The Relationship Between Diet, Body Composition, and Grip Strength in Professional Cheerleaders

Background: Studies suggest that there is a relationship between 24-hour and within-day energy balance and body composition. In sports with value placed on weight and appearance, an increased prevalence of energy deficiency has been found, which has multiple health and performance implications. In particular, low energy availability is associated with higher body fat percent and lower muscle and bone mass, all of which negatively influence performance. This study assessed professional cheerleaders on dietary intake, within-day and 24-hour energy balance, protein consumption, body composition, and handgrip strength. Professional cheerleaders have not been previously studied on these factors. Objective: To assess dietary intake, body composition, and grip strength of professional cheerleaders on an active roster and investigate relationships between these factors. Our investigation focused on assessing if long periods of energy balance deficits are associated with reduced grip strength and higher body fat percent, and if protein consumption patterns are associated with grip strength and body composition. Methods: The study population consisted of 19 women, ages 18-32 yr. (mean = 25.4 yr.), who were interviewed to obtain a one-day recall of dietary intake and energy expenditures to determine dietary/nutrient intake and hourly energy balance using the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference and a relative intensity activity scale (NutriTiming® LLC). Multi-current, 8-mode segmental bioelectric impedance analysis was used to predict body composition, and handgrip strength was assessed using a hand dynamometer. Results: Dietary inadequacies in energy (p\u3c0.001) and carbohydrate (p\u3c0.001) were significantly below recommended values. Subjects with the lowest body fat percent had significantly higher energy intakes (p=0.011), spent more time in an anabolic state (p=0.048), less time in a catabolic state (p=0.048), had more eating opportunities of up to 30-grams protein (p=0.015), and consumed more their protein while in a positive energy balance (p=0.025). Participants with higher body fat mass consumed less total energy (p=0.012), had more severe energy balance deficits (p= 0.032), and spent more time in a catabolic state (p=0.048). Conclusion: Adequate energy intake that results in less time in a catabolic state and more frequent consumption of moderate amounts of protein (~30 grams/meal) was associated with lower body fat percent and increased muscle mass in professional cheerleaders. It appears from these data that “dieting” behaviors resulting in large energy balance deficits with longer periods in a catabolic state appeared counterproductive, as this was associated with greater body fat percent, lower muscle mass, and lower grip strength

Quality of dietary macronutrients is associated with glycemic outcomes in adults with cystic fibrosis

ObjectivePoor diet quality contributes to metabolic dysfunction. This study aimed to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between dietary macronutrient quality and glucose homeostasis in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF).DesignThis was a cross-sectional study of N = 27 adults with CF with glucose tolerance ranging from normal (n = 9) to prediabetes (n = 6) to being classified as having cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD, n = 12). Fasted blood was collected for analysis of glucose, insulin, and C-peptide. Insulin resistance was assessed by Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA2-IR). Subjects without known CFRD also underwent a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test. Three-day food records were used to assess macronutrient sources. Dietary variables were adjusted for energy intake. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Spearman correlations, and multiple linear regression.ResultsIndividuals with CFRD consumed less total fat and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) compared to those with normal glucose tolerance (p < 0.05). In Spearman correlation analyses, dietary glycemic load was inversely associated with C-peptide (rho = −0.28, p = 0.05). Total dietary fat, MUFA, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were positively associated with C-peptide (rho = 0.39–0.41, all p < 0.05). Plant protein intake was inversely related to HOMA2-IR (rho = −0.28, p = 0.048). Associations remained significant after adjustment for age and sex.DiscussionImprovements in diet quality are needed in people with CF. This study suggests that higher unsaturated dietary fat, higher plant protein, and higher carbohydrate quality were associated with better glucose tolerance indicators in adults with CF. Larger, prospective studies in individuals with CF are needed to determine the impact of diet quality on the development of CFRD

Changes in physical activity and relationships to submaximal exercise capacity and cardiac function during breast cancer therapy

Background: Breast cancer (BC) survivors are at high risk for heart failure due to curative cancer therapies. In non-cancer populations, physical activity is a first line treatment for preventing cardiovascular disease. This study examined whether more physical activity was associated with better submaximal exercise capacity and cardiac function during the first three months of cancer therapy. Methods: Participants included 223 women with stage I-III BC before therapy and after three months of undergoing treatment and 126 controls. Leisure time physical activity was reported using the Godin Sheppard leisure time exercise questionnaire. Cardiac function was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance, and submaximal exercise capacity was determined by 6-minute walk distance (6MWD). Results: On average, women in the BC group were older (55.6 ± 10.9 y vs. 50.6 ± 14.1 y, p15%. Conclusions: Physical activity declined in the first three months of receiving cancer therapy; however, maintaining physical activity during cancer therapy may mitigate declines in exercise capacity and cardiac function often observed in this population

Relationships between plasma apelin and adiponectin with normal weight obesity, body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness in working adults

Background: A significant proportion of adults have normal weight obesity (NWO), defined as a normal body mass index (BMI) but disproportionately high body fat percentage. Individuals with NWO may have increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders and lower exercise tolerance, but it is unclear if this obesity phenotype is linked with dysregulated production of adipokines or myokines such as adiponectin and apelin, respectively. Methods: This cross-sectional, secondary analysis included 177 working adults (mean age 49.6 ± 9.9 yrs, 64% female). Plasma high-molecular weight adiponectin and apelin levels were measured by ELISA. Body composition and fat distribution were assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Exercise tolerance (VO2 maximum) was determined by treadmill testing. NWO was defined as a BMI 30% for women or >23% for men. Participants were categorized as lean, NWO, or overweight-obese. Results: A total of 14.7% of subjects were categorized as lean, 23.7% as having NWO, and 61.6% as having overweight-obesity. Plasma adiponectin levels were elevated in the overweight-obesity group (P  0.05). Adiponectin concentrations were inversely associated with BMI, fat mass, fat mass percent, visceral fat, and trunk to leg fat ratio and positively associated with leg fat mass (all P < 0.001). Plasma apelin levels were similar between the three body composition groups (P < 0.05) and were not significantly associated with any body composition indices. Apelin concentrations were inversely related to VO2 maximum (β = −0.03 ± 0.01, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Plasma adiponectin and apelin levels did not distinguish between lean and NWO groups. Positive relationships with leg fat mass and adiponectin suggest the importance of assessing body composition and fat distribution when studying adipokines and cardiometabolic disorders. Further investigations are needed to understand relationships between exercise, body composition, and apelin secretion

Metabolomic Associations with Serum Bone Turnover Markers

Bone is a dynamic tissue that is in a constant state of remodeling. Bone turnover markers (BTMs), procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (CTX), provide sensitive measures of bone formation and resorption, respectively. This study used ultra-high-resolution metabolomics (HRM) to determine plasma metabolic pathways and targeted metabolites related to the markers of bone resorption and formation in adults. This cross-sectional clinical study included 34 adults (19 females, mean 27.8 years), without reported illnesses, recruited from a US metropolitan area. Serum BTM levels were quantified by an ELISA. Plasma HRM utilized dual-column liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with BTMs. Metabolites significantly associated with P1NP (p &lt; 0.05) were significantly enriched in pathways linked to the TCA cycle, pyruvate metabolism, and metabolism of B vitamins important for energy production (e.g., niacin, thiamin). Other nutrition-related metabolic pathways associated with P1NP were amino acid (proline, arginine, glutamate) and vitamin C metabolism, which are important for collagen formation. Metabolites associated with CTX levels (p &lt; 0.05) were enriched within lipid and fatty acid beta-oxidation metabolic pathways, as well as fat-soluble micronutrient pathways including, vitamin D metabolism, vitamin E metabolism, and bile acid biosynthesis. P1NP and CTX were significantly related to microbiome-related metabolites (p &lt; 0.05). Macronutrient-related pathways including lipid, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolism, as well as several gut microbiome-derived metabolites were significantly related to BTMs. Future research should compare metabolism BTMs relationships reported here to aging and clinical populations to inform targeted therapeutic interventions

Table_1_Quality of dietary macronutrients is associated with glycemic outcomes in adults with cystic fibrosis.DOCX

ObjectivePoor diet quality contributes to metabolic dysfunction. This study aimed to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between dietary macronutrient quality and glucose homeostasis in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF).DesignThis was a cross-sectional study of N = 27 adults with CF with glucose tolerance ranging from normal (n = 9) to prediabetes (n = 6) to being classified as having cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD, n = 12). Fasted blood was collected for analysis of glucose, insulin, and C-peptide. Insulin resistance was assessed by Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA2-IR). Subjects without known CFRD also underwent a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test. Three-day food records were used to assess macronutrient sources. Dietary variables were adjusted for energy intake. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Spearman correlations, and multiple linear regression.ResultsIndividuals with CFRD consumed less total fat and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) compared to those with normal glucose tolerance (p DiscussionImprovements in diet quality are needed in people with CF. This study suggests that higher unsaturated dietary fat, higher plant protein, and higher carbohydrate quality were associated with better glucose tolerance indicators in adults with CF. Larger, prospective studies in individuals with CF are needed to determine the impact of diet quality on the development of CFRD.</p