Obesity Reduction Through Lifestyle Modification

2000 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Ross ◽  
Ian Janssen ◽  
Angelo Tremblay

Obesity is a worldwide public health problem. One in three Canadians is overweight, a prevalence that is already high and increasing. Moreover, 54% of men and 37% of Canadian women are characterized as abdominally obese, the phenotype that is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. These observations underscore the importance of considering the efficacy of methods commonly used to reduce total and abdominal obesity. These strategies include a decrease in energy intake (diet), an increase in energy expenditure (exercise), or pharmacological intervention. The combination of diet and exercise is more commonly prescribed, with pharmacological intervention suggested only when lifestyle changes fail to achieve weight loss.The aim of this report is to review current knowledge regarding the influence of diet and exercise as treatment strategies for obesity reduction and provide recommendations for attaining and maintaining a healthy weight. The importance of diet composition in the treatment of obesity is also considered. Key words: body fat, weight loss, exercise, diet

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osama E. Amer ◽  
Shaun Sabico ◽  
Hanan A. Alfawaz ◽  
Naji Aljohani ◽  
Syed Danish Hussain ◽  
...  

Aim: This 18 month intervention study aims to determine the efficacy of a lifestyle modification program on prediabetes reversal among Saudi adults. Methods: An 18 month randomized, multicenter trial was conducted among Saudis with prediabetes aged 25–60 recruited from King Salman Hospital and primary care centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 180 consenting individuals were randomized (1:1) to receive either intensive lifestyle intervention (ILIG) or guidance (control group, CG). ILIG was provided with a personalized lifestyle counseling by nutritionists every 3 months to improve diet and exercise behaviors. CG was given booklets containing information on prediabetes and its prevention. Data from lifestyle assessments and laboratory measurements were analyzed at baseline and every 6 months. The primary outcome was the reversal rate of prediabetes. Results: 158 participants were analyzed (CG:85, ILIG:73) at the 12 month follow-up and 28 participants (CG:11 and ILIG:17) completed the entire 18 month study. Post-intervention, the cumulative incidence of prediabetes reversal in the ILIG was 38 participants (52.1%) which was significantly higher than CG with 26 participants (30.6%) (p = 0.02). Conclusion: A tailored lifestyle intervention is effective in reversing prediabetes, at least for a year, among Arab adults with prediabetes. The challenge of sustaining interest in adopting lifestyle changes for a longer duration should be addressed in this population.


2005 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Gill ◽  
Lesley King ◽  
Ian Caterson

Obesity is a serious public health problem that has important social, economic and health consequences. The prevalence of obesity is rising rapidly throughout the world in both rich and poor countries, and it affects all sections of society. There are several important reasons for addressing the prevention of obesity, rather than its treatment or management. The prevention of weight gain (or the reversal of small gains) and the maintenance of a healthy weight are likely to be easier, less expensive and potentially more effective than the treatment of obesity after it has fully developed. A structured planning framework for the identification of potential interventions for the promotion of healthy weight and the prevention of weight gain is clearly required. However, detailed reviews of the scientific literature have revealed that the body of research is too small to provide firm guidance on consistently-effective interventions for adults or children. Ultimately, a broader approach to evidence of effectiveness needs to be adopted. The present paper proposes a structured planning approach that utilises the portfolio model and allows the selection of interventions to be based on the best available evidence, while not excluding untried but promising strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 416-424
Author(s):  
Lindsey Yoojin Chung ◽  
Young-Jun Rhie

Background: Pediatric obesity has increased over the decades, and in particular, severe pediatric obesity has become a serious public health problem. A concern has arisen that the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate the incidence of childhood obesity.Current Concepts: The consequences of severe pediatric obesity are more devastating than those of moderate obesity. Children with severe obesity are at a greater risk for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, and adult obesity. Correct assessment and diagnosis of a child with severe obesity is key to successful therapy. A thorough history and physical examination are important in identifying monogenic obesity or metabolic syndrome. Eating behaviors and psychosocial factors should be assessed to improve weight management outcomes. Treatment options for severe pediatric obesity include lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and metabolic and bariatric surgery. Even though progress has been made with regard to the treatment of obesity, safe and effective treatment of severe pediatric obesity is challenging.Discussion and Conclusion: More efforts and innovations are needed to find a solution for the huge medical and emotional burden the children with severe obesity and their families are enduring.


2009 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 262-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walmir Coutinho

Ancillary therapies for weight management, consisting mainly of diet and exercise programs that incorporate variable levels of lifestyle modification techniques, are frequently ineffective to achieve clinically meaningful weight loss and maintenance. Although pharmacological treatment of obesity is widely used in most countries, the number of available drugs is still very limited. The most widely used anti-obesity agents are sibutramine and orlistat, both available in clinical practice for about a decade. A large number of clinical trials have demonstrated that both agents are safe and well tolerated, with a level of efficacy in the moderate weight loss recommended by the most relevant clinical guidelines. Several studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of sibutramine and orlistat in adolescents and also for the treatment of some associated conditions in adults, including type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome and binge eating disorder. The positive results of these studies suggest an expanding role for both agents, not only for the treatment of obesity, but also for associated conditions. After the efficacy of orlistat for the prevention of type 2 diabetes demonstrated in the XENDOS study, the results of SCOUT study are awaited for a better evaluation of sibutramine impact on cardiovascular outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 1072-1078
Author(s):  
Walter Milano ◽  
Paola Ambrosio ◽  
Francesca Carizzone ◽  
Walter Di Munzio ◽  
Valeria De Biasio ◽  
...  

: Childhood obesity has assumed epidemic proportions and is currently one of the most widespread public health problems. Many are the factors involved in the pathogenesis of excess weight with interactions between genetic, environmental and biological factors and therefore, also the therapeutic approach must be multidisciplinary and multidimensional. In this review of the literature, we report the contiguity of childhood obesity with eating disorders and the importance of involving the family context in order to induce stable lifestyle changes, both in relation to dietary and nutritional habits, but also in increasing physical activity. Finally, among the therapeutic options, although for selected cases, pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery can be used as treatment strategies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 182-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda L. Eastham ◽  
Candace M. Howard ◽  
Premalatha Balachandran ◽  
David S. Pasco ◽  
Pier Paolo Claudio

Enthusiasm for the use of dietary bioactive compounds as chemopreventive agents and adjuvants for current therapies has increased laboratory research conducted on several types of cancers including Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). The green chemoprevention movement is a modern approach to highlight healthy lifestyle changes that aim to decrease the incidence of HNSCC. A healthy diet can be an effective way to prevent the development of oral cancers. Discovery of the naturally occurring plant based compounds called phytochemicals has facilitated the development of new treatment strategies for patients that are at risk for, or have developed HNSCC. Many of these compounds have been shown to elicit very potent anti-carcinogenic properties. While there are many compounds that have been studied, the compounds from two specific categories of phytochemicals, phenolics (resveratrol, EGCG, curcumin, quercetin, and honokiol) and glucosinolates (sulforaphane, PEITC and BITC), are emerging as potent and effective inhibitors of oral carcinogenesis. These compounds have been shown to inhibit HNSCC growth through a variety of mechanisms. Research has demonstrated that these compounds can regulate cancer cell proliferation through the regulation of multiple cell signaling pathways. They can impede cell cycle progression, induce differentiation and apoptosis, prevent angiogenesis, and inhibit cancer cell invasive and metastatic properties. They can protect normal cells during treatment and reduce the damage caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This review aims to provide an overview of some of the most effective phytochemicals that have the potential to successfully prevent and treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1917
Author(s):  
Hiroki Nishikawa ◽  
Hirayuki Enomoto ◽  
Shuhei Nishiguchi ◽  
Hiroko Iijima

The picture of chronic liver diseases (CLDs) has changed considerably in recent years. One of them is the increase of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. More and more CLD patients, even those with liver cirrhosis (LC), tend to be presenting with obesity these days. The annual rate of muscle loss increases with worsening liver reserve, and thus LC patients are more likely to complicate with sarcopenia. LC is also characterized by protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Since the PEM in LC can be invariable, the patients probably present with sarcopenic obesity (Sa-O), which involves both sarcopenia and obesity. Currently, there is no mention of Sa-O in the guidelines; however, the rapidly increasing prevalence and poorer clinical consequences of Sa-O are recognized as an important public health problem, and the diagnostic value of Sa-O is expected to increase in the future. Sa-O involves a complex interplay of physiological mechanisms, including increased inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, hormonal disorders, and decline of physical activity. The pathogenesis of Sa-O in LC is diverse, with a lot of perturbations in the muscle–liver–adipose tissue axis. Here, we overview the current knowledge of Sa-O, especially focusing on LC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. S39-S58
Author(s):  
Kesso Gabrielle van Zutphen ◽  
Klaus Kraemer ◽  
Alida Melse-Boonstra

Background: Anemia is a public health problem among adolescents in Indonesia. Strategies to prevent or treat anemia should be tailored to local conditions, taking into account its specific etiology and prevalence in a given setting and population group. Objective: This review aims to (1) identify and synthesize the current knowledge on the etiology of anemia among adolescents in Indonesia, (2) reveal knowledge gaps in this area, and (3) suggest directions for future research and programmatic work. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, and WorldCat databases for peer-reviewed journal articles to identify which etiological factors were related to anemia among Indonesian adolescents. Research papers were reviewed and included in the review according to inclusion criteria. Results: Of 13 studies, 8 showed that anemia was associated with iron deficiency; 4 are suggestive of vitamin A deficiency; and 2 of folic acid deficiency. Five studies underscore different etiological determinants for anemia, such as malaria, protein and energy malnutrition, vitamin B2 deficiency, calcium, and vitamin C deficiency. Based on these findings, we developed a framework on knowledge gaps on the etiology of anemia among adolescents in Indonesia, divided in 3 levels of knowledge: (1) significant knowledge gaps, (2) knowledge gaps, and (3) established knowledge. Conclusions: The knowledge gaps around the etiology of anemia among Indonesian adolescents are significant. Our framework emphasizes the need for further research across all etiological factors, namely inadequate nutritional intake and absorption, genetic hemoglobin disorders, infection and inflammation, and menstrual disorders.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Daisuke Tokuhara ◽  
Norikatsu Hikita

Neonates and infants are particularly susceptible to infections, for which outcomes tend to be severe. Vaccination is a key strategy for preventing infectious diseases, but the protective immunity achieved through vaccination typically is weaker in infants than in healthy adults. One possible explanation for the poor acquisition of vaccine-induced immunity in infants is that their innate immune response, represented by toll-like receptors, is immature. The current system for developing pediatric vaccines relies on the confirmation of their safety and effectiveness in studies involving the use of mature animals or adult humans. However, creating vaccines for neonates and infants requires an understanding of their uniquely immature innate immunity. Here we review current knowledge regarding the innate immune system of neonates and infants and challenges in developing vaccine adjuvants for those children through analyses of cord blood.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 265
Author(s):  
Maria-Luisa Pérez-Lozano ◽  
Annabelle Cesaro ◽  
Marija Mazor ◽  
Eric Esteve ◽  
Sabine Berteina-Raboin ◽  
...  

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex degenerative disease in which joint homeostasis is disrupted, leading to synovial inflammation, cartilage degradation, subchondral bone remodeling, and resulting in pain and joint disability. Yet, the development of new treatment strategies to restore the equilibrium of the osteoarthritic joint remains a challenge. Numerous studies have revealed that dietary components and/or natural products have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bone-resorption, and anabolic potential and have received much attention toward the development of new therapeutic strategies for OA treatment. In the present review, we provide an overview of current and emerging natural-product-based research treatments for OA management by drawing attention to experimental, pre-clinical, and clinical models. Herein, we review current and emerging natural-product-based research treatments for OA management.


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