Background: Telomere length (TL) is a marker of biological age that may be affected by dietary factors through oxidation and inflammation mechanisms. In addition, ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has increasedworldwide and it has been associated with the risk of developing several diseases. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the association between UPF consumption and the risk of having short telomeres in an elderly population of the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Project. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 886 participants (645 men and 241 women) aged 57-91 y recruited from the SUN Project (Spain, 1999-2018). TL was measured from saliva samples by real-time qPCR at baseline and UPF consumption was collected using a validated 136-item FFQ and classified according to the NOVA system. We evaluated the association between consumption of energy-adjusted UPF categorized into quartiles (low, medium-low, medium-high, and high consumption) and the risk of having short telomeres (<20th percentile) using logistic regression models. Results: Those participants with the highest UPF consumption had almost twice the odds of having short telomeres compared with those with the lowest consumption (adjusted OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.05, 3.22; P-trend = 0.03). Conclusions: A higher consumption of UPF (>3 servings/d) was associated with higher risk of having shorter telomeres in an elderly Spanish population of the SUN Project.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is associated with changes in body composition that affect insulin sensitivity and leptin levels. Few studies have assessed the effect of lifestyle interventions on changes in objectively measured PA levels in obese children. To evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention on anthropometric indices, biochemical parameters and accelerometer measured PA in abdominal obese children. Methods: A randomized control trial was performed in 106 children and adolescents with abdominal obesity. Participants were randomly assigned to usual or intensive care group for 8-week. PA was measured by accelerometry over four days including, at least, two weekdays in all participants. Both groups were encouraged to accumulate an extra time of 200 min per week in their PA. Results: At baseline, 75% of subjects do not fulfill the WHO recommendation of being more than 60 min/day on moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). The intensive care group achieved a significant reduction in anthropometric indexes compared to the usual care but no significant change was found in biochemical or PA parameters. Both groups achieved a significant reduction in light PA. Interestingly, intensive care participants significantly increased MVPA in 5.5 min/day. Moreover, an inverse association between changes in MVPA and leptin levels was found. Conclusion: The two lifestyle intervention reduced anthropometric indexes and lowered light PA in abdominal obese children. No significant differences were observed between intensive care and usual care in regard to PA. Intensive care participants significantly increase physical activity (MVPA) and, changes in MVPA were inversely associated with changes in leptin levels after the intervention. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov , Identifier: NCT03147261 . Registered 10 May 2017. Retrospectively registered.

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) is associated with changes in body composition that affect insulin sensitivity and leptin levels. Few studies have assessed the effect of lifestyle interventions on changes in objectively measured PA levels in obese children. To evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention on anthropometric indices, biochemical parameters and accelerometer measured PA in abdominal obese children.MethodsA randomized control trial was performed in 106 children and adolescents with abdominal obesity. Participants were randomly assigned to usual or intensive care group for 8-week. PA was measured by accelerometry over four days including, at least, two weekdays in all participants. Both groups were encouraged to accumulate an extra time of 200min per week in their PA.ResultsAt baseline, 75% of subjects do not fulfill the WHO recommendation of being more than 60min/day on moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). The intensive care group achieved a significant reduction in anthropometric indexes compared to the usual care but no significant change was found in biochemical or PA parameters. Both groups achieved a significant reduction in light PA. Interestingly, intensive care participants significantly increased MVPA in 5.5min/day. Moreover, an inverse association between changes in MVPA and leptin levels was found.ConclusionThe two lifestyle intervention reduced anthropometric indexes and lowered light PA in abdominal obese children. No significant differences were observed between intensive care and usual care in regard to PA. Intensive care participants significantly increase physical activity (MVPA) and, changes in MVPA were inversely associated with changes in leptin levels after the intervention.

It is unclear how dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviors co-occur in school-aged children. We investigated the clustering of energy balance-related behaviors and whether the identified clusters were associated with weight status. Participants were 6- to 9-year-old children (n = 63,215, 49.9% girls) from 19 countries participating in the fourth round (2015/2017) of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. Energy balance-related behaviors were parentally reported. Weight and height were objectively measured. We performed cluster analysis separately per group of countries (North Europe, East Europe, South Europe/Mediterranean countries and West-Central Asia). Seven clusters were identified in each group. Healthier clusters were common across groups. The pattern of distribution of healthy and unhealthy behaviors within each cluster was group specific. Associations between the clustering of energy balance-related behaviors and weight status varied per group. In South Europe/Mediterranean countries and East Europe, all or most of the cluster solutions were associated with higher risk of overweight/obesity when compared with the cluster 'Physically active and healthy diet'. Few or no associations were observed in North Europe and West-Central Asia, respectively. These findings support the hypothesis that unfavorable weight status is associated with a particular combination of energy balance-related behavior patterns, but only in some groups of countries.

Mutations leading to a reduced function of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) exert a major gene effect on extreme obesity. Recently it was shown that the bone derived hormone lipocalin 2 (LCN2) binds to the MC4R and activates a MC4R dependent anorexigenic pathway. We identified mutations in both genes and screened the effects of MC4R and LCN2 mutations on eating behavior and weight change after a lifestyle intervention. One hundred and twelve children (11.24 +/- 2.6 years, BMI-SDS 2.91 +/- 1.07) with abdominal obesity participated in a lifestyle intervention. MC4R and LCN2 coding regions were screened by Sanger sequencing. Eating behavior was assessed at baseline with the Children Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ). We detected three previously described non-synonymous MC4R variants (Glu42Lys, Thr150Ile, and Arg305Gln) and one non-synonymous polymorphism (Ile251Leu). Regarding LCN2, one known non-synonymous variant (Thr124Met) was detected. Eating behavior was described in carriers of the MC4R and LCN2 mutation and in non-carriers. MC4R and LCN2 mutations were detected in 2.42% and 0.84%, respectively, of Spanish children with abdominal obesity. A number of subjects with functional mutation variants in MC4R and LCN2 were able to achieve a reduction in BMI-SDS after a lifestyle intervention.

High rates of childhood obesity require integral treatment with lifestyle modifications that achieve weight loss. We evaluated a lifestyle intervention on nutrient adequacy and diet quality in children and adolescents with abdominal obesity. A randomized controlled trial was performed on 107 participants, assigned either to a usual care group or to an intensive care group that followed a moderate hypocaloric Mediterranean diet and received nutritional education. Intake adequacy was evaluated using Dietary Reference Intakes and diet quality through the Diet Quality Index for Adolescents (DQI-A), the Healthy Lifestyle Diet-Index (HLD-I) and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED). Both groups achieved a significant reduction in BMI standard deviation score (BMI-SDS), glucose and total cholesterol levels. Intake of Calcium, Iodine and vitamin D were higher in the intensive care group, with enhanced compliance with recommendations. Higher dietary scores were associated with lower micronutrient inadequacy. DQI-A and HLD-I were significantly higher in the intensive care group vs. usual care group after the treatment. In conclusion, we observed that an intensive lifestyle intervention was able to reduce BMI-SDS in children with abdominal obesity. Furthermore, participants significantly improved dietary indices getting closer to the nutritional recommendations. Therefore, these diet quality indices could be a valid indicator to evaluate micronutrient adequacy.

Background: serotonin signaling participates in body weight regulation and glucose metabolism. However, little information is available on circulating serotonin levels in obese subjects after a weight loss program. We aimed to assess the effect of a lifestyle intervention on serotonin levels in obese children and possible associations with anthropometric and blood glucose measurements. Methods: forty-four obese children were enrolled in a ten-week lifestyle intervention consisting of a moderate caloric restriction diet, nutritional education and familial involvement. They were distributed according to the weight loss response. Subjects who lost > 0.5 BMI-SDS were considered as high responders (HR; n = 22) and those who lost 0.5 BMI-SDS, as low responders (LR; n = 22). Anthropometric, biochemical parameters and plasma serotonin levels were measured as pre and post-intervention values. Results: obese children (HR and LR groups) were able to reduce anthropometric indices and to improve glucose profile after the intervention. Interestingly, plasma serotonin levels were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in all subjects (-35.14 nmol/I HR group and -30.63 nmol/I LR group). Moreover, multiple-adjusted regression models showed a significant association between pre-intervention (R-2 = 0.224, B = 0.047; p = 0.004) and post-intervention (R-2 = 0.140; B = 0.055; p = 0.042) plasma serotonin and glucose levels. In addition, in HR subjects changes in plasma serotonin were associated with changes in glucose levels (R-2 = 0.292; b = 0.04; p = 0.045). Interestingly, pre and post-intervention plasma serotonin levels were inversely associated (p < 0.05) with anthropometric measures. Conclusions: serotonin levels were reduced after a lifestyle intervention independently of the program response. Moreover, plasma serotonin levels were associated with glucose and anthropometric measures in obese children.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation related molecules such as tumor necrosis factor-¿ (TNF-¿), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) are highly expressed in obese individuals and could partly explain some comorbidities associated to obesity. In obese children, lifestyle interventions are able to lower inflammation and reduce cardiovascular risk factors associated with obesity. The aim of the present work was to study changes in inflammation-related molecules serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) transcript levels after a 10-week lifestyle intervention in obese children and asses their potential association with glucose metabolism. METHODS: Twenty-three obese children (mean age 11.5 years; 48% males) underwent a 10-week lifestyle not controlled intervention trial. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were analyzed. Transcript analysis for CT-1, IL-6, and TNF-¿ in PBMC were performed by RT-PCR. Serum cytokine levels were also measured at baseline and after 10-weeks. RESULTS: Participants achieved a significant reduction in body adiposity (0.34 decrease in body mass index-standard deviation), total cholesterol, and glucose levels after 10-weeks. A Significant decrease in serum TNF-¿ and C reactive protein (CRP) were observed. CT-1 transcript levels were significantly reduced (P = .005) after lifestyle intervention, and these changes were significantly correlated with changes in serum CT-1 levels (r = 0.451; P = .031). In multiple regression analysis baseline CT-1 transcript levels were positively associated with final insulin (R2 = 0.506; P = .035) and HOMA-IR values (R2 = 0.473; P = .034). CONCLUSIONS: We reported that serum CRP, TNF-¿, as well as PBMC CT-1 transcript levels were reduced after lifestyle intervention in obese children. More studies are needed to clarify the role of inflammation-related molecules in glucose metabolism.