical landmarks for ventral view and 11 for the dorsal view. A covariance matrix was generated, containing factors related to the sexes and age groups of each sex, and the images were considered symmetrical. The canonical variate analysis (CVA) and discriminant analysis (DA) were performed with 999 permutations and as comparisons were made based on the Hotteling test (T²) of the Procrustes distance. In the ventral view no variation was found in the form of juveniles and adults of females and males (p = 0.4548, p = 0.131, respectively) based on the Procrustres distance. In the dorsal view, a separation was observed between the adult females and the other groups, indicating a noticeable modification of the cephalothorax volume for the allocation of the gonads.

RESUMO: Nos crustáceos, os estudos de dimorfismo sexual utilizando morfometria geométrica são particularmente adequados, devido à facilidade e acurácia na identificação dos marcos anatômicos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar a existência de dimorfismo sexual e etário do caranguejo de água doce Goyazana castelnaui (H. Milne-Edwards, 1853), excetuando-se o dimorfismo do pléon, por tratar-se de um aspecto intrínseco aos Brachyura. Foram determinados 10 marcos anatômicos para vista ventral e 11 para a vista dorsal. Foi gerada uma matriz de covariância contendo fatores referentes aos sexos e aos grupos etários de cada sexo, sendo as imagens consideradas simétricas. A Análise de Variáveis Canônicas (CVA) e a análise discriminante (DA) foram realizadas com 999 permutações e as comparações foram feitas com base no teste de Hotteling (T2) da distância de Procrustes. Para a vista ventral não foi encontrada nenhuma variação na forma entre jovens e adultos de fêmeas e machos (p= 0,4548; p= 0,131, respectivamente) com base na distância de Procrustes. Na vista dorsal, foi observada uma separação entre as fêmeas adultas e os demais grupos, indicando uma modificação notória do volume do cefalotórax para alocação das gônadas.

Dimorfismo sexual e alometria ontogenética em Goyazana castelnaui (Crustacea, Brachyura)

In crustaceans, studies of dimorphism using geometric morphometry approach are particularly appropriate due to the facility and accuracy in the identification of homologous landmarks. The aim of this study was identify the existence of sexual and age dimorphism of freshwater crab Goyazana castelnaui (H. Milne-Edwards, 1853), except for the dimorphism of the pleon, since it is an aspect intrinsic to the Brachyura. Were determined 10 anatomical landmarks for ventral view and 11 for the dorsal view. A covariance matrix was generated, containing factors related to the sexes and age groups of each sex, and the images were considered symmetrical. The canonical variate analysis (CVA) and discriminant analysis (DA) were performed with 999 permutations and as comparisons were made based on the Hotteling test (T²) of the Procrustes distance. In the ventral view no variation was found in the form of juveniles and adults of females and males (p = 0.4548, p = 0.131, respectively) based on the Procrustres distance. In the dorsal view, a separation was observed between the adult females and the other groups, indicating a noticeable modification of the cephalothorax volume for the allocation of the gonads.(AU)

Nos crustáceos, os estudos de dimorfismo sexual utilizando morfometria geométrica são particularmente adequados, devido à facilidade e acurácia na identificação dos marcos anatômicos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar a existência de dimorfismo sexual e etário do caranguejo de água doce Goyazana castelnaui (H. Milne-Edwards, 1853), excetuando-se o dimorfismo do pléon, por tratar-se de um aspecto intrínseco aos Brachyura. Foram determinados 10 marcos anatômicos para vista ventral e 11 para a vista dorsal. Foi gerada uma matriz de covariância contendo fatores referentes aos sexos e aos grupos etários de cada sexo, sendo as imagens consideradas simétricas. A Análise de Variáveis Canônicas (CVA) e a análise discriminante (DA) foram realizadas com 999 permutações e as comparações foram feitas com base no teste de Hotteling (T2) da distância de Procrustes. Para a vista ventral não foi encontrada nenhuma variação na forma entre jovens e adultos de fêmeas e machos (p= 0,4548; p= 0,131, respectivamente) com base na distância de Procrustes. Na vista dorsal, foi observada uma separação entre as fêmeas adultas e os demais grupos, indicando uma modificação notória do volume do cefalotórax para alocação das gônadas.(AU)

Morphometric Modifications in Canthon quinquemaculatus Castelnau 1840 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae): Sublethal Effects of Transgenic Maize?

The effects of transgenic compounds on non-target organisms remain poorly understood, especially in native insect species. Morphological changes (e.g., changes in body size and shape) may reflect possible responses to environmental stressors, like transgenic toxins. The dung beetle Canthon quinquemaculatus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) is a non-target species found in transgenic crops. We evaluated whether C. quinquemaculatus individuals inhabiting corn fields cultivated with different seed types (conventional, creole and transgenic) present modifications in body shape compared to individuals inhabiting adjacent native forest fragments. We collected C. quinquemaculatus specimens across an agricultural landscape in southern Brazil, during the summer of 2015. Six populations were sampled: three maize crop populations each under a different seed type, and three populations of adjacent forests. After sampling, specimens were subjected to morphometric analyses to discover differences in body shape. We chose fifteen landmarks to describe body shape, and morphometric data were tested with Procrustes ANOVA and Discriminant Analysis. We found that body shape did not differ between individuals collected in conventional and creole crops with their respective adjacent forests (p > 0.05); however, transgenic crop populations differed significantly from those collected in adjacent forests (p < 0.05). Insects in transgenic maize are more oval and have a retraction in the abdominal region, compared with the respective adjacent forest, this result shows the possible effect of transgenic crops on non-target species. This may have implications for the ecosystem service of organic matter removal, carried out by these organisms.

Comparison between body mass index and a body shape index with adiponectin/leptin ratio and markers of glucose metabolism among adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Besides body mass index (BMI), new parameters have been developed to classify individual body shape. AIM: To investigate the relationship between BMI, waist circumference (WC), a body shape index (ABSI) and ABSI-adolescents among adolescents and verify which would better predict lower adiponectin/leptin (A/L) ratio and disturbances on glucose metabolism. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 197 Brazilian adolescents of 14-18 years. Serum leptin, adiponectin, glucose and insulin were measured. A/L ratio, ABSI, ABSI-adolescents, BMI, homeostasis model assessment estimates of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and ß-cell function (HOMA-ß) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were calculated. RESULTS: ABSI-adolescents positively correlated with WC (r = 0.83, p < 0.0001) and BMI (r = 0.66, p < 0.0001), but stronger correlations were observed between WC and BMI (r = 0.95, p < 0.0001). ABSI-adolescents, BMI and WC negatively correlated with A/L ratio (all p < 0.0001). The correlation between BMI and A/L ratio was the strongest (r = -0.63, p < 0.001). A/L ratio, BMI, WC and ABSI-adolescents correlated with markers of glucose metabolism (all p < 0.0001) and the strongest correlation was observed with BMI (QUICKI: r = -0.75; HOMA-IR: r = 0.76; HOMA-ß: r = 0.77; insulin: r = 0.79). Associations were confirmed by linear regression analysis, adjusted for sex and age. CONCLUSIONS: ABSI-adolescents, but not ABSI, was related to A/L ratio and to markers of glucose metabolism, but not more strongly than BMI and WC.

The relationship of birth weight, body shape and body composition at birth to altitude in Saudi Arabia / Relación de la altitud con el peso al nacer, la forma del cuerpo y la composición corporal en nacimientos en Arabia Saudita

The objective of this work was to study the effect of high altitude on full term birth weight, body shape and body composition of newborn infants. Twenty five healthy pregnant Saudi women and their healthy newborns from high altitude (2850-3150 m) and equal numbers from low altitude (500 m). For each pregnant woman haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit value and blood pressures were measured and recorded immediately after admission to hospital for delivery. Fetal haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit value were determined immediately after delivery. Determination of the newborn's body shape and composition were made from anthropometric measurements which were performed two hours after delivery. Placental weight was determined immediately after its delivery. Placentae were then examined histologically. Compared with their respectives from lowland, the pregnant women from high altitude and their placentae showed haemotogical and histological changes suggestive of maternal and placental hypoxia respectively. There was no haematological evidence suggesting that the high altitude fetuses experienced a greater degree of hypoxia in utero than did the low altitude fetuses. Compared with lowland newborns highland newborns were significantly lighter but fatter and have significantly greater head circumference: birth weight ratios and abdominal circumferences. These differences in body physique between high and lowland neoborns appeared to be mainly secondary to placental hypoxia resulting from maternal hypoxia which in turn was caused by high altitude hypoxia. The altered body physique at birth due to high altitude hypoxia appeared to be not mediated by fetal hypoxia, but possibly by other mechanisms induced by placental hypoxia.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar el efecto de altura elevada en el peso al nacer a término, la forma del cuerpo y la composición corporal de los recién nacidos. Se estudiaron veinticinco mujeres saudíes, embarazadas sanas y sus recién nacidos sanos, de una zona de gran altura (2850 - 3150 m) y un número igual de una zona de baja altitud (500 m). Las concentraciones de hemoglobina y los valores de hematocrito de las mujeres embarazadas fueron medidas y registradas inmediatamente después de la admisión al hospital para el parto. La concentración de hemoglobina fetal y el valor del hematocrito se determinaron inmediatamente después del parto. Las determinaciones de la forma y composición del cuerpo del recién nacido se realizaron a partir de mediciones antropométricas dos horas después del parto. El peso de la placenta se determinó inmediatamente después de su expulsión. Las placentas fueron examinadas histológicamente. En comparación con sus pares de áreas de baja altura, las mujeres embarazadas de gran altura y su placenta mostraron cambios hematolológicos e histológicos indicativos de hipoxia materna y placentaria, respectivamente. No hubo evidencia hematológica lo que sugiere que los fetos de zonas de gran altura experimentaron un mayor grado de hipoxia en el útero, que los fetos de baja altura. En comparación con los recién nacidos de las tierras bajas de la montaña, los recién nacidos fueron significativamente más livianos pero más obesos, y se registró la circunferencia de la cabeza: se relacionó el peso al nacer y la circunferencia abdominal. Estas diferencias en la constitución corporal entre neonatos de alturas elevadas y bajas parecían ser principalmente secundarias a la hipoxia placentaria, en consecuencia de la hipoxia materna, que a su vez fue causada por la hipoxia de la altura. La composición corporal alterada del recién nacido por hipoxia de altura, parecía no estar mediado por la hipoxia fetal, por el contrario estarían producidos posiblemente por otros mecanismos inducidos por la hipoxia placentaria.

Bienestar subjetivo e imagen corporal en estudiantes universitarias de Arequipa / Subjective wellbeing and body image in college students in Arequipa

Este estudio exploró la correlación entre el bienestar subjetivo y la imagen corporal de las estudiantes mujeres en una universidad de Arequipa. La muestra estuvo constituida de 155 estudiantes mujeres entre los 17 y 24 años de las tres carreras profesionales. Las participantes fueron evaluadas en sus respectivos salones. La validación del Cuestionario de la Imagen Corporal (BSQ) fue calculada con Alfa de Cronbach y se obtuvo un valor de 0.92. Los resultados indicaron que existe una correlación negativa significativa entre el bienestar subjetivo y la imagen corporal (r = -0.478; p < 0.001). Asimismo, se indicó que no existe diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre las carreras de administración y derecho con respecto al bienestar subjetivo (t = 0.201; p > 0.05) y a la imagen corporal (t = -0.606; p > 0.05). Esto muestra que la distorsión de la imagen corporal tiene un impacto negativo en el bienestar subjetivo de las estudiantes universitarias mujeres.

This study explored the correlation between subjective wellbeing and body image of female students at a university in Arequipa. The sample consisted by 155 female students between 17 and 24 years old from the three professional careers. The participants were evaluated in their respective classrooms. The validation of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) was calculated using CronbachÆs alpha and obtained a value of 0.92. The results indicated that there is significant negative correlation between the subjective wellbeing and body image (r = -0.478; p < 0.001). It was also noted that there is no statistical significant difference between management and law careers with respect to the subjective wellbeing (t = 0.201; p > 0.05) and body image (t = -0.606; p > 0.05). This shows that the distortion of body image has a negative impact on the subjective wellbeing of women university students.

Body-QoL: un nuevo instrumento de evaluación de resultados desde la perspectiva del paciente en cirugía del contorno corporal estética y post bariátrica / Development and testing of an instrument to assess body shape related quality of life

Background: The assessment of patient satisfaction and quality of life after body remodeling surgery is important. Aim: To develop and assess a self-report instrument to evaluate the results of bariatric and body remodeling surgery. Material and Methods: A three phase methodology was used. In phase 1, literature was reviewed and in depth interviews to patients were carried out, creating a preliminary instrument that was applied to 1,340 patients in phase 2. In phase 3, the final assessment of the instrument was performed, applying it to 34 patients. The psychometric properties of the in instrument were evaluated. Results: The instrument has four domains (satisfaction with abdomen, sexual life, self-esteem and social life and psychological symptoms) and 20 items. Its score ranges from 20 (worst) to 100 (better). Response rate was 100 percent, internal reliability was 93 percent and test-re test concordance was 98 percent. Body shape related quality of life was significantly higher in men than in women. It decreases with age and with increasing body mass index. Patients subjected to bariatric surgery had lower scores than patients subjected to esthetic surgery. In the postoperative period, the score improved by 21.9 +/- 16.9 points...

Objetivo: La evaluación de resultados cualitativos demanda la utilización de instrumentos sistemáticos y reproducibles. No existe actualmente un instrumento para evaluación de resultados en cirugía de contorno corporal. nuestro objetivo fue desarrollar un nuevo instrumento de autoreporte de resultados desde la perspectiva del paciente (PROM) para medir calidad de vida (CdV) asociada a satisfacción corporal. Materiales y Métodos: Se siguió un diseño fase 3 estándar para la creación de un instrumento de autoreporte de resultados por el paciente; en la fase 1 se utilizó un diseño cualitativo en 45 pacientes para desarrollar un marco conceptual y crear los dominios e ítems de la escala preliminar. En la fase 2, se condujo una evaluación de la población a gran escala en 1.340 pacientes a fin de reducir los ítems y dominios. En la fase 3, se realizó una evaluación final del instrumento desarrollado en 34 pacientes. La evaluación estadística incluyó análisis de factores, RASCH y regresión multivariada. Las propiedades psicométricas medidas fueron la confiabilidad interna de la escala, correlaciones item-test, item-retest y correlación test-retest. Resultados: El instrumento desarrollado consta de 4 dominios (Satisfacción con el abdomen, vida sexual, autoestima-vida social y síntomas psicológicos) y 20 ítems en total. El puntaje puede variar entre 20 (peor) y 100 (mejor). La tasa de respuesta fue 100%, confiabilidad interna 93,3%, concordancia test-retest 97,7%. La calidad de vida (CdV) asociada a imagen corporal fue superior en hombres que en mujeres (p < 0,001) y disminuye con la edad (p = 0,004) e incremento del IMC (p < 0,001). Los pacientes de cirugía de contorno corporal post bariátrica, puntuaron menos que los pacientes de estética en todos los dominios del instrumento Body-QoL (p < 0,001). En el postoperatorio el puntaje mejoró un promedio de 21,9 ± 16,9 (tamaño efecto 1,8, p < 0,001)...

Confirmatory factor analysis of different versions of the Body Shape Questionnaire applied to Brazilian university students.

This study aimed at evaluating the validity, reliability, and factorial invariance of the complete (34-item) and shortened (8-item and 16-item) versions of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) when applied to Brazilian university students. A total of 739 female students with a mean age of 20.44 (standard deviation=2.45) years participated. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to verify the degree to which the one-factor structure satisfies the proposal for the BSQ's expected structure. Two items of the 34-item version were excluded because they had factor weights (λ)<40. All models had adequate convergent validity (average variance extracted=.43-.58; composite reliability=.85-.97) and internal consistency (α=.85-.97). The 8-item B version was considered the best shortened BSQ version (Akaike information criterion=84.07, Bayes information criterion=157.75, Browne-Cudeck criterion=84.46), with strong invariance for independent samples (Δχ(2)λ(7)=5.06, Δχ(2)Cov(8)=5.11, Δχ(2)Res(16)=19.30).

Perfeccionismo e insatisfacción corporal en los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria / Perfectionism and body dissatisfaction in eating disorders

Background: There is an important relationship between perfectionism (P), body dissatisfaction (BD) and eating disorders (ED). Objective: To describe the evidence about P and/or BD within the clinical course of ED. Method: A review of specialized textbooks and the available literature in PubMed was made. Two descriptive case reports are analyzed. Results: Socially prescribed and self-oriented dimensions of P were related to ED attitudes and specially restrictive behaviors, mediating and moderating the association between BD and ED. BD and P are intrapersonal risk factors in the development of an ED. BD shares about 10% of genetic variability with P and both increase the appearance comparative assessment, mainly within a higher western acculturation, drive for thinness, a maladaptative stress response, a low self-esteem, the severity of the disorder, depressive symptomatology, sports that emphasize a slim body shape, comorbidities (personality, anxiety and/or affective disorders), alexithymia and lack of assertiveness. Conclusions: According to the evidence, BD and P, although unspecific, are core characteristics of ED as predisposing, triggering and/or perpetuating factors that significantly influence its treatment and outcome.

Antecedentes: Existe una importante relación entre el perfeccionismo (P), la insatisfacción corporal (IC) y los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA). Objetivo: Se analiza descriptivamente la evidencia sobre la relación entre P e IC en el curso clínico de los TCA. Método: Se efectuó una revisión de la literatura disponible en PubMed y textos de consulta especializados. Se analizan dos casos clínicos ilustrativos. Resultados: El Pen sus dimensiones socialmente prescrito y auto-orientado se asoció con actitudes y conductas de TCA, especialmente restrictivas, mediando y moderando la relación entre la IC y el TCA. La IC y el P son factores de riesgo intrapersonal para el desarrollo de TCA. La IC comparte alrededor del 10% de la variabilidad genética con el P y ambos favorecen la evaluación comparativa de la apariencia, principalmente con una mayor aculturación occidental, la motivación por la delgadez, la respuesta maladaptativa al estrés, la baja autoestima, la severidad del desorden, la sintomatología depresiva, los deportes que acentúan la silueta corporal esbelta, las comorbilidades (trastornos de personalidad, de ansiedad, afectivos), la alexitimia y la falta de asertividad. Conclusiones: De acuerdo a la evidencia, la IC y el P, aunque inespecíficas, son características nucleares de los TCA como factores predisponentes, desencadenantes y perpetuantes, que influyen significativamente en su tratamiento y desenlace.

Ecomorphological relationships among four Characiformes fish species in a tropical reservoir in south-eastern Brazil

The aim of this study was to assess the ecomorphological patterns and diet of four Characiformes fish species in a poorly physically structured tropical reservoir. We tested the hypothesis that body shape and diet are associated, because environmental pressure acts on the phenotype, selecting traits according to the available resources. Ten ecomorphological attributes of 45 individuals of each species - Astyanax cf. bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758), Astyanax parahybae Eigenmann, 1908, Oligosarcus hepsetus (Cuvier, 1829), and Metynnis maculatus (Kner, 1858) - , collected between February and November 2003, were analyzed, and the patterns were assessed using Principal Components Analysis (PCA). Diet similarity among fish species was assessed using cluster analysis on feeding index. The first two axes from PCA explained 61.73% of the total variance, with the first axis being positively correlated with the compression index and relative height, whereas the second axis was positively correlated with the pectoral fin aspect. Two well-defined trophic groups, one herbivorous/specialist (M. maculatus) and the other formed by two omnivorous/generalist (A. cf. bimaculatus, A. parahybae) and one insectivorous-piscivorous (O. hepsetus) were revealed by the cluster analysis. Astyanax. cf. bimaculatus and A. parahybae differed. The first has comparatively greater relative height, relative length of the caudal peduncle and lower caudal peduncle compression index. However, we did not detect a close correspondence between diet and body shape in the reservoir, and inferred that the ecomorphological hypothesis of a close relationship between body shape and diet in altered systems could be not effective.