Narumi Nagai

The body mass index (BMI), defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared, has been widely used to assess thinness and obesity in all age groups, including children and adolescents. However, the validity and utility of BMI as a reliable measure of nutritional health have been questioned. This study discusses the mathematical conditions that support the validity of BMI based on population statistics. Here, we propose a condition defined as allometric uni-scaling to ensure the validity of BMI as an objective height-adjusted measure. Any given centile curve, including the median curve, in a weight-for-height distribution should be approximated using power-law functions with the same scaling exponent. In contrast, when the scaling exponent varies depending on the position of the centile curve, it is called allometric multi-scaling. By introducing a method for testing these scaling properties using quantile regression, we analyzed a large-scale Japanese database that included 7,863,520 children aged 5-17 years. We demonstrated the remarkable multi-scaling properties at ages 5-13 years for males and 5-11 years for females, and the convergence to uni-scaling with a scaling exponent close to 2 as they approached 17 years of age for both sexes. We confirmed that conventional BMI is appropriate as an objective height-adjusted mass measure at least 17 years of age, close to adulthood, for both males and females. However, the validity of BMI could not be confirmed in younger age groups. Our findings indicate that the growth of children’s weight-for-height relation is much more complex than previously assumed. Therefore, a single BMI-type formula cannot be used to assess thinness and obesity in children and adolescents.

Background Precision in evaluating underweight and overweight status among children and adolescents is paramount for averting health and developmental issues. Existing standards for these assessments have faced scrutiny regarding their validity. This study investigates the age and height dependencies within the international standards set by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), relying on body mass index (BMI), and contrasts them with Japanese standards utilizing the percentage of overweight (POW). Method We scrutinized a comprehensive database comprising 7,863,520 children aged 5–17 years, sourced from the School Health Statistics Research initiative conducted by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. Employing the quantile regression method, we dissected the structure of weight-for-height distributions across different ages and sexes, quantifying the potentially biased assessments of underweight and overweight status by conventional criteria. Results Applying IOFT criteria for underweight assessment revealed pronounced height dependence in males aged 11–13 and females aged 10–11. Notably, a discernible bias emerged, wherein children in the lower 25th percentile were classified as underweight five times more frequently than those in the upper 25th percentile. Similarly, the overweight assessment displayed robust height dependence in males aged 8–11 and females aged 7–10, with children in the lower 25th percentile for height deemed obese four or five times more frequently than their counterparts in the upper 25th percentile. Furthermore, using the Japanese POW criteria for assessment revealed significant age dependence in addition to considerably underestimating the percentage of underweight and overweight cases under the age of seven. However, the height dependence for the POW criterion was smaller than the BMI criterion, and the difference between height classes was less than 3-fold. Conclusion Our findings underscore the intricacies of age-dependent changes in body composition during the growth process in children, emphasizing the absence of gold standards for assessing underweight and overweight. Careful judgment is crucial in cases of short or tall stature at the same age, surpassing sole reliance on conventional criteria results.

Background We have previously reported that female patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM-LD) are thinner and eat less than healthy controls. Therefore, we hypothesized that their thinness is associated with body size misperception. The aim of this study was to clarify whether patients’ body size perception (BSP) is associated with body mass index (BMI) independent of potential confounders. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we assessed 81 outpatients for BSP using the Japanese version of Body Image Scale, body composition, dietary intake, and biochemical markers. As a control, we used BSP and self-reported anthropometric data from 111 healthy women collected via a web survey. First, BSP and BMI were compared between the patients and the controls. Second, patient data was compared between patients who overestimated their body size (OE, n = 31) and a control who did not (Non-OE, n = 50). Multiple regression analysis was performed to clarify the association between BSP (independent variable) and BMI (dependent variable), adjusting for potential confounders, such as age, disease duration, and nutritional factors. Results There was a negative correlation between body size distortion and BMI in both patients and controls (p < 0.001, both). In interpatient comparisons, the OE group had significantly lower BMI and body fat percentage (p < 0.001, both), normalized energy (p = 0.037), and protein (p = 0.013) intakes, and significantly greater weight loss from age 20 (p = 0.003) than the Non-OE group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that overestimation of body size was associated with lower BMI independent of confounders, such as longer disease history, longitudinal weight loss, and nutritional factors. Conclusion These findings suggest that body size distortion is an etiological factor for lower BMI in female patients with NTM-LD. Thus, it may be important to understand the patient’s body image when providing dietary advice.

Recent reports have associated the use of social networking sites (SNS) with the drive for thinness in young women; however, its influence on their actual body shape and eating behaviors (EB) remains unclear. We aimed to examine the effect of SNS use on body mass index (BMI), body image (BI), and EB in young women. Participants included 196 healthy women (20-29 years) who answered questions about their SNS use, height, weight, BI and EB via a web-based survey. First, the correlation between time spent on SNS and each variable was determined. Participants were then divided into quartiles according to the duration of daily SNS use as long (≥3 h, n = 52) and short (<1 h, n = 54), and the data were then compared between the groups. Correlation analysis showed that the longer the duration of daily SNS use, the significantly lower the BMI, the use of nutrition labels, and the frequency of consumption of milk and dairy products. The long group had significantly lower BMI and ideal BI than the short group. The results suggest that spending more time on SNS in young women may be associated with thinner actual and ideal body shapes and poorer access to health information and healthy foods.

Abstract Background In women, slender body habitus has been reported to be one of the predisposing factors underlying the development and poor prognosis of non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM-LD). Given the lack of nutritional data contributing to treatment strategies, we aimed to clarify the nutritional status of female patients with NTM-LD and its association with disease severity. Methods In this single-center observational study, we enrolled 81 female outpatients with NTM-LD. Data on healthy women of similar ages were selected from our previous survey data and categorized as controls. First, we compared anthropometric and dietary survey data between patients and controls. Second, after the patients were categorized into relatively mild (mild, n = 40) and relatively severe groups (severe, n = 41) based on pulmonary X-ray-image finding scores, body composition, nutritional intake, and biochemical markers were compared between the groups. To identify nutritional factors associated with disease severity, logistic regression analyses were performed. Results Compared with controls, patients with NTM-LD had significantly lower energy intake, body mass index, body fat, and skeletal muscle mass (all p &lt; 0.001). Compared with the mild group, the severe group had significantly lower skeletal muscle mass (p = 0.037), albumin (p = 0.029), transthyretin (prealbumin) (p = 0.002), retinol-binding protein (p = 0.011), and hemoglobin (p = 0.001); however, no between-group differences were observed in energy or nutrient intake. Logistic analyses revealed that transthyretin (p = 0.025) and hemoglobin (p = 0.003) levels were independent factors associated with disease severity. Conclusions This is the first study to comprehensively report the association between NTM-LD severity and nutritional status, including body composition, nutrient intake, and biomarkers. The results suggest that initiating nutritional therapy from the mild stage of the disease to prevent undernutrition is warranted.

For athletes, it is important to acquire lean body mass (LBM) involving the skeletal muscle mass during their growth periods; however, the influence of chronotype on LBM gain remains unclear. We therefore aimed to investigate whether chronotype, sleep-wake cycle on weekdays (SWC-W), and their interaction contribute to LBM gain among adolescent male athletes in a 4-month intervention study. The participants were 45 male high-school baseball players. The intervention, including exercise menu (running and muscle strength training) and nutritional education, was conducted during a 4-month period of season-off training. The chronotype, body composition, lifestyle, and dietary intake were investigated before intervention (baseline) and after 4 months. Among the participants [Morningness (n = 14), Eveningness (n = 15), Intermediate (n = 16); ME score based on the Morningness/Eveningness Scale for Children (MES-C)], the midpoint of sleep on weekdays (MSW) was calculated in the "Morningness" and "Eveningness" participants, respectively. They were divided into 4 groups based on a match/mismatch with the chronotype: Type M-match (n = 8), Type M-mismatch (n = 6), Type E-match (n = 7), and Type E-mismatch (n = 8) groups. The data were compared among the 4 groups. Moreover, multiple regression analysis was conducted using an increase (kg) LBM gain as a response variable. When comparing the data between the "Morningness" and "Eveningness" participants, there were no differences in nutrient intake, the duration of training, or each parameter of body composition (per body weight) at baseline or after 4 months. There were also no differences in the rates of change in the body weight or each parameter of body composition. In groups in which the chronotype was consistent with the SWC-W (the Type M-match and Type E-match groups), the LBM gain were slightly greater than in the Type M-mismatch and Type E-mismatch groups (Type M-match: 3.5 ± 2.0 kg, Type M-mismatch: 1.6 ± 1.7 kg, Type E-match: 3.4 ± 2.2 kg, and Type E-mismatch: 1.2 ± 1.8 kg, p = .057). Multiple regression analysis revealed that an extent of the LBM gain was associated with a match between the chronotype and SWC-W (ß = 0.37, p = .030), independent of a long duration of training (ß = 0.52, p = .004). The results suggested that training-related LBM gain is associated with interactions between the chronotype and SWC-W in adolescent male athletes.Abbreviations: LBM: Lean body mass; SWC-W: Sleep-wake cycle on weekdays; ME score: Morningness-eveningness score; MES-C: Morningness/Eveningness Scale for Children; MSW: Midpoint of sleep on weekdays; MSF: Midpoint of sleep on free days; MSFsc: Midpoint of sleep on free days corrected for sleep debt accumulated through weekdays.

OBJECTIVE: Low birth weight (LBW) is a major public health issue as it increases the risk of noncommunicable diseases throughout life. However, the genome-wide DNA methylation patterns of full-term LBW infants (FT-LBWs) are still unclear. This exploratory study aimed to analyze the DNA methylation differences in FT-LBWs compared with those in full-term normal birth weight infants (FT-NBWs) whose mothers were nonsmokers and had no complications. Initially, 702 Japanese women with singleton pregnancies were recruited. Of these, four FT-LBWs and five FT-NBWs were selected as references for DNA methylation analysis, and 862,260 CpGs were assessed using Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. Gene ontology enrichment analysis was performed using DAVID v6.8 software to identify the biological functions of hyper- and hypomethylated DNA in FT-LBWs. RESULTS: 483 hyper-differentially methylated genes (DMGs) and 35 hypo-DMGs were identified in FT-LBW promoter regions. Hyper-DMGs were annotated to 11 biological processes; "macrophage differentiation" (e.g., CASP8), "apoptotic mitochondrial changes" (e.g., BH3), "nucleotide-excision repair" (e.g., HUS1), and "negative regulation of inflammatory response" (e.g., NLRP12 and SHARPIN). EREG was classified into "ovarian cumulus expansion" within the "organism growth and organization" category. Our data imply that LBW might be associated with epigenetic modifications, which regulate the immune system and cell maturation.

© 2019, Serdi and Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Background: Rice wine lees (RWL), a Japanese traditional fermented product, is a rich source of one-carbon metabolism-related nutrients, which may have beneficial effects on cognitive function. Objectives: We aimed to examine the effect of the RWL on cognitive function in community-dwelling physically active older adults. Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study (clinical trial number: UMIN 000027158). Setting: Community-based intervention including assessments conducted at the University of Hyogo and a public liberal arts school in Himeji City, Japan. Participants: A total of 35 community-dwelling older adults (68–80 years) who performed mild exercise before and during the trial were assigned to either the RWL (n=17) or the placebo group (n=18). Intervention: Daily consumption of 50 g RWL powder, which contained one-carbon metabolism-related nutrients, or the placebo powder (made from soy protein and dextrin) for 12 weeks. Both supplements included equivalent amounts of energy and protein. Measurements: Montreal Cognitive Assessment, computerized cognitive function test, and measurements of serum predictive biomarkers (transthyretin, apolipoprotein A1, and complement C3) were conducted at baseline and follow-up. Results: Visual selective attention and serum transthyretin significantly improved in the RWL group, whereas there was no significant change in the placebo group. No significant group difference was observed in the remaining cognitive performance tests. Conclusions: RWL supplements seem to have a few effects on cognitive function in community-dwelling physically active older adults. However, the impact was limited; therefore, further studies with sufficient sample size are warranted to elucidate this issue.

AIM: Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) status has negative health consequences in neonates and later life. Low socioeconomic status (SES) is a reported risk factor for adverse birth outcomes, such as SGA and preterm birth (PTB). The present study investigated whether maternal SES is associated with adverse outcomes in Japanese pregnant women. METHODS: Retrospective data were collected for 1970 Japanese women with singleton pregnancies who delivered between January 2007 and December 2011 at a single center: low SES group (n = 197); and controls (n = 1773). Low SES was defined according to the criteria of the Japanese pregnant-childbirth hospitalization support policy system. RESULTS: The low SES group included a significantly higher proportion of young women, women with single marital status, greater parity, pre-pregnancy smoking and a lack of regular employment (P < 0.001, respectively). The crude odds ratio (OR) for the association between low maternal SES and SGA was 1.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-2.82, P = 0.010). After adjustment for baseline maternal age, parity, body mass index, smoking and gestational weight gain, the adjusted OR for the association between low maternal SES and SGA was 1.92 (95% CI 1.17-3.17, P = 0.010). No significant association was found between maternal SES and PTB. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that low maternal SES is associated with SGA births in the Japanese population. Mitigation of low maternal SES could be urgent public health to prevent disadvantage birth outcome.

Being born with large birthweight is considered as a risk of non-communicable diseases later in life. However, it is not fully understood what kind of maternal dietary intake during pregnancy affect large birthweight. Therefore, we examined the association of dietary intakes and its changes during pregnancy with large-for-gestational-age (LGA) births in Japanese pregnant women. In the prospective study, 245 pregnant women who visited Kyoto Medical Center were enrolled. Nutrition survey using brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) at all trimester was completed in 171 pregnant women. Based on birthweight and gestational age, participants were divided into three groups, such as small-for-gestational-age (<10th, SGA, n=17), appropriate-for-gestational-age (≥10th and <90th, AGA, n=144), and LGA (≥90th, n=10) groups. Compared with those without LGA births, mothers with LGA births showed: 1) greater weight gain during pregnancy (LGA: 14.0±3.2 kg, AGA: 9.9±3.9 kg, SGA: 8.4±3.1 kg, p<0.05); 2) higher energy intake throughout pregnancy (LGA: 310±368 kcal, AGA: 7±490 kcal, SGA: -97±293 kcal, ptrend<0.05); 3) larger changes in plant oil and sucrose consumptions from the 1st to 2nd trimester, probably due to the results of greater consumption of bread, Western confectionery, Japanese confectionery, and mayonnaise and dressing during the same period (ptrend<0.05, respectively). Our results suggest that higher energy intake throughout pregnancy, as well as greater consumption of plant oil and sucrose from the first to second trimester could be associated with LGA births.

Maslinic acid, derived from olive fruit, reduces pro-inflammation cytokines, which are involved in muscle fiber atrophy. Therefore, the maslinic acid ingestion may enhance the muscular response to resistance training through anti-inflammatory action. We therefore conducted a parallel, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that examined whether a combination of maslinic acid supplementation and resistance training improve mobility functions in community-dwelling elderly persons. Over a 12-week period, 36 participants underwent moderate resistance training and are assigned to the maslinic acid supplementation (n = 17, 60 mg/day) or the placebo (n = 19) group. At baseline and at 12-weeks, we assessed body composition, grip strength, walking speed, leg strength, mobility functions, and knee pain scores. Following the 12-weeks, skeletal muscle mass, segmental muscle mass (right arm, left arm, and trunk) and knee pain score of the right leg were significantly improved in the maslinic acid group, while there was no change or parameters had worsened in the placebo group. Grip strength of the better side significantly increased only in the maslinic acid group. These results suggest that maslinic acid supplementation combined with moderate resistance training may increase upper muscle mass and grip strength, and reduce knee pain, could be effective for preventing mobility-related disability in elderly persons. Clinical trial registration number: UMIN000017207.

Physical exercise exerts favourable effects on brain health and quality of life of the elderly; some of these positive health effects are induced by the modulation of microbiota composition. We therefore conducted a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial that assessed whether a combination of Bifidobacterium spp. supplementation and moderate resistance training improved the cognitive function and other health-related parameters in healthy elderly subjects. Over a 12-week period, 38 participants (66-78 years) underwent resistance training and were assigned to the probiotic Bifidobacterium supplementation (n=20; 1.25×1010 cfu each of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BB536, B. longum subsp. infantis M-63, Bifidobacterium breve M-16V and B. breve B-3) or the placebo (n=18) group. At baseline and at 12 weeks, we assessed the cognitive function, using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment instrument (MoCA-J); modified flanker task scores; depression-anxiety scores; body composition; and bowel habits. At 12 weeks, the MoCA-J scores showed a significant increase in both the groups, while the flanker task scores of the probiotic group increased more significantly than those of the placebo group (0.35±0.9 vs -0.29±1.1, P=0.056). Only the probiotic group showed a significant decrease in the depression-anxiety scores (5.2±6.3 to 3.4±5.5, P=0.012) and body mass index (24.0±2.8 to 23.5±2.8 kg/m2, P<0.001), with a significant increase in the defecation frequency (5.3±2.3 to 6.4±2.3 times/5 days, P=0.023) at 12 weeks. Thus, in healthy elderly subjects, combined probiotic bifidobacteria supplementation and moderate resistance training may improve the mental condition, body weight and bowel movement frequency.

The color of food is known to modulate not only consumers' motivation to eat, but also thermal perception. Here we investigated whether the colors of hot soup can influence thermal sensations and body temperature, in addition to the food acceptability and appetite. Twelve young female participants consumed commercial white potage soup, modified to yellow or blue by adding food dyes, at 9 a.m. on 3 separated days. During the test, visual impression (willingness to eat, palatability, comfort, warmth, and anxiety) and thermal sensations were self-reported using visual analog scales. Core (intra-aural) and peripheral (toe) temperatures were continuously recorded 10 min before and 60 min after ingestion. Blue soup significantly decreased willingness to eat, palatability, comfort, and warmth ratings, and significantly increased anxiety feelings compared to the white and yellow soups. After ingestion, the blue soup showed significantly smaller satiety ratings and the tendency of lower thermal sensation scores of the whole body compared to the white and yellow soups. Moreover, a significantly greater increase in toe temperature was found with the yellow soup than the white or blue soup. In conclusion, this study provides new evidence that the colors of hot food may modulate postprandial satiety, thermal sensations and peripheral temperature. Such effects of color may be useful for dietary strategies for individuals who need to control their appetite.

PURPOSE: Smartphones are prevalently used among adolescents; however, nighttime exposure to blue-enriched light, through electric devices, is known to induce delays of the circadian rhythm phases and poor morning somatic conditions. We therefore investigated whether evening smartphone use may affect sleep-wake cycle and cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity after awaking in dormitory students. METHODS: The participants were high school students, living under dormitory rules regarding the curfew, study, meals, lights-out, and wake-up times. The students were forbidden from the use of both television and personal computer in their private rooms, and only the use of a smartphone was permitted. According to prior assessment of smartphone use, we chose age-, sex-, exercise time-matched long (n = 22, >120 min) and short (n = 14, ≤60 min) groups and compared sleep-wake cycle and physiological parameters, such as cardiac ANS activity, blood pressure, and intra-aural temperature. All measurements were performed during 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. in the dormitories. RESULTS: Compared with the short group, the long group showed a significantly lower cardiac ANS activity (2727 ± 308 vs. 4455 ± 667 ms2, p = 0.030) with a tendency toward a high heart rate, in addition to later bedtimes during weekdays and more delayed wake-up times over the weekend. Blood pressure and intra-aural temperature did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, evening smartphone use may be associated with altered sleep-wake cycle and a diminished cardiac ANS activity after awakening could be affecting daytime activities.

The 3111T/C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput (CLOCK) gene reportedly affects gastric motility before breakfast. It is of interest to know whether this SNP can affect the motility during the daytime. We investigated the association between the CLOCK 3111T/C SNP and several gastric motility parameters during the time period from 8:00 to 20:00 in 34 young women with scheduled meals. There were similar daytime fluctuations in gastric motility before and after the meals between the major (T/T) and minor (T/C) allele carriers. The CLOCK SNP may affect daytime gastric motility less than food stimulation.

We previously reported that carbonated water ingestion induced fullness and gastric motility. In order to determine whether such satiating effects occur through oral carbonic stimulation alone, we conducted modified sham-feeding (SF) tests (carbonated water ingestion (CW), water ingestion (W), carbonated water sham-feeding (CW-SF), and water sham-feeding (W-SF)), employing an equivalent volume and standardized temperature of carbonated and plain water, in a randomized crossover design. Thirteen young women began fasting at 10 p.m. on the previous night and were loaded with each sample (15ºC, 250 mL) at 9 a.m. on separate days. Electrogastrography (EGG) recordings were obtained from 20 min before to 45 min after the loading to determine the power and frequency of the gastric myoelectrical activity. Appetite was assessed using visual analog scales. After ingestion, significantly increased fullness and decreased hunger ratings were observed in the CW group. After the load, transiently but significantly increased fullness as well as decreased hunger ratings were observed in the CW-SF group. The powers of normogastria (2-4 cpm) and tachygastria (4-9 cpm) showed significant increases in the CW and W groups, but not in the CW-SF and W-SF groups. The peak frequency of normogastria tended to shift toward a higher band in the CW group, whereas it shifted toward a lower band in the CW-SF group, indicating a different EGG rhythm. Our results suggest that CO2-induced oral stimulation is solely responsible for the feeling of satiety. Moreover, different gastric-contraction rhythms (slow or fast) were induced by oral carbonic stimulation alone and carbonated water ingestion.

<p>The aim of this study was to clarify differences in subjective appetite and gastric motility after ingestion of a solution of either a noncaloric artificial sweetener, sucralose (SR) , or sucrose (S) . Twelve young women began fasting at 10:00 pm on the previous night, then ingested SR and S, or plain water (W) as control, at equivalent temperature, volume (15℃, 150 mL) and sweetness at 9:00 am on different days. The subjects were administered the separate sweet samples (30 mL) orally and instructed to swallow after sufficient mixing in the mouth, which was repeated 5 times. For evaluation of sweet taste, the scores before ingestion, and during ingestion of the 1st and 5th cups of the sample were used. Electrogastrograms, electrocardiograms (heart rate) , and body temperatures were obtained 20 min before and 65 min after sample ingestion. Subjective appetite was evaluated before and every 15 min after ingestion. Both of the sweet-tasting samples, but especially SR, suppressed hunger immediately after ingestion, and postprandial subjective appetite increased according to the perceived sweetness (S and SR) . Differences in electrogastrogram responses were found after ingestion of S and SR; elevated HR was observed only after ingestion of S. Our results suggest that SR increases neither heart rate nor body temperature, but temporarily suppresses subjective appetite and alters gastric motility in comparison with S.</p>

Objective: A previous study on young women showed that, after ingestion of hot soup, palatability enhanced the sense of relief, and soup temperature was associated with postprandial body temperatures. However, the effect of sodium on such physiological responses remains unclear. Here, we studied the effect of sodium (amount for daily consumption) on the sense of relief, thermal sensations, and core/peripheral temperatures after ingestion of soup (S) or salt-free soup (SFS).<br>Methods: Twelve young women, who began fasting from the night before the examination day, were provided with S (Na 440 mg), SFS (Na 61 mg) or Blank (no soup) at 9 a.m. on 3 different days in a randomized order. Immediately after ingestion of soup (65&deg;C, 150 ml), palatability was self-recorded. Core (eardrum) and peripheral (fingertip and toe) temperatures and heart rate (HR) were measured 10 min before and 65 min after ingestion. Subjective parameters were self-reported before and every 15 min after ingestion (6 times) using questionnaires.<br>Results: Palatable score and postprandial toe-temperature were significantly higher after S than after SFS. Multiple regression analysis revealed associate of the increase in toe-temperature with palatable scores. Postprandial sense of relief, thermal sensations, core-temperatures, and HR were higher in S and SFS than in Blank, with no differences between S and SFS.<br>Conclusion: Sodium enhanced the palatability of soup, and may be associated with postprandial peripheral temperature. The remaining parameters showed similar changes after both S and SFS, suggesting a limited effect of sodium.

Objective: A previous study on female students with evening preference showed an attenuated activity of the cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) in morning and a fluctuated gastric motility caused by mealtime. We further examined the association of morning-evening (ME) preference with morning gastric motility and vital parameters in female high school students who have the same mealtime, as they live in a school dormitory.<br>Methods: Forty-one students were measured in terms of blood pressure, eardrum temperatures, electrocardiography (ECG), and electrogastrography for 10 min before breakfast at temporally setting measurement room in the dormitory. Cardiac ANS activity and averaged heart rate (HR) were calculated from the ECG. To evaluate fasting gastric motility (occurring 3 cycles/min), an action potential was derived from electrodes placed on the abdomen. Thereafter, power and peak frequency was analyzed by a power spectral analysis method. According to total ME scores, calculated from 10 questions (1-5 points, respectively), students were divided into morning (&ge; 28.5 [mean] points) or evening preference groups (< 28.5 points) and the parameters were compared between the groups.<br>Results: As compared to the morning preference group, the evening preference group showed 1) a significantly delayed wake-up time on both weekdays and weekends, 2) a significantly higher HR, and 3) a significantly higher frequency of gastric motility without any differences in gastric contraction power.<br>Conclusion: Female high school students with evening preference showed a high HR after awakening without a diminished gastric motility, possibly suggesting the occurrence of food anticipated activity induced by regular mealtime.

Humans show individual differences of biological rhythm phase, and can be classified into the "morning type" (peak performance being achieved in the early part of the day) or the "evening type" (peak performance towards the end of the day) . We therefore hypothesized that evening-type individuals would show different daytime variations of autonomic nervous activity, gastric motility and appetite sensations, which are under the control of the biological clock. In this study, 34 young women began fasting at 22:00 h on the previous night and ate test meals at a pre-determined time on the test day. Electrogastrography, electrocardiography (cardiac autonomic nerve activity) , appetite sensations, sleepiness, and core (eardrum) temperature were measured from 8:00 to 20:00 h at 1-hour intervals. After completion of all measurements, the subjects completed a morningness-eveningness questionnaire, and were divided into morning- or evening-preference types. Evening-preference individuals demonstrated a higher heart rate, a predominance of sympathetic nerve activity and greater sleepiness in the daytime. Moreover, they had a significantly lower hunger score during the morning, and did not show a significant shift in the frequency of postprandial gastric motility as compared with morning-preference individuals. Our results suggest that an evening-preference lifestyle may be associated with attenuation of appetite and vitality during the morning.

There is evidence to support that mastication may contribute to the prevention of weight gain via reduction of appetite sensations and subsequent energy intake. However, the metabolic effect of mastication after consumption of a daily meal, composed of the staple food (rice), soup, main and side dishes, is limited. Therefore, the effect of thorough mastication on greater satiety and the thermic effect of a meal (TEM) was investigated in young women. In study 1, energy expenditure (EE) derived from masticatory muscle activity for 20 min was measured while chewing hard, tasteless, non-caloric gum in seven subjects. In study 2, ten subjects consumed a solid meal performing 30 chews per mouthful (30 CPM), or swallowed the same, pureed meal without chewing (0 CPM) on two separate days, and postprandial EE, substrate oxidation, subjective appetite ratings and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity for 3 h were examined. Both test meals were iso-caloric (2,510 kJ) and -weighted (884 g), and consumed in 20 min. From study 1, the EE of mastication itself for the 20 min was estimated to be 3.7±0.8 kJ. From study 2, significantly higher TEM (134.2±15.5 vs. 67.8±13.8 kJ/3 h, p<0.001) as well as satiety (p=0.005), and tendency toward greater fat oxidation (p=0.090) and ANS activity (p=0.069) were observed after consumption of the meal with 30 CPM compared to 0 CPM. In conclusion, thorough mastication before swallowing increased postprandial satiety and the TEM in young women, suggesting such eating behavior may be useful for preventing obesity.

Objective: In nutrition education for the students with special needs, selecting teaching tools that utilize the learners&rsquo; senses are important; however, there has been little research verifying their effectiveness. Since the three-dimensional teaching tools (TDTT) have been widely used in special needs education, we hypothesized that TDTT elicit higher reaction and interest from the students with a various type and degree of the disability as compared to the flat one. The aim of our research was to confirm this hypothesis.<br>Methods: Forty-five students with a primarily physical-disabled, in the elementary to high school sections of S-nursing school, received the nutrition education with the main activity being a pseudo-harvest experience in September 2013. In order to prepare the education tools, a paper was attached to the right half of a B1 size panel, and on the left half, a cloth was attached, thereby creating the appearance of a field. Then, on the right half, flat teaching tools (made of paper) that practically replicated the actual size of the crops were attached, and on the left half, the same number of TDTT (made of cloth) were attached using magic tape. The students came to the lunchroom in the unit of classes (4-6 students) and freely harvested the crops for approximately 15 minutes. The observers recorded the responses of the students and the number of crops harvested, and converted their observations into scores. An evaluation was also conducted from the free descriptions of the teachers.<br>Results: The TDTT showed significantly higher scores for both responses and number of crops harvested than the flat teaching tools. The superiority of the TDTT was also evident from the teacher evaluations.<br>Conclusions: In nutrition education for students with special needs, the findings suggested that TDTT that emphasize discriminative sensations elicit more interest and greater response as compared to flat teaching tools.

BACKGROUND: Clock genes regulate circadian rhythm and are involved in various physiological processes, including digestion. We therefore investigated the association between the CLOCK 3111T/C single nucleotide polymorphism and the Period3 (PER3) variable-number tandem-repeat polymorphism (either 4 or 5 repeats 54 nt in length) with morning gastric motility. METHODS: Lifestyle questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were performed with 173 female volunteers (mean age, 19.4 years). Gastric motility, evaluated by electrogastrography (EGG), blood pressure, and heart rate levels were measured at 8:30 a.m. after an overnight fast. For gastric motility, the spectral powers (% normal power) and dominant frequency (DF, peak of the power spectrum) of the EGG were evaluated. The CLOCK and PER3 polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: Subjects with the CLOCK C allele (T/C or C/C genotypes: n = 59) showed a significantly lower DF (mean, 2.56 cpm) than those with the T/T genotype (n = 114, 2.81 cpm, P < 0.05). Subjects with the longer PER3 allele (PER34/5 or PER35/5 genotypes: n = 65) also showed a significantly lower DF (2.55 cpm) than those with the shorter PER34/4 genotype (n = 108, 2.83 cpm, P < 0.05). Furthermore, subjects with both the T/C or C/C and PER34/5 or PER35/5 genotypes showed a significantly lower DF (2.43 cpm, P < 0.05) than subjects with other combinations of the alleles (T/T and PER34/4 genotype, T/C or C/C and PER34/4 genotypes, and T/T and PER34/5 or PER35/5 genotypes). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that minor polymorphisms of the circadian rhythm genes CLOCK and PER3 may be associated with poor morning gastric motility, and may have a combinatorial effect. The present findings may offer a new viewpoint on the role of circadian rhythm genes on the peripheral circadian systems, including the time-keeping function of the gut.

The present study focused on the oral stimulatory effect (cooling sensation) of carbonated water. In order to determine the degree to which consumption of carbonated water changes body temperature, and whether such a reaction can occurs through oral stimulation alone, we conducted feeding and sham-feeding (SF) tests employing identical temperatures and volumes of carbonated water and plain water. We conducted 4 types of tests (carbonated water consumption [CW], plain water consumption [W], carbonated water sham-feeding [CW-SF], and plain water sham-feeding [W-SF]) with a randomized crossover design. Thirteen young women began fasting at 10：00 pm on the previous night and samples of water were ingested (15℃, 250 mL) at 9：00 am on different days in a laboratory where the temperature was maintained at 26℃. Electrocardiograms were obtained 20 min before and 40 min after sample ingestion. The subjects' core (eardrum) and peripheral (foot) temperatures were monitored continuously using highly sensitive thermosensors. The eardrum temperature did not change in the W-SF and CW-SF groups, but showed a temporary decrease in the W and CW groups. Foot temperature decreased by approximately 2.5-3℃ in the W and CW groups. Furthermore, while foot temperature decreased by approximately 1℃ in the W-SF group, a decrease of approximately 2.5℃ was observed in the CW-SF group. Heart rate increased temporarily immediately after the end of ingestion in the CW and CW-SF groups. These results suggest that oral stimulation by carbonic acid is solely responsible for changing the heart rate and peripheral temperature.

Objective: The acquisition of the ability for pronunciation is important for hard of hearing preschool children. Nutrition teachers are expected to support children through school-lunch and nutrition education (NE). We therefore conducted a NE program at a school for students with special hearing needs and assessed the program at each stage of the plan-do-check cycle.Methods: Seventeen pairs of children and parents participated in the study. We taught children how to chew using puppets and continued encouraging them to chew well during school-lunchtime. We also educated parents on the benefits of mastication. In the planning assessment, the NE program was checked by teachers, according to the &quot;kindergarten education guidelines.&quot; In the process assessment, we obtained feedback from parents and teachers, and conducted a mid-term evaluation after the summer vacation. In the effect assessment, we obtained information of NE through homeroom teachers regarding children&#039;s chewing behavior during school-lunchtime, and administered questionnaires to parents both before and after NE.Results: The results of the planning assessment were satisfactory. However, in the process assessment, parents&#039; and teachers&#039; feedback indicated difficulties in maintaining proper chewing behavior. In the effect assessment, six of the nine children with chewing problems showed improvement. Moreover, children&#039;s eating habits at home improved, including a reduction in television viewing during meals and an increase in parents&#039; awareness about leaving food crunchy while cooking.Conclusion: Children&#039;s chewing behavior at both school and home improved following NE. However, the results also indicated a regression to original chewing behavior after the summer vacation. Therefore, the contents of NE need to be improved to ensure maintenance of proper chewing behavior.

Objective: Few studies have investigated the change in body temperature after eating a hot meal. We examined the effects of meal temperature on postprandial thermal sensations, and core and peripheral temperatures using soup samples at different temperatures.<br>Methods: Twenty young women were studied using preloads consisting of equivalent amounts (150 ml) of soup at 65&deg;C and 37&deg;C, on separate days at 9 am in a randomized order; the control condition involved no soup ingestion. After overnight fast, each subject wore a t-shirt and short pants and thermal sensations, core (eardrum) and peripheral (a fingertip and a toe) temperatures, and heart rate (HR) were measured 10 min before and 65 min after soup ingestion in a temperature-controlled (26&deg;C) room. Palatable score was measured immediately after consumption (from unpalatable [0] to palatable [10]).<br>Results: The palatable score was significantly higher after 65&deg;C-soup consumption than after 37&deg;C-soup consumption. Postprandial changes in eardrum and toe temperatures, and HR after 65&deg;C-soup consumption were significantly higher than that after 37&deg;C-soup consumption and in the control (Sample effect: p < 0.05, Sample &times; Time: p < 0.05). Post-hoc comparison tests showed that the thermal sensation was significantly higher just after 65&deg;C-soup consumption than after 37&deg;C-soup consumption and in the control; moreover, eardrum (0~20 min) and toe temperatures (0~15 min) were significantly higher after 65&deg;C-soup consumption than after 37&deg;C-soup consumption.<br>Conclusion: Our results suggest that 65&deg;C-soup ingestion increases eardrum and toe temperatures. Not only the energy content of the substrate and palatability, but also the temperature of meals affects thermal sensations and body temperature.

To provide data for improvement of postgraduate education, we investigated the achievement of practical expertise by using 58 competency self-measurement items and rating them on a scale of 1 to 5 in 3,055 registered dietitians( RDs) who were members of Japan Dietetic Association and have a maximum of 10 years' experience. Approximately half of the participants were affiliated with hospitals. The overall participants obtained high scores for motivation, attitude, food poisoning, and treatment of personal data;however, they obtained low scores for public nutrition (epidemiology) and research. The RDs who were educated under the former curriculum( n=787, 91.8% had 5 or more years of experience as RDs or dietitians) obtained the highest scores in 39 of 58 items when compared to the RDs who were educated under the later curriculum, which started in 2002 (RDs-later, n=1,702, 37 . 5%) or the non-graduate RDs (n=530, 83 . 7%). RDs-later showed significantly higher scores in 4 items;elementary competencies (motivation and attitude), general competency (utilization of theory and model of behavioral science), and occupational competency (formulation of medical records based on SOAP). These results raise the possibility that the competency achievement may be associated with years of experience and educational curriculum.

Objective: We implement a mobile-based nutrition education program to promote good breakfast habits, evaluate the intervention effect, and identify considerations for such novel approaches in the future.<br>Methods: The participants were 209 university freshmen who attended information science lecture at the University of Hyogo. Aspects of their use of the mobile phones were examined, such as the model type and price plan, and they then were classified accordingly into the intervention group (n=104) or control (n=105) group. The participants in the intervention group received information that prompted their access via their mobile phones to a page including four cartoons and some breakfast recipes every Thursday for 8 weeks. Data were collected from website traffic, and pre- and post-intervention surveys concerning breakfast habits.<br>Results: 1) The number of website visitors was the highest during the first week, but gradually decreased after the second. Supplementary mails, which started in the fifth week, increased website traffic, but it deceased again except during the eighth week. 2) Participants were most interested in the recipe contents, and those who liked cooking scored higher after the intervention on healthy breakfast behaviors. 3) The number of participants who had unfavorable breakfast behaviors was significantly increased in the control group, and this change was not significant in the intervention group.<br>Conclusion: The current mobile-based nutrition education program has the potential to prevent the exacerbation of unhealthy breakfast behaviors. The development of simple breakfast recipes in consideration of cost and ease to store, introduction of interactive communication tools, and an information service tailored for subjects on the basis of their individual characteristics are needed for this approach to be more effective in the future.

Circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) molecule plays major roles in circadian rhythmicity and regulates daily physiological processes including digestive activity. Therefore, we hypothesized that the CLOCK 3111T/C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) might have adverse effects on the regulation of gastric motility. Based on the hypothesis, we investigated whether this SNP was associated with morning gastric motility. Ninety-five female university students (19.6±0.2 years) completed life-style questionnaires. Gastric motility, evaluated by electrogastrography (EGG), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured at 8:30 a.m. after an overnight fast. To determine the gastric motility, the spectral powers and dominant frequency (DF, a peak of the spectrum) of the EGG were calculated. No significant differences were found in breakfast frequency, energy intake, or HRV between CLOCK 3111T/C minor C allele (T/C or C/C) and T/T subjects. However, C allele carriers showed significantly lower DF than T/T subjects, suggesting slower gastric motility. Moreover, C allele carriers had a lower heart rate (HR) and tended to have lower diastolic BP compared with T/T subjects. These results support our hypothesis that this SNP is likely correlated with morning gastric motility. Such attenuated gastric and cardiovascular function that characterized CLOCK 3111C allele carriers could be affecting biological behavior in the morning.

Studies have shown that approximately half of young Japanese women experience consistent, remarkable coldness in their extremities. The authors previously demonstrated an association of unusual coldness with lower daily energy intake and reduced thermoregulatory sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in young women. This led to the hypothesis that the unusual coldness observed among these young women derives from a widening difference between core and peripheral temperatures because of lowered thermogenesis. This study aims to examine this hypothesis. Twenty women aged 18-21 years participated in this study ; ten women consistently suffer severe coldness even at thermoneutral temperature (C-group), and another ten who do not experience such coldness (N-group). Body composition, resting energy expenditure (REE), thermoregulatory SNS evaluated by heart rate variability analysis, body temperature, and cold discomfort scores using visual-analogue scales were measured in a temperature-controlled room (26℃) at 8:30 a.m. after an overnight fast on two different days. As indices of core and peripheral temperatures, eardrum, finger, and toe temperatures were measured using high-sensitivity thermo-sensors for 60 min. C-group showed a significantly lower thermoregulatory SNS and tended to have lower REE per lean body mass as compared to N-group. Eardrum temperature did not differ between the groups. Only C-group showed a significantly increased difference between core and peripheral temperatures (eardrum-finger or eardrum-toe, 0-60 min). A positive correlation was observed between eardrum-toe temperatures and cold discomfort scores at the toe. Our results suggest that women who consistently experience such coldness characteristically have 1) lowered REE. 2) increased difference in core-peripheral temperatures during 60 min, 26℃-environmental exposure despite similar core temperature, and 3) increased coldness due to wider core-peripheral temperatures, thus supporting our hypothesis.

Although previous reports suggested that carbonated water drinking was effective against gastrointestinal symptoms, there is little information about the effects of carbonated water on gastric and appetite sensation. We therefore investigated the effect of carbonated water on short-term fullness with respect to gastric and cardiac responses in 19 healthy young women. Each subject was tested on three separate days at approximately 9 a.m. after an overnight fast. Gastric motility, evaluated by electrogastrography (EGG) and heart rate (HR), was measured for 20 min in the fasting state and 40 min after ingestion of water. Preloads consisted of an equivalent amount (250 mL) of water (W) or carbonated water (CW) and no drinking (blank). Fullness scores were measured using visual analog scales. To determine gastric motility, we assessed the component of bradygastria (1-2 cycles/min [cpm]), normogastria (2-4 cpm), tachygastria (4-9 cpm), and dominant frequency of the EGG power spectrum. After ingestion of CW, significant increases in fullness scores were observed compared with W. All postprandial EGG powers were significantly greater than preprandial, but no group difference was found. However, a dominant frequency tended to shift toward a lower band after ingestion of W. A significantly higher HR was found following consumption of CW as opposed to W. Multiple regression analysis revealed that increased HR was a significant variable contributing to the variances in fullness after ingestion of CW at 40 min. Our data suggest that CW may induce a short-term, but significant, satiating effect through enhanced postprandial gastric and cardiac activities due possibly to the increased sympathetic activity and/or withdrawal of parasympathetic activity.

BACKGROUND: Limited studies have shown inconsistent data about the association between the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) gene A-3826G polymorphism and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. The present study investigated the association between the A-3826G polymorphism and low HDL-cholesterolemia in non-obese and obese subjects. METHODS: Anthropometric and biochemical factors, in addition to genotyping by an allele-specific DNA assay, were measured in 294 community-dwelling Japanese subjects (male/female: 127/167, mean age: 65 years). Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m(2), and low HDL-cholesterolemia was defined as < 1.04 mmol/L of HDL-cholesterol. RESULTS: The subjects with the G/G genotype (n = 27) showed a significantly higher prevalence of low HDL-cholesterolemia (37%) than those with the A/A + A/G genotype (13%) in the obese group (n = 102). There was a non-significant difference in the prevalence of low HDL-cholesterolemia between subjects with the G/G genotype (n = 45, 13%) and with the A/A + A/G genotype (15%) in the non-obese group (n = 192). A multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analysis of the presence of low HDL-cholesterolemia revealed that carrying the G/G genotype was an independent and significant factor positively associated with low HDL-cholesterolemia [odds ratio (OR): 6.85, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.65-28.49] in the obese group, while carrying the G/G genotype exhibited a non-significant but reduced OR, by one-half, for low HDL-cholesterolemia (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.13-1.96) in the non-obese group. CONCLUSIONS: The obesity status could have opposing impacts on the relationship between the G/G genotype and low HDL-cholesterolemia, providing insight into the need to consider the obesity levels when studying the association between the UCP-1 gene A-3826G polymorphism and HDL-cholesterol. KEYWORDS: Obesity; Body mass index; HDL-C; Atherosclerotic risk.

Background: Recent findings regarding the existence of functional brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adult humans suggest a physiological role of BAT and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-linked thermogenesis in energy balance. Objective: To investigate whether UCP1 polymorphism was associated with resting energy expenditure (REE) and thermoregulatory sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in humans. Methods: A total of 82 healthy females (20-22 years) were genotyped for the -3826 A/G polymorphism of the UCP1 gene using a fluorescent allele-specific DNA primer assay system. REE was measured by indirect calorimetry. The thermoregulatory SNS activity was assessed by heart rate variability power spectral analysis according to our previously reported method. Each subject was studied in the morning, after an overnight fast. Nutritional values were calculated on the basis of 2-day food records. Results: The frequencies of A/A, A/G and G/ G genotypes were 0.27, 0.45 and 0.28, respectively. No significant difference was found in anthropometric indexes among the three groups. However, in the G/ G group, the percentage of energy consumed as fat was lower (A/A: 30.7 +/- 1.1%, A/G: 31.3 +/- 1.0%, G/G: 26.0 +/- 1.2%, P&lt;0.01), and energy intake tended to be lower (A/A: 7209 +/- 310 kJ d(-1), A/G: 7075 +/- 280 kJ d(-1), G/G: 6414 +/- 264 kJ d(-1), P = 0.16). With regard to metabolic parameters, group differences were observed in REE (A/A: 5599 +/- 170 kJ d(-1), A/G: 5054 +/- 115 kJ d(-1), G/G: 4919 +/- 182 kJ d(-1), P&lt;0.01) and in thermoregulatory SNS activity (A/A: 313 +/- 47 ms(2), A/G: 333 +/- 42 ms(2), G/G: 185 +/- 23 ms(2), P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Diminished REE in G-allele carriers as well as reduced thermoregulatory SNS activity for the G/ G genotype, suggest that attenuated UCP1-linked thermogenesis has an adverse effect on the regulation of energy balance. International Journal of Obesity (2011) 35, 1050-1055; doi:10.1038/ijo.2010.261; published online 28 December 2010

Background:Recent findings regarding the existence of functional brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adult humans suggest a physiological role of BAT and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-linked thermogenesis in energy balance.Objective:To investigate whether UCP1 polymorphism was associated with resting energy expenditure (REE) and thermoregulatory sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in humans.Methods:A total of 82 healthy females (20-22 years) were genotyped for the-3826 A/G polymorphism of the UCP1 gene using a fluorescent allele-specific DNA primer assay system. REE was measured by indirect calorimetry. The thermoregulatory SNS activity was assessed by heart rate variability power spectral analysis according to our previously reported method. Each subject was studied in the morning, after an overnight fast. Nutritional values were calculated on the basis of 2-day food records.Results:The frequencies of A/A, A/G and G/G genotypes were 0.27, 0.45 and 0.28, respectively. No significant difference was found in anthropometric indexes among the three groups. However, in the G/G group, the percentage of energy consumed as fat was lower (A/A: 30.71.1%, A/G: 31.31.0%, G/G: 26.01.2%, P&lt 0.01), and energy intake tended to be lower (A/A: 7209±310 kJ d 1, A/G: 7075±280 kJ d 1, G/G: 6414±264 kJ d 1, P0.16). With regard to metabolic parameters, group differences were observed in REE (A/A: 5599170 kJ d 1, A/G: 5054115 kJ d 1, G/G: 4919±182 kJ d 1, P&lt 0.01) and in thermoregulatory SNS activity (A/A: 31347 ms 2, A/G: 333±2 ms 2, G/G: 185±23 ms2, P0.05).Conclusion:Diminished REE in G-allele carriers as well as reduced thermoregulatory SNS activity for the G/G genotype, suggest that attenuated UCP1-linked thermogenesis has an adverse effect on the regulation of energy balance. © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved.

Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) plays an important role in thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. Previously, we reported an association between -3826 A/G single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter of UCP1 gene and lower thermogenesis in young women, suggesting this SNP has an adverse effect on the regulation of energy balance. Based on the hypothesis that this SNP (G allele) may have resistance against diet-induced weight loss, we examined its effects on anthropometric and metabolic responses to short-term, controlled-energy diet in young women. Seventeen lean women (20.9 ± 0.2 years; body mass index, 22.1 ± 0.5 kg/m(2)) were fed a controlled-energy diet (5.0 MJ/d, 62% carbohydrate, 19% protein, and 19% fat) administered by dietitians for 2 weeks. Clinical measurements were determined at baseline and after the dietary intervention. The subjects' physical activity was obtained using pedometers and self-reporting. The thermoregulatory sympathetic nervous system was evaluated using heart rate variability power spectral analysis. Upon the completion of the intervention, subjects were genotyped using an allele-specific DNA primer assay and results compared with their clinical measurements focusing on with or without the G allele. After dietary intervention, G allele subjects (A/G + G/G, n = 10) showed significantly smaller changes in body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference compared with A/A genotype subjects (n = 7). Similar changes were observed in parameters regarding glucose or lipid metabolism in both groups. These results suggest that the UCP1 gene -3826 G allele may result in smaller weight loss after a short-term, controlled-energy diet in young, lean women.

Electrogastrography (EGG) is a method for recording gastric myoelectrical activity using cutaneous electrodes from the abdominal surface. To investigate the effects of water temperature and volume on gastric myoelectrical activity, we performed three tests in a randomized parallel design, using the following samples: 15°C/250 mL (Cold250), 65°C/250 mL (Hot250), and 65°C/150 mL (Hot150) in 27 young women at 9 a.m. after an overnight fast. EGG recordings were made before (20 min) and after (35 min) ingestion to determine the frequency and power ratio of normogastria with the band set at around 3 cycles per min. The frequency of normogastria was transiently increased after ingestion of Hot250, but temporarily decreased after Cold250, showing significantly different changes in time courses. No difference in the frequency of normogastria was evident between Hot250 and Hot150. The power ratio of normogastria was equally increased after ingestion of all samples. Our results suggest that hot water (65°C, >150 mL) can increase the frequency of the normal range of gastric motility; moreover, its power was transiently increased after water ingestion, regardless of temperature and volume.

OBJECTIVE: Genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system have been implicated in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and 3123C/A polymorphism of the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT(2)R) gene affect blood pressure and other obesity-related metabolic changes in response to low-energy diets using meal replacement shakes for weight loss. METHODS: Clinical, metabolic, and biochemical profiles were measured before and after a 2-mo intervention in 32 obese women (age 49.9 ± 8.4 [SD] y; BMI 28.4 ± 3.3 kg/m²) restricted to 1200 kcal/d (5021 kJ/d). The polymorphisms were determined with an intercalater-mediated FRET probe assay system. RESULTS: Although weight loss and nutrient intake levels did not differ among the genotypes, the reduction in body fat after weight loss was significantly less in the ACE deletion/deletion (D/D) genotype than insertion/insertion (I/I) plus I/D genotype (-2.25 ± 1.40% versus -0.80 ± 1.57%, P < 0.05). The AT₂R A/A group had significantly less improved levels of systolic blood pressure (-7.23 ± 8.50 versus 2.50 ± 12.6 mmHg, P < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (-0.36 ± 0.29 versus -0.09 ± 0.25 mmol/L, P < 0.05), carbohydrate (-54.4 ± 27.2 versus -31.8 ± 16.3 mg/min, P < 0.05) and fat oxidation (8.31 ± 11.86 versus 0.05 ± 9.99 mg/min, P < 0.05) than the C/C plus C/A genotypes. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that the homozygous form of the ACE gene may hinder the improvement of body fat and that the homozygous form of the AT₂R gene may make improving systolic blood pressure and some obesity-related metabolic parameters through a dietary intervention difficult among obese women.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate whether nutritional and physiological factors are associated with the skin condition of young women. Data on skin condition, physiological measurements, dietary intake of nutrients (2 days), mental condition, and lifestyle were obtained from 54 female students (aged 20-22 yr) without coexisting skin disease. Skin condition and physiological parameters (body temperature, energy expenditure, and autonomic nervous system [ANS] activity) were measured using noninvasive techniques. Statistically significant associations were found betwe...

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the feeling of relief (comfort induced by food ingestion) after intake of different types of soup, and the effects of psychological and physiological factors on postprandial sense of relief. Before the examination, a sensory test was performed to classify test samples (corn potage [90 kcal], chicken consommé [43 kcal], and iso-caloric but low-flavor corn and chicken placebo soups) using 6 trained panels. For the main test, 11 women (age 22.6±0.3 yr) consumed a soup as breakfast after an overnight fast on four different days in randomiz...

A dietary educational program with visual aids and tasting is described to reduce the negative image of vegetables and encourage children to eat more vegetables. We ran this dietary educational program named "eating experience class" (a 45-min lecture + 90-min practicum) to 4 classes of sixth graders in elementary school (n = 133). The effects of this dietary education were assessed by investigating the children's attitude and motivation to eat their least favorite vegetables and their experience of vegetable cooking at home with questionnaires presented before and after the period of dietary education. The questionnaire involved a visual analog scale (VAS) to observe a slight change in the negative image of vegetables. The results demonstrated that about twenty children (18.7%) tried to eat more vegetables, and VAS scores showed a significant reduction in the negative image for 16 of 20 vegetables. A significant change in vegetable cooking experience at home was also observed after the dietary education program (p < 0.001). This program could help children to improve their image of vegetables, and induce the motivation to eat and cook vegetables. The VAS principle may be a sensitive method to assess a slight change in the negative image of vegetables in children.

Electrogastrography (EGG) is a noninvasive technique for measurement of gastric motility by recording gastric myoelectrical activity through cutaneous electrodes placed on the abdomen. We performed a one-week skipping breakfast test and a consecutive one-week refeeding test to examine the relationship between consecutive skipping of breakfast and morning gastric motility in 11 women (age 21.5±0.2 yr) who habitually ate breakfast almost every day. On the test days, we measured the subjects’ body composition, self-reported hunger and appetite scores (by using visual analog scales), EGG (to de...

The present study was designed to verify the effect of L-carnitine intake on postprandial hunger feeling in young healthy females. With double-blind, crossover design (1 wk washout), 12 females (21.3±0.3 y) consumed a placebo or L-carnitine containing (300 mg per meal) formula diet as breakfast after overnight fasting. Satiety scores (visual analog scales; VASs), salivary cortisol, serum carnitine concentrations, blood glucose, and autonomic nervous system activity by means of heart rate variability power spectral analysis were measured before and after feeding for 6 h at intervals. Our dat...

SUMMARY: Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) activity in brown adipose tissue increases energy expenditure, and contributes to diet-induced or cold-induced thermogenesis. We previously reported that children with -3826 A → G nucleotide variant of the UCP1 gene had lowered postprandial thermogenesis in response to a high-fat meal. In this study, we investigated whether the UCP1 polymorphism was associated with cold-induced thermogenesis in healthy children. Resting energy expenditure was measured in 19 children (6-10 years) by indirect calorimetry for 30 min under thermoneutral (25 °C) or cold conditions (10 °C) in an environmental chamber. The activity of autonomic nervous system (ANS) was assessed by power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Samples of saliva were collected for cortisol determination at the end of the experimental session. Each experiment was performed on 2 consecutive days. Children were genotyped for the UCP1 polymorphism with a PCR-restriction fragment length analysis using buccal samples. During cold exposure, total power of the HRV, an index of the overall ANS activity, as well as the salivary cortisol concentration significantly increased in the children with homozygous (GG) for the UCP1 polymorphism while only cortisol response was found in the carriers of the wild-type (AA) and heterozygous (AG) alleles; however, the GG allele group showed a lower cold-induced thermogenesis compared to the AA + AG group. In conclusion, despite cold-induced autonomic stimulation, the GG allele carriers have a reduced capacity for thermogenesis in response to acute cold exposure, suggesting that such reduced UCP1-linked thermogenesis may have adverse effects on the regulation of body weight.:

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of aging and beta3-adrenergic-receptor (beta3-AR) polymorphism on the thermic effect of meal (TEM) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) response to a high-fat meal in 13 boys, 12 young men, and 11 middle-aged men. SNS activity was assessed via power spectral analysis of heart rate variability. Significantly higher very-low-frequency (VLF) components associated with thermogenic SNS activity and energy expenditure per lean body mass (EE(LBM)) were observed in boys during the pre- and postprandial periods. There were no significant differences in VLF and EE(LBM) in the preprandial period between the young and middle-aged men. After feeding, however, the middle-aged men showed a significantly lower TEM (% test-meal energy) and VLF compared to the young men. A multiple regression analysis revealed that age was the only significant variable contributing to both TEM and VLF, but beta3-AR polymorphism and percentage of body fat were not statistically significant. In conclusion, age likely has a greater influence on TEM and SNS thermoregulation than genetic factors such as beta3-AR polymorphism, suggesting that this age-related decrease in thermogenic response may be involved in the development of obesity among middle-aged men.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of skipping breakfast and macro-nutrient balance on postprandial blood glucose (BG), satiety, energy expenditure (EE), and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in healthy subjects with and without polymorphism of the uncoupling protein-1 (UCP 1) gene. Eight healthy young subjects were given breakfast and lunch (CC ; high-carbohydrate meal (HC) + HC, SC ; no breakfast + doubled HC lunch, FF ; high-fat meal (HF) + HF, SF ; no breakfast + doubled HF lunch) at random on four different days. The total calories of each test diet were the same and were adjusted individually to each subject's body-mass (22 kcal/kg). BG, satiety score, EE and ANS activity were measured before breakfast and at 30-minutes intervals for 6 hours after breakfast. During the first 3 hours significantly higher BG, satiety scores, and EE were found after the CC test, than after the FF test. Postprandial thermogenesis during the 6 hours after the CC test was higher than after the other diets. The ANS seemed to play a role in the higher level of satiety and thermogenesis ; however, the difference in ANS activity was not significant. The subjects with the GG allele of the UCP 1 gene showed lower postprandial thermogenesis. In conclusion, a HC meal for breakfast and well-regulated diet can contribute to the prevention of obesity in individuals with normal glucose tolerance. Our results suggest that genetic background is also important to prevention of obesity.

The present study was designed to investigate the metabolic and sympathetic responses to a high-fat meal in humans. Fourteen young men (age: 23.6 +/- 0.5 y, BMI: 21.3 +/- 0.4 kg/m2) were examined for energy expenditure and fat oxidation measured by indirect calorimetry for 3.5 h after a high-fat (70%, energy from fat) or an isoenergetic low-fat (20% energy from fat) meal served in random order. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity was assessed using power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). After the high-fat meal, increases in thermoregulatory SNS activity (very low-frequency component of HRV, 0.007-0.035 Hz, 577.4+/-45.9 vs. 432.0+/-49.3 ms2, p<0.05) and fat oxidation (21.0+/-5.3 vs. 13.3+/-4.3 g, p<0.001) were greater than those after the low-fat meal. However, thermic effects of the meal (TEM) were lower after the high-fat meal than after the low-fat meal (27.5+/-11.2 vs. 36.1+/-10.9 kcal, p<0.05). In conclusion, the high-fat meal can stimulate thermoregulatory SNS and lipolysis, but resulted in lower TEM, suggesting that a high proportion of dietary fat intake, even with a normal daily range of calories, may be a potent risk factor for further weight gain.

This paper summarizes my Basmajian keynote presentation at the 2004 International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology Conference. I dedicate this paper to Dr. Herbert A. deVries, the mentor of my research career. The following topics will be covered from the standpoint of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology for health and disease: (1) electromechanical manifestations of neuromuscular fatigue and muscle soreness, (2) cardiac depolarization-repolarization characteristics of normal and patients, (3) etiology of obesity and diabetes and autonomic nervous system, and (4) functional electrical stimulation for health and disease, respectively.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the thermic effect of food (TEF) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in obese boys. Ten obese (9.2+/-0.4 years) and 13 lean boys (8.8+/-0.4 years) were examined for energy expenditure and fat oxidation measured via indirect calorimetry for 3 hours after a high-carbohydrate (HC; 70% carbohydrate, 20% fat, and 10% protein) or a high-fat (HF; 20% carbohydrate, 70% fat, and 10% protein) meal served on 2 different days at random. The activity of the SNS was assessed by means of a power spectral analysis of the heart rate variability. The TEF, expressed as a percentage of the consumed energy, was significantly lower in obese boys than in lean boys after the HC meal; however, such a difference was not observed after the HF meal. Multiple regression analysis revealed that obesity was a significant variable contributing to the variances in the TEF induced by the HC meal. Moreover, after the HC meal, the boys with a recent onset of obesity (duration, <3 years) manifested a lower TEF as well as a reduced very low frequency component of the heart rate variability, an index of thermoregulatory SNS functions, compared with the remaining obese and lean boys. In conclusion, obese boys possessed normal metabolic and sympathetic responses to the HF meal but showed a diminished thermogenic response to the HC meal, especially during the early phase of obesity.

OBJECT: Our objective was to investigate the effect of a long-term moderate exercise program on cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in healthy children. METHODS: Three hundred and five children aged 6-11 years participated in a 12-month school-based exercise training program (130-140 bpm, 20 min/day, 5 days/week). Cardiac ANS activities were measured using heart rate variability (HRV) power spectral analysis in resting conditions. Following the first measurement, 100 children from the lowest total power (TP) HRV were chosen as experimental samples and the same number of age-, height-, and weight-matched controls (CG) was randomly selected from the remaining children. RESULTS: In the low group (LG), all the frequency components of the HRV were significantly increased after the training period, whereas only low-frequency power was augmented in the control group (CG). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the 12-month moderate exercise training has a positive effect on cardiac ANS activity in the children who initially had low HRV.

OBJECTIVE: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a key factor in the regulation of energy balance and body fat storage; however, to what extent the physical activity during the childhood years contributes to variations in ANS function is still unclear. The present study was designed to investigate the ANS activity in lean and obese children, focusing on the differences in physical activity levels. SUBJECTS: This study was performed on 1080 school children initially recruited to the present study. In all, 24 physically active and 24 inactive obese children (greater than or equal to120% of the standard body weight) were chosen as samples. Then, 24 lean-active and 24 lean-inactive children, who were matched individually in age, gender, height, and the amount of sports activity, were carefully selected from the remaining children. MEASUREMENTS: Physical activity was classified as the frequency of participation in after-school sports activities ( active; greater than or equal to3 times per week, inactive; nothing). The ANS activities were measured during the resting condition by means of heart rate (HR) variability power spectral analysis, which enables us to identify separate frequency components, that is, low frequency (LF; 0.03 - 0.15 Hz), reflecting mixed sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity, high frequency (HF; 0.15 - 0.5 Hz), mainly associated with PNS activity, and total power (TP; 0.03 - 0.5 Hz), evaluating the overall ANS activity. The spectral powers were log transformed for statistical testing. RESULTS: The lean-active group demonstrated lower resting HR as well as significantly higher TP, LF, and HF powers compared to the remaining groups. In contrast, the obese-inactive group showed significantly lower TP (P&lt;0.05 vs the remaining groups), LF (P&lt;0.05 vs the lean groups), and HF power (P&lt;0.05 vs the lean groups), respectively. The obese-active and lean-inactive groups were nearly identical in all spectral parameters. The correlation analysis revealed that TP among 48 inactive children was significantly and negatively associated with the percentage of body fat ( r = - 0.53, P&lt;0.001); however, such correlation among 48 active children was modest ( r = - 0.33, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that obese children possess reduced sympathetic as well as parasympathetic nervous activities as compared to lean children who have similar physical activity levels. Such autonomic reduction, associated with the amount of body fat in inactive state, might be an etiological factor of onset or development of childhood obesity. On the other hand, regular physical activities could contribute to enhance the overall ANS activity in both lean and obese children. These findings further imply that regular physical activity might be effective in preventing and treating obesity beginning in the childhood.

This study investigated whether the -3826 A-->G nucleotide variant of the uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) gene is correlated with postprandial thermogenesis after a high fat meal in children. Healthy boys, aged 8-11 yr, were examined for resting energy expenditure and the thermic effect of a meal (TEM), which were measured by indirect calorimetry for 180 min after a high fat (70% fat, 20% carbohydrate, and 10% protein, providing 30% of the daily energy requirement) and a high carbohydrate meal (20% fat, 70% carbohydrate, and 10% protein). The sympatho-vagal activities were assessed by means of spectral analysis of the heart rate variability during the same period. Children were genotyped for UCP1 polymorphism by applying a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism using buccal samples. There was no reaction of sympathetic activity to the high carbohydrate meal in either the GG allele or the AA+AG group and no significant difference in TEM. However, after the high fat meal, sympathetic responses were found in both groups; further, the GG allele group showed significantly lower TEM than the AA+AG group. In conclusion, despite fat-induced sympathetic stimulation, GG allele carriers have a lowered capacity of TEM in response to fat intake, suggesting that such impaired UCP1-linked thermogenesis can have adverse effects on the regulation of body weight.

OBJECTIVE: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays an important role in regulating energy expenditure and body fat content; however, the extent to which the ANS contributes to pediatric obesity remains inconclusive. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether sympathetic and/or the parasympathetic nerve activities were altered in an obese pediatric population. We further examined a physiological association between the duration of obesity and the sympatho-vagal activities to scrutinize the nature of ANS alteration as a possible etiologic factor of childhood obesity. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Forty-two obese and 42 non-obese healthy sedentary school children were carefully selected from 1080 participants initially recruited to this study. The two groups were matched in age, gender, and height. The clinical records of physical characteristics and development of the obese children were retrospectively reviewed to investigate the onset and progression of obesity. The ANS activities were assessed during a resting condition by means of heart rate variability power spectral analysis, which enables us to identify separate frequency components, i.e., total power (TP), low-frequency (LF) power, and high-frequency (HF) power. The spectral powers were then logarithmically transformed for statistical testing. RESULTS: The obese children demonstrated a significantly lower TP (6.77 +/- 0.12 vs. 7.11 +/- 0.04 ln ms(2), p < 0.05), LF power (6.16 +/- 0.12 vs. 6.42 +/- 0.05 ln ms(2), p < 0.05), and HF power (5.84 +/- 0.15 vs. 6.34 +/- 0.07 ln ms(2), p < 0.01) compared with the non-obese children. A partial correlation analysis revealed that the LF and HF powers among 42 obese children were negatively associated with the duration of obesity independent of age (LF: partial r = -0.55, p < 0.001; HF: partial r = -0.40, p < 0.01). The obese children were further subdivided into two groups based on the length of their obesity. All three spectral powers were significantly reduced in the obese group with obesity of >3 years (n = 18) compared to the group with obesity of <3 years. DISCUSSION: Our data indicate that obese children possess reduced sympathetic as well as parasympathetic nerve activities. Such autonomic depression, which is associated with the duration of obesity, could be a physiological factor promoting the state and development of obesity. These findings further imply that preventing and treating obesity beginning in the childhood years could be an urgent and crucial pediatric public health issue.