Age changes in skeletal diameters of two communities of Punjab (India) from 20 to 80 years

The study was conducted on a cross-sectional sample of 502 Jat-Sikh and 510 Bania females ranging in age from 20 to 80 years. The results indicate that shoulder breadth increases up to age group 30-39. After that a decrease sets in, but the bicristal diameter continues to increase up to the sixth decade. The diameters of the extremities have also shown continuous increase up to the fifth or sixth decade in both the communities. On an average, the Jat-Sikh women possess significantly broader shoulders, hips and diameters of the extremities, except for knee diameter, which is slightly bigger in Bania females. This phenomenon has been attributed to genetic factors as well as to the physically active mode of life of Jat-Sikhs as compared to Banias.     

Estimated fat, bone mineral, total body water and cell solids in females of two communities of Punjab, India

The data for the present study consist of 502 Jat-Sikh and 510 Bania females of Punjab (India), ranging in age from 20 to 80 years. The different components of the body i.e. fat, bone mineral, total body water and cell solids have been calculated from anthropometric measurements by applying different equations given by various investigators. While studying age changes in different components of the body, it is the fat component, which has undergone major fluctuations past maturity. It has increased significantly from age-group 20-29 to 40-49 in both Jat-Sikh and Bania females. A significant decrease in fat has been observed from age-group 60-69 to 70 +. The bone minerals have exhibited little changes with age. The total body water and cell solids show a significant increase from age-group 20-29 to 30-39, followed by a decrease in both the communities. The decrease in these two components is statistically significant from age-group 40-49 to 50-59 in Bania females only. While comparing the two communities it has been observed that bone minerals are significantly larger in Jat-Sikh females, and fat is significantly larger in Bania females except in the last two age-groups. The other two components i.e. total body water and cell solids show statistically non-significant differences in the two communities.     

A study of cephalo-facial measurements from age 20 to 80 in Jat-Sikh and Bania females of Punjab (India)

The sample consists of 502 Jat-Sikh and 510 Bania females ranging in age from 20 to 80 years. Most of the measurements of head and face have shown a trend of increase up to fifth or sixth decade followed by a decrease, with intermittent fluctuations. Nose length and nose breadth have shown a trend of continuous increase up to the last age group. But this increase or decrease observed for these measurements during successive age-groups is significant only in few age-groups. On an average, the Jat-Sikh females possess significantly bigger heads, however some measurements like bigonial breadth, morphological upper facial length and nose breadth are significantly larger in Banias. The head is generally dolichocephal, with broad upper face and medium jugo-mandibular index in both the communities. The maximum frequency of Jat-Sikh females possess leptorhinae noses, whereas in Banias there is a transition from leptorhinae to mesorhinae noses.     

Body measurements and somatotypes of young adult Jat-Sikh men of Punjab, India

During 1972 body measurements including height, weight, limb circumferences, skeletal diameters and skinfolds were taken on 100 unrelated and healthy Jat-Sikh men of 17 to 25 years of age, belonging to different areas of Punjab, India. The average height and weight of Jat-Sikhs is 170.4 cm and 54.5 kg, respectively. The mean Heath-Carter somatotype is 3.22-3.40-4.11. The majority of somatotypes is concentrated in endo-ectomorph and meso-ectomorph sectors of the somatochart. Comparisons with recently described data on females of the same area and population show significant sex differences in various body measurements except for the bicristal diameter. The females possess significantly more subcutaneous fat. For the rest of the measurements, the males have higher values. The Jat-Sikh males are comparable in height and weight to the contemporary pooled Punjabi, but are distinctly taller than the neighbouring populations of Himachal Pradesh and pooled all India samples. However, they are comparatively smaller and lighter as compared to European and American populations.     

湖南土家族成人的皮褶厚度和体成分分析

本项目采用人体测量法,测量了976名(男性528人,女性448人)湖南土家族成人的身高、体质量以及肱三头肌、肩胛下、髂前上和小腿内侧皮褶的厚度,并根据公式计算体密度、体脂率、脂肪质量、脂肪质量指数、瘦体质量和瘦体质量指数。结果显示随年龄增长,小腿内侧皮褶厚度值逐渐减小,肱三头肌、肩胛下和髂前上棘皮褶以及体脂率、脂肪质量、瘦体质量、体质量指数、脂肪质量指数和瘦体质量指数值先增大后减小,体密度值先减小后增大;各年龄组中体密度、瘦体质量及其指数值女性明显低于男性,4项皮褶厚度值以及体脂率、脂肪质量及其指数值女性高于男性;与布朗族等24个族群比较,湖南土家族成人皮褶厚度处于中等水平,与门巴族、珞巴族、僜人、彝族等族群的亲缘关系较近。     

Excess body fat in men decreases plasma fatty acid availability and oxidation during endurance exercise

The effect of relative body fat mass on exercise-induced stimulation of lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation was evaluated in 15 untrained men (5 lean, 5 overweight, and 5 obese with body mass indexes of 21 +/- 1, 27 +/- 1, and 34 +/- 1 kg/m2, respectively, and %body fat ranging from 12 to 32%). Palmitate and glycerol kinetics and substrate oxidation were assessed during 90 min of cycling at 50% peak aerobic capacity (VO2 peak) by use of stable isotope-labeled tracer infusion and indirect calorimetry. An inverse relationship was found between %body fat and exercise-induced increase in glycerol appearance rate relative to fat mass (r2 = 0.74; P < 0.01). The increase in total fatty acid uptake during exercise [(micromol/kg fat-free mass) x 90 min] was approximately 50% smaller in obese (181 +/- 70; P < 0.05) and approximately 35% smaller in overweight (230 +/- 71; P < 0.05) than in lean (354 +/- 34) men. The percentage of total fatty acid oxidation derived from systemic plasma fatty acids decreased with increasing body fat, from 49 +/- 3% in lean to 39 +/- 4% in obese men (P < 0.05); conversely, the percentage of nonsystemic fatty acids, presumably derived from intramuscular and possibly plasma triglycerides, increased with increasing body fat (P < 0.05). We conclude that the lipolytic response to exercise decreases with increasing adiposity. The blunted increase in lipolytic rate in overweight and obese men compared with lean men limits the availability of plasma fatty acids as a fuel during exercise. However, the rate of total fat oxidation was similar in all groups because of a compensatory increase in the oxidation of nonsystemic fatty acids.     

Leptin treatment reduces body fat but does not affect lean body mass or the myostatin-follistatin-activin axis in lean hypoleptinemic women

Animal studies in vivo indicate that leptin treatment in extremely leptin-sensitive ob/ob mice reduces body weight exclusively by reducing fat mass and that it increases muscle mass by downregulating myostatin expression. Data from human trials are limited. Therefore, we aimed at characterizing the effects of leptin administration on fat mass, lean body mass, and circulating regulators of muscle growth in hypoleptinemic and presumably leptin-sensitive human subjects. In an open-label, single-arm trial, seven lean, strenuously exercising, amenorrheic women with low leptin concentrations (≤5 ng/ml) were given recombinant methionyl human leptin (metreleptin; 0.08 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)) for 10 wk. In a separate randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, seven women were given metreleptin (initial dose: 0.08 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) for 3 mo, increased thereafter to 0.12 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) if menstruation did not occur), and six were given placebo for 9 mo. Metreleptin significantly reduced total body fat by an average of 18.6% after 10 wk (P < 0.001) in the single-arm trial and by 19.5% after 9 mo (placebo subtracted; P for interaction = 0.025, P for metreleptin = 0.004) in the placebo-controlled trial. There were no significant changes in lean body mass (P ≥ 0.33) or in serum concentrations of myostatin (P ≥ 0.35), follistatin (P ≥ 0.30), and activin A (P ≥ 0.20) whether in the 10-wk trial or the 9-mo trial. We conclude that metreleptin administration in lean hypoleptinemic women reduces fat mass exclusively and does not affect lean body mass or the myostatin-follistatin-activin axis.     

Fat and body condition in migrating Redwings Turdus iliacus

During the night of 29–30 October 1995, over 600 Redwings Turdus iliacus died as a result of flying into the lighthouse at Bardsey, Gwynedd, North Wales. These migrating birds were used to investigate fat levels in relation to age, sex, biometrics and pectoral muscle mass. Wing length was the best single linear measure of size and mean wing length of males was 2.5 mm greater than that of females. Body mass of the casualties declined during the night and the mean body mass of birds arriving towards the end of the night was 1.5 g lower than that of the first arrivals. Fat deposits at different body sites were significantly correlated with each other and with body mass, and, by extrapolation, the mass of intra-abdominal fat remaining would be significant when other fat deposits have been depleted. Fat in the tracheal pit (the claviculo-coracoid fat body) demonstrated the best correlation with body mass and was linearly correlated with visual fat scores. Fat was also present in the pectoral muscle but did not make a significant contribution to overall body mass. Two-thirds of the variation in body mass was accounted for by wing length, the mass of claviculo-coracoid fat and the lean-dry mass of pectoral muscle. Claviculo-coracoid fat and lean pectoral-muscle mass contributed independently to overall body mass. These data support the view that increase in fat in relation to migration is accompanied by an increase in protein or lean muscle mass, but suggest that these are controlled independently.     

Validation of a quantitative magnetic resonance method for measuring human body composition

Objective: To evaluate a novel quantitative magnetic resonance (QMR) methodology (EchoMRI‐AH, Echo Medical Systems) for measurement of whole‐body fat and lean mass in humans. Methods and Procedures: We have studied (i) the in vitro accuracy and precision by measuring 18 kg Canola oil with and without 9 kg water (ii) the accuracy and precision of measures of simulated fat mass changes in human subjects (n = 10) and (iii) QMR fat and lean mass measurements compared to those obtained using the established 4‐compartment (4‐C) model method (n = 30). Results: (i) QMR represented 18 kg of oil at 40°C as 17.1 kg fat and 1 kg lean while at 30°C 15.8 kg fat and 4.7 kg lean were reported. The s.d. of repeated estimates was 0.13 kg for fat and 0.23 kg for lean mass. Adding 9 kg of water reduced the fat estimates, increased misrepresentation of fat as lean, and degraded the precision. (ii) the simulated change in the fat mass of human volunteers was accurately represented, independently of added water. (iii) compared to the 4‐C model, QMR underestimated fat and over‐estimated lean mass. The extent of difference increased with body mass. The s.d. of repeated measurements increased with adiposity, from 0.25 kg (fat) and 0.51 kg (lean) with BMI <25 kg/m² to 0.43 kg and 0.81 kg respectively with BMI >30 kg/m². Discussion: EchoMRI‐AH prototype showed shortcomings in absolute accuracy and specificity of fat mass measures, but detected simulated body composition change accurately and with precision roughly three times better than current best measures. This methodology should reduce the study duration and cohort number needed to evaluate anti‐obesity interventions.     

Body composition and fat distribution among older Jat females: A rural–urban comparison

The aim of the present cross-sectional study is to describe and compare age related changes in body composition and fat patterning among rural and urban Jat females of Haryana State, India. A total of 600 females (rural = 300, urban = 300), ranging in age from 40 to 70 years were selected by the purposive sampling method. Body weight, height, two circumferences (waist and hip) and skinfold thickness at five different sites (biceps, triceps, calf, subscapular, and supra-iliac) were taken on each participant. To study total adiposity, indices such as body mass index (BMI), grand mean thickness (GMT), total body fat and percentage fat were analyzed statistically. The fat distribution pattern was studied using waist/hip ratio, subscapular/triceps ratio and responsiveness of five skinfold sites towards accumulation of fat at different sites with advancing age. Results indicate a decline in almost every dimension including level of fatness between the mid-fourth and mid-fifth decades of life in both rural and urban females. Urban Jat females were heavier (57.36 kg vs. 56.07 kg, p > 0.05) and significantly taller (1553.3 mm vs. 1534.5 mm, p < 0.001) than their rural counterparts. Urban females also exhibited higher mean values for both the circumferences, five skinfold thicknesses as well as for lean body mass, total fat and percentage fat than the rural females. This is also evident from their higher mean values for body mass index and grand mean thickness. Waist/hip ratio values in rural and urban females showed upper body fat predominance, with urban females having relatively more abdominal fat. Results of subscapular/triceps ratio showed that rural and urban females gained proportionally similar amounts of subcutaneous fat at trunk and extremity sites until 45 years of age. Subsequently trunk skinfolds increased relatively more in thickness. The magnitude of this increase was comparatively greater in rural females up to 55 years and among urban females from 55 to 70 years. The profiles of subcutaneous fat accumulation and sensitivity of each skinfold site also revealed more fat deposition in the trunk region compared to extremities in both rural and urban females. The present study demonstrated differential rates of fat redistribution among rural and urban females.     

Leptin concentrations and their relation to body fat distribution and weight loss--a prospective study in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance. DPS-study group.

Leptin is proposed to be involved in regulation of body weight. Only little information is available on leptin concentrations in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of body fat distribution and weight reduction on serum leptin levels in a prospective setting in IGT subjects. Sixty-nine individuals with impaired glucose tolerance aged 45-64 years participated in this prospective study. Serum leptin levels were about 300% higher among females than among males, despite an only 30% higher fat percentage in females. A close association between degree of obesity and leptin concentrations was observed in both sexes. The correlation coefficient between fat mass and leptin concentration ranged between r = 0.467- 0.817 (p< 0.001 - 0.01). A close correlation between degree of weight loss and decrease in leptin concentrations was observed in both sexes. A 10.1 kg (9.6%) decrease in body weight among females was associated with a 32% decrease in leptin concentrations. The corresponding value among males for an 8.0 kg (8.6%) decrease was 29%. Changes in leptin concentrations were best explained by changes in fat mass among both males and females. Body fat distribution was also of importance, especially among females. Gender associated differences in leptin concentrations appear to be largely influenced by gender differences in body fat distribution.     

Impact of the age at menarche on adult body composition in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women

The present study focuses on the impact of age at menarche on body composition development during adulthood. With 459 healthy middle-class women between 18 and 67 years (x = 41.5) the association between age at menarche and body composition was tested. Body composition, described by absolute and relative amount of fat mass, lean body mass, and bone mass, was estimated by means of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. In order to exclude the influence of the menopausal transition on body composition, pre- and postmenopausal females were examined separately. The absolute amount of body fat was significantly lower within the group of women whose menarche occurred later. However, postmenopausal females exhibit less significant relations between the two trait systems than premenopausal women. This may be due to the impact of menopausal transition which affected the hormone levels and body composition development independently from the adolescent hormonal transition. While in both proband groups the quantitative amount of body fat was significantly related to menarcheal age, a significant relation between menarcheal age and adult body fat distribution could not be verified. Am J Phys Anthropol 105:9–20, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The individual age at menopause — An appropriate indicator of postmenopausal body composition?

The interaction between age at menopause and postmenopausal body composition development was tested with in 178 Viennese women aged 47 to 68 years (x=55.4 yr). Postmenopausal body composition was described using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry by absolute fat and lean mass and bone mineral content of the whole body, the arms, legs, the trunk and the head. Upper and lower amount of body fat, the fat percentages of the individual body compartments and the fat distribution index were calculated. Postmenopausal body fat and lean soft tissue mass and postmenopausal bone mineral content were significantly associated with the age at menopause. Women whose menopause occurred late showed the highest amount of body fat (31.2+/−7.7kg) and lean body mass (41.2+/−4.4 kg) postmenopausally, while women with an early menopause exhibited the lowest amount of body fat (27.5+/−8.9kg) and lean body mass (38.4+/−5.4 kg) during the postreproductive phase of life (p<0.05). Women whose menopause occurred later than 51 had a significant higher postmenopausal bone mass (2.26+/−0.9kg versus 2.09+/−0.3 kg; p<0.05). A late menopause was associated with a significantly higher value in fat mass, lean body mass and in bone mineral content. Therefore age at menopause may be assumed as an indicator for body fat and bone mineral content during postmenopause and postmenopausal fat distribution patterns.     

Gender differences in regional body composition and somatotrophic influences of IGF-I and leptin.

This study evaluated the arm, trunk, and leg for fat mass, lean soft tissue mass, and bone mineral content (BMC) assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in a group of age-matched (approximately 29 yr) men (n = 57) and women (n = 63) and determined their relationship to insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and leptin. After analysis of covariance adjustment to control for differences in body mass between genders, the differences that persisted (P < or = 0.05) were for lean soft tissue mass of the arm (men: 7.1 kg vs. women: 6.4 kg) and fat mass of the leg (men: 5.3 kg vs. women: 6.8 kg). Men and women had similar (P > or = 0.05) values for fat mass of the arms and trunk and lean soft tissue mass of the legs and trunk. Serum IGF-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 correlated (P < or = 0.05) with all measures of BMC (r values ranged from 0.31 to 0.39) and some measures of lean soft tissue mass for women (r = 0.30) but not men. Leptin correlated (P < or = 0.05) similarly for measures of fat mass for both genders (r values ranging from 0.74 to 0.85) and for lean soft tissue mass of the trunk (r = 0.40) and total body (r = 0.32) for men and for the arms in women (r = 0.56). These data demonstrate that 1) the main phenotypic gender differences in body composition are that men have more of their muscle mass in their arms and women have more of their fat mass in their legs and 2) gender differences exist in the relationship between somatotrophic hormones and lean soft tissue mass.     

Stem cell activation in adults can reverse detrimental changes in body composition to reduce fat and increase lean mass in both sexes

Detrimental changes in body composition are often associated with declining levels of testosterone. Here, we evaluated the notion that multipotent mesenchymal stem cells, that give rise to both fat and muscle tissue, can play a significant role to alter existing body composition in the adult. Transgenic mice with targeted androgen receptor (AR) overexpression in stem cells were employed. Wild-type littermate and AR-transgenic male and female mice were gonadectomized and left untreated for 2 months. After the hypogonadal period, mice were then treated with 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for 6 weeks. After orchidectomy (ORX), wild-type males have reduced lean mass and increased fat mass compared to shams. DHT treatment was beneficial to partially restore body composition. In wild-type females, ovariectomy (OVX) produced a similar change but there was no improvement with DHT. In targeted AR transgenic mice, DHT treatment increased lean and reduced fat mass to sham levels. In contrast to wild-type females, DHT treatment in female transgenic mice significantly ameliorated the increased fat and decreased lean mass changes that result after OVX. Our results show that DHT administration reduces fat mass and increases lean mass in wild-type males but not females, indicating that wild-type females are not as sensitive to androgen treatment. Because both male and female transgenic mice are more responsive than wild-type, results suggest that body composition remains linked to stem cell fate in the adult and that targeted androgen signaling in stem cells can play a significant role to reverse detrimental changes in body composition in both sexes.     

Body composition in baboons: Evaluating a morphometric method

The objective of this study was to determine whether noninvasive morphometric measurements of olive baboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis) can reliably predict lean body mass and fat mass in this species. Crown-rump length, triceps circumference, and skinfold measures at the neck, subscapular, suprailiac, and triceps sites were obtained prior to necropsy from 21 clinically normal infant baboons at 18 weeks of age and from 22 clinically normal adolescent baboons at 5 years of age. At necropsy, the lean body mass and body fat mass were measured using gravimetric methods. Pearson's correlations and regression analysis were used to test the relationship between direct measures of lean and fat mass obtained at necropsy with calculated estimates based on morphometric measures obtained prior to death. Our null hypothesis was that the morphometric measures (individually or in combination) were not related to direct measures of fat mass or lean mass. Non-linear and multiple regression estimators, by age and gender, were derived and provided increased predictability. Our results indicate that (1) morphometric measures can accurately predict lean body mass in male and female baboons; (2) morphometric measures used to predict lean body mass change with age; (3) morphometric measures are strongly associated with body fat mass at 18 weeks of age but are not as strongly associated with body fat mass in 5-year-old baboons; (4) triceps circumference provides the best single indicator of lean body mass for both genders and age periods; (5) baboons are like humans in that adolescent females tend to accumulate body fat while males of the same age tend to develop lean mass; and (6) combinations of these morphometric measurements explain between 70% and 100% of the variability and can be used to estimate lean and fat mass in baboons.     

Soft tissue body composition differences in monozygotic twins discordant for spinal cord injury.

To determine the effect of paralysis on body composition, eight pairs of male monozygotic twins, one twin in each pair with paraplegia, were studied by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Significant loss of total body lean tissue mass was found in the paralyzed twins compared with their able-bodied co-twins: 47.5 +/- 6. 7 vs. 60.1 +/- 7.8 (SD) kg (P < 0.005). Regionally, arm lean tissue mass was not different between the twin pairs, whereas trunk and leg lean tissue masses were significantly lower in the paralyzed twins: -3.0 +/- 3.3 kg (P < 0.05) and -10.1 +/- 4.0 kg (P < 0.0005), respectively. Bone mineral content of the total body and legs was significantly related to lean tissue mass in the able-bodied twins (R = 0.88 and 0.98, respectively) but not in the paralyzed twins. However, the intrapair difference scores for bone and lean tissue mass were significantly related (R = 0.80 and 0.81, respectively). The paralyzed twins had significantly more total body fat mass and percent fat per unit body mass index than the able-bodied twins: 4.8 kg (P < 0.05) and 7 +/- 2% (P < 0.01). In the paralyzed twins, total body lean tissue was significantly lost (mostly from the trunk and legs), independent of age, at a rate of 3.9 +/- 0.2 kg per 5-yr period of paralysis (R = 0.87, P < 0.005). Extreme disuse from paralysis appears to contribute to a parallel loss of bone with loss of lean tissue in the legs. The continuous lean tissue loss may represent a form of sarcopenia that is progressive and accelerated compared with that in ambulatory individuals.     

城市汉族的瘦体质量和脂肪质量

2009-2013年测量了城市汉族成人10451例(男性5048例,女性5403例)的16项指标值,研究了不同纬度地区汉族城市成人的瘦体质量、脂肪质量值的变化规律。研究发现:1)31个族群脂肪质量、瘦体质量均数彼此相差较大,脂肪质量最大值男性、女性均为保定汉族;最小值男性为宜春汉族、女性为宁乡汉族。瘦体质量最大值男性为呼兰汉族、女性为南阳汉族;最小值男性为赣州汉族,女性为琼海汉族。2)各族群女性脂肪质量值均大于男性,而瘦体质量值均小于男性。3)胸部、臀部(女性还有腹部)围度的发育以及全身的皮下脂肪发育水平影响着城市汉族脂肪质量的发育水平,躯干与下肢围度(男性还有上肢骨骼)发育情况影响着城市汉族人的瘦体质量发育水平。4)随纬度的增加,即从中国的南方到北方,城市汉族人的体质量、脂肪质量、瘦体质量均呈线性增大。脂肪质量、瘦体质量随纬度增加而增大共同引起了体质量规律性的变化。     

Relationship between measures of body size and composition and velocity of lactate threshold

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the relationship between velocity of lactate threshold (vLT) and various measures of body mass and composition: mass, lean mass, fat mass, percent body fat (% fat), and body surface area (BSA). We hypothesized that mass would be inversely related to vLT, and that differences in measures of body mass and composition would account for a significant amount of variability in vLT. A total of 21 healthy male runners served as subjects. Body composition was assessed by hydrostatic weighing. A significant negative relationship (r = -0.759, p < or = 0.01) was between body mass and vLT. The coefficient of determination between vLT and body mass indicated that nearly 58% of the variability in vLT was explained by body mass in these subjects. Significant relationships were also between vLT and BSA (r = -0.72, p < or = 0.01), fat mass (r = -0.70, p < or = 0.01), % fat (r = -0.59, p < or = 0.01), and lean mass (r = -0.41, p < or = 0.05). Linear regression yielded the following model: y = 369.48 - 1.7343 (X), where y = predicted vLT (m.min(-1)) and X = body mass (kilograms) (SEE = 15.45). Velocity of lactate threshold was significantly inversely related with body mass in a group of male runners. The calculated coefficient of determination suggests that nearly 58% of the variability in vLT was explained by body mass. The present data suggest consideration of categorizing participants in 'road runs' by body mass to equate competition, as is done in other sports (e.g., weightlifting).     

Relationship between body composition, inflammation and lung function in overweight and obese asthma

Background

The obese-asthma phenotype is not well defined. The aim of this study was to examine both mechanical and inflammatory influences, by comparing lung function with body composition and airway inflammation in overweight and obese asthma.

Methods

Overweight and obese (BMI 28-40 kg/m²) adults with asthma (n = 44) completed lung function assessment and underwent full-body dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Venous blood samples and induced sputum were analysed for inflammatory markers.

Results

In females, android and thoracic fat tissue and total body lean tissue were inversely correlated with expiratory reserve volume (ERV). Conversely in males, fat tissue was not correlated with lung function, however there was a positive association between android and thoracic lean tissue and ERV. Lower body (gynoid and leg) lean tissue was positively associated with sputum %neutrophils in females, while leptin was positively associated with android and thoracic fat tissue in males.

Conclusions

This study suggests that both body composition and inflammation independently affect lung function, with distinct differences between males and females. Lean tissue exacerbates the obese-asthma phenotype in females and the mechanism responsible for this finding warrants further investigation.