The effect of obesity on postural stability during a standardized lifting task

The Medical Burden of Obesity and Overweight in the US Military: Association of BMI with Clinically Diagnosed Medical Conditions in United States Military Service Members

BACKGROUND

A high BMI is associated with various medical conditions, notably type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders. In the US military, BMI increased linearly between 1975 and 2015.

OBJECTIVE

This cross-sectional study investigated the associations between BMI and a comprehensive range of clinically diagnosed medical conditions (CDMCs) in US military service members (SMs).

METHODS

A stratified random sample of SMs (n=26,177) completed an online questionnaire reporting their height, weight, and demographic/lifestyle characteristics. Medical conditions for 6 mo before questionnaire completion were obtained from a comprehensive military electronic medical surveillance system and grouped into 39 CDMCs covering both broad (largely systemic) and specific medical conditions. BMI was calculated as weight/height2 (kg/m2). The prevalence of CDMCs was compared among normal weight (<25.0 kg/m2), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥30 kg/m2) SMs.

RESULTS

After multivariable adjustment for demographic/lifestyle characteristics, higher BMI was associated with higher odds of a diagnosed medical condition in 30 of 39 CDMCs, with all 30 displaying dose-response relationships. The 5 major CDMCs with the largest odds ratios comparing obese to normal weight were endocrine/nutritional/metabolic diseases (OR=2.67, 95%CI=2.24-3.15), nervous system diseases (odds ratio [OR]=2.59, 95%CI=2.32-2.90), circulatory system diseases (OR=2.56, 95%CI=2.15-3.06), musculoskeletal system diseases (OR=1.92, 95%CI=1.76-2.09), and mental/behavioral disorders (OR=1.69, 95%CI=1.51-1.90). Compared with normal weight SMs, overweight or obese SMs had a higher number of CDMCs (1.8±1.9 vs. 2.0±2.0 and 2.5±2.3, mean ± standard deviation, respectively, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In a young, physically active population, higher BMI was associated with a host of medical conditions, even after adjustment for demographic/lifestyle characteristics. The US Department of Defense should improve nutrition education and modify other factors that contribute to overweight and obesity. This study demonstrates that the medical burden of obesity is substantial in overweight and obese SMs.

Overweight Impairs Postural Control of Female Night Workers

Objectives  To verify the relationships between sleep duration (Total Sleep Time - TST) and postural control of female night workers before and after shift. As well as, to verify if there is an influence of the body mass index (BMI) on the postural control of these female workers before and after shift. Methods  A total of 14 female night workers (mean age: 35.0 ± 7.7 years) were evaluated. An actigraph was placed on the wrist to evaluate the sleep-wake cycle. The body mass and height were measured, and BMI was calculated. Postural control was evaluated by means of a force platform, with eyes opened and eyes closed before and after the 12-hour workday. Results  There was an effect of the BMI on the velocity and the center of pressure path with eyes opened before ( t  = 2.55, p  = 0.02) and after ( t  = 4.10, p  < 0.01) night work. The BMI impaired the velocity and the center of pressure path with eyes closed before ( t  = 3.05, p  = 0.01; t  = 3.04, p  = 0.01) and after ( t  = 2.95, p  = 0.01; t  = 2.94, p  = 0.01) night work. Furthermore, high BMI is associated with female workers' postural sway ( p  < 0.05). Conclusion  Therefore, high BMI impairs the postural control of female night workers, indicating postural instability before and after night work.

The effects of core stabilization exercise program in obese people awaiting bariatric surgery: A randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was the effects of the core stabilization exercise program (CSEP) and physical activity counseling on functional capacity, physical fitness, physical activity, fatigue and quality of life (QoL) in obese people awaiting bariatric surgery.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients were divided into two groups: an exercise group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 11). Both groups received physical activity counseling, but the exercise group also performed an 8-week CSEP. Functional capacity, physical fitness, physical activity, fatigue and QoL were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks.

RESULTS

After eight weeks, results showed significant improvements in all parameters except for body composition for the exercise group, comparing to the control group (effect size = 0.40-0.87, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing an 8-week adding CSEP to physical activity counseling provided significant improvements in functional capacity, physical fitness, physical activity, fatigue and QoL compared to physical activity counseling in obese people awaiting bariatric surgery.