Sustained weight loss after gastric bypass surgery
A study published online in JAMA Surgery has evaluated the preoperative factors that are associated with long term weight loss after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Weight loss trajectories following gastric bypass have been variable from person to person and some patients are not able to maintain weight loss. In this study 726 RYGB patients were followed up 7 to 12 years after surgery, and weight loss and preoperative clinical factors were compared. Factors such as preoperative insulin use, smoking and use of 12 or more medications were associated with a greater long term weight loss. Factors such as preoperative hyperlipidaemia, older age and higher BMI were associated with a poorer outcome.
The authors speculate that these findings may be due to an increased interaction with healthcare professionals or perhaps due to unintentional weight loss from other health conditions. They go on to say that more studies are needed to evaluate these medications separately in relation to long term weight loss. More studies are needed to investigate psychosocial, behavioural and other modifiable factors. As these findings seem to suggest that the sickest patients seem to have the best outcomes – contrary to previous studies – more research is needed to confirm the conclusions.
Read MoreChildren score poorly on health behaviours measurement
A recent study, led by a team from the University of Minnesota, has found that a vast majority of children in the USA are not meeting the American Heart Association’s definition of ‘ideal cardiovascular health’. Julia Steinburger, lead author of the study, explained that the primary reason for so few children actually scoring highly on the measurement was: poor nutrition, high-calorie and low-nutrition foods. She went on to say that engaging in ideal health behaviours early on in life can have a tremendous benefit on the maintenance of health throughout life.
Overall, 91% of children scored poorly on diet measurements, with most children getting the majority of their daily calories from simple carbohydrates like sweet desserts and drinks. This, compounded with the fact that many did not partake in an adequate amount of exercise, meant that body weight was affected. For some ages between 12 and 19 the obesity rate was as high as 27%. These outcomes have highlighted the importance of instilling healthy behaviours from a young age, in order to protect our bodies as we age from the effects of diseases such as obesity, however they have also shown that this is not happening at the moment, and should be a priority in the future.
Read More