This study aimed to elucidate the correlation of Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) with prostate cancer (PCa) among men aged 40 years and older in the United States.

Analysis included multivariate linear and logistic regression, smoothing curve fitting, and threshold effect evaluation using 2003-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. The stability of this relationship across demographic groups was assessed via subgroup analyses and interaction tests.

Among 2,768 participants, those with elevated VAI displayed lower total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) levels and reduced PCa risk. Each VAI unit elevation corresponded to a 0.075 ng/mL tPSA reduction [-0.075 (-0.145, -0.005)] and 18.8% PCa risk reduction [0.812 (0.687, 0.960)]. Top-quartile VAI individuals exhibited 0.282 ng/mL reduced tPSA [-0.282 (-0.557, -0.007)] and 49.7% reduced PCa risk [0.503 (0.282, 0.896)] relative to bottom-quartile counterparts. This inverse relationship was more pronounced in men ≥70 years. Moreover, VAI-tPSA in other races demonstrated a U-shaped pattern, with a 2.09 inflection point. At the same time, a Mexican American subgroup exhibited an inverted U-shape for VAI and PCa risk, with a 1.42 inflection point.

In men aged ≥70, VAI indicates an inverse PCa relationship. However, PSA-based PCa screening may be influenced in visceral-obese individuals aged <70.

Objective: This review examines the evolution of obesity evaluation methods, from traditional anthropometric indices to advanced imaging techniques, focusing on their clinical utility, limitations, and potential for personalized assessment of visceral adiposity and associated metabolic risks.

Methods: A comprehensive analysis of existing literature was conducted, encompassing anthropometric indices (BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR, NC), lipid-related metrics (LAP, VAI, CVAI, mBMI), and imaging technologies (3D scanning, BIA, ultrasound, DXA, CT, MRI). The study highlights the biological roles of white, brown, and beige adipocytes, emphasizing visceral adipose tissue (VAT) as a critical mediator of metabolic diseases.

Conclusion: Although BMI and other anthropometric measurements are still included in the guidelines, indicators that incorporate lipid metabolism information can more accurately reflect the relationship between metabolic diseases and visceral obesity. At the same time, the use of more modern medical equipment, such as ultrasound, X-rays, and CT scans, allows for a more intuitive assessment of the extent of visceral obesity.

We assessed the associations of visceral adiposity indexes such as Chinese Visceral Adiposity Index (CVAI), Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP), waist circumference (WC), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) with overall and specific cancer incidence in a Chinese population.

332,297 individuals from the Taiwan MJ cohort (1996-2007) were included. We utilized multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to examine associations of baseline visceral adiposity indexes and cancer incidences. Sex-specific CVAI, VAI, and LAP were calculated, incorporating WC and triglycerides levels. CVAI and VAI also included body mass index and high-density lipoprotein, with CVAI further incorporating age.

Higher CVAI was consistently associated with higher overall cancer incidence, with HRs of 1.45 (95% CI: 1.2-1.76) and 2.03 (95% CI: 1.52-2.72) for males and females, respectively, comparing the fifth quintile to the first. The HRs for WC were 1.27 (95% CI: 1.08-1.49) and 1.19 (95% CI: 1.01-1.40) for males and females, WHR was significantly associated with cancer risk in males (HR:1.28; 95% CI: 1.13-1.45), and LAP was significantly associated with cancer risk in females (HR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.04-1.5). VAI was not associated with overall cancer incidence.

CVAI is a superior clinical biomarker for predicting cancer incidence in the Chinese population compared to traditional visceral obesity indices.

This study aimed to assess whether novel anthropometric indices-Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), Conicity Index (CI), and Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP)-could predict Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

A methodological study was conducted with 371 hospitalized T2DM patients aged 19-64 at Bandırma Education and Research Hospital. Anthropometric measurements, including waist circumference and Body Mass Index (BMI), were used to calculate VAI, CI, and LAP. The 10-year CVD risk was estimated using the Systematic Coronary Risk Estimation (SCORE) model, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves assessed the predictive performance of the indices.

The mean SCORE risk was significantly higher in individuals aged ≥ 65 years (p < 0.001), with 70.4 % classified as high-risk. ROC analysis showed that VAI, CI, and LAP had limited discriminatory ability, with Area Under the Curve (AUC) values of 0.454, 0.563, and 0.468, respectively. No significant correlation was found between these indices and the SCORE model in both age groups.

VAI, CI, and LAP do not adequately predict CVD risk in T2DM patients, suggesting that traditional risk assessment methods may remain more reliable for this population.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Plant-based diets are associated with reduced CVD risk factors. This study aimed to explore the associations between dietary phytochemical index (DPI) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), lipid profile, atherogenic indices, and other metabolic biomarkers in women with PCOS.

In this cross-sectional study, 150 females aged 18-45 years diagnosed with PCOS were recruited. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was applied to gather the relevant demographic characteristics, detailed clinical information, and lifestyle habits of participants. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake, and DPI was calculated accordingly. We used multiple linear regression to determine the association between serum concentrations of ADMA, total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), fasting serum glucose (FSG), insulin, and lipid profile, as well as atherogenic indices across quartiles of DPI.

There was a negative correlation between the DPI and serum levels of ADMA (p-trend = 0.022), triglycerides (TG) (p-trend = 0.003), oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ox-LDL) (p-trend = 0.001), insulin (p-trend = 0.045) and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) (p-trend = 0.018). Moreover, there was a tendency for visceral adiposity index (VAI) (p-trend = 0.005) and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) (p-trend = 0.001) to decrease as the quartile categories of DPI increased. No significant regular trend was found for serum levels of FSG, SHBG, total testosterone, other lipid profiles, and lipid accumulation product (LAP).

These findings suggest that adherence to a phytochemical-rich diet decrease the CVD risk factors in PCOS patients.

Insulin resistance plays a pivotal role in the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). An in-depth investigation into the role of insulin resistance scores in evaluating T2DM combined with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and liver fibrosis holds significant importance for clinical decisions and personalized treatment.

The study screened patients with diabetes from Taizhou Central Hospital from June 2020 to May 2024. In conjunction with the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database, various statistical methods such as logistic regression analysis, restricted cubic spline, and receiver operating characteristic curves were employed to complete data analysis.

This study encompassed 3776 patients with T2DM, including 1074 diagnosed with MAFLD. Insulin resistance scores in the MAFLD group were significantly elevated. Compared with nonfibrotic patients, those with T2DM and liver fibrosis exhibited notably higher Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) scores and notably lower triglyceride-glucose index and visceral adiposity index scores; the incidence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease were significantly elevated. Among other insulin resistance scores, the CVAI score demonstrated the highest value for correlating with the MAFLD and liver fibrosis in patients with T2DM. The NHANES database, encompassing data from 6763 individuals, validated the aforementioned findings, further affirming that the CVAI score exhibited optimal consistency with the risk of T2DM with MAFLD and liver fibrosis.

The insulin resistance scores were significantly elevated in T2DM combined with MAFLD. The CVAI score demonstrated the best predictive effect on MAFLD and liver fibrosis.

Sexual dysfunction in men and women is an important clinical issue; infection and inflammation can cause social, medical, and psychological problems that have a profound impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide.

We set out to identify sexual dysfunctions in men and women that arise from infection and inflammation and propose meaningful interventions, as evaluated by the Fifth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (ICSM) held in June 2024 in Madrid (Spain).

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for published peer-reviewed journal articles and ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization's (WHO's) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform for prospective trials. This manuscript represents the opinions of 10 experts from 6 countries developed in a consensus process after completing the literature review, which produced a list of recommendations graded as weak or strong. This document was presented for peer review and debate in a public forum, and revisions were made based on the recommendations of chairpersons of the 5th ICSM.

Infections, and in particular sexually transmitted infections (STIs), dramatically affect the sexual and reproductive health of individuals and couples, irrespective of sexual orientation and gender. Similarly, non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs), through the common pathogenetic mechanism of inflammation, can directly impair the ability to copulate, reproduce, and enjoy sexual life.

This expert consensus recommends prioritizing early detection, comprehensive treatment approaches, and preventive measures to mitigate the effects of infection and inflammation on sexual health, both for the patient and the couple. These insights provide a foundation for improving patient outcomes and fostering global awareness of the interconnections between infection, inflammation, and sexual dysfunction.

The distribution of body fat plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the specific metabolic profiles and biomarkers that distinguish the different obesity phenotypes in T2DM remain to be fully elucidated. Bile acids (BAs), which are recognized as pivotal signaling molecules in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, warrant further investigation to characterize their profiles across different obesity phenotypes. Understanding the clinical significance of these BAs in the management of T2DM is essential and merits thorough exploration.

In this cross-sectional study conducted at the Zhangjiang Community Health Service Center in Shanghai, ninety-nine elderly participants were recruited and categorized into four groups: non-diabetic controls (NC), T2DM with lean phenotype (TN), T2DM with overweight phenotype (TO), and T2DM with abdominal obesity phenotype (TA). Biochemical indices, visceral adiposity indices, and bile acid (BA) profiles were analyzed and compared across the groups.

Healthy individuals exhibited lower triglyceride levels, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), visceral adiposity index (VAI), and Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI), as well as higher HDL-c level and total BA levels compared to T2DM patients. T2DM patients with different obesity phenotypes displayed distinct BA profiles. Specifically, the TN group showed higher levels of conjugated DCA BA species, GDCA, and TDCA, compared to the TO group. These BA species are essential for regulating lipid and glucose metabolism. In contrast, the TA group exhibited higher ratios of 12α-hydroxylated BAs to non 12α-hydroxylated BAs, taurine-conjugated BAs to glycine-conjugated BAs, and higher levels of LCA compared to the TO group. Additionally, CVAI was positively associated with unconjugated SBAs, CA-7S, and DLCA.

These results revealed that T2DM patients with different obesity phenotypes exhibit distinct BA profiles. Specific BAs, particularly GDCA, TDCA, and LCA, are closely associated with adiposity indices and may serve as crucial signaling molecules in modulating visceral adiposity, serum lipid profiles, and glucose homeostasis in obese T2DM patients. These BA species play a pivotal role in the pathogenetic process underlying diabetes and various forms of obesity. Furthermore, their significance highlights their potential contributors to drug development and as therapeutic targets for T2DM patients with specific obesity subtypes.

Background/Objectives: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasingly recognized in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients due to chronic inflammation and metabolic disturbances. However, reliable non-invasive biomarkers for MASLD prediction in this population are lacking. This study evaluated the predictive value of metabolic scores and lipid ratios for MASLD onset in IBD patients. Methods: An observational retrospective study was conducted on 358 IBD patients at the "Renato Dulbecco" Teaching Hospital in Catanzaro, Italy, in a period between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2024. Clinical and laboratory data, including metabolic scores and lipid ratios, were analyzed using the chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests as appropriate. Post hoc comparisons were conducted using Dunn's test. Receiver operating characteristic analysis assessed their predictive accuracy for MASLD. p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: IBD-MASLD patients had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI, 27 ± 4 vs. 22 ± 2 kg/m2; p < 0.001), waist circumference (100 ± 11 vs. 85 ± 4 cm; p < 0.001), other anthropometric parameters, metabolic scores, and lipid ratios than IBD-only patients. The metabolic score for insulin resistance [METS-IR, area under curve (AUC = 0.754)] and waist circumference (AUC = 0.754) exhibited the highest predictive accuracy, followed by the lipid accumulation product (LAP, AUC = 0.737), BMI (AUC = 0.709), and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein (TG/HDL, AUC = 0.701). Insulin resistance scores, including the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (AUC = 0.680) and triglyceride-glucose index (AUC = 0.674), were of moderate predictive use. The visceral adiposity index (AUC = 0.664) and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein (AUC = 0.656) showed lower discriminative ability, while the fibrosis-4 index (AUC = 0.562) had the weakest diagnostic performance. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that MASLD in IBD is primarily driven by cardiometabolic dysfunction. The introduction of the METS-IR, LAP, and TG/HDL into clinical assessments of IBD patients could prove useful in preventing liver and cardiovascular complications in this setting.

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between anthropometric indices and the concentration of hormonal parameters in relation to problematic Internet use or even addiction. The study was conducted in 2020-2021 on a group of 427 men aged 18-30 (24.82 ± 3.83) who declared that they used the Internet and played computer games and/or online games, including gambling. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymous. Anthropometric indices, HOMA-IR as well as biochemical and hormonal parameters were calculated. Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP) and Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) positively correlate with both the moderate (LAP r = 0.41; p = 0.000), (VAI r = 0.043; p = 0.000) and high degree (LAP r = 0.40; p = 0.004), (VAI r = 0.37; p = 0.004) in the IUT. In multivariate logistic regression, a correlation between testosterone (TT) in the anthropometric indices- LAP, VAI and Body Adiposity Index (BAI)-and the moderate and high degrees in the IUT questionnaire is found. Our study highlights the usefulness of anthropometric indices in assessing hormone distribution and glucose metabolism. VAI can be used as a marker for estimating the risk of metabolic disorders. Serotonin, together with LAP and VAI, increases with the degree of Internet use in the IUT questionnaire, which predisposes to cardiovascular problems. Internet addiction is an important independent risk factor for clinicians to use in assessment along with physical activity and psychosocial problems, but they also indicate the risk of fertility problems in increasingly younger men due to hormonal disorders.

Dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been implicated in promoting insulin resistance. However, their impact on insulin resistance in a mixed population made up of males and females remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the relationship between dietary AGEs and insulin resistance may be sex-dependent.

195 males and 239 females were included in this cross-sectional study. Study participants underwent anthropometric and metabolic assessments. AGE intake was estimated using food frequency questionnaires and databases reporting AGE content in individual food items. The relationship between AGE intake and insulin resistance, estimated using HOMA-IR, was assessed using Pearson correlation test. The predictive power of dietary AGEs towards HOMA-IR was investigated using stepwise linear regression.

AGE intake correlated positively with HOMA-IR in females (p < 0.01) but not in male study participants (p > 0.05). Moreover, AGE intake was able to increase the predictive power of BMI towards insulin resistance in females but not males. Instead, anthropometric variables were the only discriminants able to predict insulin resistance in males.

Dietary AGEs exert a sex-dependent effect on insulin resistance as their intake is associated with and able to predict HOMA-IR in females but not males. This suggests that females may be more susceptible to the deleterious impact of these glycotoxins on insulin sensitivity. Nevertheless, considering this study not involving a nutritional intervention to directly elucidate whether the effect of AGEs on insulin resistance is sex-dependent, further studies are warranted to confirm the present findings.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a significant cause of chronic liver disease globally, and the rising prevalence of MASLD is occurring in parallel with the global aging population. The use of non-invasive biomarker tools to rule-in or rule-out hepatic steatosis is important in large epidemiological studies in this field. While the Fatty Liver Index (FLI) is the best validated tool in older adults, not all studies will have the necessary parameters for steatosis identification. This retrospective post-hoc analysis of the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study involved 16,703 Australian adults aged ≥70 years. Using the FLI as the 'gold standard' index, we evaluated the correlation with other indices: the Dallas Steatosis Index (DSI), Framingham Steatosis Index, ZJU index (ZJU), Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI), Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP), and Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), as well as age- and sex-adjusted outcome measures including mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), atrial fibrillation (AF), and persistent physical disability. Of the non-FLI indices, the DSI and FSI had the highest percentage of participants correctly classified as having MASLD (97.7% and 93.8% respectively). The FSI, LAP, and VAI were associated with MACE. The FSI and FLI were predictive of incident AF. The FLI, DSI, FSI, LAP and VAI were associated with physical disability. No MASLD score was associated with increased mortality. Indeed, MASLD defined by the ZJU and HSI were both inversely associated with mortality. As such, we've demonstrated that the FSI and DSI are the most accurate scores for identifying MASLD in older adults when compared to the FLI as the gold standard. The FSI is associated with MACE, AF, and persistent physical disability, lending support to its use in identifying older persons with MASLD when the FLI is unable to be calculated.

This study compares the association of eight insulin resistance (IR)-related markers (triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), TyG-body mass index (TyG-BMI), TyG-waist circumference (TyG-WC), TyG-waist-to-height ratio (TyG-WHtR), triglycerides-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL), lipid accumulation product (LAP), visceral adiposity index (VAI), and estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR)) with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Spearman's coefficients were used for correlations between IR-related markers. Predictive capacities were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, Akaike Information Criterion, and Bayesian Information Criterion were calculated. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were performed to explore associations between IR-related markers and CVD.

In Pearson correlation analysis, TyG-WC and TyG-WHtR had a correlation coefficient of 0.95, while TG/HDL ratio and VAI had a correlation coefficient of 0.97. Regarding predictive capacity across different glycemic states, eGDR showed the best performance among the 8 IR-related markers, particularly in predicting stroke. According to Cox regression analysis, with each unit increase in TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR, the risk of heart disease increased by 24.1%, 0.4%, 0.1%, and 17.56%, respectively; and the risk of stroke increased by 69.3%, 0.6%, 0.2%, and 36.5%, respectively. Additionally, TG/HDL ratio, VAI, and LAP exhibited nonlinear associations with heart disease and stroke risk. For each unit increase in eGDR, the risks of heart disease and stroke decreased by 21% and 14.2%, respectively.

eGDR is the most effective marker for predicting CVD, especially stroke, across all glycemic states. Modified TyG indices provide better predictive value than TyG alone.

Visceral adiposity index (VAI) vividly reflects body fat distribution through comprehensively integrating body mass index, sex, waist circumference, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. While VAI is an established predictor of various clinical outcomes, its relationship with premature mortality and life expectancy remains unclear.

To explore the association between VAI and premature mortality or life expectancy in a nationally representative cohort of US adults.

This study included adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018, linked to the National Death Index through December 31, 2019. Data were analyzed from August to October, 2024. VAI was categorized into quartiles from the lowest Q1 to the highest Q4. Primary endpoints were premature mortality (death before 80 years of age) and life expectancy.

A total of 43,672 participants (women: 22,164; men: 21,508) aged > 20 years were included. Over a median follow-up of 9.2 years (IQR: 4.9-13.8), 3,187 premature deaths were documented. Higher VAI quartiles were significantly associated with increased multi-adjusted premature mortality risk compared to Q1 (Q3 vs. Q1: hazard ratio [HR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30, 1.05 to 1.61; Q4 vs. Q1: 1.68, 1.34 to 2.11). This association was particularly pronounced in women (Q3 vs. Q1: 1.53, 1.01 to 2.30; Q4 vs. Q1: 2.36, 1.52 to 3.68), with significant linear trends (P < 0.001). Estimated life expectancy at age 40 years was 41.45 (95% CI: 41.24 to 41.66), 41.32 (41.11 to 41.53), 40.55 (40.35 to 40.75), and 39.26 (39.08 to 39.45) years in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 of VAI, respectively. By sex, estimated life expectancy at age 40 in Q4 was reduced by 3.33 years in women and 1.24 years in men, compared to Q1. By race and ethnicity, it was shortened by 3.90 years in Black participants and 1.68 years in White participants in Q4 group, compared to Q1.

In this nationwide cohort study, higher VAI was significantly associated with an increased risk of premature mortality and reduced life expectancy at age 40 among US adults. These associations we heterogeneous by sex, race and ethnicity, more pronounced in women and Black participants.

Objective: Various insulin resistance (IR) indices have been developed to assess cardiovascular (CVS) risk. We compared the association between ten IR indices and cardiac, renal, and vascular end-organ measures in a predominantly young (age 45.0 ± 18.3 years) South African Black population. Methods: We assessed the relationships between ten IR indices (homeostatic model assessment for IR [HOMA-IR], quantitative insulin sensitivity check index [QUICKI], metabolic score for IR [METS-IR], triglyceride-glucose index [TyG], TyG-body mass index [TyG-BMI], TyG-waist circumference [TyG-WC], TyG-waist-to-height ratio [TyG-WHtR], triglyceride to high-density cholesterol concentration [TyG-HDL], lipid accumulation product [LAP], visceral adiposity index [VAI]) and end-organ measures in 779 community participants of African ancestry. Results: HOMA-IR and QUICKI were the only IR indices consistently associated with end-organ measures (left ventricular [LV] mass index, p ≤ 0.005; LV relative wall thickness, p < 0.0001; early-to-late mitral velocity, p ≤ 0.01; E/e', p ≤ 0.002; e', p < 0.0001; pulse wave velocity, p = 0.036 (HOMA-IR only); glomerular filtration rate [GFR], p < 0.0001), independent of confounders. Furthermore, HOMA-IR was consistently higher, and QUICKI lower, in those with compared to those without end-organ damage (LV hypertrophy [p ≤ 0.03], concentric LV [p < 0.03], and reduced GFR [p ≤ 0.008]), independent of confounders. Importantly, the associations between HOMA-IR or QUICKI and end-organ measures were independent of additional CVS risk factors, including adiposity measures, and were replicated in the participants without diabetes mellitus (n = 669) and in the participants without high blood pressure (n = 505). Conclusions: In a predominantly young community of African ancestry, of ten recommended IR indices, only HOMA-IR and QUICKI were consistently associated with end-organ damage independent of CVS risk factors.

Consuming functional foods alongside the energy-restricted diet can be a great ally in weight loss and improving cardiometabolic risk factors. Whether Brazil nut (BN) consumption in the context of energy restriction affects them remains to be answered. We aimed to evaluate the effect of BN within an energy-restricted diet on cardiometabolic risk markers among women. This is an eight-week, quasi-experimental, controlled nutritional intervention study. The women were allocated into two energy-restricted (-500 kcal/d) groups: a control free of BN (n=29) and a BN-group (BNG) (n=27) with 2 units/day of BN (~ 347 µg of selenium). Both groups had similar weight loss, but in the BNG, the serum selenium increased by 276.7% and apolipoprotein A1 increased by 27.4%. In addition, BNG had a more pronounced reduction in liver enzymes, and presented the most preserved percentages of lean and fat-free mass in relation to the control group. Consuming 2 units/day of BN in an 8-week weight loss intervention improved cardiometabolic risk markers in women. Our results suggest that regular consumption of BN during energy-restricted diets may be a strategy to minimize adiposity, preserve lean mass, improve serum selenium status, lipid, and liver metabolism markers, and, consequently, help obesity management and its comorbidities.

Background/Objectives: This study compared metabolic syndrome (MetS) features in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) to those in age-, BMI-, and gender-matched subjects with essential obesity (EOB). Methods: Thirty-two PWS patients (23 females, 9 males; median age 31.6 years; BMI 42.0 kg/m2) underwent several assessments, including anthropometric measurements, body composition via bio-impedance analysis, basal metabolic rate (BMR) using indirect calorimetry, and blood sampling. Results: Their data were compared to a matched EOB group (23 females, 9 males; median age 31.4 years; BMI 43.5 kg/m2). The study groups (PWS and EOB) were subsequently divided into two subgroups based on the International Diabetes Federation criteria for the definition of MetS. Results showed that individuals with PWS had significantly lower (p < 0.001) body weight (BW, -20.9%), height (-8.9%), fat-free mass (FFM, -23.5%), and fat mass (FM, -19.2%) in absolute terms compared to EOB subjects. However, the relative percentages of FFM and FM were similar. Absolute BMR was 25.5% (p < 0.001) lower in the PWS group; however, this difference disappeared when adjusted for FFM or body weight (BW). Metabolic outcomes were broadly similar between the groups, except for higher fasting glucose (+7.3%) and HbA1c levels (+7.9%), and lower fasting insulin (-29.0%) in PWS patients. Conclusions: Moreover, PWS subjects exhibited higher total cholesterol (+9.6%) and HDL-cholesterol (+19.8%), suggesting a more favourable lipid profile and no extra risk beyond severe obesity.

Metabolic score for visceral fat (METS-VF) as an effective marker of visceral obesity has been correlated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aims to explore the correlation between METS-VF and both all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality among individuals with NAFLD.

A cohort of 6,759 subjects diagnosed with NAFLD was selected from the NHANES during the period from 1999 to 2018. Within this cohort, the prognostic utility of METS-VF for predicting CVD-related and all-cause mortality was assessed.

There was a total of 1254 all-cause deaths (18.6%) and 418 CVD-related deaths (6.2%) at a median follow-up for 9.3 years. Multivariate Cox regression analysis and restricted cubic splines analysis indicated that METS-VF can exhibit a positive non-linearly correlation with CVD mortality (HR: 4.15, 95% CI: 2.31-7.44, p < 0.001) and all-cause mortality (HR: 5.27, 95% CI: 3.75-7.42, p < 0.001), with an identified inflection point at 7.436. Subgroup analyses further revealed a stronger correlation between METS-VF and all-cause mortality among subjects without diabetes. Furthermore, the areas under the curve (AUC) for 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 0.756, 0.740, 0.747 and 0.746 for all-cause mortality, and 0.774, 0.751, 0.746 and 0.758 for CVD mortality, respectively, which performs better than the other obesity and IR related index.

Elevated METS-VF independently contributes to an increased risk of both all-cause and CVD mortality in individuals with NAFLD.

Not applicable.

The association between body roundness index (BRI) and all-cause mortality and the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with diabetes is unknown. This study aimed to determine the association between BRI and all-cause/CVD mortality in a diabetic cohort.

A total of 8227 individuals with diabetes from the 1999-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database were included. Multifactorial Cox regression models were used to analyze the association between BRI and mortality in patients with diabetes. Multivariate-adjusted restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression was used to test for nonlinearity.

During a median follow-up of 7.25 years, a total of 27.22% died, with 9.18% of these deaths due to CVD. After fully adjusting for potential confounders, BRI remained significantly associated with all-cause/CVD mortality in the diabetic population. The restricted cubic splines revealed no significant nonlinear relationship between BRI and all-cause mortality (P = 0.29) or CVD mortality (P = 0.73). BRI was better associated with all-cause/CVD mortality in patients with diabetes compared to other body metabolic indices.

In patients with diabetes, we found an association between BRI and all-cause/CVD mortality.

Background and Aims: Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a key cardiometabolic risk factor. This study evaluates the association between VAT and adiposity indices and identifies reliable predictors of increased VAT. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from 4696 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018. VAT was measured via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Adiposity indices included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), lipid accumulation product, visceral adiposity index, body shape index, body roundness index, and metabolic score for visceral fat (METS-VF). Correlation analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) modeling evaluated the performance of indices and identified key predictors of VAT. Results: All adiposity indices were significantly correlated with VAT (P < 0.001). Among them, METS-VF demonstrated the highest predictive performance for increased VAT (>130 cm2) followed by WC. Optimal cutoff values for METS-VF were 7.1 [areas under the curve (AUC): 0.887, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.873-0.899] in men and 7.5 (AUC: 0.904, 95% CI: 0.891-0.916) in women. For WC, the cutoff values were 99.5 cm (AUC: 0.866, 95% CI: 0.851-0.879) in men and 96 cm (AUC: 0.883, 95% CI: 0.869-0.896) in women. MARS modeling identified race, age, WC, BMI, glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides as significant predictors of VAT, achieving an R2 of 75.2%. Conclusion: METS-VF demonstrated the highest predictive value among the indices evaluated for predicting increased VAT. It may serve as a valuable tool in assessing visceral obesity and associated cardiometabolic risks.

Various anthropometric indices have been proposed to assess central obesity and predict metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, their ability to predict MetS has not been evaluated in the Nepali adult population. This study compared the predictive potential of 12 novel and traditional anthropometric indices for MetS and its components among Nepali adults.

This cross-sectional study, conducted between January 2022 and June 2023, involved 1,116 adult participants (424 females, 692 males) aged 30-86 years from Gandaki Province, Nepal. Twelve anthropometric indices were calculated from the primary anthropometric and metabolic parameters. MetS was defined according to the modified NCEP-ATP III criteria. Logistic regression models were used to assess the strength of associations between these indices and MetS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the predictive potential of these indices for MetS and its components. AUC differences between various index pairs were also calculated.

The overall prevalence of MetS in our study participants was 52.7%. The VAI demonstrated the best performance in predicting MetS (AUC: 0.865 for females, 0.882 for males), followed by LAP (AUC: 0.848 for females, 0.866 for males). The WHR showed good performance (AUC: 0.749 for females, 0.722 for males). BMI, the well-known traditional measure of body adiposity, demonstrated lower predictive ability (AUC: 0.586 for females, 0.571 for males). The optimal cutoffs were as follows: VAI > 2.37 for females, > 1.71 for males; LAP > 37.21 for females, > 47.74 for males; WHR > 0.97 for females, > 0.98 for males; and BMI > 23.10 for females, > 23.90 for males. BAI exhibited the poorest diagnostic performance for MetS prediction in both sexes (AUC < 0.555). Both the VAI and LAP were strongly positively associated (p < 0.001) with increased odds of MetS in both females (OR: 16.03, 95% CI: 9.77-26.31) and males (OR: 24.88, 95% CI: 16.51-37.48).

Among Nepali adults, the VAI and LAP outperform traditional anthropometric indices in predicting MetS and its components, suggesting their potential as effective screening tools for early detection. These findings contribute to the development of population-specific screening strategies for MetS in resource-limited settings such as Nepal, potentially enhancing early detection and prevention of cardiometabolic disorders.

East Asian populations, which account for approximately 20% of the global population, have become central to the worldwide rise of metabolic diseases over the past few decades. The prevalence of metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, has escalated sharply, contributing to a substantial burden of complications such as cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, cancer and increased mortality. This concerning trend is primarily driven by a combination of genetic predisposition, unique fat distribution patterns and rapidly changing lifestyle factors, including urbanization and the adoption of Westernized dietary habits. Current advances in genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and microbiome research have provided new insights into the biological mechanisms that might contribute to the heightened susceptibility of East Asian populations to metabolic diseases. This Review synthesizes epidemiological data, risk factors and biomarkers to provide an overview of how metabolic diseases are reshaping public health in East Asia and offers insights into biological and societal drivers to guide effective, region-specific strategies.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasingly viewed as a pressing concern for public health globally. The objective of this study was to compare the predictive ability of 17 anthropometric indices for the risk of MetS in Chinese residents, to explore the differences in the predictive effect of the indices between different sexes, and to identify the optimal predictive indices of MetS for men and women.

This research utilized a cross-sectional study involving 5479 residents in Shandong Province, China. According to the subjects' working curve (ROC), TyG-WHtR, TyG-WC, METS-VF, CVAI, and LAP with the area under the curve (AUC) greater than 0.850 were included in the follow-up. To explore the associations between indices and the prevalence of MetS, three logistic regression models were employed. The dose-response relationship between the indices and the risk of MetS was performed by the Restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves.

The prevalence of MetS in this study is approximately 45.56%. The multivariate logistic regression showed the predictive capacity of the TyG-WC and METS-VF for MetS was superior in males, while only METS-VF in females. Furthermore, there is a non-linear relationship between MTES-VF and MetS risk both in men and women (non-linearity p < 0.001). The potential for the risk of MetS increased when the METS-VF exceeded 6.67 in males or 6.30 in females. In addition, in the male population, TyG-WC is non-linearly related to MetS risk (non-linear p < 0.001), and the risk of MetS may increase when TyG-WC is higher than 750.40.

TyG-WC and METS-VF have a good predictive value for the risk of MetS in the Chinese male population, with TyG-WC being better than METS-VF. For females, METS-VF could be regarded as the most reliable indicator.

The prevalence of obesity has increased rapidly worldwide over the past few decades and remains a recognized public health concern. However, studies exploring visceral adiposity index (VAI), a sex-specific indicator reflecting visceral fat distribution and function, and long-term mortality are limited. This study aimed to investigate the association of VAI with long-term all-cause mortality among general adults in the United States.

This cohort study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018. Participants were linked to National Death Index mortality data through December 31, 2019. Weighted Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) was also conducted.

A total of 21,943 US adults (weighted mean age, 46.9 years; 10,921 males [weighted, 49.1%]) were included. During 211,473 person-years of follow-up (median follow‑up: 9.3 years), 3326 total deaths occurred. After multivariable adjustments, compared with the 3rd quintile (Q3) of VAI, participants in the 2nd (Q2) and 5th (Q5) quintiles were at a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.16 [95% CI, 1.00-1.34] and HR 1.15 [95% CI, 1.01-1.31], respectively). RCS revealed a U-shaped relationship of log2-transformed VAI to all-cause mortality (P for nonlinearity < 0.001), with an inflection point of 0.824. Subgroup analysis indicated that there was a significant interaction of VAI with age on all-cause mortality (P for interaction = 0.005). Higher VAI levels were associated with higher all-cause mortality in younger adults (Q5 vs. Q3, HR 1.56 [95% CI, 1.12-2.18], P = 0.009) rather than older adults (Q5 vs. Q3, HR 1.05 [95% CI, 0.91-1.22], P = 0.497).

In the nationally representative cohort of US adults, VAI was nonlinearly associated with long-term all-cause mortality and the association showed age-related disparities. A higher VAI was related to a higher mortality risk in younger adults. These findings underscore the importance of appropriate VAI for long-term health outcomes, especially for young adults.

The Cardiac Metabolic Index (CMI) is a comprehensive metabolic indicator, but studies on its relationship with Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) are limited. We aim to explore the association between CMI and DKD.

We obtained participant-related data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), including complete information on DKD, CMI, and other covariates. We employed weighted multivariable logistic regression models, restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analysis, subgroup analyses, and interaction tests to explore the relationship between CMI and DKD. Additionally, we utilized receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to compare the performance of CMI in identifying DKD relative to a body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), visceral adiposity index (VAI), and lipid accumulation product (LAP) indices.

According to the logistic regression analysis, a positive correlation between CMI and DKD was observed among the 2371 participants included in the study (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.19-1.66). RCS analysis indicated that this relationship is nonlinear. When CMI was converted from a continuous variable to quartiles, the prevalence of DKD in the highest quartile group showed a significant 84% increase compared to the lowest quartile group (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.24-2.72). The area under the ROC curve of CMI for identifying DKD was 0.67, outperforming other indices. The results of subgroup analyses and interaction tests were stable.

Elevated CMI is associated with an increased risk of DKD and can serve as a low-cost screening tool, allowing physicians to potentially identify high-risk diabetic patients early and implement timely interventions to slow the progression of DKD.

Insulin resistance (IR) is a complex abnormality and associated with hypertension. We aimed to assess the associations of six alternate IR measures and risk of hypertension, and to compare the predictive values for hypertension. We assessed 11,223 non-hypertensive Chinese adults enrolled in The Rural Chinese Cohort Study during 2007-2008. Six surrogate IR indexes were new visceral adiposity index (NVAI), Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI), weight-adjusted waist index (WWI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, and visceral adiposity index (VAI). The relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the six IR indicators and hypertension were estimated by using modified Poisson regression models with three adjusted models. During a median follow-up of 11.1 years, 3373 (30.05%) study participants developed hypertension. The cumulative incidence of hypertension showed an increasing trend with higher levels of all six IR surrogates. Significant associations of all the IR measures with incident hypertension were found in fully adjusted model, and the highest quartile group RRs (95% CIs) for hypertension were, 2.19 (1.88-2.55), 1.60 (1.42-1.81), 1.38 (1.25-1.53), 1.47 (1.31-1.65), 1.18 (1.04-1.34) and 1.25 (1.08-1.44) for NVAI, CVAI, WWI, LAP, TyG index and VAI, respectively, compared with lowest quartile group. Further, NVAI had the maximum predictive power for hypertension among six IR measures with the largest AUC of 0.706 (0.697-0.714). NVAI, CVAI, WWI, LAP, and TyG index were all independently associated with greater risk of incident hypertension, among which NVAI is the most powerful predictor for hypertension in rural Chinese adults. Association of the surrogate insulin resistance indexes with the risk of hypertension.

This study assessed the association of remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)/related SLD (r-SLD; MASLD with excessive alcohol intake) as defined by the fatty liver index with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Health examination data at baseline and after 2 years (2-Years) were extracted from a nationwide claims database in Japan. Among participants aged 18-72 years with at least 3 years of follow-up, 9345 participants with DM-associated MASLD/r-SLD and 71 932 participants with non-DM MASLD/r-SLD at baseline were included in the study. The participants were stratified by the achievement of remission of MASLD/r-SLD or DM at 2-Years. In each group after stratification, the risk of new-onset CVD during the observation period was analysed using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.

During a median follow-up of 4.9 years (starting from 2-Years), 1368 cases of CVD were observed. The hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for CVD was 0.50 (0.31-0.80) for participants with remission of DM, 0.65 (0.47-0.91) for participants with remission of MASLD/r-SLD, and 0.34 (0.15-0.77) for participants with remission of both DM and MASLD/r-SLD. Conversely, remission of MASLD/r-SLD was not linked to a reduced risk of CVD in participants with non-DM MASLD/r-SLD.

The association of MASLD/r-SLD remission with CVD risk differs greatly in the presence and absence of DM. In patients with DM-MASLD/r-SLD, MASLD/r-SLD remission can significantly reduce CVD risk similarly as remission of DM.

Phase angle (PhA) is suggested to reflect cell health. PhA association with inflammation and adiposity in metabolic syndrome (MetS) presence or absence, remains unclear. In the general population, PhA association with C-reactive protein (CRP) is controversial, and studies on PhA with other inflammatory markers are a literature gap. This study aims to evaluate the association of PhA with inflammatory and adiposity-related parameters in males and females with and without MetS.

Cross-sectional study with 597 adults (38.4 years; CI95 % 36.35-40.45) categorized into MetS (n = 126, 57.9 % female) and non-MetS (n = 471, 55.2 % female). Single-frequency bioimpedance analysis evaluated PhA. Adiposity-related (BMI, visceral adiposity index, and body fat percentage (%BF) by dual-energy x-ray emission) and serum inflammatory parameters (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-12p70) were evaluated. Regression analyses adjusted by age, and physical activity level, with or without %BF, evaluated the associations. In males MetS, PhA was negatively associated with %BF, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and IL-12p70 (β = -0.07, p = 0.005, β = -0.03, p = 0.035, β = -0.06, p = 0.006, β = -0.03, p = 0.048, β = -0.02, p = 0.038, respectively) and positively associated with BMI (β = 0.07, p = 0.003) in non-MetS. In females MetS, PhA was negatively associated with TNF-α and IL-12p70 (β = -0.02, p = 0.048, β = -0.01, p = 0.016, respectively) and positively with IMC, %BF, TNF-α and IL-8 (β = 0.07, p < 0.001, β = 0.02, p = 0.021, β = 0.02, p = 0.011, β = 0.01, p = 0.035, respectively) in non-MetS.

In MetS individuals, higher PhA values are associated with lower inflammatory parameters in both sexes and %BF in males. The different behavior of PhA in females, suggests caution when interpreting PhA in this population.

Numerous cohort studies have consistently shown a significant link between obesity and an increased risk of gallstones. However, body mass index (BMI) alone may not fully capture the complexity of obesity. This study aimed to analyze the associations between different obesity indexes and the incidence of gallstones, using a competing risk model.

A total of 459,523 UK Biobank participants without gallstones at baseline were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards models, competing risk models, and restricted cubic spline were performed to assess the longitudinal associations between 11 obesity indexes including a body shape index (ABSI), body adiposity index (BAI), body roundness index (BRI), conicity index (ConI), cardiometabolic index (CMI), hip circumference (HC), visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) apart from BMI and gallstone occurrence risk, respectively.

Over a follow-up period of 12.54 years, a total of 14,951 participants developed gallstones. After adjusting for confounding factors, competing risk regression analyses revealed that BMI, BRI, BAI, confidence interval, CMI, HC, LAP, VAI, WC, and WHtR were all positively associated with an increased risk of gallstones. ABSI and WHR showed a "J-shaped" association with the incidence of gallstones, suggesting a nonlinear relationship. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the consistency of the results even after excluding participants who developed gallstones within 1 year of follow-up.

Different dimensions of obesity are all significantly associated with an increased risk of gallstones. These findings highlight the importance of managing obesity, including both overall body weight and abdominal fat, to prevent the occurrence of gallstones.

The visceral adiposity index is a valuable tool for assessing visceral fat accumulation. However, its non-linear association with prediabetes and diabetes requires further elucidation. Therefore, we aim to clarify the intricate interplay between the visceral adiposity index and these dysglycemic conditions.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database from 1999 to 2018 was utilized to analyze health data from 24,072 participants. A multivariate logistic regression model was employed to evaluate the independent association between the visceral adiposity index and prediabetes and diabetes while considering potential confounding factors. Generalized additive models were used to identify any non-linear relationships by fitting smooth curves. Additionally, a stratified analysis based on different baseline characteristics was conducted, along with an interactive analysis.

After accounting for all relevant variables, individuals in the lowest quartile of the visceral adiposity index had a notably diminished likelihood of progressing to prediabetes and diabetes when compared with those in the other three quartiles. The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were as follows: 1.37 (1.23, 1.53), 1.87 (1.65, 2.12), and 2.80 (2.33, 3.37). More importantly, a non-linear association was observed between the visceral adiposity index and prediabetes and diabetes, with a threshold identified at 2.10.

There exists a notable and positive association between the visceral adiposity index and prediabetes and diabetes, displaying non-linear attributes in this evaluation of the relationship. Risk assessment and early prevention strategies targeting the maintenance of low levels of visceral adiposity index may substantially diminish the likelihood of developing prediabetes and diabetes.

Hormonal and age-related differences in body composition require tailored approaches for predicting new-onset type 2 diabetes (NODM). Previous studies lacked in-depth stratified analyses. We investigate sex- and age-specific body composition indices associated with NODM.

A retrospective, nationwide, population-based cohort study.

We analysed 4 058 891 adults who underwent a health examination in the year 2009 and 10-year follow-up data from the National Health Insurance Service.

NODM risk stratified by sex and age groups in 20-year intervals according to quartiles or per 1 SD increase in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-height ratio (WHtR), visceral adiposity index (VAI), a body shape index (ABSI) and weight-adjusted waist index (WWI).

Among the total subjects, 625 715 individuals (15.4%) developed NODM during median 10-year follow-up. The fourth quartile of WHtR showed the highest HR for NODM compared with the first quartile among various indices across the entire population (HR 2.54, 95% CI 2.52 to 2.57). In men, WHtR consistently exhibited the strongest association with NODM across all age groups in analysis based on 1 SD increase; ages 20-39 years (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.53 to 1.55), ages 40-59 years (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.38 to 1.39), ages 60-79 years (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.24). In women, the most relevant body composition index for NODM varied by age group; BMI for ages 20-39 years (HR 1.48, 95%CI 1.47 to 1.49), WHtR for ages 40-59 years (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.45 to 1.47) and WC for ages 60-79 years (HR 1.23, 95%CI 1.22 to 1.24).

WHtR was the strongest predictor of NODM in men across all ages, while the relevant indices varied by age group in women. These findings highlight the need for sex- and age-specific body composition assessments in predicting NODM risk.

The Visceral Obesity Index (VAI) is utilized as a metric employed to assess the distribution of abdominal adipose tissue as well as the functional status of adipose tissue. Nevertheless, the interplay between VAI and persistent pain has yet to be investigated. This cross-sectional analysis investigated the relationship between VAI and persistent pain among 1357 American adults from NHANES data. A logarithmic transformation of VAI was performed to adjust for skewness. Following the adjustment for relevant variables, logistic regression analysis showed a noteworthy association between VAI and chronic pain, suggesting that higher VAI values may be linked to an increased prevalence of persistent pain. Curve fitting analysis revealed a nonlinear correlation, with a breakpoint at a VAI value of 0.18. For VAI values below this threshold, each unit increase was notably correlated with an elevated prevalence of persistent pain, while increases in VAI beyond this threshold did not show a significant impact on chronic pain prevalence. Subgroup analyses indicated that the VAI may serve as a relatively independent risk factor for persistent pain. These findings highlight the possibility of incorporating abdominal adipose modification into pain management approaches and emphasize the critical importance of monitoring visceral fat accumulation to better identify patients more susceptible to chronic pain.

Background: Triglyceride glucose (TyG) and its related index (TyG-body mass index, TyG-BMI) are recognized as markers for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but their associations with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and significant liver fibrosis (SLF) risk are less studied. Therefore, this study explores the effectiveness of these indices in assessing MASLD and SLF risk in the U.S. population. Methods: Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a cross-sectional study involving 5520 participants from the general population was performed. This research measured demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, comorbid, and lifestyle characteristics, all of which are considered risk factors for MASLD/SLF. Results: Upon controlling for confounding variables, only the TyG-BMI was found to have a consistent positive association with the risk of MASLD and SLF. Specifically, for each standard deviation increase, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were 4.44 (3.64-9.26, p for trend < 0.001) for MASLD and 2.48 (2.15-2.87, p for trend < 0.001) for SLF. Significant interactions were identified among age, sex, and the risk of MASLD associated with the TyG-BMI. The TyG-BMI also had a significant threshold effect on the risk of MASLD at a cutoff point of 180.71. Furthermore, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) revealed that the TyG-BMI better predicted the risk of MASLD and SLF (AUC 0.820, 95% CI 0.810-0.831; AUC 0.729, 95% CI 0.703-0.756, respectively). In addition, the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), decision curve analysis (DCA), and net reclassification index (NRI) also demonstrated the satisfactory predictive ability of the TyG-BMI. Conclusions: Within this large dataset, the TyG-BMI was independently associated with both the MASLD score and the SLF in the MASLD cohort. Its predictive efficacy consistently surpassed that of TyG and other noninvasive models, indicating that TyG-BMI has potential for the early identification of MASLD and SLF risk.

The relationship between obesity and mental health has attracted attention. However, large sample studies on the relationship between visceral fat obesity and depression are lacking. This study aimed to explore the relationship between visceral fat obesity and depression by using visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP). Additionally, it sought to explore the potential mediating role of sleep duration in these associations.

The data used in the current cross-sectional investigation are from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning from 2005 to 2020, including 19,659 participants. Depression was measured using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Weighted multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation of VAI and LAP with depression. The potential non-linear relationship was determined using smooth curve fitting and threshold effect analysis. Additionally, mediation analysis was performed to investigate the potential mediating role of sleep duration. The stability of the relationship was assessed through sensitivity analysis.

VAI and LAP were closely related to depression. In the fully adjusted model, VAI and LAP in the highest quartile increased the association of depression by 52% (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.20-1.92, P < 0.001) and 51% (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.19-1.91, P < 0.001), respectively, compared with the lowest quartile. Specific saturation effects for VAI, LAP, and depression were identified by smoothed curve fitting, with inflection points of 3.81 and 98.55, respectively. Additionally, mediation analysis revealed that 5.1% and 2.8% of the associations between VAI and LAP with depression were mediated through sleep duration. The results of the sensitivity analysis showed interactions between hypertension and cardiovascular disease in the associations of VAI, and depression (P < 0.05).

VAI and LAP are associated with depression in US adults. The associations between VAI and LAP with depression are non-linear, which may be mediated through sleep duration. The study highlights the potential of VAI and LAP as valuable tools for the prevention and management of depression.

Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) is an effective predictor of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and serves as a marker of visceral adiposity. The association between the VAI index and poor prognosis in patients with MetS and Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between VAI and endpoint events in patients with metabolic syndrome and HFrEF.

This study was a single-center retrospective cohort study. A total of 809 patients with MetS and HFrEF admitted to Hangzhou Hospital of Zhejiang Medical Group from January 2014 to September 2021 were consecutively included. The VAI index was calculated based on anthropometric measurements and laboratory examination results at admission, and patients were grouped according to tertiles of VAI index. All patients were followed for 24 months, and the incidence of cardiac death and readmission for heart failure was recorded.

For different clinical endpoint events, there were significant differences in event-free survival between tertiles of VAI index. The risk of cardiac death [hazard ratio (HR):3.402, 95%CI:2.123-5.449, P < 0.001] and heart failure readmission (HR:4.862, 95%CI:3.605-6.557, P < 0.001) increased with the increase of tertile of VAI index. Multivariate COX regression analysis adjusted for other confounding factors showed that VAI was an independent predictor of clinical adverse endpoint events. The predictive value of VAI for cardiac death [Area under curve (AUC):0.649, 95%CI:0.602-0.697, P < 0.001] and heart failure readmission (AUC:0.693, 95%CI:0.656-0.729, P < 0.001) was higher than that of other variables.

In patients with HFrEF at risk for comorbid metabolic diseases, baseline VAI levels on admission were associated with the occurrence of adverse outcomes during follow-up.

Background/Objectives: An increase in body fat is linked to abnormalities in energy metabolism. We aimed at determining cardiometabolic risk in Algerian participants with obesity alone and with or without type 2 diabetes. The study measured the concentrations of circulating adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) to identify and examine how imbalances in adipocytokines may affect the parameters of cardiometabolic health. Methods: Algerian participants (n = 300) were recruited and divided into three groups: control, obese, and type 2 diabetics (with two sub-groups: with and without obesity). Insulin resistance was evaluated using HOMA-IR, while ELISA was used to measure adipocytokines. Atherogenic index in plasma (AIP), adiponectin-leptin ratio (ALR), and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were also assessed. One-way ANOVA was used to compare obesity and diabetes groups to the control one (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to strengthen the robustness of statistical correlations. Results: Participants with reduced adiponectin-leptin ratio (ALR) and elevated levels of resistin, TNF-α, and IL-6 are found to be at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. An imbalance in adipocytokine levels is caused by a decrease in adiponectin concentrations, and an increase in pro-inflammatory adipocytokines that maintain and exacerbate energy imbalance and induces hyperinsulinemia, exposing individuals to a high risk of cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions: Given that ALR is a functional biomarker of inflammation, insulin resistance, and adipose tissue dysfunction, targeting ALR could potentially be a therapeutic approach to coping with obesity-related cardiometabolic risks. Mediterranean diet, weight loss, and increased physical activity can be key components to promote healthy adipose tissue through the increase in ALR.

Obesity, especially abdominal obesity, is more common in patients with heart failure (HF), but body mass index (BMI) cannot accurately describe fat distribution. Several surrogate adiposity markers are available to reflect fat distribution and quantity. The objective of this study was to explore which adiposity marker is most highly correlated with HF prevalence, all-cause mortality and patients' long-term survival.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database provided all the data for this study. Logistic regression analyses were adopted to compare the association of each surrogate adiposity marker with the prevalence of HF. Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were employed to assess the association between surrogate adiposity markers and all-cause mortality in HF patients. The ability of surrogate adiposity markers to predict long-term survival in HF patients was assessed using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

46,257 participants (1,366 HF patients) were encompassed in this retrospective study. An area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the prevalence of HF assessed by weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.69-0.72). During a median follow-up of 70 months, 700 of 1366 HF patients' death were recorded. The hazard ratio (HR) for HF patients' all-cause mortality was 1.33 (95% CI: 1.06-1.66) in the a body shape index (ABSI) quartile 4 group and 1.43 (95% CI: 1.13-1.82) in the WWI quartile 4 group, compared with the lowest quartile group. The AUC for predicting 5-year survival of HF patients using the ABSI was 0.647 (95% CI: 0.61-0.68).

WWI is strongly correlated with the prevalence of HF. In HF patients, those with higher WWI and ABSI tend to higher all-cause mortality. ABSI can predict patients' long-term survival. We recommend the use of WWI and ABSI for assessing obesity in HF patients.

Attaining guideline-recommended levels of physical activity is associated with substantially lower risk of cardiometabolic diseases.

Although physical activity commonly follows a weekend warrior pattern, in which most moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is concentrated in 1 to 2 days rather than spread more evenly across the week (regular), the effects of activity pattern on imaging-based biomarkers of cardiometabolic health are unknown.

We analyzed 17,146 UK Biobank participants who wore accelerometers for 1 week, and later underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Activity was categorized as inactive, regular, or "weekend warrior". Associations between activity pattern and magnetic resonance imaging-derived visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and epicardial and pericardial adipose tissue (EPAT) were assessed using multiple linear regression adjusted for confounding factors.

Compared to inactive, VAT was progressively lower with weekend warrior (-0.71 L, 95% CI -0.78 to -0.64, P < 0.001) followed by regular activity (-0.96 L, 95% CI -1.04 to -0.88, P < 0.001). Observations were similar for EPAT (weekend warrior activity -2.84 cm2, 95% CI -3.20 to -2.49, P < 0.001; regular activity -3.62 cm2, 95% CI -4.03 to -3.20, P < 0.001). When compared directly, weekend warriors had modestly higher adipose tissue than regular activity (VAT difference 0.25 L, 95% CI 0.17-0.32, P < 0.001; EPAT 0.78 cm2, 95% CI 0.40-1.15, P < 0.001). No differences were observed after adjustment for total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity minutes (VAT 0.07 L, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.14, P = 0.09; EPAT 0.04 cm2, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.43, P = 0.84).

Guideline-adherent physical activity is associated with favorable quantitative measures of cardiometabolic health, with no differences based on activity pattern for a given activity volume.