Effect of Age and Gender on the Efficacy of a 12-Month Body Weight Reduction Program Conducted Online-A Prospective Cohort Study.

Overweight and obesity are a cause of many non-communicable diseases leading to an increased risk of death. There are many programs aimed at weight reduction, but few publications have evaluated their effectiveness according to the gender and age of the subjects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of age and gender on weight loss outcomes in subjects participating in a 12-month online weight loss program. 400 subjects, 190 men and 210 women, were included in the study. The online intervention consisted of a 15% energy deficit diet and training (RESPO method). Changes in body weight over 12 months were similar (p = 0.14) across age groups. Weight reductions by month were statistically significant (p = 0.0001) in both groups. We noted no differences in weight loss between men and women expressed in kilograms. However, women reduced their body weight to a greater extent, i.e., by 2.7 percentage points, than men. Gender is a factor that may influence the effectiveness of weight loss programs, while age demonstrates no such influence. Our study shows that significant weight reduction during weight loss therapy is achieved by both men and women, but women can expect better results.

Effectiveness of a 12-Month Online Weight Reduction Program in Cohorts with Different Baseline BMI-A Prospective Cohort Study.

The purpose of this article was to answer the question of whether people who want to reduce their body weight can achieve different results depending on their baseline BMI and whether the rate of weight loss is constant over the months of intervention. The study included 400 individuals aged 19 to 55 years with a mean BMI of 31.83 ± 4.77 (min 25.1 max 51.8). Men comprised 190 subjects and women 210 subjects. The participants were divided into three groups with the following BMI: overweight, class 1 obesity, and obesity class > 1 (class 2 and 3 combined). BMI groups were randomized by gender, the number of trainings per week, training time, intervention length, and intervention type. The online intervention consisted of a 15% energy deficit diet and training. Over the 12-month dietary intervention, overweight subjects reduced average body weight by 16.6%. The group with class 1 obesity reduced body weight by 15.7%. The group with obesity class > 1 reduced mean body weight by 15.4%. The relative weight reduction in the overweight group was significantly greater than in the other obesity groups (p = 0.007). In all groups, the rate of weight loss from month-to-month was statistically significant (p = 0.0001), ranging between 0.6 and 2.6% per month. The results indicate that overweight individuals are likely to experience a percent greater weight loss as a result of a comprehensive lifestyle intervention. Regardless of baseline BMI, the observed weight loss was consistent from month-to-month throughout the 12-month period, which may indicate that the diet, as well as, the training plan were properly tailored to the subjects' needs and that they were highly motivated to participate in the program throughout its course. Properly conducted lifestyle intervention enables significant weight loss regardless of baseline BMI values.

The effect of high-fat versus high-carb diet on body composition in strength-trained males.

Low-fat, high-carb (LFHC) and low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diets change body composition as a consequence of the reduction of body fat of overweight persons. The aim of this study is the assessment of the impact of LFHC and LCHF diets on body composition of men of a healthy body mass who do strength sports while maintaining the appropriate calorific value in a diet and protein intake. The research involved 55 men aged 19-35, with an average BMI of 24.01 ± 1.17 (min. 20.1, max. 26.1). The participants were divided into two groups following two interventional diets: high-fat diet or high-carb diet, for 12 weeks. The body composition of the participants was measured using bioimpedance. After the 12-week-long experiment based on the low-carbohydrate diet, a significant body mass reduction of 1.5% was observed. In the group, following the LFHC diet, the parameters did not significantly change. In the group following LCHF diet, the body fat reduction of 8.6% from 14 (6.7-19.8) kg to 12.7 (3.9-19.2) was reported (p = 0.01) (in the absolute value of 1.2 kg). However, also in the LFHC group, the body fat mass was significantly reduced, that is, by 1.5% (p = 0.01) (by 0.4 kg). Nevertheless, it is worth emphasizing that despite significant changes within the groups, these changes were not statistically significant between the groups. Diets with different carbohydrate and fat intake and the energy value covering the energy needs of men training strength sports have similar impact on changes in body composition.

The Combination of a Diversified Intake of Carbohydrates and Fats and Supplementation of Vitamin D in a Diet Does Not Affect the Levels of Hormones (Testosterone, Estradiol, and Cortisol) in Men Practicing Strength Training for the Duration of 12 Weeks.

This study aims to verify the extent to which a diversification of carbohydrates and fats intake in a diet, together with the reduction in vitamin D deficiency, impact the levels of hormones (testosterone, estradiol, cortisol) and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHGB) in men doing strength training. The research involved 55 men aged 19-35. The participants were divided into two groups following two interventional diets for 12 weeks: high-fat diet (LCHF) or high-carb diet (LFHC), which were applied to satisfy the caloric requirements of each participant. Moreover, vitamin D supplementation was included. Moreover, both before and after following interventional diets, the level of hormones in participant's blood was examined. After 12 weeks of following interventional diets in both groups, no changes of the levels of testosterone and estradiol, as well as SHGB, were found. The cortisol level in both groups decreased; however, only in the LFHC group was the change statistically significant (p = 0.03) and amounted to -3.5% (the cortisol level on an empty stomach in this group decreased from 14.17 ± 3.35 to 13.93 ± 2.63 mcg/dl). In both groups, the supplementation of vitamin D brought about a significant change in the level of vitamin D metabolite (25 (OH) D) (p = 0.01). In the LCHF group, the level of metabolite increased by 95%, and by 58.3% in the LFHC group. The increase in vitamin D metabolite in blood was higher in the LCHF group than the LFHC group, which might have resulted from the supplementation of this vitamin.

The causes of adverse changes of testosterone levels in men.

INTRODUCTION: As men age, progressive testosterone deficiency syndrome becomes an increasingly common problem. However, the decreased testosterone levels are not only the result of advanced age. AREAS COVERED: PubMed search of published data on testosterone, nutritional deficiency, stress, sleep, and obesity. Many factors impact the male HPG axis (the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal), including body weight, calorific and nutritional value of a diet, the amount and quality of sleep, as well as the level of stress. In the case of persons of healthy weight, a below-average calorific value of a diet may decrease the levels of testosterone in men. On the other hand, the same caloric deficiency in obese persons may result in a neutral or positive impact on testosterone levels. EXPERT OPINION: Many factors, including external, environmental and internal factors, influence testosterone levels. Undoubtedly, nutritional deficiency, and particularly of such nutrients as zinc, magnesium, vitamin D, together with low polyphenols intake, affects the HPG axis. The levels of mental and oxidative stress can also adversely impact the axis. Hence, a diagnosis of the cause of disturbance in testosterone levels depends on many factors and requires a broad range of research, as well as a change of patients' lifestyle.

The Assessment of the Supply of Calcium and Vitamin D in the Diet of Women Regularly Practicing Sport.

INTRODUCTION: The appropriate intake of calcium and vitamin D in women's diet is significant for a proper maintenance of the skeletal system. RESEARCH AIM: The aim of the research was to assess the calcium and vitamin D supply in a diet among women regularly practicing sport. METHODOLOGY: The research was completed by 593 women at the age of 18-50 (median 25) who played sports regularly (at least 2 times a week). To assess the calcium and vitamin D intake, short Food Frequency Questionnaires for calcium and vitamin D (VIDEO-FFQ) were used. The examined group was provided with the questionnaires via social media. To assess intake levels, the authors applied the group-based cutoff point method (calcium norm was EAR 800 mg/day; vitamin D norm was AI 15 µg/day). RESULTS: The median of calcium and vitamin D intake in a diet was 502 mg/day and 5.2 µg/day, respectively (Q25 and Q75 for calcium was 387 mg/day and 627 mg/day, respectively, and for vitamin D was 3.4 µg/day and 8.2 µg/day, respectively). In relation to the EAR norm for calcium and AI norm for vitamin D, 92.0% of the examined participants in a group demonstrated lower than recommended calcium intake levels and 97.3% showed lower than recommended vitamin D intake levels. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation was used by 13.1% (in this subgroup, 11.5% of the examined group members did not need it) and 56.8% of the examined women (in this subgroup, 2.4% of the examined group did not need it), respectively. After including the calcium and vitamin D intake, the supply median for the whole group was 535 mg/day and 28.8 µg/day, respectively (Q25 and Q75 for calcium was 402 mg/day and 671 mg/day, and for vitamin D was 6.3 µg/day and 55.7 µg/day, respectively); 87.5% of the examined participants did not meet the EAR norms for calcium and 42.0% did not meet the AI norm for vitamin D. Among the women supplementing calcium, 58.9% did not reach the reference intake value; however, all women supplementing vitamin D fulfilled the expected nutritional need. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to educate women about the necessity to provide the body with proper calcium and vitamin D intake levels in a diet in order to avoid health problems resulting from the deficit of the nutrients.

Age at onset of obesity, transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) rs7903146 polymorphism, adiponectin levels and the risk of type 2 diabetes in obese patients.

INTRODUCTION: Interaction between obesity and genetic factors involved in the regulatory pathways of glucose homeostasis may play a significant role in diabetes development in the obese. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the TCF7L2 rs7903146 polymorphism, adiponectin levels, age at onset of obesity and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a sample of obese Polish adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 474 unrelated obese subjects were included in this study. Real-time PCR was used to detect the TCF7L2 rs7903146 polymorphism. Serum level of adiponectin was determined by the ELISA method. Standard assays were used to measure total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and HbA1c concentrations. We used multiple logistic regression to identify factors associated with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: We found that the T allele of rs7903146 was significantly associated with T2D risk (odds ratio of 1.59 for T allele, p = 0.005). This association persisted after adjusting for confounders in the recessive model (odds ratio of 3.54 for TT genotype, p = 0.011). Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in diabetic subjects than in nondiabetic individuals (3.6 vs. 5.6 µg/ml, p < 0.001). Participants who were obese at age ≥ 20 years had significantly higher odds of having T2D (OR = 4.94) than those with the onset of obesity before 20 years (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the significance of the relationship between the TCF7L2 polymorphism, a person's age at onset of obesity and the prevalence of T2D, and confirms lower adiponectin levels in obese diabetics in comparison to obese nondiabetics.

Association between Fok I vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphism and impulsivity in alcohol-dependent patients.

Vitamin D appears to have an important role in the modulation of the central nervous system. Vitamin D exerts its biological effects through its interaction with the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Located on chromosome 12 (12q13.1), the VDR gene has many different polymorphisms. Some of them are known to affect the VDR function, such as FokI (rs2228570, T/C) single nucleotide polymorphism. We aimed to explore a potential relationship between FokI VDR polymorphism and impulsiveness in alcohol-dependent (AD) patients. The study population consisted of 148 patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence (DSM-IV criteria) and 212 healthy controls. DNA was extracted from whole blood samples using the standard procedure. Genotypes were analyzed using a real-time PCR method. We found that FokI VDR gene polymorphism was associated with impulsivity [Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS)-11 total score; P = 0.014], and with attentional impulsivity (BIS-11 subscale; P = 0.002) in the male AD patients. Our results suggest that CC FokI genotype of the VDR gene is associated with a higher level of impulsivity in these patients. This finding supports the hypothesis that impulsiveness, which significantly contributes to development of alcohol dependence, has a genetic background.

Vitamin D and the central nervous system.

Vitamin D is formed in human epithelial cells via photochemical synthesis and is also acquired from dietary sources. The so-called classical effect of this vitamin involves the regulation of calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Apart from this, non-classical effects of vitamin D have recently gained renewed attention. One important yet little known of the numerous functions of vitamin D is the regulation of nervous system development and function. The neuroprotective effect of vitamin D is associated with its influence on neurotrophin production and release, neuromediator synthesis, intracellular calcium homeostasis, and prevention of oxidative damage to nervous tissue. Clinical studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency may lead to an increased risk of disease of the central nervous system (CNS), particularly schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis. Adequate intake of vitamin D during pregnancy and the neonatal period seems to be crucial in terms of prevention of these diseases.

Serotonin 2A receptor gene (HTR2A) polymorphism in alcohol-dependent patients.

BACKGROUND: The serotonergic (5-HT) dysfunction has been frequently described in subjects with alcohol dependence (AD). In the present study, a potential relationship between T102C polymorphism in the 5-HT receptor subtype 2Agene (HTR2A) and alcohol dependence was examined. METHODS: Genotypes were analyzed in 150 AD patients diagnosed with DSM-IV criteria and in 80 healthy controls. RESULTS: The genetic analysis showed that the frequency of 102C allele and C102C genotype in AD subjects was significantly higher than in controls. Moreover, AD patients homozygous for C allele had significantly lower age at onset of alcohol problems than subjects having at least one T allele. CONCLUSION: The results suggest a potential role of the T102C HTR2A polymorphism in development of alcohol dependence.

Association of polymorphisms in HTR2A, HTR1A and TPH2 genes with suicide attempts in alcohol dependence: a preliminary report.

We investigated a relationship between selected polymorphisms: rs6313 in HTR2A, rs6295 in HTR1A and rs1386494 in TPH2, and suicidal behaviour in 150 alcohol-dependent patients. There was a significant association between more frequent C102C genotype in HTR2A and suicide attempts in alcoholic females. No differences in genotype distribution in HTR1A and TPH2 SNPs were found between patients with and without suicide attempts.