Mélissa Labonté

Relationship between sarcopenia and fracture risks in obese postmenopausal women.

ABSTRACT It is known that obesity is inversely correlated with fracture risk. It remains unclear if a low muscle mass (sarcopenia) modulates the relationship between obesity and bone mass density. Twenty-seven obese women were matched for total fat mass (± 0.5 kg) and age (± 4 yrs) and divided in 3 equal groups: class II sarcopenic, class I sarcopenic, and nonsarcopenic. Body composition (DXA) and dietary intake were measured. Our results suggest that obesity may offer some protection against osteoporosis, even in sarcopenic postmenopausal women. However, further studies are needed to examine the actual implication of these results on a clinical standpoint.

Effect of Resistance Training on Hematological Blood Markers in Older Men and Women: A Pilot Study

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of resistance training on hematological blood markers in older individuals. Twenty-nine men and women participated to this study. Subjects were randomized in 2 groups: (1) control (n = 13) and (2) resistance training (n = 16). At baseline and after the intervention, subjects were submitted to a blood sample to determine their hematological profile (red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red cell distribution width). At baseline, no difference was observed between groups. Moreover, we found no significant difference after the intervention on any of these markers. A 6-month resistance program in healthy older individuals seems to have no beneficial nor deleterious effects on hematological blood parameters. However, resistance training was well tolerated and should be recommended for other health purposes. Further studies are needed to confirm these results in a large population.

Dietitian-coached management in combination with annual endocrinologist follow up improves global metabolic and cardiovascular health in diabetic participants after 24 months.

This 24 month study evaluated the effect of dietitian coaching combined with minimal endocrinologist follow up on the glycemic control and cardiovascular risks of diabetic participants, compared with conventional endocrinologist follow up. Participants with type 1 or type 2 diabetes were assigned to either the control group with conventional endocrinologist follow up (C; n = 50) or the dietitian-coached group (DC; n = 51) with on-site diabetes self-management education every 3 months combined with annual endocrinologist followup. Over the 24 month intervention, weight (-0.7 vs. +2.1 kg; p = 0.04), BMI (+0.3 vs. +0.7 kg/m(2); p = 0.009), and waist circumference (-1.3 vs. +2.4 cm; p = 0.01) significantly differed between the DC and control groups. HbA(1C) dropped significantly in participants of the DC versus the control group (-0.6% vs.-0.3%; p = 0.04). This was accompanied by improved overall energy intake (-548 vs. -74 kcal/day; p = 0.04). However, no link associated glycemic control to nutrient intake or intensiveness of pharmacotherapy. Coaching by a dietitian improves glycemic control and reduces certain cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic subjects, demonstrating that a joint dietitian-endocrinologist model of care provides a convenient strategy for cardiovascular risk management in the diabetic population.

Effects of resistance training combined with antioxidant supplementation on fat-free mass and insulin sensitivity in healthy elderly subjects

The aim of this study was to verify the effect of resistance training and antioxidant supplementation on fat-free mass (FFM) and insulin sensitivity (IS). The results demonstrate that 6 months of resistance training combined with antioxidant supplementation significantly increased FFM without concomitant significant improvement in IS in older adults.

EFFECTS OF ANTIOXIDANT SUPPLEMENTS COMBINED WITH RESISTANCE EXERCISE ON GAINS IN FAT‐FREE MASS IN HEALTHY ELDERLY SUBJECTS: A PILOT STUDY

Conflict of Interest: The editor in chief has reviewed the conflict of interest checklist provided by the authors and has determined that the authors have no financial or any other kind of personal conflicts with this letter. Author Contributions: Marc-Alexander Ohlow: concept and design, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting of the letter, final approval of the version to be published. Maria-Anna Secknus, Hubertus von Korn, Andreas Wagner, Jiangtao Yu, and Bernward Lauer: analysis and interpretation of data, revising of the letter, final approval of the version to be published. Sponsor’s Role: None.

Adoption of American Heart Association 2020 Ideal Healthy Diet Recommendations Prevents Weight Gain in Young Adults

In 2010, the American Heart Association established the concept of ideal cardiovascular health. Nationally representative data estimated that <1% of Americans meet the seven health metrics required for achieving ideal cardiovascular health, with the main challenge residing in meeting the criteria for an ideal Healthy Diet Score. In a cohort of young adults (N=196), we aimed to investigate the prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health and ideal Healthy Diet Score and its association to weight gain over a 4-year follow-up period. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and blood samples were taken according to standardized procedures. Dietary intake was measured by a 3-day food diary and verified by a registered dietitian. We observed that only 0.5% of our sample met the criteria for ideal cardiovascular health and only 4.1% met the criteria for an ideal Healthy Diet Score. The components of the Healthy Diet Score with the lowest observance were consumption of fruits and vegetables (9.7%) and whole grains (14.8%). Meeting zero or one out of five of the Healthy Diet Score components was associated with increased risk of weight gain over 4 years compared with meeting at least two components (P=0.03). With the exception of dietary criteria, prevalence was high for achieving ideal levels of the remaining six cardiovascular health metrics. In conclusion, in this sample of young adults, a very low prevalence of ideal overall cardiovascular health was observed, mainly driven by poor dietary habits, and a poor Healthy Diet Score was associated with increased weight gain.

Correlation between the rate of weight loss and changes in body composition in obese postmenopausal women after 5 weeks: a pilot study.

Approximately 25% of weight lost during restrictive diets (without exercise) is lean body mass (LBM). No study has yet investigated the impact of the rate of weight loss (RWL) on LBM and fat mass (FM). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between the RWL and body composition in older obese women. Twenty obese postmenopausal women aged between 51 and 74 years enrolled in a 5 week dietary weight loss intervention. Subjects were characterized according to their RWL (low RWL < 0.74 kg.week(-1) (n = 9) vs. high RWL > or = 0.74 kg.week(-1) (n = 11)). Total and trunk FM and LBM (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) were measured before and after weight loss. A significant correlation was observed between the RWL (kg.week(-1)) and changes in LBM (kg.week(-1)) (r = 0.75; p = 0.0002). However, no association was observed with changes in FM (kg.week(-1)) (r = 0.40; p = 0.08). Both groups showed a similar decrease in FM (low RWL, -2.7 +/- 0.9 kg,; high RWL, -3.2 +/- 0.8 kg; p = 0.38), whereas losses in LBM were significantly higher in the high RWL than in the low RWL group (-1.6 +/- 1.2 kg vs. -0.4 +/- 1.1 kg; p = 0.05). An RWL > 0.74 kg.week(-1) was associated with a greater loss of LBM, but had no extra benefits on FM after a 5 week weight loss program. Current guidelines, which recommend RWL up to 0.91 kg.week(-1), might not be optimal to prevent decreases in LBM in postmenopausal women when no exercise is added.

Fat mass threshold associated with a significant deterioration of insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal women.

The aim of this study was to establish a cut-off value of percentage of fat mass (%FM) at which insulin sensitivity (IS) is significantly altered in sedentary postmenopausal women. Our results suggest that maintaining a %FM below 41% would minimize the deterioration of IS and its associated risks.