Background
Morbid obesity is the fastest growing BMI group in the U.S. and the prevalence of morbid obesity worldwide has never been higher. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe forms of obesity especially with regard to a sustained long-term weight loss. Psychological factors are thought to play an important role for maintaining the surgical weight loss. However, results from prior research examining preoperative psychological predictors of weight loss outcome are inconsistent. The aim of this article was to review more recent literature on psychological predictors of surgical weight loss.
Methods
We searched PubMed, PsycInfo and Web of Science, for original prospective studies with a sample size >30 and at least one year follow-up, using a combination of search terms such as ‘bariatric surgery’, ‘morbid obesity’, ‘psychological predictors’, and ‘weight loss’. Only studies published after 2003 were included.
Results
19 eligible studies were identified. Psychological predictors of surgical weight loss investigated in the reviewed studies include cognitive function, personality, psychiatric disorder, and eating behaviour.
Conclusion
In general, recent research remains inconsistent, but the findings suggest that pre-surgical cognitive function, personality, mental health, composite psychological variables and binge eating may predict post-surgical weight loss to the extent that these factors influence post-operative eating behaviour.
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Objectives
Various genetic polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with antipsychotic-induced weight gain. In this study, we aimed to determine whether risk polymorphisms in 12 candidate genes are associated with reduction in body mass index (BMI) of patients following switching of antipsychotics to aripiprazole or ziprasidone.
Methods
We recruited 115 schizophrenia patients with metabolic abnormalities and who have been on at least 1 year treatment with otherantipsychotics; they were then switched to either aripiprazole or ziprasidone. They were genotyped, and their BMI monitored for 6 months.
Results
Significant associations with reduction in BMI at 6 months following switching were found in two of these genes: with rs1800544 of the ADRA2A gene (CC + CG [0.32 ± 1.41 kg/m2] vs GG [1.04 ± 1.63 kg/m2], p= 0.013) and with rs1801131 of the MTHFR gene (AA[0.36 ± 1.53] vs AC + CC [1.07 ± 1.53], p= 0.015).
Conclusion
The study data indicated that carriage of the ADRA2A rs1800544 GG genotype and the MTHFR rs1801131 C allele are associated with BMI reduction in this population following switching of antipsychotics to aripiprazole and iprasidone.
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Kola nut (Cola nitida) is one of the foods consumed for socio-cultural reasons in West Africa sub-region. The caffeine contents are alleged to be of benefit to many people of different occupations. In this study, the perceived benefits of kola nut were assessed among long distance driver in Ojoo Motor Park, Ibadan, Nigeria.
One hundred and one respondents were selected through stratified sampling method and were given questionnaires. Ages of the respondents ranged from 18 – 65 years. The results showed that 69% of respondents consumed kola nut daily, especially when driving. Majority-(75%) of the subjects believed kola nut consumption reduced fatigue, stress and stimulates body function to perform better. In addition, 73% believed kola nut increased mental activities, dispels sleep and hunger (86%), suppresses hunger and makes journey faster (85%), and makes one see clearly (80%).
However, the majority of them (63%) agreed that kola nut consumption gives an unsightly dull brown colour to the teeth, caused teeth ache and decay (33%), causes insomnia and therefore general body discomfort (50%) and 66% believed it frequent consumption caused high body temperature. It was discovered that the perceived discomforts associated with kola nut consumption could not deter the subjects from consuming kola nut as 63% of them said kola nut staining of teeth could be prevented by brushing teeth immediately after consumption or brushing three times daily.
But there was no evidence to show that the drivers did brush teeth immediately after consuming kola nut or three times as claimed, as up to 83% of them did stop only once in restaurants in their usual 8 to 11 hour journey. It was suggested that health education on regular basis should be organized to enlighten the drivers on the need to drive without the influence of stimulants.
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Background
A continuous feeling of hunger is the major cause of weight loss failure in obese patients, making dietary leave. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of percutaneous electrical neurostimulation (PENS) of T6 dermatome on appetite, weight loss and dietary compliance.
Methods
A prospective, randomised study was performed. The patients were randomised into two groups: those undergoing PENS of dermatome T6 associated with the implementation of a 1,200-Kcal diet (group 1) and those following only a 1,200-Kcal diet (group 2). A third group of obese patients (BMI > 30 Kg/m2) with fecal incontinence undergoing PENS of posterior tibial nerve was evaluated.
Results
One hundred and five patients were included in the study, 45 in groups 1 and 2, and 15 in group 3. The median pain perception after PENS of dermatome T6 was 1. There were no complications. Only the patients in group 1 experienced significant reductions of weight, BMI, and appetite. All of the patients in group 1 experienced appetite reduction compared to 20 % of the patients in group 2 and 30 % of the patients in group 3 (p < 0.001). Weight loss ≥5 Kg was achieved in 76.7 % of the patients in group 1, 6.7 % of the patients in group 2, and 0 % of the patients in group 3 (p < 0.001). Dietary compliance after 12 weeks was 93.3 % in group 1, 56.7 % in group 2, and 50 % in group 3(p = 0.006).
Conclusions
PENS of dermatome T6 was associated with appetite reduction in all of the patients and, along with a proper diet, achieved a significantly greater weight reduction than diet alone.
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The study was conducted over a period of one year on a randomised sample size of 200 students (MBBS, BDS & GNM) in Medical Teaching institution. A questionnaire was distributed among these girls regarding: details of menstrual cycle and other associated symptoms. Enquiry was made regarding family history and dietary habits as well.
Assessment of the physical profile such as height (m), weight (kg), BMI, abdominal girth (cm), Waist-Hip Ratio, measurement of subcutaneous fat tissue (at the level of lower abdomen, mid thigh and triceps with vernier calipers) was done. Prevalence of menstrual irregularity was there in 40.5% of the students, 74.5% belonged to upper socioeconomic class. Average age at menarche was 12.31 years. It was attained earlier in the upper SE class of society (90%). 31.5% girls had BMI more than 25 (majority from upper SE class).
Girls with high (90.4%) BMI have irregular cycles.Girls with hirsutism were overweight (46.03%). Higher fat percentage was (31-34%) associated with large number of girls with irregular menstrual cycles (89.13%). There is a statistically significant correlation between irregular cycles and high BMI (χ2=49.826) (p<0.001). There is also statistically significant correlation between very high and very low body fat percentages and menstrual irregularities (χ2=35.839) (p<0.001).
Incidence of irregular menstruation is significantly associated to upper SE class (χ2=44.5809) (p<0.001). Diagnosis and management of these problems will not only improve the girls current health, sense of well being and overall quality of life but may also lower her risks for future disease and ill health after proper advice about diet and exercise.
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Many people are interested in trying kettlebell workouts, and they have heard so much about the benefits offered by them. In fact, this sport took off in many countries around the world when the world famous Russian bodybuilder Pavel Tsasoilin attributed his success to the kettlebell training.
Although some individuals are not impressed with kettlebell workouts as a method of weight loss, the American Kettleball Club states that more than 100,000 people in the US use these types of weights. All those who have tried kettlebells also claimed that they lose weight quickly and efficiently. They also believe that these workouts are more effective than the exercise routines that they have tried.
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Many people want to know whether Paleo diet recipes are more expensive than the "normal food". Well, some people think that staying on a paleo diet would bankrupt them, but the reality is that Paleo diet is not at all expensive. In fact, it is much cheaper than the processed foods that are available in the market. Aside from that, there are so many paleo diet recipes available online that will make you switch from the normal diet to the Paleo diet the most painless one.
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Background:
The Internet is widely available and commonly used for health information; therefore, Web-based weight loss programs could provide support to large parts of the population in self-guided weight loss. Previous studies showed that Web-based weight loss interventions can be effective, depending on the quality of the program. The most effective program tools are visual progress charts or tools for the self-monitoring of weight, diet, and exercises. KiloCoach, a commercial program currently available in German-speaking countries, incorporates these features. A previous investigation showed that the program effectively supports users in losing weight.
Objective:
We investigated weight loss dynamics stratified by weight loss success after 6-month use of KiloCoach. Furthermore, we analyzed possible associations between intensity of program use and weight loss. The results are intended for tailoring user recommendations for weight-loss Internet platforms.
Methods:
Datasets of KiloCoach users (January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2011) who actively used the platform for 6 months or more were assigned to this retrospective analysis. Users (N=479) were 42.2% men, mean age of 44.0 years (SD 11.7), with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 31.7 kg/m2 (SD 3.2). Based on the weight loss achieved after 6 months, 3 success groups were generated. The unsuccessful group lost <5%, the moderate success group lost 5%-9.9%, and the high success group lost ≥10% of their baseline body weight. At baseline, the unsuccessful (n=261, 54.5%), moderate success (n=133, 27.8%), and high success (n=85, 17.8%) groups were similar in age, weight, BMI, and gender distribution.
Results:
After 6 months, the unsuccessful group lost 1.2% (SD 2.4), the moderate success group lost 7.4% (SD 1.5), and the high success group lost 14.2% (SD 3.8) of their initial weight (P<.001). Multivariate regression showed that early weight loss (weeks 3-4), the total number of dietary protocols, and the total number of weight entries were independent predictors for 6-month weight reduction (all P<.001) explaining 52% of the variance in weight reduction. Sensitivity analysis by baseline carried forward method confirmed all independent predictors of 6-month weight loss and reduced the model fit by only 11%. The high success group lost weight faster and maintained weight loss more efficiently than the other groups (P<.001). Early weight loss was associated with weight maintenance after 1 year and 2 years (both P<.001). Weight dynamics did not differ between men and women over 6 months when adjusted for baseline and usage parameters (P=.91). The percentage of male long-term users was unusually high (42.2%).
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that early weight loss and close program adherence (ie, 5 dietary protocols per week and weekly entering of current weight), especially in the early phase of program usage, can improve weight loss outcome.
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Objective
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is among the most common psychiatric disorders in bariatric surgery candidates. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is a broadband, psychological test that includes measures of emotional and behavioral dysfunction, which have been associated with BED behaviors in bariatric surgery candidates; however these studies have lacked appropriate controls. In the current study, we compared MMPI-2-RF scale scores of bariatric surgery patients diagnosed with BED (BED+) with BMI-matched controls without BED (BED–).
Method
Three-hundred and seven BED+ participants (72.64% female and 67.87% Caucasian; mean BMI of 51.36 kg/m2 [SD = 11.94]) were drawn from a large, database (N = 1304). Three-hundred and seven BED– participants were matched on BMI and demographics (72.64% female, 68.63% Caucasian, and mean BMI of 51.30 kg/m2 [SD = 11.70]).
Results
The BED+ group scored significantly higher on measures of Demoralization, Low Positive Emotions, and Dysfunctional Negative Emotions and scored lower on measures of Antisocial Behaviors, reflecting behavioral constraint. Optimal T-Score cutoffs were below the traditional 65 T score for several MMPI-2-RF scales. MMPI-2-RF externalizing measures also added incrementally to differentiating between the groups beyond the Binge Eating Scale (BES).
Discussion
BED+ individuals produced greater elevations on a number of MMPI-2-RF internalizing scales and externalizing scales. Use of the test in conjunction with a clinical interview and other self-report data can further aid the clinician in guiding patients to appropriate treatment to optimize outcome. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013;)
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Disclaimer: Hypnosis is a therapy and like all therapies, results will vary from one person to the next