Establishing a normative table for classifying body fat percentage in adolescents / Estabelecimento de uma tabela normativa para a classificação do percentual de gordura corporal em adolescentes

Backgroung: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of the body mass index (BMI) as a cost-effective method to assess the nutritional status at the population level. The increase of BMI is linked to a higher risk of other chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemias, and some types of cancer. The prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide, and this condition has dramatically affected children and adolescents. Obesity at a young age increases the chances of severe obesity and its complications in adults.Objective: This study aimed to establish cut-off points for body fat percentage in male and female adolescents aged 16 to 18 years using bioelectrical impedance (InBody 570®). Methods: Gender specific tables were proposed based on the percentiles 3, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 75, 85, 95 and 97. A total of 546 adolescents were included. Results: The body fat percentage cut-off points for the male group were: P3 = 6.0-7.0%; P5 = 7.1-8.9%; P10 = 9.0-9.8%; P15 = 9.9-11.7%; P25 = 11.8-15.5%; P50 = 15.6-21.9%; P75 = 22.0-27.8%; P85 = 27.9-36.0%; P95 = 36.1-38.0% and P97 ≥ 38.1%. For females, the cut-off points were: P3 = 9.5-10.0%; P5 = 10.1-11.0%; P10 = 11.1-11.8%; P15 = 11.9-14.0%; P25 = 14.1-19.0%; P50 = 19.1-27.1%; P75 = 27.2-29.0%; P85 = 29.1-39.9%; P95 = 40.0-51.0% and P97 ≥ 51.0%. Conclusion: The establishment of cut-off points for body fat percentage may improve the clinical assessment and management of overweight and obese adolescents.

Introdução: A Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) recomenda o uso do índice de massa corporal (IMC) como método custo-efetivo nível 1 para avaliar o estado nutricional na população. O aumento do IMC está associado a um maior risco de outras doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNT), particularmente a hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS), diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2), dislipidemias e alguns tipos de cânceres. A prevalência da obesidade tem aumentado em todo o mundo e essa condição tem afetado dramaticamente crianças e adolescentes. A obesidade em jovens, por sua vez, aumenta as chances de obesidade grave e suas complicações em adultos.Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo estabelecer pontos de corte para o percentual de gordura corporal em adolescentes do sexo masculino e feminino de 16 a 18 anos, utilizando a bioimpedância elétrica (InBody 570®). Método: Tabelas específicas para o sexo masculino e feminino foram propostas, com base nos percentis 3, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 75, 85, 95 e 97. Foram incluídos 546 adolescentes. Resultados: Os pontos de corte do percentual de gordura corporal para o grupo masculino foram: P3 = 6,0-7,0%; P5 = 7,1-8,9%; P10 = 9,0-9,8%; P15 = 9,9-11,7%; P25 = 11,8-15,5%; P50 = 15,6-21,9%; P75 = 22,0-27,8%; P85 = 27,9-36,0%; P95 = 36,1-38,0% and P97 ≥ 38,1%. Para as mulheres, os pontos de corte foram: P3 = 9,5-10,0%; P5 = 10,1-11,0%; P10 = 11,1-11,8%; P15 = 11,9-14,0%; P25 = 14,1-19,0%; P50 = 19,1-27,1%; P75 = 27,2-29,0%; P85 = 29,1-39,9%; P95 = 40,0-51,0% e P97 ≥ 51,0%. Conclusão: O estabelecimento de pontos de corte para percentual de gordura corporal pode propiciar parâmetros para a melhoria da avaliação clínica, bem como para o tratamento da obesidade em adolescentes.

Personality type, eating behaviour and suicide risk in women in treatment for obesity.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the personality types of women in treatment for obesity and the associations among their personality characteristics, eating behaviour and suicide risk. SUBJECTS: Sixty women in pharmacological treatment for obesity (clinical group: CG) and 60 women post-bariatric gastric bypass surgery (surgical group: SG) were evaluated. METHODS: This was an observational and transversal study conducted in a specialized outpatient unit. Personality types were evaluated through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test. A semi-structured questionnaire that investigated sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics was applied, along with the Binge Eating Scale (BES) and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). RESULTS: Among the 16 possible personality types, the ISFJ (Introversion, Sensing, Feeling, Judging) and ESFJ (Extraversion, Sensing, Feeling, Judging) types were more frequent. In the SG, 32% of the participants presented with the ISFJ type, and 18.3% presented with the ESFJ type. In the CG, 33% presented with the ISFJ type and 25% presented with the ESFJ type. There was a higher prevalence of binge eating behaviour in the CG (Cohen's d: - 0.47; p < 0.0001) and a higher tendency to graze in the SG (p = 0.005). Participants with introverted attitudes showed a higher prevalence of severe binging (13.3% vs 3.3%, p = 0.07), suicidal thoughts throughout life (STTL) (69.5% vs 45.1%, p = 0.007), and recent suicidal thoughts (RSTs) (30.4% vs 11.7%, p = 0.01) in comparison to extraverted participants. BMI was associated with a higher chance of STTL (37.96 ± 6.41 kg/m2 with STTL vs 33.92 ± 4.68 kg/m2 without STTL; p = 0.01) in the CG compared to the SG. RSTs were associated with BMI in the SG (34.47 ± 3.86 kg/m2 with RSTs vs 30.61 ± 5.72 kg/m2 without RSTs; p = 0.01). In the multivariable analysis, personality type (ISFJ) was an independent predictor of STTL (OR: 3.6; CI 1.3-10.2; p = 0.01) and Suicidal Behaviour (SB) (OR: 9.7; CI 2.44-38.9; p = 0.001). Conversely, while BMI was an independent factor associated with binge eating, personality type was not. CONCLUSIONS: Women who were in pharmacological treatment for obesity or were post-bariatric surgery present specific types of personality. Introversion was associated with a higher BMI and a higher risk of suicidal thoughts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Group Nutrition Counseling or Individualized Prescription for Women With Obesity? A Clinical Trial.

Background: This study investigates the effects of group counseling vs. individual dietary prescription on physical, nutritional, and mental health in overweight or obese women. Methods: Seventy-four women aged 40-59 years with body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 were randomized into 2 intervention arms: group nutrition counseling (GNC) or individualized nutrition prescription (INP). Twenty-seven women completed the 12-week intervention protocol. The GNC received counseling once a week and the INP received an individualized prescription once a month. All participants attended physical exercise sessions 3 times a week following the same protocol. Body mass, body mass index, fat mass, body fat percentage, lean mass, lipid profile, hemoglobin A1c, insulin and liver transaminases were measured pre- and post-intervention in both arms. A 3 day food record was applied to calculate the intake of calories, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. Body image dissatisfaction, level of anxiety, self-esteem measure and pathological eating attitudes were measured. Results: Both dietary interventions decreased body mass, body mass index, fat mass, body fat percentage, total caloric intake, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and saturated and polyunsaturated fats (p < 0.05). Lean mass, metabolic variables, self-esteem and pathological eating attitudes remained unchanged (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Both nutritional interventions combined with concurrent exercise were effective to improve anthropometrics, body composition, food intake, and some mental health parameters. We suggest that the choice of nutritional intervention (GNC or INP) could be based on the participants preference, considering the adherence and satisfaction, to promote health and quality of life.

Leptin: molecular mechanisms, systemic pro-inflammatory effects, and clinical implications / Leptina: mecanismos moleculares, efeitos pró-inflamatórios sistêmicos e implicações clínicas

Leptin, the adipokine produced mainly by the white adipose tissue, plays important roles not only in the regulation of food intake, but also in controlling immunity and inflammation. It has been widely demonstrated that the absence of leptin leads to immune defects in animal and human models, ultimately increasing mortality. Leptin also regulates inflammation by means of actions on its receptor, that is widely spread across different immune cell populations. The molecular mechanisms by which leptin determines its biological actions have also been recently elucidated, and three intracellular pathways have been implicated in leptin actions: JAK-STAT, PI3K, and ERK 1/2. These pathways are closely regulated by intracellular proteins that decrease leptin biological activity. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms by which leptin regulates immunity and inflammation, and associate those mechanisms with chronic inflammatory disorders. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(9):597-607.

A leptina, uma adipocina produzida principalmente pelo tecido adiposo branco, tem um papel importante não somente na regulação da ingestão alimentar, mas também no controle da imunidade e da inflamação. Já foi amplamente demonstrado que a ausência de leptina causa deficiências imunológicas em modelos animais e em humanos, levando ao aumento da mortalidade. A leptina também regula a inflamação por meio da ação em seu receptor, amplamente distribuído em diversos tipos de células do sistema imunológico. Os mecanismos moleculares pelos quais a leptina determina suas ações biológicas foram recentemente elucidados, e três cascatas intracelulares são ativadas pela leptina: JAK-STAT, PI3K e ERK 1/2. Essas cascatas são reguladas por proteínas intracelulares, reduzindo as ações da leptina. Nesta revisão, são discutidos os mecanismos moleculares pelos quais a leptina regula a imunidade e a inflamação, associando-os a enfermidades inflamatórias crônicas. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(9):597-607.

Leptin: molecular mechanisms, systemic pro-inflammatory effects, and clinical implications.

Leptin, the adipokine produced mainly by the white adipose tissue, plays important roles not only in the regulation of food intake, but also in controlling immunity and inflammation. It has been widely demonstrated that the absence of leptin leads to immune defects in animal and human models, ultimately increasing mortality. Leptin also regulates inflammation by means of actions on its receptor, that is widely spread across different immune cell populations. The molecular mechanisms by which leptin determines its biological actions have also been recently elucidated, and three intracellular pathways have been implicated in leptin actions: JAK-STAT, PI3K, and ERK 1/2. These pathways are closely regulated by intracellular proteins that decrease leptin biological activity. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms by which leptin regulates immunity and inflammation, and associate those mechanisms with chronic inflammatory disorders.