Anthropometric Measurements in Zambian Children

The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry held its 9th International Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece in August 2004. The meeting was held in conjunction with the 2004 Pre-Olympic Congress, immediately prior to the XXVIII Olympic Games in Athens. These papers represent the current state of research and knowledge in kinanthropometry, and will be of particular interest to students and researchers in sport and exercise science, kinanthropometry, physical education and human science

A prospective study on a weight control program and its impact on regional and total body composition in post-menopausal women

Forty-five obese postmenopausal Caucasian women were treated with phentermine hydrochloride (Fastin®) and a 1200 kcal diet for weight reduction. Total and regional body composition changes were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and by anthropometry at 3-mo intervals over 9 mo. Plasma lipids, and serum insulin and leptin were measured. After 3 mo, Fastin® therapy produced a 6.8 kg weight loss (P < 0.01), and DXA-assessed fat and lean mass losses (P < 0.01) of 11.9 and 3.0%. respectively. DXA-estimated regional composition revealed respective fat mass losses of 14.1 and 11.9%. From abdomen and thighs, suggesting primarily subcutaneous and central fat depot losses. DXA reliability was assessed by same-day duplicate measurements (n = 10) calculated using old (version 8.1a) and new (version 8.21) analysis software. A 1.5% between-duplicate difference in lean mass was obtained with the old software; the new software yielded 1.1, 1.4 and 1.6% differences between duplicates for fat, lean and leg lean masses, respectively. CVs ranged from 1.7% for bone mineral content to 12.0% for arm fat mass for both versions. The new software produced higher values for all variables, except arm fat and lean masses than the old software. Except for a 1.9% trunk fat loss detected with the old software, magnitude of body composition changes over 3 mo in 21 weight-stable subjects was the same. The new software estimated total weight more accurately and with less variability than the old software. Fastin®-treated women lost (P < 0.01) 10% of their baseline body weight over 9 mo which correlated with a 20% reduction (P < 0.01) in serum leptin concentration. Plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration increased (P < 0.01) by 15% over 9 mo while total- and LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides decreased 14.2 (P < 0.01), 25.4 (P < 0.01) and 12.2% (P < 0.05), respectively. Serum insulin was unaffected by weight reduction. These data suggest that FastinRTM therapy was effective in reducing weight, and in producing a healthier body fat distribution and plasma lipid profile, thereby lowering cardiovascular disease risk in obese postmenopausal women. The DXA instrument (Holologic QDR-4500A. Hologic Inc. Waltham, MA) gave reproducible estimates of composition change in this population regardless of the software version used

Parasitic Infection among Young Children in Mwami Catchment Area, Chipata District, Eastern Zambia

Objective: To assess the prevalence of malaria and intestinal parasitic infections, as well as hemoglobin levels in a sample of children. Methods: We screened for P. falciparum, Ascaris lumbricoides, helminthiasis, hookworms and hemoglobin levels from blood and stool samples collected among 138 children aged 2–7 years from five rural villages. Blood was obtained by finger prick or drawn from the arm. Blood slides were assessed using Field’s Stain A&B staining and screened with an electric microscope for malaria species identification. Fifty fields were examined on each slide. Grade of malaria parasitemia was reported based on the average number of parasites seen per field. Stool was examined using direct wet mount method and the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration method in the laboratory. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels were diagnosed using a hemoglobimeter. We used Pearson correlation to compare Hb level to malaria status. Results: Of this study population, 52.8% tested positive for malaria; all cases were identified to be caused by P. falciparum. The mean level of hemoglobin was 10.0 ± =1.3 mg/dl. Pearson correlation comparing Hb level to malaria status was not significant (–0.068). Hookworm infection was found in less than 5%; Ascaris lumbricoides was found in only 2% of the children. Conclusion: Over half of the children tested positive for malaria. Findings for helminthiasis were lower than expected

Assessing Culturally-Bound Beliefs Related to Diarrheal Diseases among Rural Women, Chipata District, Zambia: Health Education Implications of a Pilot Study

This study of rural mothers and health workers in Eastern Zambia illustrates the use of traditional medicines in the treatment of common illnesses, and the seeking of services from traditional healers. It provides a better understanding of knowledge, beliefs, and practices in the field of traditional medicine, and explores the relationship of common cultural-bound beliefs (Thola, Chibele, Chibambala, Chisi, and Njisi) with feeding practices during pregnancy and early childhood related to diarrheal diseases. In addition, it identifies factors that influence a mother\u27s choice about the use or avoidance of certain foods. This qualitative research process encourages a culturally sensitive community-based approach to creating appropriate health promotion messages and program activities

Parents Education and Children Nutritional Status Aged 2 to 5 in Zambia

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the independent association of parental education on the nutritional status of the children using anthropometric measurements and body composition tools. Method: The WHO standardized age and sex-specific growth reference was used to calculate height for age Z-scores (HAZ), weight for age Z-scores (WAZ) and weight for height Z-scores (WHZ). Percent body fat was calculated using the equation developed by Lohman for skinfold. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationships of parent’s education and the prevalence for stunting controlled for family size. Results: 77 children were assessed (M=32, F=45) of whom 45(58.4%) were stunted expressed by HAZ Conclusion: Our results indicate that more than half of the children are stunted indicating chronic malnutrition. This may be a reflection of chronic food shortage or poverty which may affect food intake by the children. Parent’s education seems to be insignificant strategy to improving children’s nutrition in Zambia. Further studies are needed to assess other health problems in the area

Dietary Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty-Acid Supplementation Upregulates Protective Cellular Pathways in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Exhibiting Improvement in Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

Background: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been proposed to improve chronic neuroinflammatory diseases in peripheral and central nervous systems. For instance, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) protects nerve cells from noxious stimuli in vitro and in vivo. Recent reports link PUFA supplementation to improving painful diabetic neuropathy (pDN) symptoms, but cellular mechanisms responsible for this therapeutic effect are not well understood. The objective of this study is to identify distinct cellular pathways elicited by dietary omega-3 PUFA supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affected by pDN. Methods: Forty volunteers diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in the &ldquo;En Balance-PLUS&rdquo; diabetes education study. The volunteers participated in weekly lifestyle/nutrition education and daily supplementation with 1000 mg DHA and 200 mg eicosapentaenoic acid. The Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire validated clinical determination of baseline and post-intervention pain complaints. Laboratory and untargeted metabolomics analyses were conducted using blood plasma collected at baseline and after three months of participation in the dietary regimen. The metabolomics data were analyzed using random forest, hierarchical clustering, ingenuity pathway analysis, and metabolic pathway mapping. Results: The data show that metabolites involved in oxidative stress and glutathione production shifted significantly to a more anti-inflammatory state post supplementation. Example of these metabolites include cystathionine (+90%), S-methylmethionine (+9%), glycine cysteine-glutathione disulfide (+157%) cysteinylglycine (+19%), glutamate (&minus;11%), glycine (+11%), and arginine (+13.4%). In addition, the levels of phospholipids associated with improved membrane fluidity such as linoleoyl-docosahexaenoyl-glycerol (18:2/22:6) (+253%) were significantly increased. Ingenuity pathway analysis suggested several key bio functions associated with omega-3 PUFA supplementation such as formation of reactive oxygen species (p = 4.38 &times; 10&minus;4, z-score = &minus;1.96), peroxidation of lipids (p = 2.24 &times; 10&minus;5, z-score = &minus;1.944), Ca2+ transport (p = 1.55 &times; 10&minus;4, z-score = &minus;1.969), excitation of neurons (p = 1.07 &times;10&minus;4, z-score = &minus;1.091), and concentration of glutathione (p = 3.06 &times; 10&minus;4, z-score = 1.974). Conclusion: The reduction of pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways following dietary omega-3 PUFA supplementation is consistent with the promising role of these fatty acids in reducing adverse symptoms associated with neuroinflammatory diseases and painful neuropathy

Age at Menarche in Congolese Women: Relative Importance of Determinants Linked to Physical Activity and Family Structure

To assess the effects of family structure and physical activity on late menarche,retrospectively ages at menarche, family sizes, birth orders and other variableswere studied in 238 Congolese women including 90 pre-menarche-trainedathletes, 18 post menarche-trained athletes and 130 non-athletes.Mean age at menarche was later (p,.001) in pre-menarche (15.3661.04yrs) compared to post menarche athletes (13.9361.03 yrs) or to non-athletes(14.0361.22 yrs), but similar (p..4) between these two last groups. Mean birthorder or birth order within a family size was higher (p,.01) in athletes than innon-athletes. Mean family size or sex ratio did not differ between groups.Controlling for the effect of duration of training before menarche abolished family size or birth order slight effect (p,.05) on age at menarche, while theduration of training substantial effect (p,.001) on age at menarche persistedafter controlling for family size and birth order effects. Regression analysisconfirmed that duration of training was a better predictor of age at menarche thanfamily size or birth order in pre-menarche athletes. In conclusion, physicalactivity before puberty seems to be a more important determinant of latemenarche than family structure

Age at Menarche in Congolese Women: Relative Importance of Determinants Linked to Physical Activity and Family Structure

Objective: To assess the effects of family structure and physical activity on late menarche. Research Methods and Procedures: Retrospectively ages at menarche, family sizes, birth orders and other variables were studied in 238 Congolese women including 90 premenarche - trained athletes, 18 post -menarche - trained athletes and 130 non-athletes. Results: Mean age at menarche was later (p\u3c0.001) in pre-menarche (15.36+1.04 yrs) compared to post-menarche athletes (13.93+1.03 yrs) or to non-athletes (14.03+ 1.22 yrs), but similar (p\u3e0.4) between these two last groups. Mean birth order or birth order within a family size was higher (p\u3c0.01) in athletes than in non-athletes. Mean family size or sex ratio did not differ between groups. Controlling for the effectof duration of training before menarche abolished family size or birth order slight effect (p\u3c0.05) on age at menarche, while the duration of training substantial effect (p\u3c0.001) on age at menarche persisted after controlling for family size and birth order effects. Regression analysis confirmed that duration of training wasa better predictor of age at menarche than family size or birth order in pre-menarche athletes. Conclusion : Physical activity before puberty seems to be a more important determinant of late menarchethan family structure

The Ala54Thr Polymorphism of the Fatty Acid Binding Protein 2 Gene Modulates HDL Cholesterol in Mexican-Americans with Type 2 Diabetes

The alanine to threonine amino acid substitution at codon 54 (Ala54Thr) of the intestinal fatty acid binding protein (FABP2) has been associated with elevated levels of insulin and blood glucose as well as with dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of this FABP2 polymorphism in Mexican-Americans with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the context of a three-month intervention to determine if the polymorphism differentially modulates selected clinical outcomes. For this study, we genotyped 43 participant samples and performed post-hoc outcome analysis of the profile changes in fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin, lipid panel and body composition, stratified by the Ala54Thr polymorphism. Our results show that the Thr54 allele carriers (those who were heterozygous or homozygous for the threonine-encoding allele) had lower HDL cholesterol and higher triglyceride levels at baseline compared to the Ala54 homozygotes (those who were homozygous for the alanine-encoding allele). Both groups made clinically important improvements in lipid profiles and glycemic control as a response to the intervention. Whereas the Ala54 homozygotes decreased HDL cholesterol in the context of an overall total cholesterol decrease, Thr54 allele carriers increased HDL cholesterol as part of an overall total cholesterol decrease. We conclude that the Ala54Thr polymorphism of FABP2 modulates HDL cholesterol in Mexican-Americans with T2D and that Thr54 allele carriers may be responsive in interventions that include dietary changes