RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer associated with anthropometric measures including Body Mass Index (BMI), adult weight gain, and waist circumference has been observed in North American and European populations, but little evidence is available for Hispanic women. Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer, and leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Hispanic women in Puerto Rico (PR). However, compared with the United States, breast cancer incidence rates are lower but increasing more rapidly. PURPOSE: To examine associations between anthropometric characteristics and breast cancer risk in Hispanic women in PR. METHODS: Data from a population-based case-control study in the San Juan metropolitan region (cases = 315; controls = 348) were used to examine associations between anthropometric measures and breast cancer risk, also considering menopausal status and hormone therapy (HT). RESULTS: Among premenopausal participants, there was a significant trend for lower odds of breast cancer with higher BMI and borderline significant with higher waist to height ratio (WHtR). For postmenopausal participants, a significant trend for lower odds of breast cancer was observed with higher WHtR, and waist to hip ratio (WHR), borderline significant with higher BMI, and higher odds with height. Among postmenopausal participants using HT, a significant trend for lower odds of breast cancer was observed with higher waist circumference, WHtR, WHR, and body shape index. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence of anthropometric differences in relation to breast cancer risk in PR compared to previous studies. Future studies should include analyses of fat and lean mass distribution, and hormone receptor status to further understand anthropometry and breast cancer risk among Hispanic women.
Asunto(s)
Neoplasias de la Mama , Adulto , Índice de Masa Corporal , Neoplasias de la Mama/epidemiología , Neoplasias de la Mama/etiología , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Femenino , Hispánicos o Latinos , Hormonas , Humanos , Puerto Rico/epidemiología , Factores de Riesgo , Circunferencia de la Cintura , Relación Cintura-CaderaRESUMEN
This study compared physiological responses associated with exercise tolerance in girls (G) and women (W) of similar fitness and heat acclimatization level during exercise in a hot and humid outdoor environment (33.4 degrees C and 55.1 % RH; WBGT = 29.9 +/- 0.2 degrees C). Nine pre-menarcheal G (age = 11.3 yr) and nine W (age = 26.8 yr), matched for aerobic capacity and heat acclimatization level, performed a cycling session at 60 % VO2max until fatigue. A sports drink was provided periodically to prevent dehydration. Tolerance time was not different between the groups (G = 56.9 +/- 6.3, W = 76.5 +/- 9.9 min, p > 0.05). During exercise, sweat rate (G = 9.1 +/- 1.1, W = 12.0 +/- 1.1 ml.m(-2).min(-1)), the increase in rectal temperature [T(re)] (G = 0.9 +/- 0.1, W = 1.1 +/- 0.1 degrees C), and heat storage (G = 10.6 +/- 5.3, W = 20.5 +/- 4.5 W.m(-2)) did not differ between the groups. At fatigue, T(re) (G = 38.2 +/- 0.1, W = 38.4 +/- 0.1 degrees C), heart rate (G = 167.3 +/- 7.3, W = 171 +/- 3.3 beats.min(-1)), stroke index (G = 48.3 +/- 1.5, W = 52.4 +/- 1.8 ml.m(-2)), and forearm skin blood flow (G = 9.5 +/- 1.3, W = 11.7 +/- 1.5 ml.100 ml(- 1).min(-1)) did not differ between the groups. Similar to women, the main reasons reported by girls to stop exercising in the heat were localized leg fatigue and gluteus muscle discomfort. We conclude that heat-acclimatized girls exhibit an adequate cardiovascular and thermoregulatory adjustment while exercising in a hot and humid outdoor environment when hypohydration is prevented.
Asunto(s)
Aclimatación , Regulación de la Temperatura Corporal/fisiología , Tolerancia al Ejercicio/fisiología , Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Clima Tropical , Adulto , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Cardiovasculares , Niño , Femenino , Calor , Humanos , Humedad , Sudoración , Equilibrio Hidroelectrolítico/fisiologíaRESUMEN
This study was conducted to describe and compare various anthropometric, body composition, cardiorespiratory, metabolic and neuromuscular characteristics of 12 female athletes, members of the Puerto Rico national softball team. The subjects were divided into three categories according to their game specific requirements (game position): infielders (n = 5), outfielders (n = 4), and pitchers (n = 3). The mean and standard deviations of all the variables in each group was calculated. These athletes demonstrated high levels of body fat and below optimal levels of flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, and muscular strength and endurance. The results revealed deficiencies in the health related fitness components and in the physical preparation for sports competition. These results also suggest that the subjects are at risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases, sport injuries, and poor sport performance.
Asunto(s)
Béisbol/fisiología , Adulto , Antropometría , Composición Corporal , Femenino , Humanos , Mediciones del Volumen Pulmonar , Músculos/fisiología , Puerto Rico , SomatotiposRESUMEN
This study was conducted to describe various anthropometric, body composition, cardiorespiratory, metabolic and neuromuscular characteristics of 31 athletes (F = 5, M = 26) members of the Puertorrican Cycling Federation's national pre-selection. The athletes were divided into four categories according to their sex and age. The mean and standard deviation of all the variables in each category was computed. An Analysis of Covariance was conducted to determine significant differences between the mean's of the four categories. Male cyclists showed superior results compared to female cyclists in all the variables studied except body mass, ectomorphy, VO2 max, max HR, max power (W), and neuromuscular function in which they showed no statistical differences. The anthropometric, body composition, max power (W) and cardiorespiratory characteristics of our cyclists compared with those reported for international cyclists. The groups means for push ups, sit ups and flexibility were below the excellent classification when compared to the general population's health related physical fitness norms.