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PubMed2005

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B variant associated with fat distribution and insulin metabolism.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTPN1) affects the regulation of insulin signaling and energy metabolism. We studied whether polymorphisms in the PTPN1 gene impact body fat distribution in the HERITAGE Family Study cohort in 502 white and 276 black subjects. Insulin sensitivity index, glucose disappearance index, acute insulin response to glucose (AIR(glucose)), and the disposition index (DI) were obtained from the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. White subjects with the G82G at the PTPN1 IVS6+G82A polymorphism had higher body fat levels (p = 0.031) and sum of eight skinfolds (p = 0.003) and highest subcutaneous fat on the limbs (p = 0.002). G82A subjects had the lowest AIR(glucose) (p = 0.005) and disposition index (p = 0.040). Interaction effects between PTPN1 and leptin receptor gene variants influenced insulin sensitivity index and AIR(glucose) (p from 0.006 to 0.010). The variant PTPN1 Pro387Leu was associated with lower fasting insulin level (p = 0.035) and glucose disappearance index (p = 0.038). In summary, PTPN1 IVS6+G82G homozygotes showed higher levels of all measures of adiposity. G82 allele heterozygotes are potentially at higher risk for type 2 diabetes. Gene-gene interactions between the PTPN1 and leptin receptor genes contributed to the phenotypic variability of insulin sensitivity. The PTPN1 Pro387Leu variant was associated with lower glucose tolerance.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1990

Relationships of empty-body composition and fat distribution to live animal and carcass measurements in Bos indicus-Bos taurus crossbred cows.

Empty-body composition and fat distribution were determined for 55 nonpregnant, mature Bos indicus-Bos taurus crossbred cows fed to achieve variation in fatness. Prior to slaughter, cows were condition and frame scored, weighed and measured for hook height, hook width, heart girth and lengths from point of shoulder to pin and hook to pin. Fat thickness at three locations and ribeye area were measured ultrasonically on the live animal and carcass. Quality and yield grades were determined after a 48-h postslaughter chill. Visceral fat was excised at slaughter and weighed. Kidney, heart and pelvic (KHP) fat was excised from one side and the remainder of the side was separated into bone and soft tissue. Soft tissue was subsampled and analyzed for ether extract. Proportions of fat in soft tissue, bone, viscera and KHP were calculated. Variations of percentage of empty-body fat in soft tissue, KHP and bone were explained (R2 greater than .64) by equations involving either live animal or carcass measurements. Both ultrasonic and subjective fat estimates were of importance (P less than .05) in equations predicting fatness, indicating the importance of variation in fat distribution. Factor analysis indicated that fat accretion is a complex entity composed of several distinct distribution patterns (anterior-posterior, internal-external, intramuscular-intermuscular).

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2000

Sex hormones, obesity, fat distribution, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance: epidemiological and clinical correlation.

Increased androgenicity as assessed by increased testosterone and decreased SHBG is strongly associated with an unfavorable body fat distribution and increased glucose and insulin concentrations and insulin resistance in both pre- and postmenopausal women. However, the temporal direction of the association between androgens and insulin is uncertain. In men, the association between SHBG and insulin levels is much weaker and is probably inverse.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1995

Effects of low-dose estrogen oral contraceptives on weight, body composition, and fat distribution in young women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prospectively whether the use of low-dose estrogen oral contraceptives (OC) is associated with changes in weight, body composition, or fat distribution. DESIGN: Anthropometric measurements were performed in 49 healthy young (16 to 21 years old) women before commencement of OC use (30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol [EF2] plus 75 micrograms gestodene) and after three and six treatment cycles. Thirty one age- and weight-matched women who were not using OC served as controls. SETTING: Outpatient gynecological clinic of Hadassah Medical Center, a tertiary level hospital, and the "Shilo" voluntary service for the prevention of unwanted pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anthropometric measurements included body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip girth ratio, and body composition (the percentage of body fat and water), estimated by mean of infrared interactance. RESULTS: In the group of OC users, baseline BMI, percent fat, percent water, and waist-to-hip girth ratio were 21.1 +/- 0.32 (kg/m2), 23.8% +/- 0.63%, 57.4% +/- 0.39%, and 0.73 +/- 0.01, respectively, and did not change significantly after six cycles (20.6 +/- 0.41 [kg/m2], 23.9% +/- 0.57%, 58.1% +/- 0.49%, and 0.72 +/- 0.03, respectively). These measurements were not significantly different when compared with the nonusers. Fifteen OC users (30.6%) gained weight (> 0.5 kg). Weight gain was due to a significant accumulation of fat (from 22.5% +/- 1.1% to 25.6% +/- 0.74%), whereas the percentage of body water remained stable. The waist-to-hip girth ratio also was not changed significantly. Similarly, 11 nonusers (35.4%) gained weight because of similar nonabdominal fat accumulation. Ten OC users (20.4%) lost weight (57 kg +/- 1.51 to 55.4 +/- 1.47 [mean +/- SEM]) and 6 nonusers (19.3%) also lost weight (59 kg +/- 1.42 to 57.3 +/- 1.92). In both groups the loss of weight was not associated with significant change in body composition. CONCLUSIONS: The use of low-dose OC (EE2 plus gestodene) was not associated with overall impact on weight, body composition, or fat distribution. However, when weight gain did occur during OC use, it was due to increase in body fat and not in volume of body water, and it was not associated with changes in fat distribution.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2004

Leg fat percentage correlates negatively with coronary atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Visceral fat is related to coronary atherosclerosis, but little is known about the relation between coronary atherosclerosis and percent body fat accumulated in different parts of the body. METHODS AND RESULTS: The subjects were 100 consecutive patients with demonstrated electrocardiographic ischemic changes. Coronary atherosclerosis was assessed using Gensini's coronary score (CS), and for body fat distribution dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was used. The parameters measured were serum lipid concentrations, body weight, body mass index, percent total fat, trunk fat percent, arm fat percent and leg fat percent. Trunk fat percent correlated significantly with CS (p<0.01), and concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p<0.01) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) (p<0.05) in men and women. Leg fat percent correlated negatively with CS in both men and women (p<0.01 for each). Concentrations of both LDL-C and VLDL-C correlated positively with CS in both men and women (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: There is a difference between the effect of body fat in the legs and the trunk that suggests leg fat has an anti-atherosclerotic effect and a negative correlation with CS, and conversely, that trunk fat has a pro-atherosclerotic effect and correlates positively with CS.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1995

Human body composition and the epidemiology of chronic disease.

Obesity and body fat distribution (FD) are established risk factors for chronic diseases. The body mass index (BMI) and the waist/hip circumference ratio (WHR) are used conventionally as indices of obesity and FD in epidemiological studies. Although some general limitations of these indices are recognized, others that affect their use in relative risks for disease are not well recognized. These include effects of sex, ethnicity, and especially age on the relationships between these indices and body composition, which can result in substantial misclassification of obesity and FD. There is considerable variability in body composition for any BMI, and some individuals with low BMIs have as much fat as those with high BMIs. This results in poor sensitivity for classifying levels of body fatness (e.g., too many "false negatives," or overweight individuals classified as not overweight), and relative risks are attenuated across all categories of BMI. A more serious problem, however, is that at different ages the same levels of BMI correspond to different amounts of fat and fat-free mass. Data from the Rosetta Study and the New Mexico Aging Process Study show that older adults have, on average, more fat than younger adults at any BMI, due to the loss of muscle mass with age. As a result, the sensitivity of BMI cutpoints with respect to body fatness decreases with age, and the use of a fixed cutpoint for all ages results in "differential misclassification bias." Taken together, these issues suggest that the increases with age in the prevalences of overweight and obesity, and in the risks for chronic diseases, may be mis-estimated using BMI. Similar issues may affect the use of WHR for estimating prevalences and associated risks of FD. New field methods for estimating body composition are available that can be applied in large, epidemiologic follow-up studies of chronic diseases. These methods will allow epidemiologists to consider, for example, whether it is increased fat, or the replacement of fat-free mass with fat, with age that is associated with risk for chronic disease.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2000

The association of human adipose angiotensinogen gene expression with abdominal fat distribution in obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate in obese subjects the relationship between angiotensinogen gene expression in the abdominal omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue on the one hand and body fat distribution as measured by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) on the other hand and to compare angiotensinogen gene expression between the two adipose tissue regions. SUBJECTS: Twenty obese subjects undergoing weight reduction surgery with adjustable gastric banding (12 men, eight women; WHR 0.89-1.09; body mass index (BMI) 29-51 kg/m2, age 26-54 y). MEASUREMENTS: Omental and subcutaneous adipose angiotensinogen mRNA and 18S ribosomal RNA (reference gene) levels were measured by competitive quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Angiotensinogen mRNA levels were one-third higher in the omental than in the subcutaneous adipose tissue region (P=0.02). The 18S rRNA levels did not differ significantly between the two adipose tissue regions. WHR correlated positively and significantly with angiotensinogen mRNA in both the subcutaneous and the omental adipose tissue (r=0.5). This relationship was independent of age and BMI. However, WHR did not correlate with 18S rRNA in any of the adipose tissue regions. CONCLUSION: The angiotensinogen gene in adipose tissue might be involved in the development of upper-body obesity.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2001

Postprandial triglyceridemia in obese and non-obese adolescents. Importance of body composition and fat distribution.

BACKGROUND: It has recently been shown that obese adults have a disturbed metabolism of postprandial lipoproteins, resulting in postprandial hypertriglyceridemia. To the best of our knowledge, there are no data about postprandial triglyceridemia in obese and non-obese children and adolescents. SUBJECTS: 12 obese and 12 non-obese adolescents, aged 11.0 to 13.8 years. METHODS: Body composition and fat distribution (waist-to-hip circumference ratio and triceps/ subscapular skinfold thickness ratio) were assessed by anthropometry. An oral fat tolerance test was carried out, and fasting and postprandial lipid-lipoprotein serum concentrations were measured. RESULTS: We observed a significant increase in triglyceride serum concentrations 2 and 4 hours after the oral fat load, in both obese and non-obese adolescents. In obese and non-obese adolescents there were significant correlations between some variables of postprandial lipemia and the studied indices of body fat distribution. When we compare postprandial lipemia in adolescents having a central pattern of fat distribution with those having a peripheral pattern of fat distribution, we observed higher variables related to postprandial lipemia in those having a central pattern of fat distribution compared with those with a peripheral pattern (sum of serum triglyceride concentrations: 6.06 vs 4.41, p = 0.0243). CONCLUSIONS: We present a protocol to study postprandial lipemia in children and adolescents that allowed us to observe significant changes after an oral fat load. Results obtained indicate that the pattern of distribution of adipose tissue may be more important for lipid metabolism disturbances than total adipose tissue per se.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1997

Lipolysis: contribution from regional fat.

In vitro studies of adipocytes taken from different body fat regions suggest substantial differences in lipolysis between intra-abdominal, lower-body subcutaneous, and abdominal subcutaneous regions. Gender and obesity appear to influence these regional differences. In situ measurements of glycerol release from adipose tissue provided further evidence that regional heterogeneity of lipolysis occurs in humans. In vivo studies of regional free fatty acid (FFA) release have confirmed that adipose tissue lipolysis varies between upper- and lower-body fat. Release of FFA from lower-body adipose tissue is less than that from upper-body adipose tissue in both obese and non-obese men and women. In non-obese men and women, meal ingestion suppresses FFA release from all adipose tissue regions, and adrenergic stimulation activated FFA release from different sites in a gender-specific fashion. Significant regional and gender differences in adipose tissue lipolysis occur in humans, and this could contribute to differences in the health effects of adipose tissue and could theoretically influence body fat distribution.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2000

Ability of insulin to modulate hepatic glucose production in aging rats is impaired by fat accumulation.

Increased total fat mass (FM) and visceral fat (VF) may account in part for age-associated decrease in hepatic insulin action. This study determined whether preventing the changes in body fat distribution abolished this defect throughout aging. We studied the F(1) hybrid of Brown Norway-Fischer 344 rats (n = 29), which we assigned to caloric restriction (CR) or fed ad libitum (AL). CR (55% of the calories consumed by AL) was initiated and used at 2 mo to prevent age-dependent increases in FM and VF. AL rats were studied at 2, 8, and 20 mo; CR rats were studied at 8 and 20 mo. VF and FM remained unchanged throughout aging in CR rats. AL-fed rats at 8 and 20 mo had over fourfold higher FM and VF compared with both CR groups. Insulin clamp studies (3 mU. kg(-1). min(-1) with somatostatin) were performed to assess hepatic insulin sensitivity. Prevention of fat accretion resulted in a marked improvement in insulin action in the suppression of hepatic glucose production (HGP) (6.3 +/- 0.3 and 7.2 +/- 1.2 mg. kg(-1). min(-1) in 8- and 20-mo CR rats vs. 8.3 +/- 0.5 and 10.8 +/- 0.9 mg. kg(-1). min(-1) in 8- and 20-mo AL rats, respectively). The rate of gluconeogenesis (by enrichment of hepatic uridine diphosphate glucose and phosphoenolpyruvate pools by [(14)C]lactate) was unchanged in all groups. The improvement in hepatic insulin action in the CR group was mostly due to effective suppression of glycogenolysis (4.4 +/- 0.3 and 4.9 +/- 0.3 mg. kg(-1). min(-1) in 8- and 20-mo CR rats vs. 5.8 +/- 0.6 and 8.2 +/- 1.0 mg. kg(-1). min(-1) in 8- and 20-mo AL rats, respectively). The results demonstrated the preservation of hepatic insulin action in aging CR rats. Therefore, body fat and its distribution are major determinants of age-associated hepatic insulin resistance.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1999

Plasma leptin and insulin levels in weight-reduced obese women with normal body mass index: relationships with body composition and insulin.

Obesity is a complex disease with multiple features that has confounded efforts to unravel its pathophysiology. As a means of distinguishing primary from secondary characteristics, we compared levels of fasting plasma leptin and insulin in a cohort of weight-reduced obese women who have attained and maintained a normal BMI for more than 1 year with the levels in cohorts of never-obese and currently obese women. Weight-reduced obese women showed decreased plasma concentrations of leptin and insulin compared with obese women, but these levels remained significantly higher than those of never-obese women. Plasma leptin levels were highly correlated with plasma insulin levels (r = 0.60, P < 0.001). To further explore relationships with body composition, total body fat was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and body fat distribution by computed tomography in subsets of these groups. Weight-reduced obese women had a significantly greater percent body fat and subcutaneous abdominal fat mass than did the never-obese women, and these were highly correlated with plasma leptin (r = 0.90, P < 0.001, and r = 0.52, P < 0.001, respectively). In these weight-reduced obese women, visceral fat mass was similar to that of the never-obese. The insulin sensitivity index and first-phase insulin response were also comparable. These results demonstrate that higher leptin levels in weight-reduced obese women are related to the higher total fat and particularly the subcutaneous fat masses. Normalization of visceral fat mass in the weight-reduced obese was accompanied by normalization of insulin sensitivity index and first-phase insulin response. This study suggests that increases in plasma leptin and insulin in obesity are secondary features of the obese state.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1995

The etiology of breast cancer--from epidemiology to prevention.

Breast cancer is likely caused by the interaction of exposure to environmental carcinogens at an early age, resulting in initiation of neoplastic transformation and growth factors that determine the likelihood of progression to clinical disease. The environmental carcinogens are numerous (each contributing relatively little to overall risk) and probably interact with genetic "host susceptibility". Most women probably have subclinical breast cancer. The growth of the breast cancer is related to sex-hormone levels at the breast and stimulation of local growth factors. Genetic factors (i.e. host susceptibility including polymorphisms related to the enzymes that affect hormone levels, estrogen/progesterone receptors, and protein synthesis) are probably very important. Reproductive and menstrual patterning during the premenopause, especially related to pregnancy, menstrual cycling and lactation are very important determinants of the risks of breast cancer. More attention needs to be placed on the determinants of menstrual cycling and hormone levels in premenopausal women, especially the relationship of obesity, fat distribution and exercise. The degree of obesity, age at onset of obesity, weight gain (peri- to postmenopausal), and possibly body fat distribution are the major determinants of postmenopausal estrogen levels are key risk factors for postmenopausal breast cancer. Dietary fat, fiber, and perhaps other nutrients, also contribute to blood estrogen levels. Other hormones, especially insulin and insulin-like growth factors, and possibly testosterone and androgens, may also contribute to the increased risk of breast cancer. The reduction of breast cancer incidence and mortality will depend, primarily, on modifications of women's lifestyles which would move them from higher to lower estrogen characteristics.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2000

Regional fat deposition in the legs is useful as a presumptive marker of antiatherogenesity in Japanese.

To examine the pathological role of regional fat deposition in development of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, regional fat distribution was evaluated using metabolites and hormones as measures of obesity-related disorders. The subjects enrolled were 100 sex-matched inpatients, who were admitted, regardless of their body mass index values, for further examination of unusual results from periodic medical screening tests, and for examination of obesity-induced complications and treatment of obesity. Body fat distribution was analyzed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Analysis of parameters regarding fat distribution showed that gender was one of the determinants affecting correlation between fat distribution and metabolites of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), or triglyceride (TG). However, regardless of gender, both leg trunk fat (L/Tr) and arm trunk fat (A/Tr) ratios negatively correlated with a total body fat (% total fat) ratio, whereas the intercept value of female regression line in L/Tr was greater than that in males, but not in A/Tr. Percentage total fat, L/Tr, and A/Tr in males correlated significantly with FPG, TC, TG, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), atherogenic index (A.I.), and apoB/A1 only low density lipoprotein (LDL) was significantly correlated solely to L/Tr and A/Tr. These results indicate that regional fat distribution in males may not be a major determinant for development of metabolic disorders in obese patients. Unlike male regional fat distribution, female L/Tr correlated significantly not only with TC, TG, and LDL, but also with FPG and HbA1c, although both of the latter 2 glucose-related parameters in males showed no correlation with any parameters of fat deposition. The remaining female parameters of fasting plasma insulin, VLDL, A.I., and ApoB/A1 correlated with each of the three parameters of fat deposition, as similarly shown in males. The powerful and negative correlation was thus evident, particularly in females, between leg fat deposition and parameters of glucose and lipid metabolites. The resulting information provides a novel insight that regional fat deposition at the legs is useful as a marker for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders associated with obesity.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1995

Collagen metabolism in obesity: the effect of weight loss.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of obesity, fat distribution and weight loss on collagen turnover using serum concentrations of the carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (S-PICP) and the aminoterminal propeptide of type III pro-collagen (S-PIIINP) as markers for collagen turnover. DESIGN: Blood samples were obtained once at baseline, and after 8 and 16 weeks of dietary treatment (5.0 MJ/day diet). SETTING: Outpatient clinic of Hvidovre University Hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: S-PICP, S-PIIINP, fat distribution and weight loss. RESULTS: S-PIIINP was associated with body weight (r = 0.37; P = 0.004), height (r = 0.27; P = 0.04), waist circumference (r = 0.35; P = 0.007), as well as with WHR (r = 0.33; P = 0.01) and was inversely correlated to age (r = -0.40; P = 0.002). Compared with randomly selected controls from a large pool of healthy volunteers, the obese patients had elevated S-PIIINP values before as well as during weight loss, whereas S-PICP levels were within the normal range and did not correlate with any anthropometric measures. The average weight loss after 16 weeks dietary treatment was 8.1 kg (s.d. = 0.8). S-PIIINP decreased during the 16 weeks of energy restriction (P < 0.05) and changes in S-PIIINP was correlated to body weight loss (r = 0.32; P < 0.05) and to changes in waist circumference (r = 0.34; P < 0.05) as well as changes in WHR (r = 0.30; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: S-PIIINP is elevated in obesity and associated with body fat distribution, suggesting an increased turnover of type III collagen related to obesity in general and to abdominal obesity in particular. S-PIIINP levels decreases during weight loss in obese subjects, whereas S-PICP levels seems un-related to obesity and weight loss.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Rates of free fatty acid appearance and fat oxidation in healthy younger and older men.

Alterations in the mobilization and oxidation of fat may partially account for age-related alterations in body composition. To investigate age-related alterations in fat metabolism, we compared basal rate of appearance of free fatty acids (FFAapp) and total body fat oxidation as measured by infusions of [14C] palmitate and indirect calorimetry, respectively, in 18 younger (23 +/- 1 yr) and 30 older (69 +/- 1 yr) men. We also examined whether age-related differences in body composition, body fat distribution, peak oxygen consumption, dietary intake, and/or fasting insulin levels may explain age-related variation in FFAapp and total body fat oxidation. The FFAapp showed a tendency to be higher in older compared with younger men (1,134 +/- 184 vs. 680 +/- 105 mu mol/min; P = 0.07), whereas total body fat oxidation was similar between groups (257 +/- 25 vs. 222 +/- 9 mu mol/min). The estimated rate of nonoxidative disposal of free fatty acids showed a tendency to be higher in the older (913 +/- 182 mu mol/min) than in younger men (423 +/- 103 mu mol/min; P = 0.06). Fat-free mass was the most significant predictor of FFAapp in younger (r = 0.63; P < 0.01) and older (r = 0.41; P < 0.05) men. These results suggest that older men recruit fatty acids from adipose tissue stores in excess of the energy needs of respiring tissue. However, variation in FFAapp between the age groups could not be explained by differences in body habitus or fasting insulin levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Plasma adrenal, gonadal, and conjugated steroids before and after long-term overfeeding in identical twins.

An analysis of the data collected in the Quebec Overfeeding Study of identical twins was undertaken to determine any evidence of a genotype effect on plasma levels of adrenal and gonadal steroids arising from long term positive energy balance. Plasma levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), androsterone glucuronide, androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol glucuronide (3 alpha-DIOL-G), and cortisol were measured in 12 pairs of young, sedentary, male monozygotic twins before and after 100 days of overfeeding. The dietary energy excess of 4.2 MJ/day (1000 Cal), 6 days a week, resulted in a total positive energy balance of 353 MJ (84,000 Cal). Overfeeding induced significant changes (P < 0.0001) in body weight and other measures of body composition. Within-twin pair resemblance was observed at baseline in all steroids, except cortisol [intraclass correlation range: DHEA-S, 0.50 (P < 0.05); DHT, 0.77 (P < 0.001)] and was lost with overfeeding, except for DHT and SHBG (P < 0.05). SHBG levels fell and 3 alpha-DIOL-G rose with the gain in body fatness. The change in testosterone was a significant correlate of the change in upper body fat (r = -0.48; P < 0.05). The change in 3 alpha-DIOL-G correlated positively with increases in all measures of central adiposity (r = 0.52; P < 0.01). A decrease in DHEA-S occurred with a higher, but not with a lower, gain in abdominal visceral fat (P < 0.05). Thus, analysis of adrenal and gonadal steroids and of conjugated metabolites before and after overfeeding in monozygous twins supports the idea that there is a genotype effect on steroid circulating steroid levels and that these blood levels are correlated with the pattern of body fat distribution. Moreover, the baseline within-twin pairs similarity in steroid levels was attenuated by prolonged positive energy balance and body fat gain.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2005

Age trends in anthropometric characteristics among 6-9 years old Bengalee Hindu school girls of Kolkata, India.

A cross-sectional study of 431 6-9 years old urban Bengalee Hindu schoolgirls of Kolkata, India, was undertaken to study age trends in anthropometric characteristics including regional and subcutaneous adiposity. The anthropometric variables measured included height, weight, sitting height (SH), waist (WC), hip (HPC), thigh (TC), mid-upper arm (MUAC) and medial calf (MC) circumferences as well as triceps (TSF), biceps (BSF), subscapular SUBSF), suprailliac (SUPSF) and medial calf (MCASF) skinfolds. The results revealed, that there was a significant increasing age trend for all the anthropometric variables including the two derived variables: body mass index (BMI) and subischial leg length (SLL). For all variables, the lowest and the highest means were observed at the age of 6 and 9 years, respectively. The maximum increase in weight, BMI, all linear measurements, WC and HPC were observed during the period 6-7 years of age. In general, all skinfolds recorded similar yearly increments. More importantly, this study clearly indicated that among Bengalee girls aged 6-9 years, the highest amount of linear growth (height, SH and SLL) was observed at 6 years of age. The overall adiposity (BMI) also recorded the maximum increment during this period. The unique data presented here can be used as reference values for urban Bengalee Hindu girls aged 6-9 years.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2004

The implications of body fat mass and fat distribution for cognitive function in elderly women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how body fat mass, an established source of endogenous estrogen after menopause, influences cognitive impairment in elderly women. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Study participants were 5607 generally healthy postmenopausal women with mean age of 63.8 years at baseline followed for an average of 7.3 years. Cognitive function assessed at follow-up using the short Blessed test was related to baseline body weight, the yearly change in weight, and follow-up measures of body fat depots assessed by DXA. Cognitive function was also related to various surrogates of lifetime estrogen exposure. RESULTS: Women with the worst cognitive performance (score >or= 9) at follow-up were the ones who lost the most body weight and revealed the lowest central fat mass (CFM). The association of weight loss with worse cognitive performance was apparent across all age groups except for those more than 80 years old. In the multivariate logistic model, the risk of cognitive impairment was 18% lower in women in the second quartile of CFM (p = 0.14), 32% lower in the third (p = 0.01), and 48% lower in the fourth (p < 0.001) compared with those in the first quartile. CFM showed significant correlation with the simultaneously measured serum estradiol (r = 0.25; p < 0.001). Cognitive score showed an inverse linear relationship with the duration of reproductive period and bone mineral density assessed at follow-up. DISCUSSION: These findings argue for a protective association of body fat mass with cognitive impairment in elderly women. This association seems to involve a more prominent exposure to endogenous estrogens.

Adipose Tissue↗