Association of prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes with offspring body composition and regional body fat distribution

HIV infection and its treatment is associated with unfavourable metabolic and morphological abnormalities. These metabolic abnormalities, particularly alterations in body composition and fat distribution, may increase the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic complications, as well as reduce functional independence and lower self-esteem. Thus there is an urgent need to develop interventions intended to manage secondary side effects of HIV or antiretroviral therapy-related complications. In poly-treated patients, nonpharmacological interventions are a logical first step. Exercise training in particular may help alleviate some of the metabolic adverse effects associated with antiretroviral therapy by favourably altering body composition and patterns of body fat distribution. Studies have shown that exercise training, particularly aerobic training, can help reduce total body and visceral fat, as well as normalizing lipid profiles in HIV-infected patients. The results for resistance training, however, are less conclusive. Knowledge of the use of resistance and aerobic training and its attendant effects on insulin resistance and adipocytokines may represent an effective nonpharmacologic means for treating metabolic complications of HIV-infected persons who are receiving appropriate antiretroviral therapy. In this brief review we examine the effects of aerobic and resistance training on body composition, body fat distribution, and selected metabolic outcomes. Key words: lipodystrophy, highly active anti-retroviral therapy, aerobic training, resistance training

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Unacylated ghrelin is associated with changes in body composition and body fat distribution during long-term exercise intervention

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje-11-0334 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 165 (2) ◽

pp. 243-248 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Henna Cederberg ◽

Ulla Rajala ◽

Vesa-Matti Koivisto ◽

Jari Jokelainen ◽

Heljä-Marja Surcel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Body Composition ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Body Fat ◽

Exercise Performance ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Body Fat Distribution ◽

Unacylated Ghrelin

ObjectiveGhrelin, a gut–brain peptide involved in energy homeostasis, circulates predominantly (>90%) in unacylated form. Previous studies, however, have focused on total and acylated ghrelin, and the role of unacylated ghrelin (UAG) is not well understood. Particularly, the association of UAG with weight loss and changes in body composition in adults remains unclear. We hypothesized that exercise-associated increase in UAG level is associated with weight loss, favorable changes in body composition, and body fat distribution.Design and methodsA prospective study of 552 young men (mean age 19.3 and range 19–28 years) undergoing military service with structured 6-month exercise training program. Exercise performance, body composition, and biochemical measurements were obtained at baseline and follow-up. Association between changes in UAG levels and body composition and body fat distribution were evaluated.ResultsAn increase in UAG level during the exercise intervention was associated with reduced weight, fat mass (FM), fat percentage (fat %), and waist circumference, but not with fat-free mass. Inverse associations of changes in UAG level with changes in waist circumference and fat % were independent of weight at baseline, and changes in weight and exercise performance. Associations of changes in UAG level with waist circumference were significantly stronger than with fat % after the adjustment for confounding variables.ConclusionUAG is associated with changes in body weight and body composition during an intensive long-term exercise intervention in young men. The association of UAG levels with changes in central obesity was stronger than with total FM.

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