New research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Dublin, Ireland (May 17-20) shows that adolescents who are obese and claim that hunger prevents them from losing weight (hunger-obstructed ALwO) are more negative. Children who do not see hunger as a barrier have more perceptions of their weight and worry about it. The international study also found that women were more likely to be hunger-obsessed ALwO and more inclined to claim that they were unhappy when they were bullied because of their weight. In addition, they are willing to actively try to lose weight.’
Dr. Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Bassam Bin-Abbas and colleagues sub-analyzed data from the Global Study of ACTION Teens’ Experiences, Care and Treatment. Adolescents living with obesity (ALwO), their caregivers and their health care providers.
The survey-based study, which is being conducted in ten countries (Australia, Colombia, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey and the UK) aims to improve awareness of management, treatment and support for ALwO. It previously found uncontrolled hunger to be the biggest obstacle to weight loss.
A sub-analysis included data on 5,275 ALwO (aged 12–17 years), 5,389 caregivers of ALwO and 2,323 healthcare professionals (HCPs). ALwO were grouped based on responses to survey questions about barriers to weight loss: those in the “appetite-obstructed ALwO” group (1,980, 38%) were those in the “appetite-obstructed ALwO” group (1,980, 38%) whose inability to control appetite was an obstacle to their weight loss, the “non-appetite-obstructed ALwO” group ( 3,295, 62%) did not indicate this.
Appetite-disturbed ALwO were more likely to be female (47% vs. 42%), oldest age group (16–17 years; 49% vs. 41%), obesity class II (27% vs. 18%). %) and anorexia nervosa were directly related to overweight mothers (overweight mothers: 31% vs. 24%; overweight fathers: 29% vs. 21%) compared to the ALwO group. However, appetite-restricted ALwO were less likely to have obesity class I (60% vs. 68%) and class III (12% vs. 14%).
Appetite-constrained ALwO perceived their weight more negatively. More appetite-inhibited ALwO reported their weight was above normal than non-appetite-inhibited ALwO (90% vs. 68%) and fewer were satisfied with their weight (14% vs. 38%). Appetite-disturbed ALwO were more likely to say their weight made them unhappy (56% vs. 36%), less likely to be proud of their bodies (15% vs. 38%), and more likely to have been bullied because of them. weight (28% vs. 22%).
ALwO who saw hunger as a barrier to weight loss were also more likely to be concerned about their weight and its impact on health. A greater proportion of hunger-disturbed ALwO were somewhat, very or very concerned about their weight (85% vs. 32%) compared to non-. Appetite barrier ALwO.
Survey responses also revealed that hunger-obstructed ALwO were more likely to actively try to lose weight. Appetite-disturbed A greater proportion of ALwO had tried to lose weight in the past year (70% vs. 51%), improved their eating habits (51% vs. 35%), became physically active (37% vs. 32%) ), they ate recorded foods (23% vs. 14%), saw a nutritionist/dietitian (21% vs. 13%) or an obesity/weight management doctor (20% vs. 9%). ALwO.
More appetite-constrained ALwO indicated that they were more likely to try to lose weight in the next 6 months (42% vs. 36%). Although only 6% of adolescents in both groups had taken a prescription weight-management medication in the past year, those in the appetite-disordered ALwO group were more likely to feel comfortable taking a weight-management medication after an HCP recommendation (44. % vs. 35%).
The survey also looked at food available at home and household habits. A significantly greater proportion of appetite-inhibited ALwO compared to non-appetite-inhibited ALwO indicated that there were generally fruits and vegetables (61% vs. 47%), sweets and biscuits (55% vs. 36%) and sugary drinks. including soft drinks, fruit juices and energy drinks (53% vs. 35%) available in their homes.
Compared to non-appetite-constrained ALwO, significantly more hunger-constrained ALwO indicated that they/their families frequently order takeaway (37% vs. 24%), while fewer said their families like to exercise together (18 % vs. 21%). . Appetite-constrained ALwO were more likely (38% vs. 25%) to say their family was open and supportive of helping them lose weight.
The researchers concluded that there is a relationship between perceptions that inability to control appetite is a barrier to weight loss and adolescents’ awareness of their obesity status, dissatisfaction with their bodies, and engagement in weight-management behaviors. “Many people living with obesity have poor appetite regulation, with food having little effect on the systems that inhibit eating behavior,” says Dr Bin-Abbas.
“As a result, hunger doesn’t decrease. It makes you feel like food is controlling you and it makes it more difficult to resist eating. This can mean that hunger is associated with more failed weight loss attempts and weight regain and greater feelings of failure. And low self-worth. deficiency.”
Professor Jason Halford, Chair of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, Head of the School of Psychology at the University of Leeds and one of the authors of the study, adds: “Healthcare providers need to be aware that uncontrolled appetite due to the biology of obesity is a real barrier to weight loss and they need to help young people overcome it. Actions should be taken.
“They should also be alert to low self-esteem, anxiety and other negative emotions associated with it.” Meanwhile, young people who struggle to lose weight due to hunger should not take it as a personal failure but should seek the advice of a healthcare provider. .”
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