OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" moxibustion for abdominal obesity and its effect on blood lipid, lipid accumulation product (LAP) and cardiometabolic index (CMI). METHODS: A total of 150 patients with abdominal obesity were randomly divided into an observation group (75 cases, 5 cases dropped out) and a control group (75 cases, 6 cases dropped out). The control group received lifestyle guidance. The observation group received "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" moxibustion at Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV4) and bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36) on the basis of the control group, 20 min each time, once every other day, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment, the waist circumference, hip circumference, weight, body mass index (BMI) were observed, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured, and the LAP and CMI were calculated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the waist circumference, weight and BMI were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), the changes of the above indexes in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the hip circumference, TC level, TG level, LAP and CMI in the observation group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), the HDL-C level was increased compared with that before treatment (P<0.05)；the changes of the TC level, TG level, LAP, CMI and HDL-C level in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" moxibustion can reduce the degree of obesity in patients with abdominal obesity, and improve blood lipid and reduce lipid accumulation.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Moxibustion ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Obesity, Abdominal/blood* ; Adult ; Lipids/blood* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Triglycerides/blood* ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of moxibustion in treating patients with central obesity of phlegm-dampness constitution. METHODS: A total of 66 patients with central obesity of phlegm-dampness constitution were randomly assigned to a moxibustion group (n=33, 3 cases dropped out) and a sham moxibustion group (n=33, 4 cases dropped out). The moxibustion group received mild moxibustion combined with lifestyle intervention; the moxibustion was applied at Shenque (CV8) and bilateral Zusanli (ST36), 30 min per session, maintaining a local skin temperature of (43±1) ℃. The sham moxibustion group received simulated moxibustion combined with lifestyle intervention; the simulated moxibustion was applied at the same acupoints, with the same session length, but with a maintained skin temperature of (37±1) ℃. Both groups were treated once every other day, three times per week for 8 consecutive weeks. Obesity-related physical indicators (waist circumference, hip circumference, body weight, body fat percentage, body mass index [BMI]), constitution evaluation indicators (phlegm-dampness constitution conversion score, symptom score), the impact of weight on quality of life-lite (IWQOL-Lite), the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and the incidence of adverse events were measured before and after treatment, and after 4 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: Compared with before treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in waist circumference, hip circumference, body weight, body fat percentage, BMI, phlegm-dampness constitution conversion score and symptom score, IWQOL-Lite, and both anxiety and depression subscale scores of HADS after treatment and at follow-up (P<0.001). These improvements were significantly greater in the moxibustion group than those in the sham moxibustion group (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05). One patient in the moxibustion group experienced a mild burn that resolved with routine care; the incidence of adverse reactions was 3.0% (1/33) in the moxibustion group and 0% (0/33) in the sham moxibustion group, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSION On the basis of lifestyle intervention, moxibustion effectively improves obesity-related physical indicators, enhances quality of life, alleviates anxiety and depression, and improves the phlegm-dampness constitution in patients with central obesity. These benefits persist for at least 4 weeks after treatment.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Obesity, Abdominal/psychology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged ; Quality of Life ; Young Adult ; Body Mass Index

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis (EMS) is a common gynaecological disorder linked to metabolic disturbances. However, evidence on the associations between lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) with the risk of EMS remains limited. This study aimed to explore the potential associations between LAP, VAI and EMS. METHOD: Data were obtained from the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), including a total of 2046 samples. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models and smoothed curve fitting were used to assess the associations between LAP, VAI and EMS. Additionally, subgroup analyses and interaction tests were conducted to evaluate intergroup differences in the associations between LAP, VAI and EMS. RESULTS: In the fully adjusted model, higher Log2 LAP (odds ratio [OR] 1.256, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.102-1.431, P=0.0014) and Log2 VAI (OR 1.287, 95% CI 1.105-1.498, P=0.0022) were significantly associated with increased EMS risk. Participants in the highest quartile of Log2 LAP (OR 1.983, P=0.0029) and Log2 VAI (OR 1.690, P=0.0486) had a higher risk of EMS. Subgroup analysis showed stronger associations among women with diabetes (Log2 LAP OR 3.681, P=0.009; Log2 VAI OR 4.849, P=0.041). CONCLUSION Elevated LAP and VAI were independently associated with an increased risk of EMS. LAP and VAI may serve as potential indicators for assessing EMS-related risk, suggesting that visceral obesity and lipid metabolic disturbances might play roles in the pathophysiological process of EMS. These findings underscore the potential of LAP and VAI as non-invasive markers for EMS risk, warranting further validation in clinical settings.
Humans ; Female ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Endometriosis/metabolism* ; Adult ; Nutrition Surveys ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Lipid Accumulation Product ; Middle Aged ; Obesity, Abdominal/complications* ; Adiposity ; Risk Factors ; Logistic Models

This study investigated the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components on prostate volume (PV) in the general Chinese population. In total, 43 455 participants in The First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital (Beijing, China) from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2022, undergoing health examinations were included in the study. Participants were categorized into four groups according to PV quartiles: Q1 (PV ≤24.94 ml), Q2 (PV >24.94 ml and ≤28.78 ml), Q3 (PV >28.78 ml and ≤34.07 ml), and Q4 (PV >34.07 ml), with Q1 serving as the reference group. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between MetS and PV, with subgroup analyses conducted by age. Among the participants, 18 787 (43.2%) were diagnosed with MetS. In the multivariate analysis model, a significant correlation between MetS and PV was observed, with odds ratios (ORs) increasing as PV increased (Q2, OR = 1.203, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.139-1.271; Q3, OR = 1.300, 95% CI: 1.230-1.373; and Q4, OR = 1.556, 95% CI: 1.469-1.648). Analysis of MetS components revealed that all components were positively associated with PV, with abdominal obesity showing the most significant effect. The number of MetS components was identified as a dose-dependent risk factor for elevated PV. The impact of MetS, its components, and component count on PV exhibited a decreasing trend with advancing age. Overall, the influence of MetS, its components, and component count on PV was predominantly observed in the age groups of 40-49 years and 50-59 years. Early intervention targeting MetS can significantly alleviate the increase in PV, particularly benefiting individuals aged 40-59 years who have abdominal obesity.
Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome/complications* ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Aged ; Prostate/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Organ Size ; China/epidemiology* ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) and the risk of nephrolithiasis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 78 438 Chinese adults who underwent ultrasound examinations during health screening at the Health Examination Center of Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University. Participants were divided into quartiles (Q1-Q4 groups) based on CVAI. Multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to evaluate the association between CVAI and nephrolithiasis risk, followed by subgroup analyses to further explore potential relationships. The performance of CVAI in predicting the risk of nephrolithiasis was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Increased CVAI was significantly associated with a higher risk of nephrolithiasis, with prevalence rising from 3.36% in the Q1 group to 10.67% in the Q4 group (P<0.01). In adjusted models, CVAI was positively correlated with the prevalence rate of nephrolithiasis (OR=1.002, 95%CI: 1.001-1.004, P<0.01). The risks of nephrolithiasis in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were 1.196-fold (95%CI: 1.069-1.338, P<0.01), 1.260-fold (95%CI: 1.109-1.433, P<0.01), and 1.316-fold (95%CI: 1.125-1.539, P<0.01) higher than in the Q1 group, respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed that CVAI was positively associated with the risk of nephrolithiasis in male participants, individuals aged <60 years, the hypertension group, populations with or without diabetes mellitus, and the normal body mass index subgroup. Genders and age had an interaction effect on the correlation between CVAI and the risk of nephrolithiasis development (both P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that CVAI exhibited superior predictive efficacy compared to waist circumference, body mass index, visceral adiposity index, weight-adjusted waist index, cardiometabolic index and body shape index, with an area under the curve of 0.622. CONCLUSIONS In Chinese adults, CVAI is positively associated with the risk of nephrolithiasis development, which may serve as a potential predictive marker for nephrolithiasis.
Humans ; Nephrolithiasis/etiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adult ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Risk Factors ; China/epidemiology* ; Adiposity ; Aged ; Logistic Models ; Obesity, Abdominal/epidemiology* ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between eight serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and regional fat depots, we analyzed the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018 cycles. METHODS: Multiple linear regression models were developed to explore the associations between serum PFAS concentrations and six fat compositions along with a fat distribution score created by summing the concentrations of the six fat compositions. The associations between structurally grouped PFASs and fat distribution were assessed, and a prediction model was developed to estimate the ability of PFAS exposure to predict obesity risk. RESULTS: Among females aged 39-59 years, trunk fat mass was positively associated with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Higher concentrations of PFOS, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoate (PFDeA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), and n-perfluorooctanoate (n-PFOA) were linked to greater visceral adipose tissue in this group. In men, exposure to total perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) and long-chain PFSAs was associated with reductions in abdominal fat, while higher abdominal fat in women aged 39-59 years was associated with short-chain PFSAs. The prediction model demonstrated high accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9925 for predicting obesity risk. CONCLUSION PFAS exposure is associated with regional fat distribution, with varying effects based on age, sex, and PFAS structure. The findings highlight the potential role of PFAS exposure in influencing fat depots and obesity risk, with significant implications for public health. The prediction model provides a highly accurate tool for assessing obesity risk related to PFAS exposure.
Humans ; Fluorocarbons/blood* ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Environmental Pollutants/blood* ; Abdominal Fat ; Nutrition Surveys ; Alkanesulfonic Acids/blood* ; Obesity ; Environmental Exposure

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread-embedding at fat layer for abdominal obesity and its effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. METHODS: Ninety-six patients with abdominal obesity were randomly divided into an acupoint embedding group (48 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a sham embedding group (48 cases, 3 cases dropped out). Both groups received lifestyle interventions as basic treatment. The acupoint embedding group underwent thread-embedding at Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), and bilateral Liangmen (ST 21), Fenglong (ST 40), and Pishu (BL 20), with the thread implanted in the fat layer. The sham embedding group followed the same acupoint selection and procedure but without catgut implantation. Both groups were treated once every two weeks for 12 weeks, for a total of six treatments. Waist circumference, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were measured, and appetite was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after treatment and at 12 weeks after treatment completion (follow-up) in the two groups. Visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) at abdomen were measured, and blood glucose and lipid metabolism markers, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), leptin, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were also tested before and after treatment in the two groups. Clinical efficacy was evaluated two weeks after treatment completion. RESULTS: After treatment and at follow-up, the waist circumference, body weight, BMI, WHR, WHtR, and appetite VAS scores in the acupoint embedding group were decreased compared to those before treatment (P<0.01). In the sham embedding group, waist circumference, body weight, BMI, WHtR, and appetite VAS score were also reduced after treatment compared to those before treatment (P<0.01). Except for body weight after treatment, the acupoint embedding group showed lower waist circumference, body weight, BMI, WHR, and WHtR values after treatment and at follow-up compared to the sham embedding group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Additionally, the appetite VAS score in the acupoint embedding group was lower than that in the sham embedding group after treatment (P<0.01). Both groups showed a reduction in abdominal VFA and SFA after treatment compared to those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the acupoint embedding group, serum FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR index, TC, TG, LDL-C, leptin, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were decreased compared to those before treatment (P<0.01), while HDL-C level was increased (P<0.01). In the sham embedding group, serum FBG and HOMA-IR index were decreased compared to those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). After treatment, the abdominal SFA in the acupoint embedding group was lower than that in the sham embedding group (P<0.01). Additionally, the acupoint embedding group had lower levels of serum FINS, HOMA-IR index, TC, LDL-C, leptin, TNF-α, and IL-6 compared to the sham embedding group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total effective rate in the acupoint embedding group was 82.2% (37/45), which was significantly higher than 15.6% (7/45) in the sham embedding group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The acupoint catgut embedding at fat layer could effectively reduce the obesity severity in patients with abdominal obesity, decrease abdominal fat accumulation, suppress appetite, improve glucose and lipid metabolism, reduce inflammatory responses, and has a sustained effect.
Humans ; Obesity, Abdominal/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Leptin/blood* ; Young Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Aged

Objective: To analyze the relationship and consistency between indexes of different abnormal weight and dyslipidemia in adults in Beijing City. Methods: From August to December of 2017, 4 975 residents aged 18 to 79 years old in 5 districts of Beijing were randomly selected as subjects by using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Questionnaire, physical examination and laboratory tests were conducted. The prevalence of overweight/obesity, high body fat rate, central obesity, and high waist-to-height ratio was calculated. Partial correlation was used to analyze the correlation of blood lipid with body mass index (BMI), body fat rate, waist circumference and waist-height ratio. Logistic regression analysis for complex sampling was used to analyze the relationship between indexes of different abnormal weight and dyslipidemia after controlling for relevant risk factors, including age, sex, smoking status, drinking, insufficiency intake of vegetable and fruit, physical inactivity. Kappa value was computed to analyze the consistency between indexes of different abnormal weight. Results: The weighted prevalence of dyslipidemia was 30.48%, and it was higher in men than that in women (40.16% vs. 20.52%, P<0.01). The weighted rate of overweight/obesity, high body fat rate, central obesity, and high waist-to-height ratio was 56.65%, 47.52%, 42.48% and 59.45%, respectively. BMI, body fat rate, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio were positively correlated with the level of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Logistic regression analysis for complex sampling showed that the high body fat rate (OR=1.67, 95%CI: 1.35-2.07), overweight/obesity (OR=1.65, 95%CI: 1.26-2.14) and high waist-to-height ratio (OR=1.46, 95%CI: 1.09-1.96) were associated with dyslipidemias. Kappa values of high body fat rate with overweight/obesity, high waist-to-height ratio and central obesity were 0.65, 0.53 and 0.58, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: In 2017, the prevalence of dyslipidemia in adults in Beijing City is high, especially in men. Overweight/obesity, high body fat rate and high waist-to-height ratio are associated with dyslipidemia. The high body fat rate is most associated with dyslipidemia.
Male ; Adult ; Humans ; Female ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Overweight/complications* ; Obesity, Abdominal/epidemiology* ; Beijing ; Obesity/complications* ; Body Mass Index ; Risk Factors ; Cholesterol ; Dyslipidemias/epidemiology* ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: Tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) has been reported to be a more accurate estimate of body fat than body mass index (BMI). This study aims to compare the effectiveness of TMI and BMI in identifying hypertension, dyslipidemia, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), abdominal obesity, and clustered cardio-metabolic risk factors (CMRFs) in 3- to 17-year-old children. METHODS: A total of 1587 children aged 3 to 17 years were included. Logistic regression was used to evaluate correlations between BMI and TMI. Area under the curves (AUCs) were used to compare discriminative capability among indicators. BMI was converted to BMI- z scores, and accuracy was compared by false-positive rate, false-negative rate, and total misclassification rate. RESULTS: Among children aged 3 to 17 years, the mean TMI was 13.57 ± 2.50 kg/m 3 for boys and 13.3 ± 2.33 kg/m 3 for girls. Odds ratios (ORs) of TMI for hypertension, dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, and clustered CMRFs ranged from 1.13 to 3.15, higher than BMI, whose ORs ranged from 1.08 to 2.98. AUCs showed similar ability of TMI (AUC: 0.83) and BMI (AUC: 0.85) in identifying clustered CMRFs. For abdominal obesity and hypertension, the AUC of TMI was 0.92 and 0.64, respectively, which was significantly better than that of BMI, 0.85 and 0.61. AUCs of TMI for dyslipidemia and IFG were 0.58 and 0.49. When 85th and 95th of TMI were set as thresholds, total misclassification rates of TMI for clustered CMRFs ranged from 6.5% to 16.4%, which was not significantly different from that of BMI- z scores standardized according to World Health Organization criteria. CONCLUSIONS TMI was found to have equal or even better effectiveness in comparison with BMI in identifying hypertension, abdominal obesity, and clustered CMRFs TMI was more stable than BMI in 3- to 17-year-old children, while it failed to identify dyslipidemia and IFG. It is worth considering the use of TMI for screening CMRFs in children and adolescents.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Body Mass Index ; Dyslipidemias ; East Asian People ; Hypertension ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Pediatric Obesity/diagnosis* ; Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the association between obesity and depression and the role of systemic inflammation in older adults. METHODS: Adults ≥ 65 years old ( n = 1,973) were interviewed at baseline in 2018 and 1,459 were followed up in 2021. General and abdominal obesity were assessed, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured at baseline. Depression status was assessed at baseline and at follow-up. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between obesity and the incidence of depression and worsening of depressive symptoms, as well as the relationship between obesity and CRP levels. The associations of CRP levels with the geriatric depression scale, as well as with its three dimensions, were investigated using multiple linear regressions. RESULTS: General obesity was associated with worsening depression symptoms and incident depression, with an odds ratio ( OR) [95% confidence interval ( CI)] of 1.53 (1.13-2.12) and 1.80 (1.23-2.63), especially among old male subjects, with OR (95% CI) of 2.12 (1.25-3.58) and 2.24 (1.22-4.11), respectively; however, no significant relationship was observed between abdominal obesity and depression. In addition, general obesity was associated with high levels of CRP, with OR (95% CI) of 2.58 (1.75-3.81), especially in subjects free of depression at baseline, with OR (95% CI) of 3.15 (1.97-5.04), and CRP levels were positively correlated with a score of specific dimension (life satisfaction) of depression, P < 0.05. CONCLUSION General obesity, rather than abdominal obesity, was associated with worsening depressive symptoms and incident depression, which can be partly explained by the systemic inflammatory response, and the impact of obesity on depression should be taken more seriously in the older male population.
Humans ; Male ; Aged ; Depression/etiology* ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism* ; Obesity, Abdominal/epidemiology* ; Longitudinal Studies ; Inflammation/epidemiology* ; Obesity/complications*