Weight Cycling Research Articles

How are body mass and body attitude impacted by a behaviour change intervention in primary care? A pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Aims:This study evaluated the effect of behaviour change interventions at Norwegian Healthy Life Centres on change in body mass index (BMI) and body attitude, and explored the predictors for change after 6 months. Methods: We randomised 118 participants to either an intervention or a control group. Eligible participants: ⩾18 years and able to take part in group-based interventions. Body attitude, weight, and height were assessed at inclusion and after 6 months. We analysed the data using simple and multiple regression. Results: Eighty-six participants completed 6-month follow-up. The study found no intervention effect on BMI or body attitude across the two groups. However, an interaction effect indicated that the leaner participants in the intervention group reduced their weight significantly (b 0.94, p < 0.001). BMI reduction was predicted by self-efficacy for physical activity and autonomous motivation for change. Weight loss was associated with impaired body attitude, body shape concern, impaired weight-related self-esteem, weight cycling, and controlled motivation for change. Improvement in body attitude was positively impacted by self-rated health, the experience of childhood respect, life satisfaction, and self-efficacy for physical activity. Impaired body attitude was predicted by body shape concern, impaired weight-related self-esteem, and controlled motivation. Conclusions: The interventions did not affect body mass on average, but promoted weight loss among the leaner participants. Because weight reduction was associated body shape concern and impaired body attitude, the study supports the claim that interventions should be weight neutral and aim to improve body image and psychological well-being rather than weight reduction.

Plasma half-life and tissue distribution of leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 in mice

Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) is a hepatokine that causes skeletal muscle insulin resistance. The circulating levels of LECT2 are a possible biomarker that can predict weight cycling because they reflect liver fat and precede the onset of weight loss or gain. Herein, to clarify the dynamics of this rapid change in serum LECT2 levels, we investigated the in vivo kinetics of LECT2, including its plasma half-life and tissue distribution, by injecting 125I-labelled LECT2 into ICR mice and radioactivity tracing. The injected LECT2 was eliminated from the bloodstream within 10 min (approximate half-life, 5 min). In the kidneys, the radioactivity accumulated within 10 min after injection and declined thereafter. Conversely, the radioactivity in urine increased after 30 min of injection, indicating that LECT2 is mainly excreted by the kidneys into the urine. Finally, LECT2 accumulated in the skeletal muscle and liver until 30 min and 2 min after injection, respectively. LECT2 accumulation was not observed in the adipose tissue. These findings are in agreement with LECT2 action on the skeletal muscle. The present study indicates that LECT2 is a rapid-turnover protein, which renders the circulating level of LECT2 a useful rapid-response biomarker to predict body weight alterations.

Short-Term Sprint Interval Training Increases Maximal Oxygen Uptake Without Changing Maximal Cardiac Output

Traditional moderate intensity continuous training increases maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). This effect is primarily attributed to an increased maximal cardiac output (Qmax), as predicted by the Fick principle. Sprint interval training (SIT) increases VO2max similar to MICT, often despite a lower training volume, but the effect on Qmax is unclear. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of 6 sessions of SIT over 2 wk on VO2max, Qmax and exercise performance in healthy, untrained adults [n=12 (9 females); 21±2 y; mean±SD]. METHODS: Training was performed on a cycle ergometer and involved a 2-min warm-up (50 W), 3 x 20-s ‘all-out’ bouts interspersed with 2-min of recovery (50 W), and a 3-min cool-down (50 W). VO2max was determined using a ramp test to exhaustion. Qmax was subsequently determined using inert gas rebreathing (Innocor) over a 2-min period of exercise performed at 90% of the peak work rate attained during the VO2max test. Pilot testing confirmed this protocol elicited VO2max over the 2-min period of Qmax measurement. The performance test was a 2 kJ/kg body weight cycling time trial. All measurements were performed twice at baseline, and reproducibility determined as a coefficient of variation (CV). The CV for VO2max, Qmax and time trial performance was 5.8, 4.7 and 4.2%, respectively. Pre- and post-training measurements were compared using a paired t-test. RESULTS: VO2max increased after SIT from 37.0±7.3 to 40.7±8.3 ml/kg/min (p<0.001), but Qmax was unchanged (17.2±3.8 vs 17.7±4.6 L/min; p>0.05). Exercise performance improved after SIT from 1040±247 to 938±238 s (p<0.001). Absolute VO2max was positively correlated with Qmax (r2 = 0.86, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Six sessions of SIT increased VO2max without changing Qmax in previously untrained individuals. These data support previous suggestions that the early increase in VO2max after SIT may be due mainly to peripheral responses (i.e., enhanced oxygen extraction by skeletal muscle), rather than a central change in blood oxygen delivery. Supported by NSERC

Weight change among repeat participants of an Aboriginal community-based weight loss program

BackgroundCommunity-based weight loss programs may have potential to address overweight and obesity at the population level. However, participation patterns and individual outcomes from these programs are understudied. This study examined repeat participation patterns and participant weight change between contests over seven years of an Aboriginal Australian team-based program in order to identify (1) predictors of repeat participation and (2) associations with weight change between contests.MethodsData for the 12 contests from 2012 to 2018 were merged, with probabilistic record matching. A total of 7510 enrolments were registered for the 12 contests, representing 4438 unique people. Contest lengths varied from 10 to 16 weeks in duration. Non-repeat participants were those who only competed once in the program by the end of 2018, and repeaters were those who competed in at least two contests. Associations between repeat participation and participant baseline (i.e., first participation occasion) characteristics, change in diet and physical activity and percent change in weight during the first participation occasion were examined using crossed random effects (for person and team) regression adjusted for exposure to the program. Weight percentage change between contests was calculated for consecutive participation occasions occurring at least three months apart, converted to percent change per month. Weight change was regressed on number of repeat participation occasions adjusted for age, gender, baseline weight at first participation occasion, and weight percent change in the immediately preceding contest.ResultsOne-third of the 4433 participants participated more than once, with women more likely than men to repeat. A 1% reduction in weight during a competition was associated with an increase in weight of 0.05% per month between competition end and subsequent participation. Regain was smaller the heavier participants were at their first participation.ConclusionsWhile individuals benefit from weight loss through program participation, strengthening strategies for weight loss maintenance within or following the program could improve long-term weight outcomes and reduce weight cycling.

Self-Reported Weight Cycling Is Associated with Adaptive Thermogenesis in Individuals with Overweight and Obesity

Abstract Objectives We aimed to examine the association between self-reported weight cycling (WC) history and the presence of adaptive thermogenesis (AT) in overweight and obese individuals. Methods Data for this analysis were collected during baseline visits of participants enrolled in an ongoing weight loss study, the Personal Diet study. The sample was limited to participants who had reported attempting weight loss prior to enrollment. Body composition (fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM)) and resting energy expenditure (REE) were measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis and indirect calorimetry, respectively. Weight and dieting history was obtained via investigator-generated questionnaire, and WC was defined as the reported number of successful weight loss attempts of ≥5 lbs since age 18. Predicted REE (REEp) was determined using a multiple regression model including FM (kg), FFM (kg), and age. AT (kcal/day) was defined as the difference between predicted and measured REE (REEm-REEp). Pearson's correlations and multivariable models were run using SAS 9.4. Results Complete datasets for both WC and REE were collected from 121 participants. Participants (n = 5) with AT ± 2 SD were considered outliers and excluded from this analysis. The sample was mostly female (70%), with a mean age of 59 ± 12 years and a BMI of 34.1 ± 4.8 kg/m2. AT ≥100 kcal/day was found in 41 participants (35%). Mean number of weight cycles was 8.6 ± 5.7, with 49 participants (42.2%) reporting ≥10 cycles. WC was positively associated with AT after adjusting for sex (P = 0.018). Conclusions As predicted, WC is common in individuals with overweight and obesity and was significantly associated with AT. However, the clinical relevance of AT is unknown. Therefore, future directions should include an assessment of the effect of WC and AT on weight loss success. Funding Sources The Personal Diet study is supported by the American Heart Association.

Weight cycling is associated with adverse cardiometabolic markers in a cross-sectional representative US sample

BackgroundWhether weight cycling (repeated weight loss and regain) is associated with cardiometabolic health is unclear. Study objective was to examine whether weight cycling since young adulthood (ie, 25 years of...

Inflammation associated weight cycling contributes to an obesogenic memory phenotype in adipose tissue

Abstract Energy expenditure through physical activity and dieting promotes weight loss. However, sustaining a healthy weight can be challenging and often a pattern known as weight cycling emerges. We evaluated the inflammatory status of mice undergoing weight cycling. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into four groups (n=10/group): low fat diet (LFD) for 32 weeks (LFD), high fat diet (HFD) for 32 weeks (HFD), LFD for 28 weeks then changed to HFD for 4 weeks (LFD-&amp;gt;H), HFD for 21 weeks then changed to LFD for 7 weeks and then changed to HFD for 4 weeks (HFD-&amp;gt;L-&amp;gt;H). LFD-&amp;gt;H and HFD-&amp;gt;L-&amp;gt;H mice did not significantly differ in body weight, body fat weight, or body fat percentage, but were significantly higher than LFD mice while remaining lower than HFD mice (p&amp;lt;0.05). In addition, HFD-&amp;gt;L-&amp;gt;H mice had smaller adipocytes of the epididymal fat pad compared to HFD and LFD-&amp;gt;H mice which both had larger adipocytes (p&amp;lt;0.05) compared to LFD. TNFα and IFNγ were higher (p&amp;lt;0.05) in the epididymal fat pad of HFD-&amp;gt;L-&amp;gt;H mice compared to LFD and LFD-&amp;gt;H mice. This was consistent with more M1-type macrophages (p&amp;lt;0.05) and cytotoxic T-cells (p&amp;lt;0.05) as indicated by ITGAX and CD8a gene expression, respectively. However, MCP1 was significantly lower (p&amp;lt;0.05) in HFD-&amp;gt;L-&amp;gt;H mice compared to LFD-&amp;gt;H. Liver histopathological and protein analysis revealed HFD-&amp;gt;L-&amp;gt;H mice had greater NASH and NAS (p&amp;lt;0.05) scores, increased total STAT3 and NF-kB (p&amp;lt;0.05) compared to LFD controls. Taken together, weight cycling can lead to aberrations in the storage of triglycerides when challenged with an increased caloric intake. This is further supported by an increase in adipose tissue inflammation in weight cycling mice which is likely contributing to the observed obesogenic memory phenotype.

Weight Stigma and Weight-Related Health: Associations of Self-Report Measures Among Adults in Weight Management.

Weight stigma impairs health. Few studies have disentangled the associations of experienced versus internalized stigma with weight-related outcomes. To examine weight and health variables associated with weight stigma experiences and internalization in the largest-to-date sample of adults in weight management. WW (formerly Weight Watchers) members (N = 18,769, 94.6% female, 91.1% white) completed an online survey from 2017 to 2018. Participants reported whether they had experienced weight stigma and, if so, the onset, past-year frequency and distress, and interpersonal sources of stigma. Participants completed the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) and self-reported: past-year weight and lifetime weight cycles; current self-monitoring behaviors; eating self-efficacy; physical activity; perceived stress; eating to cope; body image; and mental and physical health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL). Participants reported their demographic characteristics, including height and weight to compute body mass index. In logistic and linear regression analyses (controlling for participant characteristics), WBIS-M scores were negatively associated with weight loss, self-monitoring, eating self-efficacy, body image, and mental HRQOL and positively associated with weight gain, weight cycling, perceived stress, and eating to cope (p < .001). Experiencing weight stigma was associated with greater weight loss and less weight gain, although associations with other variables had small effect sizes (absolute β values < 0.10). WBIS-M scores remained significantly associated with all variables when including stigma onset, frequency/distress, and sources. Internalized, but not experienced, weight stigma was consistently associated with adverse weight and health factors. Developing and testing interventions targeting internalized stigma in the context of weight management should be a research priority.

Weight Regain in Formerly Obese Mice Hastens Development of Hepatic Steatosis Due to Impaired Adipose Tissue Function.

Weight regain after weight loss is common, and there is evidence to suggest negative effects on health because of weight cycling. This study sought to investigate the impact of weight regain in formerly obese mice on adipose tissue architecture and stromal cell function. A diet-switch model was employed for obesity induction, weight loss, and weight regain in mice. Flow cytometry quantified adipose tissue leukocytes in adipose tissue. Liver and adipose tissue depots were compared to determine tissue-specific effects of weight cycling. Epididymal white adipose tissue of formerly obese mice failed to expand in response to repeat exposure to high-fat diet and retained elevated numbers of macrophages and T cells. Weight regain was associated with disproportionally elevated liver mass, hepatic triglyceride content, serum insulin concentration, and serum transaminase concentration. These effects occurred despite an extended 6-month weightloss cycle and theydemonstrate that formerly obese mice maintain durable alterations in their physiological response to weight regain. Conditioned media from epididymal adipose tissue of formerly obese mice inhibited adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, suggesting a potential mechanism to explain failed epididymal adipose tissue expansion during weight regain. Metabolic abnormalities related to defects in adipose tissue expansion and ongoing dysfunction manifest in formerly obese mice during weight regain.

Weight Cycling Creates an Obesogenic Memory in Adipose Tissue Which Exacerbates the Inflammatory Response to Obesity

The obesity pandemic has continued to grow over the past few years, with over 44% of the adult world population estimated to be overweight. Energy expenditure through physical activity and dieting promotes weight loss which can lead to beneficial adaptations that promote healthy metabolism. However, few patients successfully manage to include physical activity in their daily routine and tend to weight cycle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory status of mice undergoing weight cycling. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into four groups: low fat diet for 32 weeks (LFD) (n=10), high fat diet for 32 weeks (HFD) (n=10), low fat diet for 28 weeks then changed to high fat for 4 weeks (LFD‐&gt;H) (n=10), high fat diet for 21 weeks then changed to low fat for 7 weeks and then changed back to high fat for 4 weeks (HFD‐&gt;L‐&gt;H) (n=10). LFD‐&gt;H and HFD‐&gt;L‐&gt;H mice did not significantly differ in body weight, body fat weight, or body fat percentage, but were significantly higher than LFD mice (p&lt;0.05) while remaining lower than HFD mice (p&lt;0.05) at the conclusion of the study. We measured the average adipocyte size of the epididymal fat pad and found that HFD‐&gt;L‐&gt;H mice had smaller adipocytes compared to HFD and LFD‐&gt;H mice which both had significantly larger adipocytes (p&lt;0.05) compared to LFD. Frequency analysis of adipocyte size revealed that LFD and HFD‐&gt;L‐&gt;H mice had significantly more small adipocytes (p&lt;0.05) compared to HFD and LFD‐H mice. TNFa and IFNg were significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in the epididymal fat pad of HFD‐&gt;L‐&gt;H mice compared to LFD and LFD‐&gt;H mice. However, MCP1 was significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) in HFD‐&gt;L‐&gt;H mice compared to LFD‐&gt;H. These trends in cytokines were complemented by more M1‐type macrophages (p&lt;0.05) and cytotoxic T‐cells (p&lt;0.05) in the epididymal fat as indicated by ITGAX and CD8a gene expression, respectively. Interestingly, there was no difference in total macrophages between LFD‐&gt;H and HFD‐&gt;L‐&gt;H mice as indicated by EMR1 expression. Liver histopathological analysis revealed HFD‐&gt;L‐&gt;H mice had greater NASH (p&lt;0.05) and NAS (p&lt;0.05) scores compared to LFD controls, whereas LFD‐&gt;H mice did not show any differences compared to LFD controls. Liver protein analysis showed increased total STAT3 (p&lt;0.05) and NF‐kB (p&lt;0.05) in HFD‐&gt;L‐&gt;H compared to LFD controls. Further, p‐AMPK (T172) was significantly increased (p&lt;0.05) in all groups compared to LFD controls indicating metabolic stress was present in the livers, however there was no difference between LFD‐&gt;H and HFD‐&gt;L‐&gt;H mice. Taken together, we have shown that weight cycling can lead to aberrations in the storage of triglycerides when challenged with an increased caloric intake. This is further supported by an increase in M1 type pro‐inflammatory macrophages in the epididymal fat tissue in weight cycling mice which is likely contributing to the observed obesogenic memory phenotype.

Adipose tissue macrophages: Unique polarization and bioenergetics in obesity.

Macrophages comprise a majority of the resident immune cells in adipose tissue (AT) and regulate both tissue homeostasis in the lean state and metabolic dysregulation in obesity. Since the AT environment rapidly changes based upon systemic energy status, AT macrophages (ATMs) must adapt phenotypically and metabolically. There is a distinct dichotomy in the polarization and bioenergetics of in vitro models, with M2 macrophages utilizing oxidative phosphorylation (OX PHOS) and M1 macrophages utilizing glycolysis. Early studies suggested differential polarization of ATMs, with M2-like macrophages predominant in lean AT and M1-like macrophages in obese AT. However, recent studies show that the phenotypic plasticity of ATMs is far more complicated, which is also reflected in their bioenergetics. Multiple ATM populations exist along the M2 to M1 continuum and appear to utilize both glycolysis and OX PHOS in obesity. The significance of the dual fuel bioenergetics is unclear and may be related to an intermediate polarization, their buffering capacity, or the result of a mixed population of distinct polarized ATMs. Recent evidence also suggests that ATMs of lean mice serve as a substrate buffer or reservoir to modulate lipid, catecholamine, and iron availability. Furthermore, recent models of weight loss and weight cycling reveal additional roles for ATMs in systemic metabolism. Evaluating ATM phenotype and intracellular metabolism together may more accurately illuminate the consequences of ATM accumulation in obese AT, lending further insight into obesity-related comorbidities in humans.

Lifetime Weight Cycling and Central Fat Distribution in Females With Obesity: A Brief Report

Weight cycling (WC) is a common phenomenon in patients with obesity, however, its consequence on body composition has not yet been fully understood. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether multiple WC can negatively affect the latter, especially in terms of body fat distribution in female adults seeking treatment that are overweight or obese. Body composition was obtained using a segmental body composition analyser (MC-780MA, Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan) in 125 adult females who had been referred to the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Beirut Arab University (Lebanon). WC was defined as intentional weight loss of ≥3 kg followed by involuntary weight regain of ≥3 kg, and participants were categorized as WC if they had experienced ≥2 cycles. Ninety of the 125 participants met the criteria for WC and displayed a higher total and trunk fat mass than those without WC. This was confirmed through linear regression analysis, showing that multiple WC were associated with increased fat mass (FM) by nearly 4.2 kg (β = 4.23, 95%CI: 0.81–7.65, p = 0.016)–2.4 kg in the trunk region (β = 2.35, 95%CI: 0.786–3.917, p = 0.004) when compared to the non-WC group, after adjusting for age and fat-free mass. In conclusion, multiple WC is associated with increased body fat, especially in the central region. Future studies are needed to examine the impact of this fat distribution on health outcomes in this phenotype of patients.

How dieting might make some fatter: modeling weight cycling toward obesity from a perspective of body composition autoregulation

The notion that dieting makes some people fatter has in the past decade gained considerable interest from both epidemiological predictions and biological plausibility. Several large-scale prospective studies have suggested that dieting to lose weight is associated with future weight gain and obesity, with such predictions being stronger and more consistent among dieters who are in the normal range of body weight rather than in those with obesity. Furthermore, the biological plausibility that dieting predisposes people who are lean (rather than those with overweight or obesity) to regain more body fat than what had been lost (referred to as fat overshooting) has recently gained support from a re-analysis of data on body composition during weight loss and subsequent weight recovery from the classic longitudinal Minnesota Starvation Experiment. These have revealed an inverse exponential relationship between the amount of fat overshot and initial adiposity, and have suggested that a temporal desynchronization in the recoveries of fat and lean tissues, in turn residing in differences in lean-fat partitioning during weight loss vs. during weight recovery (with fat recovery faster than lean tissue recovery) is a cardinal feature of fat overshooting. Within a conceptual framework that integrates the relationship between post-dieting fat overshooting with initial adiposity, the extent of weight loss and the differential lean-fat partitioning during weight loss vs. weight recovery, we describe here a mathematical model of weight cycling to predict the excess fat that could be gained through repeated dieting and multiple weight cycles from a standpoint of body composition autoregulation.

Lmo4-resistin signaling contributes to adipose tissue-liver crosstalk upon weight cycling.

Repeated cycles of weight loss and regain, known as weight cycling, is often seen when people try to lose weight. The exact pathophysiological effects and the underlying mechanisms of weight cycling remain largely unclear. Here, we report that weight cycling induced by alternating feeding mice with a low-fat diet or a high-fat diet in a 1-week switch protocol caused further increased epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) weight, preadipocyte proliferation, hepatic inflammation, fasting blood glucose level, and glucose intolerance, compared with the continuously HF-fed mice. Combining the secretory protein database with RNA-sequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR) results in eWAT, the mRNA levels of several adipokines, including Retn (encoding resistin), were found altered by weight cycling. A transcriptional co-factor Lmo4 was found regulated by weight cycling; Lmo4 enhanced preadipocyte proliferation, in vitro adipogenesis, transcription of Retn, and resistin secretion in 3T3-L1 cells. Primary mouse hepatocytes administrated with recombinant mouse resistin (rm-resistin), or exposed to media from Lmo4-overexpressed 3T3-L1 cells, showed increased inflammatory responses and gluconeogenesis. Furthermore, rm-resistin-injected normal chow-fed mice showed upregulated blood glucose level by increasing gluconeogenesis, and upregulated the hepatic inflammatory responses. Together, our results suggest a regulatory role of Lmo4-resistin signaling in weight cycling, indicating a crosstalk between the adipose tissue and liver.

Examining Heterogeneity of Outcomes in a Weight Gain Prevention Program for Young Adults.

This study aimed to characterize young adults who experienced significant weight gains (> 10%) over 3 years in a weight gain prevention program. Secondary data analysis from the Study of Novel Approaches to Weight Gain Prevention (SNAP), a randomized trial comparing two self-regulation interventions and a control arm in young adults (18-35 years; BMI 21-30.9 kg/m2 ), was used. Large Gainers (≥ 10%of their body weight; n = 48), Small Gainers (2.6%-9.9%; n = 149), and Weight Stable participants (± 2.5%; n = 143) were compared on dimensions affecting weight gain. Differences in weight gain among the three groups were significant by year 1 and subsequently increased. Those who became Large Gainers were heavier at baselineand further below their highest weight, andthey reported more weight cycling than Weight Stable, with Small Gainers intermediate. Neither study arm nor pregnancy explained weight change differences among the three groups. Large Gainers reported more depressive symptoms than Weight Stable at years 1 and 2. Large Gainers were less likely to weigh themselves at least weekly at 4 months, before differences in weight gain emerged, and at years 1 and 2. Large Gainers (representing almost 10% of participants) could be identified early by greater weight issues at baseline and lower use of weight gain prevention strategies.

Intentional weight loss as a predictor of type 2 diabetes occurrence in a general population

AbstractObesity is a major risk factor of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Accordingly, weight loss is being used to reduce this risk. Intervention studies have shown a T2D risk reduction due to weight loss in populations with an elevated risk. Data on the prediction of intentional weight loss (IWL) on diabetes occurrence at population level is, however, sparse. Since in observational studies IWL has been shown to predict later weight gain, possibly leading to adverse consequences, this study examined the prediction of IWL on T2D occurrence in a general population. Data from the representative Finnish Health 2000 Survey conducted in 2000–2001 was used. The study sample consisted of 1962 men and 2308 women, aged 30–69. Information on IWL during the previous year was collected with a questionnaire. Data for the covariates was collected with a health examination, interviews and questionnaires. Incident T2D cases during a 15-year follow-up were drawn from national health registers covering information on medication use, hospitalization, and cause of death. The Cox model was used to estimate strength of association between IWL and T2D occurrence. During the follow-up, 417 individuals developed a T2D. After adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors and the components of metabolic syndrome, IWL predicted an increased risk of T2D occurrence (HR 1.44; 95% CI 1.11–1.87) compared to individuals without IWL. Moreover, in interaction analyses, the risk in individuals with IWL compared to those without IWL was pronounced in younger age group and in those with the lowest quality diet. Furthermore, an elevated risk was consistently found in persons with IWL and overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2), also in combination with different aspects of poor health (i.e. mental health, self-perceived health, metabolic health). In the present cohort, IWL predicted an increased subsequent risk of developing T2D. This may be due to that in long-term at population level IWL causes an elevated risk of T2D e.g. by acting as a promotor for weight gain or by causing weight cycling resulting in unfavorable changes in metabolic health indicators. Alternatively, it cannot be excluded, that individuals reporting IWL already are at a greater risk of T2D and pursue IWL in response to that. Greater emphasis should be put on the initial prevention of weight gain and on the support on the weight maintenance after weight loss. Further cohort studies with repeated measurements on dieting behavior and changes in weight are needed.

Physiological and Epigenetic Features of Yoyo Dieting and Weight Control.

Obesity and being overweight have become a worldwide epidemic affecting more than 1.9 billion adults and 340 million children. Efforts to curb this global health burden by developing effective long-term non-surgical weight loss interventions continue to fail due to weight regain after weight loss. Weight cycling, often referred to as Yoyo dieting, is driven by physiological counter-regulatory mechanisms that aim at preserving energy, i.e. decreased energy expenditure, increased energy intake, and impaired brain-periphery communication. Models based on genetically determined set points explained some of the weight control mechanisms, but exact molecular underpinnings remained elusive. Today, gene–environment interactions begin to emerge as likely drivers for the obesogenic memory effect associated with weight cycling. Here, epigenetic mechanisms, including histone modifications and DNA methylation, appear as likely factors that underpin long-lasting deleterious adaptations or an imprinted obesogenic memory to prevent weight loss maintenance. The first part summarizes our current knowledge on the physiology of weight cycling by discussing human and murine studies on the Yoyo-dieting phenomenon and physiological adaptations associated with weight loss and weight re-gain. The second part provides an overview on known associations between obesity and epigenetic modifications. We further interrogate the roles of epigenetic mechanisms in the CNS control of cognitive functions as well as reward and addictive behaviors, and subsequently discuss whether such mechanisms play a role in weight control. The final two parts describe major opportunities and challenges associated with studying epigenetic mechanisms in the CNS with its highly heterogenous cell populations, and provide a summary of recent technological advances that will help to delineate whether an obese memory is based upon epigenetic mechanisms.

Psychological and weight history variables as predictors of short-term weight and body fat mass loss.

SummaryObjectiveIdentifying predictors of early weight loss may have value in predicting longer‐term success in weight loss programmes. This study examined if weight history variables (ie, weight cycling history [WCH], age of onset of obesity [AOO]), and preintervention Three‐Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) and Power of Food Scale (PFS) scores predicted weight loss (WL) and fat mass loss (FML) following a 3‐week calorie restriction intervention.MethodsThirty‐two participants (19‐60 y; body mass index [BMI] 30‐39.9 kg/m2) participated in a 3‐week calorie restriction intervention (1120 kcal/d) as part of a larger clinical trial with 28 completers included in the current analyses. Preintervention WCH, AOO, TFEQ, and PFS subscale scores were collected, and WL and FML were measured. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to predict WL and FML for relevant covariates in this study.ResultsWCH, AOO, preintervention TFEQ subscale scores, and PFS subscale scores did not predict WL (all Ps > .08) or FML (Ps > .06) except, PFS‐food tasted scores significantly predicted WL (r = −0.40, P = .03).ConclusionAlthough these variables were not robust predictors, results for at least the PFS suggest there may be value in further exploring this measure using larger sample sizes.

Associations of weight cycling with cardiovascular health using American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 in a diverse sample of women.

Prior research shows that weight cycling is associated with poorer cardiovascular health (CVH). Women experience unique life events (e.g. pregnancy, menopause) which may make them more prone to weight cycling. Examining the influence of weight cycling history (HWC) on CVH, quantified using the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7), may provide novel targets to improve CVH. A cross-sectional sample of 485 women at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2016-2018) were scored on each LS7 metric (BMI, blood pressure, fasting cholesterol and glucose, physical activity, diet, and smoking): 0 (low), 1 (moderate) or 2 (high). Metric points were summed into a composite LS7 score as a measure of CVH: 0-8 (low), 9-10 (moderate), 11-14 (high). Multivariable-adjusted logistic and linear regression models were used for the associations between HWC and CVH. Most women (73%) reported HWC (range: 0-20); 26% had low CVH and 74% moderate/high CVH. Logistic models showed HWC was associated with higher odds of having poor CVH [OR (95%CI): 2.39 (1.36-4.20)]. Linear models showed each additional weight cycling episode was associated with lower LS7 scores [ß(SE): -0.37 (0.07); p < 0.01]. Associations between HWC and odds of having poor CVH were stronger among pre-menopausal women and those with no pregnancy history (p-interaction = 0.009, 0.004, respectively). In conclusion, HWC was associated with higher odds of poorer CVH with stronger associations seen in pre-menopausal and women with no pregnancy history. These findings suggest that in addition to having a healthy weight, maintaining a consistent weight may be important for achieving optimal CVH, but warrant prospective confirmation.

Weight Stigma Among Sexual Minority Adults: Findings from a Matched Sample of Adults Engaged in Weight Management.

Despite elevated rates of obesity among some groups of sexual minority (SM) adults, research examining weight stigma in this population is scarce. Weight stigma and weight-related health correlates were assessed in SM adults (N = 658) versus heterosexual adults (N = 658) matched on sex, race/ethnicity, age, education, and BMI. Adults enrolled in WW (formerly Weight Watchers) completed digital questionnaires assessing experienced weight stigma, weight bias internalization (WBI), weight cycling, eating self-efficacy, eating to cope, physical activity, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Survey response rates ranged from 0.8% to 3.5%. There were no differences in experienced weight stigma between SM and heterosexual participants; more than two-thirds experienced weight stigma, andmore than 50% reported stigma from family, health care providers, teachers and classmates, and community members. Gay men endorsed higher WBI than heterosexual men (β = 0.22, P < 0.001). Regardless of sexual orientation, WBI was associated with poorer mental HRQOL, lower eating self-efficacy, and increased eating to cope, controlling for demographics and BMI. Experiencing weight stigma is as common for SM adults as heterosexual adults engaged in weight management, and WBI is associated with maladaptive eating behaviors and poor mental HRQOL. Increased attention to weight stigma and its health implications in SM populations is warranted.