Stefania Toselli

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults from North Africa.

The share of North African immigrants in Europe is growing continuously. In this review, we aimed to systematically analyse and describe the literature on weight status and physical activity in North African adults, both in their home country and after immigration to Europe. Existing data on North African residents and on North African immigrants in Europe were analysed by a systematic search on PUBMED. There is a wide variation among countries in the prevalence of overweight/obesity, with immigrants showing higher values. The overall results revealed a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity in females than in males in North African residents. Females also show higher levels of obesity among immigrants. In particular, literature reports indicate that 1.3-47.8% of North African residents and 3.6-49.4% of North African immigrants in adult age are overweight or obese. Physical inactivity is higher than 20% in males and 40% in females in North African residents. The highest frequency of physically inactive or lightly active people among immigrants was observed in first-generation Sudanese and Moroccans in Amsterdam (males: 57.1%; females: 74.2%), with increasing rates in second-generation females. The results underline a higher health risk in North African immigrants than in residents. Specific public health strategies should be adopted in various populations of North African origin to control the obesity epidemic.

Influence of various factors on the measurement of multifrequency bioimpedance

Body impedance values at various frequencies (from 1 to 100 kHz) were determined in 104 subjects on seven separate days over a two-week period. The variability of body impedance in different measurement conditions was studied. In particular, the effects of the electrode locations, the ingestion of some substances (sugar, alcohol, mineral salts), body spatial geometry, the time spent in the supine position and the menstrual cycle were assessed. Under standardized conditions (in the morning, in the fasting state, with an empty bladder and with the body in a standardised spatial position), the within-subject day-to-day variability was 3-14 Ohms. Under different experimental conditions, the within-subject variability was generally much higher. This was particularly evident for female subjects. We observed significant mean variations in relation to the different experimental factors introduced one at a time, with the exception of the menstrual cycle. For example, half an hour after the intake of various substances, body impedance had generally increased by 6-17 Ohms in comparison with values in the fasting state. Changes in body impedance during the menstrual cycle, however, were small and never statistically significant. The impedance variations obviously caused significant changes in estimated parameters of body composition. It is concluded that controlled conditions and standardization of multifrequency bioimpedance analysis (MBIA) methods are indispensable for the application of this technique.

Estimation of body composition from bioelectrical impedance of body segments

This study provides values of anthropometric measurements and specific impedance, for a sample of 104 adults. The hypothesis that the body composition can be estimated more accurately from measurements of lengths and impedance values of the body segments than from the whole body was tested. The impedance of upper and lower extremities (arm and leg) and trunk were used to compute estimates of body composition parameters (FFM, FM, %F, TBW, ECW). The results were compared with those estimated by the impedance of the whole body. These comparisons demonstrated that significative differences resulted from body composition obtained by segmental impedance and by the whole body.

Psychosocial health among immigrants in central and southern Europe.

Migration exposes people to a number of risks that threaten their health, including those related to psychosocial health. Self-perceived health is usually the main indicator used to assess psychosocial health. Electronic databases were used to examine the literature on the psychosocial health of immigrants in Europe and of North Africans living in their own countries. Immigrants of various ethnic groups show a similar risk of psychosocial disorders but generally present a higher risk than the local population. This risk is related to gender (being higher in women), poor socio-economic status and acculturation, discrimination, time elapsed since migration and age on arrival in the new country. Although the stressors and situations the different ethnic groups experience in the host country may be shared, the way they deal with them may differ according to cultural factors. There is a need to collect detailed data on psychosocial health among the various immigrant groups in Europe, as well as to monitor this aspect in North African residents who lack access to specific services.

Body composition in Central Asia populations: Fat patterning variation in the Kazakhs of the Tien Shan mountains and the Uighurs of Semericia

Eleven anthropometric variables related to fat patterning were analyzed in two populations of Central Asia, the Kazakhs of the Tien Shan mountains (2100 m) and the Uighurs of the Semericia plains. Subjects were healthy unrelated males, 122 Kazakhs and 79 Uighurs, 19–65 years. Comparisons were done with a preliminary analysis of variance and then by covariance analysis, taking into account the influence of age. The Uighurs, independently of age, show higher values than Kazakhs for all of the characteristics related to fat patterning, but principal components analysis suggests a similar somatic structure in the two samples. The presence of lower adiposity in the Kazakhs than in the Uighurs could be related to stress, probably associated with nutrition and lifestyle in a mountain environment. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 10:241–247, 1998.

Growth of Chinese Italian infants in the first 2 years of life.

Background: Numerous studies have been carried out on the growth of human migrant populations. However, studies on the auxological pattern of Chinese migrant population are limited in Italy. Aims: In this paper we examine the growth pattern from birth to 24 months and the body composition of Chinese infants born and living in Bologna (north Italy). Subjects and methods: A longitudinal study was conducted recruiting 224 healthy Chinese children. The anthropometric measurements were collected when the children were immunized. Body mass index (BMI), Arm Muscle Area and Arm Fat Area were calculated. Results: The growth of Chinese Italian children is adequate, being within the normal limits according to the NCHS reference standard. In comparison with Chinese children living in China and abroad, their body length is greater. Comparisons with growth curves for Italian children (Emilia-Romagna) show that weight and length values are higher in Chinese children than in Italians until 12 months, and comparable thereafter. The weight and length growth velocities are similar to those reported for Italian children. Conclusion: As a whole, the results of the present study support the hypothesis that Chinese children born and living in Italy grow in an appropriate environment to achieve their growth potential.

Is elbow breadth a measure of frame size in non-Caucasian populations? A study in low- and high-altitude Central-Asia populations.

UNLABELLED The concept of frame size has not undergone a thorough evaluation in non-Caucasian populations. Using data from the Central Asia High Altitude Population (CAHAP) study, we tested whether: (1) the relationship between frame size and body composition is different in high-, medium- and low-altitude populations; (2) elbow breadth is a better index of frame size than biacromial and biiliac breadth; and (3) measures of frame size are associated with blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides. A number of 334 male subjects aged 33 +/- 10 years (mean +/- standard deviation) were selected from the CAHAP population (n = 384) on the basis of the availability of breadth measurements. The subjects were 85 high-altitude Kirghizs, 105 medium-altitude Kazakhs, 79 low-altitude Kirghizs and 65 low-altitude Uighurs. A detailed anthropometric evaluation and blood pressure, cholesterol and trygliceride measurements were performed on all individuals. Among breadths, elbow had the lowest correlation with arm fat area, thigh fat area, calf fat area and the sum of trunk skinfolds (r < or = 0.196, P < 0.01). Even if elbow breadth did not have the highest correlation with muscularity indexes, its constantly lower association with adiposity indexes shows that it is a better measure of frame size than biacromial breadth and biiliac breadth. The relationship between frame size and body composition did not differ in high-, medium- and low-altitude subjects (P = not significant, analysis of co-variance). Only a weak association was present between breadths, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides (r < or = 0.230, P < 0.01) and it was not influenced by altitude (P = not significant, analysis of co-variance). Elbow breadth was significantly correlated only with diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.121, P < 0.05). IN CONCLUSION (1) the relationship between frame size and body composition is similar in high- and low-altitude populations; (2) elbow breadth is an index of frame size independent of altitude; and (3) elbow breadth is correlated with diastolic blood pressure, but this correlation is of doubtful biological relevance.

Changes in Phase Angle and Handgrip Strength Induced by Suspension training in Older Women

This study aimed to present a suspension exercise training program suitable for older adults and to verify the effect of 12 weeks of training on handgrip strength (HS) and anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance parameters in older adults. Thirty older women (age 66.1±4.7 years, BMI 30.6±5.3 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a training group (TG, n=15) or a control group (CG, n=15). The TG participated in a 12-week suspension training program, while the CG maintained their normal physical activity habits for the duration of the study. Anthropometric, bioelectrical impedance and strength parameters were evaluated before and after the intervention period. There was a significant group by time interaction (p<0.05) for triceps, biceps, subscapular skinfold, percentage of fat mass, phase angle (PhA), resistance, reactance, specific resistance, specific reactance and HS, with significant improvements in the TG after the intervention period (p<0.05) even after adjusting for age and BMI. The results suggest that suspension training promotes increases in PhA and HS in older women.

Ethnic differences in body image perception in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND The present study compared the prevalence of obesity, fat distribution, body image perception and lifestyle among diabetic African and Albanian immigrants living in Italy, as well as diabetic Italians, aiming to identify health risks and their possible causes. METHODS The study sample consisted of 200 diabetic subjects living in Italy. A questionnaire regarding socio-demographic and lifestyle information was administered to participants, and anthropometric measurements and body image perception were assessed. Proper perception of weight status and the degree of dissatisfaction in body image perception were valued. RESULTS Italians showed a higher health risk, both with regard to anthropometric characteristics and lifestyle, whereas African immigrants showed a lower one. All of the male groups underestimated their weight and Albanians were the most dissatisfied. Women perceived their current body image as heavier than their desired body image, showing a dissatisfaction toward their weight. Subjects of both sexes belonging to the overweight and obese categories generally underestimated themselves; this was particularly true in obese Africans. People with a higher body mass index were more likely to be dissatisfied than those with a lower one. Body image dissatisfaction increased when people estimated themselves as being overweight. Among lifestyle habits, being an ex-smoker increased body image dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS The underestimation of weight detected in the present study requires attention. Nevertheless, the high percentage of overweight/obese people, coupled with the higher frequency of people dissatisfied with their high weight, suggests an awareness of the problem that could be more effective for weight loss.

Physiological responses to partial-body cryotherapy performed during a concurrent strength and endurance session

This investigation examined the effect of partial-body cryostimulation (PBC) performed in the recovery time between a strength training and an interval running (IR) session. Nine rugby players (age, 23.7 ± 3.6 years; body mass index, 28.0 ± 2.6 kg·m-2) were randomly exposed to 2 different conditions: (i) PBC: 3 min at -160 °C, and (ii) passive recovery at 21 °C. We performed the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and recorded temperature and cardiac autonomic variables at 3 time points: at baseline, after strength training, and after 90 min of recovery. In addition, blood lactate concentration was measured 1 min before and 2.5 min after the IR. Heart rate (HR), energy cost, minute ventilation, oxygen uptake, and metabolic power were assessed during the IR. Homeostatic hydration status was affected by the execution of an intense strength training subsession. Then, after PBC, the BIA vector was restored close to normohydration status. Autonomic variables changed over time in both conditions, although the mean differences and effect sizes were greater in the PBC condition. During IR, HR was 3.5% lower after PBC, and the same result was observed for oxygen uptake (∼4.9% lower) and ventilation (∼6.5% lower). The energy cost measured after cryotherapy was ∼9.0% lower than after passive recovery. Cryotherapy enhances recovery after a single strength training session, and during subsequent IR, it shows a reduction in cardiorespiratory and metabolic parameters. PBC may be useful for those athletes who compete or train more than once in the same day, to improve recovery between successive training sessions or competitions.