Abstract

BACKGROUND Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a strong predictor of cardiometabolic health, and lifestyle factors may have a positive influence on VAT depot. This study aimed to assess the cross-sectional associations between baseline levels of physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviours (SB) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) with VAT depot in older individuals with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome. METHODS Baseline data of the PREDIMED-Plus study including a sample of 1,231 Caucasian men and women aged 55-75 years were used. Levels of leisure-time PA (total, light, and moderate-to-vigorous, in METs·min/day) and SB (total and TV-viewing, in h/day) were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Adherence to the MedDiet was evaluated using a 17-item energy-restricted MedDiet (erMedDiet) screener. The chair-stand test was used to estimate the muscle strength. VAT depot was assessed with DXA-CoreScan. Multivariable adjusted linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between lifestyle factors and VAT. For the statistics we had used multiadjusted linear regression models. RESULTS Total leisure-time PA (100 METs·min/day: β -24.3g, -36.7;-11.9g), moderate-to-vigorous PA (β -27.8g, 95% CI -40.8;-14.8g), chair-stand test (repeat: β -11.5g, 95% CI -20.1;-2.93g) were inversely associated, and total SB (h/day: β 38.2g, 95% CI 14.7;61.7) positively associated with VAT. Light PA, TV-viewing time and adherence to an erMedDiet were not significantly associated with VAT. CONCLUSIONS In older adults with overweigh/obesity and metabolic syndrome, greater PA, muscle strength, and lower total SB were associated with less VAT depot. In this study, adherence to an erMedDiet was not associated with lower VAT.

Abstract

The global obesity epidemic constitutes a major cause of morbidity and mortality challenging public health care systems worldwide. Thus, a better understanding of its pathophysiology and the development of novel therapeutic options are urgently needed. Recently, alterations of the intestinal microbiome in the obese have been discussed as a promoting factor in the pathophysiology of obesity and as a contributing factor to related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The present pilot study investigated the effect of a structured weight loss program on fecal microbiota in obese type 2 diabetics. Twelve study subjects received a low-calorie formula diet for six weeks, followed by a nine week food reintroduction and stabilization period. Fecal microbiota were determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of stool samples at baseline, after six weeks and at the end of the study after fifteen weeks. All study subjects lost weight continuously throughout the program. Changes in fecal microbiota were most pronounced after six weeks of low-calorie formula diet, but reverted partially until the end of the study. However, the gut microbiota phylogenetic diversity increased persistently. The abundance of Collinsella, which has previously been associated with atherosclerosis, decreased significantly during the weight loss program. This study underlines the impact of dietary changes on the intestinal microbiome and further demonstrates the beneficial effects of weight loss on gut microbiota. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02970838.

Abstract

Evidence from observational and intervention studies has shown a high intake of tree nuts is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), mortality from type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and all-cause mortality. However, there is limited data regarding their effects on indicators of cardiometabolic risk other than hypercholesterolemia, and little is known about the demonstrable health benefits of pecans (Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) K.Koch). We conducted a randomized, controlled feeding trial to compare the effects of a pecan-rich diet with an isocaloric control diet similar in total fat and fiber content, but absent nuts, on biomarkers related to CVD and T2DM risk in healthy middle-aged and older adults who are overweight or obese with central adiposity. After 4 weeks on a pecan-rich diet, changes in serum insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta cell function (HOMA-β) were significantly greater than after the control diet (p < 0.05). Pecan consumption also lowered the risk of cardiometabolic disease as indicated by a composite score reflecting changes in clinically relevant markers. Thus, compared to the control diet, the pecan intervention had a concurrent and clinically significant effect on several relevant markers of cardiometabolic risk.

Abstract

BACKGROUND The present study investigated the effects of a 12-month interdisciplinary standardized lifestyle program addressing physical activity and changes in dietary and lifestyle behavior in 2,227 obese prediabetic participants. METHODS Measures of obesity (BMI, waist circumference), cardiopulmonary fitness, and metabolic parameters were determined before and after the intervention period. RESULTS From the 2,227 participants who were initially prediabetic, 839 participants (-37.7%) did no longer show the criteria of prediabetes after the intervention and had normal HbA1c levels. CONCLUSION The clinical effects are substantial, and it is likely that the applied intense and multidisciplinary lifestyle interventions could reduce the risk of developing diabetes and the prevalence of a full-blown metabolic syndrome in obese and prediabetic patients.

Abstract

Subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS) or obesity have worse arterial stiffness. However, there have been no studies addressing time-sequential changes in pulse wave velocity (PWV) after weight loss and then regaining weight in obese non-diabetic men with MetS.We prospectively enrolled 40 obese, non-diabetic men with MetS undergoing a 3-month weight reduction program. Another 26 lean and healthy men were recruited for comparisons. Oral glucose tolerance test and brachial ankle (ba) PWV were assessed in study subjects. Eighteen obese non-diabetic MetS and 15 lean control subjects had follow-ups at the 60th month.The body weight of obese MetS decreased from 94.8 ± 7.6 to 86.1 ± 9.0 (N = 18, P < .001) after a 3-month weight reduction program but regained gradually thereafter to 93.6 ± 11.6 kg at the 60th month (P < .001 versus 3rd month). baPWV decreased after weight loss slightly (P = .240) while weight regain significantly increased the baPWV (from 3rd month, 1358 ± 168 to 60th month 1539 ± 264 cm/sec, P < .001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increments correlated with the increment of baPWV after weight regain. At the 60th month, lean controls (N = 15) had increases in body weight while their baPWV increased non-significantly. The increments of baPWV after weight regain in obese MetS were significantly higher than the increment of baPWV in lean controls after weight gain.In conclusion, regaining body weight after weight reduction worsened arterial stiffness with significant increase of baPWV in obese non-diabetic MetS.