Adults with Crohn’s disease exhibit elevated gynoid fat and reduced android fat irrespective of disease relapse or remission

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a debilitating inflammatory bowel condition of unknown aetiology that is growing in prevalence globally. Large-scale studies have determined associations between female obesity or low body mass index (BMI) with risk of CD at all ages or 8– < 40 years, respectively. For males, low BMI entering adult life is associated with increased incidence of CD or ulcerative colitis up to 40 years later. Body composition analysis has shown that combinations of lean tissue loss and high visceral fat predict poor CD outcomes. Here, we assessed dietary intake, physical activity and whole or regional body composition of patients with CD relapse or remission. This anthropometric approach found people with CD, irrespective of relapse or remission, differed from a large representative healthy population sample in exhibiting elevated gynoid fat and reduced android fat. CD is associated with mesenteric adipose tissue, or “creeping fat”, that envelops affected intestine exclusive of other tissue; that fat is localised to the android region of the body. In this context, CD mesenteric adiposity represents a stark juxtaposition of organ-specific and regional adiposity. Although our study population was relatively small, we suggest tentatively that there is a rationale to refer to Crohn’s disease as a fatty intestine condition, akin to fatty liver conditions. We suggest that our data provide early insight into a subject that potentially warrants further investigation across a larger patient cohort.

ANTHROPOMETRIC AND BODY COMPOSITION PARAMETERS IN ADOLESCENTS WITH THE METABOLICALLY OBESE NORMAL WEIGHT PHENOTYPE

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the anthropometric and body composition parameters associated with the metabolically obese normal weight (MONW) phenotype. Desing: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 506 adolescents between 10 and 19 years old, selected from schools in Viçosa, Brazil. The MONW phenotype was defined as eutrophy, as defined by body mass index (BMI), and at least one metabolic alteration. Waist and neck circumferences, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were measured. Dual-energy bone densitometry was used for body composition analysis and body composition indices were calculated. Crude and adjusted Poisson regression models with robust variance were used to estimate the associations. Results: The MONW phenotype was positively associated with waist circumference (male: PR=1.05; 95%CI 1.01-1.09; female: PR=1.06; 95%CI 1.02-1.09), WHtR (male: PR=1.26; 95% CI 1.07-1.49; female: PR=1.29; 95%CI 1.07-1.56) and android/gynoid fat ratio (male: PR=1.25; 95%CI 1.03-1.51; female: PR=1.39; 95%CI 1.20-1.62), in both sexes. Furthermore, there was a positive association of phenotype with WHR (PR=1.32; 95%CI 1.06-1.65) and trunk/arm fat ratio (PR=1.13; 95%CI 1.02-1.24) only in males, and with trunk/leg fat ratio (PR=2.84; 95%CI 1.46-5.53), BAIp (PR=1.06; 95%CI 1.01-1.12), FMI (PR=1.24; 95%CI 1.10-1.41) and regional IMLC (PR=1.29; 95%CI 1.09-1.53), in females. Conclusion: Anthropometric and body composition parameters indicative of central and total fat are associated with the MONW phenotype, and may be useful tools for early diagnosis of eutrophic adolescents by BMI with cardiometabolic risk. Furthermore, the phenotype was positively associated with regional load index and metabolic capacity.

Males With Traumatic Lower Limb Loss Differ in Body Fat Distribution Compared to Those Without Limb Loss

ABSTRACT Objectives The primary objective was to examine body fat composition in males with traumatic lower limb loss and a comparison group without limb loss. A secondary objective was to determine if there are differences in body fat composition by traumatic limb loss level. Research Methods and Procedures Cross-sectional analyses of baseline in-person intake data was completed at a large military medical center. Data were collected from 2011 to 2020, and analysis was conducted in 2020. Participants (n = 89) included males who sustained traumatic lower limb loss (n = 50) and an age-matched comparison group without limb loss (n = 39). Mean age of participants was 36.0 ± 13.2 years. Main outcomes measured included age, height, body mass index, weight, body fat mass and percent, android fat mass and percent, gynoid fat mass and percent, and android/gynoid percent fat ratio. Differences between groups were assessed using t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests. Differences between limb loss levels were assessed using one-way ANOVA or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results Body fat percent (P = .001), gynoid fat percent (P = .010), android fat mass (P = .01), and percent (P = .02) were higher in the group with limb loss. There were no differences in body fat composition between limb loss levels (P &gt; .05). Conclusion Males with traumatic lower limb loss had a higher body fat percent compared to those without limb loss. Given higher body fat composition in individuals with limb loss and the relationship between body fat composition and cardiovascular disease risk, including body composition analysis with clinical screening could identify changes and allow for early intervention.

Childhood adiposity associated with expanded effector memory CD8 + and Vδ2 +Vγ9 + T cells

Context Adult obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and may give rise to future chronic disease. However, it is unclear whether adiposity-related inflammation is already apparent at young age. Objective To study associations between child’s adiposity measures with circulating monocytes and naive and memory subsets in CD4, CD8, and γδ T-cell lineages. Design, setting, participants 890 ten-year-old children from the Generation R Cohort were subjected to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging for body composition (BMI, fat mass index (FMI), android-to-gynoid fat mass ratio, visceral fat index, liver fat fraction). Main outcome measures Blood sampling for detailed immunophenotyping of leukocytes by 11-color-flow cytometry at 10 years. Results The following statistically significant associations were observed: 1SD increase in total FMI was associated with +8.4% (95%CI 2.0;15.2) Vδ2 +Vγ9 + and +7.4% (95%CI 2.4;12.5) CD8 +TEMRO cell numbers. 1SD increase in visceral fat index was associated with +10.7% (95%CI 3.3;18.7) Vδ2 +Vγ9 + and +8.3% (95%CI 2.6;14.4) CD8 +TEMRO cell numbers. Higher android-to-gynoid fat mass ratio was only associated with higher Vδ2 +Vγ9 + T cells. Liver fat was associated with higher CD8 +TEMRO cells but not with Vδ2 +Vγ9 + T cells. Only liver fat was associated with lower Th17 cell numbers: 1SD increase was associated with -8.9% (95%CI -13.7;-3.7) Th17 cells. No associations for total CD8 +, CD4 + T cells or monocytes were observed. BMI was not associated with immune cells. Conclusion Higher Vδ2 +Vγ9 + and CD8 +TEMRO cell numbers in children with higher visceral fat index could reflect that adiposity-related inflammation is present in children with adiposity of a general population.

Changes in Regional Fat Distribution and Anthropometric Measures Across the Menopause Transition

Context The relation between the menopause transition (MT) and changes in regional fat distribution is uncertain. Objective To determine whether the MT is associated with the development of central adiposity. Design Longitudinal analysis from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation, spanning 1996-2013 (median follow-up 11.8 years). Setting Community-based. Participants 380 women with regional body composition measures by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Mean baseline age was 45.7 years; racial/ethnic composition was 16% Black, 41% Japanese and 43% White. Outcomes Changes in android, gynoid and visceral fat and waist and hip circumferences. Results Android fat increased by 1.21% per year (py) and 5.54% py during premenopause and the MT, respectively (each p&lt;0.05). Visceral and gynoid fat began increasing at the MT, annualized changes were 6.24% and 2.03%, respectively (each p &lt;0.05). Postmenopausal annual trajectories decelerated to 1.47% (visceral), 0.90% (android), and -0.87% (gynoid), (all non-zero, p &lt;0.05). Waist girth grew during premenopause (0.55% py), the MT (0.96% py), and postmenopause (0.55% py) (all non-zero, p&lt;0.05; not statistically different from each other). Hip girth grew during premenopause (0.20% py) and the MT (0.35% py) (each non-zero, p&lt;0.05; not statistically different from each other) and decelerated to zero slope in postmenopause. Results are for the White referent; there were statistically significant differences in some trajectories in Black and Japanese women. Conclusions The MT is associated with the development of central adiposity. Waist or hip circumferences are less sensitive to changes in fat distribution.

Association between central obesity indices and iron status indicators among Qatari adults

Co-existence of iron deficiency and obesity in adults has been reported in many countries. However, little is known on the association between obesity and iron deficiency in Qatar. This study aimed to investigate the link between abdominal obesity indices and iron status among adults in Qatar. A random sample of 1000 healthy Qatari adults, aged 20–50 years, was obtained from Qatar Biobank study. Body weight, waist circumference, dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) parameters and iron status indicators were measured using standard techniques. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the associations. The prevalence of iron deficiency and anaemia were 35.4 and 25%, respectively. Of the participants with a large waist circumference, 31.7% had anaemia. Ferritin significantly increased with the increase in the android fat to gynoid fat ratio and visceral fat in both genders. Serum iron and transferring saturation decreased significantly with the increase in waist circumference in women. In both genders, C-reactive protein increased with the increase in all obesity indices. Standardized values of waist circumference, android fat, gynoid fat ratio and visceral fat were significantly associated with log transformed ferritin in men and women. Waist circumference was inversely related to serum iron (β:-0.95, 95% CI:-1.50,-0.39) and transferrin saturation (β:-1.45, 95%CI:-2.46, -0.43) in women. In men, waist circumference was positively associated with haemoglobin level (β: 0.16, 95% CI:0.04, 0.29). Central obesity coexists with anaemia among the study population. Elevated central obesity indices were associated with an increase in ferritin concentration. The increased ferritin concentration may be attributed to the increase in inflammatory status as a result of an increase in c-reactive protein concentration associated with central obesity.

Body Composition is Associated With Islet Function After Pancreatectomy and Islet Autotransplantation for Pancreatitis

Context Body composition in total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) has never been studied. Objective Determine whether presurgical body composition is associated with islet function and insulin sensitivity after TPIAT. Methods In 88 adults undergoing TPIAT (median age 41.0 years, IQR 32.8-48.0), beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity were assessed using mixed meal tolerance test and frequent sample intravenous glucose tolerance test before surgery and 12 and 18 months afterward. Body composition was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry. Analyses used linear and logistic regression. Results Before surgery, 8 individuals (9.1%) were underweight, 40 (45.5%) normal weight, 20 (22.7%) overweight, and 20 (22.7%) obese. Overweight/obese patients had higher area under the curve C-peptide and lower insulin sensitivity index. Baseline body weight was positively associated with first-phase insulin secretion (AIRg) at 12 months (average 38.5 [SE 17.1] mU/L/min higher per extra kg; P = 0.03) and 18 months (38.3 [18.5]; P = 0.04), while baseline lean mass was inversely associated with AIRg at 12 months (−0.05 [0.02] per extra kg; P = 0.01) and 18 months (−0.05 [0.02]; P = 0.03). Percent gynoid fat was inversely associated with disposition index at 18 months (−206.0 [97.2] per extra percent; P = 0.04). Percent body fat and percent gynoid fat were associated with glucose effectiveness index at 18 months (1.9 × 10-3 [0.9 × 10-3] per extra percent; P = 0.04 and −1.96 × 10-3 [0.8 × 10-3]; P = 0.02, respectively). Insulin independence was not significantly associated with body weight or composition. Conclusions Half of these chronic pancreatitis patients were overweight/obese; underweight was uncommon. Preoperative body weight and composition were associated with islet function but not insulin independence after TPIAT.

Using a new socioepidemiological questionnaire to analyse associations between intergenerational upward social mobility and body fat distribution: a pilot study with the Oxford BioBank cohort

BackgroundAs measured through body mass index (BMI), obesity is more prevalent among upwardly mobile adults than among adults born into middle-class families. Although BMI reflects general adiposity, health risks are more strongly associated with abdominal adiposity. It is therefore important to investigate associations between upward mobility and fat distribution.MethodsA socioepidemiological questionnaire was developed, qualitatively validated and piloted with Oxford BioBank participants. Sex-specific analyses of variance (ANOVA) investigated associations between participant occupational class and adiposity, paternal occupational class and adiposity, and upward occupational mobility and adiposity. The main aim was to observe whether the expected directional effect of adiposity in relation to paternal occupational class would emerge.Results280 participants (166 women, 114 men; age 32–67 years) completed the questionnaire. Men with fathers of occupational class 2 or 3 had higher mean BMI, total body fat percentage, android fat mass and android-to-gynoid fat mass ratio than men with fathers of occupational class 1. Women with fathers of occupational class 2 or 3 had higher mean BMI, total body fat percentage, android fat mass and gynoid fat mass than women with fathers of occupational class 1. Among men, upward mobility was not associated with adiposity. Among women, upward mobility was associated with higher total body fat percentage, android fat mass and gynoid fat mass.ConclusionThe expected directional effect was found, thereby supporting the questionnaire’s use. Upward mobility did not appear to change associations between paternal occupational class and participant adiposity. Future research using the socioepidemiological questionnaire should investigate associations between gender, educational mobility, adiposity and health.

Osteocalcin as a Predictor of Body Composition in Healthy Adults

Objectives The objectives of this study were to determine if body composition and nutrient status are dependent on serumosteocalcin concentrations in healthy adults. Methods Adults 20 to 70 years of age completed fasting blood sampling to measure serum ionized calcium concentrations, serum ionized magnesium concentrations, and serum total osteocalcin concentrations. Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry was also completed to measure body composition variables including body mass index (BMI), total fat mass, total fat freemass, total lean mass, android fat, gynoid fat, trunk fat, and visceral adipose tissue. Results A sample of 60 women and 78 men with a median age of 33.0 (21.0) years were categorized into two groups accordingto the median osteocalcin concentration measured: low osteocalcin (12.11 ± 2.72 ng/mL), and high osteocalcin (26.80 ± 9.72 ng/mL). Means, standard deviations, medians and interquartile ranges were calculated and independent t-tests, and Mann Whitney U tests were conducted to determine differences between groups in body composition variables. Total fat mass, total fat percentage, android fat, trunk fat, and trunk fat percentage were all significantly higher, and totalfat free mass, fat free mass percentage, total lean mass, lean mass percentage, serum ionized calcium concentrations, and serum ionized magnesium concentrations were all significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05) in the low osteocalcin groupcompared to the high osteocalcin group. There were no differences (P &gt;0.05) between groups in weight, gynoid fat, visceral adiposity tissue, or visceral adiposity tissue percentage. Conclusions The results of this study provide preliminary evidence that serum osteocalcin concentrations can predict bodycomposition. Interventional studies should consider methods to alter osteocalcin concentrations through vitamin ormineral supplementation as a means to improve body composition in adults. Funding Sources American Heart Association; Drexel University.