Leptin receptor expression in blood mononuclear cells of lactating women is associated with infant body weight: Potential role as a molecular biomarker.

BACKGROUND: Molecular biomarkers of maternal leptin resistance associated with infant weight are needed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate gene expression of leptin receptor (LEPR), suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3) and insulin receptor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of lactating women and their relationship with infant body weight and adiposity. METHODS: At day 10 postpartum, maternal gene expression in PBMCs as well as leptin and insulin concentrations in plasma and milk were assessed (n = 68). Infant weight and BMI z-scores, skinfolds and arm circumference were obtained at 10 days and/or at 3 months old. RESULTS: In mothers with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity (OW/OB), LEPR expression was reduced (p = 0.013) whereas plasma and milk leptin and milk insulin concentrations were elevated. LEPR expression was positively related with infant weight z-score (Beta (95% CI): 0.40 (0.17, 0.63), p = 0.001) but not with leptin concentrations. SOCS3 expression was positively related with infant weight z-score (Beta (95% CI): 0.28 (0.04, 0.51), p = 0.024) and arm circumference (Beta (95% CI): 0.57 (0.32, 0.82), p < 0.001). Relationships remained significant after adjusting for maternal and infant confounders. CONCLUSIONS: LEPR and SOCS3 gene expression in PBMCs are novel maternal molecular biomarkers that reflect leptin resistance and are associated with infant body weight and adiposity.

Prolonged body weight gain, lifestyle changes and health-related quality of life in children during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: A follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Further investigation is needed to define the impact of long-term pandemic lockdown in children. OBJECTIVES: To examine changes in body mass index z-score (zBMI), lifestyle, Health-Related Quality of Life and proportion of overweight or obesity (OW/OB) in 6- to 9-year-old children in Argentina. METHODS: Observational study with baseline measurements prior to lockdown and follow-up after eight months of strict restrictive measures (November 2020, first visit, n = 144) and after ten months of partial reopening (September 2021, second visit, n = 108). Anthropometric changes from baseline to first visit in lockdown group (LG) were compared with a historical control group (HCG, n = 134). Follow-up visits included anthropometric measures, lifestyle questionnaire and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. RESULTS: Change in zBMI was higher in LG [median, IQR: 0.46 (-0.00; 0.83)] vs HCG [median, IQR: 0.02 (-0.31; 0.27)]; p < 0.001, particularly in children with pre-existing OW/OB. In LG, zBMI was higher at first and second visit vs baseline (p < 0.001) and in second visit vs first visit for boys (p = 0.037) but not for girls. The proportion of children with OW/OB increased from baseline (43.5%) to first (56.5%) and second visit (58.3%) (p = 0.029). Unlike girls, the proportion of boys with OW/OB increased from baseline to first and second visit (p = 0.045). Change in zBMI was higher in children with less healthy habits (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Weight gain continued to increase in boys when lockdown measurements were eased, although sedentary behaviors decreased and quality of life improved, indicating that the effects of pandemic lockdown could be difficult to reverse.

Diversidad de dieta y anemia en mujeres post parto que asisten a un hospital público de La Plata, Buenos Aires / Diet diversity and anemia in postpartum women attending a state hospital in La Plata, Buenos Aires

Resumen Introducción: no se cuenta con información a nivel local de la relación entre la diversidad de dieta y la anemia en mujeres postparto, por lo que se propuso analizar dicha relación en un hospital público de La Plata. Materiales y método: se realizó un estudio analítico transversal en mujeres asistidas durante el primer año postparto, en un Observatorio de Salud del Hospital Sor María Ludovica de la ciudad de La Plata, entre agosto de 2018 y septiembre de 2019. Se obtuvieron datos personales y de laboratorio de las historias clínicas. Los alimentos relevados mediante recordatorios de 24 hs fueron categorizados en 10 grupos. Se consideró diversidad de dieta al consumo ≥5 grupos según el instrumento "Mínimo de diversidad dietaria para mujeres". Se definió anemia como hemoglobina <12 g/dL. La asociación entre la anemia y diversidad de dieta se analizó mediante test exacto de Fisher y se comparó la media de hemoglobina utilizando test de Student. Resultados: se incluyeron 137 mujeres postparto, edad 26 (22;31) años, 53,7% argentinas. 12,4% presentó anemia. 63,5% tuvo diversidad de dieta. "Granos y cereales" fue el grupo más consumido (100%), seguido por "Carne, pollo y pescado" (92,7%) y "Otros vegetales" (85,4%). Los menos consumidos fueron "Legumbres" (6,6%) y "Nueces y semillas" (0,7%). No se halló una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre diversidad de dieta y anemia (p=0,18). Tampoco se halló diferencia en las medias de hemoglobina en mujeres con y sin diversidad de dieta (p=0,99). Conclusiones: la diversidad de dieta no se halló asociada a anemia en mujeres postparto que asisten a un hospital público, esto podría relacionarse a la alta frecuencia de consumo de carnes y cereales fortificados.

Abstract Introduction: there is no information at local level on the relationship between diet diversity and postpartum anemia of women, so we intended to analyze this relationship in a state hospital in La Plata. Materials and method: a cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in women assisted during the first year postpartum, in the Health Observatory of Sor María Ludovica Hospital in La Plata city, between August 2018 and September 2019. Personal and laboratory data were obtained from medical records. Foods surveyed by 24-hour reminders were categorized into 10 groups. Dietary diversity was considered to be the consumption ≥5 groups, according to the "Minimum dietary diversity for women" instrument. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin <12 g / dL. The association between anemia and diet diversity was analyzed using Fisher's exact test and mean hemoglobin was compared using Student's test. Results: 137 postpartum women were included, age 26 (22; 31), 53.7% Argentinian. 12.4% presented anemia. 63.5% had diet diversity. "Grains and cereals" was the most consumed group (100%), followed by "Meat, chicken and fish" (92.7%) and "Other vegetables" (85.4%). The least consumed were "Legumes" (6.6%) and "Nuts and seeds" (0.7%). No statistically significant association was found between diet diversity and anemia (p = 0.18). No difference was found in the hemoglobin means in women with and without diet diversity (p = 0.99). Conclusions: diet diversity was not associated with anemia in postpartum women attending a state hospital, this could be related to the high frequency of consumption of meats and fortified cereals.