The effects of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) on anthropometric indices in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

There is controversial data on the impacts of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) supplementations on anthropometric indices. Thus, we aimed to clarify this role of bitter melon through a systematic review, and meta-analysis of the trials. All clinical trials conducted on the impact of bitter melon on anthropometric indices were published until August 2023 in PubMed, Web of Sciences, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library web databases included. Overall, 10 studies with 448 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of 10 trials with 448 participants revealed no significant reductions in body weight (BW) (WMD: 0.04 Kg; 95 %CI: -0.16-0.25; P =0.651), body mass index (BMI) (WMD: -0.18 kg/m2; 95 %CI: -0.43-0.07; P =0.171), waist circumference (WC) (WMD: -0.95 cm; 95 % CI: -3.05-1.16; p =0.372), and percentage of body fat (PBF) (WMD: -0.99; 95 % CI: -2.33-0.35; p =0.141) following bitter melon supplementation. There was no significant impact of bitter melon supplementation on BW, BMI, WC, and PBF. More large-scale and high-quality RCTs are necessary to confirm these results.

Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the long term reduces the quality of life, leading to digestive diseases. The present study aims to determine the risk factors for GERD. METHOD: This study was conducted on 9,631 adults aged 35-65 years. The demographic characteristics, behavioral habits, nutritional intake, physical activity, anthropometric indices, and GERD data were extracted from the databank related to the Ravansar non-communicable diseases (RaNCD). Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of GERD was 10.99% (n = 1,058). The GERD was higher among older age and women. After adjusting for age and sex, the odds of GERD among current smokers was 23% higher than non-smokers. Drinking increased odds of GERD (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.99). The odds of GERD among depressed individuals were 46% higher than non-depressed. In addition, a significant relationship was observed between the high intake of sweets and desserts with increased GERD (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.03). Further, high intake of fiber (OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97, 0.99) and dairy (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98, 0.99) was related to reducing the odds of GERD. Furthermore, a significant relationship was reported between the waist hip ratio (WHR) and visceral fat area (VFA) with increased odds of GERD. Finally, the physical activity level was inversely related to GERD. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, smoking, alcohol, inactivity, high intake of sweets and desserts, low intake of fiber, depression, visceral fat, and obesity are considered as risk factors for GERD. Modifying lifestyle and behavioral habits prevent GERD.

Effects of resveratrol on the anthropometric indices and inflammatory markers: an umbrella meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The evidence for resveratrol's anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory qualities is accumulating, though meta-analyses have reported mixed results. The current umbrella meta-analysis aimed to assess the present evidence and provide an accurate estimate of the overall effects of resveratrol on the anthropometric indices and inflammatory markers. METHOD: The Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched till March 2023. The meta-analysis was performed utilizing a random-effects model. Moreover, the overall strength and quality of the evidence were assessed using the GRADE tool. RESULTS: The results from 19 meta-analyses investigating 81 unique randomized controlled trials with 4088 participants revealed that resveratrol supplementation reduced the body mass index (ES = - 0.119, 95% CI (- 0.192, - 0.047), p = 0.001), waist circumference (ES = - 0.405, 95% CI [- 0.664, - 0.147], p = 0.002), serum levels of C-reactive protein (ES = - 0.390, 95% CI [- 0.474, - 0.306], p < 0.001), and tumor necrosis factor-α (ES = - 0.455, 95% CI [- 0.592, - 0.318], p < 0.001) in comparison to the control group. The effects of resveratrol on body weight and Interleukin-6 levels of participants were not significant. However, resveratrol administration significantly decreased body weight in trials with intervention duration ≥ 12 weeks [ES = - 0.160, 95% CI (- 0.268, - 0.052)] and supplement dosage ≥ 500 mg/day [ES = - 0.130, 95% CI (- 0.238, - 0.022)]. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest the beneficial effects of resveratrol supplementation on reducing general and central obesity, as well as decreasing some inflammatory markers. Nevertheless, further high-quality research is required to prove these achievements and also evaluate resveratrol's effects on other inflammatory markers.

Clinical utility of novel anthropometric indices in identifying type 2 diabetes mellitus among South African adult females.

AIM: To assess the clinical utility of novel anthropometric indices and other traditional anthropometric indices in identifying the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) among South African adult females. METHODS: In the first South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1), traditional [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)] and novel [a-body shape index (ABSI), abdominal volume index (AVI), body adiposity index (BAI), body roundness index (BRI), conicity index (CI), and Clínica Universidad de Navarra-Body Adiposity Estimator (CUN-BAE)] anthropometric indices were assessed. T2D was diagnosed using glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 6.5% among participants without known T2D. Basic statistics and multiple regression analyses were explored the association between anthropometric indices and newly diagnosed T2D. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to measure the predictive ability of both traditional and novel indices. RESULTS: Among 2 623 participants, 384 (14.6%) had newly diagnosed T2D. All anthropometric indices mean values were significantly higher among participants with T2D (most p < 0.001). Higher mean values increased T2D odds e.g., in the model adjusted for age, employment, residence, and population group, odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for T2D with some of anthropometric indices were: 1.86 (1.60-2.15) for WC, 1.84 (1.59-2.13) for WHtR, 1.73 (1.51-1.99) for AVI, 1.71 (1.49-1.96) for BRI and 1.86 (1.57-2.20) for CUN-BAE. The top quartile for all indices had the highest T2D odds (p < 0.05). These outcomes were the highest for WC, AVI, and CUN-BAE and remained so even after removing the confounding effects of age, employment, population group, and residence. Based on the ROC analysis, none of the anthropometrical indices performed excellently (i.e., had an area under the curve [AUC] > 0.80). The WC, WHtR, AVI, BRI, and CUN-BAE, however, performed acceptably (AUCs 0.70-0.79), while also exhibiting corresponding cutoff values of 86.65 cm, 0.57, 15.52, 3.83, and 38.35, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The data shows that traditional and novel anthropometric indices similarly identifying newly diagnosed T2D among adult South African females. We recommend the continuing the use of traditional indices, as they are affordable and easy to use in our setting.

Dietary diversity and its association with changes in anthropometric indices of community-dwelling older adults in Tehran, Iran: a longitudinal study (2017-2021).

BACKGROUND: Dietary diversity refers to the consumption of a variety of foods or food groups over a given reference period, which is crucial for improving nutrition and overall health. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the association between dietary diversity and anthropometric indices in community-dwelling older adults living in Tehran in 2017 and 2021. METHODS: The current study was conducted on 368 older adults [204 (55.4%) women and 164 (44.6%) men] over 60 years of age living in Tehran, who were selected by a systematic cluster sampling method at two-time points, 2017 and 2021. Anthropometric measures (weight, height, hip circumference, and waist circumference) were assessed with standard methods. The participants' dietary intake was assessed by completing two non-consecutive 24-hour recalls, and dietary diversity score (DDS) was calculated based on Kant's method. Statistical analysis was performed using R software by the mixed effect model method. RESULTS: The mean DDS of the participants in 2017 (5.07 ± 1.20) was higher than that in 2021 (4.94 ± 1.09) (p < 0.05). DDS and dairy diversity score decreased significantly over time. After adjusting for confounders, there was an inverse relationship between the DDS and Body Mass Index (BMI) (B = -0.22; SE = 0.09), but the interaction effect of year × DDS (B = 0.19; SE = 0.10) was not significant (p = 0.06). However, there was a positive relationship between the DDS and A Body Shape Index (ABSI) (B = 0.00; p = 0.022), after adjusting for confounders, this relationship was no longer significant. Additionally, the interaction effect of year and DDS on the ABSI was not significant. CONCLUSION: The dietary intake and dietary diversity of older adult residents of Tehran declined dramatically with age, and a higher DDS was associated with improved anthropometric indices. DDS had an inverse relationship with general obesity in the studied participants, and the passage of time did not affect this relationship. The DDS can be used as a predictive index and is a powerful tool for investigating changes in nutritional status in longitudinal studies of old age. However, longer-duration studies are needed to obtain more conclusive results.

Comparison of novel and traditional anthropometric indices in Eastern-China adults: which is the best indicator of the metabolically obese normal weight phenotype?

BACKGROUND: People with the metabolically obese normal weight (MONW) phenotype have been confirmed to significantly increase the risk of unfavorable health consequences. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between traditional and novel anthropometric indices with the MONW phenotype and compare the predictive ability of different anthropometric indices in identifying individuals with the MONW phenotype. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved a total of 26,332 participants aged 18 years or older with a normal weight from Nanjing, China. Sociodemographic information, biochemical measurements, and anthropometric indices were collected. The novel body fat anthropometric indices included body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), abdominal volume index (AVI), weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI), body adiposity index (BAI), conicity index (CI), waist-hip-height ratio (WHHR), as well as traditional indices such as waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR).The prevalence ratio (PR) from modified poisson regression and area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) were conducted to compare the association and predictive capacity of different obesity indicators for the MONW phenotype. All analyses were stratified by sex. RESULTS: Modified poisson regression analyses revealed that weight, WC, HC, BMI, WHR, WHtR, ABSI, BRI, AVI, WWI, BAI, CI, and WHHR were independently associated with higher risk of the MONW phenotype, regardless of whether they were treated as a continuous or categorical variable (P < 0.05). Notably, BRI demonstrated the strongest association in both men (highest quartile VS lowest quartile; PR = 3.14, 95%CI, 2.49, 3.96; P < 0.001) and women (PR = 4.63, 95%CI, 3.81, 5.62; P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that AUC for the different anthropometric indices ranged from 0.50 to 0.80. BRI and WHtR had the largest AUC in both males (both AUC = 0.733; 95% CI, 0.717, 0.750) and females (both AUC = 0.773; 95% CI, 0.761, 0.786). The optimal cut-off points for BRI, determined by maximizing the Youden's index, were 3.102 (sensitivity: 63.2%, specificity: 36.2%) in males and 3.136 (sensitivity: 68.9%, specificity: 44.2%) in females. Moreover, BRI and WHtR exhibited the highest diagnostic accuracy in younger age groups, specifically those aged 18-34 in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: BRI emerged as the optimal predictor and independent determinant of the MONW phenotype, regardless of gender. This association was particularly pronounced in young individuals.

Novel anthropometric indices for predicting type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare anthropometric indices to predict type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among first-degree relatives of diabetic patients in the Iranian community. METHODS: In this study, information on 3483 first-degree relatives (FDRs) of diabetic patients was extracted from the database of the Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Overall, 2082 FDRs were included in the analyses. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between anthropometric indices and the odds of having diabetes. Furthermore, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to estimate the optimal cutoff point based on the sensitivity and specificity of each index. In addition, the indices were compared based on the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of diabetes was 15.3%. The optimal cutoff points for anthropometric measures among men were 25.09 for body mass index (BMI) (AUC = 0.573), 0.52 for waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (AUC = 0.648), 0.91 for waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (AUC = 0.654), 0.08 for a body shape index (ABSI) (AUC = 0.599), 3.92 for body roundness index (BRI) (AUC = 0.648), 27.27 for body adiposity index (BAI) (AUC = 0.590), and 8 for visceral adiposity index (VAI) (AUC = 0.596). The optimal cutoff points for anthropometric indices were 28.75 for BMI (AUC = 0.610), 0.55 for the WHtR (AUC = 0.685), 0.80 for the WHR (AUC = 0.687), 0.07 for the ABSI (AUC = 0.669), 4.34 for the BRI (AUC = 0.685), 39.95 for the BAI (AUC = 0.583), and 6.15 for the VAI (AUC = 0.658). The WHR, WHTR, and BRI were revealed to have fair AUC values and were relatively greater than the other indices for both men and women. Furthermore, in women, the ABSI and VAI also had fair AUCs. However, BMI and the BAI had the lowest AUC values among the indices in both sexes. CONCLUSION: The WHtR, BRI, VAI, and WHR outperformed other anthropometric indices in predicting T2DM in first-degree relatives (FDRs) of diabetic patients. However, further investigations in different populations may need to be implemented to justify their widespread adoption in clinical practice.

Association between quality and quantity of carbohydrate intake with selected anthropometric indices among primary school girls in Kerman city, Iran: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The school-age is a crucial period of physical and cognitive growth, which requires an assessment of dietary intake and its influence on body weight and height. This study aims to determine the association between the quality and quantity of carbohydrate intake with selected anthropometric indices in primary school girls in Kerman City, Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 330 primary school girls ages 6-12 years in Kerman. We used a validated and reliable dish-based 185-item food frequency questionnaire to evaluate people's food intake. We assessed the amount of carbohydrates in children's diets as the percentage of daily calories and grams per day. We used dietary fiber intake (grams/day), the glycemic load, the ratio of whole grain to total grain, and the ratio of solid carbohydrates to total carbohydrates to assess carbohydrate quality. Height, weight, and arm circumference were measured. We calculated body mass index (BMI) by dividing the weight in kilograms by the height in centimeters squared. We used the World Health Organization z-scores charts for girls 5 to 19 years old to assess z-scores for BMI-for-age (BAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), and weight-for-age (WAZ). Socioeconomic status and physical activity were assessed. We used ANOVA and ANCOVA statistical tests to assess the association between anthropometric indices and carbohydrate quantity and quality parameters. RESULTS: Participants with the highest amount of carbohydrate intake had significantly higher anthropometric indices, including arm circumference, BMI-for-age z score (BAZ), and Height-for-age z score (HAZ) (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.009, respectively). With the increase in glycemic load (GL) and dietary fiber intake, anthropometric indices including arm circumference (GL: p < 0.001, Fiber: p < 0.001), BAZ (GL: p < 0.001, Fiber: P < 0.001), and HAZ (GL: P = 0.009, Fiber: p < 0.001) increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that there was a positive association between the amount of carbohydrate intake and anthropometric indices (MUAC, BAZ, and HAZ). Also, with the increase in glycemic load and dietary fiber intake, the anthropometric indices including MUAC, BAZ, and HAZ increased.

Evaluating the Association of Anthropometric Indices With Total Cholesterol in a Large Population Using Data Mining Algorithms.

BACKGROUND: Unbalanced levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) and its subgroups are called dyslipidemia. Several anthropometric indices have been developed to provide a more accurate assessment of body shape and the health risks associated with obesity. In this study, we used the random forest model (RF), decision tree (DT), and logistic regression (LR) to predict total cholesterol based on new anthropometric indices in a sex-stratified analysis. METHOD: Our sample size was 9639 people in which anthropometric parameters were measured for the participants and data regarding the demographic and laboratory data were obtained. Aiding the machine learning, DT, LR, and RF were drawn to build a measurement prediction model. RESULTS: Anthropometric and other related variables were compared between both TC <200 and TC ≥200 groups. In both males and females, Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP) had the greatest effect on the risk of TC increase. According to results of the RF model, LAP and Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) were significant variables for men. VAI also had a stronger correlation with HDL-C and triglyceride. We identified specific anthropometric thresholds based on DT analysis that could be used to classify individuals at high or low risk of elevated TC levels. The RF model determined that the most important variables for both genders were VAI and LAP. CONCLUSION: We tend to present a picture of the Persian population's anthropometric factors and their association with TC level and possible risk factors. Various anthropometric indices indicated different predictive power for TC levels in the Persian population.

Association between novel anthropometric indices and prevalence of kidney stones in US adults.

BACKGROUND: Our aim is to evaluate the relationship between prevalence of kidney stones (KS) and novel anthropometric indices (AHIs). METHODS: Participants who participated in the KS questionnaire was extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2018.A series of covariates were also obtained. The novel AHIs include a body shape index (ABSI) and body roundness index (BRI). Weighted multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was performed to investigate the association of KS with AHIs. RESULTS: After relative covariates were adjusted, a greater risk of KS for each z score increase in ABSI (OR = 1.13, 95%CI 1.05-1.22), and the risk of KS augmented by 19% for every 1 BRI z score added (OR = 1.19, 95%CI 1.11-1.27). The results from subgroup analysis showed that among adults aged 20-39 (OR = 1.31, 95%CI 1.04-1.65), male (OR = 1.14, 95%CI 1.02-1.28), the risk of KS is higher with the increase of each ABSI z score. Raising each BRI z score in those who were male aged 20-39 and 40-59 resulted in a higher risk of KS (aged 20-39: OR = 1.34, 95%CI 1.06-1.69; aged 40-59: OR = 1.29, 95%CI 1.09-1.53). In female aged 40-59, increasing each BRI z score led to a higher risk of KS (OR = 1.23, 95%CI 1.07-1.41). A linear association of ABSI z score with the risk of KS and a non-linear relationship between BRI z score and the risk of KS were discovered. CONCLUSION: This study found that the novel AHIs was related to the risk of kidney stones, and can be used as important indicators to evaluate the risk of KS.

Performance of nonalcoholic fatty liver fibrosis score in estimating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is currently unclear whether the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score, when compared to major anthropometric indices, is useful in estimating the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included 3886 adults undergoing a health checkup. An elevated risk of ASCVD was determined as a 10-year ASCVD risk ≥7.5% using Pooled Cohort Equations. NAFLD was diagnosed with abdominal ultrasonography. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the performance of estimating an elevated ASCVD risk. Among study participants, 521 (13.4%) had an elevated ASCVD risk and 1473 (37.9%) had NAFLD. Subjects with NAFLD had a significantly higher rate of ASCVD risk ≥7.5% (p < 0.001) compared to those without NAFLD. After adjusting for cardiometabolic risk factors, NAFLD (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.10-2.00, p = 0.009) in all participants and NAFLD fibrosis score >0.676 (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.30-2.92, p = 0.001) in individuals with NAFLD were significantly associated with an elevated risk of ASCVD. When compared to different anthropometric indices, NAFLD fibrosis score exhibited the largest area under the curve (AUC) in individuals with NAFLD (AUC = 0.750) in estimating an elevated ASCVD risk. Furthermore, NAFLD fibrosis score displayed the best predictive performance for identifying an elevated ASCVD risk in male participants with NAFLD (AUC = 0.737). CONCLUSION: NAFLD was a significant risk factor for elevated ASCVD risk. NAFLD fibrosis score >0.676 was associated with increased ASCVD risk in individuals with NAFLD. Compared with anthropometric indices, NAFLD fibrosis score demonstrated the best performance in estimating elevated ASCVD risk among those with NAFLD.

Sex and race/ethnicity specific reference predictive equations for abdominal adiposity indices using anthropometry in US adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Abdominal adiposity indices have stronger associations with cardiometabolic risk factors compared to anthropometric measures but are rarely used in large scale studies due to the cost and efficiency. The aim of this study is to establish sex and race/ethnicity specific reference equations using anthropometric measures. METHODS AND RESULTS: A secondary data analysis (n = 6589) of healthy adults was conducted using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018. Variables included in the analyses were anthropometric measures (height; weight; waist circumference, WC) and abdominal adiposity indices (android percent fat; android to gynoid ratio, A/G ratio; visceral adipose tissue area, VATA; visceral to subcutaneous adipose area ratio, VSR). Multivariable prediction models were developed using quantile regression. Bland-Altman was used for external validation of prediction models. Reference equations to estimate android percent fat, A/G ratio, VATA and VSR from anthropometric measurements were developed using a randomly selected subsample of 4613. These reference equations for four abdominal adiposity indices were then cross-validated in the remaining subsample of 1976. The measured and predicted android percent fat, A/G ratio, VATA and VSR were not statistically different (p > 0.05) except for the A/G ratio in Asian males and VSR in White females. The results of Bland-Altman further revealed that ≥93% of predicted abdominal adiposity indices fell within the limits of agreement (±1.96 standard deviation). CONCLUSION: The sex and race/ethnicity specific reference equations for abdominal adiposity indices established using anthropometrics in the present study have strong predictive ability in US healthy adults.

The relationship of pre-pregnancy body mass index with maternal anthropometric indices, weight retention and the baby's weight and nutrition in the first 6 months post-partum.

PURPOSE: Pre-pregnancy body fat mass is one of the important indicators of the mother's and the infant's health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate relationship of pre-pregnancy body mass index (PPBMI) with maternal anthropometric indices and weight retention as well as the baby's weight and nutrition in the first 6 months post-partum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study including 397 mothers giving birth to healthy babies and referring to health centers in Ahvaz (southwest of Iran) in 2022. The following data were extracted from the participants' electronic record: body mass index (BMI) before or at the beginning of pregnancy, gestational weight gain, and weight at the time of delivery. In addition to demographic information, the following data were also evaluated: maternal anthropometric indices including weight, hip and waist circumference, and conicity index during the first 10 days post-partum, along with the weight and nutrition pattern of the baby 2, 4 and 6 months post-partum. RESULTS: The mean age of the mothers was 29.96±5.7 years. The frequency of mothers according to BMI classification (i.e., underweight, normal, overweight, and obese) was 4.3%, 38.5%, 37%, and 20.3%, respectively. In this study, PPBMI had a significant relationship with decreasive changes of weight, waist and hip circumferen and conicity index after child birth, 2, 4 and 6 months post-partum (P<0.05) but the mean reduction of these anthropoemetric indices at 6th month postpartum were not related to PPBMI (P>0.05). However, this relationship was not significant when it came to the weight of the baby (P > .05). The lowest reduction in weight, waist and hip circumference and conicity index belonged to overweight mothers but the highest frequency of mothers with excesive gestational weight gain, the lowest frequency of breastfeeding until 6 months and also the lowest values of postpartum weight retention were observed in obese mothers (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the findings of this study, the decrease in anthropometric indices up to 6 months after delivery in overweight mothers is less than other BMI groups, but the consequences related to weight and nutrition in infants of obese mothers need special attention. Also, the results re-emphasize the importance of focusing on provision of educational and counseling services to mothers in order to improve their nutrition and weight, especially before pregnancy.

Effects of shrimp oil on cardio-metabolic risk factors in children and adolescents.

Background: Antioxidants have beneficial effects on health. Shrimp oil has Astaxanthin and omega 3 that act as powerful antioxidants and might have anti-inflammatory effects on cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to investigate the effects of shrimp oil supplementation on cardio-metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese children and adolescents. Methods: This randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 64 overweight and obese participants with 10-18 years of age. They were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg shrimp oil or identical placebo that contained medium-chain triglycerides once per day for eight weeks. Dietary intake was obtained using food record questionnaire for three days at baseline and at the end of the study. Fasting blood samples were obtained at baseline and after eight weeks of intervention. Results: Overall, 53 participants completed the study; 30 subjects received shrimp oil and 23 subjects received placebo. There were no significant effects of shrimp oil on total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C and blood pressure compared with the placebo group (p>0.05). Shrimp oil had no significant effects on body mass index, waist circumference and hip circumference compared with the placebo group (p>0.05). Conclusions: Supplementation with shrimp oil had no significant effects on improving the anthropometric measures and cardio-metabolic risk factors. Future clinical trials are needed to investigate the beneficial effects of higher doses of shrimp oil on cardio-metabolic risk factors in the pediatric age groups.

Effects of the nutrition education intervention on food security, anthropometry, and body composition in women: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity as a social determinant of health is associated with adverse physical health outcomes such as obesity. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nutrition education intervention based on the transtheoretical model (TTM) on food security, anthropometry, and body composition status. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, an intervention was conducted over months (five weeks) using the TTM among 160 women aged 19-64 years. Food security status, anthropometry, and body composition were determined three times: at baseline, three months, and six months after the intervention. RESULTS: In the intervention group, food insecurity significantly decreased before, immediately after, and six months after the intervention, these changes were significant in follow-up time and treatment effect. After six months of follow-up, the intervention group significantly decreased weight (-1.29 kg), body mass index (-0.54), and waist circumference (-3.48 cm). Although differences between the two groups were not statistically significant except in the interaction between follow-up time and intervention groups. Also, the mean of fat mass and total body water decreased in the intervention group and differences between the two groups were statistically significant in follow-up time (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively) and interaction between follow-up time and intervention group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: In the current study, the findings of a six-month TTM-based intervention among women were positive that revealed to be a strategy that may improve anthropometric and nutritional status. Therefore, government programs that offer nutrition counseling should be prioritized to help the population to improve their eating habits.

Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 has Comparable Ability as Anthropometric Indices to Discriminate Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Available evidence suggests that the indices of obesity may serve as good predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study compared the ability of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and anthropometric indices to discriminate CVD risk among the apparently healthy staff of Babcock University in Southwest Nigeria. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among apparently healthy staff. Participants' weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), neck circumference (NC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), wrist circumference (WrC), and blood pressure were measured. Venous blood was collected for Lp-PLA2, lipid profile, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) estimation. CVD risk was defined as the presence of either general obesity or abdominal obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, hypertension or smoking. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to compare the ability of LpPLA2 and the anthropometric indices to discriminate CVD risk in male and female participants. RESULTS: Results showed that 75.7% (106) of the participants had CVD risk. Anthropometric indices (weight, BMI, WC, HC, NC, WrC, WHR, and WHtR), FPG, lipid profile and Lp-LPA2 were higher among participants with CVD risk (p<0.05). Among the men, LpPLA2 had the largest area under the curve (AUC) (AUC= 0.886, p<0.001), closely followed by BMI (AUC = 0.879, p<0.001), WC (AUC = 0.864, p<0.001), and WHtR (AUC= 0.866, p<0.001). Among the women, WHtR had the largest AUC of 0.995 (p<0.001), followed by WC (AUC = 0.990, p<0.001), BMI (AUC = 0.970, p<0.001), and Lp-PLA2 (AUC= 0.938, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The abilities of Lp-PLA2 and anthropometric indices to predict CVD risk are comparable among the male and female apparently healthy staff of a private tertiary university in Southwest Nigeria. CONTEXTE ET OBJECTIF: Les données disponibles suggèrent que les indices d'obésité peuvent servir de bons prédicteurs des maladies cardiovasculaires (MCV). Cette étude a comparé la capacité de la phospholipase A2 associée aux lipoprotéines (Lp-PLA2) et des indices anthropométriques à discriminer le risque de MCV parmi le personnel apparemment en bonne santé de l'Université Babcock, dans le sud-ouest du Nigeria. MÉTHODES: Une étude descriptive transversale a été menée auprès de membres du personnel apparemment en bonne santé. Le poids, la taille, l'indice de masse corporelle (IMC), le tour de taille (WC), le tour de hanches (HC), le tour de cou (NC), le rapport taille-hanche (WHR), le rapport taille-hauteur (WHtR), le tour de poignet (WrC) et la pression artérielle des participants ont été mesurés. Du sang veineux a été prélevé pour mesurer la Lp-PLA2, le profil lipidique et la glycémie à jeun. Le risque de MCV a été défini comme la présence d'une obésité générale ou d'une obésité abdominale, d'un diabète sucré, d'une dyslipidémie, d'une hypertension ou d'un tabagisme. La courbe caractéristique du récepteur a été utilisée pour comparer la capacité de la Lp-PLA2 et des indices anthropométriques à discriminer le risque de MCV chez les hommes et les femmes. RÉSULTATS: Les résultats ont montré que 75,7 % (106) des participants présentaient un risque de MCV. Les indices anthropométriques (poids, IMC, tour de taille, HC, NC, WrC, WHR et WHtR), la glycémie, le profil lipidique et la Lp-LPA2 étaient plus élevés chez les participants présentant un risque de MCV (p<0,05). Chez les hommes, la Lp-PLA2 présentait la plus grande aire sous la courbe (AUC) (AUC = 0,886, p<0,001), suivie de près par l'IMC (AUC = 0,879, p <0,001), le tour de taille (AUC = 0,864, p <0,001) et le WHtR (AUC = 0,866, p <0,001).Chez les femmes, le WHtR présentait la plus grande aire sous la courbe de 0,995 (p<0,001), suivi du tour de taille (aire sous la courbe de 0,990, p<0,001), de l'IMC (aire sous la courbe de 0,970, p<0,001) et de la LpPLA2 (aire sous la courbe de 0,938, p<0,001). CONCLUSION: Les capacités de Lp-PLA2 et des indices anthropométriques à prédire le risque de MCV sont comparables parmi le personnel masculin et féminin apparemment en bonne santé d'une université tertiaire privée du sud-ouest du Nigeria. Mots-clés: Phospholipase A2 associée aux lipoprotéines, indices anthropométriques, risque cardiovasculaire, Nigeria.

Beneficial effects of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on some cardiovascular risk factors among individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A grade-assessed systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized clinical trials.

Previous studies suggested that probiotics/synbiotics administration exerts some beneficial effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. However, the results from trials have been inconsistent. This study aimed to identify the impact of probiotic and synbiotic supplements on cardiovascular health factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and prediabetes We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus up to February 2022 to identify eligible RCTs. Estimating 95 % confidence (CI) and the weighted mean difference (WMD) for weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumferences (WC), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), the random-effects model was used. In the current meta-analysis, 54 RCTs were included. With the probiotic/synbiotics intervention, several parameters changed significantly, including weight (WMD: -0.38, 95 % CI: -0.63 to -0.12 Kg), TG (WMD: -19.08, 95 % CI: -27.65 to -10.51 mg/dl), TC (WMD: -10.46, 95 % CI: -15.19 to -5.72 mg/dl), LDL-C (WMD: -4.87, 95 % CI: -7.65 to -2.09 mg/dl), HDL-C (WMD: -2.70, 95 % CI: 1.33-4.07 mg/dl), SBP (WMD: -3.81, 95 % CI: -6.24 to -1.38 mmHg), and DBP (WMD: -2.01, 95 % CI: -3.12 to -0.91 mmHg). In the subgroup analysis, probiotics/synbiotics supplementation resulted in a greater change in lipid profile components in T2DM patients. Weight and BMI reduced only after synbiotic supplementation. We found that the administration of probiotics and synbiotics had beneficial effects on lipid profiles, anthropometric indices, and blood pressure in individuals with T2DM.

Novel sedentary cage induced sedentariness in rats: evidence from relevant biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behavior or physical inactivity is considered a foremost contributor to the rise in obesity and overweight and a risk factor for several non-communicable diseases. However, its effect on the etiopathogenesis of some diseases is underestimated in both developed and developing countries worldwide. The present study designed a novel sedentary cage with a view to achieving sedentariness in rats, and also investigated the effectiveness of the cage in achieving sedentariness by assessing some markers of cardiometabolic risks in Wistar rats. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of six rats. Rats in Group 1 were the control. The sedentary groups were 4-hr. sedentary and 8-hr. sedentary. The sedentary rats were subjected to restrained movements for 4 and 8 hours daily in the sedentary cage for 3 months. Anthropometric indices, food consumption and blood pressure parameters of the rats were measured. Microalbuminuria and serum glucose, uric acid, albumin, nitric oxide, endothelin-1, insulin, inflammatory markers were also Measured. RESULTS: Results indicated significant increases in body weight, BMI, Lee index, food consumption, systolic and diastolic pressure and decrease in serum nitric oxide bioavailability in the 8-hr sedentary rats. There were also significant increases in serum glucose, uric acid, endothelin-1, insulin, CRP and microalbuminuria in the 8-hr. sedentary rats in comparison with the control. The interleukin-6 and TNF-α also revealed a significant increase in the 8-hr. sedentary rats compared with the control. However, there was no significant difference in cortisol level across all the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the novel sedentary cage successfully caused sedentariness in the rats as evident by the alteration in the cardiometabolic health in the rats, especially the group that were made sedentary for 8 h.

The combined effects of probiotics and restricted calorie diet on the anthropometric indices, eating behavior, and hormone levels of obese women with food addiction: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Food addiction (FA) is an important contributor to obesity. Alterations in gut microbiota (GM) diversity and composition have also been proposed to play a pivotal role in obesity pathogenesis. This trial aimed to assess the effects of probiotic supplementation on the anthropometric indices, eating behavior, and hormone levels of obese women with FA. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among obese women with FA. Participants (n = 62) received a restricted calorie diet (RCD) plus either probiotic, or placebo for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers, eating behavior and appetite were assessed during the study period. RESULTS: Probiotics administration significantly reduced weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), body fat percentage (BFP), and trunk fat percentage (TFP) compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001). Also, a significant improvement was observed in eating behavior in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001).Serum levels of oxytocin increased and NPY decreased significantly in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.02, p = 0.002, respectively). Moreover, leptin level significantly decreased in the probiotic group compared to the baseline values (p < 0.001), while probiotics did not cause a greater significant reduction in leptin level, compared to the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Multi-probiotic supplementation may have beneficial effects on anthropometric indices, eating behavior, and some appetite-regulating hormones in obese women with FA.Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: IRCT20131228015968N5.

A large population study reveals a novel association between congenital color vision deficiency and environmental factors.

PURPOSE: To assess the associations between the prevalence of congenital color vision deficiency (CVD) and genetics and environment, represented by place of origin (ethnic background) and place of birth, respectively. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of the computerized database of the northern recruitment center of Israel of 53,895 consecutive male Jewish conscripts 16-19 years old, who completed the medical profiling process between 1988 and 2011. CVD was diagnosed using the 24-pseudo-isochromatic plate Ishihara test. Associations of CVD prevalence with sociodemographic variables, anthropometric indices, refractive errors, and mainly place of origin and place of birth were tested by both univariate analysis and multivariate regression models. RESULTS: Elevated BMI (obesity) and blood pressure (hypertension), as well as myopia, were all positively associated with congenital CVD. The composition of the study population provides a unique opportunity to investigate the relationship between ethnicity and environment. The prevalence of CVD significantly differs among subpopulations of different ethnic background as well as among those who were born in different geographical locations. Additionally, differences in the prevalence of CVD (1.2-1.6%) were observed among conscripts from the same origin, who were born in Israel, compared to those who were born elsewhere. Both place of origin (p < 0.01) and place of birth (p < 0.05) were associated with the prevalence of CVD in a multivariable regression model. CONCLUSION: This study affirms previously established associations of CVD with certain variables and reveals a possible novel association of CVD with environmental factors.