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Caroline M ApovianMedicine and Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine; Nutrition and Weight Management Center; and Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USAAbstract: Obesity increases the risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and this in turn correlates with an elevated probability of long-term diabetes complications once diabetes is established. Interventions aimed at lowering weight via changes in diet and lifestyle have repeatedly been shown to improve glycemic control in patients with T2DM and even to reverse early disease. Weight gain, a potential side effect of treatment for patients with T2DM, is also an important concern, and it has been noted that weight increases associated with antidiabetes therapy may blunt cardiovascular risk reductions achieved by decreasing blood glucose. Among older agents, metformin and acarbose have the lowest risk for weight gain, while sulfonylureas, meglitinides, and thiazolidinediones are all associated with weight increases. Clinical trial results have also consistently demonstrated that treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and amylin lowers weight, and that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are weight neutral in patients with T2DM. Conventional human insulin formulations are known to increase weight in patients with T2DM. However, some insulin analogs, particularly insulin detemir, have lower liability for this adverse event. The use of both pharmacologic and surgical therapies aimed at treating obesity rather than lowering blood glucose have the potential to improve glycemic control and even resolve T2DM in some patients.Keywords: bariatric, diabetes, incretin, insulin, obesity, oral antidiabetes agents

Abstract: Excessive body weight and adiposity contribute to many adverse health concerns. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recognizes that the condition of excess body weight and adiposity is complex, with numerous factors warranting consideration. The ACSM published a position stand on this topic in 2001 with an update in 2009, and a consensus paper on the role of physical activity in the prevention of weight gain in 2019. This current consensus paper serves as an additional update to those prior ACSM position and consensus papers. The ACSM supports the inclusion of physical activity in medical treatments (pharmacotherapy, metabolic and bariatric surgery) of excess weight and adiposity, as deemed to be medically appropriate, and provides perspectives on physical activity within these therapies. For weight loss and prevention of weight gain, the effects may be most prevalent when physical activity is progressed in an appropriate manner to at least 150 min·wk-1 of moderate-intensity physical activity, and these benefits occur in a dose-response manner. High-intensity interval training does not appear to be superior to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for body weight regulation, and light-intensity physical activity may also be an alternative approach provided it is of sufficient energy expenditure. Evidence does not support that any one single mode of physical activity is superior to other modes for the prevention of weight gain or weight loss, and to elicit holistic health benefits beyond the effects on body weight and adiposity, multimodal physical activity should be recommended. The interaction between energy expenditure and energy intake is complex, and the effects of exercise on the control of appetite are variable between individuals. Physical activity interventions should be inclusive and tailored for sex, self-identified gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, and developmental level. Intervention approaches can also include different forms, channels, and methods to support physical activity., (Copyright © 2024 by the American College of Sports Medicine.)

The improved efficacy and generally favorable safety profile of recently approved and emerging antiobesity medications (AOMs), which result in an average weight reduction of ≥15%, represent significant advancement in the treatment of obesity. This narrative review aims to provide practical evidence-based recommendations for nutritional assessment, management, and monitoring of patients treated with AOMs. Prior to treatment, clinicians can identify preexisting nutritional risk factors and counsel their patients on recommended intakes of protein, dietary fiber, micronutrients, and fluids. During treatment with AOMs, ongoing monitoring can facilitate early recognition and management of gastrointestinal symptoms or inadequate nutrient or fluid intake. Attention should also be paid to other factors that can impact response to treatment and quality of life, such as physical activity and social and emotional health. In the context of treatment with AOMs, clinicians can play an active role in supporting their patients with obesity to improve their health and well-being and promote optimal nutritional and medical outcomes., (© 2024 Eli Lilly and Co. Obesity published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Obesity Society.)

Background: An international panel of obesity medicine experts from multiple professional organizations examined patterns of obesity care and current obesity treatment guidelines to identify areas requiring updating in response to emerging science and clinical evidence., Aims: The panel focused on multiple medical health and societal issues influencing effective treatment of obesity and identified several unmet needs in the definition, assessment, and care of obesity., Methods: The panel was held in Leesburg, Virginia in September 2019., Results: The panelists recommended addressing these unmet needs in obesity medicine through research, education, evaluation of delivery and payment of care, and updating clinical practice guidelines (CPG) to better reflect obesity's pathophysiological basis and heterogeneity, as well as the disease's health, sociocultural, and economic complications; effects on quality of life; need for standards for quantitative comparison of treatment benefits, risks, and costs; and the need to more effectively integrate obesity treatment guidelines into routine clinical practice and to facilitate more direct clinician participation to improve public understanding of obesity as a disease with a pathophysiological basis. The panel also recommended that professional organizations working to improve the care of people with obesity collaborate via a working group to develop an updated, patient-focused, comprehensive CPG establishing standards of care, addressing identified needs, and providing for routine, periodic review and updating., Conclusions: Unmet needs in the definition, assessment and treatment of obesity were identified and a blueprint to address these needs developed via a clinical practice guideline that can be utilized worldwide to respond to the increasing prevalence of obesity., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Obesity Science & Practice published by World Obesity and The Obesity Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

This joint ASGE-ESGE guideline provides an evidence-based summary and recommendations regarding the role of endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) in the management of obesity. The document was developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. It evaluates the efficacy and safety of EBMT devices and procedures that currently have CE mark or FDA-clearance/approval, or that had been approved within five years of document development. The guideline suggests the use of EBMTs plus lifestyle modification in patients with a BMI of ≥ 30 kg/m 2 , or with a BMI of 27.0-29.9 kg/m 2 with at least 1 obesity-related comorbidity. Furthermore, it suggests the utilization of intragastric balloons and devices for endoscopic gastric remodeling (EGR) in conjunction with lifestyle modification for this patient population., Competing Interests: Disclosure The following authors disclosed financial relationships: P. Jirapinyo: Consultant for Apollo Endosurgery, Boston Scientific Corporation, Erbe, and Spatz Medical; advisory board for Apollo Endosurgery; research support from Apollo Endosurgery, Boston Scientific Corporation, GI Dynamics, Fractyl, and USGI Medical. A. Hadefi: Research support from Endo Tools Therapeutics. C. C. Thompson: Consultant for Apollo Endosurgery, Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic, Endoquest Robotics, Fractyl, FujiFilm, GI Dynamics, EnVision Endoscopy, Olympus/Spiration, Softac, USGI Medical, Xenter, Enterasense Ltd, and Lumendi; research support from Apollo Endosurgery, Boston Scientific Corporation, Endoquest Robotics, Erbe, Fractyl, FujiFilm, GI Dynamics, Olympus/Spiration, USGI Medical, and Lumendi; advisory board for Fractyl and USGI Medical; founder of Bariendo, BlueFlame Healthcare Venture Fund, ELLES, EnVision Endoscopy, GI Windows, Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Endoscopy Inc, and Enterasense Ltd, and GI Windows; board member for Bariendo, ELLES, EnVision Endoscopy, GI Windows, and Enterasense Ltd; ownership in Bariendo, ELLES, EnVision Endoscopy, GI Windows, Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Endoscopy Inc, Softac, Xenter, and Enterasense Ltd; partner in BlueFlame Healthcare Venture Fund; president of the Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Endoscopy Inc; Scientific Advisory Board for Xenter. R. Pannala: Research support from Fractyl Labs; general payments from Boston Scientific Corporation; consultant for HCL Technologies; advisory board for Nestle Healthsciences and Bluestar Genomics. S. K. Goelder: Travel compensation from Apollo Endosurgery. V. Kushnir: Consultant for BSCI, Noah Medical, Steres, and ConMed. M. Barthet: Consultant for Boston Scientific Corporation, Endotools, and Taewoong. C. M. Apovian: Advisory board for Altimmune, Inc, CinFina Pharma, Inc, Cowen and Company, LLC, Currax Pharmaceuticals, LLC, EPG Communication Holdings Ltd, Form Health, Inc, Gelesis, Srl, L-Nutra, Inc, NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Novo Nordisk, Inc, OptumRx, Inc, Pain Script Corporation, Palatin Technologies, Inc, Pursuit By You, ReShape Lifesciences Inc, Riverview School, and Xeno Biosciences; research support from the National Institutes of Health, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and GI Dynamics, Inc. I. Boskoski: Consultant for Boston Scientific Corporation (Apollo Endosurgery), Nitinotes, and EndoTools. C. G. Chapman: Consultant for Boston Scientific Corporation, Olympus, Steris, and Apollo Endosurgery; speaker for Apollo Endosurgery. V. Kumbhari: Consultant for Boston Scientific Corporation. J. Esker: Consultant for Pendulum Therapeutics. A. D. Pryor: Speaker for Gore, Medtronic, and Stryker. R. Maselli: Consultant for Apollo Endosurgery. A. R. Schulman: Consultant for Apollo Endosurgery, Boston Scientific Corporation, Olympus, and MicroTech; research support from GI Dynamics and Fractyl. N. Thosani: Consultant for Boston Scientific Corporation, Ambu, and Pentax America; royalties from UpToDate; ownership in ROSEAId. V. Huberty: Shareholder in, board member for, and research support from EndoTools Therapeutics. S. Sullivan: Consultant for Allurion Technologies, Biolinq, BariaTek, Pentax, Fractyl, and Endo Tools Therapeutics; research support from Allurion Technologies, ReShape Medical/Obalon Therapeutics, and Rebiotix; stock ownership in Biolinq. All other authors disclosed no financial relationships., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc on behalf of American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and by Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart on behalf of European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. All rights reserved. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Brief Summary: Obesity is one of the largest public health concerns in the US and has reached an epidemic scope over the last few decades. Plastic surgery in patients with obesity has been linked to higher complications both before and after weight loss. This article aims to discuss the evolution and current landscape of anti-obesity medications (AOMs) as they apply to the plastic surgeon. Although bariatric surgery has been effective in long-term treatment, new pharmacologic advances in GLP-1 agonists such as semaglutide have demonstrated promising effectiveness. These medications pose several unique challenges, particularly with regards to perioperative management and risk of weight regain after discontinuation. An understanding of these new pharmacologic agents is crucial for plastic surgeons as we treat those affected by obesity., (Copyright © 2024 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.)

Introduction: There is an urgent need for scalable strategies for treating overweight and obesity in clinical settings. PROPS 2.0 (Partnerships for Reducing Overweight and Obesity with Patient-Centered Strategies 2.0) aims to adapt and implement the combined intervention from the PROPS Study at scale, in a diverse cross-section of patients and providers., Methods and Analysis: We are implementing PROPS 2.0 across a variety of clinics at Brigham and Women's Hospital, targeting enrolment of 5000 patients. Providers can refer patients or patients can self-refer. Eligible patients must be ≥20 years old and have a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m 2 or a BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m 2 plus another cardiovascular risk factor or obesity-related condition. After enrolment, patients register for the RestoreHealth online programme/app (HealthFleet Inc.) and participate for 12 months. Patients can engage with the programme and receive personalized feedback from a coach. Patient navigators help to enrol patients, enter updates in the electronic health record, and refer patients to additional resources. The RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework is guiding the evaluation., Ethics and Dissemination: The Mass General Brigham Human Research Committee approved this protocol. An implementation guide will be created and disseminated, to help other sites adopt the intervention in the future., Trial Registration Number: NCT0555925., Competing Interests: Competing interests: HealthFleet Inc. has provided in-kind support for the RestoreHealth programme, but will not be involved in the analysis of the data. AJB reports research grants from Novo Nordisk, General Electric Health and Boehringer Ingelheim. He receives consulting fees from Walgreens Health, Color Health and Arsenal Capital Partners. He has equity in Knownwell. CMA has participated on advisory boards for Altimmune, Cowen and Company, Currax Pharmaceuticals, EPG Communication Holdings, Form Health, Gelesis, Srl., L-Nutra, NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk, Pain Script, Pursuit By You, ReShape Lifesciences, Riverview School and Xeno Biosciences. CMA has received research funding from the NIH, PCORI and GI Dynamics. JP reports research grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, and Novo Nordisk, consulting fees from Altimmune, Amgen, Esperion, Merck, Novo Nordisk and MJH Health. RR reports having equity in Hospitech Respiration, TRI-O, AEYE Health, RxE2, OtheReality, Co-Patient Support and Medyx.ai, all of which are unrelated to this project. He is also receiving research funding from Boston Scientific Corporation, Telem, Calosense Health, Breath of Health, Merative and BriefCam; these are unrelated to this project. WJG discloses consulting income from Novocardia, and Great Point Ventures, both unrelated to this topic. BMS reports institutional research grants to Brigham and Women’s Hospital from Better Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck, NovoNordisk and Pfizer. Consulting fees from Abbvie (DSMB), AstraZeneca (DSMB), Boehringer Ingelheim, Better Therapeutics, Bristol Myers-Squibb, Elsevier Practice Update Cardiology, Esperion, Hanmi (DSMB), Lexeo (DSMB), Lexicon, NovoNordisk, and equity in Health (at) Scale and Doximity. DWB reports grants and personal fees from EarlySense, personal fees from CDI Negev, equity from ValeraHealth, equity from Clew, equity from MDClone, personal fees and equity from AESOP, personal fees and equity from FeelBetter, personal fees and equity from Guided Clinical Solutions, and grants from IBM Watson Health, outside this project., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Purpose of Review: To provide examples of knowledge gaps in current pharmaceutical treatments for people with obesity and call for changes to regulatory and pharmaceutical clinical research requirements during the drug discovery and development process., Recent Findings: Treatment of obesity and its comorbidities often require the use of prescription drugs, many of which have not been fully evaluated in people with obesity. Despite a growing body of research on this topic, the impact of obesity on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs is often under-studied by drug sponsors and regulators, and subsequently underappreciated by clinicians and caretakers. There are currently multiple opportunities for pharmaceuticals to include dosing information specifically for patients with obesity in order to ensure safety and efficacy of drugs in this population. Additionally, there are serious gaps between what is known about the effects of obesity on drug disposition and the current use of drugs according to drug prescribing information and clinical practice. There is currently no requirement to test drugs in people with obesity during the drug approval process, even when preliminary data suggests there may be altered kinetics in this population. The lack of information on the safe and effective use of drugs in people with obesity may be contributing to poorer health outcomes in this population., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Competing Interests: CMA report grants paid to her institution from the US National Institutes of Health and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute related to obesity; grants paid to her institution from Novo Nordisk and GI Dynamics related to drugs and devices for the treatment of obesity (not including the drugs tested in this study); consulting fees from Curavit Clinical Research and Cowen and Company related to treatment of obesity; advisory board payments from Abbott Nutrition, Nutrisystem, Pursuit By You, Riverview School, and Tivity Health related to nutrition, Allergan, Altimmune, Currax Pharmaceuticals, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, L-Nutra, NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk, Pain Script Corporation, Rhythm Pharmaceutical, Xeno Biosciences, and Zafgen related to drugs for the treatment of obesity (not including the drugs tested in this study), Echosens North America and EnteroMedics related to devices for the treatment of obesity, and EPG Communication Holdings, Real Appeal, Form Health, and ReShape Lifesciences related to obesity; has stock options in Gelesis, a company that has developed a device that mimics bariatric surgery, and Xeno Biosciences, a company involved in phase 1 research to develop a device for delivering oxygen to the lower gut; and is Treasurer for the World Obesity Federation. MEM reports grants paid to her institution from Lilly related to designing care models for treating diabetes in the setting of cancer (ended in 2022) and Dexcom related to the use of continuous glucose monitoring in the hospital setting; scientific advisory board fees from Everlyhealth related to diagnostic services to individuals with endocrine disorders (ended in January, 2023); and is Chair of the Clinical Guidelines Committee for the Endocrine Society (unpaid).

Background: This narrative review describes foundational and emerging evidence of how dietary protein intakes may influence muscle-related attributes of older adults., Methods: PubMed was used to identify pertinent research., Results: Among medically stable older adults, protein intakes below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) (0.8 g/kg body weight [BW]/d) exacerbate age-related reductions in muscle size, quality, and function. Dietary patterns with total protein intakes at or moderately above the RDA, including one or preferably more meals containing sufficient dietary protein to maximize protein anabolism, promote muscle size and function. Some observational studies suggest protein intakes from 1.0 to 1.6 g/kg BW/d may promote greater muscle strength and function more so than muscle size. Experimental findings from randomized controlled feeding trials indicate protein intakes greater than the RDA (averaging ~1.3 g/kg BW/d) do not influence indices of lean body mass or muscle and physical functions with non-stressed conditions, but positively influence changes in lean body mass with purposeful catabolic (energy restriction) or anabolic (resistance exercise training) stressors. Among older adults with diagnosed medical conditions or acute illness, specialized protein or amino acid supplements that stimulate muscle protein synthesis and improve protein nutritional status may attenuate the loss of muscle mass and function and improve survival of malnourished patients. Observational studies favor animal versus plant protein sources for sarcopenia-related parameters., Conclusions: Quantity, quality, and patterning of dietary protein consumed by older adults with varied metabolic states, and hormonal and health status influence the nutritional needs and therapeutic use of protein to support muscle size and function., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The rates of obesity continue to rise among adults and children in the United States; hence, it is natural that obesity is reshaping health care delivery. This is seen in numerous ways, including physiologic, physical, social, and economic impacts. This article reviews a broad range of topics, from the effects of increased adiposity on drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to the changes health care environments are making to accommodate patients with obesity. The significant social impacts of weight bias are reviewed, as are the economic consequences of the obesity epidemic. Finally, a patient case that demonstrates the effects of obesity on health care delivery is examined., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) monoclonal antibody (mAb) will promote weight loss in wild-type mice and to determine effects of this mAb in preventing weight gain in ob/ob mice., Methods: Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or GIP mAb was injected intraperitoneally to wild-type mice fed a 60% high-fat diet (HFD). After 12 weeks, mice that received PBS were divided into two groups and were fed a 37% HFD for 5 weeks; one group received PBS, and one group received GIP mAb. In a separate study, PBS or GIP mAb was injected intraperitoneally to ob/ob mice fed normal mouse chow for 8 weeks., Results: PBS-treated mice gained significantly more than those treated with GIP mAb, with no difference in food consumption detected. Obese mice fed a 37% HFD and PBS continued to gain weight (+2.1% ± 0.9%), whereas mice administered GIP mAb lost 4.1% ± 1.4% body weight (p < 0.01). Leptin-deficient mice consumed similar amounts of chow, and, after 8 weeks, the PBS- and GIP mAb-treated mice gained 250.4% ± 9.1% and 192.4% ± 7.3%, respectively (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: These studies support the hypothesis that a reduction in GIP signaling appears to affect body weight without suppressing food intake and might provide a novel, useful method for the treatment and prevention of obesity., (© 2023 The Authors. Obesity published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Obesity Society.)

Objective: To examine whether depression status before metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) influenced 5-year weight loss, diabetes, and safety/utilization outcomes in the PCORnet Bariatric Study., Summary of Background Data: Research on the impact of depression on MBS outcomes is inconsistent with few large, long-term studies., Methods: Data were extracted from 23 health systems on 36,871 patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG; n=16,158) or gastric bypass (RYGB; n=20,713) from 2005-2015. Patients with and without a depression diagnosis in the year before MBS were evaluated for % total weight loss (%TWL), diabetes outcomes, and postsurgical safety/utilization (reoperations, revisions, endoscopy, hospitalizations, mortality) at 1, 3, and 5 years after MBS., Results: 27.1% of SG and 33.0% of RYGB patients had preoperative depression, and they had more medical and psychiatric comorbidities than those without depression. At 5 years of follow-up, those with depression, versus those without depression, had slightly less %TWL after RYGB, but not after SG (between group difference = 0.42%TWL, P = 0.04). However, patients with depression had slightly larger HbA1c improvements after RYGB but not after SG (between group difference = - 0.19, P = 0.04). Baseline depression did not moderate diabetes remission or relapse, reoperations, revision, or mortality across operations; however, baseline depression did moderate the risk of endoscopy and repeat hospitalization across RYGB versus SG., Conclusions: Patients with depression undergoing RYGB and SG had similar weight loss, diabetes, and safety/utilization outcomes to those without depression. The effects of depression were clinically small compared to the choice of operation., Competing Interests: The other authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Obesity is known to be a protective factor against osteoporosis. However, recent studies have shown that excessive adiposity may be detrimental for bone health., Objective: To determine the association of lean mass (LM) and fat mass (FM) with bone mineral density (BMD) in Thais., Methods: Bone density studies of consecutive patients of Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand between 2010 and 2015 were reviewed. LM, FM, lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) BMD were measured. Lean mass index (LMI) and fat mass index (FMI) were calculated [LMI=LM (kg)/height (m) 2 , FMI=FM (kg)/height (m) 2 ] and analyzed to determine the association with LS and FN BMD using multiple regression analysis. This study was approved by the institutional ethical committee (HE42116)., Results: A total of 831 participants were included. The mean ± SD age was 50.0 ± 16.3 years. In men, LMI (per 1 kg/m 2 increase) was positively correlated with FN BMD (g/cm 2 , β 0.033) and LS BMD (g/cm 2 , β 0.031), after adjusting for age, height and FMI. Whereas FMI (per 1 kg/m 2 increase) was negatively correlated with FN BMD (g/cm 2 , β -0.015) but not with LS BMD (g/cm 2 , β 0.005) after adjusting for age, height and LMI. In women, both LMI and FMI were positively correlated with LS BMD (g/cm 2 , LMI: β 0.012; FMI: β 0.016) and FN BMD (g/cm 2 , LMI: β 0.034; FMI: β 0.007) with age, height, LMI and FMI included in the model., Conclusion: Our findings indicate that FM has a sex-specific influence on BMD in Thais., Competing Interests: CA has participated on advisory boards for Abbott Nutrition, Allergan, Inc., Altimmune, Inc., Bariatrix Nutrition, Cowen and Company, LLC, Curavit Clinical Research, EnteroMedics, Gelesis, Srl., Janssen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc., L-Nutra, Inc., NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Novo Nordisk, Inc., Nutrisystem, Pain Script Corporation, Real Appeal, Riverview School, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Roman Health Ventures, Inc., SetPoint Health, Scientific Intake Ltd. Co., Tivity Health, Inc., Xeno Biosciences and Zafgen Inc.Dr. Apovian has received research funding from NIH, PCORI and Novo Nordisk. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.​, (Copyright © 2023 Charoenngam, Apovian and Pongchaiyakul.)

Levels of obesity and overweight are increasing globally, with affected individuals often experiencing health issues and reduced quality of life. The pathogenesis of obesity is complex and multifactorial, and effective solutions have been elusive. In this Viewpoint, experts in the fields of medical therapy, adipocyte biology, exercise and muscle, bariatric surgery, genetics, and public health give their perspectives on current and future progress in addressing the rising prevalence of obesity., (© 2022. Springer Nature Limited.)

Importance: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity; yet it is unclear whether the long-term safety and comparative effectiveness of these operations differ across racial and ethnic groups., Objective: To compare outcomes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) across racial and ethnic groups in the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) Bariatric Study., Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective, observational, comparative effectiveness cohort study that comprised 25 health care systems in the PCORnet Bariatric Study. Patients were adults and adolescents aged 12 to 79 years who underwent a primary (first nonrevisional) RYGB or SG operation between January 1, 2005, and September 30, 2015, at participating health systems. Patient race and ethnicity included Black, Hispanic, White, other, and unrecorded. Data were analyzed from July 1, 2021, to January 17, 2022., Exposure: RYGB or SG., Outcomes: Percentage total weight loss (%TWL); type 2 diabetes remission, relapse, and change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level; and postsurgical safety and utilization outcomes (operations, interventions, revisions/conversions, endoscopy, hospitalizations, mortality, 30-day major adverse events) at 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery., Results: A total of 36 871 patients (mean [SE] age, 45.0 [11.7] years; 29 746 female patients [81%]) were included in the weight analysis. Patients identified with the following race and ethnic categories: 6891 Black (19%), 8756 Hispanic (24%), 19 645 White (53%), 826 other (2%), and 783 unrecorded (2%). Weight loss and mean reductions in HbA1c level were larger for RYGB than SG in all years for Black, Hispanic, and White patients (difference in 5-year weight loss: Black, -7.6%; 95% CI, -8.0 to -7.1; P < .001; Hispanic, -6.2%; 95% CI, -6.6 to -5.9; P < .001; White, -5.9%; 95% CI, -6.3 to -5.7; P < .001; difference in change in year 5 HbA1c level: Black, -0.29; 95% CI, -0.51 to -0.08; P = .009; Hispanic, -0.45; 95% CI, -0.61 to -0.29; P < .001; and White, -0.25; 95% CI, -0.40 to -0.11; P = .001.) The magnitude of these differences was small among racial and ethnic groups (1%-3% of %TWL). Black and Hispanic patients had higher risk of hospitalization when they had RYGB compared with SG (hazard ratio [HR], 1.45; 95% CI, 1.17-1.79; P = .001 and 1.48; 95% CI, 1.22-1.79; P < .001, respectively). Hispanic patients had greater risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.24-4.70; P = .01) and higher odds of a 30-day major adverse event (odds ratio, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.38-2.68; P < .001) for RYGB compared with SG. There was no interaction between race and ethnicity and operation type for diabetes remission and relapse., Conclusions and Relevance: Variability of the comparative effectiveness of operations for %TWL and HbA1c level across race and ethnicity was clinically small; however, differences in safety and utilization outcomes were clinically and statistically significant for Black and Hispanic patients who had RYGB compared with SG. These findings can inform shared decision-making regarding bariatric operation choice for different racial and ethnic groups of patients.

Background: Weight loss is crucial for disease prevention among individuals with overweight or obesity. This study aimed to examine associations of weight loss strategies (WLSs) with weight change and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk among US health professionals., Methods and Findings: This study included 93,110 participants (24 to 60 years old; 11.6% male) from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS), NHSII, and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS) cohorts who were free of T2D, cardiovascular disease, and cancer at baseline (1988 for NHS/HPFS and 1989 for NHSII) for analyses of weight change and 104,180 (24 to 78 years old; 14.2% male) for T2D risk assessment. WLSs used to achieve an intentional weight loss of 4.5+ kg were collected in 1992 (NHS/HPFS)/1993 (NHSII) and grouped into 7 mutually exclusive categories, including low-calorie diet, exercise, low-calorie diet and exercise, fasting, commercial weight loss program (CWLP), diet pills, and FCP (selected at least 2 methods from fasting, CWLP, and pill). The reference group was participants who did not attempt to lose weight. Generalized estimating equations and Cox regression were applied to estimate up to 10-year weight change trajectory and incident T2D risk through 2016 (NHS/HPFS)/2017 (NHSII), respectively. The associations of WLSs with weight change and T2D risk were differential by baseline body weight (Pinteraction < 0.01). Among individuals with obesity, all WLSs tended to associate with less weight gain [ranging from -4.2% (95% confidence interval (CI), -5.1% to -3.2%; P < 0.001) for exercise to -0.3% (-1.2% to 0.7%; P > 0.99) for FCP] and a lower T2D risk [hazard ratios (HRs) ranging from 0.79 (0.66 to 0.95; P = 0.04) for exercise to 0.87 (0.66 to 1.13; P = 0.30) for pill]. Such a pattern was less clear among overweight individuals: the difference of weight change varied from -2.5% (-3.0% to -2.1%; P < 0.001) for exercise to 2.0% (1.3% to 2.7%; P < 0.001) for FCP, and HRs of T2D varied from 0.91 (0.77 to 1.07; P = 0.29) for exercise to 1.42 (1.11 to 1.81; P = 0.02) for pill. The pattern was further inverted among lean individuals in that weight change ranged from -0.4% (-0.6% to -0.1%; P = 0.02) for exercise to 3.7% (3.1% to 4.3%; P < 0.001) for FCP, and the HRs of T2D ranged from 1.09 (0.91 to 1.30; P = 0.33) for exercise to 1.54 (1.13 to 2.10; P = 0.008) for pill. Approximately 15.6% to 46.8% of the association between WLSs and the T2D risk was attributed to weight changes. This study was limited by a single assessment of WLSs, heterogeneity within each WLS, and potential misclassification of the timing of weight loss and weight regain., Conclusions: The current study showed that individuals with obesity who attempted to lose weight, regardless of the WLSs used, tended to gain less body weight and have a lower diabetes risk. In contrast, lean individuals who intentionally lost weight tended to gain more weight and have a higher diabetes risk. These data support the notion that intentional weight loss may not be beneficial for lean individuals and the use of WLSs for achieving weight loss shall be guided by medical indications only., Competing Interests: I have read the journal’s policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: CMA has participated on advisory boards for Abbott Nutrition, Allergan, Inc., Altimmune, Inc., Bariatrix Nutrition, Cowen and Company, LLC, Curavit Clinical Research, EnteroMedics, Gelesis, Srl., Janssen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc., L-Nutra, Inc., Novo Nordisk, Inc., Nutrisystem, Real Appeal, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Roman Health Ventures, Inc., SetPoint Health, Scientific Intake Ltd. Co., Tivity Health, Inc., Xeno Biosciences and Zafgen Inc. CMA has received research funding from Novo Nordisk.

Adipocyte mitochondrial respiration may influence metabolic fuel partitioning into oxidation versus storage, with implications for whole-body energy expenditure. Although insulin has been shown to influence mitochondrial respiration, the effects of dietary macronutrient composition have not been well characterized. The aim of this exploratory study was to test the hypothesis that a high-carbohydrate diet lowers the oxygen flux of adipocyte mitochondria ex vivo. Among participants in a randomized-controlled weight-loss maintenance feeding trial, those consuming a high-carbohydrate diet (60% carbohydrate as a proportion of total energy, n = 10) had lower rates of maximal adipose tissue mitochondrial respiration than those consuming a moderate-carbohydrate diet (40%, n = 8, p = 0.039) or a low-carbohydrate diet (20%, n = 9, p = 0.005) after 10 to 15 weeks. This preliminary finding may provide a mechanism for postulated calorie-independent effects of dietary composition on energy expenditure and fat deposition, potentially through the actions of insulin on fuel partitioning., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The obesity pandemic continues unabated despite a persistent public health campaign to decrease energy intake ("eat less") and increase energy expenditure ("move more"). One explanation for this failure is that the current approach, based on the notion of energy balance, has not been adequately embraced by the public. Another possibility is that this approach rests on an erroneous paradigm. A new formulation of the energy balance model (EBM), like prior versions, considers overeating (energy intake > expenditure) the primary cause of obesity, incorporating an emphasis on "complex endocrine, metabolic, and nervous system signals" that control food intake below conscious level. This model attributes rising obesity prevalence to inexpensive, convenient, energy-dense, "ultra-processed" foods high in fat and sugar. An alternative view, the carbohydrate-insulin model (CIM), proposes that hormonal responses to highly processed carbohydrates shift energy partitioning toward deposition in adipose tissue, leaving fewer calories available for the body's metabolic needs. Thus, increasing adiposity causes overeating to compensate for the sequestered calories. Here, we highlight robust contrasts in how the EBM and CIM view obesity pathophysiology and consider deficiencies in the EBM that impede paradigm testing and refinement. Rectifying these deficiencies should assume priority, as a constructive paradigm clash is needed to resolve long-standing scientific controversies and inform the design of new models to guide prevention and treatment. Nevertheless, public health action need not await resolution of this debate, as both models target processed carbohydrates as major drivers of obesity., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Purpose of Review: The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged public health to a significant extent by markedly increasing morbidity and mortality. Evidence suggests that obesity and hypovitaminosis D constitute important risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection, severity of disease, and poor outcomes. Due to their high prevalence globally, obesity and hypovitaminosis D are considered pandemics. This review presents current epidemiologic and genetic data linking obesity, hypovitaminosis D, and COVID-19, highlighting the importance of the convergence of three pandemics and their impact on public health. We also briefly summarize potential mechanisms that could explain these links., Recent Findings: Epidemiologic data have shown that obesity is an independent risk factor for COVID-19, severe disease and death, and genetic evidence has suggested a causal association between obesity-related traits and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Additionally, obesity is independently associated with hypovitaminosis D, which is highly prevalent in subjects with obesity. Hypovitaminosis D is independently associated with a higher risk for COVID-19, severity, hospitalization, infectious complications, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and poor outcomes. However, genome-wide association studies have not revealed any causal association between vitamin D levels and the risk for COVID-19, while there is no robust evidence for a beneficial role of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the epidemiologic impact of obesity and hypovitaminosis D is emphasized. Efforts to increase public awareness and reinforce preventive and therapeutic measures against obesity and hypovitaminosis D are strongly required., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: To comprehensively investigate the association between obesity/high body mass index (BMI) and risk of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) using systematic review and meta-analysis., Methods: Potentially eligible studies were identified from Medline and EMBASE databases from inception to February 2021 using search strategy consisting of terms for "Body Mass Index" and "Clostridioides Difficile". We only included studies that consist of a group of individuals with CDI and another group without CDI. Then, the studies must report their BMI or history of obesity. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% CIs of the association between BMI status and CDI were retrieved from each study and combined using the generic inverse variance method. Funnel plot was used to assess publication bias., Results: A total of 4609 articles were identified. After two rounds of systematic review, 17 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included into the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis showed that individuals with high BMI had a significantly decreased odds of CDI with the pooled OR of 0.88 (95% CI 0.80-0.97). This meta-analysis had high statistical heterogeneity with I 2 of 74%. Funnel plot was symmetric, which was not suggestive of presence of publication bias., Conclusion: This meta-analysis revealed a significant negative association between BMI and CDI., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.)

Background: Black individuals have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, it remains unclear whether there are any biological factors that predispose Black patients to COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality., Objective: To compare in-hospital morbidity, mortality, and inflammatory marker levels between Black and White hospitalized COVID-19 patients., Design and Participants: This single-center retrospective cohort study analyzed data for Black and White patients aged ≥18 years hospitalized with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test between March 1, 2020, and August 4, 2020., Main Measures: The exposure was self-identified race documented in the medical record. The primary outcome of was in-hospital death. Secondary outcomes included intensive care unit admission, hospital morbidities, and inflammatory marker levels., Key Results: A total of 1,424 Black and White patients were identified. The mean ± SD age was 56.1 ± 17.4 years, and 663 (44.5%) were female. There were 683 (48.0%) Black and 741 (52.0%) White patients. In the univariate analysis, Black patients had longer hospital stays (8.1 ± 10.2 vs. 6.7 ± 8.3 days, p = 0.011) and tended to have higher rates of in-hospital death (11.0% vs. 7.3%), myocardial infarction (6.9% vs. 4.5%), pulmonary embolism (PE; 5.0% vs. 2.3%), and acute kidney injury (AKI; 39.4% vs. 23.1%) than White patients (p <0.05). However, after adjusting for potential confounders, only PE (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.07, 95% CI, 1.13-3.79) and AKI (aOR 2.16, 95% CI, 1.57-2.97) were statistically significantly associated with Black race. In comparison with White patients, Black patients had statistically significantly higher peak plasma D-dimer (standardized β = 0.10), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (standardized β = 0.13), ferritin (standardized β = 0.09), and lactate dehydrogenase (standardized β = 0.11), after adjusting for potential confounders (p<0.05)., Conclusions: Black hospitalized COVID-19 patients had increased risks of developing PE and AKI and higher inflammatory marker levels compared with White patients. This observation may be explained by differences in the prevalence and severity of underlying comorbidities and other unmeasured biologic risk factors between Black and White patients. Future research is needed to investigate the mechanism of these observed differences in outcomes of severe COVID-19 infection in Black versus White patients., (© 2021. Society of General Internal Medicine.)

Background: Obese and malabsorptive patients have difficulty increasing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] after taking vitamin D supplementation. Since 25(OH)D is more hydrophilic than vitamin D, we hypothesized that oral 25(OH)D supplementation is more effective in increasing serum 25(OH)D concentrations in these patients., Objectives: We aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of oral 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] and oral vitamin D3 in healthy participants with differing BMI and malabsorptive patients., Methods: A randomized, double-blind crossover trial was performed in 6 malabsorptive patients and 10 healthy participants who were given 900 µg of either vitamin D3 or 25(OH)D3 orally followed by a pharmacokinetic study (PKS). After ≥28 d from the first dosing, each participant returned to receive the other form of vitamin D and undergo another PKS. For each PKS, serum vitamin D3 and 25(OH)D3 were measured at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 h and days 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated., Results: Data were expressed as means ± SEMs. The PKS of 900 µg vitamin D3 revealed that malabsorptive patients had 64% lower AUC than healthy participants (1177 ± 425 vs. 3258 ± 496 ng · h/mL; P < 0.05). AUCs of 900 µg 25(OH)D3 were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = 0.540). The 10 healthy participants were ranked by BMI and categorized into higher/lower BMI groups (5/group). The PKS of 900 µg vitamin D3 showed that the higher BMI group had 53% lower AUC than the lower BMI group (2089 ± 490 vs. 4427 ± 313 ng · h/mL; P < 0.05), whereas AUCs of 900 µg 25(OH)D3 were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = 0.500)., Conclusions: Oral 25(OH)D3 may be a good choice for managing vitamin D deficiency in malabsorption and obesity. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as (NCT03401541., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition.)

Purpose of Review: A growing body of evidence suggests that obesity and increased visceral adiposity are strongly and independently linked to adverse outcomes and death due to COVID-19. This review summarizes current epidemiologic data, highlights pathogenetic mechanisms on the association between excess body weight and COVID-19, compares data from previous pandemics, discusses why COVID-19 challenges the "obesity paradox," and presents implications in prevention and treatment as well as future perspectives., Recent Findings: Data from meta-analyses based on recent observational studies have indicated that obesity increases the risks of infection from SARS-CoV-2, severe infection and hospitalization, admission to the ICU and need of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and the risk of mortality, particularly in severe obesity. The risks of IMV and mortality associated with obesity are accentuated in younger individuals (age ≤ 50 years old). The meta-inflammation in obesity intersects with and exacerbates underlying pathogenetic mechanisms in COVID-19 through the following mechanisms and factors: (i) impaired innate and adaptive immune responses; (ii) chronic inflammation and oxidative stress; (iii) endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulability, and aberrant activation of the complement; (iv) overactivation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; (v) overexpression of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor in the adipose tissue; (vi) associated cardiometabolic comorbidities; (vii) vitamin D deficiency; (viii) gut dysbiosis; and (ix) mechanical and psychological issues. Mechanistic and large epidemiologic studies using big data sources with omics data exploring genetic determinants of risk and disease severity as well as large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are necessary to shed light on the pathways connecting chronic subclinical inflammation/meta-inflammation with adverse COVID-19 outcomes and establish the ideal preventive and therapeutic approaches for patients with obesity., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Importance: Bariatric surgical weight loss is associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality; however, the mechanisms underlying this association are incompletely understood., Objectives: To identify variables associated with vascular remodeling after bariatric surgery and to examine how sex, race, and metabolic status are associated with microvascular and macrovascular outcomes., Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based longitudinal cohort included 307 individuals who underwent bariatric surgery. Participants were enrolled in the bariatric weight loss program at Boston Medical Center, a large, multi-ethnic urban hospital, with presurgical and postsurgical assessments. Data were collected from December 11, 2001 to August 27, 2019. Data were analyzed in September 2019., Exposure: Bariatric surgery., Main Outcomes and Measures: Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and reactive hyperemia (RH) (as measures of macrovascular and microvascular function, respectively) and clinical variables were measured preoperatively at baseline and at least once postoperatively within 12 months of the bariatric intervention., Results: A total of 307 participants with obesity (mean [SD] age, 42 [12] years; 246 [80%] women; 199 [65%] White; mean [SD] body mass index, 46 [8]) were enrolled in this study. Bariatric surgery was associated with significant weight loss and improved macrovascular and microvascular function across subgroups of sex, race, and traditional metabolic syndrome (mean [SD] pre- vs postsurgery weight: 126 [25] kg vs 104 [25] kg; P < .001; mean [SD] pre- vs postsurgery FMD: 9.1% [5.3] vs 10.2% [5.1]; P < .001; mean [SD] pre- vs postsurgery RH: 764% [400] vs 923% [412]; P < .001). Factors associated with change in vascular phenotype correlated most strongly with adiposity markers and several metabolic variables depending on vascular territory (eg, association of weight change with change in RH: estimate, -3.2; 95% CI, -4.7 to -1.8; association of hemoglobin A1c with change in FMD: estimate, -0.5; 95% CI, -0.95 to -0.05). While changes in macrovascular function among individuals with metabolically healthy obesity were not observed, the addition of biomarker assessment using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein plasma levels greater than 2 mg/dL identified participants with seemingly metabolically healthy obesity who had low-grade inflammation and achieved microvascular benefit from weight loss surgery., Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study suggest that bariatric intervention is associated with weight loss and favorable remodeling of the vasculature among a wide range of individuals with cardiovascular risk. Moreover, differences in arterial responses to weight loss surgery by metabolic status were identified, underscoring heterogeneity in physiological responses to adiposity change and potential activation of distinct pathological pathways in clinical subgroups. As such, individuals with metabolically healthy obesity represent a mixed population that may benefit from more refined phenotypic classification.

This study aimed to determine the relationships among hyperglycemia (HG), the presence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and the outcomes of COVID-19. Demographic data, blood glucose levels (BG) measured on admission, and hospital outcomes of COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Boston University Medical Center from 1 March to 4 August 2020 were extracted from the hospital database. HG was defined as BG > 200 mg/dL. Patients with type 1 diabetes or BG < 70 mg/dL were excluded. A total of 458 patients with T2D and 976 patients without T2D were included in the study. The mean ± SD age was 56 ± 17 years and 642 (45%) were female. HG occurred in 193 (42%) and 42 (4%) of patients with and without T2D, respectively. Overall, the in-hospital mortality rate was 9%. Among patients without T2D, HG was statistically significantly associated with mortality, ICU admission, intubation, acute kidney injury, and severe sepsis/septic shock, after adjusting for potential confounders ( p < 0.05). However, only ICU admission and acute kidney injury were associated with HG among patients with T2D ( p < 0.05). Among the 235 patients with HG, the presence of T2D was associated with decreased odds of mortality, ICU admission, intubation, and severe sepsis/septic shock, after adjusting for potential confounders, including BG ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, HG in the subset of patients without T2D could be a strong indicator of high inflammatory burden, leading to a higher risk of severe COVID-19.

Introduction: Obesity is a chronic illness that requires a multifaceted personalized treatment approach., Methods & Findings: Using current guidelines and recent studies in weight management, this article reviews the multiple components of weight management: lifestyle intervention (dietary intervention, physical activity, and behavioral interventions), pharmacotherapy, endoscopic procedures, and surgical procedures. This review briefly discusses specific diets and dietary strategies, compensatory mechanisms acting against weight loss, recent changes to Food and Drug Administration approved antiobesity medications, and technological advances in weight management delivery., Conclusion: Current literature is lacking large studies on the safety and efficacy of combination therapies involving pharmacotherapy plus 1 or more procedures., (Copyright © 2021 AACE. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: It remains controversial whether high protein diets improve cardiometabolic profile. We investigated whether increasing protein intake to 1.3 g/kg/day in functionally limited older adults with usual protein intake ≤RDA (0.8 g/kg/day) improves visceral fat accumulation and serum cardiovascular risk markers more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA)., Methods: The Optimizing Protein Intake in Older Men Trial was a placebo-controlled, randomized trial in which 92 functionally limited men, ≥65 years, with usual protein intake ≤RDA were randomized for 6 months to: 0.8 g/kg/day protein plus placebo; 1.3 g/kg/day protein plus placebo; 0.8 g/kg/day protein plus testosterone enanthate 100 mg weekly; or 1.3 g/kg/day protein plus testosterone enanthate 100 mg weekly. In this substudy, metabolic and inflammatory serum markers were measured in 77 men, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in 56 men., Results: Treatment groups were similar in their baseline characteristics. Randomization to 1.3 g/kg/day protein group was associated with greater reduction in VAT compared to 0.8 g/kg/day group (between-group difference: -17.3 cm2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -29.7 to -4.8 cm2, p = .008), regardless of whether they received testosterone or placebo. Changes in fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, leptin, adiponectin, IL-6, and hs-CRP did not differ between the 0.8 versus 1.3 g/kg/day protein groups regardless of testosterone use., Conclusions: Protein intake >RDA decreased VAT in functionally limited older men but did not improve cardiovascular disease risk markers., Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT01275365., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objective: To determine the association between vitamin D status and morbidity and mortality in adult hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review study in COVID-19 patients aged ≥18 year hospitalized at Boston University Medical Center between March 1 and August 4, 2020. All studied patients tested positive for COVID-19 and had serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) results measured within 1 year prior to the date of positive tests. Medical information was retrieved from the electronic medical record and was analyzed to determine the association between vitamin D status and hospital morbidity and mortality., Results: Among the 287 patients, 100 (36%) were vitamin D sufficient (25[OH]D >30 ng/mL) and 41 (14%) died during hospitalization. Multivariate analysis in patients aged ≥65 years revealed that vitamin D sufficiency (25[OH]D ≥30 ng/mL) was statistically significantly associated with decreased odds of death (adjusted OR 0.33, 95% CI, 0.12-0.94), acute respiratory distress syndrome (adjusted OR 0.22, 95% CI, 0.05-0.96), and severe sepsis/septic shock (adjusted OR 0.26, 95% CI, 0.08-0.88), after adjustment for potential confounders. Among patients with body mass index <30 kg/m 2 , vitamin D sufficiency was statistically significantly associated with a decreased odds of death (adjusted OR 0.18, 95% CI, 0.04-0.84). No significant association was found in the subgroups of patients aged <65 years or with body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 ., Conclusion: We revealed an independent association between vitamin D sufficiency defined by serum 25(OH)D ≥30 ng/mL and decreased risk of mortality from COVID-19 in elderly patients and patients without obesity., (Copyright © 2021 AACE. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)