Whole-body vibration improves the functional parameters of individuals with metabolic syndrome: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that increases the cardiovascular risk. Regular physical exercise can promote benefits, but the MetS individuals are demotivated to perform it. Thus, new possibilities are important as an alternative intervention. The whole-body vibration can be considered an exercise modality and would be a safe and low-cost strategy to improve functional parameters of individuals in different clinical conditions. The aim of this exploratory study was to assess effects of whole-body vibration on functional parameters of MetS individuals. The hypothesis of this work was that the whole-body vibration could improve the functionality of MetS individuals. METHODS: Twenty-two individuals performed the intervention. The vibration frequency varied from 5 to 14 Hz and the peak-to-peak displacements, from 2.5 to 7.5 mm. Each session consisted of one minute-bout of working time followed by a one minute-bout of passive rest in each peak-to-peak displacement for three-times. The whole-body vibration protocol was applied twice per week for 5 weeks. Data from the trunk flexion, gait speed, sit-to-stand test and handgrip strength were collected. Physiological parameters (blood pressure and heart rate) were also evaluated. The Wilcoxon Rank test and Student t-test were used. RESULTS: No significant changes (p > 0.05) were observed in physiological parameters (arterial blood pressure and heart rate). Significant improvements were found in trunk flexion (p = 0.01), gait speed (p = 0.02), sit-to-stand test (p = 0.005) and handgrip strength (p = 0.04) after the whole-body vibration. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, whole-body vibration may induce biological responses that improve functional parameters in participants with MetS without interfering in physiological parameters, comparing before and after a 5-week whole-body vibration protocol. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Register in the Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC) with the number RBR 2bghmh (June 6th, 2016) and UTN: U1111-1181-1177. (virgula).

Evaluation of the Relationships between Simple Anthropometric Measures and Bioelectrical Impedance Assessment Variables with Multivariate Linear Regression Models to Estimate Body Composition and Fat Distribution in Adults: Preliminary Results.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are conditions associated with sedentary lifestyle and accumulation of abdominal fat, determining increased mortality, favoring chronic diseases, and increasing cardiovascular risk. Although the evaluation of body composition and fat distribution are highly relevant, the high cost of the gold standard techniques limits their wide utilization. Therefore, the aim of this work was to explore the relationships between simple anthropometric measures and BIA variables using multivariate linear regression models to estimate body composition and fat distribution in adults. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, sixty-eight adult individuals (20 males and 48 females) were subjected to bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), anthropometric measurements (waist circumference (WC), neck circumference (NC), mid-arm circumference (MAC)), allowing the calculation of conicity index (C-index), fat mass/fat-free mass (FM/FFM) ratios, body mass index (BMI) and body shape index (ABSI). Statistical analyzes were performed with the R program. Nonparametric Statistical tests were applied to compare the characteristics of participants of the groups (normal weight, overweight and obese). For qualitative variables, the Fisher's exact test was applied, and for quantitative variables, the paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test. To evaluate the linear association between each pair of variables, the Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated, and Multivariate linear regression models were adjusted using the stepwise variable selection method, with Akaike Information Criterion (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: BIA variables with the highest correlations with anthropometric measures were total body water (TBW), body fat percentage (BFP), FM, FFM and FM/FFM. The multiple linear regression analysis showed, in general, that the same variables can be estimated through simple anthropometric measures. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of fat distribution in the body is desirable for the diagnosis and definition of obesity severity. However, the high cost of the instruments (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, hydrostatic weighing, air displacement plethysmography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance) to assess it, favors the use of BMI in the clinical practice. Nevertheless, BMI does not represent a real fat distribution and body fat percentage. This highlights the relevance of the findings of the current study, since simple anthropometric variables can be used to estimate important BIA variables that are related to fat distribution and body composition.

Estudantes de Nutrição Apresentam Risco para Transtornos Alimentares / Nutrition Students Present Risk For Eating Disorders

Objetivo: Avaliar a percepção de imagem, a satisfação corporal e o risco para Transtornos Alimentares de estudantes de Nutrição. Material e Métodos: Estudo observacional transversal, com 165 universitárias de uma universidade pública. O peso e a altura foram referidos pelas participantes e o estado nutricional foi avaliado pelo Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC). Foram aplicados os questionários Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) e Silhouette Matching Task (SMT). Resultados: Observou-se que 38,8% das avaliadas tinham alteração de percepção de imagem, 69,7% tinham insatisfação corporal e 32,7% tinham risco para Transtorno Alimentar. As estudantes com excesso de peso apresentaram mais chance de desenvolver Transtorno Alimentar (OR: 7,91) e de apresentar alteração de percepção de imagem (OR: 20,19). Ao associar os resultados obtidos nos três instrumentos utilizados, 32,1% das avaliadas não apresentaram fator de risco para desenvolver Transtornos Alimentares. Conclusão: Foram encontrados elevados percentuais de risco para o desenvolvimento de Transtornos Alimentares, alteração de percepção de imagem e insatisfação corporal na população estudada, sendo que este risco foi maior entre as estudantes que apresentavam excesso de peso. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the image perception, body satisfaction and the risk for eating disorders among nutrition students. Materials and Methods: This was a crosssectional observational study including 165 university students from a public university. Weight and height were reported by the participants and their nutritional status was assessed based on Body Mass Index (BMI) according to the WHO classification. The questionnaires Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and Silhouette Matching Task (SMT), were applied. Results: A total of38.8% of the sample subjects showed image distortion, 69.7% body dissatisfaction, and 32.7% risk for eating disorders. The students with overweight and obesity were more likely to develop an eating disorder (OR: 7.91) and present image distortion (OR: 20.19).By associating the results obtained with the three instruments, only 32.1% of the subjects presented no risk for development of eating disorders. Conclusion: There was a high risk for development of eating disorders among nutrition students, as well as altered image perception and body dissatisfaction. This risk was higher among students who were overweight. (AU)