To what extent do somatotype structures affect athletic performance in professional athletes?

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to ascertain the influence of somatotype structures on athletic performance among professional athletes. METHODS: Twenty-eight professional athletes, comprising 14 handball players and 14 volleyball players, were enlisted as participants for this study. As per the methodology, evaluations encompassing explosive power, strength, flexibility, horizontal jump, agility, sprint, and hand-foot reaction tests were conducted. Following physiological assessments, parameters including body mass index, body fat percentage, and somatotype were computed. The impact of athletes' somatotype structures on their athletic performance was investigated employing linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The endomorphy value serves as a negative predictor (r2=0.159) for explosive power, whereas the mesomorphy (r2=0.204) and ectomorphy (r2=0.379) values act as positive predictors of explosive power. Ectomorphy value negatively predicts grip strength (r2=0.399) and back strength (r2=0.214), while mesomorphy value positively predicts grip strength (r2=0.233) and back strength (r=0.338; r2=0.114). Mesomorphy value negatively predicts flexibility (r2=0.247), long jump (r2=0.311), sprint (r2=0.256), and reaction (r2=0.133), whereas ectomorphy value positively predicts flexibility (r2=0.225), long jump (r2=0.463), sprint (r2=0.393), and reaction (r2=0.208). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a correlation between various somatotype structures and indicators of athletic performance. Within this framework, it can be inferred that mesomorphy and ectomorphy values serve as reliable predictors of athletes' performance. Furthermore, individuals with elevated mesomorphy values may exhibit enhanced strength performance, while those with higher ectomorphy values may demonstrate superior flexibility performance. Hence, when designing training programs aimed at enhancing athletes' performance attributes, it is imperative to account for the influence of body type on such performances.

Body Typology of Lebanese Adults: Initial Cluster Cross-Selection Study / Tipología Corporal de Adultos Libaneses: Estudio Inicial de Selección Cruzada de Grupos

SUMMARY: This study aims to investigate body typologies based on a combination of basic anthropo-morphological characteristics and body composition measured by multichannel bioimpedance in a sample from the adult population of Lebanon. A total of 302 subjects (173 males and 129 females) without acute or chronic health disorders were included in the study. Body composition was measured by the multichannel bioelectrical impedance (BIA) method, using the i30 device (MEDIANA, Korea). The research used 10 variables, including three basic anthropo-morphological variables, three for assessing fat, three for assessing the muscle component, and one index variable. K-means cluster analysis was used to define five specific clusters (5D) of body types based on sex. In light of the results, the study established five distinct clusters representing five different body typologies among Lebanese adults, categorized by sex: Male sample, Group 1 - Obese Endomorph (15.61 %), Group 2 - Balanced Mesomorph (16.76 %), Group 3 - Short Endomorph (30.06 %), Group 4 - Short Mesomorph (34.10 %), and Group 5 - Pathological Obese Endomorph (3.47 %); Female sample, Group 1- Obese Endomorph (2.33 %), Group 2 - Short Endo/Mesomorph (28.68 %), Group 3 - Short Ectomorph (32.56 %), Group 4 - Endomorph (22.48 %), and Group 5 - Balanced Mesomorph (13.95 %). Furthermore, the results indicated that the primary factor contributing to the distinctions among the identified clusters in terms of sex is fat tissue. This leads to the conclusion that eating habits cause the given differences, rather than the level of physical activity, regardless of sex.

Este estudio ttuvo como objetivo investigar tipologías corporales basadas en una combinación de características antropomorfológicas básicas y composición corporal, medidas por bioimpedancia multicanal, en una muestra de la población adulta del Líbano. Se incluyeron en el estudio un total de 302 sujetos (173 hombres y 129 mujeres) sin trastornos de salud agudos o crónicos. La composición corporal se midió mediante el método de impedancia bioeléctrica multicanal (BIA), utilizando el dispositivo i30 (MEDIANA, Corea). La investigación utilizó 10 variables, incluidas tres variables antropomorfológicas básicas, tres para evaluar la grasa, tres para evaluar el componente muscular y una variable índice. Se utilizó el análisis de conglomerados de K-medias para definir cinco conglomerados específicos (5D) de tipos de cuerpo según el sexo. En base a los resultados, el estudio estableció cinco grupos distintos que representan cinco tipologías corporales diferentes entre los adultos libaneses, categorizados por sexo: muestra masculina, grupo 1: endomorfo obeso (15,61 %), grupo 2: mesomorfo equilibrado (16,76 %), grupo 3 - Endomorfo Corto (30,06 %), Grupo 4 - Mesomorfo Corto (34,10 %), y Grupo 5 - Endomorfo Obeso Patológico (3,47 %); Muestra femenina, Grupo 1: Endomorfo obeso (2,33 %), Grupo 2: Endo/mesomorfo corto (28,68 %), Grupo 3: Ectomorfo corto (32,56 %), Grupo 4: Endomorfo (22,48 %) y Grupo 5: Mesomorfo equilibrado (13,95 %). Además, los resultados indicaron que el factor principal que contribuye a las distinciones entre los grupos identificados en términos de sexo es el tejido adiposo. Esto lleva a la conclusión de que las diferencias dadas son causadas por los hábitos alimentarios, más que por el nivel de actividad física, independientemente del sexo.

Dominant Somatotype Development in Relation to Body Composition and Dietary Macronutrient Intake among High-Performance Athletes in Water, Cycling and Combat Sports.

Relevant properties of the somatotype as important indicators can be associated with the body composition characteristics as well as both metabolic and bio-mechanical efficiency of athletes in the sport concerned. The primary aim of this single cross-sectional study was to determine the somatotype profiles in association with body composition and nutritional profiles among Lithuanian elite athletes (n = 189) involved in water, cycling and combat sports. The body composition along with the somatotype profiles and the nutritional status of athletes were evaluated using a battery of multiple frequency (5, 50, 250, 550, and 1000 kHz) bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and a 3-day food record analysis. In terms of the prediction for athletes to be classified as endomorphs, mesomorphs or ectomorphs, the linear discriminant analysis was conducted to assess the grouping of samples. Both the multiple linear regression and multivariate logistic regression statistical analyses were performed to explore the associations between the independent and dependent variables. The central tendency values for the somatotype components of endomorphy, mesomorphy and ectomorphy in athletes playing water, cycling and combat sports were 4.3-4.9-3.4, 4.3-4.8-3.4 and 4.5-5.5-2.9, respectively. The central mesomorph somatotype with a trend towards endomorphy was dominant and varied according to a high muscle-to-fat ratio in elite athletes. Significant (p ≤ 0.001) positive associations between both endomorphy and mesomorphy values and higher body fat percentage as well as lower and upper limb muscle mass were identified. The lower levels of trunk muscle mass were related to athletes' endomorphy and mesomorphy, too. Furthermore, in the athletes' sample under analysis, high-level mesomorphs were prone to consume low-carbohydrate (adjusted odd ratio (AOR) 0.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2; 0.9) and high-protein diets (AOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1; 5.5). Contrastingly, the elite athletes with a higher expression of endomorphy were on high-carbohydrate (AOR 5.4, 95% CI 1.1; 8.3) and high-fat diets (AOR 4.6, 95% CI 1.5; 7.1) along with insufficient protein diet (AOR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1; 0.9). Finally, whilst nutrition goals as a mediator can play a significant role in undergoing the maintenance of balance between the optimal body composition for athletic performance and the development of an ecto-mesomorphic somatotype, the elite athletes with higher levels of endomorphy value should be aware of lowering the body fat percentage coupled with dietary fat reduction and higher protein intakes. The findings obtained from the study may serve as an antecedent for a more targeted management of the elite athletes' training process. Somatotyping as an additional assessment method can be successfully deployed in choosing correct coaching techniques, contributing to talent recognition processes or identifying reference morphometric parameters in elite athletes competing in water, cycling and combat sports.

Tissue-specific genetic variation suggests distinct molecular pathways between body shape phenotypes and colorectal cancer.

It remains unknown whether adiposity subtypes are differentially associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). To move beyond single-trait anthropometric indicators, we derived four multi-trait body shape phenotypes reflecting adiposity subtypes from principal components analysis on body mass index, height, weight, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist and hip circumference. A generally obese (PC1) and a tall, centrally obese (PC3) body shape were both positively associated with CRC risk in observational analyses in 329,828 UK Biobank participants (3728 cases). In genome-wide association studies in 460,198 UK Biobank participants, we identified 3414 genetic variants across four body shapes and Mendelian randomization analyses confirmed positive associations of PC1 and PC3 with CRC risk (52,775 cases/45,940 controls from GECCO/CORECT/CCFR). Brain tissue-specific genetic instruments, mapped to PC1 through enrichment analysis, were responsible for the relationship between PC1 and CRC, while the relationship between PC3 and CRC was predominantly driven by adipose tissue-specific genetic instruments. This study suggests distinct putative causal pathways between adiposity subtypes and CRC.

[Metabolic features of the inflammatory syndrome of chronic pelvic pain (category IIIA of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis) in young men, depending on the somatotype].

PURPOSE: dentification of bioimpedance and clinical features in young men with chronic pelvic pain inflammatory syndrome (CP/CPPS NIH IIIa) depending on the somatotype. METHOD: s. 150 men of the first period of adulthood from 22 to 35 years old with CP/CPPS NIH IIIa were examined from 2018 to 2022 years. The average age was 31 [28; 34] year. Somatotypes were computed according to Carter and Heath. Body composition was assessed anthropometry and bioimpedance analysis. RESULTS: Ectomorphs had the least clinical, laboratory and instrumental manifestations of CP/CPPS NIH IIIa, the levels of total and free testosterone were the highest. The active cell mass predominated in the component composition of the body. Manifestations in mesomorphs had a moderate degree of severity. Endomorphs had the most severe manifestations of CP/CPPS NIH IIIa, the largest amount of fat mass was noted in the body composition than in men of other somatotypes, the hormonal status was characterized by the lowest levels of free and total testosterone, and the highest level of estradiol. DISCUSSION: Based on the literature data and our own results, it can be assumed that the identified changes in the body component composition and hormonal status of men contribute to the maintenance of chronic inflammation in the prostate, organ ischemia, impaired intracranial metabolism, recurrent course of CP/CPPS NIH IIIa, which significantly reduces the patients quality of life and increases the risk of prostate inflammation with age. CONCLUSION: Determining the somatotype and conducting a component analysis of body composition allows patients to be divided into groups according to the severity of manifestations of CP/CPPS NIH IIIa. The revealed patterns allow us to classify male endomorphs into the group with the most severe manifestations of CP/CPPS NIH IIIa.

Multi-Trait Body Shape Phenotypes and Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women: A Causal Mediation Analysis in the UK Biobank Cohort.

Body shape phenotypes combining multiple anthropometric traits have been linked to postmenopausal breast cancer (BC). However, underlying biological pathways remain poorly understood. This study investigated to what extent the associations of body shapes with postmenopausal BC risk is mediated by biochemical markers. The study included 176,686 postmenopausal women from UK Biobank. Four body shape phenotypes were derived from principal component (PC) analysis of height, weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). The four-way decomposition of the total effect was used to estimate mediation and interaction effects simultaneously as well as the mediated proportions. After 10.9 years median follow-up, 6,396 incident postmenopausal BC were diagnosed. There was strong evidence of positive associations between PC1 (general obesity) and PC2 (tall, low WHR), and BC risk. The association of PC1 with BC risk was positively mediated by testosterone and negatively by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), with the overall proportion mediated (sum of the mediated interaction and pure indirect effect (PIE)) accounting for 11.4% (95% confidence intervals: 5.1 to 17.8%) and -12.2% (-20.5% to -4.0%) of the total effect, respectively. Small proportions of the association between PC2 and BC were mediated by IGF-1 (PIE: 2.8% (0.6 to 4.9%)), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) (PIE: -6.1% (-10.9% to -1.3%)). Our findings are consistent with differential pathways linking different body shapes with BC risk, with a suggestive mediation through testosterone and IGF-1 in the relationship of a generally obese body shape and BC risk, while IGF-1 and SHBG may mediate a tall/lean body shape-BC risk association.

Anthropometric Characteristics, Training Intensity Distribution, Physiological Profile and Performance of an Elite Trail Runner: A Longitudinal Case Study / Características Antropométricas, Distribución de la Intensidad del Entrenamiento, Perfil Fisiológico y Rendimiento de un Corredor de Montaña de Élite: Un Estudio de Caso Longitudinal

SUMMARY: Trail running (TR), an extreme endurance sport, presents unique challenges due to the variety of terrain and distances, where physiological capacity and body composition have been considered better predictors of performance. This longitudinal case study examines the impact of training intensity distribution (TID) on an elite trail runner's physiological profile and performance over four years. Two TID models were implemented: polarized (POL) and pyramidal (PYR). Physiological assessments included maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), lactate thresholds (LT1 and LT2), and anthropometric characteristics. The training was classified according to the 3-zone intensity model (zone 1: below the first lactate threshold; zone 2: between the first and second lactate threshold; zone 3: above the second lactate threshold). During the four years, the average TID distribution was 75 % zone 1, 18 % zone 2, and 7 % zone 3. Physiological capacity increased by 7.14 % (14 to 15 km/h) for velocity at LT1 (vLT1) and 8.13 % (16 to 17.3 km/h) for velocity at LT2 (vLT2). The most significant increases were observed during the second year when the percentage of training time in zone 1 was lower (65 %) and in zone 2 greater (30 %) than those reported in other years. Consequently, vLT1 and vLT2 increased by 3.5 % (from 14.1 to 14.6 km/h) and 3.6 % (from 16.5 to 17.1 km/h), respectively. In conclusion, this case study revealed that emphasizing training in zone 2 (moderate intensity) and increasing the training load significantly improved performance at lactate thresholds. Despite modifying body composition, no influence on improving endurance performance was observed. These findings underscore the importance of TID in elite trail runners and highlight the potential to optimize physiological adaptations and performance outcomes.

Trail running (TR), un deporte de resistencia extrema, presenta desafíos únicos debido a la variedad de terrenos y distancias, donde la capacidad fisiológica y la composición corporal se han considerado mejores predictores del rendimiento. Este estudio de caso longitudinal examina el impacto de la distribución de la intensidad del entrenamiento (TID) en el perfil fisiológico y el rendimiento de un corredor de montaña de élite durante cuatro años. Se implementaron dos modelos TID: polarizado (POL) y piramidal (PYR). Las evaluaciones fisiológicas incluyeron el consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2max), los umbrales de lactato (LT1 y LT2) y las características antropométricas. El entrenamiento se clasificó según el modelo de intensidad de 3 zonas (zona 1: por debajo del primer umbral de lactato; zona 2: entre el primer y segundo umbral de lactato; zona 3: por encima del segundo umbral de lactato). Durante los cuatro años, la distribución TID promedio fue 75 % zona 1, 18 % zona 2 y 7 % zona 3. La capacidad fisiológica aumentó un 7,14 % (14 a 15 km/h) para la velocidad en LT1 (vLT1) y un 8,13 % (16 a 17,3 km/h) para velocidad en LT2 (vLT2). Los incrementos más significativos se observaron durante el segundo año cuando el porcentaje de tiempo de entrenamiento en la zona 1 fue menor (65 %) y en la zona 2 mayor (30 %) que los reportados en otros años. En consecuencia, vLT1 y vLT2 aumentaron un 3,5 % (de 14,1 a 14,6 km/h) y un 3,6 % (de 16,5 a 17,1 km/h), respectivamente. En conclusión, este estudio reveló que enfatizar el entrenamiento en la zona 2 (intensidad moderada) y aumentar la carga de entrenamiento mejoró significativamente el rendimiento en los umbrales de lactato. A pesar de modificar la composición corporal, no se observó influencia en la mejora del rendimiento de resistencia. Estos hallazgos subrayan la importancia del TID en los corredores de trail de élite y resaltan el potencial para optimizar las adaptaciones fisiológicas y los resultados de rendimiento.

Effect of pre-season and in-season training on anthropometric variables, somatotype, body composition and body proportion in elite basketball players.

The aims of the study were: 1) to evaluate the changes in anthropometric variables, body composition, somatotype and body proportions of elite basketball players throughout the pre-season period; 2) to evaluate the changes in anthropometric variables, body composition, somatotype and body proportions of elite basketball players throughout the in-season period; and 3) to observe if the age and position influenced the variables analyzed. A total of 17 players belonging to the men's ACB league team competing in the Euroleague (age = 23.42 ± 5.28 years-old) participated in the study. The players underwent an anthropometric measurement before and after the pre-season, as well as four evaluations throughout the in-season. Anthropometric indices, somatotype components according to Heath and Carter, and adiposity were calculated. The results show that during the pre-season, body mass, BMI, sum of 6 and 8 skinfolds, waist/hip ratio, adipose tissue (kg), adipose tissue percentage, and endomorphy decreased, while ectomorphy increased. However, no significant changes were found in the variables analyzed throughout the season; except for endomorphy, which increased along the in-season. Playing position and age did not have a significant influence on the changes in the anthropometric variables throughout the pre-season and the in-season. In conclusion, while changes in the anthropometric variables in the pre-season were observed, these remained the same during the in-season.

Genomic underpinnings of head and body shape in Arctic charr ecomorph pairs.

Across its Holarctic range, Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) populations have diverged into distinct trophic specialists across independent replicate lakes. The major aspect of divergence between ecomorphs is in head shape and body shape, which are ecomorphological traits reflecting niche use. However, whether the genomic underpinnings of these parallel divergences are consistent across replicates was unknown but key for resolving the substrate of parallel evolution. We investigated the genomic basis of head shape and body shape morphology across four benthivore-planktivore ecomorph pairs of Arctic charr in Scotland. Through genome-wide association analyses, we found genomic regions associated with head shape (89 SNPs) or body shape (180 SNPs) separately and 50 of these SNPs were strongly associated with both body and head shape morphology. For each trait separately, only a small number of SNPs were shared across all ecomorph pairs (3 SNPs for head shape and 10 SNPs for body shape). Signs of selection on the associated genomic regions varied across pairs, consistent with evolutionary demography differing considerably across lakes. Using a comprehensive database of salmonid QTLs newly augmented and mapped to a charr genome, we found several of the head- and body-shape-associated SNPs were within or near morphology QTLs from other salmonid species, reflecting a shared genetic basis for these phenotypes across species. Overall, our results demonstrate how parallel ecotype divergences can have both population-specific and deeply shared genomic underpinnings across replicates, influenced by differences in their environments and demographic histories.

Differentiation of the body build and posture in the population of people with intellectual disabilities and Down Syndrome: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to identify the variables of the internal compensatory mechanisms that differentiate the body build and posture of people with Down syndrome (DS) from the intellectual disability (ID) population. It was assumed that gaining knowledge in the abovementioned aspect will allow for a better understanding of the limitation of the kinesthetic abilities of people with ID and DS and simultaneously enable to optimize the process of planning and interventions to improve physical activity in this population with the adequate use of theirs strengths in the biomechanical and morphofunctional systems. METHODS: The methodology of this systematic review was developed according to the PRISMA guidelines. A search of PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus databases was conducted to identify all studies on DS/ID and the body build and posture from 2003 to 2023. RESULTS: 395 articles were assessed to determine eligibility, while 22 studies met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to detailed analysis and assessment of their methodological quality. The differentiation of the body build and posture in DS population can be induced by both internal and external compensatory mechanisms. It is difficult to confirm the direct effect of the intrinsic variables that impact the body build and posture in the ID population, excluding people with DS. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to other ID, the intrinsic differences in the body build and posture in DS individuals were induced by gender, age, and level of ID. The tendency for diversity between DS and other ID populations in body build and posture may be determined by the presence of the third copy of chromosome 21 in DS group. Internal compensatory processes may be induced mainly by abnormalities in the structure of the cervical vertebrae and feet. IQ should not be used as the only variable that identifies the population of people with ID.

Links between the genetic determinants of morning plasma cortisol and body shape: a two-sample Mendelian randomisation study.

High cortisol production in Cushing's syndrome leads to fat centralisation. The influence of modest cortisol variations on body shape, however, is less clear. We examined potentially causal associations between morning plasma cortisol and body shape and obesity with inverse-variance weighted random-effects models in a two-sample Mendelian randomisation analysis. We used publicly available summary statistics from the CORtisol NETwork (CORNET) consortium, UK Biobank, and the Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits (GIANT) consortium. Only in women, morning plasma cortisol (proxied by ten genetic polymorphisms) was associated positively with waist size reflected in waist-to-hip index (WHI, 0.035 standard deviation (SD) units change per one SD cortisol increase; 95% confidence interval (0.002-0.067); p = 0.036) and "a body shape index" (ABSI; 0.039 (0.006-0.071); p = 0.021). There was no evidence for associations with hip index (HI) or body mass index (BMI). Among individual polymorphisms, rs7450600 stood out (chromosome 6; Long Intergenic Non-Protein-Coding RNA 473 gene, LINC00473). Morning plasma cortisol proxied by rs7450600 was associated positively with WHI and inversely with HI and BMI in women and men. Our findings support a causal association of higher morning plasma cortisol with larger waist size in women and highlight LINC00473 as a genetic link between morning plasma cortisol and body shape.

Variability in Body Shape, Superficial Soft Tissue Geometry, and Seatbelt Fit Relative to the Pelvis in Automotive Postures-Methods for Volunteer Data Collection With Open Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Variability in body shape and soft tissue geometry have the potential to affect the body's interaction with automotive safety systems. In this study, we developed a methodology to capture information on body shape, superficial soft tissue geometry, skeletal geometry, and seatbelt fit relative to the skeleton-in automotive postures-using Open Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Volunteer posture and belt fit were first measured in a vehicle and then reproduced in a custom MRI-safe seat (with an MR-visible seatbelt) placed in an Open MR scanner. Overlapping scans were performed to create registered three-dimensional reconstructions spanning from the thigh to the clavicles. Data were collected with ten volunteers (5 female, 5 male), each in their self-selected driving posture and in a reclined posture. Examination of the MRIs showed that in the males with substantial anterior abdominal adipose tissue, the abdominal adipose tissue tended to overhang the pelvis, narrowing in the region of the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS). For the females, the adipose tissue depth around the lower abdomen and pelvis was more uniform, with a more continuous layer superficial to the ASIS. Across the volunteers, the pelvis rotated rearward by an average of 62% of the change in seatback angle during recline. In some cases, the lap belt drew nearer to the pelvis as the volunteer reclined (as the overhanging folds of adipose tissue stretched). In others, the belt-to-pelvis distance increased as the volunteer reclined. These observations highlight the importance of considering both interdemographic and intrademographic variability when developing tools to assess safety system robustness.

Development of a Non-Contact Sensor System for Converting 2D Images into 3D Body Data: A Deep Learning Approach to Monitor Obesity and Body Shape in Individuals in Their 20s and 30s.

This study demonstrates how to generate a three-dimensional (3D) body model through a small number of images and derive body values similar to the actual values using generated 3D body data. In this study, a 3D body model that can be used for body type diagnosis was developed using two full-body pictures of the front and side taken with a mobile phone. For data training, 400 3D body datasets (male: 200, female: 200) provided by Size Korea were used, and four models, i.e., 3D recurrent reconstruction neural network, point cloud generative adversarial network, skinned multi-person linear model, and pixel-aligned impact function for high-resolution 3D human digitization, were used. The models proposed in this study were analyzed and compared. A total of 10 men and women were analyzed, and their corresponding 3D models were verified by comparing 3D body data derived from 2D image inputs with those obtained using a body scanner. The model was verified through the difference between 3D data derived from the 2D image and those derived using an actual body scanner. Unlike the 3D generation models that could not be used to derive the body values in this study, the proposed model was successfully used to derive various body values, indicating that this model can be implemented to identify various body types and monitor obesity in the future.

Growth type and relative condition factor as a function of the body shape of deep-water crustaceans in the Colombian Caribbean Sea.

Length-weight relationships (LWR) and relative condition factor were described for species of deep-water crustaceans caught with bottom trawls in a depth range between 150 and 535 m during August and December of 2009, and March and May of 2010 in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. A linear regression was performed using the logarithmically transformed data to calculate the a and b coefficients of the LWR for 22 crustacean species corresponding to 13 families and 19 genera and three types of crustaceans (shrimp, crab, lobster). Six crustacean species showed a maximum total length greater than that reported in SeaLifeBase: Garymunida longipes (77.00 mm), Eunephrops bairdii (220.00 mm), Metanephrops binghami (197.46 mm), Penaeopsis serrata (149.00 mm), Polycheles typhlops (196.27 mm) and Pleoticus robustus (240.00 mm). A total of 11 species (50.0%) exhibited isometric growth, five species (22.7%) negative allometric and six species (27.3%) positive allometric. This study shows the first estimates of LWR for 12 species of deep-water crustaceans in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. We demonstrate for the first time that the growth parameters (intercept and slope) of the LWR varying significantly as a function of the body shape of crabs, lobsters and shrimps in deep-water crustaceans.

Interactions of obesity, body shape, diabetes and sex steroids with respect to prostate cancer risk in the UK Biobank cohort.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and diabetes are associated inversely with low-grade prostate cancer risk and affect steroid hormone synthesis but whether they modify each other's impact on prostate cancer risk remains unknown. METHODS: We examined the independent associations of diabetes, body mass index (BMI), 'a body shape index' (ABSI), hip index (HI), circulating testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (per one standard deviation increase) and oestradiol ≥175 pmol/L with total prostate cancer risk using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models for UK Biobank men. We evaluated multiplicative interactions (pMI ) and additive interactions (relative excess risk from interaction (pRERI ), attributable proportion (pAR ), synergy index (pSI )) with obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2 ) and diabetes. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 10.3 years, 9417 incident prostate cancers were diagnosed in 195,813 men. Diabetes and BMI were associated more strongly inversely with prostate cancer risk when occurring together (pMI = 0.0003, pRERI = 0.032, pAP = 0.020, pSI = 0.002). ABSI was associated positively in obese men (HR = 1.081; 95% CI = 1.030-1.135) and men with diabetes (HR = 1.114; 95% CI = 1.021-1.216). The inverse associations with obesity and diabetes were attenuated for high-ABSI ≥79.8 (pMI = 0.022, pRERI = 0.008, pAP = 0.005, pSI <0.0001 obesity; pMI = 0.017, pRERI = 0.047, pAP = 0.025, pSI = 0.0005 diabetes). HI was associated inversely in men overall (HR = 0.967; 95% CI = 0.947-0.988). Free testosterone (FT) was associated most strongly positively in normal weight men (HR = 1.098; 95% CI = 1.045-1.153) and men with diabetes (HR = 1.189; 95% CI = 1.081-1.308). Oestradiol was associated inversely in obese men (HR = 0.805; 95% CI = 0.682-0.951). The inverse association with obesity was stronger for high-FT ≥243 pmol/L (pRERI = 0.040, pAP = 0.031, pSI = 0.002) and high-oestradiol (pRERI = 0.030, pAP = 0.012, pSI <0.0001). The inverse association with diabetes was attenuated for high-FT (pMI = 0.008, pRERI = 0.015, pAP = 0.009, pSI = 0.0006). SHBG was associated inversely in men overall (HR = 0.918; 95% CI = 0.895-0.941), more strongly for high-HI ≥49.1 (pMI = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and diabetes showed synergistic inverse associations with prostate cancer risk, likely involving testosterone reduction for diabetes and oestrogen generation for obesity, which were attenuated for high-ABSI. HI and SHBG showed synergistic inverse associations with prostate cancer risk.

"Shape bias" goes social: Children categorize people by weight rather than race.

Children tend to categorize novel objects according to their shape rather than their color, texture, or other salient properties-known as "shape bias." We investigated whether this bias also extends to the social domain, where it should lead children to categorize people according to their weight (their body shape) rather than their race (their skin color). In Study 1, participants (n = 50 US 4- and 5-year-olds) were asked to extend a novel label from a target object/person to either an object/person who shared the target's shape/weight, color/race, or neither. Children selected the shape-/weight-matched individual over the color-/race-matched individual (dobjects  = 1.58, dpeople  = 0.99) and their shape biases were correlated across the two domains. In Study 2, participants (n = 20 US 4- and 5-year-olds) were asked to extend a novel internal property from a target person to either a person who shared the target's weight, race, or neither. Again, children selected the weight-matched individual (d = 1.98), suggesting they view an individual's weight as more predictive of their internal properties than their race. Overall, results suggest that children's early shape bias extends into the social domain. Implications for weight bias and early social cognition are discussed. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Preschoolers extend novel labels based on people's weight rather than their race. Preschoolers infer internal features based on people's weight rather than their race. Shape biases are present, and correlated, across the social and object domains.

The role of abiotic and biotic factors in the unequal body shape diversification of a Gondwanan fish radiation (Otophysi: Characiformes).

Understanding why some clades diversify greatly while others do not is a major goal of evolutionary biology. Both abiotic and biotic factors are important in driving unequal morphological diversity across the tree of life. However, few studies have quantified how abiotic habitat and community composition differences influence unequal morphological diversification in spatiotemporally diffuse radiations. We use geometric morphometrics, abiotic habitat data generated by Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses, evolutionary simulations, and phylogenetic comparative methods to determine whether random evolution, habitat variation, competition for niches, or a combination of factors influenced the unequal body shape diversity of a Gondwanan freshwater fish radiation. We find that Neotropical characiform lineages, which exhibit substantially more body shape diversity than their African counterparts, occupy significantly more slope and elevation habitats than African lineages. Differences in habitat occupation between the continental radiations occur through a combination of likely competition with cypriniform fishes in Africa restricting access to higher slope and elevation habitats and significantly more low-elevation and slope habitats available in the Neotropics. Our findings suggest that spatiotemporally widespread radiations, like Characiformes, do not diversify across homogenized habitats and biotic assemblages, with differences in community structure and physical habitat playing an important role in driving unequal morphological diversification.

Evaluating the effect of targeting body shape concerns on long-term weight change.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this follow-up to a randomized proof-of-concept study was to determine if targeting body shape concern (BSC) has a clinically significant impact on long-term weight change among adult women of higher body weight with BSC. A secondary aim was to observe the maintenance of body image improvements during follow-up. METHOD: In the original 4-week trial, women were randomized to behavioral weight loss recommendations alone (control; n = 15) or combined with the evidence-based body project intervention (n = 17). All participants were directed to continue monitoring diet and exercise through Week 8. The current analysis focused on follow-up data collected on weight, BSC, internalized weight bias, internalized thin ideal, and body appreciation at 8 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. Percent weight change was calculated from baseline and compared against clinical milestones of -2.5% and -5%. An intent-to-treat approach was used for individuals lost to follow-up (n = 11). RESULTS: Body project participants achieved the clinically significant target of -2.5% weight loss by 12 months. Control participants did not reach the milestone and regained lost weight at 12 months. Neither condition reached the 5% clinical target. Both groups experienced improved body image, but body project participants maintained a greater magnitude of improvement in all measures except internalized thin ideal at 12 months. CONCLUSION: The current study provides preliminary evidence that targeting BSC among women with BSC who want to lose weight may improve long-term weight loss. Further intervention development and testing are warranted. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study suggest that targeting negative body image among adult women with high BSC might be a pathway to improve long-term weight loss in behavioral weight management. This is aligned with precision medicine priorities to optimize weight-related health care.

Effect of CVAI on the incidence of MASLD compared to BMI in populations with different body types: A prospective cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To explore the relationship between body mass index (BMI), chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) and the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in populations with different body types defined by BMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: 24 191 participants from the Jinchang cohort were involved in the prospective cohort study with a 2.3-year follow-up. Information from epidemiological investigations, comprehensive health examinations and biochemical examinations was collected. MASLD was assessed by abdominal ultrasonography. BMI and CVAI were calculated using recognized formulas. Cox regressions, Restricted cubic spline (RCS) and Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were performed. The risk of MASLD increased with the increase in BMI and CVAI (Ptrend <0.001), and there was a nonlinear dose-response relationship. In the total population, BMI and CVAI increased the risk of MASLD with adjusted HR (95%CI) of 1.097 (1.091-1.104) and 1.024 (1.023-1.026), respectively. The results were similar in the lean and overweight/obese groups. There was also a nonlinear relationship between CVAI and MASLD (Pnon-linearity<0.001), no matter in which group. The area under the curve of CVAI was significantly higher than that of BMI in females with different body types, and the areas in the whole females were 0.802 (95%CI: 0.787-0.818) and 0.764 (95%CI: 0.747-0.780), respectively. There was no significant difference in the ability of BMI and CVAI to predict MASLD in all-sex and males, either in lean or overweight/obese groups. CONCLUSIONS: CVAI and BMI were independently associated with the risk of MASLD regardless of body types defined by BMI, and CVAI showed better diagnostic ability for MASLD in females.