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Resumo: A síndrome metabólica (SM) é hoje uma verdadeira epidemia a nível mundial. As intervenções de primeira linha passam por uma profunda modificação de estilo de vida, em particular dietéticos, recomendando‐se consumo moderado e equilibrado de macronutrientes associado a restrição calórica. Contudo, nos últimos anos, diversos estudos têm vindo a sugerir que dietas com restrições mais intensas de alguns macronutrientes poderiam ser mais vantajosas quer para controlo ponderal quer no controlo dos fatores de risco metabólicos. Neste artigo, revemos a evidência acumulada até ao momento sobre essa problemática tão atual e que permanece difícil de abordar e controlar na prática clínica. Abstract: Metabolic syndrome is currently a worldwide epidemic. First‐line interventions consist of profound changes in lifestyle, particularly in diet, for which moderate and balanced consumption of macronutrients associated with calorie restriction is recommended. However, in recent years, several studies have proposed that diets that restrict certain macronutrients even further may be better for controlling both weight and metabolic risk factors. In the present paper, we review the currently available evidence on this question, which is difficult to address and control in clinical practice. Palavras‐chave: Síndrome metabólica, Dieta, Macronutrientes, Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, Diet, Macronutrients

Intrauterine growth restriction is linked to decreased lean body mass and insulin resistance. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates muscle mass and glucose metabolism; however, little is known about maternal dietary restriction and skeletal muscle mTOR in offspring. We hypothesized that early dietary restriction would decrease skeletal muscle mass and mTOR in the suckling rat. To test this hypothesis, ab libitum access to food or dietary restriction during gestation followed by postnatal cross-fostering to a dietary-restricted or ad libitum-fed rat dam during lactation generated 4 groups: control (CON), intrauterine dietary restricted (IUDR), postnatal dietary restricted (PNDR), and IUDR+PNDR (IPDR). At day 21, when compared to CON, the IUDR group demonstrated "catchup" growth, but no changes were observed in the mTOR pathway. Despite having less muscle mass than CON and IUDR (P

Diets to treat obesity have been in existence since Hippocrates treated obesity some 2500 years ago. There are currently a wide variety of diets and a common misconception that a single magical diet can cure overweight and obesity. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicate that all diets work when adhered to and that initial weight loss can predict the amount of weight lost and maintained for up to 4 years. Individual preferences are thus key in selecting a diet. There are emerging data pinpointing genetic variability in the metabolic responses to variation in macronutrient intake.

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate weight loss and maintenance parameters in cats fed a novel weight management food and to assess the owner’s perception of the cat’s quality of life. Methods This study was designed as a prospective, uncontrolled/unmasked clinical trial. One hundred and thirty-two overweight/obese, otherwise healthy, client-owned cats were enrolled. Initial evaluation included physical examination, nutritional assessment, ideal body weight determination and weight-loss feeding guidelines development. Follow-up evaluations (monthly for 6 months) encompassed determination of body weight, body condition score, body fat index, muscle condition score and feeding practices. Quality of life assessment by owners included the cat’s level of energy, happiness, appetite, begging behavior, flatulence, stool volume and fecal score. Results Eighty-three percent of the cats lost weight, with an average ± SEM weight loss of 11.0 ± 1.8% over 6 months and an average ± SE weekly weight loss rate of 0.45 ± 0.02%. The mean ± SEM duration of weight loss was 134.0 ± 4.8 days. Fourteen percent of cats achieved an ideal body weight. Seventy-nine percent of cats ate more calories from novel weight management food than the recommended daily energy requirement for weight loss, and the majority of these cats still lost weight. Body condition score and body fat index decreased over time compared with baseline from weeks 12–24 and from weeks 8–24, respectively. Owners perceived an increase in energy and happiness (>week 12) in the cats that lost weight, without changes in appetite or begging behavior. Conclusions and relevance This study confirmed the effectiveness of the novel weight management food in achieving weight loss in overweight/obese client-owned cats. Owners reported significant improvements in their cat’s quality of life without negative side effects.

Trend diets can be commonplace amongst those who are trying to lose weight but in most cases there is some shred of evidence to suggest they might be of some benefit. Seldom is there a diet which is such a fad that it is not only completely unfounded but also potential harmful. The human chorionic gonadotropin or "hCG diet" is such a diet, which after half a century still has no evidence to support its efficacy; in fact all scientific publications subsequent to the original article counter these claims. In this short communication, we review the literature and present data on exactly what some of the hCG diet preparations actually contain and highlight that, based on current data, these may do more harm than good. It is worrying that more consideration is not given to the possible danger of administration of hCG preparations to individuals without an evidence-based rational.

Rationale Swipe out Stroke (SOS) examines the use of a smartphone-based mobile application to reduce obesity in high-risk minority stroke patients. At record-high levels in the United States, obesity disproportionately affects minorities and is highly correlated with cerebrovascular disease. Unfortunately, structured weight loss programs are expensive, and compliance significantly decreases upon program completion. Mobile health (mHealth) technology is an innovative, cost-effective way to bridge this gap. Minorities spend over 4.5 billion dollars annually on consumer electronics, making studies that utilize mHealth applications ideal for health promotion and disease prevention. Aims and design SOS is a prospective, randomized-controlled trial with open blinded endpoint comparing an mHealth based dietary intervention to usual care to facilitate weight reduction. Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke survivors and their carers are recruited from the acute care service of a Houston-based comprehensive stroke center. A neurorehabilitation physician or vascular neurologist meets with participants during the index hospitalization, a baseline clinic visit, followed by visits at 1, 3, and 6 month intervals. The SOS Team focuses on feasible modifications to the Southern dietary pattern (fried foods, fatty foods, added fats, eggs, processed meats, such as bacon and ham, organ meats (e.g., liver), and sweetened drinks) and caloric restriction to facilitate a 5% reduction in total body weight. Practical barriers to adherence are addressed, such as access to transportation, financial limitations, and depression. Study outcomes The primary dependent measure is a reduction of total body weight. Secondary outcomes include systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and Factor VIII. Conclusion SOS will determine whether a Phase III effectiveness trial of a smartphone-based mobile application to address obesity-related health disparities is warranted throughout the Southeastern United States (Stroke Belt).

La práctica de restricción alimentaria intermitente (RAI) bien como sus variaciones, es utilizada por individuos con intensión de pérdida de masa corporal. Existen evidencias científicas favorables a esta práctica; no obstante, son insuficientes los estudios que muestren las consecuencias a largo plazo y sus repercusiones en el control de la homeostasis energética en el sistema nervioso central (SNC). Considerando su creciente utilización, tanto como su recomendación y además de la controversia existente en la bibliografía, la presente revisión tiene como objetivo mostrar los efectos de la RAI sobre la regulación central de la homeostasis energética registrados en la literatura., The practice of intermittent food restriction (IFR) along its variations, is used by individuals with an intentional loss of body mass. There is scientific evidence favorable to this practice; however, studies showing the longterm consequences and their impact on the control of energy homeostasis at the level of the central nervous system (CNS) are insufficient. Considering the increase in its use, as well as in its recommendation and the great controversy existing in the bibliography, the present review aims to show the effects of RAI on the central regulation of energy homeostasis reported in the literature.

Attempts to obtain the ideal body shape portrayed in advertising can result in behaviors that lead to an unhealthy reduction in weight. This study was designed to identify contributing factors that may be effective in changing the behavior of a sample of Iranian adolescents.Three hundred fifty adolescent girls from high schools in Kerman, Iran participated in a cross-sectional study based on a self-administered questionnaire. Multifactorial logistic regression modeling was used to identify the factors influencing each of the contributing factors for body management methods, and a decision tree model was constructed to identify individuals who were more or less likely to change their body shape.Approximately one-third of the adolescent girls had attempted dieting, and 37 % of them had exercised to lose weight. The logistic regression model showed that pressure from their mother and the media; father's education level; and body mass index (BMI) were important factors in dieting. BMI and perceived pressure from the media were risk factors for attempting exercise.BMI and perceived pressure from relatives, particularly mothers, and the media were important factors in attempts by adolescent girls to lose weight.

Objective Many individuals have difficulty adhering to a weight loss diet. One possible explanation could be that dietary restriction paradoxically contributes to overconsumption. The objective of this study was to examine ingestive behavior under a forced chocolate restriction with a focus on the anticipatory restriction period and the post-restriction period in frequent chocolate consumers. Methods Fifty-six male (N = 18) and female (N = 38) high chocolate consumers with high (N = 25) or low (N = 31) cognitive disinhibition participated. Chocolate snacks were provided for a week each to establish baseline, pre-restriction, and post-restriction consumption, Chocolate snacks were replaced with nonchocolate snacks during a 3-week chocolate restriction period. Results Highly disinhibited participants felt more guilty and consumed significantly more energy than low disinhibited participants across snack conditions. Low disinhibited participants consumed significantly less in the post-restriction period compared to baseline and the pre-restriction period, while high disinhibited participants consumed the same amount across all conditions. Aggregating the data, high and low disinhibited chocolate consumers ate snacks more frequently in the pre- and post-restriction periods compared to the baseline period. Conclusions This study suggests that for some individuals, restriction of a preferred food like chocolate may be contraindicated for energy restriction and weight management.

ResumenIntroducciónLa obsesión por la delgadez y la insatisfacción corporal pueden llevar a las adolescentes a seguir dietas sin supervisión, lo que podría asociarse además a conductas riesgosas de control de peso, tales como ayuno, vómitos, uso de diuréticos y laxantes. El objetivo fue explorar conductas de control de peso en adolescentes dietantes y relacionarlas con insatisfacción corporal (IC) y obsesión por la delgadez (DT).Pacientes y MétodoEstudio transversal en 439 adolescentes de colegios públicos de Valparaíso diseñado para indagar conductas de control de peso riesgosas a través de escalas de IC y DT del Cuestionario de Trastornos Alimentarios (EDI-2), comparando dietantes y no dietantes.ResultadosEl 43% había realizado dieta sin supervisión médica. Las dietantes presentan valores superiores en DT e IC. El 29,6% de ellas presenta restricción alimentaria de riesgo moderado a alto, tomando como base el criterio de expertos, y se encuentran diferencias en la presencia y severidad de las conductas purgativas de control de peso entre los dos grupos estudiados.ConclusionesUn tercio de las adolescentes estudiadas hacen dietas sin supervisión profesional, presentan mayor IC y DT y conductas riesgosas de control de peso. Aquellas con sobrepeso y obesidad realizan dietas más restrictivas y conductas de control de peso más riesgosas.AbstractIntroductionObsession with thinness and body dissatisfaction can lead adolescents to follow unsupervised diets, which could result in risky weight control behaviors such as fasting, vomiting, use of diuretics and laxatives. The aim of the current study is to examine weight control behaviors in dieting adolescents and relate them to body dissatisfaction (BD) and obsession with thinness (OT).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 439 adolescents from Valparaiso public schools to investigate risky weight control behaviors due to BD and OT scales from the Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2), comparing restrained eaters and non-restrained eaters.ResultsA total of 43% adolescents had followed a weight loss diet without medical supervision. The dieters had higher BD and OT values. Moderate to severe food restriction, based on expert judgment, was observed in 29.6%, and differences in the presence and severity of purging behaviors were found between the 2 groups.ConclusionsOne third of the adolescents studied followed diets without professional supervision and had higher BD and OT values, as well as risky weight control behaviors. Overweight and obese adolescents followed more restrictive diets and developed riskier weight control behaviors.

Dietary interventions are the cornerstone of obesity treatment. The optimal dietary approach to weight loss is a hotly debated topic among health professionals and the lay public alike. An emerging body of evidence suggests that a higher level of adherence to a diet, regardless of the type of diet, is an important factor in weight loss success over the short and long term. Key strategies to improve adherence include designing dietary weight loss interventions (such as ketogenic diets) that help to control the increased drive to eat that accompanies weight loss, tailoring dietary interventions to a person’s dietary preferences (and nutritional requirements), and promoting self-monitoring of food intake. The aim of this paper is to examine these strategies, which can be used to improve adherence and thereby increase the success of dietary weight loss interventions.

One of the dieting conundrums in the age of the obesity epidemic is the cycle of weight loss and regain known as the "yo-yo effect." Thaiss et al. (2016) demonstrate that the microbiome plays a key role in this phenomenon and that simple dietary supplementations can reset the weight-rebound clock.

Recent reports of adverse psychiatric events from seemingly different types of weight loss therapies highlight a previously under-estimated overlap between CNS circuits that control energy balance and those that regulate mood. In this Perspective, we discuss a few potential brain sites where the homeostatic and the hedonic pathways may intersect and suggest that a better understanding of both pathways is necessary for the development of more effective and safe anti-obesity therapies.

I Brage finner du siste tekst-versjon av artikkelen, og den kan inneholde sma forskjeller fra forlagets pdf-versjon. Forlagets pdf-versjon finner du pa www.wiley.com: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.2047-6310.2014.220.x / In Brage you'll find the final text version of the article, and it may contain minor differences from the journal's pdf version. The original publication is available at www.wiley.com: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.2047-6310.2014.220.x

Dietary restraint is known to break down in the face of tempting foods. Previous research suggests exposure to cues associated with slimming such as images or odours act as prompts to restrict intake of a tempting snack in dieters. The effects of consuming diet-congruent foods on subsequent intake of a meal have not yet been investigated. Thus, using a repeated measures design 26 female participants (dieters or non-dieters) consumed a diet-congruent (100kcal salad), hedonic (100kcal garlic bread) or neutral (0kcal water) preload. A lexical decision task measured the salience of diet and hedonic thoughts and participants were then offered pizza as a main meal. Appetite sensations were measured throughout the study. Compared to the hedonic and neutral preload, a diet-congruent preload reduced dieters’ entire meal intake by 21%. In contrast, non-dieters consumed 9% more in the hedonic preload condition compared to the neutral preload, yet showed no differences between the diet-congruent and other conditions. Salad lowered participants desire to eat and increased fullness compared to garlic bread and water preloads. Dieters were also less hungry after the salad compared to the garlic bread and water preloads. Consuming a diet-congruent first course may prompt lower intake at a meal, in part due to facilitating resolve to refrain from overeating a tempting second course.

Objective The purpose of this commentary is to discuss modern lifestyle factors that promote weight gain and to suggest methods for clinicians to more effectively educate patients about weight management. Discussion Most adults in the United States are overweight or obese. Multiple factors related to the modern lifestyle appear to play causal roles. In general, the population maintains sedentary lives and overconsumes calorie-dense foods. In particular, refined carbohydrates negatively impact metabolism and stimulate neural addiction mechanisms, which facilitate weight gain. As adipose tissue mass accumulates, satiation centers in the hypothalamus become resistant to insulin and leptin, which leads to increased caloric consumption. Several behavior issues further augment weight gain, such as eating too quickly, a lack of sleep, high stress levels, and a lack of exercise. Finally, adipose tissue accumulation alters the body weight set point, which leads to metabolic changes that function to resist weight loss efforts. Each of these factors may work together to augment weight gain and promote obesity. Health care providers, such as chiropractic physicians, who educate patients on wellness, prevention, and lifestyle changes are well positioned to address these issues. Conclusion People need to be educated about the modern lifestyle factors that prevent effective weight management. Without this knowledge and the associated practical application of lifestyle choices that prevent weight gain, becoming overweight or obese appears to be an unavoidable consequence of living a modern lifestyle.

Hintergrund und Fragestellung: Zur Gewichtsreduktion kommen unterschiedliche Abnehmprogramme zum Einsatz. Patienten holen oftmals Ratschlage bezuglich einer Gewichtsabnahme von Haus- sowie Facharzten ein. Patienten und Methodik: Im Rahmen einer randomisierten, kontrollierten Gewichtsreduktionsstudie uber 12 Monate wurde die Effektivitat eines kommerziellen Abnehmprogramms mit einer hausarztlichen Intervention verglichen. Nach Ende der Studie wurden die teilnehmenden Hausarzte und die Studienteilnehmer hinsichtlich des angebotenen Gewichtsmanagements befragt. Die vorliegende Analyse bezieht sich auf den deutschen Studienarm (268 Studienteilnehmer, 40 Praxen). Ergebnisse: Mehr als die Halfte der Hausarzte nutzten ein eigenes Ernahrungskonzept, welches jedoch zwischen den Praxen stark variierte. Von den befragten Arzten gab etwa ein Drittel an, dass kommerzielle Gewichtsreduktionsprogramme fur sie eine sinnvolle Alternative darstellen, um ihre Patienten bei der Gewichtsreduktion zu unterstutzen. Die Befragung der Studienteilnehmer ergab, dass sie die Unterstutzung im kommerziellen Abnehmprogramm positiver bewerteten als die hausarztlichen Ratschlage, aber auch letztere fur eine Gewichtsreduktion im Rahmen der Studie hilfreich waren. Der Gewichtsverlust war im kommerziellen Abnehmprogramm doppelt so hoch wie unter der hausarztlichen Intervention. Folgerung: Kommerzielle Gewichtsreduktionsprogramme konnen fur Hausarzte eine wirksame und sichere Alternative sein, um ubergewichtige und adipose Patienten beim Gewichtsmanagement zu unterstutzen.

Obesity is now recognised as the most important medical disease in pets worldwide. All current strategies for weight management involve dietary energy restriction with a purpose-formulated diet. Whilst current weight management regimes can be successful, outcomes are often disappointing with the rate of weight loss progressively slowing down as time goes on. Success is most challenging for the most obese dogs and cats that are more likely to discontinue the programme before reaching target weight. To improve outcomes, clinicians must focus carefully on better tailoring programmes, paying particular to setting an appropriate target weight so as to maximise the benefits for the individual. In this opinionated review, the author will discuss findings from recent clinical research studies examining weight management in obese dogs and cats. A strategy for tailoring weight management targets will then be discussed, illustrated with case examples. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13028-016-0238-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background:New evidence suggests that obesity is deleterious for bone health, and obesity treatments could potentially exacerbate this.Materials and methods:This narrative review, largely based on recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses, synthesizes the effects on bone of bariatric surgery, weight loss pharmaceuticals and dietary restriction.Results and conclusions:All three obesity treatments result in statistically significant reductions in hip bone mineral density (BMD) and increases in bone turnover relative to pre-treatment values, with the reductions in hip BMD being strongest for bariatric surgery, notably Roux-en Y gastric bypass (RYGB, 8%–11% of pre-surgical values) and weakest for dietary restriction (1%–1.5% of pre-treatment values). Weight loss pharmaceuticals (orlistat or the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide) induced no greater changes from pre-treatment values than control, despite greater weight loss. There is suggestive evidence that liraglutide may increase bone mineral content (BMC) – but not BMD – and reduce fracture risk, but more research is required to clarify this. All three obesity treatments have variable effects on spine BMD, probably due to greater measurement error at this site in obesity, suggesting that future research in this field could focus on hip rather than spine BMD. Various mechanisms have been proposed for BMD loss with obesity treatments, notably reduced nutritional intake/absorption and insufficient exercise, and these are potential avenues for protection against bone loss. However, a pressing outstanding question is whether this BMD reduction contributes to increased fracture risk, as has been observed after RYGB, and whether any such increase in fracture risk outweighs the risks of staying obese (unlikely).

Objective. To investigate assumptions and beliefs in anorexia nervosa and dieting. Design and method. The Eating Disorder Belief Questionnaire (EDBQ), was administered to patients with anorexia nervosa, dieters and female controls. Results. The patients scored more highly than the other two groups on assumptions about weight and shape, assumptions about eating and negative self-beliefs. The dieters scored more highly than the female controls on assumptions about weight and shape. Conclusions. The cognitive content of anorexia nervosa (both assumptions and negative self-beliefs) differs from that found in dieting. Assumptions about weight and shape may also distinguish dieters from female controls.

Objective: Excess visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in children with obesity is associated with development of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. This meta-analysis investigated if lifestyle interventions can reduce VAT in overweight and obese youth. Methods: Pubmed, Cochrane and PEDro were searched for clinical trials that objectively assessed VAT and included study arms with supervised diet, exercise or a combination. If there was a no-therapy‟ control group, the data of the control group and the intervention groups were used to meta-analyze the data. In all other cases the pre-intervention and the post-intervention data were used to meta-analyze. Effect sizes were calculated as standardized mean differences or changes of VAT and expressed as Hedges‟g. Results: The overall weighted mean effect size on VAT of all included interventions was - 0.69 [95%CI = -0.90 to -0.48] (p

BACKGROUND: Yoghurt is part of the diet of many people worldwide and is commonly recognised as a 'health food'. Epidemiological studies suggest that yoghurt may be useful as part of weight management programs. In the absence of comprehensive systematic reviews, this systematic review investigated the effect of yoghurt consumption by apparently healthy adults on weight-related outcomes.METHODS: An extensive literature search was undertaken, as part of a wider scoping review, to identify yoghurt studies. A total of 13 631 records were assessed for their relevance to weight-related outcomes.RESULTS: Twenty-two publications were eligible according to the review protocol. Cohort studies (n=6) and cross-sectional studies (n=7) all showed a correlation between yoghurt and lower or improved body weight/composition. Six randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and one controlled trial had various limitations, including small size and short duration. One RCT showed significant effects of yoghurt on weight loss, but was confounded by differences in calcium intake. One trial showed nonsignificant weight gain and the remaining five trials showed nonsignificant weight losses that were greater in yoghurt consumers.CONCLUSIONS: Yoghurt consumption is associated with lower body mass index, lower body weight/weight gain, smaller waist circumference and lower body fat in epidemiological studies. RCTs suggest weight reduction effects, but do not permit determination of a cause-effect relationship. Well-controlled, adequately powered trials in research and community settings appear likely to identify a modest but beneficial effect of yoghurt consumption for prevention of weight gain and management of obesity. The ready availability of yoghurt (a nutrient-dense food) and its ease of introduction to most diets suggests that educating the public to eat yoghurt as part of a balanced and healthy diet may potentially contribute to improved public health. Future carefully designed RCTs could provide proof of principle and large community-based studies could determine the practical impact of yoghurt on body weight/composition.

This study examined biases in attention and memory toward body-related images among restrained (n=31) and unrestrained (n=29) eaters. Attentional allocation to images of thin and overweight bodies during a visual search task was measured by tracking participants' eyegaze. This task was followed by a recognition test assessing participants' memory for those images. Restrained and unrestrained eaters allocated more attention to body-related images than to control images, but there was no difference in attentional allocation between the two groups. Restrained eaters showed better recognition of body-related images that they had previously seen during the visual search task. Finally, increased attention was associated with better recognition of body-related images for both restrained and unrestrained eaters, but restrained eaters had better overall recognition regardless of the level of attention. These findings suggest that restrained eaters may have more organized strategies for processing body-related information than do unrestrained eaters.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of the inclusion of different levels of ensiled cassava leaves (variety KM94) in the diets on performance and carcass characteristics of growing pigs in Vietnam. A total of 40 crossbreds pigs (Large White${\\times}$Mong Cai, 20 males and 20 females) with an initial live weight of 23.5 kg (SD = 0.86) were randomly allocated to one of the four pens across 5 units. Four experimental diets were formulated for two growth periods, period 1 (60 days) for 20 to 50 kg and period 2 lasted 30 days, from 50 kg until slaughter. Four diets were formulated containing inclusion levels of ensiled cassava KM94 leaves diet of 0, 10, 15 and 20% in the DM. Diets were formulated based on previously determined ileal amino acid digestibility values of the KM94 products and were isonitrogenous and isocaloric on a metabolizable energy basis. Each pen of pigs was randomly assigned to one of the four dietary treatments. Dry matter intake and final weight tended to decreased with increasing levels of ensiled cassava KM94 leaves in the diet while there was a significant (p = 0.022) decrease in average daily gain. Protein depositions of the F1 pigs tended (p = 0.093) to decrease with increasing inclusion levels of ensiled cassava KM94 leaves. There was no significant difference in feed conversion ratio, carcass quality and fat gain between the groups of pigs. There were clear differences in feed costs among the experimental diets (p = 0.001) with increasing levels of ensiled cassava KM 94 leaves in the diet reducing feed costs. It was concluded that, in diets for growing pig, inclusion of ensiled cassava leaves reduces growth rate of pigs in Vietnam but increases profitability as measured by feed costs

BACKGROUND: Studies of weight-control diets that are high in protein or low in glycemic index have reached varied conclusions, probably owing to the fact that the studies had insufficient power. METHODS: We enrolled overweight adults from eight European countries who had lost at least 8% of their initial body weight with a 3.3-MJ (800-kcal) low-calorie diet. Participants were randomly assigned, in a two-by-two factorial design, to one of five ad libitum diets to prevent weight regain over a 26-week period: a low-protein and low-glycemic-index diet, a low-protein and high-glycemic-index diet, a high-protein and low-glycemic-index diet, a high-protein and high-glycemic-index diet, or a control diet. RESULTS: A total of 1209 adults were screened (mean age, 41 years; body-mass index [the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters], 34), of whom 938 entered the low-calorie-diet phase of the study. A total of 773 participants who completed that phase were randomly assigned to one of the five maintenance diets; 548 completed the intervention (71%). Fewer participants in the high-protein and the low-glycemic-index groups than in the low-protein-high-glycemic-index group dropped out of the study (26.4% and 25.6%, respectively, vs. 37.4%; P=0.02 and P=0.01 for the respective comparisons). The mean initial weight loss with the low-calorie diet was 11.0 kg. In the analysis of participants who completed the study, only the low-protein-high-glycemic-index diet was associated with subsequent significant weight regain (1.67 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48 to 2.87). In an intention-to-treat analysis, the weight regain was 0.93 kg less (95% CI, 0.31 to 1.55) in the groups assigned to a high-protein diet than in those assigned to a low-protein diet (P=0.003) and 0.95 kg less (95% CI, 0.33 to 1.57) in the groups assigned to a low-glycemic-index diet than in those assigned to a high-glycemic-index diet (P=0.003). The analysis involving participants who completed the intervention produced similar results. The groups did not differ significantly with respect to diet-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In this large European study, a modest increase in protein content and a modest reduction in the glycemic index led to an improvement in study completion and maintenance of weight loss. (Funded by the European Commission; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00390637.).

Die Schweizerische Gesundheitsbefragung 2007 (SGB07) ist die vierte vergleichbare Erhebung, die an einer repräsentativen Stichprobe von fast 19000 in der Schweiz lebenden Erwachsenen durchgeführt wurde. 37% der Befragten sind übergewichtig oder adipös, aber seit 2002 sind keine signifikanten Zunahmen mehr zu verzeichnen. Eine Reihe von soziodemographischen und Lebensstilfaktoren sind mit zu hohem Körpergewicht verbunden. 9% der 15- bis 34-jährigen Frauen sind untergewichtig. Von den 15- bis 49-jährigen Männern und Frauen möchten 52% ihr Körpergewicht verändern (87% abnehmen, 13% zunehmen). 20% von ihnen essen sehr unregelmässig und bei 22% aller Befragten passiert es, dass sie enorm viel essen und fast nicht mehr aufhören können. Zusammenfassend besteht Handlungsbedarf bezüglich Lebensstil rund um das Körpergewicht.

Dietary restriction (DR) delays or prevents age-related diseases and extends lifespan in species ranging from yeast to primates. Although the applicability of this regimen to humans remains uncertain, a proportional response would add more healthy years to the average life than even a cure for cancer or heart disease. Because it is unlikely that many would be willing or able to maintain a DR lifestyle, there has been intense interest in mimicking its beneficial effects on health, and potentially longevity, with drugs. To date, such efforts have been hindered primarily by our lack of mechanistic understanding of how DR works. Sirtuins, NAD(+)-dependent deacetylases and ADP-ribosyltransferases that influence lifespan in lower organisms, have been proposed to be key mediators of DR, and based on this model, the sirtuin activator resveratrol has been proposed as a candidate DR mimetic. Indeed, resveratrol extends lifespan in yeast, worms, flies, and a short-lived species of fish. In rodents, resveratrol improves health, and prevents the early mortality associated with obesity, but its precise mechanism of action remains a subject of debate, and extension of normal lifespan has not been observed. This review summarizes recent work on resveratrol, sirtuins, and their potential to mimic beneficial effects of DR.

Effective treatment of childhood obesity requires a multi-factorial approach and should target factors impacting on a child's environment.To explore the impact of three treatment programs on parental child-feeding practices at 6, 12 and 24 months post-program. SUBJECTS/INTERVENTION: Overweight children (n=159) aged 5-7 years, recruited to the Hunter Illawarra Kids Challenge Using Parent Support (HIKCUPS) randomized controlled trial with three treatment arms; a dietary modification program, a physical activity skill development program or a combination of both programs. Main outcome measures. The Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ), a validated 31-item questionnaire measuring child-feeding practices, completed by parents. Statistical analysis. Linear mixed models were used to assess change over time and to determine differences by intervention group.A significant decrease (p0.01) in CFQ domain scores were reported and sustained at 24 months for all groups, in the domain of pressure to eat (mean+/-SEM, 1.8+/-0.06, 1.6+/-0.06) with increases in degree of monitoring (4.0+/-0.07, 4.2+/-0.06). The domain of restriction showed significant decreases in dietary intervention groups only (baseline 3.9+/-0.05, 24 months 3.7+/-0.06), the domain scores for concern were found to be strongly associated with child BMI z-score (r=0.73, p0.001) at baseline only.This study provides evidence that specific child-feeding domains are modifiable in the context of a targeted obesity intervention and further that changes can be sustained over time. HIKCUPS study: National Centre for Clinical Trials (NCT): 00107692 clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00107692 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home.

Previous research, restricted to the laboratory, has found that restrained eaters overeat after they violate their diet. However, there has been no evidence showing that this same process occurs outside the lab. We hypothesized that outside of this artificial setting, restrained eaters would be able to control their eating. In Study 1, 127 participants reported hourly on their diet violations and eating over 2 days. In Study 2, 89 participants tracked their intake for 8 days, and 50 of these participants consumed a milk shake (a diet violation) on Day 7, as part of an ostensibly unrelated study. As hypothesized, dieters did not overeat following violations of their diet in either study. These findings are in contrast with those of previous lab studies and dispel the widely held belief that diet violations lead to overeating in everyday life.

The purpose of the following study was to examine the relationship between participation in athletic and exercise activities and eating disordered behavior among a college student population. A sample of 853 undergraduate students completed the EAT-26 and indicated participation in athletic activities to determine eating disorder-related dieting and exercise attitudes and behaviors. Results demonstrate that participation in recreational activities correlates with more deleterious attitudes than involvement in organized sports. Implications for counseling and prevention are discussed.

Internet-based weight control programs have been showing promising results; however, as of yet, it is unclear which website components are critical for producing and maintaining weight loss. The aim of this study is to examine the utilization patterns of a weight control website and the relationship of the Web features to weight loss and maintenance. One hundred and twenty three (N = 123) participants took part in a 12-month behavioral weight control program over the Internet and their website utilization patterns were monitored. When examining the clustering of Web feature utilization and weight loss, the "feedback" factor (progress charts, physiological calculators, and past journals) was the best predictor of weight loss during the treatment period (baseline to 6 months), while the "social support" factor (Web chats and biographical information/e-mail addresses of participants) was the best predictor during maintenance. Weight loss in an online weight control program was related to dynamic Web features that provided feedback, support, and motivation to participants.

The objective was to assess weight-loss maintenance in individuals who successfully completed a commercial weight-loss programme at multiple sites in the United States. A total of 699 lifetime members of Weight Watchers represented the national sample and 217 additional lifetime members served as an oversample. Lifetime members were asked to self-report their current weight 1, 2, and 5 years after they had successfully completed the programme. Additional lifetime members served as an oversample whose weights were measured. The discrepancy between reported and measured weight in the oversample was used to adjust the self-reported weights of the national sample. Seventy-one percent of participants were middle-aged or older and 95·3 % were female; their mean starting BMI was 27·6 (sd 3·6) kg/m2. The percentage of Weight Watchers lifetime members who maintained at least 5 % of their weight loss 1, 2 and 5 years after successful completion of the programme was 79·8, 71·0, and 50·0, respectively. The percentage of participants who remained below their goal weight 1, 2 and 5 years after completion of the programme was 26·5, 20·5, and 16·2, respectively. Results obtained with this group of successful Weight Watchers members are not directly comparable to those obtained with clinical samples of obese dieters because the current sample comprises only the most successful Weight Watchers participants. However, these results provide further evidence that maintenance of weight loss in those who successfully lose weight in one commercial weight-loss programme is more feasible than data from clinical populations have suggested.

Dietary restraint is associated with impairments on tasks requiring concurrent processing of food-related information and performance of a secondary cognitive task. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether manipulating information about post-task consumption of food enhances the cognitive impairments observed in restrained eaters when they are required to think about food at the same time as performing a simple reaction time task. On separate trials within the same session, restrained (n=29) and unrestrained eaters (n=29) were asked to imagine eating a slice of chocolate cake and drinking glass of water while performing a simple reaction time task. Half the participants were told that they would not be able to consume the cues following the task, while the other half were told that they would be required to eat the cake and drink the water. The reaction time performance of restrained eaters was slowed when imagining eating the cake, relative to imagining drinking the water in both the consumption and no consumption conditions. No effects of cue exposure on reaction time were found for unrestrained eaters. The results suggest that dietary restrained eaters are more reactive to food cues but that this effect is not modulated by information about post-task consumption of the food.

Prospective studies suggest dieting increases bulimic symptoms, but experiments suggest that dieting decreases bulimic symptoms. One possible explanation for the conflicting findings is that real world dieting involves less healthy dieting techniques, such as meal skipping, than prescribed diets. We tested whether the manipulation of eating episode frequency during dieting impacted bulimic symptoms. We expected that people on a diet involving fewer eating episodes would exhibit greater increases in bulimic symptoms than people on a diet involving more frequent eating episodes or waitlist controls. Participants on both 6-week diets lost more weight than controls, confirming dieting was manipulated, and showed greater reductions in bulimic symptoms than controls; however, the dieting conditions did not differ on either outcome. Results provide further experimental evidence that dieting does not increase bulimic symptoms, but suggests that eating episode frequency has little impact on this outcome.