Total daily energy expenditure and elevated water turnover in a small-scale semi-nomadic pastoralist society from Northern Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Pastoralists live in challenging environments, which may be accompanied by unique activity, energy, and water requirements. AIM: Few studies have examined whether the demands of pastoralism contribute to differences in total energy expenditure (TEE) and water turnover (WT) compared to other lifestyles. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Accelerometer-derived physical activity, doubly labelled water-derived TEE and WT, and anthropometric data were collected for 34 semi-nomadic Daasanach adults from three northern Kenyan communities with different levels of pastoralist activity. Daasanach TEEs and WTs were compared to those of other small-scale and industrialised populations. RESULTS: When modelled as a function of fat-free-mass, fat-mass, age, and sex, TEE did not differ between Daasanach communities. Daasanach TEE (1564-4172 kcal/day) was not significantly correlated with activity and 91% of TEEs were within the range expected for individuals from comparison populations. Mean WT did not differ between Daasanach communities; Daasanach absolute (7.54 litres/day men; 7.46 litres/day women), mass-adjusted, and TEE-adjusted WT was higher than most populations worldwide. CONCLUSIONS: The similar mass-adjusted TEE of Daasanach and industrialised populations supports the hypothesis that habitual TEE is constrained, with physically demanding lifestyles necessitating trade-offs in energy allocation. Elevated WT in the absence of elevated TEE likely reflects a demanding active lifestyle in a hot, arid climate.

Efficient Model-Based Anthropometry under Clothing Using Low-Cost Depth Sensors.

Measuring human body dimensions is critical for many engineering and product design domains. Nonetheless, acquiring body dimension data for populations using typical anthropometric methods poses challenges due to the time-consuming nature of manual methods. The measurement process for three-dimensional (3D) whole-body scanning can be much faster, but 3D scanning typically requires subjects to change into tight-fitting clothing, which increases time and cost and introduces privacy concerns. To address these and other issues in current anthropometry techniques, a measurement system was developed based on portable, low-cost depth cameras. Point-cloud data from the sensors are fit using a model-based method, Inscribed Fitting, which finds the most likely body shape in the statistical body shape space and providing accurate estimates of body characteristics. To evaluate the system, 144 young adults were measured manually and with two levels of military ensembles using the system. The results showed that the prediction accuracy for the clothed scans remained at a similar level to the accuracy for the minimally clad scans. This approach will enable rapid measurement of clothed populations with reduced time compared to manual and typical scan-based methods.

Analyzing the effects of the Spanish Civil War on biological well-being through new anthropometric indicators.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the negative impact of severe economic shocks (such as those associated with wars) on the growth of children and adolescents. Individuals exposed to these shocks during their developmental years exhibited shorter average heights compared to both previous and subsequent generations. Anthropometric research has highlighted the sensitivity of the height variable in understanding the biological well-being of children and adolescents. However, little attention has been paid to the evolution of other anthropometric variables. This study investigates the impact of the famine following the Spanish Civil War on biological well-being in nine municipalities of the Region of Valencia (with over 120,000 observations of individuals born between 1890 and 1955) using two indicators: chest circumference, and the percentage of individuals of short stature. Our findings confirm that both of these anthropometric indicators were responsive to the economic shock of the Civil War. The well-being levels prior to the war took 20 years to recover.

Cardiometabolic risk assessment: A school-based study in Brazilian adolescent.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recently, new indices combining routine and low-cost anthropometric and biochemical measurements have emerged. Among them, the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) are being investigated for the prediction of altered blood pressure (BP) and insulin resistance (IR). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether visceral adiposity index (VAI) and height-corrected lipid accumulation product (HLAP) are predictors of cardiometabolic risk in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were obtained from the Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (ERICA) study, a cross-sectional, national, multicenter, school-based survey conducted between 2013 and 2014 in Brazil. The sample consisted of 37,815 adolescents aged 12-17 years of both genders attending the last 3 years of elementary or secondary school from public and private schools located in 273 municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. A Poisson regression was performed to verify associations between VAI and HLAP indices and the presence of altered BP and IR according to sex. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was applied to compare the predictive ability and determine the cut-off points of the VAI and HLAP indices in identifying cardiometabolic risk obtained by altered BP and IR. The prevalences of altered BP and IR were 24.49 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 23.14-25.87) and 24.22 % (95 % CI: 22.70-25.80), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The VAI and HLAP indices are good predictors of cardiometabolic risk in Brazilian adolescents. HLAP showed better performance in identifying insulin resistance in males.

Anthropometric assessment: ESPGHAN quality of care survey from paediatric hospitals in 28 European countries.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of anthropometric data is essential for paediatric healthcare. We surveyed the implementation of European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) evidence-based guidelines and practical recommendations on nutritional care, particularly regarding anthropometric measurements. METHODS: Paediatric hospitals from 28 European countries provided pseudonymized data through online questionnaires on hospital characteristics and their standards of nutritional care. Practical tasks assessed an unbiased collection and reporting of anthropometric measurements in random patients' files and discharge letters. RESULTS: Of 114 hospitals (67% academic), 9% have no nutritionist/dietitian available, 18% do not provide standard policy to assess weight and height and 15% lack training for nursing staff for accurate performance. A wall-mounted stadiometer to measure standing height and equipment for sitting weight is unavailable in 9% and 32%, respectively. Infant length is measured by one instead of two healthcare professionals and with a tape instead of a rigid length measuring board in 58% and 15% of hospitals, respectively. The practical tasks reviewed 1414 random patients, thereof 446 younger than 2 years of age. Missing documentation occurred significantly more often for height versus weight and their percentiles in infants ≤2 years versus older children, and in general paediatric versus gastrointestinal patients, with no difference between academic and nonacademic hospitals. Review of documented anthropometric data in discharge letters disclosed that consultants significantly underestimated the deficits in their units compared to documented data. CONCLUSIONS: The survey revealed significant gaps in performance and documentation of anthropometry in the participating hospitals. A resurvey will assess changes in quality of care over time.

[Maternal factors associated with habitual consumption of ultra-processed foods during pregnancy]. / Fatores maternos associados ao consumo usual de alimentos ultraprocessados na gestação.

The scope of the study was to investigate the relationship between maternal sociodemographic, obstetric and lifestyle characteristics and the habitual consumption of ultra-processed foods. It included a cross-sectional study of n = 784 pregnant women attended by the Unified Health System. Diet was estimated using two 24-hour recall surveys, using the multiple-pass method. Ultra-processed foods were classified using the UN NOVA food classification and their habitual consumption was expressed as the contribution to the total energy percentage. Adjusted linear regression models were used to investigate the relationship between maternal characteristics and the percentage of energy (%E) derived from ultra-processed foods. The %E of ultra-processed foods in the diet was 32.1%. Maternal age (-0.45[-0.62; -0.29] p < 0.001), economic bracket D+E in relation to A+B (-2.95[-5.59; -0.32] p = 0.03) and energy underreporting (-6.95[-8.86; -5.04] p < 0.001) were inversely associated with the %E of ultra-processed foods, whereas the pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) (0.41[0.22; 0.60] p < 0.001) was directly associated. This would suggest that maternal age, economic status, energy underreporting and pre-gestational anthropometric status are associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods during pregnancy.

O objetivo do estudo foi investigar a relação entre as características sociodemográficas, obstétricas e de estilo de vida maternas e o consumo usual de alimentos ultraprocessados. Estudo transversal, n = 784 gestantes, assistidas pelo Sistema Único de Saúde. A dieta foi estimada utilizando dois inquéritos recordatórios de 24 horas, pelo método de passagens múltiplas. Os alimentos ultraprocessados foram classificados empregando-se a classificação NOVA e seu consumo usual foi expresso como a contribuição no percentual energético total. Modelos de regressão linear ajustados foram empregados para investigar a relação entre as características maternas e o percentual energético proveniente (%E) de ultraprocessados. O %E de ultraprocessados na dieta foi de 32,1%. A idade materna (-0,45 [-0,62; -0,29] p < 0,001), estrato econômico D+E em relação a A+B (-2,95 [-5,59; -0,32] p = 0,03) e sub-relato energético (-6,95 [-8,86; -5,04] p < 0,001) foram inversamente associados ao %E de ultraprocessados, enquanto o índice de massa corporal (IMC) pré-gestacional (0,41 [0,22; 0,60] p < 0,001) foi diretamente associado. Sugere-se que a idade materna, o estrato econômico, a subnotificação energética e o estado antropométrico pré-gestacional estejam associados ao consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados durante a gestação.

Secular trends in height, weight, and body mass index in the context of economic and political transformations in Russia from 1885 to 2021.

OBJECTIVES: To study and analyze the impact of socio-economic factors on secular changes in height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) among Moscow's youth over the time interval from the late 19th-early 20th century to the present. METHODS: Anthropometric data, including height, weight, and BMI, were collected through surveys conducted on youths aged 17-20 years in Moscow from the 1880s for males and from the 1920s for females to the present. The dataset includes information on 6434 individuals surveyed from 2000 to 2019, as well as previously published mean values. Economic development indicators, such as gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, monthly average income per capita, and the Gini coefficient, were examined to analyze the association between secular trends in body size and socio-economic conditions. RESULTS: A positive secular trend in height and weight has been observed among Moscow's youth from the early 20th century to the present. Substantial increases in height occurred during the second half of the previous century, stabilizing in the 2000s. Over the analyzed period, both average body weight and BMI values showed a consistent rise. The pattern for BMI exhibited a U-shaped trend, with a decline from the 1970s to the mid-1990s, followed by a subsequent increase. Strong correlations were found between the secular changes in body size among Moscow's youth and temporal fluctuations in key socio-economic indicators, including GDP per capita, monthly average income per capita, and the Gini coefficient. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates the significant influence of socio-economic conditions on intergenerational changes in body size, as evidenced by the positive secular trend in physique indicators (height, weight, and BMI) among Moscow's youth.

Similarities and discrepancies between commercially available bioelectrical impedance analysis system and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for body composition assessment in 10-14-year-old children.

A variety of easy-to-use commercial bioelectrical impedance appliances are available. The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of a commercially available body composition meter using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) by comparing its measurement results with those obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The participants were 443 children aged from 10 to 14 years (226 boys and 217 girls). Fat mass, fat-free mass, lean body mass, percentage of body fat, and bone mineral contents were evaluated for all participants using BIA and DXA. The agreement in the anthropometric data obtained from both devices was analyzed using correlation analysis, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), Bland-Altman plots, and ordinary least products regression analysis. Equivalence between both devices was tested by two one-sided t-test. All measured indicators showed strong linear correlations between the two measurement systems (r, 0.853-1.000). Fat mass, fat-free mass, and lean body mass showed absolute concordance (ICC, 0.902-0.972; Lin's CCC, 0.902-0.972). BIA overestimated bone mineral content (62.7-66.5%) and underestimated percentage of body fat (- 8.9 to - 0.8%), lean body mass (- 3.5 to - 1.8%), and body mass (- 0.8 to - 0.5%). For fat mass and fat-free mass, the overestimate or underestimate varied according to the sex and statistical analysis test. Bland-Altman analysis and ordinary least products analysis showed fixed bias and proportional bias in all indicators. Results according to quartiles of body mass index showed poor agreement for fat mass and percentage of body fat in both boys and girls in the lowest body mass index quartile. The present results revealed strong linear correlations between BIA and DXA, which confirmed the validity of the present single-frequency BIA-derived parameters. Our results suggest that BIA cannot provide the exact same values as DXA for some body composition parameters, but that performance is sufficient for longitudinal use within an individual for daily health management and monitoring.

Assessment of finite element human body and ATD models in estimating injury risk in far-side impacts using field-based injury risk.

The objective of this study was to assess the ability of finite element human body models (FEHBMs) and Anthropometric Test Device (ATD) models to estimate occupant injury risk by comparing it with field-based injury risk in far-side impacts. The study used the Global Human Body Models Consortium midsize male (M50-OS+B) and small female (F05-OS+B) simplified occupant models with a modular detailed brain, and the ES-2Re and SID-IIs ATD models in the simulated far-side crashes. A design of experiments (DOE) with a total of 252 simulations was conducted by varying lateral ΔV (10-50kph; 5kph increments), the principal direction of force (PDOF 50°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 90°), and occupant models. Models were gravity-settled and belted into a simplified vehicle model (SVM) modified for far-side impact simulations. Acceleration pulses and vehicle intrusion profiles used for the DOE were generated by impacting a 2012 Camry vehicle model with a mobile deformable barrier model across the 7 PDOFs and 9 lateral ΔV's in the DOE for a total of 63 additional simulations. Injury risks were estimated for the head, chest, lower extremity, pelvis (AIS 2+; AIS 3+), and abdomen (AIS 3+) using logistic regression models. Combined AIS 3+ injury risk for each occupant was calculated using AIS 3+ injury risk estimations for the head, chest, abdomen, and lower extremities. The injury risk calculated using computational models was compared with field-based injury risk derived from NASS-CDS by calculating their correlation coefficient. The field-based injury risk was calculated using risk curves that were created based on real-world crash data in a previous study (Hostetler et al., 2020). Occupant age (40 years), seatbelt use (belted occupant), collision deformation classification, lateral ΔV, and PDOF of the crash event were used in these curves to estimate field injury risk. Large differences in the kinematics were observed between HBM and ATD models. ATD models tended to overestimate risk in almost every case whereas HBMs yielded better risk estimates overall. Chest and lower extremity risks were the least correlated with field injury risk estimates. The overall risk of AIS 3+ injury risk was the strongest comparison to the field data-based risk curves. The HBMs were still not able to capture all the variance but future studies can be carried out that are focused on investigating their shortfalls and improving them to estimate injury risk closer to field injury risk in far-side crashes.

Causes and consequences of child growth faltering in low-resource settings.

Growth faltering in children (low length for age or low weight for length) during the first 1,000 days of life (from conception to 2 years of age) influences short-term and long-term health and survival1,2. Interventions such as nutritional supplementation during pregnancy and the postnatal period could help prevent growth faltering, but programmatic action has been insufficient to eliminate the high burden of stunting and wasting in low- and middle-income countries. Identification of age windows and population subgroups on which to focus will benefit future preventive efforts. Here we use a population intervention effects analysis of 33 longitudinal cohorts (83,671 children, 662,763 measurements) and 30 separate exposures to show that improving maternal anthropometry and child condition at birth accounted for population increases in length-for-age z-scores of up to 0.40 and weight-for-length z-scores of up to 0.15 by 24 months of age. Boys had consistently higher risk of all forms of growth faltering than girls. Early postnatal growth faltering predisposed children to subsequent and persistent growth faltering. Children with multiple growth deficits exhibited higher mortality rates from birth to 2 years of age than children without growth deficits (hazard ratios 1.9 to 8.7). The importance of prenatal causes and severe consequences for children who experienced early growth faltering support a focus on pre-conception and pregnancy as a key opportunity for new preventive interventions.

Assessment of correlation between conventional anthropometric and imaging-derived measures of body fat composition: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND: In studies of the association of adiposity with disease risk, widely used anthropometric measures of adiposity (e.g. body-mass-index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], waist-hip ratio [WHR]) are simple and inexpensive to implement at scale. In contrast, imaging-based techniques (e.g. magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and dual x-ray absorptiometry [DXA]) are expensive and labour intensive, but can provide more accurate quantification of body fat composition. There is, however, limited evidence about the relationship between conventional and imaging-derived measures of adiposity. METHODS: We searched Scopus and Web of Science for published reports in English of conventional versus imaging-derived measurements of adiposity. We identified 42 articles (MRI = 22; DXA = 20) that met selection criteria, involving 42,556 (MRI = 15,130; DXA = 27,426) individuals recruited from community or hospital settings. Study-specific correlation coefficients (r) were transformed using Fisher's Z transformation, and meta-analysed to yield weighted average correlations, both overall and by ancestry, sex and age, where feasible. Publication bias was investigated using funnel plots and Egger's test. RESULTS: Overall, 98% of participants were 18 + years old, 85% male and 95% White. BMI and WC were most strongly correlated with imaging-derived total abdominal (MRI-derived: r = 0.88-; DXA-derived: 0.50-0.86) and subcutaneous abdominal fat (MRI-derived: 0.83-0.85), but were less strongly correlated with visceral abdominal fat (MRI-derived: 0.76-0.79; DXA-derived: 0.80) and with DXA-derived %body fat (0.76). WHR was, at best, strongly correlated with imaging-derived total abdominal (MRI-derived: 0.60; DXA-derived: 0.13), and visceral abdominal fat (MRI-derived: 0.67; DXA-derived: 0.65), and moderately with subcutaneous abdominal (MRI-derived: 0.54), and with DXA-derived %body fat (0.58). All conventional adiposity measures were at best moderately correlated with hepatic fat (MRI-derived: 0.36-0.43). In general, correlations were stronger in women than in men, in Whites than in non-Whites, and in those aged 18 + years. CONCLUSIONS: In this meta-analysis, BMI and WC, but not WHR, were very strongly correlated with imaging-derived total and subcutaneous abdominal fat. By comparison, all three measures were moderately or strongly correlated with imaging-based visceral abdominal fat, with WC showing the greatest correlation. No anthropometric measure was substantially correlated with hepatic fat. Further larger studies are needed to compare these measures within the same study population, and to assess their relevance for disease risks in diverse populations.

Relationship of vitamin D with the anthropometric indicators and lifestyle of adults. Medellín. Colombia

Introduction: Serum vitamin D levels depend on sunlight, diet, and other factors. Objective: We aimed to determine serum vitamin D levels and evaluate their relationship with anthropometric indicators and lifestyle habits in apparently healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study (n=75), socio-demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle habit-related data were collected. Serum vitamin D levels were determined with high performance liquid chromatography, food intake was measured by semiquantitative frequency and nutritional status was assessed by anthropometry. Chi-square test and also principal component analysis were used to analyze the relationship between some variables and vitamin D status. Spearman's test was used to determine correlations between quantitative variables. Results: 73% were women and 61% belonged to medium socio-economic level. Median vitamin D intake was 137 (83.1­227.3) IU/day. Based on body mass index (BMI), 44% individuals had overweight/obesity. The 68% exhibited deficient/insufficient vitamin D levels (Hypovitaminosis D). BMI classification and waist circumference (CW) were not related with vitamin D status; however, activities with higher sun exposure were highly related (p = 0.013). Sun exposure time explained variation in component 2 (16.60%), where most of the individuals with normal level were grouped. Sun exposure time was positively correlated with vitamin D status (r = 0.263; p = 0.023). Discussion: Excess weight and abdominal obesity are not always associated with hypovitaminosis D. Conclusions: The majority of individuals showed hypovitaminosis D but their status was not related with anthropometric indicators. A Sun exposure time was the only factor positively correlated with vitamin D status.

Introducción: Los niveles séricos de vitamina D dependen de la luz solar, la dieta y otros factores. Objetivo: Nuestro objetivo fue determinar los niveles séricos de vitamina D y evaluar su relación con indicadores antropométricos y estilos de vida en voluntarios aparentemente sanos. Materiales y métodos: En este estudio trasversal (n=75) se recogieron datos sociodemográficos, antropométricos y aquellos relacionados con hábitos y estilos de vida. La vitamina D se determinó por cromatografía liquida de alta eficiencia; la ingesta de alimentos, mediante frecuencia semicuantitativa, y el estado nutricional por antropometría. Para analizar la relación entre algunas variables y el estado de la vitamina D se usó la prueba de Chi cuadrado y también el análisis de componentes principales. Se empleó la prueba de Spearman para determinar la correlación entre variables cuantitativas. Resultados: El 73% eran mujeres y el 61% pertenecían a un estrato socioeconómico medio. La mediana de la ingesta de vitamina D fue de 137 (83,1­227,3) UI/día. Según el índice de masa corporal (IMC), el 44% de los individuos tenían sobrepeso/obesidad. El 68% mostro deficiencia/insuficiencia de vitamina D (hipovitaminosis D). La clasificación del IMC y la circunferencia abdominal no se relacionaron con el estado de la vitamina D; sin embargo, las actividades con una mayor exposición solar estuvieron altamente relacionadas (p=0,013). El tiempo de exposición solar explico la variación en el componente 2 (16,60%) donde se agruparon la mayoría de los individuos con niveles normales. El tiempo de exposición solar tuvo una correlación positiva con el estado de la vitamina D (r = 0,263; p = 0,023). Discusión: El exceso de peso y la obesidad abdominal no siempre se relacionan con la hipovitaminosis D. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los individuos presentaron hipovitaminosis D, pero su estado no se relacionó con los indicadores antropométricos. El tiempo de exposición al sol fue el único factor que se correlaciono positivamente con el estado de la vitamina D.

Introdução: Os níveis séricos de vitamina D dependem da luz solar, da dieta e de outros fatores. Objetivo: Nosso objetivo foi determinar os níveis séricos de vitamina D e avaliar sua relação com indicadores antropométricos e hábitos de vida em voluntários aparentemente saudáveis. Materiais e métodos: Neste estudo transversal (n=75), foram coletados dados sociodemográficos, antropométricos e relacionados a hábitos de vida. Os níveis séricos de vitamina D foram determinados por cromatografia liquida de alto desempenho, a ingestão de alimentos foi medida por frequência semiquantitativa e o estado nutricional foi avaliado por antropometria. O teste do qui-quadrado e a análise de componentes principais foram utilizados para analisar a relação entre algumas variáveis e o estado da vitamina D. O teste de Spearman foi usado para determinar as correlações entre as variáveis quantitativas. Resultados: 73% eram mulheres e 61% pertenciam a um nível socioeconômico médio. A ingestão media de vitamina D foi de 137 (83,1-227,3) UI/dia. Com base no índice de massa corporal (IMC), 44% dos indivíduos tinham sobrepeso/obesidade. Os 68% apresentaram níveis deficientes/insuficientes de vitamina D (hipovitaminose D). A classificação do IMC e a circunferência da cintura (CW) não foram relacionadas ao status da vitamina D; entretanto, as atividades com maior exposição ao sol foram altamente relacionadas (p = 0,013). O tempo de exposição ao sol explicou a variação no componente 2 (16,60%), onde a maioria dos indivíduos com nível normal foi agrupada. O tempo de exposição ao sol foi positivamente correlacionado com o status de vitamina D (r = 0,263; p = 0,023). Discussão: O excesso de peso e a obesidade abdominal nem sempre estão associados com a hipovitaminose D. Conclusões: A maioria dos indivíduos apresentou hipovitaminose D, mas seu status não foi relacionado com indicadores antropométricos. O tempo de exposição ao sol foi o único fator positivamente correlacionado com o status da vitamina D.

Association between arthritis and hand grip strength indices combined with anthropometry in an older Korean population.

BACKGROUND: Hand grip strength (HGS) is related to arthritis and all-cause mortality. Many studies have examined the association between HGS and arthritis, but these studies did not consider relative HGS indices. The objectives of this study were to examine the association between arthritis and HGS indices in an older Korean population and to compare an absolute HGS index and a relative HGS indices. METHODS: In a large-scale cross-sectional study, a total of 16,860 subjects older than 50 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey from 2014 to 2019 were included for statistical analysis. A binary logistic regression model was used to examine the association between arthritis and HGS indices in crude and covariate-adjusted models. RESULTS: In the crude analysis, all anthropometric and HGS indices were associated with arthritis except for weight in men. In adjusted models 1 and 2, among the anthropometric indices, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were associated with arthritis in men but not in women. Absolute HGS and all relative HGS indices showed a negative association with arthritis among both men and women, and the magnitude of the association of arthritis with the absolute HGS index and the relative HGS indices was similar. However, the magnitude of the association between all HGS indices and arthritis was higher for men than for women except in the crude analysis. DISCUSSION: Absolute and relative HGS indices had negative associations with arthritis, and the magnitude of the association between the absolute HGS index and arthritis and between the relative HGS indices and arthritis was similar in all models. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between arthritis and relative HGS indices, which was not observed in previous studies.

Assessment of nutritional status using anthropometric index among older adult and elderly population in India.

Malnutrition poses a significant risk to the older population globally, highlighting the critical role of nutrition in healthy aging. In this study, the aim is to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition among older adults aged 45-59 years and the elderly population aged 60 years and above based on their socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Furthermore, the study examines the risk factors within a multivariate framework. A sample of 59,073 individuals aged 45 years and above from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI), Wave 1 survey constitutes the study population. This study adopts a cross-sectional design. Bivariate cross-tabulation analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis are employed to understand the prevalence and determinants of nutritional status. About 25% of males and 37% of females below the age of 60 years are overweight (including obese), while among those aged 60 years and above, 28% of males and 25% of females are underweight. The elderly male population carries a comparatively higher burden of underweight (28%) prevalence than the females (25%) in the same age group. Overall, the urban population is less likely to be underweight [AOR: 0.41, C.I 0.38-0.43] and more likely to be overweight [AOR: 2.41, C.I 2.32-2.52]. Older adults from low economic and social strata are more likely to be underweight. In terms of bio-physical factors, individuals aged 60 years and above with infections to endemic diseases [AOR: 1.24; p-value < 0.01] and those with edentulism [AOR: 1.29; p-value < 0.01] are more likely to be underweight. As evident from the study, nutritional status among older adults is a complicated manifestation of multiple risk factors and requires potential nutritional intervention. Initiating a routine screening program at the grassroots level can effectively identify older adults and the elderly in India, facilitating the provision of nutritional care.

The Mid-Upper Arm Circumference as a Substitute for Body Mass Index in the Assessment of Nutritional Status among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

To compare mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) with body mass index (BMI) and propose MUAC cut-off points corresponding to BMIs of <18.5 kg/m2 (underweight) and ≥30.0 kg/m2 (obesity) for pregnant Sudanese women, a cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in the city of New Halfa, Sudan. Healthy pregnant women were recruited. Body parameters such as height, weight, and MUAC were measured. The MUAC (cm) cut-off values for underweight and obesity were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Of 688 pregnant women, 437 were in early pregnancy (<20 weeks of gestation) and 251 were in late pregnancy (≥20 weeks of gestation). There was a significant positive correlation between BMI and MUAC among women in both early pregnancy (r = 0.734) and late pregnancy (r = 0.703). The cut-off points of MUAC for detecting underweight and obesity were found to be 24.0 cm and 29.0 cm, respectively, for women in early pregnancy, with good predictive values. For women in late pregnancy, the cut-off points for detecting underweight and obesity were 23.0 cm and 28.0 cm, respectively. We concluded that for Sudanese pregnant women, the MUAC cut-off points identified in the study for diagnosing underweight and obesity are both sensitive and specific.

Associação entre hipertensão arterial sistêmica e indicadores antropométricos em idosos do estudo brazuca / Association between systemic arterial hypertension and anthropometric indicators in the elderly in the brazuca study / Asociación entre hipertensión arterial sistémica y indicadores antropométricos en adultos mayores del estudio brazuca

Introdução:A Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica é uma doença crônica que acometea maior parte idosos brasileiros, sendo uma das principais causas de mortes prematuras e incapacidades funcionais que causam complicações cardiovasculares e cerebrais, as quais podem estar associadas a diversos fatores predisponentes como a obesidade.Objetivo:Avaliar a associação entre hipertensão arterial sistêmica e indicadores antropométricos em idosos do estudo BrazucaNatal.Metodologia: Estudo transversal de base populacional com 191 idosos do município Natal-RN. Foram coletados dados sociodemográficos, econômicos e antropométricos (peso, estatura, perímetro da cintura e perímetro do quadril) e cálculo do Índice de Massa Corporal, Razão Cintura-Estatura e Razão Cintura Quadril. A hipertensão arterial foi auto referida. Os dados foram analisados pelo software SPSS versão 20.0. Teste t de Student foi utilizado para avaliar as diferenças entre médias das variáveis de acordo com o sexo e presença de hipertensão arterial. A associação entre a presença da doença e as variáveisfoi realizadapela Regressão de Poisson, comas razões de prevalência brutas e ajustadas e seus intervalos de confiança (95%).Resultados:A maioria dos idosos eram do sexo feminino (55%), com média de idade 69,48 anos (DP=7,38) e índice de massa corporalde 28,46 (DP=5,25), 59,4% possuíamexcesso de peso e 60,1% hipertensão. Ao comparar os sexos, registramos maiores médias de índice de massa corporal, perímetro do quadrile relação cintura estaturanas mulheres (p<0,05). Observamos maiores médias de idadee indicadores antropométricos entre os idosos com hipertensão (p<0,05). Constatamos que a presença de hipertensão estava associada a perímetro da cintura e índice de massa corporal no modelo bruto, mantendo-se apenas o perímetro da cinturano modelo ajustado. Conclusões:Indicadores antropométricos de fácil aplicação e baixo custo como o perímetroda cintura podeser eficientes para a detecção precoce da hipertensão arterial em idosos (AU).

Introduction:SystemicArterial Hypertension is a chronic disease that affects most Brazilian older adults and is one of the main causes of premature deaths and functional disabilities that cause cardiovascular and brain complications. Obesityis among the several predisposing factorsassociatedwithhypertension. Objective:To evaluate the association between SAHand anthropometric indicators in older adultsof the Brazuca Natal study.Methodology: Cross-sectional population-based study with 191 older adults in the city of Natal-RN.Sociodemographic, economic and anthropometric data (weight, height, waist circumference,and hip circumference),Body Mass Index, Waist-Height Ratio and Waist-Hip Ratio were collected. Hypertension was self-reported. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software, version 20.0. The Student's t-test was used to compare themeans of the variables according to sexand presence of hypertension. The association between the presence of the disease and the variables wasperformed by Poisson regression, with crude and adjusted prevalence ratios and respectiveconfidence intervals (95%).Results:The majority of the elderly were female (55%), with a mean age of 69.48 years (SD = 7.38) andBody Mass Indexof 28.46 (SD = 5.25), 59.4% were overweight and 60.1% had hypertension. Mean Body Mass Index, hip circumference and Waist-Height Ratiovalues were higher in women (p<0.05). The age and anthropometric indicators values were higher among the older adults with hypertension (p<0.05). We found that the presence of hypertension was associated with body weight and Body Mass Index,in the crude model and only with body weight in the adjusted model. Conclusions:Anthropometric indicators of easy application and lowcost such as waist circumference can be efficient todetect hypertension in older adults (AU).

Introducción:La Hipertensión Arterial Sistémica es una enfermedad crónica que afecta principalmente ancianos brasileños, siendo una de las principales causas de muertes prematuras ydiscapacidades funcionales que causan complicaciones cardiovasculares y cerebrales, las cuales pueden estar asociadas a diversos factores predisponentes como la obesidad. Objetivo:Evaluar la asociación entre la hipertensión arterial sistémica y los indicadores antropométricos en ancianos del estudio Brazuca Natal. Metodología:Estudio transversal de base poblacional con 191 ancianos del municipio Natal-RN. Se reconpilaron datos sociodemográficos, económicos y antropométricos (peso, estatura, perímetro de la cintura y perímetro de la cadera) y cálculo del Índice de Masa Corporal,Razón Cintura-Estatura y Razón Cintura Cadera. La hipertensión fue auto referida. Los datos fueron analizados por el software SPSSversión 20.0. Test t de Student fue realizado para evaluar las diferencias entre medias de las variables de acuerdo con el sexo y la presencia de hipertensión arterial. La asociación entre la presencia de la enfermedad y las variables fue realizada por la Regresión de Poisson, con las razones de prevalencia brutas y ayustadas y sus intervalos de confianza (95%). Resultados:La mayoría de los ancianos eran mujeres (55%), con una media de 69,48 años (DP= 7,38) y Índice de Masa Corporalde 28,46 (DP= 5,25), 59,4% poseían exceso de peso y 60,1% hipertensión. Observamos mayores medias de edady indicadores antropométricosentre los ancianos con hipertensión (p<0,05).Constatamos que la presencia de hipertensión estaba asociada al perímetro de la cinturae Índice de Masa Corporalen el modelo bruto, manteniendo solo el perímetro de la cinturaen el modelo ayustado. Conclusiones:Indicadores antropométricos de fácil aplicación y bajo costo como el perímetro de la cintura puede ser eficaz para la detección temprana de la hipertensión arterial en los ancianos (AU).

Does human foot anthropometry relate to plantar flexor fascicle mechanics and metabolic energy cost across various walking speeds?

Foot structures define the leverage in which the ankle muscles push off against the ground during locomotion. While prior studies have indicated that inter-individual variation in anthropometry (e.g. heel and hallux lengths) can directly affect force production of ankle plantar flexor muscles, its effect on the metabolic energy cost of locomotion has been inconclusive. Here, we tested the hypotheses that shorter heels and longer halluces are associated with slower plantar flexor (soleus) shortening velocity and greater ankle plantar flexion moment, indicating enhanced force potential as a result of the force-velocity relationship. We also hypothesized that such anthropometry profiles would reduce the metabolic energy cost of walking at faster walking speeds. Healthy young adults (N=15) walked at three speeds (1.25, 1.75 and 2.00 m s-1), and we collected in vivo muscle mechanics (via ultrasound), activation (via electromyography) and whole-body metabolic energy cost of transport (via indirect calorimetry). Contrary to our hypotheses, shorter heels and longer halluces were not associated with slower soleus shortening velocity or greater plantar flexion moment. Additionally, longer heels were associated with reduced metabolic cost of transport, but only at the fastest speed (2.00 m s-1, R2=0.305, P=0.033). We also found that individuals with longer heels required less increase in plantar flexor (soleus and gastrocnemius) muscle activation to walk at faster speeds, potentially explaining the reduced metabolic cost.

A new monitoring system for nutritional status assessment in children at home.

Regular monitoring of children's nutritional status is essential to prevent micronutrient deficiencies, nutritional status abnormalities as stunting, wasting, overweight and obesity. Nutritional status assessment is usually performed by paediatricians by using anthropometry (body mass index, weight to height indices) and/or by body fat-mass measurement (bioimpedance analysis, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, computer tomography, etc.). Parents are also interested in but usually fail to evaluate their child's nutritional status. To help the sufficient collaboration between the physician and parents a new nutritional status monitoring method is developed for families. The new monitoring system was developed under a paediatrician's supervision by considering national and international recommendations, references as well as the anthropometric measurement possibilities at home. The model requires age, sex, body mass, height, waist circumference and hand circumference as predictor (input) variables of nutritional status, while (1) the centile values of the measured body dimensions, (2) body fat percentage and the centile of body fat percentage, (3) the nutritional status category (undernutrition, normal nutritional status, overfat/obese) can be predicted (outcome variables) by the new method. The predictive accuracy of the model for nutritional status category was 94.88% in boys and 98.66% in girls. The new model was developed for nutritional status assessment in school-aged children and will be incorporated in the healthy lifestyle module of 'Teenage Survival Guide' educational package to be developed by the Health Promotion and Education Research Team, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary. The new monitoring system could help the families to identify the early signs of malnutrition in children. Nutritional status assessment in children at home is suggested twice a year, and in case of suspicious nutritional status abnormality it is recommended to visit the general practitioner.

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.