When the metabolism has a say

22-Jul-2024

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People who are severely overweight (obese) not only exhibit altered risk-taking behavior, but also changes in their metabolism and psyche. Until now, it was assumed that severely obese people are more impulsive and show an increased willingness to take risks. Scientists at the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE) have now investigated whether massive weight loss leads to an improvement in metabolic and psychological state and whether decision-making is improved. The results were published in the journal Clinical Nutrition.

Obesity derails metabolism

Our behavior depends on many factors. On the one hand, it is an expression of our personality, but it is also controlled by internal signals, such as glucose metabolism and our mood. Studies have shown that in people with obesity, decisions are influenced quite differently by these factors. Glucose metabolism and mood are impaired in this case and are therefore no longer reliable signals for decisions.

Beatrix Keweloh, a doctoral student in the Department of Neuroscience of Decision and Nutrition, and her team investigated whether this condition can be reversed by massive weight loss in an intervention study. They recruited 62 subjects between the ages of 18 and 75 with severe obesity (BMI > 35 ^kg/m2) and prescribed them an intensive 10-week diet with a daily energy intake of 800 kilocalories. At the beginning and end of the intervention, the participants' weight and body fat were measured, their mood was assessed using a questionnaire and their willingness to take risks was determined using a computerized test.

The role of the long-term glucose value HbA1c

As expected, a significant reduction in the body mass index (BMI) and the _HbA1c value as a marker for glucose metabolism was observed after the 10-week diet, as well as a significant improvement in mood. In addition, the scientists were able to demonstrate a positive change in behavior, as the weight loss led to risk-avoiding decisions. Accordingly, risk behavior in obesity appears to be highly dependent on BMI. "Our results also showed that the metabolic factor _HbA1cbecomes the leading predictor of risk-taking behavior after weight loss," says first author Beatrix Keweloh.

In addition, it was shown that mood loses its influence on decision-making after weight loss. The participants were therefore more strongly influenced by metabolic signals than emotional ones with regard to their risk-taking behavior. "We have shown that weight loss has a positive effect on glucose metabolism and mood and, in particular, that the function of glucose metabolism as a control signal could be restored," summarizes Keweloh.

Promoting metabolically controlled decisions

The study makes it clear that there are complex interactions between weight loss, metabolic and psychological factors with regard to risk-taking. BMI appears to play a central role in this. As reduced risk-taking is associated with a healthier lifestyle, it is an important prerequisite for weight loss and the maintenance of a healthy body weight. Accordingly, intervention strategies to support weight management should consider both metabolic and psychological factors to prevent relapse into unhealthy behaviors and promote metabolically driven choices.

"The present study is among the first of its kind because it considers both metabolic and psychological factors in obese people," summarizes Prof. Soyoung Q Park, Head of the Department of Neuroscience of Decision and Nutrition. "It therefore represents an important contribution to research in this field. On the other hand, it shows that we are only at the beginning and need to do further research to understand exactly how energy balance and the psyche affect our decisions."

Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.

https://www.yumda.com/en/news/1184009/when-the-metabolism-has-a-say.html