Impact of Behavioral Genetic Traits on Weight Maintenance Success Following Medically Supervised Very Low Calorie Diet

IMPACT OF BEHAVIORAL GENETIC TRAITS ON WEIGHT MAINTENANCE SUCCESS FOLLOWING MEDICALLY SUPERVISED VERY LOW CALORIE DIET Obesity has reached worldwide epidemic proportions and is associated with the leading causes of death. A person’s predisposition to obesity is strongly related to genetics and specific genes have been identified that influence weight control. The aim of this quantitative retrospective chart review is to identify the impact of behavioral genetics on weight loss maintenance following a medically supervised very low calorie diet. A total of 330 patient charts that met inclusion criteria were reviewed. Six behavioral genetic results were reviewed which included snacking, hunger, satiety, eating disinhibition, food desire, and sweet tooth along with patient weight at 3, 6, and 12 month post weight loss program. Dropout rates at 6 month and 12 months were also reviewed. Results indicated no association between the genetic behavioral results of hunger, satiety, food desire and sweet tooth with weight maintenance, however findings did indicate a relationship between the snacking and eating disinhibition gene results with weight maintenance success at certain time points. Interestingly, results indicated that patients who were at increased risk for snacking had lower dropout rates from the maintenance program compared to those that tested typical snacking behavior. Based on prior research and the results of this current study the author recommends referral to medical weight loss programs for patients that struggle with weight loss as well as early genetic testing during the weight loss program so that high risk patients can be identified early. Current study findings suggest there is a place for genetic testing in bariatric medicine, however more research is needed in order to better understands the extent of those benefits and the exact role genetic testing will play. IMPACT OF BEHAVIORAL GENETIC TRAITS ON WEIGHT MAINTENANCE SUCCESS FOLLOWING MEDICALLY SUPERVISED VERY LOW CALORIE DIET by Lori Elizabeth Arguello A project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice California State University, Northern Consortium Doctor of Nursing Practice March 2017 APPROVED For the California State University, Northern Consortium Doctor of Nursing Practice: We, the undersigned, certify that the project of the following student meets the required standards of scholarship, format, and style of the university and the student's graduate degree program for the awarding of the master's degree. Lori Elizabeth Arguello Project Author Deepika Goyal, PhD, FNP-C (Chair) Nursing Sharon Ball, MD The Hernried Center Shelly Rodgers, MSN, FNP-C The Hernried Center AUTHORIZATION FOR REPRODUCTION OF DOCTORAL PROJECT LEA I grant permission for the reproduction of this project in part or in its entirety without further authorization from me, on the condition that the person or agency requesting reproduction absorbs the cost and provides proper acknowledgment of authorship. Permission to reproduce this project in part or in its entirety must be obtained from me. Signature of project author: Lori Elizabeth Arguello ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The completion of my doctoral project is, in large part, thanks to the special people who have supported me along the way. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my project chair, Dr. Deepika Goyal, for her guidance, support, and management throughout this entire process. I would also like to thank my project advisor, Dr. Ruth Rosenblum, for her assistance with this project. I thank Dr. Sulekha Anand for helping me with the arduous task of performing statistical analysis of my research data. My committee members and colleagues at the weight loss center, Dr. Sharon Ball and Shelly Rodgers, were with me every step of the way and were always happy to offer their support and time. I offer great thanks and gratitude to the medical director of the weight loss center, Dr. John Hernried, for allowing me to conduct my research, and for always offering his assistance. Data collection was a long and tedious process, and I would like to thank Suzzette Olsen and Azkaa Zaman for their assistance with data collection. A strong support system is imperative during a doctorate program, and I would like to thank my classmates and loved ones for their constant support and encouragement. Without the support of WeChat group/fellow classmates Jaimee, Anna, Amanda, Helen, Debbie, and Darina, this doctorate program would have not been nearly as enjoyable, and I thank you all for always being there for me. To my parents, I know I would not be where I am now without you both, and I am so fortunate to have you as my mom and dad. Lastly, I want to thank my soon to be husband, Dr. Garrett Wong, for his understanding, advice, and love.