Vitamin D and Obesity: Current Evidence and Controversies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEvidence from observational studies suggests that obesity is associated with low vitamin D. As both obesity and hypovitaminosis D present an alarmingly increased prevalence worldwide, there is an intense research interest to clarify all aspects of this association. This review summarizes current evidence from meta-analyses investigating vitamin D status in obesity, including the effects of weight loss and bariatric surgery on vitamin D status and the outcomes of vitamin D supplementation on body weight. We also discuss potential pathophysiologic mechanisms and important controversies.Recent Finding...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - April 1, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autophagy in the Pathogenesis of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Current Evidence and Perspectives
AbstractPurpose of ReviewNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease with rising prevalence worldwide. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge supporting the role of ER stress and autophagy processes in NAFLD pathogenesis and progression. We also highlight the interrelation between these two pathways and the impact of ER stress and autophagy modulators on NAFLD treatment.Recent FindingsThe pathophysiological mechanisms involved in NAFLD progression are currently under investigation. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the concomitant...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - March 22, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Weight Bias During the COVID-19 Pandemic
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review explores potential sources of weight bias and stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic, including “quarantine-15” messages and discussion of obesity in media and public health campaigns. We examine evidence of the effects of weight bias on well-being during the pandemic and highlight unanswered questions to be addressed in future research.Recent FindingsStudies that have investigated weight change during stay-at-home orders have yielded mixed findings and relied predominantly on self-reported retrospective recall, thus providing weak evidence of a widespread “quarantine-15” effect. N...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - March 18, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe prevalence of obesity is increasing in all age groups. Following its success in adults, and with limited success using conservative therapies, metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is increasingly being utilized in adolescents. This review highlights the current evidence and guidelines supporting its use.Recent FindingsSafety and efficacy mirror results seen in adults. The most recent evidence, as outcomes enter the long term, suggests that comorbidity resolution, including diabetes and hypertension, can even outperform that of adults. Mental health problems persist despite good weight loss. Ov...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - March 16, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Commercial Weight Loss Programs in the Management of Obesity: an Update
AbstractPurpose of ReviewComprehensive lifestyle programs are cornerstones of obesity management, but clinician referrals may be limited by program availability. Commercial weight loss programs may be an alternative, but clinicians may be unaware of their efficacy and safety. This review describes the evidence for commercial programs, particularly 12-month weight loss, among individuals with obesity.Recent FindingsSeveral programs are concordant with evidence-based recommendations (i.e., lower-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and behavioral strategies). Among the guideline-concordant programs, National Diabetes P...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - February 20, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Healthcare Professional Training Regarding Gestational Weight Gain: Recommendations and Future Directions
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe aim of this review was to summarise recent evaluations of healthcare professional training regarding gestational weight gain and provide recommendations for future training.Recent findingsA number of evaluated healthcare professional training sessions regarding gestational weight gain show promising results in terms of increased participant confidence and knowledge and impact on women ’s outcomes. It is clear that the interventions which have also implemented resources in the practice environment to support training are the ones most likely to influence gestational weight gain.SummarySupport ...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - February 20, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Efficacy of Dietary Manipulations for Depleting Intrahepatic Triglyceride Content: Implications for the Management of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
AbstractPurpose of ReviewUnderstanding the effects of dietary manipulations on intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) balance will have important implications for the prevention and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Recent FindingsReducing calorie intake to induce weight loss is the most potent intervention to decrease IHTG. Carbohydrate restriction during the initial stages of weight loss may be particularly beneficial, but at later stages, the amount of weight loss predominates over diet composition. By contrast, during weight stability, restricting calories from fat seems to be optimal for depleting liver...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - February 13, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Correction to: An Exploration of the Role of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage in Promoting Obesity and Health Disparities
A Correction to this paper has been published:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-021-00427-z (Source: Current Obesity Reports)
Source: Current Obesity Reports - February 2, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Gender Differences in Obesity-Related Cancers
AbstractPurpose of reviewIn this review, we summarize the role of obesity in carcinogenesis, providing details on specific cancer sites. Special emphasis is given to gender differences in obesity-related cancers and on the effect of bariatric surgery on cancer risk.Recent FindingsAccumulating evidence has highlighted the detrimental role of overweight/obesity in cancer, with almost 55% of cancers diagnosed in women and 24% diagnosed in men considered overweight- and obesity-related cancers. Sufficient data have shown that higher BMI is associated with risk of gynecologic malignancies (mainly breast and endometrial cancers)...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - February 1, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Time-Restricted Eating, Intermittent Fasting, and Fasting-Mimicking Diets in Weight Loss
This article reviews the current literature on dietary interventions, including time-restricted eating (TRE), intermittent fasting (IF), and fasting-mimicking diets (FMD) and their effects on weight loss.Recent FindingsDietary interventions, primarily known for their potential health benefits, are attracting considerable interest also for their effects on weight loss.SummaryThe literature suggests that many popular diets can induce weight loss but only a limited number of studies actually demonstrate long-term weight loss efficacy. Here we present an update on the latest studies on some of the most popular dietary interven...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - January 29, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Use of Weight Loss Medications in Patients after Bariatric Surgery
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWeight regain after bariatric surgery is unfortunately a common occurrence. In this article, we have reviewed the data addressing this clinical problem focusing on pharmacological management of weight regain.Recent FindingsData from several small, non-randomized, retrospective, and prospective studies provide evidence that a number of pharmacological options, both FDA approved and off-label, are effective in mitigating and managing weight regain after bariatric surgery. There is a suggestion that the optimal time to initiate weight loss medications may be at the time of weight plateau, rather than ...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - January 25, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Obesity, SDGs and ROOTS: a Framework for Impact
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis paper demonstrates how addressing obesity is vital to achieving several of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets, especially target 3.4 on reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.Recent FindingsRecent research by the UN notes that countries are not on schedule to achieve the SDGs. It is noted that obesity, neglected in earlier development goals and overlooked by global health funders and policymakers, is playing a role in major health and development issues. As such, the ROOTS framework developed by the World Obesity Federation offers a roadmap towards attaining sev...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - January 20, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Clinical Assessment and Treatment of Early-Onset Severe Obesity
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review describes clinical management of early-onset severe obesity, defined here as severe obesity in children ≤ 5 years old. It summarizes current information regarding (1) assessment, specifically growth, genetics, cardiometabolic risk, health behaviors, developmental considerations, and psychosocial factors, and (2) treatment, focusing on lifestyle modification including parent training and a brief s ummary of pharmacotherapy.Recent FindingsPrevalence of severe obesity in young children has remained stable yet most of these children will become adults with obesity. Interventions that a...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - January 7, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
An Exploration of the Role of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage in Promoting Obesity and Health Disparities
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe mechanistic role of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) in the etiology of obesity is undetermined. We address whether, compared to other foods, does consumption of SSB (1) automatically lead to failure to compensate for the energy it contains? (2) fail to elicit homeostatic hormone responses? (3) promote hedonic eating through activation of the brain ’s reward pathways? We followed the evidence to address: (4) Would restriction of targeted marketing of SSB and other unhealthy foods to vulnerable populations decrease their prevalence of obesity?Recent FindingsThe data are lacking to demonstrate th...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - January 7, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Anti-Obesity Treatment: Where Do We Stand?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAs a chronic and relapsing disease, obesity impairs metabolism and causes cardiovascular diseases. Although behavioral modification is important for the treatment of obesity, it is difficult to achieve an ideal weight or sustain the process of long-term weight loss. Therefore, the obesity control guidelines strongly recommend lifestyle interventions along with medical treatment for patients who are overweight. There is sufficient evidence supporting that pharmacotherapy in combination with behavior-based interventions can result in significant weight loss and improved cardiometabolism.Recent Findin...
Source: Current Obesity Reports - January 6, 2021 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research
