Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) does not produce homogeneous results, with some patients showing little weight loss after the procedure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of pre-procedural psychometric questionnaires to predict insufficient weight loss after ESG in patients with obesity. Patient candidates for ESG were requested to complete the following psychometric questionnaires: Short Form-36 (SF-36), Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90-R), Binge Eating Scale (BES), Yale Food Addiction Questionnaire (Y-FAS), Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26), and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11). The results of the psychometric scores were then compared with the ESG outcome, which was considered a therapeutic failure if the %EWL was less than 30% at 12 months after the follow-up. Thirty-five patients (8 males and 27 females, mean age 49 years, range 21–75 years) were included in this study. At the one-year follow-up, the mean %EWL was 40 ± 43%. Male sex and higher preoperative BMI were identified as risk factors for poor weight loss. A logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex and preoperative BMI showed that low scores on the SF-36 (Subscale Mental Health), high scores on the SCL_90-R, and an elevated BES score were predictors of therapeutic failure. The results of the present study seem to confirm the usefulness of the SF-36, SCL-90R, and BES questionnaires in the selection of patients eligible for ESG.

Obesity is a major global health challenge that substantially affects vitamin D metabolism and status. Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated an inverse relationship between body fat and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations. Emerging evidence suggests that lower serum 25(OH)D in obesity largely reflects altered distribution and metabolism rather than a uniform state of true functional deficiency. Adipose tissue functions both as a storage compartment and as a metabolically active organ capable of modulating vitamin D handling. Mechanisms include the sequestration of vitamin D in fat, volumetric dilution across a larger body mass, and the local expression of enzymes involved in vitamin D metabolism. As a result, obese individuals typically exhibit a blunted increase in serum 25(OH)D in response to supplementation, consistent with altered pharmacokinetics and increased distribution volume. Weight loss, particularly the reduction in visceral fat, is associated with modest increases in circulating 25(OH)D, further supporting a distribution-based mechanism. Although low 25(OH)D levels in obesity have been linked to insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome, randomized controlled trials have not consistently demonstrated that supplementation improves clinically relevant outcomes in this population. Meta-analyses confirm that the increase in serum 25(OH)D after supplementation is smaller in obese individuals, indicating that higher doses are often required to achieve comparable levels to those in normal-weight subjects. Obesity thus represents a major determinant of vitamin D deficiency, highlighting the need for individualized supplementation strategies alongside weight management. Understanding the mechanistic basis for low 25(OH)D in obesity is essential for distinguishing true deficiency from altered distribution, informing clinical decisions, and optimizing interventions to maintain adequate vitamin D status and support metabolic health.

Weight loss is an indicator of nutritional disorders, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and is more likely to be experienced by individuals with fewer teeth. In this study, we examined the relationship between 1-year body weight changes and variations in various oral function tests. In total, we examined 104 individuals aged 45–84 years (70 men and 34 women) who underwent health check-ups at our hospital in 2023 and 2024. Several oral function tests were performed, and changes over a 1-year period were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The rate of change in oral function was compared between individuals who lost ≥5% of their body weight in 1 year and those who did not; no significant differences in body weight and oral function were observed between 2023 and 2024, and no significant differences in the rates of change in oral function or weight loss were observed based on sex and age. The rates of change in occlusal force and masticatory function were significantly correlated with weight loss rates, while no differences were observed in terms of sex or age between those who lost ≥5% of their body weight in 1 year and those who did not; the only significant difference was in occlusal force: weight loss was correlated with occlusal force over 1 year, with individuals who lost ≥5% of their body weight exhibiting significantly lower occlusal force, a risk factor for nutritional disorders.

Background/Objectives: Comprehensive knowledge of body composition and bone status across the lifespan is critical for clinical evaluation and public health initiatives. This study aimed to develop age- and sex-specific reference curves for body composition and bone status in a physically active Greek population aged 18–80 using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A secondary objective was to examine age- and sex-related trends in fat distribution, lean mass (LM), and bone status. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 637 participants (275 men and 362 women). Physical activity was assessed through structured interviews evaluating type, frequency, and intensity, categorized using established guidelines from organizations such as the American Heart Association and World Health Organization. Anthropometric data and DXA scans were utilized to measure parameters including fat mass (FM), LM, and BMD. Participants were stratified into age categories, and percentile curves were generated using generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS). Results: Among women, body mass increased by 20.9% and body fat percentage rose by 38.3% from the youngest to the oldest age group, accompanied by a 5.7% reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) and an 11.5% decline in bone mineral content (BMC). Men exhibited a 49.1% increase in body fat percentage, with LM remaining stable across age groups. In men, BMD decreased by 1.7%, while BMC showed minimal variation. Notable sex differences were observed in fat redistribution, with android fat (AF) increasing significantly in older individuals, particularly among women, highlighting distinct age-related patterns. Conclusions: This study provides essential reference data on body composition and bone status, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions to address sex- and age-related changes, particularly in fat distribution and bone density, to support improved health outcomes in aging populations.

Background: Identifying differences between genders regarding long-term surgical outcomes in bariatric surgeries may be important for optimizing their results. Objective: The current study evaluated mid-term gender-specific differences in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was done in our university-based hospital, including patients who underwent laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) between January 2014 and December 2017. We compared demographics and clinical history (including BMI) before and after surgery, as well as the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) and complications. Results: We enrolled 217 patients, 86 of whom were males (39.6%), with an average age of 52 ± 0.8 years. We observed no significant differences between males and females in minimal BMI attained (26.35 ± 4.9 vs. 25.9 ± 4.5 respectively, p = 0.56), total complications rate (p = 0.165), early post-op complication rate (p = 0.158), need for re-operation (p = 0.357), and BAROS score (p = 0.42). Conclusions: LSG outcomes were similar for male and female patients, as measured by BAROS, BMI reduction, and complication rates. Further studies are warranted; however, in the meantime, LSG can be offered to the entire population, regardless of gender-specific considerations.

Background: The prevalence of being overweight and of obesity among women of childbearing age is constantly increasing. Objectives: To analyze the critical periods and goals of women’s weight management from early pregnancy to 3 years postpartum. Methods: Women’s weight was tracked from the first trimester of pregnancy to 3 years postpartum. We calculated their gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention (PPWR), and used linear mixed models and logistic models to estimate weight change velocities and risk factors associated with overweight/obesity at 1–3 years postpartum. Results: The medians of pre-pregnancy BMI (pre-BMI) and GWG among the 641 participants were 20.1 kg/m2 and 15.0 kg. Among women with pre-BMI < 24 kg/m2, those with excessive GWG remained at higher weights within 1.5 years postpartum than those with appropriate GWG (p < 0.05). Women’s weight decreased from 42 days to 1 year postpartum (β = −0.31 for low pre-BMI, β = −0.24 for normal pre-BMI, both p < 0.05), and remained unchanged from 1 to 3 years (p > 0.05). The rate of being overweight/obese at one year postpartum was mainly associated with pre-pregnancy weight (as a continuous variable, aOR = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.44–1.74) and 1-year PPWR (aOR = 1.78, 95%CI: 1.48–2.15). Compared with women who maintained normal BMI, those who shifted to being overweight/obese had higher pre-BMI and 1-year PPWR (22.6 kg/m2 vs. 20.3 kg/m2, 7.0 kg vs. 1.0 kg, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Normal and relatively low pre-BMI (18.5–22.0 kg/m2) and less than 2.0 kg of 1-year PPWR are goals of women’s weight management.

Overweight and obesity represent a significant global health challenge, requiring comprehensive, long-term approaches. Digital weight-loss services (DWLSs) have emerged as promising obesity care models, as they facilitate access to continuous multidisciplinary care. This study aimed to evaluate 12-month weight-loss and adherence patterns in a large unsubsidized DWLS in the UK, which combined lifestyle therapy with semaglutide treatment. A retrospective cohort design was used to analyze data from 7279 patients who initiated treatment between 1 January 2023, and 1 May 2024. Of these patients, 1678 (23.05%) met all criteria for inclusion in the efficacy estimand, which included receiving a minimum of 8 medication orders and submitting weight data within 341–379 days after program initiation. The efficacy estimand achieved a mean weight loss of 15.67%, with 92.49% losing a clinically meaningful amount of weight (≥5%). A strong positive association was found between weight tracking frequency and weight loss, to the extent that a percentage discrepancy of 8.41 points was observed between patients who tracked on less than 20 occasions (Median = 11.83%) and those who tracked at least 100 times (Median = 20.24%). A significant association between weight loss and semaglutide orders was also observed, with a clear distinction existing between patients who received less than 12 orders, and those who received 12 or more orders. Patients whose DWLS experience was supplemented with Wegovy recorded significantly higher mean weight loss than those who were treated with Ozempic (17.68% vs. 14.72%). The findings highlight the importance of program engagement in DWLS outcomes and suggest the need for a comparative analysis of unsubsidized and subsidized services. The study is limited by its real-world observational design and reliance on self-reported data; future research should compare outcomes between unsubsidized and subsidized DWLS cohorts.

Violence is an emerging social determinant of health in Latin America; however, empirical evidence from Peru remains limited. This study examined the association between crime rates and the prevalence of obesity and high blood pressure in Peru from 2019 to 2023. Using a repeated cross-sectional design with department–year aggregates, we analyzed nationally representative data from the Demographic and Family Health Survey, adjusting for sociodemographic, mental health, and geographic factors. Regional statistics on crime were incorporated into the analysis. The findings revealed a significant association between higher levels of crime and increased prevalence of self-reported high blood pressure and obesity. The association with obesity was particularly pronounced in border regions such as Tumbes, Madre de Dios, and Callao, where criminal activity is more prevalent. The findings indicate that prolonged exposure to violence may negatively impact biological stress responses, limit physical activity, and encourage the emergence of detrimental behaviors, consequently increasing the cardiometabolic risk burden in affected populations.

Obesity is a significant global health challenge, with prevalence rising steadily worldwide. Effective management often involves bariatric surgery, such as sleeve gastrectomy (SG), which has proven effective in reducing weight and improving comorbid conditions. This study aimed to evaluate nutritional status and protein source awareness and its impact on muscle mass among patients post SG surgery in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 98 adults (aged 18–51 years) who underwent SG at the Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (Badana Clinic)/Mouwasat Hospital in Dammam from December 2023 to February 2024. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire that covered demographics, dietary habits, physical activity, protein knowledge (from food and supplements), and a 24 h dietary recall. Body composition, including muscle mass, was assessed using the InBody270 Body Composition Analyzer. The results revealed that participants exhibited a high level of awareness regarding the importance of protein sources. However, muscle mass decreased by an average of 4.11 kg after surgery. This decline was attributed to insufficient protein intake, which ranged between 30 and 60 g per day, below recommended levels. Taste aversion and dietary limitations post-surgery contributed to this inadequate protein consumption. In conclusion, while participants understood the significance of protein for muscle maintenance, practical challenges in achieving adequate protein sources led to muscle mass loss. These findings underscore the importance of tailored nutritional strategies and education to optimize recovery and long-term health outcomes for SG surgery patients.

Background: Hypertriglyceridemia is a lipid disorder characterized by elevated plasma triglyceride levels, and its prevalence increases with aging. This condition contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality in older adults. In settings with limited access to laboratory testing, especially in developing countries such as Brazil, identifying low-cost and easily applicable screening tools is essential. Objective: To investigate the discriminatory capacity of anthropometric indicators of obesity for screening hypertriglyceridemia in older adults. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 223 community-dwelling older adults (57% women). Independent variables included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), abdominal circumference (AC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), body adiposity index (BAI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and conicity index (CI). Hypertriglyceridemia was defined as triglyceride levels ≥ 150 mg/dL. Discriminatory performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and associations were examined using Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia was 35%. Among older men, AC and CI showed the highest sensitivities (88.90% and 77.40%), while WHR and BMI demonstrated the highest specificities (83.10% and 76.90%). In older women, AC and BMI had the highest sensitivities (95.70% and 87.20%), whereas CI and WHtR exhibited the highest specificities (72.50% and 68.80%). All anthropometric indicators were positively associated with hypertriglyceridemia after adjustment for confounders. Conclusions: AC and CI demonstrated the strongest discriminatory capacity for screening older men with a higher probability of presenting hypertriglyceridemia, while AC and BMI showed the greatest discriminatory capacity among older women. In contrast, WHR and BMI had the highest ability to rule out the condition in older men, whereas CI and WHtR performed this role more effectively in older women. These findings show that low-cost anthropometric indicators can be used in a complementary manner, combining the most sensitive and the most specific measures to support an optimized triage process for hypertriglyceridemia in older adults, particularly in resource-limited settings.