A trial of zinc supplementation in young rural Gambian children. Effects of zinc supplementation on serum zinc and leptin levels, BMI, and body composition in hemodialysis patients. Effect of zinc supplementation on growth and body composition of Ugandan preschool children: a randomized, controlled, intervention trial. Longitudinal measures of circulating leptin and ghrelin concentrations are associated with the growth of young Peruvian children but are not affected by zinc supplementation. Supplementation of Diet With Galacto-oligosaccharides Increases Bifidobacteria, but Not Insulin Sensitivity, in Obese Prediabetic Individuals. Zinc supplementation reduced morbidity, but neither zinc nor iron supplementation affected growth or body composition of Mexican preschoolers. Maternal vitamin D in pregnancy may influence not only offspring bone mass but other aspects of musculoskeletal health and adiposity. Adiposity and Sex Hormones in Girls Testosterone therapy prevents gain in visceral adipose tissue and loss of skeletal muscle in nonobese aging men. Daily Overfeeding from Protein and/or Carbohydrate Supplementation for Eight Weeks in Conjunction with Resistance Training Does not Improve Body Composition and Muscle Strength or Increase Markers Indicative of Muscle Protein Synthesis and Myogenesis in Resistance-Trained Males. Infancy weight gain predicts childhood body fat and age at menarche in girls. Zinc, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in milk from American and Egyptian women throughout the first 6 months of lactation. Randomized controlled trial of the effect of daily supplementation with zinc or multiple micronutrients on the morbidity, growth, and micronutrient status of young Peruvian children. Limited efficacy of growth hormone (GH) during transition of GH-deficient patients from adolescence to adulthood: a phase III multicenter, double-blind, randomized two-year trial. Growth hormone treatment and fat redistribution in children born small for gestational age. A community-based randomized controlled trial of iron and zinc supplementation in Indonesian infants: effects on growth and development. Maternal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy Relationship between carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia and fatty acid synthesis in lean and obese subjects. Whey protein and essential amino acids promote the reduction of adipose tissue and increased muscle protein synthesis during caloric restriction-induced weight loss in elderly, obese individuals Growth and body composition of periurban Guatemalan children in relation to zinc status: a longitudinal zinc intervention trial. Independent contribution of parental migrant status and educational level to adiposity and eating habits in preschool children Effect of Daily Supplementation with Iron and Zinc on Iron Status of Childbearing Age Women Calcium supplementation does not alter lipid oxidation or lipolysis in overweight/obese women. The Impact of Nutritional Fatty Acids during Pregnancy and Lactation on Early Human Adipose Tissue Development Upward weight percentile crossing in infancy and early childhood independently predicts fat mass in young adults: the Stockholm Weight Development Study (SWEDES).
The present study tested the hypothesis that inadequate Zn intake might be responsible for failure to thrive and impaired catch-up growth in young rural Gambian children , and that Zn supplements might be beneficial . Gambian children might be deprived of Zn because of its poor availability from their predominantly plant-based diet . Rural Gambian children ( 110 ; fifty boys , sixty girls ) aged between 0.57 and 2.30 years were divided into two matched groups , one to receive 70 mg Zn twice weekly for 1.25 years , and the other a placebo . Growth and mid-upper-arm circumference were measured at weekly intervals throughout the study and illnesses were monitored .  Capillary blood and urine sample s were collected at 0 , 2 and 8 weeks . Body weights and arm circumferences showed a linear increase , plus a seasonal effect ( rainy season faltering ) . For body weight there was no significant overall effect of the supplement . For arm circumference , a very small ( 2 % ) but significant ( P < 0.01 ) difference favoured the supplemented group . Plasma thymulin was much lower at the first clinic than at the second and third clinics , and in vitro Zn stimulation was greater at the first clinic . There was , however , no effect of Zn in vivo . Likewise , Zn did not significantly benefit T-cell numbers or ratios , secretory IgA in urine , circulating hormone levels or biochemical indices of Zn status . One index of intestinal permeability , i.e. lactulose : creatinine , was improved ( P < 0.02 ) by the supplement , but the lactulose : mannitol value was not ; this requires further investigation . Dietary Zn deficiency is , thus , unlikely to be of major overall importance for rural Gambian children 's ability to thrive , and blanket Zn supplementation is not justified . There may , however , be vulnerable sub-groups who would benefit from Zn supplements PROJECT The aim of this study was to determine the effects of zinc supplementation on serum zinc and leptin levels as well as on anthropometric status and some biochemical parameters in hemodialysis ( HD ) patients . PROCEDURE In this r and omized , double-blind , and placebo-controlled trial , sixty HD patients were r and omly divided into groups to receive a daily supplement of 100 mg elemental Zn ( supplemented group ) or placebo ( control group ) for 60 days . Anthropometric measurements were taken using st and ard calibrated instruments . Serum zinc and leptin levels were determined by atomic absorption and ELISA method respectively before and after intervention . RESULTS Zinc supplementation result ed in significant increase in the mean serum zinc level in the experimental group while changes observed in the placebo group were not significant . The mean serum leptin in women part of the experimental group was decreased significantly after supplementation . After adjusting for age , BMI , body fat ( % ) , serum zinc and dietary Zn intake , a negative and significant association was observed between serum zinc and leptin levels in all subjects ( β=-0.33 , P=0.03 ) as a result of Zn supplementation . CONCLUSIONS More studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms by which serum leptin level is influenced as a result of zinc supplementation in HD patients BACKGROUND Despite ample food supplies , the incidence of childhood underweight and stunting remains high in Ug and a. Many factors contribute to this situation , but the role of low zinc intakes has not been adequately explored . OBJECTIVE Our objective was to study the effect of zinc supplementation on growth and body composition of preschool children by using the outcome measures of weight , height , and midupper arm circumference ( MUAC ) . DESIGN The study was r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , parallel , and 8 mo long , and incorporated 6 mo of zinc supplementation .  Children ( n = 153 ) aged 55.8 + /- 11.2 mo from 3 r and omly selected nursery schools of medium , low , and very low socioeconomic status in a suburb of Kampala took part . The intervention comprised 10 mg Zn ( as ZnSO4 ) or placebo daily in freshly prepared fruit juice , Monday to Friday inclusive . RESULTS Zinc supplementation increased MUAC by the end of the study ( P = 0.029 ) and led to greater weight gain in children from the school of medium socioeconomic status at 3 and 8 mo ( P = 0.019 and P = 0.038 , respectively ) . There was no effect on weight gain of the children from the other schools . Zinc supplementation had no influence on height . Infection rates ( of which 82 % were recorded as malaria ) were lower in the zinc-supplemented group than in control subjects ( P = 0.063 ) . CONCLUSIONS Zinc supplementation may counter the age-related decrease in MUAC often observed in preschool children in developing countries . The study provides evidence that zinc may not be the most limiting nutrient for weight gain in children of poor nutritional status , but may become so as nutritional status improves BACKGROUND Leptin , ghrelin , and insulin are hormonal regulators of energy balance and , therefore , may be related to growth during infancy . Zinc is essential for growth , and its growth effects may be mediated through these hormones . OBJECTIVE We examined the effects of supplemental zinc on plasma leptin , ghrelin , and insulin concentrations among young children at risk of zinc deficiency and examined the relations between these hormones and physical growth . DESIGN Children ( n = 142 ) aged 6 - 8 mo were r and omly assigned to receive 3 mg Zn/d as a supplement , in a fortified food , or as a placebo for 6 mo . Relations between hormones and anthropometric z scores , body composition , and growth rates were examined at baseline and 3 and 6 mo after the start of the intervention . RESULTS No treatment group-related differences were found in plasma leptin , ghrelin , or glucose concentrations or in anthropometric z scores at 3 or 6 mo after the start of the zinc intervention . Neither plasma leptin nor ghrelin concentrations at baseline or 3 mo were predictive of subsequent changes in growth . However , changes in weight-for-age z scores over the two 3-mo time intervals were positively associated with subsequent leptin concentrations and inversely associated with subsequent plasma ghrelin concentrations . CONCLUSIONS Supplemental zinc did not affect the children 's  growth , anthropometric indexes , or plasma hormone concentrations in this study population . Our results suggest that plasma leptin and ghrelin concentrations in later infancy are a consequence of previous weight changes rather than predictors of short-term growth BACKGROUND & AIMS The gut microbiota affects host lipid and glucose metabolism , satiety , and chronic low- grade inflammation to contribute to obesity and type 2 diabetes . Fermentation end products , in particular the short-chain fatty acid ( SCFA ) acetate , are believed to be involved in these processes . We investigated the long-term effects of supplementation with galacto-oligosaccharides ( GOS ) , an acetogenic fiber , on the composition of the human gut microbiota and human metabolism . METHODS We performed a double-blinded , placebo-controlled , parallel intervention study of 44 overweight or obese ( body mass index , 28 - 40 kg/m2 ) prediabetic men and women ( ages , 45 - 70 y ) from October 2014 through October 2015 in Maastricht , The Netherl and s. The participants were assigned r and omly to groups who ingested 15 g GOS or isocaloric placebo ( maltodextrin ) daily with their regular meals for 12 weeks . Before and after this period , we collected data on peripheral and adipose tissue insulin sensitivity , fecal microbiota composition , plasma and fecal SCFA , energy expenditure and substrate oxidation , body composition , and hormonal and inflammatory responses . The primary outcome was the effect of GOS on peripheral insulin sensitivity , measured by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp method . RESULTS Supplementation of diets with GOS , but not placebo , increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium species in feces by 5-fold ( P = .009 ; q = 0.144 ) . Microbial richness or diversity in fecal sample s were not affected . We did not observe any differences in fecal or fasting plasma SCFA concentrations or in systemic concentrations of gut-derived hormones , incretins , lipopolysaccharide-binding protein , or other markers of inflammation . In addition , no significant alterations in peripheral and adipose tissue insulin sensitivity , body composition , and energy and substrate metabolism were found . CONCLUSIONS Twelve-week supplementation of GOS selectively increased fecal Bifidobacterium species abundance , but this did not produce significant changes in insulin sensitivity or related substrate and energy metabolism in overweight or obese prediabetic men and women . ClincialTrials.gov number , NCT02271776 In rural Mexico and in many developing countries micronutrient deficiencies , growth stunting , and morbidity from infectious diseases are highly prevalent in young children . We assessed the extent to which growth stunting could be reversed and the number of infectious disease episodes reduced by zinc and /or iron supplementation . In a double-blind , r and omized community trial 219 Mexican preschoolers were supplemented with either 20 mg Zn as zinc methionine , 20 mg Fe as ferrous sulfate , 20 mg Zn + 20 mg Fe , or a placebo . After 12 mo , plasma zinc increased significantly in the two zinc-treated groups , and plasma ferritin was significantly higher in the two iron-treated groups . There was no effect of treatments on growth velocity or body composition . Children in both zinc-supplemented groups had fewer episodes of disease ( zinc alone , 3.9 + /- 0.3 ; zinc+iron , 3.7 + /- 0.4 ; placebo , 4.6 + /- 0.5 ; P < 0.03 ) , including diarrhea ( zinc alone , 0.7 + /- 0.1 ; zinc+iron , 0.8 + /- 0.1 ; placebo , 1.1 + /- 0.2 ; P < 0.01 ) . Zinc and zinc+iron supplements reduced morbidity but had no effect on growth or body composition Osteoporotic fractures , falls and obesity are major health problems in developed nations . Evidence suggests that there are antenatal factors predisposing to these conditions . Data are emerging from Australia and elsewhere to suggest that maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy affects intrauterine skeletal mineralisation and skeletal growth together with muscle development and adiposity . Given that low levels of vitamin D have been documented in many urbanised population s , including those in countries with abundant sunlight , an important issue for public health is whether maternal vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy has adverse effects on offspring health . The developing fetus may be exposed to low levels of vitamin D during critical phases of development as a result of maternal hypovitaminosis D. We hypothesise that this may have adverse effects on offspring musculoskeletal health and other aspects of body composition . Further research focused on the implication s of poor gestational vitamin D nutrition is warranted as these developmental effects are likely to have a sustained influence on health during childhood and in adult life . We suggest that there is a clear rationale for r and omised clinical trials to assess the potential benefits and harmful effects of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy Greater body fatness during childhood is associated with reduced risk of premenopausal breast cancer , but few studies have addressed the relation of adiposity with sex hormones in girls . We prospect ively examined associations between adiposity and circulating levels of sex hormones and sex hormone – binding globulin ( SHBG ) among 286 girls in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children . Participants were 8 to 10 years old at baseline and were followed for an average of 7 years .  Anthropometric measurements were taken at baseline and at subsequent annual visits , and blood sample s were collected every 2 years . Concentrations of dehydroepi and rosterone sulfate ( DHEAS ) during follow-up were higher among girls with greater body mass index ( BMI ) at baseline . The mean for the lowest BMI quartile was 63.0 μg/dL compared with 78.8 μg/dL for the highest quartile , and each kg/m2 increment in baseline BMI was associated with a 4.3 % increase ( 95 % confidence interval , 1.6 - 7.0 % ) in DHEAS levels during follow-up ( Ptrend = 0.002 ) . Concentrations of SHBG during follow-up were lower among girls with greater BMI at baseline . The mean for the lowest BMI quartile was 94.8 nmol compared with 57.5 nmol for the highest quartile , and each kg/m2 increment in baseline BMI was associated with an 8.8 % decrease ( 95 % confidence interval , 7.0 - 10.6 % ) in SHBG levels during follow-up ( Ptrend < 0.0001 ) . Estrogen and progesterone concentrations were similar across BMI quartiles . These findings suggest that adiposity may alter DHEAS and SHBG levels in girls . Whether and how these differences affect breast development and carcinogenesis requires further research . ( Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(9):1880–8 BACKGROUND Trials of testosterone therapy in aging men have demonstrated increases in fat-free mass ( FFM ) and skeletal muscle and decreases in fat mass ( FM ) but have not reported the impact of baseline body composition . OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determine the effect , in nonobese aging men with symptoms of and rogen deficiency and low-normal serum testosterone levels , of testosterone therapy on total and regional body composition and hormonal and metabolic indices . METHODS Sixty healthy but symptomatic , nonobese men aged 55 yr or older with total testosterone ( TT ) levels less than 15 nm were r and omized to transdermal testosterone patches or placebo for 52 wk . Body composition , by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry ( FM , FFM , skeletal muscle ) and magnetic resonance imaging ( abdominal sc and visceral adipose tissue , thigh skeletal muscle , and intermuscular fat ) and hormonal and metabolic parameters were measured at wk 0 and 52 . RESULTS Serum TT increased by 30 % ( P = 0.01 ) , and LH decreased by 50 % ( P < 0.001 ) . Relative to placebo , total body FFM ( P = 0.03 ) and skeletal muscle ( P = 0.008 ) were increased and thigh skeletal muscle loss was prevented ( P = 0.045 ) with testosterone therapy and visceral fat accumulation decreased ( P = 0.001 ) without change in total body or abdominal sc FM ; change in visceral fat was correlated with change in TT levels ( r2 = 0.36 ; P = 0.014 ) . There was a trend to increasing total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with placebo . CONCLUSION Testosterone therapy , relative to placebo , selectively lessened visceral fat accumulation without change in total body FM and increased total body FFM and total body and thigh skeletal muscle mass . Further studies are needed to determine the impact of these body compositional changes on markers of metabolic and cardiovascular risk This study determined the effects of heavy resistance training  and daily overfeeding with carbohydrate and /or protein on blood and skeletal muscle markers of protein synthesis ( MPS ) , myogenesis , body composition , and muscle performance . Twenty one resistance-trained males were r and omly assigned to either a protein + carbohydrate [ HPC ( n = 11 ) ] or a carbohydrate [ HC ( n = 10 ) ] supplement group in a double-blind fashion . Body composition and muscle performance were assessed , and venous blood sample s and muscle biopsies were obtained before and after eight weeks of resistance training and supplementation . Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA ( p ≤ 0.05 ) . Total body mass , body water , and fat mass were significantly increased in both groups in response to resistance training , but not supplementation ( p < 0.05 ) ; however , lean mass was not significantly increased in either group ( p = 0.068 ) . Upper- ( p = 0.024 ) and lower-body ( p = 0.001 ) muscle strength and myosin heavy chain ( MHC ) 1 ( p = 0.039 ) and MHC 2A ( p = 0.027 ) were also significantly increased with resistance training . Serum IGF-1 , GH , and HGF were not significantly affected ( p > 0.05 ) . Muscle total DNA , total protein , and c-Met were not significantly affected ( p > 0.05 ) . In conjunction with resistance training , the peri-exercise and daily overfeeding of protein and /or carbohydrate did not preferentially improve body composition , muscle performance , and markers indicative of MPS and myogenic activation . Key pointsIn response to 56 days of heavy resistance training and HC or HPC supplementation , similar increases in muscle mass and strength in both groups occurred ; however , the increases were not different between supplement groups . The supplementation of HPC had no preferential effect on augmenting serum IGF-1 GH , or HGF.The supplementation of HPC had no preferential effect on augmenting increases in total muscle protein content or the myogenic markers , total DNA and muscle cMet content . In response to 56 days of a daily supplemental dose of 94 g of protein and 196 g of carbohydrate , the HPC group was no more effective than 312 g of carbohydrate in the HC group in increasing muscle strength and mass due to its ability to elevate serum anabolic hormones and growth factors and markers of myogenic activation of satellite cells CONTEXT Rapid postnatal weight gain has been associated with subsequent increased childhood adiposity . However , the contribution of rapid weight gain during specific infancy periods is not clear . OBJECTIVE We aim ed to determine which periods of infancy weight gain are related to childhood adiposity and also to age at menarche in UK girls . DESIGN , SETTING , AND PARTICIPANTS A total of 2715 girls from a prospect i ve UK birth cohort study participated in the study . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Routinely measured weights and lengths at ages 2 , 9 , and 19 months were extracted from the local child health computer data base . Body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at age 10 yr , and age at menarche was assessed by question naire ( categorized into three groups : < 12.0 , 12.0 - 13.0 , and > 13.0 yr ) . RESULTS Faster early infancy weight gain between 0 and 2 months and also 2 to 9 months were associated with increased body fat mass relative to lean mass at age 10 yr and also with earlier age at menarche . Each + 1 unit gain in weight sd score between 0 and 9 months was associated with an odds ratio ( 95 % confidence interval ) = 1.48 ( 1.27 - 1.60 ) for overweight ( body mass index > 85th centile ) at 10 yr , and 1.34 ( 1.21 - 1.49 ) for menarche at less than 12 yr . In contrast , subsequent weight gain between 9 and 19 months was not associated with later adiposity or age at menarche . CONCLUSIONS In developed setting s , rapid weight gain during the first 9 months of life is a risk factor for both increased  childhood adiposity and early menarche in girls Effects of stage of lactation , nutrient intake , and cultural differences on the composition of human milk were examined during the first 6 mo of lactation in American and Egyptian women . In both population groups zinc levels in milk decreased from 1 to 6 months of lactation . American women supplemented with Zn had higher levels of Zn in their milk than did unsupplemented American or Egyptian women . Concentrations of calcium and magnesium were not significantly different in milk of American and Egyptian women except at month 6 of lactation . Ca levels in milk of both population groups increased from 1 to 2 - 3 mo of lactation and then decreased at 6 mo ; Mg concentrations increased from 1 to 3 mo and then reached a plateau . Similarities in the longitudinal decrease observed in Zn levels of milk in Zn supplemented and unsupplemented subjects suggested physiological regulation BACKGROUND Zinc supplements reduce  childhood morbidity in population s in whom zinc deficiency is common . In such population s , deficiencies in other micronutrients may also occur . OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine whether the administration of other micronutrients with zinc modifies the effect of  zinc supplementation on children 's morbidity and physical growth . DESIGN Two hundred forty-six children aged 6 - 35 mo with persistent diarrhea were r and omly assigned to 1 of 3 groups to receive a daily supplement of 10 mg Zn alone ( Zn ; n = 81 ) , zinc plus vitamins and other minerals at 1 - 2 times recommended daily intakes ( Zn+VM ; n = 82 ) , or placebo ( n = 83 ) for approximately 6 mo after the diarrhea episode ended . Morbidity information was collected on weekdays . Weight , length , and other anthropometric indicators were measured monthly , and plasma zinc and other indicators of micronutrient status were measured at baseline and 6 mo . RESULTS Supplement consumption was high ( approximately 90 % ) in all groups , although slightly more vomiting was reported in the Zn+VM group ( P < 0.0001 , analysis of variance ) . The change in plasma zinc from baseline to 6 mo was greater in the 2 zinc groups ( 6.1 , 27.3 , and 16.2 micro g/dL in the placebo , Zn , and Zn+VM groups , respectively ; P < 0.0001 , analysis of variance ) . The Zn group had fewer episodes of diarrhea , dysentery , and respiratory illness and a lower prevalence of fever and cough than did the Zn+VM group and a lower prevalence of cough than did the placebo group ( P = 0.05 ) . No significant effects of supplementation on growth were observed . CONCLUSION Morbidity was greater after supplementation with zinc plus multivitamins and minerals than it was after supplementation with zinc alone CONTEXT Treatment of GH-deficient adolescents in transition to adulthood remains challenging . OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess the safety and efficacy of GH in GH-deficient adolescents in transition . PATIENTS Fifty-eight GH-deficient adolescents ( mean age , 15.8 + /- 1.8 yr ; 33 males ) at near completion of their linear growth participated in the study . INTERVENTION Baseline studies were done while subjects were on GH . Subjects were retested ( insulin-induced hypoglycemia ) 4 wk after GH discontinuation and reclassified as persistently GH-deficient or controls ( n = 18 ) . GH-deficient subjects were r and omized to GH ( n = 25 , approximately 20 microg/kg.d ) or placebo ( n = 15 ) . SETTING The multicenter study was conducted over a 2-yr period . MAIN OUTCOMES Changes in body composition , bone mineral density ( BMD ) , quality of life ( QOL ) , cardiovascular and metabolic markers were measured . RESULTS All groups had normal measures of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism , body composition , BMD , cardiac function , muscle strength , and QOL at baseline and after 2 yr . IGF-I concentrations decreased in all , but less so in the GH-group ( P = 0.013 ) . There was a greater increase in lean body mass ( lesser adiposity ) in the GH group than placebo at 12 months , but not at 24 months . CONCLUSIONS 1 ) GH-deficient patients properly treated in childhood can have normal BMD , body composition , cardiac function , muscle strength , carbohydrate and lipid metabolism , and QOL when reaching adult height ; and 2 ) continuation of GH therapy for 2 yr did not change these measures as compared to placebo-treated or control subjects . GH-deficient adolescents in good metabolic status at the time of epiphyseal fusion may safely discontinue GH for at least 2 yr . Follow-up is needed to determine whether GH therapy is eventually warranted in subjects treated with GH during childhood OBJECTIVE To determine whether in children born small for gestational age ( SGA ) high-dose growth hormone ( GH ) treatment is not only associated with catch-up of growth and with gain of lean mass , but also with a more central fat distribution . STUDY DESIGN Short children who were SGA ( n = 25 ; age [ mean + /- SD ] , 5.3 + /- 1.5 years ) were r and omly assigned to remain untreated ( n = 14 ) or to receive GH ( n = 11 ; sc 66 mug/Kg/d ) . Growth status and body composition were assessed at the study 's start , after 1 year , and after 2 years with anthropometry and absorptiometry . RESULTS Children who were treated with GH gained more height and weight than children who were untreated and developed a less adipose body composition ( all P < .0001 ) , as expected . However , these changes were also accompanied by a relatively more centripetal distribution of fat mass ( 0 - 2 year change in ratio of trunk fat to limb fat ; 0.26 + /- 0.23 versus 0.02 + /- 0.15 ; P < .0001 ) . CONCLUSION In children who are SGA , catch-up growth induced by exogenous GH in high doses is accompanied by a less adipose body composition and a more central fat distribution BACKGROUND Deficiencies of iron and zinc are associated with delayed development , growth faltering , and increased infectious-disease morbidity during infancy and childhood . Combined iron and zinc supplementation may therefore be a logical preventive strategy . OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to compare the effects of combined iron and zinc supplementation in infancy with the effects of iron and zinc as single micronutrients on growth , psychomotor development , and incidence of infectious disease . DESIGN Indonesian infants ( n = 680 ) were r and omly assigned to daily supplementation with 10 mg Fe ( Fe group ) , 10 mg Zn ( Zn group ) , 10 mg Fe and 10 mg Zn ( Fe+Zn group ) , or placebo from 6 to 12 mo of age . Anthropometric indexes , developmental indexes ( Bayley Scales of Infant Development ; BSID ) , and morbidity were recorded . RESULTS At 12 mo , two-factor analysis of variance showed a significant interaction between iron and zinc for weight-for-age z score , knee-heel length , and BSID psychomotor development . Weight-for-age z score was higher in the Zn group than in the placebo and Fe+Zn groups , knee-heel length was higher in the Zn and Fe groups than in the placebo group , and the BSID psychomotor development index was higher in the Fe group than in the placebo group . No significant effect on morbidity was found . CONCLUSIONS Single supplementation with zinc significantly improved growth , and single supplementation with iron significantly improved growth and psychomotor development , but combined supplementation with iron and zinc had no significant effect on growth or development . Combined , simultaneous supplementation with iron and zinc to infants can not be routinely recommended at the iron-to-zinc ratio used in this study Introduction Maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy has been linked to many health outcomes in mother and offspring . A wealth of observational studies have reported on both obstetric outcomes and complications , including pre-eclampsia , gestational diabetes , mode and timing of delivery . Many foetal and childhood outcomes are also linked to vitamin D status , including measures of foetal size , body composition and skeletal mineralization , in addition to later childhood outcomes , such as asthma . Sources of data Synthesis of systematic and narrative review s. Areas of agreement and controversy The findings are generally inconsistent in most areas , and , at present , there is a lack of data from high- quality intervention studies to confirm a causal role for vitamin D in these outcomes . In most areas , the evidence tends towards maternal vitamin D being of overall benefit , but often does not reach statistical significance in meta-analyses . Growing points and areas timely for developing research The most conclusive evidence is in the role of maternal vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of neonatal hypocalcaemia ; as a consequence the UK department of health recommends that pregnant women take 400 IU vitamin D daily . High- quality r and omized placebo-controlled trials , such as the UK-based MAVIDOS trial , will inform the potential efficacy and safety of vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy across a variety of outcomes We previously reported that a eucaloric , low fat , liquid formula diet enriched in simple carbohydrate markedly increased the synthesis of fatty acids in lean volunteers . To examine the diet sensitivity of obese subjects , 7 obese and 12 lean volunteers were given two eucaloric low fat solid food diets enriched in simple sugars for 2 weeks each in a r and om-order , cross-over design ( 10 % fat , 75 % carbohydrate vs. 30 % fat , 55 % carbohydrate , ratio of sugar to starch 60:40 ) . The fatty acid compositions of both diets were matched to the composition of each subject 's adipose tissue and fatty acid synthesis measured by the method of linoleate dilution in plasma VLDL triglyceride . In all subjects , the maximum % de novo synthesized fatty acids in VLDL triglyceride 3;-9 h after the last meal was higher on the 10 % versus the 30 % fat diet . There was no significant difference between the dietary effects on lean ( 43+/-13 vs. 12+/-13 % ) and obese ( 37+/-15 vs. 6+/-6 % ) subjects , despite 2-fold elevated levels of insulin and reduced glucagon levels in the obese . Similar results were obtained for de novo palmitate synthesis in VLDL triglyceride measured by mass isotopomer distribution analysis after infusion of [(13)C]acetate . On the 10 % fat diet , plasma triglycerides ( fasting and 24 h ) were increased and correlated with fatty acid synthesis . Triglycerides were higher when fatty acid synthesis was constantly elevated rather than having diurnal variation . Thus , eucaloric , solid food diets which are very low in fat and high in simple sugars markedly stimulate fatty acid synthesis from carbohydrate , and plasma triglycerides increase in proportion to the amount of fatty acid synthesis . However , this dietary effect is not related to body mass index , insulin , or glucagon levels Background Excess adipose tissue and sarcopenia presents a multifaceted clinical challenge that promotes morbidity and mortality in the obese , elderly population . Unfortunately , the mortality risks of muscle loss may outweigh the potential benefits of weight loss in the elderly . We have previously demonstrated the effectiveness of whey protein and essential amino acids towards the preservation of lean tissue , even under the conditions of strict bedrest in the elderly . Methods In the context of caloric restriction-based weight loss , we hypothesized that a similar formulation given as a meal replacement ( EAAMR ) would foster the retention of lean tissue through an increase in the skeletal muscle fractional synthesis rate ( FSR ) . We also proposed that EAAMR would promote the preferential loss of adipose tissue through the increased energy cost of skeletal muscle FSR . We recruited and r and omized 12 elderly individuals to an 8 week , caloric restriction diet utilizing equivalent caloric meal replacements ( 800 kcal/day ) : 1 ) EAAMR or a 2 ) competitive meal replacement ( CMR ) in conjunction with 400 kcal of solid food that totaled 1200 kcal/day design ed to induce 7 % weight loss . Combined with weekly measurements of total body weight and body composition , we also measured the acute change in the skeletal muscle FSR to EAAMR and CMR . Results By design , both groups lost ~7 % of total body weight . While EAAMR did not promote a significant preservation of lean tissue , the reduction in adipose tissue was greater in EAAMR compared to CMR . Interestingly , these results corresponded to an increase in the acute skeletal muscle protein FSR . Conclusion The provision of EAAMR during caloric restriction-induced weight loss promotes the preferential reduction of adipose tissue and the modest loss of lean tissue in the elderly population Changes in growth , body composition , and zinc indexes were evaluated after 25 wk in a double-blind zinc-supplementation study of 162 periurban Guatemalan children aged 81.5 + /- 7.0 mo ( mean + /- SD ) . Children receiving the zinc supplement ( 10 mg Zn/d as amino acid chelate ) for 90.1 + /- 9.2 d had higher mean fasting plasma zinc ( 16.2 + /- 2.9 vs 14.9 + /- 2.1 mumol/L , P < 0.01 ) , a greater increase in median triceps skinfold Z score ( 0.50 vs 0.38 , P < 0.05 ) , and a smaller deficit in median midarm circumference ( MAC ) Z score ( -0.03 vs -0.20 , P < 0.05 ) compared with the placebo group . Initial hair zinc classified as < 1.68 and > 1.68 mumol/g was the only laboratory variable that explained some of the variance in final Z scores of midarm-muscle area ( P < 0.05 ) and MAC ( P < 0.01 ) . Children responded to the zinc supplement with changes in indexes of body composition rather than growth Background / Objective : Little is known about the precise role of  parental migrant status ( MS ) and educational level ( EL ) on adiposity and various eating habits in young children . Therefore , we assessed their independent contribution in preschoolers . Subjects/ Methods : Of 655 r and omly selected preschoolers , 542 ( 5.1±0.6 years ; 71 % of parental MS and 37 % of low parental EL )  were analysed  . Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance . Eating habits were assessed using a semiqualitative food frequency question naire and analysed according to five messages developed by the Swiss Society for Nutrition , based on factors implicated in childhood obesity : ( 1 ) ‘ Drinking water and decreasing sweetened drinks ’ , ( 2 ) ‘ Eating fruit and vegetables ’ , ( 3 ) ‘ Decreasing breakfast skipping ’ , ( 4 ) ‘ Reducing fatty and sweet foods ’ and ( 5 ) ‘ Reducing the intake of meals and snacks in front of television ’ . Results : Children of migrant and low EL parents had higher body fat , ate more meals and snacks while watching television and had more fruit and fatty foods compared with their respective counterparts ( all P⩽0.04 ) . Children of low EL parents also consumed less water and vegetables compared with their counterparts ( all P⩽0.04 ) . In most instances , we found an independent contribution of parental MS and EL to adiposity and eating habits . A more pronounced effect was found if both parents were migrants or of low EL  . Differences in adiposity and eating habits were relatively similar to the joint parental data when assessed individually for maternal and paternal MS and EL . Conclusions : Parental MS and EL are independently related to adiposity and various eating habits in preschoolers The objective was to determine the effect of daily supplementation with 30 mg of iron ( Fe ) plus 30 mg of zinc ( Zn ) for 3 months on Fe status of women of childbearing age . This was a r and omized double-blind , placebo-controlled trial . Eighty-one women ( 18–45 years ) were r and omly assigned to receive either a daily single dose of 30 mg of Fe ( group 1 ; n = 28 ) and 30 mg of Fe plus 30 mg of Zn ( group 2 ; n = 26 ) or placebo ( n = 27 ) for 3 months . Hemoglobin ( Hb ) , mean corpuscular volume , serum Fe , total iron-binding capacity , transferrin saturation , erythrocyte Zn protoporphyrin , serum ferritin ( SF ) , serum transferrin receptor ( TfR ) , total body Fe , serum Zn , and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured at baseline and at the end of the study . At baseline , 3.7 , 28.4 , and 3.7 % of women had iron-deficiency anemia ( IDA ) , Fe deficiency without anemia , and depleted Fe stores , respectively . No significant differences on Fe status were found between groups before supplementation . After supplementation , group 2 showed a significant increase of Hb and total body Fe and a significant decrease of TfR compared with placebo ( p < 0.05 ) . Moreover , serum Zn increased significantly in group 2 compared with group 1 ( p < 0.01 ) and placebo ( p < 0.01 ) . In conclusion , daily supplementation with 30 mg of Fe plus 30 mg of Zn for 3 months improved significantly the Fe and Zn status of women , compared with those who received placebo . The positive effect of Fe supplementation on Fe status is enhanced by combined Zn supplementation Based on cell culture and studies in mice , increased dietary calcium appears to stimulate lipolysis and could possibly reduce body adiposity through hormonal influences on adipocyte calcium uptake . In this study , we investigated the effects of 1,500 mg supplemental calcium daily for 3 months on hormones regulating calcium and energy metabolism and rates of lipid oxidation and lipolysis in overweight women . Fifteen overweight ( BMI > 25 kg/m(2 ) ) premenopausal women were supplemented with 1,500 mg of calcium , as CaCO(3 ) , per day for 3 months while maintaining their usual diets and activity levels . Baseline and endpoint measurements were obtained after the subjects consumed a st and ardized 25 % fat diet for 4 days . Lipid oxidation was measured by indirect calorimetry , lipolysis by infusion of deuterated glycerol , and body fat by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry . Urinary calcium , circulating levels of hormones involved in energy and lipid metabolism ( insulin , leptin , and adiponectin ) or calcium metabolism ( 25(OH)D , 1,25(OH)(2)D ) , and parathyroid hormone ( PTH ) ) were also measured . Urinary levels of calcium ( P = 0.005 ) increased and 1,25(OH)(2)D declined ( P = 0.03 ) . However other parameters , including body weight , body fat , PTH , insulin , leptin , adiponectin , 25(OH)D , as well as rates of lipid oxidation and lipolysis were not altered by calcium supplementation . Calcium supplementation for 3 months increased urinary calcium excretion , decreased circulating levels of 1,25(OH)(2)-D , but had no effect on rates of lipid oxidation or lipolysis , in these overweight women Recent observational studies suggest that mean birth weight and body fat growth in the first year of life have increased continuously over the last decades . Both elevated birth weight and early fat mass are potential risk factors for childhood obesity . Experimental and limited clinical data suggest that the dietary ratio of n–6 to n–3 fatty acids ( FAs ) during pregnancy is critical for early adipose tissue growth . The aim of this r and omized controlled study is to examine the effect of the supplementation with n–3 long-chain polyunsaturated FAs and reduction in the n–6/n–3 ratio in the diet of pregnant women/breast-feeding mothers on adipose tissue growth in their newborns using various methods for the assessment of body fat mass . Measurement of skinfold thickness in the newborn is the primary outcome parameter . Two hundred and four pregnant women will be recruited before the 15th week of gestation and r and omly assigned to either active intervention or an isocaloric control diet . This upcoming study will explore the potential of this dietary approach to limit early adipose tissue growth and may contribute to the development of a new strategy for the primary prevention of childhood obesity BACKGROUND Rapid early postnatal weight gain predicts increased subsequent obesity and related disease risks . However , the exact timing of adverse rapid postnatal weight gain is unclear . OBJECTIVE The objective was to examine the associations between rapid weight gain in infancy and in early childhood in relation to body composition at age 17 y. DESIGN This prospect i ve cohort study was conducted in 248 ( 103 males ) singletons and their mothers . Height and weight were measured at birth , 6 mo , and 3 and 6 y. The rates of weight gain during infancy ( 0 - 6 mo ) and early childhood ( 3 - 6 y ) were calculated as changes in sex- and age-adjusted weight SD scores during these time periods . At 17 y , body composition was measured by air-displacement plethysmography . RESULTS Increasing weight gain during infancy and early childhood were both independently associated with larger body mass index , fat mass , relative fat mass , fat-free mass , and waist circumference at 17 y ( P < 0.005 for all ; adjusted for sex , birth weight , gestational age , current height , maternal socioeconomic status , and maternal fat mass ) . Rapid weight gain in infancy , but not in early childhood , also predicted taller height at 17 y ( P < 0.001 ) . CONCLUSIONS Rapid weight gain in both infancy and early childhood is a risk factor for adult adiposity and obesity . Rapid weight gain in infancy also predicted taller adult height . We hypothesize that rapid weight gains in infancy and early childhood are different processes and may allow separate opportunities for early intervention against obesity risk later in life
Zn supplementation was associated with increased fat-free mass among stunted children .
Due to the use of anthropometry when determining body composition , a majority of the studies could not accurately address whether alterations in the fat and /or fat-free mass components of the body were responsible for the observed changes in body composition .
The effect of Zn supplementation on body composition is not consistent but may modify fat-free mass among children with pre-existing growth failure
OBJECTIVE To provide a comprehensive synthesis of the effects of Zn supplementation on childhood body composition and adiposity-related hormone levels .