International Journal Of Obesity (2005)[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Genetic insights into socioeconomic inequalities and adiposity-related interventions for reducing accelerated biological aging.
Meng S, Ma Z, Xuan W … +4 more , Wang X, Wu Z, Ji M, Ni J
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Apr · PMID 41667840 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status (SES) has been widely associated with accelerated aging. However, the causal mechanisms underlying this relationship remain poorly understood. This study utilizes genetic data to explore...
BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status (SES) has been widely associated with accelerated aging. However, the causal mechanisms underlying this relationship remain poorly understood. This study utilizes genetic data to explore the causal effect of SES on biological aging, with a focus on the mediating role of adiposity traits by using Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. METHOD: We applied a two-step MR using largely genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data from the UK Biobank to estimate the causal effect of SES on biological aging, as measured by BioAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel, and assessed the proportion of this effect mediated by adiposity traits. RESULTS: MR analyses demonstrated that genetically determined education (β = -0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.48, -0.28) and household income (β = -0.41; 95% CI: -0.62, -0.20) showed negative associations with BioAgeAccel. Similarly, genetically determined education (β = -1.30; 95% CI: -1.56, -1.04), household income (β = -1.72; 95% CI: -2.28, -1.15), and occupational attainment (β = -0.50; 95% CI: -0.79, -0.22) were inversely associated with PhenoAgeAccel. Mediation analyses revealed that body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) mediated the effects of household income on BioAgeAccel, accounting for 23.73% and 20.79% of the total effect, respectively. For PhenoAgeAccel, the mediating effects of BMI and WHR ranged from 15.20% to 53.42% for education, household income, and occupational attainment, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide robust genetic evidence that higher SES mitigates biological aging, with adiposity traits mediating a significant proportion of this effect. These results underscore the importance of addressing socioeconomic inequalities and implementing adiposity-related health interventions to counteract accelerated biological aging.
Associations between anthropometric and body composition indices with subclinical arterial damage in chronic inflammatory diseases.
Kaloudi P, Protogerou AD, Aissopou EK … +7 more , Basdeki ED, Argyris AA, Athanasopoulou E, Tentolouris N, Tektonidou MG, Sfikakis PP, Karatzi K
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Apr · PMID 41667839 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Anthropometric and body composition indices are associated with subclinical arterial damage (SAD) in populations with overweight and obesity, but limited data exist in populations with chronic inflammatory di...
BACKGROUND: Anthropometric and body composition indices are associated with subclinical arterial damage (SAD) in populations with overweight and obesity, but limited data exist in populations with chronic inflammatory diseases (CID). Herein we tested the hypothesis that the associations of anthropometric and body composition indices with macro- and microcirculation SAD markers differ in patients with CID compared to non-CID subjects. METHODS: A total of 264 patients with CID (23.1% men, mean age ± standard deviation: 51.1 ± 12.9 years) and 491 CID-free individuals with cardiovascular disease risk factors (55.8% men, mean age ± standard deviation: 51.9 ± 11.6 years) were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and retinal vessel calibers were assessed in all participants. RESULTS: In non-CID individuals, all anthropometric indices were positively associated with IMT; most of them were positively associated with central retinal venular equivalent and inversely associated with central retinal arteriolar equivalent and arteriolar to venular ratio. In patients with CID, only body fat percentage [B = 0.002 95% CI (0.000, 0.004)], mid-upper arm circumference [B = 0.007 95% CI (0.002, 0.011)] and waist circumference [B = 0.001 95% CI (0.000, 0.003)] were positively associated with IMT, whereas none of the indices were associated with retinal microcirculation. No associations with PWV were observed in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Body weight, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio were not associated with SAD markers in patients with CID. This may have an impact on the clinical use of these indices in the presence of CID, which needs to be elucidated by future studies.
The neural pathways of change: an fMRI study of the effects of behavioral change suggestions on value-based dietary decision-making.
Rodrigues B, Flament B, Khalid I … +9 more , Rampanana M, Frileux S, Aubertin H, Oppert JM, Fossati P, Koban L, Poitou-Bernert C, Rotge JY, Schmidt L
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Apr · PMID 41667838 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Resolving the ambivalence between immediate cravings and long-term consequences is a key target of communication-based interventions toward behavioral change, such as motivational interviewing. Here, we aimed...
BACKGROUND: Resolving the ambivalence between immediate cravings and long-term consequences is a key target of communication-based interventions toward behavioral change, such as motivational interviewing. Here, we aimed at understanding how this ambivalence between changing and sustaining unhealthy eating habits influences food valuation and its neural mechanism. METHODS: Eighty-five participants with varying body mass indices and food addiction-like symptoms underwent a motivational interviewing session during which they formulated personal reasons for (i.e., change talk) and against (i.e., sustain talk) changing their current eating habits. One week later, they listened to their statements when rating how much they wanted to eat various food items for real at the end of the experiment while their brain activation was measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Food choices were healthier when participants had listened to their change talk statements, and more based on taste following sustain talk statements. This effect was stronger in participants with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m, particularly among those with more food addiction-like symptoms displayed in their everyday life eating habits. On the neural level, participants with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m also showed stronger functional connectivity between the ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at the time of food choice following a change compared to a sustain talk statement. On the contrary, participants with a BMI < 30 kg/m displayed stronger neural craving responses when making their food choices following sustain talk. Moreover, after change talk, among participants with a BMI < 30 kg/m, those with higher BMI displayed stronger neural craving responses during healthy food wanting, and lower responses during tasty food wanting. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that shifting between changing and sustaining unhealthy eating habits biases food valuation and its encoding in neural pathways linked to valuation, cognitive control, and craving as a function of weight status. STUDY-PRE-REGISTRATION: This study was pre-registered (https:/clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05101863).
Characterization of jejunal enteroids in human obesity; a model for studying GLP-1 cells.
Osinski C, Martinez-Oca P, Moret D … +6 more , Genser L, Poitou C, Soula HA, Clément K, Serradas P, Ribeiro A
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Apr · PMID 41663679 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are associated with altered secretion of enteroendocrine hormones, including the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). The mechanisms underlying this dysregulation remain poorly u...
OBJECTIVES: Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are associated with altered secretion of enteroendocrine hormones, including the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). The mechanisms underlying this dysregulation remain poorly understood, partly due to the rarity of enteroendocrine cells (EECs) and technical difficulties in humans. Our aim was to generate an in vitro human jejunal enteroids (HJEs) derived from individuals with obesity and T2D as a simplified intestinal epithelium in a controlled environment, in order to explore GLP-1 secretion in metabolic diseases. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: HJEs were obtained from jejunum fragments sampled during gastric bypass surgery in individuals with severe obesity and normoglycemia (Ob, n = 12), prediabetes (ObPreD, n = 12), or T2D (ObD, n = 10). HJEs were characterized through gene and protein expression analyses and immunofluorescence. To promote the EEC lineage, HJEs were treated with the Notch pathway inhibitor DAPT. Active GLP-1 secretion was assessed by ELISA. RESULTS: HJEs were successfully generated whatever the metabolic group Ob, ObPreD, ObD, exhibiting epithelial cell lineages and expressing critical genes involved in GLP-1 cell lineage, biosynthesis, and secretion. HJEs secreted active GLP-1 in response to both low and high glucose concentrations, regardless of subject metabolic status. However, HJEs from individuals with severe obesity and T2D exhibited a reduced capacity to release GLP-1 in response to high glucose concentrations compared to those from individuals with severe obesity or with obesity and prediabetes. CONCLUSIONS: HJEs represent a robust human-derived model to investigate EEC function and GLP-1 secretion in metabolic diseases. While HJEs retain functional GLP-1-producing cells, their secretory capacity is impaired in the presence of T2D, confirming functional endocrine alterations. These findings support the use of HJEs in preclinical studies targeting enteroendocrine dysfunction.
Counseling patients through an obesity diagnosis: a brief primer for healthcare providers.
Heeren FAN, Hales S, Redelfs AH … +2 more , Saunders KH, Corbin KD
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 May · PMID 41654634 · Publisher ↗
Obesity is a complex disease that requires evidence-based treatments to be effectively managed. Despite extant literature detailing the benefits of treatment options currently available, there is a disconnect between est...
Obesity is a complex disease that requires evidence-based treatments to be effectively managed. Despite extant literature detailing the benefits of treatment options currently available, there is a disconnect between established research and public discourse on the treatment of obesity. Due to the recent surge in popularity of highly efficacious incretin-based therapies, more patients are becoming aware of available treatment options and approaching healthcare providers to engage in conversations regarding weight management. Here, we provide details regarding patient preferences on certain terms related to weight management, and guidance for healthcare providers counseling patients through an obesity diagnosis. Given the evidence that individuals with obesity may have misunderstandings regarding the disease of obesity and the role of treatment options, we provide guidance on these complex topics. The authors of this perspective include researchers, clinicians, and a patient. The guidance provided herein is based on available literature, experience in clinical settings, and lived experience.
Sex-dependent associations of childhood maltreatment with obesity-related traits: results from the German National Cohort (NAKO).
Töpfer P, Klinger-König J, Siewert-Markus U … +24 more , Schipf S, Fischer B, Sedlmeier AM, Hebestreit A, Ahrens W, Berger K, Brenner H, Do S, Heise JK, Jaskulski S, Karch A, Keil T, Klett-Tammen C, Leitzmann MF, Peters A, Schmidt B, Schulze MB, Willich SN, Dörr M, Völzke H, Markus MRP, Stracke S, Grabe HJ, Ittermann T
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Feb · PMID 41652183 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The relationship between childhood maltreatment (CM) and obesity is nuanced, and recent evidence suggests stronger associations between CM and obesity-related traits in females compared to males. This study a...
BACKGROUND: The relationship between childhood maltreatment (CM) and obesity is nuanced, and recent evidence suggests stronger associations between CM and obesity-related traits in females compared to males. This study aims to validate and extend these findings in a large sample from the German National Cohort (NAKO). METHODS: The NAKO is a population-based cohort study including 204,744 adults. For the present analyses, 151,143 individuals (74,596 female) were included. CM was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS). From the CTS, an overall severity score (CTS sum score), a cumulative CM score (number of CM subtypes with at least moderate severity), and five CTS subtypes were considered as exposures. Obesity-related traits included anthropometric (height, weight, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC]) and body fat markers (relative fat mass [rFM], subcutaneous [SAT], visceral adipose tissue [VAT]). Sex-stratified linear and logistic regression models were adjusted for age, education, and examination center to associate CTS-based scores with obesity-related traits. RESULTS: Associations of the CTS sum score with weight, BMI, WC, rFM, and SAT were stronger in females compared to males, while similar associations were observed for VAT. In both sexes, most obesity-related traits exhibited dose-response relationships with increasing numbers of CM subtypes. Compared to unexposed females, females with exposure to ≥3 CM subtypes had a higher risk for obesity (i.e., BMI ≥ 30 kg/m; OR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.43, 1.71) and high WC (i.e., WC ≥ 88 cm; OR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.29, 1.50). In males, exposure to ≥3 CM subtypes was also associated with increased obesity risk (OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.32, 1.72) and high WC (i.e., WC ≥ 102 cm; OR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.44). Physical and emotional abuse exhibited the strongest average associations and were associated with the most outcomes. CONCLUSION: Associations of CM exposure with adult anthropometric and body fat markers are stronger in females compared to males.
The Physiology Of the WEight Reduced State (POWERS) study: strategies for the analysis of biological specimens.
Rosenbaum M, Allison KC, Laughlin MR … +10 more , Kelley SS, Nunez-Matos J, Rickles M, Chau L, Wu G, Zamani P, Whyte KJ, Leibel RL, Hayes MR, POWERS Consortium
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Feb · PMID 41644794 · Full text
The Physiology Of the WEight Reduced State (POWERS) study is a multi-center clinical trial designed to understand the physiological basis for observed variability in weight regain following intentional weight loss among...
The Physiology Of the WEight Reduced State (POWERS) study is a multi-center clinical trial designed to understand the physiological basis for observed variability in weight regain following intentional weight loss among US adults. The primary dependent variable is weight regain over one year following a 7% or greater supervised weight loss. The overarching design and study organization, along with rationale and history of the POWERS study and outcomes measures are described in accompanying papers. This paper provides the rationale for and description of biospecimens samples that will ultimately inform on the molecular and cellular basis of the physiological variability that contributes to the regulation of energy balance in the weight reduced state. Participants will be 205 healthy adults (n = 205), aged 25-59 years, with body mass index (BMI) 30- ≤ 40 kg/m. Biospecimens will be collected prior to weight loss (baseline, BL), immediately following weight loss via lifestyle intervention (T0), and then four (T4) and twelve (T12) months after weight loss. Blood will be collected in the fasting state and following a meal challenge designed to induce hormones related to satiety. Weight change from T0 to T12 will be the primary outcome variable. Biospecimens to be collected include plasma, serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), DNA, urine, feces, adipose and skeletal muscle tissue. All samples will be biobanked at each site. This manuscript describes the rationale for the biospecimens chosen to assess contributors to homeostatic mechanisms that drive observed variability of weight regain after weight loss.
Burgers, brains, and evolution: biological and philosophical roots of fat craving.
Ayyad M
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 May · PMID 41639304 · Full text
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The psychopathological profile of candidates for metabolic bariatric surgery: a transdiagnostic and network approach.
Dix MHC, Boerma EG, Martijn C … +3 more , Burger J, Lemmens LHJM, Jansen ATM
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Apr · PMID 41639303 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Candidates for metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) experience significantly higher rates of mental disorders compared to the general population. While previous studies have primarily focused on a limited range...
BACKGROUND: Candidates for metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) experience significantly higher rates of mental disorders compared to the general population. While previous studies have primarily focused on a limited range of mental health conditions, this study expands the scope by studying a broader spectrum of psychopathological symptoms. Our aim was to map the psychopathological profile of candidates for MBS and to test whether individuals higher in general psychopathology exhibit a higher body mass index (BMI) and more severe eating disorder symptoms than those lower in general psychopathology. METHODS: A total of 222 candidates for MBS from the Dutch Obesity Clinic completed 16 questionnaires to generate a comprehensive psychopathological profile. Cluster analysis was applied to identify distinct groups based on general psychopathology. The clusters were compared on BMI and eating disorder psychopathology. A cross-sectional network approach was used to explore the complex interconnections between symptoms. RESULTS: Two clusters emerged: a high psychopathology profile (high PP; 29%) characterized by elevated scores on general psychopathology, and a low psychopathology profile (low PP; 71%) marked by healthier psychological functioning. The high PP cluster exhibited more severe eating disorder psychopathology than the low PP cluster, while the clusters did not differ in BMI. The symptom network revealed that general psychopathology is linked to eating disorder psychopathology through the bridge symptom 'eating concerns.' CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of the individuals presenting for MBS exhibit elevated, transdiagnostic psychopathology with complex connections between symptoms. Notably, BMI was not associated with the severity of symptoms. The symptom network analysis highlights that 'eating concerns' serve as a crucial bridge linking eating disorder symptoms and symptoms of emotional disorders. Future research should focus on the transdiagnostic nature of psychopathology associated with obesity and investigate its potential impact on treatment outcomes, such as weight loss and quality of life.
Changes in body mass index among pregnant women during labor over four decades: a retrospective longitudinal analysis.
Gašparová P, Ballová Z, Sitáš M … +1 more , Dosedla E
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Apr · PMID 41639302 · Full text
INTRODUCTION: The global rise in maternal obesity presents a growing public health challenge, with significant implications for pregnancy outcomes. This study offers a comprehensive retrospective analysis of changes in B...
INTRODUCTION: The global rise in maternal obesity presents a growing public health challenge, with significant implications for pregnancy outcomes. This study offers a comprehensive retrospective analysis of changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) among pregnant women during labor over four decades. MATERIAL AND METHODS: BMI data were retrospectively collected from 13,193 pregnant women divided into three cohorts: Group 0 (1986-1990), Group 1 (2009-2013), and Group 2 (2024). RESULTS: Mean BMI increased significantly from 23.75 kg/m² in Group 0 to 27.33 kg/m² in Group 2 (p < 0.001). The prevalence of obesity rose more than fivefold, from 4.87% to 25.76%. Regression analysis confirmed a linear and statistically significant upward trajectory across all groups. CONCLUSIONS: The sustained increase in maternal BMI underscores the urgency of implementing targeted interventions, including preconception counseling and personalized antenatal care, to mitigate the adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with elevated BMI.
Differentiating the abnormalities of food and monetary reward cue processing associated with overweight/obesity: an ALE meta-analysis.
Wang N, Xiao M, Hou X … +5 more , Lu C, Yuan R, Lam C, Chen H, Cao B
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Apr · PMID 41634103 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Obesity represents a critical global health challenge, yet the neurocognitive distinctions in processing different rewards among individuals with overweight/obesity (OW/OB) remain poorly characterized. This m...
BACKGROUND: Obesity represents a critical global health challenge, yet the neurocognitive distinctions in processing different rewards among individuals with overweight/obesity (OW/OB) remain poorly characterized. This meta-analysis aims to synthesize functional MRI evidence to delineate common and distinct neural abnormalities during processing of food or monetary reward cues in individuals with OW/OB compared to normal-weight (NW) controls. METHODS: Searches were conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycInfo to identify eligible citations from inception until May 2025. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42024595608). Data analyses were carried out using the Activation Likelihood Estimation (ALE) algorithm. MRIcroGL was used to show the results with MNI coordinates. RESULTS: We systematically reviewed 26 studies with 1065 participants, comprising 6 monetary reward and 20 food reward studies. Overlapping reduced activation occurred in the left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and insula across both reward types; the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) exhibited decreased activation in response to food reward cues, while it showed increased activation in response to monetary reward cues in individuals with OW/OB. During food-reward tasks, individuals with OW/OB exhibited increased activation in the bilateral caudate nucleus, hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and medial prefrontal cortex, alongside decreased activation in amygdala responses. For monetary-reward tasks, increased activation was observed in the right lateral nucleus and hypothalamus, while decreased activation was observed in the right subthalamic nucleus (STN) and posterior ventral lateral nucleus. CONCLUSION: Obesity represents a critical global health challenge, yet the neurocognitive distinctions in processing different rewards among individuals with OW/OB remain poorly characterized. Our findings reveal both dissociable and overlapping neural alterations during the processing of primary (food) versus secondary (monetary) rewards in OW/OB, implicating altered reward sensitivity, decision-making, and inhibitory control. The results underscore the necessity for reward-type-specific interventions targeting these neural mechanisms to address obesity-related dysregulation. Contrasts in brain activation during food and monetary reward processing between individuals with overweight/obesity (OW/OB) and normal weight (NW).
Investigating the trend of revisional bariatric surgery, the complications, and associated risk factors in France.
Lazzati A, Tresallet C, Guian G … +1 more , Blanchard C
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Mar · PMID 41629476 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is a highly effective treatment for patients with obesity, with increasing prevalence in France. However, some patients require revisional MBS (RMBS) due to suboptimal in...
BACKGROUND: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is a highly effective treatment for patients with obesity, with increasing prevalence in France. However, some patients require revisional MBS (RMBS) due to suboptimal initial response, recurrent weight gain, and correction of technique-related complications. Understanding the prevalence and risks associated with RMBS is essential for optimizing patient care. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the rate of RMBS in France and to delineate the associated complications and risk factors. SETTING: France. METHODS: Using national discharge data from 2016 to 2022, this observational study compared morbidity and mortality rates between primary and RMBS. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and procedural details were analyzed. Major complications within 90 days post-surgery were assessed using logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 284,271 bariatric procedures analyzed, the revision rate was 12.8%. Patients undergoing RMBS were older, predominantly female, and had more comorbidities compared to those undergoing primary procedures. RMBS were associated with significantly higher rates of severe complications (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.49-1.68, p < 0.001), particularly after gastric bypass (GB) (OR 2.70, 95% CI 2.27-3.20). Subgroup analyses showed increased morbidity following revisional sleeve gastrectomy compared to primary procedures. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights a notable rate of RMBS in France, with evolving trends towards more complex revisions. RMBS are associated with increased morbidity, emphasizing the need for careful patient selection and enhanced postoperative management. Further research into surgical techniques, long-term pharmacological interventions, and surgeon expertise is warranted to optimize outcomes in this population.
Peak oxygen consumption as a modifier of the obesity paradox in patients with obesity with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
Kim M, Lee J, Yang T … +3 more , Oh J, Kang SM, Lee CJ
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Feb · PMID 41629475 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Obesity is linked to adverse health effects, but paradoxically improves survival in heart failure (HF). Peak oxygen consumption (VO), a measure of exercise capacity, is a key prognostic indicator in HF. We ex...
BACKGROUND: Obesity is linked to adverse health effects, but paradoxically improves survival in heart failure (HF). Peak oxygen consumption (VO), a measure of exercise capacity, is a key prognostic indicator in HF. We examined the interaction between obesity and peak VO in predicting survival in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 18,879 patients who underwent maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing using the modified Bruce ramp protocol between 2012 and 2020. The inclusion criteria were left ventricular ejection fraction <40% and body mass index (BMI) > 18.5 kg/m. Patients were classified as those with normal weight (BMI: 18.5-22.9 kg/m), overweight (23.0-24.9 kg/m), or obesity (≥25.0 kg/m) per 2020 Korean Society for the Study of Obesity guidelines. RESULTS: For the 819 included patients (292 with normal weight, 197 with overweight, 330 with obesity), median age was 59 (interquartile range [IQR]: 49-67) years, 75.2% were male, and the median BMI was 24.1 (IQR: 22.1-26.5) kg/m. Patients with obesity achieved the highest workload, peak VO, and exercise time (all P < 0.001). They also had lower all-cause mortality versus patients with normal weight (hazard ratio 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.25-0.82, P = 0.009). In patients with obesity, elevated peak VO was associated with a U-shaped mortality curve, unlike the linear relationship in other groups (P for interaction = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with obesity and HFrEF showed better survival, consistent with the obesity paradox. However, the U-shaped relationship between peak VO and mortality in this group suggests the survival advantage may diminish at higher levels of exercise capacity, warranting further investigation.
Impact of bariatric surgery on monthly earnings and employment: a national linked data study in England, 2014-2022.
Bermingham CR, Ayoubkhani D, Zaccardi F … +9 more , Coulman KD, Valabhji J, Khunti K, Pournaras DJ, Santos R, Islam N, Razieh C, Dolby T, Nafilyan V
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Mar · PMID 41620531 · Full text
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: There is evidence that living with obesity can affect an individual's pay and employment, but there is little evidence on the impact of weight-management interventions in improving labour market out...
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: There is evidence that living with obesity can affect an individual's pay and employment, but there is little evidence on the impact of weight-management interventions in improving labour market outcomes of individuals. We evaluate the impact of bariatric surgery on monthly earnings and employee status among working-age adults, and examine variations across sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: This population-based, retrospective longitudinal cohort study for England included 40,662 individuals who had a bariatric surgery procedure and obesity diagnosis between 1 April 2014 and 31 December 2022, with no bariatric surgery history in the previous 5 years, and were 25 to 64 years old at the date of surgery. 49,921 individuals sampled from the general population who had not had bariatric surgery were also included, matched by age and sex. The main outcome measures were monthly employee pay-for all months and only months where the individual was in paid employment-expressed in 2023 prices and paid employee status. RESULTS: Among people living with obesity who had bariatric surgery, there was a sustained increase in monthly employee pay from 6 months after surgery with a mean increase of £84 per month (95% confidence interval [Cl]: 63-106) 5 years after surgery compared with the 6 months before surgery. There was a sustained increase in the probability of being a paid employee from 4 months after bariatric surgery, with a mean increase of 4.3 percentage points (95% Cl: 3.7-4.9) 5 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery is associated with an increased probability of being employed, resulting in increased earnings. This suggests that living with obesity negatively impacts labour market outcomes and that obesity management interventions are likely to generate economic benefits both to individuals and on a macroeconomic level by increasing the likelihood of employment of people living with obesity.
Elevated serum glucosylsphingosine level in children with obesity: relation to plasma atherogenesis.
Salah NY, Abdel Hakam D, Abdullah FA … +3 more , Hamza MS, Ramadan EA, Mahmoud R
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Apr · PMID 41565918 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Glucosylsphingosine (Lyso-GL-1), a glycosphingolipid formed by glucosylceramide hydrolysis, is known to be increased in Gaucher disease. Recently, increased ceramides and sphingolipids have been implicated in...
BACKGROUND: Glucosylsphingosine (Lyso-GL-1), a glycosphingolipid formed by glucosylceramide hydrolysis, is known to be increased in Gaucher disease. Recently, increased ceramides and sphingolipids have been implicated in obesity, insulin resistance, and atherogenesis. However, limited data exists on serum Lyso-GL-1 level in children with obesity and its relation with insulin resistance, lipid dysfunction, and atherogenesis. Hence, this study aimed to assess Lyso-GL-1 level among children with obesity and correlate it with biomarkers of insulin resistance and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). METHODOLOGY: Sixty children with obesity with a mean age of 10.06 years (SDS ± 2.22) and 60 age- and sex-matched normal-weighed controls were assessed for anthropometric measures, mean blood pressure percentiles, serum Lyso-GL-1, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting insulin, triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) with calculation of the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the AIP. RESULTS: Children with obesity have significantly higher Lyso-GL-1 and AIP than controls. Lyso-GL-1 is significantly positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) z-score, waist/hip ratio z-score, systolic and diastolic blood pressure percentiles, LDL-C, HOMA-IR, and AIP (p < 0.05), being independently correlated with systolic blood pressure percentile, LDL-C, and AIP on multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Serum Lyso-GL-1 is elevated in children with obesity, being closely correlated with hypertension, insulin resistance, and atherogenesis. This could provide a mechanistic insight on the role of Lyso-GL-1 in obesity and atherogenesis. Further studies are warranted to explore the potential role of Lyso-GL-1 as a biomarker and target for the prevention and treatment of obesity-related atherogenesis and insulin resistance.
Mixed-effects location scale modeling of stress and contextual factors on overeating: a real-world observational study.
Amagai S, Zhang X, Shahabi F … +4 more , Romano C, Stump T, Hedeker D, Alshurafa N
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Mar · PMID 41559395 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: The objective of our 14-day technology-supported free-living study was to assess how psychological, environmental, and social factors affect overeating among participants with obesity. METHODS: We recruited 47...
OBJECTIVE: The objective of our 14-day technology-supported free-living study was to assess how psychological, environmental, and social factors affect overeating among participants with obesity. METHODS: We recruited 47 adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m), who collectively logged 2004 meals, wore and used study devices for meal verification, and completed daily food recalls administered by dietitians. Participants reported on stress, affect, hunger, and meal contexts through Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMA). To explore the factors influencing caloric intake per meal, we employed a two-level mixed-effects location scale model, capturing both between-subject (BS) and within-subject (WS) factors based on the EMA data. This is a secondary analysis of the SenseWhy study, focusing on the association between stress and intake. RESULTS: Our analysis identified six BS factors (e.g., stress, perception of overeating, restaurant food, later meals, pleasure-seeking meal) and ten WS factors (e.g., biological hunger, perceived overeating, uncontrolled eating, social eating, restaurant food, snacks) to be significantly associated with caloric intake. Notably, participants who were more stressed, on average, consumed more calories (0.74; p = 0.002) with high consistency (-0.7; p = 0.048) between individuals. When stressed and not at home, participants consumed less calories (-0.62; p = 0.0043). CONCLUSION: Conventional strategies for managing stress-related overeating fall short. Effectively addressing overeating requires an understanding of both psychological and contextual factors.
The association between higher body weight and stigmatizing language documented in hospital birth admission notes.
Harkins SE, Hazi AK, Hulchafo II … +3 more , Kim Scroggins J, Topaz M, Barcelona V
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Feb · PMID 41530600 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Weight stigma is pervasive in pregnancy care. However, there is limited research on how pregnant women with higher body weight experience stigma through language documented in electronic health records (EHR)....
BACKGROUND: Weight stigma is pervasive in pregnancy care. However, there is limited research on how pregnant women with higher body weight experience stigma through language documented in electronic health records (EHR). The purpose of this study was to examine the association between higher body weight and stigmatizing language documented in the EHR during the hospital birth admission. METHODS: We used EHR data from women over 20 weeks of gestation admitted to two large metropolitan hospitals in the Northeast United States between 2017 and 2019. The primary exposure was higher body weight. We identified women with higher body weight with ICD-10 codes and keyword searches for terms associated with higher body weight in clinical notes. Study outcomes were the presence of any stigmatizing language and four subcategories of stigmatizing language documented in the clinical note. We employed logistic regression to calculate unadjusted and adjusted associations. RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates, women with higher body weight were more likely to have any stigmatizing language documented compared to women without higher body weight in birth hospitalization notes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01, 1.20). Women with higher body weight were also more likely to have language documented from the marginalized language/identities category (aOR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.20, 1.59). DISCUSSION: Women with higher body weight experience stigma in clinical documentation. Findings support the need for clinician training in equitable documentation and the removal of stigmatizing terms from clinic documents and workflows to promote perinatal health equity.
Multidimensional risk impact of obesity on breast cancer incidence, treatment, and prognosis.
Liu Y, Xu S, Yang H … +1 more , Wang Y
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Jun · PMID 41526462 · Publisher ↗
Breast cancer has now become the most common malignant tumor and the leading cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide, and its pathogenesis has not yet been elucidated. Obesity is a risk factor for multiple cancers, and...
Breast cancer has now become the most common malignant tumor and the leading cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide, and its pathogenesis has not yet been elucidated. Obesity is a risk factor for multiple cancers, and with the improvement of living standards and changes in dietary structure, obesity has become a major public health challenge in Asia, North America, Europe, and even worldwide. The study of obesity and breast cancer risk is a popular topic in epidemiological research. However, due to variations in obesity assessment criteria, conclusions regarding breast cancer risk in premenopausal versus postmenopausal women have been inconsistent. This review systematically reviews diverse diagnostic criteria for obesity from domestic and international studies, and thoroughly analyzes the differential associations between obesity and breast cancer risk in premenopausal and postmenopausal women, along with their potential molecular biological mechanisms. This paper further summarizes the clinical characteristics of breast cancer patients with obesity, including delayed diagnosis, poor pathological features, and unfavorable prognosis. At the mechanistic level, we integrate multidimensional evidence spanning obesity-related genes (e.g., fat mass and obesity associated genes (FTO)), adipokines (e.g., leptin (LEP), resistin, visfatin, adiponectin (ADPN)), estrogen metabolism, chronic inflammation, and tumor microenvironment remodeling (including cancer-associated adipocytes, extracellular matrix, and microbiota). Finally, this paper envisions the broad prospects of bariatric metabolic surgery in future adjuvant breast cancer treatment. By comprehensively employing lifestyle interventions, drug therapies, and bariatric metabolic surgery, we can provide patients with more comprehensive and personalized treatment plans to achieve better therapeutic outcomes and prognosis.
Metabolic remodeling and the modulatory role of vitamin D deficiency in African American children and adolescents with obesity.
Qu HQ, Connolly JJ, Mentch F … +2 more , Glessner J, Hakonarson H
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Apr · PMID 41526461 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Obesity is a complex metabolic condition with a disproportionate impact among African American youth. Metabolomic profiling enables high-resolution mapping of obesity-related biochemical changes across metabo...
BACKGROUND: Obesity is a complex metabolic condition with a disproportionate impact among African American youth. Metabolomic profiling enables high-resolution mapping of obesity-related biochemical changes across metabolic pathways. METHODS: We analyzed 551 African American pediatric participants (aged 2-21 years) recruited at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia between 2002 and 2020. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 86 participants, including 62 of 309 individuals with overweight or obesity (20%). Plasma metabolites were quantified using the Nightingale NMR platform. Obesity was defined using age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles. RESULTS: A total of 142 individual metabolite markers and ratios were significantly associated with obesity (FDR < 0.05). Obesity‑related metabolic changes were characterized by elevated branched-chain and aromatic amino acids, GlycA, and triglyceride-rich VLDL subclasses, along with reduced Gly, large HDL particles, and cholesterol-enriched lipoproteins. Global enrichment analysis identified a significant overrepresentation of nominally significant interactions with vitamin D deficiency (p < 2.2 × 10¹⁶). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity in African American youth is linked to widespread metabolic remodeling across amino acid, lipid, and inflammatory pathways, reflecting core features of cardiometabolic risk. Vitamin D status may also influence these responses, suggesting a potential role in modifying obesity-related risk. These findings highlight the importance of early identification and prevention strategies and point to vitamin D as a possible target for future investigation.
Insulin resistance modulates gut microbiota and incretin response remodeling after bariatric surgery in severe obesity.
Puig R, Rodríguez-Peña MM, Hernández-Montoliu L … +12 more , Astiarraga B, Martínez E, Balibrea JM, Llauradó G, Tarascó J, Caballero A, Joaquín C, Puig-Domingo M, Vilarrasa N, Fernández-Veledo S, Vendrell J, Pellitero S
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2026 Mar · PMID 41520055 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the impact of insulin resistance (IR) on gut microbiota (GM) composition, incretin responses, and metabolic outcomes following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in people with severe obesity w...
BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the impact of insulin resistance (IR) on gut microbiota (GM) composition, incretin responses, and metabolic outcomes following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in people with severe obesity who do not have diabetes. METHODS: A prospective single-center study encompassed patients with severe obesity and normal glucose tolerance who underwent SG. Participants were stratified into two cohorts based on the magnitude of their insulin resistance state, as determined by the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) index: high-IR (Hi-IR; HOMA-IR > 95th percentile) and low-IR (Lo-IR; HOMA-IR <25th percentile). Body composition measurements, biochemical analyses, and microbiota assessments were performed before and 6 months post-surgery. Additionally, the responses to a standardized meal tolerance test (MTT) of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) were evaluated. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 18 patients (9 with Hi-IR and 9 with Lo-IR), with a mean age of 48.8 ± 9.2 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 45.03 ± 4.82 kg/m². Six months post-surgery, the mean percentage of total weight loss (WL) was 26.5 ± 6%, with both groups exhibiting enhanced secretion of GLP-1 and GLP-2 following MTT. At baseline, participants exhibited distinct microbiota profiles; the Hi-IR group showed a higher relative abundance of Prevotella species, which are previously associated with adverse metabolic and inflammatory profiles. Post-surgery, both groups exhibited positive incretin responses and significant modifications in GM composition. Notably, Hi-IR people experienced more pronounced changes in microbial diversity, including increases in Akkermansia and Veillonella species and decreases in Prevotella species. Enhanced GLP-1 and GLP-2 responses were correlated with WL and metabolic improvement, particularly in the Lo-IR population. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the role of GM in metabolic changes and surgical outcomes after SG. Targeting gut microbiota may offer a promising avenue for improving obesity treatment strategies.
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