Social costs of obesity in the Czech Republic

Comparing the Efficacy of Digital and In-Person Weight Loss Interventions for Patients with Obesity and Glycemic Disorders: Evidence from a Randomized Non-Inferiority Trial

Digital weight loss interventions present a viable and cost-effective alternative to traditional therapy. However, further evidence is needed to establish the equal effectiveness of both approaches. This randomized controlled non-inferiority trial aimed to compare the effects of an intensive in-person weight loss intervention program with Vitadio digital therapy. One hundred patients with obesity and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Over a 6-month period, the control group received five in-person consultations with a physician who specialized in obesity treatment, a dietitian and/or a nutrition nurse, while the intervention group followed the digital program based on a multimodal therapeutic approach. The extent of weight loss was assessed and compared between the groups. Additionally, changes in body composition and metabolic parameters for the digital intervention group were analyzed. The study results demonstrated comparable effectiveness of both treatments for weight reduction. The positive effects of Vitadio were further evidenced by favorable changes in body composition and lipid metabolism and improved glycemic control in the intervention group. These findings suggest that Vitadio is an effective tool for assisting patients with managing obesity and preventing diabetes progression.

Differences in the body image based on physical parameters among young women from the Czech Republic and Slovakia

BACKGROUND

The increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Czech Republic and Slovakia has led to heightened emphasis on weight control, particularly among women. Our aim is to explore body image perceptions among women in both countries and compare their attitudes, focusing on the relationship between body image and body mass index (BMI), height, weight, body fat and the weight control.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study involved 358 female students from the University of Pardubice and Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, with equal representation from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Body parameters were assessed using anthropometric methods and the InBody 230 diagnostic device, while participants' perceptions of their bodies were evaluated using the Body Shape Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The results confirmed that BMI did not significantly influence self-perception among Slovak students, while Czech participants with increasing obesity tended to perceive themselves more negatively. Significantly higher median values for BMI (p = 0.0509), weight (p = 0.0507), height (p = 0.05) and body image (p = 0.002) were observed in the Czech Republic compared with Slovakia. No significant difference was found in weight control and fat between participants from both countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Although obesity was demonstrated in both nations, body satisfaction was different for participants from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The economic burden of obesity in 4 south-eastern European countries associated with obesity-related co-morbidities

OBJECTIVE

To provide an assessment of the cost burden of obesity across a spectrum of obesity-related comorbidities (ORCs) for four countries in South-Eastern Europe (SEE).

METHODS

A micro-costing analysis from the public payer perspective was conducted to estimate direct healthcare costs associated with ten obesity-related comorbidities (ORCs) in Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, and Romania. A survey was administered to obtain healthcare resource use and unit cost data. Cost estimates were validated by local steering committees which comprised at least one public sector clinician and a panel of independent industry experts.

RESULTS

Chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular diseases were the costliest ORCs across all 4 countries, where annual cost burden per ORC exceeded 1,500 USD per patient per year. In general, costs were driven by the tertiary care resources allocated to address treatment-related adverse events, disease complications, and associated inpatient procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm that the high prevalence of obesity and its comorbidities result in substantial financial burden to all 4 SEE public payers. By quantifying the burden of obesity from a public healthcare perspective, our study aims to support policy efforts that promote health education and promotion in combating obesity in the region.

Plant Secondary Compounds Promote White Adipose Tissue Browning via Modulation of the Gut Microbiota in Small Mammals

The browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) is a promising area of research for treating metabolic disorders and obesity in the future. However, studies on plant secondary compounds promoting WAT browning are limited. Herein, we explored the effects of swainsonine (SW) on gut microbiota and WAT browning in captive pikas. SW inhibited body mass gain, increased brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass, and induced WAT browning in pikas. The 16S rDNA sequencing revealed a significant reduction in the alpha diversity and altered community structure of the gut microbiota in captive pikas. However, the addition of SW to the diet significantly increased the alpha diversity of gut microbiota and the relative abundance of Akkermansia, Prevotella, and unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae, along with the complexity of the microbial co-occurrence network structure, which decreased in the guts of captive pikas. Functional profiles showed that SW significantly decreased the relative abundances of energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, which were enriched in captive pikas. Furthermore, SW decreased deterministic processes of gut microbiota assembly in July and increased them in November. Finally, the genera Prevotella and unclassified_f__Prevotellaceae were positively correlated with BAT mass. Our results highlighted that plant secondary compounds promote WAT browning by modulating the gut microbiota in small mammals.