1.
Changes in Pancreatic Fat Content Following Diet-Induced Weight Loss.
Jiang, Y, Spurny, M, Schübel, R, Nonnenmacher, T, Schlett, CL, von Stackelberg, O, Ulrich, CM, Kaaks, R, Kauczor, HU, Kühn, T, et al
Nutrients. 2019;(4)
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity can lead to ectopic pancreatic fat accumulation and increase the risk for type 2 diabetes. Smaller intervention trials have shown a decrease in pancreatic fat content (PFC) with weight loss, and we intended to investigate the effects of weight loss on PFC in a larger trial. METHODS Data from the HELENA-Trial, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) among 137 non-diabetic obese adults were used. The study cohort was classified into 4 quartiles based on weight change between baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention. Changes in PFC (baseline, 12 weeks and 50 weeks post-intervention) upon weight loss were analyzed by linear mixed models. Spearman's coefficients were used to obtain correlations between anthropometric parameters, blood biochemical markers, and PFC. RESULTS At baseline, PFC only showed a significant correlation with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (r = 0.41). Relative changes in PFC were significantly (p = 0.01) greater in Q4 (-30.8 ± 5.7%) than in Q1 (1.3 ± 6.7%). These differences remained similar after one year. However, when adjusting the statistical analyses for changes in VAT, the differences in PFC between Q1 and Q4 were no longer statistically significant. CONCLUSION Weight loss is associated with a decrease in PFC. However, the reduction of PFC is not independent from reductions in VAT. Unlike VAT, PFC was not associated with metabolic biomarkers.
2.
Exercise Training at Maximal Fat Oxidation Intensity for Overweight or Obese Older Women: A Randomized Study.
Cao, L, Jiang, Y, Li, Q, Wang, J, Tan, S
Journal of sports science & medicine. 2019;(3):413-418
Abstract
The purpose was to study the therapeutic effects of 12 weeks of supervised exercise training at maximal fat oxidation intensity (FATmax) on body composition, lipid profile, cardiovascular function, and physical fitness in overweight or obese older women. Thirty women (64.2 ± 5.1 years old; BMI 27.1 ± 2.3 kg/m2; body fat 41.3 ± 4.6%) were randomly allocated into the Exercise or Control groups. Participants in the Exercise group were trained at their individualized FATmax intensity (aerobic training), three days/week for one hour/day for 12 weeks. The Exercise group had significantly decreased body mass, BMI, fat mass, visceral trunk fat, and diastolic blood pressure. Furthermore, there were significant increases in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, predicted VO2max, left ventricular ejection fraction, and sit-and-reach performance. There were no changes in the measured variables of the Control group. These outcomes indicate that FATmax is an effective exercise intensity to improve body composition and functional capacity for older women with overweight or obesity.