scholarly journals Associations of Obesity with Linear Growth and Puberty

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Shlomit Shalitin ◽  
Galia Gat-Yablonski

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The prevalence of obesity in childhood has increased dramatically in recent decades with increased risk of developing cardiometabolic and other comorbidities. Childhood adiposity may also influence processes of growth and puberty. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> Growth patterns of obesity during childhood have been shown to be associated with increased linear growth in early childhood, leading to accelerated epiphyseal growth plate (EGP) maturation. Several hormones secreted by the adipose tissue may affect linear growth in the context of obesity, both via the growth hormone IGF-1 axis and via a direct effect on the EGP. The observation that children with obesity tend to mature earlier than lean children has led to the assumption that the degree of body fatness may trigger the neuroendocrine events that lead to pubertal onset. The most probable link between obesity and puberty is leptin and its interaction with the kisspeptin system, which is an important regulator of puberty. However, peripheral action of adipose tissue could also be involved in changes in the onset of puberty. In addition, nutritional factors, epigenetics, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals are potential mediators linking pubertal onset to obesity. In this review, we focused on interactions of obesity with linear growth and pubertal processes, based on basic research and clinical data in humans. <b><i>Key Message:</i></b> Children with obesity are subject to accelerated linear growth with risk of impaired adult height and early puberty, with its psychological consequences. The data highlight another important objective in combatting childhood obesity, for the prevention of abnormal growth and pubertal patterns.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Aghaee ◽  
Julianna Deardorff ◽  
Louise C. Greenspan ◽  
Charles P. Quesenberry ◽  
Lawrence H. Kushi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Girls who experience early-life familial stress may have heightened risk of early puberty, which has adverse implications for adolescent and adult health. We assessed the association between household intactness and pubertal onset using a racially/ethnically diverse cohort of girls from Northern California. Methods A prospective cohort study of 26,044 girls born in 2003-10. Girls living with both parents from birth up to 6 years were considered to come from “intact” households while others constituted “non-intact” households. Pubertal development was measured using pediatrician-assessed Tanner staging for breast and pubic hair. Pubertal onset was defined as the transition from Tanner Stage 1 to 2+ for breast (thelarche) and pubic hair (pubarche). Menarche data was collected from routine well-child questionnaires. Weibull regression models accommodating left, right, and interval censoring were used to determine risk of earlier thelarche and pubarche, and logistic regressions were used to assess the risk of early menarche (age < 12). Results Girls exposed to non-intact households before age 2 years were at increased risk for earlier thelarche and pubarche with significant effect modification by race/ethnicity, compared with girls from intact households. The associations were strongest among Black girls (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29,1.98; HR: 1.42, 95%CI: 1.15,1.77 for thelarche and pubarche, respectively). There were no significant associations among Asian/Pacific Islanders. Girls who lived in non-intact households before age 2 years were also at increased risk for earlier menarche, but without race/ethnic interaction. Adjustment for prepubertal obesity did not change these associations. Associations between living in non-intact households after age 2 years and early puberty were weaker but still significant. Conclusions Exposure to a non-intact household early in life may increase the risk of early puberty in girls. Future psychosocial interventions focused on improving family cohesiveness and efforts to reduce childhood stress among families that are non-intact may mitigate these negative associations, thereby preventing future adverse health effects of early puberty and health disparities.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 492
Author(s):  
Anastasios Papadimitriou ◽  
Dimitrios T Papadimitriou

In recent decades, pubertal onset in girls has been considered to occur at an earlier age than previously. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been associated with alterations in pubertal timing, with several reports suggesting that EDCs may have a role in the secular trend in pubertal maturation, at least in girls. However, relevant studies give inconsistent results. On the other hand, the majority of girls with idiopathic precocious or early puberty present the growth pattern of constitutional advancement of growth (CAG), i.e., growth acceleration soon after birth. Herein, we show that the growth pattern of CAG is unrelated to exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and is the major determinant of precocious or early puberty. Presented data suggest that EDCs, at most, have a minor effect on the timing of pubertal onset in girls.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 835
Author(s):  
Manoja P. Herath ◽  
Jeffrey M. Beckett ◽  
Andrew P. Hills ◽  
Nuala M. Byrne ◽  
Kiran D. K. Ahuja

Exposure to untreated gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in utero increases the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in adulthood, and increased adiposity in GDM-exposed infants is suggested as a plausible mediator of this increased risk of later-life metabolic disorders. Evidence is equivocal regarding the impact of good glycaemic control in GDM mothers on infant adiposity at birth. We systematically reviewed studies reporting fat mass (FM), percent fat mass (%FM) and skinfold thicknesses (SFT) at birth in infants of mothers with GDM controlled with therapeutic interventions (IGDMtr). While treating GDM lowered FM in newborns compared to no treatment, there was no difference in FM and SFT according to the type of treatment (insulin, metformin, glyburide). IGDMtr had higher overall adiposity (mean difference, 95% confidence interval) measured with FM (68.46 g, 29.91 to 107.01) and %FM (1.98%, 0.54 to 3.42) but similar subcutaneous adiposity measured with SFT, compared to infants exposed to normal glucose tolerance (INGT). This suggests that IGDMtr may be characterised by excess fat accrual in internal adipose tissue. Given that intra-abdominal adiposity is a major risk factor for metabolic disorders, future studies should distinguish adipose tissue distribution of IGDMtr and INGT.


Toxics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Mathilda Alsen ◽  
Catherine Sinclair ◽  
Peter Cooke ◽  
Kimia Ziadkhanpour ◽  
Eric Genden ◽  
...  

Endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDC) are known to alter thyroid function and have been associated with increased risk of certain cancers. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of available studies on the association between EDC exposure and thyroid cancer. Relevant studies were identified via a literature search in the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health PubMed as well as a review of reference lists of all retrieved articles and of previously published relevant reviews. Overall, the current literature suggests that exposure to certain congeners of flame retardants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and phthalates as well as certain pesticides may potentially be associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer. However, future research is urgently needed to evaluate the different EDCs and their potential carcinogenic effect on the thyroid gland in humans as most EDCs have been studied sporadically and results are not consistent.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petraglia Laura ◽  
Conte Maddalena ◽  
Comentale Giuseppe ◽  
Cabaro Serena ◽  
Campana Pasquale ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Atrial fibrillation (AF) often occurs after cardiac surgery and is associated to increased risk of stroke and mortality. Several evidence support the important role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). It is known that an increased volume and a pro-inflammatory phenotype of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) are both associated with AF onset in non surgical context. In the present study, we aim to evaluate whether also POAF occurrence may be triggered by an exalted production of inflammatory mediators from EAT.Methods. The study population was composed of 105 patients, with no history of paroxysmal or permanent AF, undergoing elective cardiac surgery. After clinical evaluation, all patients performed an echocardiographic study including the measurement of EAT thickness. Serum samples and EAT biopsies were collected before surgery. Levels of 10 inflammatory cytokines were measured in serum and EAT conditioned media. After surgery, cardiac rhythm was monitored for 7 days.Results. Forty-four patients (41.3%) developed POAF. As regard to cardiovascular therapy, only statin use was significantly lower in POAF patients (65.1% vs. 84.7%; p-0.032). Levels of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), in both serum and EAT, were significantly higher in POAF patients (130.1 pg/ml vs. 68.7 pg/ml; p = < 0.001; 322.4 pg/ml vs. 153.4 pg/ml; p = 0.028 respectively). EAT levels of IL-6 were significantly increased in POAF patients compared to those in sinus rhythm (126.3 pg/ml vs. 23 pg/ml; p = < 0.005).ConclusionHigher EAT levels of IL6 and MCP1 are significantly associated with the occurrence of POAF. Statin therapy seems to play a role in preventing POAF. These results might pave the way for a targeted use of these drugs in the perioperative period.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franck Phan ◽  
Samia Boussouar ◽  
Olivier Lucidarme ◽  
Mohamed Zarai ◽  
Joe-Elie Salem ◽  
...  

Abstract Background COVID-19 diabetic adults are at increased risk of severe forms irrespective of obesity. In patients with type-II diabetes, fat distribution is characterized by visceral and ectopic adipose tissues expansion, resulting in systemic inflammation, which may play a role in driving the COVID-19 cytokine storm. Our aim was to determine if cardiac adipose tissue, combined to interleukin-6 levels, could predict adverse short-term outcomes, death and ICU requirement, in COVID-19 diabetic patients during the 21 days after admission. Methods Eighty one consecutive patients with type-II diabetes admitted for COVID-19 were included. Interleukin-6 measurement and chest computed tomography with total cardiac adipose tissue index (CATi) measurement were performed at admission. The primary outcome was death during the 21 days following admission while intensive care requirement with or without early death (ICU-R) defined the secondary endpoint. Associations of CATi and IL-6 and threshold values to predict the primary and secondary endpoints were determined. Results Of the enrolled patients (median age 66 years [IQR: 59–74]), 73% male, median body mass index (BMI) 27 kg/m2 [IQR: 24–31]) 20 patients had died from COVID-19, 20 required intensive care and 41 were in conventional care at day 21 after admission. Increased CATi and IL-6 levels were both significantly related to increased early mortality (respectively OR = 6.15, p = 0.002; OR = 18.2, p < 0.0001) and ICU-R (respectively OR = 3.27, p = 0.01; OR = 4.86, p = 0.002). These associations remained significant independently of age, sex, BMI as well as troponin-T level and pulmonary lesion extension in CT. We combined CATi and IL-6 levels as a multiplicative interaction score (CATi*IL-6). The cut-point for this score was ≥ 6386 with a sensitivity of 0.90 and a specificity of 0.87 (AUC = 0.88) and an OR of 59.6 for early mortality (p < 0.0001). Conclusions Cardiac adipose tissue index and IL-6 determination at admission could help physicians to better identify diabetic patients with a potentially severe and lethal short term course irrespective of obesity. Diabetic patients with high CATi at admission, a fortiori associated with high IL-6 levels could be a relevant target population to promptly initiate anti-inflammatory therapies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanyan Wu ◽  
Yan Borné ◽  
Rui Gao ◽  
Maykel López Rodriguez ◽  
William C. Roell ◽  
...  

AbstractThe hepatokine follistatin is elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and promotes hyperglycemia in mice. Here we explore the relationship of plasma follistatin levels with incident T2D and mechanisms involved. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR) per standard deviation (SD) increase in follistatin levels for T2D is 1.24 (CI: 1.04–1.47, p < 0.05) during 19-year follow-up (n = 4060, Sweden); and 1.31 (CI: 1.09–1.58, p < 0.01) during 4-year follow-up (n = 883, Finland). High circulating follistatin associates with adipose tissue insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (n = 210, Germany). In human adipocytes, follistatin dose-dependently increases free fatty acid release. In genome-wide association study (GWAS), variation in the glucokinase regulatory protein gene (GCKR) associates with plasma follistatin levels (n = 4239, Sweden; n = 885, UK, Italy and Sweden) and GCKR regulates follistatin secretion in hepatocytes in vitro. Our findings suggest that GCKR regulates follistatin secretion and that elevated circulating follistatin associates with an increased risk of T2D by inducing adipose tissue insulin resistance.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Corvera

Adipose tissue plays a central role in the control of systemic glucose homeostasis through two major mechanisms: fat storage and secretion of specific cytokines known as adipokines. Fat storage in adipose tissue is critically important, as it prevents lipid deposition in liver and muscle, which in turn results in insulin resistance and increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Secretion of adipokines, such as leptin, protects from fuel depletion through appetite control, and other adipokines control fuel distribution and utilization. Fat storage capacity of adipose tissue increases through two mechanisms, adipocyte hypertrophy and adipocyte hyperplasia. Adipose tissue depots expand differently in diverse individuals and confer varying degrees of metabolic disease risk. There are multiple adipocyte subtypes that together mediate the functions of adipose tissue. They do so through specialized functions such as thermogenesis, which burns fuel to maintain core temperature, and through selective secretion of different adipokines. Much progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms by which adipose tissue controls systemic metabolism, increasing our hope of developing new, effective therapies for metabolic diseases.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youzhou Chen ◽  
Zhuoli Zhang ◽  
Jihong Wang ◽  
Huayi Sun ◽  
Xingshan Zhao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: There are inconsistent results regarding the relationships of adiposity anthropometric indices and blood pressure (BP) and hypertension, and whether these relationships differ by sex is unclear. We aimed to elucidate the associations of adiposity indices measured using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) with BP and hypertension and to determine the effect of sex on the relationships in a Chinese population. Methods: Abdominal adipose fat, including visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) area, was measured by QCT in 1488 participants. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were measured. Results: Compared to women, men had significantly greater VAT but less SAT regardless of hypertension status. VAT, SAT and WC correlated more with SBP in men than in women. After controlling for body weight, height and age, VAT area and WC in women and VAT area in men were positively associated with SBP and DBP level. VAT area correlated more with the increased risk of hypertension in men than in women [men: odds ratio (OR) = 1.013, women: OR = 1.011]. WC had a significant correlation with an increased risk of hypertension in women but a borderline association in men (P = 0.059) when adjusted for VAT area and SAT area. Conclusions: The association of abdominal adiposity with blood pressure components and hypertension differs qualitatively by sex. WC may be an important determinant of hypertension and may be used for risk stratification for hypertension among Chinese individuals.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 113 (3) ◽  
pp. e270-e275 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Stein ◽  
H. X. Barnhart ◽  
M. Wang ◽  
M. B. Hoshen ◽  
K. Ologoudou ◽  
...  

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