Nutrition
-
Evaluation of body composition is a relevant clinical instrument for the follow-up assessments of children and adolescents, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is an accurate method for the pediatric population. However, DXA has limited scan area for the obese population. Thus, half-body scans emerged as an alternative to evaluate individuals with obesity. The aim of this study was to compare the body composition of children and adolescents with whole- and half-body DXA scans, considering nutritional status, pubertal development, sex, and age. ⋯ The use of half-body scans was feasible and accurate to evaluate whole-body composition. The difference bias between techniques occurred randomly and was clinically irrelevant. A high correlation was observed between half- and whole-body analysis techniques.
-
Intermittent fasting (IF) may limit metabolic adaptations that reduce energy expenditure, potentially by stimulating white adipose tissue (WAT) browning. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 8 wk of IF on energy metabolism and markers of WAT browning in lean and diet-induced obese mice and in women who were overweight or obese. ⋯ IF increased energy expenditure and promoted WAT browning in mice but did not alter UCP1 mRNA levels in SAT in women.
-
Among the 10 leading causes of death in developed countries are chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The effect of these multifactorial diseases on public health has stimulated considerable research aimed at investigating their primary risk factors (genetic factors, stress, food intake, and amount of physical exercise). ⋯ Among their components are non-caloric substances identified as non-nutrients (polyphenols, phytosterols, saponins, and phytates), which have been found to have a role in modulating metabolic pathways, maintaining health, and preventing NCDs. The aim of this study is to demonstrate and review the performance of some non-nutrients, such as their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, modulation of the antiatherogenic lipid profile (higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lower oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and triacylglycerols), reduction of glucose and fat intestinal absorption, increase in insulin sensitivity, and stimulation of nitic oxide synthesis.
-
Review
Obesity, weight loss, and its influence on telomere length: New insights for personalized nutrition.
Telomeres are structures located at the ends of chromosomes associated with proteins, from the shelterin complex, which are responsible for the protection and preservation of the genetic material. The telomere length (TL) progressively decreases with each cell division, and recent evidence suggests that lifestyle can lead to telomere shortening. ⋯ Thus, the aim of the present review was to show the relationship between obesity and TL in addition to the possible risk factors for its shortening and how the different strategies for weight loss can modulate TL. As the crucial result, we can consider the association between TL and weight loss, and adiposity changes after different interventions, showing that TL may be used as a biomarker of responses to obesity treatment.
-
Obesity has been associated with cognitive and behavioral syndromes. Individuals who are obese have higher risk for developing neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and dementia than non-obese. Conversely, patients with neuropsychiatric conditions may exhibit some features that contribute to obesity development such as unhealthy behaviors and treatment with drugs that increase appetite. ⋯ Growing evidence suggests the role of gut microbiota in obesity and brain functioning through the modulation of the inflammatory response and HPA axis. Owing to the intricate relationship between obesity and neuropsychiatric disorders, tackling one of them may affect the other. Therefore, a better understanding of the pathways underlying the link between obesity and neuropsychiatric disorders can contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies for these conditions.