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Background and Aim: Asprosin where secreted from adipose tissue plays a key role in regulating glucose metabolism and appetite, and could be a therapeutic target for the prevention of diseases such as obesity, type II diabetes, and insulin resistance. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on serum Asprosin and lipid profile in overweight and obese women. Materials and Methods: Thirty overweight and obese women (BMI≥28) with an age range of 30-45 years were purposefully selected in a quasi-experimental research with pre - test to post-test design. They randomly divided into two groups including 15 subjects in every HIIT and control group. The protocol was included preparation period for two weeks, eight weeks for the HIIT, and also they performed three sessions per week with 100% maximum reserve heart rate. Blood samples were taken before and 48 hours after the last training session (following 10 weeks of training). The amount of Asprosin and lipid profile were measured by ELISA and spectrophotometry methods respectively. Data were analyzed using Independent t-test and paired sample t-test at a significant level of p<0.05. Results: After 10 weeks of intervention, HIIT group showed a significant decrease in amount of Asprosin (p=0.02), triglyceride (p=0.01), total cholesterol (p=0.01), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p=0.01), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p=0.01), weight (p=0.0001), fat percentage (p=0.0001) and BMI (p=0.0001), but a significant increase also observed in maximal oxygen consumption (p=0.0001). However, no significant increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (p>0.05) was observed. Conclusion: Probably HIIT as a non-pharmacological and effective method can reduce serum Asprosin and lipid profile in overweight and obese women and therefore improve their body composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Menopause is a natural and inevitable component of women's lives and encompasses physiological, psychological, and social changes, including hot flashes, depression, muscle aches, inflammation, osteoporosis, and weight gain. Using herbal dietary supplements is an attractive approach to controlling obesity and associated complications. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of exercises in the water along with oleaster supplementation on C-reactive protein (CRP) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. Methods: Forty-two postmenopausal women with a mean age of 52.97± 5.08, mean weight 73.95± 8.09 kg and mean height 156.057±7.56 Cm randomly divided into four groups: control (n=10), exercise+ placebo (n=10), supplement (n=10), and exercise+ supplement (n=12). The exercise+ placebo group conducted eight weeks of water exercise with an intensity of 60-74% of maximum heart rate twice a week, the supplement group received daily supplementation of 15 g daily, the exercise+ supplement group eight weeks both used supplements and exercised in water and the control group did not undergo any exercise or supplements during eight weeks. Blood samples were collected from subjects in two stages to evaluate the variables under fasting conditions. CRP and IGF-1 concentrations in serum were measured using an ELISA kit and mass spectrometry, respectively. Results: The results revealed a significant difference in C-reactive protein within the exercise+ supplement and supplement groups. Besides, there was a significant difference in insulin-like factor-1 among the three experimental groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The use of oleaster supplements and exercise in water has not been able to affect growth and inflammatory factors, so continuously taking oleaster supplements is not recommended for overweight postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Athletic activities, along with the consumption of herbal supplements, can control excess weight and associated diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of pomegranate supplementation and exercise at home on lipid profile and cardiac electrical activity in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: This applied research was conducted based on a single-blind quasi-experimental design. A total of 60 overweight and obese postmenopausal women with a body mass index greater than 25 (kilograms per square meter) and an age range of 65-45 years were selected and randomly assigned to four groups: supplement + exercise (n=15), exercise(n=13), supplement (n=14), and placebo (n=14). Participants took one 225 mg pomegranate capsule and a placebo daily for 28 days. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, resistance exercises were performed at home. Shapiro-Wilk, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Lune tests were used in this research. Statistical calculations were performed in SPSS software (version). Results: Based on the results, there was no significant difference in fasting blood sugar, weight, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, fat percentage, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), PR interval, QRS wave amplitude, and QT interval (P>0.05). Conclusion: It seems that a short period of four weeks of exercise at home with the consumption of pomegranate supplements did not significantly change the lipid profile and electrical activity of the heart. It is suggested that the same study with long-term training periods and different doses of pomegranate supplements should be repeated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Nowadays, osteoporosis is increasing, especially in postmenopausal women, due to hormonal changes, including some enzyme factors, such as alkaline phosphatase and blood calcium levels. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of water exercise with Elaeagnus angustifolia supplementation on alkaline phosphatase and calcium serum levels in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: The current apply quasi-experimental study 42 postmenopausal women living in Qazvin province, Iran, with a mean age of (52.97±5.08) years, a mean weight of (73.95±8.09) kg, and a mean height of (156±5.76) cm, were selected. Then, they were randomly divided into four groups: control (n=10), exercise + placebo (n=10), supplement (n=10), and exercise + supplement (n=12). The exercise included eight weeks of water exercise at an intensity of 60-74% of the maximum heart rate twice a week, and the supplement group received daily oral supplementation of 15 g. Blood samples were collected to measure the serum level of alkaline phosphatase with an ELISA kit and calcium with spectrophotometry method in two stages before and 24 h after the last session exercise. To analyze the differences between groups and within groups, the ANOVA test and paired t-test were used, respectively. The significance level was considered at α=0.05. Results: The results of the study showed a significant difference only in serum calcium levels among exercise + placebo (P=0.013), exercise + supplement (P<0.001), and supplement (P<0.001) groups. No significant difference was observed in the other parameters between different groups. Conclusion: Consumption of supplementation of Elaeagnus angustifolia with water exercise could not affect alkaline phosphatase, and body composition in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Exercises and consumption of plant-based supplements are essential to prevent and control diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a four-week home workout plan and pomegranate supplementation on oxidative stress in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: The present single-blind, quasi-experimental, and practical study was conducted on 60 overweight and obese women between 45 to 65 years with a body mass index over 25 (kg/m2 ) who were randomly divided into four groups. After participant dropout, 56 women were divided into four groups. The first group (n=15) took pomegranate supplements and had exercise, the second group (n=13) took the placebo and had exercise, the third group (n=14) was given the pomegranate supplement and the fourth group (n=14) was given the placebo. The intervention and placebo groups took a 225 mg capsule of pomegranate supplementation and placebo daily for four weeks, respectively. Resistance training was performed in 28 90-min training sessions for four weeks at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Results: The results of the present study indicated that exercise and supplementation significantly increase total antioxidant capacity, and decrease Malondialdehyde (MDA)(P<0.05); however, no significant effect was observed in the other groups. One-way ANOVA demonstrated that four weeks of training and supplementation significantly reduce the concentration of MDA compared to the control group (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed among the four groups in the total antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: Pomegranate supplementation together with a home workout plan can possibly reduce oxidative stress and prevent difficulties related to obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Leptin and adiponectin, as tissue-derived adipocytokines, play a substantial role in the pathogenesis and complications of obesity. This study examined the effects of resistance and endurance training on serum levels leptin and adiponectin and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) in sedentary postmenopausal obese women. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial applied semi experimental design. 2 Participants included 24 sedentary menopausal obese (BMI≥30.53 Kg/m²) women (mean age 52.25±3 years old) randomly assigned to endurance and resistance training and control groups, studied before and after 10 weeks of resistance (40-60% of one-repetition maximum) and swimming endurance training (40-60% of maximal heart rate), 3 days a week. Leptin and adiponectin levels, HOMA-IR and anthropometric measurements were assessed before and after training. Statistical analysis was done by paired ANOVA and Pearson correlation and P value <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Endurance training resulted in significant decreases in leptin levels (P=0.012, 10.44%), HOMA-IR (P=0.002, 25.44%) and the entire anthropometric indices meliorism; and a significant increases in adiponectin levels (P=0.015, 45.61%). However, none of blood factors and anthropometric indices changed in resistance training group (P>0.05). According to Pearson correlation changes in adiponectin levels had significant correlations with changes in waist hip ratio (P=0.023) and waist circumference (P=0.026) in endurance training group and there were also a significant correlation between changes in HOMA-IR value and adiponectin levels (P=0.004) following resistance training. Conclusion: Endurance training versus resistance training modulates leptin and adiponectin concentrations and metabolic profile in sedentary postmenopausal obese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Obesity is a serious problem threatening public health. It is an important risk factor for many pulmonary diseases, and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among people. Therefore, it seems that obesity and the percent of body fat are associated with respiratory problems. The present study undertakes to examine spirometric parameters in obese female students at middle school, compared to normal weight. Subjects and Methods: Two hundred and eighty three students from middle school students in Isfahan (aged 12.79±0.88, with body mass index of 20±39.9 Kg/m2 ) were selected in a cluster random way and were categorized, based on the percentile body mass index (CUT OFF, BMI) and age, into three groups of obese (n=50) with a percentile of ... ≥BMI, overweight (n=62) with a percentile of 85≥BMI≤95 and optimal weight (n=171) with a percentile of 15≥BMI≤85. Spirometric parameters were measured using spirometric model of J.G. LSD post hoc test was used for analysis of the results Results: A significant increase (p≤0 /01) in pulmonary function of students with normal weight was observed, while it decreased significantly for obese and overweight students. Conclusion: Results showed that obesity is particularly influential on pulmonary function and significantly decreases pulmonary capacity and volume. However, its exact mechanism is not well- understood and requires further elaborative studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies in Iran used the World Health Organization (WHO) cut-off points to determine visceral obesity and no studies used the suggested cut-off points. This study was performed to investigate the correlates of central obesity based on the optimal cut-off values in a representative population of women. Methods: In a cross-sectional study of 926 women aged 40-60 years, usual dietary intakes were assessed by means of a semi quantative food frequency questionnaire. Demographic data and anthropometric indices were collected according to standard protocols. The suggested cut-off points for waistto- hip ratio (WHR ≥ 0.84) were used to determine the correlates of visceral obesity. The components of dietary intakes were determined by factor analysis. Findings: Mean WHR was 0.82 ± 0.06. There was a higher tendency for central obesity among less active women (odds ratio: 2.11; 95% confidence interval: 1.40-2.53). Depression (1.36; 1.02-1.93), smoking (1.21; 1.02-1.56), and unemployment (1.41; 1.13-1.72) were correlated with central adiposity. Marriage (1.31; 1.10-1.82), menopause (1.22; 1.02-1.61), low vitamin C intake (2.31; 1.25-4.25), and low calcium intake (1.30; 1.07-3.78) were also associated with central fat accumulation. We found an inverse relationship between dairy consumption and central obesity (r = -0.2, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Since adverse fat accumulation is associated with increasing age, unemployment, marriage, parity and poor lifestyle factors like inactivity, smoking, depression, low intake of vitamin C and calcium, and high fat consumption, lifestyle modifications should be encouraged to achieve a healthier body shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]