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Biomedical subjects

R R Wing

Publications and source records attributed to R R Wing.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Influence of the perimenopause on cardiovascular risk factors and symptoms of middle-aged healthy women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes in cardiovascular risk factors and psychological and physical symptoms that occur during the perimenopause. DESIGN: Cohort study of 541 healthy middle-aged premenopausal women followed up through the menopause. SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: After a baseline evaluation taken at study entry, 152 women ceased menstruating for 3 months (not due to surgery) and were not using hormone replacement therapy, and were reevaluated in a similar protocol (perimenopausal examination); 105 of the 152 were evaluated a third time when they had ceased menstruating for 12 months and were not using hormone replacement therapy (postmenopausal examination). One hundred nine premenopausal women who were repeatedly tested constituted a comparison group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Levels of lipids and lipoproteins, triglycerides, fasting glucose and insulin, blood pressure, weight, height, and standardized measures of psychological symptoms. RESULTS: Women who became perimenopausal showed increased levels of cardiovascular risk factors, which were similar in magnitude to those experienced by the comparison group of premenopausal women. Perimenopausal women reported a greater number of symptoms, especially hot flashes, cold sweats, joint pain, aches in the skull and/or neck, and being forgetful; reports of hot flashes at the perimenopausal examination were associated with low concentrations of serum estrogens. Menopausal status was not associated with depressive symptoms. Perimenopausal women who became postmenopausal showed a decline in the level of high-density lipoprotein-2-cholesterol (means, 0.53 to 0.43 mmol/L [20.6 to 16.7 mg/dL]) and a gradual increase in the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (means, 3.14 to 3.33 mmol/L [121.3 to 128.8 mg/dL]), whereas symptom reporting declined. CONCLUSIONS: During mid-life, women experience adverse changes in cardiovascular risk factors and a temporary increase in total number of reported symptoms, with no change in depression. Preventive efforts to reduce the menopause-induced increase in cardiovascular risk factors should begin early in the menopausal transition.

Blood Glucose↗

Dietary and physical activity correlates of long-term weight loss.

Covariations in body mass index (BMI), physical activity, macronutrient intake, and the frequency of consumption of specific foods were examined among 82 men and 75 women participating in a behavioral weight loss program over a period of 18 months. Results of repeated measures analyses of covariance showed that BMI change was inversely related to change in physical activity and change in frequency of vegetable consumption. BMI change was positively related to change in calorie intake from fat and change in frequency of consumption of beef, hot dogs, and sweets. Change in fat calories predicted BMI change better than change in total calories. In addition, change in the frequency of consumption of specific foods accounted for a larger percentage of the variance in BMI change than did change in macronutrients (10.4% vs. 5.2%). No differences were found between predictors of weight loss vs. weight maintenance.

Adult↗

Physical activity and long-term maintenance of weight loss.

To examine the effect of exercise on the long-term maintenance of weight loss, two types of literature were reviewed--correlational studies of predictors of long-term weight loss, and randomized trials comparing diet, exercise, and the combination of diet plus exercise. Both literatures were striking in the consistency with which activity emerged as a determinant of long-term maintenance of weight loss. The benefits of exercise for long-term weight maintenance were observed with different types of populations, diets, and exercise interventions. Several possible explanations for these positive effects of diet plus exercise are presented, and suggestions made for future research on ways to maximize the benefit of this approach to weight control. Since adherence to exercise may ultimately prove to be the cornerstone for long-term weight maintenance, studying ways to improve exercise adherence is recommended.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

Year-long weight loss treatment for obese patients with type II diabetes: does including an intermittent very-low-calorie diet improve outcome?

PURPOSE: To evaluate a year-long behavioral weight control program, used with and without an intermittent very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) in the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects (n = 93) were randomly assigned to 50-week treatment programs that used either a balanced low-calorie diet (LCD) of 1,000 to 1,000 kilocalories (kcal) per day throughout or included 2 12-week periods of a VLCD of 400 to 500 kcal per day alternating with the balanced LCD. Weight, glycemic control, blood pressure, and lipids were assessed at baseline, at the end of the year-long treatment, and at 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Subjects in the VLCD program lost significantly more weight than did LCD subjects at the end of the 50-week program (14.2 kg versus 10.5 kg; P = 0.057) and remained off diabetes medication longer (P < 0.05). These benefits of the VLCD were due primarily to the first 12 weeks of the diet; the second diet maintained, but did not increase, these effects. Subjects in both groups experienced marked improvements in glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors over the year-long program, but attendance declined in the latter weeks of treatment and weight was regained. There was also marked recidivism in both groups in the year following treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The intermittent VLCD improved weight loss and glycemic control, but these effects were quite modest and do not appear to justify the clinical use of an intermittent VLCD. Moreover, lengthening treatment to a full year did not prevent relapse. Thus, further research is needed to develop a successful approach to long-term weight control.

Adult↗

Behavioural and psychosocial aspects of obesity and its treatment.

This chapter emphasized new directions being pursued in the behavioural treatment of obesity. Behavioural weight-loss programmes are being strengthened by their increased emphasis on low fat intake and exercise, by more direct intervention on behavioural antecedents and consequences of eating, by the use of very low calorie diets (VLCDs) and by the adoption of a chronic disease model and the concomitant lengthening of treatment programmes. With these approaches, initial weight losses of 10-20 kg can be achieved, and maintenance of weight losses of 5-10 kg can be expected. Treatments may also be strengthened by the identification of subgroups of the obese. Recently, progress has been made in this area with the description of a subgroup of the obese who have severe problems with binge eating. Binge eating disorder has been proposed as a new diagnostic category for DSM-IV. From 20 to 45% of the obese who present for treatment suffer from such problems. Obese binge eaters have worse mood and more psychopathology than obese people who do not binge eat, and are more likely to drop out of behavioural weight-control treatments. Although binge eaters may regain weight faster than non-binge eaters, both short- and long-term weight loss of binge eaters and non-binge eaters appear quite similar. Treatments have been identified that show promise in ameliorating binge eating for these patients, but these treatments have not produced weight loss. Although there has recently been concern about the possible negative effects of dieting on mood state, participation in behavioural weight-loss programmes is not associated with worsening mood in obese patients. No psychological variables have distinguished obese from non-obese individuals. Nonetheless, there is substantial prejudice against the obese. Awareness of this prejudice can lead to more sensitive and appropriate treatments for the problem of obesity.

Behavior Therapy↗

Ten-year outcomes of behavioral family-based treatment for childhood obesity.

We report 10-year treatment outcomes for obese children in 4 randomized treatment studies. At 10 years, 34% decreased percentage overweight by 20% or more, and 30% were not obese. Significant effects were observed when parents and children were targeted and reinforced for weight loss in comparison with nontargeted controls and for children given lifestyle or aerobic exercise in comparison with a calisthenics control. Thirty-four percent of the variance in change in percentage overweight was predicted from sex, baseline percentage overweight, self-monitoring weight, meals eaten at home, and family and friends' support for eating and exercise. Results show long-term changes in children depend on the treatment, and evidence converges on the importance of the family and other sources of support for eating and activity change.

Adolescent↗

Stress-induced eating.

Stress is widely thought to lead to overeating. Studies of stress-induced eating have tested two models. One has tested whether stress increases eating in all exposed organisms and has been tested primarily with animals and physical stressors. The other has tested individual differences in vulnerability to stress-induced eating and has tested only human subjects and psychological stressors. The most consistent set of findings shows that "restrained" eating predicts vulnerability among women; we conclude that for the stressors studied to date, the individual-difference model has received stronger support. Because the question motivating much of this research is whether stress-induced eating causes obesity, future research should assess the effect of stress on weight-change more directly.

Body Weight↗

Caloric restriction per se is a significant factor in improvements in glycemic control and insulin sensitivity during weight loss in obese NIDDM patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of caloric restriction, independent of differences in weight loss, on improvements in glycemic control, fasting insulin, and insulin sensitivity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We randomized 93 obese type II diabetic patients to two different degrees of calorie restriction (1,674 or 4,185 kJ/day; 400 or 1,000 kcal/day) and compared the changes in fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and insulin sensitivity that resulted from a comparable reduction in body weight (11% of initial body weight). Insulin sensitivity was assessed using the minimal model analysis of frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests. RESULTS: Despite equal weight losses, subjects in the 1,674 kJ/day (400 kcal) condition had lower fasting glucose levels (7.61 vs. 10.13 mM, P = 0.03) and greater insulin sensitivity (1.79 vs. 1.13, P = 0.04) after weight loss than did subjects in the 4,185 kJ/day (1,000 calorie) condition. Subjects were restudied 15 weeks later when both groups were consuming a 4,185 kJ/day (1,000 kcal/day) diet. Subjects who increased from 1,674 to 4,185 kJ (400 to 1,000 calories) had worse fasting glycemic control in spite of continued weight loss, whereas subjects who remained on 4,185 kJ (1,000 calories) throughout had further improvements in both blood glucose and insulin sensitivity with increased weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Both degree of calorie restriction and magnitude of weight loss have independent effects on improvements in glycemic control and insulin sensitivity.

Adult↗

Effect of ethnicity and geographical location on body weight, dietary restraint, and abnormal eating attitudes.

Previous studies have examined the effect of ethnicity on obesity, concerns about shape and weight, and attitudes about eating. We hypothesized that geographical location would also influence these variables, and that students growing up in the northern part of the United States and attending northern colleges would differ from students from the South. To examine this, we studied a random sample of 275 African-Americans (AA) and 224 white college students in the entering class of two northern colleges (University of Pittsburgh or University of Massachusetts) or two southern colleges (Augusta or Paine College). All subjects were weighed and completed the Revised Restraint Scale and the EAT-26. AA women were heavier than white women, with no differences due to geographical location. Despite being thinner, white women reported more dietary restraint than AA women. This difference between AA and white women was apparent in both northern and southern college students. In contrast, geographical location was the strongest determinant of bulimic attitudes; both men and women at northern colleges reported higher bulimia scores than those at southern schools. Thus ethnicity appears to be a major determinant of body weight and attitudes about shape and dieting, whereas geographical location appears to exert greater influence on bulimic attitudes.

Adolescent↗

Sodium-lithium countertransport activity is decreased after weight loss in healthy obese men.

Maximal red blood cell (RBC) sodium-lithium countertransport activity has been consistently related to essential hypertension and may be a marker for risk of developing hypertension. Although there is strong evidence for genetic control of sodium-lithium countertransport, increasing evidence suggests that obesity and insulin-glucose metabolism are related to countertransport activity. This study was performed to determine whether countertransport activity decreases with weight loss in healthy obese adults. Forty-five healthy, white, obese adults were studied at baseline and after 6 months of behavioral dietary intervention. Weight loss was 11.5 kg (25.4 lb) in 24 men and 8.1 kg (17.8 lb) in 21 women. Sodium-lithium countertransport activity decreased 55.0 mumol Li/L RBC/h in men (P < .001, paired t test) and 14.6 mumol Li/L RBC/h in women (NS). Change in countertransport activity was correlated with change in body mass index (BMI) in men (r = .52, P < .01) and women (r = .27, NS) and was also strongly correlated with change in fasting glucose levels in both men and women (r = .50 and r = .56, respectively; P < .01) and with change in fasting insulin levels in men (r = .42, P = .04). Change in countertransport activity was not significantly related to change in physical exercise or serum lipid levels. There was a large decrease in systolic blood pressure in men (10.0 mm Hg, P < .001) and a smaller decrease in women (4.1 mm Hg, P < .05). These changes were significantly correlated with change in weight, but not with change in countertransport or baseline countertransport activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Effects on food cravings of a very low calorie diet or a balanced, low calorie diet.

It is commonly believed that dieting and the restriction of specific types of foods produces cravings for these foods. This study, therefore, compared changes in self-reported cravings experienced by 93 obese subjects with Type II diabetes who were randomly assigned to behavioral treatment programmes which used either: (a) a balanced, low-calorie diet (LCD) of 1000-1200 kcal/day throughout, with all foods allowed in moderation, or (b) a programme which included a 12-week period of a very low calorie diet (VLCD), where intake was restricted to 400 kcal/day with only lean meat, fish, or fowl allowed. There were significant decreases in cravings for all types of foods over the 20 weeks of the study for both the VLCD and the LCD conditions. The decreases in cravings were particularly pronounced for the VLCD condition for low-fat, high-protein foods (the only foods allowed on the VLCD) and for complex carbohydrates, especially grains (one of the types of foods prohibited on this diet). There was no evidence to support the belief that restricting intake of certain foods leads to increased craving for these foods or that the magnitude of weight loss is related to food cravings.

Adult↗

Strengthening behavioral interventions for weight loss: a randomized trial of food provision and monetary incentives.

Behavioral treatments for obesity seek to modify eating and exercise behaviors by a change in their antecedents and consequences. More direct modification of antecedents and consequences by (a) the provision of food to patients and (b) the provision of financial rewards for weight loss was hypothesized to improve treatment outcomes. Two hundred two men and women were randomly assigned to no treatment, standard behavioral treatment (SBT), SBT plus food provision, SBT plus incentives, or SBT plus food provision and incentives. The major finding was that food provision significantly enhanced weight loss. Weight losses with SBT averaged 7.7, 4.5, and 4.1 kg at 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively, compared with 10.1, 9.1, and 6.4 kg, respectively, at the same intervals with the addition of food. Food provision also enhanced attendance, completion of food records, quality of diet, and nutrition knowledge. We conclude that the provision of food to weight-loss patients is a promising methodology that deserves further exploration.

Adult↗

Diet, alcohol, and physical activity as a function of smoking status in middle-aged women.

Diet, alcohol intake, and leisure-time physical activity were compared cross-sectionally in middle-aged female smokers, ex-smokers, and never smokers and were reassessed approximately 3 years later. At initial contact, there were no group differences in total caloric intake and very few differences in nutrient intake, but alcohol intake of current smokers and ex-smokers was at least 50% greater than that of never smokers, and current smokers reported less physical activity than did ex-smokers and never smokers. Prospective findings were similar: Compared with continuing smokers, ex-smokers did not change their dietary and alcohol intake but significantly increased physical activity. Thus, some adverse behaviors associated with smoking (e.g., alcohol intake) may be due to self-selection to history of smoking, whereas other behaviors (e.g., reduced physical activity) may be more directly related to smoking itself.

Age Factors↗

Impact of weight loss on plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), factor VII, and other hemostatic factors in moderately overweight adults.

Based on previous cross-sectional findings, we hypothesized that weight loss could improve several hemostatic factors associated with cardiovascular disease. In a randomized controlled trial, moderately overweight men and women were assigned to one of four weight loss treatment groups or to a control group. Measurements of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen, D-dimer antigen, factor VII activity, fibrinogen, and protein C antigens were made at baseline and after 6 months in 90 men and 88 women. Net treatment weight loss was 9.4 kg in men and 7.4 kg in women. There was no net change (p > 0.05) in D-dimer, fibrinogen, or protein C with weight loss. Significant (p < 0.05) decreases were observed in the combined treatment groups compared with the control group for mean PAI-1 (31% decline), t-PA antigen (24% decline), and factor VII (11% decline). Decreases in these hemostatic variables were correlated with the amount of weight lost and the degree that plasma triglycerides declined; these correlations were stronger in men than women. These findings suggest that weight loss can improve abnormalities in hemostatic factors associated with obesity.

Adult↗

Behavioral treatment of obesity. Its application to type II diabetes.

This review describes the improvements made in the behavioral treatment of obesity from the 1970s to the present, and then provides a comparable overview of progress that has been made in the behavioral treatment of obese patients with type II diabetes by Wing et al. (13-19) at the University of Pittsburgh. Evidence is presented to show that structured exercise, VLCDs, and intensification of treatment programs may be useful in improving the long-term outcome of behavioral weight-loss interventions.

Behavior Therapy↗

Environmental and familial contributions to insulin levels and change in insulin levels in middle-aged women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine familial and environmental variables associated with elevated insulin levels and changes in insulin levels in healthy, premenopausal women. METHODS: A population-based sample of 518 women (aged 42 to 50 years) completed baseline assessments of weight, cardiovascular risk factors, exercise behaviors, and glucose and insulin levels (fasting and 2 hours after a glucose load); 495 of the women were reevaluated after 3 years. RESULTS: Plasma insulin levels were related to weight, activity level, race, body fat distribution, and weight gain since age 20 years. Parental history of either diabetes or hypertension was also related to elevated insulin levels, independent of body mass index, with the highest insulin levels occurring in those women with a parental history of both diseases. Increases in plasma insulin levels over the years of follow-up were related to weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that importance of using family history to identify women who may have elevated insulin levels and of intervening to prevent weight gain during middle age.

Adult↗