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Biomedical subjects

Karen S Wosje

Publications and source records attributed to Karen S Wosje.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Measurement error of DXA: interpretation of fat and lean mass changes in obese and non-obese children.

Information on reproducibility of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements is essential because DXA is frequently used by clinicians and researchers to assess body composition changes. We estimated measurement error and absolute and relative smallest detectable differences (SDDs) for fat, lean, and bone mass in children. The SDD is the change necessary to be confident that the change is not a consequence of measurement error. Duplicate whole body DXA (Hologic QDR 4500A, Hologic Inc., Waltham, MA) scans were obtained on 32 obese and 34 non-obese children ages 6-19 yr. Absolute (kg) and relative (coefficient of variation) measurement error and SDD were calculated. Absolute SDDs for fat and lean were higher for obese (1.39 and 1.30 kg, respectively) than for non-obese children (0.42 and 0.47 kg, respectively). The %SDD for fat was lower for obese (3.58%) than non-obese children (5.24%), but for lean the %SDD was higher for obese (2.60%) than non-obese children (1.32%). The SDDs for bone mass were similar for obese and non-obese children. An obese child must lose or gain more absolute fat and lean mass than a non-obese child to be confident that the change is not a reflection of measurement error. Overall, SDD values for fat, lean, and bone mass are low.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Relationships between bone mass and circulating leptin concentrations in Hutterites.

A limited number of previous studies have shown inverse associations between bone mass or density and circulating leptin in humans. Relationships between bone mass and circulating leptin in Hutterites, who have elevated bone density, are unknown. Knowledge gained from studies in mice suggests that Hutterites exhibit traits consistent with a deficiency in circulating leptin or in leptin signaling. We examined relationships between whole body (WB) and regional (lumbar, total hip, femoral neck, trochanter) bone mineral content (BMC) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and circulating leptin in 249 Hutterites (137 female) ages 20-55 years and 72 similarly aged non-Hutterites (37 female). We tested the hypothesis that (1) Hutterites will have low circulating leptin concentrations for a given amount of body fat compared to non-Hutterites, and (2) controlling for body fat, there will be an inverse relationship between BMC and circulating leptin among Hutterites. Hutterites had higher BMC than non-Hutterites at all skeletal sites after adjusting for site-specific bone area, age, and sex (P </= 0.02). Hutterite females had higher leptin concentrations than non-Hutterite females [geometric mean and 95% confidence interval (CI): 18.38 (17.18, 19.67) vs. 14.30 (12.55, 16.28), P </= 0.001) after adjusting for WB fat mass. Hutterite males also had higher leptin concentrations than non-Hutterite males [geometric mean and 95% CI: 6.53 (6.11, 6.98) vs. 5.62 (4.98, 6.35), P = 0.03) after adjusting for WB fat mass. We used backward stepwise regression to determine significant (P </= 0.10) covariates to include in models predicting WB and regional BMC among Hutterites (separately by sex). Subsequently, we entered leptin (log-transformed) to models to test for significance (P </= 0.05). After adjusting for covariates, leptin concentration was not a significant predictor of BMC at any site, in either sex, among Hutterites. It is possible that genetic influences that interfere with hypothalamic leptin signaling, in a manner unrelated to adipocyte leptin production, contribute to elevated Hutterite bone density.

Adult↗

Lactation, weaning, and calcium supplementation: effects on body composition in postpartum women.

BACKGROUND: Concern that long-term weight retention after pregnancy contributes to obesity underscores the need to identify factors that facilitate postpartum weight loss. Lactation is believed to facilitate postpartum weight loss and fat loss. Calcium intake also has been hypothesized to promote weight loss and fat loss. OBJECTIVE: We addressed the following questions: 1) whether lactation enhances loss of fat mass, and 2) whether loss of fat mass during lactation and after weaning is greater in women receiving calcium supplementation than in women receiving placebo. DESIGN: We used data from 87 lactating and 81 nonlactating women enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, calcium supplementation trial from 2 wk to 6 mo postpartum and data from 76 previously lactating and 82 nonlactating women enrolled in a parallel trial from 6 to 12 mo postpartum. Body fat and lean masses were measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Nonlactating women lost whole-body, arm, and leg fat at a faster rate than did lactating women between 2 wk and 6 mo postpartum (lactation group x time effect, P < or = 0.01). Fat mass of the trunk, arms, and legs decreased between 6 and 12 mo postpartum regardless of previous lactation status (time effect, P < or = 0.001). Calcium supplementation did not affect postpartum fat loss. CONCLUSIONS: Body-composition changes occur differently in nonlactating and lactating women during the first 6 mo postpartum and occur at some sites until 12 mo postpartum regardless of previous lactation status. Clinicians should use caution when advising lactating mothers about expected rates of postpartum fat loss. Calcium supplementation (1 g/d) does not promote postpartum weight loss or fat loss.

Adipose Tissue↗