bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Obesity and Awareness of Obesity as Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Six Ethnic Groups
Authors: Consedine Nathan S. , Magai Carol , Conway Francine , Neugut Alfred I. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: To document BMI and knowledge regarding obesity as a risk factor for breast cancer among subpopulations of African‐, Caribbean‐, and European‐American women and to consider the variables predicting obesity in these diverse groups.Research Methods and Procedures: A stratified cluster‐sampling plan was used to recruit 1364 older women from Brooklyn, NY, during 2000–2002. Two groups were born in the United States (African Americans and European Americans), whereas others were from the English‐speaking Caribbean, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Eastern Europe. Participants provided demographics, height and weight measures, and estimates of the risk obesity posed for breast cancer.Results: Women from all groups were significantly overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2), although European Americans were lowest, followed by Dominicans and Haitians; African‐American and English‐speaking Caribbean women fell into the obese range, even when background variables were controlled. Knowledge of obesity as a breast cancer risk factor was also poor across groups, but Dominicans and Haitians had the lowest scores on knowledge. Importantly, knowledge was not associated with BMI in the overall sample, even when controlling for demographics and ethnicity, although logistic regressions comparing normal weight women with overweight and obese groupings suggested some knowledge of breast cancer risk in the overweight, but not the obese, group.Discussion: The findings remind health professionals of the need to consider more specific ethnic groupings than has hitherto been the case, as well as consider how ethnic and cultural variables may influence perceptions of obesity and its relation to cancer risk.
Weight Counseling Patterns of U.S. Pediatricians
Authors: Rattay Karyl Thomas , Fulton Janet E. , Galuska Deborah A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: To estimate the proportion and characteristics of U.S. pediatricians who reportedly counsel their patients about maintaining a healthy weight.Research Methods and Procedures: Beginning in October 1998, information was collected from 813 primary care pediatricians randomly selected from a nationally representative sample. Pediatricians were asked how frequently they counseled about maintaining a healthy weight during the well‐care visits of patients in three age groups. Multivariable logistic regression determined which physician characteristics were associated with counseling.Results: Approximately fifty percent of pediatricians reportedly always counseled about maintaining a healthy weight. Those who always counseled were more likely to be women, to spend more time with patients during well‐care visits, and to conduct more well‐care visits per week from patients in one particular age group. Most pediatricians who responded that they always counseled about healthy weight reported that they counseled about physical activity and nutrition, but not about balancing caloric intake with expenditure.Discussion: Although many pediatricians report counseling about healthy weight, the frequency of counseling might be further increased by increasing the amount of time the patient spends during office visits with the pediatrician or with other professional staff, such as nurses or dieticians.
Preventing Overestimation of Pixels in Computed Tomography Assessment of Visceral Fat
Authors: Potretzke Aaron M. , Schmitz Kathryn H. , Jensen Michael D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: Computed tomography (CT) is a common research procedure for measuring abdominal fat distribution, but little is written about the software used to analyze images. Our objective was to compare in‐house and commercially available software for quantitative measurement of abdominal fat distribution. In the process, we encountered some unexpected problems.Research Methods and Procedures: A total of 123 volunteers had single‐slice abdominal CT images taken that were used to evaluate various aspects of the commercial image analysis program.Results: The agreement between the commercial and in‐house programs was excellent (r = 0.996, p < 0.00, 001) for both total and intraabdominal fat, and we were able to reduce between‐observer variability in measured fat areas through the use of statistical handling of region of interest information. We also noted that intracolonic contents sometimes had the same Hounsfield units as adipose tissue. We analyzed single‐slice CT images from 50 volunteers to determine the potential impact of this effect on visceral fat area; the overestimate of visceral fat area was 19 ± 22% (maximum, 112% overestimate). The commercial program could prevent this error, whereas our in‐house program could not.Discussion: We concluded that a readily available commercial image analysis program compares well with a previously validated in‐house program and that it offers some advantages with respect to preventing overestimation of pixels as visceral fat.
Alterations of Gastrointestinal Motility in Obesity
Authors: Xing Jinhong , Chen Jiande D.Z. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAll nutrients are absorbed in the gastrointestinal (GI) system, and GI motility plays a very critical role in the consumption of foods, digestion, and absorption of nutrients. Various segments of the GI tract (esophagus, stomach, and intestines) coordinate in a complex yet precise way to control the process of food consumption, digestion, and absorption of nutrients. GI motility not only regulates the rates at which nutrients are processed and absorbed in the gut but also participates in the control of appetite and satiety. Altered GI motility has been associated with various disease conditions (gastroparesis, etc.) and has been frequently observed in obese patients. The significance of these GI motility alterations in obesity is not fully understood, but they have been considered as potential contributing factors in the development and maintenance of obesity and changed eating behavior. Therapies aimed at regulating GI motility are being actively explored and applied clinically for the management of obese patients. To better understand the pathophysiology of obesity, we systematically reviewed GI motility changes observed in obese conditions. The relationship and pathological significance of these findings, as well as the potential therapies by modification of GI motility, are also discussed.
Polymorphisms in PLIN and Hypertension Combined with Obesity and Lipid Profiles in Han Chinese
Authors: Yan Weili , Chen Shufeng , Huang Jianfeng , Shen Yan , Qiang Boqin , Gu Dongfeng 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe current study investigated the association between PLIN polymorphisms and the combination of hypertension and obesity (HO) and the related clinical features. The polymorphisms 1237 (T/C), 1243 (C/T), and 1323 (C/G) were genotyped in 503 cases with HO and 511 unrelated controls. No associations between polymorphism 1237 (T/C) or 1243 (C/T) and HO were found. However, total cholesterol (TC) levels were significantly different among genotypes of polymorphism 1243 (p = 0.023, power = 0.55). In male cases, 1243T carriers (TT + CT) had higher TC, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol levels compared with CC homozygote carriers (5.23 ± 0.88 vs. 4.98 ± 0.90, p = 0.024; 1.13 ± 0.23 vs. 1.07 ± 0.22 mM, p = 0.034; 3.3 ± 0.78 vs. 3.11 ± 0.80, p = 0.03, respectively). Additionally, 1243T allele carriers were more prevalent among the subjects with both HO and elevated TC levels (≥5.2 mM) than those with HO and optimal TC levels (<5.2 mM) (χ2 = 8.53; p < 0.003; odds ratio, 1.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.19∼2.42). Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested a significant contribution of polymorphism 1243 to the elevated TC levels after controlling for conventional risk factors (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.14∼1.91; p = 0.003). Polymorphism 1243 in the PLIN gene did not seem to be associated with HO but with TC levels in Chinese. The PLIN gene may be involved in human lipid metabolism.
The FOXC2 C‐512T Polymorphism Is Associated with Obesity and Dyslipidemia
Authors: Carlsson Emma , Almgren Peter , Hoffstedt Johan , Groop Leif , Ridderstråle Martin 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe transcription factor FOXC2 has been implicated in resistance to diet‐induced obesity and insulin resistance. To investigate the possible role for FOXC2 in obesity and related phenotypes, we performed two association studies for obesity using unrelated case‐control materials by genotyping the FOXC2 C‐512T polymorphism. In the first study (127 obese and 127 normal‐weight nondiabetic subjects matched for age and sex), the C‐allele showed association with obesity, odds ratio 1.74 (1.12 to 2.73; p < 0.01) for the C‐ vs. T‐allele and 1.81 (1.04 to 3.25; p < 0.05) for the C/C and C/T vs. T/T genotype. BMI was higher in carriers of the C/C and C/T genotype in normal weight [adjusted p value (padj) = 0.02] but not in obese subjects (padj = 0.1). In the replication study (223 obese and 231 nonobese subjects), subjects with the C/C genotype exhibited an increased risk for obesity, odds ratio 2.01 (1.15 to 3.52; p = 0.01). Obese carriers of the C‐allele had lower high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol [1.1 (0.9 to 1.3) vs. 1.2 (1.0 to 1.4) mM, padj = 0.006] and increased triglyceride levels (1.95 [1.30 to 2.68] vs. 1.60 [1.10 to 2.40] mM, padj = 0.02) compared with obese carriers of the T/T genotype. Our data suggest that FOXC2 is a weak but consistent candidate gene for obesity and dyslipidemia.
n‐3 Fatty Acids Modulate T‐Cell Calcium Signaling in Obese Macrosomic Rats
Authors: Guermouche Baya , Yessoufou Akadiri , Soulimane Nassima , Merzouk Hafida , Moutairou Kabirou , Hichami Aziz , Khan Naim Akhtar 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: We investigated the effects of a diet containing EPAX‐7010, rich in PUFAs such as eicosapentaenoic acid [20:5(n‐3)] and docosahexaenoic acid [22:6(n‐3)], i.e., a PUFA/EPAX regimen, on T‐cell activation in diabetic pregnant rats and their obese pups.Research Methods and Procedures: Mild hyperglycemia in pregnant rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin on Day 5 of gestation. T‐cell blastogenesis was assayed by using 3H‐thymidine, whereas intracellular free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) were measured by using Fura‐2 in diabetic pregnant rats and their obese offspring.Results: Concavalin‐A‐stimulated T‐cell proliferation was decreased in both pregnant diabetic rats and their obese pups as compared with control animals. Feeding the PUFA/EPAX diet restored T‐cell proliferation in both groups of animals. We also employed ionomycin, which at 50 nM opens calcium channels, and thapsigargin (TG), which recruits [Ca2+]i from endoplasmic reticulum pool. We observed that ionomycin‐induced increases in [Ca2+]i in T‐cells of diabetic mothers and obese offspring were greater than in those of control rats. Furthermore, feeding PUFA/EPAX diet diminished significantly the ionomycin‐evoked rise in [Ca2+]i in diabetic and obese animals. TG‐induced increases in [Ca2+]i in T‐cells of diabetic pregnant rats and their obese offspring were greater than in those of control rats. The feeding of the experimental diet significantly curtailed the TG‐evoked increases in [Ca2+]i in both diabetic and obese rats.Discussion: Together, these observations provide evidence that T‐cell activation and T‐cell calcium signaling are altered during gestational diabetes and macrosomia. Hence, dietary fish oils, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, may restore these T‐cell abnormalities.
Pleiotropic Effects of Genes for Insulin Resistance on Adiposity in Baboons
Authors: Cai Guowen , Cole Shelley A. , Tejero M. Elizabeth , Proffitt John M. , Freeland‐Graves Jeanne H. , Blangero John , Comuzzie Anthony G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: Previous research has suggested a genetic contribution to the development of insulin resistance and obesity. We hypothesized that the same genes influencing insulin resistance might also contribute to the variation in adiposity.Research Methods and Procedures: A total of 601 (200 male, 401 female) adult baboons (Papio hamadryas) from nine families with pedigrees ranging in size from 43 to 121 were used in this study. Plasma insulin, glucose, C‐peptide, and adiponectin were analyzed, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA IR) was calculated. Fat biopsies were collected from omental fat tissue, and triglyceride concentration per gram of fat tissue was determined. Body weight and length were measured, and BMI was derived. Univariate and bivariate quantitative genetic analyses were performed using SOLAR.Results: Insulin, glucose, C‐peptide, and adiponectin levels, HOMA IR, triglyceride concentration of fat tissue, body weight, and BMI were all found to be significantly heritable, with heritabilities ranging from 0.15 to 0.80. Positive genetic correlations (rGs) were observed for HOMA IR with C‐peptide (rG = 0.88 ± 0.10, p = 0.01), triglyceride concentration in fat tissue (rG = 0.86 ± 0.33, p = 0.02), weight (rG = 0.50 ± 0.20, p = 0.03), and BMI (rG = 0.64 ± 0.22, p = 0.02).Discussion: These results suggest that a set of genes contributing to insulin resistance also influence general and central adiposity phenotypes. Further genetic research in a larger sample size is needed to identify the common genes that constitute the genetic basis for the development of insulin resistance and obesity.
Circadian Eating and Sleeping Patterns in the Night Eating Syndrome
Authors: O'Reardon John P. , Ringel Brenda L. , Dinges David F. , Allison Kelly Costello , Rogers Naomi L. , Martino Nicole S. , Stunkard Albert J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: To compare the eating and sleep‐wake patterns of persons with the night eating syndrome (NES) with those of matched control subjects.Research Methods and Procedures: Forty‐six overweight/obese NES subjects (mean age 43.3 ± 9.8 years; 32 women) and 43 similar controls (mean age 39.0 ± 11.0 years; 28 women) wore wrist actigraphs for 7 days and completed sleep and food diaries at home.Results: There was no difference between the total energy intake of the NES and the control subjects, but the pattern of energy intake differed greatly. Relative to control subjects, the temporal pattern of food intake of night eaters was delayed. Food intake after the evening meal, as a proportion of the 24‐hour intake, was more than 3‐fold greater in NES subjects than in controls (34.6 ± 10.1% vs. 10.0 ± 6.9%, p = 0.001). NES subjects had sleep onset, offset, and total sleep duration times comparable with those of controls. NES subjects reported more nocturnal awakenings than did controls (1.5 ± 1.0 per night vs. 0.5 ± 0.5; p < 0.001), and their actigraphically monitored arousals occurred earlier during sleep (at 128 minutes after sleep onset vs. 193 minutes, p = 0.01). NES subjects consumed food on 74% of the awakenings vs. 0% for the controls.Discussion: The pattern of cumulative energy intake of the night eaters suggests a phase delay in energy consumption relative to sleep‐wake times. NES may involve a dissociation of the circadian control of eating relative to sleep.
Impact of Obesity and Body Fat Distribution on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Hong Kong Chinese
Authors: Thomas G. Neil , Ho Sai‐Yin , Lam Karen S.L. , Janus Edward D. , Hedley Anthony J. , Lam Tai Hing ,   Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence Study Steering Committee
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: Body fat distribution has been reported to differentially contribute to the development of cardiovascular risk. We report the relative associations between general and central obesity and risk factors in 2893 Chinese subjects recruited from the Hong Kong population.Research Methods and Procedures: Anthropometric parameters [waist circumference (WC) and BMI], surrogate measures of insulin resistance (fasting plasma glucose and insulin, oral glucose tolerance test, 2 hours glucose and insulin), fasting lipids (total, low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, and triglycerides) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured. General obesity was classified as BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2 and central obesity as a WC ≥80 or ≥90 cm in women and men, respectively.Results: A total of 39.2% of the population was found to be obese. Obesity per se increased the levels of the risk factors, but central adiposity contributed to a greater extent to adverse high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin resistance levels. There was a continuous relationship between increasing obesity, both general and central, and cardiovascular risk, with lowest risk associated with the lowest indices of obesity. In the 1759 nonobese subjects divided into quartiles of BMI or WC, the levels of the cardiovascular risk factors still significantly increased with increasing quartiles of adiposity.Discussion: Central adiposity appears to contribute to a greater extent than general adiposity to the development of cardiovascular risk in this population. The relationship between obesity parameters and risk is a continuum, with risk factors significantly increasing even at levels usually considered nonobese. These observations support the proposed redefinition of overweight and obesity in Asian populations using lower cut‐off points.
Weight Loss Intervention for Obese Older Women: Improvements in Performance and Function
Authors: Jensen Gordon L. , Roy Marie‐Andrée , Buchanan Alice E. , Berg Melanie B. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjectives: To determine the feasibility of a 3‐month weight loss program for obese older women with short‐term laboratory, performance, functional, and life quality outcomes.Research Methods and Procedures: This was a pre‐ and postintervention design. Community‐dwelling women (n = 26) ≥60 years old with BMI ≥30 were enrolled in a 3‐month weight loss program promoting prudent diet, behavior modification, and physical activity. The primary emphasis of the program was on health, function, and quality of life. The approach was specifically tailored to older subjects through use of large‐font instructional materials, supplementation of calcium and vitamin D, and moderate weight loss and physical activity goals. An initial assessment by a bariatric physician was followed by eight visits with a dietitian and a follow‐up physician visit. Measurements included anthropometrics, body composition, laboratories, pedometer, physical performance, Short‐Form 36 Health Status Survey (SF‐36), Life Space Assessment, and dietary assessment.Results: Eighteen participants completed the program. There was a significant decrease in mean body weight (100 ± 15 vs. 96 ± 18 kg, p = 0.006), with a mean weight loss of 4.3 ± 5.5 kg (range −15.5 to +7.20 kg). Significant improvements were observed for diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, physical performance, pedometer‐measured step counts, and step climb and descent. Self‐rated physical functioning (SF‐36 subscore) and vitality (SF‐36 subscore) were also significantly improved.Discussion: It is feasible for self‐selected obese older women to achieve a moderate weight loss and increase in physical activity resulting in short‐term improvements in laboratory, physical performance, self‐reported function, vitality, and life quality outcomes.
The Long‐Term Management of Obesity with Continuing Pharmacotherapy
Authors: Frank Arthur 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: Long‐term, possibly lifetime, use of medications for the management of obesity may be thought to be similar to the use of pharmacotherapy for other chronic diseases such as hypertension or diabetes. Because there have been no systematic studies of this extended use, the experience of eight patients who have used obesity medications in a sustaining manner was studied.Research Methods and Procedures: The clinical characteristics of eight adult patients, each of whom has experience with long‐term (more than 10 years) use of medications for weight loss and weight maintenance, were studied.Results: The clinical experience of these eight patients was analyzed. Each chose to sustain the use of weight management medications for more than 10 years because of perceived benefit, comfort, and the absence of significant side effects. There has been no evidence of the development of tolerance, addiction, or misuse and no adverse events related to the medication. The beneficial effects of the medication have not diminished with time.Discussion: The clinical characteristics of eight patients, each of whom has used obesity pharmacotherapy for more than 10 years, are described. The experience of these eight individuals cannot be generalized to the entire population of overweight or obese patients. It does suggest, however, that some patients respond successfully to this form of therapy and that they will derive value from it for the management of this disease. Efforts should be made to identify these patients, and consideration should be given to the use of chronic medications for the continuing management of obesity.
Economics and Obesity: Costing the Problem or Evaluating Solutions?
Authors: Roux Larissa , Donaldson Cam 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThere is no doubt that obesity is a major public health problem. However, what is the contribution of economics to solving it? In this report, we make the case that the role of economics is not in measuring the economic burden of obesity, through so‐called cost‐of‐illness studies. Such studies merely confirm that obesity is a serious societal issue; adding a monetary figure to this does not add much. The economic foundations of such estimates can also be questioned, thus lessening their policy relevance. The real value of economics in the arena of obesity care is in evaluating, through formal economic evaluation, the use of our scarce health care resources in different strategies to prevent and treat obesity.
The Association between Weight Perception and BMI among High School Students
Authors: Brener Nancy D. , Eaton Danice K. , Lowry Richard , McManus Tim 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: To assess the association between weight perception and BMI among a large, diverse sample of adolescents. This study used both measured and self‐reported height and weight to calculate BMI.Research Methods and Procedures: A convenience sample of students (n = 2032) in grades 9 through 12 completed a questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, self‐reported height and weight, and body weight perception. These students were then weighed and had their height measured using a standard protocol.Results: Using BMI calculated from measured height and weight, 1.5% of students were classified as underweight or at risk for underweight, 51.2% of students were normal weight, and 47.4% were overweight or at risk for overweight. Among this same sample of students, however, 34.8% perceived themselves as underweight, 42.9% perceived themselves as about the right weight, and 22.3% perceived themselves as overweight. Even when using BMI calculated from self‐reported height and weight, >20% of students who were overweight or at risk for overweight perceived themselves as underweight.Discussion: Because perception of overweight is a key determinant of adolescent nutritional habits and weight management, many students who are overweight or at risk for overweight but who do not perceive themselves as such are unlikely to engage in weight control practices. Increasing awareness of medical definitions of overweight might improve accuracy of weight perceptions and lead to healthier eating and increased physical activity.