Anthropometric measures and the risk of developing atrial fibrillation: a Swedish Cohort Study

Aims Obesity is a risk factor for several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is less clear whether overall fat or abdominal fat distribution are most important for risk of developing AF. This study investigates how different anthropometric measures correlate to the risk of developing clinical AF in the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort (MDC-cohort). Methods The MDC-cohort (n = 25,961) was examined in 1991–1996. The endpoint was clinical AF diagnosed in a hospital setting, and retrieved via linkage with national registers. Hazard Ratios (HR) for incident AF was calculated in relation to quartiles of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist hip ratio, waist height ratio, body fat percentage, weight and height, using Cox regression with adjustment for age, biological (e.g. blood pressure, diabetes, blood lipid levels), and socioeconomic risk factors. Results After adjustment for multiple risk factors, the risk of AF was significantly increased in the 4th versus 1st quartile of weight (HR for men/women = 2.02/1.93), BMI (HR = 1.62/1.52), waist circumference (HR = 1.67/1.63), waist to hip ratio (HR = 1.30/1.24), waist to height ratio (1.37/1.39) and body fat percentage (HR = 1.21/1.45) in men/women. Measures of overall weight (BMI, weight) were slightly more predictive than measures of abdominal obesity (waist hip ratio and waist height ratio) both in men and women. Conclusion All measures of obesity were associated with increased risk of developing AF. Both overall obesity and abdominal obesity were related to incidence of AF in this population-based study, although the relationship for overall obesity was stronger.

Waist-Height Ratio and the Risk of Severe Diabetic Eye Disease in Type 1 Diabetes: A 15-Year Cohort Study

Context Obesity prevalence has increased in type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the relationship between body composition and severe diabetic eye disease (SDED) is unknown. Objective To investigate the associations between body composition and SDED in adults with T1D. Methods From 5401 adults with T1D in the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study, we assessed 3468, and 437 underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for body composition analysis. The composite outcome was SDED, defined as proliferative retinopathy, laser treatment, antivascular endothelial growth factor treatment, diabetic maculopathy, vitreous hemorrhage, and vitrectomy. Logistic regression analysis evaluated the associations between body composition and SDED. Multivariable Cox regression analysis assessed the associations between the anthropometric measures and SDED. Subgroup analysis was performed by stages of albuminuria. The relevance ranking of each variable was based on the z statistic. Results During a median follow-up of 14.5 (interquartile range 7.8-17.5) years, 886 SDED events occurred. Visceral/android fat ratio was associated with SDED [odds ratio (OR) 1.40, z = 3.13], as well as the percentages of visceral (OR 1.80, z = 2.45) and android fat (OR 1.28, z = 2.08) but not the total body fat percentage. Waist-height ratio (WHtR) showed the strongest association with the SDED risk [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.28, z = 3.73], followed by the waist (HR 1.01, z = 3.03), body mass index (HR 1.03, z = 2.33), and waist-hip ratio (HR 1.15, z = 2.22). The results were similar in normo- and microalbuminuria but not significant in macroalbuminuria. A WHtR ≥ 0.5 increased the SDED risk by 28% at the normo- and microalbuminuria stages. Conclusions WHtR, a hallmark of central obesity, is associated with SDED in individuals with T1D.

Independent and joint associations of body mass index, waist circumference, waist-height ratio and their changes with risks of hyperuricemia in middle-aged and older Chinese individuals: a population-based nationwide cohort study

Background Previous reports regarding the predictive power of adiposity indices remain inconsistent, and longitudinal studies on this top are limited. The associations of hyperuricemia risk with changes in obesity status, as well as the joint effects of baseline adiposity indices and body adiposity change on hyperuricemia risk are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore the independent and joint associations of baseline adiposity indicators and body adiposity change with hyperuricemia risk among middle-aged and older population in China. Methods A total of 2895 participants aged ≥ 45 years from the baseline survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were followed up for 4 years. Anthropometric parameters (weight, height, and waist circumference) and serum uric acid were obtained using standard devices. Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidential interval were calculated to estimate the associations between predictor variables and hyperuricemia risk using multivariate logistic regression. Results Of the 2895 participants, 293 (10.12%) cases of hyperuricemia were identified. Increased baseline body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist-height ratio (WHtR) were significantly associated with higher risks of hyperuricemia. A slightly greater but non-significant area under the curve value was observed for waist circumference (0.622) than for BMI (0.611) and WHtR (0.614) (P = 0.447). Compared to subjects with stable adiposity status, participants with weight loss of ≥ 4 kg or waist circumference loss of ≥ 6 cm had a 56% or 55% lower risk of hyperuricemia, and those with weight gain of > 4 kg had a 1.62-fold higher risk of hyperuricemia. Compared to those without obesity, participants with incident or persistent obesity were more likely to develop hyperuricemia. Additionally, regardless of stable or increased weight/waist circumference during follow-up, individuals with obesity at baseline had a higher risk of incident hyperuricemia. Conclusion This study demonstrates that BMI, waist circumference, and WHtR equally predict the development of hyperuricemia, and weight loss and waist circumference reduction are favorable in preventing hyperuricemia.

Overview of pediatric obesity: diagnosis, epidemiology, and significance

Background: The prevalence of pediatric obesity has increased over the past several decades worldwide and in Korea. Childhood obesity has become a serious social problem.Current Concepts: Diagnosis of obesity is based on body mass index (BMI) in children and adolescents aged ≥2 years. Overweight and obese are defined as BMI ≥85th percentile to <95th percentile and BMI ≥95th percentile, respectively, corresponding to sex and age. Obesity is further classified as Class I (BMI ≥95th percentile to <120% of 95th percentile), Class II (BMI ≥120% of 95th percentile to <140% of 95th percentile), and Class III (BMI ≥140% of 95th percentile). Waist circumference and waist-height ratio are used to evaluate abdominal obesity. Pediatric obesity can cause childhood comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and hypertension. Adult obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and other adult comorbidities, together with increased medical costs are additional consequences of pediatric obesity.Discussion and Conclusion: Prevention, diagnosis, and proper management of pediatric obesity are important.

A Cross Sectional Survey on Musculoskeletal Pain Among Postmenopausal Women with Overall and Central Obesity

Objective: To find out the frequency of Musculoskeletal Pain among Postmenopausal women with Overall and Central Obesity. Methods: A Cross-Sectional study was carried out at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, for six months. A sample size of 250 patients with generalized obesity and central obesity was taken. Non-Probability, Convenience Sampling technique was used. The Nordic questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 21. Results: Results showed that majority respondents were in the age group of 51-60 i.e. 43.6% (N=109), respondents with BMI >30 were 50.8% (N=127), waist/height ratio 99.2% (N=248) were > 0.5, waist/hip ratio 86.8% (N=217) were >0.85, 90% (N=225) were present with waist circumference >88cm. Conclusion: This study concludes that musculoskeletal pain is high in postmenopausal women with overall obesity and has shown more pain in the neck, back, shoulder and lower extremities, while postmenopausal women with central obesity have suffered more with back pain. Keywords: Body Mass Index, Obesity, Post menopause, Musculoskeletal pain.

Comparison of body composition parameters in the study of the association between body composition and pulmonary function

Background The excess adiposity, even in the absence of diseases, is responsible for a decline in pulmonary function, which is considered a predictor of mortality and a risk factor for diseases in several epidemiological studies. However, studies on the association between obesity and pulmonary function have found only few associations or inconclusive results. The aim of the study is to evaluate the association between body composition and spirometric parameters, comparing simple obesity measures such as body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference with more precise body composition measurements such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and air-displacement plethysmography (BOD POD). Methods This is an observational, cross-sectional study that used data from the 1978/79 Ribeirão Preto birth cohort (São Paulo, Brazil). The study included 1746 participants from the 5th follow-up of the cohort. Linear regressions were calculated to evaluate the association between BMI, waist circumference, waist–height ratio (WHtR), BOD POD- and DXA-measured fat mass percentage, and spirometric parameters FEV1, and FVC. Results For every 1-kg/m2 BMI increase, FVC decreased by 13 ml in males and by 6 ml in females and FEV1 decreased by 11 ml and 5 ml, respectively. Regarding body composition measurements, for a 1% increase in fat mass assessed by BOD POD, FVC decreased by 16 ml in males and by 8 ml in females and FEV1 decreased by 13 ml and 7 ml, respectively. Hence, negative associations between body measurements and FEV1 and FVC were observed in both genders, especially when using the fat mass measurement and were more expressive in men. Conclusion The anthropometric and body composition parameters were negatively associated with the spirometric variables FVC and FEV1. We have also observed that simple measures such as waist-height ratio were sufficient to detect the association of body composition with pulmonary function reduction.

Cognitive Function in Adolescents and Young Adults With Youth-Onset Type 1 Versus Type 2 Diabetes: The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study

<u>Objective:</u> Poor cognition has been observed in children and adolescents with youth-onset type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to non-diabetic controls. Differences in cognition between youth-onset T1D and T2D, however, are not known. Thus, using data from SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth, a multicenter, observational cohort study, we tested the association between diabetes type and cognitive function in adolescents and young adults with T1D (n=1,095) and T2D (n=285). <u>Research Design and Methods:</u> Cognition was assessed via the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery and age-corrected composite Fluid Cognition scores used as the primary outcome. Confounder-adjusted linear regression models were run. Model 1 included diabetes type and clinical site. Model 2 additionally included sex, race/ethnicity, waist-height ratio, diabetes duration, depressive symptoms, glycemic control, any hypoglycemic episode in the past year, parental education, and household income. Model 3 additionally included Picture Vocabulary score, a measure of receptive language and crystallized cognition. <u>Results:</u> Having T2D was significantly associated with lower fluid cognitive scores before adjustment for confounders (Model 1; p <0.001). This association was attenuated to non-significance with the addition of <i>a priori</i> confounders (Model 2; p= 0.06) and Picture Vocabulary scores (Model 3; p = 0.49). Receptive language, waist-height ratio, and depressive symptoms remained significant in the final model (p<0.01 for all, respectively). <u>Conclusions:</u> These data suggest that while youth with T2D have worse fluid cognition than youth with T1D, these differences are accounted for by differences in crystallized cognition (receptive language), central adiposity, and mental health. These potentially modifiable factors are also independently associated with fluid cognitive health, regardless of diabetes type. Future studies of cognitive health in people with youth-onset diabetes should focus on investigating these significant factors.

Cognitive Function in Adolescents and Young Adults With Youth-Onset Type 1 Versus Type 2 Diabetes: The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study

<u>Objective:</u> Poor cognition has been observed in children and adolescents with youth-onset type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to non-diabetic controls. Differences in cognition between youth-onset T1D and T2D, however, are not known. Thus, using data from SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth, a multicenter, observational cohort study, we tested the association between diabetes type and cognitive function in adolescents and young adults with T1D (n=1,095) and T2D (n=285). <u>Research Design and Methods:</u> Cognition was assessed via the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery and age-corrected composite Fluid Cognition scores used as the primary outcome. Confounder-adjusted linear regression models were run. Model 1 included diabetes type and clinical site. Model 2 additionally included sex, race/ethnicity, waist-height ratio, diabetes duration, depressive symptoms, glycemic control, any hypoglycemic episode in the past year, parental education, and household income. Model 3 additionally included Picture Vocabulary score, a measure of receptive language and crystallized cognition. <u>Results:</u> Having T2D was significantly associated with lower fluid cognitive scores before adjustment for confounders (Model 1; p <0.001). This association was attenuated to non-significance with the addition of <i>a priori</i> confounders (Model 2; p= 0.06) and Picture Vocabulary scores (Model 3; p = 0.49). Receptive language, waist-height ratio, and depressive symptoms remained significant in the final model (p<0.01 for all, respectively). <u>Conclusions:</u> These data suggest that while youth with T2D have worse fluid cognition than youth with T1D, these differences are accounted for by differences in crystallized cognition (receptive language), central adiposity, and mental health. These potentially modifiable factors are also independently associated with fluid cognitive health, regardless of diabetes type. Future studies of cognitive health in people with youth-onset diabetes should focus on investigating these significant factors.

Abdominal and gluteo-femoral markers of adiposity and risk of vascular-metabolic mortality in a prospective study of 150 000 Mexican adults

Aims Results of previous studies of abdominal adiposity and risk of vascular-metabolic mortality in Hispanic populations have been conflicting. We report results from a large prospective study of Mexican adults with high levels of abdominal adiposity. Methods and results A total of 159 755 adults aged ≥35 years from Mexico City were enrolled in a prospective study and followed for 16 years. Cox regression, adjusted for confounders, yielded mortality rate ratios (RRs) associated with three markers of abdominal adiposity (waist circumference, waist–hip ratio, and waist–height ratio) and one marker of gluteo-femoral adiposity (hip circumference) for cause-specific mortality before age 75 years. To reduce reverse causality, deaths in the first 5 years of follow-up and participants with diabetes or other prior chronic disease were excluded. Among 113 163 participants without prior disease and aged 35–74 years at recruitment, all adiposity markers were positively associated with vascular-metabolic mortality. Comparing the top versus bottom tenth of the sex-specific distributions, the vascular-metabolic mortality RRs at ages 40–74 years were 2.32 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.84–2.94] for waist circumference, 2.22 (1.71–2.88) for the waist–hip ratio, 2.63 (2.06–3.36) for the waist–height ratio, and 1.58 (1.29–1.93) for hip circumference. The RRs corresponding to each standard deviation (SD) higher usual levels of these adiposity markers were 1.34 (95% CI 1.27–1.41), 1.31 (1.23–1.39), 1.38 (1.31–1.45), and 1.18 (1.13–1.24), respectively. For the markers of abdominal adiposity, the RRs did not change much after further adjustment for other adiposity markers, but for hip circumference the association was reversed; given body mass index and waist circumference, the RR for vascular-metabolic mortality for each one SD higher usual hip circumference was 0.80 (0.75–0.86). Conclusions In this study of Mexican adults, abdominal adiposity (and in particular the waist–height ratio) was strongly and positively associated with vascular-metabolic mortality. For a given amount of general and abdominal adiposity, however, higher hip circumference was associated with lower vascular-metabolic mortality.