{"title":"Peer Intervention in Obesity and Physical Activity: Effectiveness and Implementation.","authors":"Keith J Topping","doi":"10.1007/s13679-025-00625-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13679-025-00625-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This paper reports the effectiveness of peer intervention in physical activity and obesity, with a focus on implementation. Peer intervention is a parallel method to traditional professional clinical processes, often targeting hard to reach populations. It includes peer education, peer counseling and peer support.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>There were ten reviews on Physical Activity and seven on Obesity. Six reviews on obesity had mainly positive results; one on obesity in mental health was more negative. About two-thirds of reviews of Physical Activity interventions had positive outcomes. The overall effect was moderate. There were 39 single studies on Obesity and 46 on Physical Activity. 36% of Obesity studies and 13% of Physical Activity studies were from developing countries. Three single studies from developing countries and three from developed countries were elaborated. The extensively described implementation program was from a developed country. Discussion of limitations and strengths led to recommendations for implementation and evaluation. Overall, peer intervention in both obesity and physical activity showed quite strong evidence of effectiveness. Had all studies followed the implementation/evaluation recommendations, the strength of evidence might have been better. Future research should focus on cost-effectiveness and long-term follow-up.</p>","PeriodicalId":10846,"journal":{"name":"Current Obesity Reports","volume":"14 1","pages":"29"},"PeriodicalIF":9.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11965182/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143771786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Francesco Balestra, Maria De Luca, Giorgia Panzetta, Rita Palieri, Endrit Shahini, Gianluigi Giannelli, Giovanni De Pergola, Maria Principia Scavo
{"title":"Advancing Obesity Management: the Very Low-Energy Ketogenic therapy (VLEKT) as an Evolution of the \"Traditional\" Ketogenic Diet.","authors":"Francesco Balestra, Maria De Luca, Giorgia Panzetta, Rita Palieri, Endrit Shahini, Gianluigi Giannelli, Giovanni De Pergola, Maria Principia Scavo","doi":"10.1007/s13679-025-00622-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13679-025-00622-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This narrative review comprehensively analyzes VLEKT as an advanced nutritional strategy for obesity management. The focus is on the beneficial effects on key disease organs, such as adipose tissue and liver, as well as the modulation of intestinal permeability and its fundamental role in influencing the gut microbiota and inflammatory pathways.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The impact of VLEKT on obesity-related comorbidities, including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, endocrine disorders, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), neurological disorders, and kidney alterations, is also investigated. Moreover, to assess its wider application in obesity treatment, the combination of ketogenic regimes with additional strategies such as physical activity, bariatric surgery, and digital health technologies is examined. Despite promising clinical results, adherence to VLEKT and potential nutritional deficiencies require careful follow-up and individualized programming monitored by specialists. Future research should focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects on physiological systems, and long-term safety. Nevertheless, VLEKT is an innovative approach to obesity treatment, offering a target-oriented and highly effective strategy for people fighting against overweight and its associated medical complications. Obesity is a multifactorial and chronic disease associated with numerous comorbidities; given its increasing prevalence, effective and personalized intervention strategies are crucial to inhibit the \"obesity pandemic\" according to a \"food re-educational\" protocol. Among dietary interventions, the ketogenic diet (KD) has attracted attention for its effectiveness in weight management and metabolic benefits. A variant, the very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD), more recently defined as very low-energy ketogenic diet (VLEKD), combines the metabolic benefits of ketosis with substantial calorie restriction, improving overall health.</p>","PeriodicalId":10846,"journal":{"name":"Current Obesity Reports","volume":"14 1","pages":"30"},"PeriodicalIF":9.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11965229/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143771785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Physiology of Weight Regain after Weight Loss: Latest Insights.","authors":"Marleen A van Baak, Edwin C M Mariman","doi":"10.1007/s13679-025-00619-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13679-025-00619-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review summarizes the most recent research on the physiology of weight regain. It describes developments in areas that are currently being addressed and that may indicate promising directions for future research.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Weight regain occurs independent of the way prior weight loss is achieved, i.e. by lifestyle, surgery or pharmacotherapy. Recent novel findings regarding weight regain belong to four areas. First, the immune obesity memory of which besides persistent immune cells promoting weight regain cells have been found that reduce weight regain. Second, the gut microbiome where autologous transplantation can limit weight regain. Third, the composition of the weight loss with the percentage of lost fat-free mass being inverse to the amount of regained weight independent of the weight loss procedure. Fourth, appetite control where after weight loss altered hypothalamic activity promoting hunger and weight regain persists, possibly mediated by altered neurotensin responses. In all four areas more conclusive evidence for their role in weight regain still needs to be obtained. Most studies on physiological mechanisms of weight regain are associative in nature and the number of intervention studies is very limited. To bring the field further, carefully designed intervention studies taking into account the dynamic character of weight loss and weight regain are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":10846,"journal":{"name":"Current Obesity Reports","volume":"14 1","pages":"28"},"PeriodicalIF":9.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11958498/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143751406","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yan Xue, Menghuan Song, Xianwen Chen, Zhen Ruan, Huimin Zou, Yunfeng Lai, Dongning Yao, Carolina Oi Lam Ung, Hao Hu
{"title":"Consolidating International Care Models and Clinical Services for Adult Obesity.","authors":"Yan Xue, Menghuan Song, Xianwen Chen, Zhen Ruan, Huimin Zou, Yunfeng Lai, Dongning Yao, Carolina Oi Lam Ung, Hao Hu","doi":"10.1007/s13679-025-00621-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-025-00621-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This paper aims to analyze and consolidate the existing evidence on models of care and clinical obesity services for adults living with obesity 1) to identify the key components of clinical obesity services, and 2) to propose recommendations for future directions of promoting the international development of clinical obesity care.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The key components of clinical obesity services include 1) a contextualized composition of multi-disciplinary teams and mechanisms to empower the healthcare professionals, 2) clear stepwise pathways matching patient needs with appropriate clinical and community resources in a timely manner, 3) comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment plan informed by the evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Furthermore, clinical information systems and financing resources are instrumental to the effective and sustainable functioning of a comprehensive clinical service with strong connections across primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care. We synthesized these findings to make recommendations for healthcare practitioners, hospital administrations and policymakers in developing and improving comprehensive clinical services to address the needs of adults living with obesity.</p>","PeriodicalId":10846,"journal":{"name":"Current Obesity Reports","volume":"14 1","pages":"26"},"PeriodicalIF":9.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143735657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigating the Salivary Biomarker Profile in Obesity: A Systematic Review.","authors":"H Al Habobe, R H H Pieters, F J Bikker","doi":"10.1007/s13679-025-00618-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13679-025-00618-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This systematic review aims to map the existing literature on salivary biomarkers in adults with metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO), identify key biomarkers associated with this high-risk group, and highlight areas requiring further research to advance this emerging field.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Obesity is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of body fat and chronic inflammation. However, not all individuals with obesity experience metabolic dysfunction. This review focuses on MUO, which is strongly linked to metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and systemic inflammation. Linking MUO and salivary biomarkers may enhance our understanding of how systemic health influences salivary composition and could enable the early identification of high-risk individuals through non-invasive saliva testing. This review synthesized findings from recent studies and identified key salivary biomarkers consistently elevated in individuals with MUO, including 8-OHdG, IL-6, IL-8, resistin, TNFR1, PTX-3, AEA, OEA, TNF-α, and sICAM-1. These biomarkers are associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysregulation. The majority of studies utilized cross-sectional designs and used various saliva collection methods. Salivary biomarkers hold promise as non-invasive indicators of obesity-related metabolic dysfunction, particularly in MUO. However, their clinical diagnostic utility remains uncertain due to heterogeneity in study designs, a lack of biomarker validation, and limited longitudinal studies. Further research is needed to establish their bona fide diagnostic potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":10846,"journal":{"name":"Current Obesity Reports","volume":"14 1","pages":"25"},"PeriodicalIF":9.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11953185/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143735662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Usama Hussain, Nida Ziauddeen, Elizabeth Taylor, Nisreen A Alwan
{"title":"The Relationship Between Paternal Smoking and Overweight/Obesity with Childhood Overweight/Obesity: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Usama Hussain, Nida Ziauddeen, Elizabeth Taylor, Nisreen A Alwan","doi":"10.1007/s13679-025-00617-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13679-025-00617-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review investigates the relationship of paternal smoking and overweight/obesity during pregnancy and up to one-year post-birth with childhood overweight/obesity up to age 12. Both exposures were analysed separately and together, if appropriate.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Included studies indicate that paternal overweight/obesity is consistently associated with increased risk of childhood overweight/obesity, suggesting a robust intergenerational link. Conversely, findings on paternal smoking are less consistent. Five out of six studies suggest that paternal smoking during pregnancy may contribute to increased risk but one found no association. Children of fathers with overweight/obesity are at higher risk of overweight/obesity in childhood. Paternal smoking was associated with higher risk of child overweight/obesity in most studies. Trajectories of overweight and obesity are likely to be transgenerational and systemic changes to tackle their socioeconomic determinants may be required to address these.</p>","PeriodicalId":10846,"journal":{"name":"Current Obesity Reports","volume":"14 1","pages":"27"},"PeriodicalIF":9.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11953139/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143735670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhaopeng Li, Yancheng Song, Zhao Li, Shuguang Liu, Song Yi, Zhuoli Zhang, Tao Yu, Yu Li
{"title":"Role of Protein Lysine Acetylation in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome.","authors":"Zhaopeng Li, Yancheng Song, Zhao Li, Shuguang Liu, Song Yi, Zhuoli Zhang, Tao Yu, Yu Li","doi":"10.1007/s13679-025-00615-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13679-025-00615-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review aimed to highlight the known role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) in individuals with obesity, better understand the role of HDACs and KATs enzymes in obesity and related metabolic disorders.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Numerous cellular activities, including DNA replication, DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, RNA splicing, signal transmission, metabolic function, protein stability, transportation, and transcriptional regulation, are influenced by lysine acetylation. Protein lysine acetylation serves several purposes, which not only contribute to the development of metabolic disorders linked to obesity but also hold promise for therapeutic approaches. The current study demonstrates that HDACs and KATs control lysine acetylation. This review details the advancements made in the study of obesity, related metabolic diseases, and protein lysine acetylation. It contributes to our understanding of the function and mechanism of protein lysine acetylation in obesity and MS and offers a fresh method for treating these diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":10846,"journal":{"name":"Current Obesity Reports","volume":"14 1","pages":"24"},"PeriodicalIF":9.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11903573/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143613849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Steven B Heymsfield, Karine Clément, Beatrice Dubern, Anthony P Goldstone, Andrea M Haqq, Peter Kühnen, Jesse Richards, Christian L Roth, Erica L T van den Akker, Martin Wabitsch, Jack A Yanovski
{"title":"Correction to: Defining Hyperphagia for Improved Diagnosis and Management of MC4R Pathway-Associated Disease: a Roundtable Summary.","authors":"Steven B Heymsfield, Karine Clément, Beatrice Dubern, Anthony P Goldstone, Andrea M Haqq, Peter Kühnen, Jesse Richards, Christian L Roth, Erica L T van den Akker, Martin Wabitsch, Jack A Yanovski","doi":"10.1007/s13679-025-00616-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13679-025-00616-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10846,"journal":{"name":"Current Obesity Reports","volume":"14 1","pages":"23"},"PeriodicalIF":9.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11897110/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143604076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Weight Management Strategies to Reduce Metabolic Morbidity in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.","authors":"Michail Diakosavvas, Oyinlola Oyebode, Priya Bhide","doi":"10.1007/s13679-025-00614-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13679-025-00614-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 10-15% of women of reproductive age and is associated with a heightened risk of metabolic morbidity, exacerbated by insulin resistance and obesity. Current weight management strategies have limited effectiveness in reducing metabolic morbidity in this subgroup. This review examines the potential of Intensive Weight Management Programmes (IWMPs) and Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) to reduce metabolic risks in women with PCOS, drawing from studies in both PCOS-specific and related populations.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>IWMPs, including total diet replacement, achieve substantial and sustained weight loss (5-15% over 1-5 years) in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes, alongside improvements in metabolic markers like blood pressure and glycemic control. GLP-1 RAs, particularly semaglutide, similarly deliver significant weight loss (10-15% over 1-2 years) and metabolic benefits. While there is limited data specifically targeting PCOS, emerging studies suggest GLP-1 RAs can improve weight, insulin sensitivity, and menstrual regularity in this group. However, evidence for both interventions in PCOS remains insufficient. Women with PCOS face unique metabolic challenges, including heightened insulin resistance, compounded by obesity. While IWMPs and GLP-1 RAs are promising interventions, evidence for their effectiveness in PCOS-specific populations is insufficient. Addressing this research gap through targeted trials is essential to improve outcomes in individuals affected by PCOS and metabolic disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":10846,"journal":{"name":"Current Obesity Reports","volume":"14 1","pages":"22"},"PeriodicalIF":9.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11882674/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143566510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Interplay of Genetic Predisposition, Circadian Misalignment, and Metabolic Regulation in Obesity.","authors":"Sajal Kumar Halder, Girish C Melkani","doi":"10.1007/s13679-025-00613-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13679-025-00613-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review explores the complex interplay between genetic predispositions to obesity, circadian rhythms, metabolic regulation, and sleep. It highlights how genetic factors underlying obesity exacerbate metabolic dysfunction through circadian misalignment and examines promising interventions to mitigate these effects.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Genome-wide association Studies (GWAS) have identified numerous Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with obesity traits, attributing 40-75% heritability to body mass index (BMI). These findings illuminate critical links between genetic obesity, circadian clocks, and metabolic processes. SNPs in clock-related genes influence metabolic pathways, with disruptions in circadian rhythms-driven by poor sleep hygiene or erratic eating patterns-amplifying metabolic dysfunction. Circadian clocks, synchronized with the 24-h light-dark cycle, regulate key metabolic activities, including glucose metabolism, lipid storage, and energy utilization. Genetic mutations or external disruptions, such as irregular sleep or eating habits, can destabilize circadian rhythms, promoting weight gain and metabolic disorders. Circadian misalignment in individuals with genetic predispositions to obesity disrupts the release of key metabolic hormones, such as leptin and insulin, impairing hunger regulation and fat storage. Interventions like time-restricted feeding (TRF) and structured physical activity offer promising strategies to restore circadian harmony, improve metabolic health, and mitigate obesity-related risks.</p>","PeriodicalId":10846,"journal":{"name":"Current Obesity Reports","volume":"14 1","pages":"21"},"PeriodicalIF":9.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11872776/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143536769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}