Obesity increases the incidence, rate, and severity of knee dislocations
A study of more than 19,000 knee dislocations in the US between 2000 and 2012 has shown the devastating impact that obesity is having on traumatic injuries. The study, from Brown University, was conducted due to the correlation of increasing rates of obesity and rates of knee dislocations. The authors have also noted how low-impact causes, that result in dislocation, are now on the rise. In order to understand what was causing these changes, the researchers used data from a twelve-year period and found that people with obesity made up an increasing portion of knee dislocation patients – rising from 8 percent in 2000 to 19 percent in 2012.
The team also found that vascular injury was more common in patients with obesity; this is particularly worrying as vascular compromise can easily lead to amputation if left untreated or undiscovered. The authors of the study commented that this was also disturbing as many low impact knee dislocations are traditionally thought to not result in vascular compromise, this study highlights the importance of double checking for clinicians who are treating overweight or patients with obesity specifically. Whilst the data itself ends in 2012 the authors are quite sure that the trends have continued and hope that more notice of these injuries and their severity will be taken.
Read MoreWater with school lunches to prevent obesity
Encouraging children to drink plain water with their school lunches could prevent more than half a million children in the USA from becoming overweight or obese, a new study from the University of Illinois suggests. Not only will the incidence of overweight decrease, but it is thought that with this simple measure, over $13 billion could be saved in various medical and social costs. The findings are based on a nationwide study that involved 1,200 elementary schools between 2009 and 2013.
It is thought that by consuming more water at lunchtime, children are concurrently eating less fat and sugar; further to this the authors suggest that the intervention does not pose any significant nutritional hazards. Interestingly, the school-based water intervention holds potential as a low- or moderate-cost population-level programme in developing countries as well as developed. The authors themselves are hoping that the intervention will be expanded to all public and private schools across the country, so that more data can be gathered and the rewards can be seen sooner rather than later.
Read MoreObese older adults that have undergone cardiac surgery at higher risk of poor functioning
Obese older adults, that have undergone cardiac surgery, are known to have an increased number of post-operative complications. A recent study from the University of Pennsylvania has analysed the impact of these complications on overweight and obese people’s activities of daily living (ADLs) – such as eating, bathing, dressing and using the toilet. In total, data from 1,731 individuals were examined, all of whom had undergone cardiac surgery. It was found that 34 percent of these were obese and 66 percent were not, these participants were then followed over a period of two years.
The researchers found that 22 percent of participants with obesity who had had heart surgery were less able to perform their ADLs within two years, whereas 17 percent of overweight or normal weight individuals had similar problems. Further to this 10.5 percent of participants with obesity had died within 2 years, whereas 13.8 percent of non-obese participants passed away. Using these findings, the researchers concluded that obese adults with a history of heart surgery would live with greater degrees of functional impairment within two years, especially if they are under 80. The relationship between obesity and ADLs was found to be far more complex above the age of 80 and the team are hoping to continue their research into this area.
Read MoreFocus on teeth to keep children healthy
New research from the Sahlgrenska Academy in the University of Gothenburg has called for people to use dental health as a means of keeping children at a normal weight. The team hope that by talking about eating behaviours rather than weight itself, it could be possible to tackle the main issue from a different angle. The research used data from a number of sub-studies enabling the authors to assess a range of variables. Using data from 271 pre-school and primary children, the researchers were able to compare the presence of cariogenic bacteria in saliva to the weight of an individual. They found that children with a higher number of dental caries were more likely to be overweight or obese.
They also found that children who were counselled on a ‘balanced diet’ also had improved mental health throughout the course of the studies. The research went on to show that self-esteem is linked to healthier eating habits, even as long as two years later. One of the main authors, Louis Arvidsson, hopes that the results from this study will help parents when it comes to choosing what kind of food is made available to children, and what kind of behaviours are instilled in those children from a young age.
Read MoreEngineered protein lowers weight in rodents and primates
Researchers from Amgen Inc. have engineered a novel protein that has demonstrated the ability to lower the weight of mice, rats and primates; the subsequent paper has been published in Science Translational Medicine. The authors based their research on the observation that obese mammals have elevated serum concentrations of the protein GDF15, when compared to normal weight controls. GDF15 itself has a short half-life, so the team were keen to not only alter the effects of the protein, but to also make it last longer in the body. A new fusion protein was generated and by modifying the protein the team were able to delay gastric emptying and alter food preferences, thereby reducing body weight.
The team noted that the effects from the altered protein were similar to those that are observed post bariatric surgery in obese patients. It is thought that GDF15 activates a population of nerve cells called AP neurons that make up a portion of the communication between the gut and the brain. However, the team are keen to point out that much more research is needed into the use of the protein before it is considered as a potential therapeutic agent.
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