abstract: The transition to college has been identified as a vulnerable period for weight gain and the onset of obesity. Research has shown that the gut microbiota is different in obese compared to lean individuals, but a period of weight gain has never been studied in free-living individuals. The objective of this longitudinal, observational study was to assess the association between changes in the intestinal microbiota and weight-related outcomes in healthy college students living in on-campus dormitories at Arizona State University (n=39). Anthropometric measures and fecal samples were collected at the beginning and end of the school year, and microbial relative abundance for A. muciniphila, F. prausnitzii, R. gnavus, and L. acidophilus was measured through qPCR analyses. In this population, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) increased by 0.97 ± 1.28 kg/m2 and 2.64 ± 4.90 cm, respectively. Wilcoxon-Rank tests revealed that R. gnavus fold change was significantly different between groups of weight loss/maintenance and weight gain ≥ 5% body weight (0.14 [-0.21, 0.64], n=24 vs. -0.14 [-0.92, 0.05], n=15, respectively; p=0.028). Correlation analyses suggested a significant negative association between A. muciniphila fold change and both % WC change and % BMI change (r= -0.66; p<0.01 and r= -0.33; p=0.04, respectively). However, multivariate regression analysis controlling for sex and race/ethnicity showed a significant association between A. muciniphila and % WC change, but not % BMI change (R2= 0.53; p<0.01 and R2= 0.24; p=0.15). F. prausnitzii was not associated with weight-related outcomes in this sample. L. acidophilus was excluded from study analyses after subsequent qPCR trials revealed no amplification in participant samples. Overall, this was the first study to show a relationship between A. muciniphila fold change and weight-related outcomes over a period of weight gain. Specifically, A. muciniphila was strongly negatively associated with WC in this sample. Further research is needed to more accurately describe these associations and potential mechanisms associated with the shift in gut microbiota observed with weight gain. Findings from future research may be used to develop interventions for college students aiming to shift the gut microbiota to prevent weight gain. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Nutrition 2017

Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2017-02-01T13:58:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivo total.pdf: 2514916 bytes, checksum: 1ad2eb5217a9664b32373321435f47e6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-01T13:58:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivo total.pdf: 2514916 bytes, checksum: 1ad2eb5217a9664b32373321435f47e6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo - FAPESP / This study aimed to evaluate the predictive power of the conicity index as well as your cut points to changes in lipid profile in adolescents. It is a Cross-sectional study that evaluated 774 students of both genders, ages 10 to 14 years participating in the Longitudinal Study Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity, Eating Habits and Health of Adolescents (Study LONCAAFS) in Joao Pessoa, PB. anthropometric data were obtained (weight, height and waist circumference), demographic (gender and age) and performed blood collection after 12 hours of fasting for lipid profile. The conicity index was calculated according to the formula proposed by Valdez. ass were investigated following changes in lipid profile, considering indicative cutoffs abnormalities: total cholesterol (≥170mg / dL), LDL-C (≥130mg / dL), triglycerides (≥130mg / dL), HDL-C (<45 mg / dL). To analyze the predictive power of conicity index and its cutoff, was used to analyze the curves Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) with 95% confidence interval. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee. The prevalence of alterations in the lipid profile was 11.25% of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia 32% and 58.5% of hypoalphalipoproteinemia. Overall, the index THAT was a reasonable predictor of changes in the lipid profile of adolescents. The cutoff points of the C index were 1.16 and 1.14 for boys 10-11 years and 12-14 years, respectively. In girls aged 12-14 years, the C index was a good predictor only for the altered LDL-C, with the cutoff point for the C index of 1.14. For other lipid abnormalities, the C index was a reasonable predictor, with a cutoff point of 1.12 girls. The conicity index is a reasonable anthropometric indicator to predict changes in the lipid profile of adolescents. Thus, these values can be used for screening the population of adolescents and those with similar characteristics to changes in lipid profile. / O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o poder preditivo do índice de conicidade, assim como seus pontos corte, para alterações no perfil lipídico em adolescentes. Tratase de um estudo transversal que avaliou 774 escolares de ambos os sexos, com idades de 10 a 14 anos participantes do Estudo Longitudinal sobre Comportamento Sedentário, Atividade Física, Hábitos Alimentares e Saúde de Adolescentes (Estudo LONCAAFS) em João Pessoa, PB. Foram obtidos dados antropométricos (peso, estatura e circunferência da cintura), sociodemográficos (sexo e idade) e realizada coleta de sangue após 12 horas de jejum para análise do perfil lipídico. O índice de conicidade foi calculado de acordo com a fórmula preconizada por Valdez. Foram investigados ass seguintes alterações no perfil lipídico, considerando pontos de corte indicativos de anormalidades: colesterol total (≥170mg/dL), LDL-C (≥130mg/dL), triglicérides (≥130mg/dL), HDL-C (<45mg/dL). Para análise do poder preditivo do índice de conicidade e seus pontos de corte, foi utilizado a análise das curvas Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) com intervalo de confiança de 95%. Estudo aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética. A prevalência de alterações no perfil lipídico foi de 11,25% de hipertrigliceridemia, 32% de hipercolesterolemia e 58,5% de hipoalfalipoproteinemia. No geral, o índice C foi um preditor razoável para alterações no perfil lipídico de adolescentes. Os pontos de corte do índice C foram de 1,16 e 1,14 para meninos de 10 a 11 anos e 12 a 14 anos, respectivamente. Em meninas com idades de 12 a 14 anos, o índice C foi um bom preditor apenas para o LDL-c alterado, tendo como ponto de corte para o índice C de 1,14. Para as demais alterações lipídicas, o índice C foi um preditor razoável, com ponto de corte em meninas de 1,12. O índice C é um indicador antropométrico razoável para predizer alterações no perfil lipídico de adolescentes. Assim, esses valores podem ser utilizados para triagem da população de adolescentes e naquelas com características semelhantes para alterações no perfil lipídico.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-06T17:07:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ricardo.pdf: 703321 bytes, checksum: e4ca67aedb7b7416dab6797bc98af0a0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-10 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / INTRODUCTION: There are several factors that may limit predictive values cut to measure belly circumference (perimeter), endoscopy for analyzing cardiac-metabolic risk purposes. Among these ethnic groups, somatotype and age are said to be the most important. Thus, the cutoff points set at 102 cm for men and 88 cm for women are reported in several studies as inadequate. The option of having several ways of measuring waist circumference related to the population studied, by using cutoff points less standardized, seems to be a must. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze the existence of common numerical relationship between height and abdominal circumference (waist) in men with normal percentage of fat. METHODS: We selected from a database made of body composition analysis, 380 males, aged between 18 and 45 years. Of this population, 174 individuals were screened , aged between 18 and 25 years old, with normal range fat percentage , according to the scale of Pollock (1993), ie between 4% and 16% fat. For data processing, statistical program Excel, Microsoft included with the Software in 2007 was used, to find out the correlation between waist-height in percentages as well as fat percentage. RESULTS: In the sample of the population studied, there was a strongly positive correlation, r Pearson's of 0.768, with r2 of 0.589, the measure of waist circumference in relation to fat percentage and waist-height in percentage to a value consistent with this correlation, equivalent to 0.43. From this sample, the conclusion is that there is a percentage measure common for individuals with normal body fat percentage, and that the full action limit for the cutoff points for the waist-height is represented by the intervals between 0,43 and 0,50, which translated into the language of percentage would be between 43% and 50% of the stature of the individuals assessed, safeguarding the proper proportions of age and gender. / INTRODUÇÃO: Vários são os fatores que podem limitar valores preditivos de corte para medida da circunferência (perímetro) abdominal, para fins de análise de risco cardiometabólico. Dentre estes a etnia, a somatotipia e a faixa etária são citados como os mais importantes. Assim, pontos de cortes estabelecidos em 102 cm para homens e 88 cm para mulheres são apontados em diversos estudos como inadequado. A opção de se ter formas de medição da circunferência abdominal relacionadas com a população estudada, utilizando pontos de corte menos estandardizados, parece ser uma necessidade. OBJETIVOS: O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a existência de relação numérica comum entre a estatura e o perímetro (cintura) abdominal, em homens portadores de percentuais normais de gordura. METODOLOGIA: Foram selecionados de um banco de dados composto de análises de composição corporal, 380 sujeitos do sexo masculino, da faixa etária entre 18 e 45 anos. Desta população foram triados 174 indivíduos, da faixa etária entre 18 e 25 anos, possuidores de percentuais de gordura dentro da faixa de normalidade, de acordo com a tabela de Pollock (1993), ou seja, entre 4% e 16% de gordura. Para tratamento dos dados foi utilizado o programa estatístico do Excel, incluído no Software Microsoft 2007, que verificou as correlações existentes entre a relação cintura/estatura em percentual, e o percentual de gordura. RESULTADOS: Na amostra da população estudada houve correlação fortemente positiva, r de Pearson de 0,768, com r2 de 0,589, da medida do perímetro abdominal em relação ao percentual de gordura, e uma relação cintura/estatura em percentual com um valor compatível a esta correlação, equivalente a 0,43. A partir da amostra estudada, pode-se concluir que existe uma medida percentual comum para indivíduos portadores de percentual de gordura normal, e que a faixa limite de ação para os pontos de corte para a Razão Cintura-Estatura é representado pelo intevalo entre 0,43 e 0,50, que traduzido para a linguagem de percentual, seria entre 43% e 50% da estatura do indivíduo avaliado, guardando as devidas proporções de faixa etária e gênero.

Objetivo: Verificar o efeito em longo prazo do tratamento da apneia do sono com CPAP na circunferência da cintura em pacientes com apneia do sono. Métodos: Foram incluídos indivíduos com apneia do sono de ambos os sexos, idade superior a 18 anos, com indicação de uso de CPAP que aderiram ou não ao tratamento. Todos foram submetidos à polissonografia de noite inteira pelo método convencional em laboratório do sono afiliado a universidade entre 01/01/2007 e 01/06/2012. O grupo com CPAP realizou pelo menos três polissonografias. O grupo controle foi composto por pacientes que repetiram a polissonografia após pelo menos seis meses, que relataram não receber qualquer tipo de tratamento e que mantinham o IAH na segunda polissonografia. Resultados: No grupo CPAP foram incluídos 77 pacientes e no grupo controle, 43 pacientes. O tempo de acompanhamento foi respectivamente de 2,5 e 2,3 anos. Foi observada uma redução significativa na circunferência abdominal no grupo CPAP, comparando com controles através do teste t de Student (P= 0,024). O modelo logístico binário para prever redução da circunferência abdominal após o período de acompanhamento foi significativo (P <0,001), utilizando-se como regressores: uso do CPAP, sexo, idade> 45 anos, IMC≥ 30 kg/m2 e IAH≥ 30. O R2 de Nagelkerke foi de 0,36, indicando que essas variáveis explicam 36% da variação da redução da circunferência abdominal. Conclusão: O uso de CPAP se associa à redução da circunferência abdominal, independentemente de sexo, idade e índice de apneia-hipopneia basais, bem como da diferença de índice de massa corporal. Este achado justifica pesquisas futura sobre o papel da apneia do sono no volume de gordura visceral. / Objective: Verify the long term effect of sleep apnea treatment with CPAP on waist circumference in patients with sleep apnea. Methods: Individuals of both genders, older than 18 years that adhered to CPAP use or not were included. All underwent a full-night polysomnography by the conventional method in a university-affiliated sleep laboratory between 01/01/2007 to 01/06/2012. The group using CPAP underwent at least three polysomnographies. The control group consisted of patients with moderate to severe OSA who repeated a polysomnography after at least six months. Only individuals who reported not receiving any treatment and in which the AHI continued in the same OSA categories at the second polysomnography were included. Results: The CPAP group included 77 and the control group, 43 patients. Follow up time was, respectively, 2.5 and 2.3 years. A significant reduction in waist circumference was observed in the CPAP group, comparing with controls by Student’s t test (P= 0.024). The binary logistic model to predict decreased waist circumference after follow up period was significant (P<0.001), using as regressors: CPAP use, gender, age>45 years, BMI≥30 Kg/m2, and AHI≥30. The Nagelkerke R Square was 0.36, indicating that these variable explain 36% of the variance of waist circumference reduction. Conclusion: Long-term CPAP therapy is associated with a reduction in waist circumference, regardless of sex, age and basal apnea-hypopnea as well as the difference in body mass index.

Objetivo: Verificar o efeito em longo prazo do tratamento da apneia do sono com CPAP na circunferência da cintura em pacientes com apneia do sono. Métodos: Foram incluídos indivíduos com apneia do sono de ambos os sexos, idade superior a 18 anos, com indicação de uso de CPAP que aderiram ou não ao tratamento. Todos foram submetidos à polissonografia de noite inteira pelo método convencional em laboratório do sono afiliado a universidade entre 01/01/2007 e 01/06/2012. O grupo com CPAP realizou pelo menos três polissonografias. O grupo controle foi composto por pacientes que repetiram a polissonografia após pelo menos seis meses, que relataram não receber qualquer tipo de tratamento e que mantinham o IAH na segunda polissonografia. Resultados: No grupo CPAP foram incluídos 77 pacientes e no grupo controle, 43 pacientes. O tempo de acompanhamento foi respectivamente de 2,5 e 2,3 anos. Foi observada uma redução significativa na circunferência abdominal no grupo CPAP, comparando com controles através do teste t de Student (P= 0,024). O modelo logístico binário para prever redução da circunferência abdominal após o período de acompanhamento foi significativo (P <0,001), utilizando-se como regressores: uso do CPAP, sexo, idade> 45 anos, IMC≥ 30 kg/m2 e IAH≥ 30. O R2 de Nagelkerke foi de 0,36, indicando que essas variáveis explicam 36% da variação da redução da circunferência abdominal. Conclusão: O uso de CPAP se associa à redução da circunferência abdominal, independentemente de sexo, idade e índice de apneia-hipopneia basais, bem como da diferença de índice de massa corporal. Este achado justifica pesquisas futura sobre o papel da apneia do sono no volume de gordura visceral. / Objective: Verify the long term effect of sleep apnea treatment with CPAP on waist circumference in patients with sleep apnea. Methods: Individuals of both genders, older than 18 years that adhered to CPAP use or not were included. All underwent a full-night polysomnography by the conventional method in a university-affiliated sleep laboratory between 01/01/2007 to 01/06/2012. The group using CPAP underwent at least three polysomnographies. The control group consisted of patients with moderate to severe OSA who repeated a polysomnography after at least six months. Only individuals who reported not receiving any treatment and in which the AHI continued in the same OSA categories at the second polysomnography were included. Results: The CPAP group included 77 and the control group, 43 patients. Follow up time was, respectively, 2.5 and 2.3 years. A significant reduction in waist circumference was observed in the CPAP group, comparing with controls by Student’s t test (P= 0.024). The binary logistic model to predict decreased waist circumference after follow up period was significant (P<0.001), using as regressors: CPAP use, gender, age>45 years, BMI≥30 Kg/m2, and AHI≥30. The Nagelkerke R Square was 0.36, indicating that these variable explain 36% of the variance of waist circumference reduction. Conclusion: Long-term CPAP therapy is associated with a reduction in waist circumference, regardless of sex, age and basal apnea-hypopnea as well as the difference in body mass index.

The metabolic triad, characterized by fasting hyperinsulinemia, hiperapoliproteína B and high proportion of dense and small particles of LDL, can predict cardiovascular risk and is strongly correlated to the marker hypertriglyceridemic waist (HW). The HW defined as the simultaneous presence of increased waist circumference (WC) associated with high levels of triglycerides (TG), it has been presented as a screening marker for the characterization of individuals of this triad. Cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Hospital of the Nutrition Clinic at the Federal University of Sergipe, including women with overweight, hypertension and aged ≥ 18 years and excluding pregnant women and / or living with HIV, cancer and kidney diseases. Sampling was simple random and without replacement through the list of women treated at the clinic. The limiting points for the diagnosis of HW followed the criteria adopted by NCPET-ATP III (National Cholesterol Evaluation Program for Adult Treatment Panel III) for women: CC ≥88 cm and TG ≥ 150 mg / dL. The prevalence ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated. To identify factors associated with HW was used the logistic regression model. The significance level was 5%. The presence of HW was frequently seen in woman that smoked (PR: 1.74; p = 0.003) and for woman with higher Framingham scores (p < 0.001). These woman also presented age (p = 0.001) and biochemical parameters more elevated, such as glycemia (p = 0.001) and total cholesterol (p = 0.007) and HDL (p < 0.001). After multivariate regression analysis, the variables resulting from the final model were glycemia (p = 0.0242), total cholesterol (p = 0.0004), HDL (p = 0.0007), age (p =0.0324) and smoking habits (p = 0.0218). The factors associated significantly to the presence of hypertriglyceridemic waist in the samples studied were those considered of cardiometabolic risk: fasting hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia and low serum levels of HDL. Besides significant association of HW to Framingham score, age and smoking habits. / A tríade metabólica, caracterizada pela hiperinsulinemia de jejum, hiperapoliproteína B e alta proporção de partículas densas e pequenas do LDL, podem prever o risco cardiovascular e está fortemente correlacionada ao marcador cintura hipertrigliceridêmica (CHTG). A CHTG definida como a presença simultânea do aumento da circunferência da cintura (CC) associada a elevadas concentrações de triglicerídeos (TG), tem sido apresentada como um marcador de triagem na caracterização de indivíduos portadores dessa tríade. Esse estudo teve como objetivo identificar os fatores associados à presença da CHTG em mulheres hipertensas e com excesso de peso. Para tanto, foi realizado estudo transversal no Ambulatório de Nutrição do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Sergipe, incluindo mulheres com excesso de peso, hipertensas e com idade ≥ 18 anos e excluindo gestantes e/ou portadoras de HIV, câncer e nefropatias. A amostragem foi simples aleatória e sem reposição, através de listagem das mulheres atendidas no referido ambulatório. Os pontos de corte adotados para diagnóstico da CHTG seguiram os critérios adotados pelo NCPET-ATP III (National Cholesterol Evaluation Program for Adult Treatment Panel III) para o sexo feminino: CC ≥88 cm e TG ≥ 150 mg/dL. Foram estimadas as razões de prevalência (RP) e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95%. Para identificação dos fatores associados à CHTG foi utilizado o modelo de regressão logística. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Identificou-se que 43% da amostra apresentava CHTG. A presença da cintura hipertrigliceridêmica foi mais frequente entre as mulheres que fumavam (RP: 1,74; p = 0,003) e naquelas que apresentaram Escore de Risco de Framingham (ERF) mais elevado (p < 0,001). Essas mulheres também apresentaram idade (p = 0,001) e parâmetros bioquímicos mais elevados, como glicemia (p = 0,001) e colesterol total (p = 0,007) e HDL mais baixo (p < 0,001). Após análise de regressão multivariada, as variáveis resultantes no modelo final foram glicemia (p = 0,0242), colesterol total (p = 0,0004), HDL (p = 0,0007), idade (p = 0,0324) e hábito de fumar (p = 0,0218). Os fatores associados significativamente à presença da CHTG na amostra estudada foram àqueles considerados de risco cardiometabólico: hiperglicemia de jejum, hipercolesterolemia e baixos níveis séricos de HDL. Além de associação significativa da CHTG ao ERF, idade e hábito de fumar.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:29:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao mestrado Denise Macedo.pdf: 1343530 bytes, checksum: cb925207654f5ac7bd284cd975185480 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-05-07 / Physical exercise seems to reduce abdominal fat, however new researches comparing different kind of exercises are needed to define efficient training programs. The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of the aerobic training and the resistance training on abdominal fat loss. Participants were 31 overweight women (mean age 44,5 ± 8,6 years) with high level of abdominal fat that do not practice regular physical exercise. The training program of the aerobic group (AG), 19 women, consisted of walking and running while the resistance group (RG), 12 participants, consisted of weight lifting exercises. During 10 weeks, participants of both groups (AG and RG) were required to attend three sessions of physical exercise per week. Body weight, height, waist circumference (WC), seven skinfold thickness were assessed and body max index (BMI) and body composition were calculated at baseline and after the exercise intervention. Reduces in WC, total body fat (%BF) and abdominal skinfold thickness (AbST) were statistically significant (p < 0.01) in both groups, despite no significant changes in body weight and BMI. RG showed a higher reduction in %BF (AG = 2.3%; RG = 3.1%), WC (AG= 1.9%; RG = 2.5%) and AbST (AG = 6.6%; RG = 6.8%), however there were no significantly differences between the values of the two training groups. In conclusion, the results of the study demonstrate that 150 to 210 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or progressive resistance training produces abdominal fat and total body fat losses among overweight and obese women / O exercício físico parece promover diminuição da obesidade abdominal, entretanto, pesquisas comparativas com diferentes tipos e intensidades de treinamento são necessárias para se definir as prescrições mais eficientes. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito dos exercícios aeróbico e resistido sobre a gordura abdominal. A amostra incluiu 31 indivíduos do sexo feminino (44,5 ± 8,6 anos de idade) com excesso de peso, alto índice de gordura abdominal e não praticantes de exercício físico regular. O treinamento do grupo aeróbico (GA), 19 mulheres, incluiu caminhada e corrida e do grupo resistido (GR), 12 sujeitos, exercícios com pesos. Os grupos realizaram de 50 a 70 minutos de exercícios, três vezes por semana, durante 10 semanas. Mediuse peso, estatura, circunferência da cintura (CC), dobras cutâneas e calculouse o índice de massa corporal (IMC) e a composição corporal no pré e pós treinamento. Em ambos os grupos ocorreram diminuições significativas (p<0,01) na CC, no percentual total de gordura corporal (%GC) e dobra cutânea do abdome (DOCabd), entretanto o peso corporal e o IMC não alteraram significativamente. Apesar do GR apresentar maiores reduções no %GC (2,3% GA e 3,1% GR) e na gordura abdominal avaliada por meio da CC (1,9% GA e 2,5% GR) e da DOCabd (6,6% GA e 6,8% GR), não houve diferença estatística entre os valores. Concluiuse que tanto o exercício aeróbico como o resistido, realizados com intensidade moderada por 150 a 210 minutos semanais promovem ajustes positivos na composição corporal e diminuição da obesidade abdominal de mulheres com excesso de peso

Objectives: This thesis examines the risks among Canadian children and adolescents for developing cardio-metabolic diseases, extending evidence that is well-established for adults to pediatric populations. As well, novel indicators and cut-offs for the measurements of disease risks are proposed and associations between physical activity, weight status, socio-economic status and cardio-metabolic health are examined. Methodology: Secondary data analysis was conducted using data from three cycles of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), a nationally representative data set which includes measured anthropometric characteristics. A population health approach was applied throughout, underpinned by the World Health Organization’s Conceptual Framework for Action on the Social Determinants of Health. The thesis was designed such that a series of four manuscripts successively built on the key findings from each previous research paper: 1. Establishing the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and its risk factors for 10-18 year olds using the International Diabetes Federation child, adolescent and adult definitions. 2. Estimating pre-obesity epidemic waist circumference reference values for Canadian children 6-10 years using reference data from the 1981 Canada Fitness Survey, the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994), and the CHMS through regression of linear, logarithmic and quadratic functions. This work facilitated an expanded age range for the subsequent projects as age- and sex-specific cut-offs based on a Canadian population prior to the obesity epidemic had not been available. 3. Cardio-metabolic risk by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and a combined BMI-WC indicator quantified the associations between a dichotomous cardio-metabolic risk variable, and obesity, using three indicators of obesity including a novel indicator, for ages 6-18 years. 4. Association between cardio-metabolic risk and inflammation quantified the associations between inflammation, using high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker, and cardio-metabolic risk to determine if high CRP was a significant predictor of cardiometabolic risk among 6-18 year olds. Results: For Paper 1 (n=1228), only 2.1% were classified as having the Mets though 38% had at least 1 MetS risk factor. For Paper 2, logarithmic regression predicted WC cut-offs with the lowest degree of error. For Paper 3 (n=2678), 35% were classified as having cardio-metabolic risk with significantly higher levels among those classified as obese and/or having a low level of physical activity. All indicators of obesity had significant associations with cardio-metabolic risk. For Paper 4 (n=1831), 43.6% of children and 62.0% of adolescents with high CRP levels were classified as having cardio-metabolic risk, a significant relationship. Participants from households with moderate to high income and/or education had the lowest prevalence of MetS risk factors and abdominal obesity. Conclusions: High CRP is a useful indicator of cardio-metabolic risk for pediatric populations. With further research, novel combinations of BMI and WC may be shown to be more predictive for cardio-metabolic risk than these indicators individually. The substantial prevalence of multiple risk factors which predict premature onset of chronic disease foreshadows potential years of morbidity in adulthood for Canada’s youth population.

60 % of Canadians have suboptimal vitamin D (<75 nmol/L) and 25% are obese. Obesity has been reported to be a risk factor for low vitamin D, but there is uncertainty about the magnitude of the association. Linear regression was performed using data from the nationally representative cross-sectional Canadian Health Measures Survey (2007-2009). Height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and vitamin D levels were directly measured. There were 5298 participants aged 6 to 79 years. Using a conservative p value of 0.001, body mass index (BMI) category obese / obese I was positively associated and WC was inversely associated with vitamin D level in crude analysis. WC was inversely associated with vitamin D level in multivariate analysis. The pattern of relationship is not the same as other studies, yet this was a large study with direct measurements. There may be issues with linearity of relationships or subgroups disturbing the relationship.

Twenty-two young men and women of the 49thMilitary Police Brigade of the California National Guard were participants of our nutrition education and health assessment program. The California National Guard has expressed concern of unsatisfactory physical and nutritional status of their personnel related to a nutrition knowledge deficit as evidenced by preliminary data of insufficient dietary intake and poor nutrition knowledge assessment scores. Our program was designed to implement a nutrition intervention including education and evaluate its effectiveness in reducing Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) risk factors, improving body composition, and providing educational lessons intended to alter lifestyle. Baseline data was quantified and analyzed for statistical significance. Participants reported consuming less than average daily recommended calories and variable macronutrient % of recommended values (%Recommended). DXA analysis revealed high %Body Fat (BF), positively correlated with high values of Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT) in both sexes. Statistical analyses identify HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and waist circumference as significant predictive variables of VAT, after adjusting for age and sex. Follow-up data from two participants was collected but excluded from statistical analysis due to small sample size. Exploratory (stepwise regression) analysis considering several predictive variables reveals HDL-C is the most significant predictor of VAT (p=0.0011), when waist circumference is excluded from the model, after correcting for age and sex. Waist circumference was excluded with the consideration that waist may be a surrogate measure for VAT. HDL-C seems to be the variable most strongly associated with VAT and HDL-C explains 67% of the variability of VAT (RSquared=0.6741) in the fit model after correcting for age and sex. While the impact of high HDL-C on improved body composition and reduction of cardiometabolic risk factors is well supported by literature, the significance of HDL-C on VAT deposition presented in our findings provokes continued research.