The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Weight and Body Mass Index in Saudi Arabia: A Longitudinal Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on various health conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on body weight and body mass index (BMI) in Saudi Arabia. We used electronic health records obtained from a healthcare system representing five hospitals in three different regions in the Kingdom to examine the change in weight utilizing a longitudinal design. The study included all adults who had visited outpatient clinics in two different time points, pre-2020 (years 2018 and 2019 prior to COVID-19) and post-2020 (the year 2021). Weight and BMI changes in percentages were described. Also, bivariate chi-square test, paired t-test, and multivariable multinomial logistic regression model were used for the analyses. A total of 165,279 individuals were included in the study. On average, a significant weight gain of 0.33 kg (95% CI: 0.29–0.36) was observed in our study. Approximately 10% of the population had shifted to either overweight or obese BMI classes during the study period, as 4.8% of those with normal BMI pre-2020 had shifted to overweight or obese classes at post-2020, and 5.1% of those who were overweight had shifted to obese class. Also, 23.1% of the population had gained 5% or more of their pre-2020 weight, while 17% had lost 5% or more. Young individuals were over three times more likely to gain 5% or more than older individuals (OR: 3.34; 95% CI: 3.12–3.56). Females had 24% higher odds to gain 5% or more of their pre-2020 weight than males (OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.21–1.27). Diabetics were 27% more likely to lose 5% or more than non-diabetics (OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.23–1.31). Our findings provide insights into the impact of COVID-19 on weight and population health. Further investment in interventions for weight management is warranted during similar circumstances such as lockdowns due to infection waves or new variants. Future studies are also needed to explore the modifications that have occurred during the pandemic in the weight-related lifestyle factors such as dietary choices and physical activity levels.

Physical activity, body mass index, and blood progranulin in older adults: cross-sectional associations in the MAPT study

Physical activity (PA) has been shown to moderate the negative effects of obesity on pro-inflammatory cytokines but its relationship with the adipokine progranulin (PGRN) remains poorly investigated. This study aimed to examine the cross-sectional main and interactive associations of body mass index (BMI) and PA level with circulating PGRN in older adults. Five-hundred and twelve subjects aged 70 years and over involved in the Multidomain Alzheimer Prevention Trial (MAPT) Study who underwent plasma PGRN measurements (ng/ml) were included. Self –reported PA levels were assessed using questionnaires. People were classified into three BMI categories: normal weight, overweight or obesity. Further categorization using PA tertiles was used to define highly active, moderately active and low active individuals. Multiple linear regressions were performed in order to test the associations of BMI, PA level, and their interaction with PGRN levels. Multiple linear regressions adjusted by age, sex, diabetes mellitus status, total cholesterol, creatinine level and MAPT group demonstrated significant interactive associations of BMI status and continuous PA such that in people without obesity, higher PA levels were associated with lower PGRN concentrations, while an opposite pattern was found in individuals with obesity. In addition, continuous BMI was positively associated with circulating PGRN in highly active individuals but not in their less active peers. This cross-sectional study demonstrated reverse patterns in older adults with obesity compared to those without obesity regarding the relationships between PA and PGRN levels. Longitudinal and experimental investigations are required to understand the mechanisms that underlie the present findings.

Can Body Mass Index Affect Height Growth at Menarche among Girls Receiving Treatment for Early Puberty? A Retrospective Study in Korean Girls

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) therapy is used to control puberty progression and it preserves height potential in patients with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP). This study evaluated the correlation between weight and height gain at menarche following GnRHa treatment among girls with ICPP and relatively central early puberty (EP). We investigated height/weight trends and changes in height from diagnosis to menarche in girls with ICPP and EP treated with GnRHa. The mean difference in height (Δheight) from treatment cessation to menarche was 9.79 ± 3.53 cm. Girls were divided into girls with Δheight ≥ 9.79 cm (Group 1) and girls with Δheight < 9.79 cm (Group 2). Although near adult height was significantly higher in Group 1, the mean body mass index (BMI) and weight were significantly lower at diagnosis, treatment discontinuation, and menarche. The BMI and weight at the three time points were negatively correlated with height. Girls with higher BMI at all three time points had slower growth rates during the study period. Considering that BMI and body weight were closely related to Δheight, proper management of BMI and body weight of girls receiving early puberty treatment might contribute to growth during and after GnRHa treatment.

Bariatric surgery and exercise: A pilot study on postural stability in obese individuals

This study aimed to analyze the changes in postural stability of individuals with obesity after bariatric surgery, and the effect of three months of regular exercise on the static postural stability. Twenty-two subjects (7 females and 15 males) aged 31 to 68 years (Body mass index 35–55 kg.m-2) completed the study. Participants were divided into two groups: one group participated in an exercise program after the bariatric surgery (n = 10; age 48.9 ± 7.5 years; Body mass index 42 ± 5.6 kg.m-2) while the second group did not exercise at all after bariatric surgery (n = 12; age 44.7 ± 13.6 years, Body mass index 42.6 ± 6.0 kg.m-2). Static postural stability was measured using a Tekscan MobileMat pressure plate before and 4 months after the bariatric surgery. The exercise program included exercising three times a week including: one hour of strengthening, one hour of aerobic group exercise and at least one session of individual exercise at home. There were no significant differences in Center of force sway, Center of force ranges and average speed before and 4 months after bariatric surgery. Also, no effect of exercise was found. Post-pre differences of some parameters were negatively related to age (r from—0.46 to—0.72). Further studies are needed to explore this topic in depth.

Dermatoglifia y Somatotipo en Jugadores de Voleibol del Departamento del Huila en los XX Juegos Deportivos Nacionales Colombia (Dermatoglyphia and Somatotype in Volleyball Players from the Department of Huila in the XX National Sports Games Colombia)

El propósito del estudio fue establecer las características antropométricas y dermatoglíficas del equipo de voleibol masculino del Departamento del Huila que participó en los XX Juegos Deportivos Nacionales en Colombia y a su vez, determinar el nivel de correlación entre estos dos componentes. La investigación fue de enfoque cuantitativo y alcance correlacional. Participaron 13 jugadores del equipo de voleibol masculino del Departamento del Huila (edad 22.2 años ± 4.4; estatura 183.6 m ± 9.9; masa 79.6 kg ± 11.9; índice de masa corporal [IMC] 23.6 kg/m2 ± 3.4 y porcentaje de grasa 10.09% ± 3.26). Para estimar el somatotipo se aplicó el protocolo de Carter (2002) y para conocer el perfil dermatoglífico el protocolo de Cummins y Midlo (1961). Se realizaron correlaciones bivariadas con el coeficiente tau de Kendall (t) para determinar la correlación entre las variables. El equipo presenta un somatotipo mesomorfo-endomorfo y un perfil dermatoglífico de presillas (68.46% ± 17.4), verticilos (28.46% ± 18.64) y arcos (3.08% ± 6.30), con valores medios en el recuento del índice delta (12.54 ± 2.18) y la suma de la cantidad total de líneas (130.38 ± 46.00). El equipo de voleibol se clasifica en la clase IV del índice dermatoglífico y somático funcional; donde, la baja presencia de arcos y un mayor recuento de presillas son típicos de deportes por el dominio de fuerza rápida, coordinación y resistencia. No se encuentra relación directa o inversa significativa (p > .05) entre las características del perfil antropométrico y dermatoglífico en la población evaluada. Abstract. The purpose of the study was to establish the anthropometric and dermatoglyphic characteristics of the men's volleyball team from the Department of Huila that participated in the XX National Sports Games in Colombia and in turn, to determine the level of correlation between these two components. The research had a quantitative approach and correlational scope. 13 players participated from the men's volleyball team of the Department of Huila (age 22.2 years ± 4.4; height 183.6 m ± 9.9; mass 79.6 kg ± 11.9; body mass index [BMI] 23.6 kg/m2 ± 3.4, and fat percentage 10.09% ± 3.26). To estimate the somatotype, the protocol proposed by Carter (2002) was applied and the protocol established by Cummins and Midlo (1961) was used to determine the dermatoglyphic profile. Bivariate correlations were performed with Kendall's tau coefficient (t) to determine the correlation between the variables. The team presents a mesomorph-endomorphic somatotype and a dermatoglyphic profile of loops (68.46% ± 17.4), whorl (28.46% ± 18.64), and arches (3.08% ± 6.30) with mean values in the delta index count (12.54 ± 2.18) and sum of the full quantity of lines (130.38 ± 46.00). The volleyball team is classified in class IV of the dermatoglyphic and somatic functional index; where, the low presence of arches and a higher count of loops are typical of sports due to the dominance of power, coordination, and endurance. No significant direct or inverse relationship was found (p > .05) between the characteristics of the anthropometric and dermatoglyphic profile in the population evaluated.