Aya Morimoto

Changes in body mass index, leptin and adiponectin in Japanese children during a three-year follow-up period: a population-based cohort study

ObjectiveThe study examined changes in and relationship between body mass index (BMI), leptin and adiponectin levels over a 3-year period in a pediatric population-based cohort.Study designA 3-year prospective cohort study of 268 boys and 251 girls aged 9–10 in Ina, Saitama, Japan.ResultsMedian body mass index (BMI) significantly increased from baseline (age 9–10) to follow up (age 12–13) in boys from 17.1 to 18.3 kg/m2 (P < 0.001) and in girls from 16.5 to 18.5 kg/m2 (P < 0.001), respectively. Adiponectin values significantly decreased from baseline to follow up in boys (13.5 to 8.9 μg/ml, respectively) (P < 0.001) and in girls (12.4 to 9.5 μg/ml, respectively) (P < 0.001). Leptin values at follow up significantly decreased from baseline in boys (4.9 to 2.3 ng/dl, respectively) (P < 0.001) and also in girls (5.3 to 5.1 ng/dl, respectively) (P = 0.049).A relatively strong correlation was seen in BMI (Spearmans correlation coefficient, r = 0.864, P < 0.001 in boys; r = 0.873, P < 0.001 in girls), adiponectin (r = 0.705, P < 0.001 in boys; r = 0.695, P < 0.001 in girls), and leptin (r = 0.449, P < 0.001 in boys; r = 0.610, P < 0.001 in girls) before and after the three-year period.The ratio of follow up to baseline BMI was negatively correlated with that for adiponectin (r = -0.224, P < 0.001 in boys; r = -0.165, P = 0.001 in girls) and positively correlated with that for leptin (r = 0.518, P < 0.001 in boys; r = 0.609, P < 0.001 in girls).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that baseline adiponectin, leptin and BMI values measured at ages 9–10 correlated with those measured three years later. However, adiponectin values decreased and leptin values increased in those subjects whose BMI increased during over this period.

Relationship of body mass index to percent body fat and waist circumference among schoolchildren in Japan--the influence of gender and obesity: a population-based cross-sectional study.

BackgroundAlthough the correlation coefficient between body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (%BF) or waist circumference (WC) has been reported, studies conducted among population-based schoolchildren to date have been limited in Japan, where %BF and WC are not usually measured in annual health examinations at elementary schools or junior high schools. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of BMI to %BF and WC and to examine the influence of gender and obesity on these relationships among Japanese schoolchildren.MethodsSubjects included 3,750 schoolchildren from the fourth and seventh grade in Ina-town, Saitama Prefecture, Japan between 2004 and 2008. Information about subjects age, sex, height, weight, %BF, and WC was collected from annual physical examinations. %BF was measured with a bipedal biometrical impedance analysis device. Obesity was defined by the following two criteria: the obese definition of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the definition of obesity for Japanese children. Pearsons correlation coefficients between BMI and %BF or WC were calculated separately for sex.ResultsAmong fourth graders, the correlation coefficients between BMI and %BF were 0.74 for boys and 0.97 for girls, whereas those between BMI and WC were 0.94 for boys and 0.90 for girls. Similar results were observed in the analysis of seventh graders. The correlation coefficient between BMI and %BF varied by physique (obese or non-obese), with weaker correlations among the obese regardless of the definition of obesity; most correlation coefficients among obese boys were less than 0.5, whereas most correlations among obese girls were more than 0.7. On the other hand, the correlation coefficients between BMI and WC were more than 0.8 among boys and almost all coefficients were more than 0.7 among girls, regardless of physique.ConclusionsBMI was positively correlated with %BF and WC among Japanese schoolchildren. The correlations could be influenced by obesity as well as by gender. Accordingly, it is essential to consider gender and obesity when using BMI as a surrogate for %BF and WC for epidemiological use.

Comparing the Efficacy of α-Glucosidase Inhibitors in Suppressing Postprandial Hyperglycemia Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring: A Pilot Study—The MAJOR Study

BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare glucose variability in patients given the α-glucosidase inhibitors miglitol and acarbose using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). METHODS Ten type 2 diabetes patients were hospitalized for 4 days, and their glucose levels were measured using CGM. Patients were given miglitol (50 mg) or acarbose (100 mg) before each meal on Day 2, and vice versa on Day 3, in a randomized crossover design. The patients had three identical test meals on Days 2 and 3. The CGM data were used to compare each parameter for glycemic variability after each of the three meals. RESULTS No significant differences were observed between miglitol treatment or acarbose treatment in regard to the range of increase in glucose levels from baseline to peak, time to peak postprandial glucose levels from the preprandial period, and area under the curve for glycemic variability from the preprandial period to 3 h after each meal. However, the range of increase in glucose levels at 30 min (0.4 vs. 30.7 mg/dL, P < 0.0001) and 60 min (32.8 vs. 67.5 mg/dL, P <0.0001) after lunch and 30, 60, and 90 min after dinner (3.3 vs. 22.2 mg/dL, P = 0.0249; 36.6 vs. 67.5 mg/dL, P < 0.0001; and 60.5 vs. 81.6 mg/dL, P = 0.0073, respectively) was significantly smaller in miglitol treatment compared with acarbose treatment. CONCLUSIONS In a pilot study with a crossover design in 10 type 2 diabetes patients, it was shown that although there was no significant difference in glucose variability with miglitol or acarbose after a fat-rich diet, glucose increases was significantly reduced with miglitol after a meal comprising typical Japanese diet 60-90 min postprandially.

High Blood Pressure in Obese and Nonobese Japanese Children: Blood Pressure Measurement is Necessary Even in Nonobese Japanese Children

Background Although the prevalences of obesity and hypertension (HT) are increasing in children, there have been few epidemiological studies of HT in Japanese children. We evaluated the prevalences of HT and high-normal blood pressure (HNBP), and examined the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI), in Japanese children. Methods The subjects of this study were 2420 children living in the town of Ina, Saitama Prefecture, Japan during the period from 2006 through 2008. Body height, weight, and BP were measured. HT and HNBP were defined according to the HT criteria for Japanese children. Children with HNBP or HT were defined as having high blood pressure (HBP). Results The prevalences of HBP were 15.9% and 15.8% in fourth-grade boys and girls, respectively, and 11.1% and 10.8% in seventh-grade boys and girls, respectively. Irrespective of sex or grade level, a higher BMI was associated with a higher prevalence of HBP (P < 0.001). When compared with the <50th percentile BMI category, the crude odds ratios (ORs) were statistically significant for the 75th to 84th percentile category in fourth-grade boys (OR: 4.54, 95% CI: 2.36–8.76), the ≥95th percentile in fourth-grade girls (13.29, 5.93–29.77), the 85th to 94th percentile (3.16, 1.46–6.84) in seventh-grade boys, and the ≥95th percentile (7.96, 3.18–19.93) in seventh-grade girls. Conclusions BMI was associated with HBP in Japanese school children. In addition, some children in the lower BMI categories also had HBP.

Daily Glucose Profiles in Japanese People with Normal Glucose Tolerance as Assessed by Continuous Glucose Monitoring

BACKGROUND Little information is available regarding glucose fluctuations in postprandial states and during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in Japanese people with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). METHODS Glucose profiles of 27 Japanese people were measured for 4 days by using continuous glucose monitoring. A 75-g OGTT was conducted on the second day, and 24 subjects diagnosed with NGT by a 75-g OGTT were enrolled. The subjects were monitored for their postprandial glucose profile in their ordinary daily life on the third day. RESULTS The results of our study have shown that the median time (interquartile range) to maximum glucose levels in OGTT was 38 (25-49) min after glucose load and that the median time to maximum glucose levels after breakfast, lunch, and dinner was 40 (31-75), 50 (30-70), and 45 (36-50) min, respectively. The median increase in glucose during OGTT was 45 (35-66) mg/dL, and that after breakfast, lunch and dinner was 21 (12-32), 37 (27-48), and 44 (25-63) mg/dL, respectively. Those with a higher insulinogenic index reached their maximum glucose levels in a shorter time (r = -0.46, P = 0.025) and had smaller glucose increments during OGTT (r = -0.49, P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS This study is the first report to document the glucose profile of Asian people with NGT.

Analysis of 24-Hour Glycemic Excursions in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes by Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring

BACKGROUND Little information is available regarding postprandial glycemic excursions and hypoglycemia in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS Four male and eight female patients who were on intensive therapy with rapid-acting insulin plus basal insulin underwent retrospective continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Clinical characteristics (median) of the patients were as follows: age, 40.5 years; body mass index, 22.2 kg/m(2); urinary C-peptide, 0.75 microg/day; hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) after 2 months of CGM, 6.5%; and total insulin dose, 40.0 units. RESULTS The largest glycemic excursions were observed after breakfast. The time intervals from the start of each meal to the highest postprandial glucose levels peaked at 65-100 min. Hypoglycemia (blood glucose <70 mg/dL) was observed for more than 100 min per 24-h period. HbA1c and 24-h mean glucose levels were significantly correlated (r = 0.727, P = 0.007). The 12 participants were divided into two groups by HbA1c level after 2 months: those whose HbA1c exceeded the median of HbA1c (HbA1c > 6.5%) (n = 6) and those whose HbA1c fell below the median (HbA1c <6.5%) (n = 6). The premeal glucose levels/the highest postprandial glucose levels after breakfast were insignificantly higher in the HbA1c >6.5% group (183/247 mg/dL, respectively) than in the HbA1c <6.5% group (117/221 mg/dL, respectively). The duration of hypoglycemia lasted longer in the HbA1c <6.5% group, with these episodes often occurring during the nighttime. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that preventing nighttime hypoglycemia and correcting glucose spikes after breakfast are required in patients with T1D receiving intensive therapy to stabilize and improve glycemic control.

LDL-cholesterol and body mass index among Japanese schoolchildren: a population-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundSerum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of the most important risk factors for coronary heart disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between LDL-C and body mass index (BMI) in population-based Japanese schoolchildren.MethodsThe subjects comprised all fourth graders and seventh graders in Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, during 2002-2009. Information about each subject’s age, sex, and family history of hypercholesterolemia was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The body height, weight, and LDL-C were measured for each child. LDL-C was measured using the direct method. According to the LDL-C criteria of the Japan Atherosclerosis Society, LDL-C level was categorized into three subgroups: acceptable, < 110 mg/dL; borderline, 110-139 mg/dL; and high, ≥ 140 mg/dL. Children with either borderline or high LDL-C level were considered to have high-normal LDL-C (HLDL-C).ResultsData from a total of 5869 subjects were analyzed. A higher BMI category was associated with a higher prevalence of HLDL-C regardless of sex or grade level (P < 0.05). When compared with the <50th percentile BMI category, the odds ratio (OR) for HLDL-C was statistically significant in the 75th to 84th percentile category of fourth-grade boys (OR: 1.95, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.28-2.97), the 85th to 94th percentile of fourth-grade girls (2.52, 1.74-3.64), and the 85th to 94th percentile of seventh-grade boys (2.04, 1.31-3.20) and girls (1.90, 1.24-2.91).ConclusionA statistically significant association between LDL-C levels and BMI was observed in Japanese school children.

Continuous glucose monitoring with Humalog Mix 25 versus Humalog Mix 50, twice daily: a comparative pilot study -results from the Jikei-EValuation of insulin Lispro mixture on pharmacodynamics and glycemic VariancE (J-EVOLVE) study.

ObjectiveTo evaluate glycemic variability associated with two different premixed insulin analogue formulations when used in a twice-daily regimen.Patients and MethodsSubjects comprised type 2 diabetic patients aged 20-79 years, treated with twice daily premixed insulin or insulin analogue formulations. All subjects were hospitalized for 6 days and randomized to receive either Humalog Mix 25 (Mix 25) or Humalog Mix 50 (Mix 50). They were then crossed over to the other arm between day 3 and day 4 of the study. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed on all subjects to examine the differences in glycemic variability.ResultsEleven type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled. No significant difference was found in 24-hour mean glucose values and their SDs, pre-meal glucose values, increases from pre-meal to peak glucose values, or time to peak glucose levels between either group. However, the mean glucose values observed during 0-8 hrs were significantly lower with Mix 25 compared to Mix 50 (128 vs. 147 mg/dL; p = 0.024).ConclusionsThe twice-daily Mix 25 regimen provided superior overnight glycemic control compared to the Mix 50 regimen in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. However, both twice-daily regimens with either Mix 25 or Mix 50 provided inadequate post-lunch glycemic control.Trial RegistrationCurrent Controlled Trials UMIN000001327

Blindness and laser photocoagulation in patients with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in Japan

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate trends in the incidence of blindness and the association with laser photocoagulation in patients with type 1 diabetes in Japan. Methods: Patients diagnosed between 1965 and 1979 aged under 18 years old were studied. The status of blindness and laser photocoagulation was identified as of 1 January 1995. To examine the time trend, we divided the cohort into two groups: 285 patients diagnosed between 1965 and 1969 (65–69 cohort) and 769 patients diagnosed between 1975 and 1979 (75–79 cohort). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the demographic characteristics. Results: Blindness developed in 60 subjects in the 65–69 cohort and 15 subjects in the 75–79 cohort. The incidence of blindness in the 75–79 cohort was significantly lower than that in the 65–69 cohort (p<0.0001). In spite of no change in the use of laser photocoagulation in the 75–79 cohort compared with the 65–69 cohort, the hazard ratio for the blindness in those who received laser photocoagulation in the 75–79 cohort decreased significantly to 0.55 (p<0.01) compared with those in the 65–69 cohort when adjusted for the age of onset, sex, and time of diagnosis. Conclusion: The incidence of blindness decreased significantly for the subjects diagnosed more recently. The change in quality and the earlier introduction of laser photocoagulation might have contributed to the decreased incidence of blindness observed over time.

The impact of eating quickly on anthropometric variables among schoolgirls: a prospective cohort study in Japan

BACKGROUND Because most studies about the relationship between eating quickly and overweight/obesity have been cross-sectional, it is necessary to investigate prospectively the influence of eating quickly on anthropometric variables in order to examine the causal relationship. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of eating quickly on anthropometric variables among schoolgirls in a prospective cohort study. METHODS We investigated 427 non-overweight/obese schoolgirls from fourth grade (aged 9 or 10 years) in Ina-town, Japan from 2004 to 2006. Physical examinations and a questionnaire survey were conducted in fourth grade and 3 years later (in seventh grade). Height, weight, percent body fat (%BF) and waist circumference (WC) were measured in physical examinations, and information on eating speed was collected in a questionnaire survey. RESULTS The differences in anthropometric variables (body mass index, %BF, WC and waist-to-height ratio) between fourth and seventh grade were significantly greater in girls who continued to eat quickly from fourth to seventh grade than in those who did not continue to eat quickly during this 3-year period. In contrast, these differences were not statistically significant in girls who ate quickly in fourth grade but not in seventh grade compared with those who did not continue to eat quickly during the 3-year period. CONCLUSION Eating quickly was associated with excess gains in anthropometric variables. The present study also suggested that stopping a habit of eating quickly prevents these excess gains in non-overweight/obese girls, which could contribute to the prevention of childhood overweight and obesity.