ObesityWeek: Racial Differences in Perceived Discrimination in People with Obesity

WeightControl.com Interview with:
Marianne Olaniran, DrPH(c), MS, MPH
Doctoral student
The University of Texas Health Science Center
at Houston School of Public Health

Jaime Almandoz, MD, MBA, FTOS (he/him)
Medical Director, Weight Wellness Program
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
Division of Endocrinology
Internal Medicine Subspecialties Clinic
UTSouthwestern Medical Center
Dallas, TX

WeightControl.com:  What is the background for this study? 

Ms. Olaniran: The study focused on experiences of discrimination among people with obesity (PWO), based on their characteristics including body size, race/ethnicity, and sex. Discrimination against individuals and groups remains prevalent in the United States. Studies show that perceived discrimination negatively impacts physical and mental health, but how it impacts diverse PWO is not well understood. This study assessed race/ethnic group and sex differences in perceptions of discrimination among people with obesity .

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DIETFITS: Identifying Groups with Varying Weight Loss Success

the most successful subgroup (73% met threshold) had high outcome expectations for making health improvements coupled with high levels of family encouragement

WeightControl.com Interview with:
Matthew J. Landry, PhD, RDN, FAND, FAHA (he/him)
Assistant Professor 
Department of Population Health & Disease Prevention 
University of California, Irvine 

WeightControl.com:  What is the background for this study? 

Response: Lifestyle interventions are the first-line treatment for obesity; however, not all participants achieve clinically significant weight loss.

As researchers and clinicians, we want to minimize patient burden, maximize clinical outcomes, and conserve constraints (budget & personnel).

Using data from a 12-month diet and weight loss intervention (DIETFITS), we examined 52 demographic, clinical, & psychosocial variables among 436 participants (BMI 28-40) to see if there are distinct subgroups of participants who were more or less successful in losing 5% weight by 12 months?

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Gender Differences in Core Body Temperature

WeightControl.com Interview with:
Reed Thomas BS and
Dr. Kong Y. Chen PhD
Director, Human Energy & Body Weight Regulation Core
NIH

WeightControl.com:  What is the background for this study? 

Response: Over the last century, many studies have looked at the thermoregulation of both arctic and tropical animals; however, far fewer have rigorously measured variations in human thermal physiology, and even less have compared women and men. This study is a part of our ongoing efforts to fill that gap.

ObesityWeek: Setmelanotide (IMCIVREE™) Successfully Induced Weight Loss in Patients With Hypothalamic Obesity

Patients were able to stay away from food for a longer time. For some of the patients that was really changing their lives. They are back to normal and not obsessed with food all the time.

WeightControl.com Interview with:
Dr. Christian Roth, MD
Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Division of Endocrinology
Department of Pediatrics
University of Washington

Dr. Christian Roth, MD
Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Division of Endocrinology
Department of Pediatrics
University of Washington
Dr. Roth

WeightControl.com:  What is the background for this study? Would you briefly explain what is meant by Hypothalamic Obesity?

Response: Hypothalamic obesity is a different entity of obesity that is rare and very difficult to treat. It is an acquired form of obesity due to injury to the hypothalamus because of a brain tumor and/or its treatment. This causes an abrupt change in body weight regulation because tissues that are important for energy homeostasis are partially or completely removed.

Typically, these patients can’t control their appetite and within a very short time after surgery they gain weight quickly. Their energy expenditure is also very low. So even if they cut down on calorie intake, they are typically not able to lose weight.