(1) Background: polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous syndrome with a constellation of cardiometabolic risk factors. We aimed to investigate if the association of body fat mass (BFM) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) with cardiometabolic risk differed in PCOS subtypes. (2) Methods: 401 participants (245 PCOS and 156 controls) were assessed for anthropometric measurements, glucose-lipid profiles, reproductive hormones and body composition with propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis. The association of the cardiometabolic risk score (z score, calculated based on levels of obesity and gluco-lipid measurements) with BFM (estimated by trunk BFM/Height2) and SMM (estimated by SMM/Height2) was calculated. (3) Results: Trunk BFM/Height2 and SMM/Height2 were both positively associated with cardiometabolic risk in PCOS (trunk BFM/Height2, OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.49-3.65; SMM/Height2, OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.12-3.76). SMM/Height2 associated with increased cardiometabolic risk in obese PCOS (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2, OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.15-4.47). For those with lower BMI (<28 kg/m2), trunk BFM/Height2 showed a higher OR in both groups (PCOS, OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.06-4.24; control 2.04, 95% CI 1.04-4.02). Moreover, distinct associations among BMI-stratified groups were validated in hierarchical clustering identifying metabolic and reproductive clusters. (4) Conclusions: BFM and SMM are synergistically associated with higher cardiometabolic risk in PCOS women. Although BFM contributes to increased cardiometabolic risk, SMM also plays a primary role in obese PCOS. Our results highlight the importance of body composition in the management of PCOS.

Background and objectives: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is an emerging problem, especially in candidates for bariatric surgery (BS). We hypothesized that musculoskeletal ultrasound (MUS), a simple and accessible method, could be a reliable index of SO. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study including 122 subjects (90 cases and 32 controls, 73% female, mean age: 51.2 years) who underwent BS was conducted at University Hospital Mútua Terrassa. The lean mass (LM) was calculated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and the thigh muscle thickness (TMT) by MUS. To identify the subjects with SO by BIA, we used skeletal muscle index (SMI). The validity of MUS was determined using the ROC curve. Results: The mean BMI in the obesity group was 44.22 kg/m2. We observed a correlation between the LM and SMI assessed by BIA and the TMT assessed by MUS (R = 0.46, p < 0.001). This correlation was maintained at significant levels in the SO group (n = 40): R = 0.79; p = 0.003). The TMT assessed by MUS was able to predict SMI using BIA (AUC 0.77; 95% CI: 0.68242 to 0.84281). The optimal cut-off point for maximum efficiency was 1.57 cm in TMT (sensitivity = 75.6% and specificity = 71.1%). Conclusions: The TMT of the quadriceps assessed by US is a useful tool for identifying subjects with SO. Larger studies to validate this simple low-cost screening strategy are warranted.

Bicycle touring as a modality of physical activity that involves whole-body cardiorespiratory and metabolic functions could be a potential strategy to improve body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of 7-days bicycle touring activity on body composition and physical fitness. A total of 13 individuals (three women) participated in this quasi-experimental study. The participants were evaluated at baseline and were tracked for up to 12 days after the intervention. The intervention consisted of a 480 km bicycle touring route performed over 8 days. Body weight and body composition (i.e., fat mass and lean mass) were assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analyser. Physical fitness was measured using the International Fitness Scale questionnaire. We conducted a repeated-measures analysis of variance to determine changes in body weight and body composition and paired sample t-tests to analyse changes in physical fitness. Significant differences in fat mass were observed between the baseline and both post-intervention (p = 0.003) and re-test values (p = 0.031). Significant differences were also noted in lean mass between the baseline and post-intervention values (p = 0.003), whereas no significant changes were observed when compared the baseline and re-test values (p = 0.178). Significant differences were obtained in cardiorespiratory fitness when comparing the baseline with the post-intervention values (p = 0.016), whereas no significant differences were noted in general fitness, muscular strength, speed/agility, and flexibility (all p > 0.05). In conclusion, a 7-day bicycle touring intervention can significantly reduce fat mass and increase lean mass and cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy individuals.

To compare body composition between women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) using hormone therapy and controls with normal ovarian function, and to correlate body composition with cardiovascular risk markers in the POI group.
A case-control study of 70 women with POI matched by age and body mass index with 70 controls.
All were submitted to whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to analyse body composition. In the POI group, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, transaminases and C-reactive protein levels were measured, as well as the thickness of the carotid artery intima-media complex.
Total mass, fat mass, lean mass (total, percentage and index) and the android/gynoid (A/G) ratio were similar in both groups; however, bone mineral content was lower (P < .001) in the POI group. Lean and fat mass indexes were 14.19 ± 1.63 and 11.04 ± 3.58, respectively, and the percentage of gynoid to android fat was higher (51.17 ± 6.71% versus 47.74 ± 9.19%; A/G ratio = 0.93 ± 0.15) in the POI group. In addition, the increase in total mass correlated positively with glucose and ALT levels and negatively with HDL-cholesterol. Increased A/G ratio was the measurement most frequently associated with cardiovascular risk markers.
The body composition of women with POI using hormone therapy is similar to that of women with normal ovarian function with regard to lean and fat mass content and fat distribution. In women with POI, the higher the A/G ratio, the worse the cardiovascular risk markers.

BACKGROUND: Adiposity is closely related to hypertension (HTN) in paediatric population. However, which adiposity indicator is most associated with HTN among children and adolescents with intellectual disability remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between HTN prevalence and different adiposity indicators: body mass index (BMI) percentile, body fat percentage (BFP), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) in students with intellectual disability.
METHODS: Cross-sectional study included a sample of 568 schoolchildren with intellectual disability, aged 7-18 years. Blood pressure, BMI, body composition, WC and HC were determined using standardized equipment.
RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression showed that male gender, adolescence, high HC and excessive BFP were significant independent factors that increased risk of HTN occurrence in population with intellectual disability.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicated that HC and BFP, in particular, may be helpful tools to detect HTN in population with intellectual disability.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the blood glucose kinetics and physiological effects experienced by a type 1 diabetic (T1D) finisher of a 3-day, multi-stage ultra endurance triathlon consisting of a 10 km swim and 144.8 km bike (stage 1), a 275.4 km bike (stage 2), and an 84.4 km run (stage 3).
METHODS: The athlete self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) levels via fingerstick blood draw and hand-held glucometer. Researchers evaluated blood glucose kinetics via a continuous glucose monitoring device. The athlete maintained normal dietary and insulin patterns before, during and after competition daily. Weight and body composition were measured via bioelectrical impedance and select biomarkers were measured in blood.
RESULTS: The athlete spent 73.0, 3.4, and 15.1% of during race time in a hyperglycemic state (≥130 mg dL-1) during stages 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and 0.0, 78.6, and 33.6% in a hypoglycemic state (≤80 mg dL-1). Nocturnal glycemic levels showed the athlete spent 86.1, 83.0, and 84.8% of sleep in a hyperglycemic state during nights 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and 9.0, 0.0, and 0.0% in a hypoglycemic state. From pre- to post-race, body weight (73.2 to 76.9 kg) and total body water increased (49.2-51.6 kg). In addition, there were dramatic increases in creatine kinase (271.7-9252.8 µ L-1), cortisol (137.1-270.2 pg mL-1), CRP (188.3-8046.9 ng mL-1), and aldosterone (449.1-1679.6 pg mL-1).
CONCLUSIONS: It is possible for a T1D athlete to complete a multi-stage ultraendurance triathlon and maintain glycemic control using SMBG methods. In addition, a T1D athlete participating in an ultraendurance triathlon results in substantial changes in body composition, hormones, and muscle damage.

BACKGROUND: For the growing numbers of obese elderly with diabetes, the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor analogue (liraglutide) appears a safe way to promote and maintain substantial weight loss. Given this background, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of the liraglutide treatment, at doses up to 3.0 mg per day, on the body composition, focusing on sarcopenia, in overweight and obese elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
METHODS: A perspective study was carried out in overweight and obese T2DM patients with HbA1c equal to 7.0 % (53 mmol/mol) ~10.0 % (86), under 3-month treatment (at least) of maximal dose of metformin at stable regime, and additional liraglutide at doses up to 3.0 mg per day. Body composition markers such as skeletal muscle index (SMI), android and gynoid fat mass, and arms and legs fat free mass, was measured by dual-energy X-ray densitometry (DXA) at baseline and after 24 weeks of liraglutide treatment. Glucose control was also carried out by glucose and HbA1c.
RESULTS: Nine subjects (male/female 6/3, mean age 68.22 ± 3.86 years, BMI 32.34 ± 4.89 kg/m2) were evaluated. We noted a median decrease in BMI (-0.78 kg/m2), weight (-2000 g), fat mass (-1498 g) and android fat (-0.9 %), and a increase in SMI (+0.03 kg/m2) from baseline. Glycemic control also improved, with a median change HbA1c of -0.80 %.
CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-four weeks of liraglutide treatment was associated with reductions in fat mass and android fat. In addition, in order to prevent sarcopenia, it preserved the muscular tropism.