Although HILT alone did not effectively increase lumbar and total hip BMD, HILT combined with exercise was more effective than exercise alone at increasing lumbar BMD after 24 weeks of treatment, with effects lasting up to 1 year.

BACKGROUNDThe prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased considerably in Saudi Arabia in the past two decades. We conducted this study because to examine trends in weight gain with age and related anthropometric measurements in Saudi Arabia such data are limited.OBJECTIVETo determine trends in overweight and obesity and examine anthropometric indices by age group.DESIGNAnalytical cross-sectional study.SETTINGUniversities, malls, and hospitals in the cities of Mecca, Jeddah, and Al-Taif.METHODSParticipants were selected by convenience sampling. Body weight, body fat percentage, visceral fat percentage, and skeletal muscle percentage were measured with the Omron body composition monitor device. Waist circumference, height, and body mass index (BMI) were also measured.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)Changes in BMI, body fat percentage, visceral fat percentage, and skeletal muscle with age for both genders.RESULTSWe selected 2548 Saudis, 1423 males and 1125 females, aged 18 to 60 years. A significant trend (ptrend<.001) for BMI and all anthropometric indices was observed with age for both genders. About 55.1% of the participants were overweight and obese (BMI>25 kg/m2). Obesity and overweight were more prevalent in men than in women and was observed early in both genders, at the ages of 18–19 in men and 30–39 years for women. In the age range of 40–60 years, muscle mass dropped significantly (P<.05) for both genders. Mean waist circumference and visceral fat were significantly (P<.001) higher in men than in women, but the mean total body fat percentage was higher in females than in males (P<.001).CONCLUSIONSSignificant trends were observed for BMI, WC, body fat, visceral fat, and muscle mass for both genders with age. National programs should be maintained to encourage physical activity and weight reduction as well as focusing on obesity-related lifestyle and behaviors at early ages to prevent weight gain and possibly muscle wasting with age.LIMITATIONSThere was an unequal distribution in numbers of subjects between study groups. Convenience sampling was used to recruit the participants.

Background:Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease that increases the risk of suboptimal vitamin D levels.Aim:To determine the effects of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on disease activity, related immune markers and bone mineral density in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.Subjects and Methods:Eighty-one patients with systemic lupus erythematosus aged 20–70 years were recruited for this interventional study. Participants were enrolled into the following groups: no corticosteroid treatment (n = 21), corticosteroid treatment but without supplementation (n = 30) and corticosteroid treatment along with oral vitamin D and calcium supplementation (n = 30). Disease activity and laboratory parameters of all participants were measured at baseline and at 6 months. Bone mineral density was assessed using standardized dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.Results:At baseline, none of the patients had a normal vitamin D status. There were no significant correlations between vitamin D status and the studied immune markers or disease activity values before and after supplementation. After 6 months, patients who received supplementation showed significant (P = 0.002) improvements in bone mineral density. In addition, frequency of osteopenia decreased from 40% to 16.7% and that of osteoporosis decreased from 26.7% to 13.3%.Conclusion:Vitamin D and calcium supplementation significantly improved the bone mineral density in vitamin D-deficient patients with systemic lupus erythematosus but did not significantly attenuate immune markers or disease activity. Further investigations are recommended with higher doses of vitamin D and longer durations to normalize the vitamin level and, possibly, achieve better disease control.