Edyta Suliga

Visceral adipose tissue in children and adolescents: a review.

Research conducted among adults has mainly shown that visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is strongly linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia, leading to increased risk of CVD or the metabolic syndrome. However, little is known about the aetiology, determinants and consequences of VAT in children. The present article reviews the current literature relating to the factors influencing visceral fat accumulation in children and adolescents. The literature used in the present study was collected by searching a PubMed database, in which studies up to 2008 exploring the factors influencing accumulation of visceral fat among children and youth were found on the basis of appropriate keywords. Further studies concerning different factors influencing deposition of VAT among children and youth should first of all concentrate on: carrying out long-term analyses among children of different ethnical groups, which should begin in the period of prepuberty and which should cover the whole period of puberty till adulthood; drawing up norms specifying the amount of VAT among healthy children; identification of anthropometric indicators which will help to determine the VAT:subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio in the most precise way; broader studies of the influence of eating habits on developing VAT deposit among children and youth.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in normal weight individuals

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and overweight in individuals with normal body weight is connected with higher exposure to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk and frequency of occurrence of metabolic syndrome and each of its components among individuals with normal weight. MATERIALS AND METHOD Data were obtained by structured interview, and by measurements of anthropometric factors and blood analyses among 13,172 individuals aged 37-66. The risk of occurrence of metabolic syndrome was analysed in tertiles within the normal range of BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m2 ). RESULTS Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 17.27% of individuals with normal weight. A significant increase in the risk of occurrence of metabolic syndrome in females was observed within the second (OR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.63-3.05) and the third (OR = 3.97; 95% CI: 2.97-5.36) tertiles of normal BMI values. In males, a significantly higher risk of occurrence of metabolic syndrome was noted only in the highest BMI tertile (OR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.26-3.83), compared to the reference level. CONCLUSIONS A high frequency of occurrence of metabolic syndrome risk factors was observed among individuals with BMI close to the upper cut-off point of the normal range. In order to early diagnose metabolically obese individuals with normal weight it is necessary to check the waist circumference when BMI ≥ 22.5 kg/m2 in females, and BMI ≥ 23.8 kg/m2 in males, where abnormal values should be a signal that further examinations should be performed to determine other risk factors of metabolic syndrome.

Coffee consumption and the occurrence and intensity of metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Abstract The objective of the study was to investigate associations between coffee consumption and the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in individuals with a normal BMI, as well in those who are overweight and obese. The analysis was based on the data of 10,367 participants. The studies included a questionnaire interview, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurements and analyses of collected fasting-blood samples. In the overweight and obese participants, lower coffee consumption, compared with higher consumption was correlated with a significantly higher risk of abdominal obesity, hypertension, an abnormal glucose concentration, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and MetS (p < .05). In the participants with a normal BMI, lower coffee consumption was related to the abdominal obesity, HDL cholesterol and MetS (p < .05). Individuals with a normal BMI may react slightly differently to nutritional factors modifying metabolism such as coffee, compared with those with excessive body mass.

Socioeconomic determinants of underweight and overweight in female Polish students in 2009.

THE AIM to determine whether socio-economic status has an effect on the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in young women. METHODS The sample included 1129 female students aged 20-24 years from the south of Poland. BMI was calculated from measured weight/height and SES was assessed based on information received from surveyed women. RESULTS 11.1% of the surveyed students were classified as underweight, 6.5 % as overweight and 0.5 % were obese. The risk of underweight increased together with the increasing level of parents education, it was also higher among women who prior to studying had lived in a town/city rather than in a village. In the case of a self-rated financial situation, a negative relationship was observed. For students who rated their situation as very good or good, the risk of underweight was lower than in students who evaluated their situation as average or below average. No significant relationship between the socioeconomic factors and the risk of overweight was found. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the prevalence of thinness was higher than the prevalence of overweight and obesity, especially in students from high status families.

Socio-economic differentiation of the growth and the dietary intake of Polish boys aged 7-16 years.

Background: The period of the constitutional transformation, apart from many advantages, has generated a number of serious problems that may affect the biological state of children and adolescents in Poland. Aim: The study documented socio-economic differentiation of growth and dietary intake of boys. Subjects and methods: The research involved 523 boys aged 7–16; 54.4% of subjects came from Kielce (a city with a population of over 200 000) and 45.6% came from rural areas – from a region underprivileged in terms of economic development, with a majority of its inhabitants living off the land. Height and weight measurements of the subjects were taken, which allowed for computation of BMI. Dietary intake was assessed using the interview method for 24 h dietary recall. A multifactor variance analysis for unequal numbers in subclasses was applied to estimate the influence of socio-economic factors such as place of residence, mothers education and number of children in the family on somatic traits and on nutrient intake. Results: Urban boys whose mothers had experienced higher education were characterized by the greatest height (p<0.000). The percentage of the investigated subjects with an excessive body mass was over twice as high among boys in families with one or two children (15.0%) than among boys in families with three or more children (6.1%), and twice as high among urban boys (14.1%) in comparison with rural boys (7.0%). No significant differences in the energy value of daily food intake in each social group were found. The diet of rural boys included a lower percentage of energy intake derived from protein (10.7%) than that of urban boys (12.4%). This percentage decreased together with the lowering level of mothers education. The greatest amount of minerals and vitamins was found in the diets of boys whose mothers had higher education and lived in a city. Conclusions: Diets of boys with the greatest body height were also characterized by a greater content of mineral components and vitamins, and a greater percentage of energy derived from protein. The relative body mass of the investigated subjects was probably more influenced by factors other than nutrition, i.e. mostly physical activity.

Factors Associated with Adiposity, Lipid Profile Disorders and the Metabolic Syndrome Occurrence in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women.

The aim of the study was the assessment of the dependencies between a woman’s menopausal status and adiposity, lipid profile and metabolic syndrome occurrence, as well as finding out whether the correlations between the socio-demographic profile and lifestyle elements and adiposity, lipid profile and the risk of MetS are the same before and after menopause. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 3636 women, aged between 40–59, which involved a questionnaire interview, anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples, on the basis of which the concentration of triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose was estimated. Before menopause, a greater adiposity (BMIβ = 0.08; %BFβ = 0.07; WCβ = 0.06) was characteristic for women living in a stable relationship than for single women. Women who smoked in the past were characterized by a higher BMI (β = 0.09) and WC (β = 0.06) in comparison with women who have never smoked, while after menopause a greater adiposity (%BFβ = 0.12) and a worse lipid profile (TCβ = 0.08; LDLβ = 0.07; HDLβ = -0.05; TGβ = 0.14) were present in women currently smoking, in comparison to women who have never smoked. After menopause, in women who had two or more children, a greater adiposity (BMIβ = 0.07 and 0.09; %BFβ = 0.05 and 0.07) and a higher risk of MetS (OR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.03–1.44) was observed compared to nulliparous women, than before menopause. In women with a higher level of education, the risk of MetS after menopause was significantly lower compared with women with a lower level of education (OR = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.61–0.90). Physical activity after menopause had a higher influence on the decrease in the women’s adiposity (BMIβ = -0.11 v. -0.06; %BFβ = -0.11 v. -0.06; WCβ = -0.14 v. -0.08), than before menopause. In women not undergoing hormone replacement therapy, some of the socio-demographic factors and lifestyle elements affected adiposity, lipid profile and the risk of MetS differently before and after menopause, which requires verification through long-term research.

Nutritional habits of female university students in relation to selfperception of body

Summary Study aim: To determine whether the self-assessment of body mass has an impact on the nutritional behaviour of young women. Material and methods: The material was gathered in cross-sectional research of 1129 female university students. The measurements of body height, body mass, and waist and hip circumference were taken. Each person completed a questionnaire concerned the nutritional habits, recreational physical activity, and self-perception of body mass. In this work, only the data of 925 students with BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 were included. Results: Of the participants, 2.8% of the students assessed their body mass as too low, 75.4% as correct, and 21.8% as too high. Students assessing their body mass as too low featured the lowest values of BMI and waist circumference, whereas those with a body mass assessment of too high featured the highest values of BMI. Those students with a body mass assessment as too high followed a diet and skipped meals far more frequently, consumed breads and sweets far less frequently, and drank more liquids daily than students who assessed their body mass as correct. No differences were found in the frequency of recreational physical activity in relation to self-perception of body mass. Conclusions: BMI values above population average, even if they fit within the norm, are regarded by the students as too high. The self-assessment of body mass as too high results in undertaking efforts aimed at reducing body mass.

Nutritional behaviours of pregnant women in rural and urban environments

INTRODUCTION Monitoring of the environmental differences in the mode of nutrition is especially important in pregnant women, for whom normal body weight gain is especially important for both the course of pregnancy and the normal development of the foetus, and is inseparably associated with rational nutrition. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was evaluation of the mode of nutrition of pregnant women according to the place of residence. MATERIALS AND METHODS The investigation comprised 704 women. Information was collected by means of an anonymous survey concerning place of residence, consumption of selected products and beverages, and taking folic acid and other vitamin and/or mineral dietary supplements. RESULTS In the urban environment, pregnant women more frequently consumed vegetables, milk and dairy products, sea fish and wholemeal cereal products, drank more liquids, as well as more fruit and/or vegetable juices, and more often used the supplementation with folic acid, even before becoming pregnant. No significant differences were found in the consumption of fruits, pulses, products which are the source of complete proteins, confectionery products and sweets, according to the place of residence. CONCLUSIONS The diet of pregnant women from the rural environment compared to that of women from urban areas, was characterized by worse quality. It is necessary to carry out health education in the area of adequate nutrition among pregnant women, and those who plan pregnancy, directed primarily to all women from the rural environment.

Dietary Patterns in Relation to Metabolic Syndrome among Adults in Poland: A Cross-Sectional Study

In several populations the associations between diet and the risk of metabolic syndrome have not been fully examined yet. The aim of the study is to identify the main dietary patterns among Polish adults and the evaluation of the relationships of these patterns with metabolic syndrome and its components. The study was conducted on a group of 7997 participants, aged between 37 and 66 years old. Dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation. Three dietary patterns were identified and designated as: “Healthy”, “Westernized” and “Traditional-carbohydrate”. In the adjusted model, a higher score in the “Westernized” pattern aligns with a higher risk of abnormal glucose concentration (ptrend = 0.000), but with a lower risk of abnormal High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol HDL-cholesterol concentration (ptrend = 0.024). Higher scores in the “Traditional-carbohydrate” pattern were connected with the risk of abdominal obesity (ptrend = 0.001) and increased triglycerides concentration (ptrend = 0.050). Our results suggest that adherence to the “Traditional-carbohydrate” dietary pattern, characterized by higher intakes of refined grains, potatoes, sugar and sweets is associated with a higher risk of abdominal obesity and triglyceridemia. A “Westernized” dietary pattern on the other hand, is related to hyperglycemia. The study results can be used for community-based health promotion and intervention programs to prevent or better manage chronic diseases.

The prevelance of metabolic syndrome on the sample of paramedics

Objectives The term metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to the coexistence of interlinked risk factors of metabolic origin, contributing to the development of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular diseases as well as type 2 diabetes and their cardiovascular complications. The aim of the study is the assessment of the prevalence of MetS among paramedics of the Świętokrzyskie Center of Emergency Medical Services, depending on the adopted diagnostic criteria. Material and Methods The study included 140 paramedics (2 women and 138 men), aged 23–60 years old (median = 43 years, average age = 41.5 years, standard deviation = 10.8 years). The age distribution of the subjects was significantly different from the normal distribution (p-value < 0.0001). The oldest age group (50 years old and above) was overrepresented by nearly a half compared to the youngest group (up to 29 years old). Metabolic syndrome was defined on the basis of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria from 2005 and IDF in agreement with the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) from 2009. Results According to the IDF/2005 criteria, in which the necessary condition is the diagnosis of central obesity, MetS was recorded in 26.4% of the subjects (37 people). This is statistically significantly less often than the IDF/AHA/NHLBI/2009 definition of p = 0.001 – 35%. The frequency of the MetS occurrence was statistically significantly related to the age of the subjects and the age groups. Conclusions The prevalence of the MetS in the subject group is evaluated to be significant. The prevalence of MetS is diversified by the applied diagnostic criteria with age being the factor increasing its frequency. The most common factor influencing the prevalence of MetS is blood pressure and waist circumference.