Associations between weight loss history and factors related to type 2 diabetes risk in the Stop Diabetes study.

BACKGROUND: Frequent weight loss attempts are related to maladaptive eating behaviours and higher body mass index (BMI). We studied associations of several type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk factors with weight loss history, defined as the frequency of prior weight loss attempts, among Finnish adults at increased risk for T2D. METHODS: This study (n = 2684, 80% women) is a secondary analysis of the 1-year StopDia lifestyle intervention with digital intervention group, digital intervention + face-to-face counselling group, or control group. The frequency of prior weight loss attempts was categorized into five groups: no attempts/no attempts to lose weight, but trying to keep weight stable/1-2 attempts/3 or more attempts/ continuous attempts. Data on emotional eating and social/emotional nutrition self-efficacy were collected with a digital questionnaire. We assessed baseline differences between categories of weight loss history as well as the intervention effects. RESULTS: Altogether 84% of participants had attempted weight loss. Those with one or more weight loss attempts had higher BMI, larger waist circumference, and more emotional eating compared to 'no attempts' and 'no attempts to lose weight, but trying to keep weight stable' categories. The 'no attempts' category had the highest baseline fasting insulin, whereas it showed the largest decrease in this measure with the intervention. This change in fasting insulin in the 'no attempts' category was significantly different from all the other categories. Emotional nutrition self-efficacy slightly improved in the 'no attempts' category, which was significantly different from its concomitant decrease in the categories '1-2 attempts' and '3 or more attempts'. The intervention group assignment did not affect the results. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple attempts to lose weight may unfavourably affect T2D risk factors as well as lifestyle intervention outcomes. More research is needed on how weight loss frequency could affect T2D risk factors and how to design lifestyle interventions for individuals with frequent previous weight loss attempts.

The independent and interactive associations of physical activity intensity and vitamin D status with bone mineral density in prepubertal children: the PANIC Study.

It is unclear how physical activity intensity and vitamin D status are related to bone health in prepubertal children. We found positive associations between vitamin D status and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity with bone in boys and girls. This highlights the importance of lifestyle factors for skeletal health prepuberty. INTRODUCTION: The sex-specific independent and interactive associations of physical activity (PA) intensity and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels with areal bone mineral density (aBMD) were investigated in prepubertal children. METHODS: The participants were 366 prepubertal Finnish children (190 boys, 176 girls) aged 6-8 years. Linear regression analysed the associations of sedentary time (ST), light PA (LPA), moderate PA (MPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and vigorous PA (VPA) measured by accelerometery, and serum 25(OH)D with total body less head (TBLH) and lower-limb aBMD, measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: There was no interaction between PA intensity or serum 25(OH)D and sex with aBMD. MPA and MVPA were positively associated with TBLH and lower-limb aBMD (ß = 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.20, p = 0.01). Serum 25(OH)D was positively associated with TBLH and lower-limb aBMD (ß = 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-0.18, p = 0.03). There were no interactions between PA intensity and serum 25(OH)D with aBMD. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D status, MPA and MVPA levels in active prepubertal children were positively associated with aBMD. The influence of MVPA is due to the MPA component, though our findings regarding the role of VPA should be interpreted with caution, as shorter accelerometer epochs are needed to more accurately assess VPA. This study adds evidence to the promotion of MPA and behaviours to encourage optimal vitamin D status in supporting skeletal health in childhood, though these need not be used in conjunction to be beneficial, and a sex-specific approach is not necessary in prepubertal children. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01803776 . Date of registration: 4/03/2013.

Plasma irisin and its associations with oxidative stress in athletes suffering from overtraining syndrome.

Irisin is a novel exercise-induced myokine that may be involved in regulating energy metabolism. We determined whether overtraining syndrome (OTS) and its biochemical markers are associated with plasma irisin levels in athletes. Seven severely overtrained athletes (OA) and 10 healthy control athletes (CA) were recruited and examined at the time of diagnosis (baseline) and after 6- and 12-months follow-up. Training volume and intensity were initially restricted but progressively increased in OA as OTS symptoms alleviated; CA continued their normal training routine. A maximal cycle ergometer test was performed with irisin analyzed before and after the test. Before the exercise test, irisin levels tended to be lower in OA than in CA at baseline (154.5 ± 28.5 vs. 171.7 ± 58.7 ng/mL). In both groups, at rest irisin levels changed only marginally during follow-up and were not affected by maximal exercise, nor were they associated with physical performance or body fat percentage. Irisin concentration at rest correlated positively with an oxidative stress marker, malondialdehyde (MDA) and negatively with an antioxidant protection marker, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) in response to the exercise test in OA at baseline. Our findings help to clarify the possible contribution of irisin and its association with oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of OTS.

Eating behaviour is associated with eating frequency and food consumption in 6-8 year-old children: The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) study.

The association between eating behaviour and dietary factors has been studied narrowly in children. Therefore, we investigated whether eating frequency and food consumption are influenced by eating behaviour in a population sample of 406 children aged 6-8 years. We assessed features of eating behaviour by the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire and dietary factors by a 4-day food record. The results showed that enjoyment of food was directly associated with a number of main meals (p = 0.041) and consumption of vegetables (p = 0.041), cheese (p = 0.005), and meat (p = 0.002). Food responsiveness was directly associated with consumption of fruit and berries (p = 0.013) and meat (p = 0.016). Desire to drink was directly associated with consumption of fat-containing milk (p = 0.002) and inversely associated with consumption of skimmed milk (p = 0.001). Food fussiness was inversely associated with a number of main meals (p = 0.013) and consumption of vegetables (p < 0.001), cheese (p = 0.001), and meat (p = 0.027). Satiety responsiveness was inversely associated with consumption of vegetables (p = 0.031), cheese (p = 0.010), and meat (p < 0.001) and directly associated with consumption of candies and chocolate (p = 0.026). Slowness in eating was inversely associated with consumption of meat (p = 0.018). Where sex differences existed the associations tended to be observed mostly in girls but not in boys. Our study shows that enjoyment of food and food responsiveness are directly associated with consumption of protein-rich foods and vegetables, fruit and berries, whereas food fussiness and satiety responsiveness are inversely associated with consumption of these foods. Assessment of eating behaviour can help in identifying children with various dietary needs.

Plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids are directly associated with cognition in overweight children but not in normal weight children.

AIM: Polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential nutrients for the normal development of the brain. We investigated the associations between plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids and cognition in normal weight and overweight children. METHODS: The study recruited 386 normal weight children and 58 overweight children aged six to eight years and blood samples were drawn after a 12-hour fast. We assessed plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids using gas chromatography, cognition using Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices, and overweight and obesity using the age-specific and sex-specific cut-offs from the International Obesity Task Force. The data were analysed by linear regression analyses adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: Higher proportions of eicosapentaenoic acid in plasma triacylglycerols (ß = 0.311, p = 0.020, p = 0.029 for interaction) and docosahexaenoic acid in plasma triacylglycerols (ß = 0.281, p = 0.038, p = 0.049 for interaction) were both associated with higher Raven's scores in overweight children but not in normal weight children. Higher eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid ratios in triacylglycerols (ß = 0.317, p = 0.019) and phospholipids (ß = 0.273, p = 0.046) were directly associated with the Raven's score in overweight children but not in normal weight children. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that increasing the consumption of fish and other sources of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid may improve cognition among overweight children.

Dietary quality indices in relation to cardiometabolic risk among Finnish children aged 6-8 years - The PANIC study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There are no studies on the relationships of dietary quality indices to the clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors in children. We therefore investigated the associations of four dietary quality indices with cardiometabolic risk score and cardiometabolic risk factors in Finnish children. METHODS AND RESULTS: Subjects were a population sample of 204 boys and 198 girls aged 6-8 years. We assessed diet by 4-day food records and calculated Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Score, Baltic Sea Diet Score (BSDS), Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS), and Finnish Children Healthy Eating Index (FCHEI). We calculated the age- and sex-adjusted cardiometabolic risk score summing up Z-scores for waist circumference, mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and concentrations of fasting serum insulin and fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol, the last multiplying by -1. Higher FCHEI was associated with lower cardiometabolic risk score among boys (standardised regression coefficient ß = -0.14, P = 0.044) adjusted for age, physical activity, electronic media time and household income. Higher DASH Score was related to a lower serum insulin in boys (ß = -0.15, P = 0.028). Higher DASH Score (ß = -0.16, P = 0.023) and FCHEI (ß = -0.17, P = 0.014) were related to lower triglyceride concentration in boys. Higher FCHEI was associated with lower triglyceride concentration in girls (ß = -0.16, P = 0.033). Higher DASH Score (ß = -0.19, P = 0.011) and BSDS (ß = -0.23, P = 0.001) were associated with lower plasma HDL cholesterol concentration in girls. CONCLUSION: Higher FCHEI was associated with lower cardiometabolic risk among boys, whereas DASH Score, BSDS or MDS were not associated with cardiometabolic risk in children.

Association of plasma fatty acid composition with plasma irisin levels in normal weight and overweight/obese children.

BACKGROUND: Irisin has been suggested to protect against overweight. There are no previous data on the association of plasma fatty acid (FA) composition with plasma irisin. OBJECTIVES: We studied the association of FA composition with plasma irisin in normal weight and overweight/obese children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included pre-pubertal children (388 normal weight children and 55 overweight/obese children); 6-9 years of age, taking part in the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study. After an overnight fast, we measured plasma FA composition by gas chromatography and plasma irisin levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Higher proportion of total monounsaturated fatty acids in plasma cholesteryl esters (CEs) (ß = 0.139, P = 0.003) and phospholipids (PLs) (ß = 0.147, P = 0.002) and lower proportion of total polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma CE (ß = -0.130, P = 0.006) and PL (ß = -0.165, P < 0.001) were associated with higher plasma irisin level in the whole study group. The association of plasma FA composition with plasma irisin level was stronger among overweight/obese children compared to normal weight children. Higher proportion of γ-linolenic acid (ß = 0.324, P = 0.017) and lower proportion of linoleic acid (ß = -0.397, P = 0.005) in plasma CE were related to higher plasma irisin level among overweight/obese children, indicating the direct association of estimated D6D activity in plasma CE (ß = 0.343, P = 0.011) with plasma irisin. Furthermore, higher proportion of oleic acid in plasma CE (ß = 0.345, P = 0.012) and PL (ß = 0.292, P = 0.033) and higher proportion of adrenic acid (ß = 0.366, P = 0.008) and docosapentaenoic acid (ß = 0.351, P = 0.010) in plasma PL were associated with higher plasma irisin level among overweight/obese children. CONCLUSION: Metabolically unfavourable plasma FA profile was associated with higher plasma irisin level especially in overweight/obese children, suggesting that excess body fat might modulate these relationships.

Associations of cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and adiposity with arterial stiffness in children.

Associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and body fat percentage (BF%) with arterial stiffness and dilation capacity were investigated in 160 prepubertal children (83 girls) 6-8 years of age. We assessed CRF (watts/lean mass) by maximal cycle ergometer exercise test, total PA, structured exercise, unstructured PA, commuting to and from school, recess PA and total and screen-based sedentary behavior by questionnaire, BF% using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and arterial stiffness and dilation capacity using pulse contour analysis. Data were adjusted for sex and age. Poorer CRF (standardized regression coefficient ß = -0.297, P < 0.001), lower unstructured PA (ß = -0.162, P = 0.042), and higher BF% (ß = 0.176, P = 0.044) were related to higher arterial stiffness. When CRF, unstructured PA, and BF% were in the same model, only CRF was associated with arterial stiffness (ß = -0.246, P = 0.006). Poorer CRF was also related to lower arterial dilation capacity (ß = 0.316, P < 0.001). Children with low CRF (< median) and high BF% (≥ median; P = 0.002), low CRF and low unstructured PA (< median; P = 0.006) or children with low unstructured PA and high BF% (P = 0.005) had higher arterial stiffness than children in the opposite halves of these variables. Poor CRF was independently associated with increased arterial stiffness and impaired arterial dilation capacity among children.

Correlates of low physical activity levels in aging men and women: the DR's EXTRA Study (ISRCTN45977199).

Recognizing correlates of low physical activity (PA) can help in targeting PA interventions for individuals who would benefit most from increasing their PA. We studied the associations of demographic, social, health, and lifestyle factors with low PA by sex in a population sample of 1,303 Finnish individuals aged 57-78 years. We defined low PA as no moderate or vigorous leisure-time PA reported in an interview. Altogether, 39% of men and 48% of women reported low PA. Satisfactory or poor perceived health and high BMI were independently associated with low PA in both sexes. In men, factors such as age, being divorced or separated, still working, having a weak social network, poor diet, and a health professional's suggestion to increase PA were associated with low PA. In women, cardiovascular disease and depressive symptoms were associated with low PA. These results can be applied in targeting PA interventions.

Associations of I148M variant in PNPLA3 gene with plasma ALT levels during 2-year follow-up in normal weight and overweight children: the PANIC Study.

OBJECTIVES: PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism (rs738409) has been strongly associated with liver fat content and plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in obese adults and children, but little is known about these relationships in normal weight individuals. We studied the associations and interactions of overweight and the PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism with plasma ALT levels during 2-year follow-up in children. METHODS: Subjects were a population sample of 481 Caucasian children aged 6-8 years examined at baseline and 419 children re-examined after 2-year follow-up. Altogether, 58 (12%) of 481 children at baseline and 71 (17%) of 419 children after 2-year follow-up were overweight. We assessed plasma ALT levels and other cardiometabolic risk factors and genotyped the PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism. RESULTS: Being overweight and carrying PNPLA3 148M allele were associated with increased ALT levels at baseline (P = 0.002; P = 0.033) and after 2-year follow-up (P < 0.001; P = 0.001). Being overweight (P < 0.001) and carrying PNPLA3 148M allele (P = 0.001) were also associated with increase in ALT levels during 2-year follow-up. PNPLA3 148M allele carriers had increased ALT levels at baseline (P = 0.024 for interaction) and after 2-year follow-up (P = 0.002 for interaction) as well as a larger increase in ALT levels during 2-year follow-up (P = 0.002 for interaction) if they were overweight but not if they were normal weight. Further adjustment for clinical puberty, dietary factors, physical activity or sedentary behaviour had little or no effect on these associations. CONCLUSION: PNPLA3 148M allele carriers had higher plasma ALT levels and larger increase in ALT levels during follow-up than non-carriers only among overweight children.

Dietary factors associated with metabolic risk score in Finnish children aged 6-8 years: the PANIC study.

PURPOSE: Previous evidence for the associations of eating frequency and food consumption with clustering of metabolic risk factors among children is limited. We therefore investigated association of the daily number of main meals and snacks and food consumption with a metabolic risk score and individual metabolic risk factors in primary school children. METHODS: The subjects were a population sample of Finnish girls and boys 6-8 years of age. Dietary factors were measured by a four-day food record. Metabolic risk score was calculated summing up the Z-scores of waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and concentrations of fasting serum insulin and fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the latest multiplying by -1. RESULTS: Skipping main meals (standardized regression coefficient ß = -0.18, P < 0.001), a higher consumption of non-root vegetables (ß = 0.18, P < 0.01), low-fat vegetable-oil-based margarine (ß = 0.13, P < 0.01) and sugar-sweetened beverages (ß = 0.11, P < 0.05) and a lower consumption of vegetable oils (ß = -0.10, P < 0.05) were associated with a higher metabolic risk score after adjustment for age, sex, total physical activity, electronic media time, energy intake and other dietary factors. The consumption of red meat was directly related to the metabolic risk score, but the association was not statistically significant after adjustment for energy intake. CONCLUSIONS: Eating main meals regularly, decreasing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and low-fat margarine and increasing the consumption of vegetable oils should be emphasized to reduce metabolic risk among children.

Dietary factors associated with overweight and body adiposity in Finnish children aged 6-8 years: the PANIC Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the associations of dietary factors with overweight, body fat percentage (BF%), waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) among children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) Study among 510 children (263 boys, 247 girls) aged 6-8 years from Kuopio, Finland. METHODS: The children's weight, height, WC and HC were measured. Overweight was defined by International Obesity Task Force body mass index cutoffs. The BF% was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, nutrient intakes and meal frequency by 4-day food records and eating behaviour by Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. RESULTS: Daily consumption of all the three main meals was inversely associated with overweight (odds ratio (OR) 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18-0.75), BF% (ß -0.12, P = 0.012), WC (ß -0.16, P = 0.002) and HC (ß -0.15, P = 0.002). Enjoyment of food, food responsiveness and emotional overeating were directly associated with overweight (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.04-2.35; OR 4.68, 95% CI 2.90-7.54; OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.52-4.45, respectively), BF% (ß 0.13, P = 0.004; ß 0.30, P<0.001; ß 0.09, P = 0.035, respectively), WC (ß 0.14, P = 0.003; ß 0.40, P<0.001; ß 0.19, P<0.001, respectively) and HC (ß 0.15, P = 0.001; ß 0.38, P<0.001; ß 0.15, P = 0.001, respectively). Satiety responsiveness was inversely associated with overweight (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.26-0.67), BF% (ß -0.20, P<0.001), WC (ß -0.26, P<0.001) and HC (ß -0.26, P<0.001). Slowness in eating was inversely associated with overweight (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41-0.92), WC (ß -0.16, P = 0.001) and HC (ß -0.17, P<0.001). Protein intake was directly associated with BF% (ß 0.11, P = 0.017), WC (ß 0.11, P = 0.020) and HC (ß 0.13, P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Promoting regular consumption of main meals and healthy eating behaviours should be emphasized in the prevention of overweight among children. More research is needed on the association of protein-rich foods with body adiposity in children.

The current standard measure of cardiorespiratory fitness introduces confounding by body mass: the DR's EXTRA study.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiorespiratory fitness is currently estimated by dividing maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2max)) by body weight (per-weight standard). However, the statistically correct way to neutralize the effect of weight on VO(2max) in a given population is adjustment for body weight by regression techniques (adjusted standard). Our objective is to quantify the bias introduced by the per-weight standard in a population distributed across different categories of body mass. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Baseline measures from participants of the Dose-Responses to Exercise Training Study (DR's EXTRA), 635 men (body mass index (BMI): 19-47 kg m⁻²) and 638 women (BMI: 16-49 kg m⁻²) aged 57-78 years who performed oral glucose tolerance tests and maximal exercise stress tests with direct measurement of VO(2max). We compare the increase in VO(2max) implied by the per-weight standard with the real increase of VO(2max) per kg body weight. A linear logistic regression model estimates odds for abnormal glucose metabolism (either impaired fasting glycemia or impaired glucose tolerance or Type 2 diabetes) of the least-fit versus most-fit quartile according to both per-weight standard and adjusted standard. RESULTS: The per-weight standard implies an increase of VO(2max) with 20.9 ml min⁻¹ in women and 26.4 ml min⁻¹ in men per additional kg body weight. The true increase per kg is only 7.0 ml min⁻¹ (95% confidence interval: 5.3-8.8) and 8.0 ml min⁻¹ (95% confidence interval: 5.3-10.7), respectively. Risk for abnormal glucose metabolism in the least-fit quartile of the population is overestimated by 52% if the per-weight standard is used. CONCLUSIONS: In comparisons across different categories of body mass, the per-weight standard systematically underestimates cardiorespiratory fitness in obese subjects. Use of the per-weight standard markedly inflates associations between poor fitness and co-morbidities of obesity.

Diet, fitness and metabolic syndrome--the DR's EXTRA study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To study the independent and combined associations of diet and cardiorespiratory fitness with the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied a population-based random sample of 663 men and 671 women 57-78 years of age at baseline of an ongoing randomised controlled trial. Based on a 4-day food record a diet score was created according to goals achieved (vegetables ≥400 g/day, fish ≥2 servings/week, fibre ≥14 g/1000 kcal, saturated fat <10 E%/day). Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured as maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2 max)) in a maximal symptom-limited bicycle ergometer test. MetS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria. The lowest prevalence of MetS (5%) was observed among individuals in the highest VO(2 max) tertile and achieving 3-4 dietary goals. The highest prevalence (55%) was observed among those in the lowest VO(2 max) tertile and achieving none of the dietary goals. Among individuals in the highest VO(2 max) tertile, the odds ratio of having MetS was 0.04 (95% CI 0.02-0.10) for those achieving 3-4 dietary goals, 0.07 (0.04-0.14) for those achieving 1-2 dietary goals, and 0.16 (0.07-0.37) for those achieving none of the dietary goals compared with individuals in the lowest VO(2 max) tertile and achieving none of the goals after adjustment for confounding factors. CONCLUSION: Healthy diet and higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with a reduced risk of having MetS. However, fitness seems to have a stronger association with MetS than diet.

Two-minute heart rate recovery after cycle ergometer exercise and all-cause mortality in middle-aged men.

BACKGROUND: A slow heart rate recovery (HRR) after an exercise test is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in asymptomatic individuals, but the data regarding additional prognostic information provided by HRR beyond other exercise test variables are inconsistent. We investigated the prognostic significance of HRR for premature death, particularly in relation to other exercise test variables. METHODS: The study subjects were a representative population-based sample of 1102 men (42-61 years of age) without cardiovascular disease, cancer or diabetes. HRR was defined as the difference between maximal HR and HR 2 min after a maximal symptom-limited exercise test using a cycle ergometer. The association between HRR and premature mortality was examined with Cox regression models. RESULTS: During an average follow-up of 18 years, 238 deaths occurred. HRR was an independent predictor of death [for a decrease of 12 beats min(-1) , relative risk (RR) 1.16, 95% CI 1.02-1.33, P = 0.02] after adjustment for age and established risk factors. When added in a Cox model with chronotropic response (decrease of 12 beats min(-1) , RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.93-1.27, P = 0.26) or cardiorespiratory fitness (decrease of 12 beats min(-1) , RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.98-1.30, P = 0.08), the association between a slow HRR and an increased risk of death was clearly weaker. CONCLUSION: A slow 2-min HRR after a cycle ergometer exercise test was an independent predictor of death in healthy middle-aged men after accounting for demographic and clinical characteristics. However, it was no longer predictive after accounting for chronotropic response and exercise capacity.

Dietary factors and their associations with socioeconomic background in Finnish girls and boys 6-8 years of age: the PANIC Study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To study nutrient intake, food consumption and meal pattern, and their associations with socioeconomic background in Finnish children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were a population sample of 424 children (211 girls, 213 boys) 6-8 years of age. Nutrient intake and meal pattern were measured by food records, and food intake and socioeconomic characteristics were assessed by questionnaires. RESULTS: Intakes of saturated fat, sucrose and salt were higher, and intakes of vitamin D, iron and fibre and unsaturated-to-saturated fat ratio lower than recommended. Less than 5% of children consumed vegetables, fruit and berries as recommended. Children with highest parental education more likely ate fish (odds ratio (OR) 2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-4.54), fibre-rich bread (OR 5.06, 95% CI 1.80-14.29) and main meals (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.34-4.83), but less likely used soft margarine (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.20-0.94) as recommended than children with lowest parental education. Children with highest household income more likely consumed skimmed milk (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.21-4.88) and fish (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.12-4.36) as recommended than children with lowest household income. Only 34% of girls and 45% of boys ate all main meals daily. Snacks provided as much as 42% of total energy intake. CONCLUSIONS: Children do not meet recommendations in all important nutrients. Children from lowest socioeconomic position least likely consumed fish, skimmed milk and fibre-rich bread and ate main meals, but most likely used soft margarine as recommended. Less than half of children ate all main meals daily.

Cardiorespiratory fitness in aging men and women: the DR's EXTRA study.

The aim of the study was to describe the levels and to create reference values of cardiorespiratory fitness, expressed as maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2max) ), maximal metabolic equivalents (METs) and maximal workload in aging men and women. We measured VO(2max) directly by a breath-by-breath method during a maximal exercise stress test on a bicycle ergometer with a linear workload increase of 20 W/min in a representative population sample of 672 men and 677 women aged 57-78 years. We presented the age and sex-specific categories of cardiorespiratory fitness (very low, low, medium, high and very high) based on variable distribution and non-linear regression models of VO(2max) , maximal METs and maximal workload. The linear age-related decrement of VO(2max) was -0.047 L/min/year (-2.3%) and -0.404 mL/kg/min/year (-1.6%) in men and -0.027 L/min/year (-1.9%) and -0.328 mL/kg/min/year (-1.6%) in women. After exclusion of diseased individuals, the rate of VO(2max) decrement remained similar. The number of chronic diseases (0, 1, 2 or ≥3) was inversely associated with VO(2max) in men (P<0.001) and women (P<0.001). The present study provides clinically useful reference values of cardiorespiratory fitness for primary and secondary prevention purposes in aging people.

Food consumption, nutrient intake and the risk of having metabolic syndrome: the DR's EXTRA Study.

BACKGROUND: The associations of different components of diet with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are largely unknown. We therefore studied the associations of intakes of selected food items and nutrients with the risk of having MetS. METHODS: The participants were a representative population sample of 1334 individuals (671 women, 663 men) 57-78 years of age. Dietary intake was assessed by a 4-day food record. MetS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria. RESULTS: Consumption of vegetables, non-root vegetables, legumes and nuts berries and fish had an inverse and consumption of sausage had a direct association with the risk of having MetS in men after adjustment for age, smoking and alcohol consumption. Consumption of vegetables and non-root vegetables had an inverse and consumption of sausage had a direct association with the risk of having MetS in women after these adjustments. However, after further adjustment for maximal oxygen uptake (VO2(max)) most of these associations vanished. Men in the highest third of consumption of berries, fish, and legumes and nuts had 49, 37 and 44% lower risk of having MetS, respectively, than those in the lowest third after further adjustment for VO2(max). Women in the highest third of sausage consumption had a 72% higher risk of having MetS than non-consumers. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of legumes and nuts, berries and fish was inversely associated with MetS in men. Consumption of sausage was directly associated with MetS in women. VO2(max) seems to be a strong confounding factor between food consumption and MetS.

The rs1800629 polymorphism in the TNF gene interacts with physical activity on the changes in C-reactive protein levels in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study.

Physical activity exerts anti-inflammatory effects, but genetic variation may modify its influence. In particular, the rs1800629 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the tumor necrosis factor ( TNF) gene and the rs1800795 SNP in the interleukin-6 ( IL6) gene have been found to modify the effect of exercise training on circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL-6, respectively. We assessed whether rs1800629 and rs1800795 modified the effect of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on changes in serum levels of high-sensitivity CRP and IL-6 in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS). Genotype and 1-year data on changes in physical activity, serum CRP and IL-6 were available for 390 overweight subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. The rs1800629 SNP in TNF interacted with the 1-year change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on changes in CRP among those who had high (≥3 mg/L) baseline CRP levels ( P = 0.034 for interaction). Carriers of the GG genotype showed a greater decrease in CRP with increasing physical activity than the individuals with the A allele. No interaction between the rs1800795 SNP in IL6 and changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on the 1-year change in serum IL-6 was found. In conclusion, the rs1800629 SNP in the TNF gene may modify the effect of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on serum levels of CRP.

Workload at the heart rate of 100 beats/min and mortality in middle-aged men with known or suspected coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a workload which an individual is able to perform at the heart rate (HR) of 100 beats/min (WL(100)) independently predicts mortality in middle-aged men with known or suspected coronary heart disease (CHD). DESIGN: Prospective population-based study based on 365 middle-aged men with known or suspected CHD at baseline. RESULTS: During an average follow-up of 11.1 years, there were 75 deaths (20.5%). In Cox multivariable models mortality increased by 72% (95% CI 32% to 122%, p<0.001) with 1 SD (34 Watts) decrement in WL(100) after adjustment for age, examination year, alcohol consumption, body mass index, cigarette smoking, cardiac insufficiency, history of myocardial infarction, diabetes, myocardial ischaemia during exercise test, serum low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure at rest, testing protocol, and use of HR-lowering medication. The risk of death was 2.4 (95% CI 1.5 to 4.0, p<0.001) times higher in 130 men with WL(100) <55 W than in 235 men with WL(100) >or=55 W. In men using and not using HR-lowering medication the risk of death increased 72% (95% CI 14% to 163%, p = 0.01), and 54% (95% CI 14% to 108%, p = 0.005) with 1 SD decrement in WL(100), respectively. WL(100 )improved the predictive power of the adjusted Cox models including other HR and exercise test variables. CONCLUSIONS: WL(100) predicts mortality in men with known or suspected CHD. The association of WL(100) with mortality was not explained by other well-established HR and exercise test variables. WL(100) is derived from a submaximal test which avoids the cardiovascular risks associated with a high-intensity exertion.