Obesity anthropometric indicators associated with cardiometabolic risk in Portuguese children and adolescents

Primary Validation of the Submandibular Skinfold as an Anthropometric Measurement of Cardiometabolic Risk in People with Intellectual Disabilities

The accumulation of body fat is an important cardiometabolic risk factor; however, there is no consensus about which measure is more reliable for the assessment of cardiometabolic risk in people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of the present study was to primarily validate the submandibular skinfold as an anthropometric measurement of cardiometabolic risk in children, adolescents, and adults with intellectual disabilities, using a cross-sectional study made up of 131 people (67.2% men) with mild and moderate intellectual disability. The cardiometabolic risk indicators used were: body mass index (kg/m2), neck circumference (cm), waist circumference (cm), calf circumference (cm) and waist-to-height ratio. Moderate correlations were demonstrated between the submandibular skinfold measure and the anthropometric measurements analyzed in the three age categories, showing the highest correlation (r = 0.70) between the submandibular skinfold and BMI in the adolescent group and waist-to-height ratio in adults. The implementation of the submandibular skinfold measurement is suggested as an easy, fast, and minimally invasive anthropometric measurement as part of the physical and nutritional evaluation for the assessment of cardiometabolic risk in people with intellectual disabilities.

Predictors of central and general obesity in Iranian preschool children: which anthropometric indices can be used as screening tools?

AIM

To compare the ability of anthropometric indices [waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), neck-to-height ratio (NHR), conicity index (CI), body adiposity index (BAI), tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) and body mass index (BMI)] and,measuerments like neck(NC), hip(HC) and waist circumferences to predict overweight and obesity in Iranian preschool children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 498 Iranian preschool children were included in this case-control study conducted in Tehran, Iran. The participants were selected using the stratified random sampling procedure based on gender and school. Using sex-based receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis, we compared the area under the curve and defined the cut-off points for detecting central and general obesity for each index in order to identify the most suitable tools in predicting obesity.

RESULTS

Boys had significantly higher values for NC, WC, WHR, NHR, CI, TMI and BMI as compared to girls, whereas BAI and HC were higher in girls. The area under the curve was calculated for all the possible predictors of central obesity, i.e., NC (0.841-0.860), WC (0.70-0.679), HC (0.785-0.697), WHR (0.446-0.639) and CI (0.773-0.653) in boys and girls, respectively. And according to the ROC curve analysis, BMI (0.959-0.948), TMI (0.988-0.981), WHtR (0.667-0.553) and NHR (0.785-0.769) were predictors of general obesity and NC (0.841-0.860) as predictor of central obesity in boys and girls, respectively. The optimal cut-off points for TMI (13.80-15.83), NC (28.68-27.5) and for other anthropometric indices were estimated in both boys and girls.

CONCLUSION

TMI and NC seem to predict general and central obesity in Iranian preschool children.

Predictors of central and general obesity in Iranian preschool children: which anthropometric indices can be used as screening tools?

AIM

To compare the ability of anthropometric indices [waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), neck-to-height ratio (NHR), conicity index (CI), body adiposity index (BAI), tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) and body mass index (BMI)] and,measuerments like neck(NC), hip(HC) and waist circumferences to predict overweight and obesity in Iranian preschool children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 498 Iranian preschool children were included in this case-control study conducted in Tehran, Iran. The participants were selected using the stratified random sampling procedure based on gender and school. Using sex-based receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis, we compared the area under the curve and defined the cut-off points for detecting central and general obesity for each index in order to identify the most suitable tools in predicting obesity.

RESULTS

Boys had significantly higher values for NC, WC, WHR, NHR, CI, TMI and BMI as compared to girls, whereas BAI and HC were higher in girls. The area under the curve was calculated for all the possible predictors of central obesity, i.e., NC (0.841-0.860), WC (0.70-0.679), HC (0.785-0.697), WHR (0.446-0.639) and CI (0.773-0.653) in boys and girls, respectively. And according to the ROC curve analysis, BMI (0.959-0.948), TMI (0.988-0.981), WHtR (0.667-0.553) and NHR (0.785-0.769) were predictors of general obesity and NC (0.841-0.860) as predictor of central obesity in boys and girls, respectively. The optimal cut-off points for TMI (13.80-15.83), NC (28.68-27.5) and for other anthropometric indices were estimated in both boys and girls.

CONCLUSION

TMI and NC seem to predict general and central obesity in Iranian preschool children.

Prevalence and Determinants of Underweight, Overweight, and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sociodemographic, Dietary, and Lifestyle Factors Among Adolescent Girls in Jutiapa, Guatemala

BACKGROUND

As the incidence of overweight continues to increase among children and adolescents in Guatemala, underweight remains a prominent health problem. However, the prevalence of overweight or underweight and associated risk factors has not been investigated among adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity and associated sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle factors among adolescent girls in Jutiapa, Guatemala.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of a subsample of 392 girls aged 12 to 17 years from an agriculture-nutrition trial was conducted. Anthropometric data were obtained using standard methods. Sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted using underweight (body mass index [BMI] for age < 5th percentile) and overweight/obesity (BMI for age ≥ 85th percentile) as outcome variables.

RESULTS

The prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity was 9.9% and 15.6%, respectively. Age (15-17 years), high waist circumference, high blood pressure, father being a farmer, large family (> 5 persons), hours spent watching TV, and high red meat consumption were significantly associated with underweight. Whereas being in school, high waist circumference, high blood pressure, overweight/obese mother, unemployed father, watching TV for more than 2 hours, having soft drinks at home, and meeting fruit recommendations were significantly associated with overweight/obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the importance of concurrently addressing underweight and overweight/obesity among adolescent girls in rural Guatemala. Studies in various parts of the country are needed to confirm the results of the present study and for appropriate strategies to be implemented to reduce both underweight and overweight.

Neck circumference and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents: the moderator role of cardiorespiratory fitness

BACKGROUND

The increased incidence of cardiometabolic risk factors has become a public health issue, especially in childhood and adolescence. Thus, early identification is essential to avoid or reduce future complications in adulthood. In this sense, the present study aimed to verify the influence of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) as a moderator in the association between neck circumference (NC) and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study that included 2418 randomly selected children and adolescents (52.5% girls), aged 6 to 17 years old. Anthropometric measurements, such as NC and body mass index (BMI), and CRF was measured by the six-minute running/walking test, as well as cardiometabolic risk (systolic blood pressure, glucose, HDL-C, and triglycerides), were assessed.

RESULTS

For all age groups, NC showed a negative relationship with CRF. A significant interaction term was found for CRF x NC with cardiometabolic risk for children (6 to 9 years old), early adolescents (10 to 12 years old), and middle adolescents (13 to 17 years old). It was found that children who accomplished more than 1092.49 m in CRF test were protected against cardiometabolic risk when considering NC. In adolescents, protection against cardiometabolic risk was found when the CRF test was completed above 1424.14 m and 1471.87 m (early and middle stage, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

CRF is inversely associated with NC and acts as a moderator in the relationship between NC and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents. Therefore, this detrimental health impact linked to fatness might be attenuated by improving CRF levels.

Association between cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic risk factors in Brazilian children and adolescents: the mediating role of obesity parameters

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of clarity as to which obesity parameters may be more important in the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF).

AIM

To verify the mediating role of different obesity parameters on the association between CRF and CMRF in normal weight and overweight/obese children and adolescents.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study comprised 999 children and adolescents (534 boys) aged 7-14 years from the south of Brazil. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and percentage of body fat were assessed. Participants were classified as normal weight, overweight and obese according to BMI. CRF was evaluated by the 6-minute run/walk test. . A continuous CMRF score was calculated by summing the Z-scores of the following variables: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Data analysis was performed using partial correlation and linear regression models.

RESULTS

BMI, WC, WHtR and percentage of body fat mediated the relationship between CRF and CMRF in overweight/obese boys and girls but not those of normal weight. Additionally, the percentage of the influence of each obesity parameter was 20% for BMI and WC, 16% for percentage of body fat and 18% for WHtR in girls. For boys, the mediation effect was 25% for BMI, 26% for WC, 28% for percentage of body fat and 25% for WHtR.

CONCLUSION

Adiposity plays a central role in CMRF; therefore, maintaining an adequate weight status should be an important objective of health-promoting programmes in early age.

Abbreviations: CMRF, cardiometabolic risk factors; CRF, cardiorespiratory fitness; BMI. body mass index; HDL-c, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, PROCESS PROESP-Br, Projeto Esporte Brasil; SPSS, Package for Social Sciences; TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglycerides; WC, waist circumference; WHtR, waist-to-height ratio; %BF, percentage of body fat.

Association between eating habits, body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cardiometabolic risk factors in children

ABSTRACT Objective To verify the multivariate relationships between eating habits, cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index, and cardiometabolic risk factors in children. Methods This is a cross-sectional study developed in a public elementary school with 60 first- to sixth-graders. Their eating habits were assessed using the Food Frequency Survey, weight, height, and cardiorespiratory fitness, assessed according to the Projeto Esporte Brasil protocol. Moreover, the variables, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein, adiponectin, leptin, diastolic and systolic blood pressure were evaluated. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis and generalized estimation equations were used for the analysis of direct and indirect relations, in a multivariate analysis model with several simultaneous outcomes. Results It appears that the eating habits and cardiorespiratory fitness explain 20% of the body mass index. Cardiometabolic risk factors are explained by the relationship between eating habits, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body mass index, according to the following percentages: 29% (systolic blood pressure), 18% (diastolic blood pressure), 63% (leptin), 4% (adiponectin), 14% (C-reactive protein), 17% (insulin), 10% (high-density lipoprotein), 1% (low-density lipoprotein), 4% (glucose). It is also observed that the effects of the eating habits on cardiometabolic risk factors are indirect, that is, they are dependent on changes in the body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Conclusions The relationship between eating habits and cardiometabolic risk factors in children is dependent on cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index. Thus, our findings suggest a multivariate relationship between these factors.