Performance of triponderal mass index, body mass index z scores, and body mass index performance in the diagnosis of obesity in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Childhood obesity is a global health problem that affects millions of children and causes obesity-related adverse health outcomes in both childhood and adulthood. Although body mass index (BMI) z scores and percentiles are used in the diagnosis of obesity in children, it has been emphasized in recent years that the triponderal mass index (TMI) may be more accurate for this purpose. We aimed to compare TMI with BMI in the diagnosis of obesity in Turkish children and adolescents. METHODS: The records of 3540 children who applied to Gülhane Training and Research Hospital were retrospectively scanned and the data of 1161 children were included in the study. The body fat percentage (BF%) was calculated by a formula, and children with body fat in the ≥95th percentile were classified as obese. Receiver study characteristics analysis was performed to compare the effectiveness of TMI and BMI in the diagnosis of obesity. RESULTS: TMI correlated more with BF% (r = 0.863) than fat mass (r = 0.664); BMI correlated more with fat mass (r = 0.957) than BF% (r = 0.714) (P < 0.001). TMI had the highest area under the curve (AUC) in boys at diagnosis of obesity (6-11 y = 0.981; 12-15 y = 0.994). Girls ages 6 to 11 y had the same AUC for all 3 indexes (AUC = 0.977), whereas girls ages 12 to 15 y had the highest AUC for TMI (AUC = 0.967). However, the AUC values between all indices were very close. CONCLUSIONS: TMI can be used to diagnose obesity in Turkish children and adolescents in both boys and girls similarly and with good performance. The correlation with BF% and stability of TMI makes this index more advantageous. However, it should be noted that the performance of each of the 3 indices is very close to that of the others, and adjustments should be made according to age and sex.

Possible predictors for sarcopenia in community-dwelling elderly: neck and calf circumferences.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between sarcopenia and calf and neck circumferences. One hundred seventy-seven community-dwelling elderly individuals (over 65 years old) were recruited. A questionnaire was applied via face-to-face interview and the MNA-SF was used to assess nutritional status. In addition, some anthropometric measurements and handgrip strength were assessed by dieticians to determine sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was defined according to the European consensus definition of the EWGSOP-2 criteria. Neck (p<0.001), calf (p=0.001), and waist circumference (p<0.001) were significantly higher in nonsarcopenic elderly women but in men. According to ROC analyses, neck (AUC: 74.7%), calf circumferences (AUC: 74.3%), and BMI (AUC: 80.4%) are possible predictors of sarcopenia in elderly women. This is the first study to demonstrate that neck circumference can be useful for predicting sarcopenia in community-dwelling women over 65 years old. These findings may contribute to the development of new strategies to screen for sarcopenia.

Nutritional Status among Portuguese and Turkish Older Adults Living in the Community: Relationships with Sociodemographic, Health and Anthropometric Characteristics.

Malnutrition is widespread among older adults, and its determinants may differ between countries. We compared Portuguese and Turkish non-institutionalized older adults regarding nutritional status, sociodemographic, health and anthropometric characteristics and studied the relationships between nutritional status and those characteristics. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 430 Portuguese and 162 Turkish non-institutionalized older adults regarding sociodemographics, health conditions, the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA-FF) and anthropometry. Turkish older adults were more likely to be malnourished or at risk of malnutrition and had lower average BMI but a higher calf circumference. A higher proportion of the Portuguese sample had tooth loss, diabetes, hypertension, oncologic diseases, kidney diseases, osteoarticular problems or eye problems, while less had anemia. A better nutritional status (higher MNA-FF score) was found among the Portuguese, males, people using dentures, those without tooth loss, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, anemia or oncological diseases and was related to younger age, higher BMI and a higher calf circumference. Malnutrition and its risk were higher among older adults from Turkey, despite Portuguese older adults presenting a higher prevalence of chronic diseases. Being female, older age, tooth loss, hypertension, anemia, CVD or oncological disorders and having a lower BMI or CC were associated with higher rates of malnutrition among older adults from Portugal and Turkey.

The Effect of Chronotype on Addictive Eating Behavior and BMI among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of chronotype on addictive eating behavior and BMI in university students. A questionnaire on their sociodemographic characteristics and eating habits, as well as the three-factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ) and the morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ), were given to students at Üsküdar University. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS 26.0. This study included a total of 850 students, 46.8% of whom were male and 53.2% were female. The mean BMI was 22.94 ± 3.30 kg/m2. As the BMI values of students increased, there was a decrease of 25.6% in the TFEQ scores, regardless of gender (s = −0.256; p < 0.001), and an increase of 10.6% in their chronotype scores, meaning that the students tended to be morning types (s = 0.106; p < 0.01). A significantly negative, very weak correlation was found between the students' TFEQ and MEQ scores (s = −0.123; p < 0.001). The students' BMI (p < 0.01) and TFEQ scores (p < 0.001) were affected by their MEQ scores in a statistically significant way. It was found that each 1-point increase in the MEQ score led to a 4.0% increase in the BMI score and a 15.8% decrease in the TFEQ score. It was observed that the morning-type students tended to be obese in terms of their BMI, and these students demonstrated fewer addictive eating behaviors.

Investigation of the psychometric properties of the Turkish version Multidimensional Weight Locus of Control Scale (T-MWLCS) in individuals with different body mass index.

INTRODUCTION: The Multidimensional Weight Locus of Control Scale (MWLCS) measures a individuals' focus on body weight or their beliefs about a lack of locus of control. PURPOSE: This study was carried out to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish culture-adapted version of the Multidimensional Weight Locus of Control Scale in adults, which was originally developed by Cebolla et al. METHODS: The sample of the study consists of 700 individuals between the ages of 19-64 who voluntarily agree to participate in online survey. Validity and reliability analyses were performed for the Turkish version Multidimensional Weight Locus of Control Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to evaluate the factor structure of the Turkish version Multidimensional Weight Locus of Control Scale. In addition, reliability analyses and Pearson correlations were also examined. RESULTS: Individuals were divided into two groups as those with normal (18.50-24.99 kg/m2; n = 432) and those with overweight-obese body mass index (≥ 25.0 kg/m2; n = 268) and measurement invariance tested in both the groups. The four-factor structure (internal, chance, doctors, and other people) describing the weight locus of control was supported by confirmatory factor analyses. The sub-factors of the Turkish version Multidimensional Weight Locus of Control Scale were positively associated with the sub-factors of Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ). In addition, the scale showed configural invariance in different body mass index groups. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study revealed that Turkish version Multidimensional Weight Locus of Control Scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be applied in Turkish culture. It is thought that this scale will contribute to studies that will evaluate the focus of individuals in different body mass index groups related to weight control. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, descriptive study.

Prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity in Health Sciences Faculty students.

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out in order to determine the prevalence of obesity among the students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and to evaluate the anthropometric measurements of the students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The population of the study was in total 984 volunteering undergraduate students from Ankara University Faculty of Health Sciences, Child Development, Midwifery, Nursing, Health Management and Social Work departments. The sociodemographic characteristics of the students were obtained with the help of the questionnaire and the anthropometric measurements by the researchers. SPSS package program was used for descriptive statistics, chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis for assessment of data. RESULTS: 16.5% of the students participating in the study were overweight and 4.5% were obese. Approximately half of the students who are overweight and obese reported staying in the dormitory. Average BMI value in males is 23.1 kg/m2 and 22.3 kg/m2 in females. 29.1% of females are at risk in terms of abdominal obesity and 30.6% of males in terms of waist/height ratio. Male gender and presence of an obese person in the family increases the risk of being overweight or obese. CONCLUSIONS: Risky health behaviors are observed among university students and in order to avoid such behaviors, it is necessary to provide training especially on subjects such as nutrition and physical activity. Adopting the right nutritional habits and healthy lifestyle is important in individuals who will be the future healthcare professionals, for both their and future generations' health.

Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015) of Female College Students According to Obesity and Exercise Participation.

BACKGROUND: Individuals participating in exercise are more likely to lead a healthy lifestyle to achieve their exercise-related goals. This study aimed to examine the differences in dietary quality of female university students by exercise involvement and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: This study was conducted with 360 female university students in Turkey. Students were asked to complete a questionnaire containing general characteristics and food consumption records. The "Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015)" score was calculated using the results of food consumption records. RESULTS: The findings showed that the ratio of individuals who exercised regularly was 34.2%. The ratio (44.2%) of regularly exercising participants with moderate/good diet quality was greater than that of regularly exercising participants with poor diet quality (30.6%) (P=0.016). There was no significant difference between the scores of overall diet quality according to BMI classification (P>0.05). The score (45.3±13.4) for overall diet quality of those participating in exercise in the group with normal body weight was higher than the score (41.5±12.1) for overall diet quality of those not participating in exercise (P=0.026). Those participating in exercise in the group with normal body weight consumed more greens and beans, whole grains, dairy products, seafood/vegetable proteins, and refined grains than those not participating in exercise (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The rate of overall participation in physical activity was low. However, students participating in physical activity and with a normal body weight had a better diet quality. Creating an ideal environment that encourages students to participate in physical activity at universities can be an effective method for improving their diet quality.

Natural Protein Tolerance and Metabolic Control in Patients with Hereditary Tyrosinaemia Type 1.

In a longitudinal retrospective study, we aimed to assess natural protein (NP) tolerance and metabolic control in a cohort of 20 Hereditary Tyrosinaemia type I (HTI) patients. Their median age was 12 years ([3.2-17.7 years], n = 11 female, n = 8 Caucasian, n = 8 Asian origin, n = 2 Arabic and n = 2 Indian). All were on nitisinone (NTBC) with a median dose of 0.7 g/kg/day (range 0.4-1.5 g/kg/day) and were prescribed a tyrosine (Tyr)/phenylalanine (Phe)-restricted diet supplemented with Tyr/Phe-free L-amino acids. Data were collected on clinical signs at presentation, medical history, annual dietary prescriptions, and blood Phe and Tyr levels from diagnosis until transition to the adult service (aged 16-18 years) or liver transplantation (if it preceded transition). The median age of diagnosis was 2 months (range: 0 to 24 months), with n = 1 diagnosed by newborn screening, n = 3 following phenylketonuria (PKU) screening and n = 7 by sibling screening. Five patients were transplanted (median age 6.3 years), and one died due to liver cancer. The median follow-up was 10 years (3-16 years), and daily prescribed NP intake increased from a median of 5 to 24 g/day. Lifetime median blood Tyr (370 µmol/L, range 280-420 µmol/L) and Phe (50 µmol/L, 45-70 µmol/L) were maintained within the target recommended ranges. This cohort of HTI patients were able to increase the daily NP intake with age while maintaining good metabolic control. Extra NP may improve lifelong adherence to the diet.