Diverse effect of MC4R risk alleles on obesity-related traits over a lifetime: Evidence from a well-designed cohort study.

This population-based longitudinal study is the first investigation that assesses the association of common MC4R SNPs with the obesity-related parameters over time and determines the effect of risk alleles during the three adulthood life periods (early, middle, and late) in a large Iranian cohort, a population with a unique genetic make-up that has been understudied and relatively unexplored. We obtained the genotype of 5370 unrelated adults who participated in the ongoing Tehran Cardiometabolic Genetic Study (TCGS) cohort project for the common MC4R SNPs. Linear regression and linear mixed model analyses were performed to examine the effect of MC4R polymorphisms on maximum BMI and other obesity-related factors over time. We recognized that several SNPs associated with the maximum BMI and the increased BMI, waist circumference, and waist-hip ratio across Iranian adults over a lifetime. Interestingly, we found that rs9954571-A has a yet unreported protective role against obesity-related factors, including BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and triglyceride level. Additionally, a survey of the impact of the MC4R risk score throughout the adulthood life periods indicated that the MC4R risk score is influenced both the elevated BMI and waist circumference only during the early adulthood period. Our findings can expand our knowledge about the MC4R genetic variant's contributions to adulthood obesity and highlight the importance of evaluating the genetic components affecting obesity over a lifetime, which could be considered for obesity clinical screening and treatment.

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Association with Insulin Resistance in Obese Women with Normal Fasting Glucose.

RESULTS: A total of 264 obese and 133 normal BMI women (controls) of age range 20-50 years were selected. Obese women had significantly lower vitamin D compared to control women (P < 0.05). Among euglycemic (fasting glucose < 100 mg/dl) obese women (n = 221), 90 (40.7%) were vitamin D deficient. Serum PTH and calcium levels were negatively correlated, though nonsignificantly with vitamin D (r = -0.172, P = 0.090, and r = -0.051, P = 0.557, respectively). The mean age, BMI, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), fasting glucose, fasting insulin, PTH, and calcium were not significantly different in vitamin D-deficient as compared to nondeficient obese women. IR was detected in 109 (49.3%) obese women. Mean HOMA-IR in vitamin D-deficient women was significantly higher than that in the nondeficient obese women (3.03 ± 1.64 vs. 2.40 ± 1.02; P = 0.041), but the percentage of women with IR was comparable in both groups (51.1% vs. 45.8%; P = 0.745). Univariate analysis revealed that HOMA-IR was negatively correlated with vitamin D and positively with BMI and PTH. A multivariate regression analysis, stepwise method revealed that BMI and PTH were independent determinants of HOMA-IR instead of vitamin D. CONCLUSION: More than 40% of obese women were vitamin D deficient. Among euglycemic obese women, 49% were insulin resistant. Prevalence of insulin resistance, though negatively correlated with vitamin D, could be better explained by BMI and PTH levels.

Physical activity level (PAL) and risk factors of cardiovascular disease in the MASHAD study cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The relationship between physical activity levels (PAL) and the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as anthropometric and biochemical indices and heat shock proteins 27 antibody (anti-HSP-27) concentration, and serum inflammatory markers, was investigated in the MASHAD cohort study. METHODS: The overall study population consisted of 9,684 subjects (3,858 men, 5,826 women) with a mean age of 47.73 ± 8.08 to 48.87 ± 9.26 years respectively. They were divided into four categories based on their PAL. Biochemical parameters were determined for all participants. Also, serum anti-HSP-27 levels were measured using an in-house enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay method. Multiple regression analysis was used to explore the association between the anti-HSP antibody titers and physical activity after adjusting for confounding factors. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Several CVD risk factors were associated with the level of PAL including: body mass index, waist hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum HDL-C and TG (p < 0.001) and also fasting blood glucose (0.004). Also, serum anti-HSP-27 titers were significantly higher in inactive subjects (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that PAL was significantly associated with several established CVD risk factors. Also, the level of anti-HSP-27 was lower in individuals with moderate and high PAL.

Weight and waist-to-hip ratio change pattern during the first five years of survival: data from a longitudinal observational Chinese breast cancer cohort.

BACKGROUND: Body weight management was an important component in breast cancer survivorship care. The present study described the change patterns of body weight and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) during the first 5 years of survival, and investigated potential factors associated with very substantial changes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on a longitudinal cohort with 1462 Chinese women with breast cancer, anthropometric measurements including body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured by trained interviewers following standard protocol at four time-points: baseline at study entry, 18-, 36- and 60-months follow up assessments (termed as T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively). Body height was measured at baseline and body weight at cancer diagnosis were retrieved from medical record. RESULTS: Compared to weight at breast cancer diagnosis, the median weight change was - 0.5 kg, 0 kg, + 0.5 kg, and + 1 kg at T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively. During the first 5 years of survival, the proportion of women who were obese have slightly increased. At 60-months after diagnosis, only 14.3% of women had weight gain by > 5 kg; and the percentage of women who had weight gain by > 10% was 10.7%. Nearly half of patients had abdominal obesity at study entry, and this proportion were gradually increased to nearly 70% at 60-months follow-up. Multivariate analysis indicated that older age, and frequent sports participation during the first 5 years of survival were related to lower risk of very substantial weight gain (> 10%) at 60-month follow-up; patients aged 40-49 years, having ≥2 comorbidities and ER negative were associated with less likelihood of very substantial WHR substantial increase (> 10%) at 60-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Weight gain was modest in Chinese breast cancer survivors during the first 5 years of survival, while central adiposity has become a contemporary public health issue. The incorporation of healthy weight and abdominal circumference patient education and management has a potential to improve cancer survivorship.

Predicting the risk of type 2 diabetes through anthropometric indices in Pakistani adults- A sub-analysis of second National diabetes survey of Pakistan 2016-2017 (NDSP-07).

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Excess adiposity is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Amongst the various measures of adiposity, the most appropriate one to predict the risk of diabetes remains debatable. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the ability of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in predicting type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) among Pakistani adults. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was the sub-analysis of a large population based Second National Diabetes Survey of Pakistan (NDSP) 2016-2017. With this survey, 10834 individuals were recruited and 4788 individuals fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this sub-analysis (subjects with missing anthropometric details were excluded). Participants were categorized into two groups; subjects with type 2 DM and subjects without DM. Data of participants was collected via pre-designed detailed questionnaire. Clinical and anthropometric measurements were measured using standardized techniques. RESULTS: Out of 4788 individuals, 3085(64.4%) were non-DM subjects and 1703(35.6%) were type 2 DM subjects with mean age of 39.78 ±â€¯13.79 and 50.38 ±â€¯11.33 years, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association of WC with type 2 diabetes after adjustment for possible confounders. Area under the curve (AUC) of WC was found higher than AUC of BMI and WHR. CONCLUSION: The findings from second NDSP (2016-2017) demonstrated that WC is a better marker than WHR and BMI in predicting type 2 DM for Pakistani population.

Causal associations of waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio with type II diabetes mellitus: new evidence from Mendelian randomization.

Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease with high incidence, which has seriously affected human life and health. The associations among waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and T2DM were discovered in observational studies. However, the causality of these associations still remains unknown. The present study aims to apply two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) using genetic variants as instrumental variables (IVs) to evaluate the causality among WC, WHR, and T2DM. The participants were from three independent studies in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) datasets, which included 127,997 Europeans for WC, 73,137 Europeans for WHR and 659,316 Europeans for T2DM. Furthermore, 16 were associated WC SNPs and eight were associated WHR SNPs as instrument variables were selected for TSMR using P < 5 × 10-8 standard. The pooled odd ratios (ORs) for the assessment of higher WC and WHR on the risk of T2DM for these SNPs were calculated using inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, and validated through extensively complementary analyses. The OR for T2DM per SD (cm) higher WC was 2.623 (95% CI 2.286-3.010, P = 5.000E-43), and the OR for T2DM per SD (cm) higher WHR was 1.751 (95% CI 1.122-2.733, P = 0.014). Consistent results for other methods were obtained. Furthermore, the range of OR fluctuation between WC and T2DM was from 2.623 to 2.986, while that between WHR and T2DM was from 0.990 to 2.931. Overall, these present results provide genetic support that suggests that the use of TSMR, and higher WC and WHR increased the T2DM risk among the European population.

Anthropometric indices and their cut-off points in relation to type 2 diabetes among Ghanaian migrants and non-migrants: The RODAM study.

AIMS: To compare body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) as determinants of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and determine optimal cut-offs in a sub-Saharan African population. METHODS: Data from the RODAM study including Ghanaians aged 25-70 living in rural Ghana, urban Ghana and Europe were used. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between BMI, WC, WHR and T2DM status, by sex and site. Area under the curve (AUC) were constructed to discriminate between indices and establish performance and cut-off values. RESULTS: WHR had the strongest association with T2DM in men and women across sites, except for rural men. The highest adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and AUC were in rural women for WHR (aOR = 2.09, 95%CI = 1.47-2.99; AUC = 0.71). Among migrants, WHR had higher AUCs compared with BMI (p < 0.01) and WC (p < 0.05). Cut-offs for BMI and WC in men were lower compared with the WHO reference across sites (WC: 85.4-93.7 vs 102 cm, BMI: 23.1-28.2 vs 30.0 kg/m2). CONCLUSIONS: WHR outperformed BMI and WC as anthropometric indices in relation to T2DM among Ghanaian migrants. The lower BMI and WC cut-offs for T2DM than WHO established standards, highlights the need for African specific cut-offs to avoid missing high risk populations.

Analyses of abdominal adiposity and metabolic syndrome as risk factors for respiratory distress in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Several characteristics of the metabolic syndrome, such as obesity and hypertension, have emerged as risk factors for a poor clinical outcome in COVID-19. However, most reports lack data on the metabolic syndrome itself. This study investigated prospectively the relationship between respiratory deterioration and the presence of metabolic syndrome or abdominal adiposity in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study analysing patients with respiratory symptoms who presented at a local emergency department in the Netherlands. The influence of abdominal adiposity-assessed by an increased waist-hip ratio-and metabolic syndrome on respiratory deterioration and the length of hospital stay were analysed with multivariable logistic regressions and Kaplan-Meier analyses. RESULTS: In total, 166 patients were analysed, of whom 86 (52%) tested positive for COVID-19. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome did not differ between patients with COVID-19 with and without the need for intubation or level of supportive care (37.5% vs 48.4%, p=0.338). In contrast, abdominal adiposity is an independent risk factor for respiratory distress in COVID-19, adjusted for metabolic syndrome, age, gender and BMI (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.20, p=0.014). CONCLUSION: This study shows that abdominal adiposity, and not the presence of metabolic syndrome, is associated with clinical deterioration in COVID-19. This prospective study provides further insight into the risk stratification of patients with COVID-19 based on a simple measurement as the waist and hip circumference. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NL8580.

Associations of body mass index and waist circumference with risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome in women and men: A prospective analysis of three cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: The association of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been inconsistent in previous studies. METHODS: We examined the associations of BMI and WC in relation to risk of GBS among 252,980 participants from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS), NHS-II, and the Health Professional Follow-up Study (HPFS). BMI and WC were assessed by self-reported questionnaire, and GBS cases were self-reported. RESULTS: We documented 328 incident GBS cases during a total of 5,422,788 person years of follow-up. Compared to participants with BMI<25kg/m2, the multivariate pooled hazard ratio (HR) of GBS was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.73) for overweight participants (25kg/m2≤BMI<30 kg/m2), and 1.68 (95% CI: 1.21, 2.35) for obese participants (BMI≥30 kg/m2) (P for trend = 0.001). Compared to participants with normal WC (<35 inches for women and <40 inches for men), the HR of GBS was 1.55 (95% CI: 1.10, 2.18) for participants with high WC (≥35 inches for women, and ≥40 inches for men). The positive associations of BMI and WC with risk of GBS were attenuated to null after mutually adjusting for BMI and WC. Joint analysis showed that the HR was 1.84 (95% CI: 1.27, 2.66) for participants with high WC and BMI≥25 kg/m2 in comparison to participants with normal WC and BMI<25kg/m2. CONCLUSION: These data from large cohorts showed that higher BMI and WC jointly were associated with higher risk of GBS. Our study highlighted the importance of maintaining a normal body weight and waist circumference in prevention of GBS.

Phase angle and metabolic parameters in severely obese patients / Ángulo de fase y parámetros metabólicos en pacientes con obesidad severa

INTRODUCTION: obese patients present an inflammatory and metabolic profile that leads to oxidative stress and cellular damage. Phase angle is an indicator of cellular integrity and has been proposed as a prognostic parameter for changes in the metabolic profile. OBJECTIVE: to investigate the possible association between phase angle and metabolic parameters in obese patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: this was a cross-sectional study of adult obese patients who attended a specialized clinic between 2014 and 2016. All patients were ≥ 18 years of age, with a body mass index ≥ 35 kg/m2. All data were obtained from medical records and made part of the clinical protocol. Patients were divided into two groups using a cutoff point for phase angle, and the groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis or Chi-squared test for quantitative and categorical variables, respectively. Correlations were identified by Spearman's and Pearson's correlation analyses. All between-group differences were considered statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: a low phase angle was present in 30.5 % of the 141 patients enrolled in the study. We found an association between low phase angle and presence of hyperuricemia (p = 0.018) when adjusted for waist circumference, dysglycemia, arterial hypertension, and hyperuricemia. There was no correlation between phase angle and the components of body composition. CONCLUSIONS: there is an association of phase angle with uric acid levels, but not with other metabolic parameters

INTRODUCCIÓN: los pacientes obesos presentan un perfil inflamatorio y metabólico que provoca estrés oxidativo y daño celular. El ángulo de fase es un indicador de integridad celular que se ha propuesto como parámetro pronóstico de los cambios del perfil metabólico. OBJETIVO: investigar la posible asociación entre el ángulo de fase y los parámetros metabólicos en pacientes obesos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: estudio transversal de pacientes obesos adultos que asistieron a una clínica especializada entre 2014 y 2016. Todos los pacientes tenían ≥ 18 años de edad y un índice de masa corporal ≥ 35 kg/m2. Todos los datos se obtuvieron de los registros médicos y formaron parte del protocolo clínico. Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos usando un punto de corte para el ángulo de fase, y los grupos se compararon usando la prueba de Kruskal-Wallis o del chi cuadrado para las variables cuantitativas y categóricas, respectivamente. Las correlaciones se identificaron mediante el análisis de correlación de Spearman y el de Pearson. Todas las diferencias entre grupos se consideraron estadísticamente significativas si p ≤ 0.05. RESULTADOS: se observó un ángulo de fase bajo en el 30,5 % de los 141 pacientes incluidos en el estudio. Encontramos una asociación entre el ángulo de fase bajo y la presencia de hiperuricemia (p = 0.018) cuando se ajustó para la circunferencia de la cintura, la disglucemia, la hipertensión arterial y la hiperuricemia. No hubo correlación entre el ángulo de fase y los componentes de la composición corporal. CONCLUSIONES: el ángulo de fase presenta asociación con los niveles plasmáticos de ácido úrico pero no con otros parámetros metabólicos

The relationship between glomerular filtration rate, and metabolic and inflammatory parameters in obese and non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

AIM: To investigate the relationship between glomerular filtration rates (GFR), and homeostasis model assesment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one overweight and obese PCOS patients with body mass index (BMI)≥25kg/m2 and 25 non-obese PCOS patients with BMI<25kg/m2 were included into patients' group, while 23 overweight and obese, and 25 non-obese age-and BMI-matched healthy individuals (aged between 18 and 40 years), were enrolled as controls. Levels of serum creatinine, glucose, insulin, CRP, and complete blood count were measured. eGFR, HOMA-IR and NLR were also calculated. RESULTS: In PCOS group, HOMA-IR (p = 0.001), CRP (p = 0.025) and waist hip ratio (WHR) (p = 0.011) were higher than controls. In obese PCOS sub-group, HOMA-IR (p = 0.004) and WHR (p = 0.002) were higher than obese controls. In non-obese PCOS sub-group, HOMA-IR (p = 0.001) were higher than non-obese controls. In obese PCOS sub-group; HOMA-IR (p = 0.001) and CRP (p = 0.001) levels were significantly higher than non-obese PCOS sub-group. In terms of other parameters, no significant difference was found between the groups. The analysis showed a negative correlation between GFR, and BMI and HOMA-IR in PCOS group, between GFR, WHR and insulin levels in obese PCOS sub-group, and between BMI, and HOMA-IR and NLR in non-obese PCOS sub-group. CONCLUSION: Although HOMA-IR and CRP were higher in PCOS group, there was no difference in NLR and GFR levels between those with PCOS and controls

OBJETIVO: investigar la relación entre las tasas de filtración glomerular (TFG) y la evaluación del modelo de homeostasis de la resistencia a la insulina (HOMA-IR), la proteína C-reactiva (PCR) y la relación de neutrófilos a linfocitos (NLR) en pacientes con síndrome de ovario poliquístico (PCOS). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Treinta y un pacientes con PCOS con sobrepeso y obesidad con índice de masa corporal(IMC) ≥25 kg/m 2 y 25 pacientes con PCOS no obesos con IMC <25 kg/m 2 constituyeron el grupo de pacientes, mientras que 23 con sobrepeso y obesidad, y Se inscribieron como controles 25 sujetos sanos no obesos, todos con edad e IMC(edad entre 18 y 40 años). Se midieron los niveles séricos de creatinina, glucosa, insulina y PCR, y se evaluó el recuento sanguíneo completo; Se calcularon eGFR, HOMA-IR y NLR. RESULTADOS: en el grupo PCOS, HOMA-IR (p = 0.001), CRP (p = 0.025) y la relación cintura-cadera(WHR) (p = 0.011) fueron más altos que los controles. En el subgrupo de PCOS obesos, HOMA-IR (p = 0.004) y WHR (p = 0.002) fueron más altos que los controles obesos. En el subgrupo PCOS no obeso, HOMA-IR (p = 0.001) fue mayor que los controles no obesos. En el subgrupo de PCOS obesos; Los niveles de HOMA-IR (p = 0.001) y CRP (p = 0.001) fueron significativamente más altos que los del subgrupo PCOS no obeso. En cuanto a otros parámetros, no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos. CONCLUSIÓN: Aunque los niveles de HOMA-IR y CRP se encontraron más altos en el grupo PCOS, no hubo diferencias en los niveles de NLR y GFR entre aquellos con PCOS y controles

The waist-hip ratio: a flawed index.

The waist-hip ratio, namely waist circumference (WC) divided by hip circumference (HC), has been referred to in thousands of articles, generally as a correlate and predictor either of health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, or of amounts of visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat. It has been argued that combining WC and HC as a ratio is inappropriate, and yet their individual roles can only be fully elucidated if considered jointly. Whereas WC is positively associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and premature mortality, the opposite is true of HC. With health-related measures taken as dependent variables, the present novel approach establishes that WC and HC are far better treated as separate independent variables in multiple regression equations than as their ratio. This necessarily produces closer fits to data. One should then allow for variations in height, or some other such measure of general body size, by including this in the regression equations. The widespread concern with the ratio seems to have distracted attention from HC, for this is discussed notably less often than WC. Given that other body parts, such as the thighs, may share relevant properties with the hips, measurements of these could perhaps replace HC.

Apolipoprotein CIII predicts cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) is associated with triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism and has emerged as independent marker for risk of cardiovascular disease. The objective was to test whether apoCIII is regulated postprandially and whether apoCIII concentrations in native and chylomicron-free serum predict future cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: ApoCIII concentrations were measured in native and chylomicron-free serum in the fasting state and after a standardized oral fat load test in 195 patients with stable CAD. Clinical follow-up was 48 months. Chylomicron-free serum was prepared by ultracentrifugation (18,000 rpm, 3 h). The log-rank test and Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the association of apoCIII with recurrent cardiovascular events. RESULTS: Of the 195 patients included, 92 had a cardiovascular event, and 103 did not. 97% were treated with a statin. No significant changes in apoCIII concentration were observed after the oral fat load test. The apoCIII concentration was associated with event-free survival independent of conventional risk factors. This association reached statistical significance only for apoCIII concentration measured in chylomicron-free serum (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] for apoCIII above the mean: postprandial: 1.67 (1.06-2.29), P = 0.028, fasting: 2.09 (1.32-3.32), P = 0.002), but not for apoCIII concentration measured in native serum (postprandial: 1.47 [0.89-2.43], P = 0.133, fasting: 1.56 [0.95-2.58], P = 0.081). The effects were independent of other risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: ApoCIII concentrations in chylomicron-free serum are independently associated with event-free survival in patients with CAD both in fasting and postprandial state. This findings support considering apoCIII for risk assessment and attempting to test the hypothesis that lowering apoCIII reduces residual cardiovascular risk. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Apolipoprotein CIII concentration measured in chylomicron-free serum predicts recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial which included the participants of this study was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00628524) on March 5, 2008.

Efectos de un programa de ejercicio interválico de intensidad moderada-vigorosa sobre la condición física y la composición corporal en escolares de 11 y 12 años / Effects of moderate to vigorous intensity interval exercise program on fitness and fatness in 11-and 12-years-old schoolchildren

INTRODUCCIÓN: se evidencia un aumento cada vez mayor de la preocupación debido a valores alarmantes en condición física y composición corporal, que sitúan a los escolares en unos parámetros de riesgo en lo relativo a la salud física. Numerosas investigaciones relacionan la actividad física con la mejora en la condición física y la composición corporal. OBJETIVO: analizar los efectos de un programa de ejercicio interválico de intensidad moderada-vigorosa sobre indicadores de condición física (fuerza isométrica manual en ambas manos, fuerza explosiva del tren inferior, velocidad-agilidad y capacidad aeróbica) y de composición corporal (índice de masa corporal, % de grasa corporal, perímetro de cintura e índice cintura/altura), referentes todos ellos para la salud en escolares de 11 y 12 años. MÉTODOS: se desarrolla una intervención en la que participó un grupo experimental y otro control con 28 escolares cada uno de ellos. Transcurrió a lo largo de 7 semanas, con sesiones de 30 minutos totales antes del inicio de la actividad académica, 3 días por semana. Se realizaron diferentes juegos interválicos, con una intensidad moderada-vigorosa (70-80 % de la frecuencia cardíaca máxima). El registro en condición física y composición corporal se realizó a través de la batería ALPHA. RESULTADOS: mejoras significativas en fuerza isométrica con ambas manos y una reducción significativa del perímetro de cintura e índice cintura/altura. CONCLUSIÓN: los resultados muestran mejoras significativas en indicadores de condición física y composición corporal; sin embargo, se precisa de una intervención de mayor duración para conocer si las otras mejoras logradas en los indicadores analizados consiguen ser significativas con el transcurso del tiempo

INTRODUCTION: there is growing evidence of concern for values in terms of physical condition and body composition that place school children being at risk in physical health. Numerous investigations relate physical activity with improvement in physical condition and body composition. OBJECTIVE: to analyze the effects of a sub-maximal intensity interval exercise program on physical condition (upper body isometric strength in both hands, lower body explosive strength, velocity-agility and cardiorespiratory fitness) and body composition (body mass index, % of body fat, waist circumference and waist/height index), all of them related to health, in schoolchildren of 11 and 12 years. METHODS: an intervention was developed in which an experimental group participated and another control group with 28 schoolchildren each. The study developped over 8 weeks, with sessions of total 30 minutes before the start of the academic activity 3 days per week. Different intervallic games were made with motor, cognitive and coordination challenges; with a moderate-vigorous intensity (70 %-80 % of maximum heart rate). The registration in physical condition and body composition was made through the ALPHA Battery. RESULTS: significant improvements in isometric strength in both hands and a reduction in waist circumference and waist/height were found. CONCLUSIONS: the results show significant improvements in indicators of fitness and fatness, however, it requires a long-term intervention to know if the other improvements achieved in the analyzed indicators are significant over time

Comparative analysis of screening models for undiagnosed diabetes in Mexico / Análisis comparativo de modelos de cribado de la diabetes no diagnosticada en México

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that 37% of Mexican adults have undiagnosed diabetes, and are therefore at high risk of developing the severe and devastating complications associated to it. In recent years, a variety of screening tools based on the characteristics of the adult Mexican population have been proposed in order to reduce the negative effects of the disease. OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of screening models to diagnose diabetes in the Mexican adult population and to propose a screening model based on HbA1c measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the 2016 Halfway National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHNS) were used to assess the screening models and to develop and validate the proposed 2016 NHNS model, built using a multivariate logistic regression model. Explanatory variables included in the 2016 NHNS 2016 model were selected through a stepwise backward procedure, using sensitivity and specificity as performance indicators. RESULTS: Of the screening models assessed, only the model based on the 2006 NHNS survey showed a performance consistent with previous reports. The proposed 2016 NHNS model included age, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure as explanatory variables and showed a sensitivity of 0.72 and a specificity of 0.80 in the validation data set. CONCLUSIONS: Age, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure are variables of special importance for early detection of undiagnosed diabetes in Mexican adults. Based on the consistent performance of the 2006 NHNS model in different data sets, its use as a screening tool for adults with undiagnosed diabetes in Mexico is recommended

ANTECEDENTES: Se estima que el 37% de adultos mexicanos que padecen diabetes no han sido diagnosticados, teniendo un alto riesgo de desarrollar las graves y devastadores complicaciones asociadas. En los últimos años, con el objetivo de reducir los efectos negativos de la enfermedad, se han propuesto herramientas de detección basadas en las características de la población adulta mexicana. OBJETIVOS: Evaluar el funcionamiento de los modelos de detección de diabetes no diagnosticada en la población adulta mexicana y proponer un modelo de detección basado en mediciones de HbA1c. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se utilizaron datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (NHNS) de Medio Camino 2016 para evaluar los modelos de detección y para desarrollar y validar el modelo NHNS 2016, construido usando un modelo de regresión logística multivariada. Las variables incluidas en el modelo NHNS 2016 se seleccionaron mediante un procedimiento de pasos hacia atrás, utilizando la sensibilidad y la especificidad como indicadores de funcionamiento. RESULTADOS: De los modelos de detección evaluados, únicamente el modelo basado en la encuesta NHNS 2006 mostró un funcionamiento consistente con lo reportado anteriormente. Las variables seleccionadas para el modelo propuesto (NHNS 2016) fueron edad, circunferencia de cintura y presión sistólica como variables explicativas, mostrando una sensibilidad de 0,72 y una especificidad de 0,80 en el conjunto de datos de validación. CONCLUSIONES: Edad, circunferencia de cintura y presión sistólica son variables de relevancia especial para la detección temprana de diabetes no diagnosticada en adultos mexicanos. Dada la consistencia en el funcionamiento mostrado por el modelo NHNS 2006 en diferentes conjuntos de datos, se recomienda su uso como herramienta de detección de adultos con diabetes no diagnosticada en México

Body size and composition, physical activity and sedentary time in relation to endogenous hormones in premenopausal and postmenopausal women: Findings from the UK Biobank.

Anthropometric and lifestyle factors may influence cancer risks through hormonal changes. We investigated cross-sectional associations between body size and composition, physical activity and sedentary time and serum concentrations of oestradiol (premenopausal women only), testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in 20 758 premenopausal and 71 101 postmenopausal women in UK Biobank. In premenopausal women, higher BMI (body mass index) was associated with a lower concentration of total oestradiol (15% difference in the highest vs lowest BMI group) and a higher concentration of calculated free oestradiol (22%). In both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, higher BMI was associated with higher concentrations of total and calculated free testosterone (premenopausal 29% and 113%, postmenopausal 39% and 126%, respectively) and lower concentrations of SHBG and IGF-I (premenopausal 51% and 14%, postmenopausal 51% and 12%, respectively). Similar associations were observed with waist to height ratio, waist to hip ratio and body or trunk fat mass. Self-reported physical activity was associated with somewhat lower concentrations of total and calculated free testosterone (premenopausal 10% difference [free testosterone], postmenopausal 5% and 11% difference respectively in the most vs least active group) and a higher concentration of SHBG (premenopausal 11%, postmenopausal 10%), and the opposite was true for self-reported sedentary time. The associations were slightly stronger with accelerometer-measured physical activity, but were attenuated after adjustment for BMI. Overall, our study confirms strong associations of hormones and SHBG with anthropometric factors. The associations with physical activity and sedentary time were at most modest.

The cardiovascular risk profile of middle age women previously diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women worldwide. The cardiovascular risk profile deteriorates after women enter menopause. By definition, women diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) experience menopause before 40 years of age, which may render these women even more susceptible to develop CVD later in life. However, prospective long-term follow up data of well phenotyped women with POI are scarce. In the current study we compare the CVD profile and risk of middle aged women previously diagnosed with POI, to a population based reference group matched for age and BMI. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We compared 123 women (age 49.0 (± 4.3) years) and diagnosed with POI 8.1 (IQR: 6.8-9.6) years earlier, with 123 population controls (age 49.4 (± 3.9) years). All women underwent an extensive standardized cardiovascular screening. We assessed CVD risk factors including waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure, lipid profile, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), in both women with POI and controls. We calculated the 10-year CVD Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and the American Heart Association's suggested cardiovascular health score (CHS). Waist circumference (90.0 (IQR: 83.0-98.0) versus 80.7 (IQR: 75.1-86.8), p < 0.01), waist-to-hip ratio (0.90 (IQR: 0.85-0.93) versus 0.79 (IQR: 0.75-0.83), p < 0.01), systolic blood pressure (124 (IQR 112-135) versus 120 (IQR109-131), p < 0.04) and diastolic blood pressure (81 (IQR: 76-89) versus 78 (IQR: 71-86), p < 0.01), prevalence of hypertension (45 (37%) versus 21 (17%), p < 0.01) and MetS (19 (16%) versus 4 (3%), p < 0.01) were all significantly increased in women with POI compared to healthy controls. Other risk factors, however, such as lipids, glucose levels and prevalence of diabetes were similar comparing women with POI versus controls. The arterial stiffness assessed by PWV was also similar in both populations (8.1 (IQR: 7.1-9.4) versus 7.9 (IQR: 7.1-8.4), p = 0.21). In addition, cIMT was lower in women with POI compared to controls (550 µm (500-615) versus 684 µm (618-737), p < 0.01). The calculated 10-year CVD risk was 5.9% (IQR: 3.7-10.6) versus 6.0% (IQR: 3.9-9.0) (p = 0.31) and current CHS was 6.1 (1.9) versus 6.5 (1.6) (p = 0.07), respectively in POI versus controls. CONCLUSIONS: Middle age women with POI presented with more unfavorable cardiovascular risk factors (increased waist circumference and a higher prevalence of hypertension and MetS) compared to age and BMI matched population controls. In contrast, the current study reveals a lower cIMT and similar 10-year cardiovascular disease risk and cardiovascular health score. In summary, neither signs of premature atherosclerosis nor a worse cardiovascular disease risk or health score were observed among middle age women with POI compared to population controls. Longer-term follow-up studies of women of more advanced age are warranted to establish whether women with POI are truly at increased risk of developing CVD events later in life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02616510.

Obesity as a Causal Risk Factor for Aortic Valve Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Causal risk factors for aortic valve stenosis are poorly understood, limiting the possibility of preventing the most common heart valve disease. OBJECTIVES: The hypothesis was tested that genetically based obesity measured by body mass index is causally associated with risk of aortic valve stenosis and replacement. METHODS: The authors included 108,211 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study. Participants had measurements of body mass index, waist-hip ratio, and waist circumference, and information on 5 genetic variants associated with obesity. A Mendelian randomization design was used to investigate genetic and observational associations of obesity with incident aortic valve stenosis (n = 1,215) and replacement (n = 467) for a median follow-up time of 8.7 years. RESULTS: Genetically increased body mass index was causally associated with increased risk of aortic valve stenosis. Compared with an unweighted allele score of 0 to 3, individuals with an allele score 7 to 10 had a mean increase in body mass index of 0.87 kg/m2, and the age and sex-adjusted hazard ratio for aortic valve stenosis was 1.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0 to 1.7) for allele score 4, 1.4 (95% CI: 1.1 to 1.8) for allele score 5 to 6, and 1.6 (95% CI: 1.3 to 2.1) for allele score 7 to 10 (p for trend: 9 × 10-5). A 1-kg/m2 increase in body mass index was associated with causal risk ratios for aortic valve stenosis and replacement, respectively, of 1.52 (95% CI: 1.23 to 1.87) and 1.49 (95% CI: 1.07 to 2.08) genetically, and with corresponding hazard ratios of 1.06 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.08) and 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.08) observationally. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity from human genetics was causally associated with higher risk of aortic valve stenosis and replacement.

Malnutrition in obesity before and after bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgeries are considered the only effective way of weight loss therapy in morbidly obese patients, i.e. body mass index ≥ 35. However, micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition are common after most bariatric procedures and thus, pre- and postoperative nutritional assessment and corrections are advised. The present review is presented in an effort to describe in some detail about prevalence, and mechanisms of macro- and micronutrient deficiencies in obese and post-bariatric surgery individuals. We also aimed to summarize the data on screening and supplementation of macro- and micronutrients before and after bariatric surgeries.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio as Supernormal Stimuli: Effect of Contrapposto Pose and Viewing Angle.

In women, the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is an indicator of attractiveness, health, youthfulness, and reproductive potential. In the current study, we hypothesized that viewing angle and body postures influence the attractiveness of these forms based on the view dependency of WHR stimuli (vdWHR). Using eye tracking, we quantified the number of fixations and dwell time on 3D images of a female avatar in two different poses (standing and contrapposto) from eight viewing angles incrementing in 45 degrees of rotation. A total of 68 heterosexual individuals (25 men and 43 women) participated in the study. Results showed that the contrapposto pose was perceived as more attractive than the standing pose and that lower vdWHR sides of the stimuli attracted more first fixation, total fixations, and dwell time. Overall, the results supported that WHR is view-dependent and vdWHRs lower than optimal WHRs are supernormal stimuli that may generate peak shifts in responding. Results are discussed in terms of the attractiveness of women's movements (gaits and dance) and augmented artistic presentations.