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Effectiveness of a minimally processed food-based nutritional counselling intervention on weight gain in overweight pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial.
Sartorelli, DS, Crivellenti, LC, Baroni, NF, de Andrade Miranda, DEG, da Silva Santos, I, Carvalho, MR, de Lima, MC, Carreira, NP, Chaves, AVL, Manochio-Pina, MG, et al
European journal of nutrition. 2023;62(1):443-454
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Excessive gestational weight gain exposes the woman and the child to a higher risk of harmful health outcomes in the short and long term. Dietary patterns based on the substitution of meals made with unprocessed or minimally processed foods for the consumption of ultra-processed items can be partly blamed for the exponential global growth in the incidence of obesity. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutritional intervention based on encouraging the consumption of unprocessed and minimally processed foods rather than ultra-processed products. This study is a two-armed parallel randomised controlled trial conducted among overweight, pregnant women receiving prenatal care in seven primary health units. Participants (n=350) were randomly allocated into the intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). The women allocated into the IG, in addition to the usual prenatal care, were invited to participate in three individualised nutritional counselling sessions conducted by trained nutritionists. Results show that even though there were more women in the IG who had increased their daily intake of minimally processed foods and vegetables at lunch time when compared to the CG, this was not statistically significant. Additionally, there weren’t any differences between the groups in relation to physical activity. Authors conclude that their study was unprecedented in demonstrating that a nutritional counselling intervention based on the NOVA food classification system, together with the practice of physical activity, is effective in preventing excessive gestational weight gain in overweight pregnant women.
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of a nutritional counselling intervention based on encouraging the consumption of unprocessed and minimally processed foods, rather than ultra-processed products, and the practice of physical activities to prevent excessive gestational weight gain in overweight pregnant women. METHODS This was a two-armed, parallel, randomized controlled trial conducted in primary health units of a Brazilian municipality from 2018 to 2021. Overweight, adult pregnant women (n = 350) were randomly assigned to control (CG) or intervention groups (IG). The intervention consisted of three individualized nutritional counselling sessions based on encouraging the consumption of unprocessed and minimally processed foods rather than ultra-processed products, following the NOVA food classification system, and the practice of physical activities. The primary outcome was the proportion of women whose weekly gestational weight gain (GWG) exceeded the Institute of Medicine guidelines. Adjusted logistic regression models were employed. RESULTS Complete data on weight gain were available for 121 women of the IG and 139 of the CG. In modified intention-to-treat analysis, there was a lower chance of the IG women having excessive GWG [OR 0.56 (95% CI 0.32, 0.98), p = .04], when compared to the CG. No between-group differences were observed for the other maternal outcomes investigated. CONCLUSION The present study was unprecedented in demonstrating that nutritional counselling based on the NOVA food classification system, together with encouraging the practice of physical activity, is effective in preventing excessive weight gain in overweight pregnant women. TRIAL REGISTRATION Registered on July 30th 2018 at Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-2w9bhc).
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Nutrition and Exercise Interventions to Improve Body Composition for Persons with Overweight or Obesity Near Retirement Age: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Eglseer, D, Traxler, M, Embacher, S, Reiter, L, Schoufour, JD, Weijs, PJM, Voortman, T, Boirie, Y, Cruz-Jentoft, A, Bauer, S
Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.). 2023;14(3):516-538
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Obesity is characterised by excessive fat accumulation that often occurs during the process of aging. Aging is accompanied not only by a gradual increase in body fat stores but also a decrease in muscle mass, muscle function, and water retention. The aim of this study was to assess which nutrition and exercise interventions are most effective for improving the body composition (fat mass and muscle mass), body mass index, and waist circumference in persons with overweight or obesity near retirement age (55 to 70 years of age). This study was a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomised controlled trials of sixty-six studies. Results of the NMA showed that the most effective strategy to improve body composition, i.e., losing fat without increasing risk of sarcopenia in persons with obesity around retirement age, was combining energy restriction with resistance training or with mixed exercise (resistance combined with aerobic exercise) and/or high-protein intake. In fact, without training, an energy-restricted diet with or without added protein helped individuals lose fat mass but also tended to result in losses of muscle mass. Authors conclude that an energy-restricted diet alone probably contributes to the development of sarcopenic obesity in persons of retirement age. Thus, to simultaneously lose weight and maintain muscle mass, authors recommend a combination of energy restriction and resistance training.
Abstract
The retirement phase is an opportunity to integrate healthy (nutrition/exercise) habits into daily life. We conducted this systematic review to assess which nutrition and exercise interventions most effectively improve body composition (fat/muscle mass), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) in persons with obesity/overweight near retirement age (ages 55-70 y). We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials, searching 4 databases from their inception up to July 12, 2022. The NMA was based on a random effects model, pooled mean differences, standardized mean differences, their 95% confidence intervals, and correlations with multi-arm studies. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Ninety-two studies were included, 66 of which with 4957 participants could be used for the NMA. Identified interventions were clustered into 12 groups: no intervention, energy restriction (i.e., 500-1000 kcal), energy restriction plus high-protein intake (1.1-1.7 g/kg/body weight), intermittent fasting, mixed exercise (aerobic and resistance), resistance training, aerobic training, high protein plus resistance training, energy restriction plus high protein plus exercise, energy restriction plus resistance training, energy restriction plus aerobic training, and energy restriction plus mixed exercise. Intervention durations ranged from 8 wk to 6 mo. Body fat was reduced with energy restriction plus any exercise or plus high-protein intake. Energy restriction alone was less effective and tended to decrease muscle mass. Muscle mass was only significantly increased with mixed exercise. All other interventions including exercise effectively preserved muscle mass. A BMI and/or WC decrease was achieved with all interventions except aerobic training/resistance training alone or resistance training plus high protein. Overall, the most effective strategy for nearly all outcomes was combining energy restriction with resistance training or mixed exercise and high protein. Health care professionals involved in the management of persons with obesity need to be aware that an energy-restricted diet alone may contribute to sarcopenic obesity in persons near retirement age. This network meta-analysis is registered at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ as CRD42021276465.
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Mental health problems among Chinese adolescents during the COVID-19: The importance of nutrition and physical activity.
Chi, X, Liang, K, Chen, ST, Huang, Q, Huang, L, Yu, Q, Jiao, C, Guo, T, Stubbs, B, Hossain, MM, et al
International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP. 2021;21(3):100218
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Recent research has showed that the prevalence of insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms among Chinese middle school students was 21.90%, 43.70% and 37.40%, respectively, during the COVID-19 period. The aims of this study were: (1) to explore the prevalence of insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms among Chinese adolescents during the COVID-19 outbreak; (2) to investigate associations of socio-demographic factors and COVID-fear with insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms; (3) to investigate associations of nutrition and physical activity with insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms after adjusting socio-demographic factors and COVID-fear. This study included 1,794 students (males n= 56.20% and females n= 43.80%) aged 15 and 18 years. Results indicate that prevalence of insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms was high in the participating cohort. The highest prevalence was among female participants, left behind children and students with higher COVID-fear. Both better nutritional status, moderately and highly active physical activity levels were protective factors for depression and anxiety, while highly active physical activity level was significantly associated with lower level of insomnia symptoms. Authors conclude by emphasising on the important role of psychology counsellors in schools, health authorities and educators to carry out early psychological interventions.
Abstract
Mental health problems are common among adolescents and greatly influenced by stressful events. This study sought to assess the prevalence and correlates of insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms among Chinese adolescents during the COVID-19. METHOD Cross-sectional study (N = 1,794 adolescents, mean age = 15.26) was conducted in May 2020. An online survey was used to collect socio-demographic data, COVID-related fear (COVID-fear), nutrition, physical activity (PA) level and the symptoms of insomnia, depression and anxiety. RESULTS The prevalence of insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms was 37.80%, 48.20% and 36.70%, respectively, among Chinese adolescents during the pandemic. Generalized linear models revealed that female, left behind children, and students with greater COVID-fear tended to report symptoms of insomnia, depression and anxiety concurrently. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors and COVID-fear, better nutritional status and moderately active PA were both associated with lower levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, while highly active PA was associated with lower levels of insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that more attention should be paid to psychological health among adolescents while combating COVID-19. To promote adolescents' mental health, educators should help adolescents develop a healthy lifestyle with balanced diet and regular exercise. Los problemas de salud mental son comunes en adolescentes y están influenciados por eventos estresantes. Se evaluó prevalencia y correlatos de síntomas de insomnio, depresión y ansiedad en adolescentes chinos durante el COVID-19. Método: En mayo de 2020 se realizó un estudio transversal (N = 1.794 adolescentes, edad media = 15,26) mediante una encuesta en línea para recopilar datos sociodemográficos, miedo relacionado con COVID-19, nutrición, actividad física (AF) y síntomas de insomnio, depresión y ansiedad. Resultados: La prevalencia de síntomas de insomnio, depresión y ansiedad fue del 37,80%, 48,20% y 36,70%, respectivamente. Modelos lineales generalizados revelaron que mujeres, niños abandonados y estudiantes con más miedo al COVID-19 tendían a informar síntomas de insomnio, depresión y ansiedad simultaneamente. Después de ajustar los factores sociodemográficos y el miedo al COVID-19, mejor estado nutricional y AF moderadamente activa se asociaron con niveles más bajos de síntomas de depresión y ansiedad, mientras que AF muy activa se asoció con niveles más bajos de insomnio, síntomas depresivos y de ansiedad. Conclusiones: Se debe prestar más atención a la salud psicológica de los adolescentes mientras se combate el COVID-19. Para promover su salud mental, los educadores deben ayudarles a desarrollar un estilo de vida saludable con una dieta equilibrada y ejercicio regular.
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The Kids Obesity Prevention Program: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate a Serious Game for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity.
Mack, I, Reiband, N, Etges, C, Eichhorn, S, Schaeffeler, N, Zurstiege, G, Gawrilow, C, Weimer, K, Peeraully, R, Teufel, M, et al
Journal of medical Internet research. 2020;22(4):e15725
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Authors developed a motion-controlled serious game for children, the Kids Obesity Prevention (KOP) program, addressing the areas of nutrition, physical activity, and stress coping. The aim of the KOP study was to evaluate the game in a cluster randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups in a primary school setting in children aged 9 to 12 years. The main aim of this study was to gain knowledge about important lifestyle factors with the focus on nutrition, especially the dietary energy density (DED) principle. Five fourth grade classes in a single school were randomly allocated to an intervention group or a control group. Results showed that: - children gained sustainable knowledge about the food pyramid concept, the DED concept (including the topic of liquids), and about stress and stress-coping strategies after game play. In fact, 4 weeks after the intervention, the knowledge level was similar to the level directly after intervention. - the children were able to apply their DED knowledge by transferring it to unknown foods. - physical activity decreased in roughly 30-40% of children, whereas it increased in 10% of the cohort. Authors conclude that the game was highly accepted by children, sustainably increased their knowledge of the topics addressed, and could be a useful tool for further studies and education.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health games provide opportunities for the treatment and prevention of childhood obesity. We developed a motion-controlled serious game for children that addresses 3 core topics of nutrition, physical activity, and stress coping. It is the first serious game that extensively targets the dietary energy density principle (DED-P) in relation to nutrition. The game is intended to provide an additional educational component for the prevention and treatment of obesity in children. OBJECTIVE The Kids Obesity Prevention study aimed to evaluate the newly developed game and to evaluate how well children are able to understand and apply the DED-P. METHODS This cluster randomized controlled trial collected data from 82 primary school children aged 9 to 12 years and their parents at baseline (T0), at 2 weeks after study commencement (T1), and at the 4-week follow-up (T2). The dropout rate was 3.6%. The intervention group (IG) played the game within 2 weeks (2 sessions with different game modules). One part of the game involves selection of food with the lower energy density when presented with a pair of foods. This allows assessment of whether the children have understood the DED-P and whether they can apply it to unknown foods under time pressure. The control group (CG) received a brochure about the food pyramid concept and physical activity. The primary outcome was the gain in knowledge (nutrition and stress coping) and measured with a pretested questionnaire. The secondary outcomes were the maintenance of knowledge, application of the DED-P, feelings during game play, game acceptance, and behavioral measures (physical activity, media consumption, and dietary intake). RESULTS The knowledge score ranging from 0 to 100 increased from T0 (IG: 53 [SD 10], CG: 50 [SD 11]) to T1 (IG: 69 [SD 11], CG: 52 [SD 12]) in IG versus CG (P<.001). At T2, the knowledge score of IG remained at the same level as that of T1. Game data showed that after DED-P education, the classification under time pressure of unknown versus known food pairs according to their DED category was similar (hit rate around 70%). Overall, 95% of the children liked the game very much or much. No group changes were observed at the behavioral level. CONCLUSIONS The Kids Obesity Prevention program sustainably increased knowledge in the areas of nutrition and stress coping, and children were able to apply the DED-P. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02551978; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02551978.
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Lifestyle Changes in Relation to Initiation of Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Medication: A Cohort Study.
Korhonen, MJ, Pentti, J, Hartikainen, J, Ilomäki, J, Setoguchi, S, Liew, D, Kivimäki, M, Vahtera, J
Journal of the American Heart Association. 2020;9(4):e014168
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Lifestyle modification remains a key component of cardiovascular disease prevention before and concurrently with pharmacologic interventions. The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which initiation of antihypertensive or lipid-lowering (statin) therapy predicts changes in lifestyle factors in Finnish adults. The study is a large cohort study. Participants (84% = females) were drawn from the Finnish Public-Sector study cohort of employees of 10 towns and 6 hospital districts. Results show that: - initiators experienced greater increases in body mass index and were more likely to become obese than did non-initiators. - the likelihood of becoming physically inactive was higher among initiators. - smokers who initiated preventive medication were more likely to either quit or decrease smoking compared with untreated smokers. - although average alcohol consumption decreased more among initiators than non-initiators, there was no difference in the odds of heavy drinking. Authors conclude that more effective measures are needed to support the recommended lifestyle change in relation to the initiation of pharmacologic interventions for primary prevention.
Abstract
Background Lifestyle modification is a key component of cardiovascular disease prevention before and concurrently with pharmacologic interventions. We evaluated whether lifestyle factors change in relation to the initiation of antihypertensive or lipid-lowering medication (statins). Methods and Results The study population comprised 41 225 participants of the FPS (Finnish Public Sector) study aged ≥40 years who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline and responded to ≥2 consecutive surveys administered in 4-year intervals in 2000-2013. Medication use was ascertained through pharmacy-claims data. Using a series of pre-post data sets, we compared changes in body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking between 8837 initiators and 46 021 noninitiators of antihypertensive medications or statins. In participants who initiated medication use, body mass index increased more (difference in change 0.19; 95% CI, 0.16-0.22) and physical activity declined (-0.09 metabolic equivalent of task hour/day; 95% CI, -0.16 to -0.02) compared with noninitiators. The likelihood of becoming obese (odds ratio: 1.82; 95% CI, 1.63-2.03) and physically inactive (odds ratio: 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.17) was higher in initiators. However, medication initiation was associated with greater decline in average alcohol consumption (-1.85 g/week; 95% CI, -3.67 to -0.14) and higher odds of quitting smoking (odds ratio for current smoking in the second survey: 0.74; 95% CI, 0.64-0.85). Conclusions These findings suggest that initiation of antihypertensive and statin medication is associated with lifestyle changes, some favorable and others unfavorable. Weight management and physical activity should be encouraged in individuals prescribed these medications.
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Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Lifestyle Behaviors in Children with Obesity Living in Verona, Italy: A Longitudinal Study.
Pietrobelli, A, Pecoraro, L, Ferruzzi, A, Heo, M, Faith, M, Zoller, T, Antoniazzi, F, Piacentini, G, Fearnbach, SN, Heymsfield, SB
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.). 2020;28(8):1382-1385
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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had far reaching health, social, and economic implications. Among them is the abrupt cessation of school programs for children and adolescents in Italy. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that factors contributing to weight gain among children and adolescents with overweight and obesity are exacerbated during a pandemic-associated lockdown. This study is a longitudinal clinical trial which enrolled non-adult participants (n=41) with obesity as controls in the ongoing longitudinal observational OBELIX Study in Verona, Italy. Results indicate that eating, activity, and sleeping behaviours changed in an unfavourable direction just after three weeks into their confinement during the national lockdown. Thus, findings support the hypothesis that lockdown appears to create an unfavourable environment for maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviours Authors conclude that recognition of the lockdown phenomenon is the first step in taking preventive measures.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that youths with obesity, when removed from structured school activities and confined to their homes during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, will display unfavorable trends in lifestyle behaviors. METHODS The sample included 41 children and adolescents with obesity participating in a longitudinal observational study located in Verona, Italy. Lifestyle information including diet, activity, and sleep behaviors was collected at baseline and 3 weeks into the national lockdown during which home confinement was mandatory. Changes in outcomes over the two study time points were evaluated for significance using paired t tests. RESULTS There were no changes in reported vegetable intake; fruit intake increased (P = 0.055) during the lockdown. By contrast, potato chip, red meat, and sugary drink intakes increased significantly during the lockdown (P value range, 0.005 to < 0.001). Time spent in sports activities decreased by 2.30 (SD 4.60) h/wk (P = 0.003), and sleep time increased by 0.65 (SD 1.29) h/d (P = 0.003). Screen time increased by 4.85 (SD 2.40) h/d (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Recognizing these adverse collateral effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic lockdown is critical in avoiding depreciation of weight control efforts among youths afflicted with excess adiposity. Depending on duration, these untoward lockdown effects may have a lasting impact on a child's or adolescent's adult adiposity level.
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Systematic review of the prospective association of daily step counts with risk of mortality, cardiovascular disease, and dysglycemia.
Hall, KS, Hyde, ET, Bassett, DR, Carlson, SA, Carnethon, MR, Ekelund, U, Evenson, KR, Galuska, DA, Kraus, WE, Lee, IM, et al
The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity. 2020;17(1):78
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The health benefits of physical activity for people of all ages, fitness levels, and sociodemographic backgrounds are well-documented. The main aim of this study was to provide an updated description of the association between daily step counts and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity or mortality, dysglycaemia, and all-cause mortality in adults and the patterns of these associations. This study is a systemic review of 17 studies from 13 different cohorts. Participants’ mean age ranged from 49.7 to 78.9 years with samples comprised of 46.9% female participants on average. Results showed that increasing steps per day is beneficial for health: taking more steps per day was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality, and lower risk of CVD morbidity or mortality. These associations appear to hold across age, gender, and weight status. Authors conclude that this additional evidence will help guide meaningful volume targets that can be used for health care, education, and behavioural interventions, and potentially inform the development of public health guidelines for steps and health.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Daily step counts is an intuitive metric that has demonstrated success in motivating physical activity in adults and may hold potential for future public health physical activity recommendations. This review seeks to clarify the pattern of the associations between daily steps and subsequent all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality, and dysglycemia, as well as the number of daily steps needed for health outcomes. METHODS A systematic review was conducted to identify prospective studies assessing daily step count measured by pedometer or accelerometer and their associations with all-cause mortality, CVD morbidity or mortality, and dysglycemia (dysglycemia or diabetes incidence, insulin sensitivity, fasting glucose, HbA1c). The search was performed across the Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception to August 1, 2019. Eligibility criteria included longitudinal design with health outcomes assessed at baseline and subsequent timepoints; defining steps per day as the exposure; reporting all-cause mortality, CVD morbidity or mortality, and/or dysglycemia outcomes; adults ≥18 years old; and non-patient populations. RESULTS Seventeen prospective studies involving over 30,000 adults were identified. Five studies reported on all-cause mortality (follow-up time 4-10 years), four on cardiovascular risk or events (6 months to 6 years), and eight on dysglycemia outcomes (3 months to 5 years). For each 1000 daily step count increase at baseline, risk reductions in all-cause mortality (6-36%) and CVD (5-21%) at follow-up were estimated across a subsample of included studies. There was no evidence of significant interaction by age, sex, health conditions or behaviors (e.g., alcohol use, smoking status, diet) among studies that tested for interactions. Studies examining dysglycemia outcomes report inconsistent findings, partially due to heterogeneity across studies of glycemia-related biomarker outcomes, analytic approaches, and sample characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Evidence from longitudinal data consistently demonstrated that walking an additional 1000 steps per day can help lower the risk of all-cause mortality, and CVD morbidity and mortality in adults, and that health benefits are present below 10,000 steps per day. However, the shape of the dose-response relation is not yet clear. Data are currently lacking to identify a specific minimum threshold of daily step counts needed to obtain overall health benefit.
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Exercise and Nutrition Interventions in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer during Curative Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Bye, A, Sandmael, JA, Stene, GB, Thorsen, L, Balstad, TR, Solheim, TS, Pripp, AH, Oldervoll, LM
Nutrients. 2020;12(11)
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Head and neck cancers (HNCs) comprises malignancies of the oral cavity, throat, larynx, salivary glands as well as nasal and paranasal sinuses. Surgery and radiotherapy (RT), sometimes combined with chemotherapy (CT) are the main treatment approaches. The aim of this study was to examine current evidence for nutritional interventions alone, physical exercise interventions alone and interventions combining nutrition and physical exercise during RT treatment for patients with HNCs. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of thirteen randomised controlled studies. Findings show that nutrition and physical exercise interventions have a positive effect on body composition and physical function for patients with HNCs undergoing RT (+/- concomitant CT) with a curative intent. Authors conclude that due to the pilot and feasibility design of the studies combining physical exercise and nutrition, no conclusions can be drawn concerning the effects from these studies.
Abstract
The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the effects of nutritional and physical exercise interventions and interventions combining these interventions during radiotherapy treatment for patients with head and neck cancer on body composition, objectively measured physical function and nutritional status. Systematic electronic searches were conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed interface), EMBASE (Ovid interface), CINAHL (EBSCO interface) and Cochrane Library (Wiley interface). We identified 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included 858 patients. For body composition, using only nutrition as intervention, a significant difference between treatment and control group were observed (SMD 0.42 (95CI 0.23-0.62), p < 0.001). Only pilot RCTs investigated combination treatment and no significant difference between the treatment and control groups were found (SMD 0.21 (95CI -0.16-0.58), p = 0.259). For physical function, a significant difference between treatment and control group with a better outcome for the treatment group were observed (SMD 0.78 (95CI 0.51-1.04), p < 0.001). No effects on nutritional status were found. This meta-analysis found significantly positive effects of nutrition and physical exercise interventions alone in favor of the treatment groups. No effects in studies with combined interventions were observed. Future full-scaled RCTs combining nutrition and physical exercise is warranted.
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Central fatness and risk of all cause mortality: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of 72 prospective cohort studies.
Jayedi, A, Soltani, S, Zargar, MS, Khan, TA, Shab-Bidar, S
BMJ (Clinical research ed.). 2020;370:m3324
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Body mass index (BMI) may not be an adequate tool to measure obesity, as it does not describe where fat is located on the body. Distribution of fat around the middle may be related to the risk of death and may be a more accurate measure of obesity. This systematic review of 1950 studies aimed to assess the association of fat around the middle with death. The results showed that every 10cm increase in waist circumference was related to an 11% increased risk of death by any cause. Women with a waist circumference greater than 80cm and 90cm in men had a higher risk of death by any cause. Fat carried around the middle increased the risk of death by any cause, however larger thigh and hip circumferences lowered the risk. This was regardless of BMI. It was concluded that measures of centrally located fat, alongside BMI, could be used to determine the risk of death. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand the importance of not solely relying on BMI and measuring where fat is distributed on the body may be an additional measure to determine risk of premature death.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To quantify the association of indices of central obesity, including waist circumference, hip circumference, thigh circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-thigh ratio, body adiposity index, and A body shape index, with the risk of all cause mortality in the general population, and to clarify the shape of the dose-response relations. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES PubMed and Scopus from inception to July 2019, and the reference lists of all related articles and reviews. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES Prospective cohort studies reporting the risk estimates of all cause mortality across at least three categories of indices of central fatness. Studies that reported continuous estimation of the associations were also included. DATA SYNTHESIS A random effects dose-response meta-analysis was conducted to assess linear trend estimations. A one stage linear mixed effects meta-analysis was used for estimating dose-response curves. RESULTS Of 98 745 studies screened, 1950 full texts were fully reviewed for eligibility. The final analyses consisted of 72 prospective cohort studies with 2 528 297 participants. The summary hazard ratios were as follows: waist circumference (10 cm, 3.94 inch increase): 1.11 (95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.13, I2=88%, n=50); hip circumference (10 cm, 3.94 inch increase): 0.90 (0.81 to 0.99, I2=95%, n=9); thigh circumference (5 cm, 1.97 inch increase): 0.82 (0.75 to 0.89, I2=54%, n=3); waist-to-hip ratio (0.1 unit increase): 1.20 (1.15 to 1.25, I2=90%, n=31); waist-to-height ratio (0.1 unit increase): 1.24 (1.12 to 1.36, I2=94%, n=11); waist-to-thigh ratio (0.1 unit increase): 1.21 (1.03 to 1.39, I2=97%, n=2); body adiposity index (10% increase): 1.17 (1.00 to 1.33, I2=75%, n=4); and A body shape index (0.005 unit increase): 1.15 (1.10 to 1.20, I2=87%, n=9). Positive associations persisted after accounting for body mass index. A nearly J shaped association was found between waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio and the risk of all cause mortality in men and women. A positive monotonic association was observed for waist-to-hip ratio and A body shape index. The association was U shaped for body adiposity index. CONCLUSIONS Indices of central fatness including waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-thigh ratio, body adiposity index, and A body shape index, independent of overall adiposity, were positively and significantly associated with a higher all cause mortality risk. Larger hip circumference and thigh circumference were associated with a lower risk. The results suggest that measures of central adiposity could be used with body mass index as a supplementary approach to determine the risk of premature death.
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Effects of a lower extremity exercise program on gait biomechanics and clinical outcomes in children and adolescents with obesity: A randomized controlled trial.
Horsak, B, Schwab, C, Baca, A, Greber-Platzer, S, Kreissl, A, Nehrer, S, Keilani, M, Crevenna, R, Kranzl, A, Wondrasch, B
Gait & posture. 2019;70:122-129
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Findings through studies place overweight and obesity as one of the most critical and accelerating global health issues. Besides the commonly linked health risks of obesity and overweight, literature also highlights that they may result in an increased risk of developing unfavourable gait patterns and lower-extremity skeletal malalignments. The main aim of this study was to evaluate an exercise programme (EP) that combines strength and neuromuscular exercises from a knee health and muscle strength perspective. The study is a single blinded, randomised controlled study which enrolled 51 children and adolescents aged between 10 and 18 years of age. The participants were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: EP group or control group. Results indicate that the EP was able to modify biomechanical gait patterns at the pelvic and hip level. Furthermore, results did not show any changes in relation to pain or other clinical symptoms. Authors conclude that EP might be an effective short-term possibility to counteract the progressive development of biomechanical malalignments of the lower extremity.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research highlights the detrimental effects of obesity on gait biomechanics and the accompanied risk of lower-extremity skeletal malalignments, increased joint stress, pain and discomfort. Individuals with obesity typically show increased knee valgus angles combined with an increased step width. Accompanying muscular dysfunctions impede their ability to compensate for these alterations, especially in the frontal plane. To date, no studies are available, which evaluated the potential effects of an exercise program (EP) in reducing these unfavorable biomechanical changes. RESEARCH QUESTIONS Is a 12-week EP, which includes hip abductor and knee extensor strength exercises and fosters dynamic knee alignment, effective in positively altering gait biomechanics in children and adolescents with obesity? METHODS This study was a randomized controlled trial having children and adolescents with obesity assigned to an EP (n = 19) or control (n = 16) group. Pain, self-rated knee function, muscle strength and 3D gait analysis during walking and stair climbing were evaluated. RESULTS Results indicate that the EP was able to increase muscular strength especially in the hip abductors. In addition, children from the EP group walked with less maximum hip adduction and reduced pelvic drop during weight acceptance at follow-up. No changes were present in self-rated knee function, pain or discomfort. SIGNIFICANCE Even though effects were small, results indicate that an EP is an effective short-term possibility to counteract the progressive development of biomechanical malalignments of the lower extremity. Clinical parameters indicated that the program was feasible. Nonetheless, low adherence highlights the need to develop more attractive programs. CLINICAL TRIALS REG. NO: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02545764).