The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vegetarian diet on iron metabolism parameters paying special attention to serum hepcidin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentrations in 43 prepubertal children (age range 4.5–9.0 years) on vegetarian and in 46 children on omnivorous diets. There were no significant differences according to age, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) between vegetarian and omnivorous children. Vegetarians had similar intake of iron and vitamin B₁₂ and a significantly higher intake of vitamin C (p < 0.05) compared with non-vegetarians. Hematologic parameters and serum iron concentrations were within the reference range in both groups of children. Serum transferrin levels were similar in all subjects; however, ferritin concentrations were significantly (p < 0.01) lower in vegetarians than in omnivores. In children on a vegetarian diet, median hepcidin levels were lower (p < 0.05) but sTfR concentrations significantly higher (p < 0.001) compared with omnivorous children. In the multivariate regression model, we observed associations between hepcidin level and ferritin concentration (β = 0.241, p = 0.05) in the whole group of children as well as between hepcidin concentration and CRP level (β = 0.419, p = 0.047) in vegetarians. We did not find significant associations with concentration of sTfR and selected biochemical, anthropometric, and dietary parameters in any of the studied groups of children. As hematologic parameters and iron concentrations in vegetarians and omnivores were comparable and ferritin level was lower in vegetarians, we suggest that inclusion of novel markers, in particular sTfR (not cofounded by inflammation) and hepcidin, can better detect subclinical iron deficiency in children following vegetarian diets.

Abdominal obesity is a common feature of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and it is known to exacerbate insulin resistance (IR). Improper dietary and physical activity patterns are crucial environmental factors involved in the development of obesity, and they can significantly influence the central deposition of adipose tissue. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between abdominal adiposity (measured by VAT (visceral adipose tissue), SAT (subcutaneous adipose tissue), VAT/SAT ratio (visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio), and WHR (waist-to-hip ratio)) and the prevalence and odds ratios of IR (measured by the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), the homeostatic model assessment-adiponectin (HOMA-AD) and leptin to adiponectin ratio (L/A ratio)) in 56 PCOS women. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between these abdominal obesity indices and diet and physical activity. An original food frequency questionnaire and Actigraph GT3X-BT were used to assess adherence to the diet recommended in IR and the level of physical activity, respectively. We observed a higher prevalence of IR among women with higher VAT, VAT/SAT, and WHR values compared to women with normal values of those abdominal obesity indices. Moreover, VAT/SAT seemed to be the best predictor of IR measured by HOMA-IR and HOMA-AD. However, VAT appeared to be the best and strongest predictor of IR measured by the L/A ratio. We also observed that higher adherence to the diet recommended in IR and higher levels of vigorous physical activity were associated with lower values of central fat accumulation indices and a greater chance of their normal values. Our findings indicate that central obesity increases the odds of IR and supports the beneficial role of diet and physical activity in the management of abdominal obesity in PCOS women.

Aims. Obesity is accompanied by the formation of oxygen free radicals, whose intensified activity without effective defense mechanisms can lead to oxidative stress and related complications. We evaluated the presence of oxidative stress in obese prepubertal children. Methods. The study included 83 healthy children aged 2–10 years (62 with obesity and 21 nonobese controls). Total oxidant capacity (TOC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL), lipid parameters, glucose, and C‐reactive protein (CRP) were measured in serum. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Results. Serum TOC concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) and TAC concentration was lower (p < 0.05) in obese children. OSI was higher (p < 0.01) in obese subjects compared with controls. CRP levels were normal in all children, but median CRP value was higher (p < 0.01) and HDL cholesterol levels were lower (p < 0.05) in the obese group. We found a significant negative correlation between TAC and ox‐LDL concentrations (r = −0.27, p < 0.05) in obese children. Furthermore, obesity duration was positively correlated with TOC level (r = 0.32, p < 0.05) in this group. Conclusions. Obesity‐related oxidative stress already occurs in prepubescence. Early obesity diagnosis and the necessary therapeutic activity implementation is a vital strategy for the prophylaxis of free radical damage and related multiorgan complications.

To assess the effect of lead exposure from cigarette smoke on fetal growth, blood lead concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in 150 healthy pregnant women. Mean lead concentrations in plasma and whole blood were significantly higher in the smoking group compared with the nonsmoking group in each trimester of pregnancy (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed the highest impact of the number of cigarettes smoked per day for serum lead concentration (β = 0.238; p < 0.05), while in whole blood, it was duration of smoking before conception (β = 0.297; p < 0.001). Birth weight of the smoking mothers' infants was significantly lower (mean ± SEM, 3,192 ± 50.8 and 3,569 ± 49.6 g, respectively; p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with lead levels in plasma (r = −0.38; p < 0.001) and in whole blood (r = −0.27; p < 0.001). Therefore, it is suggested that smoking during pregnancy increases lead concentrations in maternal blood. Fetal exposure to low doses of lead in utero may be a serious risk factor causing lower birth weight.