Call for authors - Special issue: Interventions for the treatment of persons with obesity

No.

Topics

Objectives

Notes

1.        

Diet therapy or therapeutic diets (also referred as medical nutrition therapies) for the management of obesity

To summarise mechanisms of action and the state of the art on how dietary interventions work, the different available alternatives, and benefits and harms.

This article aims to describe the mechanisms of action, benefits and harms of diet therapy or therapeutic diets for the management of obesity.

Interventions can be one-to-one, in groups, or include family members. They can be delivered by any professional (e.g., General Practitioner, Nurse, Nutritionist) in any setting (e.g., the Primary Health Care setting, obesity clinics, remotely). Interventions can include dietary management of persons with obesity. These include:
1) reduced energy intake,
2) low carbohydrate,
3) varying macronutrient distributions,
4) Mediterranean-like diet,
5) other modifications to the diet including food restrictions

2.        

Intermittent, alternate or weekly fasting for the management of obesity

To summarise mechanisms of action and the state of the art on how these interventions work, as well as benefits and harms.

This article aims to describe the mechanisms of action, benefits and harms of intermittent, alternate or weekly fasting for the management of obesity.  

Interventions can be one-to-one, in groups, or include family members. They can be delivered by any professional (e.g., General Practitioner, Nurse, Nutritionist) in any setting (e.g., the Primary Health Care setting, obesity clinics, remotely).

3.        

Gut microbiota interventions for the management of obesity

To summarise mechanisms of action and the state of the art on how this intervention works, as well as benefits and harms.

This article aims to describe the mechanisms of action, benefits and harms of gut microbiota interventions/modulation, dysbiosis procedures, and other microbial-based therapies for the management of obesity. Interventions can be delivered by any professional (e.g., General Practitioner, Nurse, Nutritionist).

Interventions may include 1) oral administration of fibre and prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics; 2) oral administration of short chain fatty acids supplements– SCFA (e.g., propionate and butyrate); 3) oral administration of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA); 4) faecal microbiota transplant; and 5) supplementation with zinc, vitamin D, vitamin A, folate (Vitamin B9), iodine, among others.

4.        

The effect on obesity of food additives, industrialised ingredients, food processing, and products containing endocrine-altering chemicals

To summarise mechanisms of action and the state of the art on how food additives, industrialised ingredients, food processing, and products containing endocrine-altering chemicals can cause obesity.

This article aims to ascertain whether, and if so how, food processing, food additives and industrialised ingredients (e.g., food ingredients, colorants, preservatives, emulsifiers, hydrocolloids, and flavour enhancers), as well as endocrine-altering chemicals (e.g., chlorophenol pesticides, phthalates, and bisphenols) influence the development and progression of obesity, including alterations in lipid metabolism or in adipogenesis and fat accumulation.

5.        

Physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviours for the management of obesity

To summarise best practice for recommending physical activity in the management of obesity.

Physical activity is defined by WHO as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Sedentary behaviour includes any waking behaviour characterized by an energy expenditure of 1.5 metabolic equivalent
of task (METS) or lower while sitting, reclining, or lying. Physical activity has long been recommended as part of the prevention interventions for overweight and obesity. In persons living with obesity it is important to understand the type of physical activity that can be of benefit.

This article aims to describe the considerations that need to be taken into account when recommending physical for the management of obesity. These may include exercise type (e.g., aerobic, resistance); length of time and intensity as well as changes over time, the role of sedentary behaviour and sleep, among others.

Interventions can be one-to-one, in groups, or include peers or family members. They can be delivered in person or remotely.

6.        

Mindfulness, meditation and other psychological therapeutic interventions for the management of obesity

To summarise mechanisms of action and the state of the art on how these interventions work, as well as benefits and harms.

This article aims to describe the mechanisms of action, benefits and harms of psychological interventions for the management of obesity.

Interventions can be one-to-one, in groups, or include family members. They can be delivered by any professional (e.g., General Practitioner, Nurse, Nutritionist) in any setting (e.g., the Primary Health Care setting, obesity clinics, remotely). Interventions can include mindfulness-based interventions (e.g., mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based eating awareness training program), meditation, and other psychological therapeutic interventions for the management of obesity, e.g., social cognitive theory, social learning theory, theory of planned behaviour, family-based behavioural therapy, behavioural therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, and attitude and relationship techniques.

7.        

Behavioural-change interventions for the management of obesity

To summarise mechanisms of action and the state of the art on how these interventions work, as well as benefits and harms.

Therapeutic techniques derived from behavioural psychology may facilitate behaviour change. As a result, they may foster weight loss/maintenance and other changes by promoting, among others, small, successive changes in diet, physical activity, and lifestyle. This article aims to describe the mechanisms of action, benefits and harms of these interventions for the management of obesity. 

Interventions can be one-to-one, in groups, or include family members. They can be delivered by any professional (e.g., General Practitioner, Nurse, Nutritionist) in any setting (e.g., the Primary Health Care setting, obesity clinics, remotely). Interventions can include self-monitoring, goal setting, reinforcement for goal achievement, stimulus control, social support, problem solving, and motivational techniques, among others.

8.        

Digital health, technology-driven or technology-assisted interventions for the management of obesity

To summarise mechanisms of action and the state of the art on how these interventions work, as well as benefits and harms.

This article aims to describe the mechanisms of action, benefits and harms of digital health, technology-driven or technology-assisted interventions for the management of obesity. 

Interventions can be one-to-one, in groups, or include family members. They can be delivered by any professional (e.g., General Practitioner, Nurse, Nutritionist) in any setting (e.g., the Primary Health Care setting, obesity clinics, remotely). They can include web-based interventions, SMS or other texting, mobile phone or tablet applications, wearable activity trackers, exergaming or active video gaming, technology-based counselling, interactive voice response sessions, telemedicine via videoconferencing.

9.        

Pharmacological interventions for the management of obesity

To summarise mechanisms of action and the state of the art on how these interventions work, regardless of regulatory approval, as well as benefits and harms.

This article aims to describe the mechanisms of action, benefits and harms of pharmacological interventions, regardless of regulatory approval, for the management of obesity, with an emphasis on newer agents.  Efficacy, secondary or side effects, indications, contraindications, posology, active ingredients, estimated costs if available.

Drugs described will include medication that limit nutrient absorption (e.g., orlistat), insulin sensitizers and suppressors (e.g., metformin, octreotide, exenatide), anorectic agents (e.g., sibutramine), stimulants (e.g., dinitrophenol), GLP-1, liraglutide, semaglutide, selmelatonide, phentermine-topiramate, naltrexone-bupropion, phentermine, benzphetamine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, rimonabant, dexfenfluramine, and others.  

10.    

Pharmacological therapy (for comorbidities) causing weight gain and/or changes in the metabolic profile

To summarise pharmacological interventions that may be affecting obesity.

Pharmacological therapy may be used to treat comorbidities in people with obesity. This pharmacological therapy may result in weight gain and/or changes in the metabolic profile.

Within this context, this article aims to describe the mechanisms of action and pathways of pharmacological interventions causing obesity, including but not limited to antipsychotics, glucocorticoids, beta adrenergic blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, and others.

11.    

Gastric balloon and other weight-loss and weight-maintenance devices for the management of obesity

To summarise mechanisms of action and the state of the art on how these interventions work, regardless of regulatory approval, as well as benefits and harms.

Weight-loss and weight-maintenance devices are options available to people with obesity who have not responded to conservative interventions but who do not want to undergo bariatric surgery. Weight-loss devices include gastric balloon system, gastric banding system, electrical stimulation system, and gastric emptying system, among others. Weight-maintenance devices include oral removable palatal space occupying device; and ingested, transient, space occupying device, among others.

This article aims to describe the mechanisms of action, benefits and harms of weight-loss and weight-maintenance devices for the management of obesity. Information on follow up after the intervention is also of interest.

12.    

Multimodal or lifestyle interventions for the management of obesity

To summarise mechanisms of action and the state of the art on how these interventions work, as well as benefits and harms.

This article aims to describe the mechanisms of action, benefits and harms of multimodal or lifestyle interventions for the management of obesity.

Emphasis should be placed on ascertaining the main components of these interventions and how they support changes in improving diet and physical activity levels, among other lifestyle components.

Interventions can include 1) behaviour-change, problem-solving skills, or parenting skills training; 2) combination of diet, physical activity and behavioural interventions; 3) other options.

Interventions can be one-to-one, in groups, or include family members. They can be delivered by any professional (e.g., General Practitioner, Nurse, Nutritionist) in any setting (e.g., the Primary Health Care setting, obesity clinics, remotely).

13.    

Gastric bypass and other bariatric surgery options for the management of obesity

To summarise mechanisms of action and the state of the art on how these interventions work, regardless of regulatory approval, as well as benefits and harms.

Bariatric surgery is a type of weight loss surgery to treat people with obesity. It is also referred as metabolic surgery.  The different types of procedures achieve restriction and malabsorption and produce endocrine changes affecting hunger and satiety.

Bariatric surgery can include Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS).
This article aims to describe the mechanisms of action, benefits and harms of each of these surgical interventions, indications, contraindications, prognosis, potential adverse events, and evolution. Information on follow up after surgery is also of interest.

14.    

Precision medicine and individualized obesity treatment for the management of obesity

To summarise mechanisms of action and the state of the art on how these interventions work, as well as benefits and harms.

This article aims to describe the main characteristics of precision medicine and individualized obesity treatment for the management of obesity.  Outcomes can include effects on anthropometric or cardiometabolic measures and on outcomes related to wellbeing, improved functioning, quality of life, improvement in mental health.

Interventions can be delivered by any professional (e.g., General Practitioner, Nurse, Nutritionist) in any setting (e.g., the Primary Health Care setting, obesity clinics, remotely).

15.    

Mental health interventions in the management of obesity

To summarise best practice for treating and/or comanaging mental health conditions in people with obesity

This article aims to describe approaches and interventions for treating and/or comanaging mental health conditions in people with obesity, including but not limited to anxiety, stress, depression, isolation, suicidal ideation, among other conditions; and improving self-esteem and body image. In addition, considerations regarding how mental health issues can exacerbate obesity or vice versa should be explored.

Approaches and interventions can be delivered by any professional (e.g., General Practitioner, Nurse, Nutritionist) in any setting (e.g., the Primary Health Care setting, obesity clinics, remotely).

16.    

OPTIONAL

Alternatives approaches to the treatment of obesity

Authors are invited to propose a topic related to the treatment of obesity not covered above.