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Date of publication: 20^th December, 2011

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: The British Dietetic Association (BDA) takes a look at ten of the most popular commercial diets in the UK and delivers a verdict on the pros and cons of each of them.

Length of publication: 1 web page.

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Date of publication: 23^rd December, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: A video explaining what a calorie is, how it can be measured and how our body uses the energy obtained from food. Some advice is given as to how to burn off calories through exercise.

Length of publication: Web video.

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Date of publication: January 2012.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This study examines the results of a questionnaire which examined patients’ preferred terms for describing their excess weight in clinical consultations. The term “fatness” was rated as significantly more undesirable than all other descriptors, whilst the terms “excess fat”, “large size”, “obesity” and “heaviness” were rated as significantly more undesirable then the remaining terms. Practitioners are advised to avoid these terms when discussing weight with patients, opting for what were found to be more patient-friendly terms such as “weight,” “BMI,” “weight problem,” or “excess weight.”

 Length of publication: 4 pages.

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Date of publication: January 2012.

Publication type: Resource.

In a nutshell: Help the Aged and Age Concern have come together to produce a series of nutritional tips and guidelines for older people in order to promote better health and nutrition among the older population.

Length of publication: 1 web page.

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: 29^th November, 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This paper looked at the possible links between the snack consumption patterns of a child and their social network. It was found that children who ate snacks seemed to be part of more numerous social networks, many of which were associated with sporting activities.  Therefore, the authors suggested that these were positive relationships and noted no increase in overweight or obesity in the study population in relation to snack consumption.

Length of publication: 24 pages.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: 7^th December, 2011.

Publication type: Review.

In a nutshell: An update on the previous Cochrane review of childhood obesity prevention research, determining the effectiveness of evaluated interventions intended to prevent obesity in children assessed by change in Body Mass Index (BMI). Strong evidence was found to support the beneficial effects of child obesity prevention programmes on BMI, particularly for programmes targeted to children aged six to 12 years. However, a great deal of variation between studies was noted and findings may be biased by missing small studies with negative findings.

Length of publication: 1 web page.

Acknowledgement: Follow this link to read the review in full (214 pages).

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: 15^th December, 2011.

Publication type: Commentary.

In a nutshell: A number of European countries are considering introducing “fat” or “sugar” taxes in response to the growing problem of obesity and the economic crisis.  This briefing from the EPHA looks at how such taxes may be implemented.

Length of publication: 6 pages

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: 5^th December, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: A look at the original research behind a recent newspaper headline which claimed that low fat foods could in fact make people fat. 

Length of publication: 1 web page.

Some important notes: Follow this link to read the abstract of the original research paper. Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: Follow this link to read the original newspaper article.

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Date of publication: 3^rd November, 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This study reviewed the effectiveness of commercial weight loss programmes of 12 weeks duration in comparison with those led by health care professionals in primary care.  The study found that commercial programmes achieved significantly greater weight loss and were cheaper than the primary care programmes at programme end.

Length of publication: 16 pages.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: December, 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell:  This 12 month long study  found that dieters who ate a healthy breakfast which was not followed by a mid-morning snack lost an average of 11% of their bodyweight, compared to only 7% for women who did snack between breakfast and lunch. The authors suggest that a dietary weight-loss intervention should carefully consider the effects of timing, frequency, and snack quality on weight loss.

Length of publication: 6 pages.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

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Dte of publication: 27^th November, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: Following on from recent research conducted by the YMCA looking at body image external pressures felt by individuals, this article looks at the growing trend of companies selling “quick-fix” weight loss plans aimed at exploiting the insecurities of teenagers.

Length of publication: 1 webpage.

Acknowledgement: To access the research cited in this article, please follow this link.

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Date of publication: October, 2011.

Publication type: Review.

In a nutshell: A short review of the evidence base related to the misconception held by many that skipping breakfast will help them to lose weight.

Length of publication: 2 pages.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: 23^rd November, 2011.

Publication type: Systematic Review.

In a nutshell: A systematic review looking at the nutritional characteristics of eating out of home along with the associations with dietary quality, socioeconomic status and energy intake.   The review found that eating out of home was associated with a higher total energy intake, energy contribution from fat and socioeconomic status and lower intake of micronutrients such as vitamins, iron and calcium.

Length of publication: Epub ahead of print.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

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Date of publication: 26^th November, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: A news report outlining the findings of a recent report which states that the UK has more obese women than any other country in the European Union.   Figures released by the European Commission showed that nearly a quarter (23.9 per cent) of women in theUK were obese in 2008/09, when the data was recorded.

Length of publication: 1 webpage.

Acknowledgement: To access the report cited in this article, follow this link.

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Date of publication: 23^rd November, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: A news item outlining the results of a survey carried out by the British Heart Foundation which gives an insight into the dietary intake of 11-16 year olds in the UK.  Results show that the children surveyed have shunned healthy foods in favour of snacks and drinks with high fat and sugar content which may have a negative impact upon their health.

Length of publication: 1 webpage.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: 24^th November, 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: A study examining the views and experiences of parents of primary care as a treatment setting for childhood obesity management.  In-depth interviews found that parents expressed concerns about initiating a consultation for fear of being blamed for their child’s weight and were concerned about their child’s mental well-being.  Similarly, concerns were expressed about the knowledge, time and resources allocated to childhood obesity management in this setting.  The authors suggested that a multi-disciplinary approach may help address some of these concerns and provide a more effective service.

Length of publication: Epub ahead of print.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Source: Obesity, 2011. 19 (10), p. 1987-1998.

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Date of publication: October, 2011.

Publication type: Report.

In a nutshell: A report providing further analysis of the year 4 weight losses in the Look AHEAD study and examining factors associated with long-term success in overweight/obese participants with Type 2 diabetes.

Length of publication: 12 pages.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Source: Obesity, 19 (10), p. 1957-1962.

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Date of publication: October, 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: A study exploring the influence of exposure to weight stigma and energy intake in normal weight and overweight women.  Findings suggested that in overweight women, exposure to weight stigmatizing material may result in increased caloric consumption and challenged the idea that weight stigma may have a positive, motivating effect upon overweight women.

Length of publication: 6 pages.

Source: Obesity, 2011, 19 (10), p. 2107-2110.

Follow this link for  abstract. 

Date of publication: October, 2011.

Publication type: Report.

In a nutshell: A brief look at the growing obesity problem in the United States of America and how the US government plans to tackle this difficult  issue  in coming years.

Length of publication: 4 pages.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Source: BBC News.

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Date of publication: 6th October, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: This news item highlights the increasing problem of sleep disorders in obese and overweight people and looks at the personal experiences of patients at sleep clinics in Scotland.

Length of publication: 1 webpage.

Source: International Journal of Obesity, 2011, 35 (10), p. 1277-1283.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: October, 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: An observational study which explored the hypothesis that asked whether more physical activity in school time was compensated for by less physical activity at other times.  The study found that increased physical activity at one time would indeed be compensated with lower physical activity levels at another. The authors proposed that this may have a significant impact upon the success of physical activity programmes aimed at tackling child obesity.

Length of publication: 7 pages.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Source: BMJ,  2011, 343:d6195

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Date of publication: 13th October, 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This study examines the effect of a multidimensional lifestyle intervention on aerobic fitness  and adiposity in predominantly migrant children.  Findings suggested that although the intervention improved aerobic fitness and reduced adiposity in this population group, it did not reduced BMI.

Length of publication: 11 pages.

Source: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). 

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: 14th October, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: An overview of the government’s “Healthy lives, healthy people” initiative and how the work carried out by NICE and other agencies will support these new attempts to tackle obesity in England.

Length of publication: 1 webpage.

Some important notes: Follow this link to read the full text of the “Healthy lives, healthy people” document.

Source: BBC News

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: 14th October, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell:  An overview of a recent American Physiological Society conference presentation which suggested that obesity has a greater negative impact upon the cardiovascular health of teenage girls in later life.

Length of publication: 1 webpage.

Source: Obesity, 2011, 19 (9) p.1796-1803.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: September, 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This study examines the effects of a 24-week weight loss program with Orlistat 60mg upon participants’ visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in comparison with placebo.  Whilst all participants had significantly reduced their VAT, those taking Orlistat also displayed a greater total fat mass loss and reduction in their intramuscular adipose tissue and liver fat content.  These results suggest that Orlistat 60mg may be an effective weight loss tool, particularly in relation to abdominal obesity.

Length of publication: 8 pages.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Source: BBC News

Follow this link  for full text.

Date of publication: 26th August, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: Pregnancy is said to be a time when women pay more attention to their diet, but many still become overweight during this time.  Bridget Benelam from the British Nutrition Foundation states that there needs to be clearer weight control advice for women during pregnancy, suggesting that NICE guidelines issued last year are not enough.

Length of publication: 1 page.

 Acknowledgement: Follow this link to access the NICE guidance referred to in this article.

Source: Local Government Improvement and Development

Follow this link for  fulltext.

Date of publication: 7th September, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: A look back over a health and fitness programme aimed at  families living in the Knowsley area who experience difficulties and and have children under 5 years of age .  It consists of a mixture of group sessions and home-based support aimed at improving the physical and mental well-being of these families.  The project is due to run until 2012.

Length of publication: 1 page.

Source: The Lancet, 2011, 376 (early view – articles in press)

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: September, 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This RCT compared weight loss in patients given standard treatment with those who had been referred to a commercial community provider, namely Weight Watchers.  The findings suggest that referral to such community weight loss programmes which provide regular weighing, dietary and exercise advice, as well as group support can result in patients losing significantly more weight over a 12 month period.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Source: The Lancet,  2011, 378 (9793), p. 815-825.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: August, 2011.

Publication type: Statistics.

In a nutshell: Using a simulation model, the authors have calculated the projected probable health and economic consequences of a continued rise in obesity over the next two decades amongst the populations of the USA and the UK.   They conclude that the costs associated with the treatment of preventable obesity-related diseases are such that effective policies to promote healthier weight will have noted economic benefits.

Length of publication: 11 pages.

 Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Source: NHS Choices

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Date of publication: 23rd August, 2011.

Publication type: News Item.

In a nutshell: A closer look at the research study behind recent headline claims that the length of time spent obese should be taken into account when examining the health effects of obesity.

Length of publication: 1 page.

Some important notes: To read the abstract for the original research study, please follow this link.  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: To read the BBC article referred to in this item, please follow this link.

Source: NHS Choices

Follow this link for full text.

Date of publication: 24th August, 2011.

Publication type: News Item.

In a nutshell: NHS Choices has released an iPhone app which allows you to calculate the BMI of anyone aged two years or over and track weight and BMI changes over time.  The app also provides the option to set goals or deliver tips as well as providing more general health and weight loss information.

Length of publication: 1 page.

Source: Local Government Improvement and Development.

Follow this link for fulltext.

Date of publication: 4th August, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: A look at how some town planning departments are help to improve access to healthy food by promoting the use of local food growing sites.

Length of publication: 1 page.

Source: EUFIC

Follow this link for full podcast.

Date of publication: 15th August, 2011.

Publication type: Podcast.

In a nutshell: The EU funded project EATWELL aims to provide European member states with best practice guidelines in relation to policy formulation to encourage healthy eating.  Listen to an interview with one the EATWELL team, discussing the work of the project.

Source: International Journal of Obesity, 2011, 35, p. 953-962.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: July, 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: A qualitative study to examine parents’ perceptions of weight status in children and explore parental understanding and attitudes of the issues surrounding overweight and obesity in children.

Length of publication: 10 pages.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Source: NursingTimes.net

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Date of publication: 15th August, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned people that slimming drugs purchased via the Internet may contain the prescription-only drug sibutramine, which has been linked with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.  People should consult their pharmacist, doctor or nurse before taking slimming aids obtained via the Internet.

Length of publication: 1 page.

Acknowledgement: The original statement from the MHRA can be viewed via this link.

Source: International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 2011, 6 (3-4), p. 169-177.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: August, 2011.

Publication type: Journal Article.

In a nutshell: This meta-analysis looks at nine studies in order to assess the effectiveness of diverse interventions aimed at improving aerobic fitness in obese children.

Length of publication: 9 pages.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Source: International Journal of Obesity,2011, 35, p. 1087-1094.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: August, 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: A number of studies have associated metabolic syndrome with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL).  This study investigates the relationship between HRQoL and metabolic syndrome using multiple measures as well as looking at confounding factors such as increased BMI, depression and other comorbidities.

Length of publication: 8 pages.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Source: BBC News.

Follow this link for  fulltext.

Date of publication: 27th July, 2011.

Publication type: News item.

In a nutshell: The leading charity, St. John’s Ambulance, has stated that the number of patients requiring its bariatric vehicles around England has steadily increased over the last 4 years.  The charity is now investing in additional vehicles to maintain this service for patients.

Length of publication: 1 page.

Source: International Journal of Obesity, 35, p.1071-1078.

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication: August 2011.

Publication type: Research.

In a nutshell: This paper examines whether two dietary weight loss interventions – the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) programme and a low-fat diet programme – would be cost effective to implement in Australia and would have the potential to reduce the disease burden associated with overweight and obesity.

Length of publication: 9 pages.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Source: Greater Manchester Public Health Practice Unit

Follow this link for fulltext.

Date of publication: July, 2011.

Publication type: Press release.

In a nutshell: Programme details for an upcoming international symposium to be held in September at The Silken Berlaymont Hotel, Brussels.  Delegates are invited to discuss the latest challenges and share best practices in tackling obesity and developing effective health promotion strategies in Europe.

Length of publication: 3 pages.