Dietary Intake and Serum and Hair Concentrations of Minerals and their Relationship with Serum Lipids and Glucose Levels in Hypertensive and Obese Patients with Insulin Resistance

Inadequate minerals intake, as well as disruption of some metabolic processes in which microelements are cofactors, are suggested to lead to the development of hypertension. The role of minerals in the pathogenesis of hypertension still remains to be explained. In the present study, we sought to determine associations between serum and hair mineral concentrations and serum lipids and glucose levels. Forty obese hypertensive subjects with insulin resistance and 40 healthy volunteers were recruited in the study. Blood pressure, BMI, and insulin resistance were recorded in all subjects. Levels of lipids, glucose, sodium and potassium, iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and calcium were assessed in serum. Iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and calcium were assessed in hair. Dietary intake of the analyzed minerals was estimated. We found distinctly higher concentrations of serum iron and serum and hair calcium as well as markedly lower levels of hair zinc in the hypertensive subjects. The study group manifested also significantly lower daily intake of calcium, magnesium, and iron. We observed a relationship between the concentrations of iron, zinc, and copper in serum and hair and high and low range of cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose serum levels in the studied patients. Moreover, this study demonstrated significant correlation between serum and hair concentrations of selected minerals and their dietary intake and levels of serum lipids and glucose and blood pressure in the study and the control groups. The obtained results seem to indicate the association between lipid and glucose metabolism and iron, copper, zinc, and calcium concentrations in blood and hair of hypertensive and obese patients with insulin resistance.     

Anti-Mullerian hormone levels reflect severity of PCOS but are negatively influenced by obesity: relationship with increased luteinizing hormone levels

The objective of the study was the comparison of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels among obese or overweight and normal-weight women with the four different polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypes and healthy control subjects. AMH levels were evaluated in four age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched groups of 25 normal-weight and 25 obese or overweight women each, belonging to the four main subsets of the syndrome resulting from combinations of the three diagnostic criteria [group 1: oligo- and/or anovulation (ANOV), hyperandrogenemia (HA), and polycystic ovaries (PCO) on ultrasonographic evaluation; group 2: ANOV and HA; group 3: HA and PCO, group 4: ANOV and PCO], and in 50 (25 obese or overweight and 25 normal weight) age- and BMI-matched healthy control subjects. Age, BMI, waist circumference, FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone, Delta(4)-androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, 17alpha-OH-progesterone, fasting insulin, glucose, AMH, free androgen index, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index were analyzed. AMH levels were significantly higher in PCOS groups 1 and 2 compared with groups 3 and 4 and the control group and higher in PCOS groups 3 and 4 compared with the control group. AMH levels were significantly increased in normal-weight compared with obese and overweight women. AMH concentrations were independently predicted, in order of significance, by LH and testosterone levels, BMI (negatively), and the total number of follicles 2-9 mm in diameter. The differences in circulating AMH levels between the main phenotypic groups of PCOS women appear to reflect the severity of the syndrome, but are negatively affected by obesity. Increased LH levels might be the most significant independent link between PCOS-associated disorders of ovulation and the observed increase in circulating AMH concentration.     

Trace Elements in the Hair of Hemodialysis Patients

Trace element disturbance is often observed in hemodialysis patients. While trace element concentrations have been reported in blood samples from hemodialysis patients, they have not been well investigated in scalp hair. In the present study, 22 trace elemental concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry in the scalp hair of 80 male hemodialysis patients and compared with those of 100 healthy male subjects. In hemodialysis patients, the concentrations of beryllium, arsenic, magnesium, chromium, manganese, iron, selenium, molybdenum, iodine, vanadium, and cobalt were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects, while lead, mercury, copper, germanium, and bromine were significantly lower than those in the former group. No significant differences were observed for lithium, aluminum, cadmium, zinc, boron, or nickel. There were significant positive correlations between the duration of hemodialysis and the magnesium and manganese concentrations. There was a significant negative correlation between cadmium concentration and the duration of hemodialysis. There were significant positive correlations between dialysis efficacy (Kt/V) and magnesium, manganese, zinc, and selenium concentrations. In conclusion, trace element concentrations of the scalp hair are different between hemodialysis patients and healthy subjects. Essential trace elements, such as magnesium, manganese, zinc, and selenium, may be affected by the duration of hemodialysis and Kt/V.     

Hair Toxic Element Content in Adult Men and Women in Relation to Body Mass Index

The primary objective of the current study was to estimate the hair toxic metal content in adults in relation to body mass index. A total of 1,229 persons including 719 women and 510 men were examined. All subjects were divided into two age groups: 1 and 2 periods of adulthood. All men and women were also subdivided into groups in relation to their values of body mass index (BMI): underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. Hair aluminium (Al), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and tin (Sn) content was evaluated using mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. It has been shown that increase in body weight is accompanied by elevated hair cadmium content in women. At the same time, no significant alteration of hair cadmium concentration was observed in males. Higher values of scalp hair mercury and lead content were observed in men and women with increased body mass index independently of their age. BMI-related elevation of hair tin content was registered only in men of the first period of adulthood. A significant correlation between hair metal content and the values of BMI was observed for mercury independently of the gender of the subjects, whereas BMI values correlated significantly with hair cadmium levels in women and lead and tin levels in men. It has been also estimated that hair cadmium, mercury and lead levels in men exceed the respective values in women.     

The Influence of Overweight and Obesity on Longitudinal Trends in Maternal Serum Leptin Levels During Pregnancy

Maternal obesity influences a number of metabolic factors that can affect the course of pregnancy. Among these factors, leptin plays an important role in energy metabolism and fetal development during pregnancy. Our objective was to estimate the influence of maternal overweight/obesity on variation in the maternal serum leptin profile during pregnancy. In a prospective cohort of 143 adult gravidas with singleton pregnancies presenting for general prenatal care, we measured serum leptin levels at 6–10, 10–14, 16–20, 22–26, and 32–36 weeks' gestation. The longitudinal effects of maternal prepregnancy BMI, categorized as nonoverweight (≤26.0 kg/m²) and overweight/obese (>26.0 kg/m²), on serum leptin concentration were analyzed using linear mixed models. Overweight/obese women had significantly higher serum leptin concentrations than their nonoverweight counterparts throughout pregnancy (P < 0.01). Although these concentrations increased significantly across gestation for both groups, the rate of increase was significantly smaller for overweight/obese women (P < 0.05). To investigate whether these differences merely reflected differences in weight‐gain patterns between the two groups, we examined an index of leptin concentration per unit body weight (leptin (ng/ml)/weight (kg)). Overweight/obese women had a significantly higher index throughout pregnancy (P < 0.01). However, although this index increased significantly across pregnancy for nonoverweight women, it actually decreased significantly for overweight/obese women (P < 0.01). Our results suggest that factors other than fat mass alone influence leptin concentrations in overweight/obese women compared to normal‐weight women during pregnancy. Such factors may contribute to differences in the intrauterine environment and its influence on pregnancy outcomes in the two groups.     

Weight-dependent differential contribution of insulin secretion and clearance to hyperinsulinemia of obesity

Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and the resulting hyperinsulinemia has been attributed to an increase of insulin secretion and a reduction of insulin clearance. The present study was intended to further characterize the relative contribution of secretion and clearance especially in the postprandial state. In relation to WHO body weight classes 291 subjects were divided in 5 subgroups Basal insulin concentrations rose stepwise and significantly with increasing BMI. This was paralleled by C-peptide concentrations and insulin secretion, while the reduction of insulin clearance was less stringent in relation to BMI. Basal glucose was unchanged in the BMI25 group and 8% higher in the obese groups (BMI 30, 35, 40) compared to normal weight (NW). Although postprandial insulin concentrations were significantly higher in the overweight and obese groups compared to NW the correlation was not as tight as in the basal state. Furthermore, the present data demonstrate for the first time that insulin secretion only increased in the overweight group without further augmentation in the obese groups. Further hyperinsulinemia of the latter was due to weight-dependent reduction of insulin clearance. The postprandial glucose response was 38–82% higher with increasing weight compared to NW. In summary basal hyperinsulinemia is mainly due to weight related increase of insulin secretion with moderate contribution of reduced insulin clearance. Postprandially, hyperinsulinemia of overweight is predominantly due to secretion while further postprandial hyperinsulinemia of obese subjects is mainly due to reduced clearance. Thus, postprandial insulin secretion cannot respond adequately to the challenge of weight-dependent insulin resistance already in non-diabetic obese subjects.     

Correlation of Hair Mineral Concentrations with Insulin Resistance in Korean Males

Calcium and magnesium that are associated with insulin resistance play an antagonistic role with each other in cells. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between hair mineral concentrations and insulin resistance in Korean adult males. A total of 123 male subjects (63 patients with metabolic syndrome and 60 normal control patients) were recruited and fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, as well as HDL cholesterol levels, HOMA-IR, and hair mineral concentrations were measured. The ratio of calcium/magnesium in hair showed a significantly positive correlation with the HOMA-IR (r?=?0.191, P?=?0.038) and insulin (r?=?0.198, P?=?0.031). The result of multiple regression analysis after adjusting the age also showed a significant correlation of the Ca/Mg ratio with HOMA-IR (R ²?=?0.115, P?=?0.047). The hair chromium concentration was lower in the metabolic syndrome group than in the control group, and it showed a significantly negative correlation with the fasting blood glucoseand the triglyceride. The result of this study showed that insulin resistance increased as the ratio of Ca/Mg increased, or as the chromium concentration in hair decreased.     

Glycemia and insulinemia evaluation after high-sucrose and high-fat diets in lean and overweight/obese women

The study investigates the effect of weight-maintaining high-sucrose (HSD) and high-fat (HFD) diets on plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in lean and obese women, and verifies the correlation between insulin profile and body composition. Lean (G1 group, n="6", BMI=21.4 (20.2–22.8) kg/m²) and overweight/obese (G2 group, n=6, BMI 28.6 (25.1–32.1) kg/m²) women participated in the study. HSD (59% total carbohydrate with 23% sucrose; 28% lipid) or HFD (42% total carbohydrate with 1.3% sucrose; 45% lipid) diets were consumed under free-living conditions for 14 days. Anthropometry and body composition were assessed before and after HSD and HFD diets following-up. Fasting and postprandial (at 30, 60, 180 and 240 min) glucose and insulin were determined. HOMA-IR and QUICK index were also calculated. Fasting and postprandial glucose and insulin concentration did not differ significantly between groups or diets. However, there was a positive and significant correlation between plasma fasting and postprandial insulin concentrations and BMI, percentage of total body fat (%TBF) and HOMA-IR index. In addition, carbohydrate and sucrose intake presented a positive and significant correlation with insulin concentration and HOMA-IR at 180 min postprandial, after adjusting for energy intake and % TBF (p<0.05). These results suggest that altering the profile of the macronutrients in the diet can modify glycemia and insulicemia homeostasis, regardless of energy intake and adiposity. On the other hand, the overweight/obese women can maintain a stable metabolic profile with the habitual diet.     

Serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor TNFalpha and its soluble receptors in obese women with diabetes type 2 and without additional disease

INTRODUCTION: TNF-alpha is one with mediators insulin resistance. Previous study showed, that in obesity there is an increased synthesis of TNF-alpha by fat cells and serum concentrations of TNF-alpha. The aim of present study was: 1. To assess of serum concentrations of TNF-alpha and TNF soluble receptors sTNFRs in obese women with diabetes type 2 and obese women without additional disease. 2. To assess possible association between of manner treatment of diabetes type 2 and serum concentrations of TNF-alpha and TNF soluble receptors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group's involved 23 obese women with diabetes type 2 - group A (age 63.6 +/- 8.2 lat; BMI 32.7 +/- 3,9 kg/m2) in this 12 treated of derivatives of sulfonylurea (age 65.1 +/- 6.6 lat; BMI 32.0 +/- 3.4 kg/m2) - subgroup AI and 11 insulin treated (age 62.1 +/- 9.7 lat; BMI 33.4 +/- 4.4 kg/m2) - subgroup AII and 23 obese women without additional disease and without any pharmacological treatment - group B (age 36.6 +/- 10.9 lat; BMI 36.6 +/- 5.6 kg/m2). Body weight and height were measured, body mass index was calculated with formula. Serum concentrations of glucose was measured by enzymatic procedure. Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha and it's soluble receptors sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 was measured by ELISA. and sTNFR2 were significant decreased (respectively p <0,005 i p <0,001) in group A when compared to group B. There are not significant differences serum concentration of TNF-alpha and its soluble receptors between subgroups AI and AII. CONCLUSIONS: 1. In obese women with diabetes type 2 serum concentration of TNF-alpha increased and concentrations of its soluble receptors decreased when compared to obese without additional disease. 2. The treatment meaner of diabetes type 2 not influence of serum concentration of TNF-alpha and sTNFR1 but application of insulin maybe a cause increase activity sTNFR2.     

Relationships of Hair Mineral Concentrations with Insulin Resistance in Metabolic Syndrome

Mineral deficiencies can cause impaired insulin release and insulin resistance. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between hair mineral concentrations and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). A total of 456 subjects (161 patients with MS and 295 subjects without MS) were reviewed, and fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, homeostasis assessment model-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and hair mineral concentrations were analyzed. While hair sodium and potassium concentrations were significantly higher, the hair calcium, magnesium, and zinc concentrations were lower in the MS group than in the control group. Regarding toxic element measurements, the hair arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) concentrations were higher in the MS group than in the control group. The results of multiple regression analysis, after adjusting for age, showed significant relationships between the Na/Mg and Ca/P ratios and HOMA-IR (R ²?=?0.109, p?<?0.05). The Ca, Na, K, and B concentrations were also associated with HOMA-IR (R ²?=?0.116, p?<?0.05). The hair Na concentration was significantly associated with MS, even after adjusting for age, visceral adipose tissue, and HOMA-IR (OR 1.020; 95 % CI 1.001–1.040; p?=?0.036). Our findings suggest that hair mineral concentrations, such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, and potassium concentrations, may play a role in the development of insulin resistance.     

BMI Is the Main Determinant of the Circulating Leptin in Women after Vertical Banded Gastroplasty

Objective: To assess the main determinant of serum leptin concentration changes in morbidly obese patients treated by banded vertical gastroplasty. Research Methods and Procedures: Serum leptin and insulin concentrations, insulin resistance, BMI, body weight, and body fat mass in 18 obese women and 8 obese men treated by vertical banded gastroplasty were studied. Lean women and men subjects were used as controls. Results: Before surgery, serum leptin and insulin concentrations and insulin resistance index were significantly higher in morbidly obese patients than in control subjects. BMI, body fat mass, and serum triacylglycerol concentrations were also significantly higher in obese than in lean subjects. All of these parameters gradually decreased during 50 weeks after surgery. Univariate regression analysis displayed significant correlations between the following: serum leptin concentration and BMI (and body fat mass), serum leptin concentration and serum insulin concentration, and serum leptin concentration and insulin resistance index. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that only BMI was independently correlated with the decrease in serum leptin concentration. Discussion: Obtained data suggest the following: 1) vertical banded gastroplasty causes reduction of body weight, serum leptin and insulin concentration, insulin resistance, and serum triacylglycerol concentration; and 2) BMI is the main determinant of the circulating leptin concentration in morbidly obese women after anti‐obesity surgery.     

Insulin resistance and serum concentrations of ovarian and adrenal androgen in obese women without additional disease and with policystic ovary syndrome

THE AIM: of the present study was to evaluate serum concentrations of adrenal and ovarian androgens and sex hormone-binding globulin in obese women without additional diseases and in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome with and without insulin resistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group involved 73 obese women (39 with PCOS--A and 34 obese without additional diseases--B). The serum concentration of glucose and insulin were measured and the study group was divided on the basis of HOMA index into two subgroups: A I-PCO without insulin resistance (n=18, mean age 27.2+/-5.9 yr; BMI 33.2+/-3.5 kg/m2); AII-PCO with insulin resistance (n=21, mean age 27.5+/-7.1 yr; BMI 37.6+/-6.5 kg/m2); B I-obese without insulin resistance (n=8, age 33.5+/-7.5 yr; BMI 35.2+/-4.8 kg/m2); B II-obese with insulin resistance (n=24, age 30.3+/-5.2 yr; BMI 36.4+/-5.8 kg/m2). Body mass and height were measured and body mass index was calculated with formula. Body composition was measured using bioimpedance method. The serum concentrations of FSH, LH, total and free testosterone, androstendione, DHEAS, SHBG and insulin were determined by RIA method and glucose was determined by enzymatic procedure. RESULTS: We observed significantly higher body mass, fat mass and BMI in AII subgroup when compared to AI, BI and BII subgroups. Only serum concentration of free testosterone was significantly higher in AII subgroup when compared to AI subgroup. We observed a positive correlation between serum concentrations of insulin and free testosterone in both groups A and B, moreover we observed positive correlations between serum concentrations of insulin and both DHEAS and LH in group B. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that insulin resistance plays a key role in the development of hyperandrogenism in obese women. However mechanisms leading to hyperandrogenism in PCOS are still unrevealed and seem to be more complex.     

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Inflammatory Markers and Adipokines in Young Obese Women

Obesity is a chronic inflammatory state characterized by altered adipokine production and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. The study explored the effect of zinc supplementation on inflammatory markers and adipocyte hormones in young obese women. Twenty five non-obese women and forty obese women (body mass index ≥25 kg/m²) aged 19–28 years were recruited for this study. Twenty obese women of the study group took 30 mg/day of supplemental zinc as zinc gluconate for 8 weeks and 20 obese women of control group took placebo. Usual dietary zinc intake was estimated from 3-day diet records. Serum zinc and urinary zinc concentration were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-6 and adipocyte hormones such as lepin and adiponectin were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Inflammatory markers and leptin were significantly higher, but adiponectin was significantly lower in obese women than non-obese women. Zinc supplementation increased serum zinc by 15 % and urinary zinc by 56 % (P?<?0.05). The levels of hs-CRP (P?=?0.03) and IL-6 (P?=?0.006) significantly decreased with zinc supplementation, but not in placebo group. Serum leptin and plasma adiponectin concentration did not differ with either zinc supplementation or placebo. The levels of IL-6 and leptin were inversely associated with dietary zinc intake. These results suggest that zinc may have a favorable effect on obesity-related inflammation in young adults.     

The Role of Overweight and Obesity in Calcium Oxalate Stone Formation

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of overweight and obesity on the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation. Research Methods and Procedures: BMI, 24‐hour urine, and serum parameters were evaluated in idiopathic calcium oxalate stone formers (363 men and 164 women) without medical or dietetic pretreatment. Results: Overweight and obesity were present in 59.2% of the men and in 43.9% of the women in the study population. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between BMI and urinary uric acid, sodium, ammonium, and phosphate excretion and an inverse correlation between BMI and urinary pH in both men and women, whereas BMI was associated with urinary oxalate excretion only among women and with urinary calcium excretion only among men. Serum uric acid and creatinine concentrations were correlated with BMI in both genders. Because no association was established between BMI and urinary volume, magnesium, and citrate excretion, inhibitors of calcium oxalate stone formation, the risk of stone formation increased significantly with increasing BMI among both men and women with urolithiasis (p = 0.015). The risk of calcium oxalate stone formation, median number of stone episodes, and frequency of diet‐related diseases were highest in overweight and obese men. Discussion: Overweight and obesity are strongly associated with an elevated risk of stone formation in both genders due to an increased urinary excretion of promoters but not inhibitors of calcium oxalate stone formation. Overweight and obese men are more prone to stone formation than overweight women.     

Hair Trace Elements in Overweight and Obese Adults in Association with Metabolic Parameters

The objective of the present study was to investigate the level of toxic and essential trace elements in hair of adult overweight and obese persons as well as its association with metabolic parameters. Hair trace element levels were assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry in 112 overweight and obese patients and 106 lean controls. Serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), glucose, uric acid (UA) levels, and cholinesterase (CE) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity were also assessed. Excessive body weight significantly affected hair trace element levels. In particular, hair Co (33%), Cu (13%), I (30%), Mg (2-fold), Mn (25%), Zn (17%), and Ni (21%) levels were lower, whereas Al (14%) and As levels were higher in comparison to those in the control group. Correlation analysis demonstrated the most significant correlations for hair Mg with body weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and UA, and for hair Al with body weight, BMI, TC, glucose, TG, CE, GGT, and UA. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that trace elements were not associated with TC and LDL-C levels neither in crude nor in adjusted models. In turn, crude and adjusted models accounted for 25 and 43% of serum TG variance. The most significant associations were observed for hair Al, Fe, Si, and V in adjusted model. The obtained data demonstrate that obesity-related metabolic disorders may be at least partially mediated by altered trace element and mineral levels.     

Zinc nutritional status and its relationships with hyperinsulinemia in obese children and adolescents

A perturbation of zinc metabolism has been noted in subjects with obesity. The present work intends to investigate whether the zinc nutritional status is associated with hyperinsulinemia in obesity. A study was carried out in a group of obese children and adolescents (n=23) and compared to a control group (n=21), both between 7 and 14 yr of age. Software analyzed diet information from 3-d food records. Body composition was evaluated by body mass index (BMI), bioelectrical impedance, and skinfold measurements. Zinc nutritional status was evaluated by Zn determination in plasma, erythrocyte, and 24-h urine, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (λ=213.9 nm). Insulin was measured by radioimmunoassay (Linco Res). Diets consumed by both groups had marginal concentrations of zinc. Zinc concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes were significantly lower in the obese group. Urinary zinc excretion and serum insulin were significantly higher in the same group, although the insulinemia and the parameters of zinc nutritional status were not significantly correlated. As a result, considering that zinc is part of the synthesis and secretion of this hormone, an assessment is necessary of the possible participation of the oligoelement in the mechanisms of insulin resistance, commonly present in obese patients.     

Attenuating Effect of Zinc and Vitamin E on the Intestinal Oxidative Stress Induced by Silver Nanoparticles in Broiler Chickens

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between magnesium status and oxidative stress in obese and nonobese women. This cross-sectional study included 83 women, aged between 20 and 50 years, who were divided into two groups: the obese group (n = 31) and the control group (n = 52). The control group was age-matched with the obese group. Magnesium intake was monitored using 3-day food records and NutWin software version 1.5. The plasma and erythrocyte magnesium concentrations were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were determined as biomarkers for lipid peroxidation and therefore of oxidative stress. The mean values of the magnesium content in the diet were found to be lower than those recommended, though there was no significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). The mean concentrations of plasma and erythrocyte magnesium were within the normal range, with no significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). The mean concentration of plasma TBARS was higher in obese woman, and the difference between the groups was statistically different (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between erythrocyte magnesium and plasma TBARS in the obese group (p = 0.021). Obese patients ingest low dietary magnesium content, which does not seem to affect the plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of the mineral. The study showed a negative correlation between erythrocyte magnesium concentrations and plasma TBARS, suggesting the influence of magnesium status on the parameters of oxidative stress in obese women.     

The Changing Body Mass–Mortality Association in the United States: Evidence of Sex-Specific Cohort Trends from Three National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

The association between body mass index (BMI) categories and mortality remains uncertain. Using three National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys covering the 1971–2006 period for cohorts born between 1896 and 1968, this study estimates separately for men and women models for year-of-birth (cohort) and year-of-observation (period) trends in how age-specific mortality rates differ across BMI categories. Among women, relative to the normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²), there are increasing trends in mortality rates for the overweight (BMI 25–29.9) or obese (BMI ≥ 30). Among men, mortality rates relative to the normal weight decrease for the overweight, do not change for the moderately obese (BMI 30–34.9), and increase for the severely obese (BMI ≥ 35). Period and cohort trends are similar, but the cohort trends are more consistent. In the latest cohorts, compared with the normal weight, mortality rates are 50 percent lower for overweight men, not different for moderately obese men, and 100–200 percent higher for severely obese men and for overweight or obese women. For U.S. cohorts born after the 1920s, a lower overweight than normal weight mortality is confined to men. I speculate on possible reasons why the mortality association with overweight and obesity varies by sex and cohort.     

Concentrations of Chromium,Selenium, and Copper in the Hair of Viscerally Obese Adults are Associated with Insulin Resistance

Visceral adiposity is linked to the development of insulin resistance, which is a condition that may contribute to metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular disease. Various minerals play essential roles in different metabolic functions in the body. Thus, the relationships between mineral concentrations in the hair and insulin resistance were analyzed in 144 Korean adults (71 viscerally obese subjects and 73 normal control subjects) in this cross-sectional study. Visceral obesity was measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and insulin resistance levels were assessed using the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. The viscerally obese group exhibited significantly higher levels of serum glucose (96.5 vs 91.0 mg/dL, P?=?0.023), insulin concentration (4.78 vs 2.98 μIU/mL, P?=?0.003), and the HOMA-IR index (1.18 vs 0.64, P?=?0.003) compared with the normal control group. After adjusting for age and sex, there was a positive correlation between copper levels in the hair and the HOMA-IR index in the viscerally obese group (r?=?0.241, P?=?0.046) whereas chromium and selenium levels in the hair were negatively correlated with the HOMA-IR index (r?=??0.256, P?=?0.034, and r?=??0.251, P?=?0.038, respectively). Thus, chromium and selenium levels in the hair of viscerally obese adults were inversely associated with insulin resistance, whereas copper levels in the hair were positively associated with insulin resistance. This suggests that the mineral status of viscerally obese adults might play a role in the development of insulin resistance.     

Intra-Individual Double Burden of Overweight and Micronutrient Deficiencies among Vietnamese Women

Background

Vietnamese Living Standard Surveys showed that the rate of overweight and obese in Vietnamese adults doubled between 1992 and 2002, from 2% to 5.5%, respectively with no significant difference in the proportions of overweight/obesity between men and women.

Objectives

Considering the increasing public health concern over the double burden of malnutrition in Vietnam, we investigated micronutrient deficiencies among women of reproductive age according to their Body Mass Index.

Methods

A transversal study was conducted in 2010 among 1530 women of reproductive age from 19 provinces. Participating women were asked to give a non-fasting blood sample for plasma iron, vitamin A, folate, vitamin B₁₂ and zinc assessment.

Results

Although % body fat was associated with haemoglobin, ferritin, retinol and zinc concentrations, BMI category was only associated with marginal vitamin A status (19% among underweight vs 7% among overweight/obese; p<0.0001) and not with iron deficiency anemia, zinc deficiency, vitamin B₁₂ deficiency or folate status. The prevalence of iron, and vitamin B₁₂ deficiencies was respectively 11.4% and 15% among the 20% overweight/obese women; prevalence of zinc deficiency and marginal/deficient folate status was much higher, affecting respectively 61.1% and 25.8%. Intra-individual double burden of malnutrition (overweight/obesity (OW) and micronutrient deficiency) was observed among 2.0% for OW-anemia, 2.3% OW-iron deficient, 3.0% for OW-Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, 12.2% for OW-Zinc deficiency and 5.2% for OW-marginal/deficient folate status.

Conclusions

This large, cross-sectional survey demonstrated that micronutrient deficiencies are an issue across the weight spectrum among women in Vietnam, with only vitamin A status being better among overweight than underweight women. It is therefore essential for Vietnam to actively prevent women of reproductive age from overweight/obesity and at same time to control micronutrient deficiencies in this population to limit their economic and health consequences.