Open Access
Weight loss after 12 weeks of exercise and/or nutritional guidance is not obligatory for induced changes in local fat/lean mass indexes in adults with excess of adiposity
(MDPI, 2020) Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Castro Astudillo, Karem; Medrano Mena, Carolina; Monroy Díaz, Ángela Liliana; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The objectives of this secondary analysis are (1) to investigate the differential effects of exercise training modalities–high-intensity interval training (HIIT), resistance training (RT), combined training (CT = HIIT + RT), and/or nutritional guidance (NG) alone–on local fat/lean mass indexes in adults with excess of adiposity; (2) to identify the individual patterns of response based on either a clinical criterion of weight loss (≥ 5%) and/or technical error (TE) of measurement of local fat/lean mass indexes; and (3) to assess the individual change for body composition parameters assigned either to HIIT, RT, CT, and/or NG groups utilizing a TE. A 12-week trial was conducted in 55 participants randomized to one of the four interventions. The primary outcome was clinical change in body weight (i.e., weight loss of ≥ 5%). Secondary outcomes included change in ratio of android and gynoid fat mass, as well as local fat and lean mass indexes (arms, trunk, and legs), before and after intervention. The main findings from the current analysis revealed that (i) after 12 weeks of follow-up, significant decreases in several body composition indexes were found including body weight, arm, trunk, and legs fat mass, and android and gynecoid fat mass were observed in HIIT, RT, and CT groups (p < 0.05); (ii) a significant proportion of individuals showed a positive response following 12 weeks of training, led by the HIIT group with 44% and followed by RT with 39% in 9 indexes; (iii) the HIIT group showed lowest rates of adverse responders with (6%); and (iv) the individual patterns of response utilizing clinically meaningful weight loss were not necessarily associated with the corresponding individual training-induced changes in body composition indexes in adults with excess of adiposity. Overall, the study suggests that HIIT has an important ability to reduce the prevalence of non-response to improve body composition indexes.
Open Access
Relative handgrip strength diminishes the negative effects of excess adiposity on dependence in older adults: a moderation analysis
(MDPI, 2020) Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Pérez Sousa, Miguel A.; García Hermoso, Antonio; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; López Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel; Cano Gutiérrez, Carlos Alberto; Rincón Pabón, David; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The adverse effects of fat mass on functional dependence might be attenuated or worsened, depending on the level of muscular strength. The aim of this study was to determine (i) the detrimental effect of excess adiposity on dependence in activities of daily living (ADL), and (ii) whether relative handgrip strength (HGS) moderates the adverse effect of excess adiposity on dependence, and to provide the threshold of relative HGS from which the adverse effect could be improved or worsened. A total of 4169 participants (69.3 +/- 7.0 years old) from 244 municipalities were selected following a multistage area probability sampling design. Measurements included anthropometric/adiposity markers (weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)), HGS, sarcopenia 'proxy' (calf circumference), and ADL (Barthel Index scale). Moderation analyses were performed to identify associations between the independent variable (WHtR) and outcomes (dependence), as well as to determine whether relative HGS moderates the relationship between excess adiposity and dependence. The present study demonstrated that (i) the adverse effect of having a higher WHtR level on dependence in ADL was moderated by relative HGS, and (ii) two moderation thresholds of relative HGS were estimated: 0.35, below which the adverse effect of WHtR levels on dependency is aggravated, and 0.62, above which the adverse effect of fat on dependency could be improved. Because muscular strength represents a critically important and modifiable predictor of ADL, and the increase in adiposity is inherent in aging, our results underscore the importance of an optimal level of relative HGS in the older adult population.
Open Access
Glucose levels as a mediator of the detrimental effect of abdominal obesity on relative handgrip strength in older adults
(MDPI, 2020) Pérez Sousa, Miguel A.; Pozo Cruz, Jesús del; Cano Gutiérrez, Carlos Alberto; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Excess central adiposity accelerates the decline of muscle strength in older people. Additionally, hyperglycemia, independent of associated comorbidities, is related to the loss of muscle mass and strength, and contributes to functional impairment in older adults. We studied the mediation effect of glucose levels, in the relationship between abdominal obesity and relative handgrip strength (HGS). A total of 1571 participants (60.0% women, mean age 69.1 +/- 7.0 years) from 86 municipalities were selected following a multistage area probability sampling design. Measurements included demographic and anthropometric/adiposity markers (weight, height, body mass index, and waist circumference). HGS was measured using a digital dynamometer for three sets and the mean value was recorded. The values were normalized to body weight (relative HGS). Fasting glucose was analyzed by enzymatic colorimetric methods. Mediation analyses were performed to identify associations between the independent variable (abdominal obesity) and outcomes (relative HGS), as well as to determine whether fasting glucose levels mediated the relationship between excess adiposity and relative HGS. A total of 1239 (78.8%) had abdominal obesity. Abdominal obesity had a negative effect on fasting glucose (beta = 9.04, 95%CI = 5.87 to 12.21); while fasting glucose to relative HGS was inversely related (beta = -0.003, 95%CI = -0.005 to -0.001),p< 0.001. The direct effect of abdominal obesity on relative HGS was statistically significant (beta = -0.069, 95%CI = -0.082 to -0.057),p< 0.001. Lastly, fasting glucose levels mediates the detrimental effect of abdominal obesity on relative HGS (indirect effect beta = -0.002, 95%CI = -0.004 to -0.001),p< 0.001. Our results suggest that the glucose level could worsen the association between abdominal obesity status and lower HGS. Thus, it is plausible to consider fasting glucose levels when assessing older adults with excess adiposity and/or suspected loss of muscle mass.
Open Access
Fat-to-muscle ratio: a new anthropometric indicator as a screening tool for metabolic syndrome in young Colombian people
(MDPI, 2018) Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Carrillo Arango, Hugo Alejandro; Correa Bautista, Jorge Enrique; Schmidt Río-Valle, Jacqueline; González Jiménez, Emilio; Correa Rodríguez, María; González Ruiz, Katherine; García Hermoso, Antonio; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Fat-to-muscle ratio has been proposed as an alternative approach for assessing body fat. The objective of this study was to explore fat-to-muscle ratio thresholds in metabolic syndrome (MetS) diagnosis; it was hypothesised that the fat-to-muscle ratio is a good predictive indicator of MetS in a large population of young Colombian adults. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 1416 subjects (66.6% female), aged from 18.1 to 25.1. As part of the study, measurements of the subjects' anthropometric indicators, serum lipid indices, blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose were taken. Body composition was measured through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). A new variable (ratio of fat mass to muscle mass, in kg) was calculated. Following the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition, MetS includes three or more metabolic abnormalities. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and logistic regression determined the discriminatory ability of the fat-to-muscle ratio to predict MetS. According to the IDF, the best fat-to-muscle ratio cut-off point for detecting MetS in men was 0.225 kg, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83, sensitivity of 80%, and specificity of 70%. For women, the fat-to-muscle ratio cut-off point was 0.495 kg, the AUC was 0.88, and the sensitivity and specificity were 82% and 80%, respectively. In conclusion, our results showed that the fat-to-muscle ratio cut-off points from ROC analyses demonstrate good discriminatory power for detecting MetS in young Colombian adults.
Open Access
Tri-ponderal mass index vs. fat mass/height3 as a screening tool for metabolic syndrome prediction in Colombian children and young people
(MDPI, 2018) Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Correa Bautista, Jorge Enrique; Carrillo Arango, Hugo Alejandro; González Jiménez, Emilio; Schmidt Río-Valle, Jacqueline; Correa Rodríguez, María; García Hermoso, Antonio; González Ruiz, Katherine; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) and fat mass index (FMI) have been proposed as alternative approaches for assessing body fat since BMI does not ensure an accurate screening for obesity and overweight status in children and adolescents. This study proposes thresholds of the TMI and FMI for the prediction of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children and young people. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 4673 participants (57.1% females), who were 9-25 years of age. As part of the study, measurements of the subjects¿ weight, waist circumference, serum lipid indices, blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose were taken. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The TMI and FMI were calculated as weight (kg)/height (m3) and fat mass (kg)/height (m3), respectively. Following the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition, MetS is defined as including three or more metabolic abnormalities. Cohort-specific thresholds were established to identify Colombian children and young people at high risk of MetS. The thresholds were applied to the following groups: (i) a cohort of children where the girls' TMI 12.13 kg/m3 and the boys' TMI 12.10 kg/m3; (ii) a cohort of adolescents where the girls' TMI 12.48 kg/m3 and the boys' TMI 11.19 kg/m3; (iii) a cohort of young adults where the women's TMI 13.21 kg/m3 and the men's TMI 12.19 kg/m3. The FMI reference cut-off values used for the different groups were as follows: (i) a cohort of children where the girls¿ FMI 2.59 fat mass/m3 and the boys' FMI 1.98 fat mass/m3; (ii) a cohort of adolescents where the girls' FMI 3.12 fat mass/m3 and the boys' FMI 1.46 fat mass/m3; (iii) a cohort of adults where the women's FMI 3.27 kg/m3 and the men's FMI 1.65 kg/m3. Our results showed that the FMI and TMI had a moderate discriminatory power to detect MetS in Colombian children, adolescents, and young adults.
Open Access
Percentage of body fat and fat mass index as a screening tool for metabolic syndrome prediction in colombian university students
(MDPI, 2017) Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Correa Bautista, Jorge Enrique; Sanders-Tordecilla, Alejandra; Ojeda Pardo, Mónica Liliana; Cobo-Mejía, Elisa Andrea; Castellanos-Vega, Rocío del Pilar; García Hermoso, Antonio; González-Jiménez, Emilio; Schmidt Río-Valle, Jacqueline; González Ruiz, Katherine; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
High body fat is related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) in all ethnic groups. Based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition of MetS, the aim of this study was to explore thresholds of body fat percentage (BF%) and fat mass index (FMI) for the prediction of MetS among Colombian University students. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1687 volunteers (63.4% women, mean age = 20.6 years). Weight, waist circumference, serum lipids indices, blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose were measured. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and FMI was calculated. MetS was defined as including more than or equal to three of the metabolic abnormalities according to the IDF definition. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was used to determine optimal cut-off points for BF% and FMI in relation to the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity in both sexes. The overall prevalence of MetS was found to be 7.7%, higher in men than women (11.1% vs. 5.3%; p < 0.001). BF% and FMI were positively correlated to MetS components (p < 0.05). ROC analysis indicated that BF% and FMI can be used with moderate accuracy to identify MetS in university-aged students. BF% and FMI thresholds of 25.55% and 6.97 kg/m2 in men, and 38.95% and 11.86 kg/m2 in women, were found to be indicative of high MetS risk. Based on the IDF criteria, both indexes¿ thresholds seem to be good tools to identify university students with unfavorable metabolic profiles.