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Nutritional Perspectives in Obesity Treatments

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Obesity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026 | Viewed by 10558

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
2. Center for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: biochemistry and molecular medicine; molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease pathogenesis; pathogenesis of metabolic disorders; the role of interaction between genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of non-communicable diseases; atherosclerosis; obesity; obesity-related metabolic diseases and cancers
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Obesity is a complex disease requiring a multifaceted treatment approach. Nutrition plays a pivotal role in all obesity management strategies, including lifestyle modifications, obesity management medications, endoscopic procedures, and metabolic bariatric surgery. A deep understanding of nutrition’s role is essential for addressing obesity's complexities, managing comorbidities, and tailoring effective interventions for diverse populations.

This Special Issue, "Nutritional Perspectives in Obesity Treatments", seeks original research and reviews that examine innovative and traditional nutritional approaches in obesity care. We encourage submissions focusing on personalized dietary interventions, strategies to improve adherence, the impact of specific nutrients and micronutrient supplementation, and the integration of nutritional therapy with other obesity treatments. Interdisciplinary insights addressing cultural, psychological, and socioeconomic factors are also welcome.

Our goal is to advance understanding, foster collaboration, and improve patient outcomes by exploring the critical role of nutrition in comprehensive obesity care.

Prof. Dr. Grażyna Nowicka
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • obesity
  • metabolic bariatric surgery
  • obesity pharmacotherapy
  • intervention
  • nutrition

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Review

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30 pages, 1120 KB  
Review
New Drugs on the Block: Dietary Management and Nutritional Considerations During the Use of Anti-Obesity Medication
by Eleni C. Pardali, Kalliopi K. Gkouskou, Christos Cholevas, Dimitrios Poulimeneas, Kyriaki Tsiroukidou, Dimitrios G. Goulis and Maria G. Grammatikopoulou
Nutrients 2026, 18(6), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18060962 - 18 Mar 2026
Viewed by 989
Abstract
Incretin-based pharmacotherapy has rapidly transformed obesity management. However, despite its efficacy, gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events (AEs) are common and represent a major driver of treatment discontinuation. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, diarrhea, and constipation, not only impair the quality of life, [...] Read more.
Incretin-based pharmacotherapy has rapidly transformed obesity management. However, despite its efficacy, gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events (AEs) are common and represent a major driver of treatment discontinuation. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, diarrhea, and constipation, not only impair the quality of life, but also compromise adherence, thereby limiting the real-world effectiveness of these agents. Targeted nutritional strategies may play a pivotal role in mitigating these symptoms and supporting sustained treatment. However, most clinical trials have relied on generalized lifestyle advice combined with hypocaloric dietary prescriptions, with limited integration of structured, mechanism-based nutritional counseling tailored to the physiological actions of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 RAs. Consequently, practical guidance for clinicians and dietitians remains fragmented. The present review synthesizes the available evidence on GI AEs associated with incretin-based therapies and examines whether structured, targeted nutritional management can meaningfully reduce symptom burden. We also outline key monitoring strategies and focus on important clinical aspects for physicians and dietitians, aiming to optimize patient outcomes. In addition, we provide detailed information on the spectrum of GI AEs to guide effective management and limit intolerance. By bridging pharmacology with applied clinical nutrition, we aim to provide a pragmatic framework for improving tolerability, sustaining adherence, and translating trial efficacy into durable real-world effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Perspectives in Obesity Treatments)
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19 pages, 321 KB  
Review
Consumer Perceptions Influence Supplement Choice: A Narrative Review of Clinically Studied Weight-Management Supplements in Obesity
by Hyeonseok Lee and Jung Hyun Kwak
Nutrients 2026, 18(4), 702; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18040702 - 22 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1045
Abstract
Obesity is a major public health problem with a continuously increasing global prevalence and is associated with various chronic diseases and substantial social and economic burdens. As dietary modification and physical activity alone often have limited effectiveness in achieving sustained weight loss, dietary [...] Read more.
Obesity is a major public health problem with a continuously increasing global prevalence and is associated with various chronic diseases and substantial social and economic burdens. As dietary modification and physical activity alone often have limited effectiveness in achieving sustained weight loss, dietary supplements intended for weight reduction are widely used. However, evidence on the efficacy and safety of these supplements is inconsistent, and consumer use intentions tend to be driven by subjective beliefs and insurance-like perceptions. Accordingly, this study reviewed recent evidence on L-carnitine, green tea extract, glucomannan, and Garcinia cambogia, supplements for which weight loss effects have been proposed, to assess their efficacy and safety and to highlight the importance of supplement selection aligned with consumer use contexts. PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies published between 1 January 2020 and 10 October 2025. Although some studies have reported improvements in weight and metabolic indicators, consistent scientific evidence has not yet been established. This review emphasized the need for purpose-driven supplement selection that integrates efficacy, safety, usage context, and evidence level, and the importance of consumers’ critical information appraisal capacity, supported by structured information provision and education. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Perspectives in Obesity Treatments)
13 pages, 952 KB  
Review
Unintended Consequences of Obesity Pharmacotherapy: A Nutritional Approach to Ensuring Better Patient Outcomes
by Werd Al-Najim, António Raposo, Mona N. BinMowyna and Carel W. le Roux
Nutrients 2025, 17(11), 1934; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111934 - 5 Jun 2025
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6650
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Obesity pharmacotherapy vastly improved the treatment of the disease of obesity. However, GLP-1 receptor agonists and GIP/GLP-1 dual agonists may lead to nutritional complications, including severe caloric restriction, micronutrient deficiencies, lean body mass loss, dehydration, and ketosis. We examine these risks and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Obesity pharmacotherapy vastly improved the treatment of the disease of obesity. However, GLP-1 receptor agonists and GIP/GLP-1 dual agonists may lead to nutritional complications, including severe caloric restriction, micronutrient deficiencies, lean body mass loss, dehydration, and ketosis. We examine these risks and outlines dietitian-led strategies to support improved safety and effectiveness. Methods: This narrative review was conducted in three stages: literature search, screening of abstracts and full texts, and synthesis of findings. Searches were carried out in April and May 2025 across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using keywords related to obesity pharmacotherapy and nutrition. Results: Clinical observations and trial data suggest that some individuals may consume fewer than 800 kcal/day during the initial stages of treatment. Prolonged energy and protein deficits can increase the risk of sarcopenia, metabolic dysfunction, and reduce treatment adherence. Additional risks include inadequate micronutrient intake due to reduced dietary variety, dehydration linked to gastrointestinal symptoms and hypodipsia, and rare but serious cases of ketoacidosis. Patients at heightened risk include older adults, those with low baseline muscle mass, and individuals with restrictive eating patterns. Conclusions: Obesity medications introduce unique nutritional risks that are not yet addressed by standardised clinical protocols. Registered dietitians play a critical role in assessing intake patterns, monitoring for red flags, and delivering targeted nutritional support. Integrating structured dietary assessment tools, checklists, and risk-specific guidance into pharmacotherapy pathways can enhance safety, promote adherence, and improve long-term outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Perspectives in Obesity Treatments)
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Other

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9 pages, 512 KB  
Brief Report
Dieting Practices of Adolescents Seeking Obesity Treatment
by Hiba Jebeile, Eve T. House, Louise A. Baur, Cathy Kwok, Clare E. Collins, Sarah P. Garnett and Natalie B. Lister
Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3100; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193100 - 29 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1287
Abstract
Background: Adolescents with obesity participate in self-directed weight loss attempts, and these may be associated with disordered eating. This study aimed to understand prior engagement with a dietitian and previous dieting practices of adolescents presenting for obesity treatment. Additionally, we aimed to [...] Read more.
Background: Adolescents with obesity participate in self-directed weight loss attempts, and these may be associated with disordered eating. This study aimed to understand prior engagement with a dietitian and previous dieting practices of adolescents presenting for obesity treatment. Additionally, we aimed to understand the association between prior dieting and eating disorder risk, binge eating, weight bias internalisation and body image. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 141 adolescents (median [IQR] age: 14.8 [13.8–15.7] years) with BMI 35.28 (31.99–38.57) kg/m2 and ≥1 related complication presenting for a prescriptive dietary intervention. Adolescents were asked whether they had previously seen a dietitian (yes/no) and/or previously trialled any other diets for weight management. Associations between reported diets and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), the Binge Eating Scale, the Weight Bias Internalisation scale and Body Appreciation Scale scores were assessed using multiple one-way ANOVAs. Results: A total of 68 (48.2%) adolescents had previously seen a dietitian and 106 (75.2%) had trialled at least one diet. Most adolescents had used one diet type (n = 74; 52.5%), and 29 (20.6%) had used two or three different diets. Most adolescents reported following a healthy eating pattern (n = 76; 53.9%), with 11 trying a low-carbohydrate diet (7.8%) or a specific eating plan, e.g., low sugar, vegetarian (n = 11; 7.8%). There were no associations between dieting attempts and scores of measures of disordered eating, weight bias or body appreciation. Conclusions: Many adolescents presenting for obesity treatment will have trialled diets, with or without the support of a dietitian. Clinicians providing nutrition education and prescribing dietary interventions should be aware of this and the potential influence on adolescent perceptions of dieting practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Perspectives in Obesity Treatments)
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