Laboratory methods of body composition analysis.

In the initial stages of body composition analysis, cadavers were analysed and later used as a criterion method for validating developing methods which could be used in live subjects. Cadavers have been analysed chemically and anatomically. The chemical approach has allowed the measurement of fat, protein and minerals while the anatomical approach has allowed the determination of the gross tissue weight for different parts of the body separated by dissection

The Effects of Very-Low-Calorie Diets on HDL: A Review

This paper investigates the effects of very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs) used in the treatment of obesity on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Although the studies varied widely in their intervention format, duration, and baseline HDL levels, it would appear that HDL levels usually decrease during active weight loss using a VLCD, but these either return to pre-VLCD levels or improve overall during the weight-maintenance phase. More research needs to be done to determine optimal weight-maintenance programmes and the effects of VLCDs in the short term as well as on HDL levels in groups at increased risk of coronary heart disease

Effect of weight loss on adipokine levels in obese patients

Adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ by releasing adipokines, which have important roles in the regulation of inflammation and insulin sensitivity. Although there is evidence of improvements in the circulating levels of adipokines with weight loss, few studies relate such changes to specific diets. We investigated the effect of weight loss achieved by two different diets on circulating adipokine levels in obese individuals. 120 obese patients (BMI greater than or equal to 35 kg/m2) underwent a screening period of three months on a low-fat, reduced-calorie diet. Patients who failed to achieve a 5% weight loss using this approach were randomly allocated to either a low-carbohydrate/high-protein diet (LCHP) (n=17) or to a commercial very-low-calorie diet (LighterLife / "LL") (n=14) for a period of nine months. Significant weight loss was maintained only for LL at nine months (-32.3 ± 22.7, p < 0.0001), not LCHP. Changes in adiponectin (ng/ml) (15.8 ± 17.1 vs -0.8 ± 6.2, p = 0.003) and leptin (ng/ml) (-17.6 ± 24.3 vs -3.0 ± 9.2, p = 0.049) at nine months were significantly greater for LL than for LCHP, which may reflect greater weight loss and decrease in fat mass. Changes in TNF-alpha, IL-6 and PAI-1 did not differ significantly between the dietary interventions at nine months. In conclusion, a significant weight loss of 23.8% of baseline weight was observed using a very-low-calorie diet, and resulted in significant improvements in circulating levels of leptin, PAI-1 and adiponectin. These results are likely due to the weight loss and not the macronutrient intake

Obesity and its health impact in Africa: a systematic review.

Obesity and its association with co-morbidities in Africa are on the rise. This systematic review examines evidence of obesity and its association with co-morbidities within the African continent. Comparative studies conducted in Africa on adults 17 years and older with mean body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28 kg/m2 were included. Five electronic databases were searched. Surveys, case-control and cohort studies from January 2000 to July 2010 were evaluated. Of 720 potentially relevant articles, 10 met the inclusion criteria. Prevalence of obesity was higher in urban than rural subjects with significant increases in obesity rates among women. Inflammatory marker levels were significantly elevated among Africans compared with Caucasians. The co-relationship between obesity and chronic diseases was also highlighted. This systematic review demonstrates that while obesity remains an area of significant public health importance to Africans, particularly in urban areas, there is little evidence of proper diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention

Low-carbohydrate diets, obesity and type 2 diabetes: a review.

This review examines the effects of low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets (LCHO) ( < 150g carbohydrate/day) on glycaemia and cardiovascular risk, appetite and satiety, liver and kidney function, energy expenditure, and bone metabolism. It also investigates the possible adverse effects of the same diets in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). At this stage, there is evidence to suggest that the use of lower carbohydrate diets improves glycaemia, cardiovascular risk and liver function in patients with T2DM. The results also suggest that patients' choices are in fact broader than previously believes, since LCHOs provide an alternative to standard dietary interventions. However, there is still a lack of evidence for the use of these approaches in the longer term

Weight loss and ethnicity: a cohort study of the effects induced by a very low calorie diet.

We aimed to determine whether British Asians of Indian or Pakistani descent differed in their baseline characteristics and in response to a twelve-week, very-low-calorie diet (VLCD). We then assessed whether or not a VLCD had a different effect on Asians and Caucasians, in terms of changes in weight and waist circumference. Weight loss was achieved using a nutritionally-complete VLCD with an average daily intake of 550kcal, using greater than or equal to 50g protein, greater than or equal to 50g carbohydrate, mean 15.9g fats, and greater than or equal to 100% of the recommended daily allowances (RDA) for key vitamins and minerals. The VLCD was used alongside a unique behaviour-change programme, called LighterLife (LL). Data were analysed for Asians who were recruited onto LL in 2009/2010, and for whom twelve-week weight change information was available. Waist circumference data were available for a subset of Asians, including age, body mass index and gender. These were matched to a Caucasian population and compared by independent t-test. No differences were observed between the Indian and Pakistani group for baseline measurements or weight change at twelve weeks. Caucasians had a greater percent excess body weight loss (%EBWL) than Asians at twelve weeks (72.4 ± 22.1 vs 48.9 ± 18.0, p < 0.0001). However, Asians had a greater waist circumference reduction per kilogram of weight loss when compared to Caucasians (1.16 ± 0.7 vs 0.95 ± 0.3, p = 0.037). It appears that, despite a greater %EBWL for Caucasians, Asians had a greater waist circumference reduction per kilogram of weight loss using a VLCD approach for a twelve-week period

The experiences of women with polycystic ovary syndrome on a very low-calorie diet

The research was funded by an educational grant from LighterLife. Broom was the Medical Director for LighterLife at the time of the research. Johnson is the Head of Nutrition and Research at LighterLife. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Effectiveness of long-term (twelve months) nonsurgical weight loss interventions for obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 2%–26% of women of reproductive age and is often accompanied by obesity. Modest weight loss reduces health risks and ameliorates effects of the syndrome. Weight loss interventions are mainly of short duration and have limited success. A systematic review of the literature was carried out to assess the efficacy of long-term (12 months), nonsurgical weight loss interventions for women with PCOS. Fifteen databases were searched, resulting in eight papers that met the search criteria. Comparison of results and meta-analysis was difficult due to heterogeneity of studies. Behavioral components of interventions were poorly described, and compliance was difficult to ascertain. The results suggested that the inclusion of a lifestyle component improves outcomes, but protocols must be clearly described to maintain study validity and to identify successful behavioral strategies

Homo Adipatus: a new species: weight management, treatment and prevention.

The current obesity epidemic, indeed pandemic, is a major public health problem affecting not only the developed nations but also developing countries as they become modern industrialised nations. Over the last thirty years the prevalence of obesity has increased from 6-8 per cent to almost 25 per cent in the UK. There have always been obese individuals within populations over the centuries and indeed in the nineteenth century in the UK, increasing abdominal girth was seen as a sign of affluence and certainly not frowned upon. Obesity is still seen as such in developing countries

Weight loss and cholesterol lowering in the elderly.

Weight loss and cholesterol lowering in the elderly remains a controversial issue. Obesity is considered to be problematic as a result of associated dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease and mortality. Diet, exercise, medication and laparoscopic gastric banding all demonstrate important potential for achieving safe weight loss and cholesterol lowering in the elderly. This evidence, however, remains minimal and a case specific approach is recommended until more robust guidelines can be developed