The gut microbiota of Colombians differs from that of Americans, Europeans and Asians.

BACKGROUND: The composition of the gut microbiota has recently been associated with health and disease, particularly with obesity. Some studies suggested a higher proportion of Firmicutes and a lower proportion of Bacteroidetes in obese compared to lean people; others found discordant patterns. Most studies, however, focused on Americans or Europeans, giving a limited picture of the gut microbiome. To determine the generality of previous observations and expand our knowledge of the human gut microbiota, it is important to replicate studies in overlooked populations. Thus, we describe here, for the first time, the gut microbiota of Colombian adults via the pyrosequencing of the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), comparing it with results obtained in Americans, Europeans, Japanese and South Koreans, and testing the generality of previous observations concerning changes in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes with increasing body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: We found that the composition of the gut microbiota of Colombians was significantly different from that of Americans, Europeans and Asians. The geographic origin of the population explained more variance in the composition of this bacterial community than BMI or gender. Concerning changes in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes with obesity, in Colombians we found a tendency in Firmicutes to diminish with increasing BMI, whereas no change was observed in Bacteroidetes. A similar result was found in Americans. A more detailed inspection of the Colombian dataset revealed that five fiber-degrading bacteria, including Akkermansia, Dialister, Oscillospira, Ruminococcaceae and Clostridiales, became less abundant in obese subjects. CONCLUSION: We contributed data from unstudied Colombians that showed that the geographic origin of the studied population had a greater impact on the composition of the gut microbiota than BMI or gender. Any strategy aiming to modulate or control obesity via manipulation of this bacterial community should consider this effect.

Variations in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents according to different criteria used for diagnosis: which definition should be chosen for this age group?

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents, there is no consensus for its diagnosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents by different definitions, evaluate their concordance, and suggest which definition to apply in this population. A total of 851 adolescents between 10 and 18 years of age were evaluated. Anthropometric (weight, height, waist circumference), biochemical (glucose, lipid profile), and blood pressure data were taken. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was determined by the definitions of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and four published studies by Cook et al., de Ferranti et al., Agudelo et al., and Ford et al. Concordance was determined according to the kappa index. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 0.9%, 3.8%, 4.1%, 10.5%, and 11.4%, according to the IDF, Cook et al., Ford et al., Agudelo et al., and de Ferranti et al. definitions, respectively. The most prevalent components were hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, whereas the least prevalent components were abdominal obesity and hyperglycemia. The highest concordance was found between the definitions by Cook et al. and Ford et al. (kappa=0.92), whereas the greatest discordance was between the de Ferranti et al. and IDF definitions (kappa=0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome and its components were conditions present in the adolescents of this study. In this population, with a high prevalence of dyslipidemia and a lower prevalence of abdominal obesity and hyperglycemia, the recommendation to diagnose metabolic syndrome would be that used by Ford et al.

Variant in CAPN10 gene and environmental factors show evidence of association with excess weight among young people in a Colombian population.

UNLABELLED: Introduction : Obesity results from interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of three gene variants and environmental factors on obesity and overweight in young people aged 10 to 18 years in a Colombian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 424 subjects were selected and separated into three groups for a cross-sectional study; 100 obese and 112 overweight subjects were matched with 212 normal-weight controls. Associations were evaluated between excess weight and three genetic polymorphisms ( UCP3- rs1800849, FTO -rs17817449, and CAPN10 -rs3842570), as well as the family history, the time spent watching television and playing video games, and the diet. RESULTS: A family history of obesity, the time spent watching television and playing video games, the lack of breastfeeding, a low consumption of cereals, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and a high consumption of fast foods were characteristics typically found in obese individuals compared to controls. A significant association between genotype I/I (SNP19 of CAPN10 ) and excess weight was found even with an active lifestyle. In addition, significant associations between the C/C genotype of the UCP3 gene and the G/G and T/T genotypes of the FTO gene and excess weight were found only in young sedentary individuals. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, inadequate diet and sedentary lifestyle increased the risk of excess weight. Genotype I/I of SNP19 in CAPN10 was significantly associated with excess weight. In contrast, FTO and UCP3 variants exhibited effects only in sedentary environments.

Perfil lipídico y consumo de frutas y verduras en un grupo de jóvenes de 10 a 19 años, según el índice de masa corporal / Lipid profile and consumption of fruits and vegetables in a youth group from 10-19 years according to body mass index

Introducción: El exceso de peso en niños y adolescentes es una pandemia que aumenta el riesgo de mortalidad por enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles. Se ha estimado que aun en etapas tempranas de la vida, el exceso de peso se asocia con alteraciones metabólicas; sin embargo, es necesario establecer si en nuestro medio estas alteraciones se evidencian en población menor de 19 años. Objetivo: Comparar el perfil lipídico y la ingesta de frutas y verduras, según el índice de masa corporal, en un grupo de jóvenes de 10 a 19 años, de la empresa promotora de salud SURA, sede de Medellín. Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal, en el que participaron 103 jóvenes obesos, 120 con sobrepeso y 214 con un índice de masa corporal normal. En condiciones basales y ayuno de 10 horas, se evaluó colesterol total, c-LDL, c-HDL y triglicéridos. La ingesta de verduras y frutas se determinó mediante recordatorio de 24 horas. Resultados: Los datos de c-LDL en el grupo de obesos, sobrepeso y control fueron, respectivamente: 95 ± 32, 96 ± 53 y 80 ± 24 mg/dL (p = 0,000); para los mismos grupos, los datos de triglicéridos fueron: 116 ± 65, 112 ± 69 y 88 ± 52 mg/dL (p = 0,000). El c-HDL en los 3 grupos fue: 52 ± 14, 53 ± 12 y 56±14 mg/dL (p = 0,013), respectivamente. Se evidenció una asociación significativa entre el mayor consumo de frutas y la menor concentración de triglicéridos entre los participantes con sobrepeso (p = 0,035). No fue habitual la ingesta de frutas y verduras. Conclusiones: El alto índice de masa corporal promueve un perfil lipídico aterogénico. Son necesarias acciones para promover hábitos alimentarios saludables.

Introduction: Childhood overweight is a pandemic that increases the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases. It has been estimated that being overweight is associated with metabolic disorders; even in early stages of life. However, it is necessary to establish whether this association is observed in Colombian population between 10-19 years old. Objective: To compare lipid profile and fruit and vegetable intakes, according to body mass index, in subjects aged 10-19 in a health insurance company (SURA) from Medellin. Methods: One hundred an three obese, 120 overweight, and 214 children with normal body mass index participated in a cross-sectional study. We compared total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides between groups; at baseline and after 10-hour fasting period. Fruit and vegetable intakes were determined by 24-hour dietary record. Results: LDL-C levels in obese, overweight and control group were, respectively: 95 ± 32, 96 ± 53 and 80 ± 24 mg/dL (P = .000). Triglycerides levels in the same groups were: 116 ± 65, 112 ± 69 and 88 ± 52 mg/dL (P = .000). HDL-C levels in the 3 groups were: 52 ± 14, 53 ± 12 and 56 ± 14 mg/dL (P = .013). A significant inverse association between fruit intake and triglyceride levels in overweight participants was observed (P = .035). Fruit and vegetable intake were unusual. Conclusions: A high body mass index promotes an atherogenic lipid profile. It is necessary to implement actions to promote healthy habits associated with diet.

Variant in CAPN10 gene and environmental factors show evidence of association with excess weight among young people in a Colombian population / Una variante del gen CAPN10 y los factores ambientales muestran asociación con el exceso de peso en jóvenes colombianos.

Introduction : Obesity results from interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. Objective: To evaluate the effect of three gene variants and environmental factors on obesity and overweight in young people aged 10 to 18 years in a Colombian population. Materials and methods: A total of 424 subjects were selected and separated into three groups for a cross-sectional study; 100 obese and 112 overweight subjects were matched with 212 normal-weight controls. Associations were evaluated between excess weight and three genetic polymorphisms ( UCP3- rs1800849, FTO -rs17817449, and CAPN10 -rs3842570), as well as the family history, the time spent watching television and playing video games, and the diet. Results: A family history of obesity, the time spent watching television and playing video games, the lack of breastfeeding, a low consumption of cereals, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and a high consumption of fast foods were characteristics typically found in obese individuals compared to controls. A significant association between genotype I/I (SNP19 of CAPN10 ) and excess weight was found even with an active lifestyle. In addition, significant associations between the C/C genotype of the UCP3 gene and the G/G and T/T genotypes of the FTO gene and excess weight were found only in young sedentary individuals. Conclusions: In this population, inadequate diet and sedentary lifestyle increased the risk of excess weight. Genotype I/I of SNP19 in CAPN10 was significantly associated with excess weight. In contrast, FTO and UCP3 variants exhibited effects only in sedentary environments.

Introducción. La obesidad resulta de la interacción entre factores de riesgo genéticos y ambientales. Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de tres variantes genéticas y factores ambientales en el exceso de peso en jóvenes de 10 a 18 años de Medellín, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal en 424 jóvenes divididos en tres grupos: 100 obesos, 112 jóvenes con sobrepeso, y, pareados con ellos, 212 jóvenes con peso adecuado, que conformaron el grupo de control. Se evaluó la asociación entre tres polimorfismos genéticos ( UCP3 -rs1800849, FTO -rs17817449 y CAPN10 -rs3842570) y el exceso de peso, así como su interacción con antecedentes familiares de enfermedad, el tiempo dedicado a ver televisión y a jugar videojuegos y el consumo de alimentos. Resultados. Los antecedentes familiares de obesidad, la dedicación de más de dos horas al día a ver televisión y jugar videojuegos, la falta de lactancia materna, el bajo consumo de cereales, legumbres, frutas y verduras y el gran consumo de comidas rápidas fueron más frecuentes entre los obesos que en los controles. Se observó una asociación significativa entre el genotipo I/I (SNP19 del CAPN10 ) y el exceso de peso, incluso en los jóvenes que llevaban una vida activa. Además, se encontró una asociación significativa entre los genotipos C/C del UCP3 y G/G y T/T del FTO y el exceso de peso, pero solo en los jóvenes sedentarios. Conclusiones. En esta población, la alimentación inadecuada y el sedentarismo aumentaron el riesgo de exceso de peso. El genotipo I/I de SNP19 del CAPN10 se asoció significativamente con el exceso de peso. Algunas variantes del FTO y el UCP3 mostraron tener efecto solo en jóvenes sedentarios.

[Prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in schoolchildren and adolescents, Medellín, Colombia, 1999]. / Prevalencia de anemia ferropénica en escolares y adolescentes, Medellín, Colombia, 1999.

OBJECTIVE: This research had two objectives: (1) to determine the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia and describe iron consumption in the diet of schoolchildren and adolescents enrolled in public and private schools of the urban area of the city of Medellín, Colombia, in the 1999-2000 school year and (2) to explore the associations that age group, sex, socioeconomic class, and intestinal parasitism show with iron-deficiency anemia and iron deficiency. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 960 students from 6 to 18 years old who were selected by simple random sampling after stratified multistage sampling and clustering in public and private schools in districts of Medellín. Body iron content was evaluated by determining ferritin and hemoglobin levels, average corpuscular volume, and amplitude of the erythrocyte distribution; the presence of intestinal parasites was evaluated through stool analysis; nutritional status was evaluated by means of anthropometric measurements; and consumption of iron and vitamin C was evaluated using a semiquantitative questionnaire on food intake. In order to define the cases of iron-deficiency anemia and of iron deficiency we used the standard definitions of the World Health Organization, based on ferritin and hemoglobin values. We used nonparametric tests, with a significance level of 0.05, to examine the associations between age group, sex, socioeconomic class, and the presence of intestinal parasites on the one hand and the presence of anemia on the other hand. RESULTS: The prevalence of iron deficiency was 4.9%, and the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia was 0.6%. The prevalence of both was higher among adolescent women (P < 0.05) than in the rest of the sample studied. No significant association was found between the presence of intestinal parasites and the presence of anemia. The average daily consumption of iron (+/- standard deviation) was 5.5 mg (+/- 2.3 mg) (32% +/- 15% of the recommended dietary intake for the studied age group); the average contribution of serum iron in the diet was 0.7 mg (+/- 0.7 mg). Comparing the children who did and who did not have anemia, there were no significant differences in iron consumption and the type of iron consumed. The anthropometric parameter that showed the greatest association with the presence of anemia was height for age. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalences of iron deficiency and of iron-deficiency anemia found in the population studied were low, according to the parameters for hemoglobin and ferritin as defined by the World Health Organization as being normal for these population groups. The low prevalence of blood-sucking parasites, adequate consumption of vitamin C, and the refined mechanisms with which the body regulates iron homeostasis may have contributed to these results. Adequate iron content in the diet of adolescents should be maintained, and education campaigns should be implemented to help prevent iron deficiency in this population group.

Cambios en la presión arterial en un grupo de voluntarios normotensos después del consumo de diferentes dosis de café filtrado / Changes in blood pressure in a group of normotense volunteers after consumption or different doses of filtered coffee

No es clara la asociación entre el consumo de café y los cambios en los niveles de presión arterial; si bien algunos estudios muestran una correlación positiva, otros no logran confirmarla. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el cambio en los niveles de presión arterial en un grupo de voluntarios normotensos sometidos al consumo de diferentes dosis de café filtrado. Se trata de un estudio prospectivo, clínico controlado, en el cual se conformaron cuatro grupos y se sometieron por un período de seis semanas al consumo de diferentes cantidades de café filtrado: el grupo uno no consumió café, el grupo dos consumió 200 mL, el tres 400 mL y el cuatro 600 mL. Antes y al final de la intervención, en cada sujeto se midieron los niveles de presión arterial; en el grupo control se midió la concentración de cafeína antes, durante y al final de la intervención. Los resultados mostraron grupos comparables por género, edad e índice de masa corporal, sin diferencias significativas en las condiciones basales. Después de la intervención, la presión arterial sistólica y diastólica no mostró diferencia intragrupos, excepto en el grupo cuatro en el cual disminuyó significativamente (p=0,006) la presión arterial diastólica. Entre grupos los cambios en los niveles de presión sistólica y diastólica no fueron significativos (p=0,510 y 0,430 respectivamente). En conclusión, el consumo de diferentes dosis de café filtrado no ocasionó en sujetos normotensos cambios significativos en los niveles de presión arterial; el grupo que se abstuvo de tomar café no mostró disminución significativa de la presión arterial.

Prevalencia de anemia ferropénica en escolares y adolescentes, Medellín, Colombia, 1999 / Prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in schoolchildren and adolescents, Medellín, Colombia, 1999

OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de anemia ferropénica y describir el consumo de hierro en la dieta de escolares y adolescentes matriculados en colegios oficiales y privados de la zona urbana de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia, en el año escolar 1999­2000, así como explorar la asociación entre grupo de edad, sexo, clase socioeconómica y parasitismo intestinal por un lado, y anémica ferropénica y deficiencia de hierro por el otro. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal en 960 estudiantes de 6 a 18 años de edad que fueron elegidos por muestreo aleatorio simple tras un muestreo polietápico estratificado y por conglomerados de colegios oficiales y privados en comunas de la zona de Medellín. Se evaluaron el contenido corporal de hierro mediante determinaciones de ferritina, hemoglobina, volumen corpuscular medio y amplitud de la distribución eritrocitaria; la presencia de parásitos intestinales mediante análisis coprológico; el estado nutricional por medio de mediciones antropométricas; y el consumo de hierro y vitamina C mediante un cuestionario semicuantitativo de ingesta alimentaria. Para definir los casos de anemia ferropénica y de deficiencia de hierro se usaron las definiciones estándar de la Organización Mundial de la Salud basadas en los valores de ferritina y hemoglobina. También se examinó la asociación entre grupo de edad, sexo, clase socioeconómica y presencia de parásitos intestinales por un lado y la presencia de anemia por el otro mediante pruebas no paramétricas con un nivel de significación de 0,05. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de deficiencia de hierro fue de 4,9 por ciento y la de anemia ferropénica, de 0,6 por ciento. Se encontró una mayor prevalencia de ambas en mujeres adolescentes (P < 0,05) que en el resto de la muestra estudiada. No se demostró ninguna asociación significativa entre la presencia de parásitos intestinales y la de anemia. El consumo promedio de hierro diario fue de 5,5 ±2,3 mg (desviación estándar [DE]) (32 por ciento ±15 por ciento [DE] de la ingesta dietética recomendada [RDA] para el grupo de edad estudiado); el aporte promedio de hierro hemático en la dieta fue de 0,7 ±0,7 mg [DE]. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la cantidad y el tipo de hierro consumido entre los niños con y sin anemia. El parámetro antropométrico que mostró la mayor asociación con la presencia de anemia fue la relación entra la estatura y la edad...

Objective. This research had two objectives: (1) to determine the prevalence of irondeficiency anemia and describe iron consumption in the diet of schoolchildren and adolescents enrolled in public and private schools of the urban area of the city of Medellín, Colombia, in the 1999­2000 school year and (2) to explore the associations that age group, sex, socioeconomic class, and intestinal parasitism show with irondeficiency anemia and iron deficiency. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 960 students from 6 to 18 years old who were selected by simple random sampling after stratified multistage sampling and clustering in public and private schools in districts of Medellín. Body iron content was evaluated by determining ferritin and hemoglobin levels, average corpuscular volume, and amplitude of the erythrocyte distribution; the presence of intestinal parasites was evaluated through stool analysis; nutritional status was evaluated by means of anthropometric measurements; and consumption of iron and vitamin C was evaluated using a semiquantitative questionnaire on food intake. In order to define the cases of iron-deficiency anemia and of iron deficiency we used the standard definitions of the World Health Organization, based on ferritin and hemoglobin values. We used nonparametric tests, with a significance level of 0.05, to examine the associations between age group, sex, socioeconomic class, and the presence of intestinal parasites on the one hand and the presence of anemia on the other hand. Results. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 4.9%, and the prevalence of irondeficiency anemia was 0.6%. The prevalence of both was higher among adolescent women (P < 0.05) than in the rest of the sample studied. No significant association was found between the presence of intestinal parasites and the presence of anemia. The average daily consumption of iron (± standard deviation) was 5.5 mg (± 2.3 mg) (32% ± 15% of the recommended dietary intake for the studied age group); the average contribution of serum iron in the diet was 0.7 mg (± 0.7 mg). Comparing the children who did and who did not have anemia, there were no significant differences in iron consumption and the type of iron consumed. The anthropometric parameter that showed the greatest association with the presence of anemia was height for age. Conclusions. The prevalences of iron deficiency and of iron-deficiency anemia found in the population studied were low, according to the parameters for hemoglobin and ferritin as defined by the World Health Organization as being normal for these population groups. The low prevalence of blood-sucking parasites, adequate consumption of vitamin C, and the refined mechanisms with which the body regulates iron homeostasis may have contributed to these results. Adequate iron content in the diet of adolescents should be maintained, and education campaigns should be implemented to help prevent iron deficiency in this population group

Anemia por deficiencia de hierro y su asociacion con los parasitos intestinales, en escolares y adolescentes matriculados en instituciones oficiales y privadas de Medellin / Anemia for iron deficiency and its association with intestinal parasites in student population in Medellin

El 30 por ciento de la población mundial sufre algún tipo de anemia, en Colombia para I.977-1.980 fue del 34 por ciento. Una de las causas de anemia son los parásitos intestinales, principalmente las uncinarias. En Medellín no se han realizado investigaciones para establecer alguna asociación entre anemia y parásitos intestinales. Objetivo: describir la prevalencia de anemia y anemia por deficiencia de hierro y su asociación con las parasitosis intestinales en la población escolarizada entre los 6 y 18 años de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia. Métodos: estudio epidemiológico descriptivo de corte transversal, en una población de 285.502 escolares, para una muestra de 960. Las variables fueron de tipo socioeconómicas y demográficas. Se emplearon pruebas hematológicas completas y evaluación parasitológica, además sangre oculta en heces y proteína C reactiva. Para el plan de análisis se usaron medidas descriptivas y de asociación. Resultados: la frecuencia de mujeres fue de 53.4 por ciento y hombres 46.6 por ciento; la prevalencia de parásitos intestinales para la población estudiada fue: Giardia intestinalis 11.6 por ciento, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 9.8 por ciento, Trichuris trichiura 8.9 por ciento, Ascarís lumbricoides 5.3 por ciento, Uncinaria 0.4 por ciento, Strongyloides stercoralisy Ballantidíum coliO.2 por ciento cada uno. La prevalencia de anemia fue de 5.3 por ciento y anemia por deficiencia de hierro 0.63 por ciento y el riesgo de deficiencia en los depósitos de hierro del 6.9 por ciento. Ningún escolar presentó la prueba de sangre oculta positiva. Conclusión: no existió asociación estadística entre la presencia de anemia y/o anemia por deficiencia de hierro y los parásitos intestinales. La prevalencia de anemia y anemia por deficiencia de hierro fue menor que la esperada para la población mundial y nacional.