Exercise Intervention Improves the Metabolic Profile and Body Composition of Southwestern American Indian Adolescents

Metabolic Syndrome Among American Indian and Alaska Native Populations: Implications for Cardiovascular Health

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The latest national data reports a 55% prevalence of metabolic syndrome in American Indian adults compared to 34.7% of the general US adult population. Metabolic syndrome is a strong predictor for diabetes, which is the leading cause of heart disease in American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Metabolic syndrome and associated risk factors disproportionately impact this population. We describe the presentation, etiology, and roles of structural racism and social determinants of health on metabolic syndrome.

RECENT FINDINGS

Much of what is known about metabolic syndrome in American Indian and Alaska Native populations comes from the Strong Heart Study as there is scant literature. American Indian and Alaska Native adults have an increased propensity towards metabolic syndrome as they are 1.1 times more likely to have high blood pressure, approximately three times more likely to have diabetes, and have higher rates of obesity compared with their non-Hispanic White counterparts. Culturally informed lifestyle and behavior interventions are promising approaches to address structural racism and social determinants of health that highly influence factors contributing to these rates. Among American Indian and Alaska Native populations, there is scarce updated literature evaluating the underlying causes of major risk factors for metabolic syndrome, and progression to cardiometabolic disease. As a result, the actual state of metabolic syndrome in this population is not well understood. Systemic and structural changes must occur to address the root causes of these disparities.

Gut microbiota of elite female football players is not altered during an official international tournament

The current study aimed to investigate if the gut microbiota composition of elite female football players changes during an official international tournament. The study was conducted throughout ten consecutive days, encompassing seven training sessions, and three official matches. The matches were separated by 48-72 h. Seventeen elite female football players from the Portuguese women's national football team participated in the study. Fecal samples were collected at two time points: at the beginning and end of the tournament. Fecal microbiota was analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Throughout the study, the duration and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded after training sessions and matches. The internal load was determined by the session RPE. The gut microbiota of players was predominantly composed of bacteria from the phyla Firmicutes (50% of relative abundance) and Bacteroidetes (20%); the genera Faecalibacterium (29%) and Collinsella (16%); the species Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (30%) and Collinsella aerofaciens (17%). Overall, no significant changes were observed between time points (p ≥ 0.05). Also, no relationship was found between any exercise parameter and the gut microbiota composition (p ≥ 0.05). These findings demonstrate that the physical and physiological demands of training and matches of an official international tournament did not change the gut microbiota composition of elite female football players. Furthermore, it supports that the gut microbiota of athletes appears resilient to the physical and physiological demands of training and match play.

Stability and Transformation of Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents: A Prospective Assessment in Relation to the Change of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

Underlying pathophysiological mechanisms drive excessive clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors, causing metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS status may transform as adolescents transition to young adulthood. This study investigated the latent clustering structure and its stability for MetS during adolescence, and assessed the anthropometric and clinical metabolic determinants for MetS transformation. A community-based representative adolescent cohort (n = 1516) was evaluated for MetS using four diagnostic criteria, and was followed for 2.2 years to identify new-onset MetS. The clustering structure underlying cardiometabolic parameters was stable across adolescence; both comprised a fat—blood pressure (BP)—glucose three-factor structure (total variance explained: 68.8% and 69.7% at baseline and follow-up, respectively). Among adolescents with MetS-negative at baseline, 3.2–4.4% had incident MetS after 2.2 years. Among adolescents with MetS-positive at baseline, 52.0–61.9% experienced MetS remission, and 38.1–48.0% experienced MetS persistence. Increased systolic BP (SBP) was associated with a high MetS incidence risk, while decreased levels of SBP and glucose were associated with MetS remission. Compared with adolescents with a normal metabolic status at baseline, those with an initial abdominal obesity and increased triglycerides level had a 15.0- and 5.7-fold greater risk for persistent abnormality, respectively. Abdominal obesity and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol are two abnormal MetS components that highly persist during adolescence, and are the intervention targets for reducing the future risk of cardiometabolic disorders.

Sexual Dimorphism of Heart Rate Variability in Adolescence: A Case-Control Study on Depression, Anxiety, Stress Levels, Body Composition, and Heart Rate Variability in Adolescents with Impaired Fasting Glucose

Prediabetes in the form of impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or both is considered as a preliminary stage for the onset of diabetes and diabetic complications. Hormonal fluctuations in adolescence are accompanied by body composition modifications, which are associated with insulin resistance and subclinical inflammation. Bioimpedance (BIA) accurately evaluates body composition, and heart rate variability (HRV) assesses cardiac autonomic function, which are frequently afflicted by insulin resistance. We aimed at evaluating the effect of glycemic status on mental stress, anxiety, and depression status in adolescents with impaired fasting glucose, body composition, and HRV parameters. This is a case-control study to evaluate the effect of the hyperglycemia on depression, anxiety, and stress levels (DASS21 questionnaire), body composition (BIA-ACC—BIOTEKNA©), and HRV (PPG Stress Flow—BIOTEKNA©), between euglycemic adolescents (euglycemic group) and adolescents with impaired fasting glucose (prediabetic group), aged 12–20 years. No differences were found between the prediabetic (n = 13) and the euglycemic (n = 16) groups in the outcome measures, possibly due to the number of participants. Interestingly, females, irrespective of their glycemic status, exhibited altered sympathovagal function as revealed by impaired HRV. In the euglycemic group, HRV parameters were significantly correlated and in line with the DASS21 scores, but in the prediabetic group, similarities to those of adults were observed. Impaired fasting glucose had no impact on mental health, body composition, or HRV parameters in adolescents. HRV parameters were impaired in females, irrespective of their glycemic status. This finding implies that females seem to be more prone to stress disorders, even from a young age. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Effect of moderate-intensity exercise bouts lasting <10 minutes on body composition in sedentary Kenyan adults aged ≥50 years

BACKGROUND

Sedentary lifestyles and related morbidities are rising among adults despite existing exercise recommendations. Appealing exercise regimes yielding similar/better body composition should be sought.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the effect of moderate-intensity exercise bouts of <10 min on body composition in previously sedentary adults.

METHODS

This unblinded study enrolled 53 healthy sedentary volunteers aged ≥50 years, randomised into one of two gender-balanced exercise interventions: (1) male and (2) female short-duration bouts (MS, n=14; FS, n = 13), and (3) male and (4) female long-duration bouts (ML, n=13; FL, n=13). Short-duration bouts entailed 5-10 min of jogging thrice daily; long-duration bouts, 30-60 min 3-5 days weekly. Body composition was determined at recruitment and 8-weekly thereafter, for 24 weeks.

RESULTS

At baseline, 14.3% of MS, 38.5% of ML, 92.3% of FS and 69.2% of FL were obese, dropping to 7.1%, 15.4%, 61.5% and 30.8%, respectively. For waist:height ratio, 64.3 % of MS, 76.9% of ML, 100% of FS and 84.6.3% of FL had ratios >0.5, dropping to 42.9%, 30.8%, 92.9% and 26.2%, respectively. While baseline MS and ML waist:hip ratio (WHR) ≥0.9 were 64.3% and 69.2%, respectively, they correspondingly dropped to 23.1% and 21.4%. The FS and FL with WHR ≥0.85 dropped from 46.2% to 15.4% and from 30.8% to 7.7%, respectively. Body composition variables improved for both sexes (all p <0.05) and mean change between exercise regimes was comparable for both sexes.

CONCLUSION

In equal cumulative times, moderate-intensity exercise bouts lasting <10 min are comparable with current 30-60 min bouts in body composition modification for adults of ≥50 years.

The impact of probiotics' administration on glycemic control, body composition, gut microbiome, mitochondria, and other hormonal signals in adolescents with prediabetes - A randomized, controlled trial study protocol

Background

Recent studies have demonstrated that a significant proportion of adolescents exhibit abdominal obesity in early–middle adolescence, and impaired glucose metabolism. Dysregulation of glucose metabolism is aggravated by the existing osteosarcopenia not only in obese but also in overweight youth. Biochemical inflammation, derived from glucose metabolism dysregulation, in combination with increased stress levels lead to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, also known as ROS, which seem to afflict the integrity of the gastrointestinal wall, gut mucosa, and commensal, intestinal gut microflora. The current scientific protocol aims to assess the administration of probiotics in prediabetic adolescents in relation with their glycemic control, body composition, and intestinal microbiome.

Methods/Design

This is a study protocol of a two-armed RCT, that recruits adolescents with prediabetes, who will receive either a 4-month, life-style intervention, or a life-style intervention along with a probiotic supplement. The primary outcome is the differences in gut microbiome synthesis, body composition analysis parameters, and concentrations of hormones, before and after the intervention.

Discussion

This study aims to halt the progression of obesity and diabetes and aspires to contribute new evidence for upgraded treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12615000470594).

Diabetes and Associated Cardiovascular Complications in American Indians/Alaskan Natives: A Review of Risks and Prevention Strategies

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of death in the U.S. American Indian/Alaskan Natives (AI/ANs), who comprise only 2% of the total population. The AI/AN population has a high prevalence of DM in adults aged 20 years or older and is developing DM at a younger age than the general U.S.

POPULATION

DM is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality from CVD is higher in AI/ANs than the general population, as is the prevalence of stroke and 1-year poststroke mortality for both genders when compared to non-Hispanic whites. A genome-wide scan found a number of chromosome linkages in the AI/AN population that suggest that genetic factors may contribute to their high risk of DM and CVD. Importantly, studies also suggest that in addition to race/ethnicity, cultural norms and historic conditions play important roles in the prevalence of DM and CVD in this population. Therefore, multiple factors should be taken into consideration when establishing prevention programs to decrease the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and CVD incidence among adults and children in the AI/AN population. Prevention programs should focus on behavioral risk factors and lifestyle changes like encouraging smoking cessation, healthy diet, and increased physical activity while taking into consideration cultural, economic, and geographic factors.

Predictors of Physical Fitness among Southwestern Native American Adolescents at Risk for Diabetes

The prevalence of obesity is increasing among children nationally. Native American children from Zuni Pueblo appear to be at increased risk for obesity, which also increases the risk for the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. While exercise and physical fitness can prevent or forestall these developments, predictors of physical fitness in this population are unknown. Forty-seven Native American adolescents completed four aspects of the Presidential Fitness Challenge (push-ups, sit-ups, step-ups, and timed walking) during screening for another study, and fitness was empirically summarized with a Presidential Fitness Index. Correlative analyses were subsequently performed to elucidate predictors of fitness. Age was the only independent predictor of the Presidential Fitness Index. Other variables that were not found to be independent predictors included BMI percentile, waist circumference, fat free mass, total body fat, and HDL cholesterol. Among adolescent Southwest Native Americans, older children performed better on the Presidential Fitness Challenge. Additionally, BMI was not found to be an independent predictor of fitness.