The latest medical research on Dietician

Aging population and growing obesity prevalence are two major public health issues. Bariatric surgery has been shown to be both safe and effective, but its role in the treatment of the elderly remains controversial.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic bariatric surgery in patients over 70 years of age.

A systematic review and assessment of the literature was performed in November-December 2023. Inclusion criteria gathered studies of elderly (age ≥70 years old) who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery. The data extraction focused on weight loss, obesity-related diseases, and complications.

Fourteen retrospective studies were included, involving 3923 septuagenarians (female, 69.70%). One year after the surgery, the mean excess weight loss was 54.66%. At last follow-up, the improvement in obesity-related diseases was regarded as 50% diagnosed with diabetes, 36% with hypertension, 50% with reflux, 36% with sleep apnea, and 25% with hyperlipidemia. The overall postoperative major morbidity and mortality were about 2% and 1%, respectively.

This systematic review suggests that laparoscopic bariatric surgery is an effective and safe treatment for patients over 70 years of age.

Cancer poses a significant burden in Africa, where limited resources and infrastructure compound the challenges of managing the disease. Undernutrition, a critical concern among cancer patients, can profoundly affect treatment outcomes and overall prognosis. Despite its importance, the prevalence of undernutrition among African cancer patients remains poorly understood.

Five major databases were searched for observational studies that reported the prevalence of undernutrition, from inception till February 2024. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted by at least two independent reviewers. The NIH criteria for observational studies were used for quality assessment. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to estimate the overall undernutrition prevalence, with subgroup analyses conducted based on country and population characteristics.

Twenty-four studies involving 4,283 participants met the inclusion criteria, most studies included children (41%), followed by adults (37%), and women (19%). The overall undernutrition prevalence among African cancer patients was estimated at 32.8% (95% CI, 25.1%, 41.67%) with substantial heterogeneity observed (I² = 95.4%, P < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses revealed significant variations in prevalence across countries and population groups.

Undernutrition is a serious issue among African cancer patients and requires an urgent response with targeted interventions. Tailored nutritional support strategies, considering demographic and regional contexts, are essential for improving patient outcomes.

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023432504.

The impact of different biological and nutritional characteristics on TEF in humans was analyzed.

The review included 133 studies, with 321 different groups. The mean TEF at 60 minutes after the test meal was 262 (95% CI, 236-288) kcal/d and decreased over time until 240 minutes after the test meal (P < .01). Male participants, individuals with normal body mass index, meals with energy content offered according to individual requirements, and meals with a mixed degree of food processing yielded a higher TEF. The total energy content of meals was the variable most strongly associated with TEF. Compositional analysis showed that the amount of lipids in meals was the only macronutrient consistently and negatively associated with TEF.

The TEF is influenced by specific individuals' and meal characteristics. Total energy content and the amount of lipids were the characteristics of the meals most consistently associated with TEF. However, due to important methodological differences between studies, it is difficult to determine how to use TEF as a potential therapeutic target against obesity.