Managing Obesity: Scaling the Pyramid to Success

A Prescription for Achieving Equitable Access to Antiobesity Medications

This Viewpoint discusses newer antiobesity medications that hold promise and how uneven access to these medications could exacerbate obesity disparities.

The Relationship between Bariatric Food Pyramid and Long-Term Anthropometric Measurements of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

The bariatric food pyramid is a standard for long-term healthy living and nutritional habits of patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, taking their gastric capacity and special nutritional requirements into account. This study aimed to evaluate how the compliance with the pyramid affects the anthropometric change in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, depending on the period after surgery. 81 patients who have undergone bariatric surgery between August 2016 and September 2018 participated in the study. The patients were evaluated in the postoperative period and were divided into three groups according to the year they had the operation. Food consumption frequency information was obtained from the patients, and the amount of food consumed per day was recorded in grams. Protein, vegetable, fruit, grain, and oil consumption was calculated according to the pyramid and calculated as portions. A statistically significant difference was found for all three groups in terms of weight loss and body mass index (BMI) changes before and after surgery (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). It was observed that the amount of protein consumed by the patients was sufficient, cereal was high, and fruit was insufficient. Patients who consumed foods that were not recommended slowed in weight loss. In conclusion, it is estimated that increased consumption of grains and nonrecommended foods may cause weight gains. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to ensure that patients are fed in accordance with the pyramid and followed for many years.