Association between estimated cardiorespiratory fitness and breast cancer: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

This study used data from 17 840 cancer-free postmenopausal women with a CRF assessment from the UK Biobank. High estimated CRF (eCRF) was categorised as being >80th percentile within 10-year age bands. Fine and Gray regression was used to examine the association between eCRF and breast cancer risk, accounting for both non-breast cancer diagnoses and all-cause mortality as competing risks. Age was used as the time scale. Several different models were produced, including those adjusting for known breast cancer risk factors, and stratified by measures of body fat (body mass index and per cent body fat).

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 11.0 years there were 529 cases of invasive breast cancer, 1623 cases of non-breast cancer disease and 241 deaths. With adjustment for breast cancer risk factors, high eCRF was associated with a 24% (subdistribution HR (SDHR) 0.76, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.97) lower risk of breast cancer. When stratified by measures of body fat, we found evidence of effect measure modification. Mainly, having high eCRF was only associated with a lower risk of breast cancer among those classified as having overweight/obesity (SDHR 0.33, 95% CI 0.11 to 1.01) or percentage body fat above the 1st quintile (SDHR 0.65, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.94).

CONCLUSION

Having higher CRF may be a protective factor against breast cancer in postmenopausal women but only for women with elevated body fat.

Rationale and design of IMPACT-women: a randomised controlled trial of the effect of time-restricted eating, healthy eating and reduced sedentary behaviour on metabolic health during chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer

Metabolic dysfunction and excess accumulation of adipose tissue are detrimental side effects from breast cancer treatment. Diet and physical activity are important treatments for metabolic abnormalities, yet patient compliance can be challenging during chemotherapy treatment. Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a feasible dietary pattern where eating is restricted to 8 h/d with water-only fasting for the remaining 16 h. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a multimodal intervention consisting of TRE, healthy eating, and reduced sedentary time during chemotherapy treatment for early-stage (I-III) breast cancer on accumulation of visceral fat (primary outcome), other fat deposition locations, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk (secondary outcomes) compared with usual care. The study will be a two-site, two-arm, parallel-group superiority randomised control trial enrolling 130 women scheduled for chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer. The intervention will be delivered by telephone, including 30-60-minute calls with a registered dietitian who will provide instructions on TRE, education and counselling on healthy eating, and goal setting for reducing sedentary time. The comparison group will receive usual cancer and supportive care including a single group-based nutrition class and healthy eating and physical activity guidelines. MRI, blood draws and assessment of blood pressure will be performed at baseline, after chemotherapy (primary end point), and 2-year follow-up. If our intervention is successful in attenuating the effect of chemotherapy on visceral fat accumulation and cardiometabolic dysfunction, it has the potential to reduce risk of cardiometabolic disease and related mortality among breast cancer survivors.

Consequences of daily self-weighing: a pilot study in higher-weight women with a history of breast cancer

Self-monitoring weight is commonly recommended for higher-weight women with a history of breast cancer, despite evidence demonstrating potentially negative psychological consequences of frequent self-weighing. The extent to which higher-weight women with breast cancer experience emotional and behavioral consequences in response to daily self-weighing is unknown. In this pilot study, women (n = 51) with a history of breast cancer in a behavioral weight management program completed a weeklong daily diary protocol. Participants were asked to self-weigh every morning and report on subsequent weight-related shame and guilt, and end-of-day engagement in compensatory exercise, diet, and purging behaviors. Women reported higher levels of guilt on days when their body weight was higher than usual, and when there was more discrepancy between their current vs. goal weight. Additionally, women engaged in higher levels of compensatory diet behavior on days when they experienced more weight-related guilt than usual. Based on these preliminary findings, daily self-weighing may be associated with harmful emotional and behavioral consequences among higher-weight women with a history of breast cancer.

Screening behaviours, demographics, and stage at diagnosis in the publicly funded Ontario Breast Screening Program

PURPOSE

The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) offers free screening mammograms every 2 years, to women aged 50-74. Study objectives were to determine demographic characteristics associated with the adherence to OBSP and if women screened in the OBSP have a lower stage at diagnosis than non-screened eligible women.

METHODS

We used the Ontario cancer registry (OCR) to identify 48,927 women, aged 51-74 years, diagnosed with breast cancer between 2010 and 2017. These women were assigned as having undergone adherent screening (N = 26,108), non-adherent screening (N = 6546) or not-screened (N = 16,273) in the OBSP. We used multinomial logistic regression to investigate the demographic characteristics associated with screening behaviour, as well as the association between screening status and stage at diagnosis.

RESULTS

Among women with breast cancer, those living in rural areas (versus the largest urban areas) had a lower odds of not being screened (odds ratio [OR] 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68, 0.78). Women in low-income (versus high-income) communities were more likely not to be screened (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.33, 1.51). When stratified, the association between income and screening status only held in urban areas. Non-screened women were more likely to be diagnosed with stage II (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.82, 2.01), III (OR 2.96, 95% CI 2.76, 3.17), or IV (OR 8.96, 95% CI 7.94, 10.12) disease compared to stage I and were less likely to be diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84-0.98).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that targeting OBSP recruitment efforts to lower income urban communities could increase screening rates. OBSP adherent women were more likely to be diagnosed with earlier stage disease, supporting the value of this initiative and those like it.

Validation of the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study (IBIS) Model in the High Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program: A Retrospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE

Women with a remaining lifetime risk of breast cancer ≥25%, estimated using the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study (IBIS) model, are eligible for the High Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP). This study examined the performance of IBIS 10-year risk estimates in the Program.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 7487 women aged 30-69 years referred to the High Risk OBSP between July 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016, with follow-up until December 31, 2018. Model calibration and discrimination were assessed. Analyses were conducted overall and stratified by age (< or ≥50 years). Different 10-year risk thresholds were compared to the current eligibility criteria.

RESULTS

Overall, IBIS over-estimated the risk of breast cancer with an E/O ratio of 1.17, 95% CI 1.04, 1.35. Over-estimation was highest in women ages 50-69 years (E/O=1.29, 95% CI 1.03, 1.69), and for those in the top quartile of risk. Overall discrimination was fair with a c-statistic of 0.66 (95% CI 0.63, 0.70). Further, when using different 10-year risk eligibility thresholds most cases would have been missed in the 30-49 age group using the 8% 10-year risk threshold, while relatively few women aged 50-69 would have been ineligible at any of the thresholds examined.

CONCLUSION

We found IBIS over-estimates the risk of breast cancer in this screening cohort but has adequate discrimination. Age-specific risk thresholds should be considered to optimize Program eligibility criteria.

MRI background parenchymal enhancement, breast density and breast cancer risk factors: A cross-sectional study in pre- and post-menopausal women

Breast tissue enhances on contrast MRI and is called background parenchymal enhancement (BPE). Having high BPE has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. We examined the relationship between BPE and the amount of fibroglandular tissue on MRI (MRI-FGT) and breast cancer risk factors. This was a cross-sectional study of 415 women without breast cancer undergoing contrast-enhanced breast MRI at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. All women completed a questionnaire assessing exposures at the time of MRI. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) describing the relationship between breast cancer risk factors and BPE and MRI-FGT were generated using modified Poisson regression. In multivariable-adjusted models a positive association between body mass index (BMI) and BPE was observed, with a 5-unit increase in BMI associated with a 14% and 44% increase in prevalence of high BPE in pre- and post-menopausal women, respectively. Conversely, a strong inverse relationship between BMI and MRI-FGT was observed in both pre- (PR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.57, 0.76) and post-menopausal (PR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.56, 0.78) women. Use of preventive medication (e.g., tamoxifen) was associated with having low BPE, while no association was observed for MRI-FGT. BPE is an imaging marker available from standard contrast-enhanced MRI, that is influenced by endogenous and exogenous hormonal exposures in both pre- and post-menopausal women.

Time-Restricted Eating: A Novel and Simple Dietary Intervention for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Breast Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease

There is substantial overlap in risk factors for the pathogenesis and progression of breast cancer (BC) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), including obesity, metabolic disturbances, and chronic inflammation. These unifying features remain prevalent after a BC diagnosis and are exacerbated by BC treatment, resulting in elevated CVD risk among survivors. Thus, therapies that target these risk factors or mechanisms are likely to be effective for the prevention or progression of both conditions. In this narrative review, we propose time-restricted eating (TRE) as a simple lifestyle therapy to address many upstream causative factors associated with both BC and CVD. TRE is simple dietary strategy that typically involves the consumption of ad libitum energy intake within 8 h, followed by a 16-h fast. We describe the feasibility and safety of TRE and the available evidence for the impact of TRE on metabolic, cardiovascular, and cancer-specific health benefits. We also highlight potential solutions for overcoming barriers to adoption and adherence and areas requiring future research. In composite, we make the case for the use of TRE as a novel, safe, and feasible intervention for primary and secondary BC prevention, as well as tertiary prevention as it relates to CVD in BC survivors.

The association of sex and calendar month with changes in weight: A retrospective cohort study of a community-based weight management clinic

OBJECTIVE

To assess changes in weight by calendar month and sex in patients enrolled in a weight loss intervention.

METHODS

Adults participating in a lifestyle weight loss intervention at the Wharton Medical Clinic from January 1st, 2007 to July 4th, 2019 were examined (N = 19,153). A linear generalized estimating equation was used to examine the association between weight change (baseline, month 1, month 2) and calendar month with adjustment for age, sex and baseline body mass index. A first order interaction between sex and calendar was included to assess if the association between calendar month and weight loss differs by sex.

RESULTS

Patients lost 1.3 ± 2.0 kg (1.2 ± 1.8%) of their body weight per month. As compared to the mean monthly weight loss, patients lost slightly less weight in September (mean, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.3, -0.4 to -0.2 kg) and slightly more weight in October (0.2, 0.1-0.3 kg). With adjustment for age, body mass index and calendar month, men lost 0.4 kg/month (95% CI: 0.3, 0.5 kg/month) than women. There were no other significant differences in the monthly weight change between men and women (sex*calendar month P-value = 0.24).

CONCLUSION

While there were slight differences in the amount of weight change achieved by patients in September, and October, it was not of a magnitude that is likely clinically relevant. In addition, men consistently lost more weight than women across all calendar months. Taken together, this suggest that calendar month is not associated with differences in weight loss for men and women enrolled in a structured weight management program.

Sequential diets and weight loss: Including a low-carbohydrate high-fat diet with and without time-restricted feeding

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to assess the effectiveness of a low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet with and without a time-restricted feeding (TRF) protocol on weight loss and participating in three sequential dietary interventions (standard calorie-deficit diet, LCHF, and LCHF + TRF) on weight loss outcomes.

METHODS

Data from 227 adults from the Wharton Medical Clinic (WMC) were analyzed using a unidirectional case crossover design. Data was imputed for 154 patients to create a pseudo-sample in which everyone participated in three dietary interventions: standard calorie restriction, LCHF, and LCHF + TRF.

RESULTS

Patients lost an average of 11.1 ± 1.3 kg (9.8 ± 1.1%) after three sequential dietary interventions (P < 0.0001). Patients lost a statistically significant amount of weight from the standard WMC, LCHF, and LCHF+TRF diets (P < 0.05). With and without adjustment for age, sex, body mass index at the start of the dietary protocol, and treatment time, patients lost a similar amount of weight regardless of the dietary intervention (P > 0.05). Approximately 78.6% of patients achieved ≥5% weight loss with at least one of the diets.

CONCLUSION

Patients can lose a similar amount of weight regardless of the diet they are following. Approximately 78.9% of patients achieved 5% weight loss with at least one of the diets and lost an average 11.1 kg (or 9.8%). This is nearly double what has been previously reported for one dietary intervention. Thus, participating in sequential diets may be associated with greater absolute weight loss, and likelihood of achieving a clinically significant weight loss.

Extended-release naltrexone/bupropion is safe and effective among subjects with type 2 diabetes already taking incretin agents: a post-hoc analysis of the LIGHT trial

Background

Extended-release naltrexone/bupropion (NB) is indicated for chronic weight management. Incretin agents are recommended for patients with type 2 diabetes. This analysis looked at the add-on of NB to incretins to see if weight loss could occur in patients already stabilized on incretin agents.

Methods

This was a post-hoc analysis of NB vs. placebo (PL) among subjects with type 2 diabetes stable on an incretin agent prior to randomization in a double-blind, PL-controlled cardiovascular outcome trial (N = 1317).

Results

Over 1 year, mean weight loss was significantly greater among NB patients vs. PL among those taking DPP-4i (mean absolute difference 4.6% [p < 0.0001]) and those taking GLP-1RAs (mean absolute difference 5.2%, p < 0.0001). Proportions of subjects achieving 5% weight loss were significantly greater for NB vs. PL at weeks 26 and 52 among those taking DPP-4is or GLP-1RAs. There were no significant differences in effectiveness observed between NB + DPP-4i and NB + GLP-1RA or between PL + DPP-4i and PL + GLP-1RA in any of the analyses. Serious adverse events were reported by 9.1% and 11.1% for PL + DPP-4i and PL + GLP-1RA, respectively, and 13.3% and 12.4% of NB + DPP-4i and NB + GLP-1RA, respectively.

Conclusion

NB appears to be effective in reducing weight in patients with T2DM and obesity/overweight who are taking DPP-4ihibitors or GLP-1RA. The SAE rates in all arms of this analysis were lower than have been reported in other cardiovascular outcome trials in type 2 diabetes.

Measures of Adiposity and Risk of Testing Positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the UK Biobank Study

Objective

To assess if body mass index (BMI) and high waist circumference (HWC) are associated with testing positive for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Methods

9,386 UK Biobank study participants tested for SARS-CoV-2 from March 16th 2020 to June 29th 2020 were analyzed. A forward model building approach was used to estimate adjusted risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Analyses were stratified by age due to a significant first-order interaction between age and HWC.

Results

Approximately 17% (n = 1,577) of participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. BMI category had a linear association with testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 among participants <65 years (RR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.17). For participants ≥65 years, only obesity class II (RR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.10-1.74) had a significantly greater risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 than those who were underweight/normal weight. While HWC was not associated with testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in those <65 years, having an HWC was associated with an increased risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in participants ≥65 years (RR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.00-1.27).

Conclusion

The associations of BMI and HWC with testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 differed by age. Notably, HWC was associated with testing positive in those ≥65 years, but not those who were younger, independent of BMI. This suggests that measures of adiposity in addition to BMI may be used to identify older individuals at greater risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2.

Predictors of Weight Loss and Weight Gain in Weight Management Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations between patient struggles, health, and weight management changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

585 patients attending a publicly funded clinical weight management program responded to an electronic survey.

RESULTS

Over half of the patients reported worsened overall health, mental health, physical activity, or diet during the pandemic. Approximately 30% of patients lost ≥3% of their body weight and 21% gained ≥3% of their body weight between March and July of the pandemic. Reports of social isolation was associated with increased odds for weight loss in women (OR = 2.0, 1.2-3.3), while low motivation (OR = 1.9, 1.0-3.7), depression (OR = 2.5, 1.0-6.3), and struggles with carbohydrate intake (OR = 2.1, 1.0-4.3) were associated with weight gain. Cooking more at home/eating less take out was associated with increased likelihood of weight loss (OR = 2.1, 1.1-3.9) and lower odds for weight gain (OR = 0.2, 0.1 to 0.97). Working from home was not associated with weight loss or weight gain (P > 0.6).

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with certain factors that may facilitate weight loss and other factors that promote weight gain. Thus, depending on the patient experience during the pandemic, prevention of weight gain may be more appropriate than weight loss.

The effectiveness and safety of pharmaceuticals to manage excess weight post-bariatric surgery: a systematic literature review

Objective: To systematically review the literature on weight management pharmaceutical use in patients who have had bariatric surgery.

Methods: Google Scholar, Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, and Clinical Trials were searched from inception to December 31st, 2018 inclusive.

Results: Thirteen studies met inclusion and reported decreases in weight with the use of weight management medications in post-bariatric surgical patients. Five studies examined weight loss outcomes by the type of bariatric surgery procedure, and four of these studies observed less weight loss in patients who had undergone gastric sleeve compared to those who had roux-en-y bypass (n = 3 papers) and adjustable gastric banding (n = 1 paper) with medication use. Four studies compared the effectiveness of medications for weight management and observed slightly greater weight loss with the use of topiramate and phentermine as a monotherapy compared to other weight loss medications. Using a sub-sample of participants, authors observed less weight loss on metformin but not phentermine or topiramate for younger adults. Another post-hoc analysis in the same sample observed greater weight loss for older adults with liraglutide 1.8 mg. Side effects were reported in seven studies and were overall consistent with those previously reported in non-surgical populations.

Conclusion: Results of this systematic review suggest pharmacotherapy may be an effective tool as an adjunct to diet and physical activity to support weight loss in post-bariatric surgery patients. However, due to most studies lacking a control or placebo group, more rigorous research is required to determine the efficacy of this intervention.

Weight loss and persistence with liraglutide 3.0 mg by obesity class in the real-world effectiveness study in Canada

OBJECTIVE

Liraglutide 3.0 mg is associated with clinically significant weight loss in clinical trials, but real-world data are lacking. In this analysis, weight loss and persistence outcomes with liraglutide 3.0 mg were assessed across obesity classes, in a real-world clinical setting.

METHODS

Secondary analysis of an observational, retrospective study of liraglutide 3.0 mg for weight management (as adjunct to diet and exercise) at six Wharton Medical Clinics in Canada. Patients were categorized by body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) into obesity class I (BMI 30-34.9); class II (BMI 35-39.9); and class III (BMI ≥40). Change in weight, categorical weight loss, time to maintenance dose (defined as the time to reach the full liraglutide 3.0 mg maintenance dose) and persistence were assessed for each class and for differences between classes.

RESULTS

Of 308 patients, 70 (22.7%) had obesity class I, 83 (26.9%) obesity class II and 155 (50.3%) obesity class III. Similar percentage change in weight was observed between obesity classes (mean [standard deviation, SD]: -7.0% [6.0], -6.6% [6.0] and -6.1% [5.0], respectively; p = .640), and similar proportions achieved ≥5% weight loss (60.4%, 62.0% and 55.3%, respectively; p = .717) at 6 months. Mean time to maintenance dose (SD) was 64.2 (56.4) d, 76.4 (56.3) d and 71.4 (54.5) d for obesity classes I, II and III, respectively (p = .509). Persistence with medication was also similar between obesity classes (p = .358).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that real-world treatment with liraglutide 3.0 mg, regardless of obesity class, is associated with similar clinically significant weight loss, time to maintenance dose and medication persistence.

Effectiveness of a Community-Based Weight Management Program for Patients Taking Antidepressants and/or Antipsychotics

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare weight loss (WL) outcomes for patients taking antidepressants and/or antipsychotics with those not taking psychiatric medication.

METHODS

A total of 17,519 adults enrolled in a lifestyle WL intervention at the Wharton Medical Clinics in Ontario, Canada, were analyzed. Sex-stratified multivariable linear regression analysis was used to examine the association of taking antidepressants, antipsychotics, both, or neither with WL when adjusting for age, initial weight, and treatment time.

RESULTS

Twenty-three percent of patients were taking at least one psychiatric medication. Patients lost a significant amount of weight (P < 0.0001) regardless of psychiatric medication use. Women taking psychiatric medications lost a similar amount of weight as women who were not (P > 0.05). Conversely, men taking antidepressants lost only slightly less weight than men taking both classes or neither class of psychiatric medication (3.2 ± 0.3 kg vs. 5.6 ± 0.9 kg and 4.3 ± 0.1 kg; P < 0.05). However, taking psychiatric medications that cause weight gain was associated with similar significant decreases in weight as taking medications that are weight neutral or associated with WL for both sexes (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study suggest that those who participate in a weight management program can lose significant amounts of weight regardless of psychiatric medication use.

Liraglutide 3.0 mg for the management of insufficient weight loss or excessive weight regain post-bariatric surgery

To assess the effectiveness of liraglutide 3.0 mg in post-bariatric surgery patients, and to determine whether this would differ based on the type of bariatric surgery. One hundred seventeen post-bariatric surgery patients from the Wharton Medical Clinic were analysed. Changes in weight while taking liraglutide 3.0 mg were examined for all patients, and by three types of bariatric surgery-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, gastric banding and gastric sleeve. Patients primarily underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 53, 45.3%) or gastric banding (n = 50, 42.7%). Over 7.6 ± 7.1 months taking liraglutide 3.0 mg, patients lost a statistically significant amount of weight (-6.3 ± 7.7 kg, P < .05) regardless of the type of surgery they had (P > .05). This decrease in weight remained significant after 1-year of taking liraglutide 3.0 mg (P < .05). Nausea was the most prevalent side effect, reported by 29.1% patients. While options for excess weight management in post-bariatric surgery patients are limited, results of this study suggest that post-bariatric surgery patients can lose a significant amount of weight while taking liraglutide 3.0 mg regardless of the type of surgery they had. Further, similar to non-surgical populations, post-bariatric surgery patients taking liraglutide 3.0 mg may experience gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and can continue to lose weight up to 1 year.

Real-World Clinical Effectiveness of Liraglutide 3.0 mg for Weight Management in Canada

OBJECTIVE

Real-world clinical effectiveness of liraglutide 3.0 mg, in combination with diet and exercise, was investigated 4 and 6 months post initiation. Changes in absolute and percent body weight were examined from baseline.

METHODS

A cohort of liraglutide 3.0 mg initiators in 2015 and 2016 was identified from six Canadian weight-management clinics. Post initiation values at 4 and 6 months were compared with baseline values using a paired t test.

RESULTS

The full cohort consisted of 311 participants, with 210 in the ≥ 4-month persistence group and 167 in the ≥ 6-month persistence group. Average baseline BMI was 40.7 kg/m² , and weight was 114.8 kg. There was a significant change in body weight 6 and 4 months after initiation of treatment in persistent subjects (≥ 6-month: -8.0 kg, P < 0.001; ≥ 4-month: -7.0 kg, P < 0.001) and All Subjects, regardless of persistence (-7.3 kg; P < 0.001). Percentage change in body weight from baseline was -7.1% in the ≥ 6-month group and -6.3% in the ≥ 4-month group, and All Subjects lost 6.5% body weight. Of participants in the ≥ 6-month group, 64.10% and 34.5% lost ≥ 5% and > 10% body weight, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In a real-world setting, liraglutide 3.0 mg, when combined with diet and exercise, was associated with clinically meaningful weight loss.

The safety and effectiveness of commonly-marketed natural supplements for weight loss in populations with obesity: A critical review of the literature from 2006 to 2016

Objective: To evaluate the evidence published from 2006 to 2016 on the effectiveness and safety of commonly used natural supplements for weight loss in individuals with obesity.Methods: Amazon and Google were searched for names of mono-agent natural supplements marketed for weight loss and a list of the 10 supplements was created. Google Scholar, Pubmed, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles that met inclusion.Results: At least one article was published on the effectiveness or safety of bitter orange, capsinoid, carnitine, chromium picolinate, Coleus forskohlii, conjugated linoleic acid, glucomannan, green tea and psyllium for weight loss in populations with obesity from 2006 to 2016. There was insufficient evidence to suggest that the natural supplements examined contribute to significant weight loss, with the exception of perhaps glucomannan in the form of PGX. In general, the majority of side-effects reported were minor to moderate, and gastrointestinal-related. However, in some cases extreme side-effects such as liver and kidney failure were observed.Conclusion: Contrary to popular belief, results of this review suggest that the use of natural supplements for weight loss are unlikely to contribute to meaningful weight loss and in some cases may contribute to harm.

Absolute Weight Loss, and Not Weight Loss Rate, Is Associated with Better Improvements in Metabolic Health

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the rate of weight loss (WL) is associated with metabolic changes independent of the absolute WL.

METHODS

WL and health changes were assessed in 11,281 patients attending a publicly funded clinical weight management program over a treatment period of 12.7 months. Early weight loss rate (WLR) in the first 3-6 months and overall WLR were categorized as Fast WLR (≥1 kg/wk), Recommended WLR (0.5 to 0.9 kg/wk), or Slow WLR (<0.5 kg/wk).

RESULTS

On average, patients attained a 6.6 ± 7.3 kg (5.8 ± 5.7%) WL over 12.8 ± 13.1 months. Prior to adjusting for covariates, patients with Fast WLR (-24.7 ± 13.4 kg) at 3-6 months had a greater overall WL as compared to those with Recommended WLR (-13.3 ± 8.7 kg) and Slow WLR (-5.0 ± 5.4 kg). Fast WLR also had greater improvements in the overall waist circumference and blood pressure than patients with Slow or Recommended WLR. However, after adjustment for absolute WL, Early and overall Recommended and Fast WLR did not differ in the changes in any of the health markers (P > 0.05). Conversely, the absolute WL sustained is significantly associated with changes in metabolic health independent of WLR (P < 0.001). Similar results were observed with WLR over the entire treatment period.

CONCLUSIONS

Faster rates of WL are associated with a greater absolute WL and larger improvements in waist circumference and blood pressure. However, after adjusting for the larger absolute WL sustained, early and overall faster WLR do not appear to have advantages for improving metabolic health markers. Thus, the absolute WL attained may be the most important factor for improving metabolic health.

Do moderate- to vigorous-intensity accelerometer count thresholds correspond to relative moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity?

We aimed to predict % maximal oxygen consumption at absolute accelerometer thresholds and to estimate and compare durations of objective physical activity (PA) among body mass index (BMI) categories using thresholds that account for cardiorespiratory fitness. Eight hundred twenty-eight adults (53.5% male; age, 33.9 ± 0.3 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004 were analyzed. Metabolic equivalent values at absolute thresholds were converted to percentage of maximal oxygen consumption, and accelerometer counts corresponding to 40% or 60% maximal oxygen consumption were determined using 4 energy expenditure prediction equations. Absolute thresholds underestimated PA intensity for all adults; however, because of lower fitness, individuals with overweight and obesity work at significantly higher percentage of maximal oxygen consumption at the absolute thresholds and require significantly lower accelerometer counts to reach relative moderate and vigorous PA intensities compared with those with normal weight (P < 0.05). However, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) durations were shorter when using relative thresholds compared with absolute thresholds (in all BMI groups, P < 0.05), and they were shorter among individuals with obesity compared with those with normal weight when using relative thresholds (P < 0.05). Regardless of the thresholds used, a greater proportion of individuals with normal weight met the PA guideline of 150 min·week^-1 of MVPA compared with individuals with obesity (absolute: 21.3% vs 6.7%; Yngve: 4.0% vs 0.2%; Swartz: 10.7% vs 3.9%; Hendelman: 4.7% vs 0.2%; Freedson: 6.4% vs 0.5%; P < 0.05). Current absolute thresholds of accelerometry-derived PA may overestimate MVPA for all BMI categories when compared with relative thresholds that account for cardiorespiratory fitness. Given the large variability in our results, more work is needed to better understand how to use accelerometers for evaluating PA at the population level.

Factors associated with complementary and alternative medicine use among women at midlife

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been established as the first-line treatment for women experiencing menopausal symptoms. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), however, is becoming increasingly popular among women at midlife for management of such symptoms. Despite the equivocal evidence of CAM's efficacy in the reduction and alleviation of menopausal symptoms in placebo-controlled, randomized trials, 50% of women at midlife use CAM. To date, several large, population-based studies have focused upon CAM use amongst menopausal women and the factors associated with the adoption of such therapies. By identifying women in the menopausal transition who tend to use CAM, this narrative review highlights evidence that aids women at this stage of life make better and individualized treatment choices to relieve these symptoms. The available evidence suggests that the prevalence of CAM use among menopausal women is high world-wide, but there is a paucity of high-quality studies that adequately assess the factors associated with its use. Further studies are needed to confirm the characteristics of women who employ CAM to manage their night sweats and hot flushes. Results of this study might enable the development of policies catering to the needs of those women and provide a resource to support their decision-making regarding treatment options.

The associations of resting metabolic rate with chronic conditions and weight loss

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between baseline and changes in resting metabolic rate (RMR) with chronic condition(s) and weight loss (WL). Sex stratified analysis was undertaken on 393 adults from the Wharton Weight Management Clinics. The association between baseline RMR and WL was examined adjusting for age, BMI, ethnicity and treatment time. The association between changes in RMR (ΔRMR) and WL was also examined adjusting for baseline RMR and above covariates. Models were further adjusted for high glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL). While men (6.0 ± 8.6 kg) and women (5.6 ± 8.3 kg) had significant WL throughout the intervention, their measured decreases in RMR (-48 ± 322 kcal and -5 ± 322 kcal, respectively) were non-significant (P > 0.05). Individuals with a high blood pressure had a higher baseline RMR and women with a high LDL had a lower baseline RMR than those without the chronic condition (P < 0.05). Regardless of sex, WL was not significantly associated with baseline RMR or ΔRMR (P > 0.05) in both models. Participants with a low baseline RMR do not appear to be at a disadvantage for WL. Further, WL can occur without decreases in RMR in populations with high levels of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities.

Accelerometer thresholds: Accounting for body mass reduces discrepancies between measures of physical activity for individuals with overweight and obesity

The objective of this study was to explore whether accelerometer thresholds that are adjusted to account for differences in body mass influence discrepancies between self-report and accelerometer-measured physical activity (PA) volume for individuals with overweight and obesity. We analyzed 6164 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2003-2006. Established accelerometer thresholds were adjusted to account for differences in body mass to produce a similar energy expenditure (EE) rate as individuals with normal weight. Moderate-, vigorous-, and moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) durations were measured using established and adjusted accelerometer thresholds and compared with self-report. Durations of self-report were longer than accelerometer-measured MVPA using established thresholds (normal weight: 57.8 ± 2.4 vs 9.0 ± 0.5 min/day, overweight: 56.1 ± 2.7 vs 7.4 ± 0.5 min/day, and obesity: 46.5 ± 2.2 vs 3.7 ± 0.3 min/day). Durations of subjective and objective PA were negatively associated with body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.05). Using adjusted thresholds increased MVPA durations, and reduced discrepancies between accelerometer and self-report measures for overweight and obese groups by 6.0 ± 0.3 min/day and 17.7 ± 0.8 min/day, respectively (P < 0.05). Using accelerometer thresholds that represent equal EE rates across BMI categories reduced the discrepancies between durations of subjective and objective PA for overweight and obese groups. However, accelerometer-measured PA generally remained shorter than durations of self-report within all BMI categories. Further research may be necessary to improve analytical approaches when using objective measures of PA for individuals with overweight or obesity.

The association between obesity and self-reported sinus infection in non-smoking adults: a cross-sectional study

The aim of this article was to examine the associations between having had a sinus infection (SI) and BMI and physical activity (PA), diet quality, stress and/or sleep. A total of 2915 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006 were examined. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between having had an SI with BMI and PA, diet quality, stress or sleep. As these factors are known to influence one another, a fully adjusted model with PA, diet quality, stress and sleep was also constructed to examine their independent associations with having had an SI. Overall, 15.5 ± 1.2% of the population report having had an SI in the past year. In all models, individuals with obesity were approximately twice as likely to have had an SI compared to those of normal weight (P < 0.05). While PA and diet quality were not significantly associated with having had an SI (P > 0.05), individuals with stress and sleep troubles were also twice as likely to have had an SI (P < 0.05) independent of BMI. In the fully adjusted model, only the associations for BMI and sleep troubles remained significant (P < 0.05). Results from this study suggest that obesity and sleep troubles, but not PA, quality of diet and stress, are associated with having had an SI. As interactions exist between obesity, immune system factors and exposure to infectious disease(s), more research is necessary to understand the directionality of these relationships.