Somatotype, nutrition, and obesity

The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the somatotype characteristics of the studied group and search for a relation between somatotype, obesity, and particular features of nutrition. METHODS: Somatotype after Health & Carter (1990), nutritional status according to Body mass index (BMI), and nutrition determined by food-frequency questionnaires. RESULTS: Over 94% of the subjects in this study were distributed into five somatotype categories: 51.6% endomorphic mesomorphs, 17.1% mesomorph-endomorphs, 16.7% mesomorphic endomorphs, 6.1% balanced mesomorphs, and 3.0% ectomorphic mesomorphs, with a pronounced sexual dimorphism. Males were distributed into five categories: over 65% were endomorphic mesomorphs, and above 40 years of age the mesomorphy increased. Females were distributed into three somatotype categories: up to and above 40 years of age over 44% were mesomorphic endomorphs. In the most common somatotype categories, 1 of 5 subjects (from 21.4% to 19.9%) had normal body mass (< 25 kg/m2), 4 of 5 subjects (from 34.2% to 52.6%) were overweight (> 25 kg/m2) or obese (> 30 kg/m2) kg/m2 (from 44.4% to 27.5%). In the remaining eight categories, all subjects had normal body mass. Hyperenergetic, sodium- and fat-excess nutrition had an especially unfavorable influence.     

Masculine somatotype and hirsuteness as determinants of sexual attractiveness to women

Five questionnaire studies asked women to rate the attractiveness of outline drawings of male figures that varied in somatotype, body proportions, symmetry, and in distribution of trunk hair. In Study 1, back-posed figures of mesomorphic (muscular) somatotypes were rated as most attractive, followed by average, ectomorphic (slim), and endomorphic (heavily built) figures by both British and Sri Lankan women. In Study 2, computer morphing of somatotypes to produce an intergraded series resulted in a graded response in terms of perceived attractiveness which mirrored the findings of Study 1. In Study 3, back-posed figures were manipulated in order to change waist-to-hip ratios (WHR) and waist-to-shoulder ratios (WSR). A WHR of 0.8–0.9 and a WSR of 0.6 were rated as most attractive and these effects were more pronounced when modeling mesomorphic figures. In Study 4, symmetric figures of a mesomorphic somatotype were rated as less attractive than a normal (asymmetric) version of the same man. Study 5 showed that presence of trunk hair had a marked, positive effect upon women's ratings of attractiveness for both mesomorphic and endomorphic male figures. Women also judged figures with trunk hair as being older and they consistently rated endomorphic figures as being older than mesomorphs. These results are consistent with effects of sexual selection upon visual signals that advertise health, physical prowess, age, and underlying endocrine condition in the human male.     

The effects of a reformer Pilates program on body composition and morphological characteristics in active women after a detraining period

ABSTRACT

The aim of this quasi-experimental pilot study was to explore the effects of a reformer Pilates program on the anthropometry, body composition, and somatotype of active adult women after a short non-exercise period. Twenty-eight women (mean age: 40.21 ± standard deviation of 8.12 years old) with one to three years of reformer Pilates experience participated in the study. The women participated in a reformer Pilates program for 16 weeks (one hour, twice per week) after 4 weeks of detraining (summer holidays) in 2012. The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry full profile was assessed before and after the intervention program. Significant decreases (p ≤ 0.05) from pre- to post-program were observed for triceps, iliac crest, supraspinale, abdominal, front thigh and medial calf skinfold thicknesses, six and eight skinfold thickness sums, forearm and ankle girths, waist/hip ratio, endomorphy, and fat mass. Significant increases (p ≤ .05) were observed for corrected arm, corrected calf girths, and muscle mass. Generally, women showed a mesomorphic endomorph (endomorphy predominant) and mesomorph–endomorph (endomorphy and mesomorphy predominant) in the pre- and posttests, respectively. In conclusion, the practice of reformer Pilates was associated with healthy changes in anthropometric parameters, body composition, and somatotype in Pilates-experienced women after 4 weeks of no physical exercise.     

Somatotyping of schizophrenic and affective disorder patients

INTRODUCTION: Constitutional traits have been found to show a distinct relevance to major psychiatric disorders. Syndromal modified expressivity is also closely related to somatotypic constitution. In this view somatotyping appears valuable in diagnosis and prognosis of mental disorders. AIM: The present study was conducted in an attempt to outline somatotypic characteristics of schizophrenia and affective disorders with the aim of providing a logical basis for diagnosis of these major psychiatric disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The somatotype of 54 schizophrenic and 68 affective disorder inpatients who fulfil the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia (subjects with schizophreniform, schizoaffective, schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders were excluded from the sample) and affective disorder (bipolar and unipolar) was assessed using the Health-Carter anthropometric method. RESULTS: The overall assessment of the somatotypes determined both groups as endomorphs mesomorphs with somatotype components 4.50-4.44-1.90 for schizophrenic patients and 5.87-5.40-0.36 for affective disorder patients. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant for any of the somatotype components. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the constitutional and somatotypic characterization appears reasonable element in the multifactorial analysis of diagnostic decisions in these major psychiatric disorders.     

Methodology for the objective measurement of body image

An apparatus for the objective measurement of the conscious aspects of body image is described. The method involves photographing subjects and scanning the photograph with a video camera. The subject adjusts a control that varies the image on a television monitor to give a representative continuum from endomorphy through mesomorphy to ectomorphy without distorting height. A permanent photographc record of the subject's judgment can be taken. A permanent graphic record of the accuracy of the judgment and of the judgment time can be registered by a pen recorder as impulses from the control are relayed as the subject adjusts the dial. Data on the body image of a group of 60 obese females, 25 hospitalized anorexics, and 50 controls are presented. Implications for therapy and further research are discussed.     

Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in a general population sample of 26,913 adults in the Greek EPIC study

BACKGROUND: Premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases could be prevented by the effective control of hypertension. Nationwide data for the status of hypertension in the adult Greek population are not available. METHODS: In the context of the Greek component of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition (EPIC), 26 913 volunteers, aged 20-86 years, were recruited from several regions of Greece. Blood pressure measurements were taken by trained physicians and standard interviewing procedures were used to record medical history, and socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics. The data were modelled through multiple regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension (based on two arterial blood pressure measurements on a single occasion) is 40.2% for men and 38.9% for women (age-adjusted to the adult Greek population of 2001). In the sample examined, awareness among hypertensives is 54.4%, pharmaceutical treatment among those aware is 83.9%, and effective control among hypertensives is 15.2%. Prevalence of hypertension increases with age and is higher in rural areas and among individuals of lower education. Awareness and control of hypertension is higher among older individuals, among women and among the highly educated. Moreover, awareness of hypertension is higher among rural residents, whereas control of hypertension is more effective among urban residents. CONCLUSIONS: In a large sample of the general Greek population, the prevalence of hypertension among men is lower than the average among the EU countries, whereas the corresponding prevalence among women is higher. Awareness and control of hypertension is lower in Greece than in other western countries, making them public health priorities.     

汉族儿童青少年体型遗传的双生子研究

目的分析遗传与环境因素对儿童青少年体型的影响,并探讨其中年龄和性别的作用。方法采用Heath-Carter法对376对6～18岁同性别汉族双生子（同卵双生子245对,异卵双生子131对）的体型三因子进行计算。调整另外两项体型因子后,用Mx软件拟合最佳模型,计算各体型因子的遗传与环境方差组分,分析年龄和性别的作用,并按体格突增分期估算不同发育期各因子的遗传度。结果校正年龄后,男生内、中、外三因子的遗传度分别为0．45,0．80,0．44;女生内、中、外三因子的遗传度分别为0．82,0．79,0．81;男生内因子的遗传度在青春期晚期明显高于前期（t=4．99,P〈0．01）和早期（t=6．16,P〈0．01）,外因子的遗传度在青春期晚期明显低于前期（t=3．35,P〈0．01）和早期（t=4．12,P〈0．01）;女生内因子（t=2．77,P〈0．01）、中因子（t=2．08,P〈0．05）的遗传度均为青春期前期明显高于早期。结论遗传因素对女生体型的影响明显高于男生,尤以内因子和外因子最为明显,男生中因子主要受遗传因素影响,内、外因子受环境因素影响较大。不同发育阶段对体型各因子遗传度的影响应引起重视。     

Coronary heart disease risk factors in a random sample of Athenian adults. The Athens Study

Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases not previously investigated in Greece were studied in a random sample of 4,097 Athenian adults. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased with age in both sexes. Similar findings were observed for mean serum total cholesterol up to age 50 years, but no significant changes were observed in older persons. Smoking was more common for men than for women and less common in those aged more than 50 years. Mean values of body mass index were higher for men than for women in those less than 45 years, but the opposite was observed for the older age groups. The age-adjusted prevalence rate of borderline hypertension was 10.1% for men and 9.1% for women and of stable hypertension (greater than 160/95 mmHg), 8.1% and 8.6%, respectively; the age-adjusted prevalence rate of obesity was 23.5% for men and 23.2% for women and of hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol greater than or equal to 260 mg/100 ml), 20.1% for men and 17.3% for women. The associations of age and systolic blood pressure and of age and diastolic blood pressure persisted even after controlling for body mass index, total cholesterol, and smoking. In the examined representative sample, the prevalence rates of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are the same or greater than those in industrialized countries.     

Prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the Guaraní-Mbyá population of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Social change has been involved in the unequal distribution patterns of chronic diseases in several populations. Among Indian communities experiencing life pattern changes, international studies have reported increased prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors. Such increased prevalence was ascertained in a survey conducted in 1999 in selected Guaraní-Mbyá communities (Sapukai, Paraty-Mirim, and Araponga) in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A population census was carried out and interviews and clinical and biochemical evaluations were conducted with 80 men and 71 women. Observed prevalence of selected risk factors in the overall sample, including men and women, was as follows for the three communities: hypertension (4.8%, 2.6%, 7.4%); overweight (26.7%, 19.5%, 34.8%); total cholesterol levels (2.8%, 2.7%, 2.9%), and increased triglyceride levels (12.6%, 9.5%, 15.9%). All prevalence rates were higher among women and at older ages. The results suggest that the Guaraní communities have a moderate risk of chronic diseases and that measures to reduce these risk factors should be adopted.     

Angina pectoris and myocardial infarction: sex differences in risk profile, prognosis and referral by family physician

OBJECTIVE: To detect possible sex differences in risk factors, referrals and prognosis after angina pectoris (AP) and myocardial infarction (MI). DESIGN: Retrospective. METHOD: From 4 general practices in/around Nijmegen, the Netherlands, patients were selected who in 1985-1989 had a first episode of AP or a first MI. Sex differences regarding risk factors, referrals and prognosis were studied by means of patients' files. RESULTS: There were 71 men and 55 women with AP and 97 men and 58 women with MI. Mean age in AP was 69.6 year in women and 63.6 year in men, mean ages in MI were 74.9 and 64.4 year, respectively. Women with MI more frequently suffered from hypertension, AP or CVA/transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Men with MI were referred more often to a specialist than women, but not sooner. Development of cardiovascular co-morbidity after AP and after recovery from a MI were the same for both sexes. Of all patients with a MI 36% suffered a sudden unexpected death, mostly women. CONCLUSION: Women with a first episode of AP and a MI were 6-10 years older than men. Women with a MI suffered more frequently from hypertension, AP and CVA/TIA. The prognosis after angina pectoris showed no sex differences. The prognosis after MI was worse in women than in men.     

上海市社区中老年居民慢性病患病调查

目的了解上海市长宁区社区中老年居民慢性病患病情况和分布特征。方法采用横断面现况调查,研究对象为上海市长宁区某街道40～74岁男性和40～70岁女性,分别于2003年和1998年完成了6 488名男性和8 511名女性的健康调查,根据上海市人口普查资料的年龄构成计算慢性病标化患病率,并采用χ2检验比较不同特征人群的慢性病患病率差异。结果男、女性慢性病中高血压患病率最高,标化患病率分别为28.0%、22.6%;分别有40.9%男性和36.5%女性患有高血压、冠心病、糖尿病、慢性阻塞性肺病和脑卒中5种主要慢性病中的一种;体质指数(BMI)≥24者,高血压和冠心病的患病率较高;经常吸烟、饮酒的男性,脑卒中、高血压和慢性阻塞性肺病的患病率较高,而吸烟、饮酒对女性慢性病的影响较小。结论不同特征人群慢性病患病率有一定差异,控制肥胖和戒烟是重要的干预措施。     

江汉区65岁及以上老年人慢性病患病状况调查

摘要:目的　了解江汉区65岁及以上老年人的慢性病患病状况,为制定有效防治措施提供依据。方法　对2014年5月-12月在江汉区13所社区卫生服务机构参加免费体检的15113名老年人进行问卷调查和体检。结果　江汉区65岁及以上老年人慢性病总患病率为75.63%,患病率排在前三位的依次是高血压（66.98%）、糖尿病（18.40%）和冠心病（8.31%）;女性的糖尿病、高脂血症患病率高于男性,而慢性支气管炎患病率低于男性。体重超重/肥胖者高血压（P＜0.01）、糖尿病（P＜0.01）、冠心病（P＜0.05） 的患病率明显高于体重正常者。高血压患者患糖尿病、冠心病、高脂血症和脑中风的风险增加（P＜0.01）。结论　江汉区老年人慢性病患病率较高,采取有效措施控制老年人体重和血压,对降低老年人心脑血管疾病患病率,提高生命质量具有重要的意义。     

Population prevalence and control of cardiovascular risk factors: What electronic medical records tell us

ObjectiveTo analyze the prevalence, control, and management of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2).DesignCross-sectional analysis of all individuals attended in the Catalan primary care centers between 2006 and 2009.LocationHistory of cardiovascular diseases, diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, DM2, lipid profile, glycemia and blood pressure data were extracted from electronic medical records. Age-standardized prevalence and levels of management and control were estimated.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 35–74 years using primary care databases.Main measuresA total of 2,174,515 individuals were included (mean age 52 years [SD 11], 47% men).ResultsHypertension was the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor (39% in women, 41% in men) followed by hypercholesterolemia (38% and 40%) and DM2 (12% and 16%), respectively. Diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were most often prescribed for hypertension control (<140/90 mmHg, achieved in 68% of men and 60% of women treated). Hypercholesterolemia was controlled (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <130 mg/dl) in just 31% of men and 26% of women with no history of cardiovascular disease, despite lipid-lowering treatment, primarily (90%) with statins. The percentage of women and men with DM2 and with glycated hemoglobin <7% was 64.7% and 59.2%, respectively; treatment was predominantly with oral hypoglycemic agents alone (70%), or combined with insulin (15%).ConclusionsHypertension was the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor in the Catalan population attended at primary care centers. About two thirds of individuals with hypertension or DM2 were adequately controlled; hypercholesterolemia control was particularly low.     

Prevalence of atherosclerosis-related risk factors and diseases in the Philippines

Background: We conducted a survey in 2008 to measure the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases and risk factors in Philippine adults.Methods: Stratified multistage sampling was used to cover the entire Philippine population of adults aged 20 years or older. Using health questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and blood examinations, the prevalences of atherosclerosis-related risk factors and diseases were determined. Survey results were compared with those obtained in 2003.Results: Out of 7700 eligible subjects, 64% to 93.7% responded to different survey items. Age-adjusted hypertension prevalence was 24.6% at a single visit and 20.6% when corrected for true prevalence. The prevalence of diabetes was 3.9% on the basis of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 5.2% by FBG and history, and 6.0% when 2-hour post-load plasma glucose level was determined. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 72.0% and the prevalence of smoking was 31%. The prevalence of obesity was 4.9% by body mass index (BMI), and 10.2% and 65.6% by waist-hip ratio (WHR) in men and women, respectively. The prevalences of coronary, cerebrovascular, and peripheral arterial diseases were 1.1%, 0.9%, and 1.0%, respectively.Conclusions: The prevalences of risk factors for atherosclerosis were higher in 2008 than in 2003, although the increase in diabetes was not significant and smoking decreased. These findings indicate a need for active collaborative intervention by all government agencies and medical societies in the Philippines.     

Body weight and the prevalence of chronic diseases.

The relation between body mass index and prevalence of 17 chronic diseases or groups of diseases was analysed using data from the 1983 Italian National Health Survey, based on a sample of 72,284 individuals aged 15 or over randomly selected within strata of geographical area, size of place of residence and of household in order to be representative of the whole Italian population. The prevalence of diabetes was directly and strongly related to body weight (age-adjusted relative risk estimates being 1.5 for overweight and 2.7 for obese men compared with normal weight individuals; 1.6 and 2.4 for overweight and obese women). Other conditions directly related to self-reported measures of body weight were hypertension (relative risk = 1.7 for obese men and 1.9 for women), myocardial infarction (relative risk = 1.5 for obese men, 1.6 for women), other heart diseases (relative risk = 1.7 for obese men, 1.5 for women), haemorrhoids or varices (relative risk = 1.2 for obese men, 1.5 for women), cholelithiasis (relative risk = 1.2 for obese men, 1.4 for women), urolithiasis and arthritis. Chronic respiratory disorders showed a U-shaped relation to measures of body weight, since their prevalence was elevated in both under- and over-weight individuals. Anaemias and gastroduodenal ulcer showed an inverse relation to body weight, whereas no association was apparent with allergy, liver cirrhosis, and psychiatric or neurological disorders. Allowance for the two major identified covariates (education and smoking) failed to explain the observed variations between measures of body weight and disease, while separate inspection of various strata of age indicated that for most diseases the elevated risks of obesity were higher in younger and decrease steadily with advancing age. Thus, the results of this national survey indicate that overweight has a widespread and substantial impact not only on mortality but also on morbidity from different chronic conditions.     

Trends in der Arzneimittelversorgung von Männern

Over the past few years, perceptible changes – both fundamental and specific – have taken place in pharmaceutical care for men. While the most striking difference persists, namely that between somatic drug therapies for men and drugs for the treatment of psychological disorders and diseases, the large discrepancies that long existed between the quantities prescribed for men and women have meanwhile not only evened out, but men are even prescribed larger quantities than women if they undergo drug therapy. An analysis of the drugs prescribed particularly for men revealed that they are primarily prescribed for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and cardiac insufficiency) and metabolic disorders (diabetes, gout), especially in elderly patients. The evaluation also showed that the drugs prescribed most frequently for younger men also included psychostimulants and antidepressants, such as SSRIs, for diagnoses of ADHD and depression.     

Chronic diseases and dietary changes in relation to Korean Americans' length of residence in the United States

BACKGROUND: National health in the United States is influenced by the dietary norms brought into the country by an increasing number of immigrants. OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study aimed to document dietary changes and disease prevalence in relation to the length of residence in the United States for Korean Americans in Michigan. DESIGN: Of 1,860 questionnaires mailed out, 637 (34.3%) were returned with respondent-reported information, including demographics, weight and height, chronic diseases, and dietary patterns. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Included in the final analyses were 497 first-generation Korean-American immigrants (263 men, 234 women, aged 30 to 87 years). STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Analysis of covariance with the Tukey test and logistic regression models provided sex-specific analysis of dietary changes and disease patterns. All statistical analyses were adjusted for age. RESULTS: Chronic diseases reported most frequently by men and women, respectively, were hypertension, digestive diseases, arthritis, and diabetes. Length of residence in the United States (or=26 years) was inversely associated with the prevalence of digestive diseases in men (P=0.017) and women (P=0.001), and positively with respiratory diseases in men and thyroid disease in women (P<0.05). Length of residence in the United States was inversely associated with intake of rice/rice dishes in both men (servings per week, P<0.001) and women (P=0.012). The prevalence of digestive diseases associated inversely with length of residence and positively with servings of rice/rice dishes consumed for Korean-American men. The age-adjusted odds ratio for digestive diseases was highest among men who had the shortest length of residence in the United States (2 servings per day) (odds ratio 12.10; P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Dietary changes of Korean-American immigrants in the United States over time were associated with changes in their chronic disease patterns. These findings may help food and nutrition professionals who work with minority immigrants because they identify factors that affect changes in dietary patterns and work toward preventing diet-related diseases. Prospective studies could address underlying mechanisms of the observed diet-disease relationship with subsequent generations of Korean Americans, as well as various ethnic minority immigrants in the United States.     

社区老年脑卒中人群共病现况分析

目的 分析天津市中北镇社区60岁及以上老年人群脑卒中共病现况,为脑卒中防治提供依据。方法 回顾性分析2017年1—12月于天津市中北镇社区卫生服务中心进行体检的60岁及以上人群的数据,分析脑卒中人群共病特点。结果 本研究调查11 574名老年人,脑卒中患病率为4.2%。脑卒中人群共病患病率为94.5%,女性共病患病率（97.1%）高于男性共病患病率（92.7%）,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.001）。脑卒中人群2种共病患病率最高（34.3%）,其共病模式中高血压+肥胖最多（23.2%）,男性与女性最常见的共病模式分别是高血压+贫血（24.0%）、高血压+肥胖（23.5%）。2种共病间相关性分析显示,高血压与肥胖、贫血、脂肪肝相关,肥胖与糖尿病、贫血、脂肪肝相关,贫血与糖尿病相关（P均＜0.05）。结论 天津市中北镇社区老年脑卒中人群共病患病率高,应重视脑卒中共病的管理,并根据不同性别、年龄对脑卒中共病进行有针对性的干预与防治。     

Cross-sectional study of diet and risk factors for metabolic diseases in a Ghanaian population in Sydney,Australia

Ethnic groups in affluent environments experience higher rates of metabolic diseases than their native counterparts. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of metabolic risk factors in Ghanaians in Sydney, and to investigate the relationship with dietary and lifestyle factors. Cross-sectional design with anthropometry, blood pressure, plasma lipids, glucose and insulin concentrations were measured on two occasions on each subject. Dietary information was obtained by three 24-h dietary recalls. Adults (45 male, 35 female) were recruited from a local association in Sydney, Australia. Overweight was observed in a large proportion of subjects (71% and 66% of men and women, respectively), with 18% of men and 26% of women classified as obese. Abdominal overweight was seen in 63% and 74% of men and women, respectively. Abdominal obesity was seen in 20% of men and 49% of women. Hypertension was detected in 40% of men and 17% of women, 16% of men and 6% of women were diagnosed with definite hypertension. Seventy-one per cent of men and 29% of women were classified as hypercholesterolaemic and 67% of men and 23% of women had elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In men, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hypertriacylglycerolaemia affected 18% and 13%, respectively. Fasting hyperinsulinaemia was observed in 14% and 9% of men and women, respectively. The majority of subjects (73%) sustained one or more metabolic risk factors. Dietary fat contributed 33% and 35% of total energy intake in men and women, respectively, saturated fat contributing 11% in both sexes. A high prevalence of overweight, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia exists in this population, particularly in men, highlighting the need for intervention.