Genetic studies of body mass index yield new insights for obesity biology

Obesity is heritable and predisposes to many diseases. To understand the genetic basis of obesity better, here we conduct a genome-wide association study and Metabochip meta-analysis of body mass index (BMI), a measure commonly used to define obesity and assess adiposity, in upto 339,224 individuals. This analysis identifies 97 BMI-associated loci (P < 5 x 10(-8)), 56 of which are novel. Five loci demonstrate clear evidence of several independent association signals, and many loci have significant effects on other metabolic phenotypes. The 97 loci account for similar to 2.7% of BMI variation, and genome-wide estimates suggest that common variation accounts for >20% of BMI variation. Pathway analyses provide strong support for a role of the central nervous systemin obesity susceptibility and implicate new genes and pathways, including those related to synaptic function, glutamate signalling, insulin secretion/action, energy metabolism, lipid biology and adipogenesis.

The importance of body-mass exponent optimization for evaluation of performance capability in cross-country skiing

Introduction Performance in cross-country skiing is influenced by the skier’s ability to continuously produce propelling forces and force magnitude in relation to the net external forces. A surrogate indicator of the “power supply” in cross-country skiing would be a physiological variable that reflects an important performance-related capability, whereas the body mass itself is an indicator of the “power demand” experienced by the skier. To adequately evaluate an elite skier’s performance capability, it is essential to establish the optimal ratio between the physiological variable and body mass. The overall aim of this doctoral thesis was to investigate the importance of body-mass exponent optimization for the evaluation of performance capability in cross-country skiing. Methods In total, 83 elite cross-country skiers (56 men and 27 women) volunteered to participate in the four studies. The physiological variables of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) and oxygen uptake corresponding to a blood-lactate concentration of 4 mmol∙l-1 (V̇O2obla) were determined while treadmill roller skiing using the diagonal-stride technique; mean oxygen uptake (V̇O2dp) and upper-body power output (Ẇ) were determined during double-poling tests using a ski-ergometer. Competitive performance data for elite male skiers were collected from two 15-km classical-technique skiing competitions and a 1.25-km sprint prologue; additionally, a 2-km double-poling roller-skiing time trial using the double-poling technique was used as an indicator of upper-body performance capability among elite male and female junior skiers. Power-function modelling was used to explain the race and time-trial speeds based on the physiological variables and body mass. Results The optimal V̇O2max-to-mass ratios to explain 15-km race speed were V̇O2max divided by body mass raised to the 0.48 and 0.53 power, and these models explained 68% and 69% of the variance in mean skiing speed, respectively; moreover, the 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the body-mass exponents did not include either 0 or 1. For the modelling of race speed in the sprint prologue, body mass failed to contribute to the models based on V̇O2max, V̇O2obla, and V̇O2dp. The upper-body power output-to-body mass ratio that optimally explained time-trial speed was Ẇ ∙ m-0.57 and the model explained 63% of the variance in speed. Conclusions The results in this thesis suggest that V̇O2max divided by the square root of body mass should be used as an indicator of performance in 15-km classical-technique races among elite male skiers rather than the absolute or simple ratio-standard scaled expression. To optimally explain an elite male skier’s performance capability in sprint prologues, power-function models based on oxygen-uptake variables expressed absolutely are recommended. Moreover, to evaluate elite junior skiers’ performance capabilities in 2-km double-poling roller-skiing time trials, it is recommended that Ẇ divided by the square root of body mass should be used rather than absolute or simple ratio-standard scaled expression of power output.

Matproblem och personlighet

The purpose of this study was to examine by means of Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI), the relationship between Neuroticism, and self-rated eating problems. Altogether 105 respondents, mean aged 42,3 years, including 11 men and 94 women, participated by answering an Internet-based questionnaire comprising three different sections. Neuroticism correlated with self-rated eating problems (r=,468, p<0,01). By means of multiple regression analysis it was indicated that both Neuroticism (p<.001) and Body Mass Index (BMI) (p<.001) contributed significantly to the prediction of self-rated eating problems (multiple correlation (ß=.594). The study indicated that the personality only partly explained the variation of eating problems. The result was discussed in terms of significance of biological factors stressing changes in 5-HT levels triggering eating problems.

Nutritionens betydelse för patienter med KOL - Kronisk Obstruktiv Lungsjukdom : Metoder för sjuksköterskans bedömning av nutritionsstatus

Syftet med denna studie var att belysa hur viktig nutritionen är för patienter med diagnosen KOL (Kronisk Obstruktiv Lungsjukdom). Författarna ville även visa på enkla metoder för sjuksköterskan att bedöma nutritionsstatus för att förebygga malnutrition hos dessa patienter. Denna studie är en systematisk litteraturstudie där författarna använt sig av databaserna ELIN@Dalarna, CINAHL, Blackwell Synergy och SWEMED+ för att söka vetenskapliga artiklar. Sökorden som användes i olika kombinationer var: COPD, nutrition, malnutrition, undernutritioned, nutritionalstatus, nutritional supplement, BMI, energy expenditure, caring och nursing. Resultatet visade att nutritionen är av central betydelse i behandlingen av KOL patienter där sjuksköterskan har en viktig roll i samarbetet med andra yrkeskategorier såsom läkare, dietist, sjukgymnast, arbetsterapeut, kurator och psykolog. Bedömningen av patientens nutritionsstatus är en väsentlig del av sjuksköterskans omvårdnad av KOL patienter då det påverkar prognosen. Patienternas försämrade nutritionsstatus ökar risken för exacerbationer och därmed också risken för dödlighet.Sjuksköterskan kan använda sig av enkla mätmetoder för att upptäcka malnutrition, till exempel BMI (Body Mass Index) och MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment). Ett steg i att förebygga malnutrition är regelbundna viktkontroller och att varje patient har en individuell åtgärdsplan då patientens behov alltid ska komma i första hand. Det är också viktigt att se till psykosociala aspekter runt måltiderna för dessa patienter. En noggrann planering krävs runt deras måltider som patienten kan behöva hjälp med då sjukdomen utgör ett hinder.För en ökad livskvalitet är det angeläget med information om nutritionens betydelse både till patienten och hans anhöriga.

Large-scale metabolomic profiling identifies novel biomarkers for incident coronary heart disease

Analyses of circulating metabolites in large prospective epidemiological studies could lead to improved prediction and better biological understanding of coronary heart disease (CHD). We performed a mass spectrometry-based non-targeted metabolomics study for association with incident CHD events in 1,028 individuals (131 events; 10 y. median follow-up) with validation in 1,670 individuals (282 events; 3.9 y. median follow-up). Four metabolites were replicated and independent of main cardiovascular risk factors [lysophosphatidylcholine 18∶1 (hazard ratio [HR] per standard deviation [SD] increment = 0.77, P-value<0.001), lysophosphatidylcholine 18∶2 (HR = 0.81, P-value<0.001), monoglyceride 18∶2 (MG 18∶2; HR = 1.18, P-value = 0.011) and sphingomyelin 28∶1 (HR = 0.85, P-value = 0.015)]. Together they contributed to moderate improvements in discrimination and re-classification in addition to traditional risk factors (C-statistic: 0.76 vs. 0.75; NRI: 9.2%). MG 18∶2 was associated with CHD independently of triglycerides. Lysophosphatidylcholines were negatively associated with body mass index, C-reactive protein and with less evidence of subclinical cardiovascular disease in additional 970 participants; a reverse pattern was observed for MG 18∶2. MG 18∶2 showed an enrichment (P-value = 0.002) of significant associations with CHD-associated SNPs (P-value = 1.2×10-7 for association with rs964184 in the ZNF259/APOA5 region) and a weak, but positive causal effect (odds ratio = 1.05 per SD increment in MG 18∶2, P-value = 0.05) on CHD, as suggested by Mendelian randomization analysis. In conclusion, we identified four lipid-related metabolites with evidence for clinical utility, as well as a causal role in CHD development.

Distriktssköterskans erfarenheter av hälsosamtal avseende levnadsvanor gällande övervikt och fetma : En Fenomenografisk enkätstudie

Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva distriktssköterskans erfarenhet av hälsosamtal avseende levnadsvanor med patienter som lever med övervikt eller fetma. Metod: En empirisk studie med kvalitativ ansats utfördes via enkätfrågor som var beskrivande med öppna svarsalternativ. I studien deltog fem distriktssköterskor som arbetade på vårdcentral i Dalarna eller på Gotland. Genom fenomenografisk design analyserades data. Resultat: Resultatet läggs fram genom två beskrivningskategorier; Evidensbaserade metoder som innehöll uppfattningsgrupperna; Utredning och behandling samt Bejaka patientens resurser. Beskrivningskategorin Omgivnings faktorer, hade uppfattningsgrupperna; Frekvensen av hälsosamtal samt Pedagogiskt förhållningssätt. Användning av evidensbaserade verktyg såsom midjemått och midja/höftkvot var låg bland distriktssköterskorna, men body mass index (BMI) samt motiverande samtal (MI) användes flitigt. Patienter söker ofta för andra besvär (högt blodtryck, ledbesvär) som kan återkopplas till kroppsvikten. Distriktssköterskorna erfarenhet var att det är svårt att komma tillrätta med viktproblem där motivation till viktnedgång var stark i början hos patienten men att den avtar. Dessa svårigheter kan bero på depression, skuld och skam hos patienterna. Slutsats: För att patienter med övervikt och fetma ska få den ultimata behandlingen krävs mer tid och resurser från hälso- och sjukvården då det kan vara en lång process att gå ner i vikt. Motivationen har en avgörande roll samt användning av evidensbaserade verktyg.