Body Mass Index, waist circumference or sagittal abdominal diameter: Which parameter is better correlated with body fat changes in postmenopausal women after combined training protocol?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to verify whether exercise-induced changes in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) are correlated with changes in body fat (BF) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Seventeen postmenopausal women performed combined training three times a week, for 12 weeks. Correlations of delta (Δ) BMI, Δ WC, and Δ SAD with Δ total BF, Δ android and Δ gynoid fats were performed. RESULTS: Weight, BMI and android fat decreased over time. A tendency of reductions in gynoid fat was found (p = 0.070). Delta BMI was positively correlated with Δ total BF (r = 0.56; p < 0.05), Δ android fat (r = 0.64; p < 0.05), and Δ gynoid fat (r = 0.72; p < 0.05). The Δ WC was only correlated with Δ gynoid fat (r = 0.55; p < 0.05). The Δ SAD was not correlated with all the Δ body fat parameters evaluated. CONCLUSION: We conclude that changes in BMI were better associated with body fat changes induced by combined training when compared to WC and SAD in postmenopausal women. The patients were part of a 12-week training study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03200639).

A High-Protein Meal during a Night Shift Does Not Improve Postprandial Metabolic Response the Following Breakfast: A Randomized Crossover Study with Night Workers.

The aim of this study was to compare the acute effect of a high-protein/moderate carbohydrate (HP-MCHO) versus low-protein/high-carbohydrate (LP-HCHO) meal served at night on the postprandial metabolic response of male night workers the following breakfast. A randomized crossover study was performed with 14 male night workers (40.9 ± 8.9 years old; 29.1 ± 5.3 kg/m2). Participants underwent two different isocaloric dietary conditions at 1:00 h of the night shift: HP-MCHO (45 en% carbohydrate, 35 en% protein and 20 en% fat) and LP-HCHO (65 en% carbohydrate, 15 en% protein and 20 en% fat). Postprandial capillary glucose levels were determined immediately before the intake of the test meal and 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after the end of the meal. At the end of the work shift (6:30 h), participants received a standard breakfast and postprandial levels of glucose, insulin and triglycerides were determined immediately before and then every 30 min for 2 h (30, 60, 90 and 120 min). Higher values of capillary glucose were found after the LP-HCHO condition compared to the HP-MCHO condition (area under the curve (AUC) = 119.46 ± 1.49 mg/dL × min and 102.95 ± 1.28 mg/dL × min, respectively; p < 0.001). For the metabolic response to standard breakfast as the following meal, no significant differences in glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and HOMA-IR levels were found between interventions. A night meal with a higher percentage of protein and a lower percentage of carbohydrate led to minor postprandial glucose levels during the night shift but exerted no effect on the metabolic response of the following meal. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03456219.

Protein timing has no effect on lean mass, strength and functional capacity gains induced by resistance exercise in postmenopausal women: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Short-term studies have shown that protein intake immediately post-exercise increases muscle protein synthesis. However, the effect of protein timing (comparing protein intake post-exercise vs. several hours after exercise) on lean mass and strength gains in long-term studies is still not fully elucidated. Thus, the aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of protein timing on lean mass, strength and functional capacity gains induced by resistance exercise in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Thirty-four postmenopausal women (60.9 ± 6.7 years) participated in this double-blind, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial. All individuals performed the same resistance training protocol in the morning, 3 times a week, at 70% of 1-maximum repetition (1-RM), over 8 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to protein-carbohydrate group (PC) (n = 17), that ingested 30 g of whey protein immediately after exercise and 30 g of maltodextrin in the afternoon; and to carbohydrate-protein group (CP) (n = 17), that ingested 30 g of maltodextrin immediately after exercise and 30 g of whey protein in the afternoon. Lean mass was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, handgrip strength by a dynamometer, and strength was evaluated by 1-RM of bench press and leg extension. One mile walk test was performed to assess the functional capacity. RESULTS: Both the PC group (37.3 [35.0-39.7] to 38.1 [35.9-40.5] kg) and the CP group (38.2 [36.0-40.5] to 38.8 [36.5-41.3] kg) increased the total lean mass (p < 0.001). An increase was also observed in both groups for 1-RM bench press, 1-RM leg extension and handgrip strength (p < 0.001). In addition, the time of 1-mile walk test decreased in both groups (p = 0.019). No differences were noted for group and time interaction for these variables (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Protein timing has no effect on lean mass, strength and functional capacity gains induced by resistance exercise in postmenopausal women. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03372876.

Moderate Increase in Protein Intake Promotes a Small Additional Improvement in Functional Capacity, But Not in Muscle Strength and Lean Mass Quality, in Postmenopausal Women Following Resistance Exercise: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a moderate increase in protein intake on muscle strength, functional capacity and lean mass quality improvements in postmenopausal women following resistance exercise. Forty-seven postmenopausal women were randomized in two groups: Normal protein (NP, n = 25), who received a dietary plan containing ~0.8 g protein·kg-1·d-1 (recommended dietary allowance-RDA recommendations); and higher protein (HP, n = 22), which a moderate increase in protein intake was recommended (~1.2 g protein·kg-1·d-1). Resistance training was performed for 10 weeks, three times/week. Muscle strength (handgrip strength and one repetition maximum test-1-RM), functional capacity and lean mass (LM) quality (muscle strength to lean mass ratio) were evaluated. Dietary intake was assessed by nine 24 h food recalls. After intervention, both groups increased similarly the leg extension 1-RM and handgrip strength. Regarding functional capacity tests, both groups increased the balance test score (SPPB) and 10 m walk test speed, with no differences between the groups. In addition, an increase in speed to perform the 6 min and 400 m walk tests was observed over the time, with an additional improvement in the HP group (time × group interaction; p = 0.007 and p = 0.004, respectively). About LM quality, leg extension 1-RM/leg LM improved over the time in both groups (p = 0.050), with no time × group interaction. All these significant changes had a low effect size. In conclusion, a moderate increase in protein intake promoted a small additional improvement in functional capacity, but it did not induce a greater increase in strength and LM quality after 10 weeks of resistance exercise in postmenopausal women. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03024125.

Night workers have lower levels of antioxidant defenses and higher levels of oxidative stress damage when compared to day workers.

The effects of circadian misalignment and work shift on oxidative stress profile of shift workers have not been explored in the literature. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of shift work (day and night) and social jetlag - a measure of circadian misalignment - with oxidative stress markers. A cross-sectional study was performed with 79 men (21-65 years old, 27.56 ± 4.0 kg/m2) who worked the night shift (n = 37) or daytime (n = 42). The analyzed variables included anthropometric measures and determination of systemic levels of markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant defense. Social jetlag was calculated by the absolute difference between the mean sleep point on working and rest days. The night group presented higher systemic values of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydrogen peroxide, and lower levels of nitrite, total antioxidant capacity, and catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in relation to the day group. However, social jetlag was not associated with oxidative stress-related biomarkers analyzed in the night group. These results suggest that the night worker has higher levels of oxidative stress damage and lower levels of antioxidant defenses, while social jetlag was not a possible responsible factor for this condition.

Agreement between Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment and the nutritional assessment of the World Health Organization / Concordância entre Avaliação Nutricional Subjetiva Global e Avaliação Nutricional da Organização Mundial da Saúde

Abstract Objective: To assess the agreement between the results of the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment questionnaire, adapted for children and adolescents of the Brazilian population, and the nutritional status assessment method through growth curves and the classification of the World Health Organization in a pediatric hospital service. Methods: This was an analytical, quantitative, cross-sectional study. During the data collection period, the nutritional status of all patients from 0 to 12 years of age, admitted to the pediatric unit of a university hospital, was concomitantly assessed according to the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment and World Health Organization curves. To determine the assessment and agreement between these methods, the Kappa and Kendall coefficients were used, respectively, considering a significance level of 5%. Results: Sixty-one children participated, with a predominance of males. It was observed that the highest frequency of equivalent results occurred among the group classified as well nourished, and that only the height/age variable showed a close agreement between the methods. Additionally, there was a good correlation only for the weight/height variable between the assessment tools used. Conclusion: Due to the low agreement between the methods, the combination of both may be beneficial for the nutritional assessment of pediatric patients, collaborating with the early diagnosis of nutritional alterations and facilitating the use of adequate dietary therapy.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a concordância entre os resultados do questionário da Avaliação Nutricional Subjetiva Global adaptado para crianças e adolescentes da população brasileira e do método de avaliação do estado nutricional por meio de curvas de crescimento e a classificação da Organização Mundial da Saúde em um serviço pediátrico hospitalar. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo analítico, quantitativo, de caráter transversal. Durante o período de coleta de dados, foi avaliado o estado nutricional de todos os pacientes até 12 anos admitidos na Enfermaria de Pediatria de um hospital universitário segundo a Avaliação Nutricional Subjetiva Global e as curvas da Organização Mundial da Saúde, concomitantemente. Para determinar a avaliação e a concordância entre esses métodos, os coeficientes de Kappa e de Kendall foram usados, respectivamente, considerou-se nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Participaram do trabalho 61 crianças, com predominância do sexo masculino. Observou-se que a maior frequência de resultados iguais ocorreu entre o grupo classificado como bem nutrido e que somente a variável altura/idade demonstrou íntima concordância entre os métodos. Além disso, verificou-se uma boa correlação somente para a variável peso/altura entre os instrumentos usados. Conclusão: Devido à baixa concordância entre os métodos, a combinação de ambos pode ser benéfica para a avaliação nutricional dos pacientes pediátricos e colaborar com o diagnóstico precoce de alterações nutricionais, facilitar a aplicação do tratamento dietoterápico adequado.

Agreement between Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment and the nutritional assessment of the World Health Organization.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the agreement between the results of the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment questionnaire, adapted for children and adolescents of the Brazilian population, and the nutritional status assessment method through growth curves and the classification of the World Health Organization in a pediatric hospital service. METHODS: This was an analytical, quantitative, cross-sectional study. During the data collection period, the nutritional status of all patients from 0 to 12 years of age, admitted to the pediatric unit of a university hospital, was concomitantly assessed according to the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment and World Health Organization curves. To determine the assessment and agreement between these methods, the Kappa and Kendall coefficients were used, respectively, considering a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Sixty-one children participated, with a predominance of males. It was observed that the highest frequency of equivalent results occurred among the group classified as well nourished, and that only the height/age variable showed a close agreement between the methods. Additionally, there was a good correlation only for the weight/height variable between the assessment tools used. CONCLUSION: Due to the low agreement between the methods, the combination of both may be beneficial for the nutritional assessment of pediatric patients, collaborating with the early diagnosis of nutritional alterations and facilitating the use of adequate dietary therapy.

Whey protein increases muscle weight gain through inhibition of oxidative effects induced by resistance exercise in rats.

Whey protein (WP) is known for its nutritional value and antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the antioxidant properties of WP could contribute to muscle weight gain in response to resistance exercise (RE). We hypothesized that WP ingestion could increase muscle weight gain in rats subjected to an RE program, through inhibition of oxidative effects induced by high-intensity RE. Thirty-two male Fischer rats were randomly assigned to control sedentary, control exercised, WP sedentary, and WP exercised groups (n=8/group). The RE consisted of inducing the rats to perform sets of jumps for 8 weeks. Body and muscle weight gains, muscle glutathione content, histopathology, muscle antioxidant enzyme activities, and gene expression were evaluated. Body and muscle weight gains of exercised rats fed WP were higher than those of control exercised rats. Concomitantly, RE induced an increase in phagocyte infiltration, protein oxidation, and down-regulation of glutathione peroxidase and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase messenger RNA expression in gastrocnemius muscle (P<.05), effects that were inhibited by WP ingestion. Cytosolic superoxide dismutase and catalase messenger RNA expression were reduced only by RE (P<.05), and muscle glutathione content was increased only by WP (P<.05) with no significant interaction observed (P>.05). These findings suggest that differences in body and muscle weight gain in exercised rats fed control or WP diets were mediated, in part, by the antioxidant properties of WP, and indicate that when associated with RE, WP represents a nutritional aid to support muscle growth.