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Background: This study investigated potential subgroups of children within the Kiel Obesity Prevention Study (KOPS) for differing treatment effects for the outcome measures of overweight or obesity at 4 years. The KOPS study delivered a multicomponent school intervention to cohorts of children in Kiel but found no overall effect on the weight status outcome. However, KOPS authors suggested there may be subgroup variations in treatment effect. Data were collected as part of the KOPS for samples of 6-year-olds between 1996 and 2001, with 4-year follow-up measurements between 2000 and 2004. Methods: The present study conducted a post hoc subgroup analysis of the odds of obesity or overweight at 4-year follow-up compared to normal weight (n = 1646). A generalized linear mixed-effects model, including a treatment–subgroup interaction term, was used to estimate subgroups as a moderator of the treatment effects on the outcomes of obesity or overweight at 4-year follow-up. Results: The findings indicated several subgroup–treatment interaction effects relating to physical activity indicators. TV or PC not being one of a child's top 3 activities at baseline was associated with a significantly decreased odds ratio of obesity at 4 years in the intervention group (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.004 to 0.45) compared to the non-intervention group (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.29 to 3.14), p = 0.02. Weekly activity in a sports club at baseline was associated with a decreased odds ratio of overweight at 4 years in the intervention group (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.85) compared to the non-intervention group (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.70 to 1.17). This was a significant difference (p = 0.04). Conclusions: These findings suggest that children's baseline physical activity may impact treatment effects on the outcomes of overweight and obesity, creating opportunities to increase the effectiveness of interventions on preventing obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant extracts are increasingly recognized for their potential in modulating (postprandial) blood glucose levels. In this context, root extracts are of particular interest due to their high concentrations and often unique spectrum of plant bioactives. To identify new plant species with potential glucose-lowering activity, simple and robust methodologies are often required. For this narrative review, literature was sourced from scientific databases (primarily PubMed) in the period from June 2022 to January 2024. The regulatory targets of glucose homeostasis that could be modulated by bioactive plant compounds were used as search terms, either alone or in combination with the keyword “root extract”. As a result, we present a comprehensive methodological toolbox for studying the glucose homeostasis modulating properties of plant extracts and its constituents. The described assays encompass in-vitro investigations involving enzyme inhibition (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, dipeptidyl peptidase 4), assessment of sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 activity, and evaluation of glucose transporter 4 translocation. Furthermore, we describe a patch-clamp technique to assess the impact of extracts on KATP channels. While validating in-vitro findings in living organisms is imperative, we introduce two screen able in-vivo models (the hen’s egg test and Drosophila melanogaster). Given that evaluation of the bioactivity of plant extracts in rodents and humans represents the current gold standard, we include approaches addressing this aspect. In summary, this review offers a systematic guide for screening plant extracts regarding their influence on key regulatory elements of glucose homeostasis, culminating in the assessment of their potential efficacy in-vivo. Moreover, application of the presented toolbox might contribute to further close the knowledge gap on the precise mechanisms of action of plant-derived compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is fundamentally a condition where physiology and behavior of individuals meet the environment, and the emerging global obesity pandemic reflects the contribution of a wide range of cultural, societal, economic and systemic driving forces. Today, different areas of obesity research are relatively separated from each other in discrete silos, with biomedical research determining most of our understanding and solution strategies. This has led to the Y in the road, which means the questionable assumption that effective drug treatment of individual patients is also an effective measure to improve population health. Since human obesity is a condition of population health and planetary impact a better integration of biomedical and public health approaches is based on critical (self-)reflection and communicative understanding of scientists from various research areas who should be on an equal footing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author(s): Manfred J. Müller [sup.1], Anja Bosy-Westphal [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Christian-Albrecht-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany The philosopher [...]

This document is a clinical practice guideline on dietary recommendations for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The guideline emphasizes the importance of individualized therapy, counseling, and self-management for T2DM patients. It discusses the different types of T2DM and the need for personalized diets based on individual preferences and protein requirements. The guideline recommends weight loss as a goal for individuals with excess weight and highlights the benefits of telehealth applications in supporting behavioral modifications and increasing adherence to weight loss programs. Additionally, it provides strategies for weight reduction and maintenance, emphasizing the need for close follow-up and coordination with patients. The text also discusses the impact of various dietary factors on blood glucose response, specifically focusing on the glycemic index (GI) and dietary fiber. It states that a low GI/GL diet is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and improved glycemic control. The text emphasizes the importance of dietary fiber, particularly from whole grain products, in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases. It suggests a target of 30 grams of dietary fiber per day. The text also provides recommendations for specific populations, such as geriatric patients and migrants, and discusses the impact of beverages, particularly sugar-sweetened beverages, on blood glucose control and overall health. It concludes that routine micronutrient supplementation is not recommended for individuals with type 2 diabetes, but vitamin D supplementation may improve insulin resistance in those with established deficiency. The text also explores [Extracted from the article]

Objective: This study's objective was to develop models predicting the relative reduction in skeletal muscle (SM) mass during periods of voluntary calorie restriction (CR) and to validate model predictions in longitudinally monitored samples. Methods: The model development group included healthy nonexercising adults (n = 897) who had whole‐body SM mass measured with magnetic resonance imaging. Model predictions of relative SM changes with CR were evaluated in two longitudinal studies, one 12 to 14 weeks in duration (n = 74) and the other 12 months in duration (n = 26). Results: A series of SM prediction models were developed in a sample of 415 males and 482 females. Model‐predicted changes in SM mass relative to changes in body weight (i.e., ΔSM/Δbody weight) with a representative model were (mean ± SE) 0.26 ± 0.013 in males and 0.14 ± 0.007 in females (sex difference, p < 0.001). The actual mean proportions of weight loss as SM in the longitudinal studies were 0.23 ± 0.02/0.20 ± 0.06 in males and 0.10 ± 0.02/0.17 ± 0.03 in females, similar to model‐predicted values. Conclusions: Nonelderly males and females with overweight and obesity experience respective reductions in SM mass with voluntary CR in the absence of a structured exercise program of about 2 to 2.5 kg and 1 to 1.5 kg per 10‐kg weight loss, respectively. These estimates are predicted to be influenced by interactions between age and body mass index in males, a hypothesis that needs future testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]