Abdominal adiposity, insulin resistance, and oxidized low-density lipoproteins in Latino adolescents

Abdominal obesity and insulin resistance (IR) place youth at higher risk for premature cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. In adults, abdominal obesity and IR contribute to the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Whether similar mechanisms are operational in Latino adolescents is unknown. Therefore, we determined whether IR and abdominal adiposity are associated with higher oxLDL concentrations in Latino adolescents. Data from 123 Latino adolescents (16.3 ± 2.5 years; female = 74) were used for the present analysis. Participants were assessed for waist circumference, fasting serum oxLDL, and insulin sensitivity by the whole body insulin sensitivity index. In separate linear regression models adjusting for age and sex, both waist circumference and insulin sensitivity were significant predictors of oxLDL (β = 1.9; p = 0.002; R(2) = 0.13, β = -1.7; p = 0.006; R(2) = 0.11, respectively). When insulin sensitivity and waist circumference were included in the same model, both remained independent predictors of oxLDL (β = 1.7; p = 0.016 and, β = -1.5; p = 0.055, respectively; R(2) = 0.16). These results suggest that insulin resistance and abdominal adiposity are associated with higher levels of LDL oxidation which may be a mechanism contributing to increased CVD risk in Latino adolescents

Physical activity and FTO genotype by physical activity interactive influences on obesity

Background: Although the effect of the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene on adiposity is well established, there is a lack of evidence whether physical activity (PA) modifies the effect of FTO variants on obesity in Latino populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine PA influences and interactive effects between FTO variants and PA on measures of adiposity in Latinos. Results: After controlling for age and sex, participants who did not engage in regular PA exhibited higher BMI, fat mass, HC, and WC with statistical significance (P \u3c 0.001). Although significant associations between the three FTO genotypes and adiposity measures were found, none of the FTO genotype by PA interaction assessments revealed nominally significant associations. However, several of such interactive influences exhibited considerable trend towards association. Conclusions: These data suggest that adiposity measures are associated with PA and FTO variants in Latinos, but the impact of their interactive influences on these obesity measures appear to be minimal. Future studies with large sample sizes may help to determine whether individuals with specific FTO variants exhibit differential responses to PA interventions

Design and methodology of a cluster-randomized trial in early care and education centers to meet physical activity guidelines: Sustainability via Active Garden Education (SAGE)

Strategies are needed to help early care and education centers (ECEC) comply with policies to meet daily physical activity and fruit and vegetable guidelines for young children. This manuscript describes the design and methodology of Sustainability via Active Garden Education (SAGE), a 12-session cluster-randomized controlled crossover design trial using community-based participatory research (CBPR) to test a garden-based ECEC physical activity and fruit and vegetables promotion intervention for young children aged 3–5 years in 20 sites. The SAGE curriculum uses the plant lifecycle as a metaphor for human development. Children learn how to plant, water, weed, harvest, and do simple food preparation involving washing, cleaning, and sampling fruit and vegetables along with active learning songs, games, science experiments, mindful eating exercises, and interactive discussions to reinforce various healthy lifestyle topics. Parents will receive newsletters and text messages linked to the curriculum, describing local resources and events, and to remind them about activities and assessments. Children will be measured on physical activity, height, and weight and observed during meal and snack times to document dietary habits. Parents will complete measures about dietary habits outside of the ECEC, parenting practices, home physical activity resources, and home fruit and vegetable availability. SAGE fills an important void in the policy literature by employing a participatory strategy to produce a carefully crafted and engaging curriculum with the goal of meeting health policy guidelines and educational accreditation standards. If successful, SAGE may inform and inspire widespread dissemination and implementation to reduce health disparities and improve health equity

Physical activity and FTO genotype by physical activity interactive influences on obesity

Abstract Background Although the effect of the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene on adiposity is well established, there is a lack of evidence whether physical activity (PA) modifies the effect of FTO variants on obesity in Latino populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine PA influences and interactive effects between FTO variants and PA on measures of adiposity in Latinos. Results After controlling for age and sex, participants who did not engage in regular PA exhibited higher BMI, fat mass, HC, and WC with statistical significance (P < 0.001). Although significant associations between the three FTO genotypes and adiposity measures were found, none of the FTO genotype by PA interaction assessments revealed nominally significant associations. However, several of such interactive influences exhibited considerable trend towards association. Conclusions These data suggest that adiposity measures are associated with PA and FTO variants in Latinos, but the impact of their interactive influences on these obesity measures appear to be minimal. Future studies with large sample sizes may help to determine whether individuals with specific FTO variants exhibit differential responses to PA interventions

Ethnicity and elevated liver transaminases among newly diagnosed children with type 2 diabetes

Abstract Background To examine the influence of ethnicity on liver transaminases among adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A retrospective medical chart review of 57 (30 males and 27 females) newly diagnosed patients with T2DM. Ethnicity was determined by self-report and height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were obtained using standard clinical procedures. Fasting levels of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were collected prior to the initiation of any therapy. Results Age, gender, height, weight, BMI, and HbA1c did not differ between ethnic groups. Compared to African-Americans, Hispanics had significantly higher ALT (23.9 ± 3.4 vs. 107.8 ± 20.3, p=0.002) and AST (17.7 ± 2.5 vs. 71.1 ± 15.7, p Conclusions These preliminary findings suggest that Hispanic children with T2DM may be at higher risk for developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and indicate that a comprehensive hepatic evaluation is warranted in this population. Future studies that incorporate more precise and proximal measures of liver health are warranted in this population.</p

Improving insulin resistance in obese youth: Choose your measures wisely

Abstract Objective. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) to more direct measures of insulin action before and after lifestyle interventions in obese Latino youth. Study design. Eleven obese Latino boys (age 15.1 Ϯ 1.6 years, body mass index (BMI) percentile 97.3 Ϯ 3.5%) and twenty obese Latina girls (age 14.7 Ϯ 1.8 years, BMI percentile 96.6 Ϯ 3.6%) participated in two distinct lifestyle interventions. Boys participated in a 16-week exercise intervention and girls participated in a 12-week nutrition education program. Insulin sensitivity was determined by the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT) in boys and by a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test with multiple sampling calculations for the whole-body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI) in girls. HOMA-IR was measured for both groups. Results. HOMA-IR was correlated at baseline to the FSIVGTT (r ϭ Ϫ0.57, p ϭ 0.07) and the WBISI (r ϭ Ϫ0.78, p Ͻ 0.01) and at follow-up (FSIVGTT: r ϭ Ϫ0.81, p ϭ 0.003; WBISI: r ϭ Ϫ0.71, p ϭ 0.001). Post-intervention, insulin sensitivity increased 45% in the boys and 34% in the girls; however, these improvements were not refl ected by signifi cant changes in HOMA-IR. Conclusions. Improvements in insulin sensitivity following an intervention measured either by the FSIVGTT or an OGTT were not detected by HOMA-IR. Researchers and clinicians should exercise caution in relying on fasting indices, such as HOMA-IR, to determine the impact of lifestyle interventions on insulin sensitivity in overweight youth