Obesity and risk taking. A male phenomenon

There is a growing tendency to regard overeating as an addiction, with obesity as its primary symptom. We propose that similar to other addictions, obesity is associated with excessive risk-taking in men, though not in women. To examine this suggestion we conducted two studies, one involving a sample of overweight and normal-weight students, and the other involving obese adults drawn from a dataset of health care clients, and a control sample of normal-weight adults. In both of these studies, we found that overweight and obese men took more risk in a laboratory task than normal-weight men, while overweight and obese women did not differ from normal-weight women in this respect. At the same time, obese women (but not overweight women) displayed higher impulsivity levels than normal-weight women. These findings shed light on the cognitive characteristics of obesity in men, and accent the importance of taking gender into account when developing research paradigms and treatment methods for obesity.     

Functional status and emotional well-being, dietary intake, and physical activity of severely obese subjects

OBJECTIVE: Analyze functional status and emotional well-being, energy and nutrient intake, and physical activity in sibling pairs raised together in the same family. DESIGN: One sibling classified as severely obese (body mass index > or = 35) and the other sibling as normal weight (body mass index < or = 27). SUBJECTS: From January 1994 through December 1996 at the Cardiovascular Genetics Research Clinic of the University of Utah School of Medicine, 145 sibling pairs (n = 290) were selected from a population-based, family history database or a hospital-based, very-low-energy weight-loss program. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED: Repeated-measures analysis of variance tested for differences between severely obese and normal-weight siblings. RESULTS: All functional status and emotional well-being scores (poorer perceived health) were significantly lower in severely obese siblings compared with normal-weight siblings. The severely obese siblings had a higher percentage dietary fat intake (3% higher) and total energy intake (more than 350 kcal higher), and lower weight-adjusted total energy intake (almost 10 kcal/kg lower) and activity energy expenditure (3.5 kcal/kg lower), compared with normal-weight siblings. Thus, environmental influences such as energy and nutrient intake and physical activity are highly related to severe obesity. APPLICATIONS: Previously shared environment of severely obese and normal-weight siblings raises questions about whether strong environmental influences or genetic predisposition account for the differences in sibling weight. When counseling individuals or families with a history of severe obesity, dietetics practitioners should be familiar with the potential for strong genetic factors and related environmental influences. In addition, dietitians should be prepared to offer a flexible approach to physical exercise as well as provide additional behavioral support.     

Obesity is associated with reduced self-rated general health status: evidence from a representative sample of white, black, and Hispanic Americans

BACKGROUND: Although the evidence linking obesity with many chronic diseases is well established, the relationship with self-rated health is not clear. Self-rating of health is a broad summary measure of different domains of health that include psychosocial domain. The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between obesity and self-rated health and the degree of agreement between patients' self-rated health status and physicians' impression of patients' health in a representative sample of healthy noninstitutionalized American adults. METHODS: Data (n = 10, 298) used for this analysis were obtained from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Normal weight was defined as BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2) and preobesity was defined as BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2). Moderate (class I) obesity was defined as BMI 30-34.9 kg/m(2) and severe (class II) obesity as BMI > or =35 kg/m(2). Self-rated health conditions were categorized as excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor. Agreement between physicians' impression and self-rated health and a linear relationship between obesity and individual perceived health were quantified using kappa and gamma statistics, respectively. Using the logistic regression analysis, odds of reporting reduced health in preobese, class I obese, and class II obese individuals were compared with those for normal-weight individuals, adjusting for age, current smoking, and alcohol intake. The contribution of obesity to ethnic differences in reduced self-rated health was determined by comparing blacks with whites and Hispanics with whites fitted in multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among both men and women, there was a statistically significant linear association between obesity and self-rated health (P < 0.05). The proportion of subjects reporting excellent health tended to decrease with increasing level of obesity in the three ethnic groups. In the three ethnic groups, the degrees of concordance between self-rated health and physicians' impressions were poor and decreased with increasing obesity level. In each ethnic group, class II obesity was associated with approximately twofold increased odds of reporting reduced health compared with normal-weight individuals. Compared to whites, black and Hispanic races/ethnicities were respectively associated with 23 and 175% increased odds of reduced self-rated health among men. The corresponding values for women were 45 and 177%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide evidence that obesity has a negative impact on self-rated health among adults, even in the absence of chronic disease conditions. The results of this investigation also underscore the need to craft national preventive strategies to curb obesity in these at-risk population groups.     

Adapted changes in left ventricular structure and function in severe uncomplicated obesity

OBJECTIVE: A massive amount of fat tissue, as that observed in obese subjects with BMI over 50 kg/m(2), could affect cardiac morphology and performance, but few data on this issue are available. We sought to evaluate cardiac structure and function in uncomplicated severely obese subjects. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We studied 55 uncomplicated severely obese patients, 40 women, 15 men, mean age 35.5 +/- 10.2 years, BMI 51.2 +/- 8.8 kg/m(2), range 43 to 81 kg/m(2), with a history of fat excess of at least 10 years, and 55 age-matched normal-weight subjects (40 women, 15 men, mean BMI 23.8 +/- 1.2 kg/m(2)) as a control group. Each subject underwent an echocardiogram to evaluate left ventricular (LV) mass and geometry and systolic and diastolic function. RESULTS: Severely obese subjects showed greater LV mass and indexed LV mass than normal-weight subjects (p < 0.01 for all parameters). Nevertheless, LV mass was appropriate for sex, height(2.7), and stroke work in most (77%) uncomplicated severely obese subjects. In addition, no significant difference in LV mass indices and LV mass appropriateness between obese subjects with BMI > or = 50 kg/m(2) and those with BMI < or = 50 kg/m(2) was found. Obese subjects also showed higher ejection fraction and midwall shortening than normal-weight subjects (p = 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), suggesting a hyperdynamic systolic function. No significant difference in systolic performance between obese subjects with BMI > or = 50 kg/m(2) and those with BMI < or = 50 kg/m(2) was seen. DISCUSSION: Our data show that uncomplicated severe obesity, despite the massive fat tissue amount, is associated largely with adapted and appropriate changes in cardiac structure and function.     

Both obesity and lack of physical activity are associated with a less favorable health-related quality of life in Hong Kong Chinese

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationships among obesity, physical activity and quality of life (QOL) in Hong Kong Chinese adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 876 subjects (32.9% men and 67.1% women, mean age: 34.8 +/- 7.9 years) from a nonmanual working population. The Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36, Chinese version) was used for health-related QOL. Level of physical activity was assessed with self-reported questionnaire. Obesity was defined as body mass index > or = 25 kg/m2. RESULTS: 31% of men and 9% of women were obese (overall 16.0%). Obese subjects had lower scores on some of the SF-36 subscales. As the level of physical activity decreased, mean scores on most SF-36 subscales also progressively decreased. Obese women who had no regular physical activity had lower scores on some QOL subscales than obese women who had some regular physical activity. DISCUSSION: Among this Hong Kong Chinese sample, both obesity and lack of physical activity are associated with lower scores on QOL.     

合肥市某中学超重、肥胖与不同性别初中学生心理健康水平的相关性

目的了解超重、肥胖与男女初中学生生活满意度、抑郁、焦虑、自我意识水平之间的相关性。方法对象为合肥市某中学1818名初一和初二学生,用多维学生生活满意度量表、流行病学调查中心用抑郁量表、特质焦虑量表和儿童自我意识量表及相应的评价标准进行心理健康评定,同时测量身高、体重,计算体重指数(BMI)值。参考中国儿童青少年超重和肥胖筛查BMI值分类标准进行分组,分析男女生及体重正常、超重、肥胖组学生心理健康状况的差异以及男女生BMI与4个量表评分的相关性。结果男生超重和肥胖检出率(21．5%和7．7%)显著高于女生(8．0%和2．8%)。体重正常组生活满意度评分的性别差异有统计学意义(P=0．002),超重组抑郁评分的性别差异有统计学意义(P=0．046)。在女生中,体重正常、超重和肥胖3组的抑郁、特质焦虑和自我意识评分的差异均有统计学意义(P＜0．05),肥胖组抑郁和焦虑评分显著高于体重正常组(P=0．012和P=0．035),肥胖组自我意识评分低于体重正常组(P=0．014),超重组抑郁评分高于体重正常组(P=0．025)。结论超重、肥胖检出率女生低于男生,但女生超重和肥胖者心理健康水平与体重正常者的差别较男生明显。     

Measures of abdominal obesity within body mass index categories, 1981 and 2007-2009

This article describes measures of abdominal obesity--waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio--within body mass index (BMI) categories, using data from two population-based health surveys. Among normal-weight men, the percentages at increased/high health risk based on these three measures were not statistically different in 2007-2009 than in 1981. By contrast, among normal-weight women, increases were observed in the percentage at increased/high health risk based on each of the three measures. The percentage of overweight men at increased/high risk based on waist circumference rose from 49% in 1981 to 62% in 2007-2009, and among overweight women, the percentage at increased/high risk rose for each of the three measures (64% to 93% for waist circumference, 22% to 51% for waist-to-hip ratio, and 68% to 87% for waist-to-height ratio). Although substantial percentages of men and women in obese class I were at increased/high health risk based on abdominal obesity measures in 1981, by 2007-2009, almost everyone in this BMI category was at increased/high risk.     

Overweight, obesity, and binge eating in a non-clinical sample of five Brazilian cities

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between obesity/overweight and binge eating episodes (BEEs) in a large nonclinical population. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Consumers at shopping centers in five Brazilian cities (N = 2858) who participated in an overweight prevention program were interviewed and had weight and height measured to calculate BMI. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight (BMI = 25 to 29.9 kg/m2) was 46.6% for men and 36.6% for women. Obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) was about two-thirds of the prevalence of overweight. BEEs (subjects who binged one or more times per week over the last 3 months) in normal-weight individuals was 1.4% for men and 3.9% for women, whereas in overweight/obese, these prevalences were 6.5% and 5.5%, respectively (p < 0.01). After adjustment for age, socioeconomic variables, and childhood obesity, those who reported BEEs had an odds ratio of being overweight/obese of 3.31 (95% confidence interval: 1.11 to 9.85) for men and 1.73 (95% confidence interval: 1.05 to 2.84) for women. DISCUSSION: These findings indicate a strong association between episodes of binge eating and overweight/obesity, mainly among men.     

The association between body mass index and health-related quality of life: data from CaM<Emphasis Type="Italic">os</Emphasis>, a stratified population study

BACKGROUND: Deviation from normal weight is associated with health risks, but less is known about the association between weight and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We investigated this in the context of a population-based study, using a standard five-category weight classification system based on body mass index (BMI). METHODS: The Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study is a randomly selected sample of men and women over 25 years of age from nine centres across Canada. Data were obtained by interview, and height and weight were measured and used to calculate BMI. HRQOL was measured using the SF-36. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify the association between BMI category and SF-36 scores after controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 6,302 women and 2,792 men. Mean BMI for every age and gender group exceeded healthy weight guidelines. For women, being underweight, overweight or obese was associated with poorer HRQOL in most SF-36 outcomes while for men, this was associated with poorer HRQOL in some domains and with higher HRQOL in others. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of the population may be putting their health at risk due to excess weight, which may have a substantial negative effect on HRQOL, particularly in women. This underscores the need for continued public health efforts aimed at combating overweight and obesity.     

The relationship between body weight and health care among German women

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between body weight and the use of health care services among women from southern Germany. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Data were drawn from the 1994 to 1995 Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease Augsburg survey, covering a population-representative sample of women 25 to 74 years old (n = 2301). Logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for the use of medical services by women with overweight (BMI 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m(2)) or obesity (BMI >or= 30 kg/m(2)) in comparison with normal-weight women (BMI < 25.0 kg/m(2)). RESULTS: In multivariable analysis, obese women 50 to 74 years old were more likely than normal-weight women to delay cancer screening procedures, such as manual breast examination and Papanicolaou smear (OR 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.37 to 0.74) in the previous 12 months. However, the relationship between obesity and cancer screening was not found to be significant in 25- to 49-year-old women (OR 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.62 to 1.36). Neither in the 25- to 49-year-old age group nor in the 50- to 74-year-old age group were independent relationships between higher body weight and total physician visits, hospitalizations, or medication use observed. DISCUSSION: Obese women tended to use medical services with greater frequency due to obesity-related diseases. However, postmenopausal women with a BMI >or= 30 kg/m(2) were more likely to delay routine cancer screening, putting them at a greater risk for death from breast, cervical, and endometrial cancer. Thus, obese postmenopausal women should be targeted for increased screening.     

Four-week pedometer-determined activity patterns in normal-weight, overweight and obese adults

OBJECTIVE: To assess pedometer-determined ambulatory activity in normal-weight, overweight and obese UK adults. METHODS: Eighty-six normal-weight (BMI <25 kg/m(2)) (age=34+/-12.1 years), 91 overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2)) (age=40.6+/-13.6 years) and 75 obese (BMI >or= 30 kg/m(2)) (age=41.2+/-12.4 years) participants, from the East Midlands, provided 4 weeks of continuous pedometer-determined activity data, during the winter in 2006. Activity levels and patterns were assessed for all three groups. RESULTS: The normal-weight group had a significantly higher mean step count (10247 steps/day) than the overweight (9095 steps/day) and obese (8102 steps/day) participants (p<0.05). No differences in step counts were observed between the overweight and obese groups. A consistent reduction in activity was observed on Sundays in all groups, with this reduction being two-fold greater in the overweight and obese groups (approximately 2000 steps/day) when compared with the normal-weight group (approximately 1000 steps/day). CONCLUSIONS: With the increasing prevalence of obesity in the UK, changes in the activity levels of those at risk are needed. The issuing of pedometers to overweight and obese individuals, with the instruction to increase their ambulatory activity on all days of the week, with particular emphasis on Sunday activity, could be a good starting point in tackling the problem of obesity in the UK.     

Underweight, overweight and obesity as risk factors for mortality and hospitalization

AIMS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing in many countries. We aimed to investigate differences in mortality and severe morbidity between underweight people (body mass index (BMI)<18.5), overweight people (BMI 25 to <30), obese people (BMI> or =30), and those with normal weights (BMI 18.5 to <25). METHODS: Random samples of the Swedish population aged 16-74 years in 1980-81 and 1988-89 were followed for 12 years with regard to all-cause mortality and mortality from circulatory diseases, all inpatient care, and inpatient care for circulatory and musculoskeletal diseases. Relative risks (RRs) for different levels of BMI were adjusted for age, longstanding illness, smoking, and educational level at baseline. In addition, analyses were made with delayed entry until the fourth-year after interview. RESULTS: Obesity and underweight, but not overweight, was associated with higher all-cause mortality. Among underweight men, the adjusted RR for all-cause mortality was 2.4 (95% confidence interval 1.6-3.6), and among underweight women it was 2.0 (1.5-2.7), but population attributable risks (PARs) were small, at 1.2% and 2.7%, respectively. Overweight was associated with increased risks for inpatient care for circulatory diseases, with PARs being 13.4% among men and 8.1% among women, and musculoskeletal diseases (PARs were 12.7% and 12.9%, respectively). Obese men and women had about 50% higher risks of all-cause mortality than normal-weight people, PARs being 3.2% and 3.8% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the findings of other studies, in that overweight seems to be an exaggerated risk factor for all-cause mortality, but is related to other chronic disease. Underweight and obesity generally implies greater increases of RRs, but avoidance of overweight may have greater effect on the population level with regard to reduced cardiovascular and locomotor disease.     

Eating styles, overweight and obesity in young adult twins

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of eating styles with overweight and obesity in young adults, controlling for identical genetic background in monozygotic twins. DESIGN: Prospective twin cohort study. SETTING: Finland, 1991-2002. SUBJECTS: Two-hundred and thirty-three women and 2060 men from the FinnTwin16 study, aged 16 years at baseline (T1), and ranging from 22 to 27 years at the time of the nutritional assessment (T4). METHODS: Eating styles (Restrictive/overeating, health-conscious, snacking, emotional and externally induced), self-reported at T4, were contrasted with body mass indices (BMIs) at T1 and T4. RESULTS: At T4, obesity (BMI>or=30Kg/m(2)) was significantly cross-sectionally associated with restrictive eating, frequent snacks, eating in the evening, avoiding fatty foods and failure to maintain healthy eating patterns. These associations were independent of BMI at T1. Obese women self-reported more vulnerability to external eating cues and comfort eating than normal-weight women. However, in a multivariable model, only restrictive/overeating and health-conscious eating styles were significant correlates of obesity at T4, independent of gender and BMI at T1. When we controlled for genetic background restricting the analysis to the 39 female and 45 male monozygotic twin pairs discordant for obesity or overweight (BMI>or=25Kg/m(2)), restrictive/overeating eating style was still statistically significantly associated with excess weight. CONCLUSIONS: The eating styles of obese young adults differ from their normal-weight counterparts: restrictive eating, overeating and fewer healthy food choices are associated with obesity. Different eating styles may partially explain weight differences in individuals with identical genetic background.     

Association of obesity with anxiety, depression and emotional well-being: a community survey

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of obesity with anxiety, depression and emotional well-being (positive and negative affect) in three age groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Canberra and the neighbouring town of Queanbeyan, Australia, with a random sample from the electoral roll of 2,280 persons aged 20-24, 2,334 aged 40-44, and 2,305 aged 60-64. RESULTS: Self-reported height and weight were used to classify participants as underweight (body mass index of less than 18.5), acceptable weight (18.5 to less than 25), overweight (25 to less than 30) or obese (30 and over). Obesity in women was associated with more anxiety and depression symptoms and less positive affect, but there were only weak and inconsistent associations in men. When factors that might mediate any association were controlled (physical ill health, lack of physical activity, poorer social support, less education and financial problems), a different picture emerged, with the underweight women having more depression and negative affect and the obese and overweight women tending to have better mental health than the acceptable weight group. Controlling for physical ill health alone accounted for the association of obesity with anxiety and depression in women. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity has an association with anxiety, depression and lower well-being in women, but not in men. The results are consistent with physical ill health playing a mediating role. IMPLICATION: Reducing obesity in the population is unlikely to have any direct effect on mental health or emotional well-being.     

Body weight dissatisfaction by socioeconomic status among obese, preobese and normal weight women and men: results of the cross-sectional KORA Augsburg S4 population survey

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Body weight dissatisfaction is an important factor in preventing weight gain and promoting weight loss or maintenance. This study focuses on differences in the rates of body weight dissatisfaction among obese, preobese and normal weight women and men by socioeconomic status within a general adult population in Germany. METHODS: Data were analyzed from 4186 adults aged 25 to 74 who participated in a cross-sectional, representative population-based health survey (KORA S4, 1999-2001, Augsburg region/Germany). Body mass was measured anthropometrically and indexed following international standards. Among the 2123 women participating in the survey, 40.3% had a normal weight, 34.9% were preobese, and 24.8% were obese (compared to 25.9%, 51.4% and 22.6% among men, respectively). Body weight dissatisfaction, educational level, household income and occupational status were assessed by computer-aided personal interviewing. An index for socioeconomic status was calculated and categorized into quintiles. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to test for differences in the odds of body weight dissatisfaction across socioeconomic strata in normal weight, preobese and obese groups. Body mass index, age, family status, place of residence and health behaviors were adjusted for. RESULTS: Overall, being dissatisfied with one's body weight was more prevalent in women (48.3%) than in men (33.2%). In the normal weight group, no significant differences in the odds of being dissatisfied were found across socioeconomic groups among women or men. Among preobese men, compared to the lowest socioeconomic stratum, increased odds of being dissatisfied with one's body weight were associated with the highest socioeconomic index group (OR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.4-3.8), middle and high educational level (OR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3, and OR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.3-3.7), high income (OR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.2-2.7), and middle and high occupational status (both OR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.2-2.6). Among preobese women, the odds of being dissatisfied were only significantly elevated in those with a middle educational level (OR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3). Among obese men, elevated odds were found in the highest socioeconomic index group (OR=3.7, 95% CI: 1.8-7.5) and in those with a high educational level (OR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.3-4.1), high income (OR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.4-4.7), and middle and high occupational status (both OR=2.2, 95% CI: 1.3-3.6). The odds of dissatisfaction among obese women were not associated with socioeconomic status as a whole, but were associated with a high educational level, albeit with a comparatively large confidence interval (OR=3.6, 95% CI: 1.0-12.8). CONCLUSIONS: In Germany, body weight dissatisfaction is more prevalent among obese and preobese men in high socioeconomic status groups, a pattern not found in women. The exception to this is a greater prevalence of dissatisfaction among obese and preobese women with a high educational level (albeit inconsistently). Moreover, there is a social gradient in body weight dissatisfaction, especially in obese men, which may partly explain why obesity is more prevalent in men with low socioeconomic status. It also suggests that they are a target group for obesity care in which body weight satisfaction is an important topic.     

The significance of overweight and obesity for individual health behaviour: an economic analysis based on the Swedish surveys of living conditions 1980-81, 1988-89, and 1996-97

AIMS: The aim of the study was to examine whether being overweight (25or=30) affect subsequent individual health behaviour, applying the framework of the individual-as-producer-of-health model. METHODS: A set of panel data for 3,693 individuals interviewed repeatedly in 1980-81, 1988-89, and 1996-97 was created from the Swedish population-based biannual survey of living conditions. Self-assessed health was chosen as indicator of individual health capital and physical exercise as indicator of individual health investment. RESULTS: (a) Men and women who suffered from obesity invested significantly less in their health in terms of physical exercise and reported significantly lower self-assessed health than the general male and female population, respectively. (b) Men who suffered from overweight invested less in their health and reported significantly lower self-assessed health than the general population, whereas women who were overweight--but not obese--did not differ from the general population. (c) Men and women who went from being obese to being overweight reported self-assessed health levels that did not differ from the general male and female population, respectively, but exercised less than men and women in general.CONCLUSIONS: The results imply (a) that the individual weight history must be taken into account in studies of the effect of obesity and overweight on health and health-related behaviour and (b) that men and women differ concerning the impact of obesity and overweight on health and health investments.     

Associations between obesity and serum lipid-soluble micronutrients among premenopausal women

Elucidating potential pathways that micronutrients may reduce/promote chronic disease may contribute to our understanding of the underlying etiology of disease and their utility as markers of risk. In the current study, we examined associations of serum lipid-soluble micronutrients with body mass index (BMI). We hypothesized that obesity may differentially influence serum micronutrient levels, thereby affecting risk for chronic disease incidence and mortality. Baseline serum samples from 180 premenopausal women from a nutritional trial were analyzed for leptin, C-reactive protein, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, carotenoids, and tocopherols. Participants were stratified into normal-weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), and obese (≥30) subgroups by BMI (in kilograms per square meter). Differences in serum biomarkers among BMI subgroups were adjusted for Asian ethnicity and smoking status. As expected, obese individuals had significantly higher serum levels of leptin and C-reactive protein (Ps < .05) compared with normal-weight women. γ-Tocopherol levels were significantly higher in obese individuals (P < .05), whereas α-tocopherol levels did not differ among BMI subgroups. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and carotenoids (except lycopene) were significantly lower in obese than in normal-weight women (Ps < .05). The associations between BMI and carotenoids were independent of dietary intake. The obesity-associated reduction for total provitamin A carotenoids (45%) was approximately 3-fold greater than that observed for non–provitamin A carotenoids (16%). Our results indicate potential influences of obesity on serum levels of lipid-soluble micronutrients and suggest that metabolism of provitamin A carotenoids may contribute to the differences observed.     

Perilipin expression in human adipose tissues: effects of severe obesity,gender, and depot

OBJECTIVE: Perilipins are phosphoproteins that are localized to the surface of triacylglycerol droplets within adipocytes where they regulate the rate of lipolysis. We sought to determine the effects of severe obesity and depot [omental (Om) vs. subcutaneous (Sc)] on perilipin expression in the adipose tissue of individuals. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Samples of Om and Sc adipose tissues obtained at surgery from severely obese subjects and fat aspirations from nonobese subjects were analyzed for perilipin protein and mRNA levels by Northern and Western analysis. RESULTS: Perilipin A (periA) was the major perilipin expressed in adipose tissues. periA mRNA relative abundance was significantly lower in Sc adipose tissue from severely obese compared to that from nonobese subjects. Western blotting of adipose tissue extracts showed that periA protein levels expressed relative to tissue protein or fat cell surface area were significantly lower ( approximately -40%) in abdominal Sc adipose tissue from severely obese compared to that from nonobese subjects. However, the calculated mass of perilipin per fat cell did not differ between the two groups. Perilipin mRNA levels were higher in Sc compared to Om adipose tissue from obese individuals (p < 0.025; n = 26; 17 women, 9 men); however, periA protein levels did not differ. In addition, perilipin protein, but not mRNA, levels were higher in Sc adipose tissue from obese men than from women (p < 0.025). DISCUSSION: Variations in perilipin expression may contribute to the higher basal lipolytic rates observed in obese compared to nonobese individuals and in obese women compared to obese men.     

Lower fertility associated with obesity and underweight: the US National Longitudinal Survey of Youth

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesized that body weight predicts the number of children that a person will have: obese and underweight persons are hypothesized to have fewer children than do their normal-weight counterparts. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to prospectively examine the association between body weight in young adulthood and achieved fertility in later life. DESIGN: A representative national sample of 12 073 American young adults (aged 17-24 y in 1981) were followed through 2004 (19 survey waves of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth). RESULTS: Obese young women and men were less likely to have their first child by the age of 47 y than were their normal-weight counterparts [relative risk (RR) = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.78 in women; RR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.84 in men). Obesity also predicted a lower probability of having more than one child, particularly for women. These associations were partly explained by a lower probability that obese participants will marry. Underweight men were less likely to have the first, second, third, and fourth child than were normal-weight men (RRs = 0.75-0.88; 95% CIs: 0.61, 0.95). These associations were largely explained by the lower marriage probability of underweight men. Obese women and men and underweight men were less likely to have as many children in adulthood as they had desired as young adults. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity may be an important risk factor for lower fertility because of its social and possibly biological effect on reproductive behavior. Further data are needed to assess whether this association holds in more recent cohorts.     

Social class, family, and life-style factors associated with overweight and obesity among adults in Peruvian cities

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore social and behavioral factors associated with obesity in Peruvian cities. DESIGN: Between 1998 and 2000 health examination surveys were conducted among adults in 1176 families identified in six cities. Stratified by social class, multistaged random sampling was used. Using body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)(2)), men and women were classified into normal weight (BMI <25), overweight (BMI 25-29), or obese (BMI > or =30); abdominal circumference (> or =94 cm in men and > or =84 cm in women) further identified morbidity risk. Several demographic, social, and behavioral variables were collected following standardized procedures. RESULTS: Adjusting for age, 37% of women were categorized as normal weight, 40% overweight, and 23% obese; corresponding figures for men were 40, 44, and 16%. More developed cities, e.g., Lima, Arequipa, and Ica, had the largest prevalence of overweight and obesity for both men and women. Adjusted logistic models showed that BMI > or =25 was positively correlated with age; whereas, education was negatively associated, only among women. Other significant associated factors of overweight included city of residence, television viewing > or =4 h daily in women, and underestimation of body weight status. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed elevated rates of overweight across the income level spectrum. Factors such as urban development stage, income, education, and gender posed differential relationships with the risk of overweight and must be considered in designing future public health interventions. Underestimation of body weight status and sedentary behavior may also constitute specific areas of intervention.