Częstość występowania metabolicznej otyłości z prawidłową masą ciała w populacji polskiej

Introduction: In the 1980s, the idea evolved that some individuals with normal weight (Metabolically Obese, Normal-Weight), who probably have increased abdominal fat, have metabolic disturbances related to obesity. This observation initiated the concept of the metabolically obese but normal-weight syndrome (MONW). Since then, there have been only a few studies in non-obese subjects. MONW men and women should be regarded as at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Material and method: A group of 854 randomly chosen non-obese men and women, 20–40 years of age, was selected from three different areas of Poland — Szczecin, Krakow and Wroclaw. All subjects were interviewed and underwent physical examination, anthropometric measurements (waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI and WHR) as well as densitometry (total body DPX, total fat, android/gynoid deposit). Serum level of fasting glucose and insulin, indices of insulin sensibility (QUICKI) and insulin resistance (HOMA, FIRI), total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-C were measured using commercially available kits. LDL-C level was calculated using Friedewald’s formula. Results: The total amassed fatty tissue and its android deposit was found to be significantly greater in MONW men and women. MONW women were found to exhibit increased levels of triglycerides and LDL-C but lower levels of HDL-C. In women with excess abdominal fat (EAF), fasting glucose and insulin levels, HOMA and FIRI were considerably higher, while QUICKI was lower. Triglyceride and LDL-C levels were also higher while HDL-C levels were lower. In men with EAF, increased levels of total cholesterol and LDL-C were confirmed. Conclusions: The occurrence of MONW is contingent upon the diagnosis criterion and increases when the criterion represents the value of HOMA — 21.76% in women and 31.42% in men. The frequency of MONW occurrence is lower when the criterion for abdominal fat content limit is used, amounting to 15.78% in women and 7.83% in men. (Endokrynol Pol 2012; 63 (6): 447–455)Wstęp: W latach 80. zaobserwowano, że u nieotyłych osób, które gromadzą nadmierną ilość tkanki tłuszczowej w okolicy brzucha, rozwijają się powikłania metaboliczne charakterystyczne dla otyłości. Powstała wówczas koncepcja zespołu metabolicznej otyłości z prawidłową masą ciała — MONW (Metabolically Obese Normal-Weight). W Polsce badania takie nie były dotychczas prowadzone. Identyfikacja ludzi obciążonych tym zespołem pozwoliłaby na wczesne podjęcie działań prewencyjnych. Materiał i metody: Zbadano 854 nieotyłych kobiet i mężczyzn, wybranych losowo w 3 regionach kraju – Szczecina, Krakowa, Wrocławia w wieku 20–40 lat. Przeprowadzono wywiad lekarski, badanie fizykalne, pomiary antropometryczne (obwód talii, bioder, BMI, WHR), badanie denzytometryczne (total body DPX; total fat; android/gynoid deposit). Ilość i dystrybucję tkanki tłuszczowej oceniano przy użyciu podwójnej absorpcjometrii energii RTG-DXA. W surowicy krwi oznaczono stężenie glukozy i insuliny na czczo, stężenie cholesterolu całkowitego, triglicerydów oraz HDL-C i wyliczono stężenie LDL-C oraz wartości wskaźników insulinowrażliwości (QUICKI) i insulinooporności (HOMA, FIRI). Wyniki: U kobiet i mężczyzn całkowita ilość tkanki tłuszczowej i jej androidalnego depozytu były istotnie wyższe w grupie z MONW. Stężenia glukozy i insuliny na czczo oraz wartości HOMA i FIRI były istotnie wyższe, a QIUCKI istotnie niższe u badanych z MONW. U kobiet z MONW stwierdzano istotnie wyższe stężenia trójglicerydów oraz LDL-C natomiast znacząco niższe stężenia HDL-C. Istotnych różnic nie było u mężczyzn. Wnioski: Częstość występowania metabolicznej otyłości z prawidłową masą ciała zależy od kryterium rozpoznania i jest większa, gdy kryterium to stanowi wielkość HOMA — 21,76% kobiet i 31,42% mężczyzn i mniejsza, gdy posługiwano się kryterium granicznej ilości tłuszczu brzusznego — częstość rozpoznania MONW wynosi — 15,78% u kobiet i 7,83% u mężczyzn. (Endokrynol Pol 2012; 63 (6): 447–455

Is a new waist circumference and BMI needed for African Americans for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome?

African Americans are noted as having a low prevalence metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is partly attributed to a reported use of MetS criteria, such as waist circumference that is not appropriate for this population group. The purpose of this study was: 1) to investigate the gender specific optimal waist cut off points, which best identify individuals with metabolic abnormalities consistent with MetS, and are independent of body mass index (BMI) cutoff values; 2) to determine the gender specific cutoff values of BMI in relation to multiple metabolic risk factors; and 3) to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. In this cross-sectional study, NHANES data from 1999-2006 was analyzed. 1445 participants had complete variables for metabolic syndrome criteria. The waist circumference of 95 cm for males and 98 cm for females were found as appropriate cut-off values to identify central obesity. Body mass index at which metabolic syndrome was observed was 28 kg/m² for males and 32 kg/m² for females. Using our newly estimated waist circumference thresholds, the age-adjusted prevalence of MetS was 30.9% in males and 30.3% in females. The results indicate that for the early detection of metabolic syndrome in African American adult males, a lower cutoff value of 95 cm, rather than the 102 cm currently used is needed. The metabolic syndrome abnormalities appear at higher body mass index and waist circumference among women. Based on our findings, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is currently underestimated among African American adult males

Relationship of adipokines with insulin sensitivity in African Americans.

INTRODUCTION: Cytokines produced by adipose tissue, including adiponectin, have been associated with metabolic abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of insulin sensitivity measured by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic insulin clamp with plasma adiponectin and other adipokines in young adult African Americans. METHODS: Participants were healthy African Americans. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, an oral glucose tolerance test and an euglycemic hyperinsulinemic insulin clamp were performed. Insulin sensitivity measurements were adjusted for percentage of fat mass. Plasma concentrations of adiponectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assayed on plasma from fasting blood samples. Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression models were fitted to assess the association between glucose sensitivity and cytokines. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, there were statistically significant correlations of plasma adiponectin level (r = 0.19, P = 0.004), PAI-1 (r = -0.19, P = 0.020) and IL-6 (r = -0.24, P \u3c 0.001) with measures of insulin sensitivity after adjustment for both fat mass and insulin clamp concentration. In multivariate analysis, adiponectin [geometric mean ratios (GMR) 1.15, P = 0.007], PAI-1 (GMR 0.998, P = 0.021) and body mass index (GMR 0.95, P \u3c 0.001) were each independently associated with insulin sensitivity. For IL-6, there was no significant association with insulin sensitivity independent of obesity. CONCLUSION: These data show a significant and independent positive correlation of adiponectin with insulin sensitivity. The relationship of IL-6 with insulin sensitivity seems to be dependent on adiposity

Modelling Studies for a \u2018Whole of Society (WoS)\u2019 Framework to monitor Cardio-Metabolic Risk among Children (6 to 18 years)

In the World Health Assembly (WHA) 2013, India was among the first country to adapt global framework for monitoring non-communicable diseases (NCD) - Government of India (GOI) has set targets to halt the prevalence of diabetes and obesity by 2025. To halt the prevalence of major NCDs it is necessary to protect children from becoming obese or overweight. Childhood obesity is a precursor of adulthood obesity and attendant cardio-metabolic risk. In last 15 years the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased almost four times (4 to 15%). This translates in to approximately 58 million obese and 122 million overweight children in the country. Studies have reported at least one cardiovascular risk factor among 70 per cent of these children. It is frightening to know that, unit percentage rise in its prevalence in India shall add at least another five million children into the cardiovascular risk pool. Body Mass Index (BMI) [Weight (kg)/Height (m2)] is the most widely used definition for monitoring overweight and obesity; among children BMI-for-age based growth curves (centile values) are used. There are number of BMI-for age based guidelines with varying cut offs (like IOTF, WHO, CDC etc.) \u2013 in India, the growth curves published Indian Association of Pediatrics (IAP), 2015 is considered as the standard. Despite BMI\u2019s large scale application in clinical and public health programs it has many inherent problems. Firstly, BMI cannot distinguish between fat and fat free mass. Excess body fat is an independent risk factor for cardio vascular and metabolic diseases. In an individual with BMI of 20, body fat may range from 5%-40% whereas for body fat content of 20% BMI may vary from 15-30 points. Validity studies using BMI to identify children with excess adiposity have generally documented low to moderate sensitivities (6-46%). Secondly, BMI is not independent on height of the individuals. BMI may not be a sensitive measure in children at the extremes of the height due to unusual fat distribution or highly developed muscles. BMI preferentially classifies taller children and adolescents as overweight. Finally, the definition of childhood overweight and obesity is arbitrary as it is extrapolated from adult reference data and not based on its association with health outcomes. Considering these variations, there has been a growing concern about using single standard to define overweight and obesity which may be appropriate for many sub-populations in the world. Methods: Overall aim of this study was to develop a monitoring mechanism that correlates with cardio-metabolic risk factors among Indian children aged 6-18 yrs. Primary objective of the study was to relate health outcomes, i.e. measures of cardio-metabolic risk, to body fatness and to 4 measure its distribution. Under this overarching goal specific objectives were finalized as mentioned in section 1.4 (Page no.40). Quantitative data was collected from schools in 3 regions (New Delhi, Shillong and Hyderabad) from a representative sample of 3242 children between 6 to 18 years of age. Detailed assessments were done on; a) anthropometry; b) pubertal staging; c) blood biochemistry (fasting plasma insulin, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile and sub-fractions uric acid) using semi-automated analyzer), d) body composition by bio impedance (BIA) (InBody 720, body composition analyzer, Biospace\ua9), e) body composition using DEXA (Hologic QDR 4500A) on selected sub samples, f) socio-economic status (standard of living index), g) media and market exposures, h) food frequency and dietary recalls, and i) physical activity recalls. The results are presented as: \uf0b7 Study 1: Assessment of whole-body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) among children 6 to 18 years: Validation with Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) \uf0b7 Study 2: Reference values and Percentile curves for cardio-metabolic risk factors among Indian children (6 to 18 years) \uf0b7 Study 3: Clustering of Bio-chemical Markers of Cardio-metabolic Risk among Indian Children: An Imperative for Continuous Monitoring of Risk Factors \uf0b7 Study 4: A multi-level framework for monitoring cardio-metabolic risk: proximal & distal factors associated with clustering of bio-chemical marker

Skinfold thickness and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension: an analysis of the PERU MIGRANT study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between excess body fat, assessed by skinfold thickness, and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension (HT). DESIGN: Data from the ongoing PERU MIGRANT Study were analysed. The outcomes were T2DM and HT, and the exposure was skinfold thickness measured in bicipital, tricipital, subscapular and suprailiac areas. The Durnin-Womersley formula and SIRI equation were used for body fat percentage estimation. Risk ratios and population attributable fractions (PAF) were calculated using Poisson regression. SETTING: Rural (Ayacucho) and urban shantytown district (San Juan de Miraflores, Lima) in Peru. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (n 988) aged ≥30 years (rural, rural-to-urban migrants, urban) completed the baseline study. A total of 785 and 690 were included in T2DM and HT incidence analysis, respectively. RESULTS: At baseline, age mean was 48·0 (sd 12·0) years and 47 % were males. For T2DM, in 7·6 (sd 1·3) years, sixty-one new cases were identified, overall incidence of 1·0 (95 % CI 0·8, 1·3) per 100 person-years. Bicipital and subscapular skinfolds were associated with 2·8-fold and 6·4-fold risk of developing T2DM. On the other hand, in 6·5 (sd 2·5) years, overall incidence of HT was 2·6 (95 % CI 2·2, 3·1) per 100 person-years. Subscapular and overall fat obesity were associated with 2·4- and 2·9-fold risk for developing HT. The PAF for subscapular skinfold was 73·6 and 39·2 % for T2DM and HT, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found a strong association between subscapular skinfold thickness and developing T2DM and HT. Skinfold assessment can be a laboratory-free strategy to identify high-risk HT and T2DM cases

Anthropometric Indicators as a Tool for Diagnosis of Obesity and Other Health Risk Factors: A Literature Review

[EN] Obesity is characterized by the accumulation of an excessive amount of fat mass (FM) in the adipose tissue, subcutaneous, or inside certain organs. The risk does not lie so much in the amount of fat accumulated as in its distribution. Abdominal obesity (central or visceral) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, having an important role in the so-called metabolic syndrome. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent, detect, and appropriately treat obesity. The diagnosis is based on anthropometric indices that have been associated with adiposity and its distribution. Indices themselves, or a combination of some of them, conform to a big picture with different values to establish risk. Anthropometric indices can be used for risk identification, intervention, or impact evaluation on nutritional status or health; therefore, they will be called anthropometric health indicators (AHIs). We have found 17 AHIs that can be obtained or estimated from 3D human shapes, being a noninvasive alternative compared to X-ray-based systems, and more accessible than high-cost equipment. A literature review has been conducted to analyze the following information for each indicator: definition; main calculation or obtaining methods used; health aspects associated with the indicator (among others, obesity, metabolic syndrome, or diabetes); criteria to classify the population by means of percentiles or cutoff points, and based on variables such as sex, age, ethnicity, or geographic area, and limitations.BODYPASS Project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No. 779780. CIBER de Diabetes and Enfermedades Metabolicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM) is an Instituto de Salud Carlos III initiative. SM-H was an investigator in the Juan Rodes program (JR18/00051) financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). Project (IMDEEA/2020/87) supported by Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial (IVACE), call for proposals 2020 for Technology Centers of the Comunitat Valenciana, cofunded by ERDF Funds, EU Operational Program of the Comunitat Valenciana 2014-2020.Piqueras Fiszman, P.; Ballester Fernandez, A.; Durá-Gil, JV.; Martinez-Hervas, S.; Redón, J.; Real, JT. (2021). Anthropometric Indicators as a Tool for Diagnosis of Obesity and Other Health Risk Factors: A Literature Review. Frontiers in Psychology. 12:1-19. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.6311791191

Predictors and methological issues in tracking total body fat mass, trunk fat, mass and abdominal fat mass : changes in a weight loss intervention with overweight and obese women.

Doutoramento em Motricidade Humana, especialidade de Saúde e Condição FísicaOne of the purposes of this dissertation was to analyze the usefulness of simple anthropometric measurements in predicting total body fat mass, as well as trunk and abdominal fat regions of interest, assessed by DXA, along with their changes in a weight loss program. Another purpose was to examine the influence of different physical activity dimensions on body weight, total body fat mass, abdominal and trunk fat regions of interest, selected by conventional whole body DXA in premenopausal overweight and obese women. Three studies were conducted within the PESO Program (Promotion of Exercise and Health in Obesity), a behavioural intervention addressed to premenopausal overweight and obese women. Key results show that: a) changes in lifestyle habits during a weight loss intervention may provide a stimulus to reduce trunk fat mass, with special focus on abdominal fat mass; b) abdominal circumference is a better predictor of body fat mass loss than waist circumference; c) baseline values of body weight, BMI, sagital diameter and hip circumference, are able to predict total body fat mass changes, but are unable to predict alterations in more specific depots of body fat estimated by DXA; d) alterations in DXA abdominal fat mass estimations were reasonably detected by all the anthropometric variables, but cannot be used to quantify fat mass loss; e) physical activity variables did not induce changes in total body fat mass and body weight; f) an increase in the total amount of physical activity and the increment of total minutes walking played an important role in the reduction of abdominal fat mass estimated by DXA in obese women. RESUMO: Analisar a utilidade de simples medidas antropométricas na predição da massa gorda corporal total, assim como da massa gorda do tronco e região abdominal, estimadas por uma região de interesse obtida pela DXA, bem como as suas alterações, foi um dos objectivos desta dissertação. Outro dos objectivos desta tese prendeu-se com a análise da influência de diferentes dimensões de actividade física no peso corporal, massa gorda corporal total e regiões de interesse (tronco e abdominal) estimadas pela DXA em mulheres com excesso de peso ou obesas. Três estudos foram realizados com base no Programa PESO (Promoção do Exercício e da Saúde na Obesidade), uma intervenção de modificação comportamental em mulheres com excesso de peso ou obesas. Os resultados destes estudos demonstraram que: a) as alterações no estilo de vida durante uma intervenção de perda de peso podem constituir um estímulo na redução da massa gorda do tronco, em particular da massa gorda abdominal; b) o perímetro abdominal prediz melhor a perda de massa gorda corporal total do que o perímetro da cintura; c) os valores iniciais do peso corporal, IMC, diâmetro sagital e perímetro da anca, são bons predictores das alterações da massa gorda corporal total, mas são ineficazes na predição das alterações dos depósitos mais específicos estimados pela DXA; d) as alterações na estimação da massa gorda abdominal obtida pela DXA foram razoavelmente detectadas por todas as medidas antropométricas, mas estas medidas não podem ser utilizadas na quantificação da perda de massa gorda; e) as variáveis de actividade física não induziram alterações na massa gorda corporal total e no peso corporal; f) um incremento na quantidade total de actividade física e um incremento no número de minutos a caminhar podem ter um papel importante na redução da massa gorda abdominal estimada pela DXA em mulheres obesas

Ocular and systemic markers for vascular function in those at risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease

The devastating impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) -related morbidity and mortality on global healthcare is escalating with higher prevalences of obesity, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyles. Therefore, the clinical need for early diagnosis and prevention in groups of high-risk individuals is necessary. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the use of surrogate markers, namely retinal vascular function, to determine future vascular endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, large vessel disease and cardiovascular risk in certain groups. This namely covered normoglycaemic and normotensive South Asians (SAs), those with Impaired-Glucose Tolerance (IGT) and individuals with a familial history (FH) of T2DM. Additionally the effect of overweight and obesity was studied. The techniques and modified protocols adopted for this thesis involved the investigation of endothelial function by means of vascular reactivity at the ocular and systemic level. Furthermore, the relationships between retinal and systemic function with circulating markers for endothelial cell function and cardiovascular risk markers were explored. The principal studies and findings of the research were: Vascular Function in Normoglycaemic Individuals with and without a FH of T2DM WE FH individuals exhibited higher levels of total cholesterol levels that correlated well with the retinal arterial dilation amplitude to flicker light stimulus. However this did not extend to noticeable differences in markers for endothelial cell damage and impaired retinal and systemic function. Vascular Function in Normoglycaemic South-Asians vs. White-Europeans without a FH and Vascular Disturbances Compared to healthy WEs (normo -glycaemic and -tensive), SA participants exhibited levels of dyslipidaemia and a state of oxidative stress that extended to impaired vascular function as detected by reduced brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, slower retinal arterial vessel dilation reaction times (Appendix 3) and steeper constriction profiles. Furthermore, gender sub-group analysis presented in a sub-chapter shows that SA males demonstrated 24-hour systemic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) abnormalities and heightened cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Vascular Function in Individuals Newly Diagnosed with IGT as compared to Normoglycaemic Healthy Controls Newly-diagnosed WE and SA IGT patients showed a greater risk for CVD and T2DM progression by means of 24-hour BP abnormalities, dyslipidaemia, increased carotid artery intimal-media thickness (c-IMT), Framingham scores and cholesterol ratios. Additionally, pre-clinical markers for oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, as evident by significantly lower levels of plasma glutathione and increased levels of von-Willebrand factor in IGT individuals, extended to impaired vascular systemic and retinal function compared to normal controls. This originally shows retinal, systemic and biochemical disturbances in newly-diagnosed IGT not previously reported before. Vascular Function in Normal, Overweight and Obese Individuals of SA and WE Ethnicity In addition to the intended study chapters, the thesis also investigated the influence of obesity and overweight on vascular function. Most importantly, it was found for the first time that compared to lean individuals it was overweight and not obese individuals that exhibited signs of vascular systemic and ocular dysfunction that was evident alongside markers of atherosclerosis, CVD risk and endothelial damage

Novel interventional therapies to improve cardiovascular risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Introduction:Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with a diverse range of endocrine, metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors. Low vitamin D in PCOS is associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors and vitamin D replacement therapy has been suggested as a promising alternative for the prevention and treatment of PCOS. Empagliflozin; a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, has been shown to have several favourable effects on inflammatory and cardiovascular risk factors in both type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and could potentially be a treatment option in women with PCOS.Methods:The first study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an objective to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on liver fibrosis markers. Forty overweight and obese women with PCOS were randomization to either vitamin D 3200 IU daily or placebo for 3 months. The second trial was a randomised open-label parallel study to look at the effects of empagliflozin versus metformin on hormonal, metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in women with PCOS. Forty overweight and obese women with PCOS were randomization to either empagliflozin 25mg or metformin 1500mg daily for 3 months.Results:For vitamin D treatment, there were significant reductions in individual liver fibrosis markers [hyaluronic acid (HA), N-terminal pro-peptide type-III pro-collagen (PIIINP), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1)] and their cumulative enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) score was associated with a significant improvement in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in patients randomized to vitamin D, whereas there were no changes in any of these parameters in the placebo group. There were no changes in free androgen index (FAI), insulin resistance (Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance; HOMA-IR), other anthropometric, inflammatory and body composition parameters in either group. There were no significant changes in endothelial microparticles (EMPs) in the vitamin D group as compared to the placebo group. In the second study, there were significant reductions in anthropometric and body composition parameters in patients randomized to empagliflozin while patients on metformin had significant increases in these parameters as compared to baseline. Between groups comparisons at the end of the study showed that the percentage reductions in anthropometric and body composition parameters were statistically significant in the empagliflozin group as compared to the metformin group. There was significant reduction in total testosterone levels in the metformin group only but not in the empagliflozin group. There were no significant changes in FAI, HOMA-IR, reactive hyperaemic index (RHI), fasting lipids and other hormonal and metabolic markers in both the groups. However, there were significant increases in cluster of differentiation 54 (CD54) and cluster of differentiation 62 (CD62) microparticles in the empagliflozin group and cluster of differentiation (CD106) microparticles in both the empagliflozin and metformin groups.Conclusions:Direct beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation on markers of hepatic fibrosis were seen in overweight and obese women with PCOS shown by a reduction in the ELF score and its constituent liver fibrosis markers (HA, PIIINP, TIMP-1). However, vitamin D supplementation did not improve endothelial function as suggested by no significant changes in EMPs in the vitamin D group as compared to the placebo group. In the second trial, empagliflozin improved anthropometric and body composition indices after three months of treatment. However, there was significant increase in CD54 and CD62 microparticles after empagliflozin and CD106 microparticles after both empagliflozin and metformin treatments suggesting that the effects of empagliflozin and metformin could be partly mediated through modulation of endothelial function. This research work suggests both vitamin D and SGLT2 inhibition (empagliflozin) as potential treatment options in women with PCOS for improving future cardiovascular risk

Glycemic Index of Foods, Adiposity and Metabolic Syndrome Risk in Emirati Young Adults

This dissertation is concerned with determining the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Emirati females aged 17–25 years and its relation to overweight and obesity. It also aims to determine the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) values for traditional Emirati foods that have not been tested yet. In a cross-sectional study design, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and biochemical measurements were collected from a total of 555 Emirati female college students and the prevalence of MetS was concluded. Furthermore, at least fifteen healthy subjects participated in the measurement of GI and GL values for each of the twenty-three Emirati test foods. This study showed a high prevalence of MetS among college female young adults aged 17–25 years (6.8%). Of the 555 participants enrolled, 23.1% were overweight and 10.4% were classified as obese. MetS was significantly associated with obesity, waisthip ratio, glycated hemoglobin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein. The current study also provides a comprehensive food composition table including proximate data, minerals, vitamins, lipids, and sugars contents, along with GI and GL values of twentythree locally consumed foods in the UAE which could be utilized in offering better dietary recommendations for the Emirati population. The results advocate the need for MetS identification and immediate intervention programs to improve the future health of this youthful group