Recent Trends of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in Military Recruits from Saudi Arabia

Correlation between Obesity and Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases in Military Personnel

Background

It is critical to precisely assess the presence of cardiovascular (CV) risk in military personnel, in order to avoid potentially CV-events. In Iran limited number of studies have been performed on military personnel and their CV-risk. We aimed to investigate correlation between obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in military personnel.

Methods

The present cross-sectional analytical study, analyzed the data of 559 military personnel in Tehran, Iran in 2023. The dataset sourced from the registry system. The biochemical analysis of blood samples was performed by a biomedical analysis company. The univariate regression analyses were conducted through separate univariate linear regression within the obesity group.

Results

The mean age of personnel was 36.58 years. Among obese personel, there was an inverse relationship between age and cholesterol β=-0.11. Moreover, hemoglobin β=-0.68 and MCH β=-0.33 were significantly related to high cholesterol, MCH is associated with risk of metabolic syndrome (β=-0.57). Moreover among obese personnel, lower uric acid levels and higher ALT levels are correlated with an increased risk of Diabetes.

Conclusion

The prevalence of obesity in military personnel was the same as in the general population. Diabetes, hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, obesity, and metabolic syndrome were all linked to CVD risk factors among military personnel. Although the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in military personnel was lower than their peers in other countries, other risk factors of CVD were prevalent among military personnel.

Correlates of Dietary Behaviors Among Young Emirati Males Completing Compulsory Military Service

INTRODUCTION

It is important to understand the correlates of different dietary behaviors in a military context in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to guide intervention development to prevent and treat obesity as it has a significant impact at the country and regional level. This study aimed to assess different dietary behaviors and their association with potential correlates including age, marital status, educational level, smoking status, screen time, dietary knowledge, eating self-efficacy, and general self-efficacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study used a cross-sectional design and included 153 (M = 25.9 years, SD = ± 3.2) military recruits completing their basic training at a single military camp in the UAE. Dietary behaviors of these recruits were measured using the Arab Teens Lifestyle Study. Other potential correlates included dietary knowledge, general self-efficacy, and eating efficacy. The ethical approval was obtained from the research ethics committee in the UAE university.

RESULTS

Daily intake of fruits, vegetables, and breakfast was reported by 14.4%, 25.5%, and 22.9% of the military recruits, respectively. Almost half of the recruits (46.4%) consumed sugar-sweetened drinks more than 3 times a week, 39.2% consumed fast food more than 3 times a week, and 37.3% consumed sweets/chocolates more than 3 times a week. Bivariate regression analyses revealed that eating self-efficacy was positively associated with breakfast and dairy food consumption, although it was inversely associated with sugar, fast-food, and French fries intake. Age was significantly and inversely associated with sugar, fast-food, and energy drink intake. Moreover, nutrition knowledge was significantly and positively correlated with vegetable intake and negatively correlated with energy drink consumption. Multiple regressions showed that lower age and lower eating self-efficacy were found to be the main predictors for sugar-sweetened drinks (adjusted R2 = 0.112) and fast-food intake (adjusted R2 = 0.084). Also, a higher dietary knowledge score was a predictor of vegetable intake (adjusted R2 = 0.093), although age and smoking predict energy drink intake (adjusted R2 = 0.225).

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that unhealthy eating patterns are common among new recruits in the UAE military. The study suggests that age, eating self-efficacy, and nutrition knowledge are the main correlates of selected dietary behaviors. Interventions are advised to target these correlates to achieve healthier dietary habits inside the military.

Serum Levels of Proinflammatory Biomarkers in Military Recruits with and without Metabolic Syndrome

Objectives

Inflammatory mediators are associated with many chronic diseases; however, their role in metabolic syndrome (Met-S) is not well documented. We therefore aimed to compare the serum markers of inflammation including C-reactive protein (CRP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and TNF-β in young military recruits with and without Met-S. We hypothesized that any significant change in inflammatory markers between the two groups would indicate the role of inflammation in Met-S that would help in future directions for screening and treatment of Met-S. Design and Methods. A total of 2010 adult men, aged 18-30 years, were divided into two groups: with Met-S (N = 488) and without Met-S (N = 1522), according to the International Diabetes Federation definition. We compared the serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers between the two groups. We also studied the correlations between the inflammatory markers and the components of Met-S to explore the biomarker potential of inflammatory markers for screening of Met-S. Logistic regression analysis was performed to test the association between inflammatory markers and Met-S.

Results

A large number of subjects in the Met-S group were suffering from obesity. Out of the 2010 total subjects, only 731 (36.4%) had normal fasting blood sugar (FBS), while the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes was significantly higher in subjects with Met-S. We observed significant increases in serum levels of CRP, MPO, IL-6, and TNF-β but not TNF-α in subjects with Met-S as compared to subjects without Met-S. All the markers of inflammation showed significant correlations with Met-S, triglycerides (TG), blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and age; however, none of these markers were correlated with HDL. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between Met-S and inflammatory markers.

Conclusions

Serum levels of CRP, MPO, IL-6, and TNF-β are significantly increased in young adults with Met-S. This is probably the first study reporting TNF-β levels in Met-S. Since a proinflammatory cascade precedes many years before the onset of cardiovascular disease, these inflammatory biomarkers could help in the monitoring of high-risk individuals with Met-S who will be requiring therapeutic intervention.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for obesity treatment in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The incidence of obesity has been increasing in younger population, posing a significant impact on adolescents' life and health care system worldwide.

METHODS

We critically analyzed the existing literature on the use of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for the treatment of obesity. We performed an in-depth evaluation of 37 studies and analyzed the effect of LSG in 2300 patients, aged ≤ 22 years.

RESULTS

Mean body mass index (BMI) loss after LSG was 17.81 kg/m2. Gastroesophageal reflux was the most common complication. Most of the patients showed remission of comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea after LSG.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that surgical intervention is highly beneficial for reducing BMI in appropriately selected adolescents and young adults suffering from obesity and comorbidities such as life-threatening obstructive sleep apnea.

Evaluation of Military Recruits With Complaints of Palpitations After Physical Training: A Study From Turkey

Objective Recruits undergo medical examination before mandatory service. After enlistment, if recruits have health problems, they are sent to a medical board to establish fitness for their duties. We aimed to analyze the complaints of palpitations after physical training in recruits without a known history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and determine whether the diagnoses were suitable for duty. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 25,666 participants who were admitted to an outpatient cardiology clinic due to complaints of palpitations between August 2016 and June 2022. Information regarding socio-demographic characteristics was collected. Laboratory test results and electrocardiography (ECG) were analyzed. The diagnoses were evaluated. Results In total, 582 patients who were dismissed from the military were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 19.23±2.02 years. Among the patients, drug use (26; 6.2%) and history of addictive substance use (178; 30.6%) were low. The number of days of service under 10 was high (450; 77.3%). The prevalence of sleep disturbance (122; 21%) and hydration habits (154; 26.5%) were low. According to ECG findings, premature atrial contractions were high (250; 42.9%). There was a significant correlation between the ECG findings and seasons (p<0.001).Rheumatic valve disease (83; 14.26%) and supraventricular tachycardia (77; 13.23%) were the most common diagnoses. Conclusion 2.2 percent of all participants admitted to the hospital due to palpitations were dismissed from the military service, and 0.7 percent of them were diagnosed with cardiac conduction system disease.