Increased central obesity correlates with physical activity and food processing in recently diagnosed multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Environmental and lifestyle factors are associated with an increased risk of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Metabolic syndrome (MetS) contributes to systemic inflammation, which is associated with poorer MS disease evolution. We compared persons with MS (PwMS) and controls to assess metabolic and lifestyle parameters associated with MS. METHODS: We pooled data from two prospective observational studies with the same eligibility criteria, matching PwMS and controls (1:2 ratio) by sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). We compared anthropometric, biological and lifestyle parameters, including sleep and physical activity. RESULTS: We included 53 PwMS and 106 controls with a median age of 35 years and 79% of women. PwMS had low Expanded Disability Status Scale (median 1.5). Compared to controls, PwMS had increased waist-to-hip (p<0.001) and waist-to-height (p=0.007) ratios, and practiced less physical activity (p=0.03). In regression models, lifestyle factors with the strongest factor loadings to predict central obesity were processed food consumption, and vigorous physical activity. DISCUSSION: Although both groups were matched by age, sex, and BMI, we found increased central obesity in PwMS. Even with minimal neurological impairment, PwMS practiced less physical activity. This suggests that improvement of lifestyle and metabolic parameters should be targeted in MS.

Impact of sleep and physical activity habits on real-life glycaemic variability in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The aim of this study was to better characterise whether sleep habits, eating schedule and physical activity in real-life are associated with glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 28 patients (aged 60 years [58; 66], 54% female) with type 2 diabetes treated with basal-bolus insulin therapy administered by insulin pumps were analysed. Glycaemic data measured by Flash Glucose Monitor System, physical activity and sleep data measured by accelerometer, and meal schedules were simultaneously collated with insulin pump administration data, for 7 days in real-life. Their respective impact on the time spent in target, in hypoglycaemia, in hyperglycaemia and on glycaemic variability was evaluated. Multiple regressions showed that the total daily dose of meal boluses of insulin was inversely associated with the coefficient of variation (CV; coefficient ß = -0.073; 95% confidence interval: -0.130, -0.015; p = 0.016), as well as sleep duration. The higher the sleep duration, the lower the glycaemic variability (coefficient ß = -0.012; 95% confidence interval: -0.023, -0.002; p = 0.027). The mean 7 days physical activity of the subjects was very low and was not associated with glycaemic control on the 7 days mean values. However, days with at least 1 hr spent in physical activity higher than 1.5 METs were associated with less glycaemic variability that same day. This real-life observation highlights the importance of sufficient sleep duration and regular physical activity to lessen the glycaemic variability of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Habitual Nightly Fasting Duration, Eating Timing, and Eating Frequency are Associated with Cardiometabolic Risk in Women.

Nightly fasting duration (NFD) and eating timing and frequency may influence cardiometabolic health via their impact on circadian rhythms, which are entrained by food intake, but observational studies are limited. This 1-year prospective study of 116 US women (33 ± 12y, 45% Hispanic) investigated associations of habitual NFD and eating timing and frequency with cardiovascular health (CVH; American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 score) and cardiometabolic risk factors. NFD, eating timing and frequency, and nighttime eating levels were evaluated from 1-week electronic food records completed at baseline and 1 y. In multivariable-adjusted linear regression models, longer NFD was associated with poorer CVH (ß = -0.22, p = 0.016 and ß = -0.22, p = 0.050) and higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (ß = 1.08, p < 0.01 and ß = 1.74, p < 0.01) in cross-sectional and prospective analyses, respectively. Later timing of the first eating occasion at baseline was associated with poorer CVH (ß = -0.20, p = 0.013) and higher DBP (ß = 1.18, p < 0.01) and fasting glucose (ß = 1.43, p = 0.045) at 1 y. After adjustment for baseline outcomes, longer NFD and later eating times were also associated with higher waist circumference (ß = 0.35, p = 0.021 and ß = 0.27, p < 0.01, respectively). Eating frequency was inversely related to DBP in cross-sectional (ß = -1.94, p = 0.033) and prospective analyses (ß = -3.37, p < 0.01). In cross-sectional analyses of baseline data and prospective analyses, a higher percentage of daily calories consumed at the largest evening meal was associated with higher DBP (ß = 1.69, p = 0.046 and ß = 2.32, p = 0.029, respectively). Findings suggest that frequent and earlier eating may lower cardiometabolic risk, while longer NFD may have adverse effects. Results warrant confirmation in larger multi-ethnic cohort studies with longer follow-up periods.