Association of body-shape phenotypes with imaging measures of body composition in the UK Biobank cohort: relevance to colon cancer risk

Abstract Background Body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference are strongly correlated and do not reflect body composition. A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and Hip Index (HI) define waist and hip size among individuals with the same weight and height and would thus reflect body density. We examined differences in body composition between body-shape phenotypes defined with ABSI and HI and used this information to propose explanations for associations between body-shape phenotypes and colon cancer risk. Methods We used data from the UK Biobank Resource for 15,520 men, 16,548 women with dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements; 3997 men, 4402 women with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements; 200,289 men, 230,326 women followed-up for colon cancer. We defined body-shape phenotypes as: large-ABSI-small-HI (“apple”), small-ABSI-large-HI (“pear”), small-ABSI-small-HI (“slim”), large-ABSI-large-HI (“wide”). We evaluated differences in body composition in linear models and associations with colon cancer risk in Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for confounders and explored heterogeneity by BMI. Results Among individuals with the same height and weight, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was lowest for “pear” and highest for “apple”, while abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT) was lowest for “slim” and highest for “wide” phenotype. In the gynoid region, differences between “apple” and “pear” phenotypes were accounted for mainly by fat mass in women but by lean mass in men. In men, lean mass was inversely associated with waist size, while the pattern of gynoid fat resembled ASAT in women. Lean and fat mass were higher for higher BMI, but not hand grip strength. Compared to normal weight “pear”, the risk of colon cancer in men (1029 cases) was higher for “apple” phenotype for normal weight (hazard ratio HR = 1.77; 95% confidence interval: 1.16–2.69) and comparably for overweight and obese, higher for “wide” phenotype for overweight (HR = 1.60; 1.14–2.24) and comparably for obese, but higher for “slim” phenotype only for obese (HR = 1.98; 1.35–2.88). Associations with colon cancer risk in women (889 cases) were weaker. Conclusions ABSI-by-HI body-shape phenotypes provide information for body composition. Colon cancer risk in men appears related to ASAT quantity for “slim” and “wide” but to factors determining VAT accumulation for “apple” phenotype.

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Diet-Induced Obesity Is Associated with an Impaired NK Cell Function and an Increased Colon Cancer Incidence

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1155/2017/4297025 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Ina Bähr ◽

Vincent Goritz ◽

Henriette Doberstein ◽

Grit Gesine Ruth Hiller ◽

Philip Rosenstock ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colon Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Cancer Incidence ◽

Cell Function ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Colon Cancer Risk ◽

Nk Cell Receptors ◽

Obese Rats

Obesity is associated with an increased colon cancer incidence, but underlying mechanisms remained unclear. Previous studies showed altered Natural killer (NK) cell functions in obese individuals. Therefore, we studied the impact of an impaired NK cell functionality on the increased colon cancer risk in obesity. In vitro investigations demonstrated a decreased IFN-γsecretion and cytotoxicity of human NK cells against colon tumor cells after NK cell preincubation with the adipokine leptin. In addition, leptin incubation decreased the expression of activating NK cell receptors. In animal studies, colon cancer growth was induced by injection of azoxymethane (AOM) in normal weight and diet-induced obese rats. Body weight and visceral fat mass were increased in obese animals compared to normal weight rats. AOM-treated obese rats showed an increased quantity, size, and weight of colon tumors compared to the normal weight tumor group. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated a decreased number of NK cells in spleen and liver in obesity. Additionally, the expression levels of activating NK cell receptors were lower in spleen and liver of obese rats. The results show for the first time that the decreased number and impaired NK cell function may be one cause for the higher colon cancer risk in obesity.

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Two years later – changes in abdominal organs: First observations from the UK Biobank longitudinal imaging study

10.1101/2021.08.29.21262790 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Brandon Whitcher ◽

Marjola Thanaj ◽

Madeleine Cule ◽

Yi Liu ◽

Nicolas Basty ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Body Composition ◽

Adipose Tissue ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Imaging Study ◽

Iliopsoas Muscle ◽

Uk Biobank ◽

Short Period ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

Longitudinal studies provide unique insights into the impact of environmental factors and lifespan issues on health and disease. Here we investigate changes in body composition in 3,088 free-living participants, part of the UK Biobank in-depth imaging study. All participants underwent neck-to-knee MRI scans at baseline and after approximately two years (re-imaging). Image-derived phenotypes for each participant were extracted using a fully-automated image processing pipeline, including volumes of several tissues and organs: liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, total skeletal muscle, iliopsoas muscle, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT), as well as fat and iron content in liver, pancreas and spleen. Overall, no significant changes were observed in BMI, body weight, or waist circumference over the scanning interval, despite some large individual changes. A significant decrease in grip strength was observed, coupled to small, but statistically significant, decrease in all skeletal muscle measurements. Significant increases in VAT and intermuscular fat in the thighs were also detected in the absence of changes in BMI, waist circumference and ectopic-fat deposition. Adjusting for disease status at baseline did not have an additional impact on the changes observed. In summary, we show that even after a relatively short period of time significant changes in body composition can take place, probably reflecting the obesogenic environment currently inhabited by most of the general population in the United Kingdom.

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Development and validation of total and regional body composition prediction equations from anthropometry and single frequency segmental bioelectrical impedance with DEXA

10.1101/2020.12.16.20248330 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Richard Powell ◽

Emanuella De Lucia Rolfe ◽

Felix R. Day ◽

John R.B. Perry ◽

Simon J. Griffin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Fat Mass ◽

Lean Mass ◽

Bioelectrical Impedance ◽

Single Frequency ◽

Validation Sample ◽

Uk Biobank ◽

Prediction Equations ◽

The Uk ◽

Segmental Bioelectrical Impedance

AbstractAimsSingle-frequency segmental Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is commonly used to estimate body composition. To enhance the value of information derived from BIA, especially for use in large-scale epidemiological studies, we developed and validated equations to predict total and regional (arms, legs, trunk, android, gynoid, visceral) body composition parameters (lean mass and fat mass) from anthropometry and single-frequency (50 kHz) segmental BIA variables, using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) as the criterion method.MethodsThe 11,559 adults (age 30 to 65) from the UK population-based Fenland Study with data on DEXA, BIA and anthropometry were randomly assigned to a Derivation sample (4,827 men; 5,732 women) or a Validation sample (500 men; 500 women). Prediction equations based on anthropometry and BIA variables were derived using forward stepwise multiple linear regression in the Fenland Derivation sample. These were validated in the Fenland Validation sample and also in the UK Biobank Imaging Study (2,392 men; 2,606 women) using Pearson correlations and Bland–Altman models.Results and ConclusionsBland Altman analyses revealed no significant mean bias for any predicted DEXA parameter (all P>0.05) for the fenland population. Bias expressed as % of the mean was between -0.6% and 0.5% for all parameters in both men and women, except for visceral FM and subcutaneous abdominal FM (range -3.6 to 1.1%). However, in UK Biobank most predicted parameters showed significant bias: % mean bias was <2% in both sexes only for total fat mass and total lean mass, and was >10% for leg and visceral fat mass in both sexes. In conclusion, new equations based on anthropometry and BIA variables predicted DEXA parameters with sufficient accuracy to assess relative differences between individuals, and were sufficiently accurate to predict absolute values for total body but not regional fat and lean mass.

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Large Serrated Polyps Elevate Colon Cancer Risk

Internal Medicine News ◽

10.1016/s1097-8690(10)71097-0 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 43 (20) ◽

pp. 89

Author(s):

DENISE NAPOLI

Keyword(s):

Colon Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Serrated Polyps ◽

Colon Cancer Risk

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Thyroid dysfunction and breast cancer risk among women in the UK Biobank cohort

Cancer Medicine ◽

10.1002/cam4.3978 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Thi‐Van‐Trinh Tran ◽

Camille Maringe ◽

Sara Benitez Majano ◽

Bernard Rachet ◽

Marie‐Christine Boutron‐Ruault ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Breast Cancer Risk ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Thyroid Dysfunction ◽

Uk Biobank ◽

The Uk

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Body composition and risk of major gynecologic malignancies: Results from the UK Biobank prospective cohort

Cancer Medicine ◽

10.1002/cam4.3925 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Peng Yun ◽

Bin Xia ◽

Xiao‐hui Tian ◽

Ting Gong ◽

An‐ran Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Uk Biobank ◽

Gynecologic Malignancies ◽

The Uk

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Colon cancer risk: Supplements no substitute for dietary fiber

Springer Healthcare News ◽

10.1007/s40014-012-1530-0 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Keyword(s):

Colon Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Dietary Fiber ◽

Colon Cancer Risk

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Body composition in childhood: effects of normal growth and disease

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1079/pns2003261 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 62 (2) ◽

pp. 521-528 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

J. C. K. Wells

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Childhood Obesity ◽

Fat Mass ◽

Lean Mass ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

General Interest ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Adult Disease ◽

Increased Risk

Body composition in children is of increasing interest within the contexts of childhood obesity, clinical management of patients and nutritional programming as a pathway to adult disease. Energy imbalance appears to be common in many disease states; however, body composition is not routinely measured in patients. Traditionally, clinical interest has focused on growth or nutritional status, whereas more recent studies have quantified fat mass and lean mass. The human body changes in proportions and chemical composition during childhood and adolescence. Most of the weight gain comprises lean mass rather than fat. In general, interest has focused on percentage fat, and less attention has been paid to the way in which lean mass varies within and between individuals. In the general population secular trends in BMI have been widely reported, indicating increasing levels of childhood obesity, which have been linked to reduced physical activity. However, lower activity levels may potentially lead not only to increased fatness, but also to reduced lean mass. This issue merits further investigation. Diseases have multiple effects on body composition and may influence fat-free mass and/or fat mass. In some diseases both components change in the same direction, whereas in other diseases, the changes are contradictory and may be concealed by relatively normal weight. Improved techniques are required for clinical evaluations. Both higher fatness and reduced lean mass may represent pathways to an increased risk of adult disease.

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