Dietary intake of branched-chain amino acids in relation to general and abdominal obesity

Abstract Purpose: Despite the huge evidence on the link between dietary protein intake and obesity, limited studies have examined the role of individual amino acids in this regard. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary total and individual BCAAs intake and odds of general and abdominal obesity in a large group of adults.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 8691 adults aged 18-55 years in Isfahan, Iran. Dietary BCAAs were assessed using a validated dish-based 106-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (DS-FFQ). Information about weight and waist circumference were collected through a self-reported validated questionnaire. General obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2, and abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference (WC) ≥88 cm for women and ≥102 cm for men.Results: Mean age of study participants was 36.8±8.1 years. Prevalence of general obesity was 9.2% in men and 9.7% in women and that of abdominal obesity was 13.3% and 36.2% in men and women, respectively. We found that participants in the top tertile of total BCAAs intake had higher odds of general obesity compared with those in the bottom tertile (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.09-1.84). Such significant association was seen in men (OR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.05-2.34), but not in women (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 0.94-1.89) in our stratified analysis. We found no significant association between total BCAAs intake and odds of abdominal obesity. Stratified by sex, no significant association was observed between total BCAAs intake and odds of abdominal obesity [for men: (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.74-1.65) and for women: (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.84-1.38)]. Assessing the association with individual BCAAs, a significant positive association was observed between dietary intake of valine (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.10-1.84), leucine (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.10-1.86), and isoleucine (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.09-1.84) with general obesity. We observed no significant association between dietary intake of individual BCAAs intake and odds of abdominal obesity.Conclusion: Dietary BCAAs intake was associated with an increased odds of general obesity, in particular among men. No significant association was observed between dietary BCAAs and abdominal obesity.Level of evidence: Level V, descriptive cross-sectional study.

Download Full-text

Association between dietary diversity with overweight and obesity: A cross-sectional study conducted among pastoralists in Monduli District in Tanzania

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0244813 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e0244813

Author(s):

Ahmed Gharib Khamis ◽

Julius Edward Ntwenya ◽

Mbazi Senkoro ◽

Sayoki Godfrey Mfinanga ◽

Katharina Kreppel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Careful Consideration ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Sectional Study ◽

General Obesity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Monduli District ◽

Arusha Region

Background The prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising at a rapid pace and is associated with negative health consequences like cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Obesity is a multifactorial problem that develops mainly from lifestyle factors including physical inactivity and poor dietary intake. Dietary diversity is a simplified method for assessing the adequacy and quality of diet and is associated with nutritional need and overall health status. Therefore, we conducted this study to synthesize the associations between consumption of a diversified diet and overweight/ obesity among adults living in pastoral communities in Monduli district in Tanzania. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 510 adults aged ≥ 18 years old in the Monduli district, Arusha region in Tanzania. We conducted face-to-face interviews to collect information about socio-demographic characteristics, 24-hours dietary recall, and anthropometric measurements. The dietary diversity score (DDS) was constructed and used to determine the diversity of the diet consumed. We performed the multivariate Poisson regressions to determine the prevalence ratio (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The dependent variables were overweight and general obesity as measured by body mass index (BMI), abdominal obesity measured by waist-hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC). Results The prevalence of general obesity based on BMI was 20.2% (95%CI; 16.9–23.9), abdominal obesity based on WHR was 37.8% (95%CI; 33.7–42.1), and WC was 29.1% (95%CI; 25.2–33.1). More than half (54.3%) of the participants consumed an adequate dietary diversity (DDS ≥4). After adjustment for potential confounders, the prevalence of abdominal obesity by WHR decreased with higher DDS among male (APR = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.22–0.77) and female participants (APR = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.41–0.94). There were inconsistent positive associations between DDS and prevalence of overweight and general obesity among male and female. There was no association between DDS and abdominal obesity by WC. Conclusion More than half of the pastoralists have consumed an adequate diversified diet. Given the inconsistent findings on associations between dietary diversity and obesity measures, this study suggests that targeting dietary diversity as an overweight/obesity prevention strategy requires careful consideration.

Download Full-text

Associations of dietary anthocyanidins intake with body composition in Chinese children: a cross-sectional study

Food & Nutrition Research ◽

10.29219/fnr.v65.4428 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gengdong Chen ◽

Yan Li ◽

Shujun Liang ◽

Jinqiu Xiao ◽

Xinyu Duan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Standard Deviation ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Fat Mass ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Standard Deviation Increase

Background: Previous animal and in vitro studies indicated that anthocyanidins might contribute to the prevention of obesity, while epidemiological evidences were scarce and had not been conducted in children. Objective: We explored the associations between anthocyanidins and body composition in children. Design: A cross-sectional study involving 452 children aged 6–9 years in Guangzhou, China, was carried out. Dietary information was collected using a 79-items food frequency questionnaire. Fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), and fat mass percentage (FMP) at multi-sites (whole body, trunk, limbs, android area, and gynoid area) were measured using a dual-energy X-ray scan. Abdominal obesity was defined as an age- and sex-specific abdominal FM ≥ 85th percentile. Handgrip strength was measured using a hydraulic hand dynamometer. Results: After adjusted for several potential covariates, higher dietary intake of anthocyanidin (per one standard deviation increase) was associated with a 0.013–0.223 kg increase of LM, a 0.024–0.134 kg decrease of FM, and a 0.63–0.76% decrease of FMP at multi-sites (P < 0.05). Results were similar and more pronounced for delphinidin and cyanidin, but less significant for peonidin. Higher dietary anthocyanidin intake (per standard deviation increase) was associated with a 41.0% (OR: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.37, 0.94) decreased risk of abdominal obesity. However, no significant associations were observed between anthocyanidin and handgrip strengths. Conclusions: Higher dietary intake of anthocyanidin and its components tended to be associated with better body composition, but not handgrip strength, in Chinese children at early age.

Download Full-text

Associations between adherence to MIND diet and metabolic syndrome and general and abdominal obesity: a cross-sectional study

Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome ◽

10.1186/s13098-020-00611-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Saba Mohammadpour ◽

Parivash Ghorbaninejad ◽

Nasim Janbozorgi ◽

Sakineh Shab-Bidar

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Sectional Study ◽

General Obesity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mind ◽

Diet Score ◽

Mind Diet

Abstract Background There is a lack of studies examining the association between Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association of adherence to the MIND diet with MetS and general and abdominal obesity. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on 836 Iranian adults, 18–75 years old. A 167-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess dietary intakes of participants. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipid profile of each participant were recorded. The guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) was used to define MetS. Results Mean age of study participants was 47.7 ± 10.7 years. The prevalence of MetS was 36.1% and mean body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) was 27.7 ± 4.69 kg/m2 and 92.0 ± 12.4 cm respectively. Those who were in the third tertile of the MIND diet score compared to the first tertile had 12% lower odds of having the MetS (ORs: 0.88; 95% CI 0.62–1.24) but the association was not significant (P = 0.77). There was a significant inverse association between the MIND diet score and odds of reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (ORs: 0.59; 95% CI 0.41–0.85; P = 0.008) and general obesity (ORs: 1.190.80–1.78; 95% CI 0.80–1.78; P = 0.02) in crude model and after controlling for confounders. Conclusions We found that the MIND diet score is inversely associated with odds of reduced HDL and general obesity in Iranian adults.

Download Full-text

Correlates and Predictors of Increasing Waist Circumference in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Scholarly Research Notices ◽

10.1155/2014/318569 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Victor Mogre ◽

Robert Abedandi ◽

Zenabankara S. Salifu

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Type 2 Dm

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) has become a disease of public health concern worldwide. Obesity and elevated blood pressure have been shown to be comorbidities of type 2 DM. In this cross-sectional study in Tamale, Ghana, we determined the prevalence of abdominal obesity among type 2 DM patients. Furthermore, we examined the demographic, clinical, and anthropometric predictors of increasing waist circumference in this population. Three hundred type 2 DM patients attending the outpatient diabetes clinic of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ghana, were recruited for the study. Waist circumference (WC) and hip circumferences were measured appropriately. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were taken from the personal health record files of patients. Demographic data were obtained. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression models were employed to identify predictors of increasing WC. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 77.0% and was significantly higher in women than in men. A positive correlation was observed between waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and WC (r=0.56, P<0.001), female gender (r=0.73, P<0.001), and age (r=0.20, P<0.001). A high prevalence of abdominal obesity was observed. Predictors of increasing WC were gender, age, FPG, and WHR.

Download Full-text

Gut Microbiota Profile and Its Association with Clinical Variables and Dietary Intake in Overweight/Obese and Lean Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13062032 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 2032

Author(s):

Judit Companys ◽

Maria José Gosalbes ◽

Laura Pla-Pagà ◽

Lorena Calderón-Pérez ◽

Elisabet Llauradó ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Saturated Fatty Acids ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Anthropometric Parameters ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Negatively Associated ◽

Clinical Variables ◽

Obese Subjects

We aimed to differentiate gut microbiota composition of overweight/obese and lean subjects and to determine its association with clinical variables and dietary intake. A cross-sectional study was performed with 96 overweight/obese subjects and 32 lean subjects. Anthropometric parameters were positively associated with Collinsella aerofaciens, Dorea formicigenerans and Dorea longicatena, which had higher abundance the overweight/obese subjects. Moreover, different genera of Lachnospiraceae were negatively associated with body fat, LDL and total cholesterol. Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were negatively associated with the genus Intestinimonas, a biomarker of the overweight/obese group, whereas SFAs were positively associated with Roseburia, a biomarker for the lean group. In conclusion, Dorea formicigenerans, Dorea longicatena and Collinsella aerofaciens could be considered obesity biomarkers, Lachnospiraceae is associated with lipid cardiovascular risk factors. SFAs exhibited opposite association profiles with butyrate-producing bacteria depending on the BMI. Thus, the relationship between diet and microbiota opens new tools for the management of obesity.

Download Full-text

A cross-sectional study to identify the determinants of non-communicable diseases among fishermen in Southern India

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10376-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Akhila Doddamani ◽

A. B. Kirthinath Ballala ◽

Sharath P. Madhyastha ◽

Asha Kamath ◽

Muralidhar M. Kulkarni

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Substance Use ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Modifiable Risk Factors ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Dietary Practice ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background India is currently facing a rising epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Identification of modifiable risk factors is of paramount importance to curb this menace. Fishermen are one of the most vulnerable occupational groups with unique characteristics that make them prone to acquire NCDs, as a significant share of their life is spent at sea. Hence, this study was planned to ascertain the burden of NCDs, determine various risk factors of NCDs, and measure the association between risk factors and NCDs among fishermen of Coastal Karnataka in South India. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 681 fishermen aged 18 years and above as per the semi-structured interview schedule for two years (2017–2019). A convenience sampling strategy was adopted. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS v.15.0. The results were described in terms of proportions and their 95% confidence intervals. Continuous data were summarized using the mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range depending on the skewness of data. Chi-square test was used to study the association between NCDs and modifiable risk factors. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of NCDs. Results The mean (SD) age of the population was 42.5 (SD 12.5) years. The mean years involved in fishing was 19.8 years (SD 10.9). More than half (59.5%) of the study participants had severe stress and most (80.3%) were ever substance users. Advancing age, not being able to contact family while at sea, poor dietary practice, ever substance use, increasing waist circumference were significant correlates of NCDs. Conclusions The commonly prevalent risk factors of NCDs among fishermen included poor dietary practice, higher stress levels, substance use, increasing waist circumference, and inability to contact with family while at sea. Hypertension and Diabetes were the two common NCDs in the study population. There is a need for immediate attention in managing NCDs’ risk factors by promoting a healthy lifestyle by primary health care providers through a sustainable community awareness program targeting fishermen at a convenient time and location, either at the sea-port or meeting places. Harmful effects of substance use, healthy dietary practices, and the importance of physical activity outside their job need emphasis. In addition, screening programs should be organized with the help of boat owners and fishing associations at-least once a year to pick up NCDs at an early stage.

Download Full-text

The Relationship between Restrained Eating, Body Image, and Dietary Intake among University Students in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13030990 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 990

Author(s):

Cuiting Yong ◽

Hanmei Liu ◽

Qiping Yang ◽

Jing Luo ◽

Yufeng Ouyang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Body Image ◽

Body Weight ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Restrained Eating ◽

Hunan Province ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Chinese College Students

This study aims to explore the association between restrained eating, body image, and dietary intake among Chinese college students. This cross-sectional study included 1301 college students at two universities in Hunan Province. Electronic questionnaires were used to collect information including students’ demographic characteristics, restrained eating, perception of body weight, body satisfaction, and dietary intake. Anthropometric measurements were collected to calculate body mass index (BMI). The prevalence of high restrained eating was 52.8%. Students who were dissatisfied with their bodies or overestimated their body weight showed a higher tendency toward high restrained eating (p < 0.05). Students with high restrained eating tended to eat fruits and eggs more frequently, while the frequency of eating domestic animals and poultry, sugar-sweetened beverages, and fast food were the opposite. Moreover, high restrained eating was a risk factor for low dietary diversity (odds ratio (OR) = 1.384, 95% confidence interval: 1.002~1.912). The high incidence of restrained eating among Chinese college students and its energy-restricted diets that may lead to possible health implications require attention. Further studies are needed to investigate the characteristics of college students’ restrained eating to tailor appropriate interventions for forming positive body images and promoting healthy eating behaviors, thus, improving dietary quality.

Download Full-text

Waist circumference and waist circumference to height ratios of Kaingáng indigenous adolescents from the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Cadernos de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s0102-311x2012001100005 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 28 (11) ◽

pp. 2053-2062 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Teresa Gontijo de Castro ◽

Laura A. Barufaldi ◽

Michael Maia Schlüssel ◽

Wolney Lisboa Conde ◽

Maurício Soares Leite ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Waist Circumference ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Rio Grande Do Sul ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

School Based ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Z Scores ◽

Indigenous Adolescents

The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of waist circumference (WC) and WC to height (WCTH) values among Kaingáng indigenous adolescents in order to estimate the prevalence of high WCTH values and evaluate the correlation between WC and WCTH and body mass index (BMI)-for-age. A total of 1,803 indigenous adolescents were evaluated using a school-based cross-sectional study. WCTH values > 0.5 were considered high. Higher mean WC and WCTH values were observed for girls in all age categories. WCTH values > 0.5 were observed in 25.68% of the overall sample of adolescents. Mean WC and WCTH values were significantly higher for adolescents with BMI/age z-scores > 2 than for those with normal z-scores. The correlation coefficients of WC and WCTH for BMI/age were r = 0.68 and 0.76, respectively, for boys, and r = 0.79 and 0.80, respectively, for girls. This study highlights elevated mean WC and WCTH values and high prevalence of abdominal obesity among Kaingáng indigenous adolescents.

Download Full-text

Factors Associated with Poor Glycemic and Lipid Levels in Ambulatory Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Patients in Asmara, Eritrea: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Diabetes Research ◽

10.1155/2020/5901569 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Oliver Okoth Achila ◽

Millen Ghebretinsae ◽

Abraham Kidane ◽

Michael Simon ◽

Shewit Makonen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Specific Lipid

Objective. There is a dearth of relevant research on the rapidly evolving epidemic of diabetes mellitus (particularly Type 2 diabetes mellitus) in sub-Saharan Africa. To address some of these issues in the Eritrean context, we conducted a cross-sectional study on glycemic and lipid profiles and associated risk factors. Methods. A total of 309 patients with diabetes mellitus on regular follow-up at the Diabetic and Hypertensive Department at Halibet Regional Referral Hospital, Asmara, were enrolled for the study. Data on specific clinical chemistry and anthropomorphic parameters was collected. Chi-squared (χ2) test or Fischer’s exact test was used to evaluate the relationship between specific variables. Multivariate logistic regression (backward: conditional) was undertaken to identify the factors associated with increased odds of suboptimal values in glucose and specific lipid panel subfractions. Results. High proportions of patients (76.7%) had suboptimal levels of HbA1c with a mean±SD of 8.6%±1.36, respectively. In multivariate regression analysis, the likelihood of HbA1c≥7% was higher in patients with abnormal WHR (AOR=3.01, 95% CI, 3.01 (1.15–7.92=0.024)) and in patients without hypertension (AOR=1.97, 95% CI (1.06–3.56), p=0.021). A unit reduction in eGFR was also associated with HbA1c≥7% (AOR=0.99, 95% CI (0.98–1=0.031)). In a separate analysis, the data shows that 80.9% of the patients had dyslipidemia. In particular, 62.1% of the patients had TC≥200 mg/dL (risk factors: sex, hypertension, and HbA1c concentration), 81.6% had LDL‐C≥100 mg/dL (risk factors: sex and hypertension), 56.3% had TG≥150 (risk factors: sex, HbA1c, and waist circumference), 62.8% had abnormal HDL-C (risk factors: waist circumference), 78.3% had non‐HDL<130 mg/dL (risk factors: duration of disease, reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate, and HbA1c), and 45.3% had abnormal TG/HDL (risk factors: sex, age of patient, FPG, and waist circumference). Conclusions. The quality of care, as measured by glycemic and specific lipid targets, in this setting is suboptimal. Therefore, there is an urgent need for simultaneous improvements in both indicators. This will require evidence-based optimization of pharmacological and lifestyle interventions. Therefore, additional studies, preferably longitudinal studies with long follow-up, are required on multiple aspects of DM.

Download Full-text

Basic life support awareness level among medical students in Jordan: a cross-sectional study

Frontiers in Emergency Medicine ◽

10.18502/fem.v6i1.7673 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ebraheem Albazee ◽

Mohammad Alnifise ◽

Lina Almahmoud ◽

Ahmed Alsaeedi ◽

Mohammed Al-balawi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Basic Life Support ◽

Life Support ◽

Cardiopulmonary Arrest ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Grade Point ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Awareness Level

Objective: Performing basic life support (BLS) in patients with cardiopulmonary arrest decreases mortality and morbidity. In addition, BLS knowledge is a prerequisite for medical graduation. The present study was conducted to determine the awareness level of undergraduate medical students in Jordan regarding BLS and background knowledge. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 17 April 2021 and 12 May 2021. A validated questionnaire was used as an online Google form and was posted in all medical student groups and Jordanian universities through various social medias. We categorized level of awareness into two groups: adequate awareness for those who got 60% or more, and inadequate awareness for those who got less than 60% in BLS test. Chi-square test was used to compare different variables. Results: A total of 886 students with a mean age of 21.5 (± 2.2) years completed the survey, including 552 females (62.3%). Among participated students, only 281 (31.7%) had adequate awareness, whereas 605 (68.3%) had inadequate awareness, with a mean score of 10 (± 3.8) out of 20. Surprisingly, there was no statistically significant correlation (P=0.210) between grade point average (GPA) and awareness level among participated students. On the contrary, we detected statistically significant relationships (P<0.001) between various variables and awareness level. Conclusion: Overall, we found that awareness of BLS among medical students in Jordan is not adequate. We can improve the awareness of medical students in this regard through obligating them to educate the general population, especially school students, as a volunteer campaign.

Download Full-text