A further note on the sampling device for the anti-mutagenicity of saliva

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the anti-mutagenicity of Salivette and test-tube sampling saliva. In addition, the relation between the inhibiting and pH-buffering capacities of saliva was investigated. Methods Subjects were 52 healthy female university students. The collection of saliva samples was carried out using 2 sampling devices; test-tube and Salivette. The anti-mutegenicity of the saliva was measured using the umu test. Results The inhibiting capacity of Salivette-saliva was significantly lower compared with that of testube-saliva (p<0.01,t test). However, there was a significant correlation between them (r=0.35; p<0.05). In addition, there was a significant correlation between the inhibiting and pH-buffering capacities of saliva (r=−0.36; p<0.05). Conclusions These findings suggest that both the Salivette and the test-tube may be appropriate as saliva-sampling devices. In addition, they suggest that the bicarbonates might inhibit the anti-mutagenicity of saliva, or that the activity of substances related to the anti-mutagenicity of saliva might be dependent on pH.     

Daily lifestyles and anti-mutagenicity of saliva

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between lifestyle and the antimutagenicity of saliva. Methods Subjects were 52 healthy female university students. The collection of the saliva samples and the lifestyle measurements were carried out for them. The anti-mutagenicity of the saliva was measured using the umu test. Results With regard to the lifestyle items, only “nutrient balance” tended to contribute positively to the inhibiting capacity of the saliva on the mutagenicity of AF-2. In addition, there was a significant inverse correlation between the score of 7 other items and the inhibiting capacity of the saliva (r=−0.32; p<0.05). We also found a significant relation between their tea and/or coffee consumption and the inhibiting capacity of the saliva. Conclusions These findings suggest that the inhibiting capacity of saliva worked to decrease mutagen levels that were enhanced by poor lifestyle. In addition, “nutrient balance” may contribute to the inhibiting capacity of the saliva independent of 7 other items. With regard to the tea and/or coffee consumption. further studies should be carried out.     

Beneficial effect of tomato juice drinking on anti-mutagenicity of saliva

Objectives  The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of tomato juice drinking on the antimutagenicity of saliva. Methods  Subjects were 22 healthy male university students. They were divided into tomato group and control group. The tomato group drank tomato juice for 10 days. The anti-mutagenicity of saliva was measured using the umu test. Results  In the tomato group, there was a significant increase in the inhibiting capacity of saliva on the mutagenicity of AF-2 after tomato juice drinking for 10 days. This increase was, however, temporary. In the control group, there was no such change in the inhibiting capacity of saliva. Conclusions  These findings suggest the significant effect of tomato juice drinking on the anti-mutagenicity of saliva. In addition, lycopene may have played an important role in its mechanism.     

The effect of the weight reduction on the salivary cortisol levels of judo players

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of weight reduction prior to a competition on the salivary cortisol level for first-rate judo players. Subjects were divided into three groups by the weight reduction rate. On the day before the competition, the cortisol levels of the low- and high-weight reduction group showed a tendency to decrease and were significantly lower than that of the non-weight reduction group (p<0.05). However, with regard to the change in the stress indices, there was a difference between the high- and low-weight reduction groups. In the high-weight reduction group alone, there was a significant increase in the stress indices on the day before the competition (p<0.05). These findings suggest that the HPA axis is affected during the relatively early stage of weight reduction and mental stress is increased at the higher weight reduction rate.     

Effect of morbidity during pregnancy on birth weight in a rural guatemalan population

The high prevalence of low birth weight (≤ 2.5 Kg) babies is a major public health problem in many poor communities. Studies in humans suggest that malnutrition during pregnancy is an important factor in accounting for this problem, but almost no information is available about the effect of common maternal diseases during pregnancy. This paper reports the effects of maternal morbidity during pregnancy on birth weight in four rural villages of Guatemala. Maternal morbidity, assessed through fortnightly interviews during pregnancy, showed a consistent inverse association with birth weight (r = —0.149, n = 344, p<0.01). In each village, the proportion of low birth weight babies born to mothers who were ill more than 10 percent of their pregnancy was consistently higher than the proportion of babies born to mothers who were sick 10 percent (or less) of their pregnancy (p<0.01). The relationship between the proportion of time ill and birth weight was basically unchanged (r = —0.182, n = 334, p<0.01) after controlling for maternal height, head circumference, parity, gestational age, socioeconomic status, home energy intake, energy supplementation during pregnancy and number of days surveyed during pregnancy. Moreover, a similar association was found in consecutive pregnancies of the same mother (r = —0.197, n = 50, p = 0.16). It was concluded that maternal morbidity during pregnancy caused a decrease in birth weight.

In addition, an inverse association was observed between the proportion of time ill during pregnancy and home energy intake (r = —0.254, n = 334, p<0.01). However, the amount of birth weight variance explained by morbidity during pregnancy did not decrease significantly after statistically controlling for home energy intake. Therefore, either the diet measurement is imprecise or the decrease in energy intake observed during illness was not an important mechanism.     

Serum leptin levels and their association with several factors related to arteriosclerosis among medical students in Japan

The association between serum leptin levels and several factors related to arteriosclerosis were studied in subjects who were Japanese medical students taking no medications. The group was comprised of 75 males and 35 females. The age distribution in males was 21.4 to 29.8 years (median age, 24.0 years) and in females was 21.3 to 29.9 years (median age, 22.9 years). Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and Spearman correlation. Median levels of serum leptin were 3.3 ng/ml in males and 7.6 ng/ml in females. The largest correlation observed was widi percent body fat irrespective of sex [males; r=0.775, p<0.001, females; r=0.553, p<0.001]. However, body mass index (BMI) was similarly well correlated with serum leptin [r=0.631, p<0.001] in males but not in females [r=0.305, p=0.075]. A negative correlation was observed between high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and leptin in both sexes [males; r=-0.298, p<0.01, females; r=-0.363, p<0.05] .respectively. Percent body fat, BMI, diastolic blood pressure, apolipoprotein B, and HDL-C were the most significant factors in males. Percentage of body fat and HDL-C were the most important factors in females.     

Measurements of daily energy intake and total energy expenditure in people with dementia in care homes: The use of wearable technology

Objective

To estimate daily total energy expenditure (TEE) using a physical activity monitor, combined with dietary assessment of energy intake to assess the relationship between daily energy expenditure and patterns of activity with energy intake in people with dementia living in care homes.

Design and setting

A cross-sectional study in care homes in the UK.

Participants

Twenty residents with confirmed dementia diagnosis were recruited from two care homes that specialised in dementia care.

Measurements

A physical activity monitor (Sensewear? Armband, Body Media, Pittsburgh, PA) was employed to objectively determine total energy expenditure, sleep duration and physical activity. The armband was placed around the left upper triceps for up to 7 days. Energy intake was determined by weighing all food and drink items over 4 days (3 weekdays and 1 weekend day) including measurements of food wastage.

Results

The mean age was 78.7 (SD ± 11.8) years, Body Mass Index (BMI) 23.0 (SD ± 4.2) kg/m²; 50% were women. Energy intake (mean 7.4; SD ± 2.6) MJ/d) was correlated with TEE (mean 7.6; SD ± 1.8 MJ/d; r=0.49, p<0.05). Duration of sleeping ranged from 0.4-12.5 (mean 6.1) hrs/d and time spent lying down was 1.3-16.0 (8.3) hrs/d. On average residents spent 17.9 (6.3-23.4) hrs/d undertaking sedentary activity. TEE was correlated with BMI (r=0.52, p<0.05) and body weight (r=0.81, p<0.001) but inversely related to sleep duration (r=-0.59, p<0.01) and time lying down (r=-0.62, p<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that after taking BMI, sleep duration and time spent lying down into account, TEE was no longer correlated with energy intake.

Conclusions

The results show the extent to which body mass, variable activity and sleep patterns may be contributing to TEE and together with reduced energy intake, energy requirements were not satisfied. Thus wearable technology has the potential to offer realtime monitoring to provide appropriate nutrition management that is more person-centred to prevent weight loss in dementia.

     

Serum nutritional status of tocopherol and retinol normalized to lipids of persons living in the southern rural Terai region in Nepal

Objective  The present study examined the levels of serum α-Tocopherol (Toc), retinol (Ret), cholesterol (Chol) and triglycerides (TG), and their correlations in the sera of people in Nepal. Methods  The survey was conducted on the general populace in the agricultural Terai region in southern Nepal. The study population consisted of 93 males and 83 females aged 10–68 years. Serum Toc and Ret were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results  No significant differences were observed between the genders for the average of total Chol (T-Chol) (140 and 145 mg/100 ml, respectively), HDL-C (45 and 47 mg/100 ml), LDL-C (94 and 97 mg/100 ml), and TG (106 and 110 mg/100 ml), and the ratio of LDL/HDL (2.16). The levels of mean Toc (4.32 and 4.27 μg/ml) were about the same for both genders, while the mean Ret levels were significantly higher for males (624 ng/ml) than for females (535 ng/ml) (p<0.001). A direct relationship was found between the levels of Toc and Ret (r=0.46, p<0.001 and r=0.28, p<0.05 for males and females, respectively). Serum levels of Toc and Ret were positively related to the levels of Chol (r=0.48 and r=0.58, p<0.001 for males and r=0.49, p<0.01 and r-0.28, p<0.05 for females, respectively). The ratio of Toc/TG normalized to serum TG was directly correlated to the ratio of Ret/TG (r=0.79 for males, and r=0.72 for females, p<0.001, respectively) and the ratios of Toc/TG and Ret/TG were negatively related to the LDL/HDL levels (r=−0.49 and r=−0.43, for males, and r=−0.46 and r=−0.57 for females, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion  The levels of Toc and Ret were low in the sera of people living in the southern rural Terai region in Nepal, and it was found that lower levels of Toc and Ret normalized to TG increased the ratio of LDL/HDL. These results suggest that greater intake of foods rich in Toc and Ret should be encouraged to reduce the erisk of coronary heart disease.     

Dietary selenium and fecal mutagenicity in young men

Fecal mutagenicity, as a possible tool to evaluate risk for colon cancer, was measured in six healthy volunteers (24–33 yr) who consumed diets low in Se (19–24 μg/day) for 45 days followed by 24 days of a selenium repletion diet (203–224 μg/day). Samples were collected at the beginning of the dietary experiment, at the end of the Se-depletion period and at the end of the Se-repletion period. Mutagenic activity with S. typhimurium TA100 and TA98 did not vary significantly among samples taken after the two diet periods. Mutagenicity with TA98 was higher at the beginning of the dietary experiment than at the end of Se-depletion (p<0.01) and at the end of Se-repletion (p<0.1). This effect might be due to the change of the subjects from their habitual diet to the experimental liquid formula diet. Since fecal mutagenicity with both tester strains was the same after the Se-depletion and Se-repletion periods, Se does not appear to be a dominant factor for determining fecal mutagenicity under these experimental conditions.     

Effect of smoking status on total energy expenditure

Background

Omentin-1 is a novel adipokine expressed in visceral adipose tissue and negatively associated with insulin resistance and obesity. We aimed to study the effects of weight loss-induced improved insulin sensitivity on circulating omentin concentrations.

Methods

Circulating omentin-1 (ELISA) concentration in association with metabolic variables was measured in 35 obese subjects (18 men, 17 women) before and after hypocaloric weight loss.

Results

Baseline circulating omentin-1 concentrations correlated negatively with BMI (r = -0.58, p < 0.001), body weight (r = -0.35, p = 0.045), fat mass (r = -0.67, p < 0.001), circulating leptin (r = -0.7, p < 0.001) and fasting insulin (r = -0.37, p = 0.03). Circulating omentin-1 concentration increased significantly after weight loss (from 44.9 ± 9.02 to 53.41 ± 8.8 ng/ml, p < 0.001). This increase in circulating omentin after weight loss was associated with improved insulin sensitivity (negatively associated with HOMA value and fasting insulin, r = -0.42, p = 0.02 and r = -0.45, p = 0.01, respectively) and decreased BMI (r = -0.54, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

As previously described with adiponectin, circulating omentin-1 concentrations increase after weight loss-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity.     

Body mass index and chronic energy deficiency among adult male Lodhas and Bhumijs: A comparison with other tribal populations of West Bengal,India

Aim To report the anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status of adult male Lodha and Bhumij, two tribes of the Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal. Subjects and Methods A total of 157 Lodha and 161 Bhumij adult (>18 years) men from four villages located near Kharagpur town in Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal was investigated. Height and weight were recorded and the body mass index (BMI) computed using the standard equation. Nutritional status was evaluated using internationally accepted BMI guidelines. The public health problem of low BMI in these populations was classified according to the World Health Organization criteria. Results Lodha males had significantly higher mean height (p<0.01), weight (p<0.001) and BMI (p<0.01) compared with Bhumijs. Both Lodha (45.2%) as well as Bhumij (48.4%) males had similar high rates of chronic energy deficiency CED. According to the WHO classification of the public health problem of low BMI, the prevalence of CED was very high (≥40%) in both these groups, indicating a serious situation. Conclusion Since the nutritional status of these two populations was unsatisfactory, immediate public health programs should be initiated to reduce the prevalence of CED.     

The impact of adiposity indices on lung function in children with respiratory allergic diseases

IntroductionThe effect of obesity on lung function in children stratified by asthma status is not fully elucidated. We evaluated the impact of adiposity indices, including Body Mass Index (BMI) and estimated fat mass (eFT), on lung changes in asthmatic and non-asthmatic children with rhinitis.Patients and MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of 400 pediatric patients, classified into an asthma group (n = 200) and a no-asthma group (n = 200). According to the BMI z-score all subjects were classified into normal-weight patients (NW; ?2 ≤ BMI z-score <1) and overweight patients/patients with obesity (OW/OB; BMI z-score ≥1). Lung function parameters were measured by spirometry. BMI and eFM were considered as adiposity indices.ResultsExcess weight/obesity was present in 37 % of patients. The OW/OB group showed higher basal forced expiratory vital capacity (FVC) and lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), FEV₁/FVC ratio compared to the NW group (p ≤ 0.01). FVC and FEV₁ were correlated with the BMI z-score, and FEV₁/FVC with eFT (p ≤ 0.01). No differences were noted between the NW and the OW/OB groups in terms of respiratory parameters except for FVC (p < 0.01). In the OW/OB group, asthma patients were significantly different based on FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC, and forced expiratory flow at 25–75 % of FVC (FEF_25/75) (p < 0.01). The BMI z-score was correlated with FVC and FEV₁ in both the no-asthma and asthma groups (p ≤ 0.01 and p ≤ 0.05, respectively), while eFM was correlated with FEV₁/FVC (p = 0.007) in the asthma group only.ConclusionObesity seems to have a significant impact on lung function in children with respiratory allergic diseases. BMI and eFM may be used to evaluate the impact of adiposity on lung function.     

Serum mineral levels among Nepalese living in the southern agricultural Terai region

The physical status and serum mineral concentrations for people aged 10 to 68 years living in an agricultural southern region of Nepal were determined. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for both sexes in the 10–14 year age group were low (p<0.05. vs the other age groups) and those for the over 50-year-olds tended to be higher than the other age groups. The mean values of total proteins (TP) (8.6 ± 0.5 g/dl for males and 8.7 ± 0.6 g/dl for females) were high due to an increase of globulin (3.9 ± 0.4 g/dl for males and 4.1 ± 0.5 g/dl for females). More than three-fourths of the subjects of both sexes showed calcium (Ca) levels of 9.0–11.2 mg/dl and about 65% of them showed potassium (K) levels of 4.8–5.4 mEq/1. A significant positive correlation between DBP and serum K was observed (p<0.05). Serum inorganic phosphorus (IP) correlated with age (p<0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (p<0.001). The serum Ca levels correlated with TP (r=0.31, p<0.001), albumin (Alb) (r=0.50, p<0.001), IP (r=0.31, p<0.001), K (r=0.32, p<0.001) and chlorine (Cl)(r=-0.37, p<0.001). Cl was associated with TP (r=-0.21, p<0.05), Alb (r=-0.36, p<0.001) and IP (r=-0.21, p<0.05). These results suggested that Ca intake for the subjects seemed to be insufficient although their serum Ca level was within normal.     

Is it possible using handgrip strength instead of body mass index in MNA-SF test to assess the nutritional status of geriatric patients?

Introduction

In Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) test, a practical and reliable alternative parameter is still necessary for patients with difficult body mass index evaluation. We aimed to show whether or not handgrip strength may be used instead of body mass index (BMI) in MNA-SF test.

Materials and Methods

MNA-SF test scores, calf circumferences (CC), handgrip strength (HGS), and BMI of 191 patients were evaluated. The first one of calculated MNA-SF tests was with BMI, the second one with CC, and the last one with HGS. Zero point was given if CC was <31 cm and 3 points were given if CC was ≥31 cm. Zero, 1, 2, and 3 points were given if the loss of HGS when compared to expected HGS were ≥%60, from ≥%30 to <%60, from ≥%10 to <%30, and <%10 or greater than expected HGS, respectively. MNA-SF scores and nutritional status according to these three measures were compared.

Results

Mean age and median MNA-SF scores of the patients were 75±7.6 years and 12 points (min-max: 0-14) respectively. There were strongly positive correlations between MNA-SF scores with BMI and CC, with BMI and HGS, and with CC and HGS (r=0.938 p<0.001, r=0.938 p<0.001, r=0.914 p<0.001, respectively). Substantial agreement in nutritional status of the patients were seen between MNA-SF groups with BMI and CC, with CC and HGS, and with BMI and HGS (kappa: 0.795 p<0.001, kappa: 0.709 p<0.001, and kappa: 0.760 p<0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

HGS might be considered instead of BMI in MNA-SF test to assess nutritional status of geriatric patients.

     

Supplementation with long-chain n-3 fatty acids in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients leads to the lowering of oleic acid content in serum phospholipids

Summary Background: The dietary supplementation with EPA (eicosapentaenoic adic; 20:5n3) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid; 22:6n3) has been recommended because of their favourable effects on the cardiovascular system (including complications of NIDDM). Oleic acid (18:1n9) from olive oil has some analogous and complementary effects. Potential competitive relations between long-chain n-3 fatty acids (FAs) and the oleic acid would therefore mean a problem. Aim of the study: We focused primarily on the oleic acid changes in serum phospholipids (SPL) after a supplementation with EPA and DHA. Methods: Thirty-five patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were supplemented for 28 days with 1.7 g of EPA plus 1.15 g of DHA/day (as Maxepa^? capsules, Seven Seas^?, U. K.). After that, a 3-month wash-out control period with 21 patients followed. A fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids (SPL) was determined by capillary gas-chromatography. Values were calculated as relative percentages of all FAs. Results: After the supplementation with the Maxepa^? capsules, there was a very strong increase in EPA, docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n3) and DHA content in SPL. It was followed by a stron decrease after the wash-out (all p<0.0001). The oleic acid SPL content after the intervention significantly decreased from 10.105±0.307% (mean ±S.E.M.) to 9.082±0.276% (p<0.0003). During the wash-out, the change was in the opposite direction (p<0.0001). When the intervention and the wash-out periods were taken together, changes in the oleic acid were inversely correlated with changes in EPA, docosapentaenoic acid and DHA (r = −0.729; r = −0.552; r = −0.629, respectively; p<0.0001; n = 56). On the background of the overall n-6 FA reduction, the decline in the arachidonic acid after the supplementation (p<0.0001) and its rise after the wash-out (p<0.0003) were similar. There were no significant changes in the saturared FA spectrum. Conclusions: Supplementation with long-chain n-3 FAs in NIDDM patients leads to the lowering of oleic acid SPL content. Whereas the reduction of the arachidonic acid may have some desirable aspects (e. g. suppression of thromboxane TxA₂ or 4 series leukotriene production), the decline of the former is to be regarded as a potential problem. Therefore, the search for optimally balanced blends of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) seems to be more promising than a supplementation with only one type of FA. Received: 13 March 2000, Accepted: 21 July 2000     

L-carnitine supplementation,caffeine and fuel oxidation in the exercising rat

The effect of L-carnitine (L-C) supplementation on carnitine status and on the reduction of muscle energy stores during exercise was investigated in the rat. L-C was supplied in the feed (5mg/kg) of trained, male Sprague Dawley rats for 10 days. After supplementation, the concentration of L-C in blood and muscles increased markedly (blood free L-C from 23 to 99 μmol/l, p<0.001; quadriceps, soleus and gluteus muscles, between +36% and +77%, p<0.001). The decrease of total L-C in muscles upon 40 minutes of treadmill running (between −15% and −29% p<0.001) was prevented by this supplementation. Glycogen decrements in both red muscles following exercise were similar either with or without L-C (between −70% and −84%, p<0.01). Intragastric administration of caffeine (15mg/kg) prior to exercise had no effect on circulating fatty acids, increased the mobilization of triglycerides from the quadriceps (p<0.01), but produced no synergistic effect with L-C on the amount of substrates used.     

A longitudinal study of hospital undernutrition in the elderly: Comparison of four validated methods

Background  Undernutrition/nutritional risk were evaluated longitudinally in 531 hospitalized elderly by four validated methods to appraise the most feasible for routine use. Design  Within 48hrs of admission&24hrs before discharge: the following data were collected: clinical data, nutritional status (BMI, %weight loss) & risk (MNA, MUST), energy requirements (Owen et al), diet. Results  Significant changes from admission to discharge in risk/undernutrition prevalence, were not shown by BMI (≈17% vs 22%), ≥5% weight loss (≈53% vs ≈56%) or MNA 83% vs ≈81%; at admission, 93% patients were MUST high risk declining to ≈47% (p=0.001) at discharge, alongside eating resumption. By multivariate analysis comparing all methods&differences between patient groups during hospitalization, only %weight loss clarified nutritional progression: more surgical patients had ≥10% weight loss vs medicine, p<0.01. Only admission ≥5% weight loss was predictive of longer hospitalizations (OR:1.57; 95% CI 1.02–2.40; p<0.003), though MNA&MUST undernourished/high risk had significantly longer stays. MNA and MUST were the most concordant methods, p<0.001. Eating compromising symptoms were prevalent in surgery/medicine with ≥5% weight loss, MNA risk/undernutrition, and MUST high risk, p<0.005. Overall, mean energy requirements/diet were not significantly different between admission/discharge: requirements ≈1400kcal were always lower than on offer ≈2128kcal, p=0.0001. Conclusions  Rigid diets create costly waste which do not counteract nutritional deterioration. Different nutritional risk/status prevalences were unveiled at admission&discharge: >50% patients were at risk/undernourished by significant weight loss, MNA or MUST, all associated with longer stays. Recent weight loss is unarguably essential, comprehensive MNA & MUST similarly reliable; in this study dynamic MUST seemed easier to practise. Quality nutritional care before/during/after hospitalization is mandatory in the elderly.     

Effects of obesity reduction on transient elastography–based parameters in pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

AimTo clarify the effects of obesity reduction on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children.MethodsTwenty-six obese pediatric NAFLD patients (median age, 13.0 years; range, 6.4–16.6 years), who underwent obesity management supported by regular hospital visits and/or hospital admission, were studied to explore how reductions in weight and body mass index (BMI) percentile affected two transient elastography–based parameters: controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness (LS), which reflect the degree of hepatic fat deposition and liver fibrosis, respectively.ResultsUnivariate analysis revealed that CAP reduction was correlated positively with baseline CAP and reductions in weight and BMI percentile (r = 0.320–0.525), whereas LS reduction was correlated positively with baseline LS and reductions in weight, BMI percentile, aspartate transaminase, and alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.385–0.625). Multivariate analysis revealed that baseline CAP and reduction in weight were significantly associated with CAP reduction, whereas reduction in weight and alanine aminotransferase were significantly associated with LS reduction. Short-term weight control by hospital admission (24.9 ± 9.5 days) provided significantly higher reductions in weight and BMI percentile (both P < 0.001) and was associated with reductions of CAP and LS (P = 0.04 and 0.01) compared with regular hospital visit-supported self-directed weight management (0.9 ± 0.8 years).ConclusionsWeight reduction in obese pediatric NAFLD patients resulted in reduced hepatic fat deposition and liver stiffness. Weight control by short-term hospital admission is an alternative approach to regular hospital visit-supported self-directed weight management in NAFLD patients who fail to reduce obesity.     

Bikes for Life: Measuring the effects of a bicycle distribution program on 6 to 12-year-old children’s BMI and health behaviors

Treating pediatric obesity is challenging. The objective was to evaluate effect of receiving a bicycle on (a) physical activity, (b) sedentary activity, (c) Body Mass Index (BMI), and (d) eating habits.A stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial of 6- to 12-year-old patients with overweight/obesity was conducted April 2012–2018. Participants were randomized to wait 0, 2, 4, or 6 months for a bicycle. Outcomes on activity, BMI and eating were collected at 3, 6, 9- and 12-months after children received a bicycle.A total of 525 participants with 387 (74%) completed 3-month follow-up questionnaire, and 346 (66%) completed 12-month follow-up visit. Participants were mostly Latino/a (71%) and low income (58%), and 31% had never ridden a bicycle. Median baseline BMI was 98th percentile. At 3 months, 62% reported bicycle use last week, on average 3.6 days. Time spent on sedentary activities decreased by 48 min/day (p = 0.04), and time spent playing sports increased by 1.7 h/week (p < 0.01). No reduction in BMI was seen. Consumption of sugary drinks decreased (by 0.59 servings/week, p < 0.01), and consumption of vegetables increased (0.71 servings/week, p = 0.04). At 12 months, sedentary time, sugary drink and vegetable consumption remained significantly more favorable than at enrollment (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p = 0.04 respectively), but not significantly different (p = 0.47 for sedentary, p = 0.73 for sugary drink) and significantly less favorable (p < 0.01 for vegetables) than at the time of intervention.Participants reported riding bicycle, improved activity and dietary habits, though reversion towards baseline behavior was seen by one year and no change in BMI from enrollment.     

Under-reporting of energy intake in elderly Australian women is associated with a higher body mass index

Objectives

Identify the extent of under-reporting of energy intake and the characteristics associated with implausible intakes in elderly women.

Design

Dietary intake was assessed using a 3-day weighed food record. Protein intake was validated by 24-hour urinary nitrogen. To examine under-reporting, participants were grouped according to their energy intake and compared to the Goldberg cut-off equation. Logistic regression was performed to assess the influence of body mass index (BMI) and social-demographic factors on under-reporting.

Setting

Community dwelling elderly women from Perth, Western Australia.

Participants

217 elderly women aged 70–80 years.

Results

Under-reporters had a higher physical activity level (p<0.001) compared with acceptable-reporters. The under-reporters also had a higher body weight (p=0.006), body mass index (BMI) (p=0.001), waist (p=0.011), hip circumference (p<0.001), whole body fat mass (p<0.001) and percentage body fat (p<0.001) than acceptable-reporters. Under-reporters had a significantly lower intakes of protein, fat, carbohydrate and alcohol (p<0.001) and fewer reported food items, compared with acceptable reporters. However, 24-hour urinary nitrogen was only marginally different between the two groups (p=0.053). Participants with a higher BMI were more likely to under-report their energy intake (BMI=25–29.9: odds ratio=2.98[95% CI=1.46–6.09]; BMI≥30: 5.84[2.41–14.14]).

Conclusion

Under-reporting energy intake in elderly women was associated with a higher BMI, body fat and higher self-reported physical activity levels. A higher BMI (≥25) appears to be most significant factor in determining if elderly women will underreport their food intake and may be related to body image. These results have implications for undertaking surveys of food intake in elderly women.