A MULTIPHASE VERY-LOW CALORIE KETOGENIC DIET IMPROVES SERUM REDOX BALANCE BY REDUCING OXIDATIVE STATUS IN OBESE PATIENTS.

The very-low calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) is recommended as an effective dietary approach for the management of obesity. This study investigated changes in circulating biomarkers of redox homeostasis induced by a multiphase VLCKD in obese individuals. A total of 40 obese subjects were prescribed a multiphasic VLCKD for eleven weeks. Anthropometric measurements, body composition parameters, calorimetric measures, and standard laboratory markers of glucose and lipid metabolism were evaluated at baseline (T0) and at the end of the dietary intervention (T1). Additionally, circulating markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant status were analyzed in serum and erythrocytes. Compared to T0, at T1 the multiphase VLCKD induced significant weight loss and reduction of waist circumference, with beneficial effects on body composition parameters and the glucose/lipid biochemical profile. Moreover, a decrease in serum markers of oxidative damage was reported at T1, while no changes in serum markers of antioxidant status and in erythrocyte redox markers were observed. In addition, a significant association was found between variations in anthropometric measurements, body composition, glucose metabolism parameters, and changes in circulating markers of oxidative damage. Regression models showed that variation in lipofuscin was significant predictor of changes in body mass index, fat mass, visceral adiposity, and insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the multiphase VLCKD improves serum redox balance by reducing markers of oxidative damage in obese individuals, highlighting the interplay between adiposity, glucose metabolism, and redox homeostasis in the pathogenesis of obesity. Furthermore, these data provide a rationale for future investigations aimed at testing serum lipofuscin as a reliable redox marker in obesity.

Association between body fat distribution and asthma in adults: results from the cross-sectional and bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Many studies define obesity based on body mass index (BMI) and explore its relationship with adult asthma. However, BMI only considers height and weight, ignoring other factors such as body fat, which may have a greater impact on health. We investigated the relationship between body fat distribution and adult asthma using both a cross-sectional study and bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods: Weighted logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between body fat distribution measurements and adult asthma in the cross-sectional study from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves were employed to explore the dose-response relationship between them. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the main method of MR analysis to explore the causal effect of exposure on outcome. Results: After adjusting for all covariates, weighted logistic regression analysis indicated that fat mass in the left arm, left leg, right arm, right leg, trunk, and total body is associated with an increased risk of developing adult asthma (p < 0.05). RCS curves showed that all six fat mass indicators exhibit a J-shaped relationship with adult asthma. Forward MR analysis found a causal effect of six fat mass indicators on the increased risk of adult asthma (p < 0.05). However, reverse MR did not reveal any causal effect of adult asthma on these six fat mass indicators (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our study supports a positive correlation and a unidirectional causality between body fat distribution measurements and the risk of adult asthma. Further studies are needed to validate our findings.

Assessing the prevalence of obesity in a Russian adult population by six indices and their associations with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolaemia.

The anthropometric index that best predicts cardiometabolic risk remains inconclusive. This study therefore assessed the prevalence of obesity using six indices and compared their associations with obesity-related cardiometabolic disorders. We determined obesity prevalence according to body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body fat percentage and fat mass index (FMI) using data from the Know Your Heart study (n = 4495, 35-69 years). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) provided predictive values of each index for detecting the presence of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes. Age-standardised obesity prevalence significantly varied according to anthropometric index: from 17.2% (FMI) to 75.8% (WHtR) among men and from 23.6% (FMI) to 65.0% (WHtR) among women. WHtR had the strongest association with hypertension (AUC = 0.784; p < 0.001) and with a combination of disorders (AUC = 0.779; p < 0.001) in women. In women, WHtR also had the largest AUCs for hypercholesterolaemia, in men - for hypertension, diabetes and a combination of disorders, although not all the differences from other obesity indices were significant. WHtR exhibited the closest association between hypertension and a combination of disorders in women and was non-inferior compared to other indices in men.

A combination of Citrus aurantifolia fruit rind and Theobroma cacao seed extracts supplementation enhances metabolic rates in overweight subjects: a randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.

Background and objective: LN19183 is a proprietary, synergistic combination of Citrus aurantifolia fruit rind and Theobroma cacao seed extracts that increased resting energy expenditure (REE) in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese rats. The objective of this study was to validate the thermogenic potential of LN19183 in obese Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and to assess its clinical efficacy in a proof-of-concept, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over human trial. Methods: In the rat study, HFD-fed obese rats were supplemented with either HFD alone or with 45, 90, or 180 mg LN19183 per kg body weight (BW) for 28 days. In the human study, 60 overweight adults (male and female, aged 20-39 years) were randomized. Subjects took LN19183 (450 mg) or a matched placebo capsule on two consecutive days in phases one and two of the study, separated by a 10-day washout period. In each phase, on day 1, REE at pre-dose, 60-, 120-, and 180-min post-dose, and on day 2, metabolic rates at pre-dose and post-dose during and 20 min after exercise were measured using indirect calorimetry. Results: In rats, LN19183 significantly increased REE, reduced BW gain and fat masses, and increased fat and carbohydrate metabolism marker proteins including beta 3 adrenergic receptor (ß3-AR), phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) in the liver, and serum adiponectin levels. Furthermore, LN19183-supplemented human volunteers increased (P < 0.05, vs. placebo) the metabolic rates at rest and with exercise; their fat oxidation was increased (P < 0.05, vs. placebo) at rest and 20 min post-exercise. The groups' systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), heart rates (HR), and safety parameters were comparable. Conclusion: These observations suggest that LN19183 is a thermogenic botanical composition with no stimulatory effects on BP and HR.

Correlates of body composition in children with stunting: A cross-sectional study in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Development of body composition (BC) may be disrupted in children with stunting. Such disruption may affect later risk of excess adiposity and metabolic health, yet few studies have investigated correlates of BC in children with stunting. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate nutritional status, infection and inflammation, breastfeeding behaviors and other factors as correlates of BC in children with stunting. METHODS: Among Ugandan children with a height-for-age z-score <-2, BC was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis and compared to UK references. We used multiple linear regression analysis to identify correlates of fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), FM-index (FMI), and FFM-index (FFMI) and height, adjusting for sex and age. RESULTS: In 750 children aged 1-5 years, FMI was 0.46 [95%CI:0.38,0.54] and FFMI 0.18 [95%CI:0.11,0.26] z-scores lower than UK references. Elevated serum α1-acid glycoprotein was associated with 1.14 [0.76,1.52] cm lower height, 0.50 [0.35,0.65] kg/m2 less FFMI, and 0.48 [0.31, 0.66] kg/m2 greater FMI. Similar, weaker, associations for elevated serum C-reactive protein were detected. A positive malaria rapid test was associated with 0.64 [0.25,1.02] cm shorter height, but 0.36 [0.18,0.54] kg/m2 greater FMI. Anemia (according to hemoglobin) was associated with 0.20 [0.07,0.33] kg less FFM in proportion with shorter height. Longer breastfeeding duration was associated with 0.03 [0.02, 0.04] kg greater FFM per month, in proportion to greater height. CONCLUSION: These children exhibited deficits in FM and FFM, proportionally to their stunted height, compared to UK references. Systemic inflammation correlated inversely with linear growth and fat-free but positively with fatness, making it a possible target for intervention where fat-free tissue accretion is desirable. Longer breastfeeding may offer protection to lean linear growth but findings for micronutrients were less clear. Longitudinal studies are warranted to support these findings. The study was registered at www.isrctn.com (Ref. ISRCTN13093195).

Association between relative fat mass and periodontitis: results from NHANES 2009-2014.

Relative fat mass (RFM) is a novel indicator for measuring body fat. This cross-section study aims to explore the association between RFM and periodontitis and to investigate possible effect modifiers in U.S. adults based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2014. The category of periodontitis was defined by the CDC/AAP. Mean clinical attachment loss and mean pocket probing depth (PPD) were calculated. The RFM formula is: 64 - (20 × height/WC) + (12 × sex), with sex coded as 1 for female and 0 for male. Natural cubic spline and weighted multivariable regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between RFM and periodontal status. Subgroup and interaction analyses were also employed to assess the moderating roles of age, gender, and race. A total of 10,307 participants were included in our study. Compared to the lowest quartiles, individuals in the highest quartiles of RFM levels were more likely to have moderate/severe periodontitis (ORQ4vs1 = 1.64, 95% CI 1.30-2.06) and had a higher mean PPD (ßQ4vs1 = 0.15, 95% CI 0.09-0.22). This association was particularly stronger in populations under the age of 60, with significant interactions. Taken together, RFM is positively associated with periodontitis, particularly in those under 60 years old.

Linear and non-linear relationships between body fat mass distribution and bone mineral density in adults: The NHANES, 2011-2018.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between body fat mass and bone mineral density (BMD) remains controversial. This research aimed to explore the linear or non-linear relationship between body fat mass and BMD among adults in the United States. METHODS: This cross-sectional study identified adults aged 18 years or older in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2018. After adjusting for covariates, linear relationships between body fat mass and BMD in different genders were tested by generalized linear models, and potential non-linear relationships were explored by generalized additive models and piecewise linear regression models. RESULTS: The research included 4691 (57.9% of the total sample) males and 3417 (42.1% the of total sample) females. In both males and females, we found a negative association between android or total body fat mass and lumbar spine BMD and a positive association between appendicular, android, gynoid, or total body fat mass and whole body BMD (all P < 0.05). The relationships between body fat mass in all regions and lumbar spine BMD were U-shaped in males and inverted U-shaped in females (all Pnon-linear < 0.05). Inverted U-shaped relationships existed between body fat mass in all regions and whole body BMD in females (all Pnon-linear < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Body fat mass was negatively and linearly associated with lumbar spine BMD, but positively associated with whole body BMD. Body fat mass had a U-shaped relationship with lumbar spine BMD in males and an inverted U-shaped association with lumbar spine and whole body BMD in females.

Risk of Fat Mass- and Obesity-Associated Gene-Dependent Obesogenic Programming by Formula Feeding Compared to Breastfeeding.

It is the purpose of this review to compare differences in postnatal epigenetic programming at the level of DNA and RNA methylation and later obesity risk between infants receiving artificial formula feeding (FF) in contrast to natural breastfeeding (BF). FF bears the risk of aberrant epigenetic programming at the level of DNA methylation and enhances the expression of the RNA demethylase fat mass- and obesity-associated gene (FTO), pointing to further deviations in the RNA methylome. Based on a literature search through Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases concerning the dietary and epigenetic factors influencing FTO gene and FTO protein expression and FTO activity, FTO's impact on postnatal adipogenic programming was investigated. Accumulated translational evidence underscores that total protein intake as well as tryptophan, kynurenine, branched-chain amino acids, milk exosomal miRNAs, NADP, and NADPH are crucial regulators modifying FTO gene expression and FTO activity. Increased FTO-mTORC1-S6K1 signaling may epigenetically suppress the WNT/ß-catenin pathway, enhancing adipocyte precursor cell proliferation and adipogenesis. Formula-induced FTO-dependent alterations of the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylome may represent novel unfavorable molecular events in the postnatal development of adipogenesis and obesity, necessitating further investigations. BF provides physiological epigenetic DNA and RNA regulation, a compelling reason to rely on BF.

Effectiveness of Resistance Training Program on Body Composition in Adults Following Vegan Diet versus Omnivorous Diet; Developed in Mobile Health Modality.

BACKGROUND: The vegan diet (VEGD) has gained popularity in recent years for ecological and ethical reasons, as well as for its health benefits. In addition to the type of diet, the resistance training program (RTP) plays a fundamental role as one of the main natural anabolic stimuli to increase musculoskeletal mass and reduce fat mass. METHODS: The study was a 16-week non-randomized controlled clinical trial consisting of three RTP sessions per week. The sample included 70 Chilean individuals, aged between 18 and 59 years, who had been following a VEGD or omnivorous diet (OMND) for the past 6 months. Four groups were established: Vegan Diet Resistance Training Program (VEGD-RTP), Vegan Diet Control (VEGD-C), Omnivorous Diet Resistance Training Program (OMND-RTP), and Omnivorous Diet Control (OMND-C). RESULTS: The sample consisted of 47 women and 23 men, with a mean age of 30.1 (±8.6) years. A reduction of 1.20% in the percentage of fat mass (%FM) was observed in the VEGD-RTP group (r = 0.554, p = 0.016), as well as a reduction of 0.70 kg in kilograms of fat mass (KFM) (r = 0.480, p = 0.036). The OMND-RTP group decreased %FM by 0.90% (r = 0.210, p = 0.432) and KFM by 0.50 kg (r = 0.109, p = 0.683). CONCLUSIONS: RTP combined with VEGD or OMND significantly reduced the percentage of fat mass, although its effect was more significant in the VEGD-RTP participants.

FTO gene polymorphism and susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta-analysis.

AIM: To explore the correlation between Fat mass and objectivity associated gene (FTO) rs9939609 polymorphism and susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: Case-control studies on the relationship between FTO rs9939609 A/T polymorphism and PCOS were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. STATA 12.0 software was conducted for Meta-analysis. RESULTS: Nine case-control studies were included, including 1410 cases in PCOS group and 1223 cases in healthy control group. The results of meta-analysis showed that FTO rs9939609 gene polymorphism was associated with PCOS susceptibility, and the risk of developing PCOS was 1.19 times higher for T alleles carriers than for A alleles carriers, and some similar associations were observed in Asian populations. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, FTO rs9939609 gene polymorphism is significantly associated with PCOS susceptibility, especially in Asian populations.

The effect of depression status on osteoarthritis: A powerful two-step Mendelian randomization study.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease that affects millions of individuals worldwide. OBJECTIVE: There is no conclusive epidemiological evidence regarding the relationship between OA, depression, and whole-body fat mass. In this study, we conducted a two-step Mendelian randomization analysis to determine the causal relationships between them. DESIGN: The published summary-level data are from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Our study included 357,957 samples and 10,828,862 SNPs. Finally, the outcome GWAS data for OA came from a GWAS on the genetic architecture of OA using UK Biobank data. This study included 50,508 samples and 15,845,511 SNPs. We used five different modes of analysis, including inverse variance weighted meta-analysis (IVW), MR-Egger regression, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode, to explore causal relationships. RESULTS: We found a positive correlation between depression and body fat mass, with depression leading to body fat mass an increase in (IVW result: p = 3.39E-07, OR (95 % CI) =2.16 (1.61, 2.90)). We also found a positive correlation between body fat mass and OA, with body fat mass increasing the risk of OA (IVW result: p = 1.65E-33, OR (95 % CI) = 1.98 (1.77, 2.21). Body fat mass played an important role as a mediator in the causal relationship between depression and OA, with approximately 14 % of the risk of OA caused by depression being mediated by body fat mass. CONCLUSIONS: Our study offers reliable evidence that depression has a detrimental impact on the risk of OA. Future research can support these associations from improving depressed effect, including social, biological, and behavioral factors, to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis. And we identified high-risk variation of alleles which associated with OA and depression can be used to predict disease and provide a basis for clinical intervention and treatment of OA.

Clinical impact of postoperative changes in body composition on long-term outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the temporal changes in body composition following esophagectomy in patients with esophageal cancer using bioelectrical impedance analysis and to assess the prognostic implications of these changes. METHODS: Our study included 528 patients who underwent esophagectomy and preoperative body composition measurements between January 2013 and June 2020. Postoperative body composition was measured in 493 patients at discharge as follows: 184 at 1 month, 144 at 2 months, 143 at 3 months, 103 at 6 months, 58 at 9 months, and 78 at 12 months. RESULTS: Body weight (BW) continuously decreased until the 6 postoperative months (POMs), reaching -11.5% compared with preoperative levels. Subsequently, almost no change was observed at 12 POMs. Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) decreased until 3 POMs but gradually recovered after 3 POMs. Conversely, body fat mass (BFM) consistently decreased over time post-esophagectomy. The patients were categorized into moderate (>-10%) and severe (≤-10%) groups based on % BW, % SMM, and % BFM losses at 3 POMs. Severe SMM loss at 3 POMs correlated with reduced overall survival (OS) (3-year OS: 85.9% in moderate vs. 75.1% in severe, p = 0.035). BFM loss was associated with reduced recurrence-free survival (3-year RFS: 83.3% in moderate vs. 62.0% in severe, p = 0.011). Multivariate analysis identified pStages Ⅲ and Ⅳ, % SMM loss ≤ -10%, and % BFM loss ≤ -10% as independent factors for worse OS. CONCLUSION: Post-esophagectomy, distinct temporal changes in BW, SMM, and BFM are observed. Significant reductions in SMM and BFM 3 POMs indicate a poor long-term prognosis.

Bone mineral density and body composition in Australians following plant-based diets vs. regular meat diets.

Background and aims: Bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition play an important role in maintaining metabolic health and physical functioning. Plant-based diets (PBDs) are known to be lower in protein and calcium, which can impact BMD and body composition. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between various PBDs compared to regular meat diet and whole-body BMD, body composition, and weight status. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with adults (n = 240) aged 30-75 years, who habitually followed dietary patterns: vegan, lacto-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, or regular meat eater (48 per group). Parameters were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and multivariable regression analyses were used to adjust for lifestyle confounders, socioeconomic factors, and BMI. Results: After adjustments, whole-body BMD and body composition were not significantly different between those following PBDs and regular meat diets, except for lacto-ovo vegetarians, who had significantly lower lean mass by -1.46 kg (CI: -2.78, -0.13). Moreover, lacto-ovo vegetarians had a significantly lower T-score by -0.41 SD (CI: -0.81, -0.01) compared to regular meat eaters. Waist circumference was significantly lower in individuals adhering to a PBD compared to a regular meat diet: vegans by -4.67 cm (CI: -8.10, -1.24), lacto-ovo vegetarians by -3.92 cm (CI: -6.60, -1.23), pesco-vegetarians by -3.24 cm (CI: -6.09, -0.39), and semi-vegetarians by -5.18 cm (CI: -7.79, -2.57). There were no significant differences in lean mass (%), fat mass (% and total), android/gynoid measures, body weight, or BMI across dietary patterns. All dietary patterns met the recommended dietary intake for calcium and protein, and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D status was comparable across groups. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study found that adhering to a PBD characterized by varying degrees of dairy and meat restriction is not associated with meaningful changes in BMD or body composition, provided that the dietary patterns are planned appropriately with adequate levels of calcium and protein.

Genetic Variants in the Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene and Risk of Obesity/Overweight in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The variations in the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the fat mass and obesity (FTO)-associated gene have been linked to being overweight or obese in children. In this research a thorough examination was performed to elucidate the connection between various FTO gene SNPs and overweight or obesity in children and adolescents. METHOD: We searched PubMed, Google scholar, Web of Science and Scopus until January 2024 to find studies that investigate the association between different SNPs of FTO gene and the risk of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents. After filtering the relevant studies, meta-analysis was used to quantify the association of FTO gene SNPs within different genetic inheritance models. RESULTS: We have identified 32 eligible studies with 14,930 obese/overweight cases and 24,765 healthy controls. Our recessive model showed a significant association with rs9939609 (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.20; 2.02, p < 0.01) and rs1421085 (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.14; 2.75, p < 0.01). Besides, in the homozygote model, rs1421085 showed the highest association (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.38; 3.89, p < 0.01) with the risk of obesity in a population of children and adolescents. Moreover, there are other SNPs of FTO genes, such as rs9921255, rs9928094 and rs9930333, which showed a positive association with obesity and overweight. However, their effects were evaluated in very few numbers of studies. CONCLUSION: In this study, we have found that the FTO rs9939609 and rs1421085 are associated to an increased risk of obesity among children and adolescents. Besides, the findings of this study further reaffirmed the established link between rs9939609 and obesity in children and adolescents.

Regional fat distribution and hepatic fibrosis and steatosis severity in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.

Background: Epidemiologic findings suggest that measures of body fat distribution predict health outcomes independent of the overall body fat assessed by body mass index (BMI). This study aimed to evaluate the associations of overall and regional body fat with the severity of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in type 2 diabetic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: Bioelectric impedance analysis and two newly developed anthropometric indices, namely, A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and Body Roundness Index (BRI), were used to estimate the body fat. Based on fibroscan parameters, significant hepatic fibrosis and severe steatosis were defined as ≥F2 and >66%, respectively. Results: Higher total body fat (odds ratio [OR] 1.107, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.038-1.182, p = 0.002), trunk fat (OR 1.136, 95% CI 1.034-1.248, p = 0.008) and leg fat (OR 1.381, 95% CI 1.139-1.674, p = 0.001) were associated with liver fibrosis. However, in contrast to the total body fat (OR 1.088, 95% CI 1.017-1.164, p = 0.014) and leg fat (OR 1.317, 95% CI 1.066-1.628, p = 0.011), the trunk fat was not associated with severe hepatic steatosis. BRI performed better than trunk, leg and total body fat in predicting hepatic steatosis (OR 2.186, 95% CI 1.370-3.487, p = 0.001) and fibrosis (OR 2.132, 95% CI 1.419-3.204, p < 0.001). Moreover, the trunk to leg fat ratio and ABSI were not independent predictors of either steatosis or fibrosis (p > 0.05). Conclusion: BRI revealed a superior predictive ability for identifying the degree of hepatic steatosis and stiffness than other obesity indices. Additionally, higher levels of adiposity in the trunk, legs, and overall body were linked to an increased risk of developing liver fibrosis. Although trunk fat did not show an association with severe hepatic steatosis, an increase in leg and total fat was related to liver steatosis.

Bioelectrical impedance and lung function-associations with gender and central obesity: results of the EpiHealth study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major public health concern associated with various health problems, including respiratory impairment. Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) is used in health screening to assess body fat. However, there is no consensus in healthcare on how body fat should be assessed in relation to lung function. In this study, we aimed to investigate how BIA in relation to waist circumference contribute, using data from a large Swedish population study. METHODS: A total of 17,097 participants (aged 45-75 years) were included in the study. The relationships between fat mass, waist circumference, and lung function were analysed using weighted quantile sum regression. RESULTS: Increased fat mass was significantly associated with decreased lung function (FEV1, FVC) in both sexes. Also, the influence of trunk fat and waist circumference on FVC and FEV1 differed by sex: in males, waist circumference and trunk fat had nearly equal importance for FVC (variable weights of 0.42 and 0.41), whereas in females, trunk fat was significantly more important (variable weights 0.84 and 0.14). For FEV1, waist circumference was more important in males, while trunk fat was more significant in females (variable weights male 0.68 and 0.28 and 0.23 and 0.77 in female). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that trunk fat should be considered when assessing the impact of adipose tissue on lung function and should potentially be included in the health controls.

Body composition and body mass index are independently associated with widespread pain and experimental pain sensitivity in older adults: a pilot investigation.

Introduction: Chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is prevalent in older adults and confers significant risk for loss of independence and low quality of life. While obesity is considered a risk factor for developing chronic MSK pain, both high and low body mass index (BMI) have been associated with greater pain reporting in older adults. Measures of body composition that distinguish between fat mass and lean mass may help to clarify the seemingly contradictory associations between BMI and MSK pain in this at-risk group. Methods: Twenty-four older adults (mean age: 78.08 ± 5.1 years) completed dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and pain measures (Graded Chronic Pain Scale, number of anatomical pain sites, pressure pain threshold, mechanical temporal summation). Pearson correlations and multiple liner regression examined associations between body mass index (BMI), body composition indices, and pain. Results: Significant positive associations were found between number of pain sites and BMI (b = 0.37) and total fat mass (b = 0.42), accounting for age and sex. Total body lean mass was associated with pressure pain sensitivity (b = 0.65), suggesting greater lean mass is associated with less mechanical pain sensitivity. Discussion: The results from this exploratory pilot study indicate lean mass may provide additional resilience to maladaptive changes in pain processing in older adults, and highlights the importance of distinguishing body composition indices from overall body mass index to better understand the complex relationship between obesity and MSK pain in older adults.

Body Composition, Falls, and Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease: Gender-Specific Effects.

BACKGROUND: Postural instability and gait difficulties (PIGD) are a significant cause of mobility loss and lower quality of life in Parkinson's disease (PD). When PD progresses, patients may experience falls and freezing of gait (FoG) resulting in fear of falling and increasing sedentariness. Sedentary behavior results in sarcopenia associated with other changes in body composition, especially in older patients becoming frail. Previous studies have shown gender-specific changes in body composition with aging as well as gender disparities in symptoms and progression of PD, yet the association between gender-specific body composition and PIGD symptoms such as FoG along with falls, remains unexplored. OBECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between gender-specific changes in body composition, FoG and falls assessment. METHODS: 136 PD subjects underwent detailed clinical test batteries and had whole-body composition assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Multivariate logistic forward stepwise regression was performed to define body composition associations for FoG and falls. RESULTS: Multivariate regression analysis revealed that in males with PD, lower leg lean mass was significantly associated with the presence of FoG (OR, 0.429; 95% CI, 0.219-0.839; p=0.013) but not with falls. In females with PD, higher leg adipose mass was significantly associated with falls (OR, 4.780; 95% CI, 1.506-15.174; p=0.008) but not with FoG. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest gender specific associations between body composition and FoG vs. falls in PD. Future research should explore the impact of interventions on body composition in individuals with PD by paying specific attention to gender differences.

Examining the association between the FTO gene and neuroticism reveals indirect effects on subjective well-being and problematic alcohol use.

Associations between the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene and obesity are well-established. However, recent studies have linked FTO to addiction phenotypes and dopaminergic signaling, thus suggesting broader psychiatric implications. We explored this assumption by conducting a phenome-wide association study across 4756 genome-wide association studies, identifying 23-26 psychiatric traits associated with FTO at the multiple-corrected significance level. These traits clustered into four categories: substance use, chronotype/sleep, well-being, and neuroticism. To validate these findings, we analyzed a functionally suggestive FTO variant (rs1421085) in a separate cohort, examining its impact on (i) alcohol use based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), (ii) subjective well-being based on the WHO (Ten) Well-Being Index, and (iii) neuroticism based on Schafer's Five Factor Model or the Karolinska Scales of Personality. Our results confirmed a direct association between rs1421085 and neuroticism that was independent of age, sex, alcohol use, body mass index (BMI), and childhood adversities. Interestingly, while no direct association with alcohol intake was observed, both cross-sectional and lagged longitudinal mediation analyses uncovered indirect relationships between rs1421085 and problematic alcohol use (AUDIT-P), with increased neuroticism acting as the intermediary. Mediation analyses also supported an indirect effect of rs1421085 on lower well-being through the pathways of increased neuroticism and BMI. Our study is the first to validate a direct association between FTO and neuroticism. However, additional studies are warranted to affirm the causal pathways linking FTO to well-being and alcohol use through neuroticism.

The relationship of body composition with bone mineral density and 10-year probability of hip fracture in postmenopausal women.

INTRODUCTION: Postmenopausal osteoporosis and fractures are widely prevalent. However, the relationship of body composition with bone health in this population remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of body composition with bone mineral density (BMD) and 10-year probability of hip fracture in postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 1285 subjects were included in our study. Body composition and BMD were assessed using dual-energy X-ray densitometry. The 10-year probability of hip fracture of participants was calculated. All participants were categorized into four groups: sarcopenic-obese (SO) group, sarcopenic-nonobese (S) group, nonsarcopenic-obese (O) group, or nonsarcopenic-nonobese control (C) group. Multivariate analyses and binary logistic regression were conducted to explore the relationship of body composition with BMD and 10-year probability of hip fracture. RESULTS: Participants in S group were 2.8, 4.7 and 4.8 times more likely to develop osteoporosis in the lumbar spine, the total hip and femoral neck sites, respectively. Lean mass was positively correlated with BMD, wherein lumbar spine BMD was significantly affected by appendicular lean mass, while total hip BMD and femoral neck BMD were mainly influenced by trunk lean mass. Total fat mass was positively associated with total hip and femoral neck BMD, but not with lumbar spine BMD. A significant correlation was observed between lean mass and 10-year probability of hip fracture. CONCLUSION: Changes in body composition in postmenopausal women could affect bone health. A decrease in regional lean mass may be associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.