Prevention and Treatment of Sarcopenic Obesity in Women

Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is referred to as the combination of obesity with low skeletal muscle mass and function. However, its definition and diagnosis is debated. SO represents a sizable risk factor for the development of disability, possibly with a worse prognosis in women. The present narrative review summarizes the current evidence on pharmacological, nutrition and exercise strategies on the prevention and/or treatment of SO in middle-aged and older-aged women. A literature search was carried out in Medline and Google Scholar between 29th January and 14th March 2019. Only controlled intervention studies on mid-age and older women whose focus was on the prevention and/or treatment of sarcopenia associated with obesity were included. Resistance training (RT) appears effective in the prevention of all components of SO in women, resulting in significant improvements in muscular mass, strength, and functional capacity plus loss of fat mass, especially when coupled with hypocaloric diets containing at least 0.8 g/kg body weight protein. Correction of vitamin D deficit has a favorable effect on muscle mass. Treatment of SO already established is yet unsatisfactory, although intense and prolonged RT, diets with higher (1.2 g/kg body weight) protein content, and soy isoflavones all look promising. However, further confirmatory research and trials combining different approaches are required

Lifestyle changes for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-a 2015-19 update

Background: Lifestyle interventions aimed at weight loss have been associated with improved liver enzymes, reduced intrahepatic triglyceride content, and improved histology (including reduced fibrosis stage). Objective: To revise the evidence on the beneficial effects of lifestyle changes accumulated since 2015, following the publication of the pivotal Cuban experience with histologic outcome. Methods: A PubMed search covering the period 2015 to July 2019 was carried out. All retrieved references were analyzed and double-checked by authors. Results: 20 new studies were identified; in addition, two relevant studies provided new evidence. Thirteen studies were classified as randomized, controlled studies, three as proof-of-concept/pilot studies, four as cohort observational studies. In an attempt to maintain a closer contact between participants and the treatment center, a study implemented regular phone calls, another an e-mail service, a third was based on text messages, and finally, a study was totally web-based. Notably, the web-based treatment, accessed following intense motivational inter-viewing, was not less effective than a standard group-based behavior program. Conclusion: Lifestyle changes should form the basis of any NAFLD intervention. Information technology provides the opportunity to expand treatment, bypassing job and time constraints in younger patients, and to maintain long-term contact between patients and therapists in the NAFLD population