OBJECTIVES

Adiposity rebound (AR), the childhood period at which body mass index (BMI) rises from its lowest point, is linked to increased risk of later obesity. The study aims to determine the average age at AR, describe baseline characteristics and analyze the correlation between these characteristics and timing of AR in a population of Filipino pediatric outpatients.

DESIGN

Seven subjects born between 2016 and 2019 from a University Hospital Outpatient Department participated in this cross-sectional analytic study. Childhood anthropometrics were retrospectively collected to determine the age at AR by plot visual inspection. Sex, birth weight and gestational age were obtained from hospital records; breastfeeding duration, maternal BMI, parental obesity, maternal age, maternal smoking, education, parity and family income were gathered through a questionnaire completed by mothers or guardians. Associations were assessed using bootstrap univariate linear regression.

RESULTS

The mean age at AR was 3.2 years (SD = 1.2). Vaginal delivery was significantly associated with later age at AR compared to cesarean section (p = 0.035). Socioeconomic status at ages 2 to 5 showed positive association with delayed AR. Higher monthly family income (≥₱19,000) at ages 2 to 5 years was significantly associated with delayed age at AR. Other baseline childhood and parental factors showed no significant correlation with age at AR.

CONCLUSION

These results highlight the complex and context-dependent nature of AR, emphasizing the need for further studies to better understand and mitigate early obesity risk in Filipino children.

Human ; Young Adult: 19-24 Yrs Old ; Universities ; Regression (psychology) ; Hospital Records ; Gestational Age ; Body Mass Index ; Obesity, Maternal

OBJECTIVES

In Asia, younger individuals (below age 45) are diagnosed to have type 2 diabetes with increased rates of obesity defined by lower BMI yet with greater visceral adiposity (waist circumference and waisthip ratios). The prevalence data on type 1 diabetes is not well established, considered to be low, but is seen to be increasing as well. This changing phenotype therefore, presents a clinical dilemma in terms of correctly classifying diabetes and deciding on the consequent appropriate treatment. Distinguishing type 1 from type 2 diabetes has become more difficult with type 2 diabetes dramatically increasing in young adults and children. This study aims to define the characteristics of diabetes among young adults in the Philippines to provide a basis for appropriate management amidst changes in diabetes phenotypes seen globally.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional analytic study, we characterized the demographic, metabolic, and autoimmune features of diabetes among young adult Filipinos aged 18 to 45 years old consulting at a tertiary referral center in Manila, Philippines. Baseline serum A1c, FBS, 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, insulin, serum C-peptide, insulin autoantibodies, leptin, adiponectin, lipid profile, and thyroid function tests were obtained from the participants and analyzed. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was used to estimate the insulin sensitivity.

RESULTS

A total of 348 patients with diabetes were included, with females comprising two-thirds of the participants. The mean age at diagnosis of diabetes was 35.9±7.22 years. The mean BMI was 28.12 kg/m2, with median waist to hip ratio (WHR) of 0·93. Metabolic syndrome was found in 60% of participants and 67.82% were obese by body mass index. The mean A1c was 9.07±2.52%. Good glucose control (A1c less than 7.0%) was seen in 23% of participants  while nearly half (48%) had HbA1c which was >9.0%. The median levels of fasting insulin and C-peptide were 12.62 (range 1.33–90.42) mIU/L and 0.78 ng/mL (range 0–16.2), respectively. 

Included participants were diagnosed with diabetes within a year and as such, majority did not have any micro- or macrovascular complications. The most common diabetes complication was sensory neuropathy detected by monofilament testing, which was found in 28% of participants, followed by non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 13%. A history of previous diabetic ketoacidosis was found in 10 patients (2.87%). Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and insulin auto-antibodies were found in 3.2% and 19.3% of participants, respectively. Approximately half (51.73%) of the participants were insulin resistant by HOMA-IR.

CONCLUSION

In contrast with Caucasians and other Asians, diabetes among young Filipino adults is associated with lower BMI but with a similarly high visceral adiposity as shown by an elevated WHR. Metabolic syndrome with insulin resistance as defined by a variety of indices is predominant. Type 1 diabetes with autoantibodies occur in only a small fraction of this population. Data derived from this work can provide a framework for cluster analysis towards personalized management specific to this population.

Human ; Acids ; Adiponectin ; Adiposity ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies ; Asia ; Asian ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Autoantibodies ; Body Mass Index ; C-peptide ; Carboxy-lyases ; Child ; Cluster Analysis ; Demography ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Diagnosis ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Glutamate Decarboxylase ; Glutamic Acid ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Ketosis ; Leptin ; Lipids ; Metabolic Syndrome ; Obesity ; Patients ; Peptides ; Phenotype ; Philippines ; Population ; Prevalence ; Serum ; Therapeutics ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a boy affected with Cohen syndrome. METHODS: A boy admitted to Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University in January 2021 was selected as the study subject. Genome DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the child and his parents. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out. And candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: 202106060-1). RESULTS: WES revealed that the child has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the VPS13B gene, namely c.1563+1G>A and c.3007insC (p.A1003Afs*13), which were inherited from his mother and father, respectively. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), both variants were rates as pathogenic. The c.3007insC (p.A1003Afs*13) was unreported previously. CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous variants c.1563+1G>A and c.3007insC (p.A1003Afs*13) of the VPS13B gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of Cohen syndrome in this child. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of VPS13B gene.
Humans ; Male ; Vesicular Transport Proteins/genetics* ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Muscle Hypotonia/genetics* ; Microcephaly/genetics* ; Fingers/abnormalities* ; Myopia/genetics* ; Obesity/genetics* ; Developmental Disabilities/genetics* ; Mutation ; Exome Sequencing ; Child ; Heterozygote ; Retinal Degeneration

BACKGROUND

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in the incidence of obesity both in children and adults. Studies on the effect of the pandemic on Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) trends in children are limited. In this study, we aim to evaluate the frequency, clinical characteristics and demographics of newly-diagnosed paediatric T2DM cases 4 years before and after the pandemic.

METHODOLOGY

The frequency and clinical data of patients aged ≤18 years with newly-diagnosed T2DM in 4 tertiary centers in urban Malaysia from 18 March 2016 till 17 March 2020 (pre-pandemic) and 18 March 2020 till 17 March 2024 (postpandemic) was collected.

RESULTS

Seventy-five (75) patients were recorded with newly-diagnosed T2DM pre-pandemic and fifty-four (54) patients were recorded with newly-diagnosed T2DM post-pandemic. There was no significant increase in T2DM cases and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) during pandemic and T2DM cases fell to below pre-pandemic levels in the 3rd and 4th year postpandemic. HbA1c and serum glucose were lower post-pandemic than pre-pandemic: 10.1% vs 11.9%, p = 0.008 and 12.0 mmol/L vs 16.1 mmol/L, p = 0.038 respectively.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of T2DM and DKA did not increase during the pandemic and further declined in year 3 and 4 post-pandemic. Lower HbA1c and serum glucose in the post-pandemic group may suggest improved screening services and greater access to medical care.

Human ; Covid-19 ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Obesity

BACKGROUND

Overweight and obesity, as well as the coexistence of multimorbidity, have been recognized as global health challenges. However, less is known about the prevalence of obesity and multimorbidity among older people in the Philippines. This study sought to determine the prevalence of obesity and multimorbidity among community-living older people.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional analysis of older persons aged 60 years and above was conducted from the Focused Intervention for Frail Older Adults Research and Development Program (FITforFrail). Height and weight were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was classified as follows: underweight,

RESULTS

The prevalence of obesity was 15.4%, which was significantly more common among women (p < 0.013) and nonsmokers (p < 0.006). Multimorbidity, including overweight and obesity, was reported by 77.9% of older persons, and among those with overweight and obesity, multimorbidity was present in 76.5%. A higher number of chronic diseases were reported by older persons who were overweight and obese (p < 0.006). Significantly more overweight and obese older women reported having multimorbidity (p < 0.049) compared to older men. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, musculoskeletal disorders, and hyperuricemia were the most commonly reported chronic diseases among older persons with overweight and obesity.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study highlight the importance of overweight and obesity as determinants of multimorbidity. Future research should explore gender differences in risk factors and multimorbidity patterns.

Human ; Obesity ; Multimorbidity

OBJECTIVE

Obesity is a major global health concern characterized by an accumulation of excessive body fat, dyslipidaemia and low vitamin D levels. This study aimed to assess the relationship between dyslipidaemia and vitamin D status in obese individuals and the risk of atherogenesis.

METHODOLOGY

In this cross-sectional study, 140 participants aged 18 to 65 years, were categorized into 4 equal groups of 35 each, based on their body mass index BMI. Baseline and demographic data were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. The serum levels of vitamin D, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) were measured using standard methods. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and atherogenic index in plasma (AIP) were calculated.

RESULTS

The vitamin D status was sufficient in all groups but its concentrations decline significantly as BMI increases. Serum TC, TG, LDL-c concentration significantly increases as BMI increases, but HDL-c concentration decreases. The AIP increases as BMI increases.

CONCLUSION

The study provided possible evidence to support the association between dyslipidaemia and inadequate vitamin D status in this cohort of adults with obesity in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Human ; Obesity

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to describe the micronutrient intake and diet quality of overweight and obese Filipino adults in the National Capital Region (NCR). Specifically, it seeks to assess micronutrient inadequacy among these individuals and analyze differences in food intake based on their sociodemographic profiles and lifestyle habits.

METHODS

This analytical cross-sectional study utilized data from the Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) conducted in 2018, 2019, and 2021 by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI). A total of 3,154 overweight and obese subjects were included. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed to analyze the food groups consumed by these adults.

RESULTS

Majority of overweight and obese adults were found to be inadequate in vitamin A (81.7%), vitamin C (88.4%), thiamin (62.5%), riboflavin (70.7%), iron (69.8%), and calcium (88.7%). Significant differences were observed in the mean intake of various food groups across different age groups, sexes, civil statuses, wealth quintiles, educational attainments, employment statuses, and smoking and drinking statuses.

CONCLUSION

Filipino adults who are overweight and obese, and residing in urban settings face significant challenges related to micronutrient inadequacy. When their food intake was assessed based on sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics, it was found that their diets were more calorie-dense than nutrient-dense. To address this issue, it is recommended to encourage a wider variety of nutrient-dense foods among overweight and obese adults.

Food Intake ; Eating ; Micronutrients ; Overweight ; Obesity ; Nutritional Status

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the association between Asia-Pacific classification of body mass index, waist circumference and waist hip ratio and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 moderate & severe patients at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A This study involved adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19. 182 patients were analyzed and divided into 167 moderate and 15 severe COVID-19 patients. Primary outcomes (respiratory decompensation, septic shock, and mortality) of patients were compared among Asia Pacific BMI groups.

RESULTS

Among patients with moderate and severe COVID-19, 7 out of 10 patients were obese. Respiratory decompensation and sepsis were more frequently seen in obese patients. Obesity and waist circumference were significantly associated with the odds of respiratory decompensation (95% CI p=0.010 and p=0.002), however this association was not sustained upon adjustment for confounders. On univariate analysis, waist and hip circumferences were significantly associated with the odds of ICU admission (95% CI, p=.013 and p=.034), however after controlling for confounders, only hip ratio retained significant association. Among patients with severe COVID-19, there was insufficient evidence to support significant variations in distributions of outcomes of interest across Asia-Pacific BMI groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study emphasized that although respiratory decompensation and sepsis were more frequently seen in obese patients. progression of respiratory decompensation and mortality is not significantly associated with obesity as defined by the Asia Pacific BMI classification, warranting the need for larger prospective studies.

Human ; Body Mass Index ; Obesity ; Covid-19

Bariatric and metabolic surgery has become a primary treatment for decompensated obesity, with the number of procedures rapidly increasing in China in recent years. Various improved and novel surgical techniques have emerged. Given the characteristics of the Chinese obese population lower body mass index compared to Western populations and frequent pancreatic islet dysfunction laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass remains one of the mainstream procedures in China. Although the Procedural Guideline for Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (2019 Edition) has provided standardized surgical steps, mastering and routinely implementing the procedure in clinical practice continues to pose significant challenges. Compared to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is more technically demanding and requires a longer learning curve. To avoid suboptimal weight loss or severe postoperative complications resulting from non-standardized techniques, this article summarizes the authors' clinical experience, emphasizing key technical steps: creation of the gastric pouch, standardization of gastrojejunal and jejunojejunal anastomoses, hiatal closure, and full serosalization. These insights aim to improve procedural safety and therapeutic efficacy by offering a set of practical process optimization strategies.
Humans ; Gastric Bypass/methods* ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Obesity, Morbid/surgery* ; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control* ; China ; Jejunum/surgery* ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Anastomosis, Surgical/methods* ; Weight Loss

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common hematologic malignancy that originates from precursor conditions such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). Identifying its risk factors is crucial for early intervention. The etiology of MM is multifactorial, involving race, familial clustering, gender, age, obesity, cytogenetic abnormalities, and environmental exposures. Among these, cytogenetic abnormalities and modifiable factors play pivotal roles in MM pathogenesis and progression. 1) cytogenetic abnormalities. Primary abnormalities [e.g., hyperdiploidy, t(11;14), t(14;16)] emerge at the MGUS stage, while secondary abnormalities [e.g., 1q+, del(17p)] drive disease progression. The accumulation of 1q+ promotes clonal evolution, and del(17p) is associated with significantly reduced survival. 2) modifiable risk factors. Obesity promotes MM via the acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2)-interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) pathway. Vitamin D deficiency weakens immune surveillance. Exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange and glyphosate increases MGUS incidence. Insufficient UV exposure, by reducing vitamin D synthesis, elevates MM risk. Gut microbiota dysbiosis (enrichment of nitrogen-cycle bacteria and depletion of short-chain fatty acids producers) induces chromosomal instability through the ammonium ion-solute carrier family 12 member 22 (SLC12A2)-NEK2 axis. Therefore, risk-based screening among high-risk populations (e.g., those who are obese, elderly, or chemically exposed), along with early interventions targeting cytogenetic abnormalities [e.g., B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) inhibitors for t(11;14), ferroptosis inducers for t(4;14)] and modifiable factors (e.g., vitamin D supplementation, gut microbiota modulation), may effectively delay disease progression and improve prognosis.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Obesity/complications* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance/etiology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Vitamin D Deficiency/complications* ; Precancerous Conditions/genetics*