title: Influence of nutrition on somatotropic axis: Milk consumption in adult individuals with moderate-severe obesity.
abstract: Nutrition is the major environmental factor that influences the risk of developing pathologies, such as obesity. Although a number of recent reviews pinpoint a protective effects of milk on body weight and obesity related co-morbidities, an inaccurate estimate of milk might contribute to hamper its beneficial effects on health outcomes. Seven-day food records provide prospective food intake data, reducing recall bias and providing extra details about specific food items. Milk intake stimulates the somatotropic axis at multiple levels by increasing both growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) secretion. On the other hand, obesity is associated with reduced spontaneous and stimulated GH secretion and basal IGF-1 levels. Aim of this study was to evaluate the milk consumption by using the 7-days food record in obese individuals and to investigate the association between milk intake and GH secretory status in these subjects.
  
  
  
  Cross-sectional observational study carried out on 281 adult individuals (200 women and 81 men, aged 18-74 years) with moderate-severe obesity (BMI 35.2-69.4 kg/m2). Baseline milk intake data were collected using a 7 day food record. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical profile were determined. The GH/IGF-1 axis was evaluated by peak GH response after GHRH + ARGININE and IGF-1 standard deviation score (SDS).
  
  
  
  The majority of individuals (72.2%) reported consuming milk; 250 mL low-fat milk was the most frequently serving of milk consumed, while no subjects reported to consume whole milk. Milk consumers vs no milk consumers presented the better anthropometric measurements and metabolic profile. At the bivariate proportional odds ratio model, after adjusting for BMI, age and gender, milk consumption was associated the better GH status (OR = 0.60; p < 0.001). Among milk consumers, subjects consuming 250 mL reduced-fat milk vs 250 mL low-fat milk presented the better anthropometric measurements and metabolic profile. At the bivariate proportional odds ratio model, after adjusting for BMI, age and gender, the consume of 250 mL reduced-fat milk was associated better GH status (OR = 0.54; p = 0.003).
  
  
  
  A novel positive association between milk consumption, GH status, and metabolic profile in obese individuals was evidenced. Regardless of the pathogenetic mechanisms, this novel association might be relevant in a context where commonly obese individuals skip breakfast, and suggests the need of a growing cooperation between Nutritionists and Endocrinologists in the management of the obese patients.
authors.affiliation: I.O.S. & COLEMAN Srl, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: luigi.barrea@unina.it.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barrea
authors.affiliation: IRCCS SDN, Napoli Via Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: cdisomma@unina.it.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Somma
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unit of Endocrinology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: pmacchia@unina.it.
authors.forename: Paolo Emidio
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Macchia
authors.affiliation: I.O.S. & COLEMAN Srl, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: falco.and@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falco
authors.affiliation: I.O.S. & COLEMAN Srl, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: cristysav@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Savanelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Science and Wellness, "Parthenope" University of Naples, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: francescoorio@virgilio.it.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Orio
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unit of Endocrinology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: colao@unina.it.
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colao
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unit of Endocrinology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: sisavast@unina.it.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Savastano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015930:Diet Records; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood; D055442:Metabolome; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; C583557:IGF1 protein, human; D014280:Triglycerides; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Environmental factors; Milk consumption; Nutrition; Obesity; Somatotropic axis