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Nutrients
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Hot Topics in Nutrition and Obesity 2024
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Hot Topics in Nutrition and Obesity 2024

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Obesity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 4655

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Javier Gómez-Ambrosi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Metabolic Research Lab, Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
Interests: obesity; dietary treatment; adipose tissue dysfunction; inflammation; adipokines; metabolic surgery; cardiometabolic risk improvement; body composition changes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Victoria Catalán

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Metabolic Research Lab, Pio XII, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
Interests: obesity; type 2 diabetes; adipose tissue dysfunction; inflammation; adipokines; metabolic surgery

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Obesity is a major global health challenge favoring the development of cardiometabolic alterations, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, MASLD/MASH, and cancer, among others. Recent years have seen a significant advancement in our knowledge of the biology of obesity, as well as the emergence of innovative obesity treatment strategies. Nonetheless, there are no indications that the obesity pandemic is slowing down. This year marks the 15th Anniversary of Nutrients. To mark this occasion, we are launching this Special Issue, “Hot Topics on Nutrition and Obesity 2024”.

This Special Issue aims to attract high-quality original papers and reviews related to any aspect of obesity research and treatment. We will consider manuscripts regarding, but not limited to, the following:

  • Nutritional epidemiology: studies on dietary patterns, macronutrient and micronutrient intake, and their association with obesity;
  • Mechanisms of obesity: research exploring the physiological, biochemical, and genetic mechanisms linking nutrition to obesity;
  • Obesity-associated inflammation: investigations into the role of chronic inflammation in the development and progression of obesity, and how dietary components can modulate inflammatory responses;
  • Dietary interventions: evaluations of dietary programs and interventions aimed at weight loss and obesity prevention, including low-carb, low-fat, and balanced diet plans;
  • Novel approaches, such as the different modalities of intermittent fasting, including aspects relative to their effectiveness or the different physiological mechanisms involved;
  • The use of innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, mobile apps, or wearable devices;
  • Public health nutrition: community-based interventions, policy implications, and strategies for promoting healthy eating habits to prevent obesity;
  • Physical activity and sleep habits as causes of or treatments for obesity through lifestyle modification;
  • Childhood obesity: studies focusing on early-life nutrition, parental influences, school-based interventions, and long-term health outcomes;
  • Nutrigenomics and personalized nutrition: research on how genetic variations affect individual responses to diet and implications for personalized dietary recommendations;
  • Socioeconomic and cultural influences: examinations of how socioeconomic status, culture, and environment impact nutritional choices and obesity rates;
  • Innovative nutritional products: the development and efficacy of new nutritional supplements, functional foods, and other products aimed at combating obesity;
  • The importance of monitoring body composition in the management of patients living with obesity.

Dr. Javier Gómez-Ambrosi
Dr. Victoria Catalán
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • obesity
  • obesity-associated comorbidities
  • adipose tissue dysfunction
  • adipokines
  • artificial intelligence in obesity research and treatment
  • dietary treatment
  • lifestyle intervention
  • pharmacological treatment
  • metabolic surgery
  • intermittent fasting
  • cardiometabolic risk improvement
  • body composition changes
  • weight regain
  • predictors of treatment success
  • use of apps for weight loss
  • treatment of children and adolescents

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 853 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Abdominal Obesity in Polish Adults: Sociodemographic Analysis from the 2016–2020 National Health Program
by Iwona Traczyk, Alicja Kucharska, Beata I. Sińska, Mariusz Panczyk, Piotr Samel-Kowalik, Anna Kłak, Filip Raciborski, Mariusz Wyleżoł, Bolesław Samoliński and Dorota Szostak-Węgierek
Nutrients 2024, 16(23), 4248; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16234248 - 9 Dec 2024
Viewed by 554
Abstract
Introduction: Excessive body weight, particularly the abdominal distribution of adipose tissue, has remained an important public health concern for years. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of general overweight status and obesity, as well as abdominal overweight status and obesity in [...] Read more.
Introduction: Excessive body weight, particularly the abdominal distribution of adipose tissue, has remained an important public health concern for years. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of general overweight status and obesity, as well as abdominal overweight status and obesity in the adult Polish population. Material and methods: The results are based on the analysis of anthropometric data of 3735 people aged 19 and over who were surveyed under the 2016–2020 National Health Program. Results: Excessive body weight (BMI > 25 kg/m2) was reported in 56.6% of the respondents. Abdominal overweight was found in 20.8% of respondents and abdominal obesity in 31.7% of the respondents. Abdominal obesity was more common in women than in men (44.3% vs. 18.0%, p < 0.001). Over half of women over 55 (approx. 60%) had abdominal obesity. The odds of becoming overweight/obese as measured by the BMI depended on the age and sex of the respondents. It was confirmed that men were over 28% more likely to develop such a condition than women (OR = 1.288, p < 0.001). The odds increased with age (OR = 1.029, p < 0.001). The type of person with obesity/found to be overweight in Polish population was most often a rural resident, aged 65.0–74.9, assessing their financial situation as average, being married/in a partnership, and not declaring the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. The person with an overweight status had secondary education, and the person with obesity had primary/lower secondary/vocational education. Conclusions: Being overweight and having obesity, both general and abdominal, are still a major epidemiological problem in Poland. The results obtained in this study suggest that the prevalence of being overweight and having obesity has decreased over the last 10 years, though this assumption requires further investigation. Rural residents with lower education should be covered by educational activities adapted to their needs and possibilities, considering that obesity in young women, especially when having abdominal obesity, may be associated with an increased risk of infertility caused by ovulation disorders. Further research and educational activities are necessary. Excessive body weight affected almost 42% of the women from the youngest age group, and abdominal obesity was found in 21% of them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hot Topics in Nutrition and Obesity 2024)
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19 pages, 635 KiB  
Article
Body Composition Trend in Slovene Adults: A Two-Year Follow-Up
by Boštjan Jakše, Zlatko Fras and Uroš Godnov
Nutrients 2024, 16(23), 4123; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16234123 - 28 Nov 2024
Viewed by 568
Abstract
This research re-evaluates the prevalence of obesity in a cohort of 432 Slovenian adults two years after an initial population-based cross-sectional examination, utilizing the World Health Organization’s body mass index (BMI) and total body fat percentage (FAT%) classifications. Herein, a medically approved electrical [...] Read more.
This research re-evaluates the prevalence of obesity in a cohort of 432 Slovenian adults two years after an initial population-based cross-sectional examination, utilizing the World Health Organization’s body mass index (BMI) and total body fat percentage (FAT%) classifications. Herein, a medically approved electrical bioimpedance monitor was used to analyse body composition, and the results revealed a significant increase in the percentage of individuals classified as having overweight or obesity on the basis of BMI, from 40.7% initially to 45.2% at follow-up (FU); however, these percentages were notably higher in males than in females. The increases in body mass, BMI, fat mass, and FAT% were observed mainly in adult females, whereas in adult males, the increases in BM and BMI were attributed to fat-free mass (FFM) rather than fat mass. In this study, BMI was also compared with the FAT% obesity classification, and the BMI classification was shown to result in significantly fewer participants with obesity in both measures. However, the proportion of participants with obesity based on the two classifications did not differ substantially between the initial and FU measurements. In this study, mixed linear models were used to analyse overall trends and subgroup variations and highlight the importance of considering sex, age, and time of measurement when assessing body composition metrics. These findings emphasize the need for personalized health assessments and the importance of measuring body composition to evaluate adult obesity more accurately for both clinical assessments and public health policies. The state, in collaboration with social initiatives and industrial stakeholders, should prioritize these data and advance public health through innovative educational and awareness initiatives that are founded on robust scientific principles and that empower and promote the adoption of a healthy, active lifestyle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hot Topics in Nutrition and Obesity 2024)
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9 pages, 422 KiB  
Article
Application of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Weight Management of Children with Spina Bifida
by Joanna Bagińska-Chyży and Agata Korzeniecka-Kozerska
Nutrients 2024, 16(18), 3222; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16183222 - 23 Sep 2024
Viewed by 918
Abstract
Background: Children with spina bifida (SB) face an elevated risk of obesity, which necessitates precise methods for assessing body composition to ensure effective weight management. Conventional measures like BMI are inadequate for this population because of variations in growth patterns and skeletal structure. [...] Read more.
Background: Children with spina bifida (SB) face an elevated risk of obesity, which necessitates precise methods for assessing body composition to ensure effective weight management. Conventional measures like BMI are inadequate for this population because of variations in growth patterns and skeletal structure. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a method that offers a clearer picture of body composition, yet its use in children with SB remains underexplored. Methods: Conducted on 57 children with SB and 28 healthy controls, with a median age of 11 years, this study evaluated anthropometrics, including BMI and BIA-derived metrics. The Hoffer’s scale to assess physical activity was applied in SB children. Results: Results showed that while 32% of SB patients were classified as overweight or obese based on BMI, 62% exhibited high body fat percentage via BIA. Fat-free mass, muscle and fat mass, and fat-to-muscle ratio (FMR) differed significantly compared to the reference group. Non-ambulators showed a higher median body fat mass percentage (25.9% vs. 17.8%, p = 0.01) and FMR (0.92 vs. 0.44, p = 0.003) in comparison to the community walkers. Conclusions: In SB children, BIA-measured fat mass is a better obesity indicator than BMI. Non-ambulatory, SB patients with obesity had the highest FMR values, indicating a higher risk for metabolic syndrome. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hot Topics in Nutrition and Obesity 2024)
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12 pages, 5200 KiB  
Article
Palmitic Acid Induces Oxidative Stress and Senescence in Human Brainstem Astrocytes, Downregulating Glutamate Reuptake Transporters—Implications for Obesity-Related Sympathoexcitation
by Mahesh Kumar Sivasubramanian, Raisa Monteiro, Manoj Jagadeesh, Priya Balasubramanian and Madhan Subramanian
Nutrients 2024, 16(17), 2852; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16172852 - 26 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1717
Abstract
Obesity has been associated with a chronic increase in sympathetic nerve activity, which can lead to hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Preliminary studies from our lab found that oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the brainstem contribute to sympathetic overactivity in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. [...] Read more.
Obesity has been associated with a chronic increase in sympathetic nerve activity, which can lead to hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Preliminary studies from our lab found that oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the brainstem contribute to sympathetic overactivity in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. However, with glial cells emerging as significant contributors to various physiological processes, their role in causing these changes in obesity remains unknown. In this study, we wanted to determine the role of palmitic acid, a major form of saturated fatty acid in the high-fat diet, in regulating sympathetic outflow. Human brainstem astrocytes (HBAs) were used as a cell culture model since astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells and are more closely associated with the regulation of neurons and, hence, sympathetic nerve activity. In the current study, we hypothesized that palmitic acid-mediated oxidative stress induces senescence and downregulates glutamate reuptake transporters in HBAs. HBAs were treated with palmitic acid (25 μM for 24 h) in three separate experiments. After the treatment period, the cells were collected for gene expression and protein analysis. Our results showed that palmitic acid treatment led to a significant increase in the mRNA expression of oxidative stress markers (NQO1, SOD2, and CAT), cellular senescence markers (p21 and p53), SASP factors (TNFα, IL-6, MCP-1, and CXCL10), and a downregulation in the expression of glutamate reuptake transporters (EAAT1 and EAAT2) in the HBAs. Protein levels of Gamma H2AX, p16, and p21 were also significantly upregulated in the treatment group compared to the control. Our results showed that palmitic acid increased oxidative stress, DNA damage, cellular senescence, and SASP factors, and downregulated the expression of glutamate reuptake transporters in HBAs. These findings suggest the possibility of excitotoxicity in the neurons of the brainstem, sympathoexcitation, and increased risk for cardiovascular diseases in obesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hot Topics in Nutrition and Obesity 2024)
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