Body size of newborns in relation to mother's ethnicity and education: a pilot study from Vilnius City (Lithuania), 2005-2010

The purpose of this study was to analyse body size indices of newborns in Vilnius city (Lithuania) during 2005-2010 in relation with mother's education and ethnicity, and in parallel with the changes of socio-economic situation during the recent years. The present results were based on data (N = 18,084) from the Vilnius University Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Comparison of the present Lithuanian data with other newborn studies was made. The analysis of socio-economic and demographic indicators of Lithuania, and the comparison of Gross Domestic Product of various countries was performed. The comparison of body size of newborns' data from the different countries showed that Lithuanian newborns were among the biggest babies. Some statistically significant differences in body size of newborns from different ethnic groups were established. Body length of Lithuanian newborns (M = 52.6 cm, SD = 2.5) was higher than length of Russian, Ukrainian and Romanian newborns. Body weight of Lithuanian newborns (M = 3511 g, SD = 485) was bigger than birth weight of Russian, Polish, Ukrainian and Romanian newborns. The analysis of newborns size by mother's education showed that body weight of neonates from mothers with the university education and from each other education group was bigger in comparison with the babies from respectively lower education group. The comparison of newborns weight by mother's ethnicity in relation to education level revealed nearly no discrepancies between size of newborns from mothers with the same education level at different ethnic group. The analysis of birth parameters by year has not established a statistically significant difference between the mean values for the body weight and body length of the whole investigated contingent of the full-term, single-birth newborns from Vilnius city during the 2005-2010. However, the tendency has been revealed that newborns from mothers with lower education were the most susceptible to negative economic changes after the 2008.     

Growth and nutritional status of the Bharia--a primitive tribe of Madhya Pradesh

This study is an attempt to understand the physical growth and nutritional status of Bharia, a primitive tribe of Central India. A cross sectional study was conducted on 551 children (283 boys and 268 girls) aged 4 to 18 years. Body weight, height, sitting height, head circumference, upper arm circumference, chest circumference, biceps, triceps, sub scapular and calf skin fold thickness were measured. Body Mass Index was calculated as weight/height2 to calculate chronic energy deficiency. All anthropometric measurements except skin fold measurement exhibit uniform increase with age in both the sexes. Age-specific Body Mass Index (BMI) indicated substantial changes and falls during pre-school age and rise in adolescence. The BMI according to the Indian standard was normal, but when the data was compared with the International standard malnutrition in both sexes was noticed in childhood. Boys remained undernourished after adolescence, while girls reached the normal growth patterns.     

The Relationship of Rapid Weight Gain in Infancy to Obesity and Skeletal Maturity in Childhood

Objective: Children with birth weight appropriate for gestational age (AGA) who also demonstrate rapid weight gain in infancy have a greater risk of being overweight or obese during childhood. A concurrent advancement in skeletal maturity would account for their greater size and would, therefore, not necessarily pose a threat of greater risk during adolescence and early adulthood. This study aims to determine whether children with rapid weight gain during infancy have advanced skeletal maturity during childhood. Research Methods and Procedures: One hundred and ninety‐three African children (boys = 108; girls = 85) of normal birth weight and gestational age were assessed from birth to 9 years. Body composition was assessed at 9 years of age by whole‐body DXA, and skeletal maturity was assessed using the Tanner‐Whitehouse II technique. Rapid weight gain in infancy was defined as a +0.67 change in weight‐for‐age Z‐score between birth and 2 years. Results: Rapid weight gain was experienced by over 20% of the sample. Children with rapid weight gain were significantly lighter at birth and significantly taller, heavier, and fatter throughout childhood. Chronological age and Tanner‐Whitehouse II technique skeletal ages at 9 years were not significantly different between groups or between sexes within groups. Discussion: Because AGA children with rapid weight gain have a greater risk of overweight and obesity but are not advanced in skeletal maturity, later adolescent adjustments toward average weight and fatness values are unlikely. The identification and monitoring of such children is of importance in reducing their risk of morbidity.     

Changes of the body mass index during childhood

This article is devoted to the age changes of the Body Mass Index in Czech and Slovak children from 1.5 to 15 years of age. The anthropological survey was carried out in 1976-1978 in the whole region of the former Czechoslovakia. At the beginning of the research period children with normal weight predominate. After the seventh year of age there is a change and the BMI is increasing. As late as pre-puberty and puberty there is a change in a fractional part of the population, as children with overweight are increasing, more frequently in girls than in boys. However, its presence is not fundamentally increasing up to 15 years. The frequency differences in the different BMI categories between both sexes in the Czech and Slovak populations are only rarely statistically significant.     

Reproductive parameters of the Taiwan monkey (Macaca cyclopis)

The following parameters of the Taiwan monkey,Macaca cyclopis, are presented and compared with other species ofMacaca: the menstrual cycle, sexual skin and vaginal desquamation changes during the menstrual cycle, time of ovulation, gestation period, breeding season, body weight of the newborn, age and body weight at menarche, body weight at first conception, spermatozoa count in the ejaculate, and the body weight at sexual maturity of the male.The many similarities in reproductive biology ofMacaca cyclopis, the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta), and the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca irus) include sexual skin and vaginal desquamation changes during the menstrual cycle, time of ovulation, gestation period, and placental sign. Body weight ofM. cyclopis is lower thanM. mulatta at birth, at menarche and at the first conception in females and at sexual maturation in males, is heavier thanM. irus at birth and is not different fromM. radiata at birth. No difference in menstrual cycle ofM. cyclopis was observed in animals housed in air-conditioned rooms compared to those housed in nonair-conditioned rooms. Summer amenorrhea was not observed inM. cyclopis but a high incidence of low vaginal desquamation was noted to occur in summer months. The mode of length of the menstrual cycle ofM. cyclopis is shorter thanM. mulatta and other species ofMacaca. The breeding season ofM. cyclopis in the wild extends from the end of September to January. In laboratory conditions their fertile period extends throughout the year.This study was supported in part by the National Council on Science Development, Republic of China, and in part by the Damon Runyon Memorial Fund for Cancer Research, U. S. A. (DRG-841 B and C). The paper was presented at the ICLA Asian Pacific Meeting on Laboratory Animals held at Tokyo and Inuyama, Japan, on September 20–25, 1971.     

Body Composition,and Utilization of Protein and Energy in Growing Rats at Different Dietary Protein to Energy Ratios by Use of Purified Whole Egg Protein

A study has been made on growing rats to investigate the effect of variation in percentage of dietary protein calories from 0 to 50% by the use of purified whole egg protein on the growth, food efficiency, protein efficiency ratio (PER), body composition, and efficiencies of protein and energy utilization.

Body weight gain and PER attained a maximum, and food efficiency reached a plateau at 10 PC% (protein calories percent) in the diet, having a constant metabolizable energy content (410 kcal). Body and liver compositions changed in systematic patterns, where liver lipid content showed a specific increase at 5 PC%.

Body protein retention reached a plateau at 15 PC% but with little difference from the value at 10 PC%, while body lipid retention give a maximum at 10 PC% showing a gradual decrease thereafter.

Throughout the given dietary protein to energy ratios, energy utilization was constant when expressed as the increment of body energy retention divided by the increment of metabolizable energy intake. At and above 12 or 13 PC%, the efficiency of net body protein energy retention against metabolizable energy intake was constant at about 12.5% on the average.     

Reproductive seasonality in the Indian pygmy field mouse,Mus terricolor

The Indian pygmy field mouse, Mus terricolor, is a tiny, yet economically and ecologically important crop pest found throughout South-East Asia. There are no systematic reports exploring its reproductive physiology. We report the presence of distinct periods of annual reproductive activity and quiescence in M. terricolor. Body weight in males and females, relative weights of testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle in males, ovarian and uterine weight in females, gonadal histomorphic changes, testicular and ovarian cholesterol, sialic acid in epididymis, fructose in seminal vesicle, uterine protein content, melatonin in males and females, testosterone in males, estradiol, and progesterone in females were studied over a period of three years in both wild-caught and lab-acclimated mice. The number of Graafian follicles and corpora lutea, and plasma estradiol and progesterone, along with relative weights of ovary and uterus in females exhibited a peak in the months of October–January, compared to June. Based on histomorphic and hormonal status, the major reproductively active season is the winter (short-day breeding). There is a brief period of sub-maximal reproductive activity in April. M. terricolor is reproductively inactive in the summer, monsoons, and autumn. The results establish M. terricolor as a seasonal breeder in the field, with interesting implications for pest management.     

Weight change and the body reserves of female blue tits, Parus caeruleus, during the breeding season

A female blue tit lays a large clutch that is commonly heavier than her own body weight. Body reserves cannot provide for the entire clutch and little is known of the importance of these reserves during the breeding season. This study reports on weight changes in adult female blue tits during the breeding season, observed by the use of electronic balances. In addition, data from dissecting 67 adult female blue tits, at different stages of the breeding cycle, were used to investigate the changes in body weight. There was a rapid increase in body weight during a period of 4–5 days before the first egg was laid, which was explained mostly by the development of the oviduct and the production of an egg on the final day. Body weight remained constant during the laying period, before decreasing by approximately one gram after clutch completion, owing to the absence of an egg and the absorption of the oviduct. Body reserves increased during the day after clutch completion, were maintained throughout the incubation period and were mobilized during the first five days of the nestling period. Breeding female blue tits appear to deposit small body reserves to act as a short-term buffer against adverse conditions or to support the brooding phase.     

Tracking of anthropometric parameters and bioelectrical impedance in pubertal boys and girls

The aim of this study was to investigate the anthropometric parameters and body impedance once per year during four years of the pubertal period in Estonian children. In total, 81 boys and 86 girls aged 10-11 years at the beginning of the study were investigated. Pubertal status was self-assessed by sexual maturation stages according to Tanner and physical activity index (PAI) according to Telama et al.. Body height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. In total, 9 skinfolds, 13 girths, 8 lengths and 8 breadths/lengths were measured according to the protocol of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. Somatotype components were estimated according to the method of Carter and Heath. Body impedance was measured using Multiscan 5000 (Bodystat, UK) and the impedance index (height/impedance) was calculated. The tracking of body height, weight, BMI, skinfolds, girths, lengths, breadth/lengths and body impedance was high (as a rule r> or =0.9). By increasing the time period, the correlation slightly decreased. In contrast, tracking correlations for PAI and Tanner stages were significant but quite low. Increase in mean body height was highest between 12-13 years of age (6.9 cm per year) in boys and in girls between 11-12 years of age (6.3 cm per year). In boys and girls, the peak increase in body weight was between 11 and 12 years of age, 5.7 kg and 5.2 kg, respectively. With the increasing age, body impedance decreased and impedance index increased. In conclusion, our results indicate that during puberty the detailed anthropometric parameters and body impedance tracked highly. However, the tracking of PAI and Tanner stages was significant but relatively low.     

Narcissism as a Moderator of Satisfaction with Body Image in Young Women with Extreme Underweight and Obesity

ObjectiveBody weight and age constitute main determinants of body image in women. We analyzed the role of narcissism as a moderator of body image in young women representing various extremes of body weight.MethodsThe study included 325 women between 18 and 35 years, qualified into three BMI categories: obese women (BMI > 30.0, n = 72), severely underweight women who did not satisfy the remaining criteria of anorexia (BMI < 17.5, n = 85), and women with normal body weight (21.7 < “ideal BMI” > 22.7, n = 168). Satisfaction with body image was determined with Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire and Body Esteem Scale, while narcissism was measured with Narcissistic Personality Inventory.ConclusionThe role of narcissism as a modulator of self-satisfaction with one’s body varies depending on BMI level: extremely underweight women and obese individuals constitute groups in which narcissism has the strongest impact on the self-satisfaction with body.     

Body image and quality of life in post massive weight loss body contouring patients

Objective: Because post‐bariatric surgery patients undergo massive weight loss, the resulting skin excess can lead to both functional problems and profound dissatisfaction with appearance. Correcting skin excess could improve all these corollaries, including body image. Presently, few data are available documenting body image and weight‐related quality of life in this population. Research Methods and Procedures: Eighteen patients who underwent both bariatric surgery and body contouring completed our study. Both established surveys and new surveys designed specifically for the study were used to assess body perception and ideals, quality of life, and mood. Patients were surveyed at the following time‐points: pre‐body contouring (after massive weight loss) and both 3 and 6 month post‐body contouring. Statistical testing was performed using Student's t test and ANOVA. Results: The mean age of the patients was 46 ± 10 years (standard deviation). Quality of life improved after obesity surgery and was significantly enhanced after body contouring. Three months after body contouring, subjects ascribed thinner silhouettes to both current appearance and ideal body image. Body image also improved with body contouring surgery. Mood remained stable over 6 months. Discussion: Body contouring after surgical weight loss improved both quality‐of‐life measurements and body image. Initial body dissatisfaction did not correlate with mood. Body contouring improved body image but produced dissatisfaction with other parts of the body, suggesting that as patients become closer to their ideal, these ideals may shift. We further developed several new assessment methods that may prove useful in understanding these post‐surgical weight loss patients.     

Influence of weekend lifestyle patterns on body weight

Objective: To determine whether alterations in diet and/or activity patterns during weekends contribute to weight gain or hinder weight loss. Methods and Procedures: Randomized, controlled trial comparing 1 year of caloric restriction (CR) with 1 year of daily exercise (EX). Subjects included 48 healthy adults (30F, 18M) aged 50–60 years with BMI 23.5–29.9 kg/m². Body weight was measured on 7 consecutive mornings for a total of 165 weeks at baseline and 437 weeks during the 1‐year interventions. Daily weight changes were calculated for weekends (Friday to Monday) and weekdays (Monday to Friday). Daily energy intake was estimated using food diaries; daily physical activity was measured using accelerometers. Both measures were validated against doubly labeled water (DLW). Results: At baseline, participants consistently gained weight on weekend days (+0.06 ± 0.03 kg/day, (mean ± s.e.), P = 0.02), but not on weekdays (?0.02 ± 0.02 kg/day, P = 0.18). This was attributable to higher dietary intake on Saturdays and lower physical activity on Sundays relative to weekdays (both P < 0.05). During the interventions, both CR and EX participants were in negative energy balance on weekdays (P < 0.005). On weekends, however, CR participants stopped losing weight, and EX participants gained weight (+0.08 ± 0.03 kg/day, P < 0.0001) due to higher dietary intakes on weekends. This helps to explain the slower‐than‐expected rate of weight loss during the interventions. Discussion: Alterations in lifestyle behaviors on weekends contribute to weight gain or cessation of weight loss on weekends. These results provide one explanation for the relatively slow rates of weight loss observed in many studies, and the difficulty with maintaining significant weight loss.     

跟骨强度指数与影响因素相关性分析

目的：探讨跟骨强度指数与其影响因素的相关性。方法：共入选1024例体检人员。（1）通过Achilles定量超声（QUS）系统测量左跟骨强度指数;（2）使用RGC-120型体重秤测量身高、体重并计算体重指数;（3）通过问卷调查收集体检人员年龄、膳食、运动、吸烟、饮酒等影响因素的相关资料;（4）将各影响因素与跟骨强度指数进行相关分析和多元逐步回归分析。结果：（1）直线相关分析结果显示,跟骨强度指数与身高、体重、体重指数、饮用牛奶年数、运动年数呈正相关（;2）多因素逐步回归分析显示,跟骨强度指数仅与体重指数、运动年数具有显著的回归效果。结论：体重指数与运动年数是跟骨强度指数的独立影响因素,对骨质疏松的诊断与预防具有重要的意义。     

Are there sex differences in the prevalence of overweight and adiposity in elementary school children in Austria

Based on the data of 203 male and 179 female schoolchildren from Eastern Austria (Burgenland), aged between 6 and 10 years, sex typical differences in body composition (absolute and relative body fat, lean body mass) and weight status were analyzed. Body composition analyses were carried out by means of BIA method, weight status was estimated using BMI percentiles (BMI > 90th percentile defined overweight, BMI > 97th percentile defined obesity). Statistically significant sex differences were found for all body composition parameters, girls exhibited a significantly higher amount of absolute and relative body fat, whereas their male counterparts exhibited a significantly higher amount of lean body mass. Regarding weight status, no statistically significant sex differences were observable, however, a higher amount of girls could be classified as overweight or obese. Evolutionary and sociocultural explanations for these observations are discussed.     

Growth disorders in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

The aim of the research was to analyze anthropometric variables in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in relation with the stage of pubertal development at onset of disease and quality of metabolic control over five-year long observation. Diagnosed children were taller than their peers. This especially referred to age group between 4 and 9.5 years. On the whole, weight of the patients and healthy controls did not differ. However, the diagnosed children had substantially lower weight in puberty than healthy controls. Body mass index was significantly lower in the group of diagnosed children on the whole and in puberty. During a five-year long observation patients have had a significant retardation of growth. However, that retardation referred primarily to patients in prepuberty. Growth retardation was more pronounced with bad metabolic control. Growth was satisfactory if onset of disease had been in puberty. A significant weight gain was observed in patients in puberty whereas in those in prepuberty there was no significant change of body weight at the end of five-year long observation. Metabolic control did not affect observed changes. There were significant differences of anthropometric variables between those suffering from type 1 DM and their peers. The differences depended on the age at onset. The disease had a negative effect on growth with onset in prepuberty, whereas in puberty growth was satisfactory. However, puberty was a period in which patients increased their weight excessively. Prepuberty was a period in which growth had been significantly affected by metabolic control.     

Macronutrient Composition of the Diet and Prospective Weight Change in Participants of the EPIC-PANACEA Study

Background

The effect of the macronutrient composition of the usual diet on long term weight maintenance remains controversial.

Methods

373,803 subjects aged 25–70 years were recruited in 10 European countries (1992–2000) in the PANACEA project of the EPIC cohort. Diet was assessed at baseline using country-specific validated questionnaires and weight and height were measured at baseline and self-reported at follow-up in most centers. The association between weight change after 5 years of follow-up and the iso-energetic replacement of 5% of energy from one macronutrient by 5% of energy from another macronutrient was assessed using multivariate linear mixed-models. The risk of becoming overweight or obese after 5 years was investigated using multivariate Poisson regressions stratified according to initial Body Mass Index.

Results

A higher proportion of energy from fat at the expense of carbohydrates was not significantly associated with weight change after 5 years. However, a higher proportion of energy from protein at the expense of fat was positively associated with weight gain. A higher proportion of energy from protein at the expense of carbohydrates was also positively associated with weight gain, especially when carbohydrates were rich in fibre. The association between percentage of energy from protein and weight change was slightly stronger in overweight participants, former smokers, participants ≥60 years old, participants underreporting their energy intake and participants with a prudent dietary pattern. Compared to diets with no more than 14% of energy from protein, diets with more than 22% of energy from protein were associated with a 23–24% higher risk of becoming overweight or obese in normal weight and overweight subjects at baseline.

Conclusion

Our results show that participants consuming an amount of protein above the protein intake recommended by the American Diabetes Association may experience a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese during adult life.     

Cell size distribution in the thymus as a function of age

Although it is well known that thymus function changes with age, it is not known whether these changes are associated with specific thymocyte populations. Since one criterion of specificity is cell size, we studied the size distribution of thymocytes from mice 0.5 days to 30.5 months of age. Body weight, thymus weight, and thymocyte yield were also measured. The mean cell volume of thymocytes from 8.5 to 13 week old mice was 326 μ³, with two detectable subpopulations. Mean thymocyte size was found to change with age. During the first postnatal week, the mean cell volume of the whole thymocyte population increased from 200 to 350 μ³, and the percentage of large cells increased greatly and constituted 90% of the whole population at four days of age. A rather slow decline in mean cell volume with some fluctuation occurred throughout the remaining life span, and at 30.5 months the mean had dropped to about 190 μ³. We suggest on the basis of these data that large thymocytes are involved in the contribution of the thymus to early postnatal development of the immune system and that the age-related functional capacity of the thymus is related to the size of the thymocyte population.     

The effect of a desert climate on the lactation and on the fertility of the nursing rat

Forty white rats were raised and mated in a controlled environment at 22°C. Twelve hours after parturition they were mated and separated into two equal groups. One group (control) remained at 22°C whilst the second group(desert) was kept in an open shed during July (daily temperature range: 18 to 37°C). The rats were sacrificed at 18 days post partum. Control rats ate 25% more food than desert rats; water consumption was the same in both groups. Body weights were initially similar, but from 12 days post partum onwards, the control rats increased their body weight at a significantly higher rate than did the desert rats. Milk production, assessed by litter weight gains, was higher in control group rats. Body composition and organ weights were similar except for the gut of the control group which was heavier. The number of CORPORA LUTEA was significantly lower in the desert group as were conception rates and embryo numbers; the weight of individual embryos and the weight of embryo per dam were, however, significantly higher in the desert group. It was postulated that during early pregnancy, maternal weight and mammary tissue may have preference over the uterus for nutritional sources, whilst in later pregnancy the embryos may have preference.     

Association between nesfatin-1 levels and metabolic improvements in severely obese patients who underwent biliopancreatic derivation with duodenal switch

ContextNesfatin-1 is a neuroendocrine peptide with potent anorexigenic activity in rodents. The potential role of nesfatin-1 on the regulation of energy balance, metabolic functions and inflammation is currently debated in obese humans. In the present study, nesfatin-1 fluctuations and their associations with metabolic factors were investigated in severely obese patients who underwent biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS) and severely obese controls (SOC).Basic proceduresSixty severely obese patients who underwent BPD/DS and 15 SOC (matched for BMI and age) were included in the study. Associations between nesfatin-1 levels and body composition, glucose metabolism, lipid profile as well as inflammatory markers were evaluated at baseline and over a post-surgery12-month (12 M) period.Main findingsBody weight was reduced at 6 M and at 12 M in BPD/DS patients (P < 0.001). Nesfatin-1 levels were reduced at 6 M (women: P < 0.05) and at 12 M (men and women; P < 0.001) in BPD/DS patients. At baseline, nesfatin-1 levels negatively correlated with weight, fat (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) in the whole population (combined BPD/DS and SOC patients). At 12 M, nesfatin-1 concentrations positively correlated with weight, FM, fasting insulin, insulin resistance, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and apoB values. At 12 M, % changes in nesfatin-1 were positively associated with% changes in weight, FM, FFM, fasting insulin, insulin resistance, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apoB and C-reactive protein.ConclusionNesfatin-1 levels decrease following BPD/DS-induced weight loss and are significantly associated with parameters of metabolic health.     

Body Habitus Changes Among Adult Males From the Normative Aging Study: Relations to Aging,Smoking History and Alcohol Intake

Body habitus changes among adult males from the normative aging study: relations to aging, smoking history and alcohol intake. Obes Res. 1995;3:435–446. The Normative Aging Study (NAS) recruited 2280 Boston area healthy males aged 21 to 80 in 1961 through 1970. Clinical exams have continued at 3- to 5-year intervals. Obesity was not an exclusion criterion. Stability in weight and body habitus among 867 adult participants in the NAS was evaluated at 5-and 15-year follow-ups. At study entry, age was linearly related to central adiposity [abdominal circumference (AC) and ratio of AC/Hip Breadth (HB)] throughout the entire age range (30 to 78 years) and linearly and quadratically related to weight (WT) and Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m²) with maximal values at age 50. Over 15 years, changes in adiposity were strongly related to age; the greatest increases were among those initially 30 to 44 years of age with decrements in several adiposity measures (BMI, AC) only among the oldest subjects (60+ at entry); significant quadratic effects of age for BMI (p<. 001), WT (p<. 02) and AC (p<. 01). There were major secular differences; men born later were heavier and fatter at the same ages as men born earlier. Men who gained (>1 BMI) were younger while men who lost (>1 BMI) had greater initial central adiposity than others. Smoking cessation was independently associated with increments in both central and peripheral adiposity. Moderate alcohol intake was associated with lower gains in AC/HB ratios at 15 years compared with little or high consumption. In general, aging was associated with trends towards central adiposity which tended to plateau or decrease at the oldest ages.