From Restriction to Intuition: Evaluating Intuitive Eating in a Sample of the General Population

Intuitive eating (IE) is a non-dieting approach that promotes listening to internal cues of hunger and satiety, rather than adhering to external dietary restrictions aimed at weight loss. However, the role of IE in dieting behaviors related to weight-loss approaches is still unclear. To address this issue, the aim of this study was to compare IE levels between dieting and non-dieting individuals, exploring the relationship between IE and dieting-related psychological and physical factors. A sample of 2059 females was recruited via social media and self-reported questionnaires were administered to measure IE, eating psychopathology, self-efficacy, and quality of life. Individuals with a history of dieting exhibited lower IE levels, a higher BMI, and a greater eating psychopathology, as well as a reduced self-efficacy and quality of life, compared to non-dieters. IE showed a protective effect against dieting behaviors, with higher IE levels being associated with a lower likelihood of dieting. Additionally, higher BMI and eating psychopathology were predictors of dieting. Promoting IE could represent a relevant clinical target strategy to address disordered eating and enhance overall well-being, underscoring the need for interventions that foster a healthier relationship with food and bodily internal sensations.

DNA Methylation Near CPT1A and Changes in Triglyceride-rich Lipoproteins in Response to Weight-loss Diet Interventions

CONTEXT

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1A, encoded by the CPT1A gene, plays a key role in the oxidation of long-chain fatty acids in the mitochondria and may be important in triglyceride metabolism. Previous work has shown that high fat intake was negatively associated with CPT1A methylation and positively associated with CPT1A expression.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to investigate the association of DNA methylation (DNAm) at the CPT1A gene with reductions in triglycerides and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) in response to weight-loss diet interventions.

METHODS

The current study included 538 White participants, who were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 diets varying in macronutrient components. We defined the regional DNAm at CPT1A as the average methylation level over CpGs within 500 bp of the 3 triglyceride-related DNAm sites.

RESULTS

Dietary fat intake significantly modified the association between baseline DNAm at CPT1A and 2-year changes in total plasma triglycerides, independent of concurrent weight loss. Among participants assigned to a low-fat diet, a higher regional DNAm level at CPT1A was associated with a greater reduction in total plasma triglycerides at 2 years (P = .01), compared with those assigned to a high-fat diet (P = .64) (P interaction = .018). Further investigation on lipids and apolipoproteins in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) revealed similar interaction patterns for 2-year changes in VLDL-triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol, and VLDL-apolipoprotein B (P interaction = .009, .002, and .016, respectively), but not for VLDL-apoC-III (P interaction = .36).

CONCLUSION

Participants with a higher regional DNAm level at CPT1A benefit more in long-term improvement in triglycerides, particularly in the TRLs and related apolipoproteins when consuming a low-fat weight-loss diet.

Effect of weight-loss diets prior to elective surgery on postoperative outcomes in obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review investigated the effects of weight-loss diets before elective surgery on preoperative weight loss and postoperative outcomes in people with obesity. Electronic databases were searched from inception to May 2021. Inclusion criteria were prospective cohort or randomised controlled studies that compared effects of weight-loss diets to standard care on postoperative outcomes in adults with obesity awaiting surgery. Participants with cancer or undergoing bariatric surgery were excluded. Data on preoperative weight change, length of stay, postoperative complications and patient-reported outcome measures were extracted and synthesised in meta-analyses. One randomised controlled trial involving total knee arthroplasty and two that investigated general surgery were eligible that included 173 participants overall. Each study compared low-calorie diets using meal replacement formulas to usual care. There is very-low-quality evidence of a statistically significant difference favouring the intervention for preoperative weight loss (mean difference [MD] -6.67 kg, 95% confidence interval [CI] -12.09 to -1.26 kg; p = 0.02) and low-quality evidence that preoperative weight-loss diets do not reduce postoperative complications to 30 days (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% CI 0.08-1.42; p = 0.14) or length of stay (MD -3.72 h, 95% CI -10.76 to 3.32; p = 0.30). From the limited data that is of low quality, weight loss diets before elective surgery do not reduce postoperative complications.

Changes of Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Ectopic Fat in Response to Weight-loss Diets: the POUNDS Lost Trial

CONTEXT

Recent evidence has related circulating branch-chained amino acids (BCAAs) to ectopic fat distribution.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the associations of changes in plasma BCAAs induced by weight-loss diet interventions with hepatic fat and abdominal fat, and potential modification by different diets.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The current study included 184 participants from the 2-year Preventing Overweight and Using Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS Lost) trial with repeated measurements on plasma BCAAs, hepatic fat, and abdominal fat over 2 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Repeated measurements of hepatic fat, abdominal fat distribution, including visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and total adipose tissue (TAT).

RESULTS

Over 2 years, a decrease in total plasma BCAAs was significantly associated with improvement in hepatic density (a marker for hepatic fat; P = 0.02) and reductions in abdominal fat, including VAT, SAT, and TAT (all P < 0.05) in the main analyses. Additionally, we observed that decreases in BCAAs were associated with decreased insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and triglycerides, independent of weight loss (all P < 0.05). Moreover, we found that dietary protein intake significantly modified the relation between changes in total plasma BCAAs and hepatic density at 6 months (Pinteraction = 0.01). Participants with a larger decrease in total BCAAs showed a greater increase in hepatic density when consuming a high-protein diet, compared with those with a smaller decrease or increase in total BCAAs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that weight-loss diet-induced decrease in plasma BCAAs is associated with reductions of hepatic and abdominal fat. In addition, dietary protein intake may modify these associations.

Review of Dietary Practices of the 21st Century: Facts and Fallacies

The prevalence of chronic metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, is increasing around the world. Nutritional interventions can reduce the prevalence and provide effective treatment, even when weight loss is not dramatic. The 2013 Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines concluded that certain dietary patterns and popular weight-loss diets had sufficient evidence to suggest their use by individuals with diabetes, but many other diet patterns and diets exist. Our specific objectives were to review the nutritional quality of various dietary patterns and diets, with emphasis on the evidence that they are efficacious for weight loss, glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors.

Beneficial effect of high energy intake at lunch rather than dinner on weight loss in healthy obese women in a weight-loss program: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The association between the time of nutrient intake and health has been described in a few studies. To our knowledge, no study has evaluated the relation between high energy intakes at lunch compared with at dinner on weight loss in overweight and obese subjects.

OBJECTIVE

We compared the effect of high energy intake at lunch with that at dinner on weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors in women during a weight-loss program.

DESIGN

Overweight and obese women [n = 80; body mass index (BMI; in kg/m²): 27-35; age: 18-45 y] were asked to eat either a main meal at lunch (LM) or a main meal at dinner (DM) for 12 wk while in a weight-loss program.

RESULTS

A total of 80 participants were randomly assigned to one of 2 intervention groups. Sixty-nine subjects (86%) completed the trial (34 subjects in the DM group, and 35 subjects in the LM group). Baseline variables were not significantly different between groups. A significant reduction in anthropometric measurements and significant improvements in cardiometabolic risk characteristics were observed over 12 wk in both groups. Compared with the DM group, the LM group had greater mean ± SD reductions in weight (LM: -5.85 ± 1.96 kg; DM: -4.35 ± 1.98 kg; P = 0.003), BMI (LM: 2.27± 0.76; DM: 1.68 ± 0.76; P = 0.003), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (LM: -0.66 ± 0.33; DM: -0.46 ± 0.24; P = 0.001), and fasting insulin (LM: -2.01 ± 1.10 mIU/mL; DM: -1.16 ± 0.72 mIU/mL; P < 0.001) after 12 wk. However, there were no significant differences for fasting plasma glucose and lipid profiles within both groups after 12 wk.

CONCLUSIONS

The consumption of higher energy intake at lunch compared with at dinner may result in favorable changes in weight loss in overweight and obese women after a weight-loss program of 12 wk. The consumption may also offer clinical benefits to improve insulin resistance. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02399280.