Characteristics of Physical Fitness and Cardiometabolic Risk in Chinese University Students with Normal-Weight Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study

Effects of social-ecological risk factors and resilience on the relationship between metabolic metrics and mental health among young adults

The correlation between metabolic metrics and mental health remains underexplored, with few in-depth studies examining whether this association exists among college students and whether it might be moderated by socio-ecological risk factors (SERFs) and mediated by resilience. A follow-up study design investigated the association between baseline metabolic metrics, SERFs and resilience and mental health. A multivariable linear regression model using the PROCESS method established the relationship of SERFs, resilience and metabolic metrics with mental health. Participants were 794 adolescents (mean age: 18.64 [±0.90] years). In multivariable linear regression, the high-level SERFs (β = 0.124), resilience (β = -0.042), LCI (β = 0.072), and RFM (β = 0.145) were associated with higher depression symptoms, while CVH (β = 0.602), TyG (β = 0.295), TyG-BMI (β = 0.004), and RC (β = -0.041) were not. An association was also observed between SERFs, resilience, RFM and anxiety. Resilience mediated the relationship between metabolic metrics and depression and anxiety, and SERFs moderated this relationship, demonstrating the relationship between resilience, metabolic metrics, SERFs and mental health. By revealing the potential sociological mechanism underlying the relationship between metabolic metrics and adolescents' mental health, this study provides a theoretical basis for further exploration of the biological foundations of mental health.

Effect of Nutrition Education on Health Science University Students to Improve Cardiometabolic Profile and Inflammatory Status

The inadequate lifestyle associated with university life may have a negative impact on various cardiometabolic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a one-year nutrition education course on cardiometabolic parameters in undergraduate health science students. During the 2021-22 academic year, 1.30 h nutrition sessions were conducted twice a week. Capillary blood samples were collected and centrifuged to measure cardiometabolic and inflammatory biomarkers in serum. The sample studied consisted of 49 students: 20.4% male and 79.6% female. The nutritional intervention resulted in changes in dietary patterns, with increased consumption of vegetables, nuts and legumes. After the course, females showed an increase in HDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.007) and no change in LDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.189). On the other hand, males showed significant changes in HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.043) levels. The atherogenic index was also significantly reduced (p < 0.001) in both males (p = 0.009) and females (p = 0.002). Differences were also observed in the increase in vitamin D levels in both males and females, although the magnitude of the increase was greater in the men (Δ = 7.94, p = 0.016 in men vs. Δ = 4.96, p = 0.001 in women). The monocyte-to-HDL ratio (MHR) showed a significant reduction, although these differences were only significant in males. Students with low vitamin D levels had higher LDL-cholesterol values (p = 0.01) and atherogenic index (p = 0.029). Adjusted linear regression analysis showed a significant association between post-course vitamin D MHR (β = -0.42, IC: -0.29, -0.06, p < 0.01). These findings suggest the importance of including nutrition education programs during the university stage for the prevention of long-term health problems.

Normal-Weight Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Adults: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

The disadvantage of using body mass index (BMI) as an obesity diagnostic tool is that it cannot distinguish between fat mass and lean mass, which may understate the impact of obesity on metabolic complications. This population-based cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between normal-weight obesity (NWO) and metabolic syndrome in Korean adults aged 20 years (5962 males and 6558 females) who took part in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2008 to 2011.

METHODS

NWO was defined as having a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2 and a body fat percentage of 26.0% in males or 36.0% in females. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined using the revised National Cholesterol Education Program definition, with a Korean-specific waist circumference threshold of >90 cm for males and >85 cm for females.

RESULTS

NWO males and females were 2.7 times (p < 0.001) and 1.9 times (p < 0.001) more likely to develop metabolic syndrome than normal-weight non-obese males and females, respectively. Additionally, NWO females were 1.3 times (p = 0.027) more likely to develop MetS even after adjustments for all measured covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings of the study show that NWO is a proxy biomarker of MetS to be considered for early intervention.

Exploring the Factors Behind Regional Differences in Physical Fitness of Geological University Students

The intention of this study is to investigate the distribution of physical fitness of the geographical students. The indicators among freshmen at a Chinese geological university and compare their fitness levels with students from other types of institutions. The research revealed that students at higher latitudes exhibited greater physical strength but were less athletic than those at lower latitudes. Spatial dependence on physical fitness was more pronounced in males than in females, particularly for indicators characterizing athletic capacity. Influencing factors such as PM10, air temperature, rainfall, eggs consumption, grain consumption, and GDP which were identified as the major climate, dietary structure, and economic level were examined. Revised：PM10, air temperature and eggs consumption, factors influencing the spatial distribution of male physical fitness across the country. Rainfall, grains consumption and GDP, factors influencing the spatial distribution of female physical fitness across the country. respectively. These factors were found to affect males (42.43%) more than females (25.33%). These findings highlight the significance of regional differences in students' physical fitness levels, with students in geological universities demonstrating better overall physical fitness compared to their counterparts at other schools. Consequently, it is essential to develop tailored physical education strategies for students in various regions, taking into account local economic, climatic, and dietary factors. This study offers a greater explanation of physical fitness disparities between the Chinese university students as well as provides insights for designing effective physical education programs.

Association of normal weight obesity with lifestyle and dietary habits in young Thai women: A cross-sectional study

Background

The risk of lifestyle-related diseases in normal weight obesity (NWO), a condition, in which the body mass index (BMI) is normal but the body fat mass is high, has attracted a lot of attention. However, there are no reports on the association between NWO and lifestyle, eating habits, and other health risks in Thai people. BMI alone cannot be used to identify individuals with NWO; thus, some students with NWO develop metabolic abnormalities without receiving any intervention. This study aimed to examine the differences in anthropometrics, lifestyle, and eating habits among young Thai women and their association with the BMI and the body fat ratio (BFR).

Methods

A total of 250 female Thai university students of normal body type (18.5 ≤ BMI<25.0 kg/m2) were classified as having non-normal weight obesity (NO-NWO) if their BFR was <30.0% or NWO if their BMI and BFR were >30.0%. The lifestyle and eating habits of the two groups were compared. We conducted logistic analysis with the presence or absence of NWO as the dependent variable, and the dietary habit items of "eating greasy foods," "eating ultra-processed foods (UPF)," and "drinking sweetened beverages" as the objective variables.

Results

Among the study participants who were of normal body type, 46.8% were NWO. The participants in the NWO group consumed UPF more frequently (odds ratio [OR], 2.04; p = 0.014) and sweetened beverages more regularly (OR, 1.92, p = 0.041) than those in the NO-NWO group.

Conclusion

UPF and sweetened beverage consumption was more common in individuals with NWO. Identifying the risk factors for NWO is essential to help individuals make lifestyle changes to prevent its progression and complications.

Effects of high-intensity interval training on improving arterial stiffness in Chinese female university students with normal weight obese: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background

High intensity interval training (HIIT) has been reported to exert better effects on cardiovascular fitness in obesity, but little known about the arterial stiffness (AS) in female university students with normal weight obesity (NWO). Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of HIIT on the body composition, heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), blood lipids metabolism as well as the novel parameters of propensity for AS (arterial velocity pulse index [AVI], arterial pressure volume index [API]) for female university students with NWO.

Methods

Forty female university students with NWO were randomly assigned to control group (n = 20) and HIIT group (3 bouts of 9‑min intervals at 90% of the maximal heart rate [HR_max], interspersed by 1 min rest, 5 days a week, n = 20). Tests were performed before and after 4 weeks of training. Repeated measures ANOVA and simple effect test analysis were used to analyze dependent variable changes.

Results

After 4 weeks HIIT statistically significantly improved the body composition by decreasing the body mass index, body fat percent, total body fat mass (BFM), BFM of left arm, measured circumference of left arm, and obesity degree, and increasing the total body skeletal muscle mass, protein content, total body water, fat free mass, body cell mas, and InBody score. HIIT also statistically significantly decreased the HR and BP. As for the lipid profile, HIIT obviously ameliorated the blood lipids metabolism by decreasing the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and TC/HDL, and increasing the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In addition, the AVI and API were markedly decreased via HIIT intervention.

Conclusions

HIIT produced significant and meaningful benefits for body composition, HR, BP, and blood lipids metabolism, and could decrease AS in female university students with NWO. This suggests that HIIT may effectively reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis and protect the cardiovascular function for female university students with NWO.

Trial registration ChiCTR2100050711. Registered 3 September 2021. Retrospectively registered.

Impact of Synchronous Online Physical Education Classes Using Tabata Training on Adolescents during COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Study

This study aimed to investigate the effects of online physical education classes, using Tabata training, on middle school students’ physical fitness. Fifty-four adolescents were randomly assigned to either the asynchronous online class group (AOCG, n = 24, age: 15.8 ± 0.4 years) or the synchronous online class group (SOCG, n = 24 age: 15.9 ± 0.3 years). The online physical education class lasted two days per week for 10 weeks. Recorded video lectures were conducted for the AOCG, and Tabata training for the SOCG, as real-time lecture methods. Baseline and post-online physical education class measures included muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, balance, and cardiorespiratory fitness tests. The results showed that the synchronous online physical education class had a positive effect on the improvement of muscle mass, ankle strength (dorsiflexion), hip strength (abduction, flexion, extension, and external rotation), knee strength (extension and flexion), and balance (Y-balance test) in adolescents. These findings suggest that the physical fitness of adolescents can be sufficiently improved through appropriate online physical education class methods. Further research should focus on developing and evaluating different types of exercises for synchronous online physical education classes as a precautionary measure for the second wave of COVID-19.

Characteristics of Body Composition and Lifestyle in Chinese University Students with Normal-Weight Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

Normal weight obesity (NWO), defined as normal body mass index (BMI) and excessive body fat percentage (BF%), has been shown to be associated with a significantly higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome, cardiometabolic dysfunction and with higher mortality. However, there is limited literature regarding the potential associations between NWO and lifestyles. This study aimed to investigate the associations of lifestyles with NWO in Chinese university students.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

A total of 279 university students with normal BMI were recruited and divided into NWO and normal weight non-obesity (NWNO) groups by BF%. Body composition and anthropometrics were measured, and participants were asked to finish the Healthy Lifestyle Scale for University Students (HLSUS) questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 26 male (25.5%) and 71 female (40.1%) students were identified as NWO. Compared to NWNO students, body weight, BMI, body fat mass, visceral fat area, waist circumference and hip circumference of NWO students were all significantly higher both in male and female students (P < 0.05). The body fat mass, BF% and visceral fat area were significantly negatively correlated with the total HLSUS, physical exercise behavior, and dietary nutrition behavior scores in NWNO males, NWO and NWNO females (P < 0.05). The risk of NWO was lower in those students with higher scores in physical exercise behavior in both males (OR = 0.298, 95% CI = 0.121~0.733) and females (OR = 0.653, 95% CI = 0.505~0.843), while dietary nutrition behavior (OR = 0.759, 95% CI = 0.584~0.986) and stress management behavior (OR = 0.503, 95% CI = 0.335~0.755) decreased the risk of NWO only in females.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of NWO was high among university students, especially in females, which might be related with unhealthy lifestyles. NWO university students should pay attention to lifestyle adjustments, especially physical exercise, dietary nutrition and stress management, for preventing the health risk in NWO.