Sexual Coercion and Behavior Among a Sample of Sexual Minority Women

Sexual coercion may affect the sexual experiences of sexual minority women differently. Women (n = 445) aged 18 to 71 years (Mean = 30.38) answered an online survey on sexual orientation, lifetime coercion, and sexual history. Sexual minority women (45.8%, n = 204) were more likely to report having been coerced into unwanted sexual behavior (56.5%) than heterosexual women (44.8 %; p = 0.010). Coerced sexual minority women reported earlier ages of initiation into performing oral sex (p = 0.016), penile-vaginal (p = 0.024), and penile-anal (p = 0.027) intercourse. In multiple logistic regression models, currently being in a partnered relationship was the sole factor related to lifetime engagement in penile-vaginal intercourse and receiving oral sex from partners. Having at least a graduate degree was the only characteristic related to engagement in lifetime penile-anal intercourse. Sexual coercion was not related to any lifetime sexual behavior outcomes. The nature of sexual initiation and coercion should be explored further among sexual minority women, with the goal of incorporating their experiences into prevention and treatment initiatives.     

An Intermittent Fasting Mimicking Nutrition Bar Extends Physiologic Ketosis in Time Restricted Eating: A Randomized,Controlled, Parallel-Arm Study

There has been increasing interest in time-restricted eating to attain intermittent fasting’s metabolic benefits. However, a more extended daily fast poses many challenges. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a 200-calorie fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) energy bar formulated to prolong ketogenesis and mitigate fasting-associated side effects. A randomized, controlled study was conducted comparing the impact of consuming an FMD bar vs. continued water fast, after a 15-h overnight fast. Subjects in the FMD group showed a 3-h postprandial beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) level and 4-h postprandial BHB area under the curve (AUC_0–4) that were non-inferior to those who continued with the water fast (p = 0.891 and p = 0.377, respectively). The postprandial glucose AUC_0–4 in the FMD group was non-inferior to that in the water fast group (p = 0.899). A breakfast group served as a control, which confirmed that the instrument used in home glucose and ketone monitoring functioned as expected. The results indicate that FMD bar consumption does not interfere with the physiological ketogenesis associated with overnight fasting and could be used to facilitate the practice of time-restricted eating or intermittent fasting.     

Alternate Day Fasting Combined with a Low Carbohydrate Diet: Effect on Sleep Quality,Duration, Insomnia Severity and Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults with Obesity

Background: Alternate day fasting combined with a low carbohydrate diet (ADF-LC) is an effective weight loss regimen. Whether the weight loss induced by ADF-LC can improve sleep, remains unknown. Objective: This study examined the effect an ADF-LC diet on sleep quality, duration, insomnia severity and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Methods: Adults with obesity (n = 31) participated in ADF (600 kcal “fast day”; ad libitum intake “feast day”) with a low-carbohydrate diet (30% carbohydrates, 35% protein, and 35% fat). The 6-month trial consisted of a 3-month weight loss period followed by a 3-month weight maintenance period. Results: Reductions in body weight (−5 ± 1 kg, p < 0.001) and fat mass (−4 ± 1 kg, p < 0.01) were noted during the weight loss period, and these reductions were sustained during the weight maintenance period. Lean mass and visceral fat remained unchanged. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score indicated poor sleep quality at baseline (6.4 ± 0.7) with no change by month 3 or 6, versus baseline. ISI score indicated subthreshold insomnia at baseline (8.5 ± 1.0), with no change by month 3 or 6, versus baseline. The percent of subjects with high risk of obstructive sleep apnea at baseline was 45%, with no change by month 3 or 6. Wake time, bedtime, and sleep duration remained unchanged. Conclusion: The ADF-LC diet does not impact sleep quality, duration, insomnia severity or the risk of obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.     

Use of diet pills and other dieting aids in a college population with high weight and shape concerns

OBJECTIVE: The current study examines diet aid use among college women at risk for eating disorders and explores characteristics associated with diet aid use. METHOD: Participants were 484 college women<30 years from 6 universities in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF) and San Diego who were at risk for developing eating disorders. A checklist assessed diet pill, fat blocker, diuretic, laxative, and other diet aid use over the past 12 months. RESULTS: Thirty-two percent of the college women reported using a diet aid. Diet aid use was double the rate in San Diego (44%) compared with SF (22%) (p=.000). Weight and shape concerns were higher among diet aid users than among nonusers across sites. CONCLUSION: A significant number of college women at risk for eating disorders are using diet aids. We recommend that clinicians inquire about diet aid use among college-aged patients.     

Early versus late time‐restricted feeding in adults at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes: Is there an optimal time to eat for metabolic health?

Time‐restricted feeding (TRF) is a novel dietary approach where energy intake is limited to a set number of hours in the day (typically ≤12 hours), which leads to an extension of the daily fast that generally occurs overnight. Human pilot studies (based on animal experiments) have demonstrated that TRF has the potential to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2DM): mediating weight loss, the reduction of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and improving insulin sensitivity. However, it remains unclear whether it is better to restrict food intake to earlier in the day (early‐TRF) or later in the day (late‐TRF). The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of TRF on established risk factors for T2DM and its application to wider society. The primary hypothesis is that 10 weeks of daily TRF will reduce food intake, bodyweight and adiposity while improving markers of metabolic disease risk, such as LDL‐cholesterol and insulin sensitivity. The secondary hypothesis is that early‐TRF will induce larger metabolic changes in comparison to late‐TRF. Eligible volunteers will be randomised to either the early‐TRF (7 am to 3 pm), late‐TRF (12 pm to 8 pm) or control group (unrestricted eating window) for 10 weeks. Changes in fasting markers, diet, bodyweight and body composition will be assessed throughout the experiment, as well as the effects on psychological wellbeing and social and family interactions.     

MORBID OBESITY—LONG TERM RESULTS OF THERAPEUTIC FASTING

Two hundred and seven morbidly obese patients lost weight during prolonged fasting. Fifty percent attained a near normal body weight. Subsequently all groups regardless of the length of fast, extent of weight loss or age of onset of obesity returned to their prefasting weight. Those patients obese since infancy tended to regain weight which exceeded their prefast weights.     

Sexual Minority Youth Report High-Intensity Binge Drinking: The Critical Role of School Victimization

Purpose

To examine standard binge drinking (≥4 drinks for females, ≥5 drinks for males) and high-intensity binge drinking (≥8 drinks for females, ≥10 drinks for males) among heterosexual and sexual minority youth in the US and whether reports of school-based victimization mediate this association.

Effect of Different Types of Intermittent Fasting on Biochemical and Anthropometric Parameters among Patients with Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)—A Systematic Review

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), previously called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. It is characterised by excessive fat accumulation in hepatocytes. Currently, no pharmacological therapy is effective for this disease, so non-pharmacological alternatives such as diet, supplementation or physical activity are being sought. For this reason, we reviewed the available databases to analyse the studies conducted to date using different modifications of intermittent fasting among patients with MAFLD. Eight studies using this dietary strategy were included in this review. The results obtained in the different trials are varied and do not allow a clear determination of the effect of the different types of intermittent fasting on anthropometric and biochemical parameters among patients with MAFLD. However, this type of diet seems to show some therapeutic potential, but further studies are needed.     

Intermittent Fasting Ameliorated High-Fat Diet-Induced Memory Impairment in Rats via Reducing Oxidative Stress and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expression in Brain

Intermittent fasting (IF) plays an important role in the protection against metabolic syndrome-induced memory defects. This study aimed to assess the protective effects of both prophylactic and curative IF against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced memory defects in rats. The control group received a normal diet; the second group received a HFD; the third group was fed a HFD for 12 weeks and subjected to IF during the last four weeks (curative IF); the fourth group was fed a HFD and subjected to IF simultaneously (prophylactic IF). A high-fat diet significantly increased body weight, serum lipids levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and H score in brain tissue and altered memory performance. In addition, it significantly decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration in brain tissue and viability and thickness of pyramidal and hippocampus granular cell layers. However, both types of IF significantly decreased body weight, serum lipids, GFAP protein expression and H score and MDA concentration in brain tissue, and improved memory performance, while it significantly increased GSH concentration in brain tissue, viability, and thickness of pyramidal and granular cell layers of the hippocampus. This study indicated that IF ameliorated HFD-induced memory disturbance and brain tissue damage and the prophylactic IF was more potent than curative IF.     

On the uses of history in psychiatry: diagnostic implications for anorexia nervosa

OBJECTIVE: The current study demonstrates that recent attempts to equate anorexia nervosa with any form of voluntary self-starvation are not justified. METHOD: Three arguments are critically reconsidered: That weight phobia was not part of early case reports on anorexia nervosa, that weight phobia should be eliminated from the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, and that there is a continuity of forms of extreme fasting since the late Middle Ages. RESULTS: A critical approach to the history of eating disorders by interpreting historical sources makes the emergence of anorexia with weight phobia in the middle of the 19th century probable. The criteria for establishing psychiatric diagnoses and the differences between historical types of extreme fasting also support the historical novelty of anorexia nervosa. DISCUSSION: The etiologic implications of the historical specificity of anorexia nervosa are limited. Research should be directed to better understand self-starvation without weight phobia.