Differences in weight loss outcomes for males and females on a low-carbohydrate diet: A systematic review

It has been widely demonstrated that there are a broad range of individual responses to all weight management regimens, often masked by reports of the mean. Identifying features of responders and non-responders to weight loss regimens enables a more tailored approach to the provision of weight management advice. Low-carbohydrate diets are currently popular, and anecdote suggests that males are more successful at losing weight using this approach. This is feasible given the physiological and socio-psychological differences between the genders. We analysed the extent and variation in weight change for males and females separately through a systematic search for all low-carbohydrate diet trials published since 1985. Very few studies compared weight loss outcomes by gender and, of those that did, most lacked supporting data. The majority of studies reported no gender difference but when a gender difference was found, males were more frequently reported as losing more weight than females on a low-carbohydrate diet. The lack of gender stratification in weight loss trials is concerning, as there are a range of gender-based factors that affect weight loss outcomes. This study highlights the importance of examining weight change for males and females separately, since as failure to do so may mask any potential differences, which, if detected, could assist with better weight loss outcomes.     

Patterns of body weight change affect weight loss during a multidisciplinary intervention in adolescents with obesity

AimThe current pediatric obesity health challenge necessitates a better understanding of the factors affecting weight loss success during interventions. The aim of this observational study was to test the impact of the rate of initial weight loss and body weight variability on weight loss during a 9-month residential, multidisciplinary weight loss program in adolescents with obesity.MethodsThis retrospective study considered a whole sample of 510 adolescents with obesity (12–16 years, 435 girls). Body weight assessment was performed before (T0) and each week during the 9 months of a multidisciplinary weight loss program. Initial weight change (week 4-W4) and overall weight change at week 12 (T1) and the end of the intervention (T2) were considered. Participants were divided into three groups (tertiles), based on their percentage of weight loss between T0 and W4; and weight variability was expressed by the root mean square error (RMSE) around each participant’s regression line at each considered period (W4, T1, T2).ResultsAdolescents with lower initial weight loss at W4 (tertile 3) displayed the lesser weight loss at T1 and T2 compared with adolescents in tertile 1 and 2. The RMSE was positively associated with the percentage of weight loss of the period considered, but when the analyses were adjusted for age and initial body weight, there was no more significant association.ConclusionsThe rate of weight loss during the first few weeks is crucial for weight loss success, and weight variability is positively associated with weight loss in adolescents with obesity. Overall, results show that initial body weight is a determinant characteristic to consider during a lifestyle intervention. Further studies are thus needed to better understand the relationship between body weight change patterns and weight loss during the dynamic state that is adolescence.     

Patients undergoing intragastric balloon achieve approximately 50% of their target weight loss in the first month postoperatively: an MBSAQIP analysis

BackgroundIntragastric balloon (IGB) placement can provide a mean percent total weight loss (%TWL) of 10.2% at 6-month follow-up.ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate 30-day outcomes and safety of patients undergoing IGB placement.SettingMetabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.MethodsThe 2016 to 2017 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program was queried for adult patients who underwent primary IGB placement. Demographic characteristics and preoperative risk factors were collected. Postoperative outcomes included %TWL, percent excess weight loss, and complications rates and causes. Subset analysis was done for outcomes comparison between surgeons or gastroenterologists performing the procedure. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0.ResultsA total of 1221 patients were included. The majority was female (81.9%), Caucasian (81.2%), with a mean age of 48 ± 11.3 years and a mean preoperative body mass index of 34.9 ± 11.2 kg/m². Of patients, 98.8% were discharged within 24 hours of the procedure. Two patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, and 7.2% received postoperative treatment for dehydration. Reoperation and readmission rates were 1.1% and 7.2%, respectively, mainly due to nausea, vomiting, and poor nutritional status (n = 22). The intervention rate was 6.2%. Patients in this cohort achieved a mean %TWL of 6.2% (standard deviation, 5.52%) and mean TWL of 6.8 kg within 30 days postoperatively (n = 147; 24–30 d).ConclusionsOur data show patients met approximately 50% of their target weight loss 30 days after IGB placement. Nausea, vomiting, and poor nutrition status were the most common complications within 30 days of the procedure. Long-term follow-up is necessary to determine if these patients are able to sustain their weight loss and for how long.     

Hindfoot alignment of adult acquired flatfoot deformity: A comparison of clinical assessment and weightbearing cone beam CT examinations

BackgroundClinical assessment of hindfoot alignment (HA) in adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) can be challenging and weightbearing (WB) cone beam CT (CBCT) may potentially better demonstrate this three-dimensional (3D) deformity. Therefore, we compared clinical and WB CBCT assessment of HA in patients with AAFD.MethodsIn this prospective study, we included 12 men and 8 women (mean age: 52.2, range: 20–88) with flexible AAFD. All subjects also underwent WB CBCT and clinical assessment of hindfoot alignment. Three fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons performed six hindfoot alignment measurements on the CT images. Intra- and Inter-observer reliabilities were calculated using intra-class correlation (ICC). Measurements were compared by paired T-tests, and p-values of less than 0.05 were considered significant.ResultsThe mean of clinically measured hindfoot valgus was 15.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.5–18.8) degrees. It was significantly different from the mean values of all WB CBCT measurements: Clinical Hindfoot Alignment Angle, 9.9 (CI: 8.9–11.1) degrees; Achilles tendon/Calcaneal Tuberosity Angle, 3.2 (CI: 1.3–5.0) degrees; Tibial axis/Calcaneal Tuberosity Angle, 6.1 (CI: 4.3–7.8) degrees; Tibial axis/Subtalar Joint Angle 7.0 (CI: 5.3–8.8) degrees, and Hindfoot Alignment Angle 22.8 (CI: 20.4–25.3) degrees. We found overall substantial to almost perfect intra- (ICC range: 0.87–0.97) and inter-observer agreements (ICC range: 0.51–0.88) for all WB CBCT measurements.ConclusionsUsing 3D WB CBCT can help characterize the valgus hindfoot alignment in patients with AAFD. We found the different CT measurements to be reliable and repeatable, and to significantly differ from the clinical evaluation of hindfoot valgus alignment.Level of evidence: Level II—prospective comparative study.     

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.

The Effect of Weight Change During Treatment With Targeted Therapy in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

BackgroundThe relationship between weight change during treatment and survival remains poorly characterized in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).Patients and MethodsIn this retrospective analysis we included 3311 patients with mRCC treated in phase II/III first-line or second-line targeted therapy clinical trials and assessed the effect of weight change on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR) at 6 and 12 weeks from treatment initiation. Weight change was defined as weight loss (≥5% reduction), weight gain (≥2% increase), or stable weight from baseline. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method and adjusted for known prognostic factors using Cox regression multivariable analysis.ResultsOverall, 1916 (58%) had stable weight, 936 (28%) had weight loss, and 459 (14%) had weight gain at 12 weeks. Patients with weight loss at 12 weeks had inferior OS compared with those with stable weight (hazard ratio [HR], 1.494; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.322-1.688; P < .0001; median OS 18.7 vs. 26.9 months), and shorter PFS (HR, 1.315; 95% CI, 1.189-1.455; P < .0001; median PFS, 7.2 vs. 10.1 months). The ORRs for patients with weight loss, stable weight, and weight gain at 12 weeks were 23.4% (n = 219/936), 32.1% (n = 615/1916), and 35.9% (n = 165/459), respectively (adjusted odds ratio, 0.715; P = .03). Findings were consistent at 6 weeks. Adverse events were similar between groups.ConclusionWe showed that mRCC patients who experience weight loss during treatment have worse outcomes compared with patients with stable weight at 6 and 12 weeks of treatment. Weight loss at 6 weeks from treatment initiation might be an early clinical biomarker of worse survival and might provide prognostic utility.     

Bariatric surgery before,during, and after liver transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Morbid obesity is considered a relative contraindication for liver transplantation (LTX) because of increased risk of complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of bariatric surgery before, during, and after LTX. A systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and PubMed databases was performed for studies investigating bariatric surgery in patients before, during, or after LTX. Random-effects meta-analysis of proportions was used to calculate pooled effect estimates. One hundred eighty-seven patients underwent bariatric surgery before LTX (8 studies). After surgery, 82% (95% confidence interval, 62%–97%) of patients were successfully listed for LTX and 70% (95% confidence interval, 40%–93%) successfully received LTX. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. The graft survival rate after 1 year was 70% (95% confidence interval, 30%–99%). Thirty-day minor and major complications rate was 4% and 1%, respectively. Thirty-two patients underwent bariatric surgery during LTX (2 studies). The 30-day mortality rate after surgery was 0% and 1-year graft survival was 100%. Sixty-four patients underwent bariatric surgery after LTX (9 studies). The 30-day mortality was 0%, but 5 deaths occurred beyond 30 days (7.8%). Bariatric surgery may be safe and feasible as a bridge to LTX for patients who would otherwise be ineligible and post-LTX patients for weight loss.