Management of Patients Treated with Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Clinical Practice and Challenging Scenarios.

It is well established that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are the cornerstone of anticoagulant strategy in atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) and should be preferred over vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) since they are superior or non-inferior to VKAs in reducing thromboembolic risk and are associated with a lower risk of intracranial hemorrhage (IH). In addition, many factors, such as fewer pharmacokinetic interactions and less need for monitoring, contribute to the favor of this therapeutic strategy. Although DOACs represent a more suitable option, several issues should be considered in clinical practice, including drug-drug interactions (DDIs), switching to other antithrombotic therapies, preprocedural and postprocedural periods, and the use in patients with chronic renal and liver failure and in those with cancer. Furthermore, adherence to DOACs appears to remain suboptimal. This narrative review aims to provide a practical guide for DOAC prescription and address challenging scenarios.

Evaluation of the "Shifting Weight using Intermittent Fasting in night-shift workers" weight loss interventions: a mixed-methods protocol.

Introduction: Shift workers are at a greater risk for obesity-related conditions. The impacts of working at night presents a challenge for designing effective dietary weight-loss interventions for this population group. The Shifting Weight using Intermittent Fasting in night-shift workers (SWIFt) study is a world-first, randomized controlled trial that compares three weight-loss interventions. While the trial will evaluate the effectiveness of weight-loss outcomes, this mixed-methods evaluation aims to explore for who weight-loss outcomes are achieved and what factors (intervention features, individual, social, organisational and wider environmental) contribute to this. Methods: A convergent, mixed-methods evaluation design was chosen where quantitative and qualitative data collection occurs concurrently, analyzed separately, and converged in a final synthesis. Quantitative measures include participant engagement assessed via: dietary consult attendance, fulfillment of dietary goals, dietary energy intake, adherence to self-monitoring, and rates for participant drop-out; analyzed for frequency and proportions. Regression models will determine associations between engagement measures, participant characteristics (sex, age, ethnicity, occupation, shift type, night-shifts per week, years in night shift), intervention group, and weight change. Qualitative measures include semi-structured interviews with participants at baseline, 24-weeks, and 18-months, and fortnightly audio-diaries during the 24-week intervention. Interviews/diaries will be transcribed verbatim and analyzed using five-step thematic framework analysis in NVivo. Results from the quantitative and qualitative data will be integrated via table and narrative form to interrogate the validity of conclusions. Discussion: The SWIFt study is a world-first trial that compares the effectiveness of three weight-loss interventions for night shift workers. This mixed-methods evaluation aims to further explore the effectiveness of the interventions. The evaluation will determine for who the SWIFt interventions work best for, what intervention features are important, and what external factors need to be addressed to strengthen an approach. The findings will be useful for tailoring future scalability of dietary weight-loss interventions for night-shift workers.Clinical trial registration: This evaluation is based on the SWIFt trial registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry [ACTRN 12619001035112].

Effect of Immuno-Nutrition on Malnutrition, Inflammatory Response and Clinical Course of Semi-Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Pilot Perspective Study.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-COV 2 pandemic has hit on our lives since early 2020. During different contagion waves, both malnutrition and overweight significantly correlated with patient mortality. Immune-nutrition (IN) has shown promising results in the clinical course of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and in both the rate of extubation and mortality of patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Thus, we wanted to assess the effects of IN on a clinical course of patients admitted to a semi-intensive COVID-19 Unit during the fourth wave of contagion that occurred at the end of 2021. METHODS: we prospectively enrolled patients admitted to the semi-intensive COVID-19 Unit of San Benedetto General hospital. All patients had a biochemical, anthropometric, high-resolution tomography chest scan (HRCT) and complete nutritional assessments at the time of admission, after oral administration of immune-nutrition (IN) formula, and at 15 days interval follow-up. RESULTS: we enrolled 34 consecutive patients (age 70.3 ± 5.4 years, 6 F, BMI 27.0 ± 0.5 kg/m2). Main comorbidities were diabetes (20%, type 2 90 %), hyperuricemia (15%), hypertension (38%), chronic ischemic heart disease (8 %), COPD (8%), anxiety syndrome (5%), and depression (5%). 58% of patients were affected as moderately-to-severely overweight; mini nutritional assessment (MNA) score (4.8 ± 0.7) and phase angle (PA) values (3.8 ± 0.5) suggestive of malnutrition were present in 15% of patients, mainly with a history of cancer. After 15 days upon admission, we recorded 3 deaths (mean age 75.7 ± 5.1 years, BMI 26.3 ± 0.7 kg/m2) and 4 patients were admitted to the ICU. Following IN formula administration, inflammatory markers significantly decreased (p < 0.05) while BMI and PA did not worsen. These latter findings were not observed in a historical control group that did not receive IN. Only one patient needed protein-rich formula administration. CONCLUSIONS: in this overweight COVID-19 population immune-nutrition prevented malnutrition development with a significant decrease of inflammatory markers.

Insulin Requirements and Carbohydrate to Insulin Ratio in Normal Weight, Overweight, and Obese Women With Type 1 Diabetes Under Pump Treatment During Pregnancy: A Lesson From Old Technologies.

Aim: The primary aim of this study was to assess insulin requirements and carbohydrate to insulin ratio (CHO/IR) in normal weight, overweight, and obese pregnant women with type 1 diabetes across early, middle, and late pregnancy. Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective, observational study we evaluated 86 of 101 pregnant Caucasian women with type 1 diabetes under pump treatment. The women were trained to calculate CHO/IR daily by dividing CHO grams of every single meal by insulin units injected. Since the purpose of the study was to identify the CHO/IR able to reach the glycemic target, we only selected the CHO/IR obtained when glycemic values were at target. Statistics: SPSS 20. Results: We studied 45 normal weight, 31 overweight, and 10 obese women. Insulin requirements increased throughout pregnancy (p < 0.0001 and <0.001 respectively) in the normal and overweight women, while it remained unchanged in the obese women. Insulin requirements were different between groups when expressed as an absolute value, but not when adjusted for body weight. Breakfast CHO/IR decreased progressively throughout pregnancy in the normal weight women, from 13.3 (9.8-6.7) at the first stage of pregnancy to 6.2 (3.8-8.6) (p = 0.01) at the end stage, and in the overweight women from 8.5 (7.1-12.6) to 5.2 (4.0-8.1) (p = 0.001), while in the obese women it remained stable, moving from 6.0 (5.0-7.9) to 5.1 (4.1-7.4) (p = 0.7). Likewise, lunch and dinner CHO/IR decreased in the normal weight and overweight women (p < 0.03) and not in the obese women. The obese women gained less weight than the others, especially in early pregnancy when they even lost a median of 1.25 (-1 -1.1) kg (p = 0.005). In early pregnancy, we found a correlation between pregestational BMI and insulin requirements (IU/day) or CHO/IR at each meal (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). In late pregnancy, a relationship between pre-gestational BMI and CHO/IR change was found (P = 0.004), as well as between weight gain and CHO/IR change (p=0.02). The significance was lost when both variables were included in the multiple regression analysis. There was no difference in pregnancy outcomes except for a higher pre-term delivery rate in the obese women. Conclusion: Pre-gestational BMI and weight gain may play a role in determining CHO/IR during pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes under pump treatment.

Adherence to Lifelines Diet Score (LLDS) is associated with better sleep quality in overweight and obese women.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown the connection between diet quality to sleep quality and weight status, although the relationship between Lifelines Diet Score (LLDS)-a fully food-based score that uses the 2015 Dutch Dietary Guidelines and underlying international literature-and sleep quality has not been evaluated in overweight and obese individuals yet. This observational study was conducted on overweight and obese adult females to assess the relationship between adherence to a LLDS pattern and sleep quality in Iran. METHODS: A cohort of 278 overweight and obese women aged above 18 years was enrolled and their dietary intake was assessed using a 147-item, semi-quantitative, validated food frequency questionnaire. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a self-reported questionnaire including 19-items, was applied to estimate sleep quality among the target population. Diet quality indices (LLDS) were calculated using the P.C. Vinke, et al. method, based on the 2015 Dutch Dietary Guidelines and the underlying literature. RESULTS: Subjects in the highest LLDS tertile (those who had adhered closely to the food-based score) were older, compared to the lowest tertile (37.57 ± 7.77 versus 34.57 ± 9; p = 0.01). It was shown that about 25.5% of our subjects have poor quality sleep and 39% have better sleep quality which were mostly in the third tertile with greater LLDS. The parallel values in the first tertile were 29.9% and 46.8%, respectively (p = 0.02). Binary logistic regression was applied to evaluate the association between adherence of LLDS and sleep quality. The result has shown that the LLDS were correlated with lower risk poor sleep quality, wherein those who were in higher tertile (higher adherence to LLDS) had better sleep quality (odds ratio [OR]:0.586, 95% confidence interval [CI] (0.285-1.207), p = 0.009) and the result was not affected by adjusting for potential cofounders including age, education levels, and economic levels, sleep quality remained significantly associated with [OR]: 0.531, 95% confidence interval [CI] (0.248-1.138, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: From this observational study, the higher LLDS can be related with better sleep quality in overweight and obese women. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without the intervention, such as case studies.

Quinary Prevention and Bariatric surgery.

Obesity is a major pandemic with significant clinical and public health implications. Surgical modalities have emerged as an important means of treating obesity. Lack of awareness about the utility of other therapeutic options, and about the limitations of bariatric surgery, may lead to misuse of these interventions. This article describes quinary prevention in the context of bariatric surgery, i.e, the need to dispel misinformation, and promote accurate knowledge of the procedures. Optimal quinary prevention will help utilize this useful treatment modality, to ensure better outcomes in obesity management.

Vanadium: Risks and possible benefits in the light of a comprehensive overview of its pharmacotoxicological mechanisms and multi-applications with a summary of further research trends.

BACKGROUND: Vanadium (V) is an element with a wide range of effects on the mammalian organism. The ability of this metal to form organometallic compounds has contributed to the increase in the number of studies on the multidirectional biological activity of its various organic complexes in view of their application in medicine. OBJECTIVE: This review aims at summarizing the current state of knowledge of the pharmacological potential of V and the mechanisms underlying its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective activity as well as the mechanisms of appetite regulation related to the possibility of using this element in the treatment of obesity. The toxicological potential of V and the mechanisms of its toxic action, which have not been sufficiently recognized yet, as well as key information about the essentiality of this metal, its physiological role, and metabolism with certain aspects on the timeline is collected as well. The report also aims to review the use of V in the implantology and industrial sectors emphasizing the human health hazard as well as collect data on the directions of further research on V and its interactions with Mg along with their character. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Multidirectional studies on V have shown that further analyses are still required for this element to be used as a metallodrug in the fight against certain life-threatening diseases. Studies on interactions of V with Mg, which showed that both elements are able to modulate the response in an interactive manner are needed as well, as the results of such investigations may help not only in recognizing new markers of V toxicity and clarify the underlying interactive mechanism between them, thus improving the medical application of the metals against modern-age diseases, but also they may help in development of principles of effective protection of humans against environmental/occupational V exposure.

Correlation Between Body Mass Index and Dental Caries Among Three- to 12-Year-Old Schoolchildren in India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION:  Diet is a deeply ingrained element of a person's life. Children's dietary habits are a significant contributor to obesity and dental caries. Dental caries during childhood continues to be a significant public health concern, while childhood obesity is increasingly being cited as a major public health problem. This study aimed to assess the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and dental caries in children aged three to 12 years who attended both government and private schools in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  We conducted a cross-sectional review of 2200 children aged three to 12 years with clinically recorded dental caries. The World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for BMI percentile was used to evaluate and record dental caries clinically. The Mann-Whitney and the Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for univariate comparisons. RESULTS:  Mean values between the overweight category and underweight category revealed no significant differences. CONCLUSION:  We found no association between BMI-for-age and dental caries in children in both primary and mixed dentition. This relationship should be investigated further by longitudinal studies.

Effectiveness of the Nutritional App "MyNutriCart" on Food Choices Related to Purchase and Dietary Behavior: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To pilot test the effectiveness of "MyNutriCart", a smartphone application (app) that generates healthy grocery lists, on diet and weight. METHODS: A pilot randomized trial was conducted to test the efficacy of using the "MyNutriCart" app compared to one face-to-face counseling session (Traditional group) in Hispanic overweight and obese adults. Household food purchasing behavior, three 24-h food recalls, Tucker's semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and weight were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks. Statistical analyses included t tests, a Poisson regression model, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using STATA. RESULTS: 24 participants in the Traditional group and 27 in the App group completed the study. Most participants were women (>88%), with a mean age of 35.3 years, more than a high school education (>80%), a family composition of at least three members, and a mean baseline body mass index (BMI) of 34.5 kg/m². There were significant improvements in household purchasing of vegetables and whole grains, in individual intakes of refined grains, healthy proteins, whole-fat dairies, legumes, 100% fruit juices, and sweets and snacks; and in the individual frequency of intake of fruits and cold cuts/cured meats within the intervention group (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found between groups. No changes were detected in weight. CONCLUSIONS: "MyNutriCart" app use led to significant improvements in food-related behaviors compared to baseline, with no significant differences when compared to the Traditional group. Cost and resource savings of using the app compared to face-to-face counseling may make it a good option for interventionists.

Predictors of weight loss in young adults who are over-weight or obese and have psychosocial problems: a post hoc analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is in a general practice trial setting to identify predictive factors for weight loss after 1 year among young adults who are over-weight or obese and who have several psychosocial problems. METHODS: Twenty-eight general practitioners recruited 495 patients aged 20-45 years with psychosocial problems for a randomized general preventive study to increase self-efficacy to achieve a self-prioritised goal for a better life by discussions of resources and barriers for reaching the goal. The present study is a post hoc analysis of possible predictors of weight loss among all 218 patients who have over-weight or obesity. A 23-pages questionnaire was completed before and 1 year after randomization. 111 patients had a one-hour preventive health consultation with their general practitioners focused on life coaching and a follow-up consultation within 3 months, and 107 patients had no preventive consultation. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients stated during the preventive consultation that weight loss was a prioritised goal. They had a mean weight loss of 4.7 kgs compared with 1.6 kgs in the group without this goal and 1.6 kgs in the group without preventive consultation. In a logistic regression model, predictors of weight loss or no weight loss were a) pre-interventional consideration of weight loss within 30 days, b) having weight loss as a prioritised goal for improved quality of life, c) being female, d) being in the oldest half of participants, and e) having many psychosocial problems. In a linear regression model, the predictors together explained about 11% of the weight loss. Important predictors were: obesity (explained 4%), pre-interventional consideration of weight loss within 30 days (3%), and having a preventive health consultation with weight loss as a prioritised goal (2%). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-interventional consideration of weight loss within 30 days and having weight loss as a prioritised goal during the health consultation were two important predictors for weight loss. By structured interventions focussing on the patients' priorities, self-chosen goals, their resources and barriers for reaching the goals, changes may be obtained; especially in participants with many problems who often do not accept participation in procedures on risks. CLINICALTRIALS GOV REGISTRATION: NCT 01231256 , Aug. 22. 2010.

Correspondência entre obesidade e hiperlipidemia em cães / Correspondence between obesity and hyperlipidemia in dogs

Os efeitos deletérios do excesso de peso sobre a saúde dos cães são bastante citados na literatura, mas pouco investigados. O termo hiperlipidemia refere-se ao aumento da concentração de lipídeos (colesterol, triglicérides ou ambos) séricos. As desordens lipídicas são relativamente comuns nos cães e essas condições podem ocorrer como resultado de um defeito primário no metabolismo de lipoproteínas ou como consequência de doença sistêmica subjacente. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a frequência de animais obesos que apresentam alterações nas concentrações de lipídios séricos e analisar a possível correspondência dessa condição com grau de obesidade, sexo, idade e castração. Foram incluídos 30 cães obesos com escore de condição corporal (ECC) igual ou superior a 8 (em escala de um a nove, com nove representando obesidade acentuada) e um grupo controle de dez animais com ECC igual a cinco. Nos animais com ECC 9 (n=21), foi encontrada frequência de 52,4 por cento (n=11) de cães com hipercolesterolemia e 33,3 por cento (n=7) com hipertrigliceridemia. Nos animais com EEC 8 (n=9), foi encontrada frequência de 22,2 por cento (n=2) de hipercolesterolemia e de 33,3 por cento (n=3) de hipertrigliceridemia. Essas alterações também apresentaram correspondência com o sexo feminino, faixa etária entre quatro e sete anos e a castração. Todavia, a elevação desses metabólitos foi moderada e não se situou em faixa de reconhecido risco à saúde.

The harmful effects of obesity on dog health are quite mentioned in the literature, but little investigated. The term hyperlipidemia refers to the increase of lipid and/or fat concentration (cholesterol, triglycerides or both) in serum. These disorders are relatively common in dogs and may happen as a result of a primary defect in metabolism of lipoproteins or as a consequence of a subjacent systemic disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of obese dogs that present alterations on cholesterol and triglycerides serum concentration, and to study the correlation of these disorders with obesity degree, sex, age and castration. Thirty obese dogs with body condition score (BCS) equal or superior to 8 (on a scale between one to nine, and nine representing severe obesity) and a control group of ten dogs with BCS 5 were included. Animals with BCS 9 (n=21 dogs) presented a frequency of 52.4 percent (n=11 dogs) of hypercholesterolemia and 33.3 percent (n=7) of hypertriglyceridemia. Dogs with BCS 8 (n=9) presented a frequency of 22,2 percent (n=2) of hypercholesterolemia and 33,3 percent (n=3) of hypertriglyceridemia. These alterations also presented correspondence with female sex, age between 4 and 7 years and castration. However, the cholesterol and triglycerides increases were moderate, and not remained within the range of recognized health risk.

Impact of weight-loss intervention on metabolic indicators in over-weight or obesity adults / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of weight-loss intervention on metabolic indicators in over-weight or obesity adults.MethodsA total of 116 over-weight or obese adults entered into this study from March 2008 to December 2009.The participants were divided into three groups by age.Each group received 6 months'weight-loss intervention.Body mass index(BMI),body fat rate,blood pressure,fasting blood glucose(FBG),oral glucose tolerance test(OGTY)2 h blood glucose,serum triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)were measured before and after the intervention.The data were analyzed using t test.Results After the intervention,BMI,FBG,TG,and LDL-C were significantly decreased while HDL Was significantly increased in each group(P＜0.05).Body fat rate,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure and OGTT 2 h blood glucose were significantly reduced in the young and middle-aged groups(P＜0.05),however,there Was not significant difference in the older-age group.ConclusionsWeight-loss intervention may be effective in improving physical and metabolic indicators in adults with over-weight and obesity and reducing the risk of obesity-related diseases.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among overweight and obese children and adolescents in Guangzhou / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective To know prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and metabolic abnormalities (MA) in overweight and obese children and adolescents in Guangzhou, China. Methods Totally, 439 children and adolescents aged six to 18 years were enrolled, including 129 obese, 115 overweight and 195 normal control ones. Their body height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure were measured, as well as their fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profiles and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTF). Results ①Prevalence of MS in overweight and obese children and adolescents was 20.9 % (27/129) and 10.4 % (12/115), respectively, 17.9 % (35/195) and 1.6% (4/244) in those with insulin resistance and non-insulin resistance, respectively. Prevalence of MS, each component of MA and cluster of each components of MA all increased in linear trend with their body mass index (BMI) or insulin resistance increasing. ② BMI correlated with all metabolic indicators and could independently predict risk of MS. Conclusions Prevalence of MS among overweight and obese children and adolescents in Guangzhou was considerably high, and BMI can be used as a suitable index for their obesity assessment in MS diagnosis.

Comparison of BMI-for-age in adolescent girls in 3 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region

International comparisons of adolescent overweight and obesity are hampered by the lack of a single agreed measurement reference. We compared 3 BMI- for- age references on samples of adolescent girls from Egypt, Kuwait and Lebanon. Overweight and obesity was highest in Kuwait and lowest in Lebanon. Performance of the 3 standards differed only slightly although one was particularly applicable in country- to- country comparisons

Prevalence of and factors associated with overweight and obesity among a group of Iraqi women

We studied the prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity among 200 non- pregnant Iraqi women [> 18 years] attending 2 outpatient clinics in Baghdad. The women were interviewed using a questionnaire and had their body mass index [BMI] and waist- to- hip ratio [WHR] calculated. Only 24% of the women were normal weight: 39%, 25% and 12% were overweight [BMI 25- 29.9 kg/ m 2], obese [>/= 30 kg/ m 2] and morbidly obese [>/= 40 kg/ m 2] respectively. While the mean WHR was normal, the mean waist circumference was higher than normal. Factors significantly associated with overweight and obesity were older age, history of previous laparotomy and type of clothing worn [gown] inside the home

Socioeconomic Benefits of Reformed Lifestyles

No abstract available.

The Characteristics of Dietary Habits of Obese, Overweight or Normal Subjects in Seoul / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The dietary habits of middle-aged obese, overweight and normal subjects were evaluated for the purpose of providing the background information of the degenerative disease control. A survey was conducted with 293 subjects (121 males and 172 females) between the ages 40 - 64 and they were divided into three groups of normal (BMI 18.5 - 22.9), overweight (BMI 23 - 24.9) and obese (BMI > or = 25) based on the criteria of Korean Obesity Association (2000). The mean age of the subjects was 52.0 +/- 7.3 (male) and 51.9 +/- 6.9 (female). Socioeconomic levels of subjects belong to the mid-upper class, since 71.9% of the males and 39.5% of the females received above a college education. More than 40% (44.6%) of males and 22.1% of females were obese, and educational background did not affect the obesity rate in males, whereas in females those who received lower education had a higher rate of obesity (p <0.001). The subjects had a similar degree of drinking to the national average value, but had a lower degree of smoking. The obese group had the higher rate of drinking (p <0.01) and smoking (p <0.01). The annual increase in weight, more than 4 kg, was 8.8% for normal group and 30.9% for obese group. However, there were no differences in the mean annual increase in weight among the three groups. In females there were greater tendencies of weight changes in obese group (p <0.05). About 44.9% of subjects responded that they were exercising regularly, and the obese group appeared to put into practice less than the other groups and to use more strenuous exercise. There was the greater rate of skipping dinner in the obese female group (p <0.05). The unbalanced dietary pattern was found more with normal group than the other groups (p <0.01). The food consumption frequency by food groups was not different among the groups. The obese group consumed less frequently meats, vegetables and fruits and had higher frequency in fish, legumes and their products, instant or fast food. In all subjects the higher rate of obesity was found with males than females and with those of heavier smoking and drinking, and in females the higher rate of obesity was found with lower education levels, skipping meals and having an unbalanced diet. In middle-aged subjects of this study with higher educational and socioeconomic background factors contributing to the effects of obesity may include smoking, drinking, educational background, skipping meals or unbalanced dietary pattern. The predictable characteristics for the development of obesity can be defined as sudden fluctuation of weights, exercise regularity and intakes of vegetables and fruits.

Comparisons of Anthropometric Measurements, Body Fat, Blood Parameters, and Nutrients Intakes in Over- and Desirable-Body Weight School Children

This study was carried out to compare the characteristics of the over weight elementary school students with those of desirable-weight children. Anthropometric parameters such as height, weight, BMI, body fat percentile, triceps skin fold thickness were measured. Dietary assessment and blood analysis were performed. The average ages of over weight children and desirable-weight children were 10.9+/-2.5 and 10.2+/-2.8 years, respectively. The means body fat percentile of over weight children and desirable-weight children were 27.5+/-3.7% and 20.2+/-3.8%. respectively. Plasma levels of TG, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol of over weight children and desirable-weight children were 179.3+/-30.0, 104.9+/-26.6, 52.3+/-6.7 and 178.3+/-84.1 mg/dl, and those of desirable-weight children were 86.1+/-43.5, 183.7+/-16.5, 101.0+/-2.1 and 67.7+/-20.0 mg/dl, respectively. Plasma TG levels of over weight children were significantly higher than those of desirable weight children. On the other hand, plasma HDL-cholesterol levels of over weight children were significantly lower than those of desirable-weight children. Plasma levels of GOT and GPT were in normal range in both group however, GPT level of over weight children was higher than that of desirable weight children. Plasma levels of albumin, globulin, and BUN were all in normal range and no differences were found in both groups. Hematologic data did not show any difference between two groups except WBC, RBC and Hgb levels which were significantly higher in over weight group than those of desirable-weight children. Daily nutrients intake of over weight children and desirable-weight children were very similar and they were around the Korean RDA levels for each nutrients. However the intake of calcium of both groups were little over 50% of RDA. The consumption of dietary fiber was very low and the cholesterol intake was very high showing that the habitual meals of Korean school children were not well balanced.