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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Obesity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2024) | Viewed by 22379

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Robyn Littlewood

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Guest Editor

1. Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Queensland Government, Brisbane, QLD 4064, Australia
2. School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Interests: overweight and obesity; paediatrics; nutrition and disability

Dr. Jacki Walker

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The prevalence of obesity across the globe has nearly tripled since 1975. More than 1 billion people worldwide are living with obesity, an issue impacting not only high-income countries but also now low- and middle-income countries. Obesity is a complex issue that is associated with a range of noncommunicable conditions, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and mental health conditions. Obesity is largely preventable; however, there are a range of social, environmental, biological, and individual factors to consider that contribute to weight gain across the lifespan.

Globally, there is an urgent need to stop the rise and reverse current trends in obesity in order to not only improve health outcomes for current and future generations, but to ensure sustainable healthcare systems and economic development. Innovative and collaborative approaches that account for context-specific factors are needed.

Lifestyle interventions, including dietary strategies, are an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to the prevention and management of obesity. In this Special Issue, we welcome original articles, short communications, and reviews of the scientific literature, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The proposed manuscripts should cover evidence-based dietary strategies for obesity and can be related to any aspect of the prevention or management of obesity across the human lifespan, with special interest areas including children, youth, and pregnancy. We aim to provide readers with a clear understanding of the various dietary strategies, including innovative and novel approaches, that can be used to prevent or manage obesity and the associated health consequences. Manuscripts focusing purely on pharmacological and surgical treatments are not the focus of this Special Issue.

Dr. Robyn Littlewood
Dr. Jacki Walker
Guest Editors

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Keywords

nutrition
diet
overweight
obesity
intervention
prevention
management

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 442 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Dietary Strategies for Obesity

by Jacqueline L. Walker and Robyn Littlewood

Nutrients 2023, 15(19), 4275; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194275 - 7 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1492

Abstract

Overweight and obesity remains an important health focus internationally, due to the strong link to many noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes mellitus and mental health conditions [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Strategies for Obesity)

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Research

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14 pages, 1185 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Visceral Fat-Reducing Effect of Novel Dietary Intervention Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Japanese Males

by Naohisa Shobako, Hiroyasu Shimada, Tsuyoshi Yamato, Takuo Nakazeko, Yukio Hirano, Futoshi Nakamura and Keiko Honda

Nutrients 2024, 16(18), 3202; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16183202 - 22 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1203

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Reducing visceral fat is a critical factor in preventing obesity-related health complications. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of our previously reported novel dietary intervention program, “Optimized Nutri-Dense Meals”, designed according to the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) in Japan in reducing visceral fat. Method: This open-label, randomized controlled trial included 100 Japanese males with obesity or overweight. In total, 50 participants were assigned to a control group that continued their usual diets, and the other 50 consumed test meals twice per week for four weeks (test group). Result: The primary outcome, visceral fat area, significantly decreased in the test group compared to that in the control group (−7.5 cm², confidence interval [CI]: −14.3 to −0.6). In addition, we measured the changes in gut flora and work productivity. The abundance of Bifidobacterium (+1.5%, CI: 0.3–2.7) and Christensenellaceae (+0.4%, CI: 0.01–0.8) increased significantly in the test group compared with those in the control group. Work Limitation Questionnaire Japanese version scores representing presenteeism also significantly increased in the test group (+1.2 points, CI: 0.2–2.3) compared with the control group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that dietary interventions based on Japanese DRIs can effectively decrease visceral fat and improve health outcomes over the short term without the need for a complete dietary overhaul. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Strategies for Obesity)

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17 pages, 1148 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Consumption of a Coffee Rich in Phenolic Compounds May Improve the Body Composition of People with Overweight or Obesity: Preliminary Insights from a Randomized, Controlled and Blind Crossover Study

by Álvaro Fernández-Cardero, José Luis Sierra-Cinos, Laura Bravo and Beatriz Sarriá

Nutrients 2024, 16(17), 2848; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16172848 - 26 Aug 2024

Viewed by 3319

Abstract

This study analyzes the effects on body composition and variables related to metabolic syndrome of two coffees with different degree of roasting and phenolic content. Sixty participants with body mass index between 25 and 35 kg/m² and a median age of 51.0 years (Interquartile range 46.3–56) were recruited. The study was a controlled, randomized, single-blind crossover trial consisting in drinking three cups/day of roasted coffee (RC) or lightly roasted coffee (LRC) during 12 weeks with 2-week wash-out stages before each coffee intervention. LRC contained ≈400 mg of hydroxycinnamic acids and ≈130 mg of caffeine per 200 mL/cup while RC contained ≈150 mg of hydroxycinnamic acids and ≈70 mg of caffeine per 200 mL/cup. Along the study, in each of the six visits, blood pressure, body composition by bioimpedance, anthropometric measurements, and blood biochemistry were analyzed. The mean differences and p values were calculated using a linear mixed model (JASP.v.0.18.0.3). A total of 38 participants completed the study. After the consumption of both coffees, fat mass and body fat percentage (LRC: −1.4%, p < 0.001; RC: −1.0%, p = 0.005) were reduced, whereas muscle mass and muscle mass percentage slightly increased (LRC: 0.8%, p < 0.001; RC: 0.7%, p = 0.002). The decrease in fat percentage was greater with LRC compared to RC (−0.8%; p = 0.029). There were no significant changes in metabolic syndrome variables or in body weight. In conclusion, LRC was slightly superior at inducing changes in body composition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Strategies for Obesity)

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24 pages, 3281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Immunoneuroendocrine, Stress, Metabolic, and Behavioural Responses in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity

by María del Carmen Navarro, Isabel Gálvez, María Dolores Hinchado, Eduardo Otero, Silvia Torres-Piles, Javier Francisco-Morcillo, Mónica de La Fuente, Leticia Martín-Cordero and Eduardo Ortega

Nutrients 2024, 16(14), 2209; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142209 - 10 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1193

Abstract

Obesity has reached global epidemic proportions, and even though its effects are well-documented, studying the interactions among all influencing factors is crucial for a better understanding of its physiopathology. In a high-fat-diet-induced obesity animal model using C57BL/6J mice, behavioural responses were assessed through a battery of tests, while stress biomarkers and systemic inflammatory cytokines were measured using an Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay and a Bio-Plex Multiplex System. The peritoneal macrophage microbicide capacity was analysed via flow cytometry, and crown-like structures (CLSs) in white adipose tissue (WAT) were evaluated through staining techniques. Results indicated that obese mice exhibited increased body weight, hyperglycaemia, and hyperlipidaemia after 18 weeks on a high-fat diet, as well as worse physical conditions, poorer coordination and balance, and anxiety-like behaviour. Differences in corticosterone and noradrenaline concentrations were also found in obese animals, revealing a stress response and noradrenergic dysregulation, along with a weakened innate immune response characterized by a lower microbicide capacity, and the presence of an underlying inflammation evidenced by more CLSs in WAT. Altogether, these findings indicate that obesity deteriorates the entire stress, inflammatory, metabolic, sensorimotor and anxiety-like behavioural axis. This demonstrates that jointly evaluating all these aspects allows for a deeper and better exploration of this disease and its associated comorbidities, emphasizing the need for individualized and context-specific strategies for its management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Strategies for Obesity)

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8 pages, 240 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association between the Dietary Antioxidant Index and Weight Status in Primary School Students: An Epidemiological Study

by Stamatia Kokkou, Venetia Notara, Aikaterini Kanellopoulou, George Antonogeorgos, Andrea Paola Rojas-Gil, Ekaterina Kornilaki, Areti Lagiou and Demosthenes Panagiotakos

Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1667; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111667 - 29 May 2024

Viewed by 860

Abstract

Obesity is an emerging threat and a current challenge for children and adolescents worldwide. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relationship between the Dietary Antioxidant Index (DAI) and the weight status of students in early adolescence. A sample of 1580 students aged 10–12 years from 47 primary schools in Greece were enrolled. Anthropometric characteristics were assessed, and calculation of the Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to categorize students into two weight-status groups. Dietary habits and physical activity were evaluated using a self-completed questionnaire, and the DAI was calculated through derived micronutrients’ content, along with energy, macro-, and micro-nutrient intake. Crude and adjusted regression analysis showed a significant inverse association of the DAI and body weight status (Odds Ratio (OR): 0.719, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.576; 0.897, and adjusted Odds Ration (aOR): 0.667, 95% CI: 0.489; 0.907). An antioxidant diet seems to play a protective role against increased body weight among students in early adolescence. Thus, dietary patterns rich in antioxidants should be promoted to facilitate healthy habits early in life, and to fight the obesity threat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Strategies for Obesity)

13 pages, 1098 KiB

Open AccessArticle

White Blood Cell and C-Reactive Protein Levels Are Similar in Obese Hispanic White Women Reporting Adherence to a Healthy Plant, Unhealthy Plant, or Animal-Based Diet, unlike in Obese Non-Hispanic White Women

by Anna Bruins, Jacob Keeley, Virginia Uhley, Kimberly Anyadike and Kyeorda Kemp

Nutrients 2024, 16(4), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16040556 - 17 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1444

Abstract

While modifying dietary patterns can reduce the effects of inflammation in obesity, less is known about the impact of dietary patterns on inflammation levels in women of different ethnicities. This study investigated the link between dietary patterns and mediators associated with inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells (WBCs), among obese Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White women. CRP and WBC counts were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2003 and 2010. Based on their recorded responses to two 24 h recall interviews, individuals were grouped into one of three dietary patterns: healthy plant-based, less healthy plant-based, or animal-based. Comparisons were run between obese Hispanic and Non-Hispanic women assigned to the same dietary pattern groups and between dietary pattern groups within ethnic groups. CRP and WBCs increased in obese Non-Hispanics as dietary patterns moved from healthy plant-based to animal-based (pCRP = 0.002 and pWBC = 0.017). Regardless of the dietary pattern, CRP and WBC expression were similar in Hispanic women. In addition, WBCs were higher in Hispanics compared to Non-Hispanics when both populations adhered to healthy plant and less healthy plant dietary patterns. The results indicate that dietary patterns may influence Hispanics’ inflammation differently than Non-Hispanics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Strategies for Obesity)

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23 pages, 5131 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of a High Healthy Eating Index Diet with Long-Term Visceral Fat Loss in a Large Longitudinal Study

by Sunmin Park

Nutrients 2024, 16(4), 534; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16040534 - 14 Feb 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1930

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the association of a sustainable diet with a long-term reduction in waist circumference (WC) while identifying novel biomarkers for WC reduction (WCR). The participants were recruited initially during 2004–2013 in a large hospital-based cohort, and the follow-up measurements were conducted during 2012–2016. The 65,611 adults aged 45–75 were categorized into WC-loss (n = 22,290) and WC-gain (n = 43,321). Each study investigated demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, genetic, and dietary factors. The modified Healthy Eating Index (MHEI), dietary patterns, and glycemic index were calculated from a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Novel biomarkers influencing WC reduction were identified using machine learning approaches. A WCR was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk and its components. Daily energy intake did not differ between those with and without WCR. However, MHEI, which represents diet quality, demonstrated a positive association with WCR. Among various dietary patterns, the Asian-style balanced diet (ABD), including more fermented soybeans and less restricted salt than the Diet Approach to Stop Hypertension, was positively associated with WCR. However, an inverse association was observed between the diet that was high in noodle and processed meat consumption and that which was high in rice consumption. However, the PRS for abdominal obesity did not significantly interrupt WCR. The receiver operating characteristic curve in the prediction model for WCR was about 0.86. The biomarkers in the models included MetS components, inflammation index, diet components, alcohol consumption, and smoking status, but not genetic factors. In conclusion, adopting a high-quality diet with a high MHEI like ABD leads to WCR, irrespective of genetic influences. These results could be applied to develop effective strategies for preventing and managing abdominal obesity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Strategies for Obesity)

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Review

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22 pages, 615 KiB

Open AccessReview

Dietary and Lifestyle Strategies for Obesity

by Thomas M. Barber, Stefan Kabisch, Andreas F. H. Pfeiffer and Martin O. Weickert

Nutrients 2024, 16(16), 2714; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162714 - 15 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1963

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity globally has tripled over the last half century, and currently affects around 650 million adults and 340 million children and adolescents (ages 5–19 years). Obesity contributes towards >50 co-morbidities and premature mortality. Obesity is a highly stigmatised condition that is associated with much mental and emotional distress and dysfunction. Thus, obesity is a major contributor to healthcare expenditure globally. Traditionally, the management of obesity stratifies into three major groups that include metabolic (bariatric) surgery, pharmacotherapies, and lifestyle (primarily dietary) strategies. Although listed as a separate category, dietary strategies for obesity remain a central component of any management plan, and often complement other surgical and pharmacotherapeutic options. Indeed, the effectiveness of any management approach for obesity relies upon successful behavioural changes, particularly relating to eating behaviours. In this concise review, we explore the foundational pillars of dietary strategies for obesity: sleep, listening, routine, de-stressing and optimisation of social conditions. We then discuss the importance of balancing dietary macronutrients (including dietary fibre, carbohydrates, protein and ultra-processed foods [UPFs]) as a key dietary strategy for obesity. Although we focus on general principles, we should provide bespoke dietary strategies for our patients, tailored to their individual needs. Rather than judging the utility of a diet based simply on its associated magnitude of weight loss, we should adopt a more holistic perspective in which a dietary strategy is valued for its overall health benefits, including the nurturing of our gut microbiota, to enable them to nurture and protect us. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Strategies for Obesity)

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16 pages, 792 KiB

Open AccessReview

Obesity and Nutrigenetics Testing: New Insights

by Mychelle Kytchia Rodrigues Nunes Duarte, Lúcia Leite-Lais, Lucymara Fassarella Agnez-Lima, Bruna Leal Lima Maciel and Ana Heloneida de Araújo Morais

Nutrients 2024, 16(5), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16050607 - 23 Feb 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6956

Abstract

Background: Obesity results from interactions between environmental factors, lifestyle, and genetics. In this scenario, nutritional genomics and nutrigenetic tests stand out, with the promise of helping patients avoid or treat obesity. This narrative review investigates whether nutrigenetic tests may help to prevent or treat obesity. Scientific studies in PubMed Science Direct were reviewed, focusing on using nutrigenetic tests in obesity. The work showed that few studies address the use of tools in obesity. However, most of the studies listed reported their beneficial effects in weight loss. Ethical conflicts were also discussed, as in most countries, there are no regulations to standardize these tools, and there needs to be more scientific knowledge for health professionals who interpret them. International Societies, such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome, do not recommend nutrigenetic tests to prevent or treat obesity, especially in isolation. Advancing nutrigenetics depends on strengthening three pillars: regulation between countries, scientific evidence with clinical validity, and professional training. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Strategies for Obesity)

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