Annals of nutrition & metabolism
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Obesity is a metabolic and cardiovascular risk factor. A low calorie diet (LCD) is one of the treatment modalities for weight loss. Serum advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are linked to increased atherogenicity and inflammation in diseases such as diabetes and renal failure. Obesity has an inflammatory component, but interestingly there are no studies on serum AGE levels in obesity or on the effects of LCD as a therapeutic measure on these markers of glycation. ⋯ After the intervention, BMI levels were clearly reduced by 6.3% (p < 0.001), waist circumference by 5.7% (p < 0.002) and triglycerides by 11.9 % (p < 0.002). At baseline, AGEs levels were 63 +/- 11 AU for obese subjects and 63 +/- 14 for control subjects (not significant). After intervention, AGEs were reduced by 7.21% (range 0-35%, p < 0.001). The percent change in AGEs was significantly and positively correlated with that of triglycerides (r = 0.42, p < 0.009), waist circumference (r = 0.40, p < 0.011), and BMI (r = 0.42, p < 0.007). We show for the first time that serum AGEs can be reduced by an LCD intervention on weight loss, a change that correlates with the reduction in triglycerides. This may plausibly be a reflection of a reduction in glycation/lipoxidation due to the caloric restriction and its metabolic consequences, or it may be due to the decreased intake of food containing glycotoxins, or a combination of both.
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In elderly persons, fall-related injury is a serious public health problem. We investigated the impact of essential nutritional elements on falls in the elderly. ⋯ Vitamin D was related to most functional and balance measurements. Serum folate was protective against falls. For every 1 ng/ml increase in serum folate the occurrence of falls decreased by 19%.
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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. ⋯ 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.
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In Austria, reliable information about the nutritional situation of institutionalized, frail elderly is lacking. ⋯ There is evidence for nutritional problems in frail, institutionalized elderly nursing home residents. The MNA seems to be a reliable tool to identify individuals at risk for malnutrition. Strategies for effective nutritional intervention should be implemented in long-term care facilities for the elderly in order to prevent and treat malnutrition and to ensure high-quality care.