Safe Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCoronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has had an enormous impact on all aspects of healthcare, but its effect on patients needing surgery and surgeons has been disproportionate. In this review, we aim to understand the impact of the pandemic on surgical patients and teams. We compiled the emerging data on pre-operative screening methods, vaccinations, safe-surgery pathways and surgical techniques and make recommendations for evidence-based safe-surgical pathways. We also present surgical outcomes for emergency, oncological and benign surgery in the context of the p andemic. Finally, we attempt to ...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - October 28, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Ultra-processed Foods, Weight Gain, and Co-morbidity Risk
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to provide an update on the available data regarding the associations of Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption with food intake and possible underlying mechanisms relating UPF consumption to weight gain and co-morbidities.Recent FindingsIn primarily observational studies, UPF consumption is consistently associated with an increased risk for weight gain among adults and children and increased risk for adiposity-related co-morbidities in adults. In a single mechanistic study, consumption of UPFs led to increased energy intake and weight gain relative to whole foods.Summ...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - October 22, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
COVID-19 Outcomes in Minority Ethnic Groups: Do Obesity and Metabolic Risk Play a Role?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewGlobally, minority ethnic groups have been at higher risk of COVID-19 mortality and morbidity than majority populations. This review outlines factors that may interact to create these inequalities and explores the hypothesis that differing levels of cardio-metabolic risk, according to ethnic group, play a role.Recent FindingsTwo UK Biobank studies have reported that the body mass index is more strongly associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection and mortality in minority ethnic populations than in White populations. A study of UK patients found that the strongest association between obe...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - October 15, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Sex/Gender Differences in Obesity Prevalence, Comorbidities, and Treatment
AbstractPurpose of ReviewObesity is a heterogeneous condition, yet sex/gender is rarely considered in the prevention or clinical care of this disease. This review examined and evaluated recent literature regarding the influence of sex and gender on obesity prevalence, comorbidities, and treatment in adults.Recent FindingsObesity is more prevalent in women than men in most countries, but in some countries and population subgroups, this gap is more pronounced. Several obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes and hypertension, demonstrate sex-specific pathways. Women, compared to men, are more likely to be dia...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - October 2, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Mobile Health and Telehealth Interventions to Increase Physical Activity in Adolescents with Obesity: a Promising Approach to Engaging a Hard-to-Reach Population
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAdolescence represents a critical time to set habits for long-term health, yet adequate rates of physical activity are uncommon in this age group. Mobile technology use, however, is ubiquitous. We review advantages and challenges posed by mobile health (mHealth) and telehealth-based physical activity interventions aimed at adolescents.Recent FindingsMobile Health (mHealth) and telehealth interventions to increase physical activity in adolescents include use of wearable activity trackers, text messages or apps, and video visits with exercise specialists. Definitions and goals for physical activity d...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - October 1, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Sexual Orientation and Obesity: What Do We Know?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review describes research addressing sexual orientation disparities in obesity and their sequelae, with a focus on new findings from the past year and areas for future work.Recent FindingsSexual minority people of color experience important health disparities related to obesity. Sexual minority women may be at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than their heterosexual counterparts, potentially because of obesity-related disparities. Bisexual men also appear to experience more obesity and potential greater risk for type 2 diabetes than heterosexual men. Stigma and discrimination are imp...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - September 30, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Neural Vulnerability Factors That Predict Future Weight Gain
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe current article discusses five neural vulnerability theories for weight gain and reviews evidence from prospective studies using imaging and behavioral measures reflecting neural function, as well as randomized experiments with humans and animals that are consistent or inconsistent with these theories.Recent FindingsRecent prospective imaging studies examining predictors of weight gain and response to obesity treatment, and repeated-measures imaging studies before and after weight gain and loss have advanced knowledge of etiologic processes and neural plasticity resulting from weight change.Sum...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - September 30, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Obesity as a Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19: Summary of the Best Evidence and Implications for Health Care
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo collate the best evidence from several strands —epidemiological, genetic, comparison with historical data and mechanistic information—and ask whether obesity is an important causal and potentially modifiable risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes.Recent FindingsSeveral hundred studies provide powerful evidence that body mass index (BMI) is a strong linear risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes, with recent studies suggesting ~5-10% higher risk for COVID-19 hospitalisation per every kg/m2 higher BMI. Genetic data concur with hazard ratios increasing by 14% per every kg/m2 higher BMI. BMI ...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - August 10, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
The Impact of Restrictive and Non-restrictive Dietary Weight Loss Interventions on Neurobehavioral Factors Related to Body Weight Control: the Gaps and Challenges
AbstractPurpose of ReviewRestrictive diets, such as low-calorie diets, are difficult to maintain in the long term. For this reason, their popularity has decreased compared to non-restrictive approaches, which instead promote healthy eating strategies. Since both strategies may entail different neurobiological mechanisms, this review will examine the current evidence on the effects of restrictive and non-restrictive interventions on neurobehavioral factors.Recent FindingsRestrictive diets appear to improve eating behaviors, and the evidence reviewed argues against the notion that they may worsen the severity of binge eating...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - July 27, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Pediatric Obesity Treatment via Telehealth: Current Evidence and Future Directions
We describe impressions and future directions.Recent FindingsWe identified and included 20 studies that described unique interventions from the past 5 years. The majority of reviewed studies indicated statistically significant reductions in BMI z-scores, high retention and attendance, and high satisfaction. However, mean decreases in BMI z-scores were marginal (approximately 0.10) in all but two studies. Studies did not often report effect sizes.SummaryPediatric telehealth weight management interventions demonstrate good feasibility and acceptability. Improvement in reporting results and more rigorous research, including u...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - July 24, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Social Isolation and Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact on Weight
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSocial isolation and loneliness have long been identified as risk factors for poorer physical and mental health and increased mortality. These factors have also been shown to impact dietary behavior and physical activity which play a role in precipitating and maintaining obesity. Less is known about the impact of social isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in which social distancing is a major component of public health initiatives. This narrative review will examine the existing literature on the relationships between social isolation, loneliness, mental health, and weight as they relate...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - July 23, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
