From Restriction to Intuition: Evaluating Intuitive Eating in a Sample of the General Population.

Intuitive eating (IE) is a non-dieting approach that promotes listening to internal cues of hunger and satiety, rather than adhering to external dietary restrictions aimed at weight loss. However, the role of IE in dieting behaviors related to weight-loss approaches is still unclear. To address this issue, the aim of this study was to compare IE levels between dieting and non-dieting individuals, exploring the relationship between IE and dieting-related psychological and physical factors. A sample of 2059 females was recruited via social media and self-reported questionnaires were administered to measure IE, eating psychopathology, self-efficacy, and quality of life. Individuals with a history of dieting exhibited lower IE levels, a higher BMI, and a greater eating psychopathology, as well as a reduced self-efficacy and quality of life, compared to non-dieters. IE showed a protective effect against dieting behaviors, with higher IE levels being associated with a lower likelihood of dieting. Additionally, higher BMI and eating psychopathology were predictors of dieting. Promoting IE could represent a relevant clinical target strategy to address disordered eating and enhance overall well-being, underscoring the need for interventions that foster a healthier relationship with food and bodily internal sensations.

Circulating MicroRNA-19 and cardiovascular risk reduction in response to weight-loss diets.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNA-19 (miR-19) plays a critical role in cardiac development and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined whether change in circulating miR-19 was associated with change in CVD risk during weight loss. METHODS: This study included 509 participants with overweight or obesity from the 24-month weight-loss diet intervention study (the POUNDS Lost trial) and with available data on circulating miR-19a-3p and miR-19b-3p at baseline and 6 months. The primary outcome for this analysis was the change in atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk at 6 and 24 months, which estimates the 10-year probability of hard ASCVD events. Secondary outcomes were the changes in ASCVD risk score components. RESULTS: Circulating miR-19a-3p and miR-19b-3p levels significantly decreased during the initial 6-month dietary intervention period (P = 0.008, 0.0004, respectively). We found that a greater decrease in miR-19a-3p or miR-19b-3p was related to a greater reduction in ASCVD risk (ß[SE] = 0.33 [0.13], P = 0.01 for miR-19a-3p; ß[SE] = 0.3 [0.12], P = 0.017 for miR-19b-3p) over 6 months, independent of concurrent weight loss. Moreover, we found significant interactions between change in miR-19 and sleep disturbance on change in ASCVD risk over 24 months of intervention (P interaction = 0.01 and 0.008 for miR-19a-3p and miR-19b-3p, respectively). Participants with a greater decrease in miR-19 without sleep disturbance had a greater reduction of ASCVD risk than those with slight/moderate/great amounts of sleep disturbance. In addition, change in physical activity significantly modified the associations between change in miR-19 and change in ASCVD risk over 24 months (P interaction = 0.006 and 0.004 for miR-19a-3p and miR-19b-3p, respectively). A greater decrease in miR-19 was significantly associated with a greater reduction in ASCVD risk among participants with an increase in physical activity, while non-significant inverse associations were observed among those without an increase in physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, decreased circulating miR-19 levels during dietary weight-loss interventions were related to a significant reduction in ASCVD risk, and these associations were more evident in people with no sleep disturbance or increase in physical activity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00072995.

Real world evidence on the characteristics of regular and intermittent users of a very-low calorie diet program and associations with measures of program success, health, and quality of life.

Background: Very low-calorie diet (VLCD) programs are readily available in Australia. However, there is a lack of real-world evidence describing the characteristics related to positive outcomes. Aims: To examine the demographic, eating, self-efficacy and program engagement characteristics of VLCD users in Australia, and the associations between user characteristics and program success, weight loss, quality of life (QOL) and health. Method: Cross-sectional data from Australian adults: regular users (n = 189: VLCD user ≥4 days/week for >4 weeks) and intermittent users (n = 111, VLCD user <4 weeks and/or <4 days/week). Self-reported data on demographics, VLCD program use, support, eating behavior, weight-related QOL, mental health, physical health, self-efficacy, and physical activity. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed in R. Results: Compared to regular users, intermittent users reported lower percentage weight loss (15.1% ± SD 9.8 vs. 9.9% ± SD 6.8, relative to starting weight), fewer reported their VLCD program as very successful (44% vs. 35%), higher depressive symptom scores (8.7 ± SD 2.8 vs. 6.7 ± SD 5.1), and lower general self-efficacy (23.9 ± SD 4.7 vs. 29.4 ± SD 5.7), nutrition self-efficacy (11.9 ± SD 2.0 vs. 14.5 ± SD 3.1) and weight-related QOL scores (60.9 ± SD 22.2 vs. 65.0 ± SD 11.8; p < 0.001 for all). In regular users, older age and longer program duration were associated with greater total weight loss, support, and program success (p < 0.001 for all). In intermittent users, program success was greater when dietitian support was used (odds ratio [OR] 6.50) and for those with higher BMIs (OR 1.08, p < 0.001 for all). In both groups, more frequent support was associated with better weight-related QOL (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study provides real-world evidence that regular VLCD users had greater success and weight loss than intermittent program users. These findings may be used to tailor and improve the delivery of VLCD programs in Australia and other countries with retail access to VLCDs.

Effects of oleoylethanolamide supplementation on the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes and serum NRG4 levels in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effects of oleoylethanolamide (OEA) supplementation on the expression levels of SIRT1, AMPK, PGC-1α, PPAR-γ, CEBP-α and CEBP-ß genes and serum neuregulin 4 (NRG4) levels in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). METHODS: Sixty obese patients with NAFLD were equally allocated into either OEA or placebo group for 12 weeks. The mRNA expression levels of genes were determined using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Serum NRG4 level was also assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. RESULTS: At the endpoint, mRNA expression levels of SIRT1(p = 0.001), PGC-1α (p = 0.011) and AMPK (p = 0.019) were significantly higher in the OEA group compared to placebo group. However, no significant differences were observed in the expression levels of PPAR-γ, CEBP-α and CEBP-ß between the two groups. Serum NRG4 levels significantly increased in the OEA group compared with the placebo group after controlling for confounders (p = 0.027). In the OEA group, significant relationships were found between percent of changes in the expression levels of the SIRT1, AMPK and PGC-1α as well as serum NRG4 level with percent of changes in some anthropometric measures. Moreover, in the intervention group, percent of changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was positively correlated with percent of changes in the expression levels of the SIRT1 and AMPK. While, percent of changes in triglyceride was inversely correlated with percent of changes in the expression levels of SIRT1. CONCLUSION: OEA could beneficially affect expression levels of some lipid metabolism-related genes and serum NRG4 level. "REGISTERED UNDER IRANIAN REGISTRY OF CLINICAL TRIALS IDENTIFIER NO: IRCT20090609002017N32".

Phenotype tailored lifestyle intervention on weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with obesity: a single-centre, non-randomised, proof-of-concept study.

Background: Lifestyle interventions for weight loss are currently not individualised to underlying pathophysiology and behavioral traits in obesity. We aim to compare the outcome of a standard lifestyle intervention (SLI) to phenotype-tailored lifestyle interventions (PLI) on weight loss, cardiometabolic risk factors and physiologic variables contributing to obesity. Methods: This 12-week, single-centre non-randomised proof-of-concept clinical trial including men and women aged 18-65 years with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 without history of any bariatric procedure, and current use of any medication known to affect weight. Participants lived anywhere in the United States, and underwent in-person testing in Rochester, MN at a teaching hospital. All participants completed in-person phenotype testing at baseline and after 12 weeks. Participants were assigned to their intervention based on their period of enrollment. In the first phase, participants were assigned to SLI with a low-calorie diet (LCD), moderate physical activity, and weekly behavioral therapy sessions. In the second phase, other participants were assigned to PLI according to phenotype: abnormal satiation (time-restricted volumetric LCD); abnormal postprandial satiety (LCD with pre-meal protein supplementation); emotional eating (LCD with intensive behavioral therapy); and abnormal resting energy expenditure (LCD with post-workout protein supplementation and high-intensity interval training). The primary outcome was total body weight loss in kg at 12 weeks using multiple imputation for missing data. Linear models estimated the association of study group allocation and study endpoints adjusting for age, sex, and baseline weight. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04073394. Findings: Between July 2020 and August 2021, 211 participants were screened, and 165 were assigned to one of the two treatments in the two phases: 81 SLI (mean [SD] age 42.9 [12] years; 79% women; BMI 38.0 [6.0]) and 84 PLI (age 44.8 [12.2] years; 83% women; BMI 38.7 [6.9]); 146 completed the 12-week programs. The weight loss was -7.4 kg (95%CI, -8.8, -6.0) with PLI vs. -4.3 kg (95%CI, -5.8, -2.7) with SLI (difference, -3.1 kg [95%CI, -5.1 to -1.1]; P = 0.004). No adverse events were reported in any group. Interpretation: Phenotype-tailored lifestyle interventions may result in significant weight loss, but a randomised controlled trial is required to confirm causality. Funding: Mayo Clinic; NIH (K23-DK114460).

DNA Methylation Near CPT1A and Changes in Triglyceride-rich Lipoproteins in Response to Weight-loss Diet Interventions.

CONTEXT: Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1A, encoded by the CPT1A gene, plays a key role in the oxidation of long-chain fatty acids in the mitochondria and may be important in triglyceride metabolism. Previous work has shown that high fat intake was negatively associated with CPT1A methylation and positively associated with CPT1A expression. OBJECTIVE: We aim to investigate the association of DNA methylation (DNAm) at the CPT1A gene with reductions in triglycerides and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) in response to weight-loss diet interventions. METHODS: The current study included 538 White participants, who were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 diets varying in macronutrient components. We defined the regional DNAm at CPT1A as the average methylation level over CpGs within 500 bp of the 3 triglyceride-related DNAm sites. RESULTS: Dietary fat intake significantly modified the association between baseline DNAm at CPT1A and 2-year changes in total plasma triglycerides, independent of concurrent weight loss. Among participants assigned to a low-fat diet, a higher regional DNAm level at CPT1A was associated with a greater reduction in total plasma triglycerides at 2 years (P = .01), compared with those assigned to a high-fat diet (P = .64) (P interaction = .018). Further investigation on lipids and apolipoproteins in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) revealed similar interaction patterns for 2-year changes in VLDL-triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol, and VLDL-apolipoprotein B (P interaction = .009, .002, and .016, respectively), but not for VLDL-apoC-III (P interaction = .36). CONCLUSION: Participants with a higher regional DNAm level at CPT1A benefit more in long-term improvement in triglycerides, particularly in the TRLs and related apolipoproteins when consuming a low-fat weight-loss diet.

Impact of Preoperative Protein Sparing Modified Fast Diet on Bariatric Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery can become technically challenging in the setting of liver steatosis and hepatomegaly. The protein sparing modified fast (PSMF) diet helps in achieving rapid weight loss. The aim of this study is to explore the results of a preoperative PSMF diet on liver volume and steatosis as well as on intraoperative and postoperative complications in patients with hepatomegaly undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). METHODS: Between January 2010 and January 2021, 713 patients undergoing RYGB as a primary bariatric surgery were divided in two groups. Those with a measured liver length above 16 cm and or evidence of liver steatosis on ultrasound (group 1) were offered a preoperative PSMF diet while the remaining (group 2) proceeded directly to surgery. Between January 2010 and April 2012, patients included in group 1 had liver volume measurements on magnetic resonance imaging the day before the diet was started and the day before the surgery. For the length of the study, intraoperative and postoperative data were recorded for both groups. RESULTS: Five days of preoperative PSMF diet resulted in a significant reduction of total and left liver volume (15.8% and 21% respectively, p < 0.001). There was no difference in intraoperative bleeding and conversion rate or postoperative complication rate between both groups. CONCLUSION: The PSMF diet helps in achieving a rapid decrease in liver volume. Patients with hepatomegaly initially thought to be at a higher risk of intraoperative complications reached comparable rates to patients without hepatomegaly after the diet regimen without any impact on the postoperative course.

Effect of the Implementation of a Structured Diet Management Plan on the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasing worldwide, in line with the increase in obesity prevalence. Taken into consideration the low compliance rates to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, and since obesity is a risk factor for OSA, these patients should receive additional counseling for weight loss through a diet plan. The aim of this review is to examine the role of a structured diet management plan on OSA severity, nocturnal oxygen indices, and subjective sleep parameters. RECENT FINDINGS: Τhis systematic review of the literature resulted in four studies and demonstrated that severity of OSA, assessed by the apnea-hypopnea index, is reduced by a dietary management plan when delivered through an educational program. Moreover, nocturnal oxygenation is improved, as well as subjective sleep parameters, when initiating a diet on top of CPAP use. In summary, the present systematic review reports on the beneficial effects of a structured diet management plan in patients with OSA. Although CPAP remains the gold standard of OSA treatment, a specific dietary plan should be sought when managing patients with OSA. Nevertheless, still the evidence is low, and further research on this field is needed to reduce the burden of OSA.

Effects of lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet vs. standard-weight-loss diet on obese and overweight adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomised clinical trial.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet (LOV-D) vs. a standard weight-loss diet (SWL-D) on obese/overweight adults with NAFLD. Present randomised clinical trial recruited 75 overweight/obese adults with NAFLD, who were randomly assigned into LOV-D and SWL-D groups for 3 months. The LOV-D was designed based on eliminating meat, poultry, and fish; while including dairy products and eggs. The SWL-D was planned according to the standard food pyramid, which was free in all sources of food. Adherence to LOV-D significantly outperformed SWL-D in reducing levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), body weight, waist circumference, BMI, fasting blood sugar, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triacylglycerol (TG), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Furthermore, ultrasonography revealed a higher alleviation in NAFLD grade among LOV-D, compared with SWL-D. This study suggests that adherence to LOV-D for 3 months has beneficial effects on NAFLD improvement, anthropometric measures, glycaemic-related markers, and lipid profiles.

Changes in circulating bile acid subtypes in response to weight-loss diets are associated with improvements in glycemic status and insulin resistance: The POUNDS Lost trial.

OBJECTIVE: Various primary and secondary bile acids (BAs) may play pivotal roles in glucose/insulin metabolism. We investigated whether changes in specific BA subtypes were associated with long-term changes in glucose and insulin sensitivity. METHODS: This study included 515 adults with overweight or obesity who participated in a 2-year intervention study of weight-loss diets with different macronutrient intakes. Circulating primary and secondary unconjugated BAs and their taurine-/glycine-conjugates were measured at baseline and 6 months after the interventions. We analyzed associations of changes in BA subtypes with two-year changes in fasting glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Greater decreases in primary and secondary BA subtypes induced by the interventions were significantly associated with greater reductions of fasting insulin and HOMA-IR at 6 months, showing various effects across the BA subtypes. The reductions of specific BA subtypes (chenodeoxycholate [CDCA], taurocholate [TCA], taurochenodeoxycholate [TCDCA], and taurodeoxycholate [TDCA]) were significantly related to improved glucose levels at 6 months. The initial (6-month) decreases in primary and secondary BA subtypes (glycochenodeoxycholate [GCDCA], TCDCA, and glycoursodeoxycholate [GUDCA]) were also significantly associated with long-term improvements in glucose and insulin metabolism over 2 years. We found significant interactions between dietary fat intake and changes in the BA subtypes for changes in glucose metabolism (Pinteraction < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Weight-loss diet-induced changes in distinct subtypes of circulating BAs were associated with improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in adults with overweight or obesity. Dietary fat intake may modify the associations of changes in BA metabolism with glucose metabolism.

Vitamin D Supplementation and Genetic Polymorphisms Impact on Weight Loss Diet Outcomes in Caucasians: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.

Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is common in obese people, with some studies suggesting that low vitamin D level might be an independent predictor of obesity. Thus, the purpose of the present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to investigate the effect of oral spray vitamin D3 3000 IU supplementation along with personalized weight-loss diet on obesity markers in overweight and obese Caucasians with vitamin d deficiency or insufficiency. The impact of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and adrenergic receptors (ADRs) genetic variants on vitamin D levels and weight loss diet outcomes was also investigated. After signing informed consent, a total of 125 eligible volunteers were randomly assigned into vitamin D (vitamin D3 3000 IU/d oral spray supplementation, n = 76) or placebo (xylitol, water, mint, n = 49) group following a weight loss program (600 calories less than the total energy expenditure of each volunteer) for 3 months. Fat mass, BMI, REE and 25(OH)D serum level were monitored on baseline and each month. DNA samples were extracted from buccal swabs and genotyped for the rs2228570 (VDR), rs1544410 (VDR), rs731236 (VDR), rs1800544 (ADRA2A), rs1801252 (ADRB1), rs1042713 (ADRB2), and rs4994 (ADRB3) polymorphisms. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS package (v.23). Between group comparisons revealed significant improvement in serum 25(OH)D level and greater reduction in weight, BMI and fat percentage in the vitamin D group compared to placebo group (p < 0.05). In the vitamin D group, carriers of the rs2228570 T allele tended to have greater vitamin D level improvement compared with the homozygous C allele (p = 0.067). Furthermore, heterozygous (CT) for the rs731236 tended to have lesser weight loss (p = 0.068) and for the rs1042713, a lower decline in fat percentage was observed for homozygous AA carriers compared to the heterozygous (p = 0.051). In the control group, differences in weight loss (p = 0.055) and BMI (p = 0.045) were observed between rs1544410 AA and GG homozygous. In conclusion, vitamin D oral spray supplementation seems to improve vitamin D status and decrease obesity markers during a weight-loss intervention in overweight/obese Caucasians with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Also, the results of the present study indicate that VDR and ADRs genetic polymorphisms seem to influence vitamin D supplementation response and obesity markers.

How do overweight people dropout of a weight loss diet? A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The growing trend of overweight and obesity in many developed and developing countries in recent years has made obesity one of the most significant health problems in the world. The treatment of overweight and obese people is challenging, as patients have difficulty adhering to a weight-loss diet. Thus, the present study aimed to identify the reasons for the dropout of weight-loss diets. METHODS: This qualitative study using content analysis was conducted in a comprehensive health center in Shiraz, southern Iran, between April and October 2020. The study was performed on 27 participants with a history of obesity and diet dropout selected via purposive and theoretical sampling. The data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: The participants included 25 females (92.6%) and two males (7.4%) with a mean age of 33.4 ± 8.4 years. Data analysis resulted in the emergence of three themes and 14 sub-themes. The first theme was personal reasons for diet dropout, which included six sub-themes; i.e., misunderstanding of diet, not having enough motivation, stress and hormonal disorder, having the feel of "being harmful to health", lack of mental and psychological preparation, and personal taste. The second theme was familial and social reasons for diet dropout, including two sub-themes, i.e., social and familial problems. Finally, the third theme was the reasons related to diet characteristics, including six sub-themes: ineffectiveness of diet, expensiveness of diet food and dietary supplements, family problems, unavailability of food, unscientific and unconventional diets feeling bad about the diet, and unpalatable diet food. All the concepts were related to each other and resulted in a pattern revealing the experiences of overweight people and who had dropped out of weight-loss diets. CONCLUSION: The reasons for diet dropout were divided into three levels: personal reasons, familial and social reasons, and diet characteristics. Overall, clinicians should pay attention to the complexity of diets to increase the success rate of weight management. Based on the current study findings, a guideline is recommended to guide patients who dropout of weight-loss diets.

Effect of weight-loss diets prior to elective surgery on postoperative outcomes in obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review investigated the effects of weight-loss diets before elective surgery on preoperative weight loss and postoperative outcomes in people with obesity. Electronic databases were searched from inception to May 2021. Inclusion criteria were prospective cohort or randomised controlled studies that compared effects of weight-loss diets to standard care on postoperative outcomes in adults with obesity awaiting surgery. Participants with cancer or undergoing bariatric surgery were excluded. Data on preoperative weight change, length of stay, postoperative complications and patient-reported outcome measures were extracted and synthesised in meta-analyses. One randomised controlled trial involving total knee arthroplasty and two that investigated general surgery were eligible that included 173 participants overall. Each study compared low-calorie diets using meal replacement formulas to usual care. There is very-low-quality evidence of a statistically significant difference favouring the intervention for preoperative weight loss (mean difference [MD] -6.67 kg, 95% confidence interval [CI] -12.09 to -1.26 kg; p = 0.02) and low-quality evidence that preoperative weight-loss diets do not reduce postoperative complications to 30 days (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% CI 0.08-1.42; p = 0.14) or length of stay (MD -3.72 h, 95% CI -10.76 to 3.32; p = 0.30). From the limited data that is of low quality, weight loss diets before elective surgery do not reduce postoperative complications.

Temporal changes in soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 associated with metabolic health, body composition, and proteome dynamics during a weight loss diet intervention: a randomized trial with implications for the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) serves protective functions in metabolic, cardiovascular, renal, and pulmonary diseases and is linked to COVID-19 pathology. The correlates of temporal changes in soluble ACE2 (sACE2) remain understudied. OBJECTIVES: We explored the associations of sACE2 with metabolic health and proteome dynamics during a weight loss diet intervention. METHODS: We analyzed 457 healthy individuals (mean ± SD age: 39.8 ± 6.6 y) with BMI 28-40 kg/m2 in the DIETFITS (Diet Intervention Examining the Factors Interacting with Treatment Success) study. Biochemical markers of metabolic health and 236 proteins were measured by Olink CVDII, CVDIII, and Inflammation I arrays at baseline and at 6 mo during the dietary intervention. We determined clinical and routine biochemical correlates of the diet-induced change in sACE2 (ΔsACE2) using stepwise linear regression. We combined feature selection models and multivariable-adjusted linear regression to identify protein dynamics associated with ΔsACE2. RESULTS: sACE2 decreased on average at 6 mo during the diet intervention. Stronger decline in sACE2 during the diet intervention was independently associated with female sex, lower HOMA-IR and LDL cholesterol at baseline, and a stronger decline in HOMA-IR, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and fat mass. Participants with decreasing HOMA-IR (OR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.28, 3.03) and triglycerides (OR: 2.71; 95% CI: 1.72, 4.26) had significantly higher odds for a decrease in sACE2 during the diet intervention than those without (P ≤ 0.0073). Feature selection models linked ΔsACE2 to changes in α-1-microglobulin/bikunin precursor, E-selectin, hydroxyacid oxidase 1, kidney injury molecule 1, tyrosine-protein kinase Mer, placental growth factor, thrombomodulin, and TNF receptor superfamily member 10B. ΔsACE2 remained associated with these protein changes in multivariable-adjusted linear regression. CONCLUSIONS: Decrease in sACE2 during a weight loss diet intervention was associated with improvements in metabolic health, fat mass, and markers of angiotensin peptide metabolism, hepatic and vascular injury, renal function, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Our findings may improve the risk stratification, prevention, and management of cardiometabolic complications.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01826591.

Effects of consuming later evening meal v. earlier evening meal on weight loss during a weight loss diet: a randomised clinical trial.

Previous evidence confirms a relationship between the timing of food intake and weight loss. We aimed to evaluate the effect of late v. early evening meal (EEM) consumption on weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors in women during a weight loss programme. Eighty-two healthy women (BMI 27-35 kg/m2; age 18-45 years) were randomly assigned to two groups: EEM group (eating at 19.00-19.30 hours) or late evening meal (LEM) group (eating at 22.30-23.00 hours), for 12 weeks. Compared with the LEM group, the EEM group had a greater mean reduction in weight (EEM: -6·74 (sd 1·92) kg; LEM: -4·81 (sd 2·22) kg; P < 0·001), BMI (EEM: -2·60 (sd 0·71) kg/m2; LEM: -1·87 (sd 0·85) kg/m2; P < 0·001), waist circumference (EEM: -8 (sd 3·25) cm; LEM: -6 (sd 3·05) cm, P = 0·007), total cholesterol (EEM: -0·51 (sd 0·19) mmol/l, LEM: -0·43 (sd 0·19) mmol/l, P = 0·038), TAG (EEM: -0·28 (sd 0·10) mmol/l, LEM: -0·19 (sd 0·10) mmol/l, P < 0·001) and homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (EEM: -0·83 (sd 0·37); LEM: -0·55 (sd 0·28), P < 0·001) after 12 weeks. In conclusion, eating an earlier evening meal resulted in favourable changes in weight loss and plasma cardiometabolic risk markers during a weight loss programme.

The Quality of Breakfast and Healthy Diet in School-aged Adolescents and Their Association with BMI, Weight Loss Diets and the Practice of Physical Activity.

Dietary habits are an important factor in the protection of adolescent health. The quality and frequency of breakfast and the various food groups can affect the wellbeing of this population group in both the short and long term. Research indicates that there is a range of relevant variables in the study of diet at this stage: following a weight loss diet, body mass index and the practice of physical exercise, amongst others. In this paper, all three variables are analysed, together with others of a demographic nature (sex and age). This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey that was carried out on 1318 adolescents aged 11 to 18. The Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) international study questionnaire, sponsored by the World Health Organisation, was used. In general terms, the data revealed that the majority of adolescents do not have adequate eating patterns. The quality and frequency of breakfast and the consumption of food types are associated with almost all the variables under study; additionally, there are significant differences by sex and school year. Finally, proposals are made to prevent eating disorders, which are appearing at an increasingly young age.

Effect of weight-loss diet combined with taurine supplementation on body composition and some biochemical markers in obese women: a randomized clinical trial.

Taurine (Tau), an endogenous non-protein and sulfuric-amino acid, is involved in various biological pathways including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, insulin resistance inhibition, and lipid profile improvement. According to some experimental and clinical studies, insulin resistance and excess body weight are associated with reduced serum level of Tau. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate Tau supplementation and a diet-induced weight-loss intervention on body composition and some biochemical indices of obese women. Participants were divided randomly into the intervention (standard weight-loss group + cap Tau 3 g/day for 8 weeks, n = 20) and control (standard weight-loss group + cap placebo for 8 weeks, n = 18) groups. To achieve weight loss, all participants received an individualized diet that included a 30% reduction in their total energy intake. Chi-square test was applied to compare categorical variables between two groups at baseline. Paired t test and independent-sample t test were also used to analyze the parametric continuous data within and between the two groups, respectively. Analysis of covariance was run for controlling the confounding variables. At the post-intervention, the mean changes of total cholesterol (p = 0.03), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.03), leptin (p = 0. 006), total adiponectin (p = 0.04), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.03) decreased significantly in Tau group compared with the control group. No significant results were found in the mean changes of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, anthropometric measurements, glycemic indices, and liver enzymes between the two groups (p > 0.05). The findings showed that Tau supplementation along with a weight-loss diet may be more effective in improving the lipid profile and metabolic risk factors compared with a weight-loss diet alone.

Changes of Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Ectopic Fat in Response to Weight-loss Diets: the POUNDS Lost Trial.

CONTEXT: Recent evidence has related circulating branch-chained amino acids (BCAAs) to ectopic fat distribution. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations of changes in plasma BCAAs induced by weight-loss diet interventions with hepatic fat and abdominal fat, and potential modification by different diets. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The current study included 184 participants from the 2-year Preventing Overweight and Using Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS Lost) trial with repeated measurements on plasma BCAAs, hepatic fat, and abdominal fat over 2 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Repeated measurements of hepatic fat, abdominal fat distribution, including visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and total adipose tissue (TAT). RESULTS: Over 2 years, a decrease in total plasma BCAAs was significantly associated with improvement in hepatic density (a marker for hepatic fat; P = 0.02) and reductions in abdominal fat, including VAT, SAT, and TAT (all P < 0.05) in the main analyses. Additionally, we observed that decreases in BCAAs were associated with decreased insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and triglycerides, independent of weight loss (all P < 0.05). Moreover, we found that dietary protein intake significantly modified the relation between changes in total plasma BCAAs and hepatic density at 6 months (Pinteraction = 0.01). Participants with a larger decrease in total BCAAs showed a greater increase in hepatic density when consuming a high-protein diet, compared with those with a smaller decrease or increase in total BCAAs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that weight-loss diet-induced decrease in plasma BCAAs is associated with reductions of hepatic and abdominal fat. In addition, dietary protein intake may modify these associations.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation in combination with weight loss diet on lipid profile and sirtuin 1 in obese subjects with vitamin D deficiency: a double blind randomized clinical trial.

Background: Due to inconsistent evidence regarding the potential role of vitamin D on lipid profile and sirtuin 1 (SIRT-1), this study was designed to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation in combination with weight loss diet on lipid profile and SIRT-1 in obese subjects with vitamin D deficiency. Methods: Forty-four obese subjects with vitamin D deficiency were randomly assigned in a randomized clinical trial to receive either a weight reduction diet supplemented with 50000IU vitamin D3 pearl (n = 22) or placebo (n = 22) once weekly for 12 weeks. Changes in total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and SIRT-1 were the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes were changes in body mass index (BMI), 25(OH) D and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Physical activity and dietary intakes were also assessed. Results: During the intervention, PTH (mean difference, -33.36; 95% CI: -49.15 to -17.57;P<0.001) and LDL-C (mean difference, -15.91; 95% CI: -21.76 to -10.07; P<0.001) decreased and 25(OH) D (mean difference, 36.44; 95% CI: 29.05 to 43.83; P<0.001) increased significantly in the vitamin D group. BMI (mean differences: -2.40; 95% CI: [-2.92 to-1.88] in vitamin D group and mean differences: -1.90; 95% CI [-6.58 to -3.01] in placebo group, P<0.05 for both groups), TC (mean difference,-21.31; 95% CI: -27.24 to -15.38; P<0.001 in vitamin D group and mean difference, -12.54; 95% CI: -19.02 to -6.06; P<0.001 in placebo group) and TG (mean difference,-21.31; 95% CI: -27.24 to -15.38; P<0.001in vitamin D group and mean difference, -12.54; 95% CI: -19.02 to -6.06; P<0.001 in placebo group) decreased and SIRT-1(mean difference, 3.95; 95% CI: 1.18 to 6.73; P=0.007in vitamin D group and mean difference,1.91; 95% CI: 0.31 to 3.63 in placebo group, P=0.022) increase significantly in both group. At end of the study, 25(OH) D and PTH showed significant differences in between-group analyses(P<0.05). No significant difference was detected for HDL-C in within and between groups. Conclusion: This study gives no support for any beneficial effect of vitamin D supplementation on lipid profile and SIRT-1 in obese subjects with vitamin D deficiency.

Mindful eating and common diet programs lower body weight similarly: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Common strategies for reducing body weight rely on limiting energy intake and restricting food choices. However, these strategies have often been proven ineffective in achieving long-term and sustainable weight reduction. More recently, mindful eating as an alternative weight management strategy has gained increasing attention, yet systematic reviews on intuitive or mindful eating published so far present contradictory results. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials on weight loss programs based on mindful or intuitive eating. We analyzed results using meta-regressions. We included a total of 10 studies and found a significant weight loss effect of mindful/intuitive eating strategies compared with nonintervention controls (-0.348 kg, 95% CI: -0.591 to -0.105, P = 0.005). However, there was no difference compared with conventional diet programs (P = 0.99). Reduction of BMI (-0.137 kg/m2 , 95% CI: -0.365 to 0.091, P = 0.240) or waist circumference (-0.358 cm, 95% CI: -0.916 to 0.200, P = 0.209) were not statistically significant. Mindful/intuitive eating could be a practical approach to weight control. Limitations of this study include the unbalanced sex, origin, place of residence of the participants, and the short duration of interventions. Future research should aim at investigating long-term effects and include a more heterogeneous study population.