High BMI (high + bmi)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Longitudinal changes in lung function and somatic growth in children with sickle cell disease,

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 6 2007
Anastassios C. Koumbourlis MD
Abstract Background We studied the changes in the patterns of lung function and somatic growth over time in children and adolescents (10.6,±,3.5 years at first test) with hemoglobin SS (Hb-SS) sickle cell disease (SCD). Methods Lung function and somatic growth were measured twice with an interval of 42.3,±,23.3 months in 45 children (25 females and 20 males) with Hb-SS SCD. Results The lung volumes slightly decreased but remained borderline normal in both tests. All spirometric indices were within the normal range but significantly decreased (P,<,0.001) at the time of the second test indicating development of lower airway obstruction (forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1): 87,±,21 vs. 80,±,15; FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC): 89,±,7 vs. 85,±,6; FEF25,75: 89,±,32 vs. 76,±,24). "Normal" pattern of lung function was initially found in 56% of the patients, but in only 29% in the second test. In contrast, those with "obstructive" pattern increased from 22 to 44%, and those with "restrictive" pattern from 22 to 27%. There was no association between history of asthma and pattern of lung function. "Normal" Body Mass Index (BMI) was found in 64% of the patients, whereas 13% had "High" BMI and 22% "Low" BMI. The two latter patterns were associated with abnormal lung function but only patients with normal BMI showed actual decline overtime. Conclusion SCD is characterized by a predominantly obstructive pattern of lung function that increases in prevalence over time. There was no apparent causal relationship between the pattern of somatic growth and the pattern of lung function. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:483,488. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Relationship between body mass index and infertility in healthy male Japanese workers: a pilot study

ANDROLOGIA, Issue 2 2009
K. Ohwaki
Summary Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between men's body mass index (BMI) and infertility and to examine the effects of factors related to metabolic syndrome such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and impaired glucose tolerance. Our sample comprised 74 healthy Japanese workers at a company who were married between 2003 and 2005. The outcome variable was whether a baby was born during the study period (median follow-up period, 20 months; range, 8,42 months). Data for BMI and other factors were obtained from the results of an annual health checkup in the year of each employee's marriage. Forty-seven men (64%) did not father a baby. Having a baby was significantly associated with a low BMI (21.4 versus 23.2 kg m,2; P = 0.006). A Cox proportional hazard regression model was performed to assess the association of BMI with fathering a baby. Adjusting for age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and haemoglobin A1C, higher BMI was significantly associated with not fathering a baby (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.67,0.95; P = 0012). High BMI in men was independently associated with an increased risk of not siring a child. [source]


Loci Contributing to Adult Height and Body Mass Index in African American Families Ascertained for Type 2 Diabetes

ANNALS OF HUMAN GENETICS, Issue 5 2005
M.M. Sale
Summary Height and body mass index (BMI) have high heritability in most studies. High BMI and reduced height are well-recognized as important risk factors for a number of cardiovascular diseases. We investigated these phenotypes in African American families originally ascertained for studies of linkage with type 2 diabetes using self-reported height and weight. We conducted a genome wide scan in 221 families containing 580 individuals and 672 relative pairs of African American descent. Estimates of heritability and support for linkage were assessed by genetic variance component analyses using SOLAR software. The estimated heritabilities for height and BMI were 0.43 and 0.64, respectively. We have identified major loci contributing to variation in height on chromosomes 15 (LOD = 2.61 at 35 cM, p = 0.0004), 3 (LOD = 1.82 at 84 cM, p = 0.0029), 8 (LOD = 1.92 at 135 cM, p = 0.0024) and 17 (LOD = 1.70 at 110 cM, p = 0.0044). A broad region on chromosome 4 supported evidence of linkage to variation in BMI, with the highest LOD = 2.66 at 168 cM (p = 0.0005). Two height loci and two BMI loci appear to confirm the existence of quantitative trait loci previously identified by other studies, providing important replicative data to allow further resolution of linkage regions suitable for positional cloning of these cardiovascular disease risk loci. [source]


Pediatrics Access Problems in hemodialysis with a permanent central venous catheter

HEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2005
J. Muscheites
Hemodialysis is a common treatment of chronic renal failure, also in childhood. Due to the high standard of technique there are only few contraindications for this treatment at present. Limitations are given by the vessel access. But in the last years, hemodialysis has been made practicable by the permanent central venous catheter, however, with more problems. As an example for potential complications in the treatment with the permanent catheter we present an unusual case report about a twenty-one- year-old girl suffering from chronic renal failure due to reflux nephropathy, Prader-Willi- syndrome, myelonatrophia of undetermined origin with spastic diplegia of the legs, and increasing sphincter ani dysfunction. We started the renal replacement therapy when the girl was 15 years old. It was not possible to create an AV fistula due to very small vessels. Two Gore-Tex ® implants were clotted in absence of thrombophilia. Afterwards, the hemodialysis was performed by a permanent central venous catheter. The catheter had to be changed 15 times. The reasons for changing the catheter were problems of flow during hemodialysis due to clotting, dislocations, spontaneous removing of the catheter by herself, and infections. Altogether a sepsis occurred four times. The first transplantation failed due to a rupture of the transplanted kidney. A second transplantation was not possible because of the high BMI. Intermittently, the girl was treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the hospital, because the PD couldn't be done at home due to different reasons. Only on weekends could the girl go home. The PD had to be finished after 6 months due to a severe psychotic syndrome. The girl died at age 21, caused by a sepsis following the 15th change of the catheter. A huge problem of frequent catheter changing is the limited availability of vessel accesses , the limits of treatment by hemodialysis. [source]


Brain structure and obesity

HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 3 2010
Cyrus A. Raji
Abstract Obesity is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular health problems including diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. These cardiovascular afflictions increase risk for cognitive decline and dementia, but it is unknown whether these factors, specifically obesity and Type II diabetes, are associated with specific patterns of brain atrophy. We used tensor-based morphometry (TBM) to examine gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volume differences in 94 elderly subjects who remained cognitively normal for at least 5 years after their scan. Bivariate analyses with corrections for multiple comparisons strongly linked body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma insulin (FPI) levels, and Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) with atrophy in frontal, temporal, and subcortical brain regions. A multiple regression model, also correcting for multiple comparisons, revealed that BMI was still negatively correlated with brain atrophy (FDR <5%), while DM2 and FPI were no longer associated with any volume differences. In an Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) model controlling for age, gender, and race, obese subjects with a high BMI (BMI > 30) showed atrophy in the frontal lobes, anterior cingulate gyrus, hippocampus, and thalamus compared with individuals with a normal BMI (18.5,25). Overweight subjects (BMI: 25,30) had atrophy in the basal ganglia and corona radiata of the WM. Overall brain volume did not differ between overweight and obese persons. Higher BMI was associated with lower brain volumes in overweight and obese elderly subjects. Obesity is therefore associated with detectable brain volume deficits in cognitively normal elderly subjects. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Overweight and Obesity in Old Age Are Not Associated with Greater Dementia Risk

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 12 2008
(See editorial comments by Dr. David S. Knodman, 2350), pp 234
OBJECTIVES: To describe the association between body mass index (BMI) and dementia risk in older persons. DESIGN: Prospective population-based study, with 8 years of follow-up. SETTING: The municipality of Lieto, Finland, 1990/91 and 1998/99. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred five men and women without dementia aged 65 to 92 at baseline (mean age 70.8). MEASUREMENTS: Weight and height were measured at baseline and at the 8-year follow-up. Dementia was clinically assessed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria. RESULTS: Eighty-six persons were diagnosed with dementia. Cox regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex, education, cardiovascular diseases, smoking, and alcohol use, indicated that, for each unit increase in BMI score, the risk of dementia decreased 8% (hazard ratio (HR)=0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.87,0.97). This association remained significant when individuals who developed dementia early during the first 4 years of follow-up were excluded from the analyses (HR=0.93, 95% CI=0.86,0.99). Women with high BMI scores had a lower dementia risk (HR=0.90, 95% CI=0.84,0.96). Men with high BMI scores also tended to have a lower dementia risk, although the association did not reach significance (HR=0.95, 95% CI=0.84,1.07). CONCLUSION: Older persons with higher BMI scores have less dementia risk than their counterparts with lower BMI scores. High BMI scores in late life should not necessarily be considered to be a risk factor for dementia. [source]


Assessment of obesity in children and adolescents: synthesis of recent systematic reviews and clinical guidelines

JOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 3 2010
J. J. Reilly
Abstract This review summarises recent systematic reviews and evidence-based guidelines that deal with the issue of how best to diagnose or define obesity in children and adolescents. A recent systematic review showed that parents typically fail to recognise obesity in their children and adolescents, and a good deal of other evidence suggests that health professionals under-diagnose obesity in children and adolescents when using informal methods based on observation. There is therefore a need for practical, objective, methods that both identify the fattest children and adolescents adequately, and identify those who are at greatest risk of the ,co-morbidities' of obesity. A large body of consistent evidence shows that a high body mass index (BMI) for age and sex identifies the fattest children adequately, with low,moderate false negative rate and a low false positive rate. Furthermore, children and adolescents at high BMI for age are at much greater risk of the co-morbidities of obesity. A recent systematic review found that the use of BMI for age with national reference data and cut-off points (such as the 95th percentile to define obesity) was superior to the Cole,International Obesity Task Force international approach for defining obesity based on BMI for age. The same systematic review also found no evidence that use of waist circumference for age improved the diagnosis of obesity, or the cardio-metabolic co-morbidities of obesity, in children and adolescents. Recent systematic reviews are therefore supportive of current guidelines that recommend percentile-based cut-offs relative to national reference data to (e.g. BMI at or above the 95th or 98th percentile in the UK) to define obesity for clinical applications in children and adolescents. [source]


Identification of ,hot spots' of obesity and being underweight in early pregnancy in Liverpool

JOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 3 2009
J. C. Abayomi
Abstract Background: Obesity and being underweight in pregnancy are related to an increased risk of maternal and foetal morbidity, yet their prevalence is often unknown. The present study aimed to identify neighbourhoods with a higher than average prevalence or ,hot spots' of obesity and/or being underweight among first trimester pregnant women. Methods: A database was compiled consisting of postcode, height and weight for 7981 women who had booked-in for antenatal care between July 2004 and June 2005 at Liverpool Women's Hospital. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and women were categorised accordingly. Postcodes for 6865 cases across Merseyside were converted to geolocations (pin-points on a map) using conversion software (http://www.census.ac.uk/cdu/). Results: There was a very high prevalence of being overweight (27%) and obesity (17%); 3.8% of women were underweight and probably malnourished (BMI < 18.5 kg m,2); and a further 10.7% of women were possibly malnourished (BMI < 20.0 kg m,2. Deriving case density from the geolocations allowed visualisation and identification of six neighbourhoods with above average levels of obesity and three neighbourhoods had marked concentrations of both being underweight and obesity. Conclusions: These neighbourhoods, particularly those identified as ,hot spots' for both being underweight and obesity, include some of the most deprived wards in the UK. As dietetic intervention may help to promote optimal weight gain during pregnancy and improve dietary intake for pregnant women and their families, primary health care providers should target these localities with a high prevalence of low and high BMI as a priority. [source]


Evolving clinical landscape of chronic hepatitis B: A multicenter Italian study

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 12 2009
Tommaso Stroffolini
Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the characteristics of chronic hepatitis B with special reference to the geographical origin of the patients and to the prevalence of HBeAg and viral and non-viral co-factors of liver disease. A cross-sectional multicenter survey was undertaken, which enrolled 1,386 HBsAg chronic carriers observed consecutively in 21 referral centers over a 6-month period. The prevalence of HBeAg in patients was 11%; the presence of HBeAg was associated independently with a younger age and co-infection with HIV. Anti-HDV, anti-HCV, or anti-HIV antibodies were detected in 8.1%, 6.5%, and 2%, respectively. However, among the patients first diagnosed during the study period (incident cases), 14.3% were anti-HDV positive. Seven percent of the patients were immigrants; they were younger than Italian patients and 18% were HBeAg positive; no difference was observed in the prevalence of anti-HDV, anti-HCV, or anti-HIV antibodies. The presence of cirrhosis was associated independently with an age >52 years, the presence of anti-HDV or anti-HCV, alcohol use >4 drinks/day, and a high BMI. The clinical epidemiology of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection shows a dynamic profile, with the potential for re-emergence of cases with HBeAg or anti-HDV and an emerging impact of metabolic factors on the evolution of liver disease. J. Med. Virol. 81:1999,2006, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN URBAN SPRAWL AND OBESITY: IS IT A TWO-WAY STREET?

JOURNAL OF REGIONAL SCIENCE, Issue 5 2007
Andrew J. Plantinga
ABSTRACT We empirically examine the relationship between obesity and urban development patterns where individuals reside. Previous analyses treat urban form as exogenous to weight, and find higher body mass indices (BMI) among residents of areas with sprawl patterns of development. Using samples of recent movers, we find that the causality runs in both directions. Individuals who move to denser locations lose weight. As well, BMI is a determinant of the choice of a dense or sprawling location. In sum, while moving to a dense area results in weight loss, such locations are unlikely to be selected by individuals with high BMI. [source]


Pilot Study Examining the Utility of Microarray Data to Identify Genes Associated with Weight in Transplant Recipients

NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES, Issue 2 2006
Ann Cashion
Purpose/Methods:, Obesity, a complex, polygenic disorder and a growing epidemic in transplant recipients, is a risk factor for chronic diseases. This secondary data analysis identified if microarray technologies and bioinformatics could find differences in gene expression profiles between liver transplant recipients with low Body Mass Index (BMI < 29; n = 5) vs. high (BMI > 29; n = 7). Blood was hybridized on Human U133 Plus 2 GeneChip (Affymetrix) and analyzed using GeneSpring Software. Results:, Groups were similar in age and race, but not gender. Expression levels of 852 genes were different between the low and high BMI groups (P < 0.05). The majority (562) of the changes associated with high BMI were decreases in transcript levels. Among the 852 genes associated with BMI, 263 and 14 genes were affected greater than 2- or 5-fold, respectively. Following functionally classification using Gene Ontology (GO), we found that 19 genes (P < 0.00008) belonged to defense response and 15 genes (P < 0.00006) belonged to immune response. Conclusion:, These data could point the way toward therapeutic interventions and identify those at-risk. These results demonstrate that we can (1) extract high quality RNA from immunosuppressed patients; (2) manage large datasets and perform statistical and functional analysis. [source]


First phase insulin release and glucose tolerance in children with Fanconi anemia after hematopoietic cell transplantation

PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 2 2009
Lynda E. Polgreen MD
Abstract Background Fanconi anemia (FA) is an autosomal and X-linked recessive disease of chromosomal instability, which results in bone marrow failure. Children with FA have been shown to have an increased risk of diabetes mellitus (DM). Procedure A cross-sectional study of glucose and insulin metabolism was conducted in 17 children with FA who had undergone hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) at the University of Minnesota. First phase insulin release (FPIR) was determined by intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), lipid panel, blood pressure, and medical history were reviewed for additional metabolic abnormalities. Results Seventeen FA participants, median age 11.3 (range 5.5,17.6) years, were evaluated. IVGTT identified three separate groups: low FPIR, normal FPIR, and high FPIR. Those with low FPIR were more likely to have low BMI, but had normal glucose levels. Those with high FPIR, had high BMI, elevated lipids, and body fat. One patient with normal FPIR had impaired glucose tolerance and another with normal FPIR had impaired fasting glucose. No participant was diagnosed with DM by fasting glucose, 2 hr glucose during OGTT, or hemoglobin A1C. Conclusions The majority of children with FA had normal glucose tolerance and normal beta-cell function after HCT. Two small subsets of patients had lower than expected and higher than expected FPIR. The clinical significance of these differences is not yet known given the normal glucose tolerance and fasting glucose levels in these two groups. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:191,196. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Disturbed eating behaviors in Taiwanese adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a comparative study

PEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 1 2009
Yu-Yun Alice Hsu
Objectives:, This study aimed to (i) compare disturbed eating behaviors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) with a matched group of adolescents in Taiwan and (ii) examine the relationships of disturbed eating behaviors to body mass index (BMI) and metabolic control among adolescents with T1D. Methods:, A cross-sectional study was conducted in southern Taiwan. Seventy-one adolescents with T1D (aged 10,22 yr; 41 females and 29 males) were matched to a group of non-diabetic adolescents. Adolescents completed two self-reported measures of eating behavior, the Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh and the Eating Attitude Test-26. Metabolic control was assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels. Results:, Both adolescent females and males with T1D had more symptoms of bulimia and bulimic behaviors than their non-diabetic peers. There were no group differences in the proportion of subthreshold eating disorders. BMI and metabolic control were significant factors predicting disturbed eating behaviors. Conclusions:, Both adolescent females and males with T1D exhibited a higher level of disturbed eating behaviors than their non-diabetic adolescent counterparts. Preventive programs that address disturbed eating behaviors should be provided for adolescents with T1D, particularly for adolescents with a high BMI and poor metabolic control. [source]


High body mass index and dietary pattern are associated with childhood asthma

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 12 2006
Soo-Jong Hong MD
Abstract The increasing prevalence of asthma has coincided with an increase of body mass index (BMI) in both children and adults. We investigated the relationship between BMI and the symptom prevalence of asthma and the possible influences of dietary pattern. This was a community-based, cross-sectional study of 24,260 school children aged 6,12 years. Prevalences of asthma and potential confounding factors were assessed using a Korean version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire which was completed by parents. We analyzed the relationship between BMI and symptoms of asthma and the possible influences of dietary pattern. A significant positive association between high BMI and previous 12-month prevalence of wheeze remained in boys (adjusted odds ratio, 1.610; 95% confidence interval, 1.274,2.033) but not in girls. In addition, there were significant associations between high BMI and lifetime prevalence of wheeze, previous 12-month wheeze, exercise-induced wheeze, diagnosis, and treatment of asthma. There were significant associations between high BMI and previous 12-month wheeze regardless of breast-milk feeding or whole-milk feeding. Frequent intake of fresh seafood, fresh fruits, and vegetables was associated with reduced prevalence of current asthma symptoms and was also associated with decreased BMI. These results indicate that BMI may be an independent risk factor for the development of asthma symptoms in boys. Intake of fresh seafood, fresh fruit, and vegetables, which may be associated with decreased BMI, may contribute to protect against the development of asthma symptoms in Korean elementary schoolchildren. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2006; 41:1118,1124. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Anthropometric variables, physical activity, and incidence of ovarian cancer

CANCER, Issue 7 2004
The Iowa Women's Health Study
Abstract BACKGROUND Reports on the relation between anthropometric variables (height, weight) and physical activity with ovarian cancer have been inconclusive. The objective of the current study was to extend investigation of potential associations in the Iowa Women's Health Study cohort. METHODS The relation between self-reported anthropometric variables and incident ovarian cancer was studied in a prospective cohort of women ages 55,69 years who were followed for 15 years. Two hundred twenty-three incident cases of epithelial ovarian cancer were identified by linkage to a cancer registry. RESULTS No association was found overall between ovarian cancer and height, but a positive association was observed for serous ovarian cancers (relative risk [RR], 1.86 for highest quartile vs. lowest quartile; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.06,3.29). Although current body mass index (BMI) was not associated with ovarian cancer, a BMI , 30 kg/m2 at age 18 years appeared to be associated positively with ovarian cancer (multivariate-adjusted RR, 1.83 for BMI , 30 kg/m2 vs. BMI < 25 kg/m2; 95% CI, 0.90,3.72), and this association was stronger after exclusion of the first 2 years of follow-up (RR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.05,4.40). In a multivariate analysis, waist-to-hip ratio was associated with ovarian cancer (RR, 1.59 for highest quartile vs. lowest quartile; 95% CI, 1.05,2.40), but a linear dose response was not found. An index that combined the frequency and intensity of leisure-time physical activity was associated positively with ovarian cancer incidence (multivariate-adjusted RR, 1.42 for high activity vs. low activity; 95% CI, 1.03,1.97). This association was particularly strong for frequency of vigorous physical activity (multivariate-adjusted RR, 2.38 for > 4 times per week vs. rarely/never; 95% CI, 1.29,4.38). CONCLUSIONS Anthropometric variables were not major risk factors for ovarian cancer in the cohort studied; however, high BMI in early adulthood and frequent and vigorous physical activity may increase the risk of ovarian cancer among postmenopausal women. Cancer 2004;100:1515,21. © 2004 American Cancer Society. [source]


Life Style and Urinary 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine, a Marker of Oxidative DNA Damage: Effects of Exercise, Working Conditions, Meat Intake, Body Mass Index, and Smoking

CANCER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2001
Hiroshi Kasai
The urinary levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), a marker of oxidative DNA damage, of 318 healthy men aged 18-58 were measured with high resolution by a newly developed automated high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) system coupled to an electrochemical detector (ECD). The mean 8-OH-dG level (,Mg/g creatinine) was 4.12±1.73 (SD). An eleven-fold inter-individual variation was observed. The accuracy of the measurement estimated from the recovery of an added 8-OH-dG standard was 90-98%. By univariate analysis, it was found that moderate physical exercise (P=0.0023) and high body mass index (BMI) (P=0.0032) reduced the 8-OH-dG level, while physical labor (P=0.0097), smoking (P=0.032), and low meat intake (less than once/ week) (P=0.041) increased its level. Based on a multi-regression analysis of the log-transformed values, moderate physical exercise (P=0.0039), high BMI (P=0.0099), and age (P=0.021) showed significant reducing effects on the 8-OH-dG level, while low meat intake (P=0.010), smoking (P=0.013), and day-night shift work (P=0.044) increased its level. These results suggest that many types of life-style factors that either generate or scavenge oxygen radicals may affect the level of oxidative DNA damage of each individual. [source]


Dietary and lifestyle counselling reduces the clustering of overweight-related cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 6 2010
M Hakanen
Abstract Aim:, The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of individualised dietary and lifestyle counselling, primarily aimed to decrease serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, on the clustering of overweight-related cardiometabolic risk factors in children. Design and participants:, The 7-month-old study children were randomized either to counselling (n = 540) or control group (n = 522). Main outcome measures:, The 5- to 15-year-old participants who fulfilled the international criteria were classified as overweight. Being in the highest [lowest for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol] age- and gender-specific quintile of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol or glucose was considered a risk factor. A cluster was defined as having high BMI and ,2 other risk factors. Results:, The counselling did not reduce the prevalence of overweight in 5- to 15-year-old participants. From age 7 onwards, the proportion of children with ,2 risk factors was lower in the intervention than in the control group (p = 0.005). At the age of 15 years, 13.0% of girls and 10.8% of boys in the intervention group and 17.5% of girls and 18.8% of boys in the control group had the risk factor cluster (p = 0.046 for main effect of the study group). Having even one risk factor at the age of 5 years predicted the clustering of risk factors at the age of 15 years (OR: 3.8, p < 0.001). Conclusion:, Repeated, individualized dietary and lifestyle counselling may reduce the clustering of overweight-related cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents even though the counselling is not intense enough to prevent overweight. [source]


Fasting concentrations of nesfatin-1 are negatively correlated with body mass index in non-obese males

CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Takafumi Tsuchiya
Summary Background, We recently identified a novel anorexigenic protein, nesfatin-1, which is processed from nesfatin/nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2). However, the clinical importance of this protein has not been determined. Objective, To investigate its clinical significance in humans, we have established a new specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human nesfatin-1 in peripheral blood and measured its circulating concentration in healthy subjects. Design, The new sandwich-type ELISA method was validated and then used to measure nesfatin-1 levels in plasma samples, under overnight fasting conditions, followed by oral glucose tolerance and meal tests. Patients and measurements, A total of 43 nonobese males (age: 24·5 ± 0·6 , body mass index (BMI); 21·1 ± 0·3 kg/m2) were recruited to the study for evaluating fasting concentrations of nesfatin-1. In those, fifteen subjects underwent a 75- g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and another 15 underwent a meal test. In addition, fasting concentrations of nesfatin-1 were measured in nine males with high BMI (age: 32·4 ± 3·7 , BMI; 37·3 ± 3·8 kg/m2). Results, Peripheral concentrations of nesfatin-1 showed a significant negative correlation with BMI, percentage body fat, body fat weight and blood glucose (P < 0·05). Nesfatin-1 concentrations were not significantly changed during OGTT and meal tests. Fasting nesfatin-1 levels were significantly lower in subjects with high BMI compared to nonobese subjects (P < 0·05). Conclusions, A new specific and sensitive ELISA for nesfatin-1 was established. Further accumulation of clinical observations is necessary to clarify the role of circulating nesfatin-1 in various metabolic disorders. [source]


Ocular changes, risk markers for eye disorders and effects of cataract surgery in elderly people: a study of an urban Swedish population followed from 70 to 97 years of age

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2 2004
Birgitta Bergman
Abstract. Aims:, To investigate the prevalence of and potential risk factors for ocular disorders and the effects of timing of cataract surgery from age 70,97 years. Population:, A representative population sample taken from within the Gerontological and Geriatric Population Studies (H 70) in Gothenburg, Sweden (n = 958). All subjects underwent eye examinations at age 70 years in 1971 and subsequently at ages 82, 88, 95 and 97 years. All inhabitants of Gothenburg aged 95 and 97 years were invited to participate in the study. Results:, Decreased vision (visual acuity , 0.5) was found in 20% and 80% of subjects at ages 82 and 97 years, respectively. Blood folate and physical activity at age 70 years correlated positively and body mass index (BMI) negatively to visual acuity (VA) , 0.8 at ages 82 and 88 years. Smoking at age 70 years correlated to early age-related maculopathy (ARM). Cataract surgery had been performed in 40% of subjects at age 97 years. Surgery 2 years earlier led to a 15% increase in time spent with improved vision. Conclusions:, The deterioration of vision in elderly people is a major health problem, for which ,low' folate status, smoking, ,high' BMI and low physical activity are potential risk factors. Early cataract surgery is also beneficial in very old patients. [source]


Circulating leptin and body composition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 10 2005
S. Karakas
Summary Nutritional depletion and weight loss are two features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the association between low body mass index (BMI) and poor prognosis in patients with COPD is a common clinical observation. Mechanisms of weight loss are still unclear in COPD. Excessive energy expenditure partly due to increased work of breathing was shown, but other mechanisms have been searched for. Leptin is a hormone secreted by adipocytes that plays an important role in energy homeostasis and regulates body weight through control of appetite and energy expenditure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of circulating leptin levels and measures of body composition in COPD patients. Thirty male COPD outpatients (mean age 66.3 ± 8.4) and 20 controls (mean age 65.9 ± 10.8) were included in the study. After standard spirometry and body composition measurements, serum leptin concentration was measured by ELISA assay. COPD patients were grouped according to BMI. Mean BMI was 19.01 ± 2.26 kg/m2 in group 1 (COPD patients with low BMI), 26.85 ± 4.51 in group 2 COPD (COPD patients with normal/high BMI) and 27.64 ± 2.75 kg/m2 in healthy controls (group 3). Mean serum leptin concentration was 1.41 ± 1.86 ng/ml in group 1, 2.60 ± 1.38 ng/ml in group 2 and 2.82 ± 1.46 ng/ml in group 3 (p = 0.002). Leptin correlated to not only BMI but also body weight, waist circumference, triceps and biceps skinfold thickness and body fat percent (p < 0.05 for all). Results of this study suggest that the cause of weight loss is not increased circulating leptin in COPD. Instead, leptin remains regulated in COPD and further decreased in patients with low BMI, probably as a compensatory mechanism to preserve body fat content, which should be evaluated in further studies. [source]