Relationships between adiponectin,leptin, and blood lipids in physically active postmenopausal females

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationships between adiponectin and leptin with blood lipids (CHOL, HDL‐C, LDL‐C, and TG) in physically active postmenopausal women. One hundred and thirty‐four physically active practicing gymnastics (2–3 times per week) women between the ages of 51 to 85 years participated in this cross‐sectional study. Body height, body mass, waist‐to‐hip circumference ratio (WHR), and BMI were used as anthropometrical parameters. Body composition parameters (fat%, fat mass, fat free mass) were measured by DXA. The fasting adiponectin, leptin, CHOL, HDL‐C, LDL‐C, and TG were measured. From the anthropometrical and body composition parameters, only WHR correlated significantly with adiponectin (r = ?0.306). In addition, adiponectin correlated with TG (r = ?0.277) and leptin (r = ?0.381). Leptin was positively related to body mass (r = 0.261), and BMI (r = 0.274) from anthropometrical parameters and body fat% (r = 0.288) and fat mass (r = 0.298) from body composition variables. No relationships emerged between leptin and blood lipids. We found that there are some significant relationships between adiponectin, leptin and anthropometrical and body composition parameters in physically active postmenopausal females. From blood lipids, only TG correlated significantly with adiponectin. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 22:609–612, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The influence of sexual maturation on blood pressure and body fatness in African‐American adolescent girls and boys

To examine the influence of sexual maturation (SM) on blood pressure (BP) and body fatness during puberty among African‐American children. Longitudinal data were collected from 283 African‐American children aged 9–15 years over a 1.5‐year period. Measured anthropometric measures included height, weight, skinfold thickness, waist circumference (WC), and systolic and diastolic BP (SBP/DBP) at baseline, 1‐year, and 1.5‐year follow‐up were used. SM was assessed using self‐reported Tanner stages (range 1–5) at baseline. Spearman correlation and regression analyses were conducted to test associations between study variables. Early maturing girls had higher BP and body mass index (BMI = weight (kg)/height (m)²) at follow‐up than nonearly maturing girls (SBP: 117.4 vs. 111.7; DBP: 66.3 vs. 60.7; BMI: 27.7 vs. 23.5; all P < 0.05, respectively). Baseline Tanner stage was positively associated with follow‐up SBP (r = 0.28), DBP (r = 0.37), BMI (r = 0.45), skinfold thickness (r = 0.37), and WC (r = 0.40) in girls, but not in boys. The influence of SM on BP independent of body size was tested via several different multiple linear regression models by adding measures of body size and their changes (height and BMI) between baseline and follow‐up. Early maturing girls had higher SBP and DBP (β = 4.30, P < 0.05; β = 3.28, P < 0.05; respectively) and BMI (β = 1.69, P < 0.05) at 1.5‐year follow‐up than their counterparts. In boys, a marginally significant reverse association (β = ?1.05 to ?1.19) between SM stages and DBP was detected. SM affects BP and body fatness in girls, and should be considered in assessment of BP and obesity in adolescents. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Is severe obesity a cardiovascular health concern in the inuit population?

Objectives: Obesity is rising globally and severe obesity (SO) [body mass index (BMI) = 40 kg/m² or = 35 kg/m² with co‐morbidity] is growing at a much faster rate. Amongst the Inuit, evolution of SO remains unknown. We investigated whether the level of SO changed and whether the cardio‐metabolic profile improved or deteriorated in Nunavik Inuit between 1992 and 2004. Methods: SO subjects were selected from two comparable population‐based studies. These studies were undertaken in Nunavik (Quebec, Canada), and were performed in two different time frames, separated by 12 years. Physiological (lipid profile, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, and blood pressure) as well as anthropometric data (BMI, waist circumference, and waist to hip ratio) were collected in both studies. Resutls: There was approximately a fourfold increase in the prevalence of SO in comparable age groups. This increase affected both genders between 1992 and 2004. Smoking rates in SO populations have significantly decreased during this period, from 85% to 41% (P < 0.0001). Overall, there were no statistically significant differences in the cardio‐metabolic profile (insulin, total cholesterol, LDL‐cholesterol, HDL‐cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, BMI, and waist to hip ratio). There was, however, a significant increase in waist circumference (P < 0.001), especially in women (P < 0.01). Type 2 diabetes remained stable, at around 40% in this population. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of SO increased, the cardio‐metabolic profile remained stable. Nevertheless, regular monitoring of chronic disease in this population remains crucial. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Differences in body composition and cardiovascular and Type 2 diabetes risk factors between migrant and British‐born British Pakistani women

There is a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes in people of South Asian origin living in affluent western countries. We do not know whether or how risk factors for these diseases change in subsequent generations born in the west. Findings that birth‐weight is inversely associated with abdominal obesity and risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes in later life suggest that those born in the west may have lower levels of risk than migrants. We assessed 30 migrants from Pakistan to the UK, 30 British‐born British Pakistani women, and 25 British‐born women of European origin. British‐born British Pakistani women were taller (P = 0.05), had a lower waist to hip ratio (P = 0.04), lower mean fasting glucose levels (P = 0.03), lower mean triglyceride levels (P = 0.03), and higher mean HDL levels (P < 0.001) than migrant British Pakistani women. Levels of fasting insulin, HOMA‐IR, and blood pressure were not significantly different in the two British Pakistani groups. Thus, we found healthier levels of several cardiovascular and Type 2 diabetes risk factors in British‐born British Pakistani women than in migrant British Pakistani women. These findings might be related to the effects of early environment or to other factors, such as differences in health behaviors. British‐born British Pakistani women also differed from British‐born European women, having a more adverse body composition, but healthier levels of HDL cholesterol and blood pressure. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Physical activity,body fat,and serum c‐reactive protein in postmenopausal women with and without hormone replacement

The objective was to determine whether higher physical activity is associated with lower serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), independent of oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) status and body fatness, in 133 postmenopausal women using a cross‐sectional exploratory design at a university research laboratory. The subjects were 133 postmenopausal women, age 50–73 years, with no evidence of coronary artery disease or diabetes. The main outcome measures were: serum CRP, physical activity as measured by Stanford 7‐day activity recall, body fat (both total and regional) as measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), and anthropometry (waist and hip circumference). Secondary outcome measures included fasting plasma glucose and insulin as well as fasting serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Higher physical activity energy expenditures were significantly associated with lower serum CRP levels (r = ?0.18, P = 0.041), independent of oral HRT use, age, smoking behavior, alcohol consumption, aspirin use, and statin use. However, in the complete multivariate model, which included body fat, older ages (P = 0.047), greater trunk fat masses (P < 0.001), any oral HRT use (P < 0.001), and unopposed oral estrogen use (P = 0.012) were the sole independent predictors of higher serum CRP levels. The complete multivariate model accounted for 58% of the variance in serum CRP. We conclude that the association between higher physical activity and lower serum CRP levels is dependent on the lower body fat of the more active women, yet independent of oral HRT use. Future intervention trials should determine whether diet‐ and exercise‐related reductions in body fat may be effective ways to diminish the proinflammatory effects of oral HRT in postmenopausal women. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:91–100, 2003. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The effect of menarcheal age on anthropometric,limb length,and bone measures in Hutterite and non‐Hutterite women

The age women reach menarche may affect bone length and mass. Some studies show an earlier menarcheal age (MA) results in a shorter stature and increased body fat. We hypothesized that Hutterite women have a shorter height and limb length, but greater bone mass and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) than non‐Hutterites. Results are from a secondary analysis of 344 (198 Hutterite) healthy, pre‐menopausal women aged 20?40 years who participated in the South Dakota Rural Bone Health Study. Bone measures were obtained by DXA (spine, hip and total body) and pQCT (4 and 20% distal radius). MA correlated with year of birth (r = ?0.10, P = 0.08) indicating a trend toward a younger MA for women born in more recent years. MA was inversely associated with current weight (r = ?0.11, P < 0.05), percent body fat (r = ?0.16, P < 0.01), femoral neck BMC (r = ?0.18, P = 0.003), femoral neck aBMD (r = ?0.21, P < 0.001), hip aBMD (r = ?0.22, P < 0.001) and trabecular volumetric BMD (vBMD) (r = ?0.14, P = 0.03). Hutterite women had a younger MA than non‐Hutterite women (12.3 ± 1.3 vs. 13.0 ± 1.3 yr, P < 0.001). In final regression models controlling for diet and activity patterns, Hutterite compared to non‐Hutterite women had shorter standing height (162 ± 0.4 vs. 166 ± 0.4 cm, P < 0.001), forearm length (258 ± 0.8 vs. 261 ± 0.9 mm, P = 0.04); and leg length (76 ± 0.2 vs. 77 ± 0.3 cm, P < 0.01) as hypothesized, but MA did not predict these outcomes. In conclusion, younger MA in Hutterite women did not explain their shorter standing height and limb lengths, but total hip aBMD was inversely associated with MA and greater in Hutterite than non‐Hutterite women. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Change in waist circumference over 11 years and current waist circumference independently predict elevated CRP in Filipino women

C‐reactive protein, a marker of chronic, low‐grade inflammation, is strongly associated with current central adiposity, and has been linked to elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. Less is known about the contribution of longitudinal change in waist circumference to current inflammation. We evaluated the extent to which current waist circumference and change over an 11‐year interval contribute independently to low‐grade systemic inflammation measured in a group of 1,294 women, 35–69 years, participating in the Cebu Longitudinal Nutrition and Health Survey in the Philippines. Waist circumference was measured at the time of blood draw for CRP analysis in 2005 and during an earlier survey in 1994. A waist circumference delta variable was constructed by subtracting current circumference from past circumference. We used logistic regression models to predict having an elevated plasma CRP concentration (3 mg L^?1 < CRP < 10 mg L^?1). Waist circumference in 2005 was a strong predictor of elevated CRP (OR 1.10, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.12, P < 0.001). In combined models, increase in circumference over 11 years was a significant and independent predictor of elevated CRP risk (OR = 1.023, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.05, P < 0.05). Considering the average increase over time, the cumulative risk of elevated CRP due to increased central adiposity was 25.7%. However, women who reduced their waist circumference between 1994 and 2005 had greatly reduced risk (6.2%), suggesting that even long‐term inflammatory burden can be reversed by weight loss. Although current waist circumference is an important contributor to risk of elevated systemic inflammation in this as in other populations, history of central adiposity may be an independent phenomenon. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Anthropometric measurements of Australian Aboriginal adults living in remote areas: Comparison with nationally representative findings

To compare body size measurements in Australian Aboriginals living in three remote communities in the Northern Territory of Australia with those of the general Australian population. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences and derivative values of body mass index (BMI), waist‐hip ratio (WHR), waist‐height ratio (WHT), and waist‐weight ratios (WWT) of adult Aboriginal volunteers (n = 814), aged 25 to 74 years were compared with participants in the nationally representative ‘AusDiab’ survey (n = 10,434). The Aboriginal body habitus profiles differed considerably from the Australian profile. When compared to Australian females, Aboriginal females were taller and had lower hip circumference but had higher WC, WHR, WHT, and WWT (P < 0.01 for all). When compared with their Australian counterparts, Aboriginal males were shorter, had lower body weight, WC, hip circumference, BMI, and WHT but had higher WHR and WWT (P < 0.001 for all). Significantly more Aboriginal females were classified as overweight and or obese using cutoffs defined by WC and by WHR than by BMI. Aboriginal males were less often overweight and/or obese by BMI than their counterparts, but were significantly more often overweight or obese by WHR. There were significant variations in body size profiles between Aboriginal communities. However, the theme of excess waist measurements relative to their weight was uniform. Aboriginal people had preferential central fat deposition in relation to their overall weight. BMI significantly underestimated overweight and obesity as assessed by waist measurements among Aboriginals. This relationship of preferential central fat deposition to the current epidemic of chronic diseases needs to be explored further. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Role of gender disparity of circulating high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein concentrations and obesity on asthma in Taiwan

Background Several studies have suggested that the association between obesity and asthma may be stronger in females than in males, but the reason is still unclear. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate whether differences in high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels explain why obesity is associated with asthma in females but not in males. Methods This study prospectively enrolled 754 subjects 18 years old from hospital‐based asthma patients and population‐based controls. We measured adiposity factors [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and waist‐hip ratio], hs‐CRP and total IgE levels. Results After adjusting for potential confounding factors, we found a significant association between BMI and asthma in females with a significant interaction of gender and BMI on asthma (χ²=10.2, P=0.004). If hs‐CRP was added to the logistic model, the interaction was attenuated but still significant (χ²=7.02, P=0.03). After adjusting for BMI, we did not find that circulating hs‐CRP concentrations were significantly associated with asthma in males and females. Conclusion We found that BMI was associated with asthma in females, but our results do not support the suggestion that hs‐CRP levels contribute significantly to the link between obesity and asthma with respect to gender disparity. Cite this as: T.‐N. Wang, M.‐C. Lin, C.‐C. Wu, M.‐S. Huang, S. Y. Leung, C.‐C. Huang, P.‐S. Ho and Y.‐C. Ko, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 72–77.     

Enzyme activities in the tibialis anterior muscle of young moderately active men and women: relationship with body composition,muscle cross‐sectional area and fibre type composition

The aims of this study were (i) to assess the differences between men and women in maximal activities of selected enzymes of aerobic and anaerobic pathways involved in skeletal muscle energy production, and (ii) to assess the relationships between maximal enzyme activities, body composition, muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA) and fibre type composition. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of 15 men and 15 women (age 20–31 years) with comparable physical activity levels. The muscle CSA was determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Maximal activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), phosphofructokinase (PFK), β‐hydroxyacyl‐coenzyme A dehydrogenase (HAD), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and citrate synthase (CS), were assayed spectrophotometrically. The proportion, mean area and relative area (proportion × area) of type 1 and type 2 fibres were determined from muscle biopsies prepared for enzyme histochemistry [myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase (mATPase)]. The men were significantly taller (+6.6%; P < 0.001) and heavier (+19.1%; P < 0.001), had significantly larger muscle CSA (+19.0%; P < 0.001) and significantly larger areas and relative areas of both type 1 and type 2 fibres (+20.5–31.4%; P = 0.007 to P < 0.001). The men had significantly higher maximal enzyme activities than women for LDH (+27.6%; P = 0.007) and PFK (+25.5%; P = 0.003). There were no significant differences between the men and the women in the activities of HAD (+3.6%; ns), CS (+21.1%; P = 0.084) and SDH (+7.6%; ns). There were significant relationships between height and LDH (r = 0.41; P = 0.023), height and PFK (r = 0.41; P = 0.025), weight and LDH (r = 0.45; P = 0.013), and weight and PFK (r = 0.39; P = 0.032). The relationships were significant between the muscle CSA and the activities of LDH (r = 0.61; P < 0.001) and PFK (r = 0.56; P = 0.001), and between the relative area of type 2 fibres and the activities of LDH (r = 0.49; P = 0.006) and PFK (r = 0.42; P = 0.023). There were no significant relationships between HAD, CS and SDH, and height, weight, muscle CSA and fibre type composition, respectively. These data indicate that the higher maximal activities of LDH and PFK in men are related to the height, weight, muscle CSA and the relative area of type 2 fibres, which are all significantly larger in men than women.     

Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 gene polymorphism and its serum level have an impact on anthropometric and biochemical risk factors of metabolic syndrome in Indian population

Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), encoded by gene CCL‐2 (Chemokine C‐C motif 2), is the ligand of chemokine receptor CCR‐2. Concurrent clinical alteration in several metabolic aspects, including central obesity, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia and hypertension, is clinically characterized as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Role of MCP‐1 in each of these aspects has been established in vitro and in animal studies as well. We here report genetic association of ?2518 A>G MCP‐1 (rs 1024611) gene polymorphism and level of MCP‐1 with MetS in North Indian subjects. We analysed (n = 386, controls and n = 384, MetS subjects) for MCP‐1 gene polymorphism using PCR‐RFLP, its serum level using ELISA, anthropometric (body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, waist–hip ratio and blood pressure) and biochemical (serum lipids, plasma glucose and insulin levels) variables in a genetic association study. The body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist–hip ratio, blood pressure, serum lipids, insulin and fasting plasma glucose level were significantly high in MetS subjects. Regression analysis showed significant correlation of body mass index, waist and hip circumference, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein, low‐density lipoprotein fasting insulin and HOMA‐IR with MetS. MCP‐1 allele and genotype were significantly associated with MetS. Serum MCP‐1 level was high in overall cases. In conclusions, the MCP‐1 2518A>G (rs 1024611) polymorphism has significant impact on risk of MetS, and MCP‐1 level correlates with anthropometric and biochemical risk factors of MetS.     

Variation in the anthropometric dimensions for estimating upper and lower body obesity

A literature review identified 29 anthropometric methods to estimate body fat distribution, but no valid standardized set of criterion values to categorize upper and lower body obesity. The purpose of this investigation was to observe the influence of different anthropometric methods for categorizing upper and lower body obesity. Three common girth methods (waist:iliac crest, iliac crest: hip, and waist:hip) for waist to hip ratios (WHR) and one common skinfold method for trunk to extremity ratio were compared in 119 obese women (38.4 ± 5.3% fat) and 81 obese men (31.3 ± 5.2% fat). Significant differences were found in the WHR among all three girth methods for women, but for only the waist:hip method for men. A significant interaction between method and sex was also apparent. The different WHR methods resulted in a significantly different percentages of the population categorized as having lower, normal, and upper body obesity. Kappa statistics demonstrated significant agreement among the three methods to place subjects into similar fat distribution categories for men (κ = 0.133; z = 4.03), but not for women (κ = 0.059; z = 2.20). There was also no significant correlation between any of the circumference and skinfold methods for men (r = 0.20, 0.10 and 0.15, respectively); yet, significant correlations were found between the iliac crest:hip (r = 0.30) and waist:hip (r = 0.45) methods and the skinfold method for women. In summary, girth methods for estimating body fat distribution in terms of lower and upper body obesity need validation and standardization. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Urinary haptoglobin,alpha‐1 anti‐chymotrypsin and retinol binding protein identified by proteomics as potential biomarkers for lupus nephritis

The study was aimed at identification by proteomics and validation by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of potential urinary biomarkers for lupus nephritis. Study subjects comprised 88 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 60 controls (rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus and healthy individuals). Based on the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), patients were classified as active renal (AR), active non‐renal (ANR) or inactive disease (ID). Urinary proteins from a group of patients with AR or ID were resolved by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight–mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS/MS). The selected biomarkers were validated by ELISA using samples from all patients and controls. AR patients were followed‐up for 12 months after start of therapy. Three urinary proteins, alpha‐1 anti‐chymotrypsin (ACT), haptoglobin (HAP) and retinol binding protein (RBP), were detected in patients with AR and not ID. Upon validation, ACT levels were higher in AR patients than the other groups (P < 0·001) and showed good correlation with renal SLEDAI (r = 0·577, P < 0·001) as well as SLEDAI (r = 0·461, P < 0·001). Similarly, HAP levels were > 10‐fold higher in AR than other groups (P < 0·001) and correlated well with renal SLEDAI (r = 0·594, P < 0·001) and SLEDAI (r = 0·371, P < 0·01). RBP levels were also higher in AR patients than in other groups (P < 0·05), except diabetes, and showed moderate correlation with renal SLEDAI (r = 0·284, P < 0·008) and SLEDAI (r = 0·316, P < 0·003). Upon follow‐up with treatment, levels of all three proteins declined at 6 and 12 months (P < 0·01). Multiple logistic regression identified ACT as the best marker to differentiate AR from ANR. Urinary HAP, ACT and RBP are potential biomarkers for lupus nephritis activity.     

Effect of intensive exercise‐induced testicular gametogenic and steroidogenic disorders in mature male Wistar strain rats: a correlative approach to oxidative stress

Aims: In order to investigate the effects of intensive exercise on reproductive dysfunctions in relation to oxidative stress, a total of 12 male rats (age: 3 months, weight: 127 ± 2.86 g) were randomly divided into: (1) control group (CG, n = 6) and (2) experimental group (Exp. G, n = 6). Methods: An exercise protocol of 3 h swimming day^?1, 5 days week^?1 was followed for 4 weeks in Exp. G, with no exercise in CG. All the animals were killed; blood, testes and the accessory sex organs were collected for estimation of different parameters. Results: A significant diminution (P < 0.001) was noted in testicular Δ⁵, 3β‐hydroxy‐steroid dehydrogenase (Δ⁵, 3β‐HSD), 17β‐hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (17β‐HSD); plasma levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH); preleptotine spermatocytes (pLSc), midpachytene spermatocytes (mPSc) and stage 7 spermatids (7Sd); with no significant alteration in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and spermatogoia A (Asg) after intensive exercise. A significant elevation (P < 0.001) in malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes (CD) along with significant reduction (P < 0.001) in glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione‐s‐transferase (GST) and peroxidase were found in testes of Exp. G. Moreover, the somatic index of testes and accessory sex organs were also decreased significantly (P < 0.001) after exercise. High correlations have been found in 17 β‐HSD with CAT (r = 0.90, P < 0.05) and peroxidase (r = 0.83, P < 0.05), epididymal somatic index with CD (r = ?0.91; P < 0.05) and GSH (r = 0.84, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study focused an chronic intensive exercise‐induced oxidative stress that may cause dysfunctions in male reproductive system including steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis.     

Potential association between endogenous leptin and sympatho‐vagal activities in young obese Japanese women

Leptin is an adipocyte‐derived hormone that decreases food intake and increases energy expenditure through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Notwithstanding recent intensive research, the underlying physiological mechanism of leptin as well as the etiology of obesity in humans remains elusive. The present study attempted to investigate the potential association between endogenous circulating leptin and sympatho‐vagal activities in age‐ and height‐matched obese and nonobese healthy young women. Plasma leptin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. The autonomic nervous system activity was assessed during the resting condition by means of a recently devised power spectral analysis of heart rate variability, which serves to identify three separate frequency components, very low (VLO), low (LO), and high (HI). Plasma leptin concentrations were greater in the obese than in the control group (45.7 ± 5.89 vs. 11.2 ± 1.10 ng · ml^?1, P < 0.01). As to the contribution of endogenous leptin to SNS activity, both the ratios of the VLO frequency component reflecting thermoregulatory sympathetic function and the global SNS index [(VLO + LO)/HI] to plasma leptin concentration were markedly reduced in the obese compared to the control group (VLO per leptin: 5.9 ± 1.39 vs. 37.8 ± 8.1 ms² · ml · ng^?1, P < 0.01; SNS index per leptin: 0.04 ± 0.008 vs. 0.33 ± 0.01 ml ?· ng^?1, P < 0.01). Additionally, a nonlinear regression analysis revealed that these ratios exponentially decreased as a function of body fat content (VLO per leptin r² = 0.57, P < 0.01; SNS index per leptin r² = 0.53, P < 0.01). Our data suggest that reduced sympathetic responsiveness to endogenous leptin production, implying peripheral leptin resistance, might be a pathophysiological feature of obesity in otherwise healthy young women. The findings regarding the association of leptin, body fat content, and SNS activity further indicate that the 30% of total body fat, which has been used as a criterion of obesity, might be a critical point at which leptin resistance is induced. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:8–15, 2003. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Calcium homeostasis and glucose uptake of murine myotubes exposed to insulin,caffeine and 4‐chloro‐m‐cresol

The modulation of glucose uptake by cytosolic calcium and the role of insulin on calcium homeostasis in insulin‐target cells are incompletely understood and results are contradictory. To address this issue, we used the C2C12 murine skeletal muscle cell line model and examined the influence of caffeine and 4‐chloro‐m‐cresol, two ryanodine receptor agonists known to mobilize intracellular calcium stores and increase cytosolic free calcium concentration. We followed ⁴⁵calcium efflux, a validated indicator of cytosolic calcium concentration, and 3‐O‐methyl‐[1–³H]‐d ‐glucose uptake in parallel. We also determined if insulin incubation affected ⁴⁵calcium influx rate. A 30‐min treatment by 1 μm insulin highly significantly increased ⁴⁵calcium efflux by 8.5% (P = 0.0014), despite a significant reduction of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ influx already measurable after 20 and 30 min of insulin stimulation (?16.6%, P = 0.0119 and ?21.3%, P = 0.0047, respectively). Caffeine (1–20 mm ) and 4‐chloro‐m‐cresol (0.05–10 mm ) concentration‐dependently increased ⁴⁵calcium efflux, the latter being more potent and efficacious. These agents, in a concentration‐dependent manner, inhibited both basal and, more potently, insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake. This resulted in a negative correlation of glucose uptake and ⁴⁵calcium efflux (r > 0.95, P < 0.001). This effect was ～5 times greater for caffeine than for 4‐chloro‐m‐cresol, suggesting a calcium‐independent part of the glucose uptake inhibition by caffeine. In our in vitro model of cultured muscle cells, insulin appears to prevent calcium overload by both stimulating efflux and inhibiting cell storage. This effect, taken together with the observed inhibitory, inverse relationship between ⁴⁵calcium efflux and glucose uptake, contributes to describing the complex insulin–calcium interplay involved in target cells.     

Development and validation of a new figural drawing scale for body‐image assessment: the BIAS‐BD

This study describes the development and validation of a new and improved body‐image assessment tool, the BIAS‐BD, based on known body dimensions. The scale's construction consisted of 17 male and 17 female contour‐line drawings that used known anthropometric body dimensions of shoulder, chest, waist, hip breadth, thigh breadth, and upper leg breadth. The figural drawings correspond to a series of body weights ranging from 60% below the known average to 140% above average. Differences between figural drawings represented a 5% change in body weight. Participants were 207 undergraduates, including 66 men and 141 women, who selected drawings that reflected their perceived size and their ideal size. Retesting occurred after a 2‐week interval and resulted in test–retest reliability values of r=.86 for actual perceived size, r=.72 for ideal size, and r=.76 for body dissatisfaction (p<.005). There were no significant differences in reliability values between genders. Mean differences in perceived size, ideal size, and body dissatisfaction between the two test administrations were small. Concurrent validity, measured as the correspondence between perceived and reported size, was r=.76 (p<.005). Participants slightly overestimated their perceived body size, with women overestimating significantly more. Unlike existing scales, the present scale uses figural drawings based on known body dimensions and has better reliability and validity. It avoids several problems inherent in existing scales, including scale coarseness, the presence of ethnic facial and body features, and the lack of documented reliability and validity values. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 65:113–122, 2009.     

Gender‐specific anthropometric markers of adiposity,metabolic syndrome and visceral adiposity index (VAI) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea often coexists with visceral adiposity and metabolic syndrome. In this study, we analysed gender‐related differences in anthropometrics according to sleep apnea severity and metabolic abnormalities. In addition, the visceral adiposity index, a recently introduced marker of cardiometabolic risk, was analysed. Consecutive subjects with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (n = 528, 423 males, mean age ± standard deviation: 51.3 ± 12.8 years, body mass index: 31.0 ± 6.2 kg m^?2) were studied by full polysomnography (apnea–hypopnea index 43.4 ± 27.6 h^?1). Variables of general and visceral adiposity were measured (body mass index, neck, waist and hip circumferences, waist‐to‐hip ratio). The visceral adiposity index was calculated, and metabolic syndrome was assessed (NCEP‐ATP III criteria). The sample included controls (apnea–hypopnea index <10 h^?1, n = 55), and patients with mild–moderate (apnea–hypopnea index 10–30 h^?1, n = 144) and severe sleep apnea (apnea–hypopnea index >30 h^?1, n = 329). When anthropometric variables were entered in stepwise multiple regression, body mass index, waist circumference and diagnosis of metabolic syndrome were associated with the apnea–hypopnea index in men (adjusted R² = 0.308); by contrast, only hip circumference and height‐normalized neck circumference were associated with sleep apnea severity in women (adjusted R² = 0.339). These results changed little in patients without metabolic syndrome; conversely, waist circumference was the only correlate of apnea–hypopnea index in men and women with metabolic syndrome. The visceral adiposity index increased with insulin resistance, but did not predict sleep apnea severity. These data suggest gender‐related interactions between obstructive sleep apnea, obesity and metabolic abnormalities. The visceral adiposity index was a good marker of metabolic syndrome, but not of obstructive sleep apnea.     

Is neck circumference measurement an indicator for abdominal obesity? A pilot study on Turkish Adults

Background

Neck circumference (NC) measurement is one of the simple screening measurements which can be used as an index of upper body fat distribution to identify obesity.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between neck circumferences and obesity.

Methods

A total 411 volunteer adults participated in this study (174 men, 237 women). A questionnaire which consisted of anthropometric measurements and demographic features was used. Patients with NC ≥37 cm for men and ≥34 cm for women require evaluation of overweight status.

Results

The percentages of the men and women with BMI ≥ 25kg/m² were 55.2% and 27.0% respectively and with high neck circumferences were 85.1% and 38.8%, respectively. The percentages of the men and women with high waist circumference were 31.6% and 79.3%, respectively. In both gender there were positive significant correlations between neck circumference, body weight (men, r=0.576; women, r=0.702; p=0.000), waist circumferences (men, r=0.593; women r=0.667; p=0.000), hip circumferences (men, r=0.568; women, r=0.617; p=0.000) and BMI (men, r=0.587; women, r=0.688; p=0.000).

Conclusions

This study indicates that NC was associated with body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences and waist/hip ratio for men and women. A significant association was found between NC and conventional overweight and obesity indexes. NC was associated with waist/hip ratio for men and women.