Association between adiposity indicators, metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers in a sample of female adolescents

Reduction in blood pressure and metabolic profile in overweight hypertensive boys participating in a 12-week aerobic exercise program

Strategies for controlling hypertension include reducing excess fat and increasing muscle mass. However, the effects of exercise interventions on hypertension in adolescents have been little investigated. The purpose was to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and the cardiometabolic profile of overweight hypertensive and non-hypertensive boys. The sample included 107 boys diagnosed as overweight, aged between 12 and 17, divided into two non-hypertension groups, one control (GCN, n = 14) and one with exercise (GEN, n = 55), as well as two groups of hypertensives, one control (GCH, n = 12) and one with exercise (GEH, n = 26). The boys were assessed at the study baseline and after 12 weeks in terms of anthropometric parameters, biological maturation, SBP, DBP and mean blood pressure (MBP), lipid, and metabolic profile. The aerobic training programs lasted 12 weeks and were carried out in three weekly sessions at different intensities. The high-intensity interval training session lasted around 35 min at an intensity of 80-100% of the reserve heart rate, and the moderate-intensity of continuous training session lasted 60 min at an intensity of 35-75% of the reserve heart rate. Caloric expenditure was equivalent between the exercises (p = 0.388). CGN and CGH participated only in school physical activities. Repeated measures analysis of variance and clinical effect analysis using Cohen's effect size were used, with a significance level established at p < 0.05. After 12 weeks, all groups increased their height (p < 0.05), but only the exercise groups showed a reduction in anthropometric variables (p < 0.05), with a possibly beneficial effect in GEN (d =  - 0.203; p = 0.003). No differences were found in the variables for the GCN. The GCH and GEH groups reduced SBP (p < 0.05), but only GEH showed a reduction in DBP (p = 0.005) and MBP (p = 0.001). In relation to the lipid profile, GEH maintained HDL-c close to baseline values, while GCH showed a reduction in HDL-c (p = 0.021). Regarding the clinical effect of exercise on hypertension, GEH showed a large and very beneficial effect size on DBP (d =  - 0.916; p = 0.006) and MBP (d =  - 0.926; p = 0.005).Conclusion: Hypertensive boys who practiced physical exercise showed greater effects in reducing blood pressure, indicating the importance of non-drug therapeutic management in overweight adolescents.Trial registration:Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials RBR-4v6h7b / RBR-6343y7.

Moderating role of 1-minute abdominal test in the relationship between cardiometabolic risk factors and adiponectin concentration in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory cytokine secreted by adipose tissue, has been associated with adiposity and cardiometabolic risk, and has controversial results with muscular fitness. The aim of this study was to analyze the interaction of 1-minute abdominal test in the relationship between adiposity, body composition, cardiometabolic risk and adiponectin concentration in adolescents.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 62 adolescents of both sexes, aged 11 to 16 years, approved by the Ethics Committee of Research in Humans (CAEE: 62963916.0.0000.5223). Body mass, height, abdominal circumference (AC), waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), high density lipoprotein (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein (LDL-c), triglycerides (TG), adiponectin, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean blood pressure (MBP), 1-minute abdominal test (ABD) were measured. Body mass index (BMI), z-score BMI (BMI-z), triponderal mass index (TMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. The macro PROCESS for SPSS v.24.0 was used for moderation analyses, with linear regression models.

RESULTS

Inverse interactions were found for adiposity (BMI, BMI-z, TMI, AC, WC, WHtR), body composition (FM, FFM) and CMRF (SBP, DBP, MBP, TG) versus 1-minute abdominal test with adiponectin concentration, demonstrating that abdominal test is a moderator in these relationships.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that 1-minute abdominal test may play an important role in the relationship between obesity and cardiometabolic risk. We found that muscular fitness can confer a protective effect on adolescents with high levels of abdominal test.

Effects of green tea catechins and exercise training on body composition parameters

The impact of phytochemicals, as green tea catechins, on body composition measures has become a relevant topic as ongoing epidemiological evidence suggests their potential role in weight loss. Although catechins have been shown to modulate fat and energy metabolism, clinical effects of green tea consumption still remain controversial. Given the role played by physical exercise in weight management, it is important to determine whether the association of catechins and exercise is able to improve outcomes over and above the beneficial effects of exercise alone. Considering that scientific findings on this topic are not entirely consistent, aim of the present review was to assess the current scientific literature regarding the interplay between green tea catechins and exercise in overweight and obese populations. In particular, it was evaluated whether the addition of green tea supplementation to exercise training was able to further improve the exercise-induced changes in body composition parameters.

The Relationship between Fat Mass Percentage and Glucose Metabolism in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

To assess the relationship between fat mass percentage (FMP) and glucose metabolism in children aged 0−18 years we performed a systematic review of the literature on Medline/PubMed, SinoMed, Embase and Cochrane Library using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines up to 12 October 2021 for observational studies that assessed the relationship of FMP and glucose metabolism. Twenty studies with 18,576 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that FMP was significantly associated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (r = 0.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04−0.13, p < 0.001), fasting plasma insulin (INS) (r = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.37−0.57, p < 0.001), and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)- insulin resistance (IR) (r = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.33−0.53, p < 0.001). The subgroup analysis according to country or overweight and obesity indicated that these associations remained significant between FMP and INS or HOMA-IR. Our results demonstrated that there is a positive relationship between FMP and FPG. Moreover, subgroup analysis according to country or overweight and obesity indicated that FMP is significantly associated with INS and HOMA-IR. This is the first known systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the associations of FMP with glucose metabolism in children and adolescents.

Responsiveness on metabolic syndrome criteria and hepatic parameters after 12 weeks and 24 weeks of multidisciplinary intervention in overweight adolescents

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect and individual responsiveness after 12 (12wk) and 24 weeks (24wk) of physical exercise (PE) and nutritional guidance (NG) on metabolic syndrome (MetS) criteria and hepatic parameters in overweight adolescents.

METHODS

The study comprised 94 overweight adolescents, aged between 10 and 16 years old, from both sexes, allocated into groups: PE and NG (PENGG, n = 64) and control with NG (NGCG, n = 30). Variables were collected at baseline, 12wk, and 24wk. Weight, height, abdominal circumference (AC), blood pressure, and peak oxygen consumption (VO_2peak), as well as insulin, triglycerides (TAG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were evaluated. HOMA-IR and QUICKI were calculated. PE session consisted of 45 min of indoor cycling, 45 min of walking, and 20 min of stretching, three times a week. The NG consisted of three collective sessions in the first 12wk. Anova, effect size, and prevalence of responders were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The PENGG12wk reduced anthropometric and metabolic measurements, while increased VO_2peak and HDL-c. The PEG24wk promoted anthropometric, blood pressure, metabolic, and VO_2peak improvements, but participants without PE returned to pre-exercise status and presented worsening AST and ALT concentrations. Frequencies of respondents in PENGG12wk versus (vs) NGCG12wk were, respectively, AC (69.1% vs 17.6%, p < 0.01), HDL-c (87.2% vs 23.5%, p < 0.01), TAG (67.3% vs 41.7%, p = 0.05) and ALT (45.5% vs 5,9%; p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Interventions with PE were effective to reduce MetS components in 12wk and maintenance in 24wk, showing anthropometric, metabolic, and VO_2peak improvements. Higher individual responses were observed in 12wk and in 24wk, important changes in overweight adolescent's therapy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials randomization.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE OF REGISTRATION

Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-4v6h7b) and date of registration April 4th, 2020.

Effects and Responsiveness of a Multicomponent Intervention on Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Leptin in Overweight/Obese Adolescents

Physical exercise reduces the biochemical markers of obesity, but the effects of multicomponent interventions on these markers should be explored. The present study aimed to elucidate how overweight/obese adolescents respond to a multicomponent program approach on body composition, physical fitness, and inflammatory markers, using a quasi-experimental study with 33 overweight/obesity adolescents (control group (CG) = 16; intervention group (IG) = 17). The intervention consisted of 24 weeks with physical exercises and nutritional and psychological guidance. Both groups were evaluated at the pre/post-intervention moments on body mass index (BMI); body fat (%Fat); waist circumference (WC); waist/hip ratio (WHR); waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF); abdominal strength, flexibility; leptin; interleukin 6; interleukin 10; and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Mixed-analysis of variance and generalized estimation equations were used for statistical analysis. There was an interaction effect between groups and time on %Fat (p = 0.002), WC (p = 0.023), WHR (p < 0.001), WHtR (p = 0.035), CRF (p = 0.050), and leptin (p = 0.026). Adolescents were classified as 82.4% responders for %Fat, 70.6% for WC, 88.2% for WHR, and 70.6% for CRF. Further, there was an association between changes in %Fat (p = 0.033), WC (p = 0.032), and WHR (p = 0.033) between responders and non-responders with CRF in the IG. There was a positive effect on body composition, physical fitness, and leptin. In addition, reductions in body composition parameters were explained by CRF improvements.

Diet, adiposity, and the gut microbiota from infancy to adolescence: A systematic review

Early life gut microbiota are affected by several factors that make identification of microbial-adiposity relationships challenging. This review evaluates studies that have investigated the gut microbiota composition associated with adiposity in infants, children, and adolescents and provides evidence-based nutrition recommendations that address microbiota-adiposity links. Electronic databases were systematically searched through January 2020. Eligible studies were published in English and analyzed gut microbiota and adiposity among individuals aged birth to 18 years. Abstracts and full-text articles were reviewed by three independent reviewers. Of 45 full-text articles reviewed, 33 were included. No difference in abundance was found for Bacteroidetes (n = 7/15 articles), Firmicutes (n = 10/17), Actinobacteria (n = 8/12), Proteobacteria (n = 8/12), Tenericutes (n = 4/5), and Verrucomicrobia (n = 4/6) with adiposity. Lower abundance of Christensenellaceae (n = 3/5) and Rikenellaceae (n = 6/8) but higher abundance of F. prausnitzii (n = 3/5) and Prevotella (n = 5/7) were associated with adiposity. A lack of consensus exists for gut microbial composition associations with adiposity. A healthy gut microbiota is associated with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables with moderate consumption of animal fat and protein. Future research should use more robust sequencing technologies to identify all bacterial taxa associated with adiposity and evaluate how diet effects these adiposity-associated microbes.

Obesity and cardiovascular risk among Sri Lankan adolescents: Association of adipokines with anthropometric indices of obesity and lipid profile

OBJECTIVES

Obesity and being overweight among adolescents pose a significant problem and are known to cause several physical and biochemical disorders during adulthood. This study was designed to identify the biomarkers of obesity and describe associations with selected metabolic disorders of obesity among Sri Lankan adolescents.

METHODS

The present study compared the characteristics of obese (n = 121) and normal weight (n = 263) adolescents, including sociodemographic, anthropometric, and selected biochemical parameters (e.g., lipid profile, serum leptin, adiponectin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique and fully automated clinical chemistry analyzer were used to analyze the biochemical parameters among adolescents ages 10 to 16.

RESULTS

The mean age of the sample was 13.1 y [standard deviation (SD): 1.9 y], and the male-to-female ratio 1:1. The mean weight of obese children was 55.70 kg (SD: 14.82 kg), which was significantly higher than that of children of normal weight [41.63 kg (SD: 7.88 kg)]. Total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher (P = 0.000) among obese adolescents compared with those of normal weight. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower among obese adolescents. Serum leptin and hs-CRP were higher among obese adolescents, but adiponectin was lower. In the multivariate analysis, owing to confounding effects among the tested adipokines, serum leptin was the only predictor of an abnormal lipid profile.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum leptin, adiponectin, and hs-CRP were found to be reliable biomarkers of predicting adiposity related metabolic disorders in adolescents. Obese adolescents showed disorders in the lipid metabolism with abnormal lipid profiles compared with children of normal weight.

Tri-ponderal mass index as a tool for insulin resistance prediction in overweight adolescents: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to assess the capacity of tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) to screen and predict insulin resistance (IR) in overweight Brazilian adolescents, comparing it with body mass index (BMI) predictive capacity; and to verify the IR predictive capacity of other assessment tools such as waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHR).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out with 217 overweight adolescents, from both sexes, between 12 and 18 y of age. The participants were classified as having IR according to a previous established cutoff point of ≤3.16. IR was determined by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. The other assessment tools were measured with standard protocols.

RESULTS

There was no difference between TMI and BMI to explain the presence of IR. In girls, BMI presented a slightly better predictive capacity to explain IR than TMI. Moreover, WC was reported to be the most effective IR screening methods for girls. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that TMI and BMI presented similar values of sensibility and specificity for boys. Nevertheless, BMI had a better sensibility and TMI had a better specificity for girls. Interestingly, WC demonstrated a strong sensibility for both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

TMI did not present a superior predictive accuracy for IR screening in overweight Brazilian adolescents when compared with BMI. TMI and BMI presented similar values of sensitivity and specificity for boys and WC a slightly superior IR predictive capacity for girls.

ADRB2 GLN27GLU POLYMORPHISM ASSOCIATED WITH ADIPOSITY INDICATORS AND IL-10 IN ADOLESCENTS

ABSTRACT Introduction: Studies of association between obesity and genetic factors have demonstrated a significant contribution of polymorphisms related to body fat distribution and subclinical inflammatory process. Objective: To investigate the association between genotypes of the Gln27Glu polymorphism of the ADRB2 gene and indicators of adiposity, inflammatory markers, metabolic parameters and parameters of physical fitness in overweight adolescents. Methods: A total of 44 male and female adolescents, aged between 13 and 17 years, with positive clinical diagnosis of overweight, were divided into two groups according to the Gln27Glu polymorphism genotypes of the ADRB2 gene: a) Group of carriers of the 27Glu allele (Gln27Glu/Glu27Glu) (n = 22); b) Group of non-carriers of the 27Glu allele (Gln27Gln) (n = 22). Both groups were evaluated for body composition, sexual maturation, cardiorespiratory fitness variables and indicators of muscle strength. Basal glycemia and insulin, lipid profile and inflammatory profile were measured. Abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adiposities were evaluated by ultrasonography. Genotyping of the Gln27Glu polymorphism of the ADRB2 gene was performed by the Taqman allelic discrimination assay. Results: The genotype frequency found was: Gln/Gln (n = 22) (50.0%), Gln/Glu (n = 18) (41.0%) and Glu/Glu (n = 4) %). The frequency of the 27Glu allele was 29.5%. The group of adolescent carriers of the 27Glu allele of the ADRB2 gene presented higher mean adiposity indicators (abdominal circumference, trunk fat mass and visceral fat), as well as lower IL-10 concentrations when compared to non-carriers. Conclusions: The 27Glu allele was associated with adiposity indicators in overweight adolescents, while subcutaneous abdominal fat exhibited an inverse relationship with inflammatory variables and maximum oxygen uptake, which may result in more damage to health. Level of evidence III; Case-control study.

Body composition and menstrual status in adults with a history of anorexia nervosa-at what fat percentage is the menstrual cycle restored?

OBJECTIVE

To study the association between body composition measures and menstrual status in a large sample of adult patients with a history of anorexia nervosa and to calculate the predicted probability of resumption of menstrual function. Furthermore, to establish whether fat percentage is superior to body mass index in predicting the resumption of menses.

METHOD

One hundred and thirteen adult women with a history of anorexia nervosa underwent a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan and completed questionnaires regarding medication prescription and menstrual function.

RESULTS

Fifty percent of patients were expected to resume their menstrual function at a body mass index of 19 kg m^-2 or a fat percentage of 23%. Twenty-five percent of patients were expected to resume their menstrual function at body mass index 14 kg m^-2 or fat percentage 11%. Fat percentage and body mass index were equally capable of predicting the resumption of menses.

DISCUSSION

Fat percentage and body mass index were positive predictors of the resumption of menses, however, body composition measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was not superior to body mass index in predicting menstrual recovery, which is of great clinical relevance as body mass index is easier and cheaper to obtain. Body composition measures only account for one of numerous factors involved in the resumption of menses. Regression models based on our data had a R² value of 0.14, indicating that only 14% of the variation in menstrual recovery could be explained by the variables included. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.(Int J Eat Disord 2017; 50:370-377).