A visualized and scientometric analysis of research trends of weight loss in overweight/obese children and adolescents (1958-2021)

Trends and future directions in childhood obesity research in the Nordic countries: a scientometric review

In the Nordic countries, about one in five children aged 5-18 years live with overweight or obesity. This scientometric review analyses the patterns of childhood obesity research in the Nordic region to inform future strategic decisions for researchers and policymakers. Using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20), we conducted a visualization analysis of Nordic childhood obesity literature from Scopus, covering publication up to February 2024. Additionally, R version 4.4.0, and Microsoft Excel 2016 were used to support further analysis. The analysis included trends of scientific outputs, citations, patterns, collaboration network, and leading institutions. In the Nordic countries, 4123 documents were published from 1981 to 2024. A consistent increase was identified in collaborative studies since 1981. Sweden is playing a leading role in childhood obesity research. A strong partnership was noted between Danish and Swedish researchers, as well as between Finnish and Swedish researchers, with Sweden being a central hub of collaboration. The highly cited publications primarily focused on non-pharmacological public health interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk factors. Significant advancement has been achieved in understanding childhood obesity primarily focused on the filed medicine and nursing. Overweight, obesity, and metrics like body mass index have been extensively investigated, but no focus has been placed on medication as treatment. Despite the increasing research in this field, knowledge gaps exist in genetics, molecular biology, emerging pharmacological treatment as well as behavioral and social sciences. Future research should utilize the unique Nordic databases and advanced methods to improve understanding and inform effective public health interventions.

Global trends in research on eating behaviors among overweight/obese children and adolescents: a bibliometric study from 2003 to 2023

Background

Despite the widespread interest in overweight/obese children and adolescents, there is a lack of bibliometric research on the factors influencing eating behaviors.

Methods

Collated and screened research papers published between 2003 and 2023 on eating behaviors in children and adolescents affected by overweight or obesity, searched on January 1, 2024. The primary data, comprising complete records and referenced citations of publications, was extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection. Analysis of data using Bibliometrix of R package, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer.

Results

A total of 2,142 articles were included. The United States had the most publications in the field and was also the center point for world collaborations. Harvard University had the most affiliated publications, while Luis Moreno was the most prolific author. NUTRIENTS was the most published journal. High-frequency keywords included Children, overweight, physical activity, body mass index, and childhood obesity. Research trends include Epidemiology and Environment factors of obesity; Health risks associated with childhood obesity; Key eating habits and interventions for childhood obesity; Prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent obesity.

Conclusion

This research provides a comprehensive overview of global trends and key areas in studying dietary behaviors among overweight/obese children and adolescents. It offers a detailed summary of recent advancements, emphasizing this field's critical principles and practices. By exploring these developments, the study highlights the growing importance of this research within global healthcare and suggests pathways for future research and applications.

Assessing the state of obesity care: Quality, access, guidelines, and standards

Background

An international panel of obesity medicine experts from multiple professional organizations examined patterns of obesity care and current obesity treatment guidelines to identify areas requiring updating in response to emerging science and clinical evidence.

Aims

The panel focused on multiple medical health and societal issues influencing effective treatment of obesity and identified several unmet needs in the definition, assessment, and care of obesity.

Methods

The panel was held in Leesburg, Virginia in September 2019.

Results

The panelists recommended addressing these unmet needs in obesity medicine through research, education, evaluation of delivery and payment of care, and updating clinical practice guidelines (CPG) to better reflect obesity's pathophysiological basis and heterogeneity, as well as the disease's health, sociocultural, and economic complications; effects on quality of life; need for standards for quantitative comparison of treatment benefits, risks, and costs; and the need to more effectively integrate obesity treatment guidelines into routine clinical practice and to facilitate more direct clinician participation to improve public understanding of obesity as a disease with a pathophysiological basis. The panel also recommended that professional organizations working to improve the care of people with obesity collaborate via a working group to develop an updated, patient-focused, comprehensive CPG establishing standards of care, addressing identified needs, and providing for routine, periodic review and updating.

Conclusions

Unmet needs in the definition, assessment and treatment of obesity were identified and a blueprint to address these needs developed via a clinical practice guideline that can be utilized worldwide to respond to the increasing prevalence of obesity.

A bibliometric worldview of breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer from 2013 to 2023

Over the last decade, significant advancements have been made in breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for breast cancer. However, there is a lack of analytical and descriptive investigations on the trajectory, essential research directions, current research scenario, pivotal investigative focuses, and forthcoming perspectives. The objective of this research is to provide a thorough update on the progress made in BCS for breast cancer over the preceding decade. Retrieved from the Web of Science database, the data span from January 1, 2013, to November 30, 2023. Utilizing a set of advanced analytical instruments, we conducted comprehensive bibliometric and visual analyses. The findings underscore the predominant influence of the USA, representing 35.77% of the overall publications and playing a pivotal role in shaping research within this field. Notable productivity was evident at various institutions, including the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the University of Toronto. Annals of Surgical Oncology contributed the most publications in this field. An examination of keywords indicated a change in the concentration of research attention, transitioning from molecular subtype, ultrasonography, and intraoperative aspects to SEER, male breast cancer, and adjuvant measures. By offering a comprehensive bibliometric assessment, this study enhances our understanding of BCS for breast cancer. Consequently, this benefits both experienced researchers and newcomers alike, providing prompt access to essential information and fostering the extraction of innovative concepts within this specific field.

Asia's Growing Contribution to Obesity Surgery Research: A 40-year Bibliometric Analysis

Bariatric metabolic surgery's global research interest is growing, particularly in Asia due to its high obesity rates. This study focuses on Asia, especially China, analyzing 3904 publications (1221 from China) from 1980 to 2022. Research output accelerated until the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by economic growth and rising obesity rates. China led contributions from 2010, but Western Asia led when adjusted for population. An intra-regional research collaboration network emerged, driven by geographic proximity and similar economic environments. Keyword analysis highlighted emerging topics like "laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy" and "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease," indicating a shift in focus. The study recommends disseminating research in top-tier journals to enhance visibility and impact.

Targeting ferroptosis unveils a new era for traditional Chinese medicine: a scientific metrology study

In the past 11 years, there has been a surge in studies exploring the regulatory effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on ferroptosis. However, a significant gap persists in comprehensive scientometric analysis and scientific mapping research, especially in tracking the evolution, primary contributors, and emerging research focal points. This study aims to comprehensively update the advancements in targeting ferroptosis with various TCMs during the previous 11 years. The data, covering the period from 1 January 2012, to 30 November 2023, were retrieved from the Web of Science database. For in-depth scientometric and visualized analyses, a series of advanced analytical instruments were employed. The findings highlight China's predominant role, accounting for 71.99% of total publications and significantly shaping research in this domain. Noteworthy productivity was observed at various institutions, including Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Zhejiang University. Thomas Efferth emerged as the foremost author within this field, while Frontiers in Pharmacology boasted the highest publication count. This study pinpointed hepatocellular carcinoma, chemical and drug-induced liver injury, mitochondrial diseases, acute kidney injury, and liver failure as the most critical disorders addressed in this research realm. The research offers a comprehensive bibliometric evaluation, enhancing our understanding of the present status of TCM therapy in managing ferroptosis-related diseases. Consequently, it aids both seasoned researchers and newcomers by accelerating access to vital information and fostering innovative concept extraction within this specialized field.

Research Trends in Motivation and Weight Loss: A Bibliometric-Based Review

Obesity is a complex disease that, like COVID-19, has reached pandemic proportions. Consequently, it has become a rapidly growing scientific field, represented by an extensive body of research publications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to present the research trends in the scientific literature on motivation and weight loss. Because traditional knowledge synthesis approaches are not appropriate for analyzing large corpora of research evidence, we utilized a novel knowledge synthesis approach called synthetic knowledge synthesis (SKS) to generate new holistic insights into obesity research focusing on motivation. SKS is a triangulation of bibliometric analysis, bibliometric mapping, and content analysis. Using it, we analyzed the corpus of publications retrieved from the Scopus database, using the search string TITLE-ABS-KEY((obesity or overweight) and "weight loss" and motiv*) in titles, keywords, and abstracts, without any additional inclusion or exclusion criteria. The search resulted in a corpus of 2301 publications. The United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Australia were the most productive countries. Four themes emerged, namely, weight loss and weight-loss maintenance through motivational interventions, lifestyle changes supported by smart ICT, maintaining sustainable weight with a healthier lifestyle, and weight management on the level of primary healthcare and bariatric surgery. Further, we established that the volume of research literature is growing, as is the scope of the research. However, we observed a regional concentration of research and its funding in developed countries and almost nonexistent research cooperation between developed and less-developed countries.