Validation of the Fatty Liver Index for identifying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a Kenyan population.

Background And Aim: Fatty Liver Index (FLI) is a simple clinical scoring system estimating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is validated in European-descent and Asian populations, but not in sub-Saharan Africans. The aim of this study is to evaluate the validity of the FLI for predicting NAFLD in a population from Kenya.

Hepatic steatosis is associated with anthropometry, cardio-metabolic disease risk, sex, age and urbanisation, but not with ethnicity in adult Kenyans.

Objective: We aimed to determine the associations of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with cardio-metabolic risk factors for diabetes in adult Kenyans.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among rural and urban Kenyans of different ethnic origin. Ultrasonography scanning (USS) methods were used for the assessment of hepatic fat accumulation for NAFLD assessment and abdominal fat distribution, and simple anthropometry measurements were performed.

Waist circumference and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as markers of cardiometabolic risk in Kenyan adults.

Background: Abdominal obesity predict metabolic syndrome parameters at low levels of waist circumference (WC) in Africans. At the same time, the African lipid profile phenotype of low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol without concomitant elevated triglyceride levels renders high triglyceride levels detrimental to cardiometabolic health unsuitable for identifying cardiometabolic risk in black African populations.

Objectives: We aimed to identify simple clinical measures for cardiometabolic risk based on WC and HDL in an adult Kenyan population in order to determine which of the two predictors had the strongest impact.

Physical activity energy expenditure and cardiometabolic health in three rural Kenyan populations.

Objectives: Physical activity is beneficial for metabolic health but the extent to which this may differ by ethnicity is still unclear. Here, the objective was to characterize the association between physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and cardiometabolic risk among the Luo, Kamba, and Maasai ethnic groups of rural Kenya.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study of 1084 rural Kenyans, free-living PAEE was objectively measured using individually-calibrated heart rate and movement sensing.

Cardiovascular risk factors in rural Kenyans are associated with differential age gradients, but not modified by sex or ethnicity.

Background: The relationship between metabolic disease and the non-modifiable risk factors sex, age and ethnicity in Africans is not well-established.

Aim: This study aimed to describe sex, age and ethnicity differences in blood pressure (BP) and lipid status in rural Kenyans.

Subjects And Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among rural Kenyans.

Pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange during exercise in Kenyan distance runners.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine arterial blood gases, the mechanical limits for generating expiratory flow and the work performed by the respiratory muscles during treadmill exercise in Kenyan runners.

Methods: Kenyan runners (10 men and 4 women; mean ± SD age = 25.2 ± 1.

Abdominal obesity has the highest impact on metabolic profile in an overweight African population.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the association between different anthropometric parameters and metabolic profile in an overweight, adult, black Kenyan population.

Methods: An opportunity sample of 245 overweight adult Kenyans (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m(2)) was analysed. A score of metabolic profile (metabolic Z-score) was constructed on the basis of levels of plasma lipids, blood pressure, blood glucose and serum insulin.

Emerging evidence of the physical activity transition in Kenya.

Background: Comparable data to examine the physical activity (PA) transition in African countries such as Kenya are lacking.

Methods: We assessed PA levels from urban (UKEN) and rural (RKEN) environments to examine any evidence of a PA transition. Nine- to twelve-year-old children participated in the study: n = 96 and n = 73 children from UKEN and RKEN, respectively.

Dietary patterns, food and macronutrient intakes among adults in three ethnic groups in rural Kenya.

Objective: To compare dietary patterns and food and macronutrient intakes among adults in three ethnic groups in rural Kenya.

Design: In the present cross-sectional study, dietary intake was estimated in adult volunteers using two non-consecutive interactive 24 h recalls. Dietary patterns were assessed from the number of meals and snacks per day and from the food items and major food groups registered, and their contribution to energy intake (EI) was calculated.

Child obesity and fitness levels among Kenyan and Canadian children from urban and rural environments: a KIDS-CAN Research Alliance Study.

Objective: This study was designed to gather anthropometric and fitness-related data on Kenyan children living in urban (UKEN) and rural (RKEN) environments and to compare them with previous data collected on Canadian children in order to examine the potential nutrition-physical activity transition.

Methods: Height, weight, waist circumference, triceps skinfolds were directly measured on rural (RKEN) and urban Kenyan (UKEN) children (n = 179, 9-13 years) and compared with existing data from Canadian children living in urban and rural environments (n = 274, 9-13 years). Aerobic fitness was measured using the 20 m shuttle run, flexibility using the sit-and-reach test and isometric handgrip strength was assessed.

Obesity and regional fat distribution in Kenyan populations: impact of ethnicity and urbanization.

Background: Obesity is increasing rapidly in Africa, and may not be associated with the same changes in body composition among different ethnic groups in Africa.

Objective: To assess abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat thickness, prevalence of obesity, and differences in body composition in rural and urban Kenya.

Subjects And Methods: In a cross-sectional study carried out among Luo, Kamba and Maasai in rural and urban Kenya, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat thicknesses were measured by ultrasonography.

The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in East and West African athletes.

Purpose: To determine the frequency of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism (functional R allele and nonfunctional X allele) in a variety of African populations and to examine its influence on the success of elite East African endurance runners and West African sprinters.

Methods: The R577X polymorphism was genotyped in 198 Ethiopian controls and 76 elite Ethiopian endurance athletes, 158 Kenyan controls and 284 elite Kenyan endurance runners, and 60 Nigerian controls and 62 elite Nigerian power athletes. Statistical analyses were performed by exact tests of population differentiation, using Arlequin, version 3.

Demographic characteristics of elite Kenyan endurance runners.

Kenyan athletes have dominated international distance running in recent years. Explanations for their success include favourable physiological characteristics, which could include favourable genetic endowment, and advantageous environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to compare the demographic characteristics of elite Kenyan runners with those of the general Kenyan population.

Evidence of negative energy balance using doubly labelled water in elite Kenyan endurance runners prior to competition.

Previous studies have found Kenyan endurance runners to be in negative energy balance during training and prior to competition. The aim of the present study was to assess energy balance in nine elite Kenyan endurance runners during heavy training. Energy intake and expenditure were determined over 7 d using weighed dietary intake and doubly labelled water, respectively.

No association between Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) gene variation and endurance athlete status in Kenyans.

East African runners are continually successful in international distance running. The extent to which genetic factors influence this phenomenon is unknown. The insertion (I) rather than deletion (D) of a 287 bp fragment in the human angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with lower circulating and tissue ACE activity and with endurance performance amongst Caucasians.