10 Apr Population-wide weight loss and regain in relation to diabetes burden and cardiovascular mortality in Cuba 1980-2010: repeated cross sectional surveys and ecological comparison of secular trends
MedicalResearch.com eInterview with
Manuel Franco MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Health Sciences, Public Health Unit
Universidad de Alcalá
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Adjunct Associate Professor Dept. of Epidemiology
[email protected]
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Franco: Population wide weight loss of about 5 kg was related with large decreases in diabetes and cardiovascular mortality. On the contrary, Body weight regain was related with an increase in diabetes prevalence, incidence, and mortality, as well as a deceleration in the previously declining rates of cardiovascular death.
MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?
Dr. Franco: The large increases in diabetes burden and the halting cardiovascular mortality decline after population wide weight rebound were unexpected.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Franco: Population strategies to prevent common diseases as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are complementary and necessary with the individual treatments and advices provided by clinicians. Clinicians should get involved in those population strategies.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Franco: Evaluation of preventive efforts are much needed given the burden of diabetes and cardiovascular disease an d also seen the potential for prevention and control of population interventions.
A possible list of interventions will be the following: promotion of active forms of transportation (walking and bicycling), redesign of built environments to promote physical activity, changes in food systems, restrictions on aggressive promotion of unhealthy drinks and foods to children, and economic strategies such as taxation.
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Citation:
Franco M ,Bilal U ,Orduñez P ,Benet M ,Morejón A ,Caballero B ,et al. Population-wide weight loss and regain in relation to diabetes burden and cardiovascular mortality in Cuba 1980-2010: repeated cross sectional surveys and ecological comparison of secular trends. BMJ 2013;346:f1515
Last Updated on September 19, 2013 by Marie Benz MD FAAD