Weight change patterns across adulthood are associated with the risk of osteoarthritis: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Body weight has been recognized as a driving factor of osteoarthritis. Few studies had investigated the association between weight status across adulthood and risk of osteoarthritis (OA). This study investigates the association of weight change patterns across adulthood (lasting at least 25 years) with the risk of OA from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2018. METHODS: The study assessed the relationship between weight change across adulthood and OA in 7392 individuals aged > 50 spanning a minimum of 25 years. Multivariate linear regression analyses were utilized to detect the association between weight change patterns and self-reported OA. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to examine the nonlinear relationship between absolute weight change and OA risk. RESULTS: From 10 years ago to survey, the risk of OA was 1.34-fold (95% CI 1.07-1.68) in people changed from obese to non-obese, 1.61-fold (95% CI 1.29-2.00) in people change from non-obese to obese, and 1.82-fold (95% CI 1.49-2.22) in stable obese people compared with people who were at stable normal weight. Similar patterns were also observed at age 25 years to baseline and age 25 years to 10 years before the baseline. The dose-response association of RCS found a U-shaped relationship between absolute weight change and OA risk. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that weight patterns across adulthood are associated with the risk of OA. These findings stressed important to maintain a normal weight throughout adulthood, especially to prevent ignored weight gain in early adulthood to reduce OA risk later.

Analysis of rotational grazing management for sheep in mixed grassland.

Sown mixed grassland is rarely used for livestock raising and grazing; however, different forages can provide various nutrients for livestock, which may be beneficial to animal health and welfare. We established a sown mixed grassland and adopted a rotational grazing system, monitored the changes in aboveground biomass and sheep weights during the summer grazing period, measured the nutrients of forage by near-infrared spectroscopy, tested the contents of medium- and long-chain fatty acids by gas chromatography, and explored an efficient sheep fattening system that is suitable for agro-pastoral interlacing areas. The results showed that the maximum forage supply in a single grazing paddock was 4.6 kg DM/d, the highest dry matter intake (DMI) was 1.80 kg DM/ewe/d, the average daily weight gain (ADG) was 193.3 g, the DMI and ADG were significantly correlated (P < 0.05), and the average feed weight gain ratio (F/G) reached 8.02. The average crude protein and metabolizable energy intake by sheep were 286 g/ewe/d and 18.5 MJ/ewe/d respectively, and the n-6/n-3 ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids in mutton was 2.84. The results indicated that the sheep fattening system had high feed conversion efficiency, could improve the yield and quality of sheep, and could be promoted in suitable regions.

Smaller subcortical volume relates to greater weight gain in girls with initially healthy weight.

OBJECTIVE: Among 3614 youth who were 9 to 12 years old and initially did not have overweight or obesity (12% [n = 385] developed overweight or obesity), we examined the natural progression of weight gain and brain structure development during a 2-year period with a high risk for obesity (e.g., pre- and early adolescence) to determine the following: 1) whether variation in maturational trajectories of the brain regions contributes to weight gain; and/or 2) whether weight gain contributes to altered brain development. METHODS: Data were gathered from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Linear mixed-effects regression models controlled for puberty, caregiver education, handedness, and intracranial volume (random effects: magnetic resonance scanner [MRI] scanner and participant). Because pubertal development occurs earlier in girls, analyses were stratified by sex. RESULTS: For girls, but not boys, independent of puberty, greater increases in BMI were driven by smaller volumes over time in the bilateral accumbens, amygdala, hippocampus, and thalamus, right caudate and ventral diencephalon, and left pallidum (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a potential phenotype for identifying obesity risk because underlying differences among regions involved in food intake were related to greater weight gain in girls, but not in boys. Importantly, 2 years of weight gain may not be sufficient to alter brain development, highlighting early puberty as a critical time to prevent negative neurological outcomes.

Body weight change during a smoking cessation intervention for individuals with overweight or obesity.

INTRODUCTION: A more comprehensive understanding of the factors regarding weight control in individuals with overweight or obesity after quitting smoking is needed. The study aimed to analyze the changes of in-treatment variables during a smoking cessation intervention and examine their impact on weight. METHODS: A total of 120 individuals who smoke with overweight or obesity (MBMI = 31.75 ± 4.31; 54.16 % female) participated in a cognitive-behavioral therapy for smoking cessation and weight control or the same treatment plus contingency management. Weight, smoking variables (cotinine and continuous abstinence), eating behaviors (appetite, grazing), exercise, and sleep were assessed weekly throughout the treatment. RESULTS: More participants gained weight over time with reduced nicotine use or abstinence. There was a tendency during treatment to increase appetite and exercise time, while grazing episodes and sleeping hours remained stable. Higher baseline weight (p < .001), greater cotinine reduction (p = .021) and time (p = .009) were associated with greater weight gain, while more hours of exercise (p = .003), no appetite changes (p = .003) and diminished appetite (p < .001) were associated with less gain over the treatment. Both treatment conditions showed similar results in all in-treatment variables. DISCUSSION: Individuals with overweight and obesity with higher baseline weight and higher baseline cotinine levels during smoking cessation interventions may require special attention to improve weight outcomes. Exercise and appetite regulation may be useful for mitigating weight gain in smoking cessation interventions for individuals with overweight or obesity.

Association between Gestational Weight Gain and Maternal and Birth Outcomes in Northern Ghana.

Background: Although inappropriate gestational weight gain is considered closely related to adverse maternal and birth outcomes globally, little evidence was found in low- and middle-income countries. Study Objectives. This study is aimed at identifying the determinants of gestational weight gain and examine the association between gestational weight gain and maternal and birth outcomes in the Northern Region of Ghana. Study Methods. The study used a facility-based cross-sectional study design involving 611 antenatal and delivery records in Tatale district, Tamale west, and Gushegu municipal hospitals. A two-stage sampling method involving cluster and simple random sampling was employed. Descriptive statistical analysis and measures of central tendency were used to describe the sample. The multinomial logistic regression model was used to determine the determinants of gestational weight gain and its association with maternal and birth outcomes. Results: Among the 611 women included in the study, 516 (84.45%) had inadequate gestational weight gain, and 19 (3.11%) had excessive gestational weight gain. The gestational weight gain ranged from 2 kg to 25 kg with a mean of 7.26 ± 3.70 kg. The risk factor for inadequate gestational weight gain was low prepregnancy BMI (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.18 - 2.57, P = 0.002). Pregnant women who had inadequate gestational weight gain were significantly less likely to deliver through caesarean section (AOR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.12 - 0.61, P = 0.002), and those who had excessive weight gain were more likely to undergo caesarean section (AOR = 19.81, 95% CI = 5.38 - 72.91, P = 0.001). The odds of premature delivery (birth < 37 weeks) among pregnant women with inadequate weight gain were 2.88 (95% CI = 1.27 - 6.50, P = 0.011). Furthermore, subjects who had excessive weight gain were 43.80 times more likely to give birth to babies with macrosomia (95% CI = 7.07 - 271.23, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Inappropriate gestational weight gain is prevalent in Ghana, which is associated with caesarean section, preterm delivery, delivery complications, and macrosomia. Urgent policy interventions are needed to improve on the frequent monitoring and management of gestational weight gain of pregnant women till term.

Nutritional and productive performance of purebred Nellore heifers and crossed with Brangus and Braford finished in a feedlot system.

This study evaluated the nutritional and productive performance of Nellore purebred heifers and crossbred Brangus x Nellore (BGNE) and Braford x Nellore (BFNE) in a feedlot system. Thirty heifers (10 of each genetic group) with an average age of 18 months and an initial body weight of 261 kg were used. The experiment was structured and conducted according to a completely randomized design, with three treatments. Heifers received two diets (60 days each) during the experimental period. The experiment lasted 120 days with four experimental periods. Nellore heifers had a lower intake than crossbred heifers (P <0.05). There were no differences between BGNE and BFNE heifers, which had higher final body weight, average daily gain, feed efficiency, hot carcass weight and carcass length than NE heifers. Crossed heifers presented better fat cover than NE heifers. However, NE heifers had higher carcass dressing Despite presenting lower carcass yields than Nellore heifers, crossed heifers are more efficient and have higher performance and better fat cover on the carcass than purebred Nellore heifers. Crossbreeding synthetic breeds, such as Brangus and Braford breeds, with the Nellore breed is an effective way to increase the productivity and efficiency of feedlot heifers in tropical regions.

Functional insulin therapy in type 1 diabetics: Short-term effects on weight and nutritional intake.

INTRODUCTION-AIM: Flexible insulin therapy is currently considered the gold standard therapy of type 1 diabetes. We aimed to study the evolution of glycemic control, weight and nutritional intake of a group of patients with type 1 diabetes, three months after the initiation of functional insulin therapy (FIT). METHODS: This was a prospective longitudinal study having included 30 type 1 diabetic patients hospitalized for education to FIT. Each patient underwent an assessment of glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and number of hypoglycemia), weight and nutritional intake before FIT and 3 months after the initiation of this educative approach. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 21,8 ± 7,9 years and the sex ratio was 0,5. The mean duration of diabetes was 7,2 ± 6 years. Three months after initiation of FIT, we observed a significant lowering of A1C, which went from 9,2 ± 1,6% to 8,3 ± 1,4% (p<0,001) of the number of minor hypoglycemia (p=0,001) and that of severe hypoglycemia (p= 0,021). the average weight went from 64,6 ± 13,1 kg to 65,5 ± 13,5 kg (p = 0,040) with a significant increase in BMI (p = 0,041). Weight gain was observed in 67% of patients. This weight gain contrasted with a significant decrease in caloric (p = 0,040) and in carbohydrates intakes (p = 0,027). CONCLUSION: Weight gain, associated with better glycemic control, should encourage the healthcare team to strengthen therapeutic education of patients undergoing FIT in order to limit weight gain.

Postnatal Growth at 64 Weeks Postmenstrual Age in Preterm Infants Delivered at ≤ 34 Weeks' Gestation: A Single Center Study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the postnatal growth at 64 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) in preterm neonates born at ≤ 34 weeks gestational age. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between August, 2019 and November, 2021, wherein, we took anthropometric measurements of neonates (delivered at ≤ 34 weeks' gestation) at 64 (± 2) weeks PMA. The rapidity of postnatal growth was categorized according to change in the z-score of anthropometric measures, viz, weight-for-age, length-for-age and head circumference-for-age, between birth and 64 weeks PMA. For each of the growth parameters, growth rate was categorized according to the change in z-score (z-score at 64 weeks PMA minus z-score at birth) as slow (< -0.67), acceptable (-0.67 to < 0.67), and rapid (≥ 0.67). RESULTS: Out of the 156 preterm neonates evaluated, weight gain was slow, acceptable and rapid in 95 (60.8%), 45 (28.9%), and 16 (10.3%), respectively. Length gain was slow, acceptable, and rapid in 87 (55.7%), 49 (31.4%), and 20 (12.9%) infants, respectively. Head circumference gain was slow, acceptable and rapid in 103 (66.5%), 42 (26.5%), and 11 (7.0%) infants, respectively. The risk [aOR (95% CI)] for slow weight gain increased with early initiation of complementary feeding [8.0 (3.5, 18.0)] and decreased with a longer duration of EBF [0.4 (0.2, 0.6), P < 0.001]. The risk for rapid weight gain also decreased with the longer duration of EBF [0.27 (0.1, 0.5), P < 0.001]. Gestational age < 32 weeks ,weight for gestation at birth, and re-hospitalization following discharge were the other key factors influencing the growth rate. CONCLUSION: Among babies born preterm (≤ 34 weeks), more than half had slow gain in weight, length and head circumference. EBF till 6 months corrected age was protective against slow and rapid weight gain.

Factors associated with body weight gain and insulin-resistance: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is the result of energy intake (EI) chronically exceeding energy expenditure. However, the potential metabolic factors, including insulin resistance, remain unclear. This study longitudinally investigated factors associated with changes in body weight. SUBJECTS: A cohort of 707 adults without diabetes were investigated at the 4-year follow-up visit. The habitual intake of energy and macronutrients during the past 12 months was assessed using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire for the local population. Homeostatic model assessment of ß-cell function and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used as a surrogate measure of insulin resistance. Additionally, PNPLA3 was genotyped. RESULTS: Eighty-seven participants were weight gainers (G; cutoff value = 5 kg), and 620 were non-gainers (NG). Initial anthropometric (G vs. NG: age, 44 ± 13 vs 51 ± 13 years, P < 0.001; body mass index, 27.8 ± 6.5 vs 28.1 ± 5.1 kg/m2, P = ns; body weight, 76.7 ± 22.1 vs 74.2 ± 14.7 kg, P = ns; final body weight, 86.3 ± 23.7 vs 72.9 ± 14.2 kg, P < 0.001) and diet characteristics, as well as insulin concentrations and HOMA-IR values, were similar in both groups. Four years later, G showed significantly increased EI, insulin concentrations, and HOMA-IR values. G had a higher prevalence of the PNPLA3 CG and GG alleles than NG (P < 0.05). The presence of G was independently associated with age (OR = 1.031), EI change (OR = 2.257), and unfavorable alleles of PNPLA3 gene (OR = 1.700). Final body mass index, waist circumference, and EI were independently associated with final HOMA-IR (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: EI is associated with body weight gain, and genetic factors may influence the energy balance. Insulin resistance is a consequence of weight gain, suggesting a possible intracellular protective mechanism against substrate overflow. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN15840340.

Long-term weight gain in children with craniopharyngioma.

OBJECTIVE: Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma mainly affects children. Excessive weight gain is a major long-term complication. The primary objective of this study was to assess long-term weight changes in children treated for craniopharyngioma. The secondary objectives were to identify risk factors for excessive weight gain and to look for associations with hypothalamic damage by the tumour or treatment. DESIGN: Single-centre retrospective cohort study. METHOD: Children managed for craniopharyngioma at our centre between 1990 and 2019 were included. The body mass index (BMI) standard deviation scores (SDS) at baseline and at last follow-up were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed in order to identify variables associated with the long-term BMI-SDS variation. RESULTS: The 108 patients had a mean follow-up of 10.4 years. The mean BMI-SDS increase over time was 2.11 (P < .001) overall, 1.21 (P < .001) in the group without hypothalamic involvement by the tumour, and 1.95 (P < .001) in the group managed using intended hypothalamus-sparing surgery. The absence of hypothalamic involvement by the tumour or treatment was significantly associated with less weight gain (P = .046 and P < .01, respectively). After adjustment, factors associated with a BMI-SDS change greater than 2 were female sex (P = .023), tumour involving the hypothalamus (P = .04), and higher baseline BMI (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Clinically significant weight gain occurred in nearly all children treated for craniopharyngioma, including those whose hypothalamus was spared by the tumour and intentionally by treatment. However, hypothalamus integrity was associated with less weight gain. Despite hypothalamus-sparing strategies, hypothalamic obesity remains a major concern, indicating a need for novel treatment approaches.

Effect of mode of delivery on postpartum weight retention: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Retention of weight gained over pregnancy increases the risk of long-term obesity and related health concerns. While many risk factors for this postpartum weight retention have been examined, the role of mode of delivery in this relationship remains controversial. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of mode of delivery on postpartum weight retention. METHODS: Ten electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan-Fang database, the VIP database and China Biology Medicine Database (CBM) were searched from inception through November 2022. Review Manager 5.4 was used to pool the study data and calculate effect sizes. For dichotomous data, the odds ratio and 95 % confidence interval were used to report the results. For continuous data, the mean difference (MD) and 95 % confidence interval were used to report the results. The outcomes were the amount of postpartum weight retention and the number or proportion of women who experienced postpartum weight retention. The Newcastle- Ottawa Scale (NOS) and GRADE Guidelines were used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. FINDINGS: A total of 16 articles were included in the systematic review and 13 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that the mode of delivery had a significant effect on postpartum weight retention, women who delivered by caesarean section were more likely to experience postpartum weight retention compared to those who delivered vaginally. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were stable and credible. CONCLUSION: Due to the limitations of this study, the findings need to be treated with caution. And, to better prevent the postpartum weight retention, future practice and research need to further focus on upstream modifiable factors.

Associations of gestational weight gain with the long-term postpartum weight gain, body mass index, waist circumference and abdominal obesity: A 27-year prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the associations between gestational weight gain (GWG) and long-term postpartum maternal weight gain, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and the risk of general and abdominal obesity, beyond motherhood (some 27 y after childbirth). METHODS: Participants were 1953 women enrolled in the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy cohort study that started in the early 1980 s, with the most recent follow-up at 27 y postpartum. We examined the prospective associations of GWG in pregnancy with weight, BMI, and WC and the risk of adiposity 27 y after the index pregnancy. We used linear and multinomial logistic regressions to examine the independent effect of GWG on each outcome, adjusting for potential confounders and mediators. RESULTS: The average GWG during pregnancy was 14.88 kg (SD 5.24). One in four women (25.50%) gained below the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations and one in three (34.00%) gained excess weight during pregnancy. Every 100 g/week increment of GWG was associated with 2.0 (95% CI: 1.5, 2.6) kg, 0.7 (0.5, 0.9) kg/m2, 1.3 (0.8, 1.8) cm greater body weight, BMI, and WC, respectively 27 y postpartum. Women who gained inadequate weight in pregnancy had significantly lower odds of general obesity (OR; 0.70, 95% CI:0.53,0.94) or abdominal obesity (0.73; 0.56,0.96), whereas those who gained excess gestational weight had much higher odds of general obesity (4.49; 3.36,6.00) and abdominal obesity (3.09; 2.29,4.16). These associations were independent of potential confounders. CONCLUSION: Maternal GWG in pregnancy independently and strongly predicted beyond motherhood weight gain trajectory. GWG within IOM recommendation may prevent long-term development of both general and central obesity.

Autobiographical memory following weight gain in adult patients with Anorexia Nervosa: A longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) show overgeneralization of memory (OGM) when generating autobiographical episodes related to food and body shape. These memories are central for the construction of a coherent self-concept, interpersonal relationships, and problem-solving abilities. The current study aims to investigate changes in autobiographical memory following weight gain. METHODS: OGM was assessed with an adapted version of the Autobiographical Memory Test including food-, body-, depression-related, and neutral cues. N = 41 female patients with AN (28 restricting-, 13 binge-eating/purging-subtype; mean disease duration: 4.5 years; mean BMI: 14.5 kg/m2) and N = 27 healthy controls (HC) were included at baseline. After inpatient treatment (mean duration: 11 weeks), 24 patients with AN and 24 age-matched HC were reassessed. Group differences were assessed using independent samples t-tests for cross-sectional comparisons and repeated measures ANOVAs for longitudinal data. RESULTS: At baseline, patients with AN generated significantly fewer specific memories than HC, independent of word category (F(1.66) = 27.167, p < 0.001). During inpatient stay, the average weight gain of patients with AN was 3.1 body mass index points. At follow-up, patients with AN showed a significant improvement in the number of specific memories for both depression-related and neutral cues, but not for food- and body-related cues. CONCLUSIONS: Generalised OGM (i.e., independent of word category) in patients with AN before weight restoration may be a general incapacity to recall autobiographical memory. After weight gain, the previously well-studied pattern of eating disorder-related OGM emerges. The clinical relevance of the continuing disorder-related OGM in patients with AN after weight gain is discussed.

The effect of individualized nutrition training of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) on their growth and development a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effectiveness of individualized nutrition training for mothers of children who underwent congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery on their children's growth and development. METHODS: The researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial at Çukurova University Medical Faculty Balcali Hospital in Adana, Turkey, between January 20th, 2021, and June 30th, 2021. They recruited 42 children with CHD and their families. Researchers used a personal information form, growth parameter measurements, and the Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory to assess the children. Participants were randomly divided into three groups. Control group, received standard care. Experimental group 1 (orally fed), received family-centered care and individualized nutrition training focused on age-appropriate food content, preparation methods, and meeting children's caloric needs. Experimental group 2 (orally and nutritionally fed), received the same interventions as group 1. The training programs for the experimental groups included information on strengthening breast milk and additional nutritional nutrition support. The training programs for the experimental groups likely addressed feeding challenges specific to children with CHD. RESULTS: The study found a statistically significant difference in weight gain between the first and third follow-ups within the training group (children who received individualized nutrition education). This suggests that the training may have positively impacted weight gain. Additionally, the children in the training groups who were breastfed for longer than 12 months had better growth parameters and developmental scores compared to those with shorter breastfeeding durations. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that individualized nutrition training for mothers of children with CHD surgery may support their children's growth and development, particularly when combined with prolonged breastfeeding.

Comparison of Growth Outcomes Between Human Milk-Fed Preterm Infants on Standard Versus Adjustable Fortification Protocols.

Background: Human milk (HM) is usually fortified using standard fortification (STD) to improve nutrition of preterm infants. However, the protein component may still be insufficient. HM could be further fortified with additional protein to improve STD. Objective: The primary objective was to compare changes in body weight (g/day, g/kg/day), length, and head circumference (mm/day) between preterm neonates fed HM with STD and those fed HM with adjustable fortification (ADJ). Methods: This study was a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled study in preterm infants of gestational age <32 weeks and weighing ≤1,800 g, admitted to the neonatal unit of the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health. Once the infants received full HM feed with STD at 24 kcal/oz, they were randomized to either continue with STD or with ADJ group by adding additional protein to the STD and making further protein adjustments based on the blood urea nitrogen levels. Results: Thirty preterm infants completed the study and were randomized into two groups of 15 each. The baseline characteristics, total fluid, and energy intake were similar. Compared with the STD group, infants in the ADJ group exhibited significantly greater weight gain (36.46 ± 6.09 vs. 25.78 ± 8.81 g/day; p = 0.001) and greater length gain (1.93 ± 0.57 vs. 1.12 ± 0.64 mm/day; p = 0.001). Protein intake significantly correlated with both weight (r = 0.632, p < 0.001) and length gain (r = 0.577, p = 0.001); however, no correlation was found between energy intake, volume intake, and growth outcomes. Conclusion: Preterm infants fed with ADJ had significantly higher weight and length gains than those fed with STD, suggesting that additional protein intake may play an important role in growth.

Comparison of the Effect of Direct Breastfeeding, Expressed Human Milk, and Infant Formula Feeding on Infant Weight Trajectories: A Systematic Review.

Background: Formula and breastfeeding are known factors associated with infant weight trajectories. Evidence exploring the effect of expressed human milk feeding on infant weight in the community setting has not been well synthesized. Objectives: This systematic review examined (1) weight changes among infants fed expressed human milk and (2) differences in weight change between infants fed expressed human milk and infants fed at the breast or infant formula via bottle. Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The quality of each study was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Tools. Results: A total of six studies met the eligibility criteria and included a total of 5,152 infants. The within-subject analysis identified only 31 infants strictly or predominantly fed expressed human milk. The between-subject analysis comparing expressed human milk feeding to the available comparison groups (formula-fed or direct at the breastfed) revealed that higher weight gains were observed in the weight trajectories among infants in the bottle or formula-fed conditions in four of the six included studies. Conclusions: Findings from the few studies included in this review found a difference in the infant weight gain patterns among expressed human milk-fed infants when compared with their respective feeding groups (directly breastfed or formula-fed). Further research is needed to corroborate these findings and elucidate the clinical significance of the differences in weight gain patterns observed across infant feeding groups.

Association between weight change, waist circumference change, and the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in individuals with metabolically healthy overweight or obesity and metabolically unhealthy overweight or obesity.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore and compare the effect of weight change, and waist circumference (WC) change, on the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in individuals with metabolically healthy overweight or obesity (MHOW/O) and metabolically unhealthy overweight or obesity (MUOW/O) in a health check-up cohort in China. METHODS: 5625 adults with overweight or obesity, and free from NAFLD at baseline were included. Metabolically healthy was defined as not having any components of metabolic syndrome. Weight/WC changes were calculated as the relative difference between the first and second visits of check-up. NAFLD was assessed based on abdominal ultrasound. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 2.1 (IQR: 1.1-4.3) years, 1849 participants developed NAFLD. In MHOW/O participants, the multivariable adjusted HRs (95 % CIs) for NAFLD in weight change ≤ -5.0 %, and - 4.9-- 1.0 % were 0.36 (0.23-0.59), 0.59 (0.43-0.80), respectively, compared to the weight stable group (-0.9% to 0.9 %). The corresponding HRs (95 % CIs) for the association between WC change (≤ 6.0 %, - 5.9 to -3.0 %) and NAFLD in MHOW/O participants were 0.41 (0.27-0.62), and 0.74 (0.54-1.01), respectively, compared to the WC stable group (-2.9-2.9 %). Similar patterns were observed in MUOW/O participants. A more marked gradient of cumulative incidence of NAFLD across weight/WC change categories was observed in MHOW/O than in MUOW/O individuals. CONCLUSIONS: A more evident association between weight/WC loss and risk of NAFLD was observed in MHOW/O than in MUOW/O individuals. Our findings indicate the practical significance of encouraging all individuals with overweight and obesity to achieve a clinically relevant level of weight/WC loss to prevent NAFLD, even among metabolic healthy groups.

Gestational Weight Gain: Is the Role of Genetic Variants a Determinant? A Review.

Excessive or insufficient gestational weight gain (GWG) leads to diverse adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. There is evidence that pregestational body mass index (pBMI) plays a role in GWG, but no genetic cause has been identified. In this review, we aim to analyze genotype variants associated with GWG. Results: We identified seven genotype variants that may be involved in GWG regulation that were analyzed in studies carried out in Brazil, Romania, the USA, Turkey, Ukraine, and Canada. Some genetic variants were only associated with GWG in certain races or depending on the pBMI. In women who were obese or overweight before gestation, some genetic variants were associated with GWG. Environmental and genetic factors together showed a greater association with GWG than genetic factors alone; for example, type of diet was observed to have a significant influence. Conclusions: We found little scientific evidence of an association between genotype variants in countries with a high prevalence of women of reproductive age who are overweight and obese, such as in Latin America. GWG may be more dependent on environmental factors than genetic variants. We suggest a deeper study of genetic variants, cytokines, and their possible association with GWG, always with the respective control of potential cofounding factors, such as pBMI, diet, and race.

Association of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance with feed efficiency and production traits of finishing beef steers.

Increasing nutrient utilization efficiency is an important component of enhancing the sustainability of beef cattle production. The objective of this experiment was to determine the association of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance with dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), gain:feed ratio (G:F), and residual feed intake (RFI). Steers (n = 54; initial body weight = 518 ±â€…27.0 kg) were subjected to an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) where glucose was dosed through a jugular catheter and serial blood samples were collected. Three days after the last group's IVGTT, steers began a 63-d DMI and ADG test. Body weight was measured on days 0, 1, 21, 42, 62, and 63, and DMI was measured using an Insentec Roughage Intake Control system (Hokofarm Group, Emmeloord, the Netherlands). To examine relationships between DMI, ADG, G:F, and RFI with IVGTT measurements, Pearson correlations were calculated using Proc Corr of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Additionally, cattle were classified based on DMI, ADG, RFI, and G:F, where the medium classification was set as mean ±â€…0.5 SD, the low classification was < 0.5 SD from the mean, and the high classification was > 0.5 SD from the mean. No associations between DMI and IVGTT parameters were observed, and no differences were detected when classifying cattle as having low, medium, or high DMI. Peak insulin concentration in response to the IVGTT tended to be correlated with ADG (r = 0.28; P = 0.07), indicating cattle with greater ADG tend to have a greater insulin release in response to glucose. Glucose nadir concentrations tended to be positively correlated with ADG (r = 0.26; P = 0.10). Additionally, the glucose nadir was greater in high-ADG steers (P = 0.003). The association of greater glucose nadir with high-ADG could indicate that high-ADG steers do not clear glucose as efficiently as low-ADG steers, potentially indicating increased insulin resistance. Further, RFI was not correlated with IVGTT measurements, but low RFI steers had a greater peak glucose concentration (P = 0.040) and tended to have a greater glucose area under the curve (P = 0.09). G:F was correlated with glucose area under the curve (r = 0.33; P = 0.050), glucose nadir (r = 0.35; P = 0.011), and insulin time to peak (r = 0.39; P = 0.010). These results indicate that glucose metabolism and insulin signaling are associated with growth and efficiency, but the molecular mechanisms that drive these effects need to be elucidated.

Feed efficiency is an important component of improving the sustainability of beef production. There is a need to understand how metabolism influences feed efficiency. This experiment aimed to explore the association of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance with feed intake, growth, and efficiency of finishing beef cattle. The results indicate that there is a relationship between insulin resistance and improved efficiency measured as the ratio of growth to feed intake. The findings of this experiment are novel as they show a relationship between insulin resistance and feed efficiency and indicate further research is needed to determine the mechanisms of insulin resistance in ruminants that contribute to improved feed efficiency.

Association of maternal body mass index change with risk of large for gestational age among pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations of body mass index (BMI) change and large for gestational age (LGA) among prepregnancy normal-weight women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: The retrospective study including 9515 normal-weight pregnant women (1331 women with GDM and 8184 without GDM) was conducted in Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital in 2020. The BMI change was calculated as gestational weight gain in kilograms by maternal height in meters. The binary logistic regression, stratified analyses, restricted cubic spline models and additive interaction analysis were adopted to reveal the relationship between BMI change and LGA. RESULTS: Pregnant women with GDM had a lower level of BMI change but a higher incidence of LGA compared with those without GDM. After adjustment for covariates variables, we found that the risk of LGA was associated with the highest quartile of BMI change (OR = 1.89, 95%CI:1.27-2.8 for GDM and OR = 1.48,95%CI:1.27-1.75 for non-GDM). There were significant linear relationships of BMI change and LGA with the inflection point of 5.096 and 5.401 kg/m2 in GDM and non-GDM groups. Significant additive interaction was observed between parity and BMI change level concerning LGA. A significant difference in BMI change and gestational weight gain (GWG) for LGA prediction was detected. CONCLUSION: Higher BMI changes were significantly associated with a higher risk of LGA in pregnant women with or without GDM in a linear dose-response relationship, with the threshold around 5.096 and 5.401 kg/m2, respectively. These suggested that BMI changes may be a useful predictor for the incidence of LGA in singleton pregnant women.