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Healthy Behaviors and Obesity

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 32570

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Gastronomy, Food Science Torribera Campus, University of Barcelona, 08921 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: cirdadian rhythms; chrono-nutrition; meal timing; adipositiy; obesity; sleep; obesogenic behaviours; weight loss; bariatric surgery; Mediterranean diet

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Guest Editor
Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Gastronomy, Food Science Torribera Campus, University of Barcelona, 08921 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: cirdadian rhythms; chrono-nutrition; meal timing; adipositiy; obesity; sleep; eating behaviors; weight loss; bariatric surgery; Mediterranean diet

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Obesity is one of the great pandemics of the 21st century, representing a risk factor for numerous non-communicable and infectious diseases in addition to reducing humans’ life expectancy and quality of life. Therefore, it is pertinent to investigate the impact of health-related behaviors on the prevention and treatment of this disease. The latter should not be limited to healthy eating and increasing physical activity, but should also consider the study of sleep, meal timing or food-related behaviors (self-efficacy, emotional eating, dietary restriction, etc.) that could explain the high variability in weight loss among obese individuals. It would be equally interesting to study the interaction between healthy behaviors and their impact on the effectiveness of weight loss among obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery or endoscopic bariatric therapies.

In this context, this Special Issue “Healthy Behavior and Obesity” aims to showcase the latest research on health behaviors that could potentially be associated with obesity prevention and weight loss. We welcome the submission of observational and experimental studies, in addition to systematic reviews and meta-analyses that could shed light on novel behavioral determinants of obesity and weight loss.

Prof. Dr. Maria Izquierdo-Pulido
Dr. María Fernanda Zerón-Rugerio
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • obesity
  • weight loss
  • diet
  • physical activity
  • sleep
  • meal timing
  • eating behavior
  • bariatric surgery 
  • endoscopic bariatric therapies

Published Papers (13 papers)

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23 pages, 1789 KiB  
Article
Gender and Liver Steatosis Discriminate Different Physiological Patterns in Obese Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: Obesity Center Cohort
by Rossella Donghia, Rita Schiano Di Cola, Filomena Cesaro, Andrea Vitale, Giuseppe Lippolis, Teresa Lisco, Roberta Isernia, Giovanni De Pergola, Sara De Nucci, Roberta Rinaldi, Marina Liso and Cristiano Giardiello
Nutrients 2023, 15(10), 2381; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15102381 - 19 May 2023
Viewed by 1073
Abstract
Background: Obesity is a major public health problem worldwide. Bariatric surgery can reduce body weight, and it is one of the better ways to improve metabolic disease and lifestyle. The aim of this study was to explore a new cohort of patients with [...] Read more.
Background: Obesity is a major public health problem worldwide. Bariatric surgery can reduce body weight, and it is one of the better ways to improve metabolic disease and lifestyle. The aim of this study was to explore a new cohort of patients with obesity and evaluate the gender differences and the steatosis status within the gender group. Methods: A cohort of 250 adult obese patients with BMI ≥ 30 and age >18 years, eligible for gastric bariatric surgery at Pineta Grande Hospital, Castel Volturno (Italy) was studied. Results: The prevalence in women was higher (72.40%) than men (27.60%). Overall, results indicated many statistically significant gender differences in hematological and clinical parameters. Analysis of the subcohorts based on the severity of steatosis revealed differences of this condition between the genders. Steatosis was more prevalent in the male subcohort, but female patients revealed greater within-group differences. Conclusions: Many differences were found not only in the total cohort but also between the gender subcohorts, both in the presence and absence of steatosis. We can conclude that the pathophysiological, genetic, and hormonal patterns affecting these patients delineate different individual profiles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Behaviors and Obesity)
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13 pages, 623 KiB  
Article
An 8-Week Peer Health Coaching Intervention among College Students: A Pilot Randomized Study
by Zi Yan, Jessica Peacock, Juliana F. W. Cohen, Laura Kurdziel, Sarah Benes, Seungbin Oh and April Bowling
Nutrients 2023, 15(5), 1284; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15051284 - 4 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2904
Abstract
This study explored the effects of an 8-week peer coaching program on physical activity (PA), diet, sleep, social isolation, and mental health among college students in the United States. A total of 52 college students were recruited and randomized to the coaching (n [...] Read more.
This study explored the effects of an 8-week peer coaching program on physical activity (PA), diet, sleep, social isolation, and mental health among college students in the United States. A total of 52 college students were recruited and randomized to the coaching (n = 28) or the control group (n = 24). The coaching group met with a trained peer health coach once a week for 8 weeks focusing on self-selected wellness domains. Coaching techniques included reflective listening, motivational interviews, and goal setting. The control group received a wellness handbook. PA, self-efficacy for eating healthy foods, quality of sleep, social isolation, positive affect and well-being, anxiety, and cognitive function were measured. No interaction effects between time and group were significant for the overall intervention group (all p > 0.05), while the main effects of group difference on moderate PA and total PA were significant (p < 0.05). Goal-specific analysis showed that, compared to the control group, those who had a PA goal significantly increased vigorous PA Metabolic Equivalent of Task (METs) (p < 0.05). The vigorous METs for the PA goal group increased from 1013.33 (SD = 1055.12) to 1578.67 (SD = 1354.09); the control group decreased from 1012.94 (SD = 1322.943) to 682.11 (SD = 754.89); having a stress goal significantly predicted a higher post-coaching positive affect and well-being, controlling the pre-score and other demographic factors: B = 0.37 and p < 0.05. Peer coaching showed a promising effect on improving PA and positive affect and well-being among college students. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Behaviors and Obesity)
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19 pages, 635 KiB  
Article
Timing of Meals and Sleep in the Mediterranean Population: The Effect of Taste, Genetics, Environmental Determinants, and Interactions on Obesity Phenotypes
by Rocío Barragán, Rebeca Fernández-Carrión, Eva María Asensio-Márquez, Carolina Ortega-Azorín, Andrea Álvarez-Sala, Alejandro Pérez-Fidalgo, José Vicente Sorlí, Olga Portolés, Inmaculada González-Monje, Marie Pierre St-Onge and Dolores Corella
Nutrients 2023, 15(3), 708; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15030708 - 30 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2338
Abstract
Circadian rhythms regulate the sleep–wake and feeding–fasting cycles. Sleep and feeding constitute a complex cycle that is determined by several factors. Despite the importance of sleep duration and mealtimes for many obesity phenotypes, most studies on dietary patterns have not investigated the contribution [...] Read more.
Circadian rhythms regulate the sleep–wake and feeding–fasting cycles. Sleep and feeding constitute a complex cycle that is determined by several factors. Despite the importance of sleep duration and mealtimes for many obesity phenotypes, most studies on dietary patterns have not investigated the contribution of these variables to the phenotypes analyzed. Likewise, they have not investigated the factors related to sleep or mealtimes. Thus, our aims were to investigate the link between taste perception and eating/sleep patterns and to analyze the effect of the interactions between sleep/meal patterns and genetic factors on obesity phenotypes. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis on 412 adults from the Mediterranean population. We measured taste perception (bitter, sweet, salty, sour, and umami) and assessed sleep duration and waketime. The midpoint of sleep and social jetlag was computed. From the self-reported timing of meals, we estimated the eating window, eating midpoint, and eating jetlag. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was measured with a validated score. Selected polymorphisms in the TAS2R38, CLOCK, and FTO genes were determined, and their associations and interactions with relevant phenotypes were analyzed. We found various associations between temporal eating, sleep patterns, and taste perception. A higher bitter taste perception was associated with an earlier eating midpoint (p = 0.001), breakfast time (p = 0.043), dinner time (p = 0.009), waketime (p < 0.001), and midpoint of sleep (p = 0.009). Similar results were observed for the bitter taste polymorphism TAS2R38-rs713598, a genetic instrumental variable for bitter perception, increasing the causality of the associations. Moreover, significant gene–sleep interactions were detected between the midpoint of sleep and the TAS2R38-rs713598 (p = 0.032), FTO-rs9939609 (p = 0.037), and CLOCK-rs4580704 (p = 0.004) polymorphisms which played a role in determining obesity phenotypes. In conclusion, our study provided more information on the sleep and mealtime patterns of the general Spanish Mediterranean population than on their main relationships. Moreover, we were able to show significant associations between taste perception, specifically bitter taste; sleep time; and mealtimes as well as an interaction between sleep time and several genetic variants linked to obesity phenotypes. However, additional research is needed to better characterize the causality and mechanisms behind these associations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Behaviors and Obesity)
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19 pages, 5510 KiB  
Article
Effects of 8-Week Online, Supervised High-Intensity Interval Training on the Parameters Related to the Anaerobic Threshold, Body Weight, and Body Composition during Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Hongli Yu, Rita Santos-Rocha, Łukasz Radzimiński, Zbigniew Jastrzębski, Iwona Bonisławska, Andrzej Szwarc and Anna Szumilewicz
Nutrients 2022, 14(24), 5279; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14245279 - 11 Dec 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3039
Abstract
We aimed to assess the effects of an 8-week, online high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on the parameters related to the anaerobic threshold (AT), body weight, and body composition in pregnant women. A total of 69 Caucasian women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy [...] Read more.
We aimed to assess the effects of an 8-week, online high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on the parameters related to the anaerobic threshold (AT), body weight, and body composition in pregnant women. A total of 69 Caucasian women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy (age: 31 ± 4 years; gestational age: 22 ± 5 weeks; mean ± standard deviation) were randomly allocated to either an 8-week HIIT program (HIIT group) or to a comparative 8-week educational program (EDU group). Our most important finding was that even with the 8-week progression of pregnancy and physiological weight gain, the HIIT group maintained the same level of parameters related to AT: volume of oxygen at the AT (VO2/AT), percentage of maximal oxygen uptake at the AT (%VO2max/AT), and heart rate at the AT (HR/AT). In contrast, in the EDU group we observed a substantial deterioration of parameters related to the AT. The HIIT intervention substantially reduced the fat mass percentage (median: 30 to 28%; p < 0.01) and improved the total fat-free mass percentage (median: 70% to 72%; p < 0.01). In the EDU group, the body composition did not change significantly. An online, supervised HIIT program may be used to prevent the pregnancy-related risk of excessive weight gain and reduction in exercise capacity without yielding adverse obstetric or neonatal outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Behaviors and Obesity)
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14 pages, 1623 KiB  
Article
The Power of Suggestion: Subjective Satiety Is Affected by Nutrient and Health-Focused Food Labelling with No Effect on Physiological Gut Hormone Release
by Sinead Watson, Hannah O’Hara, Dharsshini Reveendran, Christopher Cardwell, Kevin G. Murphy, Tony Benson, Moira Dean and Jayne V. Woodside
Nutrients 2022, 14(23), 5100; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14235100 - 1 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2289
Abstract
Health claims on food labelling can influence peoples’ perception of food without them actually eating it, for example driving a belief that a particular food will make them feel fuller. The aim of this study was to investigate whether nutrient and health claims [...] Read more.
Health claims on food labelling can influence peoples’ perception of food without them actually eating it, for example driving a belief that a particular food will make them feel fuller. The aim of this study was to investigate whether nutrient and health claims on food labelling can influence self-reported, and physiological indicators of, satiation. A total of 50 participants attended two visits where they were asked to consume a 380 kcal breakfast (granola and yogurt) labelled as a 500 kcal ‘indulgent’ breakfast at one visit and as a 250 kcal ‘sensible’ breakfast at the other. The order of the breakfast descriptions was randomly allocated. Participants were unaware that the two breakfasts were the same product and that only the food labels differed. At each visit blood samples were collected to measure gut hormone levels (acylated ghrelin, peptide tyrosine-tyrosine and glucagon-like peptide-1) at three time points: 20 min after arrival (baseline), after 60 min (anticipatory, immediately prior to consumption) and after 90 min (post-consumption). Visual analogue scales measuring appetite (hunger, satiety, fullness, quantity and desire to eat) were completed prior to each sample. Between 60 and 90 min, participants consumed the breakfast and rated its sensory appeal. Participants reported a higher mean change in self-reported fullness for the ‘indulgent’ than the ‘sensible’ breakfast from anticipatory to post-consumption (mean difference: 7.19 [95% CI: 0.73, 13.6]; p = 0.030). This change was not observed for the other appetite measures at the other time points or gut hormone levels. This study suggests that nutrient and health claims on food labels may influence satiation as measured by self-reported fullness. It also suggests that the observed differences in satiety scores are not due to changes in the main appetite regulating gut hormones, but are more likely centrally mediated. More high-quality trials are required to confirm these findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Behaviors and Obesity)
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15 pages, 317 KiB  
Article
Changes in Health-Promoting Behaviors and Their Association with Weight Loss, Retention, and Engagement on a Digital Program: Prospective Study
by Heather Behr, Sydney Earl, Annabell Suh Ho, Jihye Lee, Ellen Siobhan Mitchell, Meaghan McCallum, Christine N. May and Andreas Michaelides
Nutrients 2022, 14(22), 4812; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14224812 - 14 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2627
Abstract
Health-promoting lifestyle behaviors (e.g., as measured by the HPLP-II) are associated with reductions in lifestyle disease mortality, as well as improved well-being, mental health, and quality of life. However, it is unclear how a weight-management program relates to a broad range of these [...] Read more.
Health-promoting lifestyle behaviors (e.g., as measured by the HPLP-II) are associated with reductions in lifestyle disease mortality, as well as improved well-being, mental health, and quality of life. However, it is unclear how a weight-management program relates to a broad range of these behaviors (i.e., health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management), especially a fully digital program on which individuals have to self-manage their own behaviors in their daily lives (with assistance from a virtual human coach). In the context of a digital setting, this study examined the changes in health-promoting behaviors over 12 months, as well as the associations between health-promoting behaviors and weight loss, retention, and engagement, among participants who self-enrolled in a mobile CBT-based nutritionally focused behavior change weight management program (n = 242). Participants lost a statistically significant amount of weight (M = 6.7 kg; SD = 12.7 kg; t(80) = 9.26, p < 0.001) and reported significantly improved overall health-promoting lifestyle behaviors (i.e., HPLP-II summary scores), as well as, specifically, health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, stress management, and interpersonal relations behaviors from baseline to 6 months and from 6 months to 12 months (all ps < 0.008). Health-promoting behaviors at 6 months (i.e., learned health-promoting behaviors) compared to baseline were better predictors of retention and program engagement. A fully digital, mobile weight management intervention can improve HPLP-II scores, which, in turn, has implications for improved retention, program engagement, and better understanding the comprehensive effects of weight management programs, particularly in a digital setting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Behaviors and Obesity)
14 pages, 872 KiB  
Article
Body Weight, Weight Self-Perception, Weight Teasing and Their Association with Health Behaviors among Chinese Adolescents—The Shanghai Youth Health Behavior Survey
by Yinliang Tan, Weiyi Lu, Wenxin Gu, Zhiping Yu and Jingfen Zhu
Nutrients 2022, 14(14), 2931; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142931 - 17 Jul 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2643
Abstract
Weight-related status has been associated with the physical and psychological health of adolescents. This cross-sectional study evaluated three different kinds of weight-related statuses (Body Mass Index (BMI), weight self-perception and weight teasing from others) among Chinese adolescents and identified their associations with health [...] Read more.
Weight-related status has been associated with the physical and psychological health of adolescents. This cross-sectional study evaluated three different kinds of weight-related statuses (Body Mass Index (BMI), weight self-perception and weight teasing from others) among Chinese adolescents and identified their associations with health risk behaviors (lack of healthy dietary behavior, unhealthy dietary behavior, binge eating behavior, lack of physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviors (SB) and sleep disturbance). A stratified random cluster sampling method was used to select 10,070 students aged 11–18 years old from schools in Shanghai. Self-reported questionnaires were collected, weight-related statuses were divided into three categories and six specific health risk behaviors were classified into two groups: positive or negative. Overall, 27.82% of the adolescents were classified as being overweight and obese (35.61% of boys and 18.21% of girls), 43.45% perceived themselves as too heavy and 30.46% experienced weight teasing in the past. Among overweight or obese participants, 50.55% have been teased about their weight, and 77.48% perceived themselves as too heavy. Weight perception and weight teasing were significantly associated with health risk behaviors rather than the actual body weight status based on BMI, especially regarding binge eating behavior (body weight status (BMI): p > 0.05, underweight perception: OR = 1.18, 95%CI 1.03–1.34; weight teasing for more than once a year: OR = 2.00, 95%CI 1.76–2.27). In addition, weight perception and weight teasing were significantly associated with health risk behaviors, mainly in normal and overweight/obese groups but not in underweight groups. Weight teasing and weight self-perception play an independent and stronger role than actual body weight in the health behaviors of adolescents. This calls for more attention and intervention to reduce peer bullying and stigmas on weight among adolescents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Behaviors and Obesity)
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20 pages, 3491 KiB  
Article
Effect of a Weight Loss and Lifestyle Intervention on Dietary Behavior in Men with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The INTERAPNEA Trial
by Almudena Carneiro-Barrera, Francisco J. Amaro-Gahete, Lucas Jurado-Fasoli, Germán Sáez-Roca, Carlos Martín-Carrasco, Francisco J. Tinahones and Jonatan R. Ruiz
Nutrients 2022, 14(13), 2731; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132731 - 30 Jun 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2962
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of an eight-week interdisciplinary weight loss and lifestyle intervention on dietary behavior in men who were overweight/had obesity and moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It was based on data from INTERAPNEA (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03851653); a randomized clinical trial [...] Read more.
This study investigated the effects of an eight-week interdisciplinary weight loss and lifestyle intervention on dietary behavior in men who were overweight/had obesity and moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It was based on data from INTERAPNEA (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03851653); a randomized clinical trial conducted from April 2019 to April 2020. Men aged 18–65 years with moderate-to-severe OSA and a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 were randomly assigned to a usual-care group or an eight-week interdisciplinary weight loss and lifestyle intervention combined with usual-care. Dietary behavior was assessed through the Food Behavior Checklist (FBC) and the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Of the 89 participants who underwent randomization, 75 completed the intervention endpoint assessment, 89 participants being therefore included in the intention-to-treat analyses, and 75 in the per-protocol approach. As compared with usual-care, the intervention group had greater improvements at intervention endpoint in dietary behavior, as measured by the FBC total score (20% increase in FBC total score, mean between-group difference, 8.7; 95% confidence interval, 5.7 to 11.7), and MEDAS total score (33% increase in MEDAS total score, mean between-group difference, 2.1; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.9). At 6 months after intervention, the intervention group also had greater improvements in both the FBC total score (15% increase) and MEDAS total score (25% increase), with mean between-group differences of 7.7 (CI 95%, 4.4 to 10.9) and 1.7 (CI 95%, 0.9 to 2.6), respectively. An eight-week interdisciplinary weight loss and lifestyle intervention resulted in meaningful and sustainable improvements in dietary behavior, including adherence to the Mediterranean diet in men who were overweight/ had obesity and CPAP-treated moderate-to-severe OSA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Behaviors and Obesity)
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14 pages, 1468 KiB  
Article
Health Behaviours among Nursing Students in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Ewa Kupcewicz, Kamila Rachubińska, Aleksandra Gaworska-Krzemińska, Anna Andruszkiewicz, Ilona Kuźmicz, Dorota Kozieł and Elżbieta Grochans
Nutrients 2022, 14(13), 2638; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132638 - 25 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1982
Abstract
(1) Background: An individual’s health status can be perceived as a consequence of their health behaviours. This research aimed to determine the intensity of health-promoting behaviours and to identify factors determining the health behaviours of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: [...] Read more.
(1) Background: An individual’s health status can be perceived as a consequence of their health behaviours. This research aimed to determine the intensity of health-promoting behaviours and to identify factors determining the health behaviours of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: This study included 894 nursing students from six universities in Poland, and it was conducted between 20 March and 15 December 2021. A diagnostic survey was applied as the research method, and the data were collected using the Health Behaviour Inventory and the Satisfaction With Life Scale. (3) Results: Nearly half of the students participating in the study (48.43%) declared that the intensity of their general health behaviours was low. A positive and significant correlation (r = 0.426) was found between general health behaviours and satisfaction with life. A regression model demonstrated general satisfaction with life to be a predictor of taking up health-related behaviours (18%; β = 0.34), as well as in terms of proper eating habits (4%; β = 0.15), prophylactic behaviours (6%; β = 0.21), positive mental attitudes (26%; β = 0.44) and applied pro-health practices (10%; β = 0.25). (4) Conclusions: Most nursing students showed low levels of health-promoting behaviours. More research is needed on health behaviours and their determinants among nursing students, as it may be important in explaining the mechanisms of health behaviour formation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Behaviors and Obesity)
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18 pages, 3565 KiB  
Article
Positive Effects of a Mediterranean Diet Supplemented with Almonds on Female Adipose Tissue Biology in Severe Obesity
by Óscar Osorio-Conles, Romina Olbeyra, Violeta Moizé, Ainitze Ibarzabal, Oriol Giró, Judith Viaplana, Amanda Jiménez, Josep Vidal and Ana de Hollanda
Nutrients 2022, 14(13), 2617; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132617 - 24 Jun 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3192
Abstract
It has been suggested that weight-loss-independent Mediterranean diet benefits on cardiometabolic health and diabetes prevention may be mediated, at least in part, through the modulation of white adipose tissue (WAT) biology. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of a dietary intervention [...] Read more.
It has been suggested that weight-loss-independent Mediterranean diet benefits on cardiometabolic health and diabetes prevention may be mediated, at least in part, through the modulation of white adipose tissue (WAT) biology. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of a dietary intervention based on the Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds (MDSA) on the main features of obesity-associated WAT dysfunction. A total of 38 women with obesity were randomly assigned to a 3-month intervention with MDSA versus continuation of their usual dietary pattern. Subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) biopsies were obtained before and after the dietary intervention, and at the end of the study period, respectively. MDSA favored the abundance of small adipocytes in WAT. In SAT, the expression of angiogenesis genes increased after MDSA intervention. In VAT, the expression of genes implicated in adipogenesis, angiogenesis, autophagy and fatty acid usage was upregulated. In addition, a higher immunofluorescence staining for PPARG, CD31+ cells and M2-like macrophages and increased ADRB1 and UCP2 protein contents were found compared to controls. Changes in WAT correlated with a significant reduction in circulating inflammatory markers and LDL-cholesterol levels. These results support a protective effect of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds on obesity-related WAT dysfunction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Behaviors and Obesity)
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12 pages, 1007 KiB  
Article
Adherence to Healthy Lifestyle Habits Is a Determinant of the Effectiveness of Weight Loss among Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Bariatric Therapies
by Gemma Miranda-Peñarroya, María Fernanda Zerón-Rugerio, Marta Vallejo-Gracia, Ricardo Sorio-Fuentes, Fernando Saenger-Ruiz and Maria Izquierdo-Pulido
Nutrients 2022, 14(11), 2261; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14112261 - 28 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1665
Abstract
Endoscopic bariatric therapies (EBTs) are promising strategies for the treatment of obesity. However, there is still great variability in its effectiveness in weight loss. Thus, we investigated whether adherence to healthy lifestyle habits is a significant determinant of weight loss effectiveness among patients [...] Read more.
Endoscopic bariatric therapies (EBTs) are promising strategies for the treatment of obesity. However, there is still great variability in its effectiveness in weight loss. Thus, we investigated whether adherence to healthy lifestyle habits is a significant determinant of weight loss effectiveness among patients undergoing EBTs. Additionally, the role of eating behaviors and psychological traits in the effectiveness of weight loss was studied. A cohort of 361 participants (81.4% women; age 41.8 ± 9.5 years; BMI 37.8 ± 4.3 kg/m2) was followed for 1 year after EBT. Anthropometric parameters, adherence to healthy lifestyle habits, emotional eating, and psychological traits (anxiety and depression) were evaluated. General linear models were used to compare outcome variables according to weight loss effectiveness groups (poor vs. good weight-loss-responders). Additionally, a hierarchical linear regression model was used to determine whether adherence to healthy lifestyle habits, emotional eating, or psychological traits were significant predictors of excess weight loss (%EWL). One year after EBT, weight loss differed significantly between good and poor weight-loss-responders (67.5% EWL [95% CI: 64.2, 70.8] vs. 28.2% EWL [95% CI: 25.5, 30.9], p < 0.001). Participants who adhered to good lifestyle habits had 4.37 more odds [95% CI: 2.19, 8.88] of being good weight-loss-responders. We also observed that eating four to five meals/day and practicing muscle-strengthening activities >2 times/week were the two lifestyle habits that most significantly determined weight loss response. Furthermore, our results revealed that while adherence to healthy lifestyle habits was a significant determinant of %EWL 3, 6, and 12 months after EBT (p < 0.001), emotional eating was a significant determinant of %EWL only 3 and 6 months after the intervention (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Regarding psychological traits, we observed that neither anxiety nor depression were significant determinants of %EWL. Our results revealed that adherence to healthy lifestyle habits is a significant determinant for weight loss effectiveness among patients with obesity undergoing EBT. These findings highlight the importance of implementing an adequate nutritional intervention program, especially since patients who adhere to good lifestyle habits are able to achieve a weight loss that would be comparable with bariatric surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Behaviors and Obesity)
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16 pages, 1463 KiB  
Article
Secondary Outcomes of a Front-of-Pack-Labelling Randomised Controlled Experiment in a Representative British Sample: Understanding, Ranking Speed and Perceptions
by Jessica Packer, Simon J. Russell, Deborah Ridout, Anne Conolly, Curtis Jessop, Russell M. Viner and Helen Croker
Nutrients 2022, 14(11), 2188; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14112188 - 24 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2289
Abstract
Front-of-pack labels (FOPLs) provide simplified nutritional information that aims to inform consumer choice and encourage reformulation. We conducted an online randomised controlled experiment on a representative British sample to test the effectiveness of FOPLs across a range of outcomes. The primary outcomes have [...] Read more.
Front-of-pack labels (FOPLs) provide simplified nutritional information that aims to inform consumer choice and encourage reformulation. We conducted an online randomised controlled experiment on a representative British sample to test the effectiveness of FOPLs across a range of outcomes. The primary outcomes have been published; here, we present the secondary outcomes: the ability to rank the healthiest product and the time to complete the rankings by comparing the FOPL groups and a no-label control, as well as a descriptive analysis of the perceptions. Participants from the NatCen panel were randomised to one of five experimental groups (Multiple Traffic Lights; Nutri-Score; Warning Label; Positive Choice tick; no-label control). Six food/drink categories were selected (pizza, drinks, cakes, crisps, yoghurts, breakfast cereals), and three products were created with varying healthiness. The participants (analytic sample = 4530) were asked to rank the products in order of healthiness twice (baseline: no label; follow-up: experimental group label). Compared to the control, the probability of correctly ranking the healthiest product at follow-up was significantly greater for the N-S, MTL and WL across all products. The time to correctly complete the ranking was fastest for the N-S, PC and no-label control. The descriptive analysis showed that the FOPLs were perceived favourably, and especially N-S and MTL. The findings were supportive of the primary analyses, with those results suggesting that N-S performed the best, and then MTL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Behaviors and Obesity)
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Review

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Review
Are Emotional Eating and Other Eating Behaviors the Missing Link in the Relationship between Inadequate Sleep and Obesity? A Systematic Review
by María Fernanda Zerón-Rugerio, Sara Doblas-Faxeda, María Diez-Hernández and Maria Izquierdo-Pulido
Nutrients 2023, 15(10), 2286; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15102286 - 12 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2233
Abstract
Evidence is emerging to explain that the relationship between inadequate sleep and obesity could be influenced by emotional eating and other eating behaviors such as disinhibition. Therefore, our aim was to conduct a systematic review to analyze the potential role of emotional eating [...] Read more.
Evidence is emerging to explain that the relationship between inadequate sleep and obesity could be influenced by emotional eating and other eating behaviors such as disinhibition. Therefore, our aim was to conduct a systematic review to analyze the potential role of emotional eating and other eating behaviors in the relationship between inadequate sleep and obesity. We conducted a comprehensive search on 2 databases (Medline and Scopus) looking for records from 1 January 2011 until 31 December 2022 without language restrictions. Cross-sectional, longitudinal, and interventional studies were included if they assessed the association between sleep and emotional eating, as well as the role of emotional eating on the relationship between inadequate sleep and obesity. Secondary outcomes included studies analyzing the link between sleep and other eating behaviors as well as their role in the sleep–obesity relationship. Our results showed that emotional eating and disinhibition play a significant role in the relationship between inadequate sleep and obesity, especially in women. Furthermore, we provide evidence of other eating behaviors (e.g., external eating, eating competence, and hunger), which are also associated with poor sleep outcomes. However, these behaviors do not seem to be determinants of the association between sleep and obesity. In conclusion, our results suggest that individuals with inadequate sleep who are prone to emotional eating and/or disinhibition may require tailored approaches for obesity prevention and treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Behaviors and Obesity)
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