EFFECT OF MODEST WEIGHT LOSS ON CARDIOVASCULAR INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN OBESE WOMEN

&nbsp; Abstract INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. It is believed that adipose tissue inflammatory substances contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. To find out the metabolic benefits of weight loss in reducing cardiovascular risk, we assessed the effect of modest weight loss on plasma inflammatory markers in obese women. methods: In a clinical trial, 42 obese women underwent a 10 week restricted diet program. Body weight, fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and plasma inflammatory cytokines were measured at baseline and after 10 weeks. results: Weight, BMI, fasting blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol and triglyceride had significant reductions. No significant changes were observed in HDL-c and LDL-c concentrations. All plasma inflammatory proteins improved significantly except CRP level. CONCLUSIONS: Modest weight loss (&asymp;5%) is associated with favorable changes in plasma inflammatory markers. &nbsp; &nbsp; Keywords: Obesity, weight loss, inflammatory markers, cardiovascular disease.</div

Total fluid intake of children and adolescents: cross-sectional surveys in 13 countries worldwide

Purpose: To describe total fluid intake (TFI) according to socio-demographic characteristics in children and adolescents worldwide. Methods: Data of 3611 children (4–9 years) and 8109 adolescents (10–18 years) were retrieved from 13 cross-sectional surveys (47 % males). In three countries, school classes were randomly recruited with stratified cluster sampling design. In the other countries, participants were randomly recruited based on a quota method. TFI (drinking water and beverages of all kinds) was obtained with a fluid-specific record over 7 consecutive days. Adequacy was assessed by comparing TFI to 80 % of adequate intake (AI) for total water intake set by European Food Safety Authority. Data on height, weight and socio-economic level were collected in most countries. Results: The mean (SD) TFI ranged from [1.32 (0.68)] to [1.35 (0.71)] L/day. Non-adherence to AIs for fluids ranged from 10 % (Uruguay) to >90 % (Belgium). Females were more likely to meet the AIs for fluids than males (4–9 years: 28 %, OR 0.72, p = 0.002; 10–18 years: 20 %, OR 0.80, p = 0.001), while adolescents were less likely to meet the AI than children (OR 1.645, p < 0.001 in males and OR 1.625, p < 0.001 in females). Conclusions: A high proportion of children and adolescents are at risk of an inadequate fluid intake. This risk is especially high in males and adolescents when compared with females or children categories. This highlights water intake among young populations as an issue of global concern.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Intake of water and beverages of children and adolescents in 13 countries

Purpose: To describe the intake of water and all other beverages in children and adolescents in 13 countries of three continents. Methods: Data of 3611 children (4–9 years) and 8109 adolescents (10–17 years) were retrieved from 13 cross-sectional surveys (47 % males). In three countries, stratified cluster sampling design was applied to randomly recruit schools classes. A quota method was applied in the other countries to randomly recruit participants. Details on the intake of all fluid types were obtained with a fluid-specific record over 7 consecutive days. Results: In the total sample, the highest mean intakes were observed for water (738 ± 567 mL/day), followed by milk (212 ± 209 mL/day), regular soft beverages (RSB) (168 ± 290 mL/day) and juices (128 ± 228 mL/day). Patterns characterized by a high contribution of water, RSB or hot beverages to total fluid intake were identified among the countries with close geographical location. Adolescents had a significantly lower milk intake and higher intake of RSB and hot beverages than children in most countries. The most consistent gender difference observed was that in both age groups males reported a significantly higher RSB consumption than females. Conclusion: On average, water was the fluid consumed in the largest volume by children and adolescents, but the intake of the different fluid types varied substantially between countries. Since the RSB intake was as large, or even larger, than water intake in some countries, undertaking actions to improve fluid intake habits of children and adolescents are warranted.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe