A major challenge with successful weight-management programs is the identification of individuals who are not responsive to specific interventions or are unable to maintain short-term weight loss into the long term. Common genetic variations within clock genes that affect circadian rhythm are associated with decreased response to weight-loss interventions and may be accounting for the differences in weight-loss effectiveness. A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between total weight loss and circadian rhythmicity, using wrist temperature and actimetry measurements, in women undergoing a behavioral therapy treatment based on the Mediterranean diet. The results suggest that circadian rhythmicity may be a significant and useful predictive factor of weight-loss effectiveness. Specifically, the authors found that high variability in weight-loss response was significantly related to the circadian rhythmicity of wrist temperature. By measuring the circadian pattern of wrist temperature, activity and position, health care professionals may be able to predict the success of weight-loss programs and implement behavioral advice, such as timing of food intake, physical activity and sleep, that will contribute to a healthier circadian rhythm and subsequently, more effective weight loss.

Breaking up prolonged sitting reduces resting blood pressure in adults affected by overweight and obesity 

Prolonged sitting may have more negative health effects than sitting that is accumulated in shorter bouts but is for the same overall amount of time. To evaluate the effect of prolonged sitting versus intermittent sitting on blood pressure, researchers had subjects with obesity perform two-minute bouts of light- and moderate-intensity walking on a treadmill every 20 minutes for five hours and compared changes in blood pressure to that of five hours of sitting. Results showed that breaking up sitting with light- and moderate-intensity activity breaks was associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to uninterrupted sitting. Going for short walks during the work day, instead of remaining seated at desks, may be an effective way for patients affected by obesity to improve their blood pressure.