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Repetitive weight loss and weight regain: effects on weight reduction, resting metabolic rate, and lipolytic activity before and after exercise and/or diet treatment.

Body composition, maximal aerobic power (VO2 max), resting metabolic rate (RMR), and lipolytic activity of abdominal adipocytes were measured in 20 women (body mass index [BMI] = 33.5) during 14 wk of exercise training (4 h/wk at 60% of VO2 max) and dietary restriction (840 kcal/d). Frequent dieters (yo-yo) and women without a dietary history (non-yo-yo) were matched into the following groups: diet-exercise yo-yo (DE-Y), diet-exercise non-yo-yo (DE-NY), and diet-non-yo-yo group (D-NY). After 14 wk significant differences in weight loss and fat loss were revealed between D and DE groups but not between yo-yo and non-yo-yo dieters. RMR decreased in all groups but there was a significantly smaller decline after 14 wk for the diet-exercise groups. No effects of frequent dieting or exercise on basal and stimulated lipolytic activity were observed.

Adult↗

Relationships of maternal weight gain, prepregnancy weight, and infant birthweight. Interaction of weight factors in pregnancy.

A study of the effects of restricted vs. unrestricted maternal caloric intakes upon infant birthweights was conducted in a large, middle-class, private obstetrical practice in Madison. Wis. Comparison of data relating to 602 pregnancies showed that increases in maternal weight gain accompanied significant and desirable increases in infant birthweight. Findings in this study support the statement of the Food and Nutrition Board that caloric restriction during pregnancy may be undesirable and probably is detrimental to the newborn.

Adult↗

Short-term weight changes in community-dwelling older adults: the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Weight Change Substudy.

BACKGROUND: The frequency and short-term natural history of weight loss in community-dwelling older adults have not been described. Unintentional weight loss may be more likely to continue than intentional weight loss. OBJECTIVES: The present substudy described the frequency of a > or = 5% loss or gain in body weight in community-dwelling older adults at an annual examination of the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study and 6 mo later. The weight-management practices used by the participants were also described. DESIGN: A total of 522 older adults with either a > or = 5% weight gain (n = 116) or a > or = 5% weight loss (n = 171) in the previous year were compared with a random sample of weight-stable older adults (< 5% weight loss or gain, n = 235) at the fourth annual visit of the ongoing Health ABC Study. The participants' weight-loss intention and weight-management practices were assessed by an interview. The participants' weight was reassessed 6 mo later. RESULTS: Compared with the weight-stable participants, the participants who had lost or gained weight at the substudy baseline were more likely to have subsequent weight changes. The direction of the subsequent weight change, however, was more likely toward either maintenance of or recovery from the previous weight change. Only 4% of the participants who gained weight and 11% of those who lost weight continued to gain or lose weight, respectively. Continued weight loss was more common in the participants with unintentional weight loss than in those with intentional weight loss, but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Weight changes were common, but most participants, including those who unintentionally lost weight, maintained their weight change or resolved their weight change in 6 mo. Unintentional weight loss appears less likely to resolve than other weight changes.

Aged↗

Interrelationships between weight development and weight retention in subsequent pregnancies: the SPAWN study.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is frequently associated with post-delivery weight retention in women. Most studies suggest weight retention associated with pregnancy of between 0.5 to 3.8 kg with up to 2.5 years of follow-up. However, 73% of the female patients at our obesity clinic report that their pregnancies have been important trigger factors for marked weight gain and that they had gained more than 10 kg after each pregnancy. The aim of this study was to examine correlations in weight gain and weight retention after pregnancy in the long-term perspective. METHOD AND SUBJECTS: The SPAWN (Stockholm Pregnancy and Women's Nutrition) study is a long-term follow-up study of women who delivered children in 1984-85 in Stockholm (n = 2342). The participants filled out questionnaires about their eating and exercise habits, social condition, etc. before, during and up to 1 year after pregnancy. Antropometric data were also sampled. One thousand four hundred and twenty-three women completed the study and filled out all questionnaires up to 1 year after pregnancy. Fifteen years later, these 1423 women were invited to the follow-up study. Five hundred and sixty-three women participated and filled out extended questionnaires, and antropometric data were also sampled. Data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register (MBR) about weight before and weight gain during pregnancy were collected. The sample was divided into groups regarding four critical time periods: (1) Time interval between first and second pregnancy, less and more than 2 years. (2) Overweight and normal weights before first pregnancy based on initial body mass index (BMI). (3) Low and high weight gainers during pregnancy by mean split. (4) Low and high weight retainers at 1 year after first pregnancy by mean split. RESULTS: 1) There were no differences between those women who have more than 2 years between their pregnancies regarding weight gain during and weight retention after the first and second pregnancy. (2) Overweight women did not gain more weight during pregnancy or retain more weight at 1 year of follow-up after the first and second pregnancy. (3) High weight gainers retained more weight at 1 year after both the first and second pregnancy. (4) High weight retainers had gained more during pregnancy and retained it into the second pregnancy, and also gained more during and retained more after the second pregnancy. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, the SPAWN study is the longest follow-up study of factors affecting weight development after pregnancy. Women overweight before pregnancy did not have any higher risks of postpartum weight retention than normal weight women. Weight gain during pregnancy and weight retention up to 1 year after delivery is of predictive value for the weight development in the second pregnancy. Obviously the environmental variation is an important determinant of the differences in weight increase, which follow a pregnancy. Pregnancies time interval does not seem to be of any importance. There are practical implications of these findings: Women who plan their later pregnancy several years after the first pregnancy have no reason to assume that the weight development during subsequent pregnancies will be worse than before. On the other hand, women who have increased considerably in weight during the first pregnancy or retained weight after delivery have a higher risk of doing so in the subsequent pregnancies and should receive appropriate advise and support.

Adult↗

Patterns of postnatal weight changes in infants with very low and extremely low birth weights.

OBJECTIVE: To describe (1) short-term postnatal weight loss and gain patterns in infants with very low and extremely low birth weights and (2) the variables that may affect these weight change patterns. DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective review. SETTING: University hospital in the intermountain western United States. SUBJECTS: Sixty-two charts of infants admitted to a university neonatal intensive care unit from July 1990 through November 1992 were reviewed. Infants who weighed 1000 grams or less were categorized as extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and infants weighing 1001 to 1500 grams were categorized as very low birth weight (VLBW). Each group was comprised of 31 infants. Fifty percent of the sample were male, and 50% were female. Eighty-five percent of the sample were Anglo-American, and 15% were non-Anglo-American. MEASURES: Data were collected on a three-part data collection tool and included demographic and treatment variables. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in the maximum percent weight lost between the two groups, with the ELBW group losing a mean of 14.77% of birth weight and the VLBW group losing a mean of 11.35% of birth weight (t = 2.45, p < 0.05). The day the infants reached their nadir weight was significantly different between the two groups. The ELBW group reached their nadir on day of life 7, and the VLBW group reached their nadir on day of life 6 (t = 2.00, p < 0.05). No significant difference was noted in the time to return to birth weight between the two groups, with a mean of 15 days to return to birth weight. Factors associated with postnatal weight changes were intraventricular hemorrhage, use of diuretics and steroids, day of life when nadir weight occurred, and maximum percent of weight lost. Many of the independent variables were significantly interrelated to each other (r = -0.90 to r = 0.91, p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). However, only the variables that correlated with time to return to birth weight were entered into the regression analysis. These variables included number of days diuretics were given before return to birth weight, maximum percent of weight lost, and day of life the infants reached their nadir weight. Number of days diuretics were given before return to birth weight correlated significantly with time to return to birth weight (r = 0.77, F = 26.66, p < 0.0001) although maximum percent of weight lost and day of life the infants reached their nadir weight had a minimal effect. CONCLUSIONS: Further research into the effects of diuretic therapy on weight changes in this population of infants may lead to interventions to minimize the negative effects of diuretics on return to birth weight. In addition, the older growth charts may not be applicable to this population of infants. Generation of new growth charts that provide growth curves based on these data could be useful in developing nutritional therapies that would promote growth and possibly decrease the length of hospital stay for these infants.

Birth Weight↗

Weight dissatisfaction and weight loss attempts among Canadian adults. Canadian Heart Health Surveys Research Group.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pattern of weight dissatisfaction and weight loss attempts among Canadian adults and the reasons for and methods of weight loss among those trying to lose weight. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional surveys. SETTING: Ten Canadian provinces between 1986 and 1992. PARTICIPANTS: A probability sample of 29,855 men and women aged 18 to 74 years was selected using provincial health insurance registration files; this paper describes the subsample of 19,841 (66%) participants from whom anthropometric data were collected. OUTCOME MEASURES: Discrepancy between actual and desired body mass index (BMI); attempts to lose weight; reasons for losing weight; methods of weight loss used. RESULTS: Whether their weight was in the acceptable range (BMI 20-24 kg/m2) or at a level of increasing risk (BMI > or = 27 kg/m2), women were more likely than men to wish they weighed less and to be trying to lose weight; almost two-thirds of women but less than half the men with BMI > or = 27 kg/m2 were trying to lose weight. Even among those with BMI 20-24 kg/m2, 32% of women (v. 10% of men) were trying to reduce their weight. Weight dissatisfaction and current and past weight loss attempts were all negatively associated with age among women, but were unrelated to age among men. People with higher ratios of waist to hip circumference (WHR), controlling for BMI, were no more likely to be trying to lose weight than those with lower WHR; in fact, for women with BMI 27-29 kg/m2, WHR was negatively associated with prevalence of weight loss attempts. The presence of diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was also unrelated to weight loss attempts; regular smokers and sedentary people were less likely to report trying to lose weight, controlling for BMI. Among those currently trying to lose weight, the most commonly mentioned reason was to improve general health, followed by increasing attractiveness. Overall, the most frequently mentioned method of weight loss was dieting, followed by exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial numbers of men whose BMI places them at increased health risk appear to be content with their weight and are not attempting to reduce it. Conversely, women, especially the young and middle-aged, are likely to consider themselves above their desired weight and to be trying to lose weight, even when their weight is within acceptable limits. This reinforces the need to consider differences between men and women in efforts to promote and support healthy weights among Canadians.

Adult↗

Genetic evaluation of the ratio of calf weaning weight to cow weight.

The phenotypic ratio of a calf's weaning weight to its dam's weight is thought to be an indicator of efficiency of the cow. Thus, the objectives of this research were to 1) estimate genetic parameters for the ratio of 200-d calf weight to mature-equivalent cow weight at weaning, its components, and other growth traits; and 2) evaluate responses to selection based on the ratio. Phenotypes evaluated were the ratio (100 kg/ kg; n = 4,184), birth weight (kg; n = 5,083), 200-d weight (kg; n = 4,902), 365-d weight (kg; n = 4,626), and mature-equivalent cow weight at weaning (kg; n = 4,375). In 1989, a randomly selected and mated control line and a line selected for greater values of the ratio were established. Average generation intervals were 3.39 +/- 0.05 and 3.90 +/- 0.08 yr in the ratio selected line and control line, respectively. The ratio selection line (n = 895) accumulated approximately 4.7 SD more selection differential than the control line (n = 912) over 2.5 generations. Data were analyzed with a multiple-trait Gibbs sampler for animal models to make Bayesian inferences. Heritability estimates (posterior mean +/- SD) for direct effects were 0.20 +/- 0.03, 0.46 +/- 0.04, 0.48 +/- 0.03, 0.58 +/- 0.04, and 0.76 +/- 0.02 for ratio, birth weight, 200-d weight, 365-d weight, and cow weight, respectively. Estimates for heritability of maternal effects were 0.58 +/- 0.05, 0.10 +/- 0.02, 0.13 +/- 0.02, and 0.10 +/- 0.02 for ratio, birth weight, 200-d weight, 365-d weight, respectively. Significant response to selection was limited to maternal effects: 1.32 +/- 0.38 ratio units per generation. As the ratio was a trait of the calf, estimated maternal genetic effects on the ratio contained both genetic effects due to dams that environmentally affected progeny performance and direct effects on the reciprocal of cow weight. In the control line, genetic trends in direct and maternal 200-d weight were -1.28 +/- 0.91 and 0.62 +/- 0.92 kg/generation, respectively, and the genetic trend in direct effects on cow weight was -5.72 +/- 2.80 kg/ generation. In the selection line, genetic trends in direct and maternal 200-d weight were 1.43 +/- 0.79 and 2.90 +/- 0.80 kg/generation and the genetic trend in cow weight was -2.79 +/- 2.43 kg/generation. Significant correlated responses were observed in direct effects on birth weight and maternal effects on 365-d weight. Results contraindicate use of the ratio of calf weaning weight to cow weight as a selection criterion.

Animal Husbandry↗

[Height, weight and body mass index of preterm very low birth weight infants at the preschool age].

UNLABELLED: THE AIM of this study was to reveal trends in height, weight, and body mass index of preterm very low birth weight children from birth up to 5 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study is based on cross-sectional growth study carried out in the Clinic of Neonatology of Kaunas University of Medicine. Total sample consisted of 735 children from birth up to 5 years of age: 379 preterm children with very low birth weight; and 356 term children with normal (appropriate for gestation age) birth weight. Height, weight, body mass index were measured. In order to verify if normal birth weight group corresponds to Lithuanian standards, the data of normal birth weight group children were compared with Lithuanian standard measures. Then data of very low birth weight group and normal birth weight group were compared. RESULTS: We found that height and weight of very low birth weight girls and boys were significantly lower than height and weight of term normal birth weight infant from birth up to 5 years of age (p<0.01). The body mass index of very low birth weight girls was significantly lower than that of term normal birth weight girls at birth (p<0.01) and at age of 4 years (p<0.05). The body mass index of very low birth weight boys was significantly lower than that of term normal birth weight boys at birth and from age of 2 up to the age of 5 years (p<0.01). These data show that very low birth weight boys differently from girls were more slender than term normal birth weight infant of the same age. CONCLUSIONS: It has been shown that preterm very low birth weight infants have different patterns of growth than term normal birth weight infants. The very low birth weight infants have not caught up on their retardation at the age of 5 years.

Age Factors↗

Weight-loss intention in the well-functioning, community-dwelling elderly: associations with diet quality, physical activity, and weight change.

BACKGROUND: Many older adults desire to lose weight, yet the proportion with a health-related weight-loss indication, weight-loss strategies, and success is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We examined the associations of reported intention to lose weight with health-related indications for weight loss, diet quality, physical activity, and weight-loss success in well-functioning older adults. DESIGN: This prospective, community-based cohort included 2708 elderly persons aged 70-79 y at baseline. We determined indication for weight loss by using the modified National Institutes of Health guidelines, diet quality by using the Healthy Eating Index, and weight-loss intention and physical activity by using questionnaires. Measured weight change over 1 y was assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven percent of participants reported an intention to lose weight, and 67% of those participants had an indication for weight loss. Participants who reported a weight-loss intention were heavier than those who did not, had more depressive symptoms, and were more likely to be dissatisfied with their weight, regardless of weight-loss indication. Participants with an intention to lose weight reported better eating behaviors and a more active lifestyle than did participants without a weight-loss intention, independent of other health conditions. No significant difference in actual weight loss was found between participants intending and not intending to lose weight, regardless of indication for weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being associated with healthier behaviors, the intention to lose weight did not predict greater weight loss in this well-functioning elderly cohort. More attention needs to be focused on the necessity and efficacy of specific strategies for weight loss in older adults.

Aged↗

Psychobehavioral response and weight loss prediction in a hospital-based weight reduction program.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Depression and binge eating are common adverse psychologic responses associated with weight loss in overweight and obese adults. This study aimed to assess the effects of different degrees of weight loss on psychologic functioning and the relationship between mood change and weight reduction, and to identify predictors of short-term weight loss among subjects in a hospital-based weight reduction program. METHODS: A total of 189 obese subjects who participated in a hospital-based weight-reduction program during a 12-week interval were enrolled in this study. They ranged in age from 18 to 67 years (mean, 40.5 +/- 12.3 yr) with female predominance (87.8%). Mean body weight was 79.3 +/- 13.9 kg and mean body mass index was 31.1 +/- 3.8 kg/m2 on entry into the program. Body weight was periodically measured and subjects were asked to complete two self-administered questionnaires including the Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS) and the Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE), pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS: Using the last observation carried forward method of analysis, the average weight loss for all participants was 5.6 +/- 3.7 kg. For subjects who completed the 12-week program, weight loss was 6.6 +/- 3.6 kg. Subjects who completed the program (n = 115, 60.8%) had significantly reduced BITE as well as all BSRS subscale scores at the end of the program. There was no linear relationship between mood change and weight loss by correlation analysis, but subjects with higher degrees of weight loss had improvement in more dimensions of psychologic functioning. Initial mood and binge-eating status predicted neither compliance nor weight reduction. Two biologic factors (initial weight loss, initial body weight) and one behavioral factor (attendance rate) were identified as significant predictors of short-term weight loss for all subjects. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence that weight loss made mood or eating pathology worse among those who completed the weight loss program. Beneficial effects on general psychologic functioning and eating pathology were demonstrated for subjects with a minimal weight loss of 5% of initial weight and who completed the program. Psychologic assessments at the start of the program did not predict weight loss at the end of participation in this hospital-based weight loss program.

Adolescent↗

[Pre-pregnancy body mass, gestational weight gain and birth weight].

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the effect of pregravid body weight and weight gain during pregnancy on birth weight of term newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 1443 healthy women, who delivered of singleton, live infants at or beyond 38 weeks of gestation. Maternal pregravid weight was obtained by recall and categorized into quartiles: < or = 53, < or = 58, < or = 65, > 65 (kg). Women were further divided according to their gestational weight gain into quartiles: < or = 10.5; < or = 12.5; < or = 15.5; > 15.5 (kg). Birth weight was measured and recorded at delivery. Newborns were classified as hypotrophic (SGA; < 10th percentile for the study population) and hypertrophic (LGA; > 90th percentile). RESULTS: The mean birth weight in the study population was 3499 +/- 447 g, 8.5% infants met the criteria for SGA, and 9.4%--for LGA. Studies showed that a progressive increase in maternal pregravid weight as well as gestational weight gain effect independently on increase birthweight, although the effect of weight gain during pregnancy was lessened as weight before gestation increased. For example, increasing gestational weight gain from < or = 10.5 kg to > 15.5 kg increased mean birthweight by 385 g (12.1%) for pregravid weight of 53 kg or less, compared with 142 g (4.0%) for weight of more than 65 kg. They were also associated with decreased frequency of hypotrophic infants and increased frequency of hypertrophic neonates. CONCLUSIONS: Both maternal prepregnancy weight and weight gain during gestation are important factors affecting fetal growth and birth weight. Increasing maternal weight before pregnancy diminishes the influence of weight gain on birthweight. As pregravid weight and prenatal weight gain increase, the incidence of LGA also increase, whereas the frequency of SGA decreases.

Adult↗

The effect of live weight gain and live weight loss on body composition of Merino wethers: dissected muscle, fat, and bone.

Sheep were slaughtered after live weight gain (LWG) and live weight loss (LWL) to evaluate the effect of different periods of normal and retarded growth on dissected carcass components. Thirty-five Merino wether sheep were allowed ad libitum access to the experimental diet of 80% alfalfa chaff and 20% cereal grain (17.23% CP and 18.10 MJ/kg of GE) to grow from 23.0 to 33.0 kg live weight and then fed to lose 10 kg at 133 g/d. Five animals were slaughtered at live weights of 23.0, 26.3, 29.6, and 33.0 kg during LWG and 29.6, 26.3, and 23.0 kg during LWL. Fleece-free empty BW was similar in both LWG and LWL animals at all common slaughter weights because of the lesser and greater weights of the alimentary tract contents and the fleece, respectively, in the LWL animals. Carcass weight or dissected side weight was greater in LWL animals at each common slaughter weight but significantly so (P less than .05) at the 23.0 kg live weight only. Total side muscle weight was similar in LWG and LWL animals at each common slaughter weight, but the proportion of muscle in the dissected side weight was lower (P less than .05) in LWL animals at 23.0 kg live weight. Total side fat, subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, and kidney and channel fat weights were all greater in LWL animals at each common slaughter weight, but significantly so (P less than .05) at the 23.0 kg live weight only. Total side bone weight was higher at both 26.3 kg (P less than .01) and 23.0 kg (P less than .05) in the LWL animals. Weight loss in young sheep mobilized more weight of muscle than fat from the carcass, whereas bone weight was constant.

Adipose Tissue↗

Weight gain and pregnancy outcome in underweight and normal weight women.

The relationship of antenatal weight gain to pregnancy outcome was studied in 362 pairs of underweight women (less than 90% Metropolitan Relative Weight) and normal weight (90% to 110%) women who were matched for age, occupation, height, parity, race, and smoking habits. The mothers, selected from a study of pregnancy outcome in 1,080 middle-class women, had early and regular prenatal care. Regression analyses within each initial weight category revealed that there was no relationship between initial weight of mothers and birth weight of their infants, but birth weight increased significantly with antenatal weight gain (p less than .0001). A 1-kg maternal increase in weight was associated with a 12.85-gm increase in birth weight in offspring of underweight women and an 8.59-gm increase in offspring of normal weight women. Underweight women had significantly larger prenatal weight gains (9.3 vs. 8.5 kg), but there were no statistically significant differences in mean birth weight, gestational age, or Apgar scores between infants of women in the two weight groups. Very underweight women (less than 80% MRW) had lower-birth-weight infants, more preterm infants, and more infants with medical complications. Antenatal weight gain accounted for the greatest variation in birth weight among infants of underweight and normal weight women. When underweight mothers gained less than 9 kg, their infants had mean birth weights 361 gm less than the mean birth weights of infants of underweight women who gained more weight.

Adult↗

Reduction in obesity and related comorbid conditions after diet-induced weight loss or exercise-induced weight loss in men. A randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The independent effects of diet- or exercise-induced weight loss on the reduction of obesity and related comorbid conditions are not known. The effects of exercise without weight loss on fat distribution and other risk factors are also unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of equivalent diet- or exercise-induced weight loss and exercise without weight loss on subcutaneous fat, visceral fat skeletal muscle mass, and insulin sensitivity in obese men. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: University research center. PARTICIPANTS: 52 obese men (mean body mass index [+/-SD], 31.3 +/- 2.0 kg/m2) with a mean waist circumference of 110.1 +/- 5.8 cm. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned to one of four study groups (diet-induced weight loss, exercise-induced weight loss, exercise without weight loss, and control) and were observed for 3 months. MEASUREMENTS: Change in total, subcutaneous, and visceral fat; skeletal muscle mass; cardiovascular fitness; glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. RESULTS: Body weight decreased by 7.5 kg (8%) in both weight loss groups and did not change in the exercise without weight loss and control groups. Compared with controls, cardiovascular fitness (peak oxygen uptake) in the exercise groups improved by approximately 16% (P < 0.01). Although total fat decreased in both weight loss groups (P < 0.001), the average reduction was 1.3 kg (95% CI, 0.3 to 2.3 kg) greater in the exercise-induced weight loss group than in the diet-induced weight loss group (P = 0.03). Similar reductions in abdominal subcutaneous, visceral, and visceral fat-to-subcutaneous fat ratios were observed in the weight loss groups (P < 0.001). Abdominal and visceral fat also decreased in the exercise without weight loss group (P = 0.001). Plasma glucose and insulin values (fasting and oral glucose challenge) did not change in the treatment groups compared with controls (P = 0.10 for all comparisons). Average improvement in glucose disposal was similar in the diet-induced weight loss group (5.6 mg/kg skeletal muscle per minute) and in the exercise-induced weight loss group (7.2 mg/kg skeletal muscle per minute) (P > 0.2). However, these values were significantly greater than those in the control and exercise without weight loss groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss induced by increased daily physical activity without caloric restriction substantially reduces obesity (particularly abdominal obesity) and insulin resistance in men. Exercise without weight loss reduces abdominal fat and prevents further weight gain.

Abdomen↗

Randomised comparison of diets for maintaining obese subjects' weight after major weight loss: ad lib, low fat, high carbohydrate diet v fixed energy intake.

OBJECTIVES: To compare importance of rate of initial weight loss for long term outcome in obese patients and to compare efficacy of two different weight maintenance programmes. DESIGN: Subjects were randomised to either rapid or slow initial weight loss. Completing patients were re-randomised to one year weight maintenance programme of ad lib diet or fixed energy intake diet. Patients were followed up one year later. SETTING: University research department in Copenhagen, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 43 (41 women) obese adults (body mass index 27-40) who were otherwise healthy living in or around Copenhagen. INTERVENTIONS: 8 weeks of low energy diet (2 MJ/day) or 17 weeks of conventional diet (5 MJ/day), both supported by an anorectic compound (ephedrine 20 mg and caffeine 200 mg thrice daily); one year weight maintenance programme of ad lib, low fat, high carbohydrate diet or fixed energy intake diet (< or = 7.8 MJ/day), both with reinforcement sessions 2-3 times monthly. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean initial weight loss and proportion of patients maintaining a weight loss of > 5 kg at follow up. RESULTS: Mean initial weight loss was 12.6 kg (95% confidence interval 10.9 to 14.3 kg) in rapid weight loss group and 12.6 (9.9 to 15.3) kg in conventional diet group. Rate of initial weight loss had no effect on weight maintenance after 6 or 12 months of weight maintenance or at follow up. After weight maintenance programme, the ad lib group had maintained 13.2 (8.1 to 18.3) kg of the initial weight loss of 13.5 (11.4 to 15.5) kg, and the fixed energy intake group had maintained 9.7 (6.1 to 13.3) kg of the initial 13.8 (11.8 to 15.7) kg weight loss (group difference 3.5 (-2.4 to 9.3) kg). Regained weight at follow up was greater in fixed energy intake group than in ad lib group (11.3 (7.1 to 15.5) kg v 5.4 (2.3 to 8.6) kg, group difference 5.9 (0.7 to 11.1) kg, P < 0.03). At follow up, 65% of ad lib group and 40% of fixed energy intake group had maintained a weight loss of > 5 kg (P < 0.07). CONCLUSION: Ad lib, low fat, high carbohydrate diet was superior to fixed energy intake for maintaining weight after a major weight loss. The rate of the initial weight loss did not influence long term outcome.

Adult↗

Genetic evaluation of an index of birth weight and yearling weight to improve efficiency of beef production.

The CGC population is a stabilized composite of 1/2 Red Angus, 1/4 Charolais, and 1/4 Tarentaise germplasm. The objectives of this research were to estimate genetic parameters for weight traits of CGC and to evaluate genetic responses resulting from selection based on the following index: I = 365-d weight 3.2(birth weight). Phenotypes evaluated were birth weight (n = 5,083), 200-d weight (n = 4,902), 365-d weight (n = 4,626), and the index. In addition, there were 1,433 cows with at least one recorded weight, and 4,375 total observations of cow weight collected at the time their calves were weaned. In 1989, a randomly selected control line and a line selected for greater values of the index were established. Average generation intervals were 3.16 +/- 0.04 and 3.90 +/- 0.08 yr in the index and control lines, respectively. The index selection line (n = 950) accumulated approximately 212 kg more selection differential than the control line over three generations (n = 912). Heritability estimates for direct effects were 0.32 +/- 0.04, 0.49 +/- 0.05, 0.49 +/- 0.05, 0.30 +/- 0.04, and 0.70 +/- 0.04 for the index, birth weight, 365-d weight, 200-d weight, and cow weight, respectively. Heritability estimates for maternal effects were 0.05 +/- 0.02, 0.11 +/- 0.03, 0.04 +/- 0.02, and 0.19 +/- 0.04 for the index, birth weight, 365-d weight, and 200-d weight, respectively. In the control line, direct genetic changes for the index and its components were small. For the index selection line, direct genetic changes for the index, birth weight, 365-d weight, 200-d weight, and cow weight were 6.0 +/- 0.3, 0.45 +/- 0.09, 7.74 +/- 0.55, 3.42 +/- 0.25, and 6.3 +/- 0.9 kg/generation, respectively. Maternal genetic changes were generally small for both the control and index selection lines. Thus, selection for the index produced positive correlated responses for direct genetic effects on BW traits at all ages, with only minor effects on maternal genetic effects. Results demonstrate that despite a genetic antagonism that compromises selection response for decreased birth weight and increased postnatal growth, favorable genetic responses can be achieved with the selection index used in this study.

Animals↗

Weight cycling of athletes and subsequent weight gain in middleage.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of repeated cycles of weight loss and regain as young adults on long-term weight development. DESIGN: A follow-up study with questionnaires in 1985, 1995 and 2001. SETTING: Finland. SUBJECTS: A national cohort of 1838 male elite athletes who had represented Finland in major international sport competitions in 1920-1965, including 370 men engaged in sports in which weight-related performance classes are associated with weight cycling (boxers, weight lifters and wrestlers; further called as weight cyclers), and 834 matched control men with no athletic background. OUTCOME MEASURE: Weight change since the age of 20 years, body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of obesity and overweight. RESULTS: The weight cyclers gained 5.2 BMI units from age 20 years to their maximum mean weight, which was at age 58.7 years. Corresponding figures for the controls were 4.2 BMI units at 58.5 years and for other athletes 3.3 BMI units at age 62.5 years. The proportion of obese (BMI> or =30 kg/m(2)) subjects was greatest among the weight cyclers both in 1985 and 1995. In 2001, the weight cyclers were more often obese than other athletes, but did not differ from the controls. The odds ratio for the weight cyclers to be obese compared to other athletes in 1985 was 3.18 (95% confidence intervals 2.09-4.83), and compared to the controls 2.0 (1.35-2.96). The enhanced weight gain of the weight cyclers was not accounted for by present health habits (smoking, alcohol use, use of high-fat milk or physical activity) or weight at age 20 years. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated cycles of weight loss and regain appear to enhance subsequent weight gain and may predispose to obesity. Chronic dieting with weight cycling may be harmful for permanent weight control.

Adult↗

Placental weight and its ratio to birth weight in normal pregnancy at Songkhlanagarind Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify placental weight and its ratio to birth weight in normal pregnancy; and to determine whether abnormal placental weight and its ratio are associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1st, 2004, to December 31st, 2004, placentae were obtained from 238 normal pregnancies, between the 36th-40th gestational weeks. The trimmed and drained placenta was weighed and the mean placental weight at term was defined Distribution curves for placental weight and their ratios with gestational age were constructed. The outcomes for the intrapartum and perinatal periods were compared with normal placental weight, its ratio to the group above the 90th percentile and below the 10th percentile. Fisher's Exact Test was used to analyze the data. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The placental weight increased according to the birth weight (r = 0.450, p < 0.005). The mean placental weight at 36-40 gestational age was 519 g (SD = 89.01g). The mean placental weight to birth weight ratio was 17.08%. This ratio decreased slightly with advancing gestational age. There was an association between placental weight below the 10th percentile and fetal distress (p = 0.003). Placental weight to birth weight ratio below the 10th percentile was also associated with fetal distress (p = 0.02). Placental weight above the 90th percentile was associated with newborns requiring neonatal intensive care admission (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: The placental weight increased according to the birth weight. The placental weight to birth weight ratio decreased slightly with advancing gestational age. Abnormal placental weight and its ratio were significantly associated with some adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Adolescent↗