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Background: The prevalence of obesity is higher among populations in industrialized than in developing countries. Objective:We sought to compare the relations of activity energy expenditure (AEE) with adiposity and weight change in 2 black populations with different levels of obesity. Design: Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and resting energy expenditure (REE) were measured and AEE was calculated in 58 Nigerian and 34 US black women and men. Weight was remeasured after ≥1 y in a subset of participants. AEE adjusted for body size and TDEE adjusted for REE were calculated with the use of the residual regression method. The crosssectional relations between percentage body fat and activity were modeled by using regression analysis, and longitudinal relations between weight change and adjusted energy expenditure variables were calculated. Results: Women and men from the United States weighed more, had more body fat, and had higher levels of TDEE, REE, and AEE than did those from Nigeria. Cross-sectionally, AEE was negatively associated with adiposity after adjustment for body size and age (P < 0.001), regardless of site. Between 60% and 80% of the variance in adiposity was explained by AEE or TDEE. REE, AEE, and TDEE adjusted for body size and age were negatively correlated with weight change among Nigerian women but not men. Conclusions: The significant difference observed in mean adiposity between Nigerians and US blacks was not explained by differences in AEE. However, a low AEE was an important determinant of high percentages of body fat in black adults and was associated with increased weight gain in Nigerian women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study to determine whether or not leptin concentrations was consistent across the range of body composition encompassing the lean as well as the obese. Methodology used to conduct the study; Discussion based on the results of the study.

Summary: Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPAA) resulting from fetal programming may play a role in the development of high blood pressure (BP) in black people. We assessed the diurnal salivary cortisol profile in children with and without increased BP and evaluated their mother''s HPAA. In a cross-sectional study, 20 Afro-Caribbean children (mean age 9.6 years) with higher blood pressures and 20 children with lower blood pressures were chosen from a prospective study of 569 mothers and children in Jamaica. Daytime salivary cortisol profiles were collected in the children and their mothers. The mothers were also assessed for features of the metabolic syndrome. Children with higher BP had higher mean morning salivary cortisol concentrations than those with lower BP (7.9 S.D. 1.9 vs. 4.5 S.D. 2.4nmol/l; p =0.03). Their mothers also had increased morning salivary cortisol concentrations (9.9 S.D. 1.8 vs. 5.5 S.D. 2.5nmol/l; p =0.02), but no changes in fasting glucose, insulin, lipids, BP or adiposity. Maternal and offspring cortisol concentrations correlated significantly (r =0.465, p =0.004). Maternal cortisol concentrations were significantly associated with the child''s BP. We conclude that Afro-Caribbean children with higher BP have higher morning salivary cortisol concentrations. The children''s cortisol concentrations correlate significantly with the mother''s cortisol concentrations. These findings suggest that the HPAA may play a role in the development of raised BP in Afro-Caribbean people. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Size at birth is associated with later cognitive development. The timing of growth faltering in utero may affect developmental consequences. Aim: To determine whether growth in utero is related to cognitive outcomes in childhood. A secondary aim was to determine any associations between maternal nutritional status and cognition. Study design and subjects: Subjects were participants in a prospective cohort study of developmental origins of adult disease. Eligible subjects were aged 6–8 years at their next scheduled visit to the study clinic and their mothers had abdominal ultrasound measurements at 14, 25 and 35 weeks gestation. 186 of 264 eligible children attended the clinic and were tested. Outcome measures: Raven''s Progressive Matrices (reasoning ability), Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (receptive vocabulary) and Digit Span Forwards (auditory working memory). Results: In multiple regression analyses controlling for children''s age and socioeconomic status, head circumference at 14 weeks gestation was significantly associated with reasoning ability. The difference between the lowest and highest quartiles was equivalent to 0.4 S.D. No other significant associations with fetal growth were found. Maternal weight gain was not associated with cognitive scores; however, change in triceps skinfold between 25 and 35 weeks gestation was positively associated with reasoning ability and remained a significant predictor when included in the regression model. Conclusions: There were few associations between growth in utero and cognition. Growth in head circumference in early gestation and maternal nutrition in late gestation may affect later cognitive ability. Further research in this area is needed to confirm these results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We investigated whether isoprostanes, as a marker of lipid peroxidation, may be involved in the development of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or diabetes. Using a nested case–control study, we tracked the changes in isoprostane levels, insulin sensitivity (IS) and beta-cell function (BCF) in Afro-Jamaicans who progressed to IGT and diabetes over 3.9 years. Anthropometry, glucose tolerance, insulin levels, blood pressure and urinary isoprostane concentration were measured at baseline and follow-up. IS and BCF were estimated by the method of homeostasis assessment. Fifty-two individuals who progressed to IGT or diabetes and 44 age, sex and body mass index (BMI) matched controls were studied. Progression to glucose intolerance was significantly related with baseline BCF (p ≤0.01), but not isoprostane levels or IS. Glucose concentrations (fasting and 2h) on follow-up were significantly correlated to baseline IS, baseline BCF, follow-up IS and follow-up BCF (p-values<0.05). In multiple regression analysis, only follow-up IS and BCF (p-values≤0.001) independently predicted fasting glucose and 2h glucose levels at follow-up. Isoprostanes were not significantly associated with IS or BCF (p-values>0.1). We concluded that isoprostanes may not be causally involved in the development of glucose intolerance, insulin resistance or deteriorating BCF. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We longitudinally explored the relationship of body size and adiponectin levels in 393 community-dwelling Afro-Jamaicans. Adiponectin levels were greater in women, increased with age and declined with abdominal adiposity. Multivariate regression analyses suggest that subcutaneous fat in women may contribute significantly to the variance in their adiponectin levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]