Association between eating time interval and frequency with ideal cardiovascular health: Results from a random sample Czech urban population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The frequency and timing of meals may affect cardiovascular health (CVH) outcomes, but large-scale epidemiological studies are lacking. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between eating time interval and frequency, and measures of ideal CVH in the Kardiovize Brno cohort study, a random urban sample population in Central Europe. METHODS AND RESULTS: 1659 members of the Kardiovize Brno 2030 cohort were included in a cross-sectional study (mean age = 46.86 years; 44.6% male). Exposure variables were eating time interval and frequency, and skipping meals. Primary outcomes were indices of CVH, including body mass index, diet, physical activity, smoking, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol, and the composite CVH score. Cluster analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate eating habits and the association between variables. After adjustment for well-known risk factors, subjects who skipped breakfast or the afternoon snack had a higher risk of poor CVH (OR = 1.613; 95%CI = 1.121-2.320; p = 0.010; OR = 1.409; 95%CI = 1.110-1.788; p = 0.005, respectively). Moreover, we identified three clusters of individuals based on eating habits; from cluster 1 to cluster 3, eating time interval and frequency increased and this was associated with increases in CVH score from 8.70 (SEM = 0.10) in cluster 1, and 9.06 (SEM = 0.08) in cluster 2 to 9.42 (SEM = 0.09) in cluster 3 (p-trend = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that skipping breakfast or the afternoon snack are risk factors for poor CVH, while higher eating time interval and frequency may promote ideal CVH.

Association of adiposity, telomere length and mortality: data from the NHANES 1999-2002.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Telomere shortening is associated with age and risk of medical comorbidity. We assessed the relationship between measures of adiposity, leukocyte telomere length, and mortality and whether it is modified by age. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measures were identified using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002. Obesity was categorized using two body fat definitions (BF1%: men ⩾25%; females ⩾35%; BF2% ⩾28% and ⩾38%, respectively), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC; men ⩾102 cm; females ⩾88 cm). Telomere length relative to standard reference DNA (T/S ratio) was assessed using quantitative PCR. Weighted multivariable regression models evaluated the association of telomere length with adiposity, both continuously and categorically (low/normal BF%, low/high WC and standard BMI categories). Differences in telomere length by age and adiposity were ascertained and subsequent models were stratified by age. Proportional hazard models assessed the risk of mortality by adiposity status. A telomere by adiposity interaction was tested in the entire cohort and by age category (<60 vs ⩾60 years; <70 vs ⩾70 years). RESULTS: We identified 7827 subjects. Mean age was 46.1 years. Overall telomere length was 1.05±0.01 (s.e.) that differed by BF1% (low/high: 1.12±0.02 vs 1.03±0.02; P<0.001), BF2% (1.02±0.02 vs 1.11±0.02; P<0.001), BMI (underweight 1.08±0.03; normal 1.09±0.02; overweight 1.04±0.02; and obese 1.03±0.02;P<0.001) and WC (low/high 1.09±0.02 vs 1.02±0.02; P<0.001). Adjusted ß-coefficients evaluating the relationship between telomere length and adiposity (measured continuously) were as follows: BF1% (ß=-0.0033±0.0008; P<0.001), BF2% (-0.041±0.008; P<0.001), BMI (ß=-0.025±0.0008; P=0.005) and WC (ß=-0.0011±0.0004; P=0.007). High BF% (BF1%: ß=-0.035±0.011; P=0.002; BF2%: ß=-0.041±0.008; P<0.001) and WC (ß=-0.035±0.011; P=0.008) were inversely related to telomere length (TL). Stratifying by age, high BF1% (-0.061±0.013), BF2% (-0.065±0.01), BMI-obesity (-0.07±0.015) and high WC (-0.048±0.013) were significant (all P<0.001). This association diminished with increasing age. In older participants, TL was inversely related to mortality (hazard ratio 0.36 (0.27, 0.49)), as were those classified by BF1% (0.68 (0.56, 0.81)), BF2% (0.75 (0.65, 0.80)), BMI (0.50 (0.42, 0.60)) and WC (0.72 (0.63, 0.83)). No interaction was observed between adiposity status, telomere length and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with shorter telomere length in young participants, a relationship that diminishes with increasing age. It does not moderate the relationship with mortality.

Cardiac rehabilitation delivery model for low-resource settings

"OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular disease is a global epidemic, which is largely preventable. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is demonstrated to be cost-effective and efficacious in high-income countries. CR could represent an important approach to mitigate the epidemic of cardiovascular disease in lower-resource settings. The purpose of this consensus statement was to review low-cost approaches to delivering the core components of CR, to propose a testable model of CR which could feasibly be delivered in middle-income countries. METHODS: A literature review regarding delivery of each core CR component, namely: (1) lifestyle risk factor management (ie, physical activity, diet, tobacco and mental health), (2) medical risk factor management (eg, lipid control, blood pressure control), (3) education for self-management and (4) return to work, in low-resource settings was undertaken. Recommendations were developed based on identified articles, using a modified GRADE approach where evidence in a low-resource setting was available, or consensus where evidence was not. RESULTS: Available data on cost of CR delivery in low-resource settings suggests it is not feasible to deliver CR in low-resource settings as is delivered in high-resource ones. Strategies which can be implemented to deliver all of the core CR components in low-resource settings were summarised in practice recommendations, and approaches to patient assessment proffered. It is suggested that CR be adapted by delivery by non-physician healthcare workers, in non-clinical settings. CONCLUSIONS: Advocacy to achieve political commitment for broad delivery of adapted CR services in low-resource settings is needed."

Differential effects of leptin on adiponectin expression with weight gain versus obesity.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Adiponectin exerts beneficial effects by reducing inflammation and improving lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Although the adiponectin level is lower in obese individuals, whether weight gain reduces adiponectin expression in humans is controversial. We sought to investigate the role of weight gain, and consequent changes in leptin, on altering adiponectin expression in humans. METHODS/RESULTS: Forty-four normal-weight healthy subjects were recruited (mean age 29 years; 14 women) and randomized to either gain 5% of body weight by 8 weeks of overfeeding (n=34) or maintain weight (n=10). Modest weight gain of 3.8±1.2 kg resulted in increased adiponectin level (P=0.03), whereas weight maintenance resulted in no changes in adiponectin. Further, changes in adiponectin correlated positively with changes in leptin (P=0.0085). In-vitro experiments using differentiated human white preadipocytes showed that leptin increased adiponectin mRNA and protein expression, whereas a leptin antagonist had opposite effects. To understand the role of leptin in established obesity, we compared adipose tissue samples obtained from normal-weight versus obese subjects. We noted, first, that leptin activated cellular signaling pathways and increased adiponectin mRNA in the adipose tissue from normal-weight participants, but did not do so in the adipose tissue from obese participants. Second, we noted that obese subjects had increased caveolin-1 expression, which attenuates leptin-dependent increases in adiponectin. CONCLUSIONS: Modest weight gain in healthy individuals is associated with increases in adiponectin levels, which correlate positively with changes in leptin. In vitro, leptin induces adiponectin expression, which is attenuated by increased caveolin-1 expression. In addition, the adipose tissue from obese subjects shows increased caveolin-1 expression and impaired leptin signaling. This leptin signal impairment may prevent concordant increases in adiponectin levels in obese subjects despite their high levels of leptin. Therefore, impaired leptin signaling may contribute to low adiponectin expression in obesity and may provide a target for increasing adiponectin expression, hence improving insulin sensitivity and cardio-metabolic profile in obesity.

Exposure to bisphenol A and behavior in school-age children.

INTRODUCTION: Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been shown to affect human brain neurodevelopment and behavior. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether environmental exposure to BPA in children was associated with their childhood behavior. METHODS: Urinary BPA concentrations and behavioral characteristics were assessed in 300 children belonging to the INMA "Environment and Childhood" Granada birth cohort in their follow-up at 9-11 years of age. BPA concentrations were quantified in urine using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS), and child behavior reported by parents using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/6-18) under supervision of a psychologist. The association between BPA concentrations and CBCL standardized scores was analyzed using linear regression models, adjusted for important covariates. RESULTS: Median (P25, P75) BPA concentration was 4.76 (2.77, 9.03)µg/L. Mean (±SD) CBCL externalizing and internalizing scores were 56.35 (±8.06) and 51.36 (±9.22), respectively. In multivariate regression analyses, adjusted for maternal and child characteristics, higher BPA concentrations were associated with worse behavioral scores on all scales. Children with BPA concentrations in the 4th quartile had more somatic complaints (ß=2.35; 95% CI: 0.25, 4.46) and social (ß=1.71; 95% CI: 0.19, 3.22) and thought problems (ß=2.58; 95% CI: 0.66, 4.51) in comparison to those in the 1st quartile. Children with values in the 3rd quartile of BPA concentrations also showed greater social problems (ß=1.94; 95% CI: 0.43, 3.45). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that exposure to BPA in childhood may affect children's behavior. Although further investigations are required, preventive measures should be undertaken to reduce inadvertent exposure to BPA.

Diagnostic accuracy of body mass index to identify obesity in older adults: NHANES 1999-2004.

BACKGROUND: Body composition changes with aging lead to increased adiposity and decreased muscle mass, making the diagnosis of obesity challenging. Conventional anthropometry, including body mass index (BMI), while easy to use clinically may misrepresent adiposity. We determined the diagnostic accuracy of BMI using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in assessing the degree of obesity in older adults. METHODS: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999-2004 were used to identify adults aged ⩾60 years with DEXA measures. They were categorized (yes/no) as having elevated body fat by gender (men: ⩾25%; women ⩾35%) and by BMI ⩾25 and ⩾30 kg m(-)(2). The diagnostic performance of BMI was assessed. Metabolic characteristics were compared in discordant cases of BMI/body fat. Weighting and analyses were performed per NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) guidelines. RESULTS: We identified 4984 subjects (men: 2453; women: 2531). Mean BMI and % body fat was 28.0 kg m(-2) and 30.8% in men, and 28.5 kg m(-)(2) and 42.1% in women. A BMI ⩾30 kg m(-)(2) had a low sensitivity and moderately high specificity (men: 32.9 and 80.8%, concordance index 0.66; women: 38.5 and 78.5%, concordance 0.69) correctly classifying 41.0 and 45.1% of obese subjects. A BMI ⩾25 kg m(-2) had a moderately high sensitivity and specificity (men: 80.7 and 99.6%, concordance 0.81; women: 76.9 and 98.8%, concordance 0.84) correctly classifying 80.8 and 78.5% of obese subjects. In subjects with BMI <30 kg m(-)(2), body fat was considered elevated in 67.1% and 61.5% of men and women, respectively. For a BMI ⩾30 kg m(-)(2), sensitivity drops from 40.3% to 14.5% and 44.5% to 23.4%, whereas specificity remains elevated (>98%), in men and women, respectively, in those 60-69.9 years to subjects aged ⩾80 years. Correct classification of obesity using a cutoff of 30 kg m(-)(2) drops from 48.1 to 23.9% and 49.0 to 19.6%, in men and women in these two age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional measures poorly identify obesity in the elderly. In older adults, BMI may be a suboptimal marker for adiposity.

Diagnostic performance of body mass index to identify obesity as defined by body adiposity in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The ideal means of identifying obesity in children and adolescents has not been determined although body mass index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool. OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies assessing the diagnostic performance of BMI to detect adiposity in children up to 18 years. METHODS: Data sources were EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Database of Systematic Reviews Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science and SCOPUS up to March 2013. Studies providing measures of diagnostic performance of BMI and using body composition technique for body fat percentage measurement were included. RESULTS: Thirty-seven eligible studies that evaluated 53 521 patients, with mean age ranging from 4 to 18 years were included in the meta-analysis. Commonly used BMI cut-offs for obesity showed pooled sensitivity to detect high adiposity of 0.73 (confidence interval [CI] 0.67-0.79), specificity of 0.93 (CI 0.88-0.96) and diagnostic odds ratio of 36.93 (CI 20.75-65.71). Males had lower sensitivity. Moderate heterogeneity was observed (I(2) = 48%) explained in meta-regression by differences across studies in race, BMI cut-off, BMI reference criteria (Center for Disease Control vs. International Obesity Task Force) and reference standard method assessing adiposity. CONCLUSION: BMI has high specificity but low sensitivity to detect excess adiposity and fails to identify over a quarter of children with excess body fat percentage.

South American Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Rehabilitation / Diretriz Sul-Americana de Prevenção e Reabilitação Cardiovascular

In this document, the Inter-American Committee of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, together with the South American Society of Cardiology, aimed to formulate strategies, measures, and actions for cardiovascular disease prevention and rehabilitation (CVDPR). In the context of the implementation of a regional and national health policy in Latin American countries, the goal is to promote cardiovascular health and thereby decrease morbidity and mortality. The study group on Cardiopulmonary and Metabolic Rehabilitation from the Department of Exercise, Ergometry, and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology has created a committee of experts to review the Portuguese version of the guideline and adapt it to the national reality. The mission of this document is to help health professionals to adopt effective measures of CVDPR in the routine clinical practice. The publication of this document and its broad implementation will contribute to the goal of the World Health Organization (WHO), which is the reduction of worldwide cardiovascular mortality by 25% until 2025. The study group's priorities are the following: • Emphasize the important role of CVDPR as an instrument of secondary prevention with significant impact on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; • Join efforts for the knowledge on CVDPR, its dissemination, and adoption in most cardiovascular centers and institutes in South America, prioritizing the adoption of cardiovascular prevention methods that are comprehensive, practical, simple and which have a good cost/benefit ratio; • Improve the education of health professionals and patients with education programs on the importance of CVDPR services, which are directly targeted at the health system, clinical staff, patients, and community leaders, with the aim of decreasing the barriers to CVDPR implementation.

Com este documento, o Comitê Interamericano de Prevenção e Reabilitação Cardiovascular, em posição conjunta com a Sociedade Sul-Americana de Cardiologia, mostra seu interesse no desenvolvimento de estratégias, medidas e intervenções para a prevenção e a reabilitação cardiovascular. Com o objetivo de implementar na América Latina uma política de saúde regional e nacional dos países membros, tem-se o objetivo de promover a saúde cardiovascular e, consequentemente, diminuir a morbimortalidade. O grupo de estudos em Reabilitação Cardiopulmonar e Metabólica do Departamento de Exercício, Ergometria e Reabilitação Cardiovascular de Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia (DERC/SBC) criou uma comissão de experts para revisar a versão em português e adaptá-la à realidade nacional. Este documento tem como missão principal auxiliar os profissionais de saúde a alcançarem medidas efetivas de prevenção e reabilitação cardiovascular (RCV) na prática clínica diária. Com a difusão deste documento, bem como com a sua implementação de forma mais abrangente, contribuiremos com a meta da Organização Mundial de Saúde de diminuir a mortalidade cardiovascular no mundo em 25% até o ano de 2025. As prioridades deste grupo de trabalho são: • Enfatizar o caráter prioritário da RCV como instrumento de prevenção secundária com importante impacto na morbimortalidade cardiovascular; • Unir esforços para melhorar o conhecimento da RCV, sua difusão e aplicação na maioria dos centros e institutos cardiovasculares da América do Sul, priorizando a utilização de um método de prevenção cardiovascular integral, prático, de fácil aplicação e de custo/benefício comprovado; • Melhorar a educação do pessoal da saúde e dos pacientes por meio de programas educativos dirigidos, que permitam envolver diretamente os sistemas de saúde, pessoal médico, pacientes e líderes comunitários sobre a importância dos serviços de RCV, a fim de diminuir as barreiras para a sua implantação.

Sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity and mortality in older adults: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is defined as the loss of skeletal muscle mass and quality, which accelerates with aging and is associated with functional decline. Rising obesity prevalence has led to a high-risk group with both disorders. We assessed mortality risk associated with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in elders. METHODS: A subsample of 4652 subjects ≥60 years of age was identified from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1988-1994), a cross-sectional survey of non-institutionalized adults. National Death Index data were linked to this data set. Sarcopenia was defined using a bioelectrical impedance formula validated using magnetic resonance imaging-measured skeletal mass by Janssen et al. Cutoffs for total skeletal muscle mass adjusted for height(2) were sex-specific (men: ≤5.75 kg/m(2); females ≤10.75 kg/m(2)). Obesity was based on % body fat (males: ≥27%, females: ≥38%). Modeling assessed mortality adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity (model 1), comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, osteoporosis, cancer, coronary artery disease and arthritis), smoking, physical activity, self-reported health (model 2) and mobility limitations (model 3). RESULTS: Mean age was 70.6±0.2 years and 57.2% were female. Median follow-up was 14.3 years (interquartile range: 12.5-16.1). Overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 35.4% in women and 75.5% in men, which increased with age. Prevalence of obesity was 60.8% in women and 54.4% in men. Sarcopenic obesity prevalence was 18.1% in women and 42.9% in men. There were 2782 (61.7%) deaths, of which 39.0% were cardiovascular. Women with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity had a higher mortality risk than those without sarcopenia or obesity after adjustment (model 2, hazard ratio (HR): 1.35 (1.05-1.74) and 1.29 (1.03-1.60)). After adjusting for mobility limitations (model 3), sarcopenia alone (HR: 1.32 ((1.04-1.69) but not sarcopenia with obesity (HR: 1.25 (0.99-1.58)) was associated with mortality. For men, the risk of death with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity was nonsignificant in both model-2 (HR: 0.98 (0.77-1.25), and HR: 0.99 (0.79-1.23)) and model 3 (HR: 0.98 (0.77-1.24) and HR: 0.98 (0.79-1.22)). CONCLUSIONS: Older women with sarcopenia have an increased all-cause mortality risk independent of obesity.

Anthropometric measurements and survival in older Americans: Results from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVES: The impact of adiposity on mortality in older adults remains controversial. Some reports suggest that measures of general adiposity such as body mass index (BMI) predict better survival. We assessed the relationship between measures of adiposity and mortality in older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of a population-based sample. SETTING: Non-institutionalized persons in the United States participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys III and its linked mortality dataset. PARTICIPANTS: A subsample of 4,489 non-institutionalized survey participants aged >60 years with measures of body composition using bioimpedance. To account for possible residual confounding, smokers, subjects with heart failure, respiratory disease, kidney disease and cancer were excluded (n=2,920). Data from 1569 subjects were analysed. MEASUREMENTS: BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), lean mass (LM) and % Body Fat (BF) were classified by tertiles (lowest=referent). Proportional-hazard models evaluated the association of anthropometric indices with overall and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: Mean age was 69.4years, and 265(16.9%) were >80 years. There were 717(47.6%) women and 792 deaths of which 284 [35.9%] were cardiovascular related. Elevated BMI was associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.53 [0.30-0.84]), and remained significant after adjusting for LM (HR 0.54 [0.31-0.93]). Elevated %BF was associated with reduced mortality from cardiovascular causes (HR 0.52 [0.29-0.91]). Low BMI was associated with higher risk of cardiovascular (HR 3.66 [1.25-10.69]) and overall death (HR 2.44 [1.22-4.90]). CONCLUSION: Measures of adiposity in older participants are associated with lower mortality from cardiovascular causes that cannot be explained by major known confounders between obesity and mortality. Further studies need to elucidate a possible protective role and interplay between adiposity and skeletal muscle in older adults.

Restricted access property supramolecular solvents for combined microextraction of endocrine disruptors in sediment and sample cleanup prior to their quantification by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A supramolecular solvent (SUPRAS) made up of inverted hexagonal aggregates of decanol was here proposed for the simultaneous microextraction of representative estrogenic disruptors (EDs) [viz. estrone (E1), 17ß-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and bisphenol A (BPA)] in sediments and sample cleanup. The SUPRAS contains aqueous cavities, the size of which can be tailored by controlling the environment for decanol self-assembly. The method involved the stirring of the sample (0.3g of sediment) with 0.4mL of SUPRAS for 10min, subsequent centrifugation for extract separation from solid matrix components and direct analysis of the extract by liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/QQQMS-MS). Driving forces for the microextraction of EDs in the SUPRAS involved both dispersion and hydrogen bond interactions. This mixed-mode mechanism resulted in high extraction efficiencies for EDs (viz. recoveries between 93 and 104%) and that allowed to reach low method detection limits (viz. 0.03, 0.3, 0.28, 0.4 and 0.08ngg(-1) for E1, E2, E3, EE2 and BPA, respectively) without the need for extract evaporation. The size of the aqueous cavities of the SUPRAS selected was no large enough to allow humic acids to efficiently diffuse through them. So the SUPRAS behaved as a restricted access material for these macromolecules thus facilitating sample cleanup. The method was applied to the determination of the targeted EDs in sediments from three rivers in the Southern Spain. The concentrations found ranged between below the MDL and 6.4ngg(-1). The sample treatment here proposed greatly simplifies the procedures currently used for the determination of EDs in sediments using LC/MS-MS.

Diagnostic performance of body mass index to identify obesity as defined by body adiposity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that assessed the performance of body mass index (BMI) to detect body adiposity. DESIGN: Data sources were MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, and SCOPUS. To be included, studies must have assessed the performance of BMI to measure body adiposity, provided standard values of diagnostic performance, and used a body composition technique as the reference standard for body fat percent (BF%) measurement. We obtained pooled summary statistics for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LRs), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). The inconsistency statistic (I2) assessed potential heterogeneity. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 3341 potentially relevant abstracts, and 25 articles met our predefined inclusion criteria. These studies evaluated 32 different samples totaling 31 968 patients. Commonly used BMI cutoffs to diagnose obesity showed a pooled sensitivity to detect high adiposity of 0.50 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.43-0.57) and a pooled specificity of 0.90 (CI: 0.86-0.94). Positive LR was 5.88 (CI: 4.24-8.15), I (2)=97.8%; the negative LR was 0.43 (CI: 0.37-0.50), I (2)=98.5%; and the DOR was 17.91 (CI: 12.56-25.53), I (2)=91.7%. Analysis of studies that used BMI cutoffs >or=30 had a pooled sensitivity of 0.42 (CI: 0.31-0.43) and a pooled specificity of 0.97 (CI: 0.96-0.97). Cutoff values and regional origin of the studies can only partially explain the heterogeneity seen in pooled DOR estimates. CONCLUSION: Commonly used BMI cutoff values to diagnose obesity have high specificity, but low sensitivity to identify adiposity, as they fail to identify half of the people with excess BF%.

Accuracy of body mass index in diagnosing obesity in the adult general population.

BACKGROUND: Body mass index (BMI) is the most widely used measure to diagnose obesity. However, the accuracy of BMI in detecting excess body adiposity in the adult general population is largely unknown. METHODS: A cross-sectional design of 13 601 subjects (age 20-79.9 years; 49% men) from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to estimate body fat percent (BF%). We assessed the diagnostic performance of BMI using the World Health Organization reference standard for obesity of BF%>25% in men and>35% in women. We tested the correlation between BMI and both BF% and lean mass by sex and age groups adjusted for race. RESULTS: BMI-defined obesity (> or =30 kg m(-2)) was present in 19.1% of men and 24.7% of women, while BF%-defined obesity was present in 43.9% of men and 52.3% of women. A BMI> or =30 had a high specificity (men=95%, 95% confidence interval (CI), 94-96 and women=99%, 95% CI, 98-100), but a poor sensitivity (men=36%, 95% CI, 35-37 and women=49%, 95% CI, 48-50) to detect BF%-defined obesity. The diagnostic performance of BMI diminished as age increased. In men, BMI had a better correlation with lean mass than with BF%, while in women BMI correlated better with BF% than with lean mass. However, in the intermediate range of BMI (25-29.9 kg m(-2)), BMI failed to discriminate between BF% and lean mass in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of BMI in diagnosing obesity is limited, particularly for individuals in the intermediate BMI ranges, in men and in the elderly. A BMI cutoff of> or =30 kg m(-2) has good specificity but misses more than half of people with excess fat. These results may help to explain the unexpected better survival in overweight/mild obese patients.

Metabolic syndrome: from global epidemiology to individualized medicine.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) encompasses a constellation of metabolic abnormalities that are thought to place patients at higher risk for the development of diabetes and cardiovascular (CV) disease. The underlying pathophysiology is still a point of contention among various professional organizations leading to inconsistencies in the manner in which MetS is defined. Each definition has its advantages and disadvantages. Nonetheless, there is an agreement that insulin resistance and obesity are likely the central contributing factors. Because the prevalence of obesity has been increasing at a frightening rate in the past few decades, MetS represents a major public health problem that should be identified clinically in individual patients. This review describes the changing epidemiology of obesity and of MetS and discusses its importance in CV disease. We outline the existing controversies that surround MetS and discuss the role of lifestyle, pharmacological, surgical, and novel approaches in its management.

Effect of pravastatin on blood pressure in people with cardiovascular disease.

Experimental evidence and several small studies in humans suggest that HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase inhibitors (statins) reduce blood pressure, perhaps through effects on endothelial function or by reducing inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that pravastatin would reduce blood pressure at 3 months and the risk of developing new hypertension over a follow-up period of 5 years. This was a post hoc subgroup analysis of a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of pravastatin 40 mg daily vs placebo in 4159 participants with previous myocardial infarction and total plasma cholesterol <240 mg/dl (6.2 mmol/l). The primary outcome was the unadjusted change in mean arterial pressure (MAP) from baseline to 3 months. We also considered systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and pulse pressure. Analysis of covariance was used to calculate the adjusted effect of treatment on change in these outcomes at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postrandomization, after controlling for potential confounders. Logistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted effect of treatment on incident hypertension (blood pressure > or =140/90 in those without known hypertension at baseline). This analysis included 4126/4159 (99.2%) participants for whom blood pressure was measured at baseline and during at least one follow-up visit. Median duration of follow-up was 57.8 months. The unadjusted and adjusted change in MAP, SBP, DBP or pulse pressure from baseline was not significantly different for pravastatin or placebo recipients at 3, 6, 12 or 24 months after randomization, or at last follow-up. Pravastatin did not reduce the adjusted risk of incident systolic hypertension (odds ratio 0.99, 95% CI 0.80-1.23), or incident diastolic hypertension (odds ratio 0.97, 95% CI 0.73-1.27). In summary, pravastatin 40 mg daily did not reduce blood pressure in survivors of myocardial infarction without overt hypercholesterolaemia.

Recognition, diagnosis and management of obesity after myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the documentation of obesity as a medical problem, and subsequent management recommendations, in patients after myocardial infarction (MI). DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of a randomly selected sample of 627 patients discharged after an MI, from five US teaching hospitals between 1/1/01 and 12/31/02. Information was extracted from clinical notes using standardized definitions. RESULTS: Mean body mass index (BMI) was 31+/-13 kg/m2, which was documented in only 14% of patients and had to be calculated post hoc in the rest. Waist circumference and waist/hip ratio were not documented at all; 83% of patients were overweight, 55% obese, and 8% morbidly obese. In only 20% of patients with BMI> or =30 kg/m2 was the diagnosis of obesity documented either as a current medical problem, as part of past medical history or as a final diagnosis. A dietary counseling was carried out in 61% of patients with BMI> or =25 kg/m2 and in 61% of patients with BMI<25 kg/m2, P=0.96. Weight loss was described as part of the goals/plan at discharge in 7% of overweight and 9% of obese patients. There was no change in either the level of recognition of obesity (22 vs 19%, P=0.3) or in the proportion of obese patients for whom weight loss was described as part of the goals/plan at discharge (8 vs 10%, P=0.7) before (n=301) compared to after (n=326) the Call to Action in Obesity by the Surgeon General in December 2001. CONCLUSION: Obesity is underecognized, underdiagnosed and undertreated in persons with acute MI.