National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 64 Research Studies DisplayedMcDonald ML, Huang A, Proudfoot JA
Association of obesity, BMI, and Hispanic ethnicity on ambulatory status in children with spinal dysraphism followed near the California-Mexico border.
This study evaluated the relationship between body mass index (BMI), overweight status (OW), or obesity (OB) and ambulatory status in a predominantly Hispanic population of children with spinal dysraphism (SD). It found that,despite no difference in ambulatory status, increasing BMI and OW / OB are associated with Hispanic ethnicity and increasing age.
AHRQ-funded; HS022404.
Citation: McDonald ML, Huang A, Proudfoot JA .
Association of obesity, BMI, and Hispanic ethnicity on ambulatory status in children with spinal dysraphism followed near the California-Mexico border.
J Health Care Poor Underserved 2016;27(4):1956-69. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2016.0173.
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Keywords: Obesity, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Children/Adolescents, Health Status
Heerman WJ, Mitchell SJ, Thompson J
Parental perception of built environment characteristics and built environment use among Latino families: a cross-sectional study.
The researchers examined the association of perceived availability, condition, and safety of the built environment with its self-reported use for physical activity among underserved families with children at risk for obesity. In their sample of underserved families, perceived availability and condition of built environment structures were associated with use rather than perceived safety.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Heerman WJ, Mitchell SJ, Thompson J .
Parental perception of built environment characteristics and built environment use among Latino families: a cross-sectional study.
BMC Public Health 2016 Nov 22;16(1):1180. doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-3854-7.
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Keywords: Obesity, Social Determinants of Health, Children/Adolescents, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Vulnerable Populations
Tung EL, Peek ME, Makelarski JA
Adult BMI and access to built environment resources in a high-poverty, urban geography.
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between BMI and access to built environment resources in a high-poverty, urban geography. BMI was not associated with potential access to resources located nearest to home. Nearly all participants bypassed at least one nearby resource type; half bypassed nearby grocers (realized access >1 mile from home). Bypassing grocers was associated with a higher BMI.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Tung EL, Peek ME, Makelarski JA .
Adult BMI and access to built environment resources in a high-poverty, urban geography.
Am J Prev Med 2016 Nov;51(5):e119-e27. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.04.019.
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Keywords: Low-Income, Obesity, Urban Health
Varban OA, Greenberg CC, Schram J
Surgical skill in bariatric surgery: Does skill in one procedure predict outcomes for another?
Whether skill for one bariatric procedure can predict outcomes for another related procedure is unknown. This study found that video ratings of surgical skill with laparoscopic gastric bypass do not predict outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Evaluation of surgical skill with one procedure may not apply to other related procedures and may require independent assessment of surgical technical proficiency.
AHRQ-funded; R01 HS023597.
Citation: Varban OA, Greenberg CC, Schram J .
Surgical skill in bariatric surgery: Does skill in one procedure predict outcomes for another?
Surgery 2016 Nov;160(5):1172-81. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2016.04.033.
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Keywords: Surgery, Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity, Outcomes, Provider Performance
Waljee JF, Ghaferi A, Cassidy R
Are patient-reported outcomes correlated with clinical outcomes after surgery? A population-based study.
The researchers evaluated the extent to which patient-reported outcomes (eg, health-related quality of life) are distinct from clinical outcomes following bariatric surgery. They concluded that patient-reported outcomes are not correlated with early perioperative events, but are correlated with measures of clinical effectiveness after bariatric surgery.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: Waljee JF, Ghaferi A, Cassidy R .
Are patient-reported outcomes correlated with clinical outcomes after surgery? A population-based study.
Ann Surg 2016 Oct;264(4):682-9. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000001852.
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Keywords: Surgery, Obesity, Adverse Events, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Patient Safety
Sharifi M, Sequist TD, Rifas-Shiman SL
The role of neighborhood characteristics and the built environment in understanding racial/ethnic disparities in childhood obesity.
The authors sought to examine the extent to which racial/ethnic disparities in elevated child body mass index (BMI) are explained by neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) and the built environment. They concluded that SES and the built environment may be important drivers of childhood obesity disparities and that interventions must be tailored to the neighborhood contexts in which families live.
AHRQ-funded; HS022986.
Citation: Sharifi M, Sequist TD, Rifas-Shiman SL .
The role of neighborhood characteristics and the built environment in understanding racial/ethnic disparities in childhood obesity.
Prev Med 2016 Oct;91:103-09. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.07.009.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Disparities, Obesity, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health
Brownley KA, Berkman ND, Peat CM
Binge-eating disorder in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This review summarized evidence about the benefits and harms of psychological and pharmacologic therapies for adults with binge-eating disorder. It concluded that cognitive behavioral therapy, lisdexamfetamine, SGAs, and topiramate reduced binge eating and related psychopathology, and lisdexamfetamine and topiramate reduced weight in adults with binge-eating disorder.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200008U.
Citation: Brownley KA, Berkman ND, Peat CM .
Binge-eating disorder in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Ann Intern Med 2016 Sep 20;165(6):409-20. doi: 10.7326/m15-2455.
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Keywords: Obesity, Medication, Evidence-Based Practice, Behavioral Health, Comparative Effectiveness
Aschbrenner KA, Naslund JA, Shevenell M
Feasibility of behavioral weight loss treatment enhanced with peer support and mobile health technology for individuals with serious mental illness.
This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a behavioral weight loss intervention enhanced with peer support and mobile health (mHealth) technology for obese individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). Feasibility was assessed by program attendance, and participant satisfaction and suggestions for improving the model. It found that overall attendance amounted to approximately half of weekly sessions, with participants suggesting a number of modifications.
AHRQ-funded; HS021695.
Citation: Aschbrenner KA, Naslund JA, Shevenell M .
Feasibility of behavioral weight loss treatment enhanced with peer support and mobile health technology for individuals with serious mental illness.
Psychiatr Q 2016 Sep;87(3):401-15. doi: 10.1007/s11126-015-9395-x.
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Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Behavioral Health, Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity
Allaire BT, Raghavan R, Brown DS
Morbid obesity and use of second generation antipsychotics among adolescents in foster care: evidence from Medicaid.
The researchers examined the association between receiving a morbid obesity diagnosis and second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) prescriptions among adolescents in foster care. They found that the risk increases with age. Quetiapine and clozapine increased the risk of a morbid obesity diagnosis more than 2.5 times, and two or more psychotropic drugs (polypharmacy) increased the risk fivefold.
AHRQ-funded; HS020269.
Citation: Allaire BT, Raghavan R, Brown DS .
Morbid obesity and use of second generation antipsychotics among adolescents in foster care: evidence from Medicaid.
Child Youth Serv Rev 2016 Aug;67:27-31. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.05.019.
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Keywords: Medicaid, Obesity, Medication, Children/Adolescents, Risk
Fischer HH, Fischer IP, Pereira RI
Text message support for weight loss in patients with prediabetes: a randomized clinical trial.
This study explores whether text message support enhances weight loss in patients offered Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) classes. Stratification by language demonstrated a significant treatment effect in Spanish speakers but not in English speakers. It concluded that text message support can lead to clinically significant weight loss in patients with prediabetes.
AHRQ-funded; HS022143.
Citation: Fischer HH, Fischer IP, Pereira RI .
Text message support for weight loss in patients with prediabetes: a randomized clinical trial.
Diabetes Care 2016 Aug;39(8):1364-70. doi: 10.2337/dc15-2137.
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Keywords: Diabetes, Obesity, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Social Media, Obesity: Weight Management
Bertrand KA, Baer HJ, Orav EJ
Early life body fatness, serum anti-mullerian hormone, and breast density in young adult women.
Researchers examined associations of early life body fatness, serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentrations, and breast density among 172 women in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children (DISC). They found no evidence that current or early life BMI influences AMH concentrations in later life. Women with higher concentrations of AMH had similar percent and absolute dense breast volume, but lower nondense volume.
AHRQ-funded; HS019789.
Citation: Bertrand KA, Baer HJ, Orav EJ .
Early life body fatness, serum anti-mullerian hormone, and breast density in young adult women.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016 Jul;25(7):1151-7. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-16-0185.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Children/Adolescents, Obesity, Women, Young Adults
Aschbrenner KA, Naslund JA, Shevenell M
A pilot study of a peer-group lifestyle intervention enhanced with mHealth technology and social media for adults with serious mental illness.
This pilot study of 32 participants examined the preliminary effectiveness of a peer-group lifestyle intervention enhanced with mobile health technology and social media for obese individuals with serious mental illness. Most participants (72%) lost weight, and 17% showed clinically significant improvements in cardiovascular fitness. This study demonstrated the preliminary effectiveness of peer-group lifestyle intervention in a community mental health setting.
AHRQ-funded; HS021695.
Citation: Aschbrenner KA, Naslund JA, Shevenell M .
A pilot study of a peer-group lifestyle intervention enhanced with mHealth technology and social media for adults with serious mental illness.
J Nerv Ment Dis 2016 Jun;204(6):483-6. doi: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000000530.
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Keywords: Behavioral Health, Social Media, Lifestyle Changes, Obesity, Community-Based Practice
Ehrlich SF, Sternfeld B, Krefman AE
Moderate and vigorous intensity exercise during pregnancy and gestational weight gain in women with gestational diabetes.
The researchers estimated the associations of exercise intensity during pregnancy with the rate of gestational weight gain (GWG) from gestational diabetes (GDM) diagnosis to delivery. Upon stratification by prepregnancy overweight/obesity, they found that significant associations were only observed for BMI greater than or equal to 25.0. There were no associations observed for moderate intensity exercise.
AHRQ-funded; HS019367.
Citation: Ehrlich SF, Sternfeld B, Krefman AE .
Moderate and vigorous intensity exercise during pregnancy and gestational weight gain in women with gestational diabetes.
Matern Child Health J 2016 Jun;20(6):1247-57. doi: 10.1007/s10995-016-1926-z.
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Keywords: Diabetes, Lifestyle Changes, Obesity, Obesity: Weight Management, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Pregnancy, Women
Booth JM, Jonassaint CR
The role of disadvantaged neighborhood environments in the association of John Henryism with hypertension and obesity.
In this study, the investigators tested the The John Henryism hypothesis which proposes that high-effort, active coping in impoverished, low-resource environments is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but a lower risk of disease in a high-resource environment. They found that in their study, which modeled objective measures of neighborhood disadvantage, John Henryism Active Coping was associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease among individuals living in highly disadvantaged neighborhoods which lack resources and opportunities for upward social mobility.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Booth JM, Jonassaint CR .
The role of disadvantaged neighborhood environments in the association of John Henryism with hypertension and obesity.
Psychosom Med 2016 Jun;78(5):552-61. doi: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000308..
Keywords: Blood Pressure, Obesity, Vulnerable Populations
Scally CP, Varban OA, Carlin AM
Video ratings of surgical skill and late outcomes of bariatric surgery.
The authors sought to study the association between surgical skill and long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery. They found that surgical skill did not affect postoperative weight loss or resolution of medical comorbidities at 1 year after laparoscopic gastric bypass. They suggested that long-term outcomes after bariatric surgery may be less dependent on a surgeon's operative skill and instead be driven by other factors.
AHRQ-funded; HS023597.
Citation: Scally CP, Varban OA, Carlin AM .
Video ratings of surgical skill and late outcomes of bariatric surgery.
JAMA Surg 2016 Jun 15;151(6):e160428. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2016.0428.
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Keywords: Surgery, Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity, Quality of Care, Outcomes
Pellegrini CA, Song J, Chang RW
Change in physical activity and sedentary time associated with 2-year weight loss in obese adults with osteoarthritis.
The investigators examined if changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light activity, and sedentary behavior are related to weight change over a 2-year period in obese adults with elevated risk for knee osteoarthritis. They found that small increases in MVPA and decreases in sedentary time over 2 years were associated with weight loss among adults with obesity and with or at elevated risk for knee osteoarthritis.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Pellegrini CA, Song J, Chang RW .
Change in physical activity and sedentary time associated with 2-year weight loss in obese adults with osteoarthritis.
J Phys Act Health 2016 May;13(5):461-6. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2015-0404.
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Keywords: Lifestyle Changes, Obesity, Arthritis, Obesity: Weight Management
Vargas GM, Sieloff EP, Parmar AD
Laparoscopy decreases complications for obese patients undergoing elective rectal surgery.
This paper's goal was to determine whether obese patients undergoing laparoscopic rectal surgery experienced the same benefits as non-obese patients. The researchers found that laparoscopic rectal surgery is associated with fewer complications when compared to open rectal surgery in both obese and non-obese patients, and that obesity was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Vargas GM, Sieloff EP, Parmar AD .
Laparoscopy decreases complications for obese patients undergoing elective rectal surgery.
Surg Endosc 2016 May;30(5):1826-32. doi: 10.1007/s00464-015-4463-8.
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Keywords: Adverse Events, Obesity, Risk, Surgery
Heerman WJ, Krishnaswami S, Barkin SL
Adverse family experiences during childhood and adolescent obesity.
The researchers evaluated the association between adverse family experiences (AFEs) during childhood and adolescent obesity and determined populations at highest risk for AFEs. They found that adolescents in this national sample who were exposed to greater numbers of AFEs in childhood also had higher rates of overweight and obesity, and also that geographic variation and differential associations based on race/ethnicity identified children at greatest risk.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Heerman WJ, Krishnaswami S, Barkin SL .
Adverse family experiences during childhood and adolescent obesity.
Obesity 2016 Mar;24(3):696-702. doi: 10.1002/oby.21413..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Family Health and History, Obesity, Risk, Social Determinants of Health
Fiechtner L, Kleinman K, Melly SJ
Effects of proximity to supermarkets on a randomized trial studying interventions for obesity.
To determine whether proximity to a supermarket modified the effects of an obesity intervention, the researchers examined distance to the closest supermarket as an effect modifier.They concluded that living closer to a supermarket is associated with greater improvements in fruit and vegetable intake and weight status in an obesity intervention.
AHRQ-funded; HS022986.
Citation: Fiechtner L, Kleinman K, Melly SJ .
Effects of proximity to supermarkets on a randomized trial studying interventions for obesity.
Am J Public Health 2016 Mar;106(3):557-62. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2015.302986.
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Keywords: Obesity, Nutrition, Lifestyle Changes, Social Determinants of Health, Behavioral Health
Najari BB, Katz MJ, Schulster ML
Increased body mass index in men with varicocele is associated with larger spermatic vein diameters when supine.
The researchers evaluated the association of body mass index (BMI) and spermatic vein diameters (SVDs) in men treated for varicocele. They concluded that increased BMI is associated with larger left SVD while supine, suggesting that increased abdominal pressure while recumbent may contribute to varicocele pathology in this population.
AHRQ-funded; HS00066.
Citation: Najari BB, Katz MJ, Schulster ML .
Increased body mass index in men with varicocele is associated with larger spermatic vein diameters when supine.
Urology 2016 Mar;89:40-4. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2015.11.033.
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Keywords: Obesity, Men's Health, Sexual Health
Rivera-Soto WT, Rodriguez-Figueroa L
Is waist-to-height ratio a better obesity risk-factor indicator for Puerto Rican children than is BMI or waist circumference?
This study aimed to explore the association of a single blood pressure reading with 3 different obesity indicators (WC, BMI, and WHtR). Its findings suggest the possibility of higher prevalence of high blood pressure in obese Puerto Rican children. The waist-to height ratio could be the best indicator to measure obesity and potential hypertension in Puerto Rican children.
AHRQ-funded; HS014060.
Citation: Rivera-Soto WT, Rodriguez-Figueroa L .
Is waist-to-height ratio a better obesity risk-factor indicator for Puerto Rican children than is BMI or waist circumference?
P R Health Sci J 2016 Mar;35(1):20-5.
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Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Obesity, Children/Adolescents, Risk, Blood Pressure
Yang HY, Chen HJ, Marsteller JA
AHRQ Author: Liang L
Patient-health care professional gender or race/ethnicity concordance and its association with weight-related advice in the United States.
This study examined association between adult patients' and health care providers' (HCPs) gender or race/ethnicity concordance and patients' reported receiving weight-related advice from HCP's in USA. It found that patient/HCP gender or race/ethnicity concordance was not positively associated with HCPs providing weight-related advice. Patients with female HCPs or with racial/ethnic discordant HCPs (especially black or Asian HCPs) were more likely to receive advice.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Yang HY, Chen HJ, Marsteller JA .
Patient-health care professional gender or race/ethnicity concordance and its association with weight-related advice in the United States.
Patient Educ Couns 2016 Feb;99(2):271-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2015.08.030.
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Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Obesity, Obesity: Weight Management, Clinician-Patient Communication
Reynolds RJ, Vazquez AI, Srinivasasainagendra V
Serum urate gene associations with incident gout, measured in the Framingham Heart Study, are modified by renal disease and not by body mass index.
The researchers hypothesized that serum urate-associated SNPs, individually or collectively, interact with BMI and renal disease to contribute to risk of incident gout. They measured the incidence of gout and associated comorbidities using the original and offspring cohorts of the Framingham Heart Study. They demonstrated that minor alleles of rs1106766 (intergenic, INHBC) were negatively associated with the risk of incident gout in subjects without renal disease, but not for individuals with renal disease.
AHRQ-funded; HS021110.
Citation: Reynolds RJ, Vazquez AI, Srinivasasainagendra V .
Serum urate gene associations with incident gout, measured in the Framingham Heart Study, are modified by renal disease and not by body mass index.
Rheumatol Int 2016 Feb;36(2):263-70. doi: 10.1007/s00296-015-3364-4.
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Keywords: Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs), Evidence-Based Practice, Genetics, Risk, Obesity
Zamora-Kapoor A, Nelson L, Buchwald D
Maternal correlates of body mass index in American Indian/Alaska Native and white adolescents: differences between mother/son and mother/daughter pairs.
This study sough to determine the influence of maternal correlates on adolescent body mass index (BMI), and the extent to which the size and significance of these correlates vary by adolescent sex and race. Its findings suggest that maternal factors are critical in the transmission of obesogenic behaviors from one generation to the next, and their effects vary between mother/son and mother/daughter pairs, and are similar for AI/ANs and Whites.
AHRQ-funded; HS021686.
Citation: Zamora-Kapoor A, Nelson L, Buchwald D .
Maternal correlates of body mass index in American Indian/Alaska Native and white adolescents: differences between mother/son and mother/daughter pairs.
Eat Behav 2016 Jan;20:43-7. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2015.11.002..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk, Social Determinants of Health
Boles RE, Yun L, Hambidge SJ, et al.
Influencing the home food and activity environment of families of preschool children receiving home-based treatment for obesity.
The goal of this study was to characterize the home food and activity environments of overweight and obese preschool-aged children from low socioeconomic status Latino families. It showed that despite a small, but significant reduction in preschool BMI for a subsample, families showed little change in the home food and activity environment.
AHRQ-funded; HS021138.
Citation: Boles RE, Yun L, Hambidge SJ, et al..
Influencing the home food and activity environment of families of preschool children receiving home-based treatment for obesity.
Clin Pediatr 2015 Dec;54(14):1387-90. doi: 10.1177/0009922815570614..
Keywords: Obesity, Children/Adolescents, Nutrition, Obesity: Weight Management, Family Health and History