The appetite-suppressant effect of nicotine is enhanced by caffeine

Lifestyle risk behavior and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk: An analysis using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND

Clustering lifestyle risk behaviors is important for predicting cardiovascular disease risk. However, it is unclear which behavior mediates other ones to influence cardiovascular disease risk. We aimed to assess the causal inference of each lifestyle risk behavior for the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk of the general population.

METHODS

We performed a Bayesian network mediation analysis using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 to 2019. The main exposure was a combination of lifestyle risk behaviors including unhealthy weight, heavy alcohol consumption, inadequate sleep, physical inactivity, excessive sodium intake, and current smoking among subjects 40 to 79 years of age. The high risk of ASCVD (≥7.5% for the 10-year risk) was assessed using logistic regression, Bayesian networks, and structural equational models to examine the causal relationships between these six lifestyle risk behaviors.

RESULTS

Among all participants, the most prevalent lifestyle risk behavior for those at high risk for ASCVD was excessive sodium intake (95.6%), followed by inadequate sleep (49.9%) and physical inactivity (43.8%). Older age (65-79 years) and male sex were directly associated with a high risk for ASCVD. Physical inactivity, current smoking, excessive sodium intake, and unhealthy weight indirectly mediated the effects of older age (8.2% of the older age) and male sex (39.9% of males) to high ASCVD risk. Physical inactivity, current smoking, excessive sodium intake, and unhealthy weight particularly mediated the high ASCVD risk sequentially. Heavy alcohol consumption and inadequate sleep were not directly associated with high ASCVD risk and did not indirectly mediate the effects of older age and males on the high ASCVD risk.

CONCLUSION

Lifestyle risk behaviors mediated the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in a different manner. Especially, physical inactivity preceded current smoking, excessive sodium intake, and unhealthy weight in relation to high ASCVD risk, and this causal relationship was different according to age and sex. Therefore, tailored strategies according to specific target populations may be needed to effectively reduce the high ASCVD risk.

Estimation of Health Risks Caused by Metals Contained in E-Cigarette Aerosol through Passive Vaping

It is expected that secondary exposure to e-cigarette aerosol (passive vaping) will soon become an issue of public health. Passive vaping inhales e-cigarette aerosol containing similar harmful substances as active vaping. However, parallel studies on passive vaping are minimal. Therefore, there is a need for passive vaping-related health risk studies to assess the impact of vaping on public health. This research conducted a series of experiments in a room using a puffing machine and the Mobile Aerosol Lung Deposition Apparatus (MALDA) to study e-cigarette aerosol respiratory deposition through passive vaping. The experimental data acquired were applied to estimate the deposited mass and health risks caused by toxic metals contained in e-cigarette aerosol. Five popular e-cigarette products were used in this study to generate e-cigarette aerosol for deposition experiments. In addition, size-segregated e-cigarette aerosol samples were collected, and metal compositions in the e-cigarette aerosol were analyzed. Results obtained showed that estimated non-cancer risks were all acceptable, with hazard quotient and hazard index all less than 1.0. The calculated cancer risks were also found acceptable, with lifetime excess cancer risk generally less than 1E-6. Therefore, the e-cigarettes tested and the passive vaping exposure scenarios studied do not seem to induce any potential for metal-related respiratory health effects.

Effectiveness of including weight management in smoking cessation treatments: A meta-analysis of behavioral interventions

INTRODUCTION

The potential of weight gain after smoking cessation reduces the incentive to quit. This meta-analysis examines the efficacy of behavioral interventions for smoking cessation that also address post-cessation weight gain.

METHODS

Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized controlled trials on behavioral treatments targeting both health outcomes. Six separate meta-analyses were undertaken to assess treatment efficacy on smoking abstinence and weight outcomes at end of treatment (EOT), short-term, and long-term follow-up. Individual and treatment moderators were examined as well as methodological quality and publication bias of studies.

RESULTS

A total of 28 studies were included in the meta-analysis. There was a statistically significant positive impact of treatments addressing both targets on smoking outcomes at EOT (RR = 1.279, 95% CI: 1.096, 1.492, p = .002), but not at follow-ups. Age impacted on EOT abstinence rates Q (1) = 4.960, p = .026) while increasing the number of sessions significantly improved EOT abstinence rates (p = .020). There was no statistically significant impact of these treatments on weight at EOT (Hedges' g = -0.015, 95% CI: -.164, 0.135, p = .849) or follow-ups (short term: Hedges' g = 0.055, 95% CI: -0.060, 0.170, p = .347; long term: Hedges' g = -0.320, 95% CI: -.965, 0.325, p = .331). There were minimal impacts of publication bias, mostly related to sample size, meaning studies including small sample sizes revealed larger effect sizes on abstinence at EOT.

DISCUSSION

Addressing post-cessation weight management in treatments for smoking cessation significantly enhances tobacco abstinence at EOT though it was not found to have a lasting impact after treatment.

The Effect of Bioactive Aliment Compounds and Micronutrients on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

In the current review, we focused on identifying aliment compounds and micronutrients, as well as addressed promising bioactive nutrients that may interfere with NAFLD advance and ultimately affect this disease progress. In this regard, we targeted: 1. Potential bioactive nutrients that may interfere with NAFLD, specifically dark chocolate, cocoa butter, and peanut butter which may be involved in decreasing cholesterol concentrations. 2. The role of sweeteners used in coffee and other frequent beverages; in this sense, stevia has proven to be adequate for improving carbohydrate metabolism, liver steatosis, and liver fibrosis. 3. Additional compounds were shown to exert a beneficial action on NAFLD, namely glutathione, soy lecithin, silymarin, Aquamin, and cannabinoids which were shown to lower the serum concentration of triglycerides. 4. The effects of micronutrients, especially vitamins, on NAFLD. Even if most studies demonstrate the beneficial role of vitamins in this pathology, there are exceptions. 5. We provide information regarding the modulation of the activity of some enzymes related to NAFLD and their effect on this disease. We conclude that NAFLD can be prevented or improved by different factors through their involvement in the signaling, genetic, and biochemical pathways that underlie NAFLD. Therefore, exposing this vast knowledge to the public is particularly important.

Assessing the income-related inequality in obesity among the elderly in China: A decomposition analysis

Background

Obesity among the elderly imposes a significant health and economic burden. The purpose of this study was to measure the obesity prevalence and income-related inequality among older adults in China and to explore the determinants of the inequity.

Methods

Data were obtained from 4,541 older adults (60 years and older) participating in the China Family Panel Study, 2018. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥28 kg/m². Normalized concentration index and concentration curve were calculated to measure the income-related inequality. Decomposition analysis was used to measure the contribution of each factor to the overall unfairness.

Results

The prevalence of obesity among the respondents was 7.99%. The 95% confidence interval for the overall prevalence was 7.20-8.78%. The normalized concentration index of obesity in the elderly was 0.075 (95% confidence interval: 0.047-0.103), indicating that obesity was more concentrated among the rich (p < 0.05). Socioeconomic factors contributed the most to the overall inequality (68.73%). Health behavior factors explained 16.38% of the observed income-related inequality in obesity among the elderly in China.

Conclusions

In 2018, obesity was more concentrated among the elderly with higher incomes in China. The pro-poor income-related inequality was mainly due to the higher socioeconomic status of higher-income older adults. Health behaviors and psychosocial factors could also exacerbate the inequality. To prevent the heavy burden of obesity on the health and finances of older adults, more attention should be paid to those who are financially better off, especially those who smoke and are physically inactive, while extroverted older adults also need to be focused on. For developing countries, concern needs to be given to the obesity of the wealthy elderly as a result of economic development.

Relationships of Tobacco Use and Kava Consumption to Sex-Associated Variation in Body Composition and Obesity Risk in Melanesian Adults From Vanuatu

Obesity prevalence has increased in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) over the past several decades, with generally greater occurrence among adult females compared with males. Gendered variation in health behaviors, such as substance use, may play a role in how differences in obesity, body size, and composition manifest in association with sex. This study examines sex-moderated relationships of tobacco smoking and kava consumption with body composition and obesity among 301 Ni-Vanuatu (local self-identification meaning “of Vanuatu”) adults. Data collected included self-reported frequency of substance use as well as anthropometric measurements to assess body mass, composition, and obesity. Tobacco and kava use were associated with reduced measurements of body mass and adiposity in males, and kava use was associated with some elevated measurements of body mass and hip circumference in females. Kava use was also negatively associated with obesity based on waist-to-height ratio among males. These results have implications for evaluation and future research on substance control programs in this population.

Tobacco product use for weight control as an eating disorder behavior: Recommendations for future clinical and public health research

Tobacco product use (TPU; e.g., smoking, e-cigarettes, other emerging products) is elevated in eating disorders (EDs), yet the phenomenology of tobacco use within EDs has not received much attention. Due to the appetite suppressant effects of tobacco products as well as the array of availability of tobacco products in hedonic flavors (e.g., gummy bear, fruit), TPU may be used for weight control, such as to suppress appetite, satisfy cravings, or for meal replacement. The purpose of this article was to outline theoretical research on TPU for weight control as a mechanism in EDs as well as key areas for future research. We discuss the conceptualization and nature of TPU for weight control and how it may be related to EDs and associated behaviors, TPU patterns and smoking for weight control in EDs, and the effectiveness of current interventions and development of novel intervention protocols for individuals with EDs who use tobacco. Overall, this article outlines novel research questions on TPU in EDs and as a weight control behavior and provides recommendations to clarify the conceptualization and role of TPU within EDs.

Adipose and non-adipose perspectives of plant derived natural compounds for mitigation of obesity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Phyto-preparations and phyto-compounds, by their natural origin, easy availability, cost-effectiveness, and fruitful traditional uses based on accumulated experiences, have been extensively explored to mitigate the global burden of obesity.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

The review aimed to analyse and critically summarize the prospect of future anti-obesity drug leads from the extant array of phytochemicals for mitigation of obesity, using adipose related targets (adipocyte formation, lipid metabolism, and thermogenesis) and non-adipose targets (hepatic lipid metabolism, appetite, satiety, and pancreatic lipase activity). Phytochemicals as inhibitors of adipocyte differentiation, modulators of lipid metabolism, and thermogenic activators of adipocytes are specifically discussed with their non-adipose anti-obesogenic targets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and SciFinder were accessed to collect data on traditional medicinal plants, compounds derived from plants, their reported anti-obesity mechanisms, and therapeutic targets. The taxonomically accepted name of each plant in this review has been vetted from "The Plant List" (www.theplantlist.org) or MPNS (http://mpns.kew.org).

RESULTS

Available knowledge of a large number of phytochemicals, across a range of adipose and non-adipose targets, has been critically analysed and delineated by graphical and tabular depictions, towards mitigation of obesity. Neuro-endocrinal modulation in non-adipose targets brought into sharp dual focus, both non-adipose and adipose targets as the future of anti-obesity research. Numerous phytochemicals (Berberine, Xanthohumol, Ursolic acid, Guggulsterone, Tannic acid, etc.) have been found to be effectively reducing weight through lowered adipocyte formation, increased lipolysis, decreased lipogenesis, and enhanced thermogenesis. They have been affirmed as potential anti-obesity drugs of future because of their effectiveness yet having no threat to adipose or systemic insulin sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

Due to high molecular diversity and a greater ratio of benefit to risk, plant derived compounds hold high therapeutic potential to tackle obesity and associated risks. This review has been able to generate fresh perspectives on the anti-diabetic/anti-hyperglycemic/anti-obesity effect of phytochemicals. It has also brought into the focus that many phytochemicals demonstrating in vitro anti-obesogenic effects are yet to undergo in vivo investigation which could lead to potential phyto-molecules for dedicated anti-obesity action.

Estimation of the dose of electronic cigarette chemicals deposited in human airways through passive vaping

BACKGROUND

Existing studies on the health effects of e-cigarettes focused on e-cigarette users themselves. To study the corresponding effects on passive vapers, it is crucial to quantify e-cigarette chemicals deposited in their airways.

OBJECTIVE

This study proposed an innovative approach to estimate the deposited dose of e-cigarette chemicals in the passive vapers' airways. The effect of the distance between active and passive vapers on the deposited dose was also examined.

METHODS

The chemical constituent analysis was conducted to detect Nicotine and flavoring agents in e-cigarette aerosol. The Mobile Aerosol Lung Deposition Apparatus (MALDA) was employed to conduct aerosol respiratory deposition experiments in real-life settings to generate real-time data.

RESULTS

For e-cigarette aerosol in the ultrafine particle regime, the deposited doses in the alveolar region were on average 3.2 times higher than those in the head-to-TB airways, and the deposited dose in the passive vaper's airways increased when being closer to the active vaper.

SIGNIFICANCE

With prolonged exposure and close proximity to active vapers, passive vapers may be at risk for potential health effects of harmful e-cigarette chemicals. The methodology developed in this study has laid the groundwork for future research on exposure assessment and health risk analysis for passive vaping.

Distinct influences of nicotine and sensorimotor stimuli on reducing cravings to smoke and vape among dual users

INTRODUCTION

When considering the clinical efficacy of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, non-pharmacologic influences, such as conditioned reinforcers (e.g. sensorimotor stimuli), must be considered in addition to nicotine. The present study parsed the influences of nicotine delivery and sensorimotor stimuli (i.e, similarity to smoking) on cravings and other immediate outcomes of e-cigarette use.

METHOD

Participants (N = 127 dual users) completed an experimental ad-lib vaping session in one of 4 conditions: Drug (open label nicotine vs non-nicotine e-cigarettes) crossed with delivery apparatus (normal e-cigarette vs altered sensorimotor apparatus). It was hypothesized that participants who were deprived of the usual vaping stimuli would report less craving reduction via vaping. Nicotine was hypothesized to enhance physiological outcomes.

RESULTS

Moderate effects emerged for nicotine, whereas smaller effects were observed for the sensorimotor manipulation upon both cravings to smoke and cravings to vape. Contrary to the hypothesis, participants who vaped using the altered sensorimotor apparatus reported greater craving reduction compared to those who used normal e-cigarettes. Nicotine delivery also had moderate effects on psychological reward. Main effects were not moderated by gender, withdrawal, or dependence.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings support the role of nicotine in reducing cravings via vaping. They also suggest that sensorimotor similarities to smoking may be less important among experienced vapers or dual users. Indeed, in this sample, the altered sensorimotor apparatus may have reduced craving via distraction or other mechanisms.

Excessive eating and weight gain:A rare post-acute COVID-19 syndrome

The coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) is a multisystem illness associated with several metabolic derangements. Studies report that post-acute COVID-19 syndromes (PACs) continue to evolve, however, polyphagia is not uncommon. Herein, we report a rare occurrence of polyphagia in a patient following acute COVID-19 illness. A-41-year-old Ugandan female with a negative past medical history presented with complains of excessive appetite, eating large amounts of food, inability to feel satisfied, failure to control desire to eat, and weight gain 6 months following recovery from a mild episode of acute COVID-19 pneumonia. Her body mass index rose to 30 Kg/m² from 22 Kg/m² prior to suffering from COVID-19. There was no history of polyuria, polydipsia, pruritus, or prior eating disorder or related history. Investigation found that brain computed tomography scan was normal, fasting blood sugar to be 5.6 mmol/L (normal range, 3.9-7.0 mmol/L), adrenocorticotropin hormone level to be 8.763 pg/mL (normal range, 6-40 pg/mL), erythrocyte sedimentation rate to be 12 mm/hour (0-30 mm/hour), but there was an elevation in glycosylated hemoglobin level (HbA_1c, 7.7%). She was commenced on psychotherapy and behavioral changes with good outcomes. Polyphagia may be one of the rare PACs, requiring further research.

Nicotine and energy balance: A review examining the effect of nicotine on hormonal appetite regulation and energy expenditure

Nicotine has been shown to decrease appetite, food intake (FI) and body weight, but the mechanisms are unclear. The purpose of this review was to examine research on the effects of nicotine on energy balance by exploring physiological mechanisms and hormone regulation related to FI, subjective appetite and energy expenditure (EE). We searched PubMed and MEDLINE, and included articles investigating the effects of nicotine on central appetite regulation, FI, leptin, peptide-YY (PYY), ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), adiponectin, cholecystokinin (CCK), orexin, and EE. A total of 65 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and review. Our findings suggest that the decrease in appetite and FI may be attributed to nicotinic alterations of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) but the effect of nicotine on FI remains unclear. Furthermore, nicotine increases resting EE (REE) and physical activity EE (PAEE) in both smokers and non-smokers; and these increases may be a result of the catecholaminergic effect of nicotine. Decreases in body weight and appetite experienced by nicotine users results from increased EE and changes in the central hypothalamic regulation of appetite. There is not enough evidence to implicate a relationship between peripheral hormones and changes in appetite or FI after nicotine use. Although nicotine increases REE and PAEE, the effect of nicotine on other components of EE warrants further research. We conclude that further research evaluating the effect of nicotine on appetite hormones, FI and EE in humans is warranted.

Independent and combined associations of solid-fuel use and smoking with obesity among rural Chinese adults

Although solid-fuel use or smoking is associated with obesity measured by body mass index (BMI), research on their interactive effects on general and central obesity is limited. Data of 20,140 individuals in the Henan Rural Cohort Study was examined the independent and combined associations of solid-fuel use and smoking with prevalent obesity, which was measured by BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body fat percentage (BFP), and visceral fat index (VFI). Multiple adjusted logistic regression models showed that the OR (95% CI) of prevalent obesity measured by BMI associated with exposure to solid fuels alone or with smoking was 0.78 (0.70, 0.86) or 0.46 (0.32, 0.66), compared with neither smoking nor solid-fuel exposure. Similar results had been found in other obese anthropometric indices and in the results of linear regression analysis. The results indicated that solid-fuel use and smoking have a synergistic effect on reduction in obesity indices. The effects of household air pollution from solid-fuel use and smoking on obesity should be considered when exploring the influencing factors of obesity.

Body mass index trajectories and prostate cancer risk: Results from the EPICAP study

Elevated body mass index (BMI) has been inconsistently associated with prostate cancer occurrence but it has been suggested that life course adulthood obesity may be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. However, few studies have investigated lifetime BMI and prostate cancer risk. We analyzed life course BMI trajectories on prostate cancer risk based on data from the Epidemiological study of Prostate Cancer (EPICAP). We included in our analyses 781 incident prostate cancer cases and 829 controls frequency matched by age. Participants were asked about their weight every decade from age 20 to two years before reference date. BMI trajectories were determined using group-based trajectory modeling to identify groups of men with similar patterns of BMI changes. We identified five BMI trajectories groups. Men with a normal BMI at age 20 developing overweight or obesity during adulthood were at increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer compared to men who maintained a normal BMI. Our results suggest that BMI trajectories resulting in overweight or obesity during adulthood are associated with an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer, particularly in never smokers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy BMI throughout adulthood.

Effects of lifestyle on physical health in Slovak university students

Overweight and obesity in childhood and young people represent a large global health problem. Therefore, the main aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of overweight/obesity by body mass index (BMI) and its associated lifestyle factors among university students in Slovakia. The BMI index was examined in relation to nine life factors for both sexes, respectively, in a sample of 200 (108 men and 92 women) young university students from Slovakia. The data were obtained using anthropometric measurements and by means of a questionnaire. The results for BMI values confirmed that both sexes were classified into the “about right” weight category. Analysis of the BMI values and questionnaire data showed different results for both sexes. While the type of daily activity and type of physical activity were associated with greater obesity for men, in women, tobacco intake was an important.

Impact of cigarette smoke and aerobic physical training on histological and molecular markers of prostate health in rats

Recent evidence suggests that aerobic physical training may attenuate the deleterious effects of cancer risk factors, including smoking. We investigated the effects of cigarette smoke inhalation and aerobic physical training on the expression of steroid receptors and inflammatory and apoptotic proteins in the prostate. Forty male Wistar rats were distributed in four groups: control (CO), exercise (EXE), cigarette smoke exposure (CS), and cigarette smoke exposure with exercise (CS+EXE). For eight weeks, animals were repeatedly exposed to cigarette smoke for 30 min or performed aerobic physical training either with or without the cigarette smoke inhalation protocol. Following these experiments, we analyzed prostate epithelial morphology and prostatic expression of androgen (AR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) via immunohistochemistry. Cigarette smoke exposure stimulated the expression of AR, IGF-1, BCL-2, and NF-κB while downregulating BAX, IL-6, and TNF-α labeling in the prostate. In contrast, aerobic physical training attenuated cigarette smoke-induced changes in AR, GR, IGF-1, BCL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB. This suggests that cigarette smoke stimulates inflammation and reduces apoptosis, culminating in increased prostatic epithelial and extracellular matrices, whereas physical training promoted beneficial effects towards maintaining normal prostate morphology and protein levels.

Diet and behavioral habits related to oral health in eating disorder patients: a matched case-control study

BACKGROUND

Patients suffering from eating disorders (ED) have a substantially increased risk for developing poor oral health. In this regard, dietary habits in combination with obsessive behavior as well as the expression and intensity of the disease are of utmost importance. This study aimed to investigate diet and behavioral habits in patients with ED compared to healthy controls.

METHODS

All patients who initiated treatment in an ED clinic during 1 year were invited to participate in the study. Sixty-five patients were admitted out of which 54 agreed to participate: 50 women and 4 men, mean age 21.5 years, range 10-50 years. From a public dental health clinic, 54 sex-and age-matched controls where selected. In all participants a comprehensive questionnaire was completed. ED patients were analyzed with respect to their self-perceived disease state: when they felt "relatively good" (ED-good) and "bad" (ED-bad) as well as if they reported vomiting or not.

RESULTS

The ED-good patients reported significantly higher intake of caffeine-containing and cola light soft drinks and both study groups reported a lower intake of regularly sweetened carbonated drinks compared to controls. ED-bad reported significantly lower intake of number of meal and sweet intake while both study groups brushed their teeth more frequently than controls. As regards awareness of detrimental dietary intake and the possible risk for oral health complications did not differ between patients and controls except that the ED groups were more aware that vomiting and brushing thereafter could damage their teeth. ED patients went less often to the dentist for regular checkups than controls. Vomiting ED patients differed in several of the parameters related to dietary and other behaviors compared to no vomiting subjects. According to regression analyses and compared to healthy controls, predictive variables for ED-good were: higher intake of caffeine containing drinks (OR 1.34, CI 1.10-1.64) and lower intake of regular soft drinks (OR 0.57, CI 0.35-0.94). For ED-bad, lower frequency intake of lunch meals (OR 0.59, CI 0.39-0.88) and sweet biscuits were predictive (OR 0.15, CI 0.05-0.48).

CONCLUSIONS

ED patients present a number of dietary and other types of behavior that are potentially harmful for oral health. It is important to retrieve reports on the ED behaviors in both relatively good and bad disease state in order for the medical team to prescribe adequate advice and treatment.

Adolescent smoking: The relationship between cigarette consumption and BMI

Background

Studies relating cigarette smoking and body weight yield conflicting results. Weight-lowering effects in women and men have been associated with smoking, however, no effects on weight have been proven. This study examined the association between cigarette smoking and relative weight in adolescent males and females as they age into young adults.

Methods

Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth—a nationally representative survey conducted annually—was used for this analysis. The sample consists of 4225 males and females observed annually from 1997 at age 12 to 17 through 2011 at age 27 to 31. Hierarchical generalized models (HGM) assess the impact of smoking on the likelihood of having higher BMI controlling for demographic, household and environmental impacts. The second estimation considers the possibility that smoking is endogenous and utilizes a multinomial instrument (IV) for smoking level.

Results

HGM models reveal a negative association between cigarette smoking and BMI for both males and females. Individuals who smoke more have lower BMI compared to infrequent or non-smokers. General health rating, region of residence and income were used instrument for smoking in a linear two-stage IV specification. The instrument is highly correlated with BMI and results mirror the HGM. Finally, models run on early, middle and advanced adolescents show that the relationship diminishes over time. The relationship between BMI and smoking decreases as females age but increases for males.

Conclusions

Empirical models confirm an association cigarette consumption and BMI in both males and females. This negative relationship varies with age. It is important to identify health risks—obesity—and modifiable risk factors—smoking—that contribute to health disparities among adolescents. However, the increase in one risky behavior leading to the decrease in the prevalence of the other, complicates the issue. The higher prevalence of frequent cigarette uses among both adolescents and young adults of lower BMI suggest that smoking could be used curb or suppress appetite.

•

The weight impact of tobacco use by adolescents, unlike adults, has not been conclusively determined.

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This study examines the relationship between cigarette use and the body weight (BMI) of high school aged youth.

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Since smoking can be considered endogeneous in weight studies, smoking is instrumented in a two-stage process.

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Cigarette use is associated with higher BMI, but magnitudes vary by age.

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Models run on early, middle and older adolescents show that the relationship diminishes over time.

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The relationship between BMI and smoking decreases as females age but increases for males.

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Overweight and obese adolescents were more frequent tobacco users.

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Results suggest that electronic and conventional tobacco has similar BMI associations when used independently.

Adolescent Weight and Electronic Vapor Product Use: Comparing BMI-Based With Perceived Weight Status

INTRODUCTION

This study examined the associations of BMI-based and perceived body weight status with electronic vapor product use, cigarette smoking, and dual use among U.S. adolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 2017 on data from 15,129 adolescents in the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2015. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations of BMI-based and perceived weight status with electronic vapor product use, cigarette smoking, and dual use, after adjusting for all other covariates. The regression models were stratified by gender.

RESULTS

Overall, 25.5% of males used electronic vapor products, 11.6% smoked cigarettes, and 8.1% used both; percentages among females were 22.6%, 9.8%, and 6.8%, respectively. Females who perceived themselves as overweight were more likely than those who perceived themselves as normal weight to be current electronic vapor product users (AOR=1.09, 95% CI=1.01, 1.19) and dual users (AOR=1.23, 95% CI=1.01, 1.49). When compared with normal BMI-based category, males with obese BMI status were more likely to be current cigarette smokers (AOR=1.61, 95% CI=1.06, 2.44), however, only females with overweight BMI status were more likely to be current smokers (AOR=1.89, 95% CI=1.25, 2.86).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that the influence of adolescents' body weight perceptions and BMI-based status should be accounted for when developing nicotine-containing product use prevention programs for adolescents. Specific strategies for influencing female adolescents who perceive themselves as overweight should be included to prevent emerging electronic vapor product and dual use.

E-cigarettes and Weight Loss-Product Design Innovation Insights From Industry Patents

Objective

There is emerging evidence that e-cigarettes are being used by some to mitigate weight gain after quitting smoking, and being used to help control weight. This study sought to identify and describe patents related to innovations for e-cigarette devices associated and weight loss.

Methods

Relevant patents were identified using Google Patents with the core search terms: "electronic cigarette" OR "e-cigarette" OR "vaporizer" OR "vapourizer" AND "nicotine" AND "weight loss" OR "weight control" OR "obesity" OR "hunger". Patents were reviewed to identify and classify the innovation related to weight loss or weight control.

Results

Our search identified 23 unique patents that were filed between 2004 and 2015. Patent applications were sponsored by individual inventors (n = 7), tobacco companies (n = 5), e-cigarette companies (n = 8), pharmaceutical companies (n = 2) and a cannabis company (n = 1). More than half the patents (n = 12) were filed in the United States; other countries included China, Germany, South Korea, and South Africa. Strategies included using e-cigarette devices to deliver constituents to users that support weight loss through altered metabolism, reduced nutrient absorption, suppressed appetite, or supported healthy behavior change. In most cases (n = 18), the innovations detailed in the patents were intended to be used with an e-cigarette device that delivered nicotine to the user.

Conclusions

Companies from around the world, and from a range of industries are developing and patenting technologies related to e-cigarettes and weight loss. E-cigarettes may be presented to cigarette users as a possible solution to support smoking cessation and address the fear of weight gain.

Implications

This article presents evidence that a range of industries are innovating to design e-cigarettes or constituents to be used with e-cigarettes to deliver a variety of drugs beyond nicotine including weight loss drugs, laxatives, and nutritional supplements. This study may inform surveillance studies to systematically include weight loss as a possible motivation to use e-cigarettes. Further, market surveillance of e-cigarette products needs to monitor ingredients in e-liquids including constituents that have been historically used for weight loss or weight control. Regulations around e-cigarette marketing, promotion, product design including e-liquid constituents need to consider weight loss claims.

Predictors of overweight/obesity in a Brazilian cohort after 13 years of follow-up

Background

Obesity is a chronic complex disease with an increasing prevalence around the world. Prospective studies in adult cohorts are needed to provide information about predictors of new-onset overweight/obesity on population-based levels. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the risk of an adult individual become overweight/obese after 13 years of follow-up.

Methods

Second phase of an observational population-based prospective cohort study in a small town in the Midwest region of Brazil. A representative sample of the adult population (≥18 years) was assessed in 2002 (phase 1). Anthropometric, sociodemographic, dietary intake and lifestyle data were collected. After 13 years of follow-up (2015), the same variables were re-evaluated (phase 2). New-onset overweight/obesity was the outcome variable.

Results

A total of 685 subjects were included with a mean age in phase 1 of 42.7 ± 13.8 years and 56.1 ± 13.8 years in phase 2, the mean follow-up time was 13.2 years and female sex counted for 66.3% of the sample. Total weight gain was 5.9 ± 10.2 Kg, body mass index increased 2.6 ± 3.8 Kg/m² and waist circumference (WC) values increased 8.0 ± 10.5 cm. The prevalence of overweight/obesity went from 49.1% in phase 1 to 69.8% in phase 2 (p < 0.001). The factors associated with a decreased risk of new-onset overweight/obesity were ages between 50 and 64 (RR 0.40; CI 0.24–0.67 – p = 0.001) and ≥65 years (RR 0.15; CI 0.06–0.35 - p < 0.001), being part of the second quartile of fat consumption (RR 0.59; CI 0.35–0.97 – p = 0.041), no alcohol consumption (RR 0.59; CI 0.37–0.93 – p = 0.024) and smoking (RR 0.58; CI 0.39–0.86 – p = 0,007) in phase 1.

Conclusions

We identified in thirteen years of follow-up that older ages, a moderate fat consumption compared to low consumption, no alcohol consumption and smoking habit were related to a decreased risk of new-onset overweight/obesity. Obesity prevention actions must focus on subjects at younger ages and include policies to reduce alcohol consumption.

The effect of caffeine on energy balance

The global prevalence of obesity has increased considerably in the last two decades. Obesity is caused by an imbalance between energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE), and thus negative energy balance is required to bring about weight loss, which can be achieved by either decreasing EI or increasing EE. Caffeine has been found to influence the energy balance by increasing EE and decreasing EI, therefore, it can potentially be useful as a body weight regulator. Caffeine improves weight maintenance through thermogenesis, fat oxidation, and EI. The sympathetic nervous system is involved in the regulation of energy balance and lipolysis (breakdown of lipids to glycerol and free fatty acids) and the sympathetic innervation of white adipose tissue may play an important role in the regulation of total body fat. This article reviews the current knowledge on the thermogenic properties of caffeine, and its effects on appetite and EI in relation to energy balance and body weight regulation.

Lifetime cigarette smoking is associated with abdominal obesity in a community-based sample of Japanese men: The Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis (SESSA)

Studies from Western countries suggest that smokers tend to display greater abdominal obesity than non-smokers, despite showing lower weight. Whether this holds true in a leaner population requires clarification. Using indices of abdominal obesity including visceral adipose tissue, we examined whether lifetime cigarette smoking is associated with unfavorable fat distribution among Japanese men. From 2006 to 2008, we conducted a cross-sectional investigation of a community-based sample of Japanese men at 40-64 years old, free of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Areas of abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were calculated using computed tomography. We divided participants into four groups: never-smokers; and tertiles of pack-years of smoking among ever-smokers. Using multivariable linear regression, we calculated adjusted means of obesity indices (VAT, SAT, VAT-SAT ratio [VSR], and waist-hip ratio [WHR]) for each group, and mean differences between consecutive groups. We analyzed 513 men (median age, 58.2 years; current smokers, 40.1%). Two-thirds showed body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m(2) (median, 23.5 kg/m(2)). Overall, greater lifetime smoking group was associated with greater WHR and VSR. On average, one higher smoking group was associated with 0.005 higher WHR (95% CI, 0.001-0.008; P = 0.005) and 0.041 greater VSR (95% CI, 0.009-0.073; P = 0.012) after adjustment for potential confounders, including BMI. In this sample of relatively lean Japanese men, greater lifetime smoking was associated with a metabolically more adverse fat distribution. Although smoking is commonly associated with lower BMI, minimizing the amount of lifetime smoking should be advocated.

Caffeine increases food intake while reducing anxiety-related behaviors

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different doses of caffeine on appetite and anxiety-related behavior. Additionally, we sought to determine if withdrawal from chronic caffeine administration promotes anxiety. In this study, we utilized rodent open field testing and feeding behavior assays to determine the effects of caffeine on feeding and anxiety-related behavior (n = 8 mice; 4-8 weeks old). We also measured 2 h and 24 h food intake and body-weight during daily administration of caffeine (n = 12 mice; 4-8 weeks old). To test for caffeine withdrawal induced anxiety, anxiety-related behavior in rodents was quantified following withdrawal from four consecutive days of caffeine administration (n = 12 mice; 4-8 weeks old). We find that acute caffeine administration increases food intake in a dose-dependent manner with lower doses of caffeine more significantly increasing food intake than higher doses. Acute caffeine administration also reduced anxiety-related behaviors in mice without significantly altering locomotor activity. However, we did not observe any differences in 24 h food intake or body weight following chronic caffeine administration and there were no observable differences in anxiety-related behaviors during caffeine withdrawal. In conclusion, we find that caffeine can both increase appetite and decrease anxiety-related behaviors in a dose dependent fashion. Given the complex relationship between appetite and anxiety, the present study provides additional insights into potential caffeine-based pharmacological mechanisms governing appetite and anxiety disorders, such as bulimia nervosa.

Gender differences influence overweight smokers' experimentation with electronic nicotine delivery systems

INTRODUCTION

Overweight and obese tobacco users possess increased risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and chronic tobacco-related disease. Efforts to prevent tobacco-related health risk in this comorbid population would be informed by better understanding and monitoring of trends in the concurrent use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) among smokers in the US marketplace.

METHOD

The California Longitudinal Smokers Study (CLSS) established a cohort of current cigarette smokers in 2011 who were surveyed for tobacco use and health behavior at baseline and again in 2012 at follow-up.

RESULTS

We observed a large increase in reported experimentation with ENDS. As hypothesized, overweight or obese smokers were more likely to report experimentation with ENDS, an increase that was also observed among women. Experimentation with ENDS was not associated with a reduction in use of cigarettes or a decrease in cigarette dependence in this high risk population of smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Continued surveillance of this vulnerable population is needed to better understand how experimentation with new ENDS products may impact health, facilitate switching to non-combustible tobacco or facilitate persistent cigarette dependence.

The relationship between disordered eating and cigarette smoking among adult female twins

OBJECTIVE

While previous studies have shown a link between cigarette smoking and disordered eating (DE), it is less clear whether this association can be explained by attempts to control weight and/or temperament. This study had two aims: to examine weight/shape and DE symptomatology associated with weight control-related smoking and disordered eating; second, to investigate whether temperament-based factors explain the association between compensatory smoking and weight and shape-related characteristics, and disordered eating symptoms.

METHOD

Female twins (N = 1,002) from the Australian Twin Registry, aged 28-39 years, were assessed by interview yielding lifetime diagnostic information of disordered eating and use of cigarette smoking for weight control. Self-report measures of temperament were available.

RESULTS

Women who had never smoked (50.6%, n = 495) or had smoked for reasons other than weight and shape control (42.5%, n = 415) were generally not differentiated with respect to indicators of disordered eating. Women who smoked for reasons primarily associated with weight and shape control (6.9%, n = 67) had significantly higher levels of disordered eating than non-smokers identified as being higher levels of purging (OR = 4.55, 95% CI = 2.41-8.59) and fasting (OR = 9.32, 94% CI = 4.43-19.90) but not objective binge episodes (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 0.71-3.99). Of those women diagnosed with lifetime eating disorders, weight-control smokers had higher levels of purging (OR = 4.22, 95% CI = 1.13-15.80) than those who did not. There were no differences in temperament.

DISCUSSION

Results support co-occurrence of smoking for weight control and purging in both community and clinical groups, and indicate this association is related to weight control and not temperament.

Weak and contradictory effects of self-medication with nectar nicotine by parasitized bumblebees

The presence of antimicrobial secondary metabolites in nectar suggests that pollinators, which are threatened globally by emergent disease, may benefit from the consumption of nectars rich in these metabolites. We tested whether nicotine, a nectar secondary metabolite common in Solenaceae and Tilia species, is used by parasitized bumblebees as a source of self-medication , using a series of toxicological, microbiological and behavioural experiments. Caged bees infected with Crithidia bombi [TI1] had a slight preference for sucrose solution laced with the alkaloid and behavioural tests showed that the parasite infection induced an increased consumption of nicotine during foraging activity. When ingested, nicotine delayed the progression of a gut infection in bumblebees by a few days, but dietary nicotine did not clear the infection, and after 10 days the parasite load approached that of control bees. Moreover, when pathogens were exposed to the alkaloid prior to host ingestion the protozoan's viability was not directly affected, suggesting that anti-parasite effects were relatively weak. Nicotine consumption in a single dose did not impose any cost even in food-stressed bees (starved) but the alkaloid had detrimental effects on healthy bees if consistently consumed for weeks. These toxic effects disappeared in infected bees suggesting that detoxification costs might have been counterbalanced by the advantages in slowing the progression of the infection. Nonetheless we did not find a benefit of nicotine consumption in terms of life expectancy of infected bees, making these findings difficult to interpret. Our results indicate that caution is warranted in interpreting impacts of plant metabolites on insect parasites and suggest that the conditions under which nicotine consumption provides benefits to either bees or plants remain to be identified. The contention that secondary metabolites in nectar may be under selection from pollinators, or used by plants to enhance their own reproductive success, remains to be confirmed.

Behavioural evidence for self-medication in bumblebees?

The presence of antimicrobial secondary metabolites in nectar suggests that pollinators, which are threatened globally by emergent disease, may benefit from the consumption of nectars rich in these metabolites. We tested whether nicotine, a nectar secondary metabolite common in Solanaceae and Tilia species, is used by parasitized bumblebees as a source of self-medication , using a series of toxicological, microbiological and behavioural experiments. Caged bees infected with Crithidia bombi had a slight preference for sucrose solution laced with the alkaloid and behavioural tests showed that the parasite infection induced an increased consumption of nicotine during foraging activity, though nicotine had an appetite-reducing effect overall. When ingested, nicotine delayed the progression of a gut infection in bumblebees by a few days, but dietary nicotine did not clear the infection, and after 10 days the parasite load approached that of control bees. Moreover, when pathogens were exposed to the alkaloid prior to host ingestion, the protozoan's viability was not directly affected, suggesting that anti-parasite effects were relatively weak. Nicotine consumption in a single dose did not impose any cost even in starved bees but the alkaloid had detrimental effects on healthy bees if consistently consumed for weeks. These toxic effects disappeared in infected bees, suggesting that detoxification costs might have been counterbalanced by the advantages in slowing the progression of the infection. Nicotine consumption did not affect bee lifespan but the reduction in the parasite load may have other likely unexplored subtle benefits both for individual bees and their colony.  Potential evidence for self-medication is discussed. The contention that secondary metabolites in nectar may be under selection from pollinators, or used by plants to enhance their own reproductive success, remains to be confirmed.

Behavioural evidence for self-medication in bumblebees?

The presence of antimicrobial secondary metabolites in nectar suggests that pollinators, which are threatened globally by emergent disease, may benefit from the consumption of nectars rich in these metabolites. We tested whether nicotine, a nectar secondary metabolite common in Solanaceae and Tilia species, is used by parasitized bumblebees as a source of self-medication , using a series of toxicological, microbiological and behavioural experiments. Caged bees infected with Crithidia bombi had a slight preference for sucrose solution laced with the alkaloid and behavioural tests showed that the parasite infection induced an increased consumption of nicotine during foraging activity, though nicotine had an appetite-reducing effect overall. When ingested, nicotine delayed the progression of a gut infection in bumblebees by a few days, but dietary nicotine did not clear the infection, and after 10 days the parasite load approached that of control bees. Moreover, when pathogens were exposed to the alkaloid prior to host ingestion, the protozoan's viability was not directly affected, suggesting that anti-parasite effects were relatively weak. Nicotine consumption in a single dose did not impose any cost even in starved bees but the alkaloid had detrimental effects on healthy bees if consistently consumed for weeks. These toxic effects disappeared in infected bees, suggesting that detoxification costs might have been counterbalanced by the advantages in slowing the progression of the infection. Nicotine consumption did not affect bee lifespan but the reduction in the parasite load may have other likely unexplored subtle benefits both for individual bees and their colony.  Potential evidence for self-medication is discussed. The contention that secondary metabolites in nectar may be under selection from pollinators, or used by plants to enhance their own reproductive success, remains to be confirmed.

Maternal cigarette, alcohol, and coffee consumption in relation to risk of clubfoot

BACKGROUND

Clubfoot is associated with maternal cigarette smoking in several studies, but it is not clear if this association is confined to women who smoke throughout the at-risk period. Maternal alcohol and coffee drinking have not been well studied in relation to clubfoot.

METHODS

The present study used data from a population-based case-control study of clubfoot conducted in Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina from 2007 to 2011. Mothers of 646 isolated clubfoot cases and 2037 controls were interviewed about pregnancy events and exposures, including the timing and frequency of cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, and coffee drinking.

RESULTS

More mothers of cases than controls reported smoking during early pregnancy (28.9% vs. 19.1%). Of women who smoked when they became pregnant, those who quit in the month after a first missed period had a 40% increase in clubfoot risk and those who continued to smoke during the next 3 months had more than a doubling in risk, after controlling for demographic factors, parity, obesity, and specific medication exposures. Adjusted odds ratios for women who drank >3 servings of alcohol or coffee per day throughout early pregnancy were 2.38 and 1.77, respectively, but the numbers of exposed women were small and odds ratios were unstable.

CONCLUSIONS

Clubfoot risk appears to be increased for offspring of women who smoke cigarettes, particularly those who continue smoking after pregnancy is recognisable, regardless of amount. For alcohol and coffee drinkers, suggested increased risks were only observed in higher levels of intake.

Inadequate fruit and vegetable intake in people with psychosis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with poor dietary intake (less than four servings of fruit and vegetables daily) in a large nationally representative sample of adults with psychotic disorders.

METHODS

The sample comprised 1286 adults aged 18-64 years who took part in the second Australian national survey of psychosis. Dietary information was obtained using a standardised questionnaire; all participants provided fasting blood samples. Variables that may be related to diet and nutritional intake were investigated; these included demographics, physical health outcomes, physical activity, substance use, symptom severity and financial difficulty. Dietary status was explored by sex, age and body mass index using univariate analyses, while a multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of low nutritional intake.

RESULTS

Approximately 74% of participants ate less than four servings of fruit and vegetables daily. This was associated with a lower body mass index (p<0.05), lower levels of physical activity (p<0.05), sedentary behaviour (p<0.05), substance use (p<0.001), more negative symptoms (p<0.05), eating less frequently (p<0.001), consuming whole fat milk compared to low fat milk (p<0.05), adding salt to food (p<0.05) and financial difficulty (p<0.05). Male sex and younger age (18-34 years) were also associated with lower fruit and vegetable intake (p<0.001). A multivariate regression analysis showed that current smoking (p<0.001) and alcohol (p<0.01) and cannabis abuse (p<0.05) were risk factors for lower fruit and vegetable intake.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that poor diet in people with psychosis, as reflected by less than four servings of fruit and vegetables daily, is accompanied by other unhealthy behaviours, which has important implications for the development of effective interventions. Importantly, current smoking is a significant predictor of dietary inadequacy.

Stable isotope composition of human fingernails from Slovakia

Stable isotope composition of human fingernails has proven to be useful for documenting human dietary information and geographical patterns in archeological, forensic, anthropological and biological studies. Therefore, it is of interest to detect all factors influencing the stable isotopic composition in the certain regions in the world. Carbon and nitrogen isotope data of human fingernail keratin from 52 individuals from Slovakia were reported in this study. The online combustion and continuous flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometer Delta V Advantage was used for δ(13)C and δ(15)N analysis of fingernail keratin samples from 24 vegetarian and 28 omnivorous individuals. A group of people with frequent meat consumption showed enrichment in (13)C and (15)N isotopes in fingernails. A similar trend was observed with increasing seafood in an individual's diet. Moreover a significant difference was revealed between smokers and nonsmokers for both δ(13)C and δ(15)N values. These data were compared to previously published δ(13)C and δ(15)N fingernail values from across the globe. This study brings new information on the stable isotope signature of individuals from Slovakia and characterizes the Central European region for the first time. The stable isotope composition of fingernails is influenced by the frequency of meat and seafood consumption as well as smoking.

Association between smoking and total energy expenditure in a multi-country study

BACKGROUND

The association between smoking and total energy expenditure (TEE) is still controversial. We examined this association in a multi-country study where TEE was measured in a subset of participants by the doubly labeled water (DLW) method, the gold standard for this measurement.

METHODS

This study includes 236 participants from five different African origin populations who underwent DLW measurements and had complete data on the main covariates of interest. Self-reported smoking status was categorized as either light (<7 cig/day) or high (≥7 cig/day). Lean body mass was assessed by deuterium dilution and physical activity (PA) by accelerometry.

RESULTS

The prevalence of smoking was 55% in men and 16% in women with a median of 6.5 cigarettes/day. There was a trend toward lower BMI in smokers than non-smokers (not statistically significant). TEE was strongly correlated with fat-free mass (men: 0.70; women: 0.79) and with body weight (0.59 in both sexes). Using linear regression and adjusting for body weight, study site, age, PA, alcohol intake and occupation, TEE was larger in high smokers than in never smokers among men (difference of 298 kcal/day, p = 0.045) but not among women (162 kcal/day, p = 0.170). The association became slightly weaker in men (254 kcal/day, p = 0.058) and disappeared in women (-76 kcal/day, p = 0.380) when adjusting for fat-free mass instead of body weight.

CONCLUSION

There was an association between smoking and TEE among men. However, the lack of an association among women, which may be partly related to the small number of smoking women, also suggests a role of unaccounted confounding factors.

Acute one-cigarette smoking decreases ghrelin hormone in saliva: a pilot study

Cigarette smoking is commonly associated with weight loss and mechanisms for these weight changes are still elusive. Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that works in a neuroendocrine fashion to stimulate hunger and the desire for food intake. Ghrelin is also secreted in saliva, probably to enhance food taste. In the current study, we tested the direct impact of acute cigarette smoking on total ghrelin found in saliva. Methods. Blood and saliva samples were collected from 30 healthy nonsmoker male volunteers before and after one-cigarette smoke. Total ghrelin in serum and saliva was measured by ELISA based method. Results. Data showed a statistically significant reduction in salivary ghrelin after smoking (P < 0.0001). In serum, total ghrelin levels were not affected before and after smoking (P = 0.1362). Additionally, positive correlation was observed between serum and salivary ghrelin before smoking (r = 0.4143 and P = 0.0158); however, this correlation was lost after smoking (r = 0.1147 and P = 0.5461). Conclusion. Acute one-cigarette smoking can negatively affect ghrelin levels in saliva that might contribute to the dull food taste in smokers.

Effect of different amounts of coffee on dietary intake and appetite of normal-weight and overweight/obese individuals

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of different coffee amounts on dietary intake and appetite feelings in normal-weight and overweight/obese individuals.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Thirty-three volunteers (16 normal-weight, 17 overweight/obese) participated in three trials: they consumed a standard breakfast along with 200 ml of either coffee with 3 or 6 mg caffeine/kg body weight (Coffee 3 and Coffee 6, respectively), or water. At fasting and at standard time points for the 3 h following breakfast/drink consumption participants recorded their appetite feelings on visual analogue scales. At 180 min, participants consumed an ad libitum meal and the next day they recalled their food intake during the experimental day.

RESULTS

A significant intervention effect was found for the energy intake of the ad libitum meal (P = 0.05) and of the whole day (P = 0.02) only in overweight/obese individuals. Specifically, Coffee 6 resulted in a reduced energy intake during the ad libitum meal compared to Coffee 3 (P = 0.03) and in the total day compared to both water (P = 0.04) and Coffee 3 (P = 0.008). No effect was observed for the appetite feelings.

CONCLUSIONS

A moderate coffee amount can effectively reduce energy intake in the following meal and in the total day compared to lower or no coffee intake in overweight/obese participants.

Beverages containing soluble fiber, caffeine, and green tea catechins suppress hunger and lead to less energy consumption at the next meal

Previous research has shown that beverages containing soluble fibers can decrease energy intake at the next meal among normal weight participants. Caffeine and green tea catechins have separately been associated with increased satiety. The present study examined the satiating power of a beverage containing soluble fiber as well as a beverage containing the same fiber, caffeine and green tea catechins. These two test beverages were evaluated in comparison to an equal calorie control beverage as well as a no-beverage control condition. All beverage preloads were presented three times for a total of 0.28-0.35MJ and 0-30g fiber. Dependent measures were appetite ratings and calorie intake at a test meal. The no-beverage condition was associated with the highest ratings for hunger and the lowest ratings for fullness when compared to the other three beverage conditions. Of the three beverage conditions, the beverage containing the fiber, green tea catechins, and caffeine created the lowest hunger and the highest fullness ratings. That condition was also associated with the lowest energy intake at the next meal. The present findings indicate that the beverage containing caffeine and green tea catechins in combination with soluble fiber decrease appetite and energy intake relative to a beverage with equal caloric content.

Effects of cigarette smoke exposure and its cessation on body weight, food intake and circulating leptin, and ghrelin levels in the rat

INTRODUCTION

Smoking is associated with loss of body weight (BW) and reduced appetite, while smoking abstinence with the opposite effect. The role of peripheral signaling by appetite-controlling hormones leptin and ghrelin is not clear. In the present study, the relationship of circulating leptin and ghrelin with BW and food intake rate (FIR) changes was studied during cigarette smoke exposure (CSE) and after its cessation in the rat.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were subjected to CSE for 8 weeks by confinement to plexiglass chambers (Group S). Control animals were confined to identical chambers without smoke (Group C). During CSE and an equivalent follow-up period, BW and FIR was recorded and serum leptin and ghrelin levels were measured.

RESULTS

A sharp decrease in BW was noted during the first 4 weeks of CSE, while FIR, after a substantial decrease noted at Week 1, returned to control levels. Thereafter, rats started to regain their BW until they reached control levels by the 1st week postCSE. BW regain was accompanied by a rebound increase of FIR, which plateaued during the first 4 weeks postCSE and then normalized. Serum leptin was decreased in Group S during both periods, normalizing at the 7th week postCSE. Ghrelin levels did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating leptin could not explain by its own BW and FIR changes during the first few week of CSE in rats, in contrast to the rest of the CSE period as well as after its cessation. Serum ghrelin levels did not justify BW and FIR changes.

Effects of caffeine on persistence and reinstatement of nicotine-seeking behavior in rats: interaction with nicotine-associated cues

RATIONALE

Caffeine and nicotine are the most commonly co-used psychostimulants. However, it is still unclear whether caffeine exposure enhances nicotine-seeking behavior.

OBJECTIVE

The present study examined the effects of caffeine on nicotine-seeking in rats trained to self-administer nicotine with and without presession administration of caffeine.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to intravenously self-administer nicotine (0.03 mg/kg/infusion, freebase) on a fixed ratio 5 schedule of reinforcement and associate a stimulus cue with each nicotine administration. Five minutes before the sessions, the rats received an intraperitoneal administration of caffeine (5 mg/kg). Extinction tests were conducted under four conditions: presession caffeine administration, response-contingent presentation of nicotine cues, neither condition, or both conditions. Reinstatement tests were conducted after responding was extinguished by withholding presession caffeine, nicotine, and its cues. A separate group of rats trained without presession caffeine exposure was also subjected to the reinstatement tests.

RESULTS

In the rats trained with presession caffeine exposure, continued caffeine administration sustained nicotine-seeking responses and interacted with nicotine cues to significantly delay the extinction of nicotine-seeking behavior. Readministration of caffeine after extinction effectively reinstated nicotine-seeking behavior. In caffeine-naive rats, caffeine administration did not reinstate extinguished nicotine-seeking behavior but significantly potentiated the cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine-seeking.

CONCLUSION

These data demonstrate that caffeine administration sustained and reinstated nicotine-seeking behavior, possibly via its acquired discriminative-stimulus properties predictive of nicotine availability. These findings suggest that smokers who attempt to quit may benefit from stopping caffeine consumption.

Energy intake and leukocyte telomere length in young adults

BACKGROUND

Dietary energy restriction in mammals, particularly at a young age, extends the life span. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is thought to be a bioindicator of aging in humans. High n-6 (omega-6) PUFA intake may accelerate LTL attrition.

OBJECTIVE

We determined whether lower energy and higher PUFA intakes in young adulthood are associated with shorter LTL in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.

DESIGN

In a longitudinal observational study (405 men, 204 women), diet was determined at baseline by a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire, and LTL was determined by Southern blots at mean ages of 30.1 y (baseline) and 43.2 y (follow-up). Spearman correlations and multivariable linear regression were used.

RESULTS

Baseline energy intake was inversely associated with follow-up LTL in men (standardized β = -0.171, P = 0.0005) but not in women (P = 0.039 for sex interaction). The difference in men between the highest and lowest quintiles of energy was 244 base pairs (bp) (95% CI: 59, 429 bp) and between extreme quintiles of LTL was 440 kcal (95% CI: 180, 700 kcal). Multivariable adjustment modestly attenuated the association (β = -0.157, P = 0.002). Inverse associations, which were noted for all macronutrients, were strongest for the unsaturated fatty acids. In multivariable models including energy and the macronutrients (as percentage of energy), the significant inverse energy-LTL association (but not the PUFA-LTL association) persisted. The energy-LTL association was restricted to never smokers (standardized β = -0.259, P = 0.0008; P = 0.050 for the smoking × calorie interaction).

CONCLUSIONS

The inverse calorie intake-LTL association is consistent with trial data showing beneficial effects of calorie restriction on aging biomarkers. Further exploration of energy intake and LTL dynamics in the young is needed.

Determinants of appetite ratings: the role of age, gender, BMI, physical activity, smoking habits, and diet/weight concern

Background

Appetite measures are often recorded by visual analogue scales (VAS), and are assumed to reflect central nervous system (CNS) perceptions and sensations. However, little is known about how physiological, psychological, social, and cultural factors influence VAS.

Objective

To investigate whether age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, physical activity, diet behaviour, and menstruation cycle are determinants of appetite ratings.

Design

We investigated appetite ratings in different groups of a population during a single meal test, including 178 healthy women (98) and men (80), aged 20–60 years with a BMI of 18.5–35.0 kg/m². Subjects consumed an evening meal composed to meet individual requirements of energy content and recommendations regarding macronutrient composition. Before and every half hour until 3 hours after the meal, subjects filled out VAS for satiety, fullness, hunger, and prospective food intake. They also filled in a questionnaire on eating/slimming behaviour.

Results

Multiple linear regression analyses showed that gender and age were the most powerful predictors of postprandial satiety (p<0.001, adj. R²=0.19) and hunger (p<0.001, adj. R²=0.15). Repeated measures general linear model (GLM) analyses revealed that women felt more satisfied than men (p<0.001) and older subjects felt more satisfied than younger (p<0.01). Furthermore, light/no exercisers felt more satisfied and less hungry than hard/moderate exercisers (p<0.05), but these differences disappeared after adjusting for age and gender. Smokers rated their prospective consumption lower than non-smokers (p<005) and women in the ovulation phase felt less hungry than women in the menstruation phase (p<005). Neither BMI nor diet/weight concern were significantly associated with appetite ratings.

Conclusions

Appetite ratings differed according to age, gender, and physical activity and to a lesser degree for smoking habits and menstruation cycle. Appetite ratings were not influenced by BMI and diet/weight concern. These factors should be considered when planning studies and analysing data concerning appetite sensations.

The Influence of Linguistic Acculturation and Gender on the Initiation of Substance Use Among Mexican Heritage Preadolescents in the Borderlands

This article examined the impact of linguistic acculturation and gender on the substance use initiation of a sample of 1,473 Mexican heritage preadolescents attending 30 public schools in Phoenix, Arizona. It was hypothesized that linguistic acculturation operates differently as a risk or protective factor for young children than for older youth. The study used discrete-time event history methods to model the rate at which nonusing children initiate substance use. Alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and inhalants were studied separately while inhalant use was examined more closely. Results suggested that while linguistic acculturation is a risk factor for Mexican heritage preadolescents, this association depended on gender, the linguistic acculturation context (family, friends, or media), and the type of substance. For inhalants, higher linguistic acculturation with friends was inversely associated with drug initiation both for boys and girls. Implications for preventive science and future intervention research are discussed.