Muscle strength cut-offs for the detection of metabolic syndrome in a nonrepresentative sample of collegiate students from Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Evidence shows an association between grip strength and health; however, grip strength cut-offs for the detection of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Latin American populations are scarce. The purpose of this study was to determine cut-offs of normalized grip strength (NGS) for the detection of MetS in a large nonrepresentative sample of a collegiate student population from Colombia. METHODS: A total of 1795 volunteers (61.4% female; age = 20.68 ± 3.10 years, mean ± SD), ranging between 18 and 30 years of age participated in the study. Strength was estimated using a handheld dynamometer and normalized to body mass (handgrip strength (kg)/body mass (kg)). Anthropometrics, serum lipids indices, blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose were measured. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. MetS was defined as including ≥3 of the 5 metabolic abnormalities according to the International Diabetes Federation definition. A metabolic risk score was computed from the following components: waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. RESULTS: Receiver operating curve analysis showed significant discriminatory accuracy of NGS in identifying the thresholds and risk categories. Lower strength was associated with increased prevalence of MetS. In males, weak, intermediate, and strong NGS values at these points were <0.466, 0.466-0.615, >0.615, respectively. In females, these cut-off points were <0.332, 0.332-0.437, >0.437, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our sex-specific cut-offs of NGS could be incorporated into a clinical setting for identifying college students at cardiometabolic disease risk.

Effect of Moderate- Versus High-Intensity Interval Exercise Training on Heart Rate Variability Parameters in Inactive Latin-American Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Ramírez-Vélez, R, Tordecilla-Sanders, A, Téllez-T, LA, Camelo-Prieto, D, Hernández-Quiñonez, PA, Correa-Bautista, JE, Garcia-Hermoso, A, Ramírez-Campillo, R, and Izquierdo, M. Effect of moderate- versus high-intensity interval exercise training on heart rate variability parameters in inactive Latin-American adults: a randomized clinical trial. J Strength Cond Res 34(12): 3403-3415, 2020-We investigated the effect of moderate versus high-intensity interval exercise training on the heart rate variability (HRV) indices in physically inactive adults. Twenty inactive adults were randomly allocated to receive either moderate-intensity training (MCT group) or high-intensity interval training (HIT group). The MCT group performed aerobic training at an intensity of 55-75%, which consisted of walking on a treadmill at 60-80% of the maximum heart rate (HRmax) until the expenditure of 300 kcal. The HIT group ran on a treadmill for 4 minutes at 85-95% peak HRmax and had a recovery of 4 minutes at 65% peak HRmax until the expenditure of 300 kcal. Supine resting HRV indices (time domain: SDNN = SD of normal-to-normal intervals; rMSSD = root mean square successive difference of R-R intervals and frequency domain: HFLn = high-frequency spectral power; LF = low-frequency spectral power and HF/LF ratio) were measured at baseline and 12 weeks thereafter. The SDNN changes were 3.4 (8.9) milliseconds in the MCT group and 29.1 (7.6) milliseconds in the HIT group {difference between groups 32.6 (95% confidence interval, 24.9 to 40.4 [p = 0.01])}. The LF/HFLn ratio changes were 0.19 (0.03) milliseconds in the MCT group and 0.13 (0.01) milliseconds in the HIT group (p between groups = 0.016). No significant group differences were observed for the rMSSD, HF, and LF parameters. In inactive adults, this study showed that a 12-week HIT training program could increase short-term HRV, mostly in vagally mediated indices such as SDNN and HF/LFLn ratio power. Trial registration. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02738385 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01796275, registered on March 23, 2016.

Handgrip strength attenuates the adverse effects of overweight on cardiometabolic risk factors among collegiate students but not in individuals with higher fat levels.

The aims of this study are to (i) examine a clustered metabolic syndrome composite score (MetScore) and fatness among college students across body mass index (BMI) categories, and (ii) determine whether fit individuals have lower MetScores, fewer individual metabolic syndrome components, and lower fatness than unfit individuals across BMI categories. A total of 1,795 participants aged  >18 years who participated in The FUPRECOL Study were selected for the present analyses. Handgrip strength was tested by a grip dynamometer and used to classify adults as fit or unfit. Among all participants, MetScore, percentage of body fat, and visceral adiposity increased linearly across the BMI categories among college students (all P < 0.001). Individuals who were overweight and fit had a lower MetScore (-0.6 SD; P = 0.02), body fat percentage (-2.6%; P < 0.001) and visceral adiposity (-0.2; P = 0.01) than unfit peers. Moderately fit obese individuals had significantly lower visceral fat levels than unfit obese peers (-3.0; P = 0.03). These results suggest that having adequate handgrip strength-a proxy of overall strength capacity-may attenuate obesity-related cardiometabolic risk. Moreover, weight loss should be recommended to all individuals with obesity, even among those who are currently considered fit.

Effectiveness of HIIT compared to moderate continuous training in improving vascular parameters in inactive adults.

BACKGROUND: Strong evidence shows that physical inactivity increases the risk of many adverse health conditions, including major non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), metabolic syndrome, and breast and colon cancers, and shortens life expectancy. We aimed to determine the effects of moderate (MCT)- versus high-intensity interval training (HIT) on vascular function parameters in physically inactive adults. We hypothesized that individualized HIT prescription would improve the vascular function parameters more than the MCT in a greater proportion of individuals. METHODS: Twenty-one inactive adults were randomly allocated to receive either MCT group (60-75% of their heart rate reserve, [HRR] or HIT group (4 min at 85-95% of peak HRR), 3 days a week for 12 weeks. Vascular function (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, FMD [%], normalized brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, FMDn [%], aortic pulse wave velocity, PWV [m·s- 1], AIx, augmentation index: aortic and brachial [%]), were measured at baseline and over 12 weeks of training. In order for a participant to be considered a responder to improvements in vascular function parameters (FMDn and PWV), the typical error was calculated in a favorable direction. RESULTS: FMD changed by - 1.0% (SE 2.1, d = 0.388) in the MCT group, and + 1.8% (SE 1.8, d = 0.699) in the HIT group (no significant difference between groups: 2.9% [95% CI, - 3.0 to 8.8]. PWV changed by + 0.1 m·s- 1 (SE 0.2, d = 0.087) in the MCT group but decreased by - 0.4 m·s- 1 in the HIT group (SE 0.2, d = 0.497), with significant difference between groups: - 0.4 [95% CI, - 0.2 to - 0.7]. There was not a significant difference in the prevalence of no-responder for FMD (%) between the MCT and HIT groups (66% versus 36%, P = 0.157). Regarding PWV (m·s- 1), an analysis showed that the prevalence of no-responder was 77% (7 cases) in the MCT group and 45% (5 cases) in the HIT group (P = 0.114). CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of the present study, both groups experienced changed in vascular function parameters. Compared to MCT group, HIT is more efficacious for improving FMD and decreasing PWV, in physically inactive adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02738385 registered on 23 March 2016.

Ideal Cardiovascular Health, Handgrip Strength, and Muscle Mass Among College Students: The FUPRECOL Adults Study.

Garcia-Hermoso, A, Correa-Bautista, JE, Izquierdo, M, Tordecilla-Sanders, A, Prieto-Benavides, D, Sandoval-Cuellar, C, González-Ruíz, K, and Ramírez-Vélez, R. Ideal cardiovascular health, handgrip strength, and muscle mass among college students: the FUPRECOL Adults study. J Strength Cond Res 33(3): 747-754, 2019-The American Heart Association established the 2020 Strategic Impact Goals to define the concept of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) and the metrics needed to monitor it across populations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between handgrip strength, muscle mass, and ideal CVH among Colombian college students. Data from 1,835 college students were analyzed (1,128 female). Muscular strength was estimated using a hand-held dynamometer and normalized to body mass (normalized grip strength [NGS]). The percentage of body fat was determined for bioelectrical impedance analysis using tetrapolar whole-body impedance. Ideal CVH was defined as meeting the ideal levels of 4 behaviors (smoking, body mass index, physical activity, and diet adherence) and 3 factors (total cholesterol, fasting glucose, and blood pressure). Higher levels of NGS and muscle mass (relative to body mass) were associated with a higher number of ideal CVH metrics in both sexes (p for trend <0.001). For the total ideal CVH metrics scored on a continuous scale from 0 (all 7 poor) to 7 (all 7 ideal), a 1-metric increase was associated with reduced odds of weak NGS (33 and 36%) and low-medium muscle mass (28 and 34%) mass in men and women, respectively (all p < 0.001). This study indicates that in Colombian college students, both handgrip strength and muscle mass are positively associated with the ideal CVH metrics. To reduce the possible future public health burden of muscular weakness, health professionals need to encourage the public to optimize lifestyle-related risk factors during the young adult stage.

Grip Strength Moderates the Association between Anthropometric and Body Composition Indicators and Liver Fat in Youth with an Excess of Adiposity.

Paediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the most common early driver of chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to examine whether grip strength moderates the association between anthropometric and body composition parameters and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), an indicator of fat deposits in the liver, in children and adolescents with excess of adiposity. A total of 127 adolescents (67% girls) aged between 11 and 17, attending two public schools in Bogotá (Colombia), who had an axiological evaluation of obesity were included in this study. A grip strength test was assessed as an indicator of muscular strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness by maximal oxygen uptake was assessed using the 20 m shuttle-run test. Waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), fat mass, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (cm³) were included as anthropometric and body composition measures. CAP was determined with a FibroScan® 502 Touch device (Echosens, Paris, France). The anthropometric and body composition parameters including WC, WHtR, fat mass, and VAT were positively associated with the CAP (range ß = 0.423 to 0.580), slightly reduced after being adjusted for handgrip strength/weight. The Johnson-Neyman technique revealed a significant inverse relationship between WC, WHtR, VAT, and CAP when grip strength normalized by body mass was above but not equal to or below 0.475 (8.1% of the sample), 0.469 (8.9% of the sample), and 0.470 (8.5% of the sample), respectively. In conclusion, grip strength adjusted by body mass, has a moderating effect on the association between anthropometric and body composition parameters (including WC, WHtR, and VAT) and CAP in in children and adolescents with excess of adiposity, suggesting the importance of promoting muscular strength during paediatric population in order to prevent NAFLD.

Comparison of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, Slaughter Skinfold-Thickness Equations, and Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry for Estimating Body Fat Percentage in Colombian Children and Adolescents with Excess of Adiposity.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has been considered a reference method for measuring body fat percentage (BF%) in children and adolescents with an excess of adiposity. However, given that the DXA technique is impractical for routine field use, there is a need to investigate other methods that can accurately determine BF%. We studied the accuracy of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) technology, including foot-to-foot and hand-to-foot impedance, and Slaughter skinfold-thickness equations in the measurement of BF%, compared with DXA, in a population of Latin American children and adolescents with an excess of adiposity. A total of 127 children and adolescents (11⁻17 years of age; 70% girls) from the HEPAFIT (Exercise Training and Hepatic Metabolism in Overweight/Obese Adolescent) study were included in the present work. BF% was measured on the same day using two BIA analysers (Seca® 206, Allers Hamburg, Germany and Model Tanita® BC-418®, TANITA Corporation, Sportlife Tokyo, Japan), skinfold measurements (Slaughter equation), and DXA (Hologic Horizon DXA System®, Quirugil, Bogotá, Columbia). Agreement between measurements was analysed using t-tests, Bland⁻Altman plots, and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (ρc). There was a significant correlation between DXA and the other BF% measurement methods (r > 0.430). According to paired t-tests, in both sexes, BF% assessed by BIA analysers or Slaughter equations differ from BF% assessed by DXA (p < 0.001). The lower and upper limits of the differences compared with DXA were 6.3⁻22.9, 2.2⁻2.8, and -3.2⁻21.3 (95% CI) in boys and 2.3⁻14.8, 2.4⁻20.1, and 3.9⁻18.3 (95% CI) in girls for Seca® mBCA, Tanita® BC 420MA, and Slaughter equations, respectively. Concordance was poor between DXA and the other methods of measuring BF% (ρc < 0.5). BIA analysers and Slaughter equations underestimated BF% measurements compared to DXA, so they are not interchangeable methods for assessing BF% in Latin American children and adolescents with excess of adiposity.

Acute Effects of High Intensity, Resistance, or Combined Protocol on the Increase of Level of Neurotrophic Factors in Physically Inactive Overweight Adults: The BrainFit Study.

The purpose of this study was to compare the neurotrophic factor response following one session of high-intensity exercise, resistance training or both in a cohort of physically inactive overweight adults aged 18-30 years old. A randomized, parallel-group clinical trial of 51 men (23.6 ± 3.5 years; 83.5 ± 7.8 kg; 28.0 ± 1.9 kg/m2) who are physically inactive (i.e., < 150 min of moderate-intensity exercise per week or IPAQ score of <600 MET min/week for >6 months) and are either abdominally obese (waist circumference ≥90 cm) or have a body mass index, BMI ≥25 and ≤ 30 kg/m2 were randomized to the following four exercise protocols: high-intensity exercise (4 × 4 min intervals at 85-95% maximum heart rate [HRmax] interspersed with 4 min of recovery at 75-85% HRmax) (n = 14), resistance training (12-15 repetitions per set, at 50-70% of one repetition maximum with 60 s of recovery) (n = 12), combined high-intensity and resistance exercise (n = 13), or non-exercising control (n = 12). The plasma levels of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), neurotrophin-4 (also known as neurotrophin 4/5; NT-4 or NT-4/5), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were determined before (pre-exercise) and 1-min post-exercise for each protocol session. Resistance training induced significant increases in NT-3 (+39.6 ng/mL [95% CI, 2.5-76.6; p = 0.004], and NT-4/5 (+1.3 ng/mL [95% CI, 0.3-2.3; p = 0.014]), respectively. Additionally, combined training results in favorable effects on BDNF (+22.0, 95% CI, 2.6-41.5; p = 0.029) and NT-3 (+32.9 ng/mL [95% CI, 12.3-53.4; p = 0.004]), respectively. The regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between changes in BDNF levels and changes in NT-4/5 levels from baseline to immediate post-exercise in the combined training group (R2 = 0.345, p = 0.034) but not the other intervention groups. The findings indicate that acute resistance training and combined exercise increase neurotrophic factors in physically inactive overweight adults. Further studies are required to determine the biological importance of changes in neurotrophic responses in overweight men and chronic effects of these exercise protocols. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02915913 (Date: September 22, 2016).

Effects of an exercise program on hepatic metabolism, hepatic fat, and cardiovascular health in overweight/obese adolescents from Bogotá, Colombia (the HEPAFIT study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A considerable proportion of contemporary youth have a high risk of obesity-related disorders such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Although there is consistent evidence for the positive effects of physical activity on several health aspects, most adolescents in Colombia are sedentary. It is, therefore, important to implement strategies that generate changes in lifestyle. The HEPAFIT study aims to examine whether a 6-month exercise program has benefits for hepatic fat content and cardiovascular health outcomes among overweight/obese adolescents from Bogotá, Colombia. METHODS/DESIGN: Altogether, 100 hundred overweight/obese, sedentary adolescents (aged 11-17 years) attending two public schools in Bogotá, Colombia, will be included in a parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Adolescents will be randomly assigned to an intervention group following one of four curricula: (1) the standard physical education curriculum (60 min per week of physical activity, n = 25) at low-to-moderate intensity; (2) a high-intensity physical education curriculum (HIPE, n = 25), consisting of endurance and resistance games and non-competitive activities, such as running, gymkhanas, lifting, pushing, wrestling, or hauling, for 60-min sessions, three times per week, with an energy expenditure goal of 300 to 500 kcal/session at 75-85% maximum heart rate (HRmax); (3) a low-to-moderate intensity physical education curriculum (LIPE, n = 25) consisting of endurance and resistance games and non-competitive activities (e.g., chasing, sprinting, dribbling, or hopping) for 60-min sessions, three times per week with an energy expenditure goal of 300 kcal/session at 55-75% HRmax; and (4) a combined HIPE and LIPE curriculum (n = 25). The HIPE, LIPE, and combined interventions were performed in addition to the standard physical education curriculum. The primary outcome for effectiveness is liver fat content, as measured by the controlled attenuation parameter 1 week after the end of the intervention program. DISCUSSION: The translational focus may be suitable for collecting new information in a school setting on the possible effects of physical activity interventions to reduce liver fat content and to improve metabolic profiles and the cardiometabolic health of overweight/obese adolescents. This may lead to the more efficient use of school physical education resources. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02753231 . Registered on 21 April 2016.

Exercise and postprandial lipemia: effects on vascular health in inactive adults.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence to suggest that postprandial lipemia are is linked to the impairment of endothelial function, which is characterized by an imbalance between the actions of vasodilators and vasoconstrictors. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a 12-week high-intensity training (HIT) and moderate continuous training (MCT) protocol on postprandial lipemia, vascular function and arterial stiffness in inactive adults after high-fat meal (HFM) ingestion. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted in 20 healthy, inactive adults (31.6 ± 7.1 years). Participants followed the two exercise protocols for 12 weeks. To induce a state of postprandial lipemia (PPL), all subjects received a HFM. Endothelial function was measured using flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), normalized brachial artery FMD (nFMD), aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx). Plasma total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), triglycerides and glucose were also measured. RESULTS: The effects of a HFM were evaluated in a fasted state and 60, 120, 180, and 240 min postprandially. A significant decrease in serum glucose between 0 min (fasted state) and 120 min postprandially was found in the HIT group (P = 0.035). Likewise, FMD (%) was significantly different between the fasted state and 60 min after a HFM in the HIT group (P = 0.042). The total cholesterol response expressed as area under curve (AUC)(0-240) was lower following HIT than following MCT, but no significant differences were observed (8%, P > 0.05). Similarly, triglycerides AUC(0-240) was also lower after HIT compared with MCT, which trended towards significance (24%, P = 0.076). The AUC(0-240) for the glucose response was significantly lower following HIT than MCT (10%, P = 0.008). FMD and nFMD AUC(0-240) were significantly higher following HIT than following MCT (46.9%, P = 0.021 and 67.3%, P = 0.009, respectively). PWV AUC(0-240) did not differ following between the two exercise groups (2.3%, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Supervised exercise training mitigates endothelial dysfunction and glucose response induced by PPL. Exercise intensity plays an important role in these protective effects, and medium-term HIT may be more effective than MCT in reducing postprandial glucose levels and attenuating vascular impairment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02738385 Date of registration: April 14, 2016.

Active commuting to and from university, obesity and metabolic syndrome among Colombian university students.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence concerning how active commuting (AC) is associated with health benefits in young. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between AC to and from campus (walking) and obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a sample of Colombian university students. METHODS: A total of 784 university students (78.6% women, mean age = 20.1 ± 2.6 years old) participated in the study. The exposure variable was categorized into AC (active walker to campus) and non-AC (non/infrequent active walker to campus: car, motorcycle, or bus) to and from the university on a typical day. MetS was defined in accordance with the updated harmonized criteria of the International Diabetes Federation criteria. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MetS was 8.7%, and it was higher in non-AC than AC to campus. The percentage of AC was 65.3%. The commuting distances in this AC from/to university were 83.1%, 13.4% and 3.5% for < 2 km, 2-5 km and > 5 km, respectively. Multiple logistic regressions for predicting unhealthy profile showed that male walking commuters had a lower probability of having obesity [OR = 0.45 (CI 95% 0.25-0.93)], high blood pressure [OR = 0.26 (CI 95% 0.13-0.55)] and low HDL cholesterol [OR = 0.29 (CI 95% 0.14-0.59)] than did passive commuters. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in young adulthood, a key life-stage for the development of obesity and MetS, AC could be associated with and increasing of daily physical activity levels, thereby promoting better cardiometabolic health.

Optimal Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet and High Muscular Fitness Are Associated with a Healthier Cardiometabolic Profile in Collegiate Students.

The aim of the study was to investigate the combined association of adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and muscular fitness (MF) with cardiometabolic health in collegiate students. The present cross-sectional analysis consisted of 1248 (714 females) healthy collegiate students (20.1 ± 2.7 years old). Adherence to a MedDiet was assessed by a KIDMED (Mediterranean Diet Quality Index) questionnaire. Standing broad jump, standing vertical jump, and isometric handgrip dynamometry were used as indicators of MF. The cardiometabolic profile was assessed using the following components: triglycerides, blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, glucose, and waist circumference. Analysis of covariance shows a significant difference in the cardiometabolic profile of both genders between the high MF/low MedDiet and high MF/optimal MedDiet groups, and the low MF/low MedDiet and low MF/optimal MedDiet groups (p < 0.001). No difference was found on cardiometabolic profile between high MF/optimal MedDiet and high MF/low MedDiet, both in males and females. Additionally, logistic regression shows that both female (odds ratio (OR) = 2.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.8⁻3.7); p = 0.02) and male (OR = 3.38; 95% CI: (1.9⁻5.8); p < 0.001) participants in the optimal MedDiet/high MF group had the highest odds of expressing a healthier cardiometabolic profile as compared to those in the low MF/low MedDiet group. In conclusion, a combination of high MF levels and optimal adherence to a MedDiet is associated with a healthier cardiometabolic profile; however, high MF levels seem to circumvent the deleterious effects of having a low adherence to a MedDiet.

Validation of multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis versus dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure body fat percentage in overweight/obese Colombian adults.

OBJECTIVES: To verify the validity of multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (mBCA) for predicting body fat percentage (BF%) in overweight/obese adults using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the reference method. METHODS: Forty-eight adults participated (54% women, mean age = 41.0 ± 7.3 years old). The Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between BIA and BF% assessed by DXA. The concordance between BF% measured by both methods was obtained with Lin's concordance correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman difference plots. RESULTS: Measures of BF% were estimated as 39.0 (SD = 6.1) and 38.3 (SD = 6.5) using DXA and mBCA, respectively. The Pearson's correlation coefficient reflected a strong correlation (r =.921, P = .001). The paired t-test showed a significant mean difference between these methods for obese men BF% of -0.6 [(SD 1.95; 95% CI = -4.0 to 3.0), P =.037]. Overall, the bias of the mBCA was -0.6 [(SD 2.2; 95% CI = -5.0 to 3.7), P =.041], which indicated that the mBCA method significantly underestimated BF% in comparison to the reference method. Finally, in both genders, Lin's concordance correlation coefficient showed a strong agreement. More specifically the DXA value was ρc = 0.943 (95% CI = 0.775 to 0.950) and the mBCA value was ρc = 0.948 (95% CI = 0.778 to 0.978). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis showed a strong agreement between the two methods as reflected in the range of BF%. These results show that mBCA and DXA are comparable methods for measuring body composition with higher body fat percentages. However, due to broad limits of agreement, we can only recommend mBCA for groups of populations.

The Role of Body Adiposity Index in Determining Body Fat Percentage in Colombian Adults with Overweight or Obesity.

The aim of this study is to investigate the accuracy of body adiposity index (BAI) as a convenient tool for assessing body fat percentage (BF%) in a sample of adults with overweight/obesity using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The study population was composed of 96 volunteers (60% female, mean age 40.6 ± 7.5 years old). Anthropometric characteristics (body mass index, height, waist-to-height ratio, hip and waist circumference), socioeconomic status, and diet were assessed, and BF% was measured by BIA-BF% and by BAI-BF%. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between BAI-BF% and BF% assessed by BIA-BF%, while controlling for potential confounders. The concordance between the BF% measured by both methods was obtained with a paired sample t-test, Lin's concordance correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman plot analysis. Overall, the correlation between BF% obtained by BIA-BF% and estimated by BAI-BF% was r = 0.885, p < 0.001, after adjusting for potential confounders (age, socioeconomic status, and diet). Lin's concordance correlation coefficient was moderate in both sexes. In the men, the paired t-test showed a significant mean difference in BF% between the methods (-5.6 (95%CI -6.4 to -4.8); p < 0.001). In the women, these differences were (-3.6 (95%CI -4.7 to -2.5); p < 0.001). Overall, the bias of the BAI-BF% was -4.8 ± 3.2 BF%; p < 0.001), indicating that the BAI-BF% method significantly underestimated the BF% in comparison with the reference method. In adults with overweight/obesity, the BAI presents low agreement with BF% measured by BIA-BF%; therefore, we conclude that BIA-BF% is not accurate in either sex when body fat percentage levels are low or high. Further studies are necessary to confirm our findings in different ethnic groups.

Función endotelial y lipemia postprandial en adultos con presencia de criterios asociados a síndrome metabólico: efecto del estado nutricional / Endothelial function and postprandial lipemia in adults presenting criteria associated to metabolic syndrome: effect of nutritional state

Resumen Introducción : La lipemia postprandial se caracteriza por un aumento de las lipoproteínas ricas en triglicéridos y varios trabajos lo describen como un factor que determina la salud metabólica de un individuo. El objetivo del estudio fue cuantificar la contribución del sobrepeso en la magnitud de la lipemia postprandial en 33 sujetos con criterios asociados al síndrome metabólico (n = 20, sobrepeso y n = 13 eutróficos, 66% hombres, edad media 31,2 ± 7,6 años). Métodos: Estudio descriptivo y transversal. Se midió la vasodilatación mediada por el flujo, la velocidad de onda del pulso, el perfil lipídico, el cociente Log triglicéridos/lipoproteínas de alta densidad, la glucosa y la presión arterial tras una ingesta estándar alta en lípidos (79% Kcal/grasa). Se calculó el Z-score de riesgo cardiovascular a partir de la suma de los residuos tipificados (Z) de las variables bioquímicas. El estado de lipemia se midió en ayuno (0 min.) y a los (60, 120, 180, y 240 minutos) postprandiales. Resultados: El valor basal de la vasodilatación mediada por el flujo y la velocidad de onda del pulso fue de 6,9 ± 5,9% y 7,0 ± 0,8 m/s, respectivamente. Se identificó que la lipemia postprandial reducía la vasodilatación mediada por el flujo en 19,2% a los 60 minutos (5,9 ± 1,5%) y a los 240 minutos (3,7 ± 1,2%) (p = 0,04), respectivamente. Este hallazgo se acompañó con un aumento en la velocidad de onda del pulso (p < 0,05). Al dividir los sujetos en dos grupos según el índice de masa corporal, los participantes en sobrepeso muestran cifras más elevadas en el Zscore de riesgo cardiovascular, la velocidad de onda del pulso, el Log triglicéridos/lipoproteínas de alta densidad y el Δ-velocidad de onda del pulso, (p < 0,001). Conclusión: Este estudio demuestra que los sujetos clasificados en sobrepeso y que presentan criterios asociados al síndrome metabólico, muestran un perfil cardiometabólico asociado con un mayor riesgo cardiovascular, tras una ingesta alta en grasas.

Abstract Introduction: Postprandial lipemia is characterised by an increase in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and several studies describe it as a factor that determines metabolic health of an individual. The motivation of the study was to quantify the contribution to overweight in the magnitude of the postprandial lipemia in 33 persons with criteria associated to metabolic syndrome (n = 20 being overweight and n = 13 eutrophic, 66% male, average age 31.2 ± 7.6 years). Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Flow-mediated vasodilation, pulse wave velocity, lipid profile, log of the triglyceride/protein ratio, glucose and blood pressure were measured after high standard intake of lipids (79% Kcal/fat). Z-score for cardiovascular risk was calculated using the sum of typified residues (Z) of biochemical variables. Lipemia state was measured at fasting (0 min) and after 60, 120, 180 and 240 postprandial minutes. Results: Baseline flow-mediated vasodilation and pulse wave velocity values were 6.9 ± 5.9% and 7.0 ± 0.8 m/s, respectively. It was identified that postprandial lipemia reduced flowmediated vasodilation by 19.2% after 60 minutes (5.9 ± 1.5%) and after 240 minutes (3.7 ± 1.2%) (p = 0.04), respectively. This finding was paired with an increase in pulse wave velocity (p < 0.05). When dividing subjects into two groups according to their body mass index, overweight participants show higher Z-score cardiovascular risk values, pulse wave velocity, log of the triglyceride/protein ratio and the Δ pulse wave velocity (p > 0.001). Conclusion: This study reveals that overweight individuals showing criteria associated to metabolic syndrome have a cardiometabolic profile linked to a higher cardiovascular risk, after high intake of lipids.

Similar cardiometabolic effects of high- and moderate-intensity training among apparently healthy inactive adults: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease, and exercise training is an important factor in the treatment and prevention of the clinical components of MetS. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training and steady-state moderate-intensity training on clinical components of MetS in healthy physically inactive adults. METHODS: Twenty adults were randomly allocated to receive either moderate-intensity continuous training [MCT group; 60-80% heart rate reserve (HRR)] or high-intensity interval training (HIT group; 4 × 4 min at 85-95% peak HRR interspersed with 4 min of active rest at 65% peak HRR). We used the revised International Diabetes Federation criteria for MetS. A MetS Z-score was calculated for each individual and each component of the MetS. RESULTS: In intent-to-treat analyses, the changes in MetS Z-score were 1.546 (1.575) in the MCT group and -1.249 (1.629) in the HIT group (between-groups difference, P =  0.001). The average number of cardiometabolic risk factors changed in the MCT group (-0.133, P = 0.040) but not in the HIT group (0.018, P = 0.294), with no difference between groups (P = 0.277). CONCLUSION: Among apparently healthy physically inactive adults, HIT and MCT offer similar cardiometabolic protection against single MetS risk factors but differ in their effect on average risk factors per subject. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02738385 registered on March 23, 2016.

Handgrip strength cutoff for cardiometabolic risk index among Colombian children and adolescents: The FUPRECOL Study.

Evidence shows an association between muscular strength (MS) and health among young people, however low muscular strength cut points for the detection of high metabolic risk in Latin-American populations are scarce. The aim of this study was twofold: to explore potential age- and sex-specific thresholds of MS, for optimal cardiometabolic risk categorization among Colombian children and adolescents; and to investigate whether cardiometabolic risk differed by MS group by applying the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) cut point. MS was estimated by using a handle dynamometer on 1,950 children and adolescents from Colombia, using MS relative to weight (handgrip strength/body mass). A metabolic risk score was computed from the following components: waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL-c, glucose, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. ROC analysis showed a significant discriminatory accuracy of MS in identifying the low/high metabolic risk in children and adolescents and in both genders. In children, the handgrip strength/body mass levels for a low metabolic risk were 0.359 and 0.376 in girls and boys, respectively. In adolescents, these points were 0.440 and 0.447 in girls and boys, respectively. In conclusion, the results suggest an MS level relative to weight for having a low metabolic risk, which could be used to identify youths at risk.

Handgrip Strength and Ideal Cardiovascular Health among Colombian Children and Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between handgrip strength and ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) in Colombian children and adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: During the 2014-2015 school years, we examined a cross-sectional component of the FUPRECOL (Association for Muscular Strength with Early Manifestation of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Colombian Children and Adolescents) study. Participants included 1199 (n = 627 boys) youths from Bogota (Colombia). Handgrip strength was measured with a standard adjustable hand held dynamometer and expressed relative to body mass (handgrip/body mass) and as absolute values in kilograms. Ideal CVH, as defined by the American Heart Association, was determined as meeting ideal levels of the following components: 4 behaviors (smoking status, body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness, and diet) and 3 factors (total cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose). RESULTS: Higher levels of handgrip strength (both absolute and relative values) were associated with a higher frequency of ideal CVH metrics in both sexes (P for trend ≤ .001). Also, higher levels of handgrip strength were associated with a greater number of ideal health behaviors (P for trend < .001 in both boys and girls), and with a higher number of ideal health factors in boys (P for trend < .001). Finally, levels of handgrip strength were similar between ideal versus nonideal glucose or total cholesterol groups in girls. CONCLUSIONS: Handgrip strength was strongly associated with ideal CVH in Colombian children and adolescents, and thus supports the relevance of early targeted interventions to promote strength adaptation and preservation as part of primordial prevention.

Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Factors in a Population-Based Sample of Schoolchildren in Colombia: The FUPRECOL Study.

BACKGROUND: In contrast to the definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults, there is no standard definition of MetS in pediatric populations. We aimed at assessing the differences in the prevalence of MetS in children and adolescents aged 9-17 years using four different operational definitions for these age groups and at examining the associated variables. METHODS: A total of 675 children and 1247 adolescents attending public schools in Bogota (54.4% girls; age range 9-17.9 years) were included. The prevalence of MetS was determined by the definitions provided by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and three published studies by Cook et al., de Ferranti et al., and Ford et al. In addition, we further examined the associations between each definition of MetS in the total sample and individual risk factors using binary logistic regression models adjusted for gender, age, pubertal stage, weight status, and inflammation in all participants. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS was 0.3%, 6.3%, 7.8%, and 11.0% according to the definitions by IDF, Cook et al., Ford et al., and de Ferranti et al., respectively. The most prevalent components were low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high triglyceride levels, whereas the least prevalent components were higher waist circumference and hyperglycemia. Overall, the prevalence of MetS was higher in obese than in non-obese schoolchildren. CONCLUSIONS: MetS diagnoses in schoolchildren strongly depend on the definition chosen. These findings may be relevant to health promotion efforts for Colombian youth to develop prospective studies and to define which cut-offs are the best indicators of future morbidity.