Effect of a multi-disciplinary program on anthropometric and biochemical parameters in obese and overweight elementary school girls: A randomized clinical trial

Background and aimsObesity and overweight in children are associated with an increased risk of several health issues. The present study aimed to assess the effects of a multi-disciplinary program (including nutrition education using a smartphone game, physical activity, and cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT]) on the management of obesity and overweight in elementary school girls.Methods and resultsSixty-two school girls above the 85th percentile of body mass index (BMI) for age were randomly assigned to two groups. During 10 weeks of study, the intervention group received a multi-disciplinary intervention, including nutrition education using a smartphone game, aerobic exercise, and CBT. The control group received usual traditional nutritional education. Biochemical and metabolic factors were assessed, including fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile, serum leptin, and anthropometric measurements. The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) and metabolic equivalent test (MET) were also conducted. The intervention group showed more promising results in weight loss, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and FBS compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, MET and DEBQ scores in all three sections of emotions, stimuli, and restriction were better in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between groups regarding the results of serum leptin and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe results indicated that education through smartphone games could possibly affect performance in real life. In addition, the multi-disciplinary approach to childhood obesity might have better performance in most areas than the single-intervention approach in obesity management.     

Guidelines of the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology. Role of the ENT specialist in the diagnosis of childhood obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Part 1: Interview and physical examination

ObjectivesTo present the 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines of the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology concerning the role of the ENT specialist in the diagnosis of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. This article focuses specifically on medical history and physical examination.MethodsA multidisciplinary work-group drew up a first version of the guidelines, graded according to level of evidence following the GRADE grading system. The final version was obtained by including the suggestions and comments from the editorial group.ResultsAt the end of the process, guidelines were established and graded regarding the following points: interview and analysis of the various interview scores recommended in the literature; clinical examination with awake upper-airway endoscopy; and indications for referral to non-ENT specialists.     

Elevated glycohemoglobin HbA1c is associated with low back pain in nonoverweight diabetics

Background Context

Low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint in clinical practice of multifactorial origin. Although obesity has been thought to contribute to LBP primarily by altering the distribution of mechanical loads on the spine, the additional contribution of obesity-related conditions such as diabetes mellitus (DM) to LBP has not been thoroughly examined.

Gut microbiota and osteoarthritis management: An expert consensus of the European society for clinical and economic aspects of osteoporosis,osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal diseases (ESCEO)

The prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) increases not only because of longer life expectancy but also because of the modern lifestyle, in particular physical inactivity and diets low in fiber and rich in sugar and saturated fats, which promote chronic low-grade inflammation and obesity. Adverse alterations of the gut microbiota (GMB) composition, called microbial dysbiosis, may favor metabolic syndrome and inflammaging, two important components of OA onset and evolution. Considering the burden of OA and the need to define preventive and therapeutic interventions targeting the modifiable components of OA, an expert working group was convened by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) to review the potential contribution of GMB to OA. Such a contribution is supported by observational or dietary intervention studies in animal models of OA and in humans. In addition, several well-recognized risk factors of OA interact with GMB. Lastly, GMB is a critical determinant of drug metabolism and bioavailability and may influence the response to OA medications. Further research targeting GMB or its metabolites is needed to move the field of OA from symptomatic management to individualized interventions targeting its pathogenesis.     

Nutrition transition – Pattern IV: Leads Bangladeshi youth to the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity

Fast food and soft drinks consumption leading to excess calorie intake coupled with lack of acceptable physical activity has augmented the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the world population for the past few eras. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 475 youth selected by systematic random sampling attending in 27 established public and private universities and colleges of Bangladesh. The study was aimed to evaluate habitual facts associated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Bangladeshi youth. The rates of fast food consumption (once/week) are 50.6%, 43.7%, and 53.3% in overweight, pre-obese and obese-1 respondents accordingly and the rates of soft drinks consumption (4–6 times/week) are 40.5%, 59.2%, and 73.3% respectively for the same subjects. Moreover, approximately 40.8% of the youth went to fast food restaurants at least once per week and 27.2% went regularly (2 times/week). Youth having fast foods 2 times/week, consuming soft drinks 3–4 times/week were more likely to be obese. Besides, obesity epidemic was observed among those who have not the habit of doing physical exercise. This study provides evidence of increasing trend and threat to overweight and obesity for the Bangladeshi youth.     

African-American Adolescents’ Weight Loss Skills Utilization: Effects on Weight Change in a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial

Objective

Successful weight loss interventions for African-Americans adolescents are lacking. Cognitive-behavioral interventions seek to develop weight loss skills (e.g., counting calories, goal setting, managing one's environment). Little is known about how well adolescents implement such skills in their daily lives. Study aims were to (1) examine weight loss skills utilization at midpoint and end of a 6-month cognitive-behavioral/motivational interviewing weight loss sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART), and (2) determine if greater skill utilization predicted weight loss at treatment end and 3 months post-treatment.

Minireview: Current status of endoscopic duodenal mucosal resurfacing

Several strategies are being pursued to overcome the alarming pandemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). In recent years, duodenal mucosal resurfacing (DMR) has shown its potential to improve glycemic indices. Following animal studies, which demonstrated feasibility and safety, the procedure has been applied in two human studies. The DMR procedure has been considered feasible and safe in humans with a limited occurrence of complications and adverse events. Reductions in glycated haemoglobin, weight, fasting plasma glucose, and alanine transaminase have been proven at different follow-up time-points. The length of the ablation may induce different outcomes, having the patients with long duodenal segment ablated showed greater beneficial effects. The current evidence does not still prove the apparent insulin-sensitizing mechanism explaining the impact of the DMR procedure on hepatic glucose production. However, the initial findings have demonstrated a positive risk-benefit ratio and an effect on the treatment of metabolic diseases, such as T2D. Future studies should clarify the mechanisms underlying the positive effects and durability of the treatment using controlled trial conditions on larger number of patients.