Weight Control Measures Research Articles

Growth rate of adult obesity prevalence in China and target population for prevention and control from 2013 to 2018

Objective: To investigate the annual growth rate of obesity prevalence of residents aged 18 and above in China and prevention keypoints for target populations from 2013 to 2018. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Subjects from China Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance project in 2013 and 2018 were included. The prevalence of obesity and growth rate in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China were collected through survey questionnaires and on-site measurements. Other demographic data such as the proportion of obesity control measures, diet, exercise and drug use was also analyzed. Obesity among adults was defined as body mass index≥28.0 kg/m². Results: A total of 174 736 residents, aged (51.5±14.2) years, which included 74 704 (42.8%) males were recruited in 2013, and 179 125 residents, aged (55.1±13.8) years, which included 79 337 (44.3%) males were included in 2018. The average annual increase rate of adult obesity prevalence in China from 2013 to 2018 was 3.2% (uncertainty interval (UI) 2.7%-3.6%), and the average increase rate of obesity prevalence among men (5.2% (UI 4.6%-5.9%)) was higher than that of women (0.9% (UI 0.5%-1.3%)). For subgroups analysis, the average increase rate of obesity prevalence among residents aged 18 to 29 (7.4% (UI 6.9%-7.9%)), education level beyond college degree (6.3% (UI 5.5%-7.1%)), and unmarried population (11.2% (UI 10.2%-12.1%)) were higher than that of other subgroups between 2013 and 2018. The residents in Hainan province showed the highest average annual growth rate of obesity. With the exception of Shanxi, Hunan, Gansu and Ningxia province, the annual growth rate of obesity prevalence among adults increased in all other provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) from 2013 to 2018. For the obese population, the proportion of people who took weight control measures increased from 22.6% in 2013 to 32.7% in 2018. Conclusions: The prevalence of obesity growth characteristics in subpopulations and regions in China are obviously different. Accordingly the focus points of obesity prevention and control in different regions should have their own emphasis.

Factors associated with reported need of weight loss support among adults with overweight or obesity: results from a cross-sectional population study in 2022 in Sweden.

The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with reported need of weight loss support among adults with overweight or obesity in the general population. A cross-sectional population study based on a survey questionnaire sent to a random population sample. Multivariate odds ratios for reported need of weight loss support were calculated for socio-economic, lifestyle and health indicators, in total and by gender and age group. Five counties in Sweden in 2022. The study includes 10 069 persons with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) aged 30-69 years. BMI was based on self-reported weight and height. In total, about 20 % reported needing weight loss support. The factors most strongly associated with reported need of weight loss support were obesity and female gender. Lack of social support, economic difficulties, physical inactivity, poor self-rated health, musculoskeletal pain and depression were also associated with reported need of weight loss support, whereas diabetes and hypertension were not. Some differences in these associations were observed between age groups. Reported need of weight loss support is more common among women than among men and associated with obesity, lack of social support, economic difficulties, physical inactivity, poor self-rated health, musculoskeletal pain and depression in both genders. These factors are important for planning preventive and weight-control measures among adults with overweight or obesity.

Providing Precision Weighing in France

Haenni Instruments discusses the growing challenge of heavy load vehicles on aging infrastructure and shares details on a recent project in France which required meticulous weight control measures

Efficiency of an intervention study on nursing students’ knowledge and practices regarding nutrition and dietary habits

ABSTRACT Poor eating habits and hazardous weight-control measures are prevalent among university students. Hence, practical and efficient intervention programs are necessary to enhance nutritional awareness and promote healthy dietary practices encompassing food choices and diet quality. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of an intervention study on nursing students’ knowledge and practices regarding nutrition and dietary habits. A quasi-experimental research design with pre-post phases was used to study 250 nursing students at the College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The sample was non-randomized and taken from March 2023 until the end of May of the same year. The closed-ended questionnaire focused on participant demographics, knowledge, and practices relating to nutrition and eating habits. The survey was divided into three main sections. Technical terms were consistently defined throughout the questionnaire, and the language used was clear and objective. The research adhered to conventional academic structure and formatting, following the guidelines of the relevant style manual. Grammatical correctness and precise word choice were ensured, and filler words were avoided. The participants in the study displayed an increase in knowledge scores from 33.7 ± 4.6 in the pre-test to 52.6 ± 7.2 in the post-test. Moreover, prior to program implementation, their overall nutrition practice scores stood at 64 ± 9.5, but after the program, the score had risen to 107.7 ± 4.22. A significant difference in the total knowledge and practice scores was identified between the pre- and post-test phases, with an a p-value of 0.001. The nursing students’ scores for both knowledge and practical application of nutrition and eating habits showed a significant increase following the implementation of the program. Therefore, it is imperative to introduce well-structured training programs on nutrition and promote healthy diet habits for all medical faculties, paramedics, and applied health institutions across Saudi Arabia.

Eating disorders among bariatric surgery patients: The chicken or the egg?

Postoperative eating behaviors and unhealthy weight control measures are leading causes of bariatric surgery complications. Candidates for bariatric surgery and individuals with eating disorders may share common risk factors, such as a history of dieting, and/or being bullied or teased for their weight. Binge-eating disorder, night eating syndrome, and bulimia nervosa are the most common eating disorders among candidates for bariatric surgery before the operation. Malnutrition, stress, and intense fear of weight gain can lead to the development of an eating disorder after surgery as well. Plugging, grazing, loss of control eating, dumping, and food avoidance are specific disordered behaviors that may present after bariatric surgery. To improve physical and psychological outcomes for individuals under their care, clinicians can screen for these disordered behaviors and distinguish them from a healthy diet and the expected postsurgical course.

Perinatal Outcome in Overweight Women: An Audit.

Obesity in pregnancy is associated with a myriad of well-documented complications. However, the outcomes of pregnancy in overweight females, who are not classified as obese, have not been studied. The aim of the study was to assess foeto-maternal outcomes in primigravida who are overweight and compare them to normal-weight patients. This was a prospective observational cohort study and included primigravida with full-term gestation (between 38 and 42 weeks), with a single live foetus in vertex presentation, who were admitted for labour induction. Based on pre-pregnancy weight, patients were divided into normal weight (body mass index, BMI<23kg/m2) and overweight (BMI≥23kg/m2 and<25kg/m2) categories labelled as groups A and B, respectively. Data was collected for gestational age, demographics (age, education, occupation), and obstetric and labour-related parameters per pre-designed proforma. Parameters included were the reason for induction, number of doses of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gelused, duration of labour, induction to delivery interval, and mode of birth- operative/ non-operative. Data was also collected for peri-partum maternal complications, neonatal Apgar score, and need for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admissions. One hundred and fifty patients were recruited in the study and divided based on weight into two groups- 115 in Group A (normal weight) and 35 in Group B (overweight). Compared to Group A, a higher proportion ofpatients in Group B needed a third dose of PGE2 gel (n=24, 20.8%vs n=18, 51.4%). Also, more patients in Group B had an induction to delivery time of longer than 30 hours (n=7, 20% vs n=5, 4.3%)and had a higher incidence of failed induction needing caesarean section (n=9, 25.7% vs n=13, 11.3%).Neonates born to overweight mothers had a poor Apgar score at 1 min. However, on reassessment, Apgar improved at 5 minutes, and no statistically significant difference was seen for admission to NICU- 5.7% (n=2) in Group B vs 1.7% (n=2) in Group A Conclusion: Pregnancy in overweight females is associated with prolonged labour, higher instances of failed induction, and poor neonatal outcomes at initial assessment. Thus, perinatal counselling and management should focus on weight control while also planning appropriate strategies for monitoring and treating pregnancy-related complications if weight control measures fail. Although obesity is the main focus of research, we suggest including overweight but non-obese females in such studies as they have similar adverse outcomes and complications.

Causal effects from tobacco smoking initiation on obesity-related traits: a Mendelian randomization study.

There is a widespread notion that tobacco smoking controls weight based on the appetite suppressive effect of nicotine. However, the causal relationship between smoking initiation and obesity-related traits in the general population are unclear. This Mendelian randomization analysis utilized 378 genetic variants associated with tobacco smoking initiation (usually in adolescence or young adulthood) identified in a genome-wide association study (meta-analysis) of 1.2 million individuals. Outcome data for body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio were extracted from the 337,138 white British-ancestry UK Biobank participants aged 40-69 years. Replication analyses were performed for genome-wide association study meta-analysis for body mass index, including the GERA/GIANT data including 364,487 samples from mostly European individuals. In addition, summary-level Mendelian randomization by inverse variance weighted method and pleiotropy-robust Mendelian randomization methods, including median-based and MR-Egger regression, was performed. Summary-level Mendelian randomization analysis indicated that genetically predicted smoking initiation is causally linked to higher body mass index [+0.28 (0.18-0.38) kg/m2], waist circumference [+0.88 (0.66-1.10) cm], hip circumference [+0.40 (0.23-0.57) cm], and waist-to-hip ratio [+0.006 (0.005-0.007)]. These results were consistent with those of the pleiotropy-robust Mendelian randomization analysis. Additionally, in replication analysis, genetically predicted smoking initiation was significantly associated with a higher body mass index [+0.03 (0.01, 0.05] kg/m2). Tobacco initiation may lead to worse obesity-related traits in the general 40- to 69-year-old individuals. Therefore, tobacco-use initiation as a long-term weight-control measure should be discouraged.

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Glycemic, Weight, Blood Pressure Control and Medication Adherence in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Medication adherence profoundly affects blood glucose management in patients with type 2 diabetes. Measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have affected disease management and medication adherence, owing to limited access to healthcare facilities. This study aimed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on adherence to glucose-lowering and lipid-lowering therapies (statins), and glycemic, weight, and systolic blood pressure control measures. A retrospective chart review was conducted one year pre- and post- March 18, 2020, for patients receiving glucose-lowering medications and lipid-lowering therapies (statins) in two major public hospitals in Malaysia. We compared the proportion of days covered by medication, HbA1c level, weight, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) values pre- and after the index date. A total of 1985 patients were included in this study. The adherence rate significantly increased for metformin, sulfonylureas dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4i) and statin after the index date (metformin (PDC: 0.985 vs 0.978, p < 0.001), sulfonylureas (PDC: 0.988 vs 0.979, p < 0.01), DPP4i (PDC: 0.987 vs 0.98, p < 0.001), and statins (PDC: 0.983 vs 0.978, p < 0.05)). HbA1c levels were significantly reduced after the index follow-up (Mean difference: -0.43%, p < 0.001), while there was a 2.5 mmHg (p = 0.03) significant increase in SBP post-index follow-up. No significant changes in weight were observed during the post-index follow-up period. In this study, we observed better medication adherence and glycemic control among patients during the lockdown, but not for weight and systolic blood pressure control.

Relationship between orthorexia nervosa and self-esteem in Tunisian medical students

IntroductionThe effect of self-esteem in eating disorders has been investigated in several studies, but it’s still not extensively investigated in orthorexia nervosa.ObjectivesTo study the prevalence and factors associated with orthorexic eating behaviors in medical students and it’s relation with self-esteem.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey among medical students of the faculty of medicine of Sfax (Tunisia). Participants completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. We collected their sociodemographic and clinical data. Orthorexia nervosa (ON) was assessed using the self-reported scale, ORTO-15. We used the Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale to assess self-esteem.ResultsNinety five medical students completed the survey. The mean age was 25.8±3.4 years and the sex ratio (F/M) was 3.75. The average body mass index was 23.64±3.53 kg /m2.Fifty-eight percent of the students (58%) reported that they were dissatisfied with their eating habits, and 27.4% tried to control their weight. Several methods of weight control were used, the most frequent (65.4%) were diet and physical exercise, none resorted to laxatives and 8.4% consulted a nutritionist.Self-esteem was very low in 27.1% and low in 34.7% of the students.Overall, the prevalence of orthorexia among our participants was 52.6%. The mean score of the ORTO-15 was 39.19±4.48.Orthorexia was significantly correlated with the use of weight control measures (p=0.035) and physical activity (p=0.042).Students with low self-esteem had higher tendency for orthorexia but with no significant correlation.ConclusionsOur study supports a non-negligible frequency of orthorexic behaviors in medical students but future studies are needed to assess the direct effect of self-esteem on orthorexia.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Implication of High Body Fat Percentage on Migraine Chronification in Premenopausal Females

Background Chronic migraine, being a debilitating headache disorder, needs assessment of the risk factors implicated in its occurrence. We investigated the potential role of obesity as a risk for chronic migraine in premenopausal females with episodic migraine. Methods In this analytical study, body fat% was compared between episodic and chronic migraine patient groups. The standard criteria of the international classification of headache disorder were used for the diagnosis. Demographic data, clinical details of migraine, and anthropometric measurements were collected using structured questions and standardized techniques. Pearson's correlation (r) was estimated to assess the concordance between body fat% and migraine frequency. High body fat%'s implication on chronic migraine which was adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and the use of oral contraceptives was determined using logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 168 premenopausal female migraineurs, with a mean (Standard deviation) age of 33.0 (±9.0) years, were enrolled in the study. BMI and high body fat% were significantly associated with chronic migraine (p < 0.05). There was a weak positive, but significant, correlation between body fat% and migraine frequency (r = 0.185, p < 0.017). The presence of high body fat was found to increase the risk of chronic migraine by 2.8 times (confidence interval 1.4–5.6; p < 0.003). Conclusion The amount of fat mass in the body relates to the clinical characteristics of migraine. There is an increased risk of developing chronic migraine in patients having high body fat. Weight control measures can be targeted for the prevention of migraine worsening.

Assessment of Gender Variations in Weight Control Behaviours Amongst Undergraduates in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background of the study: Weight control is increasingly becoming one of the most discussed topics amongst the youths due to adverse social and medical conditions associated with extremes body weight. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the gender variations in weight control behaviors amongst undergraduates in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, South-South, Nigeria. Materials and methods: The study involved 600 apparently healthy students (including 249 males and 351 females) who responded to an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: The results showed that the weight control strategies applied by undergraduates are typically aimed at either maintaining or reducing their present body weight. More of the males are satisfied with their weight and would engage in regular exercise to maintain it. Females had a high tendency to be dissatisfied with their body weight and shape and would associate their overweight with overfeeding. Although exercise was the most common weight control measure adopted by both male and female respondents, only 20.5% of them engaged in regular exercise. 51.4% of subjects did not consider applying any weight control measure necessary. Dietary restriction was more commonly adopted by females. The most commonly skipped meal by both male and female undergraduates was lunch. However, more females skipped dinner in other to lose weight. Conclusion: The present study suggests that body weight perception is a very important determinant of weight control behavior. Social acceptance is a common phenomenon amongst female undergraduates who are also more concerned about their body weight and shape.

Association between gestational depression and weight management behaviors during pregnancy: A cross-sectional study in Eastern China.

An undesirable psychological state may deteriorate individual's weight management-related behaviors. This study aims to see if ineffective weight control measures were linked to depressive symptoms during pregnancy. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 784 pregnant women and collected information on sociodemographic factors, maternal characteristics, depression, and weight management activities throughout pregnancy (exercise management, dietary management, self-monitoring regulation, and management objectives). About 17.5% of pregnant women exhibited depressive symptoms. The mean score on dietary management was upper-middle, exercise management and self-monitoring regulation were medium, and management objectives were lower-middle. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that pregnant women with depressive symptoms had lower levels of exercise management (β = −1.585, p = 0.005), dietary management (adjusted β = −0.984, p = 0.002), and management objectives (adjusted β = −0.726, p = 0.009). However, there was no significant relationship between depressive symptoms and pregnant women's self-monitoring regulating behavior (p > 0.05). The findings indicated the inverse association between depressive symptoms and gestational weight management behaviors. These results offer important indications for pregnancy weight management professionals by highlighting the need for mental health interventions for pregnant women experiencing depressive symptoms.

Outcomes of 75 consecutive cases of laparoscopic one-anastomosis gastric bypass: A prospective study

Background: Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate in India along with rest of the world. In the National Family and Health survey - IV conducted in 2015-16; 31.3% women and 26.6% men in urban area were obese or over weight. Bariatric surgery has long been introduced for weight control and is well established measure and superior to other weight control measures. Procedures like laparoscopic Roux en Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are more commonly performed than Laparoscopic One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (LOAGB). Although sufficient data has accumulated in literature regarding the safety and efficacy of LOAGB, some of standard textbooks still mention it as an experimental procedure and not the mainstream procedure. Aims and Objective: The present study was conducted with objective to find out changes in pre-operative and post-operative status of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis, GERD and quality of life after laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass along with its safety and efficacy in Indian population. Material and Methods: The study was conducted at a tertiary care bariatric surgical centre and included 75 consecutive individual operated between January 2016 to December 2017 who underwent Laparoscopic One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass and followed prospectively for minimum 1 year (mean 18 months) and statistical analysis was done using SPSS 21 software. Result: One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass was completed laparoscopically in all the patients without need for conversion to an open procedure. The overall complication with Laparoscopic One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass was 1.3% without any mortality. Mean percentage of excess weight loss (% EWL) achieved was 72.73. 93.9 % patients with diabetes, 67.43% patients with hypertension, 87.1% patient with hyperlipidemia, all the patient with obstructive sleep apnoea and osteoarthritis of knee showed improvement in their disease status. None of the patient showed worsening of gastroesophageal reflux or development of new symptoms of gastro esophageal reflux. All patients had improvement in their quality of life as seen in the improvement of their SF 36 scores. Conclusion: Laparoscopic One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass is a safe and effective bariatric procedure. The post procedure improvement in diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis of knee and quality of life is significant in Indian context.

Twenty-Four Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Metformin for Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain in Patients with First-Episode Psychosis: A Pilot Study.

Excessive weight gain and cardiometabolic dysfunction are common and clinically relevant side effects of antipsychotic medications. In this pilot study, we aimed to establish the feasibility of using metformin and its effectiveness in managing antipsychotic-induced weight gain in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) on follow-up with the Singapore Early Psychosis Intervention Programme in a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, to ascertain the effects of metformin discontinuation on body weight and evaluate the safety and tolerability of metformin. Participants between the ages of 16 and 40 with FEP assessed as clinically stable and who had gained ≥5% of their pre-drug weight after initiation of the antipsychotic treatment were recruited from outpatient clinics between April 2015 and April 2018. Seventeen participants met all the inclusion criteria and were randomized to receive metformin (n = 8) or the placebo (n = 9) at Week 0, with follow up assessments at Weeks 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36. Metformin was generally well-tolerated. Participants in the metformin arm were able to control their weight better than participants receiving the placebo, an effect that did not persist after discontinuation. Our results support the use of metformin as a safe and tolerable weight control measure in a typical outpatient sample of young people with FEP.

Pre-treatment high body mass index is associated with poor survival in Asian premenopausal women with localized breast cancer.

Background: Obesity is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of obesity measured by body mass index (BMI) on survival of Taiwanese breast cancer patients in a single institution.Methods: We observed 5000 patients who were diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer between 1990 and 2005. Information on BMI at diagnosis, and clinical follow-up for disease recurrence and death, up to 20 years post-diagnosis were available. BMI (in kg/m2) categories included normal weight (BMI<24), overweight (24≤BMI<27), and obesity (BMI≥27), according to recommendations from the Bureau of Health Promotion of Taiwan. The role of BMI and other known prognostic factors for patient survival were evaluated in this patient cohort.Results: Obesity was associated with advanced stage, higher nuclear grade, and higher percentages of estrogen receptor (ER) positive. The median age of patients with a higher BMI was greater than the median age of patients with a lower BMI. Obesity was an independent prognostic factor of overall survival (OS) (P<0.001), but not disease-free survival (DFS) (P=0.067). We subsequently analyzed the impact of age-stratified BMI (age<50 and age≥50 years) to ameliorate the impact of age bias. Following subset analyses, obesity correlated with shorter DFS (P=0.004) and OS (P=0.009) only in women<50 years of age. Multivariate analysis revealed that BMI was an independent prognostic factor for both DFS and OS in this group of patients. Subset analysis revealed that in women <50 years old, the impact of BMI on survival was associated with higher stage, ER negativity.Conclusion: BMI is an independent prognostic factor of OS and DFS in breast cancer patients aged<50 years. Although the cause-effect relationship between obesity and survival is unclear, we recommend that weight control measures in young breast cancer survivors should be considered.

Cardiovascular Disease among Patients with Diabetes: The Current Scenario in Saudi Arabia.

One of the well-recognized conditions linked to diabetes mellitus (DM) is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Those affected by DM face greater risk for early onset of CVD. Although huge strides have been made in cardiovascular therapy and prevention, with striking results in decreasing diabetesrelated coronary mortality in developed countries, the morbidity and mortality due to CVD continue to remain high among patients with diabetes. While there is an increasing incidence of cardiovascular event survivors with DM across the world, the number of DM patients with higher cardiovascular risk is predicted to soar, presenting a massive challenge for health care systems globally, including Saudi Arabia. A report of the Saudi Scientific Diabetes Society indicates that more than 50% of patients with DM die due to cardiovascular causes. In fact, Saudi Arabia globally ranks among the top 10 countries in the prevalence of diabetes. However, the incidence of CVD and its risk factors among patients with diabetes in Saudi Arabia have not yet been well documented. This review aims to present an overview of CVD among patients with DM in Saudi Arabia, through a comprehensive review of currently available published literature. The findings indicate that diabetes linked CVD burden in Saudi Arabia is expected to exponentially increase to a very high degree unless a wide-ranging epidemic control program is initiated. The findings emphasize the need for maintenance of a healthy diet accompanied by exercise, an active lifestyle and weight control measures among the population. It is essential that the health care system focus on raising awareness among the population, and implement appropriate measures for prevention, early detection and suitable management of CVD among patients with DM.

Disordered eating behaviours in female physique athletes

Despite substantial growth in participation rates in physique sports, little is known about the modern day female physique athlete. The extreme physique traits of successful female physique athletes suggest this population may be particularly at risk of developing disordered eating (DE). The aim of this study was to determine if female physique athletes across the main divisions of bikini, fitness, figure and bodybuilding were at risk of DE and to explore possible associated risk factors. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate differences in incidence of DE across divisions given differences in physique requirements. Female physique athletes (n = 348) were recruited using targeted methods and completed an online survey based on validated questionnaires, including the Drive for Thinness, Body Dissatisfaction, and Bulimia subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), Pathogenic Weight Control Measures (PWCM), and the Cognitive Dietary Restraint subscale of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-CDR). Athletes scoring above the cut off values for one or more of the EDI subscales or engaged in at least one of the most concerning PWCM (binge eating, laxative use, and self-induced vomiting) were considered at risk of DE. Approximately half of the participants were identified with DE (46.6%), independent of division, with 27.3% exhibiting clinical and 19.3% having subclinical DE. Furthermore, approximately half (48.9%) of participants engaged in at least one of the most concerning PWCM within the past three months, with a smaller proportion (5.2%) engaging in all three PWCM. Weak but significant correlations were found between some EDI subscales and reason for sport participation, BMI and body composition goals. Drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction were positively associated with use of PWCM. In conclusion, a high proportion of female physique athletes were identified with DE, with a concerning number of athletes engaging in harmful PWCM.

A study regarding the control attempts on body weight and related factors among overweight and obese adults in China, 2013

Objective: To understand the control attempts of body weight and its related factors among overweight and obese adults in China. Methods: Data was from the 2013 Chinese Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Surveillance Program, which covered 302 surveillance sites. 179 570 adults, selected through multistage stratified cluster sampling method, were interviewed. Demographic characteristics and weight-control attempts were collected via face-to-face interview. BMI, waist circumstance and blood pressure were individually measured under physical examination. Venous blood samples were obtained and tested for FPG, OGTT-2h, TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C. A total of 87 545 overweight and obese patients were included in this study, with the exclusion of 152 patients having the missed critical information. Rates on weight control and attempts were analyzed, using the complex weighting on samples to represent the overall overweight and obese adults in China. Results: The rate of weight-control attempts was 16.3% (95%CI: 14.9%-17.7%). Among all the 12 133 patients who had undergone weight-control measures, the proportions of different attempts were as follows: diet (40.9%, 95%CI: 38.4%-43.3%), combination of diet and physical activity (31.5%, 95%CI: 28.9%-34.0%), physical activity (22.8%, 95%CI: 21.0%-24.6%) and drug control (1.3%, 95%CI: 1.0%-1.7%). Factors as: being female (OR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.15-1.38), at younger age (18-44 years old, OR=1.51, 95%CI: 1.31-1.74), with high education levels (college degree or above, OR=4.52, 95%CI: 3.76-5.43), having high annual income (≥24 000 Yuan, OR=1.94, 95%CI: 1.63-2.30) etc., appeared as favorable factors for taking the measures vs. rural residency (OR=0.63, 95%CI: 0.55- 0.72) as the unfavorable one. Conclusion: The rate of weight-control attempts appeared low among the overweight and obese adults who were affected by factors as age, education and income level. Personalized intervention measures should be carried out for people with different characteristics.

Abstract 3227: Getting rid of obesity in middle-to-late adulthood relates to lower prostate cancer risk: Another piece of evidence supporting the “rapid testosterone reduction theory”

Abstract Background: Previously we demonstrated that a smoothed age-related decline in testosterone was associated with decreased risk of prostate cancer (PCa) (“rapid testosterone reduction theory”). Obesity relates to low testosterone, so body weight pattern reflecting smoothed testosterone decline should be related to lower PCa risk. This study aimed to validate the “rapid testosterone reduction theory” from the perspective of body mass index (BMI) pattern and risk of PCa. Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study in a retrospective hospital cohort with median follow-up of 5.0 years from a tertiary-level hospital in the Southeastern US. Electronic medical records of 18168 patients with prostate-related disease diagnosed between November 4, 1995 and January 10, 2016 were screened. The outcome was newly diagnosed PCa. Only patients with BMI measured at ≥3 differing calendar years before PCa diagnosis or the latest follow-up (for non-PCa patients) were included, resulting in a sample of 1571, among which 128 were PCa patients. BMI was analyzed in cross-section value, change, and developmental trajectories in relation to PCa risk. Results: Participant ages spanned a range of 40 to 90 years, with mean age at baseline was 57 years (standard deviation = 9.6). Baseline BMI was inversely associated with PCa risk (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-0.91 for every 5-unite increase in BMI). When analyzed in change between baseline and the latest follow-up, BMI increment was associated with increased PCa risk (AOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.05-1.51 for every 5-unite increase in BMI change). When analyzed in latent-class trajectory, a downward BMI trajectory of being obese in the 4th, 5th, and 6th decade then progressing to be non-obese since the 7th decade of age was associated with decreased PCa risk (AOR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45-0.98), compared to those with consistently normal BMI. When analyzed by strata of PCa diagnosis age, the same associations were more evident for PCa diagnosed after age 65. Conclusions: Weight loss and getting rid of obesity during middle-to-late adulthood is related to a decreased PCa risk, supporting the “rapid testosterone reduction theory” in explaining PCa risk. If this finding can be verified with more rigorous study, provision of testosterone replacement therapy as a weight control measure for men in middle-to-later adulthood has potentials in PCa prevention. Citation Format: Kai Wang, Xinguang Chen, Travis A. Gerke, Victoria Y. Bird, Mattia Prosperi. Getting rid of obesity in middle-to-late adulthood relates to lower prostate cancer risk: Another piece of evidence supporting the “rapid testosterone reduction theory” [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3227.

Characterization of the Prevalence and Management of Over-Conditioned Ponies and Horses in Maryland

It has been estimated in the United States and abroad that 20%–51% of the equine population suffers from over-conditioning or obesity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of over-conditioning in the equine population in Maryland, to characterize weight control measures used, and to ascertain how control measures impact the operation. Over-conditioning was defined as a body condition score of 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale. All licensed horse operators in Maryland were invited to participate in an online survey. A total of 93 farm operators completed the survey with 238 ponies and 1,290 horses represented. Nearly, all operators (96%) indicated that they managed at least one obese pony or horse and that 41% of their ponies (n = 97) and 40% of their horses (n = 512) were over-conditioned. Over-conditioned ponies had a higher incidence of laminitis and were more heavily managed. Dry lots were the most common management practice used for ponies even though they were reported to be more time consuming and required more maintenance than pasturing horses. Participants were most satisfied with using exercise for weight control followed by dry lots and least satisfied with using grazing muzzles and administering medication. Operators spent an average of $434.18 ± $15.19 more each year to manage their over-conditioned equids. In conclusion, a significant portion of Maryland's horses and ponies is over-conditioned with laminitis occurring more frequently in over-conditioned ponies. Additional or alternative measures to prevent over-conditioning are needed to reduce labor and maintenance costs as well as improve welfare practices.