Magda Antal

Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity on the basis of body mass index and body fat percentage in Hungarian schoolchildren: representative survey in metropolitan elementary schools.

Backgrounds/Aims: The incidence of obesity is increasing dramatically not only among adults, but also in children. The purpose of the survey was to assess the age- and gender-specific anthropometric data of children between the ages of 7 and 14 years who attended elementary schools in Budapest. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 2005. Altogether 1,928 students (1,002 boys and 926 girls) were recruited from the schools. The representative sampling sites were selected randomly. Height and waist circumference were measured, other data were analyzed by an 8-polar bioelectrical impedance procedure. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 11 for windows. Results: On the basis of body mass index (BMI), prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity were 5.1, 18.1 and 7.4% for boys and 6.8, 19.6 and 6.3% for girls, respectively. On the basis of body fat percentage (%BF), prevalence of obesity was 17.9% for boys and 12.8% for girls. Forty nine percent of boys and 28% of girls categorized as overweight by BMI were obese according to their %BF. The difference in waist circumference between individuals categorized by BMI as normal and obese was 24.7 cm for boys and 20.5 cm for girls. Between those categorized as non-obese and obese by %BF, the difference was 17.3 cm for boys and 16.4 cm for girls. Normal and overweight boys and girls with high %BF had significantly higher waist circumferences than their counterparts with normal %BF. This means that many obese children may escape detection as obese, if classified as overweight on the basis of BMI alone. Conclusion: Results appear to underline that in addition to BMI, the determination of the %BF and waist circumference is important in epidemiological studies to identify obese subjects.

Dietary Habits of School Children: Representative Survey in Metropolitan Elementary Schools – Part Two

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the eating habits and the nutrient intake of 11- to 14-year-old school children as part of a representative nutrition and health survey in primary schools in Budapest. Methods: A food frequency questionnaire of 875 school children, aged from 11 to 14 (449 boys and 426 girls), was recorded and evaluated. Energy and nutrient intake of 235 children (124 boys and 111 girls) was calculated in parallel by 3-day dietary record. Results: The average energy intake (MJ) was appropriate (boys: 10.40 ± 1.89; girls: 9.18 ± 1.50); protein and fat intake was somewhat higher than the Hungarian recommended dietary allowances. Sodium intake was alarmingly high. The intake of calcium and vitamin D was inadequate. The intakes of zinc, chromium, retinol, folate for both genders, and iron in the case of girls were insufficient. The daily consumption of milk and dairy products was deficient, that of vegetables and fresh fruits was rather low, while the frequency of consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, chips, sticks and fast foods was high. Conclusions: Nutrition intervention programs should be launched among Hungarian school children.

Effects of Oligofructose Containing Diet in Obese Persons

UNLABELLED In the treatment of obesity the introduction of a low-calorie diet is a fundamental requirement. The enhancement of the fiber content of food causing satiety may contribute to the observation of dietary prescriptions. Oligofructoses belong to the group of dietary fibers. AIM To study the effects of the consumption of a low-energy diet (2,000 kcal/day) completed with Jerusalem artichoke concentrate in obese adolescents and adults. METHODS 12 obese students (6 boys and 6 girls) and 6 obese women were put on a low-calorie regimen for 12 weeks, whereas 16 obese students (10 boys and 6 girls) and 17 obese women consumed the same low-calorie diet completed with Jerusalem artichoke concentrate containing 14 g/day oligofructose. Sensation of fullness was estimated. In addition to anthropometric parameters serum biomarkers of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and adipokines were determined. RESULTS The consumption of the low-calorie diet completed with Jerusalem artichoke concentrate resulted in a diminished sensation of hunger. Body mass index and body fat percentage decreased significantly. In girls and women, the serum levels of triglycerides were also significantly reduced and the rate of insulin resistance estimated on the basis of homeostasis model assessment was also improved. CONCLUSIONS The results of this pilot study appear to demonstrate that the Jerusalem artichoke concentrate produced by a new technology can be a promising component of future diet therapy.

Nutritional Solutions to Reduce Risks of Negative Health Impacts of Air Pollution

Air pollution worldwide has been associated with cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality, particularly in urban settings with elevated concentrations of primary pollutants. Air pollution is a very complex mixture of primary and secondary gases and particles, and its potential to cause harm can depend on multiple factors—including physical and chemical characteristics of pollutants, which varies with fine-scale location (e.g., by proximity to local emission sources)—as well as local meteorology, topography, and population susceptibility. It has been hypothesized that the intake of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients may ameliorate various respiratory and cardiovascular effects of air pollution through reductions in oxidative stress and inflammation. To date, several studies have suggested that some harmful effects of air pollution may be modified by intake of essential micronutrients (such as B vitamins, and vitamins C, D, and E) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Here, we review the existing literature related to the potential for nutrition to modify the health impacts of air pollution, and offer a framework for examining these interactions.

Lifestyle of School Children: Representative Survey in Metropolitan Elementary Schools – Part One

Background/Aims: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children is increasing dramatically. Obesity is multifactorial and depends on lifestyle as well as genetic components. The purpose of the survey was to investigate the lifestyle of 7- to 14-year-old children attending elementary schools in Budapest. Methods: The research was questionnaire-based. Children were asked to answer questions about their leisure activities, physical exercise, nutritional, eating, and smoking habits. Results: Many children live a sedentary life and are dissatisfied with their body weight. One in 5 boys and 1 in 3 girls have been on a slimming diet at least once. About two-thirds of the children regularly consumed vitamin and/or mineral supplements and at the same time just over half of them knew how much fruit should be eaten daily. School children in the upper classes did not eat 5 times a day. More than 5% of the 11- to 14-year-old boys and more than 10% of the girls smoked regularly.Conclusions: According to our results, the unfavorable lifestyle of the great majority of Hungarian school children may have implications for their health during adulthood.

Lifestyle of Hungarian Adolescents – Observations among Metropolitan Secondary School Students

Background/Aims: Obesity among adolescents is a significant and global disease which requires early prevention. The development of overweight and obesity depends not only on genetic components but also on lifestyle. The objective of the survey was to study the lifestyle of 15- to 19-year-old secondary school students in Budapest. Methods: Students (n = 1,273, 670 boys, 603 girls) were asked to complete questionnaires about their leisure activities, physical exercise, eating habits and knowledge of nutrition. The response rate was 45.2%. Results: Three-quarters of the secondary school students lived a sedentary life and more than half were dissatisfied with their body weight. More than 40% of the girls had been on a slimming diet at least once. Half of the students regularly consumed vitamin and/or mineral supplements. Nearly 25% of the adolescents did not have breakfast and nearly 60% of the school-leavers smoked regularly. Conclusions: Coordinated cooperation is necessary among stakeholders to support the aim of changing nutritional and exercise behavior of adolescents.

Colorectalis tumorban szenvedô betegek tápláltsági állapota és antioxidáns-státusza

Az oxidativ stressz a colorectalis carcinogenesis egyik rizikofaktora. A gyulladasos reakciokban aktivalodnak a leukocytak, szabad gyokoket termelve mutagen es mitogen hatast kifejtve elősegitik a tumorkepződest. Az elhizas, a hyperlipidaemia es a hyperinzulinaemia noveli az epithelialis sejtek energiamennyiseget, ez pedig gatolhatja a mitochondrialis elektrontranszportlanc folyamatos műkodeset. Az utobbi kovetkezmenye a fokozott szabadgyok-kepződes, ami a sejtciklus szabalyozasi zavarahoz, mutaciokhoz es a karosodott sejtek kontrollalatlan szaporodasahoz vezethet. Celkitűzes: Malignus es benignus colorectalis tumorokban szenvedő betegek taplaltsagi allapotanak es antioxidans-statuszuk nehany parameterenek a vizsgalata. Modszerek: Tapanyagbevitel szamitasa, antropometriai meresek (testmagassag, testtomeg, derek-, csipő-, felkarkorfogat, testtomegindex, derek-csipő hanyados), szerumprealbumin-meghatarozas, antioxidans-statusz biomarkereinek vizsgalata (szuperoxid-dizmutaz-, glutation-peroxidaz aktivitas, h...

Association between birth weight and childhood obesity in a Budapest metropolitan survey

INTRODUCTION According to epidemiological investigations, association between birth weight and overweight and obesity in childhood/adolescence is ambiguous. AIM The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between birth weight and overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence. METHODS Birth and actual anthropometric data of school children and secondary school students from metropolitan schools were analyzed. Overweight/obesity were established by standardized (sex, age) body mass index, and obesity also by body fat percent. RESULTS Data of 1,334, 7- to 19-year-old children and adolescents (725 boys and 609 girls) were evaluated. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was similar in the case of persons with low (19.36%) and normal birth weight (18.96%), while in the case of persons with high birth weight this rate was 25.98%. Based on body fat percent, the prevalence of obesity in the latter group was also higher than in groups with low and normal birth weight (18.11% vs. 12.89% and 12.66%). CONCLUSIONS Among macrosomic babies the rate of overweight and obesity is higher than among normal or low-birth-weight babies, particularly in childhood.

Is there a unique measuring method to assess obesity

UNLABELLED In the literature there is not available a uniformly accepted method for assessing the degree of obesity. AIM To determine how far insulin resistance, serum levels of leptin and resistin are altered in persons categorized on the basis of body-mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and abdominal circumference. METHODS 101 volunteer boys and 115 girls participated in the studies. Body height was measured, body mass, abdominal circumference, and body composition were determined by InBody3 bioimpedance instrument. Body mass index and body fat percentage were calculated by the instrument. Concentrations of serum glucose, insulin, leptin, and resistin were determined. Insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostasis model: HOMA IR . RESULTS Body fat percentage, serum levels of leptin and resistin were significantly higher in girls than in boys. Increases in BMI, body fat percentage, and abdominal circumference were associated with the significant elevation of both HOMA IR and serum leptin concentrations. In overweight boys categorized by body fat percentage as obese the serum leptin concentrations were significantly higher than in their non-obese counterparts. CONCLUSION Determination of body composition would be important concerning the follow-up of biochemical changes occurring in the body during the course of both epidemiological studies and nutritional interventions.

A születési testtömeg és a gyermekkori elhízás kapcsolata egy fovárosi felmérés alapján

INTRODUCTION According to epidemiological investigations, association between birth weight and overweight and obesity in childhood/adolescence is ambiguous. AIM The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between birth weight and overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence. METHODS Birth and actual anthropometric data of school children and secondary school students from metropolitan schools were analyzed. Overweight/obesity were established by standardized (sex, age) body mass index, and obesity also by body fat percent. RESULTS Data of 1,334, 7- to 19-year-old children and adolescents (725 boys and 609 girls) were evaluated. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was similar in the case of persons with low (19.36%) and normal birth weight (18.96%), while in the case of persons with high birth weight this rate was 25.98%. Based on body fat percent, the prevalence of obesity in the latter group was also higher than in groups with low and normal birth weight (18.11% vs. 12.89% and 12.66%). CONCLUSIONS Among macrosomic babies the rate of overweight and obesity is higher than among normal or low-birth-weight babies, particularly in childhood.