Researchers discuss techniques to help combat growing epidemic of obesity

More than 60 percent of American adults weigh more than is healthy, which results in increased health issues for the patient and high health care costs. The 2018 AGA James W. Freston Conference, taking place Aug. 18-19, 2018, in Arlington, Virginia, will bring together leading physicians and researchers to discuss current research and techniques to help combat the growing epidemic of obesity.

At the meeting, 27 original abstracts will be presented.

Below are summaries of three of the most impactful obesity abstracts to be presented as oral presentations at the James W. Freston Conference.

For background information on obesity and obesity treatments, please visit the GI Patient Center. This content was developed by leading gastroenterologists, written at a patient-appropriate reading level.

Weight Loss Drugs Prove Effective in Real-World Setting

Abstract title: Weight Loss Clinical Outcomes to Obesity Pharmacotherapy: 'Real-World' Experience at the Mayo Clinic

Lead author: Daniela Hurtado, MD, PhD, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology Departments, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Summary: Clinical trials have found that pharmacotherapy -- or treatment with prescription drugs -- combined with lifestyle intervention results in significant weight loss at 1 year. A team at Mayo Clinic tested FDA-approved medications for the treatment of obesity in a "real world" setting for 1 year and found that use of obesity pharmacotherapy in a multidisciplinary weight-loss program results in significant and sustained weight loss comparable to outcomes in clinical trials.

Good Results for Obesity Device That Drains Calories

Abstract title: Effect of Aspiration Therapy on Obesity-Related Comorbidities: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Lead author: Pichamol Jirapinyo, MD, MPH, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

Summary: AspireAssist is an endoscopically placed gastrostomy tube with an external device that allows patients to drain approximately 30 percent of ingested calories after meals. While this device has been shown to be effective at inducing weight loss, there is limited data on obesity-related comorbidities. This study provides clarity by demonstrating that obesity-related comorbidities, including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes and fatty liver status, significantly improve at 1 year after AspireAssist. Additionally, patients have significant weight loss that persists up to at least 4 years after implantation.

Gene Common in African Americans Associated with Worse Outcomes in Children with Obesity

Abstract title: Association of FADS1 Genotype With Metabolic Health And Body Composition In Children With Obesity

Lead author: Webb A. Smith, PhD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis

Summary: Researchers will present their findings that the FADS1 GG genotype is associated with unfavorable body composition and high-risk body fat distributions in children with severe obesity. Since this genotype is common in African Americans, these findings may shed light on why obesity-related health complications disproportionately affect African Americans.