Sex,Race/Ethnicity,Socioeconomic Status,and BMI in Relation to Self‐Perception of Overweight

Objective: To compare the self‐perception of overweight in the study population according to sex, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status and to compare the self‐perception of overweight among individuals classified as normal weight, overweight, and obese. Research Methods and Procedures: Data from 5440 adults who participated in the 1994 to 1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and the Diet and Health Knowledge Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture were analyzed. Data for analysis included self‐perceived weight status, self‐reported weight and height, and demographic and socioeconomic data. Underweight individuals, defined as those with a body mass index <18.5 kg/m², were excluded from the analysis. Results: Self‐perception of overweight was more common in women compared with men and in whites compared with blacks or Hispanics. Both the correct and incorrect perception of overweight was more common in normal weight and overweight white women compared with black women. More overweight and obese white men correctly perceived their overweight status compared with black men. Multiple logistic regression showed that the odds ratio of perceived overweight was significantly higher in women, whites, and individuals with higher body mass index, higher income, and higher education. Discussion: Self‐perceived overweight varied by sex, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Erroneous perception of body weight may have important health and behavioral implications. In particular, a considerable proportion of overweight men may be at risk of obesity if they continue to perceive themselves as having normal weight.     

Fiber Intake of Normal Weight,Moderately Obese and Severely Obese Subjects

ALFEERI, MARGARET AH, JOCELINE POMERLEAU, D MICHAEL GRACE AND LORRAINE ANDERSON. Fiber intake of normal weight, moderately obese and severely obese subjects. Obes Res. The lack of dietary fiber may be a contributing factor in obesity. This study examined the fiber intake of three weight groups: normal (20.0≤BMI≤27.0), moderately obese (27.1≤BMI≤39.9) and severely obese (BMI≥40.0). Each group contained 50 subjects. Detailed 3-day food records were used to gather the nutritional data. Fiber intake in the normal weight group was 18.8 ± 9.3 grams, the moderately obese consumed 13.3 ± 5.8 grams of fiber and the severely obese 13.7 ± 5.7 grams. Total fiber intake in grams was found to be significantly higher in the lean group (p<0.05) and was positively associated with sex and education level with men and more highly educated individuals consuming more fiber. Using regression analysis total fiber in grams and fiber in g/1000 kcalories was inversely associated with BMI after adjusting for sex, age, education level and income (p<0.01). A high fiber diet may help to promote a negative energy balance by causing early satiety secondary to gastric distention. Dietitians and physicians need to emphasize the importance of a high fiber diet to their obese patients.     

The Insulin Tolerance Test in Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Objective: To assess the effect of massive weight loss in relation to insulin resistance and its correlation to changes in glycemic homeostasis and lipid profile in severely obese patients. Research Methods and Procedures: A prospective clinical intervention study was carried out with 31 morbidly obese women (body mass index: 54.2 ± 8.8 kg/m²) divided into three groups according to their glucose tolerance test: 14 normal, 8 impaired glucose tolerance, and 9 type 2 diabetes. All subjects underwent an insulin tolerance test with intravenous bolus of 0.1 U insulin/kg body weight before silastic ring vertical gastroplasty Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery, and again at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and lipid profile were also evaluated. Results: A reduction of 68 ± 15% in initial excess body weight was evident within 1 year. Along with weight loss, the following statistically significant changes were found: an increase in the insulin‐sensitivity index (Kitt) and a decrease in fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c, most notably in the type 2 diabetes group. An overall improvement in lipid profile was observed in all three groups. Discussion: Bariatric surgery was an effective therapeutic approach for these obese patients because it reduced both weight and insulin resistance, along with improving metabolic parameters. Significant correlations were found between insulin resistance and metabolic improvements. Weight loss after bariatric surgery induced an improvement in metabolic fitness, related to the reduction in insulin resistance over a range of glucose tolerance statuses from normal to diabetic.     

Oxidant Stress in Healthy Normal‐weight,Overweight, and Obese Individuals

This study was undertaken to investigate the association among BMI and lipid hydroperoxide (LH), total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH). Ninety (n = 90) healthy males and females (n = 23/67) (29 normal weight (BMI: 22.74 ± 0.25 kg/m²), 36 overweight (BMI: 27.18 ± 0.23 kg/m²), and 25 obese (33.78 ± 0.48 kg/m²)) participated in the study. Data collected included anthropometric measures, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, LH, TAS, and enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, and reduced GSH). The results of the study showed that obese individuals had significantly increased LH levels compared to normal‐weight individuals (obese vs. normal weight (0.88 ± 0.05 vs. 0.67 ± 0.03 µmol/l, P < 0.01)) but the increased levels were not significantly different when compared to the overweight group (obese vs. overweight (0.88 ± 0.05 vs. 0.79 ± 0.05 µmol/l)). No other consistent significant differences in TAS, SOD, and GSH were identified between groups. This study concluded that only obesity and not moderate overweight elevates LH levels. Furthermore, the levels of TAS, SOD, and GSH in obesity do not explain the increased LH levels observed in obesity.     

The Influence of Socioeconomic Factors on Health Parameters in Overweight and Obese Adults

The prevalence of being overweight and of obesity is increasing worldwide, and is associated with a high risk to health. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate whether normal weight, overweight and obese subjects of low, middle or high socioeconomic status (SES) differ with regard to their health behavior, health, quality of life, and the use of medical care. Data from the Austrian Health Interview Survey (ATHIS) 2006/07, comprising 3 groups of 1,077 individuals, each of whom were normal weight, overweight, or obese, respectively, and matched according to their age, sex and SES, were analyzed concerning health outcomes. The results show that subjects with a low SES differ significantly from those of high SES in terms of their health behavior, self-perceived health, levels of impairment, chronic conditions, quality of life, and health care. Additionally, obesity in adults is associated with sub-optimal dietary practices and worse health, poorer quality of life and medical care than normal weight and overweight individuals. A significant interaction between the weight class and SES was found concerning physical exercise, impairment due to health problems and chronic diseases. A low SES has a strong negative impact on health, especially in obese individuals. Therefore a continuous target group-oriented, non-discriminatory public health program is required, prioritizing obese subjects with low SES.     

Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Obese Patients: Relation to Resting Energy Expenditure,Serum Leptin,Body Composition,and Lipid Profile

Objective: To evaluate whether subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) affects resting energy expenditure (REE) as well as body composition, lipid profile, and serum leptin in obese patients. Research Methods and Procedures: A total of 108 obese patients with SH defined as normal free thyroxine levels and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) values of >4.38 μU/ml (mean ± 2 SD of the values of our reference group of obese patients with normal thyroid function) were compared with a group of 131 obese patients matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) but with normal TSH levels. We assessed estimated daily caloric intake by 7‐day recall, REE by indirect calorimetry, body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis, serum leptin by radioimmunoassay, and lipid profile (i.e., total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides). Results: All of the variables measured were not different between the euthyroid obese patients and those with SH. In a multiple regression model with REE expressed for kilograms of fat free mass (REE/kgFFM) as a dependent variable and percentage of fat mass, BMI, waist‐to‐hip ratio, age, TSH, free thyroxine, serum leptin, and caloric intake as independent variables, only percentage of fat mass was significantly correlated with REE/kgFFM in both groups. In the SH group only, BMI, waist‐to‐hip ratio, age, and TSH were related to REE/kgFFM and explained 69.5% of its variability. After dividing the patients with SH using a cutoff TSH value of 5.7 μU/ml, which represents 3 SD above the mean of TSH levels of the group of obese patients with normal thyroid function, only REE/kgFFM was significantly different and lower in the group of more severely hypothyroid patients. Discussion: In patients with obesity, SH affects energy expenditure only when TSH is clearly above the normal range; it does not change body composition and lipid profile. We suggest that, at least in obese patients, evaluation of TSH levels may be useful to rule out a possible impairment of resting energy expenditure due to a reduced peripheral effect of thyroid hormones.     

The effect of maternal obesity on self-esteem and body image

Abstract stress, dissatisfaction and the feeling of inadequacy experienced as a result of the change in appearance caused by weight gain affects self -esteem and body image of pregnant women negatively. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between maternal obesity, self-esteem and body image. The study was performed through a questionnaire in a state hospital in Trabzon, Turkey with 300 unselected pregnant women who were recruited from the delivery unit. As data collection tools, Body Image Scale (BAS) and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Scale (GIS) were used between April and May 2016. According to BMI variables, 12.3%, 57.0% and 30.7% of the pregnant women were normal, overweight and obese respectively and gained an average of 12.11?±?3.03?kg during pregnancy. Accordingly, the majority of pregnant women who participated in this study were found to be overweight and obese. While the body image of pregnant women surveyed in this study was at a high level (158.84?±?21.34), their average self-esteem was found at a moderate level (64.01?±?15.88). Based on BMI, 56.8% of the women with normal weight perceived themselves as normal, 48.0% of overweight women perceived themselves as normal and 53.3% of obese women perceived themselves as overweight. There was a positive significant relationship between participants' body image and their BMI (r?=?0.119 p?<?0.05). The pregnant women with normal BMI were more likely to feel satisfied. While 56.8% of the pregnant women at normal weight based on BMI were found to feel satisfied and 43.3% of those overweight felt satisfied, 54.3% of obese ones did not feel satisfied. A weak positive significant correlation was found between body image and self-esteem (r?=?0.172; p?=?0.003?<?0.05). As the self-esteem increases, body image increases, too. It was found that the majority of pregnant women were overweight and obese according to BMI and their average body image and self-esteem were high and medium level respectively.     

The Desire to Eat in the Presence of Obese or Normal‐weight Eaters as a Function of Their Emotional Facial Expression

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the eating desire would be lower in the presence of facial expression of an obese than of a normal‐weight eater in participants who were or not themselves obese. Normal‐weight and obese participants assessed their desire to eat liked and disliked foods. These foods were presented alone and with a normal‐weight and obese eater expressing pleasure, disgust, or neutrality. Results showed that, compared with a normal‐weight eater, perceiving an obese eater decreased the viewer's desire to eat, whatever his/her facial expression. Thus, pleasant faces of normal weight but not of obese eaters increased the eating desire. Furthermore, the influence of eater's facial expressions did not differ as a function of the participants' BMIs. These data were discussed in the framework of the embodiment theory of emotion and of their implications in terms of nutritional education, either by enabling people to learn to like certain unpalatable foods or by helping them moderate their food intake simply through the sight of an obese eater.     

The psychological consequences of weight change trajectories: Evidence from quantitative and qualitative data

We use quantitative and qualitative data to explore the psychological impact of weight change among American adults. Using data from the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) study, a survey of more than 3000 adults ages 25–74 in 1995, we contrast underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese I, and obese II/III persons along five psychosocial outcomes: positive mood, negative mood, perceived interpersonal discrimination, self-acceptance, and self-satisfaction. We further assess whether these relationships are contingent upon one's body mass index (BMI) at age 21. We find a strong inverse association between adult BMI and each of the five outcomes, reflecting the stigma associated with high body weight. However, overweight adults who were also overweight at age 21 are more likely than persons who were previously slender to say they were “very satisfied” with themselves. Results from 40 in-depth semi-structured interviews reveal similarly that persons who were persistently overweight or obese accept their weight as part of their identity, whereas those who experienced substantial weight increases (or decreases) struggle between two identities: the weight they actually are, and the weight that they believe exemplifies who they are. We discuss implications for stigma theory, and the ways that stigma exits and entries affect psychological well-being.     

Cognitive Change in Obese Adolescents Losing Weight

Objectives: To investigate how obese adolescents think about themselves in terms of exercise, eating, and appearance and whether these cognitions change over the course of a residential weight loss camp. Research Methods and Procedures: Obese adolescents [N = 61; age, 14.1 (±0.2) years; BMI, 33.9 (±0.7) kg/m²] completed assessments of body weight and height and self‐esteem and a sentence‐completion test eliciting thoughts and beliefs about exercise, eating, and appearance at the start and end of the camp (mean stay, 26 days). They were compared with a single assessment of 20 normal‐weight adolescents [age, 15.4 (±0.2) years; BMI, 21.8 (±0.5) kg/m²]. Results: The obese adolescents lost 5.7 kg and reduced their BMI SD score by 0.25. Camp residence was associated with a significant reduction in the number of negative automatic thoughts and an increase in positive thoughts, especially related to exercise and appearance. There was no change in conditional beliefs, either functional or dysfunctional. Including BMI SD score change as a covariate took away all the main and interaction effects of time, showing that cognitive change was largely accounted for by the reduction in weight. Despite this improvement, campers remained cognitively more negative and dysfunctional than the normal‐weight comparison adolescents. Discussion: Obese adolescents not only lost weight, but they improved their self‐representation, specifically in terms of automatic thoughts about exercise and appearance. Although these are short‐term cognitive changes, they reflect positively on the camp experience and show the value of psychological improvement in assessing obesity‐treatment outcomes.     

高脂饲料诱导的肥胖大鼠网膜素水平的实验研究

人群调查发现肥胖人群网膜素水平较正常人群低,而正常及肥胖大鼠血清网膜素水平及其基因表达情况尚不清楚.将SD大鼠随机分为正常组(n=10)和高脂组(n=30),分别喂养普通饲料和高脂饲料.6 w后从高脂组选取体重增长最快的20只,再从中随机抽取10只继续喂养高脂饲料,12 w后两组各剩9只,采用全自动生化仪ADVIA2400测定血糖及血脂、ELISA检测血清胰岛素及网膜素水平、RT-PCR检测网膜脂肪组织网膜素mRNA表达水平.结果显示高脂组大鼠体重、体重增加值、肥胖指数、低密度脂蛋白、胰岛素、血清网膜素水平及网膜脂肪组织网膜素mRNA表达水平均高于正常组(P<0.05).首次发现肥胖大鼠血清网膜素水平及网膜脂肪组织中网膜素mRNA表达水平较正常大鼠显著增高,与人群调查结果不一致.     

Effects of increased energy expenditure on weight gain and adiposity in the LA-corpulent rat

Groups of lean or pre-obese LA/N-cp rats were subjected to a program of vigorous exercise (less than 4 hr/day) or remained sedentary from 6 weeks until 12 weeks of age. Sedentary pre-obese rats gained weight twice as rapidly as sedentary lean rats. Exercise treatment resulted in greater decrements in body wt in obese than in lean rats, but did not result in absolute weight loss in either group. At 12 weeks of age, fat pad weights in principle depots were 10-15 times greater in corpulent than in lean rats and were significantly smaller in the exercised groups of both phenotypes, and corresponded with lower relative adiposity compared to corresponding sedentary groups. Heart weights were greater in corpulent than lean, while gastrocnemius muscle weights were similar in both phenotypes. Exercise was without effect on the weight of either muscle tissue in either phenotype. Interscapular brown adipose tissue weights and the IBAT:BW ratio were greater in obese than in lean rats. IBAT weights were lower in exercised than sedentary rats of either phenotype, but the IBAT:BW ratio was lower only in the obese exercised rats. In sedentary rats, L-alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme activity were greater in obese than lean, and exercise treatment resulted in increased L-alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme only in lean rats. These results are consistent with a redistribution of energy expenditure from energy storing to energy dissipating pathways following vigorous exercise, resulting in slowed rates of weight gain and body fat accretion in both lean and obese animals, with the most significant decrements among pre-obese rats.     

Obese Women Have Lower Monosodium Glutamate Taste Sensitivity and Prefer Higher Concentrations Than Do Normal‐weight Women

The goal of this study was to determine whether obese women exhibit altered umami and sweet taste perception compared to normal‐weight women. A total of 57 subjects (23 obese and 34 normal weight) participated in a 2‐day study separated by 1 week. Half of the women in each group were evaluated using monosodium glutamate (MSG; prototypical umami stimulus) on the first test day and sucrose on the second test day; the order was reversed for the remaining women. We used two‐alternative forced‐choice staircase procedures to measure taste detection thresholds, forced‐choice tracking technique to measure preferences, the general Labeled Magnitude Scale (gLMS) to measure perceived intensity of suprathreshold concentrations, and a triangle test to measure discrimination between 29 mmol/l MSG and 29 mmol/l NaCl. Obese women required higher MSG concentrations to detect a taste and preferred significantly higher MSG concentrations in a soup‐like vehicle. However, their perception of MSG at suprathreshold concentrations, their ability to discriminate MSG from salt, and their preference for sucrose were similar to that observed in normal‐weight women. Regardless of their body weight category, 28% of the women did not discriminate 29 mmol/l MSG from 29 mmol/l NaCl (nondiscriminators). Surprisingly, we found that, relative to discriminators, nondiscriminators perceived less savoriness when tasting suprathreshold MSG concentrations and less sweetness from suprathreshold sucrose concentrations but had similar MSG and sucrose detection thresholds. Taken together, these data suggest that body weight is related to some components of umami taste and that different mechanisms are involved in the perception of threshold and suprathreshold MSG concentrations.     

Family Physicians' Barriers to Cancer Screening in Extremely Obese Patients

Extremely obese women are less likely than nonobese women to receive breast and cervical cancer screening examinations. Reasons for this disparity are unclear and may stem from patient and/or physician barriers. This sequential mixed‐methods study used individual in‐depth interviews of 15 family physicians followed by a mail survey of 255 family physicians (53% response rate) to understand the barriers they faced in performing cancer screening examinations in extremely obese women. Barriers fell into three main areas: (i) difficulty doing pelvic and breast exams; (ii) inadequate equipment; and (iii) challenges overcoming patient barriers and refusal. This led some physicians to avoid performing breast and pelvic examinations on extremely obese women. Having more knowledge about specific examination techniques was associated with less difficulty in palpating lumps on breast and pelvic examinations (P < 0.005). Physicians perceived that embarrassment, aversion to undressing, and avoidance of discussions related to their weight were the most frequent barriers extremely obese women had with getting physical examinations. Educating and/or motivating patients and addressing fears were strategies used most frequently when patients refused mammograms or Pap smears. Interventions focusing on physician barriers, such as educating them on specific examination techniques, obtaining adequate equipment and supplies, and providing resources to assist physicians in dealing with patient barriers and refusal, may be fruitful in increasing cancer screening rates in extremely obese patients. Future research studies testing the effectiveness of these strategies are needed to improve cancer outcomes in this high‐risk population.     

Increased Serum Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein in Obese Children

Objective: To determine whether serum cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), which is one of the physiologically active gene products secreted from adipose tissue, is increased and associated with atherogenic lipoprotein profile in obese children. Research Methods and Procedures: Subjects were 42 consecutive outpatient Japanese obese children, 29 boys and 13 girls, ranging in age from 5 to 14 years, and 25 age‐matched non‐obese children, 13 boys and 12 girls, as the control group for measuring CETP mass. Blood was drawn after an overnight fast and, at the same time, and anthropometric measurements including height, body weight, waist girth, hip girth, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses were taken. Paired samples were obtained from 15 obese children who underwent psychoeducational therapy. Serum CETP mass was assayed by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, TC/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), apolipoproteins (apo) B, apo B/apo A₁, and insulin in obese children were significantly higher than the respective reference values. Serum CETP level was ～2‐fold higher (98.7 ± 3.6 vs. 50.9 ± 4.0 nM, means ± SEM, p < 0.001) in the obese children than in the controls. In 15 obese children, whose percentage of overweight declined during therapy, CETP levels decreased significantly. CETP level was correlated with HDLC, TC/HDLC, and insulin, and with percentage of overweight when the data of the obese and non‐obese children were combined. Discussion: CETP is increased and associated with the atherogenic lipoprotein profile in obese children.     

Racial Differences in Selection of Ideal Body Size by Adolescent Females

Cultural differences may partially account for the fact that more black women than white women are overweight in the United States. This study measured perceptions of ideal body size among 93 black and 80 white females, 14–17 years old, who were randomly selected from three public high schools in a southeastern state. The subjects' height and weight were measured along with their estimates of their mother's body size, weight control attitudes, and demographic variables . Blacks preferred a significantly larger body sue than whites when asked to select ideal body size (p=0.045). Subjects who estimated their mother's size to be larger, also selected a larger ideal body size (p=.047). Those who perceived themselves as too fat were more likely to skip meals to help control their weight, compared with those who perceived themselves as normal or too thin (p=.003). Approximately 30% of the sample was overweight or obese. There were not significant racial differences in weight or BMI . These results suggest that overweight is more acceptable among black females than among white females and may help explain why more black females are obese .     

Simplified Resting Metabolic Rate—Predicting Formulas for Normal‐Sized and Obese Individuals

Objective: Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is known to be proportional to body weight and to follow allometric scaling principles. We hypothesized that RMR can be predicted from an allometric formula with weight alone as an independent variable. Research Methods and Procedures: An allometric, power‐law scaling model was fit to RMR measurements obtained from a cohort of patients being treated for weight loss. This, as well as many of the commonly used RMR‐predicting formulas, was tested for RMR prediction ability against a large publicly available RMR database. Bland‐Altman analysis was used to determine the efficacy of the various RMR‐predicting formulas in obese and non‐obese subjects. Results: Power law modeling of the RMR—body weight relationship yielded the following RMR‐predicting equations: RMR_Women = 248 × Weight^0.4356 ? (5.09 × Age) and RMR_Men = 293 × Weight^0.4330 ? (5.92 × Age). Partial correlation analysis revealed that age significantly contributed to RMR variance and was necessary to include in RMR prediction formulas. The James, allometric, and Harris‐Benedict formulas all yielded reasonable RMR predictions for normal sized and obese subjects. Discussion: A simple power formula relating RMR to body weight can be a reasonable RMR estimator for normal‐sized and obese individuals but still requires an age term and separate formulas for men and women for the best possible RMR estimates. The apparent performance of RMR‐predicting formulas is highly dependent on the methodology employed to compare the various formulas.     

Health perceptions and demographic characteristics associated with underassessment of body weight

Objectives: To describe the relationship between BMI and perceived weight status and to determine how underassessment of weight status is associated with demographic characteristics, self‐reported general health, and perceived health risk in relation to one's body weight. Methods and Procedures: In the 2004 Styles surveys, 3,888 US adult participants described their current weight status (underweight, about right, slightly overweight, very overweight), which we compared with self‐reported BMI in order to determine concordance. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate associations between underassessment of body weight and characteristics of interest. Results: Among persons with a BMI ≥25, women were more likely than men to recognize their overweight status (slightly or very overweight; 93.0% of women vs. 73.5% of men) and the extent to which they were overweight: 70.4% of obese women vs. 49.5% of obese men described themselves as very overweight. Among the overweight and obese of both sexes, disagreement with regard to current weight as a health risk was associated with underassessment of weight. Additional factors associated with underassessment were education and race/ethnicity among overweight women; race/ethnicity among overweight men; household income and self‐rated health among obese women; and self‐rated health among obese men (P < 0.05). Discussion: While most of the obese participants recognized that they were overweight, many of them, particularly among the men, did not realize the extent to which they were overweight. Public health messages may be more effective if they are specifically tailored to target audiences, besides emphasizing the health risks associated with excess body weight.     

An automatic feeder for infant rats

An automatic feeder for infant rats was developed which consisted of a rectangular container in which tubes were passed through the front and back walls and sloped slightly from the back to the front. Nursing bottles were inserted into the tubes from the back until the nipples projected 5 mm from holes in the rubber stoppers which closed the tubes at the front. At the surface of the front wall around the nipples, there was material similar in feel to that of the skin and fur of mother rats. Milk was fed from a tank to the nursing bottles by a peristaltic pump. After training 3-day-old infants which were nursed by mother rats during the first three days, they found the nipples and suckled milk by themselves. At the time of weaning, the automatically-fed infants gained as much weight as the mother nursed-infants.     

Endothelial Progenitor Cell Function,Apoptosis, and Telomere Length in Overweight/Obese Humans

Excess adiposity is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in vascular repair. We tested the hypothesis that increased adiposity is associated with EPC dysfunction, characterized by diminished capacity to release angiogenic cytokines, increased apoptotic susceptibility, reduced cell migration, and shorter telomere length. A total of 67 middle‐aged and older adults (42–67 years) were studied: 25 normal weight (normal weight; BMI: 18.5–24.9 kg/m²) and 42 overweight/obese (overweight/obese; BMI: 25.0–34.9 kg/m²). Cells with phenotypic EPC characteristics were isolated from peripheral blood. EPC release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and granulocyte colony–stimulating factor (G‐CSF) was determined in the absence and presence of phytohemagglutinin (10 µg/ml). Intracellular active caspase‐3 and cytochrome c concentrations were determined by immunoassay. Migratory activity of EPCs in response to VEGF (2 ng/ml) and stromal cell–derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α; 10 ng/ml) was determined by Boyden chamber. Telomere length was assessed by Southern hybridization. Phytohemagglutinin‐stimulated release of VEGF (90.6 ± 7.6 vs. 127.2 ± 11.6 pg/ml) and G‐CSF (896.1 ± 77.4 vs. 1,176.3 ± 126.3 pg/ml) was ～25% lower (P < 0.05) in EPCs from overweight/obese vs. normal weight subjects. Staurosporine induced a ～30% greater (P < 0.05) increase in active caspase‐3 in EPCs from overweight/obese (2.8 ± 0.2 ng/ml) compared with normal weight (2.2 ± 0.2) subjects. There were no significant differences in EPC migration to either VEGF or SDF‐1α. Telomere length did not differ between groups. These results indicate that increased adiposity adversely affects the ability of EPCs to release proangiogenic cytokines and resist apoptosis, potentially compromising their reparative potential.