Eating Disorders: Pharmacological Modulation of the Endocannabinoid Signalling Alters Binge-Type Eating Behaviour in Female Rats.
Pharmacological modulation of the endocannabinoid signalling alters binge-type eating behaviour in female rats.
Filed under: Eating Disorders
Br J Pharmacol. 2012 Oct 16;
Scherma M, Fattore L, Satta V, Businco F, Pigliacampo B, Goldberg S, Dessy C, Fratta W, Fadda P
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE.: Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by excessive food intake during short periods of time. Recent evidence suggest that alterations in the endocannabinoid signalling could be involved in the pathophysiology of BED. In this study we investigated whether the pharmacological manipulation of the endocannabinoid transmission may be effective in modulating the aberrant eating behaviour present in a validated rat model of BED. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH.: Binge-type eating was induced in female rats by providing limited access to an optional source of fat dietary (margarine). Rats were divided into three groups, all with ad libitum access to chow and water: Control (C), with no access to margarine; Low-restriction (LR), with 2h margarine access 7 days/week; High-restriction (HR), with 2h margarine access 3 days/week. KEY RESULTS.: As compared to LR group, HR group displayed higher consumption of margarine accompanied by an increasing in body weight. The cannabinoid CB1/CB2 receptor (CB1R/CBR2) agonist ?(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) significantly increased margarine intake selectively in LR rats, while the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 showed no effect. The CB1R inverse agonist/antagonist rimonabant dose-dependently reduced margarine intake in HR rats. Notably, in HR rats, chronic treatment with a low dose of rimonabant induced a selective long-lasting effect on margarine intake that did not develop tolerance, and produced a significant and persistence reduction of body weight. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS.: Chronic pharmacological blockade of CB1Rs reduces binge eating behaviour in female rats and may prove effective in treating BED, with an associated significant reduction in the body weight.
HubMed – eating
A family-based intervention targeting parents of preschool children with overweight and obesity: conceptual framework and study design of LOOPS- Lund overweight and obesity preschool study.
Filed under: Eating Disorders
BMC Public Health. 2012 Oct 17; 12(1): 879
Onnerfält J, Erlandsson LK, Orban K, Broberg M, Helgason C, Thorngren-Jerneck K
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: As the rate of overweight among children is rising there is a need for evidence-based research that will clarify what the best interventional strategies to normalize weight development are. The overall aim of the Lund Overweight and Obesity Preschool Study (LOOPS) is to evaluate if a family-based intervention, targeting parents of preschool children with overweight and obesity, has a long-term positive effect on weight development of the children. The hypothesis is that preschool children with overweight, whose parents participate in a one-year intervention, both at completion of the one-year intervention and at long term follow up (2-, 3- and 5-years) will have reduced their BMI-for-age z-score. METHODS: The study is a randomized controlled trial, including overweight (n=160) and obese (n=80) children 4-6-years-old. The intervention is targeting the parents, who get general information about nutrition and exercise recommendations through a website and get randomized to participate in either of two group interventions with the purpose of supporting the parents to accomplish preferred lifestyle changes, both in the short and long term. To evaluate the effect of various supports, the parents are randomized to different interventions. The main focus of the different interventions are: 1) supporting the parents in limit setting by emphasizing the importance of positive interactions between parents and children and 2) influencing the patterns of daily activities to induce alterations of everyday life that will lead to healthier lifestyle. The primary outcome variable, child BMI-for-age z-score will be measured at referral, inclusion, after 6 months, at the end of intervention and at 2-, 3- and 5-years post intervention. Secondary outcome variables, measured at inclusion and at the end of intervention, are child activity pattern, eating habits and biochemical markers as well as parent BMI, exercise habits, perception of health, experience of parenthood and level of parental stress. DISCUSSION: The LOOPS project will provide valuable information on how to build effective interventions to influence an unhealthy weight development to prevent the negative long-term effects of childhood obesity.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT00916318.
HubMed – eating
The relationship between emotions and food consumption (macronutrient) in a foodservice college setting – a preliminary study.
Filed under: Eating Disorders
Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2012 Oct 17;
Hartwell HJ, Edwards JS, Brown L
Many aspects of eating out have been studied, yet emotions remain an under-researched area, despite having been shown to play a significant role in food consumption. The aim of this research is to critically evaluate the relationship between emotions and food consumption (macronutrient) in a realistic eating environment, a college cafeteria. Subjects (n = 408), diners using a cafeteria, completed an emotions questionnaire before and after freely choosing, paying for and consuming a hot main meal. The results demonstrated a greater feeling of contentment with a high fat, high energy meal, whereas with a low carbohydrate meal, participants felt unfulfilled. In addition, a high protein meal also leads to a feeling of contentment. These results are rather counter-intuitive to public health nutrition policy but indicate the importance of inclusion of a protein or high carbohydrate item in any dish design in a foodservice setting.
HubMed – eating
Nutritional extremes among school children in a rural Brazilian municipality.
Filed under: Eating Disorders
Rural Remote Health. 2012 Oct; 12(4): 2220
Justo GF, Callo GQ, Carletti L, Molina MC
Latin America is undergoing rapid demographic and nutritional transitions with the accompanying tendency to overweight as is common in countries emerging from poverty. In Brazil, changes due to the nutritional transition have affected the whole population, both urban and rural. Overweight in a large number of Brazilian children is one of the greatest public policy challenges. The objective of this 2009-2010 study was to estimate the prevalence of nutritional extremes among children from 7 to 10 years of age in a rural municipality on the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil.The sample consisted of 901 school children. Socio-demographic (sex, school location, age and skin color) and anthropometric (weight and height) data were collected, as well as information on eating habits (breakfast, number of meals and presence of a companion during meals). The nutritional status was classified according to BMI per age with the cut-off points: BMI for age < 3rd percentile = underweight and BMI per age > 97th percentile = obesity.A prevalence of 3.4% underweight and 5% obesity was observed, the latter higher in urban areas (p<0.05). Living in an urban area and the habit of eating four or fewer meals/day were associated with obesity among children. Among urban located children 7.5% obesity was found, approximately twice that of rural children.Underweight has been regressing, possibly due to improvements in access to health and better living conditions, even in rural areas. However obesity was associated with this in the urban location of the area studied. Children who studied and lived in rural areas showed a lower prevalence of obesity, possibly due to lower socioeconomic conditions and more intense physical activity in their daily activities. The habit of eating four or fewer meals was associated with obesity. This could be explained by the alteration it causes to biological mechanisms. The promotion of physical activity is proposed, mainly in urban areas, and nutritional education aimed at improve eating habits in both urban and rural areas. HubMed – eating
Teaching you to eat again – Eating disorders – This is what I have learned recently when it comes to starting to eat after a period of starvation. Starving is no way to live. Try to get out of this. It may not just save your quality of life, but also your life. I suggest you get an appointment with a nutritionist in order to help you get back into eating and to be able to ask all the questions surrounding your fears.
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