Isabelle Mack

The potential effects of chlorogenic acid, the main phenolic components in coffee, on health: a comprehensive review of the literature

Chlorogenic acid (CGA), an important biologically active dietary polyphenol, is produced by certain plant species and is a major component of coffee. Reduction in the risk of a variety of diseases following CGA consumption has been mentioned in recent basic and clinical research studies. This systematic review discusses in vivo animal and human studies of the physiological and biochemical effects of chlorogenic acids (CGAs) on biomarkers of chronic disease. We searched PubMed, Embase, Amed and Scopus using the following search terms: (“chlorogenic acid” OR “green coffee bean extract”) AND (human OR animal) (last performed on April 1st, 2015) for relevant literature on the in vivo effects of CGAs in animal and human models, including clinical trials on cardiovascular, metabolic, cancerogenic, neurological and other functions. After exclusion of editorials and letters, uncontrolled observations, duplicate and not relevant publications the remaining 94 studies have been reviewed. The biological properties of CGA in addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have recently been reported. It is postulated that CGA is able to exert pivotal roles on glucose and lipid metabolism regulation and on the related disorders, e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity, cancer, and hepatic steatosis. The wide range of potential health benefits of CGA, including its anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity impacts, may provide a non-pharmacological and non-invasive approach for treatment or prevention of some chronic diseases. In this study, the effects of CGAs on different aspects of health by reviewing the related literatures have been discussed.

Weight gain in anorexia nervosa does not ameliorate the faecal microbiota, branched chain fatty acid profiles, and gastrointestinal complaints

The gut microbiota not only influences host metabolism but can also affect brain function and behaviour through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. To explore the potential role of the intestinal microbiota in anorexia nervosa (AN), we comprehensively investigated the faecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in these patients before (n = 55) and after weight gain (n = 44) in comparison to normal-weight participants (NW, n = 55) along with dietary intake and gastrointestinal complaints. We show profound microbial perturbations in AN patients as compared to NW participants, with higher levels of mucin-degraders and members of Clostridium clusters I, XI and XVIII and reduced levels of the butyrate-producing Roseburia spp. Branched-chain fatty acid concentrations, being markers for protein fermentation, were elevated. Distinct perturbations in microbial community compositions were observed for individual restrictive and binge/purging AN-subtypes. Upon weight gain, microbial richness increased, however perturbations in intestinal microbiota and short chain fatty acid profiles in addition to several gastrointestinal symptoms did not recover. These insights provide new leads to modulate the intestinal microbiota in order to improve the outcomes of the standard therapy.

Impact of exercise on energy metabolism in anorexia nervosa

BackgroundExcessive physical activity is one of the most paradoxical features of anorexia nervosa (AN). However, there is individual variation in the degree of physical activity found in AN-patients. As a result, marked differences in energy expenditure may be expected. Furthermore, exercise has a positive impact on a variety of psychological disorders and the psychopathology may be different in AN displaying high exercise levels versus AN displaying low exercise levels. We analyzed the energy metabolism and psychological data in low-level exercise and high-level exercise AN-patients compared with healthy, age matched controls.Physical activity, energy expenditure (EE) by the doubly labelled water technique and indirect calorimetry, hormone status as well as psychopathology by questionnaires for eating disorders (EDI-SC, EDI-2), eating attitude (EAT) and depression (BDI) were assessed in twelve AN patients and twelve controls.ResultsREE was decreased in AN-patients compared with controls but not when adjusted for body surface area or lean body mass. No differences in TDEE between AN- patients and controls were observed. Subgroup analyses showed that the percentage of high-level AN- exercisers was higher compared with controls. This subgroup had increased resting EE, total daily EE and scored higher on depression and the EDI-item “Drive for thinness” compared with low-level AN-exercisers.ConclusionsWe identified a significant subgroup of high-level AN-exercisers (66%) with consecutive increased energy requirements. An easy way for clinicians to assess the amount of exercise before and in the course of treatment is a single question in the established Eating Disorder Inventory-SC (EDI-SC).

A 1-year videoconferencing-based psychoeducational group intervention following bariatric surgery: results of a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND For severely obese patients, bariatric surgery has been recommended as an effective therapy. OBJECTIVES The Bariataric Surgery and Education (BaSE) study aimed to assess the efficacy of a videoconferencing-based psychoeducational group intervention in patients after bariatric surgery. SETTING The BaSE study is a randomized, controlled multicenter clinical trial involving 117 patients undergoing bariatric surgery (mean preoperative body mass index [BMI] 49.9 kg/m(2), SD 6.4). Patients were enrolled between May 2009 and November 2012 and were randomly assigned to receive either conventional postsurgical visits or, in addition, a videoconferencing-based 1-year group program. METHODS Primary outcome measures were weight in kilograms, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and general self-efficacy (GSE). Secondary outcome measures were depression symptoms and eating behavior. RESULTS 94% of the patients completed the study. Mean weight loss for all patients was 45.9 kg (SD 16.4) 1 year after surgery (mean excess weight loss [EWL] 63%). Intention-to-treat analyses revealed no differences in weight loss, EWL, HRQOL, or self-efficacy between study groups at 1 year after surgery. However, patients with clinically significant depression symptoms (CSD) at baseline assigned to the intervention group (n = 29) had a significantly better HRQOL (P = .03), lower depression scores (P = .02), and a trend for a better EWL (.06) 1 year after surgery compared with the control group (n = 20). CONCLUSION We could not prove the efficacy of the group program for the whole study sample. However, results indicate that the intervention is effective for the important subgroup of patients with CSD.

Obese children and adolescents need increased gastric volumes in order to perceive satiety.

In order to develop effective weight management strategies, it is important to identify factors that influence energy intake. Portion size has been discussed as one such factor. To date, most studies focusing on the relationship between portion size, energy intake, and weight have analyzed questionnaire data and 24‐h records. In this study, we assessed the onset of satiety using the water‐load test in normal‐weight and obese children and adolescents.

PreDictor Research in Obesity during Medical care - weight Loss in children and adolescents during an INpatient rehabilitation: rationale and design of the DROMLIN study

BackgroundObesity in adults and children is increasing worldwide at alarming rates. Obese children and adolescents are likely to become obese adults with increased risk of a number of comorbidities. In addition to preventing the development of obesity at young age, it is necessary to individualize the therapy of already obese children and adolescents in order to increase the likelihood of weight loss and maintenance. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify predictors which play a significant role in successful weight loss and weight loss maintenance in children and adolescents.Methods/DesignOver a one year period, 60 obese children and adolescents between 9 to 17 years of age shall be recruited at an inpatient children rehabilitation facility in Germany. They will be investigated twice within a few days following admission and prior to discharge. The study will be an integrated component of an established inpatient weight-loss and in part psychosomatic therapy. The collected data can be grouped into four clusters: 1) demographic, sociometric and psychometric data, 2) objective and subjective parameters of body condition, 3) autonomic nervous system regulated functions and 4) objective and subjective parameters for eating behavior. Primary outcome is the change of the body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-SDS). In order to evaluate the data appropriately, all examinations will be also conducted in a normal-weight reference group, matched for age and gender.DiscussionFor some of the collected parameters the time span between measures may be too short. Therefore, a 6 months, 1 year and 2 year follow-up will be performed for evaluating the different predictors and their influence in regard to a successful intervention. Further middle- and long-term follow-up studies are planned.Trial RegistrationThe study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University Hospital Tübingen, Germany. This study is registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) with the clinical trial numberDRKS00005122.

Effect of a weight reduction program on baseline and stress-induced heart rate variability in children with obesity.

Autonomic dysregulation is a well‐established feature in adults with obesity but not in children. Since this dysregulation could contribute to weight dynamics, this study aimed to compare autonomic regulation in children with obesity and normal‐weight peers and to track autonomic status during weight reduction.

The Impact of Impulsivity on Weight Loss Four Years after Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery has serious implications on metabolic health. The reasons for a failure of bariatric surgery, i.e., limited weight loss, are multifactorial and include psychological factors. We established a theoretical model of how impulsivity is related to weight loss outcome. We propose that depressive symptoms act as a mediator between impulsivity and pathological eating behavior, and that pathological eating behavior has a direct impact on weight loss outcome. We calculated excessive weight loss (%EWL) and assessed self-reported impulsivity (using the Baratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-15) total score), depressive symptoms (the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score), and pathological eating behavior (the Eating Disorder Inventory 2 (EDI-2) total score) in 65 patients four years after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Regression and mediation analyses were computed to validate the theoretical model. The BIS-15, PHQ-9, and EDI-2 have medium to high correlations between each other, and EDI-2 correlated with %EWL. The mediation analysis yielded that the PHQ-9 represents a significant mediator between BIS-15 and EDI-2. The regression model between EDI-2 and %EWL was also significant. These results support our theoretical model, i.e., suggest that impulsivity has an indirect impact on weight loss outcome after bariatric surgery, mediated by depression and transferred through pathological eating behavior. Thus, the underlying psychological factors should be addressed in post-operative care to optimize weight loss outcome.

Changes in Gustatory Function and Taste Preference Following Weight Loss.

Objective To investigate taste changes of obese children during an inpatient weight reduction treatment in comparison with normal weight children. Study design Obese (n = 60) and normal weight (n = 27) children aged 9‐17 years were assessed for gustatory functions using taste strips (taste identification test for the taste qualities sour, salty, sweet, and bitter), taste preferences, and experienced taste sensitivity. Obese children were examined upon admission (T1) and before discharge (T2). Normal weight children served as the control group. Results Irrespective of taste quality, obese children exhibited a lower ability to identify taste (total taste score) than normal weight children (P < .01); this overall score remained stable during inpatient treatment in obese children. Group and treatment effects were seen when evaluating individual taste qualities. In comparison with normal weight children, obese children exhibited poorer sour taste identification performance (P < .01). Obese children showed improvement in sour taste identification (P < .001) and deterioration in sweet taste identification (P < .001) following treatment. Subjective reports revealed a lower preference for sour taste in obese children compared with normal weight children (P < .05). The sweet and bitter taste ability at T1 predicted the body mass index z score at T2 (R2 = .23, P < .01). Conclusions We identified differences in the ability to discriminate tastes and in subjective taste perception between groups. Our findings of increased sour and reduced sweet taste discrimination after the intervention in obese children are indicative of an exposure‐related effect on taste performance, possibly mediated by increased acid and reduced sugar consumption during the intervention. Because the sweet and bitter taste ability at T1 predicted weight loss, addressing gustatory function could be relevant in individualized obesity treatment approaches. Trial registration Germanctr.de: DRKS00005122.

Managing Obesity Prevention Using Digital Media: A Double-Sided Approach

In this chapter we report results from a study on a digital health communication campaign initiated by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This campaign has triggered a highly controversial discussion in the USA, because it used obese children and showed them in online media talking about being stigmatized. Our research is based on the assumption that controversial campaigns disseminated via online media run the risk of being re-contextualized, with the possible negative result of jeopardizing the original communicator’s intentions. Results showed that contextual reinforcement of the campaign message (in three contexts: Facebook, online-news, and a health-related blog) improved the self-relevance-perceptions of adolescent recipients. Also, the participants’ affective self-perceptions concerning their own weight were significantly influenced by the argumentative reframing of the original message on a Facebook site, a Blog, and an online news site. In addition, we report about the development and evaluation of a motion-controlled serious game used to address barriers of obesity prevention in school aged children. In the media, communication about health-related risks mainly uses fear as a motivation for lifestyle-changes, as the time window to communicate the message is usually very short. In contrast, to support motivation in an informal unguided learning context which has to be viable for a longer time, the gamification of learning content is an important strategy. The focus of the serious game is on (1) self-reflective diagnostic tools to analyse the daily food intake and free-time activities, (2) gamified information and knowledge-tests about food groups, drinks, and energy density, as well as (3) relaxation exercises to aid addressing psychosocial aspects.