Postpartum Weight Retention: A Retrospective Data Analysis Measuring Weight Loss and Program Engagement with a Mobile Health Program.

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) technology can circumvent barriers to participation in weight loss programs faced by new mothers. The objective of this study was to assess weight change and program engagement in postpartum women (n = 130) participating in a 24-week behavior change mHealth weight-loss intervention. Materials and Methods: Participants were recruited through a program offered on a commercial mHealth application that provided evidence-based lifestyle interventions. To meet inclusion criteria, women had to be 18-45 years of age, and given birth within 2 years before the start of the study. Participants signed up for the Noom Healthy Weight program between January and March of 2019 and were offered the program free of charge. Linear mixed models were conducted; the primary outcome was weight change from baseline at 16 and 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes were program engagement and their relationship with completion status. Results: Results showed that time was a significant predictor of weight at week 16 [t(-3.94) = -9.40; p < 0.001] and week 24 [t(-4.08) = -9.74; p < 0.001]; users lost 3.94 kgs at week 16 and 4.08 kgs at week 24, compared with baseline. In addition, body mass index significantly decreased at week 24 [t(112) = 7.33, p < 0.0001] with the majority of participants (80%) experiencing reductions by more than 2 units. On average, subjects who completed the program (completers) lost more weight compared with those who did not complete the program [t(-5.09) = -2.94; p = 0.004], losing 5.09 kgs (95% CI -8.48 to -1.69) throughout the 24 weeks. Conclusion: This cohort study shows that a uniquely mobile, behavior change intervention for weight management is effective at producing significant weight loss with potential to address postpartum weight retention.

Resistance Training Reduces Skeletal Muscle Work Efficiency in Weight-Reduced and Non-Weight-Reduced Subjects.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine whether resistance training is similarly effective in reducing skeletal muscle efficiency and increasing strength in weight-reduced and maximal weight subjects. METHODS: This study examined the effects of supervised resistance exercise on skeletal muscle in 14 individuals with overweight and obesity sustaining a 10% or greater weight loss for over 6 months and a phenotypically similar group of 15 subjects who had not reduced weight and were weight stable at their maximal lifetime body weight. We assessed skeletal muscle work efficiency and fuel utilization (bicycle ergometry), strength (dynamometry), body composition (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), and resting energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry) before and after 12 weeks of thrice-weekly resistance training. RESULTS: Non-weight-reduced subjects were significantly (10%-20%) stronger before and after the intervention than reduced-weight subjects and gained significantly more fat-free mass with a greater decline in percentage of body fat than weight-reduced subjects. Resistance training resulted in similar significant decreases (~10%) in skeletal muscle work efficiency at low-level exercise and ~10% to 20% increases in leg strength in both weight-reduced and non-weight-reduced subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training similarly increases muscle strength and decreases efficiency regardless of weight loss history. Increased resistance training could be an effective adjunct to reduced-weight maintenance therapy.

Roles for central leptin receptors in the control of meal size.

The adiposity hormone leptin has been implicated in the regulation of behavioral and metabolic controls of body weight. Leptin receptors are found in multiple peripheral and central tissues, particularly within hypothalamic and brainstem neuronal populations. Central leptinergic signaling acts as an indirect control to modulate the feeding inhibitory potency of the direct controls of meal size. Mouse models of neuronal leptin loss and gain of function have helped to identify and characterize how central leptin contributes to the central control of food intake.

A history of the identification of the characteristic eating disturbances of Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and Anorexia Nervosa.

During the last 25 years, the careful examination of the eating behavior of individuals with eating disorders has provided critical insights into the nature of these disorders. Crucially, studies investigating components of different eating behaviors have documented that Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) are characterized by objective disturbances in eating patterns that are significantly different than behaviors exhibited by individuals who do not have these eating disorders. The detailed description of the disturbances in eating behavior has helped to identify diagnostic criteria associated with each disorder, and has led to important hypotheses about the underlying pathophysiology. These advances in understanding have provided, and continue to provide, a foundation for translational research and for the development of novel treatment interventions. This review is based on a presentation given by B. Timothy Walsh, M.D. at the 40th anniversary symposium of the Columbia University Appetite talks outlining the evolution of the discovery of the characteristic eating disturbances seen with each disorder.

A history of the identification of the characteristic eating disturbances of Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and Anorexia Nervosa.

During the last 25 years, the careful examination of the eating behavior of individuals with eating disorders has provided critical insights into the nature of these disorders. Crucially, studies investigating components of different eating behaviors have documented that Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) are characterized by objective disturbances in eating patterns that are significantly different than behaviors exhibited by individuals who do not have these eating disorders. The detailed description of the disturbances in eating behavior has helped to identify diagnostic criteria associated with each disorder, and has led to important hypotheses about the underlying pathophysiology. These advances in understanding have provided, and continue to provide, a foundation for translational research and for the development of novel treatment interventions. This review is based on a presentation given by B. Timothy Walsh, M.D. at the 40th anniversary symposium of the Columbia University Appetite talks outlining the evolution of the discovery of the characteristic eating disturbances seen with each disorder.