Comparison of range of commercial or primary care led weight reduction programmes with minimal intervention control for weight loss in obesity: Lighten Up randomised controlled trial.

Source: BMJ, 2011, 343:d6500

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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.

Associations between Snacking and Weight Loss and Nutrient Intake among Postmenopausal Overweight to Obese Women in a Dietary Weight-Loss Intervention.

Source: Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2011, 1112 (12), p. 1898-1903.

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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.

‘Quick-fix diets drive teens to hate their bodies’

 Source: The Independent.

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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.

Does skipping breakfast help with weight loss?

Source: National Obesity Observatory.

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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.

Eating out of home and its association with dietary intake: a systematic review of the evidence.

Source: Obesity Reviews, 2011, DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00953.x

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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.

UK women are ‘fattest in Europe’.

Source: BBC News

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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.

Parents’ views and experiences of childhood obesity management in primary care: a qualitative study.

Source: Family Practice, 2011, doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmr111

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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.