Recent items - Dr. Sharma's Obesity Notes
Weight Bias Amongst Medical Students
09/09/2010 14:00
As classes reopen and students flock back to their classes, here is an article that may be of particular interest to medical education. In this study, published online in the International Journal of Obesity, Susan Persky and Colette Eccleston examined medical students’ care recommendations for an obese versus non-obese virtual patient. A total of 76 clinical-level medical [...]
09/09/2010 14:00
As classes reopen and students flock back to their classes, here is an article that may be of particular interest to medical education. In this study, published online in the International Journal of Obesity, Susan Persky and Colette Eccleston examined medical students’ care recommendations for an obese versus non-obese virtual patient. A total of 76 clinical-level medical [...]
Insulin Sensitive Obesity
08/09/2010 14:00
This week, I am hosting Matthias Blüher, Professor of Endocrinology from the University of Leipzig, Germany, who yesterday, presented a seminar on the topic of “Insulin Sensitive Obesity” at the Alberta Diabetes Institute. As most readers will know, excess weight is typically associated with insulin resistance, which has been suggested to be a major underlying factor [...]
08/09/2010 14:00
This week, I am hosting Matthias Blüher, Professor of Endocrinology from the University of Leipzig, Germany, who yesterday, presented a seminar on the topic of “Insulin Sensitive Obesity” at the Alberta Diabetes Institute. As most readers will know, excess weight is typically associated with insulin resistance, which has been suggested to be a major underlying factor [...]
Pediatric Weight Management In Canada
07/09/2010 14:00
Around the world, management of childhood obesity is posing increasing challenges for already overburdened health care systems. While prevention efforts may eventually halt or even reverse the obesity epidemic, for children already living with excess weight, prevention efforts are similar to locking the barn door after the horse has bolted - these kids need help now. So [...]
07/09/2010 14:00
Around the world, management of childhood obesity is posing increasing challenges for already overburdened health care systems. While prevention efforts may eventually halt or even reverse the obesity epidemic, for children already living with excess weight, prevention efforts are similar to locking the barn door after the horse has bolted - these kids need help now. So [...]
Sharma Studies Nutrition From the Arctic to the Amazon
06/09/2010 14:00
Last week I attended Medical Grand Rounds at the University of Alberta Hospital presented by our Faculty’s latest recruit Sangita Sharma (no relation), Professor in Aboriginal and Global Health and newly Endowed Chair in Aboriginal Health. Sangita, who earned her PhD in nutritional epidemiology from the University of Manchester, UK, comes to Edmonton from the Nutrition [...]
06/09/2010 14:00
Last week I attended Medical Grand Rounds at the University of Alberta Hospital presented by our Faculty’s latest recruit Sangita Sharma (no relation), Professor in Aboriginal and Global Health and newly Endowed Chair in Aboriginal Health. Sangita, who earned her PhD in nutritional epidemiology from the University of Manchester, UK, comes to Edmonton from the Nutrition [...]
Who Helps Canadians Manage Their Weight?
03/09/2010 14:00
The short answer, for the vast majority of Canadians, would simply be, “no one”. Last year, the Canadian Obesity Network undertook a representative survey to examine how Canadians manage their weight. It turns out that over 65% of overweight Canadians have never talked to a licensed health professional (family doctor, dietitian, pharmacist, etc.) about losing weight. [...]
03/09/2010 14:00
The short answer, for the vast majority of Canadians, would simply be, “no one”. Last year, the Canadian Obesity Network undertook a representative survey to examine how Canadians manage their weight. It turns out that over 65% of overweight Canadians have never talked to a licensed health professional (family doctor, dietitian, pharmacist, etc.) about losing weight. [...]
SCOUTing for Obesity Treatments
02/09/2010 14:00
Today, the New England Journal of Medicine publishes the results of the Sibutramine Cardiovascular OUTcome (SCOUT) trial - a study in over 10,000 high-risk individuals with excess weight. Over the past eight years, I have had the privilege of being on the Executive Steering Committee of this largest ever randomised controlled trial of obesity treatment. The SCOUT [...]
02/09/2010 14:00
Today, the New England Journal of Medicine publishes the results of the Sibutramine Cardiovascular OUTcome (SCOUT) trial - a study in over 10,000 high-risk individuals with excess weight. Over the past eight years, I have had the privilege of being on the Executive Steering Committee of this largest ever randomised controlled trial of obesity treatment. The SCOUT [...]
GLP-1 Primer for Cardiologists
01/09/2010 14:00
Yesterday, on my last day at the 2010 ESC meeting in Stockholm, I attended a session on incretins. As regular readers of these pages will recall, the term incretins refers to a group of gut hormones that elicit a wide range of biological actions affecting ingestive behaviour, gut function and metabolic control. Michaela Diamant from the University [...]
01/09/2010 14:00
Yesterday, on my last day at the 2010 ESC meeting in Stockholm, I attended a session on incretins. As regular readers of these pages will recall, the term incretins refers to a group of gut hormones that elicit a wide range of biological actions affecting ingestive behaviour, gut function and metabolic control. Michaela Diamant from the University [...]
Kidney Fat Predicts Kidney Disease?
31/08/2010 14:00
Yesterday, at the ongoing 2010 European Society of Cardiology, I attended as session focussing on the potential role of excess fat tissue that may surround blood vessels or the heart. Regular readers will recall, that the role of these fat depots have been a focus of my interest in past years. A new study by Olga [...]
31/08/2010 14:00
Yesterday, at the ongoing 2010 European Society of Cardiology, I attended as session focussing on the potential role of excess fat tissue that may surround blood vessels or the heart. Regular readers will recall, that the role of these fat depots have been a focus of my interest in past years. A new study by Olga [...]
Diabetes and the Heart - More Questions than Answers?
30/08/2010 14:00
I am currently attending the 2010 Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Cardiology, here in Stockholm. In a session on diabetes and heart disease, Mamas Mamas from the University of Manchester, UK, reported that abnormal glucose tolerance (pre-diabetes or diabetes) is found in about 50% of unselected heart failure patients. Importantly, only a small fraction of [...]
30/08/2010 14:00
I am currently attending the 2010 Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Cardiology, here in Stockholm. In a session on diabetes and heart disease, Mamas Mamas from the University of Manchester, UK, reported that abnormal glucose tolerance (pre-diabetes or diabetes) is found in about 50% of unselected heart failure patients. Importantly, only a small fraction of [...]
How Safe is Bariatric Surgery?
27/08/2010 14:00
According to some reports, bariatric surgery is now the second most common abdominal surgical procedure performed in the US. However, despite the well-documented beneficial outcomes, critics continue to question the safety of this treatment option for severe obesity. There is also oft-cited concern about the quality of treatment provided across centres. These questions were now addressed in [...]
27/08/2010 14:00
According to some reports, bariatric surgery is now the second most common abdominal surgical procedure performed in the US. However, despite the well-documented beneficial outcomes, critics continue to question the safety of this treatment option for severe obesity. There is also oft-cited concern about the quality of treatment provided across centres. These questions were now addressed in [...]
Gestational Pre-Diabetes Modifies Leptin Gene in Utero
26/08/2010 14:00
One of the most exciting and biologically highly plausible reasons for the childhood obesity epidemic may well be that current generations are far more susceptible to obesity because of “epigenetic programming”. Simply put, the notion is that exposure to an adverse fetal environment, as in the case of maternal obesity, diabetes or hypertension during pregnancy, can [...]
26/08/2010 14:00
One of the most exciting and biologically highly plausible reasons for the childhood obesity epidemic may well be that current generations are far more susceptible to obesity because of “epigenetic programming”. Simply put, the notion is that exposure to an adverse fetal environment, as in the case of maternal obesity, diabetes or hypertension during pregnancy, can [...]
Physical Activity in Pre-Diabetes is Associated With Better Mental and Physical Health
25/08/2010 14:00
Although exercise is certainly overrated when it comes to losing weight, I have often blogged about the many benefits of being physically active. A paper just published online in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice by Lorian Taylor and several of my colleagues here at the University of Alberta, we explored the relationship between physical activity and [...]
25/08/2010 14:00
Although exercise is certainly overrated when it comes to losing weight, I have often blogged about the many benefits of being physically active. A paper just published online in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice by Lorian Taylor and several of my colleagues here at the University of Alberta, we explored the relationship between physical activity and [...]
Will Surgery Cut Diabetes Costs?
24/08/2010 14:00
For patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, bariatric surgery is by far the most effective treatment - it is, indeed, the only form of treatment that can put patients into full long-term remission. But is surgery really a cost-effective option for health systems looking to contain the immense economic and health burden of diabetes? A paper [...]
24/08/2010 14:00
For patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, bariatric surgery is by far the most effective treatment - it is, indeed, the only form of treatment that can put patients into full long-term remission. But is surgery really a cost-effective option for health systems looking to contain the immense economic and health burden of diabetes? A paper [...]
Which Protein Fills You Up Most?
23/08/2010 14:00
Dietary proteins have been shown to be more effective at prolonging satiety and suppressing food intake than carbohydrates and fats. However, different dietary proteins appear to vary in their ability to influence satiety and reduce food intake. This is nicely demonstrated in a new study by Sebely Pal and Vanessa Ellis from the University of Curtin, Perth, Australia, [...]
23/08/2010 14:00
Dietary proteins have been shown to be more effective at prolonging satiety and suppressing food intake than carbohydrates and fats. However, different dietary proteins appear to vary in their ability to influence satiety and reduce food intake. This is nicely demonstrated in a new study by Sebely Pal and Vanessa Ellis from the University of Curtin, Perth, Australia, [...]
Dr. Sharma’s Obesity Notes: Weekend Round Up
22/08/2010 14:00
As not everyone may have a chance during the week to read every post, here’s a roundup of last week’s posts in order of popularity: Should Obesity Prevention Efforts Focus Less On Individuals? Do Environmental Toxins Promote Obesity? Adipose Tissue Inflammation Promotes Diabetes? WeightSavvy Teens And Kids
22/08/2010 14:00
As not everyone may have a chance during the week to read every post, here’s a roundup of last week’s posts in order of popularity: Should Obesity Prevention Efforts Focus Less On Individuals? Do Environmental Toxins Promote Obesity? Adipose Tissue Inflammation Promotes Diabetes? WeightSavvy Teens And Kids
Do Environmental Toxins Promote Obesity?
20/08/2010 14:00
Our environment is full of man-made chemicals, the biological actions of which we rarely fully understand. There is now considerable data showing that some of these chemicals may well have biological effects that can potentially change metabolism. These compounds are, therefore, sometimes referred to as “endocrine disrupting chemicals” (EDC) and can potentially promote weight gain and [...]
20/08/2010 14:00
Our environment is full of man-made chemicals, the biological actions of which we rarely fully understand. There is now considerable data showing that some of these chemicals may well have biological effects that can potentially change metabolism. These compounds are, therefore, sometimes referred to as “endocrine disrupting chemicals” (EDC) and can potentially promote weight gain and [...]
Should Obesity Prevention Efforts Focus Less On Individuals?
19/08/2010 14:00
Obesity is now increasingly recognised as the “natural” consequence of societal changes that have occurred over the past decades to foster an increasingly obesogenic environment. Yet, rather than focus on the root causes of these societal drivers of obesity, governments apparently prefer to make obesity prevention a personal matter, with a strong emphasis on trying to [...]
19/08/2010 14:00
Obesity is now increasingly recognised as the “natural” consequence of societal changes that have occurred over the past decades to foster an increasingly obesogenic environment. Yet, rather than focus on the root causes of these societal drivers of obesity, governments apparently prefer to make obesity prevention a personal matter, with a strong emphasis on trying to [...]
Leipzig Appoints First German Professor for Bariatric Surgery
18/08/2010 14:00
As the demand for bariatric surgery increases across Europe, there is increased recognition that this rapidly evolving field of medical care will require the same expertise, training, research and resources as other fields of medicine. It was therefore only a matter of time before a leading German university would announce the appointment of a Full Professor [...]
18/08/2010 14:00
As the demand for bariatric surgery increases across Europe, there is increased recognition that this rapidly evolving field of medical care will require the same expertise, training, research and resources as other fields of medicine. It was therefore only a matter of time before a leading German university would announce the appointment of a Full Professor [...]
WeightSavvy Teens And Kids
17/08/2010 14:00
Anyone working in the field of childhood obesity has probably long noticed that effectively addressing excess weight in kids usually means involving the whole family. In fact some programs go as far as to only involve the parents rather than focus on the kids themselves. Unfortunately, access to weight management programs for families remains extremely limited. [...]
17/08/2010 14:00
Anyone working in the field of childhood obesity has probably long noticed that effectively addressing excess weight in kids usually means involving the whole family. In fact some programs go as far as to only involve the parents rather than focus on the kids themselves. Unfortunately, access to weight management programs for families remains extremely limited. [...]
Adipose Tissue Inflammation Promotes Diabetes?
16/08/2010 14:00
Regular readers will know that obesity is the major driver of the world-wide diabetes epidemic. But not everyone who is overweight will ultimately get diabetes. So why do some people with excess fat become diabetic while others don’t? Since the discovery that some people show marked signs of inflammation in their fat depots, researchers have suggested that [...]
16/08/2010 14:00
Regular readers will know that obesity is the major driver of the world-wide diabetes epidemic. But not everyone who is overweight will ultimately get diabetes. So why do some people with excess fat become diabetic while others don’t? Since the discovery that some people show marked signs of inflammation in their fat depots, researchers have suggested that [...]
Dr. Sharma’s Obesity Notes: Weekend Roundup
15/08/2010 14:00
As not everyone may have a chance during the week to read every post, here’s a roundup of last week’s posts in order of popularity: Obesity and Cancer in Asia-Pacific Populations Obesity Promotes and Complicates Psoriasis Obesity and Multiple Sclerosis Taming the Obeast Fifth Anniversary Obesity Boot Camp Have a great Sunday! (or what’s left of it) AMS Duchesnay, Quebec You can now also [...]
15/08/2010 14:00
As not everyone may have a chance during the week to read every post, here’s a roundup of last week’s posts in order of popularity: Obesity and Cancer in Asia-Pacific Populations Obesity Promotes and Complicates Psoriasis Obesity and Multiple Sclerosis Taming the Obeast Fifth Anniversary Obesity Boot Camp Have a great Sunday! (or what’s left of it) AMS Duchesnay, Quebec You can now also [...]
Obesity is a Major Risk Factor for Cancer in Asia-Pacific Populations
13/08/2010 14:00
Overweight and obesity are now increasingly recognized as a major driver of cancers in the Western world. For example, recent estimates suggest that almost 1 in 3 cases or breast cancer are related to excess weight. A new study, published last month in Lancet Oncology, by Christine Parr and colleagues from the Asia-Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration [...]
13/08/2010 14:00
Overweight and obesity are now increasingly recognized as a major driver of cancers in the Western world. For example, recent estimates suggest that almost 1 in 3 cases or breast cancer are related to excess weight. A new study, published last month in Lancet Oncology, by Christine Parr and colleagues from the Asia-Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration [...]
Taming the Obeast
12/08/2010 14:00
A few weeks ago, I read Lori Lansens’ bestselling book “the wife’s tale“. The book tells the story of Mary Gooch, a 43 year-old woman with severe obesity, who lives her life in defensive, deflective blame, segregating herself in the small farming town of Leaford, Ontario. When her husband dissapears on the eve of their 25th wedding [...]
12/08/2010 14:00
A few weeks ago, I read Lori Lansens’ bestselling book “the wife’s tale“. The book tells the story of Mary Gooch, a 43 year-old woman with severe obesity, who lives her life in defensive, deflective blame, segregating herself in the small farming town of Leaford, Ontario. When her husband dissapears on the eve of their 25th wedding [...]
Obesity Promotes and Complicates Psoriasis
10/08/2010 14:00
Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin, and affects 2-3% of the population in Western countries. Several previous reports have linked an association between obesity and psoriasis and studies indicate that obese patients with psoriasis are more difficult to treat. This complex relationship between posoriasis and excess weight [...]
10/08/2010 14:00
Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin, and affects 2-3% of the population in Western countries. Several previous reports have linked an association between obesity and psoriasis and studies indicate that obese patients with psoriasis are more difficult to treat. This complex relationship between posoriasis and excess weight [...]
Obesity And Multiple Sclerosis
10/08/2010 14:00
As blogged before, any medical condition that affects mobility, can potentially promote weight gain and the development of obesity with all its mental, physical and socioeconomic sequelae. This of course also applies to patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressively disabling disease of the central nervous system currently affecting an estimated 2·5 million people worldwide. [...]
10/08/2010 14:00
As blogged before, any medical condition that affects mobility, can potentially promote weight gain and the development of obesity with all its mental, physical and socioeconomic sequelae. This of course also applies to patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressively disabling disease of the central nervous system currently affecting an estimated 2·5 million people worldwide. [...]
Fifth Anniversary Obesity Boot Camp
09/08/2010 14:00
As my followers on FaceBook are well aware, I spent all of last week at the 2010 Obesity Boot Camp co-organized by theCanadian Obesity Network (CON) and theMerck-Frosst/CIHR Obesity Chair at the University of Laval, QC. As in the four previous camps, this year’s camp once again brought together some of the best and brightest students and [...]
09/08/2010 14:00
As my followers on FaceBook are well aware, I spent all of last week at the 2010 Obesity Boot Camp co-organized by theCanadian Obesity Network (CON) and theMerck-Frosst/CIHR Obesity Chair at the University of Laval, QC. As in the four previous camps, this year’s camp once again brought together some of the best and brightest students and [...]
Dr. Sharma’s Obesity Notes: Weekend Roundup
08/08/2010 14:00
As not everyone may have a chance during the week to read every post, here’s a roundup of last week’s posts in order of popularity: The Bariatric Food Pyramid Durability of Bariatric Surgery Do Fitness Tax Credits Only Make The Rich Richer? Time Course of Incretin Responsiveness to Bariatric Surgery Internet Weight-Loss Sites Only Work For People Who Use Them Have [...]
08/08/2010 14:00
As not everyone may have a chance during the week to read every post, here’s a roundup of last week’s posts in order of popularity: The Bariatric Food Pyramid Durability of Bariatric Surgery Do Fitness Tax Credits Only Make The Rich Richer? Time Course of Incretin Responsiveness to Bariatric Surgery Internet Weight-Loss Sites Only Work For People Who Use Them Have [...]
Time Course of Incretin Responsiveness to Bariatric Surgery
06/08/2010 14:00
A rapidly accumulating body of evidence supports the profound impact of bariatric surgery on patients with type 2 diabetes, often resulting in complete resolution of this condition. Two of the key mechanisms by which bariatric surgery improves glucose control are related to weight loss and to changes in the secretion of gut hormones that influence metabolism. [...]
06/08/2010 14:00
A rapidly accumulating body of evidence supports the profound impact of bariatric surgery on patients with type 2 diabetes, often resulting in complete resolution of this condition. Two of the key mechanisms by which bariatric surgery improves glucose control are related to weight loss and to changes in the secretion of gut hormones that influence metabolism. [...]
Do Fitness Tax Credits Only Make The Rich Richer?
05/08/2010 14:00
Yesterday, University of Alberta’s John Spence (on faculty of the annual Canadian Obesity Network’s Student Boot Camp) together with Valerie Carson (former Bootcamper) and coworkers, published a most interesting article in BMC Public Health. The paper looks at the uptake and effectiveness of the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit (CFTC) on Canadians. This tax credit was introduced [...]
05/08/2010 14:00
Yesterday, University of Alberta’s John Spence (on faculty of the annual Canadian Obesity Network’s Student Boot Camp) together with Valerie Carson (former Bootcamper) and coworkers, published a most interesting article in BMC Public Health. The paper looks at the uptake and effectiveness of the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit (CFTC) on Canadians. This tax credit was introduced [...]
Internet Weight-Loss Sites Only Work For People Who Use Them
04/08/2010 14:00
Regular readers of these pages may recall a previous post on the fact that drugs only work in people who take them. Perhaps, not so surprisingly, the same is true for any kind of weight loss intervention. Diets only work for people who stick to them, food journals only work for people who keep them, calorie counting [...]
04/08/2010 14:00
Regular readers of these pages may recall a previous post on the fact that drugs only work in people who take them. Perhaps, not so surprisingly, the same is true for any kind of weight loss intervention. Diets only work for people who stick to them, food journals only work for people who keep them, calorie counting [...]
Durability Of Bariatric Surgery
03/08/2010 14:00
For most patients with severe obesity, the decision to undergo bariatric surgery is one of the most important decisions they will make in their lifetime. But once they have decided to go down this route, several important issues need to be considered, not least the choice of operation. Apart from the surgical risk (complications at the time [...]
03/08/2010 14:00
For most patients with severe obesity, the decision to undergo bariatric surgery is one of the most important decisions they will make in their lifetime. But once they have decided to go down this route, several important issues need to be considered, not least the choice of operation. Apart from the surgical risk (complications at the time [...]
The Bariatric Food Pyramid
02/08/2010 14:00
The key to long-term success with bariatric surgery is certainly life-long dietary modification. While most guidelines focus on the immediate needs of patients undergoing bariatric surgery, long term nutrition continues to be an important issue, even in weight-stable patients. As people with bariatric surgery tend to eat far fewer calories than before and (depending on the type [...]
02/08/2010 14:00
The key to long-term success with bariatric surgery is certainly life-long dietary modification. While most guidelines focus on the immediate needs of patients undergoing bariatric surgery, long term nutrition continues to be an important issue, even in weight-stable patients. As people with bariatric surgery tend to eat far fewer calories than before and (depending on the type [...]
Will Eating Fruit Hamper Weight Loss?
30/07/2010 14:00
After yesterday’s post on the potential benefits of eating blueberries, some readers noted that one should not discount the calories in fruit. In addition, there appears to be a “myth” out there that because of the sugar in fruit, they should be considered a high-glycemic food and could therefore be counterproductive in weight-loss diets - [...]
30/07/2010 14:00
After yesterday’s post on the potential benefits of eating blueberries, some readers noted that one should not discount the calories in fruit. In addition, there appears to be a “myth” out there that because of the sugar in fruit, they should be considered a high-glycemic food and could therefore be counterproductive in weight-loss diets - [...]
Will Eating Blueberries Reduce Risk For Heart Disease?
29/07/2010 14:00
Eating more fruit and vegetables is a common recommendation in dietary guidelines to prevent everything from obesity and heart disease to premature aging and cancer. In this context, berries are of particular interest, as they are particularly rich in anti-oxidants and a variety of phytochemicals like polyphenols, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, flavonols, and tannins that have demonstrated [...]
29/07/2010 14:00
Eating more fruit and vegetables is a common recommendation in dietary guidelines to prevent everything from obesity and heart disease to premature aging and cancer. In this context, berries are of particular interest, as they are particularly rich in anti-oxidants and a variety of phytochemicals like polyphenols, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, flavonols, and tannins that have demonstrated [...]
Can Soft Drink Taxes Reduce Obesity?
28/07/2010 14:00
One commonly heard propositions to combat the obesity epidemic is to tax soft drinks. No doubt, sugary soft drinks are a common and important source of “empty” calories, but will taxing soft drinks really reduce obesity rates? This assumption was now examined by Yale University’s Jason Fletcher and colleagues, in a paper just published in Contemporary [...]
28/07/2010 14:00
One commonly heard propositions to combat the obesity epidemic is to tax soft drinks. No doubt, sugary soft drinks are a common and important source of “empty” calories, but will taxing soft drinks really reduce obesity rates? This assumption was now examined by Yale University’s Jason Fletcher and colleagues, in a paper just published in Contemporary [...]
Sitting Around May Kill You
27/07/2010 14:00
We’ve long known that poor physical fitness and lack of exercise are important risk factors for heart disease. But matters may be worse, because even for people who exercise regularly, sitting around most of the day may still be an important risk factor for dying of heart problems. This important impact of sitting around (especially during leisure [...]
27/07/2010 14:00
We’ve long known that poor physical fitness and lack of exercise are important risk factors for heart disease. But matters may be worse, because even for people who exercise regularly, sitting around most of the day may still be an important risk factor for dying of heart problems. This important impact of sitting around (especially during leisure [...]