Do Strength and Anthropometric Size of the Lower Body Correlate with Serum Testosterone Levels?

PURPOSE: Although lower body strength and size are often regarded as symbols of masculinity, their relationship to testosterone is unclear. This study aimed to determine the correlation between lower body strength, size, and testosterone levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum testosterone levels, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) were measured in 69 men with erectile dysfunction (age >40 years). The circumferences of the thigh and calf were measured, and the muscle strength of the knee joints was evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer. Patients were classified into three groups according to testosterone levels (group 1, <230 ng/dL; group 2, 230 to 350 ng/dL; group 3, >350 ng/dL). Differences in calf and thigh circumference, bilateral knee extension, and flexion strength between the three groups were investigated using a one-way analysis of variance. Pearson's chi-square test was used to assess differences in lifestyle habits and underlying diseases. A partial correlation analysis was conducted to determine the association between testosterone levels and lower body size and strength. RESULTS: There was no difference in BMI among the three groups, but waist circumference was significantly larger in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. When comparing weight-adjusted values, bilateral thigh circumference showed a significant difference among the three groups. There was also a significant difference between the three groups in the weight-adjusted left calf circumference and in the weight-adjusted right knee extension strength. The partial correlation test showed a significant positive correlation between thigh and calf circumference values adjusted for weight and serum testosterone levels. Weight-adjusted knee extension strength demonstrated a significant positive correlation with serum testosterone levels. CONCLUSIONS: Weight-adjusted thigh and calf circumferences, along with the thigh-to-waist ratio, showed a positive correlation with testosterone levels. Weight-adjusted knee extension strength was positively correlated with testosterone levels. Therefore, a robust thigh and strong lower body are related to testosterone.

Clinical and anthropometric evolution of individuals with cystic fibrosis during COVID-19 pandemic: A 24-month cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the evolution of clinical and anthropometric characteristics of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) over 24 months, including the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A longitudinal study with data collection from May 2018 to November 2020 in physical and electronic records from a pediatric reference center, including individuals with CF aged up to 18 years. RESULTS: The sample encompassed 72 individuals. Weight (p < 0.01), height (p < 0.01), and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.043) were higher in 2020 than in 2018. There were no significant changes in BMI-Z (p = 0.977) and in percentiles of weight (p = 0.540), height (p = 0.458), and BMI percentile (p = 0.454) between both periods. Pancreatic insufficiency was observed in 91.7% of patients in 2020, and there were twice as many confirmed cases of diabetes compared to 2018. There was a 9.7% increase in individuals colonized by the oxacillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (OSSA) (p = 0.039) and an 11.1% reduction in non-colonized individuals (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Although there was an increase in weight, height, and BMI from 2018 to 2020, there were no significant changes in BMI-Z and in percentiles of weight, height, and BMI percentile, suggesting that the anthropometric aspects of nutritional status did not change in this period of 2 years. Moreover, there was an increase in the prevalence of individuals colonized by OSSA and a reduction in the prevalence of individuals non-colonized with any bacteria.

Investigation of readymade garment fit issues and analysis of anthropometric measurements of Ethiopian young men.

This paper presents analyses of anthropometric measurements of Ethiopian young men aged 18-30 years and draws implications for the improvement of the fit of readymade clothing. Thirty-five anthropometric dimensions of 4022 subjects were measured according to ISO 8559:2017. The anthropometric dimensions were described with mean, standard deviation, and some percentiles. Differences in the anthropometric measurements with the body mass index (BMI) and ethnicity of the subjects were examined by analysis of variances. Furthermore, differences in some anthropometric measurements from that of Indian and Greek young men of similar ages were tested by one-sample t-tests. The result showed that the average BMI of the subjects was 20.63 which is normal. Statistically significant mean differences were observed among the subjects with different BMIs and ethnicities in most of the anthropometric dimensions. The anthropometric measurements of the subjects were mostly larger than the Indians and smaller than the Greek men.

An investigation of fit problems with four readymade garments and analyses of anthropometric measurements of Ethiopian young men were conducted. Results indicated anthropometric differences with BMI and ethnicity, and across nations. This has practical implications for global clothing manufacturers to consider the anthropometric characteristics of target markets while manufacturing readymade garments.

Exploring anthropometric and functional factors that influence working adult's handgrip strength in north Australia.

BACKGROUND: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a reliable assessment of hand function. Interpretation of HGS is commonly done using normative data. Normative HGS data HGS considers the influence of age and gender without adjustment for anthropometric measurements or functional factors known to influence HGS. OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential relationship of select anthropometric measurements (height, weight, hand length and width, forearm length and circumference) and functional factors (hand dominance, work and lifestyle category) to HGS. METHODS: This study included a sample of 119 males and 96 female workers from North Queensland. HGS and six anthropometric measurements were obtained using calibrated instruments and reliable measurement protocols. Age and gender along with three functional factors were documented by self-report. RESULTS: Right and left mean HGS was greater for individuals who performed heavy/very heavy work (58.1±10.1 kg and 54.1±10.9 kg respectively) compared to light (38.5±12.3 kg and 35.5±11.8 kg) or medium work (44.1±10.8 kg and 40.0±12.9 kg). Mean HGS was greater for individuals who performed heavy/very heavy activity (right 48.5±13.6 kg and left 44.5±13.7 kg) compared to light activity (right 36.3±11.2 kg and left 33.9±11.3 kg) within their lifestyle. HGS positively correlated with gender (p = 0.0001), work (p = 0.001) and anthropometric measurements of forearm circumference (p = 0.001), hand length (p = 0.006) and hand width (p = 0.052). CONCLUSIONS: Easy to measure anthropometric measurements of forearm circumference, hand length and width are the strongest predictors of HGS in addition to an individual's physical activity at work and in their lifestyle. Consideration of these factors could lead to improved evaluation of HGS scores.

Nutritional supplementation in children with severe pneumonia in Uganda and Kenya (COAST-Nutrition): a phase 2 randomised controlled trial.

Background: Severe pneumonia in African children results in poor long-term outcomes (deaths/readmissions) with undernutrition as a key risk factor. We hypothesised additional energy/protein-rich Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) would meet additional nutritional requirements and improve outcomes. Methods: COAST-Nutrition was an open-label Phase 2 randomised controlled trial in children (aged 6 months-12 years) hospitalised with severe pneumonia (and hypoxaemia, SpO2 <92%) in Mbale, Soroti, Jinja, Masaka Regional Referral Hospitals, Uganda and Kilifi County Hospital, Kenya (ISRCTN10829073 (registered 6th June 2018) PACTR202106635355751 (registered 2nd June 2021)). Children were randomised (ratio 1:1) to enhanced nutritional supplementation with RUTF (plus usual diet) for 56 days vs usual diet (control). The primary outcome was change in mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) at 90 days as a composite with mortality. Secondary outcomes include anthropometric status, mortality, and readmissions at Days 28, 90 and 180. Findings: Between 12 August 2018 and 22 April 2022, 846 eligible children were randomised, 424 to RUTF and 422 to usual diet, and followed for 180-days [12 (1%) lost-to-follow-up]. RUTF supplement was initiated in 417/419 (>99%). By Day 90, there was no significant difference in the composite endpoint (probabilistic index 0.49, 95% CI 0.45-0.53, p = 0.74). Respective 90-day mortality (13/420 3.1% vs 14/421 3.3%) and MUAC increment (0.54 (SD 0.85) vs 0.55 (SD 0.81)) were similar between arms. There was no difference in any anthropometric secondary endpoints to Day 28, 90 or 180 except skinfold thickness at Day 28 and Day 90 was greater in the RUTF arm. Serious adverse events were higher in the RUTF arm (n = 164 vs 108), mainly due to hospital readmission for acute illness (54/387 (14%) vs 37/375 (10%). Interpretation: Our study suggested that nutritional supplementation with RUTF did not improve outcomes to 180 days in children with severe pneumonia. Funding: This trial is part of the EDCTP2 programme (grant number RIA-2016S-1636-COAST-Nutrition) supported by the European Union, and UK Joint Global Health Trials scheme: Medical Research Council, Department for International Development, Wellcome Trust (grant number MR/L004364/1, UK).

Association of Calf Circumference with Clinical and Biochemical Markers in Older Adults with COVID-19 Admitted at Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is an infectious disease characterized by a severe catabolic and inflammatory state, leading to loss of muscle mass. The assessment of muscle mass can be useful to identify nutritional risk and assist in early management, especially in older adults who have high nutritional risks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of calf circumference (CC) with clinical and biochemical markers and mortality in older adults with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in a public hospital. CC was adjusted for body mass index (BMI), reducing 3, 7, or 12 cm for a BMI of 25-29.9, 30-39.9, and ≥40 kg/m2, respectively, and classified as reduced when <33 cm for women and <34 cm for men. Pearson's correlation between BMI and CC was performed to assess the association between variables. Regression analysis was adjusted for sex, age, and BMI variables. Cox regression was used to assess survival related to CC. RESULTS: A total of 208 older adults diagnosed with COVID-19 admitted to ICU were included, of which 84% (n = 176) were classified as having reduced CC. These patients were older, with lower BMI, higher nutritional risk, malnourished, and higher concentration of urea and urea-creatinine ratio (UCR) compared with the group with normal CC. There was an association between edematous patients at nutritional risk and malnourished with reduced CC in the Cox regression, either adjusted or not for confounding. CONCLUSIONS: CC was not associated with severity, biochemical markers, or mortality in older adults with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU, but it was associated with moderately malnourished patients assessed by subjective global assessment (SGA).

Accuracy and repeatability of fetal facial measurements in 3D ultrasound: A longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: Fetal face measurements in prenatal ultrasound can aid in identifying craniofacial abnormalities in the developing fetus. However, the accuracy and reliability of ultrasound measurements can be affected by factors such as fetal position, image quality, and the sonographer's expertise. This study assesses the accuracy and reliability of fetal facial measurements in prenatal ultrasound. Additionally, the temporal evolution of measurements is studied, comparing prenatal and postnatal measurements. METHODS: Three different experts located up to 23 facial landmarks in 49 prenatal 3D ultrasound scans from normal Caucasian fetuses at weeks 20, 26, and 35 of gestation. Intra- and inter-observer variability was obtained. Postnatal facial measurements were also obtained at 15 days and 1 month postpartum. RESULTS: Most facial landmarks exhibited low errors, with overall intra- and inter-observer errors of 1.01 mm and 1.60 mm, respectively. Landmarks on the nose were found to be the most reliable, while the most challenging ones were those located on the ears and eyes. Overall, scans obtained at 26 weeks of gestation presented the best trade-off between observer variability and landmark visibility. The temporal evolution of the measurements revealed that the lower face area had the highest rate of growth throughout the latest stages of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Craniofacial landmarks can be evaluated using 3D fetal ultrasound, especially those located on the nose, mouth, and chin. Despite its limitations, this study provides valuable insights into prenatal and postnatal biometric changes over time, which could aid in developing predictive models for postnatal measurements based on prenatal data.

Association between Height-Changing Scores and Risk of Sarcopenia Estimated from Anthropometric Measurements in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Anthropometric assessments are commonly used to diagnose sarcopenia in older adults. However, the ongoing exploration of novel approaches aims to improve the early detection of sarcopenia. This study investigated the association between the height-changing score (HCS) and the risk of sarcopenia defined by anthropometric measurements in 340 older adults (mean age: 66.2 years). The HCS derived from the difference in height and demi-span equivalent height (DEH) was used as an indicator of declining height in the older adults. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between the HCS and the risk of sarcopenia in both male and female older adults (OR = 1.146, 95% CI [1.021, 1.286], p = 0.021). In addition, income, BMI, and nutritional status were significantly associated with the risk of sarcopenia (OR = -1.933, 95% CI [0.271, 0.986], p = 0.045; OR = -2.099, 95% CI [0.386, 0.587], p < 0.001; OR = -1.443, 95% CI [0.555, 0.866], p = 0.001, respectively). The white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, and HDL cholesterol were blood biomarkers significantly correlated with calf circumference. It can be suggested that the HCS acts as an indicator and screening tool for sarcopenia risk in older adults, highlighting the potential impact of decreased height on muscle mass loss. Encouraging nutritional support can help mitigate the risk of sarcopenia.

Nutritional Profiles and Their Links to Insulin Resistance and Anthropometric Variables in a Female Cohort.

This study investigates the relationship between dietary habits and metabolic health among women, emphasizing the role of anthropometric parameters as proxies for insulin resistance. We analyzed data from 443 women categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of clinically diagnosed insulin resistance. Our assessments included dietary quality, socio-demographic characteristics, and a series of anthropometric measurements such as body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), Abdominal Volume Index (AVI), and Body Adiposity Index (BAI). The results indicated significant disparities in these parameters, with the insulin-resistant group exhibiting higher average body weight (78.92 kg vs. 65.04 kg, p < 0.001), BMI (28.45 kg/m2 vs. 23.17 kg/m2, p < 0.001), and other related measures, suggesting a strong influence of dietary patterns on body composition and metabolic risk. The study underscores the importance of dietary management in addressing insulin resistance, advocating for personalized dietary strategies to improve metabolic health outcomes in women. This approach highlights the need for integrating dietary changes with lifestyle modifications and socio-demographic considerations to combat metabolic risks effectively.

Nasal Morphology in a Young Adult Middle-Eastern Population: A Stereophotogrammetric Analysis.

AIM: This study aimed to describe gender-specific three-dimensional morphology of the soft-tissue nose in Lebanese young adults and to explore the associations between nasal morphology with age and body mass index (BMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional photographs were captured for 176 young healthy Lebanese adults (75 males and 101 females) aged 18.1-37.68 years. Linear and angular nasal measurements were computed and compared between genders, in addition to other established norms. Associations with age and BMI were also assessed. RESULTS: All linear measurements were greater in males than in females, and only the nasolabial angle was significantly larger in females by 2.97 degrees on average. Most of the measurements were found to be larger than the Caucasian norms. A few significant correlations were found between the measurements and age or BMI. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to present the sex-specific norms for nasal morphology in the Lebanese population and highlights the presence of gender dimorphism in the majority of measurements. Additional studies are needed to validate our data and expand the associations with age and BMI. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The data offered in this study could help enhance the accuracy of facial reconstructive surgery and aid in personalized treatment planning for both medical and cosmetic nasal interventions. How to cite this article: Saadeh M, Shamseddine L, Fayyad-Kazan H, et al. Nasal Morphology in a Young Adult Middle-Eastern Population: A Stereophotogrammetric Analysis. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(3):199-206.

Skeletal muscle mass obtained by anthropometric equation and presence of sarcopenia in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To analyze the amount of muscle and the presence of sarcopenia in postmenopausal women using different methods, verifying the agreement between them as to skeletal muscle mass (SMM). Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted with postmenopausal women aged ≥ 50 years. SMM was obtained from a predictive equation, Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA), and Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA). The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) were calculated. The cut-off point of SMI was determined for the population itself. The agreement between the SMI obtained using the different methods was verified. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the criteria proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2). The significance level adopted for all tests was 5.0%. Results: A total of 112 women were evaluated, with an average age of 66.1 ± 5.65 years. Among them, 51.8% were sufficiently active and 43.8% were overweight and obese. The SMI cut-offs were 6.46 kg/m2 for the predictive equation and 7.66 kg/m2 for BIA, with high sensitivity and specificity. There was an excellent agreement in the identification of SMM by the predictive equation (0.89 [0.824-0.917], p < 0.001) and BIA (0.92 [0.883-0.945], p < 0.001), in reference to DXA. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 0.9%, 1.8%, and 2.7% according to BIA, DXA, and the predictive equation, respectively. Conclusion: The predictive equation showed the expected agreement in estimating skeletal muscle mass in postmenopausal women, offering a viable and accurate alternative.

Predicting mechanical neck pain intensity in computer professionals using machine learning: identification and correlation of key features.

Introduction: Mechanical neck pain has become prevalent among computer professionals possibly because of prolonged computer use. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between neck pain intensity, anthropometric metrics, cervical range of motion, and related disabilities using advanced machine learning techniques. Method: This study involved 75 computer professionals, comprising 27 men and 48 women, aged between 25 and 44 years, all of whom reported neck pain following extended computer sessions. The study utilized various tools, including the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain measurement, anthropometric tools for body metrics, a Universal Goniometer for cervical ROM, and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). For data analysis, the study employed SPSS (v16.0) for basic statistics and a suite of machine-learning algorithms to discern feature importance. The capability of the kNN algorithm is evaluated using its confusion matrix. Results: The "NDI Score (%)" consistently emerged as the most significant feature across various algorithms, while metrics like age and computer usage hours varied in their rankings. Anthropometric results, such as BMI and body circumference, did not maintain consistent ranks across algorithms. The confusion matrix notably demonstrated its classification process for different VAS scores (mild, moderate, and severe). The findings indicated that 56% of the pain intensity, as measured by the VAS, could be accurately predicted by the dataset. Discussion: Machine learning clarifies the system dynamics of neck pain among computer professionals and highlights the need for different algorithms to gain a comprehensive understanding. Such insights pave the way for creating tailored ergonomic solutions and health campaigns for this population.

Anthropometric measures of obesity in patients with knee joint pathology: Body surface area versus body mass index.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is quantified using body mass index. Body surface area may provide a superior and more anthropometric method of quantifying obesity in patients with musculoskeletal knee disease. This study compares the effect of weight, height, age and gender on body mass index and body surface area in a population with orthopaedic knee disease. METHODS: An observational cohort study was conducted of patients presenting with musculoskeletal knee disease. Associations between body mass index, body surface area, age, gender, height, weight and operative versus non-operative management were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 151 patients were included. Body surface area was more strongly correlated to weight than body mass index (r = 0.98, p < 0.001 versus r = 0.84, p < 0.001). Body surface area also reflects height which body mass index under presents (r = 0.65, p < 0.001 versus r = -0.08, p = 0.35). Body mass index and body surface area were correlated with one another (r = 0.70, p < 0.001). Age was inversely correlated with body surface area (r = -0.20, p = 0.013) but not body mass index (r = 0.05, p = 0.585). Body mass index did not differ between males and females (30.1 versus 30.9, p = 0.37); however, BSA scores were significantly higher in males than females (2.11 versus 1.91, p < 0.001). Neither body surface area nor body mass index scores influenced operative versus non-operative treatment. CONCLUSION: Body surface area could be a useful alternative to body mass index when considering obesity in patients with musculoskeletal knee pathology. Body surface area better reflects the effects of height, weight, age and gender than body mass index.

Multi-Trait Body Shape Phenotypes and Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women: A Causal Mediation Analysis in the UK Biobank Cohort.

Body shape phenotypes combining multiple anthropometric traits have been linked to postmenopausal breast cancer (BC). However, underlying biological pathways remain poorly understood. This study investigated to what extent the associations of body shapes with postmenopausal BC risk is mediated by biochemical markers. The study included 176,686 postmenopausal women from UK Biobank. Four body shape phenotypes were derived from principal component (PC) analysis of height, weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). The four-way decomposition of the total effect was used to estimate mediation and interaction effects simultaneously as well as the mediated proportions. After 10.9 years median follow-up, 6,396 incident postmenopausal BC were diagnosed. There was strong evidence of positive associations between PC1 (general obesity) and PC2 (tall, low WHR), and BC risk. The association of PC1 with BC risk was positively mediated by testosterone and negatively by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), with the overall proportion mediated (sum of the mediated interaction and pure indirect effect (PIE)) accounting for 11.4% (95% confidence intervals: 5.1 to 17.8%) and -12.2% (-20.5% to -4.0%) of the total effect, respectively. Small proportions of the association between PC2 and BC were mediated by IGF-1 (PIE: 2.8% (0.6 to 4.9%)), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) (PIE: -6.1% (-10.9% to -1.3%)). Our findings are consistent with differential pathways linking different body shapes with BC risk, with a suggestive mediation through testosterone and IGF-1 in the relationship of a generally obese body shape and BC risk, while IGF-1 and SHBG may mediate a tall/lean body shape-BC risk association.

Interevaluator reliability of a tool for measuring body height in adult intensive care patients.

BACKGROUND: The calculation of body height in the intensive care unit is essential for obtaining the ideal body weight, which is used to program the tidal volume and establish objective and effective pulmonary ventilation. The objective of the study was to determine the interrater reliability of a tool for measuring body height in adult patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) in southwestern Colombia. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted between January and May 2021, following the recommendations of the COSMIN protocol. Two physiotherapists in the roles of observer/evaluator measured the heights of 106 patients upon admission to the ICU with a previously designed. The sample size was calculated based on Pearson's correlation coefficient. For interrater reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used, and Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess concordance. The 95% confidence interval was established, and a P value <0.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 106 individuals with a mean age of 59.3 years were included; the mean body height was 158.5 cm for women. The interrater reliability of the measurement of height was excellent (global ICC of 0.99, P = 0.000), and an almost perfect positive correlation was obtained between the raters for both women and men (R = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Excellent interrater/interobserver reliability was obtained for the measurement of body height in the ICU. This research highlights the importance of protocolizing the measurement of height in critical patients with valid and reliable instruments.

Mismatch between fixed classroom furniture and anthropometric measurements among university students: Relationships to ergonomic risk.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate arrangement of classroom ergonomics is necessary for maintaining health and improving academic performance, learning, and motivation. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the anthropometric measurements and ergonomic risk levels of students during a handwriting activity on a fixed desk and chair and to analyze the mismatch and relationships between these factors. METHODS: This study included 149 university students (female:73, male:76). Anthropometric measurements (lower and upper extremity length, shoulder height, elbow-rest height, hip-popliteal length, popliteal height, knee height, the distance between tragus and wall, and between acromion and wall) were done with a tape measure. The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool was conducted to determine the ergonomic risk level while students wrote a standard text on a fixed desk and chair as if they were taking notes in the classroom. The mismatch was evaluated between backrest height and sitting shoulder height, seat height, and popliteal height. The Pearson Chi-Square and the Spearman Correlation test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The median values of the participants' age, height, weight, and BMI were 22 years, 1.70 m, 68 kg, and 23.18 kg/cm2, respectively. Most students had inadequate ergonomic posture while writing on fixed furniture at the university (Median RULA grand score: 4). More mismatches for seat height (54.4%) were found in high ergonomic risk levels but mismatches for backrest height did not follow a similar result. CONCLUSIONS: More investigation should be conducted with prospective studies including interventions like adjustable furniture.

Reliability of Tibial Tubercle-Trochlear Groove Distance for Assessing Tibial Tubercle Lateralization: A Study Comparing Different Anatomic References.

Background: The tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is a measurement used to quantitatively assess tibial tubercle lateralization (TTL), and it has important reference value for the treatment of patellar dislocation (PD). However, TT-TG distance accuracy has been questioned, so many new parameters have been proposed. Purpose: To compare which of the TT-TG, tibial tubercle-midepicondyle (TT-ME), tibial tubercle-Roman arch (TT-RA), tibial tubercle-tibial intercondylar midpoint (TT-TIM), and tibial tubercle-mid inter-epicondyle trochlea intersection (TT-MIELTI) distances better reflect TTL in patients with PD. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 96 patients who had undergone surgery for PD and 96 patients without PD (controls) were included in the study. The patients had all undergone computed tomography examination. The TT-TG, TT-ME, TT-RA, TT-TIM, TT-MIELTI distances and the TTL distance were measured independently by 2 surgeons in a blinded and randomized fashion. The t test was used to detect whether the parameters were significantly different between the 2 groups. The TTL distance was used as a reference value for lateralization of tibial tubercle. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to determine correlations between the defined measurements. Results: The intra- and interobserver reliability of the defined measurements was excellent. All parameters except for TT-TIM distance were significantly larger in the PD group than the control group (P < .01 for all). There was a moderate correlation (r = 0.601) between the TT-TG distance and TTL, and other parameters were less correlated with TTL. Conclusion: Among 5 the parameters tested, the TT-TG distance still had the highest correlation with TTL and was able to reflect TTL better in patients with PD. The role of TT-TIM distance in the assessment of PD needs further study.

Concordance between dual indirect methods for assessing fat percentage.

In the last decades there is a growing interest in the evaluation of human body composition for being an important part of the integral assessment of individuals. Its use has been extended to different disciplines associated with health care (medicine, nutrition, physiotherapy), and to sports and population fields. Specifically, fat percentage can be related to innumerable diseases. However, there are discrepancies in the results of fat percentage measurement measured by different methods. Objective: To evaluate the concordance between two low-cost and easily accessible double indirect methods, which have been used indistinctly in different studies where access to more accurate methods is not available, and to determine fat percentage and its relationship with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, level of physical activity and sedentary hours. Materials and Method: Twenty-four persons between 18 and 38 years and 28 between 39 and 59 years from a university community were evaluated. Calculations were made: BMI, fat % was estimated by anthropometry with a digital adipometer (Skyndex System I USA) and by Electrical Bioimpedance Analysis - BIA (Biody Expert ZM II FRA), physical activity level and sedentary hours were determined with the short IPAQ questionnaire. Pearson's correlation coefficient, Bland & Altman's graphical method and Lin's concordance correlation index were calculated. The significance level p<0.05 was estimated. Results: The fat percentage by anthropometry was: 30.5% ±8.5 (18-38 years) 35.0% ±6.7 (39-59 years); by BIA 27.0% ±7.3 (18-38 years) and 29.2% ±7.0 (39-59 years). Both techniques showed good correlation, but low degree of concordance (Lin index less than 0.9) except for the group of young persons with moderate level of physical activity (0.95). Conclusions: The doubly indirect methods used in the study showed strong correlation, but low concordance, so their use is not recommended indistinctly for the follow-up of a particular case. According to the study data for this specific population in young people with moderate physical activity, follow-up could be performed with either of the two methods.

Association of relative hand grip strength with myocardial infarction and angina pectoris in the Korean population: a large-scale cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Low hand grip strength (HGS) is associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases, but the association between HGS and myocardial infarction/angina pectoris (MIAP) is unclear. Furthermore, there have been no studies examining the associations of MIAP with anthropometric indices, absolute HGS indices, and relative HGS indices calculated by dividing absolute HGS values by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), or weight values. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the associations of MIAP with absolute and relative HGS combined with several anthropometric indices. METHODS: In this large-scale cross-sectional study, a total of 12,963 subjects from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the associations of MIAP with anthropometric indices, absolute HGS indices, and relative HGS indices were computed from binary logistic regression models. We built 3 models: a crude model, a model that was adjusted for age (Model 1), and a model that was adjusted for other relevant covariates (Model 2). RESULTS: For men, the average age was 61.55 ± 0.16 years in the MIAP group and 66.49 ± 0.61 years in the non-MIAP group. For women, the average age was 61.99 ± 0.14 years in the MIAP group and 70.48 ± 0.61 years in the non-MIAP group. For both sexes, the MIAP group had lower diastolic blood pressure, shorter stature, greater WC, and a greater WHtR than did the non-MIAP group, and women tended to have greater systolic blood pressure, weight, and BMI than in men. HGS was strongly associated with the risk of MIAP in the Korean population. In men, relative HGS indices combined with WC and the WHtR had greater associations with MIAP than did the anthropometric indices and absolute HGS indices. However, in women, anthropometric indices, including weight, BMI, WC, and WHtR, were more strongly associated with MIAP than were absolute and relative HGS indices, unlike in men. When comparing absolute and relative HGS indices in women, relative HGS indices combined with BMI and weight was more strongly related to MIAP than was absolute HGS indices. CONCLUSIONS: MIAP might be better identified by relative HGS than absolute HGS in both sexes. The overall magnitudes of the associations of MIAP with absolute and relative HGS are greater in men than in women.

Association between Physical Activity and Health Outcomes (High Body Fatness, High Blood Pressure) in Namibian Adolescents and Adult women.

Regular physical activity (PA) is known to promote the physical and mental health of children and adolescents and further prevent the development of health problems in adulthood. Information on body composition and PA is crucial for health promotion strategies and for epidemiological studies informing policies. However, there is limited data on the association between body composition and PA in Namibia. This dearth of published data is a significant shortcoming in the development of strategies and policies to promote PA in Namibia. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the association between PA as a dependent variable and independent variables such as high blood pressure and body fatness as measured by different methods (gold standard deuterium dilution, body mass index, mid upper arm circumference, and waist circumference). The study included 206 healthy adolescent girls aged 13-19 years and 207 young adult females aged 20-40 years from Windhoek, Namibia. PA was measured using the PACE+ questionnaire in adolescents, and the GPAQ questionnaire was used for adults. In adolescents, only 33% of the participants met the recommended guidelines for PA, compared to only 2% for adults. Nevertheless, the study found no statistically significant association between PA and blood pressure indices (p-value < 0.05) among adolescents and adults. However, there was a significant association between PA and high body fatness (p-value < 0.001) and waist circumference (p-value = 0.014) in adolescents. Among adults, PA was significantly related to waist circumference only. In conclusion, failure to meet recommended PA guidelines is strongly associated with abdominal obesity and high body fatness. The knowledge gained from this study may be used by policymakers in the development of strategic policies and interventions aimed at promoting PA as a public priority and improving health outcomes.