Address Obesity Issues Research Articles

Promoting healthy eating: The intervening role of health and nutrition-related claims in food advertisements

Objective: Factors contributing to the obesity epidemic have powerful effects on people who are frequently exposed to the extensive advertisement of unhealthy foods. This study aimed to examine how consumers’ attitudes towards health and nutrition-related (HNR) claims in food advertisements affected their healthy food choice (HFC) and how online searching for nutrition information (OSNI) about food products mediated the impact of obesity knowledge on HFC. Method: An online survey was conducted using Amazon Mechanical Turk. A total of 897 participants were recruited, with 484 women and 380 men. A moderated mediation analysis using PROCESS was conducted. Results: OSNI was found to mediate the impact of obesity knowledge on HFC. The extent to which consumers’ obesity knowledge influenced their HFC depended on consumers’ attitudes towards HNR claims in food advertisements. The direct effect of consumers’ obesity knowledge on their HFC was moderated by their attitudes towards HNR claims in food advertisements. Conclusion: Both theoretical and practical insights into the dynamic effects on HFC were identified in response to the use of HNR claims in food advertisements as a persuasive strategy for promoting healthy eating. Healthcare professionals and health educators working to address obesity issues should craft more useful online health and nutrition information for consumers who are considering eating healthier foods. In addition, more helpful HNR claims in food advertisements should be developed so as to promote healthy food products, especially for consumers with limited obesity knowledge.

Effects of oral lubrication on satiety, satiation and salivary biomarkers in model foods: A pilot study

With a dramatic increase in overweight and population with obesity over the last decades, there is an imminent need to tackle this issue using novel strategies. Addressing obesity issues by generating satiety in food to reduce energy intake has been one of those prominent strategies and often textural interventions have been used to generate satiety, specifically in short-term trials. This study aimed to investigate the role of preloads varying in their oral lubricating properties on appetite sensations, food intake, salivary friction and concentration of salivary biomarkers (proteins, α-amylase and mucins) in collected human saliva (n = 17 healthy participants). The preloads were model foods (flavoured hydrogels) either high or low in their lubricating properties, assessed both by instrumental and sensorial measurements. The results showed that hunger and desire to eat decreased immediately after preload and remained decreased for 10 and 20 min, respectively, after preload in the high lubricating condition compared to control (all p < 0.05). Fullness increased immediately after preload and remained increased for 10 and 20 min, respectively, after preload in high lubricating condition compared to control (p < 0.05). However, after controlling the values for baseline, such significant effect of the intervention did not exist anymore. Only the effect of time is observed. Consuming high lubricating hydrogels showed no effect on food intake and salivary biomarkers in this pilot study. Salivary lubrication correlated with feeling of fullness. Considering the issue of large time-interval (30 min) between preload and next meal in this study, it is worthwhile investigating the immediate effects of oral lubrication on appetite control, food intake and salivary biomarkers.

Bariatric Surgery Is Efficacious and Improves Access to Transplantation for Morbidly Obese Renal Transplant Candidates.

The surgical risk of morbidly obese patients is high and even higher for kidney transplant candidates. A BMI > 35-40kg/m2 is often a contraindication for that surgery. The safety, feasibility, and outcome of bariatric surgery for those patients are inconclusive. We conducted a retrospective chart review of prospectively collected data on morbidly obese renal transplant candidates who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in our institution between January 2009 and September 2017. The reported outcome included body weight and graft status after a mean follow-up of 47months (range 0.5-5years). Twenty-four patients (8 females, 16 males, average age 54years, average preoperative BMI 41kg/m2 [range 35-51]) underwent LSG (n = 17) or LRYGB (n = 7). Sixteen of them (67%) proceeded to kidney transplantation. Of the 8 pre-transplant and post-bariatric surgery patients, 5 are on the waitlist, and 2 patients died (one of staple line leakage, and one from sepsis unrelated to the bariatric surgery). The average time from bariatric surgery to transplantation was 1.5years (range 1month to 4.3years). The average pre-transplantation BMI was 28kg/m2 (range 19-36). The mean percentage of excess weight loss was 66% (n = 21), and the total percentage of weight loss was 29% (n = 21). Comorbidities (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) improved significantly following both surgical approaches. LSG and LRYGB appear to effectively address obesity issues before kidney transplantation and improve surgical access. Morbidly obese transplant candidates would benefit from prior bariatric surgery.

Lifestyle behaviours or socioeconomic characteristics? Gender differences in covariates of BMI in Hungary.

SummaryObjectiveLifestyle behaviours are everyday activities that result from individual's values, knowledge, and norms shaped by broader cultural and socioeconomic context. These behaviours affect body weight as well as overall health and are influenced by a number of social characteristics. The aim of this paper was to examine the net effects of lifestyle behaviours and socioeconomic factors on body mass index (BMI), and how these differed by gender.MethodsThis study used the 2009/2010 Hungarian Time Use Survey combining behavioural records, background information, and measures of self‐reported health and weight. The sample (n = 7765) was representative for the Hungarian population. Multivariate linear OLS regression models were employed to analyse the net effects of lifestyle and sociodemographic variables.ResultsDaily behaviours were associated with BMI for women, but not for men, except for smoking. Meals frequency and duration of sleep had negative effects on female BMI, whereas duration of TV viewing had a positive effect. Occupational class was associated with male BMI, but not with female. The strong negative effect of smoking was significant for both genders.ConclusionsLifestyle behaviours were linked with female BMI, with socioeconomic characteristics impacting on male BMI. These results suggest that a gender‐specific approach may be appropriate to address obesity issues in the Hungarian population.

Abstract P371: Healthy Clinics, Healthy Kids - Lifestyle Intervention on Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention in Pediatric Clinical Settings

Childhood obesity should be addressed in multiple sectors, including the health services/clinical setting. While many physicians believe it is their responsibility to help adult patients lose weight, the majority feels they are not equipped to manage weight problems of their patients. Healthy Clinics, Healthy Kids (HCHK) was designed to test the impact of addressing obesity, using a lifestyle approach, among pediatric patients and families in a variety of primary care clinical settings. HCHK interventions took place over a 2-year period (2010-2012) in three states (MI, MS and NM). Lifestyle interventions (nutrition, healthy living, physical activity education/technical assistance), targeted children and caregivers in low-income clinical settings that care for children. The goal was to help clinical staff address obesity issues and concerns of patients and families. Impact of interventions was assessed using pre and post surveys. 21 sites completed pre and post surveys (MI (9), MS (9), and NM (3)). Respondents included nurses (14), managers (2), physicians (2), coordinators (1), and a registered dietitian. Prevalence of obesity among children was higher than the national average (respondents reported that only 56% were “normal”, as compared to approximately 66% nationally). 32% indicated private insurance pays for some obesity care, and 42% indicated public insurance. 44% indicated they discuss weight with parents of “normal” weight children, and about 73% indicated they discuss this with parents of “overweight” children. Statistically significantly (at the p&lt;.05 level) more respondents indicated, at the end of the project than at the beginning, that they discuss “the impact of childhood obesity on their future risk for chronic diseases in adulthood” (70% versus 57%). Statistically significantly more indicated that they discuss this topic with parents at the end (76% versus 57%). There was an increase in discussing obesity with patients, topics including exercise and physical activity (+8.5%) and limiting sedentary behaviors (+5.0%). There was an increase in conversations with parents, topics including healthy food and beverage choices (+4.8%), physical activity (+9.4%), limiting sedentary behaviors (+4.7%), “creating a healthy home environment” (+19.1%), and “removing the TV from the bedroom” (+14.3%) Although at baseline it was not discussed much (22.2%), at follow-up, there was an increase in “encouraging breastfeeding for childhood obesity prevention, if pregnant” (38.1%). Regarding parents, although already a topic with high comfort level at baseline, statistically significantly more respondents indicated at the end of the project that they felt comfortable discussing exercise and physical activity (76.2% versus 90.5% respectively). Overall, HCHK showed that implementation of a nutrition and healthy living program for clinics is feasible and effective.

Obesity communication among patients by health professionals: Findings from the Weight Care Project

Obesity is on the increase worldwide and is a major global public health problem. In an increasingly obesogenic environment, it’s important that health professionals are equipped to identify and address obesity issues within their clinical practice. As part of the Weight Care Project, the aim of this study was to explore the obesity-related communication issues for primary care and community-based health professionals. The study design was a quantitative survey, which was completed by 382 primary care and community-based health professionals across Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland working with adults and children. Key findings included that the majority of the health professionals (86%) recognized having a role in giving obesity advice, acknowledged that in clinical practice communication of obesity messages is both complex and challenging (81%), and reported difficulty in sensitively addressing obesity issues (27%). The health professionals surveyed stated that they communicate obesity messages to their patients using a range of different methods, mainly verbally to individuals, leaflets and factsheets. Numerous benefits of communicating obesity messages were reported; the main one was interacting with patients to build trust. Identified barriers to commu nication were: limited time in patient consultations, restricted access to appropriate information, and not sure where to access appropriate resources. Communication needed be reported by the health professionals included provision of greater resources, more information on obesity management and prevention, followed by health communication training, and clear and consistent messages. Significant differences were observed, including significantly much younger health professionals considered their role to provide obesity advice (P = 0.025). It is clear from this study that health professionals view as important the need to be given information on “what” and “how” to communicate with their patients on obesity. This study highlights that health professionals need continued support to enable them to effectively address weight-related issues in a sensitive manner that is acceptable to the patient.

A Critical Look at Physical Education and What Must Be Done to Address Obesity Issues

(2011). A Critical Look at Physical Education and What Must Be Done to Address Obesity Issues. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 82, No. 4, pp. 39-46.