Tailoring Weight Loss Regimens by Gender
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USyd Access
Type
ThesisThesis type
Doctor of PhilosophyAuthor/s
Susanto, Alyssa KathleenAbstract
Background: Numerous studies have shown that the mean response to a weight loss intervention hides significant individual variation. Given the biological and physiological differences between males and females, we hypothesise that their respective responses to weight loss interventions ...
See moreBackground: Numerous studies have shown that the mean response to a weight loss intervention hides significant individual variation. Given the biological and physiological differences between males and females, we hypothesise that their respective responses to weight loss interventions will vary, and each gender will be better suited to certain approaches. Methods: Existing clinical trial datasets that utilised a variety of weight loss regimens were stratified by gender to examine potential gender differences. Datasets on participants undergoing bariatric surgery were similarly analysed. To identify any reported associations between gender and weight loss outcomes, reviews of published reports of clinical trials employing a low-carbohydrate and Mediterranean diet were performed. A review of recently published clinical trials of anti-obesity pharmacotherapies was also conducted. Semi-structured interviews were used to gain an understanding of individuals’ motivations for weight loss, and whether these differed by gender. Results: There was some evidence of a gender difference in the clinical trial datasets we analysed. In our systematic review of low-carbohydrate and Mediterranean diets, males lost more weight than females, however the opposite was observed when comparing pharmaceutical weight loss regimens where females lost more weight than males in all trials except SCALE Diabetes. Females also appear to lose slightly more percentage weight with bariatric surgery than males. Qualitative interviews revealed some reasons why males may be less likely to participate in weight loss clinical trials than females. Conclusions: We found that males and females may be better suited to certain weight loss interventions, although more investigation is needed. Our study highlights the need for gender stratification in the future, as the differences in weight loss between males and females are significant enough to warrant separate analysis of each gender.
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See moreBackground: Numerous studies have shown that the mean response to a weight loss intervention hides significant individual variation. Given the biological and physiological differences between males and females, we hypothesise that their respective responses to weight loss interventions will vary, and each gender will be better suited to certain approaches. Methods: Existing clinical trial datasets that utilised a variety of weight loss regimens were stratified by gender to examine potential gender differences. Datasets on participants undergoing bariatric surgery were similarly analysed. To identify any reported associations between gender and weight loss outcomes, reviews of published reports of clinical trials employing a low-carbohydrate and Mediterranean diet were performed. A review of recently published clinical trials of anti-obesity pharmacotherapies was also conducted. Semi-structured interviews were used to gain an understanding of individuals’ motivations for weight loss, and whether these differed by gender. Results: There was some evidence of a gender difference in the clinical trial datasets we analysed. In our systematic review of low-carbohydrate and Mediterranean diets, males lost more weight than females, however the opposite was observed when comparing pharmaceutical weight loss regimens where females lost more weight than males in all trials except SCALE Diabetes. Females also appear to lose slightly more percentage weight with bariatric surgery than males. Qualitative interviews revealed some reasons why males may be less likely to participate in weight loss clinical trials than females. Conclusions: We found that males and females may be better suited to certain weight loss interventions, although more investigation is needed. Our study highlights the need for gender stratification in the future, as the differences in weight loss between males and females are significant enough to warrant separate analysis of each gender.
See less
Date
2023Rights statement
The author retains copyright of this thesis. It may only be used for the purposes of research and study. It must not be used for any other purposes and may not be transmitted or shared with others without prior permission.Faculty/School
Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical SchoolAwarding institution
The University of SydneyShare