Search Results (363)

Background/Objectives: Obesity and abdominal adiposity are associated with worse surgical and functional outcomes in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. This exploratory study assessed whether reductions in total body fat mass (TFM) among overweight and obese PCa patients enrolled in a diet and exercise weight loss intervention prior to robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) improved outcomes. Methods: In this secondary analysis of an NIH-funded randomized controlled trial (NCT01886677) conducted 2012–2015, twenty-nine patients with newly diagnosed, pathology-confirmed PCa who participated and underwent RARP were evaluated for percent change in TFM and divided into High Fat Losers who lost ≥1% TFM per week and Low Fat Losers who lost <1% TFM per week. High versus Low Fat Losers were compared on operative time (OT), estimated blood loss (EBL), length of hospital stay (LOS), incidence of surgical or postoperative complications, and incontinence and impotence scores at first postoperative follow-up. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between High versus Low Fat Losers with respect to overall complications (p = 0.027); 28.6% of High Fat Losers experienced one or more complications by first postoperative follow-up, compared to 73.3% of Low Fat Losers. However, no differences were observed for each individual complication analyzed, or with respect to OT, EBL, LOS, or incontinence or impotence scores. Conclusions and Relevance: Findings implicate the potential benefit of healthy weight loss as an adjunct to surgery, and support the need for larger trials to elucidate a clearer relationship between improvements in body composition and effects on specific surgical complications and functional outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sleep is essential for athletes. However, the impact of dietary habits on sleep quality in female endurance athletes at risk for low energy availability (LEA) is underexplored. This was a pilot study to examine the correlation between dietary patterns and sleep quality in healthy female endurance athletes. Methods: Twenty-four female endurance athletes recorded their dietary intake and sleeping habits for 6 days. Dietary intake data were collected via meal logs and photos. Sleep parameters were tracked using the Fitbit Charge 3 device. Correlation analyses were performed to explore the associations between macronutrient intake and sleep. Results: The athletes’ mean consumption was 2049.3 ± 396.9 kcal/day (52.9% carbohydrates, 28.2% fat, and 17.2% protein). One-third of the athletes had poor sleep quality, and thirty-eight percent experienced high daytime sleepiness. A higher protein intake was correlated with a lower awake time (R = −0.491; p = 0.015), and fat intake was related to a lower duration of deep sleep (R = −0.477; p = 0.019). Deep sleep was negatively correlated with fat intake during dinner (R = −0.417; p = 0.042) and was positively correlated with carbohydrate intake (R = 0.417; p = 0.042). Conclusions: In healthy female endurance athletes without LEA, dietary fat intake, especially at dinner, negatively affects deep sleep. Meanwhile, carbohydrates promote deep sleep. Therefore, optimizing macronutrient balance during evening meals may enhance sleep quality and, consequently, athletic performance. Full article

Sustainable food resources, including cell-cultured meat and edible insect proteins, are emerging as key solutions to meet future protein demands. This study evaluated the effects of black soldier fly larvae hydrolysate (BLH) on primary cells isolated from broiler leg and breast muscle tissues, as well as abdominal fat tissues. Primary cells isolated from each tissue were characterized for their myogenic and adipogenic (stromal vascular fraction, SVF) properties. Cells were cultured in a basal medium with five percent FBS supplemented with BLH at concentrations ranging from 25 to 300 µg/mL. Leg and breast muscle cells showed significantly enhanced proliferation, as indicated by MTS assay results and cell counts, in the BLH100 group compared to the FBS5 and control groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of myogenic markers, including PAX7, NCAM1, MYF5, and MYOD1, was upregulated in leg muscle cells treated with BLH (p < 0.05). For SVFs, BLH50 promoted cell proliferation; however, differentiation decreased as BLH concentration increased. These findings suggest that BLH can enhance the proliferation of primary broiler cells, highlighting its potential applicability in the edible insect and cultured meat industries. Full article

Background: The period following childbirth is marked by dynamic changes in maternal physiology and the growth trajectory of the newborn. We aimed to elucidate the changes and associations in body composition of infants and their mothers during the first year postpartum. Methods: This pilot study assessed infant body composition using the PEA POD air displacement plethysmography (ADP) system (birth–6 months) and deuterium dilution (9–12 months). Maternal body composition was assessed using the BOD POD ADP system at 12 months postpartum. Mothers were grouped by prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m² (lean) or ≥25 kg/m² (overweight/obese: OW/OB), and data were analysed using linear regression. Results: Twenty-nine infant–mother pairs were assessed. Infant percent fat mass (%FM) increased from birth to 6 months (9.3% vs. 24.2%; p < 0.001) and then gradually declined. At birth and 3 months, %FM was significantly higher in infants born to OW/OB mothers compared to their lean counterparts. A significant positive association (β = 0.3; p = 0.040) was observed between maternal %FM and infant %FM at 1 year post-delivery after controlling for the mother’s prepregnancy BMI. Conclusions: Infants born to OW/OB mothers have increased %FM at birth and 3 months, which may have consequences for their health throughout childhood and into adulthood. Moreover, maternal prepregnancy BMI is a significant predictor of maternal postpartum weight status and body composition and impacts the relationship between maternal and infant body composition at 12 months postpartum. While the findings of our pilot study underscore the importance of encouraging women of childbearing age to maintain a healthy BMI before conception, further research is needed to substantiate these results. Full article

The purpose of this study was to compare heart rate recovery (HRR) after a maximal treadmill (MAX-TM) and three-minute all-out (3MT) test between firefighters (FF) and a control (CON) group. Nine male CON and nine male FF participants completed height (m), weight (kg), body fat percent (BF%), normalized handgrip (GRIP_NORM, kg/kg), and MAX-TM with direct gas analysis to capture aerobic capacity (VO_2PEAK, mL/kg/min). A shuttle-sprint 3MT was used to measure critical velocity (CV, m/s) and D′ (m). Non-linear models determined HR decay (HRR_τ), HR asymptote (HR_∞), and HR amplitude (HR_amp). Two-way GROUP (FF vs. CON) by TEST (MAX-TM vs. 3MT) repeated measures ANOVAs indicated a significant TEST (F = 7.004, p = 0.018) effect on HR_amp. When divided by VO_2PEAK classification (FITNESS), a significant TEST effect was observed (F = 7.661, p = 0.014) on HR_amp. VO_2PEAK was significantly related to CV (r = 0.583, p = 0.011), GRIP_NORM (r = 0.668, p = 0.002), and BF% (r = −0.890, p < 0.001). Complete autonomic nervous system recovery may depend on the intensity of task demands and cardiorespiratory fitness. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alterations in the body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (PBF) have been considered to be related to aging-induced changes in bone and muscle. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of the BMI and PBF with osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and osteosarcopenia in postmenopausal women. Methods: A total of 342 participants who underwent musculoskeletal function assessments at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2015 and December 2022 were retrospectively screened. The diagnosis of osteoporosis was based on the WHO criteria, and sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the 2019 consensus of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Results: The BMI was positively correlated with the musculoskeletal function assessment parameters (bone mineral density, relative skeletal muscle index, and grip strength) and identified as an independent protective factor for sarcopenia alone (OR = 0.592, 95% CI: 0.455–0.769) or osteosarcopenia (OR = 0.411, 95% CI: 0.319–0.529), with a moderate diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.682) for the former and a high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.823) for the latter. However, the PBF was negatively correlated with the relative skeletal muscle index and identified as a risk factor for osteosarcopenia (OR = 1.404, 95% CI: 1.007–1.959), with a moderate diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.613). Conclusions: A higher BMI and lower PBF were associated with a lower prevalence of osteosarcopenia in postmenopausal women. Further research is required to elucidate the independent effects of the BMI and PBF on bone health. Full article

Background/Objectives: The physiological basis underlying symptomatic versus asymptomatic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) remains poorly understood. However, symptomatic PVCs can significantly impair quality of life. In patients without structural heart disease, symptom intensity is crucial for guiding management strategies and determining the need for medical or surgical intervention. In this study, we aimed, for the first time, to examine the associations between PVC symptoms and cardiac interoception. Methods: This study included 34 participants with PVCs (20 women; median age = 42 years; 17 participants had asymptomatic PVCs) without concomitant disorders. Interoception was assessed through interoceptive accuracy (IA) probed by two behavioral tests—mental tracking (MT) and heartbeat detection (HBD)—and the neurophysiological marker of cardiac interoception, the heartbeat-evoked potentials (HEPs). Symptom intensity scores reported by patients served as the response variable in the regression analysis, with IA and HEP as predictors. Other factors such as sex, age, percent of body fat, trait anxiety, and alexithymia were added to the models as confounding variables. Results: IA_MT was significantly higher in patients with symptomatic PVCs. IA_MT and HEP modulation for the HBD task were associated with symptom intensity. A combined regression model incorporating both metrics showed the highest predictive accuracy for symptom severity. Adding confounding variables improved model quality (lower AIC); however, only the male sex emerged as a significant negative predictor for symptom intensity. Conclusions: Our findings confirm a significant association between interoception and PVC symptom severity. Integrating behavioral and neurophysiological interoception measures enhances symptom prediction accuracy, suggesting new ways to develop diagnostic and non-invasive treatment strategies targeting interoception in PVC management. Full article

Background: Foods with protein claims (PCs) targeted at the general population are increasingly sought after by consumers because they think they are healthy. However, they may contain other nutrients that pose a health risk. Objectives: Therefore, the aim of this work was to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of foods with PC and compare them with those without these claims. Methods: The Spanish Food Database, BADALI, was used for this purpose. We studied 4325 processed foods of 12 different types. Thirteen percent had PCs and more than half of them were fortified with proteins (60.4%). Plant proteins were added more frequently than animal proteins. Protein values were higher in foods with PCs, particularly in those that were fortified. Differences in other nutrients were also observed depending on the food type. The healthiness of foods was assessed using the Pan American Health Organization Nutrient Profile Model and 90.8% of those bearing PCs were classified as “less healthy”. More than 50% were high in fat or high in sodium; around one in four were high in free sugar or saturated fat and one in five had sweeteners. Foods with PCs had 13.1% more “less healthy” items than those without PCs. The proportion of items high in fat or high in sodium were also larger and more of them had sweeteners. In contrast, the proportion of foods high in free sugar and high in saturated fat was lower among those with PCs. Conclusions: Therefore, the perception that foods with PCs are healthy is incorrect, and consuming them may pose an additional health risk. Full article

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) can range from mild to severe cardiovascular events and typically develops through complex interactions between genetic and lifestyle factors. Objectives: We aimed to understand the genetic predisposition associated with MI through genetic correlation, colocalization analysis, and cells’ gene expression values to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies to reduce its burden. Methods: A polygenic risk score (PRS) was employed to estimate the genetic risk for MI and to analyze the dietary interactions with PRS that affect MI risk in adults over 45 years (n = 58,701). Genetic correlation (rg) between MI and metabolic syndrome-related traits was estimated with linkage disequilibrium score regression. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis was performed to investigate cellular heterogeneity in MI-associated genes. Results: Ten significant genetic variants associated with MI risk were related to cardiac, immune, and brain functions. A high PRS was associated with a threefold increase in MI risk (OR: 3.074, 95% CI: 2.354–4.014, p < 0.001). This increased the risk of MI plus obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension by about twofold after adjusting for MI-related covariates (p < 0.001). The PRS interacted with moderate fat intake (>15 energy percent), alcohol consumption (<30 g/day), and non-smoking, reducing MI risk in participants with a high PRS. MI was negatively correlated with the consumption of olive oil, sesame oil, and perilla oil used for cooking (rg = −0.364). MI risk was associated with storkhead box 1 (STOX1) and vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 26A (VPS26A) in atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts. Conclusions: This study identified novel genetic variants and gene expression patterns associated with MI risk, influenced by their interaction with fat and alcohol intake, and smoking status. Our findings provide insights for developing personalized prevention and treatment strategies targeting this complex clinical presentation of MI. Full article

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience an increased risk for obesity and cardiometabolic disease. Recommendations to prevent and treat obesity for those with SCI follow those of the US Department of Agriculture to adopt a healthy eating pattern that includes eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein, plus limiting added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. Yet, people with SCI eat too many calories, fat, and carbohydrates and too few fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The study is based on secondary analyses of SCI participants (n = 122) who enrolled in a weight loss study to determine how SCI may impact their ability to prepare food at home. We hypothesize those with higher-level spinal injuries (specifically, those with cervical versus those with thoracic or lumbar/sacral injuries) experience significantly greater difficulty and are more likely to rely on others’ assistance to perform meal preparation tasks. Physiologic (weight, BMI, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c) and self-reported data (demographic plus responses to the Life Habits Short Survey and meal prep items) were collected at baseline and qualitative data were obtained from a subsample after the intervention during phone interviews. Participants’ average age was 50 ± 14.7 years old, they lived with SCI for an average of 13.0 ± 13.1 years, and their average BMI was 32.0 ± 6.5. Participants were predominantly white (76.1%) men (54.1%) who had some college education (76.3%), though only 28.8% worked. A substantial proportion of respondents (30% to 68%) reported difficulty across the 13 tasks related to purchasing and preparing meals, with a proxy reported as the most common assistance type used across all tasks (17% to 42%). Forty-nine percent reported difficulty preparing simple meals, with 29% reporting a proxy does the task. More than half reported difficulty using the oven and stove, though between 60% to 70% reported no difficulty using other kitchen appliances (e.g., coffee machine, food processor, can opener), the refrigerator, or microwave. There was a significant difference in kitchen function by injury level. Those living with cervical-level injuries had significantly greater limitations than those with thoracic-level injuries. Spouses, other family members, and caregivers were most likely to serve as proxies and these individuals exerted both positive and negative influences on respondents’ dietary intake, based on qualitative data obtained during interviews. The results suggest that many people living with SCI experience functional and environmental barriers that impact their ability to prepare food and use kitchen appliances. Future research should examine how SCI-related functional limitations, transportation access, accessibility of the kitchen, ability to use appliances, availability of financial resources, and assistance by others to prepare foods impact people’s ability to follow a healthy eating pattern. Full article

Introduction. Physical activity is vital for preventing and managing lifestyle-related diseases, which pose significant health and socio-economic challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a six-month supervised physical activity program on health risk factors and body composition in middle-aged individuals with overweight or obesity. Methods. The study involved 166 men and women aged 30 to 65 years, with a body mass index (BMI) ranging from 26 to 35 and moderate to severe health risks. Participants of the study were engaged in a six-month physical activity training program designed in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines. Comprehensive assessments were performed at baseline and after the intervention, including measurements of various anthropometric and body composition parameters, as well as evaluations of functional performance. Fitness tests were also conducted to assess participants’ physical capacity and to monitor improvements throughout the training period. Results. Baseline measures of body mass composition and age demonstrated a strong positive correlation with visceral fat rating (VFR) in both men (r = 0.364, p < 0.001) and women (r = 0.420, p = 0.002). Following the six-month training program, participants exhibited an average improvement of 30% (p < 0.001) in their Cooper endurance test results. The physical activity intervention positively impacted body mass index (BMI) and various body composition metrics, including fat mass, VFR, and muscle mass, across all participants and most subgroups (gender, BMI, and age). In males, training at higher maximum heart rate (HRmax) zones significantly contributed to a reduction in the percentage of fat mass (80–89% HRmax) and an increase in the percentage of muscle mass (70–79% and 80–89% HRmax). Conclusions. The study indicates that a six-month supervised physical activity program significantly improves health risk factors and body composition (visceral fat reduction and improvement in percent of fat and muscle mass) among middle-aged individuals with overweight or obesity. Therefore, we advocate for the integration of structured physical activity interventions into healthcare practices to effectively enhance health outcomes in this population. Full article

Background: Previously, we found that healthy underweight (HU) subjects, with BMI < 18.5, eat about 12% less food (by calories) each day. It is presently unclear whether this lower intake is associated with them making food choices that provide high satiation and satiety. Methods: Using 7-day photographic records of food intake, we analyzed 52 HU and 50 normal-weight participants. Results: We included 52 HU and 50 normal-weight participants in the final analysis. HU individuals ate 25% fewer calories than normal-weight individuals. Their intake included a higher % of rice (p = 0.0013) and vegetables (p = 0.0006) and a lower % of livestock meat (p = 0.0007), poultry meat (p < 0.0001), and starchy roots (p = 0.0015), compared with the normal-weight population. The percent energy from carbohydrates was significantly higher (p = 0.0234), and the % energy from fat was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in the HU group, with no difference in the % energy from protein. HU individuals sourced more of their protein from plants. Dietary patterns were grouped into three clusters, with 24 individuals grouped into cluster 1 (87.5% normal-weight population), 28 individuals into cluster 2 (64.3% normal-weight group), and 50 individuals into cluster 3 (78% HU group). Conclusions: The HU group ate less overall and had proportionally more rice and vegetables and less poultry and livestock meat, starchy roots, and drinks. With respect to macronutrients, they also ate a greater % carbohydrates and less % fat, and they sourced more of their protein intake from plant sources. HU individuals did not follow a low-carbohydrate lifestyle. Full article

Background: Fasting glucose is higher in pregnancies with obesity (OB); less is known about postprandial (PP) and nocturnal patterns when the diet is eucaloric and fixed or about the continuous-glucose-monitor (CGM) metrics that predict neonatal adiposity (NB%fat). We hypothesized that continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) would reveal higher glycemia in OB vs. normal weight (NW) during Early (14–16 weeks) and Later (26–28 weeks) gestation despite macronutrient-controlled eucaloric diets and elucidate unique predictors of NB%fat. Methods: In a prospective, parallel-group comparative study, a eucaloric diet (NW: 25 kcal/kg; OB: 30 kcal/kg) was provided (50% carbohydrate [20% simple/30% complex; of total calories], 35% fat, 15% protein) to Early and Later gestation groups wearing a blinded CGM for three days. CGM metrics (mean fasting; 1 h and 2 h PP; daytime and nocturnal glucose; percent time-in-range (%TIR: 63–140 mg/dL); PP excursions; and area-under-the-curve [AUC]) were interrogated between groups and as predictors of NB%fat by dual X-ray absorptiometry(DXA). Results: Fifty-four women with NW (BMI: 23 kg/m²; n = 27) and OB (BMI: 32; n = 27) provided their informed consent to participate. Early, the daytime glucose was higher in OB vs. NW (mean ± SEM) (91 ± 2 vs. 85 ± 2 mg/dL, p = 0.017), driven by 2 h PP glucose (95 ± 2 vs. 88 ± 2, p = 0.004). Later, those with OB exhibited higher nocturnal (89 ± 2 vs. 81 ± 2), daytime (95 ± 2 vs. 87 ± 2), 1 h (109 ± 3 vs. 98 ± 2), and 2 h PP (101 ± 3 vs. 92 ± 2) glucose (all p < 0.05) but no difference in %TIR (95–99%). Postprandial peak excursions for all meals were markedly blunted in both the Early (9–19 mg/dL) and Later (15–26 mg/dL). In OB, the Later group’s 24 h AUC was correlated with NB%fat (r = 0.534, p = 0.02). Despite similar weight gain, infants of OB had higher birthweight (3528 ± 107 vs. 3258 ± 74 g, p = 0.037); differences in NB%fat did not reach statistical significance (11.0 vs. 8.9%; p > 0.05). Conclusions: Despite macronutrient-controlled eucaloric diets, pregnancies with OB had higher glycemia Early and Later in gestation; the Later 24 h glucose AUC correlated with NB%fat. However, glycemic patterns were strikingly lower than current management targets. Full article

Purpose: This study aimed to characterize the association between microbial dynamics and excessive exercise. Methods: Swabbed fecal samples, body composition (percent body fat), and swimming logs were collected (n = 94) from a single individual over 107 days as he swam across the Pacific Ocean. The V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced, generating 6.2 million amplicon sequence variants. Multivariate analysis was used to analyze the microbial community structure, and machine learning (random forest) was used to model the microbial dynamics over time using R statistical programming. Results: Our findings show a significant reduction in percent fat mass (Pearson; p < 0.01, R = −0.89) and daily swim distance (Spearman; p < 0.01, R = −0.30). Furthermore, the microbial community structure became increasingly similar over time (PERMANOVA; p < 0.01, R = −0.27). Decision-based modeling (random forest) revealed the genera Alistipes, Anaerostipes, Bifidobacterium, Butyricimonas, Lachnospira, Lachnobacterium, and Ruminococcus as important microbial biomarkers of excessive exercise for explaining variations observed throughout the swim (OOB; R = 0.893). Conclusions: We show that microbial community structure and composition accurately classify outcomes of excessive exercise in relation to body composition, blood pressure, and daily swim distance. More importantly, microbial dynamics reveal the microbial taxa significantly associated with increased exercise volume, highlighting specific microbes responsive to excessive swimming. Full article

Background: There is growing evidence that diet and aging are associated; however, few studies have examined the relationship between macronutrient subtypes and phenotypic age acceleration, and the extent to which BMI (body mass index) mediates this association is unclear. Methods: This study included 6911 individuals who were 20 years or older and had participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Daily macronutrient intakes were calculated and classified by the quartile of their subtypes. PhenoAgeAccel was calculated as an aging index using nine chemistry biomarkers. Multivariable linear regression and isocaloric substitution effects were used to evaluate the association of macronutrients with PhenoAgeAccel. Mediation analyses were used to examine the mediation role of BMI in the association. Results: After adjusting for the potential covariates, the consumption of high-quality carbohydrates (β = −1.01, 95% CI: −1.91, −0.12), total protein (β = −2.00, 95% CI: −3.16, −0.84), and plant protein (β = −1.65, 95% CI: −2.52, −0.78) was negatively correlated with PhenoAgeAccel; the consumption of SFAs (β = 1.77, 95% CI: 0.72, 2.81) was positively correlated with PhenoAgeAccel. For every serving of low-quality carbohydrates/animal protein and other calories replaced by one serving of high-quality carbohydrates/plant protein, PhenoAgeAccel would be reduced by about 25 percent. The ratio between BMI-mediated high-quality carbohydrates and PhenoAgeAccel accounted for 19.76% of the total effect, while the ratio between BMI-mediated total fat and PhenoAgeAccel accounted for 30.78% of the total effect. Conclusions: Different macronutrient consumption subtypes are related to PhenoAgeAccel, which is partially mediated by BMI, depending on the quality of macronutrients. Replacing low-quality macronutrients with high-quality macronutrients might slow aging. Full article