scholarly journals The pain of weight gain: self-experimentation with overfeeding

Author(s):  
George A Bray

ABSTRACT The Vermont overfeeding studies were published 50 y ago and began a change in the acceptance of obesity as a bona fide area of academic interest. This article chronicles the experience of the author with acute weight gain while overfeeding, in the context of current obesity research, and presents a glimpse of things to come. The pain associated with acute overeating is illustrated by the firsthand experience of the author. The rapid return to normal weight contrasts with the difficulty that almost all people with obesity experience when they attempt to lose and maintain weight loss. Contrasting the response to overfeeding of individuals who are “resistant” to obesity with those who are obesity prone provides an avenue for unraveling the difficulties people with obesity face when they try to lose weight.

2005 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 765-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
James O. Hill ◽  
Holly R. Wyatt

There is an inverse relationship between physical activity and weight gain. However, additional research is needed to quantify the amount of physical activity required to prevent weight gain in different populations, improve the way we convey physical activity recommendations to the public, and help the individuals increase their physical activity. Although physical activity does not appear to contribute significantly to weight loss, it is critical for maintenance of weight loss. Available data are consistent in that 60–90 min/day of moderate-intensity physical activity is required to maintain a significant weight loss. Although there is agreement about the need for high levels of physical activity to maintain weight loss, there is a need for more research to understand why physical activity is critical for weight loss maintenance. Finally, additional research is needed to determine whether there is an optimal level of physical activity below which it is difficult for most people to achieve a balance between energy intake and expenditure at a healthy body weight. The increasing prevalence of obesity may reflect the fact that the majority of the population has fallen below such a level of physical activity.


2008 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingo Wegener ◽  
Astrid Wawrzyniak ◽  
Katrin Imbierowicz ◽  
Rupert Conrad ◽  
Jochen Musch ◽  
...  

Attenuated affective processing is hypothesized to play a role in the development and maintenance of obesity. Using an affective priming task measuring automatic affective processing of verbal stimuli, a group of 30 obese participants in a weight-loss program at the Psychosomatic University Clinic Bonn ( M age = 48.3, SD = 10.7) was compared with a group of 25 participants of normal weight ( M age = 43.6, SD= 12.5). A smaller affective priming effect was observed for participants with obesity, indicating less pronounced reactions to valenced adjectives. The generally reduced affective processing in obese participants was discussed as a possible factor in the etiology of obesity. Individuals who generally show less pronounced affective reactions to a given stimulus may also react with less negative affect when confronted with weight gain or less positive affect when weight is lost. Consequently, they could be expected to be less motivated to stop overeating or to engage in dieting and will have a higher risk of becoming or staying obese.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELENA ÁLVARO SANZ ◽  
JIMENA ABILÉS ◽  
MARGARITA GARRIDO SILES ◽  
FRANCISCO RIVAS RUÍZ ◽  
BEGOÑA TORTAJADA GOITIA ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients with cancer frequently experience malnutrition, which is associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the implementation of strategies for its early detection and for intervention should improve the evolution of these patients. Our study aim is to design and implement a protocol for outpatients starting chemotherapy, by means of which any malnutrition can be identified and treated at an early stage. Methods Before starting chemotherapy for patients with cancer, a complete assessment was made of their nutritional status, using the Nutriscore screening tool. When nutritional risk was detected, an interventional protocol was applied. Results Of 234 patients included in the study group, 84 (36%) required an individualised nutritional approach: 27 (32.1%) presented high nutritional risk, 12 had a Nutriscore result ≥ 5 and 45 experienced weight loss during chemotherapy. Among this population, the mean weight loss (with respect to normal weight) on inclusion in the study was − 3.6% ±8.2. By the end of the chemotherapy, the mean weight gain was 0% ±7.3 (p < 0.001) and 71.0% of the patients had experienced weight gain or maintenance, with respect to the initial weight. Conclusion More than a third of cancer patients who start chemotherapy are candidates for early nutritional intervention. This finding highlights the importance of early identification of patients at risk in order to improve the efficacy of nutritional interventions, regardless of the stage of the disease.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Philippe Chaput ◽  
Lars Klingenberg ◽  
Mads Rosenkilde ◽  
Jo-Anne Gilbert ◽  
Angelo Tremblay ◽  
...  

Emerging literature highlights the need to incorporate physical activity into every strategy intended to prevent weight gain as well as to maintain weight loss over time. Furthermore, physical activity should be part of any plan to lose weight. The stimulus of exercise provides valuable metabolic adaptations that improve energy and macronutrient balance regulation. A tight coupling between energy intake and energy expenditure has been documented at high levels of physical exercise, suggesting that exercise may improve appetite control. The regular practice of physical activity has also been reported to reduce the risk of stress-induced weight gain. A more personalized approach is recommended when planning exercise programs in a clinical weight loss setting in order to limit the compensatory changes associated to exercise-induced weight loss. With modern environment promoting overeating and sedentary behavior, there is an urgent need for a concerted action including legislative measures to promote healthy active living in order to curb the current epidemic of chronic diseases.


1990 ◽  
Vol 258 (1) ◽  
pp. R211-R215 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Souquet ◽  
N. E. Rowland

Previous work from this laboratory has shown that chronic administration of dexfenfluramine (DF) caused substantial weight loss in rats that were overweight 3-4 mo after ovariectomy (OVX), but not in OVX rats that were of normal weight, as a result of estrogen replacement. The present study was conducted to determine whether the enhanced weight loss in the former group is because of either overweight per se or an inhibitory effect of estrogen on DF. Starting either 0, 6, or 14 wk after OVX, when weight gain was zero, moderate, or near maximal, respectively, rats received a 12-day regimen of either estradiol or the oil vehicle and either DF (3 mg.kg-1.day-1 by osmotic minipump) or no drug. DF had no effect on either food intake or weight gain of groups treated during 0-2 wk after OVX but had significant anorectic and weight loss actions in groups treated 6-8 and 14-16 wk after OVX. Estrogen had a similar effect at all three times and in the 14-wk group produced an effect that was additive with that of DF. Measures of plasma glucose and triglycerides and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity did not correlate with the effectiveness of the drug to promote weight loss.


Author(s):  
Maya Tabet ◽  
Soumya Banna ◽  
Lan Luong ◽  
Russell Kirby ◽  
Jen Jen Chang

Objective This study aimed to examine the effects of interpregnancy weight change on pregnancy outcomes, including recurrent preeclampsia, preterm birth, small-for-gestational age (SGA), large-for-gestational age (LGA), and cesarean delivery, among women with a history of preeclampsia. We also evaluated whether these associations were modified by prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) category in the first pregnancy (BMI < 25 vs. ≥25 kg/m2) and if associations were present among women who maintained a healthy BMI category in both pregnancies. Study Design We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study including 15,108 women who delivered their first two nonanomalous singleton live births in Missouri (1989–2005) and experienced preeclampsia in the first pregnancy. We performed Poisson regression with robust error variance to estimate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for outcomes of interest after controlling for potential confounders. Results Interpregnancy weight gain was associated with increased risk of recurrent preeclampsia, LGA, and cesarean delivery. These risks increased in a “dose–response” manner with increasing magnitude of interpregnancy weight gain and were generally more pronounced among women who were underweight or normal weight in the first pregnancy. Interpregnancy weight loss exceeding 1 BMI unit was associated with increased risk of SGA among underweight and normal weight women, while interpregnancy weight loss exceeding 2 BMI units was associated with reduced risk of recurrent preeclampsia among overweight and obese women. Conclusion Even small changes in interpregnancy weight may significantly affect pregnancy outcomes among formerly preeclamptic women. Appropriate weight management between pregnancies has the potential to attenuate such risks. Key Points


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2622
Author(s):  
Yunping Zhou ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Xin Yin ◽  
Yun Sun ◽  
Wei Jie Seow

Background: The effect of obesity in early adulthood and weight loss on incident hypertension in older age has not been well characterized. This study aimed to examine the association of weight loss from young adulthood to midlife with risk of incident hypertension later in life. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Five weight change groups were categorized: stable normal, weight loss, weight gain, maximum overweight and stable obese. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the association between weight change and risk of hypertension in later life were estimated using Cox regression models. Results: Compared with participants who maintained normal weight, the stable obese, weight gain, maximum overweight and weight loss groups exhibited significantly higher risks of incident hypertension, with HR of 3.28 (95% CI = 2.71 to 3.96), 2.93 (95% CI = 2.62 to 3.28), 1.76 (95% CI = 1.55 to 2.00) and 1.97 (95% CI = 1.17 to 3.31), respectively. We also observed a lower risk among those in the weight loss group (HR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.35 to 1.02) compared with those who were stable obese. Conclusions: Weight loss from early to middle adulthood was associated with lower risk of incident hypertension as compared to those who stayed obese and higher risk of incident hypertension as compared to those who maintained normal weight. Thus, maintaining normal weight throughout adulthood may be important for the primary prevention of hypertension.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Álvaro Sanz ◽  
Jimena Abilés ◽  
Marga Garrido Siles ◽  
Francisco Rivas Ruíz ◽  
Begoña Tortajada Goitia ◽  
...  

AbstractPatients with cancer frequently experience malnutrition, which is associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the implementation of strategies for its early detection and for intervention should improve the evolution of these patients. Our study aim is to design and implement a protocol for outpatients starting chemotherapy, by means of which any malnutrition can be identified and treated at an early stage. Before starting chemotherapy for patients with cancer, a complete assessment was made of their nutritional status, using the Nutriscore screening tool. When nutritional risk was detected, an interventional protocol was applied. Of 234 patients included in the study group, 84 (36%) required an individualised nutritional approach: 27 (32.1%) presented high nutritional risk, 12 had a Nutriscore result ≥ 5 and 45 experienced weight loss during chemotherapy. Among this population, the mean weight loss (with respect to normal weight) on inclusion in the study was − 3.6% ± 8.2. By the end of the chemotherapy, the mean weight gain was 0% ± 7.3 (p < 0.001) and 71.0% of the patients had experienced weight gain or maintenance, with respect to the initial weight. More than a third of cancer patients who start chemotherapy are candidates for early nutritional intervention. This finding highlights the importance of early identification of patients at risk in order to improve the efficacy of nutritional interventions, regardless of the stage of the disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 845-853
Author(s):  
Stephanie A Leonard ◽  
Barbara Abrams ◽  
Elliott K Main ◽  
Deirdre J Lyell ◽  
Suzan L Carmichael

ABSTRACT Background High and low prepregnancy BMI are risk factors for severe maternal morbidity (SMM), but the contribution of gestational weight gain (GWG) is not well understood. Objectives We evaluated associations between GWG and SMM by prepregnancy BMI group. Methods We analyzed administrative records from 2,483,684 Californian births (2007–2012), utilizing z score charts to standardize GWG for gestational duration. We fit the z scores nonlinearly and categorized GWG as above, within, or below the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations after predicting equivalent GWG at term from the z score charts. SMM was defined using a validated index. Associations were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models. Results We found generally shallow U-shaped relations between GWG z score and SMM in all BMI groups, except class 3 obesity (≥40 kg/m2), for which risk was lowest with weight loss. The weight gain amount associated with the lowest risk of SMM was within the IOM recommendations for underweight and class 2 obesity, but above the IOM recommendations for normal weight, overweight, and class 1 obesity. The adjusted risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs for GWG below the IOM recommendations, compared with GWG within the recommendations, were the following for underweight, normal weight, overweight, class 1 obesity, class 2 obesity, and class 3 obesity: 1.13 (0.99, 1.29), 1.09 (1.04, 1.14), 1.10 (1.01, 1.19), 1.07 (0.95, 1.21), 1.03 (0.88, 1.22), and 0.89 (0.73, 1.08), respectively. For GWG above the recommendations, the corresponding RRs and 95% CIs were 0.99 (0.84, 1.15), 1.04 (0.99, 1.08), 0.98 (0.92, 1.04), 1.03 (0.95, 1.13), 1.07 (0.94, 1.23), and 1.08 (0.91, 1.30), respectively. Conclusions High and low GWG may be modestly associated with increased risk of SMM across BMI groups, except in women with class 3 obesity, for whom low weight gain and weight loss may be associated with decreased risk of SMM.


1989 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Hunter

SummaryThe effect of a pharmacological dose of testosterone propionate, administered by intramuscular injection, on feed intake, live-weight change and fasting metabolism of steers was determined in two experiments. The first consisted of three growth phases: normal weight-gain on a long-chopped lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay dietad libitum(8 weeks), live-weight loss on a low-quality pasture (Dichanthium aristatum) hay dietad libitum(12 weeks) and recovery gain on a lucerne hay dietad libitum(8 weeks). During normal weight-gain, the testosterone-treated steers had significantly (P< 0·01) higher weight gains than untreated steers (1·48v. 0·95 kg/day, respectively). Feed intakes and fasting metabolic rates of treated and control steers were not significantly different, being 28·2 and 29·1 g dry matter/kg live weight and 85·6 and 91·0 KJ/kg per day, respectively. The efficiency of feed conversion was significantly (P< 0·01) better in the treated steers (6·7v. 9·6 feed/kg weight-gain). There was no significant effect of treatment on any of these characters during live-weight loss or recovery gain. The weight changes during these periods wereca.–0·7 kg/day and 1·5 kg/day, respectively. After 12 weeks of severe weight loss, metabolic rate per unit live weight had decreased by 25% compared with that at the start of the weight-loss period.The second experiment examined the effect of the same dose of intramuscular testosterone propionate on another group of steers fed the low-quality roughage diet during a period of weight loss. Again there was no significant effect of treatment on weight loss, feed intake or fasting metabolism.It was concluded that the growth response to pharmacological doses of testosterone in well nourished steers was greater than that usually observed in comparisons between bulls and steers, and that testosterone was ineffective when administered to steers losing weight or in recovery gain after severe weight loss.


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