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Obesity is a risk factor in the development of several respiratory diseases. Lung volumes tend to be decreased, especially expiratory reserve volume, increasing expiratory flow limitation during tidal breathing. Barometric whole-body plethysmography is a non-invasive pulmonary function test that allows a dynamic study of breathing patterns. The objective of this study was to compare pulmonary function variables between obese and non-obese cats through the use of barometric whole-body plethysmography. Nine normal-weight and six obese cats were placed in the plethysmograph chamber, and different respiratory variables were measured. There was a significant decrease in tidal volume per kilogram (P = 0.003), minute volume per kilogram (P = 0.001) and peak inspiratory and expiratory flows per kilogram (P = 0.001) in obese cats compared with non-obese cats. Obesity failed to demonstrate a significant increase in bronchoconstriction index variable enhanced pause (Penh), as previously reported in humans and dogs. The results show that feline obesity impairs pulmonary function in cats, although a significant increase in bronchoconstriction indexes was not observed. Non-invasive barometric whole-body plethysmography can help characterise mechanical dysfunction of the airways in obese cats., (© ISFM and AAFP 2014.)

The aim of the present study was to compare the impact on blood pressure and different metabolic parameters of a weight-loss program on obese dogs fed on a low-fat high-fibre diet and treated with and without mitratapide. The study sample consisted of 36 obese dogs, randomly assigned to a control group (n=17), which were fed on a low-fat high-fibre diet, and an intervention group (n=19), fed on the same diet and treated with mitratapide. Variables measured included body condition score, body weight, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures; total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels; alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity, measured both at baseline (day 0) and at the end of the weight loss program (day 85). All the studied parameters had decreased in both groups at the end of the study; these being diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and alanine aminotransferase, significantly lower in dogs treated with mitratapide. The use of mitrapide in addition to low-fat high-fibre diet does not seem to offer any further useful effect in the loss of weight during the treatment of canine obesity. On the other hand, mitratapide seems to present certain beneficial effects on pathologies associated with obesity, these being mainly related to blood pressure, lipids and hepatic parameters.

Objective: To assess the factors that could predict a successful completion of a weight loss program., Study Design: A single-centered, cross-sectional, prospective study conducted over 4 y., Subjects: Data were obtained on 1018 overweight subjects (788 women, 230 men) aged 14.8-76.3 y (mean 38.4) and body mass index (BMI) of 31.7 (range 25.03-57.1) seeking help to lose weight at a specialist obesity clinic., Materials and Methods: A program involving a hypocaloric, Mediterranean diet was prescribed plus recommendations for free-time exercise and day-to-day activity. Follow-up was weekly until the desired weight loss was achieved ('successful completion') or the patient dropped-out of the program ('failure'). Cox's regression analysis was used to evaluate success and the variables included were compliance with the program, age, gender, initial BMI, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking habit, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular disease, previous dietary programs, cause of obesity, age at which excessive weight was first noted and parental obesity., Results: Factors predictive of completion were: gender (males responded better), previous dietary programs (predictive of dropout), initial BMI (higher index, lower completion), and age (younger age, poorer outcome). There was an interaction between parental obesity and offspring childhood obesity. Absence of parental obesity and adult-onset obesity had a higher probability of program completion., Conclusions: In a standard weight reduction program the recommendations of dietary restriction and moderate exercise seems less effective for women, persons with high BMI, younger age groups and those who have had other attempts at weight loss. Poorest outcomes applied to those subjects with childhood obesity and who had obese parents.

Background and Objective: For the treatment of obesity, an adecuate control of associated cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) is fundamental. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and CRF, and the effect of a weight loss program on overweight subjects., Patients and Method: A single-centered cross-sectional prospective study was carried out during 1997-2001 on 1,018 overweight subjects (788 women and 230 men) who were seeking aid to lose weight at an obesity clinic. A program involving a hypocaloric, Mediterranean diet was prescribed plus recommendations for spare-time exercise. Variables measured included weight, height, blood pressure, serum lipids and blood glucose concentrations, measured both at baseline and at the end of the weight loss program., Results: After adjusting for age, variables showing a significant increase upon higher BMI were: blood pressure, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) (inverse relationship, only in women), triglycerides and blood glucose. Total cholesterol (CLT), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and CLT/HDL-C showed no relationship with BMI. Weight loss had beneficial effects on blood pressure and triglycerides, regardless of the initial values, and on CLT, LDL-C and CLT/HDL-C when the initial levels were increased. No significant changes were found with regard to HDL-C., Conclusions: Overweight and obese subjects carry a burden of common coronary risk factors which ncrease upon greater obesity. Weight loss has important beneficial effects with regard to coronary risk factors associated with overweight and obesity, particularly if these factors are previously altered, even when weight loss is < 5% of initial weight.