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Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of semaglutide versus liraglutide for treating post‐metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) weight recurrence. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 207 adults with post‐MBS weight recurrence treated with semaglutide 1.0 mg weekly (n = 115) or liraglutide 3.0 mg daily (n = 92) at an academic center from January 1, 2015, through April 1, 2021, was conducted. The primary end point was percentage body weight change at 12 months of treatment with regimens containing semaglutide or liraglutide. Results: The mean sample age was 55.2 years; mean BMI was 40.4 kg/m2; 89.9% were female; and 50% completed sleeve gastrectomy, 29% completed Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass, and 21% completed adjustable gastric banding. Least‐squares mean weight change at 12 months was −12.92% versus −8.77% in the semaglutide and liraglutide groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The adjusted odds ratios were 2.34 (95% CI: 1.28‐4.29) for ≥10% weight loss and 2.55 (95% CI: 1.22‐5.36) for ≥15% weight loss over 12 months in the semaglutide group versus liraglutide group, respectively. Weight‐loss efficacy of semaglutide (vs. liraglutide) did not differ by subgroups explored, including age, sex, and MBS procedure. Conclusions: These results show that treatment regimens including semaglutide 1.0 mg weekly lead to superior weight loss compared with liraglutide 3.0 mg daily for treating post‐MBS weight recurrence, regardless of procedure type or the magnitude of weight recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between body weight changes, health behaviors, and mental health in adults with obesity during the second year of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods: Between March 1, 2021, and November 30, 2021, adults from three obesity practices completed an online survey. The primary outcomes were ≥ 5% of body weight change since March 2020 and associated health behaviors and mental health factors. Results: The sample (n = 404) was 82.6% female (mean age 52.5 years, mean BMI 43.3 kg/m2). Mean weight change was + 4.3%. Weight gain ≥ 5% was reported by 30% of the sample, whereas 19% reported ≥ 5% body weight loss. The degree of both weight gain and weight loss correlated positively with baseline BMI. Eighty percent of the sample reported difficulties with body weight regulation. Those who gained ≥ 5% versus those who lost ≥ 5% body weight were more likely to report higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression; less sleep and exercise; less healthy eating and home‐cooked meals; and more takeout foods, comfort foods, fast foods, overeating, and binge eating. Conclusions: Weight gain in adults with obesity during the COVID‐19 pandemic is associated with higher baseline BMI, deteriorations in mental health, maladaptive eating behaviors, and less physical activity and sleep. Further research is needed to identify effective interventions for healthier minds, behaviors, and body weight as the pandemic continues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B TO THE EDITOR: b We appreciate the interest of Wen and colleagues in our publication and thank the Editor for the opportunity to respond to their letter. High-quality studies comparing the prevalence and impact of mental health conditions on outcomes in those seeking obesity treatment, including MBS, are lacking, and older studies may contain significant weight bias [[1]]. Notably, 399 of 404 participants were recruited from an obesity medicine clinic and 5 from MBS practices; 73 (18.1%) completed MBS. [Extracted from the article]

Summary The negative impacts of perceived discrimination on health have been documented, but how perceptions of discrimination vary by sex among people with obesity (PWO) is not well understood. This study assessed sex differences in perceived discrimination among PWO. This cross‐sectional study analysed self‐reported data from racially/ethnically diverse PWO attending an academic obesity program. The primary outcome was perceived discrimination, assessed by the Major Experiences of Discrimination (MED) and Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS). Sex differences were evaluated by univariate and multivariable regression analysis adjusted for key descriptive variables. The final analytical sample included 60 PWO (62% female, 61% non‐Hispanic white (NHW), 12% Hispanic, 39% non‐Hispanic black (NHB), mean age 53 years, mean BMI 34 kg/m2). Women experienced everyday discrimination 59% less than men but this was not significant (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.08–2.16; p = .29). Participant highest BMI was correlated with acute discrimination (total MED score) (r = 0.39; p = .0024) and chronic discrimination (total EDS score) (r = 0.28; p = .03). Most participants reported more chronic discrimination compared to acute discrimination (85% vs. 48%). Mean MED (β −0.18; 95% CI –0.93 to +0.56; p = .62) and EDS scores (β −0.25; 95% CI –3.37 to +2.87; p = .87) were not significantly different between women and men. Perceived discrimination was common and experienced equally between men and women with obesity. Incorporating discrimination experiences into obesity care models may be an important step to improving quality of care and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]