The effects of three weight management methods on body composition and serum lipids of overweight and obese people

Understanding the importance of weight management: a qualitative exploration of lived individual experiences

PURPOSE

To explore the lived experiences and motivations of individuals engaged in weight management, focusing on psychological, societal, health-related, and personal factors influencing their motivations.

METHODS

A descriptive exploratory approach, guided by the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), was followed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten adults actively involved in weight management. Thematic analysis identified key themes across four domains: (i) psychological motivation (extrinsic and intrinsic), (ii) societal influence (body image, social norms, media influence), (iii) health consciousness (priority of health, health concerns), and (iv) family support and past weight management experiences (learned habits, supportive environment).

RESULTS

The findings revealed a nuanced interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, societal expectations, health priorities, and the impact of family support on weight management. Aligning with SDT, the study emphasizes the role of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in shaping individual motivations for weight management.

CONCLUSIONS

The study provides valuable insights for tailoring interventions aimed at enhancing well-being by addressing the psychological, societal, health-conscious, and familial factors that influence motivations in weight management.

Comparative efficacy of energy-restricted dietary interventions in overweight and obese populations: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

This meta-analysis compared the effectiveness of different energy-restricted diets on body composition, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism in overweight and obese populations. Five databases were searched to identify relevant studies in English from inception until July 20, 2023, for randomized controlled trials of at least 2 weeks duration assessing the effects of continuous energy-restricted diets compared with any intermittent energy-restricted diet in obesity adults. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool version 2.0, while the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) system was used to assess the certainty of the evidence. A non-informative prior distribution Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted. Thirty-eight studies (3039 participants) assessing four energy-restricted diets were included. Three RCTs were at high risk of bias with a very low to moderate certainty of evidence. Combined with pairwise comparisons and surface under the cumulative ranking curve, alternate-day fasting may be the best energy restriction regimen with the potential to have the most beneficial effects on various aspects of the obesity population. More rigorously designed and long-term follow-up studies are warranted.