Implementation of Obesity Science Into Clinical Practice: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Obesity is a recognized public health epidemic with a prevalence that continues to increase dramatically in nearly all populations, impeding progress in reducing incidence rates of cardiovascular disease. Over the past decade, obesity science has evolved to improve knowledge of its multifactorial causes, identifying important biological causes and sociological determinants of obesity. Treatments for obesity have also continued to develop, with more evidence-based programs for lifestyle modification, new pharmacotherapies, and robust data to support bariatric surgery. Despite these advancements, there continues to be a substantial gap between the scientific evidence and the implementation of research into clinical practice for effective obesity management. Addressing barriers to obesity science implementation requires adopting feasible methodologies and targeting multiple levels (eg, clinician, community, system, policy) to facilitate the delivery of obesity-targeted therapies and maximize the effectiveness of guideline-driven care to at-need patient populations. This scientific statement (1) describes strategies shown to be effective or promising for enhancing translation and clinical application of obesity-based research; (2) identifies key gaps in the implementation of obesity science into clinical practice; and (3) provides guidance and resources for health care professionals, health care systems, and other stakeholders to promote broader implementation and uptake of obesity science for improved population-level obesity management. In addition, advances in implementation science that hold promise to bridge the know-do gap in obesity prevention and treatment are discussed. Last, this scientific statement highlights implications for health research policy and future research to improve patient care models and optimize the delivery and sustainability of equitable obesity-related care.

Biomechanical CT to Assess Bone After Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adolescents With Obesity: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is effective in treating cardiometabolic complications of obesity but is associated with bone loss. Our aim was to determine the effect of SG on the lumbar spine by biomechanical CT analysis in adolescents/young adults with obesity. We hypothesized that SG would lead to a decrease in strength and bone mineral density (BMD) compared with nonsurgical controls. In a 12-month prospective nonrandomized study, adolescents/young adults with obesity underwent SG (n = 29, 18.0 ± 2.1 years, 23 female) or were followed without surgery (controls, n = 30, 17.95 ± 3.0 years, 22 female). At baseline and 12 months, participants underwent quantitative computed tomography (QCT) of L1 and L2 for biomechanical assessment and MRI of the abdomen and mid-thigh for body composition assessment. Twelve-month changes between groups and within groups were assessed. Analyses were controlled for baseline and 12-month changes in body mass index (BMI) by multivariable analyses. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of body composition on bone parameters. Our institutional review board (IRB) approved the study, and informed consent/assent was obtained. Participants in the SG group had a higher baseline BMI than controls (p = 0.01) and lost an average of 34.3 ± 13.6 kg 12 months after surgery, whereas weight was unchanged in controls (p < 0.001). There were significant reductions in abdominal adipose tissue and thigh muscle area in the SG group compared with controls (p < 0.001). Bone strength, bending stiffness, and average and trabecular volumetric BMD decreased in the SG group compared with controls (p < 0.001). After controlling for change in BMI, a 12-month reduction in cortical BMD was significant in the SG group compared with controls (p = 0.02). Reductions in strength and trabecular BMD were associated with reductions in BMI, visceral adipose tissue, and muscle (p ≤ 0.03). In conclusion, SG in adolescents decreased strength and volumetric BMD of the lumbar spine compared with nonsurgical controls. These changes were associated with decreases in visceral fat and muscle mass. © 2023 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Skeletal Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adolescents and Young Adults: A 2-Year Longitudinal Study.

CONTEXT: Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is an increasingly common tool to achieve weight loss and improve metabolic health in adolescents and young adults with obesity, although it may adversely affect bone health. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to evaluate the effect of VSG on bone health in youth. METHODS: An observational 2-year study was conducted at a tertiary care center of 66 patients aged 13 to 24 years with moderate-to-severe obesity meeting criteria for VSG. The patients underwent VSG (n = 30) or nonsurgical (n = 36) management per the decision of patient and clinical team. Main outcome measures included dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) measures of bone mineral density (BMD), geometry, and microarchitecture. RESULTS: VSG patients achieved 25.3 ± 2.0% weight loss at 2 years (P < .001) while control subjects gained 4.0 ± 2.0% (P = .026). Total hip BMD declined 8.5 ± 1.0% following VSG compared with 0.1 ± 1.0% gain in controls (P < .001), with similar results at the femoral neck (P < .001). Total volumetric BMD (vBMD) decreased both at the distal radius and tibia following VSG (P < .001) driven primarily by trabecular vBMD loss (P < .001). Two-year changes in cortical vBMD did not differ between groups, though cortical porosity decreased following VSG both at the radius and tibia (P = .048 and P < .001). Cortical thickness increased in controls but not in VSG (P = .022 and P = .002 for between-group comparisons at the radius and tibia, respectively). Following VSG, estimated failure load decreased at the radius and did not demonstrate the physiologic increases at the tibia observed in controls. CONCLUSION: VSG leads to progressive changes in bone health over 2 years, and may lead to increased skeletal fragility in adolescents and young adults.

Obesity and Eligibility for Obesity Treatments Among Adults With Disabilities in the U.S.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity has been associated with disability; yet, the proportion who meet clinical criteria for obesity treatment among adults with disabilities remains poorly defined. Characterization of obesity and treatment eligibility by disability type may prioritize high-need groups. This study assessed the prevalence of obesity and eligibility for antiobesity pharmacotherapy and/or bariatric surgery in adults with disability. METHODS: This cross-sectional weighted analysis of the 2019 National Health Interview Survey, including self-reported health and sociodemographic information, was conducted in 2021. Burden of obesity defined by BMI and odds of meeting consensus criteria for antiobesity pharmacotherapy and/or surgery were calculated by functional disability type: vision, hearing, cognition, communication, mobility, and self-care. RESULTS: From 29,170 community-dwelling adult respondents (59.1% response), the overall prevalence of disability was 10%. The prevalence of obesity among adults with a disability was 40.1% vs 30.5% for U.S. adults overall (p<0.0001). An estimated 17.1% with disability met the criteria for both bariatric surgery and antiobesity pharmacotherapy; another 39.8% were eligible for pharmacotherapy alone (vs 7.9% and 33.2%, respectively, for adults overall; p<0.0001). In fully adjusted models, disability was associated with greater ORs for mild obesity (OR=1.2; 95% CI=1.1, 1.4), moderate‒severe obesity (OR=2.1; 95% CI=1.8, 2.3), and criteria for bariatric surgery (OR=2.4; 95% CI=2.1, 2.7) and pharmacotherapy (OR=1.3; 95% CI=1.2, 1.4). Mobility, self-care, and cognition disabilities were associated with eligibility for bariatric surgery and antiobesity pharmacotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with disabilities have higher odds of obesity and eligibility for antiobesity treatments. Comorbidities should be considered, accommodations should be provided, and insurance coverage should be expanded to ensure access to antiobesity treatments for adults with disabilities.

Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue in Adolescents and Young Adults with Obesity.

CONTEXT: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG), the most common metabolic and bariatric surgery in adolescents, is associated with bone loss. Marrow adipose tissue (MAT) is a dynamic endocrine organ that responds to changes in nutrition and might serve as a novel biomarker for bone health. Two types of MAT have been described, which differ in anatomic location-proximal regulated MAT vs distal constitutive MAT. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of SG on volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and MAT in adolescents with obesity. We hypothesized that SG would lead to a decrease in vBMD and differential changes in MAT. DESIGN: 12-month prospective study in 52 adolescents with moderate-to-severe obesity (38 female; mean age:17.5 ±â€…2.2 years; mean BMI 45.2 ±â€…7.0 kg/m2), comprising 26 subjects before and after SG and 26 nonsurgical controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lumbar vBMD by quantitative computed tomography; MAT of the lumbar spine, femur and tibia by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy; abdominal fat and thigh muscle by magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Adolescents lost 34.1 ±â€…13.1 kg after SG vs 0.3 ±â€…8.4 kg in the control group (P < 0.001). Lumbar vBMD decreased in the SG group (P = 0.04) and this change was associated with a reduction in weight and muscle area (P < 0.05) and an increase in lumbar MAT (P = 0.0002). MAT of the femur and tibia decreased after SG vs controls (P < 0.05); however, the differences were no longer significant after controlling for change in weight. CONCLUSION: SG in adolescents decreased lumbar vBMD associated with an increase in lumbar MAT and decrease in extremity MAT. This demonstrates differential changes of regulated MAT in the lumbar spine and constitutive MAT in the distal skeleton in adolescents in response to SG.

Dietary underreporting in women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome: A pilot study.

AIM: The first-line therapy for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is weight loss focussing on diet and regular exercise; measurement of diet and energy intake (EI) is important to determine associations between nutrients and health in women with PCOS. The EI underreporting (UR) is a condition characterised by reports of habitual EI that is implausibly low, compared with estimated requirements. This case-control study aims to evaluate UR in women with PCOS. METHODS: Thirty-six women with PCOS were enrolled according to the Rotterdam criteria; 37 healthy women were enrolled as controls. INCLUSION CRITERIA: age range 18-45 and body mass index ≥18.5 kg/m2 in subjects without eating disorders and/or diabetes mellitus. Nutritional assessment included: anthropometry, basal metabolic rate (BMR), weight history and physical activity assessment. Subjects completed a non-consecutive three-day dietary diary to identify energy and macronutrient intake. UR was calculated (Goldberg Index: EI/BMR). RESULTS: Although women with PCOS reported a significantly higher mean BMR than controls (P < 0.0001), their EI was lower (P < 0.001), suggesting an UR in 47.2% of women with PCOS versus 2.7% of controls (P < 0.0001). The EI from simple sugars was lower in women with PCOS than controls (P < 0.01). The protein intake was increased in controls than women with PCOS (P < 0.0001). Weight cycling was more frequent in women with PCOS (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis identified UR associated with PCOS (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women with PCOS underreport foods rich in simple sugars rather than underreport their total dietary intake. These results may have implications for the interpretation of diet and health correlations in this patient population.

Differential associations between appendicular and axial marrow adipose tissue with bone microarchitecture in adolescents and young adults with obesity.

Marrow adipose tissue (MAT) in humans is distributed differentially across age and skeletal site. We have shown impaired microarchitecture and reduced bone strength at appendicular sites in conditions associated with high MAT of the axial skeleton in adults (including conditions of over- and undernutrition). Data are lacking regarding differences in MAT content of the appendicular versus the axial skeleton, and its relationship with bone microarchitecture and strength. Furthermore, data are conspicuously lacking in adolescents, a time when hematopoietic marrow is progressively converted to fatty marrow. The purpose of our study was to examine differential associations between appendicular (distal tibia) and axial (lumbar spine) MAT and bone microarchitecture and strength estimates of the distal tibia in adolescents with obesity. We hypothesized that compared to MAT of the axial skeleton (lumbar spine), MAT of the appendicular skeleton (distal tibia) would show stronger associations with bone microarchitecture and strength estimates of the appendicular skeleton (distal tibia). We evaluated 32 adolescents and young adults (27 females) with obesity; with a mean age of 17.8 ±â€¯2.1 years and median body mass index (BMI) of 41.34 kg/m2, who underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for total fat mass, proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) of the distal tibia and 4th lumbar vertebra for MAT, high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) of the distal tibia for volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and microarchitecture, and micro finite element analysis (FEA) for distal tibial strength estimates. Linear correlations between bone parameters and MAT were determined using the Spearman or Pearson methods, depending on data distribution. Lumbar spine MAT was inversely associated with age (r = -0.36; p = 0.037). Total and trabecular vBMD and trabecular number at the distal tibia were inversely associated with MAT at the distal tibia (r = -0.39, p = 0.025; r = -0.51, p = 0.003; r = -0.42, p = 0.015 respectively) but not with lumbar spine MAT (r = -0.19, p = 0.27; r = -0.18, p = 0.3; r = 0.005, p = 0.97 respectively). In adolescents and young adults with obesity, the associations between MAT and appendicular bone parameters differ depending on the site of MAT assessment i.e. axial vs. appendicular. Studies evaluating these endpoints in adolescents and young adults with obesity should take the site of MAT assessment into consideration.

Native anterior cruciate ligament obliquity versus anterior cruciate ligament graft obliquity: an observational study using navigated measurements.

BACKGROUND: The goal of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is to attain a graft that closely resembles the native anterior cruciate ligament anatomy. By reconstructing the original anatomy, one hopes to eliminate issues related to graft elongation, impingement, and excessive tension while achieving ideal knee kinematics. HYPOTHESIS: Clinical grafts placed using the transtibial technique will differ in the sagittal and coronal planes when compared with obliquity of the anatomic anterior cruciate ligament. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study/case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: With the assistance of computer navigation, our study compared the anterior cruciate ligament orientation of 5 cadaver knees with 12 clinical anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed knees using the transtibial technique. RESULTS: Clinical graft obliquity differed from the anatomic anterior cruciate ligament in all flexion angles: 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees. In the sagittal plane, the clinical graft obliquity differed from the anatomic anterior cruciate ligament by 13.6 degrees, 12.7 degrees, 16.7 degrees, and 17 degrees, respectively. In the coronal plane, the clinical graft obliquity differed from the anatomic anterior cruciate ligament by 4.9 degrees, 7.6 degrees, 8.9 degrees, and 12.7 degrees, respectively. Paired t tests demonstrated that the difference between the clinical and anatomic anterior cruciate ligament was significant (P <.05), except in the coronal plane at 0 degrees of flexion. In spite of this, all patients demonstrated a negative pivot shift and Lachman at the conclusion of their reconstructions and at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: The sagittal and coronal plane obliquity of well-functioning grafts placed using the transtibial technique were more vertical than anatomic fibers. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Graft obliquity, in both the coronal and sagittal plane, may be an important means to target appropriate anterior cruciate ligament graft position and can be monitored using surgical navigation systems.

In vivo analysis of the pivot shift phenomenon during computer navigated ACL reconstruction.

ACL insufficiency can be documented clinically with the pivot shift maneuver, but the specific pathologic kinematics of the pivot shift is difficult to quantify. Navigation provides an opportunity to analyze in vivo the motions that comprise the pivot shift and the kinematic changes that are inherent after ACL reconstruction. We hypothesized that tibial rotation, anterior tibial translation (ATT), acceleration of posterior translation (APT) and the newly described angle of P, quantified during navigated pivot shift examination, correlate with clinical grading of the pivot shift phenomena. Navigation data from 12 patients who underwent navigated ACL surgery were retrospectively reviewed. A characteristic P-shaped track of motion is recorded by the navigation software during the pivot-shift examination. The "angle of P" was developed as a means characterizing this track of motion and was measured in all cases. The tibial rotation, maximum anterior tibial translation and acceleration of posterior translation during the pivot shift were also measured. The charts of these patients were reviewed to obtain information on the clinical grading of the pivot-shift before and after ACL reconstruction. Spearman correlation analysis was then used to identify significant correlations between clinical grade of the pivot shift and the angle of p measured with computer navigation. After reconstruction, the clinical grade of the pivot shift was zero in all patients. The tibial rotation, maximum ATT, APT and the angle of p also decreased. On analysis of 24 EUAs, 12 before reconstruction and 12 after, there was excellent and significant correlation between the clinical grade of pivot shift examination and the angle of P (R2 = 0.97, p < 0.001). Only good correlation was noted between the clinical pivot shift and the rotation (R2 = 0.77, p < 0.0001), maximum ATT (R2 = 0.87, p < 0.0001) and APT (R2 = 0.81, p < 0.0001). There was a stepwise increase of 6-7 mm of translation and 5-6 degrees of rotation for each increasing grade of pivot shift. There were also increases in the angle of P and APT for each increasing grade of pivot. A decrease in tibial rotation, maximum ATT, APT and angle ofp is detected by computer navigation with ACL reconstruction, correlating with clinical grading. Clinical quantification of the distinct elements of the pivot shift may allow for more accurate evaluation of different ACL reconstruction constructs. There is also potential for these variables to be measured intraoperatively and guide ACL reconstruction when computer navigation is employed.