Greater Maternal Dietary Fiber Intake Protects Against Infant Central Fat Accretion Related to High Maternal Fructose Intake

Objectives Greater maternal fructose intake is linked to greater offspring fat accrual, while dietary fiber intake is related to lower weight gain and a more favorable adipose tissue distribution. However, data are lacking investigating these relationships in the especially critical time of pregnancy and early infancy. We explored the relationships between maternal fructose and fiber intake on early offspring adipose tissue accrual. Methods This is a secondary analysis using data from a prenatal DHA supplementation trial (ADORE HD083292). At enrollment (12–16 wks), women completed the DHQ II food frequency questionnaire. ADORE mothers were invited to enroll in the GAINS infant follow up study (DK118220). Infant skinfolds were assessed two weeks and six months at three central sites (suprailiac, subscapular, flank) and three peripheral sites (biceps, triceps, thigh). Median splits were calculated for maternal fructose and total dietary fiber intake (< 50th percentile, ≥50th percentile). An ANCOVA assessed the main effects of maternal fructose and fiber intake on infant fat accrual (central and peripheral). Results Data were available on n = 61 infants. For the change in infant central FM, a significant interaction (p = 0.034) was found between maternal fructose intake and dietary fiber intake. No effect of fiber was found in offspring exposed to low fructose intake. However, in offspring exposed to high fructose intake during pregnancy, exposure to high maternal dietary fiber intake was related to lower central FM accrual (high fiber intake: 4.2 mm vs. low fiber intake 6.9 mm; p = 0.016). No significant main effects or interaction was detected for the change in peripheral FM. Conclusions In offspring exposed to greater maternal fructose consumption during pregnancy, greater maternal intake of dietary fiber was related to lower early offspring central fat accretion. Interventions targeting to decrease maternal fructose consumption and increase maternal dietary fiber intake may positively impact offspring fat accretion. Funding Sources NIH Awards R01 HD083292 and R01 DK118220.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, is there any relationship with main indices of central fat in adolescent competitive swimmers?

Introduction: The relationship between adherence to the mediterranean diet and central fat of adolescent competitive swimmers is under-studied. The fat component is interesting because of its relationship to the horizontal floatation and speed during the swimming performance. An accumulation of central fat is considered a negative factor for health and performance. This study aimed to check the degree of adherence to the mediterranean diet and its relationship with some indices of central fat in competitive adolescent swimmers. Material and method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out. 74 adolescent swimmers participated in the study (males n= 34, 14.5 ± 1.3 y.o., females n= 40, 13.6 ± 1.2 y.o.). The swimmers completed the KIDMED questionnaire to assess their adherence to the mediterranean diet. A II level ISAK anthropometrist carried out the anthropometric data collection at the beginning of the evening swimming session. Results: The swimmers showed a medium adherence to the mediterranean diet. Male and female swimmers showed similar KIDMED index score (males 8.09 ± 1.5, females 7.23 ± 2.2). Age seems to be a detrimental factor in the adherence to the mediterranean diet during adolescence. Female swimmers showed a significant lower waist/hip ratio compared to males (-0.028; p = 0.01). The adherence to the mediterranean diet was not correlated with the anthropometric measures of central fat. Conclusions: Regardless of the adherence to the mediterranean diet, elevated swimming activity maintains indices of central fat in healthy values. Despite there was no correlation between adherence to the mediterranean diet and the anthropometric measures of central fat, there are reasons related to health to improve healthy eating habits of adolescent competitive swimmers.

Antiretroviral therapy associated lipodystrophy; learning from the past.

Background: With the introduction of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), descriptions of body shape abnormalities, such as central fat accumulation and peripheral fat loss emerged among persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We aimed to determine the prevalence of lipodystrophy and associated risk factors among patients on ART at Orotta National Referral Hospital (ONRH), Asmara, Eritrea. Methods: A single center, retrospective study was conducted at the ONRH, reviewing records of HIV-infected patients commenced on ART between January 2007 and December 2012. Results: Records of 250 eligible patients were reviewed. Most were female (59.2%, n=148) with a median age of 35 (IQR-20-63) years. Forty-three (17.2%) participants had body fat abnormalities. 42 (97.6%) had lipoatrophy and 1 (2.4%) buffalo hump. Of the 43 patients with lipodystrophy 34 (79%) were on Stavudine (d4T)/Lamivudine (3TC)/Nevirapine (NVP) regimen, 6 (14%) on Zidovudine (AZT)/3TC/NVP, 2 (4.7%) on d4T/3TC/Efavirenz (EFV) and 1(2.3%) on AZT, 3TC, EFV. EFV- based regimen was significantly associated with lipodystrophy (p< 0.01). Conclusion: We report a high prevalence of lipodystrophy. Four drug regimens were incriminated in the development of lipodystrophy. EFV-based regimen was significantly associated with the lipodystrophy.

Body composition of women with and without dynapenia defined by different cut-off points

ABSTRACT Objective To compare body composition of postmenopausal women with and without dynapenia, defined by different cut-off points. Methods Body composition was assessed by electrical bioimpedance and the nutritional status by the body mass index. Dynapenia was diagnosed according to handgrip strength, using the following cut-off points: handgrip strength <16kgf and <20 kgf. Results A total of 171 women (50 to 92 years of age) participated in the investigation. The mean age of non-dynapenic and dynapenic women (handgrip strength <20kgf) was 69.4±8.2 and 74.5±8.2 years, respectively. The mean age of women with dynapenia (handgrip strength <16kgf) was 75.0±10.1 years and non-dynapenic women, 71.1±8.2 years. It was found that dynapenic women, with handgrip strength <20 and <16kgf, had an average of 2.38 and 2.47kg less muscle mass respectively, when compared to non-dynapenic women (p<0.05). However, there was no difference in muscle mass between the different dynapenic groups. Non-dynapenic women (handgrip strength ≥20kgf) had more total (3.55kg) and central fat (1.47kg) (p<0.05). Conclusion Dynapenic women, diagnosed considering both cutoff points, had less total and segmental muscle mass compared to non-dynapenic women. In addition, dynapenic women with handgrip strength <20kgf had lower total and trunk adiposity.

Lower Central Fat Increase Risk of One-Year Muscle Mass Loss in Menopausal Women

Background. Hormonal changes had been found in menopausal women. Muscle and bone mass decline after menopause and with aging, increasing the risk for sarcopenia and osteoporosis in later life. Only a few studies suggest that menopausal hormonal changes have an effect on the decline in muscle mass. Objectives. This study aimed at evaluating the risk of muscle mass loss in menopausal women. Materials and Methods. Menopausal women from routine physical health examination were eligible for this study. Muscle mass was determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and 1 year later. All of the patients underwent the assessments for liver and kidney function, diabetes, and hypertension, and associated comorbidities were recorded. Results. A total of 172 patients were enrolled. 70 patients had muscle loss at 1 year, and the other 102 did not had loss. The mean age was 70.26±9.93 years at the muscle loss group, while 69.25±10.50 at the nonprogress group (p=0.531). The mean body mass index was 22.96±1.91 kg/m2 at the muscle loss group, while 23.33±3.71 kg/m2 at the nonprogress group (p=0.433). The baseline trunk limb fat mass ratio was 1.01±0.20 in the muscle loss group and 1.12±0.26 in the no muscle loss (p=0.004). Using muscle mass loss as the outcome, logistical regression analysis showed that a baseline trunk limb mass ratio could predict muscle loss, and a higher baseline trunk limb mass ratio was associated with less muscle loss, while a lower trunk limb mass ratio was associated with increased muscle mass loss (p=0.01). Conclusion. This is the first study to investigate the risk of muscle mass loss in menopausal women. Menopausal women with higher central fat had less muscle mass loss, while lower central fat was a risk factor for muscle mass loss. Chronic kidney disease was also a risk factor for muscle mass loss in menopausal women in this study.

Effect of physical training on gender difference in trained personal

Many controlled studies and neurological studies demonstrate that men and women are physically and mentally different. The purpose of this study is to find out whether there is any gender difference in respiratory capacity between trained athletes of both gender. This study was conducted at Kolkata (Serampore area), West Bengal, India. The subject was trained table tennis players of age group was 14 – 17 years. Significant differences have been found in height (cm), W/H ratio and PIF (l/s) between male and female lawn tennis players and all these values are significantly higher (P<0.05) in male than female players. Greater mean height in trained male than female tennis player of same age range is advantageous for male. This might be due to their own growth pattern under the influences of different specific hormones which is not considered in this study. Higher centrally located fats in trained male than female tennis player in this age range might be due to less affectivity of physical training in male. Higher central fat distribution may hinder different lung capacities by influencing abdominal cavity. Higher peak inspiratory flow in trained male than female tennis player indicates inspiratory muscles are more powerful in male player of this age range. So, it can be concluded from this study that gender differences in lung capacities can be minimized by proper training load in female trained player at least in 14-17 years age range. This study also claimed that stature is not only the decisive factor for differences in lung capacities in male and female trained tennis player of 14-17 years age range. Body composition, central fat distribution, active inspiratory muscles and proper physical training have definite role in improving lung capacities of trained male and female tennis player.

TAG–glucose (TyG) index in childhood: an estimate of cut-off points and the relation to cardiometabolic risk in 4- to 9-year-old children

Objective: To propose cut-off points for the TAG–glucose (TyG) index in Brazilian children and evaluate the link to cardiometabolic risk. Design: A cross-sectional study with children from a municipality in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Anthropometric (weight, height, waist circumference and waist:height ratio), biochemical (lipid and glucose profile) and blood pressure (BP) tests were performed. Using the receiver operating characteristic curve, cut-off points for the TyG index were proposed according to sex using homoeostasis model of assessment – insulin resistance (IR) as the reference method. Setting: Viçosa, MG, Brazil. Participants: Children aged 4–9 years (n 515). Results: The TyG index cut-off points to identify the risk of IR were 7·9 and 8·1 for boys and girls, respectively. We observed that 48·7 % of the children had an increased TyG index. The increased TyG index was associated with overweight, total body and central fat, increased BP and altered lipid profile. Children with an increased TyG index had a higher accumulation of cardiometabolic risk factors. Conclusions: According to the cut-off points proposed by the current study, children at risk of IR estimated by the TyG index presented a higher cardiometabolic risk, including isolated risk factors, as to the higher accumulation of these.

Metabolic syndrome and obesity as factors of good procnostic oncology in women in post-menopause with recent diagnosis of breast cancer

Objective: To evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome (MS), obesity, and central fat deposition with the immunohistochemical profile (IHC) of breast cancer (BC) in postmenopausal women. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional clinical study was carried out with 63 women with recent BC and MS, compared to 126 women with recent BC, without MS (control group). Inclusion criteria were: women aged 45-75 years, amenorrhea >12 months, without previous cancer treatment, attended at a University Hospital. The groups were matched for age, time since menopause, and body mass index (BMI), in the proportion of 1 case for 2 controls, according to the sample calculation of at least 186 women in their entirety. Clinical and anthropometric data were collected; tumor size and grade and the IHC profile (ER, PR, HER2, and Ki67). By IHC convention, tumors were grouped into five subtypes: Luminal A (ER+, PR+, HER-2 -, and Ki-67 <14%); Luminal B HER-2 - (ER+, PR+ or -, HER-2 -, and Ki-67≥14%); Luminal B HER-2+ (ER+, PR+ or -, HER-2+, and any Ki-67); Non-luminal HER-2 (ER-, PR-, HER2+, and any Ki-67); and Triple-negative (ER-, PR-, HER2-, and any Ki-67). Women with three or more diagnostic criteria were considered with MS: waist circumference (WC)>88 cm; TG≥150 mg/dL; HDL cholesterol<50 mg/dL; blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg; glucose ≥100 mg/dL. For statistical analysis, the Student’s t-test, Gamma Distribution, χ2 test and logistic regression (odds ratio–OR) were used. Results: Among the participating women, the mean age, time since menopause and BMI were: 59.0±10.6 years, 11.4±9.6 years, and 28.5±5.5 kg/m2, respectively; there was no statistical difference in the comparison between the groups. Women with MS had a higher occurrence of tumors ≤2cm when compared to those without MS (49.2 vs. 31.8%, respectively) (p=0.038). Women with MS had a higher incidence of tumors with PR-positive (p=0.046), HER2-negative (p=0.038), when compared to women without MS (79.4 vs. 65.8% and 44.5 vs. 27.8%, respectively). In obese patients (BMI≥30 kg/m2), a higher proportion of HER2 negative tumors (p=0.047) was observed when compared to non-obese women (43.9 vs. 27.7%, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, a higher risk for tumors of the Luminal B HER-2 negative subtype was observed among women with MS (OR 2.00, 95%CI 1.03‒3.89), obese (OR 2.03, 95%CI 1.06‒3.90), and with central deposition of fat (OR 1.96, 95%CI 1.01‒4.03). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome, obesity, and central fat deposition correlate with factors of good prognosis for breast cancer, such as tumors ≤2 cm, PR+ and HER2-, in postmenopausal women.

Sex Differences in Glutathione Peroxidase Activity and Central Obesity in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes at High Risk of Cardio-Renal Disease

Women with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have an increased susceptibility of developing cardio-renal disease compared to men, the reasons and the mechanisms of this vulnerability are unclear. Since oxidative stress plays a key role in the development of cardio-renal disease, we investigated the relationship between sex, plasma antioxidants status (glutathione peroxidase (GPx-3 activity), vitamin E and selenium), and adiposity in patients with T2DM at high risk of cardio-renal disease. Women compared to men had higher GPx-3 activity (p = 0.02), bio-impedance (p ≤ 0.0001), and an increase in waist circumference in relation to recommended cut off-points (p = 0.0001). Waist circumference and BMI were negatively correlated with GPx-3 activity (p ≤ 0.05 and p ≤ 0.01, respectively) and selenium concentration (p ≤ 0.01 and p ≤ 0.02, respectively). In multiple regression analysis, waist circumference and sex were independent predictors of GPx-3 activity (p ≤ 0.05 and p ≤ 0.05, respectively). The data suggest that increased central fat deposits are associated with reduced plasma antioxidants which could contribute to the future risk of cardio-renal disease. The increased GPx-3 activity in women could represent a preserved response to the disproportionate increase in visceral fat. Future studies should be aimed at evaluating if the modulation of GPx-3 activity reduces cardio-renal risk in men and women with T2DM.

Comparisons of summer break effect on anthropometric profile, body composition and somatotype between adolescent swimmers and less active adolescents

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare changes in anthropometric profile, body composition, and somatotype of adolescent swimmers and less active adolescents. Method: We selected 16 swimmers and 8 less active adolescents. The swimmers were divided based on the amount of swimming activity performed per week. A longitudinal study with repeated measures was carried out. The anthropometric profile, body composition, and somatotype were assessed before and after the summer break from swimming activity. Results: Both groups of swimmers showed more changes in anthropometric profile, body composition, and somatotype than the less active adolescents. The very active swimmers showed a higher increase in the sum of the two central skinfolds than peripheral ones (p = 0.018). Both groups of swimmers had a great increase of the percent change in the sum of the two central skinfolds (medium active swimmers: p = 0.006, medium effect size = 0.72; very active swimmers: p = 0.001, medium effect size = 0.64). Conclusions: The fat component seems to be more variable than the muscular and bone component during 55 – 65 days of summer break from swimming activity. The two groups of swimmers showed a preferential accumulation of central fat after the summer break compared to the less active adolescents. The suprailiac and abdominal skinfolds could be used as early predictive measurements to assess changes in body fat.