Role Of Weight Research Articles

Body Weight's Role in Infective Endocarditis Surgery.

Objective: to investigate how body mass index (BMI) affects the outcome in patients treated surgically for infective endocarditis (IE). Methods: This is a single-center observational analysis of consecutive patients treated surgically for IE. We divided the cohort into six groups, according to the WHO classification of BMI, and performed subsequent outcome analysis. Results: The patient population consisted of 17 (2.6%) underweight, 249 (38.3%) normal weight, 252 (38.8%) overweight, 83 (12.8%) class I obese, 28 (4.3%) class II obese, and 21 (3.8%) class III, or morbidly obese, patients. The median age of the entire cohort was 64.5 [52.5-73.6] years. While only 168 (25.9%) patients were female, women significantly more often exhibited extremes in regards to BMI, including underweight (47.1%) and morbid obesity (52.4%), p = 0.026. Class II and III obese patients displayed more postoperative acute kidney injury (47.9%), p = 0.003, more sternal wound infection (12.9%), p < 0.001, worse 30-day survival (20.4%), p = 0.031, and worse long-term survival, p = 0.026, compared to the results for the other groups. However, the multivariable analysis did not identify obesity as an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality, with an odds ratio of 1.257 [0.613-2.579], p = 0.533. Rather, age > 60, reduced LVEF < 30%, staphylococcal infection, and prosthetic valve endocarditis correlated with mortality. While BMI showed poor discrimination in predicting 30-day mortality on the ROC curve (AUC = 0.609), it showed a fair degree of discrimination in predicting sternal wound infection (AUC = 0.723). Conclusions: Obesity was associated with increased comorbidities, complications, and higher postoperative mortality in IE patients, but it is not an independent mortality risk factor. While BMI is a poor predictor of death, it is a good predictor of sternal wound infections.

Protocolo terapéutico y seguimiento del paciente con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 y obesidad

Treatment protocol and follow-up of patients with type 1 diabetes and obesity This protocol focuses on the management of obesity in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), a growing problem due to factors such as lifestyle, insulin treatment, and hypoglycemia. The approach includes four key pillars: nutrition therapy, drug therapy, physical activity, and management of insulin therapy. Nutrition therapy is the first line of treatment and is based on calorie reduction and a diet rich in fiber. In addition, there are pharmacological options for the management of overweight in patients with DM1, although they have specific challenges, such as euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis. Physical activity and the adjustment of insulin therapy also play an essential role in weight and glycemic control. In severe cases, bariatric surgery is a viable option for patients with severe obesity.

Paradoxical effect of dopamine-agonists on IGF-1 in patients with prolactinoma: the role of weight

PurposeAn increase of IGF-1 has been reported during therapy with dopamine agonists (DA) for prolactinomas; in such cases a correct diagnosis is pivotal to avoid an unnecessary reduction or withdrawal of DA, which are needed to maintain normal prolactin levels. This study was aimed to measure IGF-1 levels, at baseline and during follow-up, in a cohort of patients with prolactinoma, treated with cabergoline, stratified by body mass index.MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 35 patients (15 F/20 M; age m ± SD, years: 43.4 ± 13.7) with prolactinoma (21 microadenomas and 14 macroadenomas) who were followed-up at the Endocrinology Unit, in Siena, and with available pituitary hormone assessment at baseline and during follow-up (m ± SD, years: 2.74 ± 0.55).ResultsIGF-1 increased in the whole cohort, but remaining within normal range, except two patients, in whom acromegaly was ruled out with oral glucose tolerance test. After dividing patients by weight, this trend was confirmed only in subjects with overweight and obesity (OV/OB) (p = 0.04). Interestingly, the reduction of prolactin levels was significantly greater in the OV/OB compared to normal-weight patients (median decrease of 97.5% versus 88.2%, p = 0.04).ConclusionsSince DA and normalization of prolactin are known to improve insulin sensitivity, we speculated they have favored the increase of IGF-1 in OV/OB. Our results should be confirmed and the hypothesis proven by further studies.

Walk This Way: How Weight Distorts Gender Identification of Point-Light Walkers

Extensive research in social perception and biological motion has converged on the finding that humans are particularly accurate in identifying gender from the gait of minimal visual conspecific stimuli (e.g., point-light walkers). Despite the preponderance of evidence in favor of this ability, we return to the original paradigm and vary a single parameter—weight. Across nine pre-registered studies, participants (N = 3,196) were assigned to view the gait of point-light walkers based on actual human motion patterns. We find a decline in the accuracy of identifying the gender of female point-light walkers as their weight increases. However, as the weight of female walkers decreases, gender identification accuracy is recovered. These findings carry implications for the gendered nature of weight bias and the role of weight in human perception.

Exploration of the Source-Impression Relationship in Warranting Theory

Many early studies of warranting theory investigated the role of source, often self-generated and other-generated content, in the impression formation process but did not explicitly test perceptions of warranting value and sometimes were met with mixed results. The present study revisits the source-impression relationship and offers explicit tests of some of the assumptions of past warranting theory literature. An additional variable in the impression formation process, weight, is proposed as a potential explanation for past mixed results. The present study finds support for warranting theory in the impression students form of an instructor. Other-generated content has a greater impact on impressions and is higher in warranting value than self-generated content. The role of warranting value and the role of weight in the source-impression relationship is not supported. Implications for the general support of warranting theory but lack of support for clarifying variables are discussed.

Influence of 8 Weeks of Tabata High-Intensity Interval Training and Nanocurcumin Supplementation on Inflammation and Cardiorespiratory Health among Overweight Elderly Women.

Nanocurcumin (NaC) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) play crucial role in weight and inflammation control. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the separate and combined effects of 8 weeks of Tabata-HIIT and NaC supplementation on the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, long non-coding RNA myocardial infarction associated transcript (lncRNA MIAT) expression, body composition, and cardiorespiratory health in elderly overweight women. A total of 48 healthy overweight elderly women were randomly divided into four groups: NaC, Tabata-HIIT+Pla, Tabata-HIIT+NaC, and placebo. Participants underwent a Tabata HIIT program (2 days per week, at 80∼0% of maximal HR) and NaC supplementation (daily 80 mg in two 40 mg capsules) for 8 weeks. Blood sampling, cardiorespiratory hemodynamic responses, and body composition evaluations were obtained before and after treadmill stress testing at the baseline timepoint and following 8 weeks of intervention. The mRNA of lncRNA-MIAT and NLRP3 were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. After 8 weeks, a significant improvement was observed in body composition and cardiorespiratory hemodynamics in the Tabata-HIIT groups compared to the NaC alone and placebo groups (P<0.05). Tabata training, both with and without the addition of nano curcumin supplementation, did not result significant effect on the resting levels of lncRNA-MIAT expression (P>0.05). Nevertheless, NaC supplementation along with Tabata training led to a significant reduction in NLRP3 inflammasome. In addition, NaC supplementation in overweight/preobese women improved systemic inflammation during treadmill stress testing. These findings indicating the suppressive effects of non-pharmacologic interventions on the sympathetic system and downregulation of the inflammasome.

Weighing in: qualitative explorations of weight restoration as recovery in anorexia nervosa

BackgroundAnorexia Nervosa (AN) continues to capture the public’s imagination, centered around physical appearance, particularly weight. Clinical conceptions of AN also emphasize weight. The objective of this study was to explore how individuals with lived AN experience thought about the role of weight in illness and recovery.MethodsThe current study employed a grounded theory approach through qualitative inductive inquiry and analysis of 150 anonymous narratives, exploring firsthand experience of AN and recovery of adult individuals, based in the United States of America.ResultsIndividuals with AN histories contested intersecting popular cultural and medical presumptions of their health and illness positioned in weight. Respondents indicated that while weight does not measure recovery, it matters to recovery in unanticipated ways. Others’ expectations for a low weight served as a gatekeeper to various forms of social and institutional support. Respondents felt that the weight obsessions of other people made it difficult to earn the illness legitimacy to access sufficient care.ConclusionsResearch findings bear implications for future AN research, advocacy, and clinical practice, as respondents pivot research emphasis from weight as a sociocultural motivation for AN, to weight as a sociocultural obstacle to AN recovery.

Adipocytes control food intake and weight regain via Vacuolar-type H+ ATPase

Energy metabolism becomes dysregulated in individuals with obesity and many of these changes persist after weight loss and likely play a role in weight regain. In these studies, we use a mouse model of diet-induced obesity and weight loss to study the transcriptional memory of obesity. We found that the ‘metabolic memory’ of obesity is predominantly localized in adipocytes. Utilizing a C. elegans-based food intake assay, we identify ‘metabolic memory’ genes that play a role in food intake regulation. We show that expression of ATP6v0a1, a subunit of V-ATPase, is significantly induced in both obese mouse and human adipocytes that persists after weight loss. C. elegans mutants deficient in Atp6v0A1/unc32 eat less than WT controls. Adipocyte-specific Atp6v0a1 knockout mice have reduced food intake and gain less weight in response to HFD. Pharmacological disruption of V-ATPase assembly leads to decreased food intake and less weight re-gain. In summary, using a series of genetic tools from invertebrates to vertebrates, we identify ATP6v0a1 as a regulator of peripheral metabolic memory, providing a potential target for regulation of food intake, weight loss maintenance and the treatment of obesity.

Examining negative affect, sleep duration, and using food to cope as predictors of weight in midlife women.

Midlife women are vulnerable to developing obesity. Behavioral and psychosocial factors including sleep duration, stress eating, and negative emotionality are risk factors. However, little is known about the complex daily interplay between sleep, eating, emotion, and weight among midlife women. The current study examined how daily sleep, using food to cope, and negative emotionality are associated with weight using a daily process research design. An archival analysis was performed using the Midlife in the United States-II study (MIDUS II). The sample consisted of 489 midlife women (40-64years of age). Variables included ecological momentary assessments of daily sleep duration, using food to cope, and negative affect (means and intraindividual variability) and a standardized measurement of BMI. Sleep duration variability was a significant predictor of BMI, albeit the model only accounted for .8% of the variance in BMI (b = .019, p < .05). In the final adjusted model, sleep duration variability, using food to cope, age, and physical activity were all significant predictors of BMI F(5, 559) = 21.503, p < .001, R2 = .161, ⨂R2 = .024, p = .001. Variability in negative affect, mean sleep duration or negative affect and the interactions between sleep duration (mean, variability) and negative affect (mean, variability) were not significant. Greater variability in sleep duration and greater use of food to cope predicted higher BMI in this sample across age and physical activity levels. Results highlight that daily health and psychosocial factors play an important role in weight.

Optimal signal amplification in globally coupled bistable oscillators: The role of weight between positive and negative couplings

Recently, it was revealed that uniformly positive and negative couplings perform complementary roles in the signal amplification of coupled bistable oscillators. However, the coupling weights between oscillators are usually nonuniform due to adaptivity in many nonlinear systems. For this reason, we introduce a weight ratio of positive and negative couplings and investigate how it affects the response of globally coupled bistable oscillators to a subthreshold signal. We show that the weight ratio can significantly optimize the system response to the subthreshold signal compared to the case of uniform couplings. Finally, we propose a reduced model and compare its analytical approximations with the numerical results.

Effect of different hole shape of thermal barrier on the performance for thermal protective clothing

The insulating layer of the hollow structure of thermal protective clothing plays a positive role in weight and thermal protection. The relationship between the hole shape and the performance of the hollow structure is of great importance to optimization. This paper focuses on the performance optimization of the honeycomb structure insulation layer. Laser cutting technology was used to cut the hole in the non-woven fabric. The thermal insulation layers of five common three-dimensional sections were prepared by the multi-layer composite method. Compared with the conventional solid fabric system, the honeycomb fabric system has better thermal protection. At the same time, the section structure also affects the thermal protection performance. The developed A-type structure possesses a superior Thermal Protective Performance value in comparison to I-type straight structure. It has lower moisture resistance and higher total heat loss. The thermal protection of A-type section structure, together with excellent thermal and moisture comfort, make it put forward the improvement direction for the structural optimization of commercial nonwovens where the balance between thermal protection and thermal and moisture comfort is the key requirement.

Tuning the energy bandgap and nonlinear absorption coefficients of WOx/ ZrO2 nanocomposite thin films with the role of weight and doping concentration

The structural, linear and nonlinear optical properties of PMMA/ZrO2 and PMMA/WZrO2 nanocomposites thin films were investigated. Tungstated zirconia nanoparticles were synthesized with different tungsten concentrations (3, 20 and 37% w/w) via solvothermal reflux method. To investigate the effect of weight and doping concentration, thin films with different tungsten ratio (undoped, %3, %20 and %37 W doped) were prepared and also weight percentage of the investigated samples in polymer (10 and 20 wt%) were changed for each doping ratio. The samples were examined using XRD, TEM, XPS and EDX analysis. The linear and nonlinear optical properties were studied by UV–Visible spectrophotometry and Z scan technique. The linear spectra were used to calculate the energy band gap. The fluorescence peak at 375 nm for undoped and doped ZrO2 nanocomposites are assigned to the presence of oxygen vacancies in the nanostructures. A theoretical model including one photon, two photon and free carrier absorptions and their saturations were used to analyze the experimental data. The linear absorption of all samples increased with increasing weight percentage of the films. The films which have a low tungsten ratio (%3 W) showed minimal absorption. The band gap decreased with addition of tungsten and the increasing nanoparticle weight concentration. OA Z-scan experiment results indicated that the addition of the tungsten to PMMA/ZrO2 reduced the nonlinear absorption performance.

Metabolic adaptation: Confounding the critics.

Metabolic adaptation (MA, also known as adaptive thermogenesis) defines the greater-than-expected decline in energy expenditure (EE) with weight loss and is generally accepted physiology ((1)). However, its role in weight loss and regain remains elusive. In this issue, Martins et al. ((2)) make a significant contribution to our understanding of MA’s role in weight loss. MA is calculated as the measured EE—predicted EE after weight loss, with predicted EE based on regression equations at baseline. The degree of MA varies by method of measuring EE (resting metabolic rate [RMR] vs. respiratory chamber) and timing (during negative energy balance or weight stabilization). During weight stability following weight loss, MA ranges from ~38 to 54 kcal/d using RMR ((3)) to ~165 kcal/d when measured over 24 hours ((4)). Previous work by Martins et al. has cast doubt on the long-term presence of MA and its role in weight regain ((3, 5)). Here, they tackle the question of whether MA mediates active weight loss ((2)). In this careful analysis of premenopausal women with overweight prescribed an 800-kcal/d diet to achieve BMI < 25 kg/m2, they investigated whether MA that was measured following a 4-week weight-stabilized period was associated with time to reach the weight loss goal. In univariate analysis, this association was weak, but in models accounting for adherence, energy deficit, and target weight loss, MA was associated with time to weight loss goal such that, for each 10-kcal/d decrease in measured RMR from predicted RMR, the time to weight loss goal increased by 1 day. An important aspect of their analysis was that the effect of MA was muted by a confounding effect of these other variables. MA has substantial interindividual variation that is difficult to ignore. In the current paper, the difference between measured and predicted RMR ranged from approximately −300 to +300 kcal/d. When measured over 24 hours, the range is +50 to −450 kcal/d ((4)). Even accounting for organ size changes ((6)), wide interindividual variation remains. Such interindividual ranges and the evidence by Martins et al. that the effect of MA may be masked until other measures such as adherence are accounted for raise the following question: has the effect of MA been underestimated? The careful analysis by Martins et al. would appear to answer “yes” to this question ((2)). Therefore, the contribution of MA to weight loss and regain may be hampered by the imprecision of other important measures, particularly adherence. In the models presented by Martins et al., adherence accounted for the largest portion of the variance, and the relationship between MA and time to weight loss goal was underestimated if adherence was excluded. The results by Martins et al. indicate that underlying MA explains some of the individual difficulty at achieving weight loss goals. These results inform us that future studies need precise measures of adherence, intake, and EE at baseline, as well as during and following weight loss. This will require significant investments of resources to answer the important questions about the approach to weight loss. The current study is an important step in this direction.O The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Nutrition and connective tissue disease

Despite an incomplete overall understanding, nutrition plays an important role in connective tissue disease. Assessment of patients with connective tissue disease for nutritional status and metabolic disturbances may significantly contribute to patient outcomes. Several studies have indicated the multifactorial role of macronutrients, micronutrients, and supplements in the setting of connective tissue disease. There is additional evidence regarding the roles of weight, obesity, and malnutrition. This contribution reviews a growing body of data regarding nutrition in the development and treatment of various connective tissue diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and systemic sclerosis.

Multi-Project Assessments of Sample Quality in Cross-National Surveys: The Role of Weights in Applying External and Internal Measures of Sample Bias

AbstractThis paper examines existing methods of evaluating sample quality, showing that their practical utility and applicability to large-scale cross-project comparisons depends on whether they require auxiliary individual-level data. Among those methods that do not demand any such additional data, we differentiate between two approaches that rely on (i) external criteria, that is, comparisons of sample estimates to benchmarks derived from external population statistics, and (ii) internal criteria, that is, comparisons of subsample estimates to a theoretically derived aprioristic value. Our analyses demonstrate the advantages and limitations of both approaches based on an evaluation of 1,125 national surveys carried out in Europe between 2002 and 2016 within four survey projects: the Eurobarometer, European Quality of Life Survey, European Social Survey, and International Social Survey Programme. We show that the prevailing absence of design weights in cross-national survey datasets severely limits the applicability of external criteria evaluations. In contrast, using internal criteria without any weights proves acceptable because incorporating design weights in calculations of internal sample quality has only minor consequences for estimates of sample bias. Furthermore, applying internal criteria, we find that around 75 percent of samples in the four analyzed projects are not significantly biased. We also identify surveys with extremely high sample bias and investigate its potential sources. The paper concludes with recommendations regarding future research, which are directed at secondary data users, as well as producers of cross-national surveys.

The role of weight- and appearance-related discrimination on eating disorder symptoms among adolescents and emerging adults

BackgroundEating disorder symptoms (EDs) have been discussed as a prominent problem among late adolescent girls with serious health risks and long-term consequences. However, there is a lack of population-based evidence on EDs comprising the age range from early adolescence to emerging adulthood as well as considering both females and males equally. Additionally, the differential role of a comprehensive set of several relevant risk factors and particularly weight- and appearance-related discrimination warrants further attention. Thus, we aimed to contribute to a better understanding of sex- and age-related differences in associations between discrimination experience and other relevant personal risk factors (body image, social media use, self-efficacy, social support) with EDs. Furthermore, we were interested in the exploration of underlying mechanisms enhancing the risk of EDs by taking discrimination experience into account.MethodsBased on a logistic regression model, we investigated associations between weight- and appearance-related discrimination and EDs while controlling for other relevant personal risk factors in a subsample of N = 8504 adolescents and emerging adults (54.4% female, mean age = 20.71 years, SD = 4.32 years) drawn from a German representative health survey (KiGGS Wave 2). In a second step, we investigated the mediating role of discrimination experience between the other risk factors and EDs with the help of a path model.ResultsWhile controlling for other relevant personal risk factors, weight- and appearance-related discrimination was significantly related to EDs. Whereas the risk of EDs was significantly enhanced in males and emerging adults frequently experiencing weight-related discrimination, adolescents showed a higher risk of EDs when experiencing appearance-related discrimination. Moreover, discrimination experience partly explained the associations between body image dissatisfaction, low self-efficacy, high media use and ED symptoms.ConclusionsThe results highlight weight- and appearance-related discrimination as one central factor to be considered in the pathogeneses of EDs and underpin the need for discrimination prevention as well as the promotion of adaptive coping with discrimination experience to reduce the risk of developing ED symptoms. Males and emerging adults need particular attention when facing weight-related discrimination whereas risk constellations and EDs particularly affecting females need further investigation.

Opioid Antagonism as a Target for Mitigation of Antipsychotic-Associated Weight Gain

Mechanisms underlying antipsychotic-associated weight gain are not well understood. The central and peripheral endogenous opioid system plays a role in weight and metabolic regulation, providing a rationale for targeting this system to attenuate antipsychotic-associated weight-related side effects that may impact treatment outcomes.

Dynamics in a Delayed Competition System on a Weighted Network

In this paper, we study the stability of positive steady states in a delayed competition system on a weighted network, which does not satisfy the comparison principle appealing to classical competitive systems. By introducing some auxiliary equations and constructing proper contracting rectangles, we present some sufficient conditions on the stability of the unique positive steady state. Moreover, some numerical examples are given to explore the complex dynamics of this nonmonotone model, which implies the nontrivial roles of weights and time delays.

Is Technical-Grade Chlordane an Obesogen?

The prevalence of obesity has tripled in recent decades and is now considered an alarming public health problem. In recent years, a group of endocrine disruptors, known as obesogens, have been directly linked to the obesity epidemic. Its etiology is generally associated with a sedentary lifestyle, a high-fat diet and genetic predisposition, but environmental factors, such as obesogens, have also been reported as contributors for this pathology. In brief, obesogens are exogenous chemical compounds that alter metabolic processes and/or energy balance and appetite, thus predisposing to weight gain. Although this theory is still recent, the number of compounds with suspected obesogenic activity has steadily increased over the years, though many of them remain a matter of debate. Technical-grade chlordane is an organochlorine pesticide widely present in the environment, albeit at low concentrations. Highly lipophilic compounds can be metabolized by humans and animals into more toxic and stable compounds that are stored in fat tissue and consequently pose a danger to the human body, including the physiology of adipose tissue, which plays an important role in weight regulation. In addition, technical-grade chlordane is classified as a persistent organic pollutant, a group of chemicals whose epidemiological studies are associated with metabolic disorders, including obesity. Herein, we discuss the emerging roles of obesogens as threats to public health. We particularly discuss the relevance of chlordane persistence in the environment and how its effects on human and animal health provide evidence for its role as an endocrine disruptor with possible obesogenic activity.

Dark is durable, light is user‐friendly: The impact of color lightness on two product attribute judgments

AbstractVisual design elements such as color do not only provide aesthetic appeal; they also convey information that consumers rely on when making unrelated product attribute judgments. Seven experiments reveal that consumers assess darker‐colored products to be more durable but less user‐friendly than lighter‐colored ones. Both outcomes are linked to the influence of color lightness on perceived weight, but the latter outcome appears to be more easily disrupted than the former one. Specifically, the impact of color lightness on user‐friendliness assessments, but not on durability assessments, is eliminated when the role of weight is unclear or when cognitive load is induced. However, consumers make greater downward adjustments in their durability assessments after physically handling a product with darker (vs. lighter) color. These findings highlight some of the potential complexities and nuances in consumer responses to color.