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Published on: April 3, 2017
The altered fluid distribution in obesity may reflect plasma hypertonicity
J D Stookey1, D Barclay, A Arieff
1Children's Hospital of Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, CA 94609, USA. jstookey@chori.edu
Obesity may be linked to higher body fluid solute concentrations, potentially increasing extracellular fluid. This suggests a connection between hypertonicity and obesity in adults.
Area of Science:
- Human Physiology
- Epidemiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Obesity is associated with altered body fluid distribution, potentially indicated by an increased extracellular to intracellular fluid (ECF/ICF) ratio.
- Elevated plasma solute concentrations are hypothesized to contribute to this ECF/ICF imbalance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between obesity and plasma solute concentrations.
- To explore if increased extracellular fluid in obesity is related to osmotic effects from elevated solutes.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative US adults (40-59 years) from NHANES III (n=1285).
- Body mass index (BMI), body fluid distribution (reactance), and plasma tonicity were assessed.
- Logistic regression models controlled for covariates to examine associations between weight status, reactance, and hypertonicity.
Main Results:
- Overweight and obesity were significantly associated with increased odds of lower body reactance and higher plasma tonicity (hypertonicity).
- Individuals with obesity and lower reactance exhibited higher serum sodium levels compared to normal-weight individuals.
Conclusions:
- Elevated plasma solute concentrations are linked to obesity in free-living adults.
- A potential association between hypertonicity and obesity warrants attention from clinicians and researchers.
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