[Comparison of various methods of body fat analysis in overweight and obese women]. / Srovnání ruzných meted pro stanovení mnozství tuku v tele u zen s nadváhou a obezitou.

INTRODUCTION: Body composition assessment and determination of the amount and distribution of body fat, respectively, form an essential part of the basic clinical assessment of an obese patient. However, there are no recommended methods to determine the amount of fat in obese population. The aim of our study was to compare the methods most frequently used to determine the amount of body fat in overweight and obese women in clinical practice (multi-frequency bio-electrical impedance analysis--BIA using the Bodystat, Omron and Tanita machines and the skinfold test using a calliper) with a reference method (DEXA). The study further aimed to compile prediction formulae enabling clinicians to calculate the percentage of body fat when using the available body fat measurement techniques. METHODS: The study included 61 overweight and obese women (mean age 48.6 years +/- 13.9 years). Four practice-based body fat assessment methods were used - bioimpedance technique with tetra-polar electrode arrangement (Bodystat machine), bioimpedance technique with bi-pedal electrode arrangement (Tanita machine), hand-held bioimpedance technique (Omron machine) and the anthropometry assessment--the skinfold calliper technique. These methods were compared to the method considered as the reference--the whole body densinometry (DEXA). RESULTS: The results obtained using the listed body fat assessment methods suggest that the resulting body fat measurements differ importantly depending on the method used. The highest correlation with DEXA was found for the Bodystat BIA (r = 0.9096, p < 0.001). Prediction formulae were constructed for a more accurate calculation of body fat content when using the techniques evaluated in the present study. CONCLUSION: When the newly compiled formulae are employed, the body fat assessment obtained with any of the methods applied in the present study will approximate DEXA. The BIA techniques were found to be particularly precise. Therefore, further evaluation of these techniques is recommendable to support their use as methods for monitoring the efficacy of weight reduction programmes in overweight and obese patients.

[Physical activity centre VSTJ MEDICINA Prague--rehabilitation for diabetics]. / Rekondicní centrum VSTJ MEDICINA Praha--rekondice diabetika.

Physical activity is the basic non-pharmacological instrument in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, only a small number of diabetics take regular physical exercise. One of the reasons why diabetics "do not exercise" is that they have little opportunity to try physical stress under expert supervision and to get to know its effects on, for example, sugar levels. It is a very complex matter to define the optimal intensity of physical activity of, for example, a diabetic who suffers from obesity. In 2001 VSTJ MEDICINA Prague opened its first physical activity centre at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, in cooperation with the Third Internal Clinic and the Institute of Sports Medicine of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague. It now has over 2000 members, of whom around 60% are patients with metabolic syndrome. Over 150 patients exercise every day under the supervision of expert instructors. The main objective of the Physical Activity Centre is to teach patients the correct principles of physical exercise to enable them to continue carrying out their trainers' instructions at home. A correct understanding of the importance of physical exercise and practical experience under the supervision of experienced instructors improves compliance and has a strong effect on the compensation of diabetes, thereby improving the prognoses of these patients.

[Regular aerobic physical activity improves the lipid profile in persons with excessive body weight]. / Pravidelná aerobní pohybová aktivita zlepsuje lipidový profil u osob s vyssí nez normální telesnou hmotností.

UNLABELLED: A review of physical activity-induced lipid changes is presented. The review was compared with results we obtained in a reconditioning program involving 25 untrained obese patients who attended the reconditioning centre of the 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University for three months. A significant decrease was found in both HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and the atherosclerosis index. No significant changes were recorded in the total and LDL-cholesterol level. CONCLUSION: Aerobic physical activity can induce changes in lipid levels in overweight and obese patients. Indication of regular aerobic physical activity should not be omitted in current practice.