Genetic obestiy: estrogenic influences on the body weight and food intake of lean and obese adult Zucker (fa/fa) rats

The effects of chronic estrogen withdrawal and subsequent hormone replacement on the feeding and body weight of adult lean and genetically obese Zucker rats were investigated. Following confirmation of a delay in the vaginal canalization of the fatty rat, subgroups of each genotype received either ovariectomy or sham surgery (Experiment 1). One hundred days later all subjects were injected subcutaneously (SC) with 1.0 microgram of estradiol benzoate (EB) daily for 16 treatment days (Experiment 2A). A second series of daily 2.0 microgram EB injections was administered intraperitoneally (IP) for 1 week (Experiment 2B). The first experiment revealed that ovariectomy produced overeating and similar weight gains in both genotypes. In the second experiment, SC hormone treatment completely reversed ovarian obesity in lean animals but failed to alter the food intake or weight gain of fatty rats. IP administration of EB depressed the feeding of fatty and lean animals to a comparable degree but a reduction in weight gain was observed only in the lean rats. These findings are discussed in light of current theories of estrogenic modulation of energy balance.     

振动减肥中腹壁脂肪的超声检测与力学特征

本文是在研究振动对生物体内物质的耗散作用的基础上，试图利用振动对动物腹壁脂肪进行减脂的探索。通过实验，证实了利用趋声作为手段，可以对动物体内的腹壁脂肪作无创伤活体测量，其误差仅在１０％左右。使用振动对脂肪块得出了疲劳曲线和振动在生物体内传播的衰减曲线。对新鲜离体脂肪块所作振动模拟实验，证明在所使用的频率和振幅的振动作用下，能够迅速使脂肪的厚度消减，根据初步观察，在振动过程中有甘油从脂肪块中溢出，其消减体积的百分之八十为甘油成份，可以认为振动能促使脂肪细胞膜破裂或促使脂肪细胞内的脂滴水解，因此振动有可能成为减肥治疗方案中的一个重要措施。     

Disruption of diurnal feeding and weight gain cycles in weanling rats by ventromedial and dorsomedial hypothalamic lesions

At the age of 28 days, male Sprague-Dawley rats received bilateral electrolytic lesions in the ventromedial (VMN) and dorsomedial (DMN) hypothalamic nuclei, repectively. Sham-operated rats served as controls. Food intake and body weight gains were measured for 13 days at the beginning of the light period (0800–2000 hr) and prior to the start of the dark period (2000-0800 hr). Both types of hypothalamic lesions caused a disruption of the naturally occurring diurnal feeding and weight gaining cycles. In accordance with previous data, the VMN rats remained normophagic and made normal weight gains while DMN animals were hypophagic and gained weight subnormally; linear growth was reduced in both types of lesioned animals, but only the VMN rats became obese. The data suggest the existence in the medial hypothalamus of an area that is involved in feeding and weight gaining cycles. From the standpoint of overall-caloric intake, this area consists of two types of neuronal assemblies that differ fuctionally as profoundly as they are anatomically separate.     

Effect of exercise on Hepatic cholesterof of rats fed diets high in saturated or unsaturated fats

Summary Rats have been fed diets containing 24.2% coconut or corn oil or an equal mixture of each for 14–18 weeks. Half of the animals in each dietary group were exercised by running in motor-driven work wheels throughout the entire experimental period. During the final 10–14 weeks, these exercised animals ran continuously for 60 min at 1.0 mph or faster each day. Comparisons between sedentary groups revealed that hepatic cholesterol and excretion of digitonin precipitated sterols in the feces increased (P < 0.01) as the per cent of unsaturated fat (corn oil) in the ingested food increased. In contrast, total liver lipid decreased (P < 0.01) as the consumption of corn oil increased. No change in plasma cholesterol occurred in the sedentary rats in response to the three diets. Hepatic cholesterol of the exercised groups was significantly less (P < 0.05–P < 0.01) than that of their respective control groups (same diet). However, the group fed the corn oil diet had a significantly higher (P < 0.01) liver cholesterol after exercise than did the exercised group fed the coconut oil diet. Liver lipid was reduced (P < 0.01) by exercise in the corn oil and mixed corn-coconut oil fed groups. Plasma cholesterol and sterol excretion were unchanged by the exercise program.This investigation supported by Research Grant HE 08262 from the National Heart Institute, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Public Health Service.     

Cardiorespiratory and thermal effects of wearing gas protective clothing

Summary Six healthy men aged 25 to 37 walked on a treadmill at work levels of 21 and 41% of their for 25 to 30 min wearing gas protective clothing (GPC) consisting of an impermeable suit with a self-contained breathing apparatus (total weight 25 kg) or shorts (control tests, CT) in a temperate environment (t _a 24.3°C ± 1.0°C, rh 30–50%). When the GPC was worn at 21 and 41% , the most prominent increases, compared with the CT, were noted in the heart rate ( ± SE, 120 ± 5 vs 76 ± 3 beats min^–1 and 171 ± 5 vs 103 ± 3 beats min^–1), mean skin temperature (36.1 ± 0.2 vs 31.3° C ± 0.1°C and 36.9 ± 0.3 vs 30.9°C ± 0.4°C) and sweat rate (473 ± 51 vs 70 ± 23 g m^–2 h^–1 and 766 ± 81 vs 135 ± 18 g m^–2 h^–1) indicating a high cardiovascular and thermoregulatory strain, which was not decreased by ventilating the suit with an air flow of 281 min^–1 at 41% . The ventilation, oxygen consumption and production of carbon dioxide increased in relation to the extra weight of the GPC, partly dependent on the dynamic work level. It was concluded that the increase in the physiological load caused by the GPC was so high that the work-rest regimens, workers' level of physical fitness, cardiovascular health and heat tolerance should be considered whenever gas protective clothing is used.     

Determinants of attrition in a pediatric healthy lifestyle intervention: The CIRCUIT program experience

IntroductionAttrition in pediatric weight management programs is notoriously high. Greater understanding of its determinants is needed to inform retention strategies. We identified determinants of attrition in CIRCUIT, a healthy lifestyle intervention program for youth at risk of cardiovascular disease.MethodsA one-arm intervention study of children aged 4-18 years who initiated the CIRCUIT program in the first five years of its existence (N = 403). We defined attrition as attending the baseline visit but ceasing attendance prior to the 1-year follow-up. Potential determinants of dropout included the child’s age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI) z-score, family socio-demographic characteristics, and estimated driving time to the program, all measured at baseline. Associations were estimated bivariately, using chi-squared- and t-tests, and simultaneously in a multivariable logistic regression model.ResultsOf the 403 participants who started the program, 198 (49%) dropped out within 12 months of enrollment. Youth who dropped out were older (mean age 12.8y vs. 11.3y; p < 0.01), were less likely to live with both parents (62% vs. 71%; p = 0.05), and to have mothers who had completed high school (79% vs. 88%; p = 0.01). No group differences were observed for sex, ethnicity, baseline BMI z-score, fathers’ education, or driving time to the program. In multivariate models, only older age at initiation of the intervention (OR: 1.2; CI: 1.1,1.3) and lower maternal education (OR: 2.0; CI: 1.0,3.8) were associated with dropout.ConclusionImproved tailoring of interventions to older pediatric participants and to families of lower maternal education may help reduce attrition in CIRCUIT and similar lifestyle intervention programs.     

Effectiveness to promote weight loss maintenance and healthy lifestyle habits of a group educational intervention program in adults with obesity: IGOBE program

BackgroundTo achieve sustainable weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes is a huge challenge in the fight against obesity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness to promote weight loss maintenance and healthy lifestyle habits of a group educational intervention program, Group Intervention in OBEsity (IGOBE), compared with a usual care therapy to lose weight.MethodsPatients with obesity (n = 437; 18.5% men, 18–77 years and 40.4 ± 6.7 kg/m²) were randomised into two groups to follow a prospective interventional real-life study: a control group (CG), treated with usual clinical practice, and an intervention group (IG), in which the patients participate in a group intervention program on healthy lifestyle habits with weekly sessions for six weeks, after which a re-evaluation was made at six months and at 12 months of follow-up. After finishing the study dropout rates were 44.6% in CG and 43.4% in IG. Anthropometric, dietetic habits and body composition data were analysed in both groups at the pre-intervention and post-interventions of the subjects by completer’s analysis.ResultsAt 12 months of following IGOBE program, the IG achieved greater weight loss (–7.1% of the initial weight) than the CG, which exhibited a weight gain (3.0% of the initial weight). The body weight change induced in the IG was accompanied by a reduction in fat mass, particularly visceral fat and waist circumference. Relevantly, the IG adhered to a healthy dietary pattern and changed its eating habits, which correlated with the improvement in body weight.ConclusionsIntensive educational group treatment that induces a change of eating habits and adherence to healthy dietary pattern is more effective in a long-term to counteract obesity traits than a standard treatment performed individually. The IGOBE program could be a cost-effective practice in the clinical management of obesity.     

矮小儿童骨龄骨密度值与年龄身高体重的相关性

目的研究矮小儿童的骨龄、骨密度值与年龄、身高、体重的相关性。方法选取2016年1月至2018年10月于广州市越秀区妇幼保健院进行咨询与治疗的64例矮小儿童作为研究对象,记录入组儿童的年龄、性别、身高以及体重等一般资料,同时检测入组儿童的超声骨密度,并通过腕骨平片评估其骨龄,分析不同骨龄、骨密度值与年龄、身高、体重的关系。结果入组儿童的实际年龄与骨密度、骨龄呈正相关(男童r=0.658、0.919,女童r=0.641、0.906);入组儿童的身高与骨密度、骨龄呈正相关(男童r=0.561、0.326,女童r=0.586、0.349);入组儿童的体重与骨密度、骨龄呈正相关(男童r=0.340、0.314,女童r=0.395、0.282)。结论矮小儿童的骨龄、骨密度值与其年龄、身高、体重均呈正相关关系,在临床诊断和治疗中,利用骨龄及骨密度进行指导,能够产生较为显著的效果,可以为矮小儿童的评估和预测提供更加科学的指标。     

Parental experiences of adopting healthy lifestyles for children with disabilities living with overweight and obesity

BackgroundChildren with disabilities present with high obesity rates.ObjectiveThis study explored the parental experience of adopting healthy lifestyle choices, for children with disabilities, who received dietetic weight management advice.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were carried out with eight parents/carers in their own homes or healthcare setting in an inner London locality, or by telephone. Data was analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach.ResultsFive superordinate themes emerged: 1. Strategies to promote healthy lifestyles: encouraging physical activity, limiting access to food and taking a gradual approach to making lifestyle changes. 2. Challenges to adopting healthy lifestyles: selective eating patterns, the high cost of healthy foods and parental/carer lack of time. 3. The role of healthcare professionals (HCPs): revealed that not all parents/carers received advice or support, prior to dietetic referral, when managing their child's weight. Feeling reassured by HCPs was valued. Parents/carers reported a positive experience of seeing the dietitian, as they appreciated receiving practical and individualized advice. 4. Support needs: family support and support from families with children with disabilities was explored. 5. Parent/carer wellbeing: such as stress was found to have a detrimental impact on parents making healthy lifestyle changes.ConclusionsAdopting a healthy lifestyle involved a variety of strategies and challenges, some of which are specific to this population group and should be considered by HCPs, when having weight-related discussions and offering advice. Parental/carer support needs and wellbeing should also be taken into consideration when planning weight management services for this population group.     

Changes in Cardiometabolic Risk Among Older Adults with Obesity: An Ancillary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating Exercise Plus Weight Maintenance and Exercise Plus Intentional Weight Loss by Caloric Restriction

BackgroundObesity imposes risk to cardiometabolic health; however, intentional weight loss among older adults with obesity remains controversial.ObjectiveTo explore the influence of exercise plus weight maintenance and exercise plus intentional weight loss by caloric restriction on changes in cardiometabolic risk among older adults with obesity assessed by four risk-scoring tools.DesignUsing longitudinal data from the Calorie Restriction and Changes in Body Composition, Disease, Function, and Quality of Life in Older Adults study (CROSSROADS) (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00955903; May 2009 to October 2014), scores were calculated using baseline and 12-month data according to criteria from the International Diabetes Federation, National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel, Framingham Risk Score, and Cardiometabolic Disease Staging.Participants and settingParticipants (39% men, 23% African American, aged 70.2 ± 4.7 years) were randomized to exercise (n = 48), exercise plus nutrient-dense weight maintenance diet (n = 44), or exercise plus weight loss by moderate caloric restriction (n = 42).Main outcome measuresTo evaluate effects of exercise plus weight maintenance and exercise plus intentional weight loss on changes in cardiometabolic risk.Statistical analyses performedGeneralized estimating equations were used to assess changes in risk with ethnicity, biological sex, and age as covariates.ResultsGroup-time interaction was only significant for Framingham and Cardiometabolic Disease Staging (P = 0.005 and 0.041, respectively). Upon post hoc analysis, significant within-group improvements in Framingham scores were observed for exercise plus weight maintenance (P < 0.001; r = –1.682) and exercise plus weight loss (P = 0.020; r = –0.881). In analysis of between-group differences in Framingham scores, significant decreases were observed in the exercise plus weight maintenance group (P = 0.001; r = –1.723) compared with the exercise group. For Cardiometabolic Disease Staging, the exercise plus weight loss group had significant within-group improvements (P = 0.023; r = –0.102). For between-group differences in Cardiometabolic Disease Staging, the exercise plus weight loss group showed significant risk reduction (P = 0.012; r = –0.142) compared with the exercise group.ConclusionsAmong risk scores evaluated, Framingham and Cardiometabolic Disease Staging showed significantly greater sensitivity to change in cardiometabolic risk. Older adults with obesity can significantly lower cardiometabolic risk through exercise plus weight maintenance or exercise plus weight loss by moderate caloric restriction.