Melissa A. Kalarchian

Effects of decreasing sedentary behavior and increasing activity on weight change in obese children.

Obese children 8-12 years old from 61 families were randomized to treatment groups that targeted increased exercise, decreased sedentary behaviors, or both (combined group) to test the influence of reinforcing children to be more active or less sedentary on child weight change. Significant decreases in percentage overweight were observed after 4 months between the sedentary and the exercise groups (-19.9 vs. -13.2). At 1 year, the sedentary group had a greater decrease in percentage overweight than did the combined and the exercise groups (-18.7 vs. -10.3 and -8.7) and greater decrease in percentage of body fat (-4.7 vs. -1.3). All groups improved fitness during treatment and follow-up. Children in the sedentary group increased their liking for high-intensity activity and reported lower caloric intake than did children in the exercise group. These results support the goal of reducing time spent in sedentary activities to improve weight loss.

Weight Change and Health Outcomes at 3 Years After Bariatric Surgery Among Individuals With Severe Obesity

IMPORTANCEnSevere obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥35) is associated with a broad range of health risks. Bariatric surgery induces weight loss and short-term health improvements, but little is known about long-term outcomes of these operations.nnnOBJECTIVEnTo report 3-year change in weight and select health parameters after common bariatric surgical procedures.nnnDESIGN AND SETTINGnThe Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) Consortium is a multicenter observational cohort study at 10 US hospitals in 6 geographically diverse clinical centers. PARTICIPANTS AND EXPOSURE: Adults undergoing first-time bariatric surgical procedures as part of routine clinical care by participating surgeons were recruited between 2006 and 2009 and followed up until September 2012. Participants completed research assessments prior to surgery and 6 months, 12 months, and then annually after surgery.nnnMAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESnThree years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), we assessed percent weight change from baseline and the percentage of participants with diabetes achieving hemoglobin A1c levels less than 6.5% or fasting plasma glucose values less than 126 mg/dL without pharmacologic therapy. Dyslipidemia and hypertension resolution at 3 years was also assessed.nnnRESULTSnAt baseline, participants (Nu2009=u20092458) were 18 to 78 years old, 79% were women, median BMI was 45.9 (IQR, 41.7-51.5), and median weight was 129 kg (IQR, 115-147). For their first bariatric surgical procedure, 1738 participants underwent RYGB, 610 LAGB, and 110 other procedures. At baseline, 774 (33%) had diabetes, 1252 (63%) dyslipidemia, and 1601 (68%) hypertension. Three years after surgery, median actual weight loss for RYGB participants was 41 kg (IQR, 31-52), corresponding to a percentage of baseline weight lost of 31.5% (IQR, 24.6%-38.4%). For LAGB participants, actual weight loss was 20 kg (IQR, 10-29), corresponding to 15.9% (IQR, 7.9%-23.0%). The majority of weight loss was evident 1 year after surgery for both procedures. Five distinct weight change trajectory groups were identified for each procedure. Among participants who had diabetes at baseline, 216 RYGB participants (67.5%) and 28 LAGB participants (28.6%) experienced partial remission at 3 years. The incidence of diabetes was 0.9% after RYGB and 3.2% after LAGB. Dyslipidemia resolved in 237 RYGB participants (61.9%) and 39 LAGB participants (27.1%); remission of hypertension occurred in 269 RYGB participants (38.2%) and 43 LAGB participants (17.4%).nnnCONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCEnAmong participants with severe obesity, there was substantial weight loss 3 years after bariatric surgery, with the majority experiencing maximum weight change during the first year. However, there was variability in the amount and trajectories of weight loss and in diabetes, blood pressure, and lipid outcomes.nnnTRIAL REGISTRATIONnclinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00465829.

Binge Eating Among Gastric Bypass Patients at Long-term Follow-up

Background: A better understanding of the relationship of eating behavior and attitudes to weight loss following gastric bypass (GBP) will enable the development of interventions to improve outcome. Thus, the present study sought to characterize the postoperative weight, eating behavior, and attitudes toward body shape and weight in a cross-section of GBP patients. A second objective was to examine the relationship of postoperative binge eating to surgery outcome. Methods: 99 patients who underwent GBP >2 and <7 years before the study start date completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ). Subjects self-reported their current body weight, weight change over the past 3 months, and lowest weight since surgery. Results: BMI remained significantly below the preoperative level, but significant weight regain was reported at long-term follow-up. 46% of participants reported recurrent loss of control over eating (objective or subjective bulimic episodes) on the EDE-Q. These patients constituted a distinctive subgroup with a less favorable outcome, including greater weight regain. Conclusion: Self-reported loss of control over eating was related to weight regain after GBP and may be an important target for clinical intervention. The relationship of binge eating and related psychopathology to outcome following GBP warrants further investigation.

Prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorders Before and After Bariatric Surgery

CONTEXTnAnecdotal reports suggest bariatric surgery may increase the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD), but prospective data are lacking.nnnOBJECTIVEnTo determine the prevalence of preoperative and postoperative AUD, and independent predictors of postoperative AUD.nnnDESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSnA prospective cohort study (Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2) of adults who underwent bariatric surgery at 10 US hospitals. Of 2458 participants, 1945 (78.8% female; 87.0% white; median age, 47 years; median body mass index, 45.8) completed preoperative and postoperative (at 1 year and/or 2 years) assessments between 2006 and 2011.nnnMAIN OUTCOME MEASUREnPast year AUD symptoms determined with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (indication of alcohol-related harm, alcohol dependence symptoms, or score ≥8).nnnRESULTSnThe prevalence of AUD symptoms did not significantly differ from 1 year before to 1 year after bariatric surgery (7.6% vs 7.3%; P = .98), but was significantly higher in the second postoperative year (9.6%; P = .01). The following preoperative variables were independently related to an increased odds of AUD after bariatric surgery: male sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.14 [95% CI, 1.51-3.01]; P < .001), younger age (age per 10 years younger with preoperative AUD: AOR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.03-1.68], P = .03; age per 10 years younger without preoperative AUD: AOR, 1.95 [95% CI, 1.65-2.30], P < .001), smoking (AOR, 2.58 [95% CI, 1.19-5.58]; P = .02), regular alcohol consumption (≥ 2 drinks/week: AOR, 6.37 [95% CI, 4.17-9.72]; P < .001), AUD (eg, at age 45, AOR, 11.14 [95% CI, 7.71-16.10]; P < .001), recreational drug use (AOR, 2.38 [95% CI, 1.37-4.14]; P = .01), lower sense of belonging (12-item Interpersonal Support Evaluation List score per 1 point lower: AOR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.04-1.15]; P = .01), and undergoing a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure (AOR, 2.07 [95% CI, 1.40-3.08]; P < .001; reference category: laparoscopic adjustable gastric band procedure).nnnCONCLUSIONnIn this cohort, the prevalence of AUD was greater in the second postoperative year than the year prior to surgery or in the first postoperative year and was associated with male sex and younger age, numerous preoperative variables (smoking, regular alcohol consumption, AUD, recreational drug use, and lower interpersonal support) and undergoing a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure.

Family-Based Treatment of Severe Pediatric Obesity: Randomized, Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy of family-based, behavioral weight control in the management of severe pediatric obesity. METHODS: Participants were 192 children 8.0 to 12.0 years of age (mean ± SD: 10.2 ± 1.2 years). The average BMI percentile for age and gender was 99.18 (SD: 0.72). Families were assigned randomly to the intervention or usual care. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months. The primary outcome was percent overweight (percent over the median BMI for age and gender). Changes in blood pressure, body composition, waist circumference, and health-related quality of life also were evaluated. Finally, we examined factors associated with changes in child percent overweight, particularly session attendance. RESULTS: Intervention was associated with significant decreases in child percent overweight, relative to usual care, at 6 months. Intent-to-treat analyses documented that intervention was associated with a 7.58% decrease in child percent overweight at 6 months, compared with a 0.66% decrease with usual care, but differences were not significant at 12 or 18 months. Small significant improvements in medical outcomes were observed at 6 and 12 months. Children who attended ≥75% of intervention sessions maintained decreases in percent overweight through 18 months. Lower baseline percent overweight, better attendance, higher income, and greater parent BMI reduction were associated with significantly greater reductions in child percent overweight at 6 months among intervention participants. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention was associated with significant short-term reductions in obesity and improvements in medical parameters and conferred longer-term weight change benefits for children who attended ≥75% of sessions.

Loss of control over eating predicts outcomes in bariatric surgery patients: a prospective, 24-month follow-up study.

OBJECTIVEnThis study examined the clinical significance of loss of control (LOC) over eating in bariatric surgery patients over 24 months of prospective, multiwave follow-ups.nnnMETHODnThree hundred sixty-one gastric bypass surgery patients completed a battery of assessments before surgery and at 6, 12, and 24 months following surgery. In addition to weight loss and LOC over eating, the assessments targeted eating disorder psychopathology, depression levels, and quality of life. The study was conducted between January 2002 and February 2008.nnnRESULTSnPrior to surgery, 61% of patients reported general LOC; postsurgery, 31% reported LOC at 6-month follow-up, 36% reported LOC at 12-month follow-up, and 39% reported LOC at 24-month follow-up. Preoperative LOC did not predict postoperative outcomes. In contrast, mixed models analyses revealed that postsurgery LOC was predictive of weight loss outcomes: patients with LOC postsurgery lost significantly less weight at 12-month (34.6% vs 37.2% BMI loss) and 24-month (35.8% vs 39.1% BMI loss) postsurgery follow-ups. Postsurgery LOC also significantly predicted eating disorder psychopathology, depression, and quality of life at 12- and 24-month postsurgery follow-ups.nnnCONCLUSIONSnPreoperative LOC does not appear to be a negative prognostic indicator for postsurgical outcomes. Postoperative LOC, however, significantly predicts poorer postsurgical weight loss and psychosocial outcomes at 12 and 24 months following surgery. Since LOC following bariatric surgery significantly predicts attenuated postsurgical improvements, it may signal a need for clinical attention.

Binge eating in bariatric surgery patients

OBJECTIVEnEating behavior, attitudes toward eating and body weight and shape, and depression were assessed in a sample of 64 morbidly obese gastric bypass surgery candidates.nnnMETHODnThe Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), and the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) were administered at the first preoperative visit.nnnRESULTSnTwenty-five subjects (39%) reported at least one binge episode per week on average over the 3 months prior to seeking treatment. Binge eaters had significantly higher TFEQ Disinhibition and Hunger scores than nonbinge eaters. Binge eaters also differed from nonbinge eaters in terms of attitudes toward eating, shape, and weight.nnnDISCUSSIONnA significant number of gastric bypass surgery candidates report binge eating. The findings are consistent with other studies showing binge eaters to be a distinctive subgroup of the obese.

Three-Year Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery vs Lifestyle Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCEnQuestions remain about the role and durability of bariatric surgery for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).nnnOBJECTIVEnTo compare the remission of T2DM following surgical and nonsurgical treatments.nnnDESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSnIn this 3-arm randomized clinical trial conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from October 1, 2009, to June 26, 2014, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, outcomes were assessed 3 years after treating 61 obese participants aged 25 to 55 years with T2DM. Analysis was conducted with an intent-to-treat population.nnnINTERVENTIONSnParticipants were randomized to either an intensive lifestyle weight loss intervention for 1 year followed by a low-level lifestyle intervention for 2 years or surgical treatments (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [RYGB] or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding [LAGB]) followed by low-level lifestyle intervention in years 2 and 3.nnnMAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESnPrimary end points were partial and complete T2DM remission and secondary end points included diabetes medications and weight change.nnnRESULTSnBody mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) was less than 35 for 26 participants (43%), 50 (82%) were women, and 13 (21%) were African American. Mean (SD) values were 100.5 (13.7) kg for weight, 47.3 (6.6) years for age, 7.8% (1.9%) for hemoglobin A1c level, and 171.3 (72.5) mg/dL for fasting plasma glucose level. Partial or complete T2DM remission was achieved by 40% (nu2009=u20098) of RYGB, 29% (nu2009=u20096) of LAGB, and no intensive lifestyle weight loss intervention participants (Pu2009=u2009.004). The use of diabetes medications was reduced more in the surgical groups than the lifestyle intervention-alone group, with 65% of RYGB, 33% of LAGB, and none of the intensive lifestyle weight loss intervention participants going from using insulin or oral medication at baseline to no medication at year 3 (Pu2009<u2009.001). Mean (SE) reductions in percentage of body weight at 3 years were the greatest after RYGB at 25.0% (2.0%), followed by LAGB at 15.0% (2.0%) and lifestyle treatment at 5.7% (2.4%) (Pu2009<u2009.01).nnnCONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCEnAmong obese participants with T2DM, bariatric surgery with 2 years of an adjunctive low-level lifestyle intervention resulted in more disease remission than did lifestyle intervention alone.nnnTRIAL REGISTRATIONnclinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01047735.

Assessment of eating disorders in bariatric surgery candidates: Self‐report questionnaire versus interview

OBJECTIVEnTo compare the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), an investigator-based interview for the assessment of the specific psychopathology of eating disorders, with the EDE-Q, a self-report questionnaire based directly on it.nnnMETHODnNinety-eight morbidly obese gastric bypass surgery candidates were administered both instruments.nnnRESULTSnThe four subscale scores (Restraint, Eating Concern, Weight Concern, and Shape Concern) generated by the EDE and EDE-Q were significantly correlated, although the questionnaire scores were significantly higher. Eating Concern and Shape Concern exhibited the lowest levels of agreement. Frequency of binges (objective bulimic episodes) as rated by the EDE and EDE-Q was significantly correlated and was not significantly different. However, variability in ratings contributed to only modest agreement with respect to classification of patients as binge eaters.nnnDISCUSSIONnOverall, there were lower levels of agreement between the EDE and EDE-Q than have been previously found in other samples.

Psychopathology before surgery in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-3 (LABS-3) Psychosocial Study

BACKGROUNDnCurrent and previous psychopathology in bariatric surgery candidates is believed to be common. Accurate prevalence estimates, however, are difficult to obtain given that bariatric surgery candidates often wish to appear psychiatrically healthy when undergoing psychiatric evaluation for approval for surgery. Also, structured diagnostic assessments have been infrequently used.nnnMETHODSnThe present report concerned 199 patients enrolled in the longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery study, who also participated in the longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery-3 psychopathology substudy. The setting was 3 university hospitals, 1 private not-for-profit research institute, and 1 community hospital. All the patients were interviewed independently of the usual preoperative psychosocial evaluation process. The patients were explicitly informed that the data would not be shared with the surgical team unless certain high-risk behaviors, such as suicidality, that could lead to adverse perioperative outcomes were reported.nnnRESULTSnMost of the patients were women (82.9%) and white (nonwhite 7.6%, Hispanic 5.0%). The median age was 46.0 years, and the median body mass index was 44.9 kg/m2. Of the 199 patients, 33.7% had ≥1 current Axis I disorder, and 68.8% had ≥1 lifetime Axis I disorder. Also, 38.7% had a lifetime history of a major depressive disorder, and 33.2% had a lifetime diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence. All these rates were much greater than the population-based prevalence rates obtained for this age group in the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication Study. Also, 13.1% had a lifetime diagnosis and 10.1% had a current diagnosis of a binge eating disorder.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe current and lifetime rates of psychopathology are high in bariatric surgery candidates, and the lifetime rates of affective disorder and alcohol use disorders are particularly prominent. Finally, binge eating disorder is present in approximately 1 in 10 bariatric surgery candidates.