Successful Long-term Weight Loss Research Articles

Nutritional Challenges and Treatment After Bariatric Surgery.

Bariatric surgery is an important weight loss tool in individuals with severe obesity. It is currently the most effective long-term weight loss treatment that lowers obesity-related comorbidities. It also has significant physiological and nutritional consequences that can result in gastrointestinal complications and micronutrient deficiencies. After gastric bypass, clinical events that negatively affect nutritional status include malabsorption, dumping syndrome, kidney stones, altered intestinal bile acid availability, bowel obstruction, ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux, and bacterial overgrowth. Risk factors for poor nutritional status and excessive loss of lean body mass and bone include reduced dietary quality and inadequate intake, altered nutrient absorption, and poor patient compliance with nutrient supplementation. There are unique concerns in adolescents, older individuals, and individuals who become pregnant postoperatively. With careful management, health-care professionals can assist with long-term weight loss success and minimize the risk of acute and long-term nutrition complications after bariatric surgery.

Primary care-led weight-management intervention: qualitative insights into patient experiences at two-year follow-up

ABSTRACT Purpose The prevalence of overweight and obesity is continuously increasing globally and long-term weight loss intervention outcomes remain disappointing. To determine which behavioural intervention approaches improve the probability of achieving long-term weight loss, this two-year follow-up study aimed to identify distinct factors and strategies for successful long-term weight loss maintenance. Methods A cohort of 20 participants with overweight and obesity from a primary-care led weight management programme with diverse backgrounds was interviewed at baseline, after 1 and 2 years, and asked to do quantitative self-description. This study focused on the 2-year follow-up interviews from this study series. Results We found that agile, continuous self-monitoring with personalized, sustainable lifestyle habits correlated with positive outcomes. Participants reported health benefits, maintained weight loss, and found motivation in supportive peer networks. Challenges like anxiety, disappointment, and disruptions derailed progress. Long-term success relied on a strong support system of healthcare professionals, friends, and family. Conclusions The findings of this study series highlight the intricate nature of long-term weight loss maintenance. This study corroborates the persistence of overarching themes while highlighting the individual variability in their relative importance. Findings emphasize the importance of long-term support to effectively address the diverse needs of patients trying to achieve long-term weight loss maintenance.

Association between long-term weight loss and obesity-related complications defined by Edmonton obesity staging system: analysis from the NHANES (2011-2018).

A successful Long-Term Weight Loss (LTWL) is associated with a more favorable metabolic disease risk profile. However, evidence is limited on the association of LTWL with obesity-related complications defined by Edmonton obesity staging system (EOSS). Hence, our study aims to assess the association between LTWL thresholds and obesity-related complications defined by EOSS among the adult US population. We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2018. Adults 18 years or older with overweight/obesity and long-term weight loss were included in the analysis. The association between long-term weight loss and obesity-related complications defined by EOSS was investigated. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed by adjusting for potential covariates. A total of 22,223 adults were included in the analysis. Overall, 61.8% of participants had long-term weight loss of <5%, and 4.8% of participants had successful long-term weight loss of 20% or greater. The highest long-term weight loss threshold ( ≥ 20%) had the lowest odds of EOSS stage ≥ 2 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.60; 95% CI:0.50, 0.72; p < 0.001). The lowest LTWL threshold (5-9.9%) was relatively associated with lower odds for EOSS stage ≥ 2 [OR = 0.69 95% CI: 0.61, 0.78, p < 0.001]. The LTWL categories were significantly associated with lower odds of EOSS stage ≥ 2 compared to EOSS 0 or 1. Future longitudinal research assessing the association between LTWL and EOSS components is recommended.

Primary care-led weight-management intervention: qualitative insights into patient experiences at one-year follow up

ABSTRACT Introduction The global prevalence of overweight and obesity is continuously increasing. Long-term weight loss results remain disappointing. This study aims to identify factors and strategies for successful long-term weight loss in a primary care-led weight-loss intervention from the perspective of participants. Materials and methods This qualitative interview study is the first follow-up study in a 2-year study series of participants with overweight or obesity. Methods utilized are semi-structured interviews (n = 20) with quantitative self-description. The data were transcribed from audio-taped interviews and analysed thematically. Results This study found that clear, continuously evolving self-monitoring strategies facilitated by strong routines and a long-term focus enhanced successful outcomes. Challenges faced included stress, disappointment and loss of routine along with external criticism and discouragement. Benefits experienced due to weight loss included improved health, self-esteem, communal support and encouragement, which continued to fuel motivation. Receiving continuous support and encouragement from healthcare practitioners was instrumental for long-term success. Conclusion This study highlighted the complex, multifaceted experiences patients encounter in the pursuit of trying to achieve long-term weight loss. Personalized treatment protocols taking into account the diverse requirements and circumstances of individuals have the potential to improve treatment outcomes. Continuous, professional support may enhance long-term outcomes.

Perceived challenges to implementing childhood obesity prevention strategies in pediatric primary care

Childhood is an opportune time to address issues related to weight management, as children with obesity are more likely to have obesity in adulthood, and few successful long-term weight loss strategies exist. In 2007, an Expert Committee established guidelines for integrating obesity prevention into primary care, yet few studies have examined the extent to which pediatric primary care providers provide education about nutrition and physical activity at preventive (i.e., well-child) visits. This study aimed to identify challenges encountered and strategies used by pediatric primary care providers in South Carolina to address childhood obesity. Two focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with pediatric primary care providers (n ​= ​23) from a federally qualified health center (FQHC) in South Carolina. Participants responded to a series of semi-structured, open-ended questions about their experiences integrating obesity prevention and treatment into primary care. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Two coders used an iterative coding and consensus-building process to identify themes and subthemes, finalize coding, and extract illustrative quotations. Providers reported that families they served experienced many barriers to healthy eating and physical activity, including lack of community-based programming and social determinants of health. Provider-focused challenges were also identified, including time constraints, lack of focus on prevention, and logistic issues. . Providers described multiple strategies to address childhood obesity in their pediatric practice, including using family-centered approaches and tailoring obesity prevention and treatment approaches to patient demographics (e.g., age, ethnicity, comorbid conditions). A number of tools were also described as helpful in promoting physical activity and healthy eating during well-child visits.

Gut Microbiota Patterns Predicting Long-Term Weight Loss Success in Individuals with Obesity Undergoing Nonsurgical Therapy.

Background: The long-term success of nonsurgical weight reduction programs is variable; thus, predictors of outcome are of major interest. We hypothesized that the intestinal microbiota known to be linked with diet and obesity contain such predictive elements. Methods: Metagenome analysis by shotgun sequencing of stool DNA was performed in a cohort of 15 adults with obesity (mean body mass index 43.1 kg/m2) who underwent a one-year multidisciplinary weight loss program and another year of follow-up. Eight individuals were persistently successful (mean relative weight loss 18.2%), and seven individuals were not successful (0.2%). The relationship between relative abundancies of bacterial genera/species and changes in relative weight loss or body mass index was studied using three different statistical modeling methods. Results: When combining the predictor variables selected by the applied statistical modeling, we identified seven bacterial genera and eight bacterial species as candidates for predicting success of weight loss. By classification of relative weight-loss predictions for each patient using 2–5 term models, 13 or 14 out of 15 individuals were predicted correctly. Conclusions: Our data strongly suggest that gut microbiota patterns allow individual prediction of long-term weight loss success. Prediction accuracy seems to be high but needs confirmation by larger prospective trials.

Glucagon-like peptide-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, and glucagon receptor poly-agonists: a new era in obesity pharmacotherapy.

Achieving successful long-term weight loss with lifestyle modification in people with obesity is difficult and underscores the need for effective pharmacotherapy. Since 1947, a total of 18 medications have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating obesity; however, only 5 remain available for long-term use in the US. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist approved in 2021, demonstrated much greater weight loss than previous medications, which stimulated the development of poly-agonists that combine GLP-1 receptor agonism with glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon receptor agonism. The potential of this approach was recently demonstrated by the extraordinary weight loss achieved by tirzepatide, a GLP-1/GIP receptor dual agonist. The therapeutic efficacy of poly-agonists is likely to change the treatment paradigm for obesity. However, the use of medications for obesity, as for other chronic diseases, will likely require lifelong treatment, which makes it important to analyze the long-term efficacy, safety, and economic implications of chronic pharmacotherapy.

Long-Term Weight Loss Outcome of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Predicted by the Percentage of Excess Weight Loss at 6 Months in Chinese Patients with Body Mass Index ≥ 32.5 Kg/m2.

PurposeTo evaluate the predictive effect of the initial weight loss on the long-term weight loss in Chinese patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 32.5 kg/m2 who underwent LSG.Patients and MethodsThe follow-up was completed via phone or WeChat for outpatients and at the hospital for inpatients. We evaluated the BMI, percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), and type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia statuses. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed on the relationship between the initial and long-term weight loss. The optimal cut-off value was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsWe enrolled 307 patients, with a median preoperative BMI of 39.68 (35.68, 45.47) kg/m2. %EWL ≥ 50% was regarded as successful weight loss, and 76.55% of the patients lost their weight successfully. (Reviewer #1, comment #4) %EWL at 6 months and 5 years were positively correlated (P < 0.001). Further, the following linear equation could express the relationship: (%EWL5 years = 29.193 + 0.526 × %EWL6 months). %EWL ≥ 58.57% at 6 months was the best predictor of successful weight loss at 5 years after LSG (Reviewer #1, comment #5) (sensitivity, 73.62%; specificity, 73.61%; AUC value, 0.780). Internal verification of the prediction model revealed satisfactory results in terms of discrimination and calibration.ConclusionIn Chinese patients with BMI ≥ 32.5 kg/m2 who underwent LSG, %EWL at 6 months and 5 years were correlated. %EWL ≥ 58.57% at 6 months was a predictor of successful long-term weight loss.

Recent Advances in Anti-Obesity Drugs

Obesity is a chronic, complex, and heterogeneous disease that is affected by genetic, developmental, biological, and environmental factors; thus, it is necessary to approach obesity with an integrated and comprehensive treatment strategy. Because it is difficult to achieve and maintain successful long-term weight loss through lifestyle modifications in most obese patients, a pharmacological approach to the treatment of obesity should be considered as adjuvant therapy. According to the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity guidelines, patients who fail to lose weight with comprehensive lifestyle modifications and who have a body mass index of ≥ 25 kg/m&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; are eligible for weight loss medication treatment. Four drugs (orlistat, naltrexone extended-release [ER]/bupropion ER, phentermine/topiramate controlled-release, and liraglutide) have been approved for long-term use (&gt; 12 weeks) to promote weight loss in Korea. Here, I will discuss these currently available anti-obesity agents as well as upcoming anti-obesity agents including semaglutide, setmelanotide, and tirzepatide in terms of obesity management.

Dietary carbohydrates and changes in internal body fat in adults with obesity: a randomized controlled trial

Rationale: Obesity, particularly visceral adiposity, represents an increasing health challenge worldwide. There is a great need for effective approaches resulting in successful long-term weight loss, and diets differing in carbohydrate quality and quantity may differentially affect visceral fat mass in adults with obesity.

Long-term weight loss success and the health behaviours of adults in the USA: findings from a nationally representative cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo describe the relationship between long-term weight loss (LTWL) success and lifestyle behaviours among US adults.DesignSerial cross-sectional data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles 2007–2014.Setting and participantsPopulation-based nationally...

253-OR: Plasma Ghrelin Changes and Successful Weight Loss in Patients with Obesity: The POUNDS Lost Trial

The orexigenic gut hormone, ghrelin, has been implicated in the regulation of appetite, energy homeostasis, and adiposity. We investigated associations of plasma ghrelin changes after consuming weight loss diets with improvements in general adiposity, body fat accumulation, and energy metabolism among overweight and obese adults. We also tested whether short-term ghrelin changes in response to weight-loss diets were predictive of long-term successful weight loss. This study included 217 overweight and obese adults who participated in a weight-loss diet intervention study, the POUNDS Lost trial. Plasma ghrelin levels were measured at baseline and 6 months after the intervention. We examined associations of the 6-month changes in plasma ghrelin levels from the baseline with changes in weight, waist circumference (WC), body fat composition assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), fat distribution assessed by CT scans, and resting energy expenditure (REE). At baseline, higher ghrelin levels were significantly associated with lower adiposity (weight, WC, and body fat composition) and REE (p &amp;lt;0.05 for all). We found that plasma ghrelin levels tended to be increased at 6 months after the intervention among the total participants (with a median 6-month change of 77 pg/ml). Greater increases in plasma ghrelin were associated with larger decreases in weight (p &amp;lt;0.001), WC (p =0.002), trunk fat % (p &amp;lt;0.001), whole-body fat % (p &amp;lt;0.001), total adipose tissue (p=0.007), as well as REE (p=0.01). Further, greater 6-month increases in ghrelin levels were significantly associated with the achievement of successful weight loss (-5% or more weight reduction) at 1 year (P for linear trend=0.0059). Our study suggests that weight-loss diet-induced increases in ghrelin are associated with improvements in adiposity and body fat composition. Plasma ghrelin changes in response to weight-loss diets may be predictive of long-term weight loss success among patients with overweight and obesity. Disclosure Y. Heianza: None. Q. Xue: None. G. Bray: None. F. Sacks: None. L. Qi: None. J. Tong: None. Funding National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK091718, DK100383, DK115679)

Physical Activity, Sleep, and Sedentary Behavior among Successful Long-Term Weight Loss Maintainers: Findings from a U.S. National Study.

Despite adults’ desire to reduce body mass (weight) for numerous health benefits, few are able to successfully lose at least 5% of their starting weight. There is evidence on the independent associations of physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and sleep with weight loss; however, this study provided insight on the combined effects of these behaviors on long-term body weight loss success. Hence, the purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the joint relations of sleep, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors with successful long-term weight loss. Data are from the 2005–2006 wave of the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES). Physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured with an accelerometer, whereas sleep time was self-reported. Physical activity and sleep were dichotomized into meeting guidelines (active/not active, ideal sleep/short sleep), and sedentary time was categorized into prolonged sedentary time (4th quartile) compared to low sedentary time (1st–3rd quartiles). The dichotomized behaviors were combined to form 12 unique behavioral combinations. Two-step multivariable regression models were used to determine the associations between the behavioral combinations with (1) long-term weight loss success (≥5% body mass reduction for ≥12-months) and (2) the amount of body mass reduction among those who were successful. After adjustment for relevant factors, there were no significant associations between any of the independent body weight loss behaviors (physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep) and successful long-term weight loss. However, after combining the behaviors, those who were active (≥150 min MVPA weekly), regardless of their sedentary time, were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to have long-term weight loss success compared to the inactive and sedentary referent group. These results should be confirmed in longitudinal analyses, including investigation of characteristics of waking (type, domain, and context) and sleep (quality metrics) behaviors for their association with long-term weight loss success.

Comprehensive Review of Current and Upcoming Anti-Obesity Drugs.

Obesity is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and its prevalence continues to increase globally. Because obesity is a chronic, complex, and heterogeneous disease influenced by genetic, developmental, biological, and environmental factors, it is necessary to approach obesity with an integrated and comprehensive treatment strategy. As it is difficult to achieve and sustain successful long-term weight loss in most patients with obesity through lifestyle modifications (e.g., diet, exercise, and behavioral therapy), pharmacological approaches to the treatment of obesity should be considered as an adjunct therapy. Currently, four drugs (orlistat, naltrexone extended-release [ER]/bupropion ER, phentermine/topiramate controlled-release, and liraglutide) can be used long-term (>12 weeks) to promote weight loss by suppressing appetite or decreasing fat absorption. Pharmacotherapy for obesity should be conducted according to a proper assessment of the clinical evidence and customized to individual patients considering the characteristics of each drug and comorbidities associated with obesity. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety of these available long-term anti-obesity drugs and introduce other potential agents under investigation. Furthermore, we discuss the need for research on personalized obesity medicine.

Identifying Persuasive Design Principles and Behavior Change Techniques Supporting End User Values and Needs in eHealth Interventions for Long-Term Weight Loss Maintenance: Qualitative Study.

BackgroundAn increasing number of eHealth interventions aim to support healthy behaviors that facilitate weight loss. However, there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of the interventions and little focus on weight loss maintenance. Knowledge about end user values and needs is essential to create meaningful and effective eHealth interventions, and to identify persuasive system design (PSD) principles and behavior change techniques (BCTs) that may contribute to the behavior change required for successful long-term weight loss maintenance.ObjectiveThis study aimed to provide insight into the design of eHealth interventions supporting behavior change for long-term weight maintenance. The study sought to identify the values and needs of people with obesity aiming to maintain weight after weight loss, and to identify PSD principles, BCTs, and design requirements that potentially enable an eHealth intervention to meet end user values and needs.MethodsThis study presents the concept of integrating PSD principles and BCTs into the design process of eHealth interventions to meet user values and needs. In this study, individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with people with obesity (n=23) and other key stakeholders (n=27) to explore end user values and needs related to weight loss maintenance. Design thinking methods were applied during the focus group sessions to identify design elements and to explore how eHealth solutions can support the needs to achieve sustainable weight loss maintenance. The PSD model and behavior change taxonomy by Michie were used to identify PSD principles and BCT clusters to meet end user values and needs.ResultsA total of 8 key end user values were identified, reflecting user needs for weight loss maintenance support: self-management, personalized care, autonomy, feel supported, positive self-image, motivation, happiness, and health. Goals and planning, feedback and monitoring, repetition and substitution, shaping knowledge, social support, identity, and self-belief were some of the BCT clusters identified to address these concepts, together with PSD principles such as personalization, tailoring, self-monitoring, praise, and suggestions.ConclusionsThe process of translating end user values and needs into design elements or features of eHealth technologies is an important part of the design process. To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore how PSD principles and BCTs can be integrated when designing eHealth self-management interventions for long-term weight loss maintenance. End users and other key stakeholders highlighted important factors to be considered in the design of eHealth interventions supporting sustained behavior change. The PSD principles and BCTs identified provide insights and suggestions about design elements and features to include for supporting weight loss maintenance. The findings indicate that a combination of BCTs and PSD principles may be needed in evidence-based eHealth interventions to stimulate motivation and adherence to support healthy behaviors and sustained weight loss maintenance.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04537988; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04537988

The role of dietary protein in obesity.

Protein-rich diets are surging in popularity for weight loss. An increase in diet-induced thermogenesis, better preservation of fat-free mass, and enhanced satiety with greater dietary protein intakes may lead to increased energy expenditure and decreased energy intake; and thus promote a more negative energy balance that facilitates weight loss. Results from large randomized trials and meta-analyses of many smaller trials indicate that high-protein diets typically induce significantly greater amounts of weight loss than conventional low-fat or high-carbohydrate diets during the early, rapid weight loss phase (3-6 months), but differences between diets are attenuated and no longer significant during the late, slow weight loss phase (12-24 months). Gradually decreasing adherence may be responsible for this observation; in fact, dietary adherence, rather than macronutrient composition, is likely the major predictor of long-term weight loss success. Recently, some randomized trials evaluated the efficacy of high-protein (vs. normal-protein) diets consumed ad libitum during weight loss maintenance, i.e. after clinically significant weight loss. Weight regain may be smaller with high-protein diets in the short-term (3-12 months), but longer studies are needed to confirm this. Given the lack of conclusive evidence in favor of high-protein diets, or any other dietary pattern, it is reasonable to conclude that no individual nutrient is a friend or a foe when it comes to weight loss and its maintenance. Therefore, any diet that best suits one's dietary habits and food preferences is likely to be better adhered to, and thus lead to more successful long-term weight loss.

Travel distance reduces follow-up compliance but has no effect on long-term weight loss success in bariatric patients.

Patients seeking bariatric surgery are traveling longer distances to reach Bariatric Centers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of travel distance on adherence to follow-up and outcomes after bariatric surgery. A retrospective review of all consecutive patients who had undergone bariatric surgery from June 2013 to May 2014 was performed, and the patients were divided into two groups: those who traveled 50 miles or less and those who traveled more than 50 miles. Primary outcome assessed was the influence of distance on post-operative follow-up attrition over 4-year period. Secondary outcomes assessed were excess weight loss, length of stay (LOS), complications and readmission rates. A total of 228 patients underwent bariatric surgery with 4years of follow-up available. Of these, 145 patients traveled 50 miles or less and 83 patients traveled greater than 50 miles. Patient demographics were similar between the two groups. Those who traveled more had statistically higher probability of attrition up to 3-year follow-up mark. There was no difference in percent excess weight loss at each follow-up visit between the two cohorts. Furthermore, there was no difference in readmission rates (2% vs 5%), minor complications (14% vs 10%), major complications (3% vs 2%) and LOS (2.6days vs 2.6). The distance patients traveled for bariatric surgery did not affect their weight loss success, length of stay, postsurgical complications or readmission rate. Despite the lack of influence on postoperative outcomes, follow-up compliance was statistically affected by distance.

Can a Nordic diet be implemented as a new strategy for successful long-term weight loss maintenance in subjects with obesity?

AbstractIntroductionA key problem in all weight-loss programs to fight obesity is the extent to which the body weight is maintained on a long-term basis. The study examines whether the 1-year consumption of healthy Nordic foods can result in better sustainable weight control compared to a control diet.Material and methodsAfter a successful 6-week VLCD period in obese subjects (n = 80, 52 ± 10y, BMI 34.4 ± 3.1 kg/m2, 69% female; 93% completers, -10.9 ± 3.0 kg, p &lt; 0.001), the subjects were randomized to a new Nordic diet (NND) and a traditional Nordic diet (TND) group. The following 1-year period was a body weight maintenance period where the diets were implemented ad libitum. Weight, BMI, waist circumference and sagittal abdominal diameter were measured at 0 (immediately after VLCD), 6 and 12 months. Results are reported as mean ± SEM. Differences in the anthropometric parameters between the diets at different time points compared to the start of the dietary intervention were statistically evaluated using a general linear model (GLM-ANOVA, Minitab Inc.).ResultsForty-three subjects were randomized to NND and 37 to TND. In the NND group, 31 subjects completed the 6-month visit and 30 subjects 12-month visit. In the TND group, 24 and 21 completed 6-month and 12-month visit, respectively. We observed a non-significant difference in weight change at 6 months between NND (0.04 ± 0.87kg) and TND (2.65 ± 1.08kg). At 12 months, the weight change was significantly different between the diets (NND 1.94 ± 0.99 kg and TND 5.69 ± 1.41 kg, p = 0.029, R2 = 9.39). Change in the BMI at 12 months was significantly lower for NND (0.65 ± 0.33 kg/m2) compared to TND (1.87 ± 0.46 kg/m2, p = 0.034, R2 = 8.87) but not at 6 months (0.01 ± 0.30 kg/m2 for NND and 0.84 ± 0.36 kg/m2 for TND). Differences in waist circumference (at 6 months 0.26 ± 0.93 cm for NND and 3.30 ± 1.45 cm for TND; at 12 months 1.04 ± 1.01 cm for NND and 3.85 ± 1.79 cm for TND) were not statistically different. The sagittal abdominal diameter was borderline statistically different at 6 months (NND -0.28 ± 0.29 cm and TND 0.49 ± 0.22 cm, p = 0.049, R2 = 7.09) but not at 12 months (NND 0.41 ± 0.38 cm and TND 1.23 ± + 0.42cm).ConclusionResults show a tendency that the type of diet has an impact on successful weight maintenance, with a benefit for the NND. Further statistical analyses including dietary compliance and biomarkers are needed and will be performed. Moreover, the study is ongoing with a total of 2-year follow-up.

Delineating the psychological and behavioural factors of successful weight loss maintenance

Overweight and obesity present alarming global health problems including detrimental health risks that call for effective interventions. Considerable research has examined behavioural and psychological factors associated with weight loss to advance the field of obesity and overweight. In line with the literature, this study aimed to develop a behavioural and psychological profile based on factors of personality, eating behaviours, emotional functioning, physical well-being, and psychopathology. The sample consisted of 105 community participants who had reduced their bodyweight by at least 10% and had either successfully maintained their weight loss for a minimum 12-month period (n = 41) or had regained their weight loss within 12 months (n = 64). Participants completed an online survey comprising demographic items and four empirical measures (Mini Marker Personality Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-Revised, and a food screening tool). Based on significant bivariate correlations results, four factors (fat intake, restrained eating, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating) were entered into a binary logistic regression. Restrained eating was the only factor that significantly increased the likelihood of predicting successful long-term weight loss. Findings have implications for overweight and obesity future research, which may guide the direction of obesity and overweight treatments.

Health & Wealth: is weight loss success related to monetary savings in U.S. adults of low-income? Findings from a National Study

BackgroundMany individuals aspire to attain various goals in life, such as committing to a healthful diet to slim down or saving for retirement to enhance future welfare. While these behaviors (weight loss and saving) share the common denominator of self-regulation, it is unclear whether success in one domain is related to the other. Therefore, we examined the relationship between long term weight loss (LTWL) success and monetary savings among U.S. adults who at one point in life diverged from normal weight status.MethodsData on 1994 adults with a maximum BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and with an annual household income equal or less than 200% poverty level. Data were derived from a U.S. population-based study (NHANES). The independent variable was LTWL success (loss maintained for at least 1 year), which was operationalized as < 10% (reference group), 10.00–19.99%, and ≥ 20.00%. The dependent variable was monetary savings (e.g., 401 K), defined as a 3-category ordinal variable. We employed ordered logistic regression to estimate the relationship between LTWL success and increased odds for higher overall savings.ResultsMultivariable analysis revealed that adjusting for income, education and other covariates, being in the highest LTWL category (≥20.00%) significantly reduced the likelihood of monetary savings in comparison to the reference group (OR = 0.55, 95%CI = 0.34–0.91). This relationship was not observed in the lower LTWL category (10.00–19.99%).ConclusionsAdults who in the past were overweight or obese and who presently exhibit high levels of LTWL, were markedly less successful when it came to their finances. This might stem from significant cognitive-affective resources exerted during the weight loss process coupled with a paucity of financial resources which impede financial decision making. This supposition, however, warrants future research.