Features and behaviours for weight loss in the Chilean cohort with obesity from the ACTION study.

In Latin America, obesity rates are among the highest in the world. Currently, people with obesity (PWO) receive suboptimal care due to several challenges and barriers. The international ACTION-IO study aimed to identify perceptions, attitudes and behaviours of PWO and healthcare providers (HCP), and to assess potential barriers to effective obesity care. The aim of this subanalysis of the Chilean cohort was to compare their characteristics, perceptions, attitudes and behaviours according to the percentage of weight loss (lower weight loss [LWL; ≤10%] or higher weight loss [HWL; >10%] of basal weight). The ACTION-IO survey was completed by 1000 Chilean PWO and 200 HCPs. Mean age of PWO was 38 years (range 18-75); 62% were female. The majority had class I obesity. HWL subgroup represented 17.2% of all Chilean subset. Specific characteristics of patients with HWL were identified (higher educational level, lower proportion of class III obesity, preference for consulting obesity specialists, considering conversations with HCP as very helpful). HWL patients reported higher rates of favourable outcomes following HCP advice and a higher probability of attending scheduled follow-up visits. Certain demographic and behavioural variables (educational level, consultation to obesity specialists, adherence to HCP advice, follow-up scheduled visits and becoming aware of the obesity state) may identify PWO with a higher probability of a greater weight loss.

Changing the global obesity narrative to recognize and reduce weight stigma: A position statement from the World Obesity Federation.

Weight stigma, defined as pervasive misconceptions and stereotypes associated with higher body weight, is both a social determinant of health and a human rights issue. It is imperative to consider how weight stigma may be impeding health promotion efforts on a global scale. The World Obesity Federation (WOF) convened a global working group of practitioners, researchers, policymakers, youth advocates, and individuals with lived experience of obesity to consider the ways that global obesity narratives may contribute to weight stigma. Specifically, the working group focused on how overall obesity narratives, food and physical activity narratives, and scientific and public-facing language may contribute to weight stigma. The impact of weight stigma across the lifespan was also considered. Taking a global perspective, nine recommendations resulted from this work for global health research and health promotion efforts that can help to reduce harmful obesity narratives, both inside and outside health contexts.

Obesity and cardiovascular disease: mechanistic insights and management strategies. A joint position paper by the World Heart Federation and World Obesity Federation.

The ongoing obesity epidemic represents a global public health crisis that contributes to poor health outcomes, reduced quality of life, and >2.8 million deaths each year. Obesity is relapsing, progressive, and heterogeneous. It is considered a chronic disease by the World Obesity Federation (WOF) and a chronic condition by the World Heart Federation (WHF). People living with overweight/obesity are at greater risk for cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Increased adiposity (body fat), particularly visceral/abdominal fat, is linked to CV risk and CV disease (CVD) via multiple direct and indirect pathophysiological mechanisms. The development of CVD is driven, in part, by obesity-related metabolic, endocrinologic, immunologic, structural, humoral, haemodynamic, and functional alterations. The complex multifaceted nature of these mechanisms can be challenging to understand and address in clinical practice. People living with obesity and CVD often have concurrent chronic physical or psychological disorders (multimorbidity) requiring multidisciplinary care pathways and polypharmacy. Evidence indicates that intentional weight loss (particularly when substantial) lowers CVD risk among people with overweight/obesity. Long-term weight loss and maintenance require ongoing commitment from both the individual and those responsible for their care. This position paper, developed by the WOF and the WHF, aims to improve understanding of the direct and indirect links between overweight/obesity and CVD, the key controversies in this area and evidence relating to cardiometabolic outcomes with available weight management options. Finally, an action plan for clinicians provides recommendations to help in identifying and addressing the risks of obesity-related CVD (recognizing resource and support variances between countries).

Results of the ACTION-IO survey in Chilean patients with obesity and health care providers.

BACKGROUND: Most of the Chilean population has overweight or obesity. The ACTION-IO survey identified the perceptions, attitudes, and barriers to effective obesity care in people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs). AIM: To report the results of the survey in Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An online survey was conducted in 11 countries. In Chile, eligible PwO were adults with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2. Eligible HCPs were physicians involved in direct patient care. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 1,000 PwO and 200 HCPs in Chile. Seventy four percent of PwO and 95% of HCPs agreed that obesity was a chronic disease. Most PwO (79%) assumed responsibility for their own weight loss, while 47% of HCPs considered weight loss to be the sole responsibility of their patients. Both 82% of PwO and 97% of HCPs believed that lack of exercise was a key barrier to weight loss. Sixty six percent of PwO and 58% HCPs noted that the cost of weight management medications, programs, and services was another barrier. Compared with HCPs, more PwO felt that genetic factors prevented weight loss (26 and 44% respectively). Few HCPs (19%) thought that their patients were motivated to lose weight, while 55% of PwO reported being motivated. Most (70%) PwO had discussed their weight problem with their HCP in the past 5 years, and of those that had not, 89% want their HCP to start a discussion about weight. CONCLUSIONS: Chilean data reveal misconceptions among PwO and HCPs about obesity and highlights the need to improve education about its biologic background and clinical management.

Patient motivation to lose weight: Importance of healthcare professional support, goals and self-efficacy.

BACKGROUND: People with obesity (PwO) often struggle to achieve and maintain weight loss. This can perpetuate and/or be influenced by feelings of low motivation. This analysis from ACTION-IO data identified factors associated with PwO motivation to lose weight. METHODS: PwO completed an online survey in 11 countries. Exploratory multinomial logistic regression analyses identified independent variables associated with self-report of feeling motivated versus not motivated to lose weight. RESULTS: Data from 10,854 PwO were included (5,369 motivated; 3,312 neutral; 2,173 not motivated). Variables associated with feeling motivated versus not motivated included (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]): acknowledgement of healthcare professional (HCP) responsibility to contribute to weight loss (2.32 [1.86-2.88]), comfort in talking to their HCP about weight (1.46 [1.24-1.72), agreement that it is easy to lose weight (1.73 [1.30-2.31]), and a goal of reducing risks from excess weight (1.45 [1.22-1.73]). Conversely, if PwO considered obesity less important than other diseases they were less likely to report feeling motivated (0.49 [0.41-0.58]). PwO who reported being motivated to lose weight were more likely to exercise ≥5 times a week versus <1 time a week (2.77 [2.09-3.68]) than those who reported they were not motivated. CONCLUSIONS: Positive interactions with HCPs, self-efficacy, setting goals and knowledge of the importance of weight management, in addition to regular exercising, may increase PwO motivation for weight loss. Appropriate HCP support may help PwO who are ready to engage in weight management. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03584191.

Increased TLR/MyD88 signaling in patients with obesity: is there a link to COVID-19 disease severity?

COVID-19 is a pandemic disease caused by a coronavirus, designed as SARS CoV-2, whose clinical presentation is widely variable, with most patients having mild or no symptoms, but others developing a malign disease with multi-organ failure and even death. Accumulating data from different populations have shown that obesity is a risk factor for a severe evolution of the disease, however, the mechanisms that explain this association are not clearly understood. An ominous evolution of COVID-19 has been attributed to an exacerbated inflammatory response, designed as "cytokine storm" with augmented production of cytokines/chemokines through the activation of toll-like receptors (TLR) by pathogen-associated molecular patterns, that triggers an inflammatory downstream response, mediated in part by the adaptor molecule, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88). Previous studies have reported an increased expression of MyD88 and TLRs in people with obesity, mainly in those with metabolic complications. Therefore, we hypothesize, that an underlying increased Myd88/TLR signaling may predispose to patients with obesity to develop an exaggerated and dangerous inflammatory reaction against SARS CoV-2 infection, explaining at least in part, the higher severity of COVID-19. In addition, MyD88/TLR signaling in people with obesity could have a role in the development of several chronic diseases.

Results of the ACTION-IO survey in Chilean patients with obesity and health care providers / Resultados de la encuesta ACTION-IO en pacientes con obesidad y profesionales de la salud chilenos

ABSTRACT Background: Most of the Chilean population has overweight or obesity. The ACTION-IO survey identified the perceptions, attitudes, and barriers to effective obesity care in people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs). Aim: To report the results of the survey in Chile. Material and Methods: An online survey was conducted in 11 countries. In Chile, eligible PwO were adults with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2. Eligible HCPs were physicians involved in direct patient care. Results: The survey was completed by 1,000 PwO and 200 HCPs in Chile. Seventy four percent of PwO and 95% of HCPs agreed that obesity was a chronic disease. Most PwO (79%) assumed responsibility for their own weight loss, while 47% of HCPs considered weight loss to be the sole responsibility of their patients. Both 82% of PwO and 97% of HCPs believed that lack of exercise was a key barrier to weight loss. Sixty six percent of PwO and 58% HCPs noted that the cost of weight management medications, programs, and services was another barrier. Compared with HCPs, more PwO felt that genetic factors prevented weight loss (26 and 44% respectively). Few HCPs (19%) thought that their patients were motivated to lose weight, while 55% of PwO reported being motivated. Most (70%) PwO had discussed their weight problem with their HCP in the past 5 years, and of those that had not, 89% want their HCP to start a discussion about weight. Conclusions: Chilean data reveal misconceptions among PwO and HCPs about obesity and highlights the need to improve education about its biologic background and clinical management.

Antecedentes: La población chilena tiene una alta prevalencia de sobrepeso u obesidad. La encuesta ACTION-IO, realizada en personas con obesidad (PcO) y profesionales de la salud (PdS), identificó las percepciones, actitudes y barreras para lograr un efectivo manejo de la obesidad. Objetivos: Informar los resultados de la encuesta en Chile. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta on-line en 11 países. En Chile, las PcO elegibles fueron adultos con un índice de masa corporal ≥ 30 kg/m2 y los PdS eran médicos que realizaban atención directa de pacientes. Resultados: En Chile, la encuesta fue completada por 1000 PcO y 200 PdS. Un 74% de las PcO y 95% de los PdS consideraron que la obesidad es una enfermedad crónica. La mayoría de las PcO (79%) asumieron su total responsabilidad en la pérdida de peso, mientras que el 47% de los PdS consideraron que la pérdida de peso era responsabilidad exclusiva de los pacientes. Un 82% de las PcO y 97% de los PdS estimaron que la falta de ejercicio era una importante barrera para la pérdida de peso. Además, las PcO (66%) y los PdS (58%) refirieron que el costo de los programas, medicamentos y otros servicios constituyen barreras para el control del peso. Un 44% de las PcO y un 26% de los PdS consideraron que factores genéticos dificultaban la baja de peso. Solo el 19% de los PdS pensaban que sus pacientes estaban motivados para perder peso, mientras que el 55% de las PcO afirmaron estar motivados. La mayoría de las PcO (70%), había discutido el problema del peso con algún PdS en los últimos cinco años. De aquellas que no lo habían hecho, el 89% deseaba entablar una conversación sobre el peso con algún PdS. Conclusiones: Los datos chilenos revelan percepciones y creencias discordantes entre PcO y PdS sobre la obesidad, destacando así la necesidad de mejorar la educación sobre su base biológica y manejo clínico.

The 3Ds - Discussion, diagnosis and direction: Elements for effective obesity care by healthcare professionals.

BACKGROUND: The care of people with obesity is often suboptimal due to both physician and patient perceptions about obesity itself and clinical barriers. Using data from the ACTION-IO study, we aimed to identify factors that might improve the quality of obesity care through adoption of the 3D approach (Discussion, Diagnosis and Direction [follow-up]) by healthcare professionals (HCPs). METHODS: An online survey was completed by HCPs in 11 countries. Exploratory beta regression analyses identified independent variables associated with each component of the 3D approach. RESULTS: Data from 2,331 HCPs were included in the statistical models. HCPs were significantly more likely to initiate weight discussions and inform patients of obesity diagnoses, respectively, if (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]): they recorded an obesity diagnosis in their patient's medical notes (1.59, [1.43-1.76] and 2.16 [1.94-2.40], respectively); and they were comfortable discussing weight with their patients (1.53 [1.39-1.69] and 1.15 [1.04-1.27]). HCPs who reported feeling motivated to help their patients lose weight were also more likely to initiate discussions (1.36 [1.21-1.53]) and schedule follow-up appointments (1.21 [1.06-1.38]). By contrast, HCPs who lacked advanced formal training in obesity management were less likely to inform patients of obesity diagnoses (0.83 [0.74-0.92]) or schedule follow-up appointments (0.69 [0.62-0.78]). CONCLUSION: Specific actions that could improve obesity care through the 3D approach include: encouraging HCPs to record an obesity diagnosis; providing tools to help HCPs feel more comfortable initiating weight discussions; and provision of training in obesity management. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03584191.

Phenotypical, Clinical, and Molecular Aspects of Adults and Children With Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Iberoamerica.

OBJECTIVE: Characterize homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) individuals from Iberoamerica. Approach and Results: In a cross-sectional retrospective evaluation 134 individuals with a HoFH phenotype, 71 adults (age 39.3±15.8 years, 38.0% males), and 63 children (age 8.8±4.0 years, 50.8% males) were studied. Genetic characterization was available in 129 (96%). The majority (91%) were true homozygotes (true HoFH, n=79, 43.0% children, 46.8% males) or compound heterozygotes (compound heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, n=39, 51.3% children, 46.2% males) with putative pathogenic variants in the LDLR. True HoFH due to LDLR variants had higher total (P=0.015) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol (P=0.008) compared with compound heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Children with true HoFH (n=34) tended to be diagnosed earlier (P=0.051) and had a greater frequency of xanthomas (P=0.016) than those with compound heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (n=20). Previous major cardiovascular events were present in 25 (48%) of 52 children (missing information in 2 cases), and in 43 (67%) of 64 adults with LDLR variants. Children who are true HoFH had higher frequency of major cardiovascular events (P=0.02), coronary heart (P=0.013), and aortic/supra-aortic valve diseases (P=0.022) than compound heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. In adults, no differences were observed in major cardiovascular events according to type of LDLR variant. From 118 subjects with LDLR variants, 76 (64%) had 2 likely pathogenic or pathogenic variants. In 89 subjects with 2 LDLR variants, those with at least one null allele were younger (P=0.003) and had a greater frequency of major cardiovascular events (P=0.038) occurring at an earlier age (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was a high frequency of cardiovascular disease even in children. Phenotype and cardiovascular complications were heterogeneous and associated with the type of molecular defect.