Dietary determinants of unhealthy metabolic phenotype in normal weight and overweight/obese adults: results of a prospective study

Relationship Between Zinc, Selenium, and Magnesium Status and Markers of Metabolically Healthy and Unhealthy Obesity Phenotypes

Our objective was to investigate the relationship between zinc, selenium, and magnesium status and markers of metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity phenotypes. This was a cross-sectional study with 140 women: metabolically healthy obese women (n = 35), metabolically unhealthy obese women (n = 28), and normal-weight women (n = 77). We have calculated the body mass index, waist-hip ratio, waist-height ratio and some adiposity indices. Additionally, we evaluated endocrine-metabolic parameters and estimated the dietary intake of energy, macronutrients, zinc, selenium, and magnesium. The mineral concentrations in plasma, erythrocytes, and urine were assessed. In obese patients, there was a significant decrease in dietary zinc, selenium, and magnesium intake per kilogram of body weight, as well as lower mineral concentrations in both plasma and erythrocytes. Additionally, these patients exhibited higher urinary mineral levels compared to the control group, regardless of whether they had healthy or unhealthy phenotypes. We observed a significant correlation between deficiencies in zinc, selenium, and magnesium and obesity-associated metabolic disorders, including dyslipidemias and redox status disturbances. This study highlights a connection between deficiencies in zinc, selenium, and magnesium and metabolic disorders linked to obesity, including dyslipidemias, alterations in redox status, and thyroid hormonal dysfunction.

The mediatory role of inflammatory markers on the relationship between the NOVA classification system and obesity phenotypes among obese and overweight adult women: a cross-sectional study

Background

Diet and inflammation both play important roles in the occurrence of obesity. We aimed to investigate the role of inflammation in the development of both metabolically healthy obese (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUHO) individuals.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 221 overweight and obese women aged 18-56 years. The study assessed the metabolic health phenotypes of the participants using the Karelis criterion score. Additionally, dietary intakes were evaluated using a 147-item semi-quantitative questionnaire and the NOVA classification system (comprising 37 food groups and beverages). The study also collected and analyzed the blood parameters, as well as biochemical and anthropometric indices, for all participants.

Results

Among the women included in the study, 22.9% had MHO phenotypes but 77.1% had MUHO phenotypes. A significant association between the third quartile of the NOVA classification system and the increased likelihood of having the MUHO phenotype was observed (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.09-4.92, p = 0.04). Regarding the potential role of inflammatory markers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (p = 0.84), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) (p = 0.50), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) (p = 0.49), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) (p = 0.97), and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.92) were found to be mediators.

Conclusion

We observed a significant positive association between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and the MUHO phenotype in overweight and obese women. This association appeared to be mediated by some inflammatory markers, such as hs-CRP, TGF-β, MCP-1, PAI-1, and HOMA-IR. Additional studies are needed to validate these findings.

Characteristics of the metabolically unhealthy phenotype in menopausal resistance training practitioners

Introduction

Objective: to evaluate clinical, metabolic and body characteristics related to the metabolically unhealthy phenotype (MUH) in menopausal women who practice resistance training (RT). Methods: cross-sectional study with a sample of 31 women. Clinical and metabolic variables were measured. Body adiposity was assessed by body mass index, waist circumference, visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP). Body composition analysis was performed by DEXA. Results: the prevalence of the MH phenotype was 74.2 %. Metabolically healthy (MH) women were younger, had more years of RT practice, higher HDL-c levels and lower VAI and android/gynoid ratio (A/G) than the MUH women. Women with inadequacy of HDL-c, TG, A/G and VAI had 12.50 (95 % CI: 3.30-47.23), 4.83 (95 % CI: 2.37-9.85), 5.20 (95 % CI: 1.90-14.16) and 3.12 (95 % CI: 1.07-9.04) times greater prevalence of the MUH phenotype, respectively, than those with adequacy of these parameters. Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age is a predictor of the MUH phenotype (OR = 1.254; 95 % CI: 1.00-1.56) and this variable showed correlation with TG, VAI and A/G. There was no association between thyrotropin and MUH phenotype in the present sample. Conclusion: age and visceral adiposity are predictors for the MUH phenotype in RT practitioners in menopause, which may initially be characterized by alterations in serum lipid profile.

Macronutrient quality and the incidence of metabolically unhealthy phenotypes in adults with normal weight and overweight/obesity

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the associations of macronutrient quality indices with the incident metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW) and metabolically unhealthy overweight/obesity (MUO) phenotypes.

METHODS

This prospective study included 512 metabolically healthy normal weight and 787 metabolically healthy overweight/obese adults from the third study examination of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. The participants were followed through the sixth study examination. Diet was measured with a food frequency questionnaire. The macronutrient quality index (MQI), carbohydrate quality index (CQI), fat quality index (FQI), and healthy plate quality index (HPPQI) were calculated. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) were estimated for incident unhealthy phenotypes using Cox regression.

RESULTS

After controlling all possible confounding factors, a one-point higher HPPQI was linked to a 28 % lower risk of MUNW (HR = 0.72; 95 % CI = 0.59, 0.87). Compared to the lowest quartile, the incident MUNW was also lower in the two last quartiles of the HPPQI. A one-unit increase in MQI was associated with a 5 % lower incident MUO (HR = 0.95; 95 % CI = 0.92, 0.99). The incident MUO was also higher for the highest compared to the lowest MQI quartile. In quartiles 2-4 of the HPPQI, incident MUO was lower with respective HRs (95 % CI) of 0.71 (0.54, 0.93), 0.60 (0.45, 0.80), and 0.66 (0.50, 0.86) in the fully-adjusted model.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher overall macronutrient quality was independently associated with a lower incident MUO. A higher dietary protein quality was related to a lower risk for MUNW and MUO.

Inflammatory markers may mediate the relationship between processed meat consumption and metabolic unhealthy obesity in women: a cross sectional study

Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO) are known to be affected by diet and inflammatory factors (such as TGF-β1, IL-β1, MCP1). We sought to survey that consume of processed meat could effect on MHO and MUHO phenotypes, mediated through inflammatory markers, in overweight and obese Iranian women. The current cross-sectional study was done on 224 women 18-48 years, with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m². A 147- item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to evaluate dietary intake. In all participants, anthropometric indices and biochemical factors, as well as metabolic health phenotypes based on Karelis score, were evaluated. According to results, 22.6% of participants had MHO and 75.7% had MUHO phenotypes. There was an association between higher adherence to processed meats and increasing odds of MUHO phenotype in Iranian women (OR:2.54; 95% CI 0.009, 7.51; P = 0.05). Moreover, we found that the relation can be affected by agents such as TGF-β1, IL-β1, and MCP1; however, more research is needed to confirm these results and finding.

The Association between Cardio-metabolic and hepatic indices and anthropometric measures with metabolically obesity phenotypes: a cross-sectional study from the Hoveyzeh Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the cardio-metabolic, anthropometric, and liver function indices among metabolic obesity phenotypes.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, which was carried out in Hoveyzeh, Khuzestan Province, Iran, a total of 7,464 individuals (male: 2859, female: 4605), were recruited and classified into four groups, based on Body Mass Index (obese, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²; non-obese, BMI = 18.5-29.9 kg/m²) and the National Cholesterol Education Program and Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP) III criteria (Healthy group, ≤ 1 of the criteria; Unhealthy group, ≥ 2 of the criteria), as follows: Metabolically Healthy Non-Obese (MHNO, 28.14%), Metabolically Unhealthy Non-Obese (MUNO, 33.06%), Metabolically Healthy Obese (MHO, 6.54%), and Metabolically Unhealthy Obese (MUO, 32.26%). Anthropometric indices (Waist/Hip Ratio (WHR), Waist/Height Ratio (WHtR), Body Adiposity Index (BAI), Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), and Weight adjusted Waist Index (WWI)), cardio-metabolic indices (Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP), Cardio-Metabolic Index (CMI), Lipoprotein Combine Index (LCI), Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG), TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk index), and hepatic indices (Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) and ALD/NAFLD index (ANI)) were calculated and compared between the groups.

RESULTS

WHR,VAI, AIP, LAP, CMI, LCI, TyG, and TIMI risk index values were significantly higher in the MUNO phenotype compared to the MHO phenotype (WHR: 0.97 vs. 0.95; VAI: 3.16 vs. 1.33; AIP: 0.58 vs. 0.25; LAP: 78.87 vs. 55.79; CMI: 2.69 vs. 1.25; LCI: 27.91 vs. 12.11; TyG: 9.21 vs. 8.41; TIMI: 18.66 vs. 15.63; p < 0.001). The highest and lowest HSI and ANI values were detected in the MUO phenotype. After adjustment for age, sex, physical activity, and years of education, VAI showed the highest Odds Ratio for MUNO (OR: 5.65; 95% CI: 5.12, 6.24) and MUO (OR: 5.40; 95% CI: 5.89, 5.95) compared to the MHNO phenotypes (p < 0.001). The ANI indices was associated with a reduced risk of MUO (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.75-0.78), MUNO (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.87-0.90), and MHO (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.77-0.81) phenotypes (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

MUNO phenotype was exposed to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the MHO phenotype. VAI was found to be the optimal index for cardiovascular risk assessment.

Coffee and metabolic phenotypes: A cross-sectional analysis of the Japan multi-institutional collaborative cohort (J-MICC) study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To date, the relationship between coffee consumption and metabolic phenotypes has hardly been investigated and remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study is to examine the associations between coffee consumption and metabolic phenotypes in a Japanese population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed the data of 26,363 subjects (aged 35-69 years) in the baseline survey of the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study. Coffee consumption was assessed using a questionnaire. Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) was defined according to the Joint Interim Statement Criteria of 2009, using body mass index (BMI) instead of waist circumference. Subjects stratified by the presence or absence of obesity (normal weight: BMI <25 kg/m²; obesity: BMI ≥25 kg/m²) were classified by the number of MetS components (metabolically healthy: no components; metabolically unhealthy: one or more components) other than BMI. In multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for sex, age, and other potential confounders, high coffee consumption (≥3 cups/day) was associated with a lower prevalence of MetS and metabolically unhealthy phenotypes both in normal weight (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.76-0.90) and obese subjects (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.69-0.99). Filtered/instant coffee consumption was inversely associated with the prevalence of MetS and metabolically unhealthy phenotypes, whereas canned/bottled/packed coffee consumption was not.

CONCLUSION

The present results suggest that high coffee consumption, particularly filtered/instant coffee, is inversely associated with the prevalence of metabolically unhealthy phenotypes in both normal weight and obese Japanese adults.

Association between methyl donor nutrients and metabolic health status in overweight and obese adolescents

Limited evidence is available regarding the association of methyl donor nutrients and adolescents' metabolic health. Therefore, we investigated the relation between a combination of methyl donor nutrients and metabolic health status of overweight and obese Iranian adolescents. In this cross-sectional study, 203 overweight/obese adolescents were included, using a multistage cluster random-sampling method. Dietary intakes were assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Methyl donor nutrient score (MDNS) was constructed based on deciles of vitamins B2, B6, B9, B12, methionine, choline and betaine. Glycemic profile, lipid profile, blood pressure and anthropometric indices were collected. Participants were classified as metabolically healthy obese or unhealthy obese (MUO) based on International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and IDF/Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) definitions. Mean age of adolescents was 13.98 [Formula: see text] 1.61 y and 50.2% of them was girls. After controlling all of the confounders, individuals in the top tertile of MDNS, had lower odds of MUO (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.13-0.95) according to IFD criteria. Considering IDF/HOMA-IR criteria, an inverse marginally significant association was observed between the highest tertile of MDNS and odds of MUO (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.12-1.02) in the fully-adjusted model. Furthermore, significant inverse association was found between each unit increase in MDNS and odds of MUO based on IDF criteria, but not for IDF/HOMA-IR definition. We found that overweight/obese adolescents with higher dietary intakes of methyl donor nutrients were less likely to be metabolically unhealthy. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings.

Sex-Dependent Effects of the Intake of NOVA Classified Ultra-Processed Foods on Syndrome Metabolic Components in Brazilian Adults

Longitudinal studies evaluating the relationship between UPF consumption and the incidence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its components are still scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of UPF consumption on the incidence of MetS and its components in adults. A prospective study was conducted with 896 participants from the 1978/79 Ribeirão Preto cohort, São Paulo, Brazil. UPF consumption was evaluated in %kcal and %g at ages 23–25 years. Incidence of MetS and its components were estimated at ages 37–39 years, according to the Joint Interim Statement criteria. Poisson regression was used to assess associations, and interactions with sex were investigated. UPF consumption had no association with MetS (%kcal Adjusted PR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99–1.01; %g Adjusted PR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99–1.01). However, women with higher UPF consumption, in %kcal and %g, had a higher risk of abdominal obesity (%kcal: p = 0.030; %g: p = 0.003); and women with higher UPF consumption, in %g, had a higher risk of low HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.041). For the other components of MetS, no significant associations were observed in either sex. These findings suggest evidence of no association between UPF consumption and MetS; however, consumption of UPF was associated with increased WC and low HDL-c, but only in women.

Dietary determinants of healthy/unhealthy metabolic phenotype in individuals with normal weight or overweight/obesity: a systematic review

Objectives: Nutritional factors are amongst the major determinants in the onset and development of obesity and metabolic complications. Nevertheless, the dietary determinants of metabolic health are not completely elucidated. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate nutritional and dietary factors that may contribute to metabolic heterogeneity in individuals with obesity or normal weight. Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and google scholar databases until August 2021, to locate studies that examined metabolic health and its association with intakes of specific foods or food groups, nutrient intakes or status, as well as adherence to certain dietary patterns. Two researchers had independently screened titles and abstracts, examined full-text studies, conducted data extraction, and evaluated their quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: Twenty-seven studies, with a total of 39518 subjects, were included. Of these studies, 11 articles evaluated the association between different dietary patterns and metabolic phenotypes, while 15 had investigated the association of single food/nutrients intakes or nutrient status with metabolic phenotype, and one paper evaluated the association of dietary inflammatory index with metabolic health. The findings of these studies propose that healthy dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean pattern, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and population-derived patterns (such as the "Healthy" and "Fruit and vegetable" patterns) were associated with higher odds of the metabolically healthy phenotype. Higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, coffee/tea, vitamin D, magnesium, and flavonoids, were suggested to lower the risk of developing metabolically unhealthy phenotype, while, higher consumption of saturated fat, carbohydrate and sugar-sweetened beverages, fast foods, organ meats, and a pro-inflammatory diet increased the risk. Conclusion: Results from published studies, which were mostly cross-sectional, suggest that higher adherence to unhealthier dietary patterns, characterized by the consumption of refined and processed foods, was associated with a lower likelihood of having a healthy metabolic phenotype, while the opposite was observed for healthier dietary patterns. Findings may be used in developing nutritional strategies aimed at improving metabolic health in the population.

Dairy Consumption and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: Results from Korean Population and Meta-Analysis

Dairy consumption has been associated with decreased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in previous studies, but the association may be different according to each type of dairy products and its subgroups. Thus, we conducted an updated meta-analysis of observational studies to examine the association between various dairy products and risk of MetS. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for eligible studies published up to February 2021. In addition, we included unpublished results from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013-2018, including 23,319 Korean adults and the elderly. A total of 35 studies (12 cohort studies and 25 cross-sectional studies) with 398,877 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled relative risks (RR) of MetS for the highest versus lowest categories of dairy consumption was 0.80 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72-0.88]. For the type of dairy products, there were also significant inverse associations with milk (RR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.78-0.89) and yogurt consumption (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83-0.95). For cheese consumption, however, no significant association was found (RR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.86-1.11). Our findings suggest that milk and yogurt consumption is inversely associated with the risk of MetS, but not cheese consumption.

Correlations between Coffee Consumption and Metabolic Phenotypes, Plasma Folate, and Vitamin B12: NHANES 2003 to 2006

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is prevalent not only among the overweight and obese but also normal weight individuals, and the phenotype is referred to as a metabolically unhealthy phenotype (MUHP). Besides normal weight individuals, overweight/obese individuals are also protected from MetS, and the phenotype is known as a metabolically healthy phenotype (MHP). Epidemiological studies indicate that coffee and micronutrients such as plasma folate or vitamin B12 (vit. B12) are inversely associated with MetS. However, correlations among coffee consumption metabolic phenotypes, plasma folate, and vit. B12 remain unknown. Our objective was to investigate the correlation between coffee consumption, metabolic phenotypes, plasma folate, and vit. B12 as well as to understand associations between plasma folate, vit. B12, and metabolic phenotypes. Associations among coffee consumption metabolic phenotypes, plasma folate, and vit. B12 were assessed in a cross-sectional study of 2201 participants, 18 years or older, from 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). MUHP was classified as having > three metabolic abnormalities. Coffee consumption was not associated with metabolic phenotypes, but negatively correlated with several metabolic variables, including BMI (p < 0.001). Plasma folate was positively associated with MUHP (p < 0.004), while vit. B12 was inversely associated with MUHP (p < 0.035). Our results suggest the potential protective impact of coffee on individual components of MetS and indicate a positive correlation between coffee consumption and MUHP among overweight individuals. Identifying possible dietary factors may provide practical and low-cost dietary intervention targets, specifically for early intervention. Larger and randomized intervention studies and prospective longitudinal studies are required to further evaluate these associations.

Intervertebral Disc and Adipokine Leptin-Loves Me, Loves Me Not

Leptin—the most famous adipose tissue-secreted hormone—in the human body is mostly observed in a negative connotation, as the hormone level increases with the accumulation of body fat. Nowadays, fatness is becoming another normal body shape. Fatness is burdened with numerous illnesses—including low back pain and degenerative disease of lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD). IVD degeneration and IVD inflammation are two indiscerptible phenomena. Irrespective of the underlying pathophysiological background (trauma, obesity, nutrient deficiency), the inflammation is crucial in triggering IVD degeneration. Leptin is usually depicted as a proinflammatory adipokine. Many studies aimed at explaining the role of leptin in IVD degeneration, though mostly in in vitro and on animal models, confirmed leptin’s “bad reputation”. However, several studies found that leptin might have protective role in IVD metabolism. This review examines the current literature on the metabolic role of different depots of adipose tissue, with focus on leptin, in pathogenesis of IVD degeneration.