Patient predictors of weight loss following a behavioral weight management intervention among US Veterans with severe obesity

Predictors of ≥15% Weight Reduction and Associated Changes in Cardiometabolic Risk Factors With Tirzepatide in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in SURPASS 1-4

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of body weight (BW) reduction of ≥15% with tirzepatide treatment and to describe associated clinical parameters of participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who achieved different categorical measures of BW reduction (<5%, ≥5 to <10%, ≥10 to <15%, and ≥15%) across four studies from the phase 3 SURPASS clinical trial program for T2D.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The multivariate model for predictor of a BW reduction of ≥15% included age, sex, race, BW, HbA1c, tirzepatide dose and baseline metformin use, fasting serum glucose, and non-HDL cholesterol. Baseline characteristics and change from baseline to week 40/42 for efficacy parameters were described and analyzed in treatment-adherent participants (≥75% doses administered and on treatment at week 40/42) receiving once weekly tirzepatide (5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg) (N = 3,188).

RESULTS

Factors significantly associated with achieving a BW reduction of ≥15% with tirzepatide were higher tirzepatide doses, female sex, White or Asian race, younger age, metformin background therapy, and lower HbA1c, fasting serum glucose, and non-HDL cholesterol at baseline. With higher categorical BW reduction, there were greater reductions in HbA1c, triglycerides, ALT, waist circumference, and blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline factors associated with a higher likelihood of achieving a BW reduction of ≥15% with tirzepatide were higher tirzepatide doses, female sex, White or Asian race, younger age, metformin background therapy, better glycemic status, and lower non-HDL cholesterol. With greater BW reduction, participants with T2D achieved larger improvements in glycemia and cardiometabolic risk parameters. These findings help inform which people with T2D are most likely to achieve greater BW reduction with improved cardiometabolic risk factors with tirzepatide.

Privacy Concerns in Group Format Lifestyle Interventions for Obesity

BACKGROUND

Group format weight loss interventions have benefits over individual format, but privacy concerns may limit their uptake.

METHOD

In this study, adults with obesity and interest in losing weight were recruited nationally online and randomly assigned to view one of eight videos describing a hypothetical, group behavioral weight loss intervention. Based on three fully crossed factors, the videos varied on privacy features of intervention (present or not); matching participants to group based on weight loss barriers (matched or not); and intervention format (online or in-person). Participants rated their willingness to join, privacy concerns, and perceived effectiveness of these interventions. They further reported preference for individual or group format interventions and reason for preferences.

RESULTS

Description of privacy features, matching of participants, and format did not affect willingness to join, privacy concerns, or perceived effectiveness of the intervention. Privacy concerns were associated with lower willingness to join and lower perceived intervention effectiveness, and greater social anxiety and weight stigma. More participants preferred individual over group format (40.1% vs 33.9%; 26% selected neither) and preference for individual format was associated with greater privacy concerns.

CONCLUSION

Strategies to address privacy concerns in group-based interventions warrant further attention.

Parental Factors Associated With Intentions to Initiate a Family-Based Pediatric Weight Management Program

Background: Childhood obesity can be addressed through family-based pediatric weight management; however, treatment enrollment in the United States is low. This study aimed to identify parental factors associated with intentions to initiate a family-based pediatric weight management program. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were collected from an online panel of US parents with at least one 5- to 11-year-old child identified as likely to have overweight or obesity. Participants viewed a video about a hypothetical family-based pediatric weight management program, rated their 30-day initiation intentions for that program, and answered additional related questionnaires. Results: Participants (n = 158) identified as White/Caucasian (53%) or Black/African American (47%), were primarily female (61.4%) and married/cohabitating (81.6%) with children who were predominantly girls (53.2%) and, on average, 9-year-olds. Higher parents' perception of program effectiveness predicted initiation intentions (p < 0.001), while concern for their child's weight and parent depression and anxiety levels did not. Higher initiation intentions and perceived program effectiveness were reported by Black/African American participants (p < 0.01) and those with at least a bachelor's degree (p < 0.01) compared to White/Caucasian participants and those without a bachelor's degree, respectively. Initiation intentions were higher for those with greater financial security (p = 0.020) and fewer than three children in the home (p = 0.026). Participants endorsed initiation barriers of time constraints (25%), possible lack of enjoyment for the child (16.9%), and lack of family support (15%). Conclusions: Future program enrollment efforts may need to focus on strategies to increase perceived program effectiveness, although further research is needed that measures actual enrollment in real-world contexts.

Psychosocial Aspects of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeries and Endoscopic Therapies

Obesity is a prevalent progressive and relapsing disease for which there are several levels of intervention, including metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) and now endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs). Preoperative psychological assessment focused on cognitive status, psychiatric symptoms, eating disorders, social support, and substance use is useful in optimizing patient outcomes and minimizing risks in MBS. Very little is known about the psychosocial needs of patients seeking EBMTs, though these investigations will be forthcoming if these therapies become more widespread. As MBS and EBMT inherently alter the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, considerations for the longer-term GI functioning of the patient are relevant and should be considered and monitored.

Trajectory Analysis and Predictors of the Percentage of Body Fat Among Chinese Sleeve Gastrectomy Patients

BACKGROUND

The weight loss in Chinese patients after sleeve gastrectomy is different, and the differences can be evaluated through the trajectories of the percentage of body fat (BF%). Patients' baseline psychosocial factors may be associated with these trajectories.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We selected 267 patients who received sleeve gastrectomy for the first time. The BF% at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery and baseline psychosocial variables were retrospectively collected. The trajectory model was established according to BF% based on the growth mixture model. The baseline psychosocial variables were compared among different trajectory classes.

RESULTS

Four types of trajectory classes were obtained. The differences in preoperative dietary self-efficacy, exercise self-efficacy, depression, social support, working status, alcohol consumption, and gender among the classes were statistically significant. The pairwise comparison of the above variables revealed that the differences of gender, dietary self-efficacy and exercise self-efficacy among classes were highly effective.

CONCLUSION

Female gender, low dietary self-efficacy and low exercise self-efficacy were predictors for poor BF% trajectory in sleeve gastrectomy patients. Health professionals can early identify patients who are most likely to lose weight in a not-ideal manner based on the above predictors.

Perceived social support before and after bariatric surgery: association with depression, problematic eating behaviors, and weight outcomes

PURPOSE

Engaging in a healthy lifestyle after bariatric surgery is essential to optimize and sustain weight loss in the long term. There is promising evidence that social support of patients who undergo bariatric surgery plays an important role in promoting a better quality of life and adherence to the required behavioral changes and medical appointments. This study sought to investigate: (a) if post-operative patients experience different levels of perceived social support compared to pre-operative patients; (b) correlations between perceived social support, depression, disordered eating, and weight outcomes; (c) if social support is a moderator between psychological distress, and disordered eating behavior and weight outcomes.

METHODS

A group of 65 patients assessed pre-surgery and another group of 65 patients assessed post-surgery (M = 26.12; SD 7.97 months since surgery) responded to a set of self-report measures assessing social support, eating disorder psychopathology, disordered eating, and depression.

RESULTS

Greater social support was associated with lower depression, emotional eating, weight and shape concerns, and greater weight loss in pre- and post-surgery groups. Social support was found to be a moderator between different psychological/weight variables but only for the post-surgery group: the relation between depression and eating disorder psychopathology or weight loss was significant for patients scoring medium to high level is social support; the relation between grazing and weight regain was significant for patients scoring medium to low levels of social support.

CONCLUSIONS

The associations found between perceived social support and depression, disordered eating and weight outcomes highlight the importance of considering and working with the social support network of patients undergoing bariatric surgery to optimize treatment outcomes. Level of Evidence  Level III: case-control study.

Long-Term Weight Loss With Metformin or Lifestyle Intervention in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study

BACKGROUND

Identifying reliable predictors of long-term weight loss (LTWL) could lead to improved weight management.

OBJECTIVE

To identify some predictors of LTWL.

DESIGN

The DPP (Diabetes Prevention Program) was a randomized controlled trial that compared weight loss with metformin, intensive lifestyle intervention (ILS), or placebo. Its Outcomes Study (DPPOS) observed patients after the masked treatment phase ended. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00004992 and NCT00038727).

SETTING

27 DPP and DPPOS clinics.

PARTICIPANTS

Of the 3234 randomly assigned participants, 1066 lost at least 5% of baseline weight in the first year and were followed for 15 years.

MEASUREMENTS

Treatment assignment, personal characteristics, and weight.

RESULTS

After 1 year, 289 (28.5%) participants in the metformin group, 640 (62.6%) in the ILS group, and 137 (13.4%) in the placebo group had lost at least 5% of their weight. After the masked treatment phase ended, the mean weight loss relative to baseline that was maintained between years 6 and 15 was 6.2% (95% CI, 5.2% to 7.2%) in the metformin group, 3.7% (CI, 3.1% to 4.4%) in the ILS group, and 2.8% (CI, 1.3% to 4.4%) in the placebo group. Independent predictors of LTWL included greater weight loss in the first year in all groups, older age and continued metformin use in the metformin group, older age and absence of either diabetes or a family history of diabetes in the ILS group, and higher fasting plasma glucose levels at baseline in the placebo group.

LIMITATION

Post hoc analysis; examination of nonrandomized subsets of randomized groups after year 1.

CONCLUSION

Among persons with weight loss of at least 5% after 1 year, those originally randomly assigned to metformin had the greatest loss during years 6 to 15. Older age and the amount of weight initially lost were the most consistent predictors of LTWL maintenance.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

National Institutes of Health.

Precision medicine in adult and pediatric obesity: a clinical perspective

It remains largely unknown as to why some individuals experience substantial weight loss with obesity interventions, while others receiving these same interventions do not. Person-specific characteristics likely play a significant role in this heterogeneity in treatment response. The practice of precision medicine accounts for an individual's genes, environment, and lifestyle when deciding upon treatment type and intensity in order to optimize benefit and minimize risk. In this review, we first discuss biopsychosocial determinants of obesity, as understanding the complexity of this disease is necessary for appreciating how difficult it is to develop individualized treatment plans. Next, we present literature on person-specific characteristics associated with, and predictive of, weight loss response to various obesity treatments including lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, metabolic and bariatric surgery, and medical devices. Finally, we discuss important gaps in our understanding of the causes of obesity in relation to the suboptimal treatment outcomes in certain patients, and offer solutions that may lead to the development of more effective and targeted obesity therapies.