Effect of Insulin Resistance on Abdominal Obesity, Liver Fat Infiltration, and Body Mass Index in Youngsters.

AIM: Evaluate insulin resistance (IR) as a mediator of the effect of body fat distribution on liver fat infiltration and stiffness (LSt) in young adults using structural equation modeling (SEM). METHODS: We invited 500 first year students from two universities and evaluated their family history to determine the risk for cardiometabolic disease. Of these, 174 students (age 19 ± 1 years) were assessed for total body fat percentage (BF%), LSt, fat infiltration (Coefficient attenuated parameter CAP), and serum biochemical analysis. We performed a mediation analysis using two different structural equation models to determine the relationship between BMI, BF%, abdominal obesity (AO), IR, LSt, and fat infiltration using standardized ß coefficients. The symbol "->" means "explains/causes". RESULTS: Model#1 supported that mediation analysis and had a better fit than the direct effect. AO->IR (b = 0.62, p = 0.005), AO->CAP (b = 0.63, p <0.001), and CAP->IR (b = 0.23, p = 0.007), with negligible effect of BMI on CAP and IR. Model#2 showed direct effect of BMI on LSt was a better fit than mediation. BMI->LSt (b = 0.17, p = 0.05) but no effect AO->LSt. Interestingly, LSt->IR (b = 0.18, p = 0.001), but bi-directional IR->LSt (b = 0.23, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: AO and BMI in young adults have differential phenotypic effects on liver CAP and LSt. Visceral fat had a direct effect on IR and CAP. Meanwhile, BMI was associated with LSt. Our findings shed light on the complex interplay of factors influencing liver stiffness, particularly in young individuals. Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying these associations and their implications for liver health.

[Lifestyle in university students during confinement by COVID-19]. / Estilo de vida en estudiantes universitarios durante el confinamiento por la pandemia de COVID-19.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted healthy eating and lifestyles. Objective: To determine the impact on diet and lifestyle in university students in the health area of the border areas of Mexico (Tamaulipas and Chiapas) during the confinement by COVID-19. Material and methods: This study was observational, descriptive, analytical, comparative cross-sectional, with convenience sampling with 409 students, 48.7% (199) from Tamaulipas, and 51.3% (210) from Chiapas. A survey with 30 items related to eating behavior and lifestyle was applied. Results: found an increase in obesity in Tamaulipas from 7.5% to 8.5% and in overweight in the state of Chiapas from 21.9% to 24.8% (p=0.001). A decrease in healthy eating was observed during confinement from 61.3% to 52.8% in Tamaulipas (p = 0.05) and from 70.5% to 57.1% in Chiapas (p = 0.001), with consumption of high carbohydrate foods (41.7%) and ultra-high-fat foods predominating on the northern border. processed (13.1%), while for the southern border there was a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables (35.2%) (p = 0.06). On both borders, physical activity decreased during confinement from 61.8% to 60.3% in Tamaulipas (p = 0.09) and 69.5% to 61.0% in Chiapas (p = 0.06). 52.3% and 52.4% of students in Tamaulipas and Chiapas also reported waking up during the night (p = 0.98). Conclusions: The diet and lifestyle of university students from the border areas of Mexico were affected during the confinement by COVID-19 with a decrease in the perception of healthy eating, an increase in the number of meals and a tendency to decrease in the number of meals. consumption of alcohol, tobacco and physical activity.

Introducción: la pandemia por COVID-19 impactó en la alimentación y en los estilos de vida saludables. Objetivo: determinar el impacto en la alimentación y el estilo de vida en los universitarios del área de la salud de las zonas fronterizas de México (Tamaulipas y Chiapas) durante el confinamiento por COVID-19. Material y métodos: este estudio fue observacional, analítico, comparativo y prospectivo, de corte transversal, con muestreo por conveniencia con 409 estudiantes, 48.7% (199) de Tamaulipas, y 51.3% (210) de Chiapas, se aplicó una encuesta con 30 ítems relacionados con el comportamiento alimentario y estilo de vida. Resultados: se identificó un aumento de obesidad en Tamaulipas (de 7.5 a 8.5%) y de sobrepeso en el estado de Chiapas (de 21.9 a 24.8%) (p = 0.001). Se observó una disminución de la alimentación saludable durante el confinamiento de un 61.3% a 52.8% en Tamaulipas (p = 0.05), y de un 70.5% a 57.1% en Chiapas (p = 0.001); predominando en la frontera norte el consumo de alimentos ricos en carbohidratos (41.7%) y alimentos ultraprocesados (13.1%), mientras que para la frontera sur se encontró un mayor consumo de frutas y verduras (35.2%) (p = 0.06). En ambas fronteras disminuyeron la actividad física durante el confinamiento de 61.8% a 60.3% Tamaulipas (p = 0.09) y 69.5% a 61.0% Chiapas (p = 0.06). También manifestaron despertar durante la noche el 52.3% y el 52.4% de los estudiantes de Tamaulipas y Chiapas (p = 0.98). Conclusiones: la alimentación y el estilo de vida en estudiantes universitarios de zonas fronterizas de México se vieron afectados durante el confinamiento por COVID-19, con una disminución en la percepción de alimentación saludable, aumento en el número de comidas y tendencia a la disminución en el consumo de alcohol, tabaco y actividad física.