Diet Program Research Articles

Aquatic resource consumption at the Odense leprosarium: Advancing the limits of palaeodiet reconstruction with amino acid δ13C measurements

Dietary patterns of leprosy patients from the medieval leprosarium at Odense (Denmark) were investigated via carbon isotope ratio analysis of individual amino acids (δ13CAA) in bone collagen. The aim of this research was to explore in detail the consumption of aquatic resources (freshwater and marine) by these individuals; especially during the last few years of life, which were likely spent in the leprosy hospital. The analysis was conducted on ribs (n = 30) and long bones (n = 10) from 30 individuals, as well as on 9 local and contemporary faunal samples. A comparison of the Odense δ13CAA results with published δ13CAA values from the Baltic Sea region indicate that the diet was primarily terrestrial, but 12 of the 30 individuals (40%) consumed a mixed terrestrial-aquatic diet based on Δ13CVal-Phe values. Further, comparison of the rib-long bone pairs from 10 individuals found statistically significant differences in the Δ13CVal-Phe and Δ13CGly-Phe results, but not the δ13CLys results. This intra-individual dietary difference is also supported by MLA-PCA, and tentatively suggests these leprosy patients increased their consumption of marine protein over the last few years of life, indicating perhaps an institutional dietary program in the leprosarium. This work represents one of the largest archaeological δ13CAA studies in Europe and the first to compare bones with different turnover rates. Compound specific isotope analysis of δ13CAA has great potential to reveal subtle intra-individual dietary shifts that may remain undetected by bulk isotopic analysis.

Maternal low protein diet and fetal programming of lean type 2 diabetes.

Maternal nutrition is found to be the key factor that determines fetal health in utero and metabolic health during adulthood. Metabolic diseases have been primarily attributed to impaired maternal nutrition during pregnancy, and impaired nutrition has been an immense issue across the globe. In recent years, type 2 diabetes (T2D) has reached epidemic proportion and is a severe public health problem in many countries. Although plenty of research has already been conducted to tackle T2D which is associated with obesity, little is known regarding the etiology and pathophysiology of lean T2D, a variant of T2D. Recent studies have focused on the effects of epigenetic variation on the contribution of in utero origins of lean T2D, although other mechanisms might also contribute to the pathology. Observational studies in humans and experiments in animals strongly suggest an association between maternal low protein diet and lean T2D phenotype. In addition, clear sex-specific disease prevalence was observed in different studies. Consequently, more research is essential for the understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of lean T2D, which might help to develop better disease prevention and treatment strategies. This review examines the role of protein insufficiency in the maternal diet as the central driver of the developmental programming of lean T2D.

A broad focus on additional programmes prior to bariatric surgery: A systematic review.

Additional preoperative programmes may be beneficial for candidates who seek bariatric surgery, but there is no consensus on the optimal preparation. This systematic review aimed to summarize the effects of a preoperative programme on weight loss. A literature search was performed for Embase, Cinahl, PubMed and Cochrane Library. Studies on preoperative exercise, behaviour and/or diet programmes administered in adult patients in a bariatric trajectory measuring weight loss were included. Initial results yielded 2148 titles, 70 of which were thoroughly analysed and 37 articles were included, comprising 10 333 patients. Eleven out of 37 studies included postoperative weight loss as an outcome in interventions focused on diet (n=5), behaviour (n=2), exercise (n=2) and a combination of interventions (n=2). Only one study (9%) which administered exercise as a preoperative programme showed a significant effect on postoperative weight loss. In total, 33 studies included preoperative weight loss as an outcome, which was significant in 64% of the cases. It is difficult to draw conclusions from the investigated data as it was extremely heterogeneous concerning the intensity, duration and administration of a programme. Nevertheless, it seems that a preoperative weight loss programme seems beneficial in terms of preoperative weight loss, postoperative physical activity and improved mental health postinterventional. The use of a core outcome set is recommended for future studies.

Effects of \u2018SPRAT\u2019 programme for dietary and lifestyle education to improve psychosomatic symptoms and dietary habits among adolescents: a cluster randomised controlled trial

BackgroundDietary and lifestyle modifications to reduce subjective psychosomatic symptoms (SPS) have become an important topic worldwide. We developed a school-based dietary and lifestyle education programme that involved parents/guardians in reducing SPS in adolescents (SPRAT). The programme encouraged parents/guardians to participate in adolescents’ healthy dietary and lifestyle modifications to reduce SPS, increase enjoyment of school life, and foster appropriate dietary intake. This study evaluated the effectiveness of SPRAT in reducing SPS and in altering dietary behaviour among adolescents.MethodsA 6-month cluster randomised controlled trial using SPRAT and the usual school programme (control) was performed. Participants were middle school students in Japan who provided informed consent. Outcomes were SPS scores assessed at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 months after baseline and the proportions of dietary and lifestyle factors achieved such as enjoyment of school life and dietary intakes assessed by FFQW82. Change from baseline (CFB) at 6 months was the primary endpoint. A linear mixed-effects model was applied. As for dietary intake, the treatment effect was estimated as an interaction term between baseline and treatment “baseline*treatment”.ResultsThe intention-to treat analysis included 951 (94.7%) and 1035 (89.8%) individuals in the SPRAT and control groups, respectively. The CFB in the 6-month SPS score adjusted for baseline was lower in the SPRAT group (-0.29) than in the control group (0.62), but the difference was not statistically significant -0.91 (p = 0.093).ConclusionsAlthough the primary endpoint tended to denote improvement in the SPRAT group compared to the control group, the improvement was not significant. Favourable effects were observed in some secondary outcomes and statistically significant treatment*baseline interactions were observed for several dietary intakes. These results imply that CFBs of dietary intake were increased or decreased in a favourable direction depending on the baseline intake, especially in the SPRAT group.Trial registrationUMIN000026715. (27/03/2017)

Effects of adding a diet intervention to exercise on hip osteoarthritis pain: protocol for the ECHO randomized controlled trial

BackgroundHip osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of musculoskeletal pain. Exercise is a core recommended treatment. Despite some clinical guidelines also recommending weight loss for hip OA, there is no evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCT) to substantiate these recommendations. This superiority, 2-group, parallel RCT will compare a combined diet and exercise program to an exercise only program, over 6 months.MethodsOne hundred people with symptomatic and radiographic hip OA will be recruited from the community. Following baseline assessment, participants will be randomly allocated to either, i) diet and exercise or; ii) exercise only. Participants in the diet and exercise group will have six consultations with a dietitian and five consultations with a physiotherapist via videoconferencing over 6 months. The exercise only group will have five consultations with a physiotherapist via videoconferencing over 6 months. The exercise program for both groups will include prescription of strengthening exercise and a physical activity plan, advice about OA management and additional educational resources. The diet intervention includes prescription of a ketogenic very low-calorie diet with meal replacements and educational resources to support weight loss and healthy eating. Primary outcome is self-reported hip pain via an 11-point numeric rating scale (0 = ‘no pain’ and 10 = ‘worst pain possible’) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include self-reported body weight (at 0, 6 and 12 months) and body mass index (at 0, 6 and 12 months), visceral fat (measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry at 0 and 6 months), pain, physical function, quality of life (all measured using subscales of the Hip Osteoarthritis Outcome Scale at 0, 6 and 12 months), and change in pain and physical activity (measured using 7-point global rating of change Likert scale at 6 and 12 months). Additional measures include adherence, adverse events and cost-effectiveness.DiscussionThis study will determine whether a diet intervention in addition to exercise provides greater hip pain-relief, compared to exercise alone. Findings will assist clinicians in providing evidence-based advice regarding the effect of a dietary intervention on hip OA pain.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov . Identifier: NCT04825483. Registered 31st March 2021.

Body weight, diabetes incidence vascular events and survival 15 years after very low calorie diet in community medical clinics in the UK

ObjectiveTo assess weight loss maintenance, diabetes status, mortality and morbidity 15 years after a very low calorie diet programme (VLCD) in patients with obesity.DesignGeneral practice data bases were interrogated for...

Aerobic exercise with diet induces hormonal, metabolic, and psychological changes in postmenopausal obese women

Physical activity and diet are recommended lifestyle strategies to improve human health. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the impact of aerobic exercise combined with dietary restriction on hormonal, metabolic, and psychological variables in postmenopausal women. Eligible 60 women were enrolled and assigned into two equal groups; the experimental group performed aerobic exercise three times per week for 12 weeks with diet restriction, and the control group only received the same diet program. Serum levels of sex hormones, insulin resistance, and depression scores were measured before and after the intervention. ResultsAll measured variables were significantly changed in the experimental group compared to the control group (P = 0.001). ConclusionChanges in sex hormones are a biological marker of metabolic complications such as insulin resistance, which can be reduced with exercise and diet. In addition, they are effective therapeutic interventions in the treatment of mild depression. Trial registrationRegistration identifier number of this study is: NCT05136742 on https://register.ClinicalTrials.gov.

Persepsi Mahasiswa Terhadap Program Diet Plastik di DKI Jakarta Sebagai Upaya Penyelamatan Ekosistem Laut

The sea is considered a waste disposal place because of its large volume of water and the ability to dilute all kinds of foreign substances. The community has ignored marine pollution for many years and gradually causes pollution effects from waste disposal. More and more waste is being dumped into the sea and has a high concentration. If waste disposal into the sea is carried out sustainably, it is feared that it will cause global impacts from marine pollution. The purpose of this study was to determine student perceptions of the plastic diet program as an effort to save marine ecosystems. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method, with the distribution of questionnaires, with respondents being a student in DKI Jakarta. From the research results obtained from 31 samples, the perception of students studying in DKI Jakarta towards the plastic diet as an effort to save the marine ecosystem is very positive and supports the movement. This finding is evidenced by the student's knowledge of the importance of maintaining marine ecosystems, the dangers of plastic waste, and efforts to make the plastic diet program successful in DKI Jakarta.

Effects of caloric and time restriction diets on kidney health in rat model of postmenopausal acute kidney injury: An apoptosis and histopathological study.

Objective(s):Lifestyle and eating habits affect the health and function of the body’s organs, including the kidneys. The current study was carried out to determine the effects of two types of diet programs, including time restriction (TR) and calorie restriction (CR) on the histopathological changes and apoptotic molecules during acute kidney injury (AKI) in postmenopausal rats. Materials and Methods: In this study the female rats were divided into two groups of ovariectomized (OVX) and ovary-intact (sham), then they were placed on TR and CR diets for 8 weeks; afterward, AKI was induced by injection of glycerol. Functional indices, histopathological changes, Bax, and Bcl2 were measured before and after AKI. Results:After AKI, creatinine, serum urea, urinary albumin excretion, kidney tissue Bax, and Bax/Bcl2 ratio increased, while glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and kidney tissue Bcl2 decreased compared with before AKI. Histopathological indices (inflammation, cellular necrosis, cell vacuolization, tubular dilatation, intratubular cast, and congestion) also confirmed renal injury. TR and CR diets improved renal injury indices and prevented an increase in the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. However, in some indices, the effects of two diets on OVX animals were not observed. In addition, none of the diets could decrease kidney weight/body weight ratio (KW/BW). The histopathological finding also showed improvement of renal status in both groups, especially in the CR diet.Conclusion:The results indicated that TR and CR diets had renoprotective effects against AKI by reducing the Bax/Bcl2 ratio and improving apoptosis. The effects of CR were more than TR.

Determination of Physicochemical, Rheological, Microbiological and Sensory Properties of Low Protein Yoghurt Substitutes Produced for PKU (Phenylketonuria) Patients

Treatment of PKU (Phenylketonuria) is a lifelong special diet program starting from the newborn period. The aim of this study was to produce an alternative product for PKU patients. Low protein milk substitute, xanthan gum (1%), Nestle nestergel yoghurt gelling agent (1.5%), starch (4%) and pectin (1.6%) were used to produce yoghurt substitue. Control yoghurt was produced from cow's milk. The fermentation of all samples was completed at the end of the 5th hour. The pH of the samples decreased during storage. The total solid matter of the corn starch and pectin added samples were higher than the others. Syneresis values of the samples with xantan gum, pectin and nesterjel were 0% or close to 0%. The shear stress of xantham gum, nestergel, starch added samples were found close to each other. The shear stress of the pectin added sample was higher than for them. L* values of the control and starch added samples, a* and b* values of pectin added sample were higher than those of other samples. The amount of protein and Phe was significantly higher in the pectin added sample than the other samples (p

Design and rationale for the supermarket and web-based intervention targeting nutrition (SuperWIN) for cardiovascular risk reduction trial

The prevalence of chronic diseases is increasing largely due to suboptimal dietary habits. It is not known whether individualized, supermarket-based, nutrition education delivered by registered dietitians, utilizing the advantages of the in-store and online environments, and electronically collected purchasing data, can increase dietary quality. The supermarket and web-based intervention targeting nutrition (SuperWIN) for cardiovascular risk reduction trial is a randomized, controlled dietary intervention study. Adults identified from a primary care network with 1 or more risk factors were randomized at their preferred store to: (1) standard of care plus individualized, point- of-purchase nutrition education; (2) standard of care plus individualized, point- of-purchase nutrition education enhanced with online shopping technologies and training; or (3) standard of care alone. Educational sessions within each store's clinic and aisles, emphasized the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet. The primary assessment was an intention-to-treat comparison on the effects of the dietary interventions on mean change in DASH score (90-point range) from baseline to 3 months (post-intervention). Additional outcomes included blood pressure, lipids, weight, purchasing behavior, food literacy, and intervention feedback. Between April 2019 to February 2021, 267 participants were randomized (20 excluded due to coronavirus disease pandemic). Median age was 58 years, 69% were female, 64% had a college degree, 53% worked full-time, 64% were obese, 73% were treated with blood pressure and 42% with cholesterol medications, and most had low-to-moderate diet quality. The SuperWIN trial was designed to provide a rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of 2 novel, comprehensive, supermarket-based dietary intervention programs.

Translating Evidence into Practice: A Case Study of Extended Use of a Very Low Energy Diet for Treatment of Co-Morbid Obesity and Chronic Disease

We report the case of a 30-year-old male with significant obesity (body mass index 47 kg/m2) with co-existing moderate obstructive sleep apnoea, hypertension, hypercholesteremia and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, who was treated with a very-low-energy diet (VLED) and lifestyle modification programme for 12 months. The patient lost weight throughout the entire treatment period (average weight loss was 2.1 kg/week, for a total of 42.7 kg), and showed marked improvement in co-morbidities and no adverse effects. This case demonstrates that prolonged (5-month) use of a VLED, under close medical supervision, is safe and effective in certain patients with obesity.

The Effect of Carbohydrate Intake on Strength and Resistance Training Performance: A Systematic Review

High carbohydrate intakes are commonly recommended for athletes of various sports, including strength trainees, to optimize performance. However, the effect of carbohydrate intake on strength training performance has not been systematically analyzed. A systematic literature search was conducted for trials that manipulated carbohydrate intake, including supplements, and measured strength, resistance training or power either acutely or after a diet and strength training program. Studies were categorized as either (1) acute supplementation, (2) exercise-induced glycogen depletion with subsequent carbohydrate manipulation, (3) short-term (2–7 days) carbohydrate manipulation or (4) changes in performance after longer-term diet manipulation and strength training. Forty-nine studies were included: 19 acute, six glycogen depletion, seven short-term and 17 long-term studies. Participants were strength trainees or athletes (39 studies), recreationally active (six studies) or untrained (four studies). Acutely, higher carbohydrate intake did not improve performance in 13 studies and enhanced performance in six studies, primarily in those with fasted control groups and workouts with over 10 sets per muscle group. One study found that a carbohydrate meal improved performance compared to water but not in comparison to a sensory-matched placebo breakfast. There was no evidence of a dose-response effect. After glycogen depletion, carbohydrate supplementation improved performance in three studies compared to placebo, in particular during bi-daily workouts, but not in research with isocaloric controls. None of the seven short-term studies found beneficial effects of carbohydrate manipulation. Longer-term changes in performance were not influenced by carbohydrate intake in 15 studies; one study favored the higher- and one the lower-carbohydrate condition. Carbohydrate intake per se is unlikely to strength training performance in a fed state in workouts consisting of up to 10 sets per muscle group. Performance during higher volumes may benefit from carbohydrates, but more studies with isocaloric control groups, sensory-matched placebos and locally measured glycogen depletion are needed.

Insights on the Effect and Experience of a Diet-Tracking Application for Older Adults in a Diet Trial

With an ageing population, healthy ageing becomes more important. Healthy nutrition is part of this process and can be supported in many ways. The PROMISS trial studies the effect of increasing protein intake in older adults on their physical functioning. Within this trial, a sub-study was performed, researching the added effect of using a diet-tracking app enhanced with persuasive and (optional) gamification techniques. The goal was to see how older adult participants received such technology within their diet program. There were 48 participants included in this sub-study, of which 36 completed the study period of 6 months. Our results on adherence and user evaluation show that a dedicated app used within the PROMISS trial is a feasible way to engage older adults in diet tracking. On average, participants used the app 83% of the days, during a period of on average 133 days. User-friendliness was evaluated with an average score of 4.86 (out of 7), and experienced effectiveness was evaluated with an average score of 4.57 (out of 7). However, no effect of the technology on protein intake was found. The added gamification elements did not have a different effect compared with the version without those elements. However, some participants did like the added gamification elements, and it can thus be nice to add them as additional features for participants that like them. This article also studies whether personal characteristics correlate with any of the other results. Although some significant results were found, this does not give a clear view on which types of participants like or benefit from this technology.

Study Protocol: The Feeding Exercise Randomized Trial among Overweight and Obese Adolescents in Greece.

Background: This paper describes the study protocol used in the Feeding Exercise Clinical Trial in Adolescents in the region of Larissa in Greece, a randomized controlled clinical trial, among overweight/obese adolescents. Methods: The main aim of the study was to comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of 2 different clinical interventions among 12 to 18-year-old overweight and obese adolescents. The first group participated in an exercise program and the second group in a combined dietary and exercise program. The third group was the control group. The study was conducted between 2014 and 2015. All adolescents aged 12 to 18 years old from public schools of Larisa and also their parents asked to participate. The effects of the intervention program will be analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance or the Friedman test. Changes in lifestyle behaviors from the baseline to the end of the intervention will be assessed using a chi-square test for categorical variables. A Pearson or a Spearman correlation coefficient and a linear regression analysis will be performed to explore any associations between quantitative variables. The following parameters were measured among adolescents: height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic pressure, pulse rate, dietary and exercise habits of the adolescents and their parents. Conclusion: This is the first clinical trial in Greece investigating the impact of clinical interventions on obesity among adolescents. It is expected that the results will provide useful insights into the effectiveness of clinical interventions among overweight and obese adolescents in Greece.

Locomotion asymmetry in young Standardbred trotters in training and links to future racing career

This study evaluated whether front and hind limb symmetry patterns observed from 1.5 through 3 years of age in Standardbred trotters in training affect racing activity at older age. The hypothesis tested was that asymmetries observed during this period are linked to reduced number of lifetime races and low earnings. Sixteen Standardbreds were subjected to a controlled training and dietary programme from the age of 1.5 years until December as 3-year-olds (P1) and then continued their career with other trainers. On 17 occasions during P1, locomotion asymmetry (vector sum) in front and hind limbs during trot in hand was recorded with a sensor-based system. By 10 years of age, data on lifetime number of races and earnings of the horses were obtained from the Swedish Trotting Association. Horses were divided in groups based on the number of lifetime races performed, i.e. more or less than the median of the cohort born the same year. Mean asymmetry levels did not differ between horses performing more or less lifetime races than the cohort median. However, horses that showed the poorest lifetime race activity showed elevated hind limb asymmetry in August at the age of 3 years, compared to horses with more races (group <median: 9±6 mm vs group >median: 6±2 mm (P=0.02)). There were no correlations between individual mean and peak asymmetries and lifetime earnings. It is concluded that locomotion symmetry observed during trot in hand at the age of 1.5-year-olds to December as 3-year-olds was not a simple and straight-forward predictor of future racing career. However, hind limb asymmetries of around 10 mm in the late season as 3-year-olds could be a warning of impaired future performance.

Implementation of a diabetes prevention program within two community sites: a qualitative assessment

BackgroundDespite numerous translations of diabetes prevention programs, implementation evaluations are rarely conducted. The purpose of this study was to examine the implementation process and multilevel contextual factors as an evidence-based diabetes prevention program was implemented into two local community organization sites to inform future scale-up. To build the science of implementation, context and strategies must be identified and explored to understand their impact.MethodsThe program was a brief-counseling diet and exercise modification program for individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A 1-year collaborative planning process with a local not-for-profit community organization co-developed an implementation plan to translate the program. A pragmatic epistemology guided this research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff who delivered the program (n = 8), and a focus group was completed with implementation support staff (n = 5) at both community sites. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using a template approach. The consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) is a well-researched multilevel implementation determinant framework and was used to guide the analysis of this study. Within the template approach, salient themes were first inductively identified, then identified themes were deductively linked to CFIR constructs.ResultsImplementation strategies used were appropriate, well-received, and promoted effective implementation. The implementation plan had an impact on multiple levels as several CFIR constructs were identified from all five domains of the framework: (a) process, (b) intervention characteristics, (c) outer setting, (d) inner setting, and (e) individual characteristics. Specifically, results revealed the collaborative 1-year planning process, program components and structure, level of support, and synergy between program and context were important factors in the implementation.ConclusionThis study offers insights into the process of implementing a community-based diabetes prevention program in two local sites. Successful implementation benefited from a fully engaged, partnered approach to planning, and subsequently executing, an implementation effort. The CFIR was a useful and thorough framework to evaluate and identify multilevel contextual factors impacting implementation. Results can be used to inform future implementation and scale-up efforts.

Association between Stress and Obesity among Female Student during COVID 19 Pandemic at Health Colleges in Qassim University

Background: Physical activity and lifestyle are influenced by a number of things. The lockdown imposed by the coronavirus disease (COVID19) has limited student activity and altered their daily routine. Accordingly, obesity is a huge public health issue that has negative consequences for both physical and mental health. Aim: to find out association between stress and obesity among female student during COVID 19 pandemic at health colleges in Qassim university, kingdom Saudi Arabia. Subject and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from 15 October to December 2020. A total of 425 female students at health colleges (Medical, Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical laboratory) at Qassim university, KSA responded to the self-administered online survey. Two instruments, namely factors upshifting body weight and stress and the anthropometric, measurements, were used. Statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, were used for the descriptive analysis. Results: Most of student's suffered stresses with the major sources are academic, financial or economic, relationship, and future /career growth source. Also, there are a statistically significant relation was found student's sociodemographic data and their body mass index mainly in items related to age and marital status . Furthermore, there are statistically significant relations were found student's body mass index and all items related to their dietary habits during stress (p <0.000). Conclusion & recommendations: Students need for receive regular; periodic in-service dietary program contains methods of coping with stresses which indirectly added stressor on student's psychological status and indirectly affect their dietary habits and behavior. There is an evident necessitate for designed curriculum in the colleges regarding benefits of physical activity and eating patterns in health colleges. Further studies are needed to study the coping strategies that influence university students' eating behavior with the study stressors.

Randomised, placebo-controlled trial on topiramate add-on therapy for weight reduction and symptomatology in overweight/obese persons with schizophrenia.

Higher cardiovascular mortality is seen with schizophrenia due to the disorder itself and antipsychotic use. South Asians are more vulnerable to developing metabolic disorders than others. Resource-limited settings in South Asia have only a few mental health professionals, and individualised case management is mostly unavailable. Therefore, there is less monitoring and personalised support for diet and physical exercise programmes. Topiramate is useful for weight reduction and improvement of psychopathology in schizophrenia. However, there has been only one previous randomised controlled trial (RCT) done in South Asia, which possesses a quarter of the world's population. We conducted a double-blind RCT in an outpatient setting in Sri Lanka. We compared topiramate 100mg/day with a placebo in overweight/obese adults with schizophrenia who have been on antipsychotics for at least a year. We obtained monthly anthropometric measurements and assessed the symptomatology using the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS). Fifty patients each in the topiramate and placebo arms completed the study. Topiramate add-on therapy led to significant weight/Body Mass Index reduction and improved symptomatology as measured by the BPRS compared to the placebo. The topiramate group had significantly more reporting of loss of appetite. According to available data, this is the RCT with most participants assessing the use of topiramate in schizophrenia and only the second in South Asia. Topiramate was shown to be useful for weight reduction and symptomatic improvement in persons with schizophrenia in a resource-limited setting in South Asia.

Supporting Dietary Change for the Treatment of Mood Disorders in Adults: How Can We Harness Digital Platforms?

Extensive epidemiological data show an association between diet and mental health. Now, emerging data from intervention studies show dietary interventions can be effective in the treatment of a range of psychiatric disorders, particularly depression. This has led to guidelines for mood disorders now containing recommendations that lifestyle-based approaches, including dietary change, form “foundational” treatment. However, without direct access to a dietitian, there are challenges for mental health clinicians implementing these recommendations and consumers initiating and maintaining dietary improvements in the context of their mental disorder. Digital delivery of evidence-based dietary interventions may help overcome these challenges. This paper discusses practical learnings from our experiences piloting digital dietary interventions with participants experiencing depressive symptoms and the current evidence base to aid the translation of digital dietary programs in psychiatry and mental health settings. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2022;52(2):62–66.]