Fat-to-muscle ratio is a useful index for cardiometabolic risks: A population-based observational study.

Metabolic disorders are prevalent worldwide and have recently become public health problems recently. Previous studies have proposed different body composition indices for predicting future cardiovascular risks. We hypothesized an association among fat-to-muscle ratio (FMR), metabolic syndrome (MetS), hypertension (HTN), prediabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and cardiovascular risk in an adult population. A total of 66829 eligible subjects composed of 34182 males and 32647 females aged 20 years or older were obtained from health examinations in the Tri-Service General Hospital from 2011 to 2017. The body composition indices included fat and muscle mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. A multivariable regression model was performed in a large population-based cross-sectional study. FMR was significantly associated with MetS, prediabetes, DM and HTN in all models of both genders. Based on quartile analysis, higher FMR had higher predictive ability for adverse health outcomes. The association between different definitions of MetS and the Framingham risk score was analyzed, and FMR-incorporated MetS was more useful for predicting higher Framingham risk scores than traditional definitions. FMR was a useful indicator for the presence of adverse cardiometabolic risks. Compared to traditional definition of MetS, FMR-incorporated MetS had a greater ability to predict incident cardiovascular risks. FMR seemed to be a simple and effective index for the early prevention and management of cardiometabolic events

Detrimental Association between Quadriceps Strength and Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Elderly Adults

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutants primarily from the incomplete combustion of organic materials. Myriads of studies have reported the associations between PAH exposure with several adverse health outcomes. However, no previous study had explored the relationship between PAH exposure with muscle strength in the elderly population. In the present study, we included 473 elderly adults who were obtained from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2001–2006). PAH metabolites were measured in urine samples. Muscle strength was determined as the isokinetic strength of the quadriceps. Pertinent variables were analyzed by various standard measurements. The association between PAH exposure and muscle strength was examined using multivariable linear regression models. After fully adjusting for covariables, PAH metabolites had a negative relationship with muscle strength, especially 3-fluorene (β = –0.021, 95% CI: –0.042, 0.000) and 2-fluorene (β = –0.020, 95% CI: –0.034, –0.005). Notably, the relationship remained significant in males, but not in females. PAH exposure is associated with decreased muscle strength in the US elderly population. Further studies are needed to bring to light the underlying mechanisms for these findings. In addition, it is important to provide interventions and determine strategies for treating the adverse impact of PAH exposure on dynapenia. Novelty PAH exposure is associated with decreased muscle strength in elderly adults. The adverse impact remains in males.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Detrimental association between betel nut chewing and colorectal polyps in adult populations.

Adverse systemic effect caused by betel nut had been reported for decades. Our aim was to determine whether betel nut had detrimental impact on the development of colorectal polyps in general population. Participants who attended health examinations at the Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH) from 2010 to 2016 were included in the study. The habit of betel nut chewing was obtained from a self-reported questionnaire. Colorectal polyps were diagnosed by colonoscopies operated by experienced physicians. A logistic regression model was used for the association between betel nut chewing with the presence of colorectal polyps. After adjustment for pertinent information such as age, gender, biochemistry data and personal history, the odd ratios (ORs) of colorectal polyps among betel nut chewers was 1.49 (95%CI: 1.14-1.94). Besides, betel nut chewers in the higher percentage body fat (PBF) group had higher risk for developing colorectal polyps with ORs of 2.07 (95%CI:1.23-3.47). Subjects with habit of betel nut chewing were associated with an increased risk of colorectal polyps in Taiwanese general population. Screening for betel nut chewing history and encouraging cessation might offer improved quality of life. A further research for this association was warranted

Increased body fat percentage in patients with hepatitis B and C virus infection.

Accumulated evidence has suggested associations between glucose abnormalities and insulin resistance with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. However, few studies have reported the effect of hepatitis virus infections on body composition. Our aim was to explore the association of hepatitis virus infections with percent body fat (PBF) in a cross-sectional analysis. A total of 69226 subjects obtained from the health examinations at Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH) from 2010 to 2016 were enrolled in the study. Participants were divided into subgroups based on the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV. PBF was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). A multivariable linear regression model was applied to test the association of hepatitis virus infections with PBF and glycemic status. In male participants, hepatitis virus infections were closely associated with increased PBF, especially in those subjects with HCV/HBV coinfection. HCV/HBV coinfection was positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose and postprandial glucose while HCV and HBV mono-infection were not. The impact of hepatitis virus infection on increased PBF was observed in general population with gender difference. A further study on the treatment of hepatitis virus infection might help prevent the development of obesity-related diseases

Body fat has stronger associations with bone mass density than body mass index in metabolically healthy obesity.

OBJECTIVE:The effect of obesity-induced metabolic abnormalities on bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis are well established. However, the association between metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and BMD remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate whether different obesity phenotypes in MHO were associated with BMD in a cross-sectional study. METHODS:All eligible adults receiving a health examination at the Tri-Service General Hospital from 2010 to 2016 were included. They were categorized based on body mass index (BMI) or percentage body fat (PBF). The associations between BMI or PBF and BMD were analyzed by adjusting for pertinent covariables. RESULTS:Males with normal weight and overweight and females with underweight and normal weight were associated with reduced BMD (β = 0.221, 95%CI = -0.354, -0.088; β = -0.155, 95%CI = -0.286, -0.023) (β = -0.736, 95%CI = -1.043, 0.429; β = -0.340, 95%CI = -0.567, -0.112), respectively. Females in Q1 had close to significant associations with reduced BMD (β = -0.253, 95%CI = -0.465, -0.041). Normal weight, overweight, Q2, and Q3 had stronger prediction of low BMD with ORs of 0.402 (95%CI = 0.204-0.791), 0.539 (95%CI = 0.321-0.905), 0.694 (95%CI = 0.490-0.982), and 0.466 (95%CI = 0.342-0.636), respectively. The relationship remained significant in male population that PBF was associated with reduced BMD with ORs of 0.435 (95%CI = 0.203, 0.935), 0.494 (95%CI = 0.247, 0.991), 0.268 (95%CI = 0.120, 0.597) in Q1, Q2, Q3 respectively. CONCLUSION:Increased PBF had a significant association with low BMD in the MHO population. Obesity defined by PBF might be a useful indicator for low BMD. The association between body fat and bone health deserves further investigation regarding the potential pathophysiological mechanisms