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Aim: To compare the ability of anthropometric indices [waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), neck-to-height ratio (NHR), conicity index (CI), body adiposity index (BAI), tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) and body mass index (BMI)] and,measuerments like neck(NC), hip(HC) and waist circumferences to predict overweight and obesity in Iranian preschool children., Materials and Methods: A total of 498 Iranian preschool children were included in this case-control study conducted in Tehran, Iran. The participants were selected using the stratified random sampling procedure based on gender and school. Using sex-based receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis, we compared the area under the curve and defined the cut-off points for detecting central and general obesity for each index in order to identify the most suitable tools in predicting obesity., Results: Boys had significantly higher values for NC, WC, WHR, NHR, CI, TMI and BMI as compared to girls, whereas BAI and HC were higher in girls. The area under the curve was calculated for all the possible predictors of central obesity, i.e., NC (0.841-0.860), WC (0.70-0.679), HC (0.785-0.697), WHR (0.446-0.639) and CI (0.773-0.653) in boys and girls, respectively. And according to the ROC curve analysis, BMI (0.959-0.948), TMI (0.988-0.981), WHtR (0.667-0.553) and NHR (0.785-0.769) were predictors of general obesity and NC (0.841-0.860) as predictor of central obesity in boys and girls, respectively. The optimal cut-off points for TMI (13.80-15.83), NC (28.68-27.5) and for other anthropometric indices were estimated in both boys and girls., Conclusion: TMI and NC seem to predict general and central obesity in Iranian preschool children., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background and Aim: Excess adiposity is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Amongst the various measures of adiposity, the most appropriate one to predict the risk of diabetes remains debatable. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the ability of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in predicting type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) among Pakistani adults., Subjects and Methods: This was the sub-analysis of a large population based Second National Diabetes Survey of Pakistan (NDSP) 2016-2017. With this survey, 10834 individuals were recruited and 4788 individuals fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this sub-analysis (subjects with missing anthropometric details were excluded). Participants were categorized into two groups; subjects with type 2 DM and subjects without DM. Data of participants was collected via pre-designed detailed questionnaire. Clinical and anthropometric measurements were measured using standardized techniques., Results: Out of 4788 individuals, 3085(64.4%) were non-DM subjects and 1703(35.6%) were type 2 DM subjects with mean age of 39.78 ± 13.79 and 50.38 ± 11.33 years, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association of WC with type 2 diabetes after adjustment for possible confounders. Area under the curve (AUC) of WC was found higher than AUC of BMI and WHR., Conclusion: The findings from second NDSP (2016-2017) demonstrated that WC is a better marker than WHR and BMI in predicting type 2 DM for Pakistani population., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: It has been reported that changes in cardiac structure and ventricular function associated with obesity have to be attributable to hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic alterations. Accordingly, the aim of this was to evaluate left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) prevalence and its effect on left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in a cohort of obese patients. Materials and Methods: LV internal diameter (LVID), left ventricular mass (LVM) and LVM/height 2.7 (LVMI), relative wall thickness (RWT), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), E/A ratio, isovolumic relaxation time, deceleration time of E velocity by echocardiography and pulsed-wave Doppler and total circulating adiponectin (ADPN) by radioimmunoassay were measured in 319 obese subjects with and without LVH. Results: Increased values of BMI, WHR, SBP, DBP, MBP LVID, LVM, LVMI, IVST ( p  < .001), increased prevalence of subjects with LVEF< 50%,( p  < .001), central fat distribution ( p  < .001), hypertension ( p  < .001), diabetes ( p  < .001), metabolic syndrome ( p  < .02), and reduced value of ADPN ( p  < .0001) and LVEF ( p  < .001) were detected in LVH obese subjects than controls without LVH. No significant differences in diastolic parameters were observed between the two groups. LVEF correlated directly with ADPN ( p  < .0001) and inversely with age ( p  < .01), BMI ( p  < .01), WHR ( p  < .001), MBP ( p  < .01) MetS ( p  < .02) and LVMI ( p  < .001). WHR, MBP, LVMI and ADPN were independently associated with LVEF. Conclusions: In conclusion, our data indicate that obese subjects with LVH might be considered a distinct phenotype of obesity, characterised by LVH, increased prevalence of cardiometabolic comorbidities, central fat distribution, hypoadiponectinemia and early left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Background & Aims: Obesity promotes intestinal inflammation and might contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. We examined the association between obesity and risk of microscopic colitis in a prospective cohort study., Methods: We collected data from 192,101 women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) (from 1986 through 2014) or the NHSII (from 1991 through 2015). Anthropomorphic and lifestyle information were self-reported biennially. Obesity was defined using body mass index (BMI). Microscopic colitis was confirmed by review of medical records. We used Cox proportional hazard models to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% CIs., Results: Among the participants in the NHS and NHSII, we confirmed 244 cases of microscopic colitis during 4,223,868 person-years of follow-up evaluation. Higher BMI was associated inversely with risk of microscopic colitis (Ptrend < .001). Compared with women with BMIs ranging from 18.5 to 20.9 kg/m 2 , the aHRs were 0.61 (95% CI, 0.41-0.91) for overweight women (BMI, 25-29.9 kg/m 2 ) and 0.50 (95% CI, 0.32-0.79) for obese women (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ). The aHR for each 5-kg/m 2 increase in BMI was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.69-0.90). Weight gain since early adulthood (age, 18 y) also was associated inversely with risk of microscopic colitis (Ptrend = .001). The aHR for each 10-kg weight gain since early adulthood was 0.85 (95% CI, 0.77-0.94). The associations were not modified by age, cohort, physical activity, or smoking status (all Pinteraction ≥ .26)., Conclusions: Unlike many other immune- and metabolic-related disorders, obesity and weight gain since early adulthood were associated with a lower risk of microscopic colitis, based on an analysis of participants in the NHS and NHSII., (Copyright © 2019 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

African ancestry and obesity are associated with higher risk of prostate cancer (PC). In a pilot study, we explored interactions between obesity (as measured by waist to hip ratio (WHR)) and inflammatory SNPs in relation to PC risk among Jamaican men. This study evaluated 87 chemokine and cytokine associated SNPs in obese and normal weight cases (N=109) and controls (N=102) using a stepwise penalized logistic regression approach in multivariable analyses. Upon stratification by WHR (normal weight (WHR<0.90) or obese (WHR≥0.90)), inheritance of CCR6 rs2023305 AG+GG (OR=1.75, p=0.007), CCR9 rs7613548 AG+GG (OR=1.71, p=0.012) and IL10ra rs2229113 AG+GG (OR=1.45, p=0.01) genotypes was associated with increase in overall or low grade (Gleason score<7) PC risk among normal weight men. These odds were elevated among obese men who possessed the CCR5 rs1799987 AG+GG (OR=1.95, p=0.003) and RNASEL rs12135247 CT+TT genotypes (OR=1.59, p=0.05). CCR7 rs3136685 AG+GG (p=0.032) was associated with a 1.52-1.70 fold increase in the risk of high grade cancer (Gleason score≥7) among obese men. CCR7 variant emerged as an important factor associated with high grade PC risk among obese men in our analyses. Overall, genetic loci found significant in normal weight men were not significant in obese men and vice-versa, partially explaining the role of obesity on PC risk among black men. Also, older age was an important risk factor both in normal weight and obese men but only with regard to low grade PC. Associations of inflammatory SNPs with obesity are suggestive and require further validation in larger cohorts to help develop an understanding of PC risk among obese and non-obese men of African descent., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: As the high incidence of hypertension has been in conjunction with dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity, many studies have suggested obesity as its underlying cause in diverse race and ethnic groups., Aim: The present study was designed to quantify the relationship between obesity variables and hypertension in Iranian population. A ROC curve analysis was also used to determine an optimal BMI cutoff for obesity with the aim of representing elevated incidence of hypertension in this population., Methods: The study population comprised of apparently healthy men and women who participated in the Iranian Multi-centric Osteoporosis Studies (IMOS), a multi-centric cross-sectional study carried out in urban areas of five great cities (Tehran, Tabriz, Mashhad, Shiraz and Bushehr). The anthropometric (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences) and blood pressure measures were reported in some 5724 subjects. The influence of these factors on systolic and diastolic blood pressure was assessed based on a list-wise method., Results: There was a significant difference in the studied subjects anthropometric (weight classes (BMI), WC and HC, and WHR) and blood pressure variables; age, gender and weight, however, were the only factors significantly influencing SBP and DBP. Furthermore, BMI showed a significant impact on the overall risk of developing hypertension., Conclusion: General obesity rather than abdominal obesity is directly linked with higher blood pressure levels in Iranian population.

Background: Shift work is common in health care settings and has been hypothesized as a risk factor for being overweight or obese. We examined the relation between shift work and being overweight or obese, adjusting for stress and lifestyle habits in Colombian health care workers., Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the association between shift work and being overweight/obese in employees of a health care setting in Medellin, Colombia., Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 200 workers in a health care setting. Participants completed a demographic, occupational, work-related stress and life style questionnaire. Their Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio were also measured., Results: The study sample consisted of 160 (80%) females and 40 (20%) males. Mean age was 35.1±9.1 years and mean BMI was 25±3.9. After adjusting for potential confounders, multivariate logistic regression revealed no statistically significant association between being overweight, being obese or waist to hip ratio and shift work; 95% CI OR: 1.08 (0.62-1.89), 1.33 (0.44-3.99) and 1.2 (0.8-1.9), respectively. Day workers were statistically more likely to smoke, work more hours, and have a higher educational level than shift workers., Conclusions: No significant associations between shift work and being overweight/obese were observed in health care workers in a Colombian setting. These findings need to be confirmed through longitudinal studies.

The associations of body mass index (BMI) and other anthropometric measurements with lung cancer were examined in 348,108 participants in the European Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) between 1992 and 2010. The study population included 2,400 case patients with incident lung cancer, and the average length of follow-up was 11 years. Hazard ratios were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models in which we modeled smoking variables with cubic splines. Overall, there was a significant inverse association between BMI (weight (kg)/height (m)(2)) and the risk of lung cancer after adjustment for smoking and other confounders (for BMI of 30.0-34.9 versus 18.5-25.0, hazard ratio = 0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.62, 0.84). The strength of the association declined with increasing follow-up time. Conversely, after adjustment for BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio were significantly positively associated with lung cancer risk (for the highest category of waist circumference vs. the lowest, hazard ratio = 1.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.05, 1.50). Given the decline of the inverse association between BMI and lung cancer over time, the association is likely at least partly due to weight loss resulting from preclinical lung cancer that was present at baseline. Residual confounding by smoking could also have influenced our findings., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

As the population is ageing globally, both ageing and obesity are recognized as major public health challenges. The aim of this narrative review is to present and discuss the current evidence on the changes in body composition, energy balance and endocrine environment that occur in the ageing man. Obesity in the ageing man is related to changes in both body weight and composition due to alterations in energy intake and total energy expenditure. In addition, somatopenia (decreased GH secretion), late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), changes in thyroid and adrenal function, as well as changes in appetite-related peptides (leptin, ghrelin) and, most importantly, insulin action are related to obesity, abnormal energy balance, redistribution of the adipose tissue and sarcopenia (decreased muscle mass). A better understanding of the complex relationship of ageing-related endocrine changes and obesity could lead to more effective interventions for elderly men., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) has heterogeneous clinical phenotypes related to different risk of developing diabetes complications. We investigated the correlation between generalized and abdominal adiposity and the prevalence of both micro- and macrovascular complications in Caucasian patients with T2D. We evaluated 769 individuals with T2D consecutively referred to our diabetes center. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip (W/H) ratio, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid profile, smoking habit, diabetes therapy, and micro- and macrovascular complications were recorded. Patients were divided into three groups based on BMI and WC: non-obese with normal WC (nWC, n = 220), non-obese with excess of abdominal fat (AF, n = 260) and obese (Ob, n = 289). We found that nWC, compared with AF and Ob individuals, were predominantly males (p<0.01), had lower HbA1c (p<0.01), diastolic blood pressure (p<0.01), triglycerides (p<0.01), and showed a significantly lower prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) (p = 0.01). The rate of proliferative DR was significantly higher in Ob (13.2 %) compared to the other groups (p = 0.03). Multivariate analyses showed a significantly decreased prevalence of DR in nWC compared to both AF (OR 0.58, 95 CI 0.34–0.96; p = 0.03) and Ob (OR 0.57, 95 CI 0.33–0.98; p = 0.04) individuals. Conversely, DR was associated, mainly in women, to higher WC and W/H ratio. The prevalence of the other diabetes-related complications was similar among the studied groups. In our population, nWC subjects showed a lower prevalence of DR. An increased generalized and abdominal adiposity was associated to a higher prevalence of DR, especially among females. • Adiposity is a key determinant of diabetes-related vascular complications. • The risk for diabetes retinopathy increases in non-obese subjects with abnormal visceral fat. • Females are particularly at risk for retinal injury related to increased visceral fat. • High visceral fat in non-obese subjects is associated to early stages of diabetes retinopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Obesity, defined on the basis of anthropometric measures is a global epidemic and threatening to healthy population worldwide. A research from China among young adults (20--44 years) recorded six and two times the risk of hypertension (HTN) in individuals who were obese and overweight, respectively, relative to normal weight individuals. This study highlights about anthropometric indices and its association with HTN among young medical students at rural medical college. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1,000 medical students had been enrolled. Anthropometric indices like body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), neck circumference (NC) as per South East Asian guidelines were measured in all students. Results: Among young medical students, the prevalence of obesity defined by BMI, WC, WHR, and NC was 46.5%, 32.4%, 57.3%, and 8.4%. Among males, there was significant positive correlation of BMI with SBP (P < 0.0001) and DBP (P < 0.0001), whereas WC (P < 0.0001) and WHR (P = 0.012) had positive and significant correlation with SBP but not with DBP. Correlation of NC with SBP and DBP was negative but did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.266 and P = 0.670, respectively). Among females, there was significant positive correlation of BMI with SBP (P < 0.0001) and DBP (P < 0.0001), WC had significant positive correlation with SBP (P < 0.0001,) and DBP (P < 0.0001). Correlation of WHR was significant with DBP (P = 0.002) but not with SBP (P = 0.055). Conclusion: The prevalence of HTN in this study was 9.8% in young medical students overall and varies according to anthropometric indices. The prevalence rate varies in males and females depending on the anthropometric measures.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic endocrinopathy of unexplained etiology linked to obesity. Neuregulin 4 (NG-4) is an adipokine synthesized primarily by brown adipose tissue; that keeps glucose and lipids in hemostasis. Earlier research tested serum NG-4 correlation with metabolic parameters in PCOS; herein, we aimed to examine serum NG-4 validity as a marker for PCOS with respect to obesity parameters and the influence of obesity on NG-4 concentrations. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited 120 women into two groups; PCOS cases (60/120) and healthy controls (60/120). For every participant, three sets of data were recorded; anthropometric data (age, height, and weight for calculation of body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure) hormonal levels, including serum (luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone (LH/FSH) ratio, prolactin, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), testosterone, and insulin) and biochemical biomarkers (fasting blood sugar, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), high and low-density lipoproteins (HDL and LDL), and NG-). Results: Serum NG-4 levels were significantly higher among PCOS vs. healthy controls. The univariant analysis confirmed a significant correlation of NG-4 to BMI, hormonal, and metabolic parameters. None of the obesity parameters were correlated with serum NG-4; only PCOS had an effect on serum NG-4 with p < 0.001 in multivariate analysis. At a cutoff value of 32 (ng/mL), NG-4 showed the highest sensitivity and specificity in discriminating PCOS cases with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.97, p < 0.001. Conclusions: Serum NG-4’s strong relation to hormonal and biochemical parameters that define PCOS independent of BMI and waist-to-hip ratio makes it a reliable biomarker in diagnosing and following up PCOS cases.

Introduction: Obesity, defined on the basis of anthropometric measures is a global epidemic and threatening to healthy population worldwide. A research from China among young adults (20--44 years) recorded six and two times the risk of hypertension (HTN) in individuals who were obese and overweight, respectively, relative to normal weight individuals. This study highlights about anthropometric indices and its association with HTN among young medical students at rural medical college. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1,000 medical students had been enrolled. Anthropometric indices like body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), neck circumference (NC) as per South East Asian guidelines were measured in all students. Results: Among young medical students, the prevalence of obesity defined by BMI, WC, WHR, and NC was 46.5%, 32.4%, 57.3%, and 8.4%. Among males, there was significant positive correlation of BMI with SBP (P < 0.0001) and DBP (P < 0.0001), whereas WC (P < 0.0001) and WHR (P = 0.012) had positive and significant correlation with SBP but not with DBP. Correlation of NC with SBP and DBP was negative but did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.266 and P = 0.670, respectively). Among females, there was significant positive correlation of BMI with SBP (P < 0.0001) and DBP (P < 0.0001), WC had significant positive correlation with SBP (P < 0.0001,) and DBP (P < 0.0001). Correlation of WHR was significant with DBP (P = 0.002) but not with SBP (P = 0.055). Conclusion: The prevalence of HTN in this study was 9.8% in young medical students overall and varies according to anthropometric indices. The prevalence rate varies in males and females depending on the anthropometric measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity has emerged as the most potential cardiovascular risk factor and has raised concern among public and their health related issues not only in developed but also in developing countries. The Worldwide obesity occurrence has almost has gone three times since 1975. Research suggests there are about 775 million obese people in the World including adult, children, and adolescents. Nearly 50% of the children who are obese and overweight in Asia in are below 5 years. There is a steep incline of childhood obesity when compared to 1971 which is not only in developed countries but also in developing countries. A considerable amount of weight gain occurs during the transition phase from adolescence to young adulthood. It is also suggested that those adults who were obese in childhood also remained obese in their adulthood with a higher metabolic risk than those who became obese in their adulthood. In India, the urban Indian female in the age group of 30-45 years have emerged as an 〝at risk population” for cardiovascular diseases. To understand how obesity can influence cardiovascular function, it becomes immense important to understand the changes which can take place in adipose tissue due to obesity. There are two proposed concepts explaining the inflammatory status of macrophage. The predominant cause of insulin resistance is obesity. Epidemiological and research studies have indicated that the pathogenesis of obesity-related metabolic dysfunction involves the development of a systemic, low-grade inflammatory state. It is becoming clear that targeting the pro-inflammatory pathway may provide a novel therapeutic approach to prevent insulin resistance, particularly in obesity induced insulin resistance. Some cost effective interventions that are feasible by all and can be implemented even in low-resource settings includes - population-wide and individual, which are recommended to be used in combination to reduce the greatest cardiovascular disease burden. The sixth target in the Global NCD action plan is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 25%. Reducing the incidence of hypertension by implementing population-wide policies to educe behavioral risk factors. Reducing cigarette smoking, body weight, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood glucose all have a beneficial impact on major biological cardiovascular risk factors. A variety of lifestyle modifications have been shown, in clinical trials, to lower blood pressure, includes weight loss, physical activity, moderation of alcohol intake, increased fresh fruit and vegetables and reduced saturated fat in the diet, reduction of dietary sodium intake, andincreased potassium intake. Also, trials of reduction of saturated fat and its partial replacement by unsaturated fats have improved dyslipidaemia and lowered risk of cardiovascular events. This initiative driven by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, State Governments, Indian Council of Medical Research and the World Health Organization are remarkable. The Government of India has adopted a national action plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with specific targets to be achieved by 2025, including a 25% reduction in overall mortality from cardiovascular diseases, a 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of raised blood pressure and a 30% reduction in salt/sodium intake. In a nutshell increased BMI values can predict the nature of obesity and its aftermaths in terms inflammation and other disease associated with obesity. It’s high time; we must realize it and keep an eye on health status in order to live long and healthy life.

Abstract Background Little is known about the potential role of central obesity among men. Our first aim was to confirm what is already known from prior research, namely that both BMI and WHR are inversely associated with selected semen parameters. Our second aim was to examine the potential role of central obesity by assessing if there was a difference between BMI and WHR regarding their relationships to these selected semen parameters. Methods In this cross-sectional study between January 2011 to January 2018, we analyzed semen samples from 1169 patients who visited an andrology clinic in Budapest for infertility reasons. Variables assessed were: body measurements (height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference), and the results of semen analysis (sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive sperm motility, and normal sperm morphology). Results The mean height and weight were 180.6 cm and 87.3 kg, respectively – the mean BMI was 26.8. The mean waist and hip circumferences were 100.9 cm and 94.8 cm, respectively – the mean waist to hip ratio was 0.94. The mean sperm concentration, total sperm count, and percents of progressive motility and normal morphology were 48.7 M/ml, 165 million, 21.2, and 4.8%, respectively. Both BMI and WHR were significant correlates in all semen parameter regression models. When comparing the parameter estimates for BMI with those for WHR for each semen parameter, the parameter estimate for WHR was significantly lower (indicating a stronger negative association) than that for BMI for progressive motility and total sperm count, but not for normal morphology or concentration. Conclusions Our study is the first to examine, using a large patient sample, the potential role of central obesity by comparing the difference between BMI and WHR as they relate to selected semen parameters. Our findings indicate a potential role of central obesity for progressive motility and total sperm count, but not for normal morphology and concentration. Despite the limitations and the exploratory nature of this study, we can conclude that our results point to a potential role of central obesity in male infertility, but this finding should be confirmed and further explored in future research. Trial registration The trial was retrospectively authorized after the data collection on September 24, 2018. Registration number: SE RKEB: 169/2018.

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health and increase the risk of more diseases in future. Body mass index (BMI) is a good method for measure the overweight and obesity and waist to hip ration is a good index for measure the abdominal obesity. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 1316 people who selected randomly from Ardabil city. Demographic data and anthropometric parameters such as age, sex, height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were measured by interviewers. Data were analyzed by statistical methods such as t-test, chi-square test, Pearson correlation and multinomial logistic regression model in SPSS version 21. Results: The mean age of the people was 28.5±7.4 years of them, 63.1% were in age group 20-30 years. The mean height of the samples was 162.7±8.6 cm in range 110-194 and the mean weight of them was 68.9±11.7 kg in range 43-111. The mean BMI of patients was 25.7. According to BMI, 35.6% of all samples had overweight and 18.6% had obesity. According to the WHR, 28.1% of male and 22.1% of female had high WHR (abdominal obesity). The prevalence of abdominal obesity based WHR was 25.2%. Conclusions: By using Multinomial Logistic Regression we showed that the relation between BMI and Age was positive and significant and by increasing one year at age of people, the rate of overweight increased 13% and the rate of obesity increased 17% in compare with normal patients.

Introduction: Diabetes, hypertension and obesity are associated with endothelial dysfunction. The first sign of endothelial dysfunction is microalbuminuria. Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure urine albumin to creatinine ratio in obese patients without diabetes and with normal blood pressure. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 adults were chosen with body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 . Anthropometry measurements [BMI and waist to hip ratio (WHR)] and biochemical tests were performed. Data were analyzed using chi-square test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Among 200 obese people, microalbuminuria was seen in 22 individuals (11%). The prevalence of microalbuminuria was positively increased with increasing of BMI (P= 0.04). Moreover, microalbuminuria was significantly higher in people with WHR >1 (P=0.02). Conclusion: Through this study, we detected the association of microalbuminuria with BMI and WHR. Therefore, efforts must be conducted to reduce obesity through lifestyle changes and regular exercise.

Background: Obesity caused diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Yoga considered three aspects, physic, emotion and mental that helped in obesity therapy. Objective: This research aimed to explain the influence of yoga excercise on body weight, percent of body fat, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio (WHR) in overweight women. Method: This research applied quasi experiment design by using pre-post test with control group design. The subjects of research were 31 women aged 19-25 years old and divided into 2 groups, treatment group and control group. Treatment group was prepared to do yoga in 60 minutes for 10 times during 20 days and given nutrition education, whereas control group was given nutrition education only. Data body weight and percentage of body fat were measured by bioimpedance analysis; waist circumference and WHR were measured by tape measures; food intake were assessed by food recall and food frequency questionnaire. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test. Results: There was a significant difference of body weight before and after intervention in both groups. The body weight on treatment group decreased by 0.81 ± 1.29 kg (p0.05). Conclusion: Obesity women with 10 times yoga had no significant influences on body weight, percentage of body fat, waist circumference and WHR.

Introduction: Diabetes, hypertension and obesity are associated with endothelial dysfunction. The first sign of endothelial dysfunction is microalbuminuria. Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure urine albumin to creatinine ratio in obese patients without diabetes and with normal blood pressure. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 adults were chosen with body mass index (BMI) =25 kg/m2. Anthropometry measurements [BMI and waist to hip ratio (WHR)] and biochemical tests were performed. Data were analyzed using chi-square test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Among 200 obese people, microalbuminuria was seen in 22 individuals (11%). The prevalence of microalbuminuria was positively increased with increasing of BMI (P = 0.04). Moreover, microalbuminuria was significantly higher in people with WHR >1 (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Through this study, we detected the association of microalbuminuria with BMI and WHR. Therefore, efforts must be conducted to reduce obesity through lifestyle changes and regular exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nowadays, obesity and overweight are projected to become main risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to determine the association of anthropometric measures with presence of significant (sig.) CAD as evaluated by coronary angiography, among an adult Iranian population. Methods: The present study included 441 patients (men=275) aged > 30 years with suspected CAD, who had undergone coronary angiography between January 2019 and November 2019. All demographic data and patients' medical history as well as clinical examinations were recorded by a trained physician. Coronary angiography was performed using standard techniques to determine the presence of sig. coronary artery lesions. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the odds ratio (OR) of each anthropometric measure for the presence of sig. CAD. Results: The mean age of participants was 51.2±8.7 years and sig. CAD was detected in 185 patients. Univariate analyses showed that body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were significantly associated with increased risk of CAD. On multivariable logistic regression model, BMI and WHR correlated independently with increased risk of CAD; while higher WC and wrist circumference (WrC) could not predict the CAD risk. The corresponding ORs (95% confidence interval) were 1.36 (1.04-1.74), 1.17 (0.95-1.63), 1.29 (1.12-1.41), and 1.24 (0.76-1.92) for BMI, WC, WHR, and WrC, respectively. Considering the receiver operating characteristic analysis, no superiority was observed for each of the measures for discriminating sig. CAD from non-sig. CAD status. Conclusion: BMI and WHR are independently associated with the presence of CAD among Iranian population. These results emphasize the value of anthropometric assessment among those with suspected CAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the potential role of central obesity among men. Our first aim was to confirm what is already known from prior research, namely that both BMI and WHR are inversely associated with selected semen parameters. Our second aim was to examine the potential role of central obesity by assessing if there was a difference between BMI and WHR regarding their relationships to these selected semen parameters.Methods: In this cross-sectional study between January 2011 to January 2018, we analyzed semen samples from 1169 patients who visited an andrology clinic in Budapest for infertility reasons. Variables assessed were: body measurements (height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference), and the results of semen analysis (sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive sperm motility, and normal sperm morphology).Results: The mean height and weight were 180.6 cm and 87.3 kg, respectively - the mean BMI was 26.8. The mean waist and hip circumferences were 100.9 cm and 94.8 cm, respectively - the mean waist to hip ratio was 0.94. The mean sperm concentration, total sperm count, and percents of progressive motility and normal morphology were 48.7 M/ml, 165 million, 21.2, and 4.8%, respectively. Both BMI and WHR were significant correlates in all semen parameter regression models. When comparing the parameter estimates for BMI with those for WHR for each semen parameter, the parameter estimate for WHR was significantly lower (indicating a stronger negative association) than that for BMI for progressive motility and total sperm count, but not for normal morphology or concentration.Conclusions: Our study is the first to examine, using a large patient sample, the potential role of central obesity by comparing the difference between BMI and WHR as they relate to selected semen parameters. Our findings indicate a potential role of central obesity for progressive motility and total sperm count, but not for normal morphology and concentration. Despite the limitations and the exploratory nature of this study, we can conclude that our results point to a potential role of central obesity in male infertility, but this finding should be confirmed and further explored in future research.Trial Registration: The trial was retrospectively authorized after the data collection on September 24, 2018. Registration number: SE RKEB: 169/2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) including hypertension (HT) which is itself a risk factor for CVDs. There are very few studies on this subject worldwide. Present study was in young adults with hypertension associated with various risk factors. Materials and methods: It was an observational study in patients coming to tertiary care center either getting admitted or coming to outpatient department for high blood pressure or for different reason and incidentally found to have high blood pressure were assessed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Most of the patients in study were obese 52% and 30% over weight. There was no significant association of hypertension in between genders. Waist circumference was significant when compared with normal and increased in hypertensive patients. Waist to hip ratio was significant when compared with normal and increased in hypertensive patients. It was insignificant when compared between genders. Conclusions: Higher waist circumferences and waist to hip ratio were modestly associated with the presence of Hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Aim of the study is to analyze prevalence of different weight categories among freshmen students at College of Applied Sciences L. Ruzicka in Vukovar, and to assess their body composition. Methods: During the period from 2008. to 2016. 710 freshmen students (461 females and 249 males) were measured for height and weight. Body composition was assessed by bioelectric impedance analysis. Results: Most of the subjects were normal weighted (74.5%). Distribution across the weight status categories is significantly different for males and females (p

Obesity is related to chronic inflammation. Various anthropometric measurements have been shown to be associated with complications of obesity. Identification of the most accurate anthropometric measurement correlated with inflammation could lead to early interventions. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between anthropometric measurements and inflammatory biomarkers in obese adolescents. A cross-sectional study was performed on obese adolescents at the Pediatric Nutrition Clinic of Dr Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya. The inflammatory markers High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) were measured using ELISA. Anthropometric measurements including BMI (kg/m²), waist circumference (cm), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using a correlation test with significance set at p<0.05. In total, 59 adolescents aged 13-16 years were included. The mean BMI was 31.99 (26.6-41.13) kg/m² and the mean waist circumference was 100.18 (75-122) cm. There was no correlation between TNF-α and BMI (r=-0.094; p=0.479), waist circumference (r=-0.041; p=0.757), or WHR (r=0.041; p=0.759). There was also no correlation between hsCRP and BMI (r=0.184; p=0.162) or WHR (r=0.146; p=0.274). However, hsCRP had a weak positive correlation with waist circumference (r=0.315; p=0.015). Waist circumference could serve as an indicator of a systemic inflammatory state in adolescents with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is generally classified into generalized obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) and abdominal or central obesity (WC ≥90 cm for men and WC ≥80 cm for women) based on World Health Organization recommendation for Asians. Hypertension is one of the most common obesity-related complications, and about 30% of hypertensive individuals can be classified as being obese. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of different age groups (years) on the anthropometric and derived variables. It determined the correlation between anthropometric and derived variables and also estimated the frequency of central obesity and hypertension. Finally, it investigated the relationship between central obesity and blood pressure among rural Bengalee adults of Dirghagram village of Ghatal Block, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, India. The present cross-sectional study was undertaken among 310 rural adults (154 males; 156 females) aged over 18 years. Our study was carried out during March, 2017. Height (cm), weight (kg), waist circumference (cm), hip circumference (cm) and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) were measured using standard procedures. One way ANOVA analysis on most of the anthropometric and derived variables showed a statistically significant increase from younger to older age group in both sexes (p<0.001;p<0.01; p<0.05). In addition to that, more females had central obesity using waist circumference (55.8% vs. 19.5%), waist hip ratio (87.2% vs. 35.7%), waist height ratio (73.7% vs. 44.2%), and conicity index (87.2% vs. 57.8%) criteria, and hypertension (52.5% vs. 27.3%). The prevalence of central obesity was much higher in case of hypertensive individuals. Therefore, the present study showed a high prevalence of central obesity among the rural adults of Dirghagram village. Furthermore, central obesity contributed in increasing hypertension among the villagers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity has emerged as the most potential cardiovascular risk factor and has raised concern among public and their health related issues not only in developed but also in developing countries. The Worldwide obesity occurrence has almost has gone three times since 1975. Research suggests there are about 775 million obese people in the World including adult, children, and adolescents. Nearly 50% of the children who are obese and overweight in Asia in are below 5 years. There is a steep incline of childhood obesity when compared to 1971 which is not only in developed countries but also in developing countries. A considerable amount of weight gain occurs during the transition phase from adolescence to young adulthood. It is also suggested that those adults who were obese in childhood also remained obese in their adulthood with a higher metabolic risk than those who became obese in their adulthood. In India, the urban Indian female in the age group of 30-45 years have emerged as an "at risk population" for cardiovascular diseases. To understand how obesity can influence cardiovascular function, it becomes immense important to understand the changes which can take place in adipose tissue due to obesity. There are two proposed concepts explaining the inflammatory status of macrophage. The predominant cause of insulin resistance is obesity. Epidemiological and research studies have indicated that the pathogenesis of obesity-related metabolic dysfunction involves the development of a systemic, low-grade inflammatory state. It is becoming clear that targeting the pro-inflammatory pathway may provide a novel therapeutic approach to prevent insulin resistance, particularly in obesity-induced insulin resistance. Some cost effective interventions that are feasible by all and can be implemented even in low-resource settings includes - population-wide and individual, which are recommended to be used in combination to reduce the greatest cardiovascular disease burden. The sixth target in the Global NCD action plan is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 25%. Reducing the incidence of hypertension by implementing population-wide policies to reduce behavioral risk factors. Reducing cigarette smoking, body weight, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood glucose all have a beneficial impact on major biological cardiovascular risk factors. A variety of lifestyle modifications have been shown, in clinical trials, to lower blood pressure, includes weight loss, physical activity, moderation of alcohol intake, increased fresh fruit and vegetables and reduced saturated fat in the diet, reduction of dietary sodium intake, and increased potassium intake. Also, trials of reduction of saturated fat and its partial replacement by unsaturated fats have improved dyslipidaemia and lowered risk of cardiovascular events. This initiative driven by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, State Governments, Indian Council of Medical Research and the World Health Organization are remarkable. The Government of India has adopted a national action plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with specific targets to be achieved by 2025, including a 25% reduction in overall mortality from cardiovascular diseases, a 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of raised blood pressure and a 30% reduction in salt/sodium intake. In a nutshell increased BMI values can predict the nature of obesity and its aftermaths in terms inflammation and other disease associated with obesity. It's high time; we must realize it and keep an eye on health status in order to live long and healthy life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Overweight and obesity are two important risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Controling the weight via using dietary fiber may help to manage patients with NAFLD by diet and physical activity. Psyllium as a fiber can reduce obesity and its consequences. Methods:This was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial study. 80 overweight or obese patients with NAFLD (age: 18-77 years) diagnosis via elastography were enrolled. Participants assigned to intervention and placebo groups using randomized block design; which were supplemented with 10 g psyllium or 10 g ground wheat, respectively. Both groups followed weight-loss diet and physical activity (PA) recommendations for 10 weeks. Serum liver enzymes (using enzymatic photometric method), dietary intake (via 3-day food record) physical activity (using physical activity questionnaire) and anthropometric measurements were assessed at baseline and the end of the study. Findings: 75 participants (mean age: 44.9 years) met the inclusion criteria, 13 men and 25 women in intervention group and 22 men and 15 women in placebo group. At the beginning, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 29.4 and 31.1 kg/m2 and the mean calorie intake was 2044.8 and 2449.7 kcal in intervention and placebo groups, respectively. Controling the confounding variables, calorie intake (P = 0.020), carbohydrate intake (P = 0.010), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P = 0.006), waist circumference (P = 0.006), body mass index (P = 0.006) and weight (P = 0.030) were reduced in intervention group as compared with placebo group. Waist to hip ratio reduced at a boarderline significancy (P = 0.050); and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) reduced unsignificantly (P = 0.980). Conclusion: Weight-loss diet program supplemented with psyllium, in parallel with increasing the physical activity, can be useful in reducing NAFLD outcomes.

Background: We aimed to identify risk factors associated with chronic low back pain (C-LBP) in Syria. Materials and Methods: We conducted the study in a busy outpatient neurology clinic in Damascus city from October 2011 to August 2012. We enrolled all eligible adults presenting with C-LBP along with those who denied any back pain as a controls. We considered C-LBP any LBP lasting over 3 months. We developed our own questionnaire. A clinical nurse interviewed each person and filled in the results. Results: We had a total of 911 subjects; 513 patients and 398 controls. We found that C-LBP increased with age. Having a sibling with C-LBP was a strong predictor of C-LBP. In women obesity, but not overweight, was a risk factor. Number of children was a risk factor for mothers. Higher level of education decreased the chance of C-LBP in women. Sedentary job increased the risk of C-LBP. Conclusion: This study sheds some light on risk factors for C-LBP in our population and might help find possible preventive measures.

Background: In high-income settings, body mass index (BMI) and measures of central adiposity, such as waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) are associated with cardiometabolic risk, but evidence from low-income settings, particularly sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), is limited. We assessed whether there are differences between central and general adiposity in their associations with fasting glucose, diabetes, systolic and diastolic blood pressures and hypertension, and whether these associations differ with gender or rural/urban setting in Malawi.Methods: We used data from a population-based study of 27 880 Malawian adults aged  ≥18 years, from both rural and urban areas. We used age-standardized z-scores of the means of BMI and WHR to directly compare their associations with glycaemic and blood pressure outcomes.Results: Mean fasting glucose and blood pressure values and odds of hypertension increased linearly across fifths of BMI and WHR, with stronger associations with BMI. For both BMI and WHR, the associations with outcomes were stronger in urban versus rural residents. The association with diabetes was stronger in women than men, whereas for blood-pressure related outcomes a stronger association was seen in men.Conclusions: BMI is more strongly associated with cardiometabolic risk in SSA, and might be a more useful measure than WHR, in this population. The greater positive association of adiposity with cardiometabolic outcomes in urban residents (where rates of overweight/obesity are already high) highlights the particular importance of addressing obesity within urban SSA populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Are the association Anthropometric Measures for CVD risk factors across different socio-economic groups residing in Chennai belonging to West India who follow a purely vegetarian diet and South India who have mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet? A cross sectional study among West Indian and South Indian Women. 365 women had participated. Anthropometric measures such as height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were measured. Body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), waist to height ratio (WHtR) were computed. Data entered in MS Excel Sheet and analysed by STATA Software. Data expressed as mean, standard deviation, and percentage. Tests applied were simple regressions analysis and correlation tests. Anthropometric parameters of mean body mass index indicated the prevalence of overweight among the study subjects (24.55+2.33,23.54+1.55, 24.19+1.90,23.53+1.81,23.83+1.46) and a positive correlation seemed to exist between BMI and WHR significant at 1 percent and 5 percent level. Significant association do exist but are not strongly correlated. Associations also vary depending on the ethnicity of West Indian versus South Indian community or Low income versus high income/middle income groups respectively. The results imply that anthropometric indicators of body mass index and waist to hip ratio seem to prove as best indicators of obesity among the study population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are major health problems showing an inconstant relationship in the literature. Therefore, anthropometric parameters which are predictive and can simply be assessed at first patient presentation may lead to a better patient selection for ambulatory reflux monitoring. We aimed to examine the association of body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) with gastroesophageal reflux activity during 24 hour-pH-impedance monitoring. Methods Seven hundred and seventy-one patients with GERD symptoms underwent 24 hour-pH-impedance monitoring and high resolution manometry off proton pump inhibitors. Patients with known primary motility disorders of the esophagus and pre-existing endoscopic or operative procedure on esophagus or stomach were excluded from the study. Reflux parameters and anthropometric and demographic data from our prospectively gathered database were analyzed. We performed univariate and multivariate regression analysis to evaluate the associations of BMI and WHR with reflux parameters measured with 24 hour-pH-impedance monitoring. Key Results WHR showed a significantly stronger association with esophageal acid exposure than BMI ( P<.001). Our data show that 6.9% of the percentage of endoluminal pH<4 in the distal esophagus is attributable to WHR. Furthermore, an association of WHR with impaired esophageal acid clearance was observed. Additionally, we observed an inverse relationship between lower esophageal sphincter integrity ( P=.05) and esophageal acid exposure. Conclusions and Inferences WHR is a better predictor for esophageal acid exposure than BMI. Biomechanical and metabolic mechanisms of central fat distribution may influence reflux parameters in 24 hour pH impedance monitoring, which may affect patient selection for ambulatory reflux monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is one of nutrition status categories that can be measured with various methods, just like nutrition status. So far, anthropometric methods such as body mass index (BMI) and Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) are commonly used due to their practicality and inexpensiveness. However, biochemical examination will give more objective result, apart from its ability to make early detection of body changes. Lipid profie is a biochemical method that can be used to predict excess of fat deposit (hyperlipidemia) that causes obesity. Objective: To identify validity of BMI and WHR compared to lipid profie of out-patient at cardiology clinic of Dr. Sardjito Hospital. Method: The study was observational with cross sectional design undertaken at cardiology clinic of Dr. Sardjito Hospital Yogyakarta. Samples were patients of over 40 years old that had blood lipid profie whose height, weight, waist and hip circumference could be measured and were willing to participate. Patients on wheel chair or unable to stand up properly and wearing tight clothes were excluded. Sensitivity and specifiity test was made to assess the validity of BMI and WHR against lipid profile. Result: As many as 52 samples (53.6%) had hypercholesterolimia, 45 (46.4%) had normocholesterolemia. As many as 38 samples (39.2%) had hypertrygliceridemia, 59 (60.8%) had normotrygliceridemia. Based on BMI 76 samples (78.3%) were obese and 21 (21.7%) non obese. Based on WHR as many as 79 samples (81.5%) were of central obese and 18 (18.5%) non obese. Sensitivity of BMI and WHR was good but their specifiity was low. Conclusion: BMI and WHR could be used to detect hypercholesterolemia and hypertrygliceridemia due to their good sensitivity; but they could not be used to predict normocholesterolemia and normotrygliceridemia due to their low specificity.

The associations of body mass index (BMI) and other anthropometric measurements with lung cancer were examined in 348,108 participants in the European Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) between 1992 and 2010. The study population included 2,400 case patients with incident lung cancer, and the average length of follow-up was 11 years. Hazard ratios were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models in which we modeled smoking variables with cubic splines. Overall, there was a significant inverse association between BMI (weight (kg)/height (m)²) and the risk of lung cancer after adjustment for smoking and other confounders (for BMI of 30.0-34.9 versus 18.5-25.0, hazard ratio = 0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.62, 0.84). The strength of the association declined with increasing follow-up time. Conversely, after adjustment for BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio were significantly positively associated with lung cancer risk (for the highest category of waist circumference vs. the lowest, hazard ratio = 1.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.05, 1.50). Given the decline of the inverse association between BMI and lung cancer over time, the association is likely at least partly due to weight loss resulting from preclinical lung cancer that was present at baseline. Residual confounding by smoking could also have influenced our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To evaluate the anthropometric indices in community-dwelling people aged 70-90 years in Sydney, Australia. Method Cross-sectional data were collected during the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study from two federal government electoral areas from 2005-2007. Participants with no dementia were recruited to the study (n = 1037). The anthropometric parameters including body weight, standing height, waist circumference and hip circumference were obtained with the average participation rate of 97%. The study population was then stratified by gender and age groups. Results With increasing age, the body weight and standing height decreased, while waist circumference and waist to hip ratio showed different patterns. With reference to the World Health Organization classification for body mass index, overweight and obesity were found in 75.3% of men and 61.2% of women. In particular, the result revealed that 23% of the study cohort was obese. While all men had mean waist to hip ratios exceeding the cut-off value (≥0.90), only 53.7% of women were categorised as having a condition leading to increased risk of mortality (≥0.85). The mean waist to hip ratio in men and women was 0.96 ± 0.06 and 0.86 ± 0.07, respectively (±standard deviation). Conclusions This study provides gender- and age-specific distributions for six anthropometric measurements for older Australians to identify individuals with potentially greater risk of disease. Overweight and obesity are common in the older population. However, more data from across Australia are needed to confirm the findings from this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess the main health-related anthropometric characteristics of young adults in order to evaluate the relationship of their anthropometric characteristics with the quantity and type of physical activity and the physical abilities according to sex. The study was carried out using a sample of young adults applying to the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences (EASS) for programs which require physical ability tests upon application in order to ensure that public safety employees are capable of meeting the physical demands of their jobs. The present study confirms that regular weekly physical activity is significantly correlated to body composition parameters as well as with the physical ability to perform fitness tests well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Alterations in postprandial metabolism have been described in familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH); however, their underlying mechanisms are not well characterized. We aimed to identify factors related to the magnitude of postprandial lipemia and apolipoprotein (apo) A-V levels in subjects with FCH. Methods FCH cases (n = 99) were studied using a standardized meal test. Abdominal obesity was assessed using the waist to hip ratio (WHR). A linear regression model was performed to investigate the variables associated with the triglycerides incremental area under the curve (iAUC). Independent associations between metabolic variables and apo A-V iAUC were also investigated in a randomly selected subgroup (n = 44). The study sample was classified according to the presence of fasting hypertriglyceridemia (≥150 mg/dL) and abdominal obesity (WHR ≥0.92 in men and ≥0.85 in women) to explore differences in parameters. Results The fasting apo B-48 levels (r = 0.404), and the WHR (r = 0.359) were independent factors contributing to the triglycerides iAUC (r² = 0.29, P < 0.001). The triglycerides iAUC was independently associated with the apo A-V iAUC (r² = 0.54, P < 0.01). Patients with both hypertriglyceridemia and abdominal obesity showed the most robust triglycerides and apo AV postprandial responses. Conclusions In patients with FCH the fasting apo B-48 level is the main factor associated with postprandial lipemia. Abdominal obesity also contributes to the magnitude of the postprandial response. The triglycerides postprandial increment is the principal factor associated with the apo A-V postprandial response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background & objectives: Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level is most commonly used as a marker for the assessment of various liver diseases. Currently upper limits of normal for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or ALT levels used are based on the western literature. This study was conducted to determine the ALT and AST levels in healthy blood donors from western India and to determine the relation with body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Methods: A total of 5077 voluntary blood donors were selected with strict routine inclusion and exclusion criteria. Weight, height, BMI and WHR were determined along with AST and ALT levels. BMI and WHR were correlated with liver enzymes. Results: Of the 5077 donors, 160 were excluded due to positive serological results. In the remaining 4917 individuals, 4643 (94.4%) were males and 274 (5.6%) were females. Majority 3024 (61.5%) showed BMI more than 23 kg/m². WHR > 0.85 and 0.80 was found in 4046 (87.0%) males and 250 (91.2%) females. Mean AST and ALT levels in males were 23.4 ± 9.9 IU/l and 27.0 ± 17.3 IU/l and in females 19.1 ± 9.8 IU/l and 17.7 ± 11.2 IU/l, respectively. With increase in BMI, there was a signiicant increase in AST and ALT levels. Similar increase was also seen with WHR. Interpretation & conclusions: Majority of voluntary blood donors showed high BMI and WHR which was directly related to AST and ALT levels. This study highlights the magnitude of obesity in general healthy population of western India and a need to revise the current normal limits of serum ALT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of stroke in a Bangladeshi population and to determine the association between stroke risk factors, including waist to hip (WHiR), waist to height ratio (WHeR), body mass index (BMI), hypertension and fasting blood glucose levels and stroke prevalence. Study design: This study was conducted in two phases. First phase, stroke prevalence was determined in three districts of Bangladesh (n = 79658) between 2001 and 2010. Second phase, stroke risk assessment parameters in our study were collected from patients (n = 13,358) admitted to the Department of Neurology of Dhaka Medical College. Methods: In first phase data was collected from door to door using questionnaire. In second phase, questionnaire and a flexible measuring tape was used to collect the data. Results: Stroke prevalence was low (0.75 per 1000), which may be due to lack of health care facilities and education, as well as lack of awareness in recognizing stroke signs and symptoms. Stroke prevalence was higher among males (0.88 per 1000 people) and those > 39 years old (2.98 per 1000 population; p < 0.001), but no significant differences were found between the different areas of Bangladesh (rural populations: 0.85 per 1000, urban population: 0.71 per 1000; p = 0.82). In second phase study, stroke patients had significantly higher BMI (stroke: 21.7 ± 4.2; non-stroke: 19.7 ± 3.6; p < 0.001), WHiR (stroke: 0.887 ± 0.088; non-stroke: 0.855 ± 0.067; p < 0.001) and WHeR (stroke: 0.493 ± 0.088; non-stroke: 0.451 ± 0.061; p < 0.001). The mean systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) were also higher among stroke patients (stroke: SBP/DBP 126.8 ± 22.2/81.6 ± 13.4 mmHg; non-stroke SBP/DBP 118.2 ± 18.4/76.7 ± 10.5 mmHg; p = 0.002). Mean fasting blood glucose levels were higher in stroke patients (5.2 ± 3.4 mmol/L) compared with non-stroke patients (4.5 ± 1.4 mmol/L) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: We conclude that in addition to WHiR and WHeR, hypertension, diabetes and age are strongly associated with stroke in Bangladeshi populations, irrespective of area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have reported obesity prevalence in people with intellectual disability is even higher than in the general population what may finally lead to impair their health status and increase healthcare costs. Fortunately several studies have reported regular exercise may improve body composition in obese people with and without intellectual disability. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study conducted exclusively in female participants with intellectual disability, in an attempt to keep our sample homogeneous. To date, many studies focused on the influence of regular exercise in people with intellectual disability have recruited mixed (males and females) groups in order to increase their sample size to strengthen research designs. Therefore, we assessed the influence of a 10-week aerobic training program on fat mass percentage and indices of obesity in women with Down syndrome. To get this goal, twenty obese young women with Down syndrome volunteered for this study. Eleven were randomly assigned to perform a 10- week aerobic training program, 3 sessions/week, consisting of warming-up followed by a main part in a treadmill (30-40 min) at a work intensity of 55-65% of peak heart rate and a cooling-down period. Control group included 9 age, sex and BMI matched women with Down syndrome. Fat mass percentage and fat distribution were measured. This protocol was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. When compared to baseline, fat mass percentage, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio were significantly reduced after training. Conversely, no changes were reported in controls. It was concluded a 10-week training program reduced fat mass in obese adult women with Down syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: At least 20 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight globally in year 2005. Childhood obesity prevalence has increased by three to four folds globally within past few decades. It is also becoming an important public health problem among Pakistani children due to changes in life style and other factors. This study is aimed to estimate the prevalence of obesity and the associated factors leading to obesity among school students urban city of Hyderabad. Objective: To determine the Prevalence of obesity and factors leading to obesity among high school students of public and private schools of Hyderabad city Pakistan. Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted from 01 January 2008 to 30 June 2009 in Hyderabad. A total of 504 male and female students of class six to ten were selected through simple random sampling. They were interviewed by trained data collectors through physical activity and diet questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements were done with calibrated instruments using the age and sex specific BMI cut off points according to WHO growth reference. Data analysis was done on SPSS 16. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 23% and 15%, respectively, among the boys, while 16% and 8% respectively in girls. When adjusted for other factors multivariate model showed that the girls were protected against obesity, OR=0.33 (0.16-68). Odds ratios for the age groups showed that older children were also protected against obesity. Middle socioeconomic status tertile was more than 3 times more likely to be obese. Conclusions: Childhood obesity is determined by the factors in the home, school and other physical environment and it is recommended that all the stakeholders should take relevant actions for the prevention of the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Obesity is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes by National and International Committees. For this reason, they advocate weight loss and prevention of obesity. However, several studies in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure, and hypertension have shown an inverse relationship between obesity and mortality, the so called “obesity paradox,” whereas other studies have not shown such a relationship. In studies showing the obesity paradox (OP), body mass index (BMI) was used, almost exclusively as an index of obesity, although is a poor discriminator of total body fatness. Recent studies using better indices of obesity such as waist circumference (WC) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) have shown that high WC and WHR were directly and positively associated with higher event rate and total mortality in these patients. Because the OP could convey the wrong message in obese patients, the validity and true nature of the OP will be examined in this concise review. A Medline search of the English literature was performed between 2000 and September 2012, and 46 pertinent articles were selected for this review. The majority of these studies do not support an OP and those that do have used almost exclusively BMI as an index of obesity. Therefore, based on recent studies using other indices of body fat distribution, such as WC and WHR, besides BMI, the true existence of OP has been questioned and needs to be confirmed by future studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]