The relationship between vitamin D status and visceral adiposity among older adults remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum vitamin D levels and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) among older Iranian adults. This cross-sectional study included older adults aged ≥ 60 years from the Amirkola Health and Aging Project. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. VAT was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Furthermore, the relationship between vitamin D and VAT was examined through multiple linear regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounders. Of the 600 participants, 345 (57.5%) were males and 255 (42.5%) were females. Their mean age was 68.90 ± 6.97 years, and the mean vitamin D level was 60.50 ± 39.45 ng/mL. Serum vitamin D levels showed a weak negative association with VAT mass (β = −0.062, p = 0.012). In both sexes, VAT mass predictors followed a similar pattern. Body mass index (BMI; β = 0.811, p < 0.001) was identified as a strong predictor, while diabetes status exhibited a positive association with VAT mass (β = 0.078, p = 0.002). Serum vitamin D levels appear to have a weak inverse relationship with visceral adiposity in older Iranian adults. BMI was the most robust predictor of VAT. Further longitudinal research is needed to clarify the causal relationship between vitamin D status and visceral adiposity among older adults.
Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease influenced by behavioral, environmental, genetic, and psychological factors. One primary determinant of childhood obesity is the presence of dietary factors commonly acquired through the shared home food environment, which parents can greatly influence. Thus, the present study examined the similarity in diet quality between children or adolescents with obesity and their mothers. We analyzed baseline data collected from the Intervention for Children and Adolescent obesity via Activity and Nutrition study. Seventy mother–offspring dyads were identified, which included children and adolescents with obesity aged 8–16 years and their mothers living in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Food or nutrient intake and diet quality were evaluated from 3-day food records. Childhood obesity was defined as body mass index ≥ 95th percentile based on the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. No significant difference was observed in the diet quality score between children with obesity and their mothers. However, correlation coefficients between mothers and their children’s total Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) score (r = 0.30) and subcategories, such as variety (r = 0.29), adequacy (r = 0.43), moderation (r = 0.45), and overall balance (r = 0.30), were positively correlated (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis of the influence of maternal diet quality on offspring diet quality revealed that the maternal DQI-I score influenced the offspring’s DQI-I score, consistent with our prediction. Further studies with larger and more representative samples are needed to confirm the applicability of our findings to all children and adolescent populations.
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Obesity is a significant global health concern that not only increases metabolic disorders risks but also impacts mental health, particularly affecting women due to hormonal fluctuations and societal pressures. This study investigated anti-obesity and anti-anxiety effects of lemon balm (
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Nutrition support is an essential aspect of treatment after bariatric surgery (BS). A high-protein diet with an intake of up to 1.5 g/kg of ideal body weight (IBW) per day is recommended to minimize loss of lean body mass after BS. However, protein intake recommendations may need to be adjusted for patients with compromised renal function, necessitating an individualized approach tailored to each patient’s clinical status. This case report aimed to demonstrate nutritional evaluation, education, and counseling for a male patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who underwent BS one year after surgery. Following BS, the patient adhered to the standard Seoul National University Hospital BS diet protocol. Considering his postoperative renal function, protein requirement was set at 1.0 g/kg of IBW. A total of 10 individualized nutritional counseling sessions were conducted according to renal function and complications. One year after BS, he successfully lost weight with % excess weight loss of 93%, maintained CKD stage 3, reduced prescription of oral hypoglycemic agent, improved glycated hemoglobin levels, and improved eating habits significantly. Thus, individualized nutrition intervention is important for supporting patients with CKD to reach their goal weight after BS, improve nutritional status, and prevent post-operative complications.
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Obesity and overweight pose a significant public health problem, as they are associated with an elevated risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Several studies have shown that diet quality is associated with the development of MetS risk factors. Analyzing dietary patterns may be more helpful in determining the relationship between eating habits and chronic diseases compared to focusing on single foods or nutrients. In this study, our
objective
was to evaluate the association of food quality score (FQS) with risk factors for MetS in individuals with obesity and overweight. The participants in this cross-sectional study were 340 adults with overweight and obesity. Participants’ food intake was measured using a Food Frequency Questionnaire, then the FQS was calculated. A fasting blood sample assessed serum glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and serum insulin levels. Fat-free mass, height, basal metabolic rate, socio-economic score, and waist-to-hip ratio significantly differed among FQS tertiles. TC, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose were significantly lower in the highest tertile of FQS. After multivariable adjustment, our results showed that individuals in the third tertile of FQS had reduced risk of higher levels of TC (odds ratio [OR], 0.982; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.970–0.984) and higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR, 0.974; 95% CI, 0.974–0.999). Our findings demonstrate an inverse relationship between diet quality, as measured by FQS, and MetS risk factors. However, further experimental and longitudinal investigations are warranted to elucidate the causal nature of this association.
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People with higher genetic predisposition to obesity are more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and healthy plant-based foods may be associated with reduced risks of obesity and other metabolic markers. We investigated whether healthy plant-foods-rich dietary patterns might have inverse associations with cardiometabolic risk factors in participants at genetically elevated risk of obesity. For this cross-sectional study, 377 obese and overweight women were chosen from health centers in Tehran, Iran. We calculated a healthy plant-based diet index (h-PDI) in which healthy plant foods received positive scores, and unhealthy plant and animal foods received reversed scores. A genetic risk score (GRS) was developed based on 3 polymorphisms. The interaction between GRS and h-PDI on cardiometabolic traits was analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM). We found significant interactions between GRS and h-PDI on body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.02), body fat mass (p = 0.04), and waist circumference (p = 0.056). There were significant gene-diet interactions for healthful plant-derived diets and BMI-GRS on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.03), aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.04), alanine transaminase (p = 0.05), insulin (p = 0.04), and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (p = 0.002). Adherence to h-PDI was more strongly related to decreased levels of the aforementioned markers among participants in the second or top tertile of GRS than those with low GRS. These results highlight that following a plant-based dietary pattern considering genetics appears to be a protective factor against the risks of cardiometabolic abnormalities.
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The rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes is a significant health concern both in globally and is now regarded as a worldwide epidemic. Added sugars like sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) are a major concern due to their link with an increased incidence of diet-induced obesity and diabetes. The purpose of this review is to provide insight into the effects of natural sweeteners as alternatives to sucrose and HFCS, which are known to have negative impacts on metabolic diseases and to promote further research on sugar consumption with a focus on improving metabolic health. The collective evidences suggest that natural alternative sweeteners have positive impacts on various markers associated with obesity and diabetes, including body weight gain, hepatic fat accumulation, abnormal blood glucose or lipid homeostasis, and insulin resistance. Taken together, natural alternative sweeteners can be useful substitutes to decrease the risk of obesity and diabetes compared with sucrose and HFCS.
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Recent studies have evaluated the association between specific beverage intake and metabolic risks in adults. However, more evidence is needed to examine the association between the Healthy Beverage Index (HBI) and metabolic factors. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between HBI and metabolic factors in adults. In this cross-sectional study, 338 overweight and obese individuals living in Tabriz, Iran were selected. Data on beverage consumption, demographics, physical activity, and anthropometric characteristics were evaluated using validated standard protocols. The predefined HBI was calculated based on previous studies. The mean value of HBI index among all of the participants was 59.76 ± 6.51. Those at the higher HBI scores had significantly lower waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, fat mass, and weight (p < 0.05). HBI and triglyceride scores also had a significant relationship. It has been shown that at higher HBI scores compared to lower scores, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increase while homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and blood pressure decrease. HBI scores higher among Iranian adults were associated with a better chance of losing weight and weight loss and a better lipid profile, and lower blood pressure. Therefore, HBI can be a useful and helpful tool for assessing the overall quality of beverages adults consume. However, further studies are warranted to confirm the possible health effects of healthy beverage index.
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Creating a complex balance between dietary composition, circadian rhythm, and the hemostasis control of energy is important for managing diseases. Therefore, we aimed to determine the interaction between cryptochrome circadian clocks 1 polymorphism and energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII) on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in women with central obesity. This cross-sectional study recruited 220 Iranian women aged 18–45 with central obesity. The 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the dietary intakes, and the E-DII score was calculated. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were determined. By polymerase chain response-restricted length polymorphism method, cryptochrome circadian clocks 1 polymorphism was assigned. Participants were categorized into three groups based on the E-DII score, then categorized according to cryptochrome circadian clocks 1 genotypes. The mean and standard deviation of age, BMI, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were 35.61 ± 9.57 years, 30.97 ± 4.16 kg/m2, and 4.82 ± 5.16 mg/dL, respectively. The interaction of the CG genotype and E-DII score had a significant association with higher hs-CRP level compared to GG genotype as the reference group (β, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.11–2.27; p value, 0.03). There was a marginally significant association between the interaction of the CC genotype and the E-DII score with higher hs-CRP level compared to the GG genotype as the reference group (β, 0.85; 95% CI, −0.15 to 1.86; p value, 0.05). There is probably positive interaction between CG, CC genotypes of cryptochrome circadian clocks 1, and E-DII score on the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level in women with central obesity.
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Studies indicate an association between hyperuricemia (HUA) and metabolic syndrome risk factors. On the other hand, obesity is a major modifiable and independent risk factor for HUA and gout. However, evidence concerning the effects of bariatric surgery on serum uric acid levels is limited and not completely clarified. This retrospective study was carried out with 41 patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (n = 26) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 15) from September 2019 to October 2021. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical data, including uric acid blood urea nitrogen and creatinine fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum triglyceride (TG), and serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), were measured preoperatively and postoperative 3, 6 and 12 months. From baseline to 6 and 12 months, bariatric surgery resulted in a significant decrease in serum uric acid of patients with severe obesity (p < 0.001). The decreases in serum FBS, TG, and cholesterol of patients were significant during 6 and 12 months of follow-up (p < 0.05). However, the HDL increase of patients was not statistically significant in 6 and 12 months (p > 0.05). Besides, although patients’ serum level of LDL decreased significantly during the 6 months of follow-up (p = 0.007), it was not significant after 12 months (p = 0.092). Bariatric surgery significantly reduces serum uric acid levels. Therefore, it may be an effective supplementary therapy for lowering serum uric acid concentrations in morbidly obese patients.
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Iron plays a role in energy metabolism as a component of vital enzymes and electron transport chains (ETCs) for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and oxidative phosphorylation are crucial in generating ATP in mitochondria. At the mitochondria matrix, heme and iron-sulfur clusters are synthesized. Iron-sulfur cluster is a part of the aconitase in the TCA cycle and a functional or structural component of electron transfer proteins. Heme is the prosthetic group for cytochrome c, a principal component of the respiratory ETC. Regarding fat metabolism, iron regulates mitochondrial fat oxidation and affects the thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (BAT). Thermogenesis is a process that increases energy expenditure, and BAT is a tissue that generates heat via mitochondrial fuel oxidation. Iron deficiency may impair mitochondrial fuel oxidation by inhibiting iron-containing molecules, leading to decreased energy expenditure. Although it is expected that impaired mitochondrial fuel oxidation may be restored by iron supplementation, its underlying mechanisms have not been clearly identified. Therefore, this review summarizes the current evidence on how iron regulates energy metabolism considering the TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and thermogenesis. Additionally, we relate iron-mediated metabolic regulation to obesity and obesity-related complications.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is now at pandemic levels leading to considerable morbidity and mortality throughout the globe. Patients with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are mainly susceptible and more probably to get severe side effects when affected by this virus. The pathophysiologic mechanisms for these notions have not been completely known. The pro-inflammatory milieu observed in patients with metabolic disruption could lead to COVID-19-mediated host immune dysregulation, such as immune dysfunction, severe inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, and thrombosis. The present review expresses the current knowledge regarding the influence of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and MetS on COVID-19 infection and severity, and their pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multifactorial disease with its exact causes not completely clear. Micronutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium have been associated with MetS components. Our
objective
was to investigate the association of nutrient adequacy (NA) with MetS components. The present cross-sectional study consisted of 850 adults between 18-59 years from Tehran, Iran. Dietary intake, socio-demographic data, medical history, and anthropometric indices were collected by trained personnel. NA was calculated as the mean intake ratio to the recommended amount of 16 micronutrients. MetS were defined by the consensus of National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The association between NA and MetS was examined using linear regression analyses after controlling potential confounders. More participants in the highest quartile were obese in terms of general obesity (p = 0004) and abdominal obesity (p = 0.003) compared with subjects in the least quartile. A significant positive correlation was found between waist circumference (WC) and NA even after controlling for all potential confounders (p < 0.001). NA was positively associated with WC among adults living in Tehran.
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We evaluated the association between obesity status by body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC) and osteoporotic fracture risk. We collected data of 143,673 women with a mean age of 58.5 years without history of osteoporotic fracture from the Korean National Health Insurance Service Cohort. Participants were divided into four groups according to obesity by BMI and WC, normal BMI/WC (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2 and WC < 85 cm, reference), obese BMI/normal WC (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and WC < 85 cm), normal BMI/obese WC (BMI < 25 kg/m2 and WC ≥ 85 cm), and obese BMI/WC (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and WC < 85cm). Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to obtain hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the subsequent median 6.0 years, which were adjusted for age, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, morbidity index, and osteoporosis medication. Compared with the normal group, normal BMI/obese WC was associated with a higher osteoporotic fracture risk after multivariable adjustment (HRs [95% CI], 1.13 [1.05–1.21]), and obese BMI/normal WC was associated with a lower osteoporotic fracture risk (0.89 [0.84–0.94]). Obese BMI/normal WC was associated with a lower risk for hip fractures (0.75 [0.57–0.99]). Obese BMI/normal WC was associated with decreased risk of osteoporotic fracture, whereas normal BMI/obese WC was associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fracture compared with the normal group among East Asian women in their late 40s or more.
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Resting metabolic rate (RMR) accounts for most daily energy expenditure. The low carbohydrate diet (LCD) attenuates decreases in RMR. This study aims to investigate the relationship between an LCD and RMR status among overweight and obese women. We enrolled 291 overweight and obese women in this cross-sectional study. Body mass index (BMI), fat mass, fat-free mass, visceral fat, and insulin level were assessed. RMR was measured using indirect calorimetry. LCD score (LCDS) was measured using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Analysis of variance, independent sample t-test, and Multinomial logistic regression tests were used. Results showed no relationship between LCDS and deviation of normal RMR (DNR) even after adjust for confounders (increased [Inc.] RMR: odds ratio [OR], 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92–1.01; p = 0.20; decreased [Dec.] RMR: OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94–1.00; p = 0.14). Some components of LCDS had no significant association with DNR, such as carbohydrate and Dec. RMR in adjusted model (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.98–1.37; p = 0.08) and monounsaturated fatty acids and Dec. RMR in adjusted model (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.21–1.10, p = 0.08). However, refined grains had a significant association with Inc. RMR in crude model (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.77–0.99, p = 0.04). There is no association between LCDS and RMR status.