Classification of obesity varies between body mass index and direct measures of body fat in boys and girls of Asian and European ancestry

The purpose of this study was twofold: Firstly, to examine the use of Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Fat (BF %) measurements in order to monitor the cadets in the Hellenic Army Academy and secondly, to evaluate the aspects that enhance the performance of the cadets in specific physical activities, in order to help them to be more efficient in their duties as officers. More specifically, this study sets out to examine the advantage or disadvantage that cadets, with specific body composition have towards their peers and whether these characteristics can predict their performance in specific tests. Anthropometric measurements (height, body mass, BMI and BF %) and performance in specific physical tests were assessed for 868 male cadets with an average age of 19.9±1.6 years from all 4 undergraduate classes of the Academy. The results were extracted through odds ratios analysis for the different categories. It was shown that the cadets who belonged to groups with lower BMI and BF % had an advantage in their performance during the tests. BF % was presented as a more accurate predictor than BMI and the odds ratios for the tests revealed interesting associations, between the BF % of the cadets and their probability to accomplish specific tasks, which may help to enhance performance. In conclusion, it was recommended to use more than one anthropometric component for classification of the cadets and not to depend solely on BMI values, in order to have a more holistic picture of their physical condition and physical activity levels.

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Anthropometric Variables as Mediators of the Association of Changes in Diet and Physical Activity With Inflammatory Profile

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glab072 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gabriela Cárdenas-Fuentes ◽

Camille Lassale ◽

Miguel Ángel Martínez-González ◽

María Grau ◽

Jordi Salas-Salvadó ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Body Fat ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Inflammatory Score ◽

Inflammatory Profile

Abstract Background Mechanisms underlying the associations of high levels of physical activity (PA) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) with a better inflammatory profile remain unclear. Our objective was to assess the mediating role of changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), as markers of body fat in the association of changes in PA and adherence to the MedDiet, with changes in the inflammatory profile. Method This study included 489 adults, aged 55–75 years, from the PREDIMED-Plus multicenter lifestyle intervention trial. An inflammatory score was calculated, based on 8 blood biomarkers: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, interleukin 18, monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1, C-peptide, leptin, and regulated on activation, normal T-cell–expressed and secreted chemokine. Biomarkers, levels of PA, score of MedDiet adherence, BMI, and WC were measured at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Linear regression models were fitted according to the Baron and Kenny framework for mediation analysis. Results Changes in BMI and WC mediated the association of both changes in PA and changes in the MedDiet adherence with the inflammatory score. Body mass index mediated 26% of the association of changes in total PA with the inflammatory profile, and 27% of the association of changes in the MedDiet, while WC mediated 13% and 12% of these associations, respectively. Conclusion In older adults at high cardiovascular risk, increasing PA levels and adherence to a MedDiet during 1 year were associated with a lower inflammatory score, which was partly mediated by a reduction in body fat. Clinical Trials Registration Number International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN89898870; registration date July 24, 2014, retrospectively registered.

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Trends in obesity and adiposity measures by race or ethnicity among adults in the United States 2011-18: population based study

BMJ ◽

10.1136/bmj.n365 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. n365

Author(s):

Buyun Liu ◽

Yang Du ◽

Yuxiao Wu ◽

Linda G Snetselaar ◽

Robert B Wallace ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Ethnic Groups ◽

Body Mass ◽

Body Fat ◽

Lean Mass ◽

The United States ◽

Population Based ◽

Body Fat Percentage ◽

Fat Percentage

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the trends in obesity and adiposity measures, including body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and lean mass, by race or ethnicity among adults in the United States from 2011 to 2018.DesignPopulation based study.SettingNational Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2011-18.ParticipantsA nationally representative sample of US adults aged 20 years or older.Main outcome measuresWeight, height, and waist circumference among adults aged 20 years or older were measured by trained technicians using standardized protocols. Obesity was defined as body mass index of 30 or higher for non-Asians and 27.5 or higher for Asians. Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference of 102 cm or larger for men and 88 cm or larger for women. Body fat percentage and lean mass were measured among adults aged 20-59 years by using dual energy x ray absorptiometry.ResultsThis study included 21 399 adults from NHANES 2011-18. Body mass index was measured for 21 093 adults, waist circumference for 20 080 adults, and body fat percentage for 10 864 adults. For the overall population, age adjusted prevalence of general obesity increased from 35.4% (95% confidence interval 32.5% to 38.3%) in 2011-12 to 43.4% (39.8% to 47.0%) in 2017-18 (P for trend<0.001), and age adjusted prevalence of abdominal obesity increased from 54.5% (51.2% to 57.8%) in 2011-12 to 59.1% (55.6% to 62.7%) in 2017-18 (P for trend=0.02). Age adjusted mean body mass index increased from 28.7 (28.2 to 29.1) in 2011-12 to 29.8 (29.2 to 30.4) in 2017-18 (P for trend=0.001), and age adjusted mean waist circumference increased from 98.4 cm (97.4 to 99.5 cm) in 2011-12 to 100.5 cm (98.9 to 102.1 cm) in 2017-18 (P for trend=0.01). Significant increases were observed in body mass index and waist circumference among the Hispanic, non-Hispanic white, and non-Hispanic Asian groups (all P for trend<0.05), but not for the non-Hispanic black group. For body fat percentage, a significant increase was observed among non-Hispanic Asians (30.6%, 29.8% to 31.4% in 2011-12; 32.7%, 32.0% to 33.4% in 2017-18; P for trend=0.001), but not among other racial or ethnic groups. The age adjusted mean lean mass decreased in the non-Hispanic black group and increased in the non-Hispanic Asian group, but no statistically significant changes were found in other racial or ethnic groups.ConclusionsAmong US adults, an increasing trend was found in obesity and adiposity measures from 2011 to 2018, although disparities exist among racial or ethnic groups.

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The dynamic association between body mass index and cognition from midlife through late-life, and the effect of sex and genetic influences

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-86667-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ida K. Karlsson ◽

Margaret Gatz ◽

Thalida Em Arpawong ◽

Anna K. Dahl Aslan ◽

Chandra A. Reynolds

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Genetic Predisposition ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Late Life ◽

Change Score ◽

Reciprocal Relationship ◽

European Ancestry ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Dynamic Relationship

AbstractBody mass index (BMI) is associated with cognitive abilities, but the nature of the relationship remains largely unexplored. We aimed to investigate the bidirectional relationship from midlife through late-life, while considering sex differences and genetic predisposition to higher BMI. We used data from 23,892 individuals of European ancestry from the Health and Retirement Study, with longitudinal data on BMI and three established cognitive indices: mental status, episodic memory, and their sum, called total cognition. To investigate the dynamic relationship between BMI and cognitive abilities, we applied dual change score models of change from age 50 through 89, with a breakpoint at age 65 or 70. Models were further stratified by sex and genetic predisposition to higher BMI using tertiles of a polygenic score for BMI (PGSBMI). We demonstrated bidirectional effects between BMI and all three cognitive indices, with higher BMI contributing to steeper decline in cognitive abilities in both midlife and late-life, and higher cognitive abilities contributing to less decline in BMI in late-life. The effects of BMI on change in cognitive abilities were more evident in men compared to women, and among those in the lowest tertile of the PGSBMI compared to those in the highest tertile, while the effects of cognition on BMI were similar across groups. In conclusion, these findings highlight a reciprocal relationship between BMI and cognitive abilities, indicating that the negative effects of a higher BMI persist from midlife through late-life, and that weight-loss in late-life may be driven by cognitive decline.

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Effects of a novel mobile health intervention compared to a multi-component behaviour changing program on body mass index, physical capacities and stress parameters in adolescents with obesity: a randomized controlled trial

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-021-02781-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

A. Stasinaki ◽

D. Büchter ◽

C.-H. I. Shih ◽

K. Heldt ◽

S. Güsewell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Body Mass ◽

Body Fat ◽

Mobile Health ◽

Health Intervention ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Physical Capacities ◽

Stress Parameters

Abstract Background Less than 2% of overweight children and adolescents in Switzerland can participate in multi-component behaviour changing interventions (BCI), due to costs and lack of time. Stress often hinders positive health outcomes in youth with obesity. Digital health interventions, with fewer on-site visits, promise health care access in remote regions; however, evidence for their effectiveness is scarce. Methods This randomized controlled not blinded trial (1:1) was conducted in a childhood obesity center in Switzerland. Forty-one youth aged 10–18 years with body mass index (BMI) > P.90 with risk factors or co-morbidities or BMI > P.97 were recruited. During 5.5 months, the PathMate2 group (PM) received daily conversational agent counselling via mobile app, combined with standardized counselling (4 on-site visits). Controls (CON) participated in a BCI (7 on-site visits). We compared the outcomes of both groups after 5.5 (T1) and 12 (T2) months. Primary outcome was reduction in BMI-SDS (BMI standard deviation score: BMI adjusted for age and sex). Secondary outcomes were changes in body fat and muscle mass (bioelectrical impedance analysis), waist-to-height ratio, physical capacities (modified Dordel-Koch-Test), blood pressure and pulse. Additionally, we hypothesized that less stressed children would lose more weight. Thus, children performed biofeedback relaxation exercises while stress parameters (plasma cortisol, stress questionnaires) were evaluated. Results At intervention start median BMI-SDS of all patients (18 PM, 13 CON) was 2.61 (obesity > + 2SD). BMI-SDS decreased significantly in CON at T1, but not at T2, and did not decrease in PM during the study. Muscle mass, strength and agility improved significantly in both groups at T2; only PM reduced significantly their body fat at T1 and T2. Average daily PM app usage rate was 71.5%. Cortisol serum levels decreased significantly after biofeedback but with no association between stress parameters and BMI-SDS. No side effects were observed. Conclusions Equally to BCI, PathMate2 intervention resulted in significant and lasting improvements of physical capacities and body composition, but not in sustained BMI-SDS decrease. This youth-appealing mobile health intervention provides an interesting approach for youth with obesity who have limited access to health care. Biofeedback reduces acute stress and could be an innovative adjunct to usual care.

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Pre-pregnancy body mass index is associated with offspring body composition in adulthood before adiposity-related disorders: a retrospective cohort

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980020005285 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Ilana Eshriqui ◽

Angélica Marques Martins Valente ◽

Luciana Dias Folchetti ◽

Bianca de Almeida-Pititto ◽

Sandra Roberta G. Ferreira

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Composition ◽

Body Mass ◽

Body Fat ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Directed Acyclic Graphs ◽

Health Study ◽

Appendicular Skeletal Muscle ◽

Three Body

Abstract Objective: To investigate the association between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and offspring body composition in adulthood. Design: Retrospective cohort. Undergraduates of nutrition or nutritionists were recruited at the baseline of the Nutritionists’ Health Study between 2014 and 2017. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and current life aspects were self-reported through online questionnaires. Three body compartments were DXA-determined. The following variables were obtained: body-fat (%), fat mass index (FMI) (kg/m2), android-to-gynoid fat ratio, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (cm3), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) (kg/m2), total bone and femur mineral content (g) and density (g/cm2). Linear regression adjusted according to directed acyclic graphs recommendation was performed. Setting: São Paulo, Brazil. Participants: Healthy non-pregnant women (aged 20-45 years) (n=150). Results: Median age and BMI were 22 years (IQR=20; 29) and 22.3 kg/m2 (IQR=20.4; 25.3). Pre-pregnancy BMI≥25 kg/m2 was reported by 14.7% of mothers. In fully adjusted models, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with their daughters’ body-fat % (β=0.31; 95%CI=0.0004; 0.63), FMI (β=0.17; 95%CI=0.03; 0.30, android-to-gynoid ratio (β=0.01; 95%CI=0.004; 0.02) and VAT (β=0.09; 95%CI=0.02; 0.16), but not with total bone density (β=0.001; 95%CI=-0.003; 0.006) and content (β=7.13; 95%CI=-4.19; 18.46). Direct association with ASMI was also detected, but lost statistical significance when participants whose mothers were underweight were excluded. Conclusions: Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index was directly associated with offspring general and visceral adiposity but seem not to be associated with bone mass. Results reinforce importance of avoiding excess of maternal adiposity, as an attempt to break the vicious cycle of obesity transmission.

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Effect of Children’s Weight Status on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior during Physical Education, Recess, and After School

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9082651 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 2651

Author(s):

Zachary C. Pope ◽

Charles Huang ◽

David Stodden ◽

Daniel J. McDonough ◽

Zan Gao

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Elementary School ◽

Physical Education ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Body Mass ◽

Weight Status ◽

After School ◽

Healthy Weight

Children’s body mass index may affect physical activity (PA) participation. Therefore, this study examined the effect of children’s weight status on underserved elementary school children’s PA and sedentary behavior (SB) throughout the segmented day. Participants were 138 children (X¯age = 8.14 years). Children’s height and weight were measured with subsequent classification of children as healthy weight or overweight/obese. Durations of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), light PA (LPA), and SB during physical education (PE), morning recess, lunch recess, after school, and overall were assessed via accelerometry over three days. Independent t-tests evaluated differences in children’s MVPA, LPA, and SB during each daily segment by weight status. Significantly higher MVPA was observed for children of healthy weight status versus children with overweight/obesity during morning recess, t(136) = 2.15, p = 0.03, after school, t(136) = 2.68, p < 0.01, and overall, t(136) = 2.65, p < 0.01. Interestingly, comparisons of children of healthy weight status and children with overweight/obesity’s LPA and SB during the after-school segment revealed a trend wherein children with overweight/obesity participated in slightly greater LPA/less SB than children of healthy weight status. Higher MVPA was observed among children of healthy weight versus children with overweight/obesity during most daily segments. Concerted efforts should focus on increasing MVPA among children with overweight/obesity.

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